Meet the Residency Program

Emily Chiu, MD, PhD

Hometown: New York City, NY

Undergraduate: Sarah Lawrence College

Medical School: University of Minnesota

Why did you want to train at UW? I came because of the gyn onc training.

Favorite place in Madison? Monona Bakery & Eatery

Best part of living in Madison? The lakes and bike paths.

Hobbies and personal interests? Camping, backpacking, and trying new restaurants.

Favorite memory of residency (so far)? Delivering my first baby!

Nicolette Codispoti, MD, MS, MPH

Hometown: Bellmore, NY

Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

Why did you want to train at UW? After spending four years in Madison for undergrad, it was always a dream to return for residency. I was initially drawn to the program for how intentional it is in providing surgical training, subspecialty exposure, and research opportunities. It was also clear since the interview day how the program and leadership consistently strive to create a positive and collaborative environment - all which have been apparent since starting here!

Favorite place in Madison? Ha Long Bay, Red Sushi, or Marigold Kitchen (s/o to the best potatoes in the city).

Best part of living in Madison? There is always something to do - even in the winter! I love trying new restaurants, attending sporting events (Go Badgers!), and spending time at the Terrace.

Hobbies, personal interests and fun facts? I cannot live a day without cold brew coffee! I also love crafting (and eating) charcuterie boards - whether for my own personal dinner or time with friends.

Favorite memory of residency (so far)? Taking field trips in the hospital to get lunch, coffee, or ice cream with my team.

Alma Farooque, MD

Hometown: Marshfield, WI

Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health

Why did you want to train at UW? Ever since working with this department as a medical student, I knew UW was a program where I would receive excellent clinical and surgical training while being extremely well supported by coresidents, attendings, and staff. Everyone is so kind and understanding of the transition to residency and constantly checking in to make sure you aren't too overwhelmed, your questions are answered, and you're always eating lunch! Residency is hard no matter what, but the people you work with make all the difference. I'm thankful to be at a program where my colleagues make work as painless and as fun as possible!

Favorite place in Madison? Anywhere you can enjoy the outdoors and gorgeous Madison sunsets - the Terrace, Picnic Point, James Madison Park, Lake Wingra, and Tenney Park are my favorites. The locally-owned small businesses are amazing and bring authentic foods from around the world to Madison like Finca Coffee, Petra Bakery, and Taigu Noodles.

Best part of living in Madison? The lakes, easy access to nature, and all the conveniences of a smaller city while still having a ton of stuff to do, see, and eat

Hobbies and personal interests? Anything that lets me travel and eat new foods! I also enjoy Latin dancing, music, yoga, and jogging.

Favorite memory of residency (so far)? Celebrating my birthday with an amazing team on L&D eating cake, Venezuelan takeout, and delivering my first set of twins!

Olivia Johnson, MD - Rural track

Hometown: Green Bay, WI

Undergraduate: St. Norbert College

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Why did you want to train at UW? I wanted to train at UW Ob-Gyn for the opportunity to train in rural communities in addition to an academic setting. I am excited to learn ob-gyn in two very different environments.

Favorite place in Madison? The Blue Moon Bar & Grill

Best part of living in Madison? The variety of restaurants and bars, all the parks and bike trails, and the Terrace.

Hobbies, personal interests and fun facts? If I hadn’t chosen medicine as a career, I would have opened my own bakery or worked as a travel photographer. Baked goods and traveling are two of my favorite things!

Favorite memory of residency (so far)? Going out for team brunch, ordering takeout during night float with my team, and hanging out with my co-residents!

Abbey Knickerbocker, MD

Medical School: Washington State University

Maria-Camila Ochoa, MD - Global Health Track

Undergraduate: University of South Alabama

Medical School: University of South Alabama College of Medicine

Why did you want to train at UW? I wanted to train at a program that not only had excellent clinical and surgical training, but also focused on advocacy and health equity. With the bonus of a global health track, UW offered all of this plus an incredible group of dedicated and passionate people!

Favorite place in Madison? So far… anywhere near the lakes!

Best part of living in Madison? I love being surrounded by nature and getting sunrise views of the capitol building on my drive to work.

Hobbies and personal interests? I love being outdoors with my dog, Rory, whether it’s hiking in nature, paddleboarding on the water or exploring new places. I love traveling and am always down to try something new!

Favorite memory of residency (so far)? Getting matching cloud socks for the team on my first L&D block.

Raiven Owusu, MD

Hometown: Rochester, MI

Undergraduate: Michigan State University

Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine

Why did you want to train at UW? I wanted a program with excellent surgical training and a strong emphasis placed on resident education and advocacy. I also had great conversations with residents and faculty members on my interview day and just knew that UW would be a great fit for me!

