First-year residents
Sumeet Aujla, DO
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Sumeet (she/they) was born in Seattle and raised in Kent and Auburn, Washington, surrounded by her parents, grandparents, and sister who inspired her healthcare journey. She attended Washington State University for her undergraduate education (Go Cougs!), majoring in sociology and minoring in psychology. It was during this time that she truly discovered her passion for addressing healthcare disparities through a holistic lens and providing culturally appropriate care to all patients.
After graduating, Sumeet worked as a Punjabi language interpreter and as a medical scribe in an emergency department where she developed a deep appreciation for the pivotal role of primary care in promoting health within communities. Motivated by this, she attended medical school at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima, Washington, where she aimed to approach medicine with a holistic perspective. During her medical education, Sumeet has continued to evolve her passion for reducing inequities in healthcare. She was elected as the Senator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for her medical school cohort and her advocacy extended to the national level when she served as the Assistant Director of Intersectional Medical Education for the Medical Student Pride Alliance where she worked on increasing and amplifying diversity in osteopathic medical education. She has stayed involved in her local community through advocacy, mentorship, and volunteering. Ultimately, Sumeet has discovered that family medicine is the ideal specialty for her to effect meaningful change over the course of patientsâ lives in a variety of contexts.
Throughout her journey, Sumeet has been steadfast in her commitment to Washington state, viewing it not only as her home but also as the foundation upon which she hopes to build her future. With a strong sense of belonging and a dedication to serving the diverse population of Washington, Sumeet is honored to be in Tacoma for her training and eager to remain in the region for her future practice to contribute to the wellbeing of her community.
Her interests within family medicine include obstetrics and reproductive justice, advocacy, addiction, behavioral health, and LGBTQIA+/gender-affirming care. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, writing poetry, tarot reading, cooking, eating out at local restaurants with her partner, friends, and family, and spending time with her cat, Venus.
Danielle Bojorquez, MD
Hometown: Burien, WA
Medical School: University of Washington, School of Medicine
Danielle grew up in Burien, WA with her two siblings and parents. She studied public and global health at the University of Washington in Seattle. There she developed a passion for working with underserved and underrepresented populations, volunteering for local organizations such as Street Soccer Seattle. After graduation, she embarked on an adventure as a Peace Corps volunteer spending two impactful years in the rural Andes Mountains of Peru. As a health educator, she worked with community members promoting healthy behaviors, and combating chronic malnutrition and sexually transmitted diseases.
Back in the United States, Danielle continued her commitment to community health. She took on the role of a medical scribe in a bustling pediatric emergency department. Later she became a community health navigator for a federally qualified health center specializing in care for Latino populations. These meaningful experiences led her to pursue her medical degree at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Spokane. She discovered her passion for family medicine with its broad scope of practice, focus on community health, and ability to develop long-lasting relationships with her patients.
Danielle was drawn to TFM for its full-spectrum training and diverse patient population. She is excited to pursue her interests in preventative care, reproductive health, and global health while embracing the role of listener, educator, and advocate for all patients.
Outside of medicine, Danielle loves spending quality time with her husband, Darrin. She enjoys playing and watching soccer (Go Sounders), traveling the globe, attending live concerts, and exploring the outdoors â she is always searching for new hikes and lakes to paddleboard!
Katie Castellanos, DO
Hometown: Portland, OR
Medical School: A.T. Still University of Osteopathic Medicine, Arizona
Katie grew up in Portland, Oregon and remained through college. She graduated from Portland State University, studying public health. Her interest in underserved healthcare delivery was emphasized in her senior thesis on physician language concordance for Spanish speaking patients.
She attended medical school in Arizona where she was paired with a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), focusing on primary care. While rotating with the FQHC, Katie completed a quality improvement initiative aimed at increasing lung cancer screening in alignment with new USPSTF guidelines. While in medical school, Kate took advantage of many rural rotations and developed a love for practicing rural medicine. Kate is a National Healthcare Service Corps scholar and plans to repay her years of service in the Pacific Northwest.
Within Family Medicine, her passions include pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, reproductive health, and adolescent medicine. She looks forward to eventually practicing full-spectrum Family Medicine with Obstetrics in a rural community. Outside of medicine, Katie loves to cook, sew, and hang out with her spouse and new baby!
