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Pediatrics Residency Greenville - Resident Bios

Alexi Adams, MD

Alexi Adams, MD

Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Undergrad: University of Georgia

Favorite rotation so far: My favorite rotation by far is PICU. This may be because this is what I want to do when I grow up, but it also helps that the attendings are all very proactive in letting us do procedures and learning hands-on when possible. The staff is always so helpful and really supports residents throughout the rotation. Regardless of what you want to do long term, the PICU is a really helpful rotation to be able to get comfortable with sicker kiddos!

What I will remember most from residency: This family. Residency will be one of the most trying times in all of our lives, and the people that are there to walk by your side through it are the most important thing to be able to actually enjoy it while spending most of our time in the hospital. These wonderful humans are some of the most generous, passionate, selfless, and supportive people I have had the privilege to work with. My co-residents have stood by each other through it all and our administration is ALWAYS there to pick us up when we need a little help. My residency experience would have been a lot different without my amazing family by my side through it all.

Britni Ashkinazy, MD

Britni Ashkinazy, MD

Medical School: MCG - Augusta
Undergrad: Emerson College

Ciara Amstutz, DO

Ciara Amstutz, DO

Medical School: Ohio University
Undergrad: Wright State

Why I chose Greenville: I wanted to be at a program where I could be myself and feel supported. I immediately knew this is where I wanted to be during my interview day. Everyone was so genuine and proud of their residents and the program. I couldn’t be happier that this is where I get to do my residency training. Greenville also seemed like a beautiful and amazing place to live with so many things to do (which it is).

Emily Denney, MD

Emily Denney, MD

Medical School: Mercer University
Undergrad: University of West Georgia
Why I chose Greenville:
I immediately noticed the family atmosphere of the program in how familiar the residents were with each other, their attendings, and their program leadership (who everyone calls by their first names). It truly is a program that values resident wellness and work-life balance, while emphasizing resident education and personal career goals. In addition, the city of Greenville is beautiful with so many things to do and places to eat, so I knew I would never be without something fun to do or somewhere good to eat on my days off!

Cicely Brunt, DO

Cicely Brunt, DO

Medical School: VCOM - Carolinas
Undergrad: University of South Carolina

Isaac Baum, MD

Isaac Baum, MD

Medical School: USC School of Medicine Greenville
Undergrad: Clemson

Favorite rotation so far: Favorite rotations for me are wards and clinic.  The strong teamwork aspect of wards is something I love, and the continuity of outpatient is really nice (although admittedly this is always more difficult to achieve in the context of a resident clinic).

What has surprised me most about residency in Greenville: how little the hours of residency matter when you're working at a job that you love with amazing co-residents, upper levels, attendings, and staff. Truly when you love what you do and who you do it with, it's a wonderful thing.

 

Madison Ferguson, MD

Madison Ferguson, MD

Medical School: USC School of Medicine Greenville
Undergrad: Clemson University
What has surprised me in residency: I am always surprised by how much input we get into our program and how responsive our program leadership is when we want things to change. 

Favorite rotation so far: Clinic! It is so rewarding to see patients in clinic and help answer a family's concerns and questions and see families back in continuity clinic! 

Morgan Dodson, MD

Morgan Dodson, MD

Medical School: University of Louisville
Undergrad: University of Kentucky

The Transition to Residency: The peds program has made the transition as gentle as possible. Our program coordinator Mandy has been my go to person with all my onboarding, life, and Greenville questions. Everyone has been so forgiving, patient, and kind as we adapt to our new roles.

Emilie Flament, DO

Emilie Flament, DO

Medical School: LECOM Bradenton
Undergrad: Florida Southern College
What life is like as a resident in Greenville: Like running a sprint workout within a marathon (bare with me - I'm a runner). It's both really fun and tough! Medical school has trained you for it but you never know what to truly expect until to you do it. Inpatient months are sprints (challenging but empowering with how much you learn and grow). You can catch your breath during outpatient months. Along the way, you're cheered on by the best supporters (your co-residents, program leadership, and attendings). There's always someone to lean on when you twist your ankle at mile 9. It has been a rewarding journey! P.S. I still have time to run 😊

Favorite Rotation so far: NICU!!

Emma Garner, DO

Emma Garner, DO

Medical School: LMU DeBusk
Undergrad: UNC Chapel Hill

Why I chose Greenville: Simply put, it just felt right. From the first communications upon receiving the interview invite to my interview day to the “second look” virtually, it was clear to me that there was a lot of intentionality to this program to create a culture where residents felt supported, heard, and able to grow into the physician they want to be. I was looking for a program that offered an environment where I could learn and grow best and I can tell that I definitely found that here. 