Favorite place in Madison? Grampa's & Gibs

Best part of living in Madison? The city is so beautiful, lots of fun outdoor activities, and tons of great food options!

Hobbies and personal interests? I enjoy spending time outdoors - hiking, running, playing sports, going to the farmer's market. I also enjoy traveling, trying new things, and listening to podcasts!

Favorite memory of residency (so far)? Going to an outdoor venue with a big screen to watch one of the US Women's World Cup Soccer Games with my co-residents!

Maya Adler, MD

Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Undergrad: Wesleyan University
Medical School: Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Favorite places in Madison? The Arboretum, farmers market on the square, and the terrace for some beer and curds!

Hobbies or personal interests? Hiking, kayaking, exploring new breweries, and finding the best pickles in town.

Why UW? The vibe on interview day was so authentic, and it's clear how much people really care for each other here - and for their patients.

Taylor Badger, MD

Hometown: Springfield, IL
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Favorite places in Madison? Memorial Union Terrace or eating the best fried cheese curds at the Old Fashioned!

Personal interests? I love running along the lake on a sunny day, trying new restaurants, needlepoint 

Why UW? I was drawn to UW because of the extremely well-rounded training this program offers and amazing support from faculty and co-residents...returning to a great city that is familiar from my undergrad years was an extra bonus!

Highlights of residency so far: Delivering all the babies & our team boba nights on my first L&D nights block.

Best part of living in Madison? Beautiful lakes, tons of great food and events! You'll never run out of things to do regardless of the season.

Chelsie Clark, MD

Hometown: Memphis, TN
Undergrad: Christian Brothers University
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School

Michelle DeMeo, MD

Hometown: Burr Ridge, IL
Undergrad: Emory University
Medical School: Rush Medical College

Favorite places in Madison? Brittingham Park and boat rentals on Monona Bay, Red Sushi, farmers market on Saturday mornings, Concerts on the Square on summer Wednesday nights.

Hobbies or personal interests? Spending time with friends and family, eating new foods, all the outdoor activities. I played tennis in college, so I love getting back on the court when I can.

Why UW? After finishing my interview day, I felt so excited and inspired by the faculty and residents I met - the emphasis on advocacy, the community invovlement, and the excellent training with exposure to high-risk pregnancies.

Highlights of residency so far: Delivering lots of babies and bonding with my team during my first L&D block.

Best part of living in Madison? It's so easy to walk around Madison - to different restaurants, lakes, outdoor events. 

Emily Dorian, MD, MPH - Global Health Track

Hometown: River Forest, IL
Undergrad: University of Rochester and Eastman School of Music
Medical School: Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine

Favorite places in Madison? Being near the water/greenery.

Hobbies or personal interests? Music (I've sang both classically and in bands for years!), climbing/bouldering, yoga, frisbee, hiking.

Why UW? The impression on my interview day—I felt at ease but also inspired by the faculty and residents I spoke with.

Jessica Gillespie, MD - Rural Track

Hometown: Bristol, WI
Undergrad: Boston College
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Favorite places in Madison? Leopold's, Ha Long Bay - one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon is to get baked goods from Batch Bakehouse, a coffee from Cafe Domestique, and walk around Willy Street!

Hobbies or personal interests? Knitting, crochet, trying new restaurants around town, swimming, camping, and anything outdoors!

Why UW? After completing medical school at UW, I knew I would complete my training in a place where faculty and residents support and care for one another. As a resident in the rural track, I was seeking a program that would give me the surgical and obstetric skills to succeed in a low-resource environment, and UW checked all of my boxes! 

Highlights of residency so far: Delivering babies, bonding with my class, ice cream field trips with the Onc team.

Best part of living in Madison? Beautiful lakes, lots of biking and walking trails, lots of cute restaurants.

Yuliia Olenska, MD

Hometown: Lviv, Ukraine 
Undergrad: Bogomolets National Medical University 
Medical School: Bogomolets National Medical University 

Favorite places in Madison? The terrace at Memorial Union for sunsets and concerts, Tenney Park.  

Hobbies or personal interests? I love spending time with my family, signing, using social media for medical education.  

Why UW? Following my interview day, I felt a strong conviction that there’s only one program I truly want to join—the people here are the reason I feel this way. 

Best part of living in Madison? There are plenty of stunning restaurants, lovely walking spots, and two charming lakes to enjoy. 

Hannah Ahrendt, MD

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Undergrad: Duke University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Hobbies, fun facts, or personal interests: I love running, and my most recent adventure was running across the Grand Canyon twice in one day (rim to rim to rim)! I also love pickles (which taste even better after a long run).