Andrew Fu, DO
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Medical School: A.T. Still University of Osteopathic Medicine, Arizona
Andrew, a native of New York City, was raised in a working-class family alongside his older brother in the culturally vibrant streets of the Bronx. Having been a part of this diverse yet underserved borough for nearly three decades, he intimately experienced the financial challenges, complex urban struggles, and profound health disparities within his community. Despite these hardships, he found comfort in exploring his interests in baseball, music, technology, and science.
Andrew obtained a bachelorâs degree in chemistry at CUNY Hunter College while navigating the bustling streets of Manhattan as a bike messenger to support his family. He shifted gears to become a medical scribe in nursing homes and medical assistant in a homeless shelter. Additionally, Andrew volunteered at New York-Presbyterian to assist patients during their most challenging moments. These foundational experiences fortified his desire to become a physician.
Andrew enrolled in A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA). Its unique curriculum allowed him to return to New York City and complete his clinical education in underserved areas of Brooklyn and Queens. His passion for family medicine blossomed as he worked closely with marginalized individuals in federally qualified health centers and community hospitals.
Along the journey in medicine, he was fortunate to meet the love of his life, Treza Mwangi. Together, they have fearlessly ventured into uncharted territories, offering unwavering support during life’s trials. Their bond is strengthened by a mutual admiration of Earthâs natural beauty, and they often find solace in hiking trails, coastlines, and discovering hidden gems nestled in small towns. Their favorite activities include kayaking, ziplining, biking, and horseback riding. When theyâre not feeling adventurous, they enjoy cooking meals, binge watching shows, playing video games, and going on long walks around the neighborhood. Andrew and Treza are thrilled to start the next chapter of their life in the Pacific Northwest!
Grace Merritt, MD
Hometown: Boulder, CO
Medical School: University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine
Grace was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, where she grew up exploring the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she developed an interest in the intricate connection between physical and mental health. After graduating, Grace worked as a phlebotomist and medical scribe for an integrative medicine physician, solidifying her passion for integrative medicine and the importance of considering a holistic view of every patient.
Grace attended medical school at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine in Burlington, Vermont. Throughout her time in medical school, she remained dedicated to promoting wellness among her peers, leading the yoga student interest group and mentoring premedical and medical students.
Grace is thrilled to join the TFM family and continue her medical training in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Her clinical interests include reproductive health, obstetrics, pediatrics, integrative medicine, and behavioral health. Outside of medicine, she enjoys exploring new running and hiking trails, bird watching, gardening, practicing yoga, and listening to music.
Kathryne Mitchell, MD
Hometown: North Pole, AK
Medical School: University of Washington, School of Medicine
Kathryne grew up in a small town in Alaska filled with streetlights decorated like candy canes and streets named Santa Clause Lane. Her first taste of medicine came when she trained and began working as an EMT and firefighter at her local fire department. She fell in love with serving her community. She earned an undergraduate degree in Emergency Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and certified as a paramedic all while pulling full shifts on the firetruck and ambulance. After relocating for her spouseâs military service, Kathryne had the opportunity to see how field medicine was done in other communities, inspiring her to further her education and become a physician. She prepared for medical school by diving into the sciences at Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington and was admitted to the University of Washington School of Medicine.
During medical school, Kathryne focused on womenâs health and obstetrics, medication for the treatment of addiction, and rural medicine completing rotations throughout Alaska and Western Washington in rural and urban hospitals. Kathryne also helped to build mentorship opportunities for rural youth interested in medicine and for medical students during their training. She wanted to make sure other first-generation students like herself knew there was a place in medicine for them. Kathryne is ecstatic to start her career as a family physician with Tacoma Family Medicine Residency and to continue her training in the beautiful PNW. She has a particular interest in obstetrics, gynecologic care, addiction medicine, and community health. She loves taking care of both individuals and families from the beginning of life to the end. The breadth of service offered by family physicians is what drew her to this specialty.
Outside of medicine, Kathryne can be found playing board and card games with her husband and friends, chasing after her house full of pets, playing co-ed volleyball, settling down with a good book, or off finding an adventure in the mountains.