Megan Clement, MD

Megan Clement, MD

Medical School: USC School of Medicine Columbia
Undergrad: North Greenville University

Olivia Baumgarten, MD

Olivia Baumgarten, MD

Medical School: USC School of Medicine Greenville
Undergrad: Wake Forest

Career Plans: I am applying to Pediatric Hematology Oncology fellowship. This program has the ability to individualize your curriculum in so many ways. Just to name a few examples, I was able to do an extra 4 week elective on the PHO service focusing more on oncology and chemo protocols, be assigned to take more PHO patients on nights, and able to attend Camp Courage during my elective block!

What has surprised me most about residency: The biggest surprise for me so far has been the wide variety of pathologies we see here. You never know what kind of patient will walk into the children's hospital and I have already seen such a wide range of disease processes in my first few months here.

Anna Cerrati, DO

Anna Cerrati, DO

Medical School: LMU DeBusk
Undergrad: Seton Hall

As a PGY3: I can definitely see the growth and progress that I have had not only as a physician but also as an individual since day 1 baby intern Anna walked through the door. Even though I have had the trust of faculty on my side throughout my time here, I feel just as empowered now to make clinical decisions without the "imposter" fear that used to follow.

Career Plans: Future me still has many thoughts, but I think I'd really like to be able to work in academics so I can have both inpatient and outpatient pediatric experiences, while getting to work with residents/students as a teacher. This program has allowed me to work on that balance between the different settings. Being par tof this program has also helped me gain the confidence to approach any problem or barrier that comes my way, while also remaining composed during emergencies and have the patience to teach those around me.

Bre'Ana Coleman, DO

Bre'Ana Coleman, DO

Medical School: VCOM - Carolinas
Undergrad: Florida A&M University

Camille Haywood, MD

Camille Haywood, MD

Medical School: Brody School of Medicine at ECU
Undergrad: UNC Chapel Hill

The Transition to Residency: I have felt so supported during my transition into residency. The program leadership was always available both before I arrived in Greenville and after to help me with residency and non-residency specific questions. The upper-level residents on my first rotation were all so willing to help me with anything that I needed and clearly wanted to make my first month a great experience for me. Everyone was also so excited to include the new interns in all the fun events and traditions! 

Matthew Howard, MD

Matthew Howard, MD

Medical School: University of Mississippi
Undergrad: Mississippi College

Favorite rotation so far: Pediatric Emergency Medicine.  The procedures were challenging but enjoyable (like carefully suturing moving children), and I appreciated the focus on acute concerns.  The attendings also did a remarkable amount of teaching in spite of the high volume of patients.

LIfe as a resident in Greenville: My family loves Greenville! Whenever I have free time, there is always plenty to do without going far. We especially enjoy the hikes at Table Rock State Park. My wife's favorite thing is playing Ultimate (Frisbee) every chance we get at a standing weekend pick-up game, where a good number of the players are resident docs.

Abigail Marcom, MD

Abigail Marcom, MD

Medical School: USC School of Medicine Greenville
Undergrad: Wofford College
Why I chose Greenville:
I chose Greenville because of the amazing staff and working environment. This program showed me that they make very healthy and happy well-rounded pediatricians, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that culture! Everyone is so supportive of each other and I knew that having a good group of fellow residents and staff behind me would be essential to my residency education. Greenville as a city is also so welcoming and fun! There are always fun things to do on the weekends and new places to try throughout the city! It has a little bit of everything for everyone!

Jayde Finch, MD

Jayde Finch, MD

Medical School: Florida State Univ - Pensacola
Undergrad: Florida State University

Samm Chandler, DO

Samm Chandler, DO

Medical School: VCOM - Virginia
Undergrad: Averett University
Why I chose Greenville: Greenville is only 2 hours from home (WNC) so I loved that. The city of Greenville is amazing, and I feel like I am always learning about new things to do here! I am so excited to be here.

Support during the transition from student to resident: On match day, I had residents from Greenville reach out to me. This meant a lot to me because I did not do an AI here, so I didn't know anyone in the program.  Our PD/APD/Program coordinator and  cheifs were all so helpful with everything we needed prior to starting residency.

Caroline Clark, DO

Caroline Clark, DO

Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergrad: Auburn University
Why I chose Greenville: Hands down it was how the program leadership, residents, and faculty made me feel. I was so drawn to their warmth and sense of pride they had for their residents and program. Also, Greenville seemed like the most incredible place to live and that was important for my family!

Things I like about Greenville: FOOD! The restaurants are diverse and delicious. I am also obsessed with the walk-ability of downtown. The trails, parks, and proximity to fun outdoor adventures is so wonderful.

