Fairfax Family Medicine Residency Program: Meet Our Residents

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: Duke University, Bachelor of Science in Biology and Philosophy
• Graduate School: Duke Divinity School, Master of Arts in Christian Studies, Certificate in Theology, Medicine, and Culture;
  University of Miami, Master of Science in Genomic Medicine
• Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Full-spectrum family medicine, community health and bioethics.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Gardening, folk music and reading.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? From my first interaction with the program, it was obvious how everyone valued and cared for the residents. Even in virtual interviews, I felt warmly welcomed by the faculty and residents, and I was impressed with the variety of learning opportunities and academic expertise. Overall, the training appeared well balanced and structured in a way that would best support my growth as a family physician. 

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: Bard College
• Medical School: New York Medical College

Medical Areas of Interest: Geriatrics, palliative care and biomedical ethics.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Hiking, trying new recipes and restaurants and visiting museums.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? I was looking for a residency program with strong outpatient training, research and policy opportunities. I was born at Inova Fairfax Hospital and my family is in the area. FFP was perfect! It also has a team of physicians who are dedicated to teaching and supporting their residents. I felt I would receive excellent training at FFP to become a full-spectrum family medicine physician.

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: Gettysburg College
• Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Sports Medicine, preventive care and integrative medicine.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Traveling, cooking, making wine, spending time with family and friends, working out, and playing with my Australian Cattle dog, Scout. 

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? FFP was my top choice because it brought together everything I was looking for in a residency program: strong and unique medicine, a location close to my immediate family, and wonderful, thoughtful people. During my interview process, it was so important to me that I found a program where I felt I fit in with both the residents and faculty. It’s no secret intern year is hard, so I knew I needed a residency that would provide a healthy learning environment. From the first interaction to the last, it was clear that the people at Inova were welcoming, caring, and truly happy to be a part of the program.

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: University of California, Irvine
• Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Health policy, medical education, behavioral/mental health, health equity, advocacy and care for underserved communities.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Spending time with wonderful people, eating out, traveling, politics, live music, photography, a lot of movies and/or TV and sports (both regular and virtual).

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine?  I remember being absolutely blown away on my interview day by all of the people we met and how they all treated each other so well, and how the curriculum already seemed well tailored to my interests. Also, the DMV area seems incredible, and I am very excited to eat literally all of the food and be able to visit DC and the surrounding areas regularly (Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River).

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: George Mason University
• Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Community health, global health, geriatrics, office procedures, POCUS and urgent care.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Spending time with my husband and the newest member of our family, Gamja (potato in Korean), a tiny Maltipoo puppy. I also enjoy traveling, cooking, trying out new restaurants, and visiting local wineries and coffee shops.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? When I was going through the interview season, I looked at three aspects for the right fit: the people, place, and the program. IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine checked all these boxes perfectly! All the residents I interacted with were genuinely happy with the residency training and the supportive culture among the residents and faculty members was evident. I also liked a good mix of academic and community-style teaching and growing opportunities for working with underserved populations at a local FQHC center. It was also a big plus that as a Northern Virginia native, I am already familiar with the location and the hospital system. My connection to Inova goes back to when I did my research internship here in 2014. I am very happy and excited to be back as a family medicine resident!

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: University of Virginia
• Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Full spectrum family medicine, women’s health, preventive medicine, behavioral health, quality improvement and nutrition.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: I enjoy spending time with my husband and family, cooking, cycling, exploring the DC area, enjoying beaches on the Eastern Shore, and traveling!

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? I was fortunate to have the opportunity to rotate with IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine during both my third and fourth years of medical school at the VCU School of Medicine Inova Campus. Each experience reinforced my interest in the program, specifically the academic excellence of the curriculum, the strong support within the faculty, and especially the amazing teamwork and camaraderie of the entire Fairfax Family Medicine team! I was also thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my training here in Fairfax, VA, which has enabled my husband to continue with his career path in the area. It is a sincere privilege to join this team while staying close to family, and I very much look forward to training at IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine!

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: The George Washington University
• Medical School: The George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Medical Areas of Interest: Women’s health, underserved populations, point of care ultrasound and academic medicine.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Hiking with my partner and pup Echo, traveling to visit friends and family, and trying new restaurants in the DC area.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? For me, the most important aspect of a program is the people and culture. I loved my interview experience and the testimonials I heard from all the residents. In addition, I wanted a program that would provide the opportunity to work with medical students in order to improve my teaching skills. Lastly, IFMC-FFM offered a strong inpatient curriculum in the first year followed by an outpatient curriculum that included unique features such as exposure to practice management. 