Favorite place in Madison: Southwest Commuter Bike Trail. Biking in Madison is amazing and this path is beautiful for runs as well.

Why did you want to train at UW? I felt welcomed on interview day, and I could tell that the residents care about each other and their patients.

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...National Park Ranger.

Matida Bojang, MD

Hometown: Sukuta, The Gambia/ Madison, WI
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin

Hobbies, fun facts, or personal interests: Kayaking, cooking, African dance, knitting, and reality TV.

Favorite place in Madison: Memorial Union Terrace. 

Why did you want to train at UW? Proximity to family, global health track, great surgical training, really nice people and culture.

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...Cultural anthropologist.

Michelle Breuer, DO

Hometown: Glen Haven, WI
Undergrad: UW-Madison
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hobbies, fun facts, or personal interests: Following sports teams when able (Badgers, Brewers, Eagles), listening to/watching podcasts, painting watercolor cards.

Favorite place in Madison: Lakeshore Path.

Why did you want to train at UW? Madison is home for me, growing up just a couple hours from here and completing my undergrad at UW. I was excited to get to continue my residency training here in a high-quality program that will prepare me well for my future career.

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...veterinarian or (if not medical at all) residential architect.

Sarah Dzubay, MD

Hometown: Eugene, OR
Undergrad: University of Notre Dame
Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University

Hobbies, fun facts, or personal interests: I love to run/hike with my dog (Bode), travel (recently to Thailand and South Korea for my honeymoon), and cook or explore new restaurants with my husband, Greg. I love a sitcom– personal comfort shows are 30 Rock, Parks & Rec, Broad City, Scrubs, to name a few.

Favorite place in Madison: So far, the running/biking path behind my house has been a great way to enjoy the late sunsets and greenery of summer in Madison.

Why did you want to train at UW? The culture of the residency felt incredibly supportive and welcoming on interview day, on top of UW's amazing training, mentorship, and commitment to advocacy!

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...probably an elementary school teacher, but maybe a real estate agent because I have a bit of a Zillow obsession.

Justin Henningsen, MD, PhD

Hometown: Brookings, SD
Undergrad: Northern Arizona University
Graduate School: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Medical School: University of Vermont

Hobbies, fun facts, or personal interests: I like to play the mandolin in bluegrass and old-time groups; play boardgames with friends; and travel to new places to look at birds. 

Favorite place in Madison: So far, I'm just enjoying exploring the city. It's so easy to get around by bike.

Why did you want to train at UW? It was clear from my interview experience that the department has a culture of support and growth with a positive attitude.

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...Rafting guide.

Sanaya Irani, MD

Hometown: Detroit, MI
Undergrad: Wayne State University
Medical School: University of Michigan

Hobbies, fun facts, or personal interests: Painting, traveling, playing with my cat named Goblin.

Favorite place in Madison: Lakeside St. Coffee Company, walking along Lake Monona.

Why did you want to train at UW? The camaraderie and kindness displayed by faculty and residents during interview day made the program feel like home. The commitment to DEIAJ, global health and medical education was everything I was looking for in my residency program.

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...garden educator for pre-K to elementary school!

Kitty Thigpen, MD

Hometown: Hinesville, GA but most recently lived in Missoula, MT.
Undergrad: University of California-Berkeley 
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine - Seattle Foundations

Hobbies, fun facts, or personal interests: I love aerial sports, muay thai, rafting, hiking and exploring countries and cultures.

Favorite place in Madison: There's a residential road that leads to a small outlet into Lake Mendota that I've been favoring lately. 

Why did you want to train at UW? The residents exceed their required numbers and show surgical knowledge and confidence. There is a diversity in the cohorts and faculty, in the representation of subspecialties, in environments of practice and locality focus (rural and global health investment). The  advocacy showcased by the actions of the program matched the people's vibrant passion and intent about what their career's place in their lives. After an amazing interview day, I randomly met an associate professor with the school of medicine and had a very authentic and open conversation that solidified my desire.  

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...circus performer; specifically an acrobat or silks or double trapeze. 

Alexander Zhang, MD

Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Undergrad: University of California San Diego
Medical School: University of Colorado

Hobbies or personal interests: Concerts, basketball/football, karaoke, and hiking.

Favorite place in Madison: The Arboretum!

Why did you want to train at UW? The faculty and residents I interviewed with were incredibly kind, and the mission and values of UW perfectly aligned with the type of Ob-Gyn I hope to become.

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...Musician.

Erica Deming, MD

Why did you want to train at UW? Exceptional generalist training, wonderful people, and the chance to provide care in my home state.

Favorite place in Madison: Picnic Point

Hobbies, personal interests and fun facts? I love to knit, I like to run, and I have a grey tabby cat named Earl :) 

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...teacher. 