Christa Hastings, MD

Christa Hastings, MD

Medical School: University of Alabama - Birmingham
Undergrad: Univ of Alabama - Huntsville

Sam Mansberger, DO

Sam Mansberger, DO

Medical School: University of New England
Undergrad: University of New England

The Transition to Residency: From day one, the peds team had open communication with us. We met the other interns briefly on a zoom call. Then we were welcomed to Greenville by our chief residents and upper level residents. This made starting in the hospital on July 1 for me so much easier because I knew my upper level personally so I felt comfortable asking questions.

Valerie McLure, MD

Valerie McLure, MD

Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Undergrad: Berry College

Why I chose Greenville:
I chose Prisma Health Greenville because it was one of the few places that I interviewed that I could tell the residents really enjoyed the program. You could tell that they worked hard, but at the same time they were a family and were there for each other. I knew that was the atmosphere which I wanted to spend my next three years. Also, I love the city of Greenville and how quickly you can be from the city and into the mountains enjoying nature. It has the best of both worlds.

Brooke Light, MD

Brooke Light, MD

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Undergrad: Clemson

Favorite rotation so far: PICU!! It is what I want to do one day, so that definitely plays a large part in why I love it so much, but also the attendings are wonderful,  there is tons of teaching, and it is awesome to take care of complex, critically ill patients. 

What has surprised me most about residency: While I knew from hearing about it from the upper levels during interview season, I am still surprised at how much our program seeks out and responds to our feedback. After I'd only been working for a few months, I already witnessed us discussing concerns or complaints we have with leadership and then seen quick updates/responses to these.

Kylie Easterlin, MD

Kylie Easterlin, MD

Medical School: USC School of Medicine Columbia
Undergrad: Clemson

Most Surprising Thing So Far: how easily everything I learned in medical school has come back to me. After doing what seemed like a lot less medicine during 4th year, I was sure I was going to come into residency not remembering anything I had ever learned. But I think it's kind of like riding a bike. Once I put that knowledge and those skills back into use, it was surprising how easily things started falling into place. Of course I am still learning new things everyday (and some days the knowledge flows a little less quickly), but that's exactly what residency is for, to learn and grow.

Madison Keelty, MD

Madison Keelty, MD

Medical School: ETSU
Undergrad: University of Tennessee

McKenzie Montana, DO

McKenzie Montana, DO

Medical School: Campbell University
Undergrad: The College of New Jersey

What has surprised me in residency so far: I am surprised about how quickly I have learned the nuances of medicine. In the moment you are so knowledge overloaded that you feel like nothing sticks in your head. However, now as an upper level I am shocked by how much I know!

Future plans: Peds EM :) Our program has allowed me to take an extra month of a peds ED rotation and a month of peds sedation. Along with these rotations I have been exposed to a significant amount of procedures that I feel confident and comfortable to perform as a fellow! 

Ashley Ruppel, MD

Ashley Ruppel, MD

Medical School: USC School of Medicine – Columbia
Undergrad: University of South Carolina 

Why I chose Greenville: Having to do virtual residency interviews was not ideal and extremely hard. When I got to my Prisma Health interview, it was a breath of fresh air! I was constantly laughing during the resident meet-and-greet and even more so with the program directors on interview day!

What has surprised me about residency: In my time here, I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of autonomy we are given as residents. It really forces us to learn more and think on our feet. It gives us the confidence we need to become attendings in the future.

Favorite Rotation so far: My favorite rotation so far has been peds hematology/oncology. The heme/onc patients are so resilient and inspiring. They taught me so much that goes beyond medicine.

Gabrielle Lowe, DO

Gabrielle Lowe, DO

Medical School: LMU DeBusk
Undergrad: University of Cincinnati

Jere Ranallo, MD

Jere Ranallo, MD

Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Undergrad: Georgia Tech

The Transition to Residency: Whatever question I had, they answered it with kindness and efficiency, and everyone has welcomed me with open arms and made it so obvious they were there to support me and my family.

Zack Dunn, DO

Zack Dunn, DO

Medical School: LMU Debusk
Undergrad: College of Charleston

What has surprised me most about residency: The complexity of patients, the intentionality of the attendings, and the support from the program. 

Career plans: I am pursuing PEM. The program has been incredible in connecting me with PEM faculty who have been immensely helpful.

Alex Parler, MD

Alex Parler, MD

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Undergrad: Wofford College

Why I chose Greenville: I could tell during my interview that I would fit right in with the residents and the leadership. I was impressed by the academic curriculum, the way everyone got along, and how fun of a city Greenville is. 

What has surprised me most about residency: how helpful and welcoming everyone is. All of my upper levels and attendings have been so willing to answer questions and make my intern year as manageable as possible. Additionally, I have been surprised with how much I've been able to enjoy the city and explore even during inpatient months. I love trying out all the new restaurants around town and exploring the different trails and parks!