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: Northwest University, Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Minor in Environmental Sciences
• Medical School: Des Moines University

Medical Areas of Interest: Healthcare equity, environmental and social determinants of health, healthcare policy and advocacy, women’s health, immigrant and refugee health, ultrasound, and disparities in medical research.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Cross-country mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, ecology and environmental stewardship, gardening and baking.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? FFP was my first choice for residency training for many reasons! First, the curriculum: with a blend of academic rigor at a large hospital and resident autonomy in a community setting, it offered the pathway that I thought would make me the best physician I can be. Second, the location: with a husband working at Walter Reed and a keen interest in public health policy, I wanted to be in close proximity to DC. Finally, the people: though we only met over Zoom, I was struck with how much the faculty and administration seemed to care about resident wellness and success. 

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: George Mason University
• Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School

Medical Areas of Interest: Preventive medicine, lifestyle medicine, nutrition and weight loss, in-office procedures, geriatrics.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Family and friends, eating out, road trips, manga/anime and all things Pokemon related. 

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? Ranked #1 in the Doximity Residency Navigator among FM programs in Virginia, FFP was an obvious choice for me. I also spent over 10 years in the DMV area, so it was the perfect opportunity to be close to family. Despite being virtual, my interview process with FFP went smoothly, was interactive, and very personable. One impressive note was that FFP residents & staffs were very open when sharing the program’s strengths and weaknesses, which you don’t get to see often. I “walked out” of the interview feeling a genuine compassion, enthusiasm, and support from everyone I spoke to. Ever since the match, the onboarding process has been painless and although we never met in person, I already had plenty of communication with the program and felt like I truly belong.

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: Anderson University
• Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Lifestyle medicine, mental health, in-office procedures.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Spending time with my family and friends, reading, running, hiking, rock climbing, basically anything outdoors. I love exploring new places with my partner and my dog.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? I had the amazing opportunity to work with the residents at this program as a medical student. The competence and confidence with which everyone practiced medicine was above anything I had seen at other hospitals and programs. The residents have a great culture of camaraderie, the medical training we receive is excellent, and the faculty and staff are extremely helpful and supporting.

Educational Background:

• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Virginia Campus
• West Virginia University

Medical Areas of Interest: Preventive care, osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM/OMT), substance use disorder treatment, behavioral health, social determinants of health.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Time with family, friends and our pups, baking/cooking, gardening, canning, home projects, audiobooks, long walks.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? From the beginning, I was impressed by FFM's focus on adult learning and their commitment to nurturing young physicians' autonomy. The results of this approach were apparent in the confidence and preparedness expressed by residents. Once I learned about FFM’s second/third year curriculum that allows residents to spend half-days in clinic building relationship and skill with their patients, I was hooked. Not only was I excited by the idea of consistent clinic time that mirrors my desired future workday, I felt this structure would best allow for real-time application of information and skill learned off-service. On a personal note, from my very first email exchange with the program, everyone was exceptionally welcoming and genuinely interested in getting to know me as a person. As a small-town girl, I am so excited to spend the next few years exploring the DMV!

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: George Mason University
• Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Global Medicine, community health, advocating for the underserved population and eliminating barriers to quality healthcare/health disparities, preventive medicine, in-office procedures, POCUS, women's health, mental health, nutrition.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Spending time with my family, annoying my cat Lily, board game enthusiast, baking and painting.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? The people. I genuinely felt an amazing connection during my interview with everyone and the residents truly seemed to enjoy being a part of IFMC. Not only that, but I have also lived in the DMV area for most of my life, my youngest brother was even born at Inova Fairfax Hospital 22 years ago! I chose this program because they have treated my family like their own for over two decades, and I have always wanted to be a part of that now I get to give back to other families like my own! I am so excited to be a part of this team and to learn from the best at FFP.

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: Newbury College, Brandeis University
• Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Primary Care for patients with developmental disabilities and severe mental illness, complex care, chronic illness/pain, metabolic disease, eating disorders, narrative medicine, addiction medicine.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Sitting on the beach, with the wind in my hair (I’m actually bald), listening to the waves crash as my children dig in the sand and I yell "Stop throwing sand at your brother!!!"

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine: I wanted to be part of a thriving family medicine practice that also gave me the opportunity to train in one of the best tertiary care hospitals in the area. On my interview day, I met with like-minded residents who were genuinely happy with their residency, and it showed. It was also incredible to match at Fairfax, as we’ve raised our family here during medical school and my kids are happily enrolled in a daycare that we couldn’t imagine leaving - Shout out to Ms. Saroj! Not to mention, the best restaurant in the world, IndAroma, is right here in Annandale!

