First Year
Abigail Scrogum, M.D.
Hometown: Kingdom City, MO
Undergraduate: Southeast Missouri State University
Medical School: Creighton University
Why I Chose SMEF: It's an unopposed program that offers great training in all aspects of family medicine. I want to further my career by practicing in a rural area an felt that SMEF would give me all the training I need to be successful. The program also offers the ability to tailor your residency experience to your interests in the second and third year by having many different electives, which will allow me to focus on my interest in obstetrics and gynecology. I also felt that the program had a friendly and supportive atmosphere that I could see myself thriving in.
Andrew Dergan, M.D.
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Undergraduate: University of Nebraska Omaha
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Why I Chose SMEF: During interviews, I was encouraged by how genuine and happy residents seemed when talking about their time at SMEF. The strong camaraderie and support–especially that between faculty and residents–was also particularly important to me. Furthermore, I really liked that family medicine residents are heavily involved in the hospital, emergency department, and clinic. I felt that this, combined with the program being unopposed, would help me become comfortable practicing in a myriad of specialties in both high- and low-acuity settings.
Jack DeMoss, M.D.
Hometown: Sergeant Bluff, IA
Undergraduate: South Dakota State University, Brookings SD
Medical School: University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: I chose SMEF because of how apparent it was during the interview process that faculty and residents were genuine and happy. The program has impressive didactics and clinical experiences, and I get to reap the bonus reward of training in my hometown.
Prasun Mandal, D.O.
Hometown: Beaumont, Texas
Undergraduate: Lamar University, Beaumont TX
Medical School: Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Worth TX
Why I Chose SMEF: I never thought I'd find myself in Iowa, but I have no regrets. SMEF fits my goals and values. It provides me the opportunity to tailor my education at a full-spectrum and unopposed residency towards hospitalist, emergency, and outpatient medicine. Furthermore, the warmth and camaraderie of the faculty, staff, and residents have been apparent throughout my daily interactions. Teaching and faculty involvement is a daily occurrence. Efficiency, work-life balance, and resident wellness are all emphasized here. Lastly, Sioux City strikes a nice balance between a small and large city, which is ideal for me.
Rachel Cataldo, M.D.
Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Undergraduate: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Medical School: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: Starting with my first contact with faculty and residents, I knew SMEF would be an excellent fit. Everyone was welcoming and enthusiastic; I immediately felt comfortable. The program offers an excellent range of training opportunities both inpatient and outpatient. I also felt that faculty were determined to help residents make the most of our experience to prepare us for individual interests and specialties after residency.
Sarahi Velazquez-Guzman, M.D.
Hometown: Metairie, LA
Undergraduate: University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Medical School: Ponce Health Sciences University, Puerto Rico
Why I Chose SMEF: I chose SMEF because I wanted a family medicine program that would allow a broad range of opportunities and exposure to practice medicine in a rural setting. Located in the tri-state area, Sioux City has a very diverse patient population. I'm originally from Cuba, and enjoy giving back to the Hispanic/Latino community. This program is family-oriented and located in a safe city to raise a child.
Second Year
Adam Gordon, M.D.
Hometown:
Undergraduate:
Medical School: East Tennessee State University
Haydee Hernandez, D.O.
Hometown:
Undergraduate:
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kyle Uto, M.D.
Hometown:
Undergraduate:
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine
Patrick Brau, M.D.
Hometown:
Undergraduate:
Medical School: University of Iowa School of Medicine
Tyler Vanadurongvan, M.D.
Hometown:
Undergraduate:
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Third Year
Austin Granatowicz, M.D.
Hometown: Firth, NE
Undergraduate: Morningside College, Sioux City, IA
Medical School: University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: SMEF stood out to me because it was an unopposed community based program in a relatively bigger city, with class sizes that weren’t too big or small and faculty that have a great relationship with the residents. Early on in your first year you’re given the independence to see and manage your own patients in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, knowing that you always have faculty and upper level residents to fall back on and help guide you. It was important to me to find somewhere that was family friendly. Residency is a huge time commitment and you’ll be expected to work hard, but faculty and other residents here put a big emphasis on work life balance.
Ben Schwab, D.O.
Hometown: Great Bend, KS
Undergraduate: Drury University, Springfield, MO
Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: SMEF is a tight knit community of physicians where nearly half of Sioux City Family Medicine practitioners have come through. The respect and camaraderie of Family Medicine practitioners and specialists with the residents set a positive tone for a strong learning environment. Having two hospitals to train in set up an opportunity to learn how more than one system operates. This would make it so I could more easily adapt to a new environment when I graduate the program. I am a DO who wants to develop my OMM skills. Having physicians on staff who are board certified DOs is paramount to my future skill development. Lastly, though not least, the other residents are great people and easy to get along with.
Cassady Miller, M.D.
Hometown: Wakefield, NE
Undergraduate: Wayne State College
Medical School: University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: SMEF is an unopposed program where you can get the best all-around training and be prepared for full-spectrum family medicine in the future. You can also target what you plan to do in the future by getting to choose from many different electives, which you can complete your second and third years. This program really enables you to be successful in whatever part of family medicine you desire and allows you to get the broad training you need so you feel comfortable. The people are also a big factor, they are so supportive and really are like a family.
Katherine Evans, D.O.
Hometown: Hinton, IA
Undergraduate: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Medical School: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: I chose SMEF as it is an unopposed residency that offers full-spectrum family medicine training while still being associated with the University of Iowa (Go Hawks!). Being in the city we have the opportunity to work with many different specialists. We also have a very diverse patient population as we serve the surrounding tri-state area. I was fortunate to complete a rotation with SMEF and really enjoyed working with the residents and faculty. They were so friendly and inviting! Sioux City is a great location due to its larger size while also having a small town feel. I’m from the area, so that was a bonus!
Robert Garekis, D.O.
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: Family medicine was my specialty of choice due to its astounding scope. While attending medical school in Iowa I was aware of the reputation SMEF had for producing excellent physicians that practice in a wide variety of positions. My top priority was to find a residency where I would be trained in full scope family medicine so that my career path would not be limited by my training, but rather enhanced by it. SMEF graduates go on to practice in emergency departments, as hospitalists, in obstetric roles performing C-sections, and in outpatient clinics directly out of residency without needing to pursue fellowships for additional training- that spoke volumes to me as an applicant.
Shannon Salerno, M.D.
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Undergraduate: Creighton University
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: One of the things I like the most about family medicine is the ability to care for people during all stages of life, both in the hospital and out in the community, and this program provides ample opportunities for both. The city is large enough to offer a wide range of experiences, but small enough to get around town without difficulty. Last, but not least, I appreciate the supportive atmosphere among residents and the faculty's eagerness to help you grow as a physician!