Alyssa Ryan, DO

Alyssa Ryan, DO

Medical School: PCOM - Philadelphia
Undergrad: Kutztown Univ of Pennsylvania

Most Surprising Thing So Far: how well I have been able to maintain my hobbies during residency so far, mainly because we are so well supported as residents. Getting "admin time" to make doctor's appointments or to do the things we love outside of medicine is something I really appreciate about our program. I feel like I can still be my best self, even after my hardest days. I have also been pleasantly surprised by the competitive nature of the residency houses. I love friendly competition, and it has been so fun to get to know the competitive sides of some of my coresidents and attendings!

Samuel Schwartz, DO

Samuel Schwartz, DO

Medical School: VCOM – Virginia
Undergrad: Virginia Tech

Why I chose Greenville:
Because green is my favorite color. I like frogs, grass, cactuses, granny smith apples, kiwis, green eggs and ham (Sam I Am) and green Skittles. I also like the Blue Ridge Mountains, the culture of the city, all the restaurants and outdoor opportunities. So it turns out I like the “ville” part of Greenville too. Oh yeah, and I was encouraged to heckle the Program Director during my interview so I knew these were my kind of people.

Vanessa Phung, MD

Vanessa Phung, MD

Medical School: Univ of Texas Health Houston
Undergrad: University of St. Thomas

Alexis Stephens, MD

Alexis Stephens, MD

Medical School: MCG - Augusta
Undergrad: Univ of Georgia

Carlie Smallwood, DO

Carlie Smallwood, DO

Medical School: LMU DeBusk
Undergrad: Tennessee Wesleyan College

Life in Greenville: I love running and getting outside so I have loved having quick access to the Swamp Rabbit trail and the downtown area to enjoy the scenery and great food.

Cori Steele, DO

Cori Steele, DO

Medical School: University of North Texas 
Undergrad: Clemson

Why I chose Greenville: I chose Greenville because of the connections I witnessed between the residents, program administration, and attendings. It really is a close-knit community where everyone gets to know each other well. I knew this would be a great environment for me to grow as a new doctor, and I am so thankful to now be a part of the team!

Things I like about Greenville: I have really enjoyed exploring the Swamp Rabbit Trail and restaurants around town!! So far Swamp Rabbit Cafe and The Bohemian Cafe are my favs!  I also love to hike, so being close to lots of different hiking spots has been fun on my days off!

Kaitlyn Vinson, MD

Kaitlyn Vinson, MD

Medical School: Brody School of Medicine at ECU
Undergrad: UNC-Chapel Hill

Favorite Rotation so far: I loved the newborn nursery.  It is a pretty narrow (but at the same time very broad!) field of medicine, so it was rewarding to be able to gain confidence at one specific thing-- the newborns! I also enjoyed the procedure aspect. 

Future plans: After residency, I plan to pursue general outpatient pediatrics. I feel very prepared for this career path from my experiences here in residency. I've had the opportunity to rotate through our main resident clinic next to the hospital, the north Greenville clinic in a more rural setting, and also at a community private practice. There is diversity of patient demographics as well as medical problems, and I'm always seeing something new. 

Alexandria Yates, MD

Alexandria Yates, MD

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Undergrad: Furman University
 

Why I chose Greenville: I chose Prisma Health because of the people. Trying to assess a residency program virtually can be difficult. However, I immediately felt at ease with everyone I met during the meet-and-greet and on the day of my interview. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming and I felt like they genuinely wanted to get to know me. It was the most fun that I experienced during interview season by far. Now that I’m here, everyone has exceeded my expectations. There is no shortage of support and encouragement. I’m so excited to be part of a program that feels like family!

Ashlyn Swerdloff, DO

Ashlyn Swerdloff, DO

Medical School: Rocky Vista University
Undergrad: University of Oregon

Why I chose Greenville: I was lucky enough to do an AI here during my 4th year and fell in LOVE with this program. The attendings are down to earth, incredible teachers, and truly want you to succeed. I felt at home immediately and no other program compared. 

Brittany Walker, MD

Brittany Walker, MD

Medical School: USC School of Medicine Greenville
Undergrad: Clemson

Why I chose Greenville: I did med school at USCSOM-Greenville and was able to get a good experience with the pediatrics residency program! I fell in love with the community here because I could truly tell that it is one big family. I felt supported by the residents and faculty as a student and I knew that I would continue to be supported as a resident here!

What has surprised me most about residency: I've been so surprised at how seamless the transition from student to resident has been! The support at our program is amazing and I've had mentors reaching out to help me with everything from residency related problems to giving information on financial advisors in the area and everything in between! I've found that no matter what issue arises, there is always someone I can turn to for help and advice!

McKinzie Thiede, MD

McKinzie Thiede, MD

Medical School: Central Michigan University
Undergrad: Kalamazoo College