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: Yale College
• Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Medical Areas of Interest: Urban underserved, sports medicine, ultrasound, women’s health, dermatology, medical education, DEI.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Team sports, kayaking, tennis, swimming, music, forestry, hanging out with friends, cooking new recipes.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? Fantastic, highly regarded program in one of the most diverse and exciting areas of the country. My husband works in DC, so coming to the DMV area was a strong preference for me. Not only does Fairfax FM provide rigorous education that creates competent and well-rounded physicians, it also offers further training in all my specific areas of interest. Also, when I met the faculty and residents on interview day, they were funny and seemed to be having a good time.

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: Virginia Tech
• Medical School: Howard University

Medical Areas of Interest: Ultrasounds, procedures, mental health, women's health, and for some reason I’m intrigued by the gastrointestinal system.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Running and staying active especially with my puppy Ranger. Love being with people and enjoy board games. Food, food, food –especially ice cream and a good burger!

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? I think most of the time entering residency there's so many options that it's hard to choose what you really want. I chose IFMC because it gave me opportunities in both academic and community medicine as well as experience in both an opposed and unopposed setting. I fell in love with ultrasounds at an away rotation and knew I wanted to participated in the ultrasound track. I also wanted to learn more about the business of medicine which is also another track. The people I met were definitely a huge reason. Residency is going to take over my life and I could already tell I wouldn't mind spending 24 hour call with my fellow residents!

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: Cornell University
• Graduate School: Johns Hopkins University
• Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Geriatrics, community medicine, office procedures, practice management, quality improvement, translational research.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Travel, classical music, paper crafts, yoga, baking and hosting tea parties.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? FFM was my top choice for residency because of the people. I had the opportunity to spend a month at FFM during medical school and I was blown away by how welcoming all the faculty, residents, and staff were. The residents were collaborative, supportive, and genuinely excited to work and learn alongside each other. As someone who is interested in pursuing further training in geriatrics, I was also looking for a program that not only provided breadth in training in family medicine but also the opportunity for immersion in diverse geriatric experiences (long-term care, home-based care, hospice, etc.) – both of which are highlights of the IFMC-FFM program. And lastly, FFM gave me the chance to move back to the DMV area which my husband was very happy about!

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: Grinnell College
• Post-Bac: University of Washington – Tacoma
• Medical School: George Washington University

Medical Areas of Interest: A little bit of everything! Women’s health, pediatrics, chronic condition management, family planning, LGBTQ+ health.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Family time, hiking, canoeing, gardening/growing, walking around the National Mall and the National Arboretum.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? Welcoming and friendly people! The focus on outpatient/clinical medicine. Able to stay in the DC area with its many green spaces, (free!) museums, nearby mountains and beaches, and my spouse's job.

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: The College of William and Mary
• Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia

Medical Areas of Interest: Preventive care, lifestyle modifications, mental health, women’s health, community involvement.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: I enjoy doing outdoor activities, traveling to new places, trying new foods, binge watching TV shows, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Why did you choose IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine? IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine impressed me since the start of my residency application process and was my top choice program. The program has a lot to offer – I was specifically attracted to how the curriculum is structured around providing a strong inpatient foundation the first year primarily at Inova Fairfax and an outpatient focus the second and third years at Inova Fair Oaks. I felt that the unique combination of academic and community medicine between these two hospitals would offer me well-rounded training and prepare me for any career path in family medicine after residency. I was drawn to the practice management curriculum since billing, coding, and the business aspects of medicine are important but not frequently taught. The program also offers many areas of concentration for residents with various interests and a sports medicine fellowship. Lastly, the faculty, staff, and other residents that I have gotten to meet through IFMC-Fairfax Family Medicine have all been amazing and I feel so grateful to be spending my residency training surrounded by inspirational and wonderful people.

Educational Background:

• Virginia Commonwealth University – Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry
• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Lifestyle medicine, weight-loss management, preventative medicine, diabetes management, academic medicine

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Crafting, tabletop role-playing games, kickboxing, traveling.

Why did you choose Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine? Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine was my first choice before and after interviewing with multiple programs. I grew up in Northern Virginia and wanted to complete my residency close to home and my family. I was also looking for a residency in a large hospital system with an extremely diverse patient population. When I met the faculty and residents during the interview process, they were incredibly warm and welcoming. I loved the way the residents interacted with each other like they were part of a family, and the faculty and staff had such a positive energy. Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine’s curriculum was one I could see molding to my interests and passions as I move through residency, and I know this program will make me into the type of physician I envision for my future.