Emily Fortman, MD

Hobbies, fun facts, or personal interests? I have two cats named Chili and Pepper, and love running, hiking, reading, cooking, and eating!

Why did you want to train at UW? I knew at UW I would receive incredible training in a supportive environment. My interview day was genuinely fun, and I could tell I'd get along well with everyone in the program.

If I weren't a doctor, I would be....(aspirationally) the female Anthony Bourdain.

Michael Kaden-Hoffmann, MD

Why did you want to train at UW? The people and the training! Even before interview season, I kept hearing incredible things about UW from outside faculty and residents who knew people here. What stood out wasn't just the reputation of high volume/high complexity, but the kindness, dedication, and supportiveness of the people. During my interview quickly became clear, everyone was right, and this was the place I wanted to train.

Hobbies, personal interests and fun facts? Growing up in Alaska I love hiking, rockhounding, backpacking, and fishing. Other hobbies include video games, glider flying, scuba diving, snowboarding/skiing, cooking, and reading.

Favorite place in Madison: Picnic Point or any of the many ice cream shops in Madison!

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...fishing guide.

Lumnie Lika, MD

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Chicago
Medical School: Drexel University

Why did you want to train at UW?  I was looking for a program that would feel like a big family, and that's exactly what my interview day felt like. Everybody was so passionate about medical education and training excellent surgeons. They also emphasized the support systems in place for research and fellowship. Most importantly, the people are incredibly kind, and that just made the program a dream come true. (Also... paddleboarding on the lake)

Hobbies: Following Chicago sports (and the Philadelphia Eagles), exploring local coffee and antique shops, biking, hiking, weightlifting, and film photography. 

Personal interests: Health equity, addressing healthcare disparities, increasing access to specialized care.

Favorite place in Madison: Madison Sourdough!! Or any single place along the water (no shortage of options here!) 

If I weren't a doctor, I would be a....librarian or teacher, but not in the Dewey decimal system way, more like the kindergarten teacher/Ms. Frizzle way. 

Johnny Malicoat, MD

Hobbies, personal interests and fun facts? I love watching/playing sports (football, volleyball, pickleball, etc.) with my partner and friends. I also watch an embarrassing amount game shows and love participating in bar trivia. One day I hope to compete on Jeopardy!

Favorite place in Madison: Camp Randall or the Farmer's Market

Why did you want to train at UW? From my interview day onward, UW just felt like home. The residents and faculty were incredibly kind, down-to-earth, and invested in helping each other succeed. I was drawn to the program's excellent training and mentorship, but what ultimately stood out was the culture. It was easy to picture myself learning, growing, and building lasting relationships here. Being close to my partner's family and in a city like Madison also made the decision even easier.

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...high school chemistry teacher.

Grace Perry, MD

Why did you want to train at UW? 100% the people! On interview day and every day since I have been so impressed with the kindness of everyone at UW Ob-Gyn. My partner and I couples matched (he's in Internal Medicine) and consistently felt so welcomed by UW. Additionally, our high volume offers excellent generalist training while the academic setting provides robust resources for fellowship. It's the best of both worlds!

Favorite place in Madison: Olbrich Botanical Gardens (outside part is free and beautiful!), Lakeside Cafe, Monona Bay.

Hobbies, personal interests and fun facts? Existing hobbies include trying new coffee shops, spin classes, running, hiking, downhill skiing! Hobbies in progress (HIP) include sailing, cross country skiing, knitting, cheese curds.

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...marine biologist or a dolphin trainer (but ethically).

Shelby Snyder, MD

Why did you want to train at UW? I completed a Sub-I in urogynecology at UW which was facilitated through the UWSMPH Native American Center for Health Professions (NACHP). During my Sub-I, I felt greatly supported by the Indigenous community and within the Ob-Gyn program. UW is a place I feel like I can invest in my growth as an Indigenous provider and get phenomenal surgical training. 

Favorite place in Madison: Memorial Union Terrace - the views of the Lake Mendota on a sunny day are unmatched!

Hobbies: fancy shawl/powwow dancing, sewing, beading, hiking.

Fun fact: I showcased powwow dancing at the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Personal interests: Indigenous health equity, culturally appropriate integrative healthcare.

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...furniture restorer (it's been dominating my algorithm on social media)! 

Regan Staudenraus, MD (Rural Track)

Why did you want to train at UW? I chose UW-Madison in order to immerse myself in top-notch, inclusive care for urban and rural communities.

Favorite place in Madison: So far, I've been loving exploring all the old neighborhoods around Madison!

Hobbies, personal interests and fun facts? Running, baking, paddling, hiking, skiing, board games and road trips!

If I weren't a doctor, I'd be a...teacher.