Image Med-Peds Residents Internal Medicine Residency Programs Med/Peds Med-Peds Residents PGY-4 Image Hilary Crutcher, MD Hometown: Orange Park, Fla.Medical School: University of Kentucky College of MedicineHobbies: Hanging out with my two dogs (Harry and Winston), tending to my wildflower garden, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, hiking, and running, and of course cheering on Clemson during football season!Dream, non-medical job: Working in the Florida State Parks - save the manatees!Favorite MedPeds Event: Bonfire and hayride at Eckhert's Orchard in OctoberWhy did you choose UK for Med-Peds?: The people and the impact we have on UK as a whole as a Med-Peds program. Med-Peds people are everywhere at UK; on Peds, IM, and even within leadership at the medical school and GME. This provides you with mentors every step of the way through residency. It also guarantees that there is almost always someone nearby who knows how you think and what it means to be Med-Peds! In This Section Education Continuity Clinic Information for Applicants Facilities Med-Peds Residents Medical Students Faculty About Lexington, KY Graduates Image Burton Hendrickson, MD Hometown: Madison, Minn.Medical School: University of MinnesotaHobbies: Woodworking, home renovation, gardening, cooking, traveling, hiking, campingCareer goals: Considering Med-Peds hospitalist vs. primary care.Favorite Rotation So Far: Peds Heme/Onc. We had a great team that month during a very busy month with a lot of very sick kids. I enjoyed the continuity with the patients and families, and I liked the complexity of care.Did you have a career before medicine? What did you do?: I worked as a carpenter and as a cabinetmaker.Favorite Place to grab some food in Lexington? Pearl’s Pizza Image Kara Jolly, MD Hometown: Merrimack, N.H.Medical School: University of Kentucky College of MedicineFavorite place to grab a beer in Lexington: Mirror TwinCareer goals: Med-Peds primary careYour go-to weekend getaway: The Smokies!Can you make applesauce?: YesFavorite rotation so far: Med-Peds ambulatory month. I enjoy the continuity and seeing all ages at the same time! Image Faiyad Mannan, MD Hometown: Staffordsville, Ky.Medical School: University of Kentucky College of MedicineHobbies: Cooking, coffee snobbery, collecting comics/manga, traveling, video gamesFavorite rotation: Chandler wards (Adult UK wards) - My attendings and upper levels encouraged me to practice every day with a very appropriate level of autonomy, but were always readily available to help when needed, so I never felt abandoned. I learned something new every single day and felt quite fulfilled at the end of each and every day. It's a tough month, but superbly enriching educationally and emotionally.Favorite place to eat in Lexington: TachibanaFavorite Med-Peds event: Halloween Switch party! Image Haley Wilkes, MD Hometown: Dallas, TexasMedical School: UT Southwestern Medical SchoolCareer Goals: TBD. Leaning toward primary care, but keeping an open mind. Stay tuned.Favorite place to grab a beer: Pre-COVID: Mirror Twin, Post-COVID: my fridgeDid you have a career before medicine?: Yes! Elementary school science teacherFavorite weekend getaway: Camping! Cave Run Lake, Blue Ridge Mountains, Big South Fork, Red River Gorge are all lovely places to exploreWhy did you choose UK for Med-Peds?: I chose UK for the Med-Peds family and the supportive loving environment that we've made for each other. I feel that it's unique and wonderful and sets our program apart. I also like that UK gives its residents a lot of autonomy and a great community setting, while still having the benefit of a large research institution and all the opportunities that that affords. Image Krista Robbins, MD Hometown: Boiling Springs, S.C.Medical School: University of South Carolina School of MedicineFavorite thing about living in Lexington: All the green (or blue?) grass and dog-friendly places, good communityDream, non-medical job: Private investigator or FBI agentFavorite memory of residency so far: Working long hours (some longer than others) but always being surrounded by amazing people who will let you joke, vent, just talk, or crack up at something ridiculous.Why did you choose UK for MedPeds?: Med-Peds as an entity is respected and well understood here, which was different from what I was used to in SC. Everyone here is wonderful. Our attendings are down-to-earth and always willing to help/teach/turn you into a better doctor. Our residents are the all around best people you'll ever meet. Even if you don't talk to someone as often, they are always willing to help you/hang out with you/do anything you need. PGY-3 Image Jonathan Barko, MD Hometown: Mentor, OhioMedical School: Case Western Reserve University School of MedicineHobbies: Playing