Treza Mwangi, DO
Hometown:Â Lake Placid & Miramar, FL
Medical School: A.T. Still University of Osteopathic Medicine, Arizona
Treza was born in Kisumu, Kenya and moved to the United States at the age of 3. For 10 years, she and her family lived off the grid on a 10,000-acre cattle ranch in the heart of Lake Placid, Florida. Her mother, Zilpah, was a special education teacher, and her father, Stanley, was completing postdoctoral research. Being surrounded by the endless marshlands that were fed by the tributaries of Lake Okeechobee sparked her love of natural sciences.
Growing up, one physician left an everlasting impression on Treza because he cared for her entire family and delivered her sister, Stacey. She wished to have this impact on others as a physician in the future. Shortly after moving to south Florida, Treza simultaneously earned her high school diploma and associate degree at the age of 18. She then joined Florida International University for her undergraduate studies. During this time, she explored the healthcare system through the lens of a medical scribe and medical assistant. On the weekends, Treza tutored her peers, volunteered at an equine therapy center for children with disabilities, and accompanied her brother Irvin at his soccer games. These formative encounters not only shaped her personal growth, but also profoundly influenced her vision to become a family medicine physician.
With this vision in mind, Treza attended A.T Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA). The schoolâs unique curriculum allowed her to complete all her clinical rotations in the culturally colorful world of New York City. She immersed herself in the complexity of medicine in urban underserved communities and witnessed the lasting impact of quality healthcare.
Medicine also gave Treza the chance to meet the love of her life, Andrew Fu. They navigated the challenges of the concrete jungle and realized the importance of expanding their horizons with new experiences in nature. Together, they rode horses through the forests of California, kayaked with otters in Monterey Bay, zip-lined through the fall foliage of the Catskills, and unwound in the hot springs of Colorado. Now, their chapter as first-generation physicians begin in the beautiful city of Tacoma, Washington!
Ashlyn Richie, MD
Hometown:Â Seibert, CO
Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine
Ashlyn grew up on the eastern plains of Colorado in the small rural-frontier town of Seibert, boasting a graduating high school class of nine. Her journey toward a career in medicine was deeply influenced by her father’s battle with Multiple Sclerosis, which ultimately led to his passing during her sophomore year of college. Inspired by this experience, Ashlyn was driven to pursue a path in medicine with a focus on improving healthcare accessibility and addressing social determinants of health.
As a first-generation student, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) with a major in Biology and minors in Leadership and General Communication. During her time at UCCS, Ashlyn worked for three years as an emergency department scribe in a Level 1 Trauma Center where her interests in medicine and confidence grew.
In medical school at the University of Colorado, Ashlyn opted for a rural Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC) in Wray, CO, where she cultivated a passion for full-scope family medicine and cherished the continuity of patient-care relationships. Outside her academics, Ashlyn volunteered and was a site lead for CU Street Medicine – a mobile outreach program increasing access to healthcare for unhoused neighbors. Both experiences gave her an appreciation for the stories and struggles of urban and rural underserved populations.
Ashlyn is excited to make the move to the beautiful PNW and join the TFM family. Her interests within family medicine include obstetrics and reproductive health, street medicine, rural health, LQBTQ+ care, and health equity. Outside of medicine she has not mastered skiing like many Coloradans but enjoys the outdoors whether she is hiking, biking, kayaking, or camping – all with the company of her golden retriever pup, Wally. She loves a good book, farmerâs market, and cup of coffee, as well as being the cool aunt to her new niece.
Second-year residents
Daniel Lee, DO
Hometown: Federal Way, WA
Medical school: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Daniel was born in Tacoma and grew up in Federal Way with his three older sisters. Growing up he had plans to pursue a baseball career that even included an offer to play at a D1 college. This quickly changed after he attended a medical mission trip to Honduras. He was in awe at the toolbox of knowledge these physicians carried and the impact they made on the community. This led Daniel to focus on his premedical education and attend the University of Washington in Seattle. Throughout college Daniel worked as a lab technician at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center while earning his bachelorâs degree in physiology. After graduation, Daniel took a gap year working as a clinical assistant at Seattle Spine & Sports Medicine. During this time, he volunteered with Seattle Dance and Performing Arts Clinic and even helped with sport physicals for the Seattle Seawolves. Through these experiences he confirmed his dream was to pursue becoming a physician.
