Ten internal medicine resident physicians in training at the University of Arizona College Medicine – Tucson will serve as chief residents over the next two years—four each year at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and one each year at Banner – UMC South.
For the 2018-19 chief residents, rotations begin July 1, 2018. The same date but a year later is effective for the 2019-20 chief residents, who were named earlier this week.
Tucson Campus
2018-19
At the Tucson Campus internal medicine program, incoming chief residents include:
- Kelly Barnett, MD — St. George's University School of Medicine, St. George, Grenada
- Kris Kumar, DO — Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Glendale, Ariz.
- Anthony Witten, DO — Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Glendale, Ariz.
- Ryan Wong, MD — University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson
2019-20
At the Tucson Campus internal medicine program, incoming chief residents include:
Nathan Coffman, MD — University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colo.- Joshua K. Cox, MD — University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, N.Y.
- Jessica Vondrak, MD — The Commonwealth Medical College, Scranton, Pa.
- Richard “Ben” Young, MD — Medical school: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Okla.
“We are happy to have physicians with such outstanding medical knowledge and teaching skills,” said Laura Meinke, MD, director of the UA Internal Medicine Residency Program – Tucson Campus and a pulmonary and critical care specialist with the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Banner – UMC Tucson.
“Ultimately, our program will be strengthened by the quality and diverse skills that our 2019-2020 Chiefs will bring to the Department of Medicine.”
South Campus
2018-19
Roberto Swazo, MD — Ross University School of Medicine, Rouseau, Dominica
2019-20
Daniel Orta, MD — Ross University School of Medicine, Rouseau, Dominica
Eugene Trowers, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine, director, UA Internal Medicine Residency Program – South Campus, and director, Gastrointestinal Services, Banner – UMC South, was equally effusive about Drs. Swazo and Orta.
“Obviously, they’re two fantastic residents,” Dr. Trowers said. “In reference to Roberto, he was one of the founders of our ‘Pathway to Success’ outreach for young teens in the Tucson area who have an interest in health care careers. He’s also very involved with all sorts of activities at South Campus, including—during recruiting season—taking folks on tour or going to dinner with an applicant, always very pleasant and helpful in trying to give back to the program.
“The same is true for Danny. They’re both very positive and happy guys. Both are involved with the Spanish Distinction and Health Care Disparities tracks. Roberto was in the first group of the Spanish track that got the program started. Danny was in the second wave. Both guys speak Spanish. They meet monthly with folks interested in becoming proficient or beyond in the language. And, in the disparities track, they host speakers and arrange outreach activities geared toward minority communities on the south side who may be underserved.”
Dr. Trowers noted he recently received a letter from the family of a patient of Dr. Swazo who wanted to contribute to the university after witnessing the compassionate care the resident showed in handling the case of a family member treated at Banner – UMC South. The elderly patient ultimately required hospice care and later passed away, but Dr. Swazo’s approach impressed them.
“I think that speaks volumes for him and the type of physicians we train in our program,” Dr. Trowers added.