Class of 2013: EM PGY-2
Ijeoma Akunyili
Hometown: Houston, TX
Undergraduate school: University of Pennsylvania
Graduate school: Harvard University
Medical school: University of Maryland
If I was not a doctor: I would be a writer or a yoga teacher
Fact: The moment I had my daughter, my entire life played in front of me in one second
Mary Chang
Hometown: Austin, TX
Undergraduate school: Rice University, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Medical school: Texas A&M
Interests: Running, Baking, Traveling the world, Scrapbooking, Spending time with friends, Abstract oil painting
Best vacation: 3 unforgettable weeks on the gorgeous island of Borneo before med school started!
EM Interest: International Medicine, Wilderness Medicine
Why Houston? High volume, Level 1 trauma center with a diverse pt population and some really amazing attendings. Awesome PD who always asks for resident input. Some people cite Houston's traffic as a huge negative, but it's hard to beat my <5 min drive from my affordable (and safe) place to the hospital with towering oak trees that form a canopy over the road the entire way.
Betsy Helander
Hometown: The Woodlands, TX (Houston suburb)
Undergraduate school: SMU, Biochemistry
Medical school: Texas A&M College of Medicine
Fact #1: I am extremely devoted to my family and spend most of my free time with my one year old son and my husband. I am already the local expert on the Houston Zoo, the Children's museum, and Hermann Park.
Fact #2: I hate shopping but I love the outlet mall!
Kevin Hoffman
Hometown: Hereford, TX
Undergrad school: Texas A&M University, Biomedical Science
Medical school: UT Houston
Interests: Triathlons, running, biking, snow skiing, traveling, cooking
EM Interests: Homeless medicine, CV/pulm research, International medicine
Best vacation: Living in India for a month
Why Houston: Great program with a good mix of trauma, medicine, and pediatrics in the biggest med center in the country. We have intelligent, fun faculty and you can never run out of things to do in Houston.
Lauren LaRoche
Hometown: Brenham, TX
Undergraduate school: Cornell University, B.S. Human Biology Health and Society
Medical school: UT Houston
What I would be if I weren't an EM Doc: Homicide detective
Ambition: To be on the Amazing Race
Morning Drink: No Carb Monster
Favorite TV show: Bethenny Getting Married
Lauren Leavitt
Hometown: Houston, TX
Undergraduate school: Vanderbilt, Sociology
Medical school: Texas Tech Medical School
My to do list: Traveling, trying new restaurants, spending time with my two little “terrors” Max and Jax, discovering new music, driving my little “clown car” around on sunny days
How do I take my coffee: I secretly wish I liked coffee but I’m sticking with hot tea
Heroes: Mother Teresa, Optimus Prime, Oprah, Abraham Lincoln, Apollo Creed
Justin Mazzillo
Hometown: Syosset, NY
Undergraduate school: SUNY Binghamton, Cellular and Molecular Biology
Medical school: University at Buffalo
EM Interests: Sports Medicine and Critical Care
If I wasn't an EM doc I would be: A personal trainer
Amit Mehta
Hometown: Austin, TX
Undergraduate school: University of Texas at Austin, Biomedical Engineering
Medical school: Baylor College of Medicine
Best Vacation: Three week trek through Egypt and South Africa to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup the month before residency started
Guilty pleasure song: *NSYNC - Bye Bye Bye
Ajita Shah
Hometown: Austin, TX
Undergraduate school: University of Texas at Austin, B.S. Psychology
Medical school: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Interests: I love listening to all types of music, bustin' a move, spending time with my family, doing random things, and going home to Austin!
If I wasn't an ER doc: I'd be traveling the world and writing for lonely planet
Jessica Stewart
Hometown: Wilson, NC
Undergraduate school: UNC-Chapel Hill, Biology and Spanish
Medical school: Brody School of Medicine - ECU
Facts: I am obsessed with Tarheel athletics (GO HEELS!) and I get up early to watch cartoons so that everyday can start with something funny and positive
Hobbies: Cooking, going to the gym, movies, and shopping
Brian Vu
Hometown: Wichita Falls, TX
Undergraduate school: The Texas A&M University, Genetics
Medical school: The Texas A&M University Health Science Center
Favorite chief complaint: “It gets dark when I close my eyes.”
Travel activities: Scuba diving with sharks in Belize, ran with the bulls in Pamplona, sky diving from a helicopter over the Swiss alps, hitchhiking in remote Nicaragua
My cage fighter entrance song would be: “Why can’t we be friends”
Yee-Ming Woodward Pu
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Undergraduate school: Wake Forest, Anthropology
Medical school: University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
Fact #1: I go through an avocado a day and two watermelons per week. Keeps the doctor away!
Fact #2: I buy my produce in Chinatown