With the interest of providing compassionate care using a comprehensive approach, Daniel attended medical school at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. His clinical years shaped his desire to pursue a career in family medicine. He enjoyed the wide breadth of medical specialties in all his rotations and began to realize family medicine would fulfill his desire to obtain a full scope of training and provide the highest standard of care to patients. He is so excited to pursue a career in family medicine as he can maintain his broad base of medical knowledge while tailoring his future practice to the needs of his community. In his free time, Daniel enjoys spending time with his family, two Siberian huskies, trying new food, and being outside in the PNW.
Ryan McMonigle, PhD, MD
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern UniversityÂ
Ryan grew up in San Diego, CA, where he ran cross country and track in high school and community college. He completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of California, Irvine. During his time at UCI, Ryan joined a cancer biology lab investigating novel therapeutics targeting cancer cell metabolism. After graduation he continued working as a lab manager before deciding to pursue an MD-PhD training program at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. He completed his PhD training in immunology, focusing on the differentiation pathway of CD4+ T cells responsible for generating antibody responses to infection. During his MD-PhD training, Ryan recognized that he is driven by caring for patients and decided to pursue family medicine residency training to become a full-spectrum primary care physician.
Ryan is excited to explore a new corner of the country at Tacoma Family Medicine and become a full spectrum family medicine physician. He is interested in obstetrics, pediatrics, evidence-based medicine, and serving his community. Ryan enjoys running and hiking, sports, board games, and hanging out with his wife, daughter, and 2 miniature dachshunds.
Naomi Nkinsi, MPH, MD
Home Town: Sammamish, WA
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
The child of immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Naomi was born in YaoundĂ©, Cameroon and spent her early childhood there before her family immigrated to the United States. Her family initially immigrated to the Atlanta area before eventually settling to Sammamish, WA where she spent the remainder of her childhood. Naomi attended the University of Washington in Seattle where she graduated with double majors in cellular, molecular, and developmental biology and public health. During her time in undergrad, she conducted research with the genome sciences department on congenital contracture syndromes as well as with The Broad Institute where she studied molecular targets for non-small cell lung cancer and Boston Childrenâs Hospital where she worked to develop real-time tracking systems for the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak. Upon graduation, Naomi was a research technician at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where she conducted genome wide CRISPR screens to identify potential drug targets to treat non-small-cell lung cancer. Throughout all these experiences, Naomi remained committed to her goal of advocating for minority students in STEM by serving as a research mentor for numerous pipeline programs.Â
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Naomi Nkinsi received her medical doctorate from the University of Washington School of Medicine and her masterâs in public health from the University of Washington School of Public Health. She is a nationally recognized advocate for service learning, diversifying medicine, centering anti-racism in medical education, and ending the use of race-based clinical algorithms. For the advancements she had led in health equity, Naomi was named a 2021 fellow of the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans and a 2022 Pisacano Leadership Foundation Fellow by the American Board of Family Medicine. Naomi is excited to continue her passion for full-spectrum, equity-focused primary care.
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Outside of medicine, Naomi enjoys going on walks and hikes, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.
Maggie O’Grady, MD
Hometown: Evergreen Park, IL
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine – Peoria
Maggie was born and raised in Evergreen Park, a suburb on the south side of Chicago, in Illinois. Her mom is one of 12 children, and her dad is one of 8, so she grew up surrounded by a big, loving extended family. This supportive community played an important role in her decision to become a family doctor. She attended Saint Louis University in Missouri, where she majored in Biology and Spanish. After completing her undergraduate degree, she worked as a pharmacy technician in Chicago, IL. The community the pharmacy served was primarily Spanish speaking, and she provided customer service in both English and Spanish. Her experience in the pharmacy highlighted the unique barriers patients face when acquiring their medications. Maggie went on to the University of Illinois for medical school, where she was involved in research focusing on the socioeconomic factors influencing patientsâ adherence to diabetes treatment plans and their barriers to improved healthcare outcomes. Her clinical and research experiences encouraged her to focus on patient education and advocacy. She is especially passionate about reproductive health, behavioral health, and pediatrics. Maggie is excited to further her training in the pacific northwest region where she will train to become a full spectrum family physician. She moved to Tacoma with her partner Mitch and their dog, Rosie. In her free time, she loves to read, hike, do yoga and play outside with Rosie.