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: University of Virginia
• Medical School: University of Virginia

Medical Areas of Interest: Women’s health, global health, and preventative medicine

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Spending time with my family, cooking, trying new restaurants, and traveling

Why did you choose Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine? I had an incredible experience rotating with Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine as a medical student. The academics, professionalism, and sense of community stood out remarkably in each clinical experience I had with them. With Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine, I knew I would be in a learning environment that challenged but also encouraged and respected each of its team members.

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: University of Virginia
• Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Community health, immigrant and refugee healthcare, POCUS, medical education, preventative care, reproductive health

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Finding the next best elote, Yelping, spotify, potlucks, being outdoors by the water under the sun!

Why did you choose Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine? I was born at Inova Fairfax Hospital, volunteered in the emergency department as a teenager, and did an acting internship with Inova during medical school. I wanted the residents I worked with to be my future senior colleagues! Everyone I have met along the way has been incredibly inspiring, all doing their best to build a safer and healthier community. I knew this was where I needed to train to become the doctor I wanted to be!

Educational Background: 

• Undergraduate: University of Oklahoma
• Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Sports medicine, continuity care, mental health, ultrasound, and general primary care.

Non-medical Areas of Interest: I enjoy watching my sports teams (Oklahoma Sooners, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Chargers), walking my two dogs with my wife, running, and fun activities with friends!

Why did you choose Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine? I never thought I’d move so far away from Oklahoma, but I fell in love with IFMC when I learned it had everything I was looking for in a family medicine program. The strong emphasis on outpatient clinical care in the second and third year line up with how I want to practice. Also, having the sports medicine fellowship in the same clinical building and faculty leaders with sports medicine training allows for more opportunities and learning in my journey towards being a sports medicine trained physician. Lastly, but most importantly, I immediately clicked with the residents, faculty, and staff on my interview. Everyone was laid back and funny, which made me feel like I’d immediately fit in. I loved it so much that I took a trip to check out the area. Afterwards, I knew Inova was my #1 program.

Educational Background:

• Medical School: Albany Medical College
• Master of Science: Special Masters in Physiology, Georgetown University
• Bachelor of Science: Neuroscience, The College of William and Mary

Medical Areas of Interest: Women’s health, breastfeeding medicine, environmental health and socioeconomic influences on health

Non-medical Areas of Interest: I enjoy cooking and baking, writing, board games, and spending time with my husband and toddler outside!

Why did you choose Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine? When I was choosing a residency program, it was really important to me that I found a collegial environment. On interview day it was clear to me that this is a tight-knit program full of supportive people and I saw myself fitting well. Academically, I was drawn to the heavy emphasis on outpatient family medicine during years 2 and 3 but with the flexibility and educational opportunity of a large institution. I also grew up in the area and had friends and family who were cared for at Inova hospitals- I even volunteered at Inova Loudoun as a high school student!

Educational Background: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Educational Background: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University

Medical Areas of Interest: Sports medicine, preventive care

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Sports, travel, spending with friends and family

Why did you choose Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine? The people and the community. After my interview day at Inova I felt like I had found faculty and co-residents that I wanted to work with and learn from over the next 3 years. Additionally, I loved the idea of spending our first year at a large medical medical center (Inova Fairfax) and then transitioning to primarily working at a community hospital (Inova Fair Oaks Hospital) during the second and third year.

Educational Background:

• University of Colorado at Denver: BA Geography (Earth Science)
• Georgetown University: MS Physiology and Biophysics (Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
• Georgetown University School of Medicine: MD

Medical Areas of Interest: Sports medicine, integrative medicine, fertility awareness and restorative reproductive medicine, military and veterans health

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Aquatic sports, functional fitness, hunting, fishing, cooking, and mixology

Why did you choose Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine? I chose Inova Fairfax Family Medicine because it's a community-based program with a multitude of strong educational experiences, its fantastic team members, and outstanding reputation.

Educational Background:

• Undergraduate: Ohio State University(Anthropology BA)
• Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Medical Areas of Interest: Correctional medicine, hospital medicine, primary care, medical advocacy

Non-medical Areas of Interest: Anthropology & Amharic studies; Also, I love anime, reading books and cooking!

Why did you choose Inova-Fairfax Family Medicine? After talking with faculty and residents I came to the conclusion that this program has a great deal of flexibility and is excited to support residents in becoming any type of family medicine doctor they want. That type of flexibility and support is special and was a major factor in my decision to train here. I also have an interest in correctional medicine (work in the prison setting) and there are limited opportunities to do this as a resident. During my interview I was tickled pink to find out that Inova Fairfax has an alumnus that does corrections! The program also has strong ties with doctors who participate in medical advocacy/research which tie in nicely with correctional medicine. Lastly, there seemed to be a nice work life balance with residents. They all said that they have space to live their lives in the hard journey that is residency.