tennis, traveling, hikingDid you have a career before medicine?: Yes, a PreK-5th grade music teacher and then a high school band director for 2 yearsFavorite place to grab a drink in Lexington: West Main Crafting CompanyBest doughnut in Lexington: Spaulding’sCatchphrase: “How’s it goin’?” Image Charles Grigsby, MD Hometown: Lexington, Ky.Medical School: University of Kentucky College of MedicineCareer goals: FellowshipHobbies: Skateboarding, fantasy sports, video/board games, bourbon collectingFavorite rotation: Internal medicine wards; the patient acuity and sense of teamworkDream, non-medical job: Bitcoin minerWhy did you choose UK for Med-Peds?: High Med-Peds presence, comfort level with the residents/faculty, extremely complicated patient cases, and emphasis on research at the medical center Image Gabrielle Kahler, MD Hometown: San Luis Obispo, Calif.Medical School: Loma Linda UniversityDream, non-medial job: ZookeeperWhy did you choose UK for Med-Peds?: Genuinely love the Lexington area and loved the group of residents! My favorite from the interview trail. Loved the sense of community and how kind the program directors are as well!Hobbies: Scrapbooking, exploring, board games Image Elizabeth Martinez Hernandez, MD Hometown: Louisville, Ky./HabanaMedical School: University of Louisville, School of MedicineWhat is your catchphrase: Oye loca!Did you have a career before medicine?: I was a medical technologist and worked in a microbiology lab for 8 years, before that I was a CNA and before that I was a bartender/waitressDream non-medical job: A metal singer Image Jacob Meece, MD Hometown: Bardstown, Ky.Medical School: University of Kentucky College of MedicineHobbies: Working on old sports cars, driving old sports cars, being stranded by broken down old sports cars.Career goals: Rural Med-Peds!Favorite Rotation: VA Wards. Veterans are such an honor to serve, and they are grateful for all we do.Favorite weekend getaway: Cave Run Lake near Morehead KY for fishing, hiking and Pop's BBQWhy did you choose UK for Med-Peds?: Our program feels like a second family. The support and friendship has been incredible! Image Max Richardson, MD Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.Medical School: Florida State University College of MedicineHobbies: Spending time with my wife and son, rock climbing, hiking, disc golf.Favorite place to grab some food: Apollo pizzaFavorite place to grab a beer: West Sixth BrewingFavorite weekend getaway: Red River GorgeWhy did you choose UK for Med-Peds?: Service of a significant rural population at an academic tertiary care center. Oh, and the chance to work with some of the most intelligent and kind people I have had the pleasure to meet! PGY-2 Image Brant Cornelius, DO Hometown: Beattyville, Ky.Medical School: University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic MedicineHobbies: Hiking in the Red River Gorge, playing golf and disc golf, any board or card game, collecting bourbon, going to all the different breweries in Lexington, serving at my local church, and mowing the grass (yes, I said it).Did you have a career before medicine?: NoFavorite place to grab a drink in Lexington: All the breweries in Lexington are great, but if I had to pick, Blue Stallion.Best doughnut in Lexington: This ones tough, but I gotta go with Magee’s! Why UK?: I know that every program claims this, but UK Med-Peds is a family, and it's a big one. From all the residents and faculty, plus all the former UK Med-Peds graduates on staff here at UK, you will find a Med-Peds friend wherever you go. Our PD, APD, and our program coordinator have done and will do anything for you to help make your goals and dreams possible. They are intentional and treat you like you're the only resident in the program. And of course, having grown up and lived in KY my whole life, I'm a big UK fan, so GO CATS! Image Madison Dressler, MD Hometown: Harrodsburg, Ky.Medical School: University of Kentucky College of MedicineCareer goals: Typical MP answer- undecided and loving everything!Hobbies: Hiking, traveling, reading, long walks with my BernedoodleFavorite rotation: Any inpatient wardsDream, non-medical job: Open a bed and breakfast in the Swiss Alps.Why did you choose UK for Med-Peds?: The opportunity to work alongside kind and supportive MP faculty scattered all throughout the hospital: whether in clinics, inpatient services or in the ICU's. Lexington is home for me- I loved the challenging patient population, the city, and the incredible group of residents here! Image Miranda Gerrard, MD Hometown: Pine Village, Ind.; Riner, Va.Medical School: Virginia Tech Carilion School of MedicineDream, non-medial job: Horse trainerHobbies: Livestock showing - cattle, pigs, sheep; horseback riding - western, trail, pleasure, rodeo Image Laura Josephson, MD Hometown: Marshfield, Wis.Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public HealthMy hobbies: hiking, swimming, running, reading, violin, travel Did you have a career before medicine?: noDream non-medical job: National Geographic photographer so I could travel and explore all the historic/natural wonders of the world Image Joshua Morris, MD Hometown: El Paso, TexasMedical School: Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at AustinCareer goals: Undecided! It's currently a 3-way tie between primary care, hospital medicine, and nephrology fellowship Favorite thing about living in Lexington: Getting to experience four full seasons! Your go-to weekend getaway: NashvilleFavorite memory of residency so far: Everyone driving up to Michigan for Benjamin's wedding at the end of first year Favorite place to grab some food in Lexington: Crank & Boom when it's hot, Rolling Oven when it's not Favorite place to grab a drink in Lexington: Ethereal Brewing Best doughnut in Lexington: I fancy myself more of a bagel guy (hot take I know...) and Magee's everything bagel is my weekend go-toHobbies: Running (goal is to run a marathon every year of residency - one down, three to go!), yoga, podcasts, reading (sci-fi and fantasy), and triviaWhy did you choose UK for Med-Peds: the MASSIVE Med-Peds presence across UK - the people are everywhere! Plus, Medicine and Pediatrics are all interconnected across the buildings and Lexington being a small city means you're so close to everyone and everything all the time. Image Benjamin Nicholson, MD Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich.Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine - Grand RapidsFavorite place to grab some food: I'm loving Bourbon N Toulouse, Thai Street Cafe, Kentucky Native Cafe (it's in a green house), and there's an amazing taco place in a gas station next to my house. Favorite place to grab a beer: I'm not a huge beer guy, but I do love the whiskey selection in the Distillery District (and in Lexington in general). It's a little outdoor area with distilleries, a pizza place with 2-foot wide pizza, a brewery and an awesome ice cream place.Hobbies: Woodworking, hiking, board games, cat dadingFavorite weekend getaway: Red River GorgeWhy did you choose UK for Med-Peds?: There was a very strong Med-Peds presence, other programs thought highly of Med-Peds here. The program direction, and the other residents just seemed very authentic. I was drawn to the high acuity of the patient population. Best doughnut in Lexington: I recognize this is a highly debated topic but I have to go with Magee's. Strong second Spaudling's. Franks is open before 6 and an excellent choice. Did you have a career before medicine?: It wasn't exactly before but throughout undergrad and medical school I worked construction PGY-1 Image Hunter Bechtold, MD Hometown: Houston, TexasMedical School: Baylor College of MedicineCareer Goals: Some form of blending academic medicine with serving rural and international populations in mostly inpatient settings. Favorite things about living in Lexington: the weather (there are actually 4 seasons here) and college-town vibe (plenty of things to do).Biggest surprise about living in Lexington: nobody knows what a kolache is.Hobbies: Being with people as often as possible, running with my Bracco Italiano, listening to podcasts about science/faith/medicine, reading (especially history), grilling out, going for walks with my wife, checking my infant son's Babinski reflex.Why did you choose UK for Med-Peds? My wife and I really were really impressed with the people and culture at UK. We knew we wanted to live in a new state at some point, and UK made Kentucky the clear choice. Also, I'm interested in academic and rural medicine, a combination that UK excels in! Image Kaylee Gouge, MD Hometown: Versailles, Ky.Medical School: University of Kentucky Career goals: Combined Hospitalist and/or Combined PalliativeFavorite thing about living in Lexington: I love how green and lush Lexington is. Kentucky is famous for its horse farms; it is easy to go for a short drive outside of Lexington and suddenly be out in the midst of those rolling green hills. The fall season, in particular, is hard to beat. Lexington is also a perfect size for me – affordable, growing, big enough to always have something to do, and small enough to navigate without major traffic. Your go-to weekend getaway: Backpacking in the Red River GorgeFavorite memory of residency so far: Monthly intern dinners – especially playing Jackbox games at Hunter’s house with the other interns. Favorite place to grab some food in Lexington: Tacos at Agave & Rye, brunch at Carson’s, Italian at Bella Notte, fancy dinner at Epping’s.Favorite place to grab a drink in Lexington: Coffee at Old School. Otherwise, anywhere that sells Thrive Kombucha! Best doughnut in Lexington: The objective correct answer is North Lime Donuts (per a blind taste test conducted by me and my med school friends). Hobbies: Party planning, going to church, backpacking/hiking, running, hanging out with my co-residents and peds categorical husbandWhy did you choose UK for Med-Peds? UK’s Med-Peds program has the reputation for producing exceptionally competent, driven, and kind doctors. I was told even by other program leaders that the Med-Peds culture at UK is special. I believe this is because many of the program’s residents have stayed at UK to become much-beloved attendings and educators. Med-Peds docs are everywhere here – from categorical subspecialties and the ICU to general primary care. They were some of my biggest role models during medical school, so I felt confident that I would learn to become the doctor I want to be by staying here for residency. Image J. T. Henderson, MD Hometown: Paint Lick, Ky.Medical School: University of Kentucky COMCareer goals: Undecided but I'm interested in pursuing fellowshipFavorite thing about living in Lexington: Love the smaller-city vibe and the (GO) CATS!Your go-to weekend getaway: Nashville or Norris Lake (TN)Favorite memory of residency so far: Haven't been here long yet, but definitely getting a free blizzard for KY Children's Miracle Day!Favorite place to grab brunch in Lexington: I LOVE brunch! Bear and the Butcher has so many great optionsFavorite place to grab a drink in Lexington: West SixthBest doughnut in Lexington: So tough! Magee's is fantastic and has more than just pastries, too.Hobbies: tennis, skiing, running, binge-watching tvWhy did you choose UK for Med-Peds? I loved the faculty and residents as a student - they were some of my biggest role models, so I knew I'd get amazing, personalized training. Image Brenna Kaelin, MD Hometown: Crestwood, Ky.Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine Career goals: Med-Peds Hospitalist, VA Hospitalist. I really enjoy clinical education and plan to pursue the clinical educator track. Your go-to weekend getaway: Gatlinburg, Tenn. I love all the fun activities and the amazing food and drink options! Favorite memory of residency so far: The Med-Peds Intern Monthly Dinners are always such a fun time! I love to catch up with my fellow interns and play some really cool games together!Favorite place to grab some food in Lexington: I LOVE tacos, my favorite place is Agave & Rye. If you want a great steak that won’t break the bank, Malones is fantastic. Bella Notte has delicious Italian options. Best doughnut in Lexington: North Lime Coffee & Donuts Image Gabrielle Morguelan, MD Hometown: Nicholasville, Ky.Medical School: University of Kentucky College of MedicineCareer goals: I want to continue to serve adults and children, so likely primary care, but I also love ID!Favorite thing about living in Lexington: All the green spaces and good food.Your go-to weekend getaway: I love hiking/camping, so we like Cumberland Falls or Red River Gorge.Favorite memory of residency so far: Initiating suboxone induction!A favorite place to grab some food in Lexington: Sushi Blue.Favorite place to grab a bubble tea in Lexington: Pho BC.Best doughnut in Lexington: Spalding's.Superpower I would like to have: Understand any language after one conversation.Why did you choose UK for Med-Peds? The faculty in our program are very passionate about teaching. In addition, I am very close to my family and involved in my community and finally being able to give back as a resident was a chance I could not pass up. Image Blaine Patty, MD Hometown: Franklin, Ky.Medical School: University of Kentucky College of MedicineCareer goals: That is a great question, I am still trying to figure that out. I love inpatient medicine, especially critical care, but I am keeping my mind open.Favorite thing about living in Lexington: We have a lot of city activities, like burger week, taco week, and coffee week.Your go-to weekend getaway: Probably Red River Gorge, or Cincinnati. Favorite memory of residency so far: That is a hard question, it is likely going to Hunter's house and eating grilled venison and getting his secret recipe. Favorite place to grab some food in Lexington: If you love sushi, you have got to go to Miyako. Favorite place to grab a drink in Lexington: West Sixth Brewery, they have run club on Tuesdays. Highly recommend!Best doughnut in Lexington: Frank's DonutsHobbies: I love playing tennis and running. I love to grill, so in the summer you will find me pretty close to the grill!Why did you choose UK for Med-Peds? We have some of the sickest patients in the nation at UK, and I wanted to train at a place where I would have high acuity and complexity.