Isabella Park, MD
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Isabella grew up by the coast, in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California with her four siblings and parents. She attended Stanford University as a college athlete in Synchronized Swimming, while also pursuing a degree in Human Biology and a minor in Creative Writing. It was after graduating college, that she returned to LA to work with the underserved as a doula, where she spent time with pregnant foster teens and unhoused women. Additionally, she spent time volunteering in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Paraguay, which provided her with a deep appreciation for an international perspective on how to medically and culturally care for one another. It was during these experiences that her interest and passion for primary care truly began to blossom. She then went on to Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, IL, where she fell in love with Family Medicine, as it was a field that allowed her to be involved and care for the community. It was also during this time that she pursued her passion for environmental sustainability passion and helped to found GEMS, Group for Environmental and Medical Sustainability. This group helped to spread awareness and knowledge on taking action on sustainability, particularly within the medical field. Now she is excited to start her journey in Tacoma, WA at TFM where she will continue to concentrate on providing for the community, continuing her global health journeys, and taking action on environmental sustainability. She loves to bake cakes and cookies, explore the near and far hiking trails, and take day trips around the local towns and small cities with her partner.
Caitlin Parke, MD
Hometown: Palos Verdes, CA
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Caitlin grew up in the beachside town of Palos Verdes, California. Unfortunately, she never mastered the art of surfing, however growing up near the ocean did instill a deep passion for wildlife and nature. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley with a double major in Integrative Biology and Anthropology. After graduating, Caitlin moved to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala where she studied Spanish for six months before returning to the US to live as a Colorado ski bum for a few years. In between hikes and ski days, Caitlin worked as an emergency department scribe, which ultimately solidified her plan to pursue a career in medicine. She then completed a Masters of Biomedical Sciences at Tufts University in Boston. While living in Boston, Caitlin also worked as a clinical research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital, assisting with projects related to sepsis management.
Caitlin attended medical school at The University of Arizona College of Medicine â Phoenix, where she learned that the desert sun is unforgiving to redheads and that she wanted to pursue a career in broad-spectrum family medicine. Caitlin is a National Health Service Corps Scholar and in medical school, earned a Rural Health Certificate of Distinction for completing a capstone research project on rural health and focusing her third- and fourth-year clinical clerkships in rural areas.
Caitlin is beyond excited to join the TFM family and continue her training in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Her interests in medicine include comprehensive obstetric and pediatric care, lactation medicine and healthcare in low resource and rural settings. When not in the hospital or clinic, Caitlin can be found wandering beaches, mountains, forests and farmers markets with her cocker spaniel, Ellie.
Alexandra Smith, MD
Hometown: Everett, WA
Medical School: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Alex grew up surrounded by the mountains, water, and evergreen trees in Everett, Washington alongside her parents, two younger sisters, and three Siberian Huskies. While shadowing a Family Medicine doctor for her high school senior project, she was inspired to become a physician after watching the positive  impact holistic care had on people of all ages and the community as a whole. Alex attended the University of Washington in Seattle where she earned her degree in Biology with a focus in Physiology. During her undergraduate years, she participated in programs which reaffirmed her interest in medicine including research in a Cardiology lab and shadowing healthcare professionals in a rural town during spring break.
After graduation, Alex worked as a medical scribe for several Family Medicine and Internal Medicine physicians across the Puget Sound region, and she volunteered in a Womenâs Imaging Center at Swedish Hospital in Ballard where she gained a deep appreciation for taking the time to provide compassionate care for patients, especially in stressful situations. Alex continued her adventure towards becoming a physician at the Frank H Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. While in medical school, she served in multiple leadership roles including President of the Family Medicine Interest Group and a Peer Support Coach which taught her the value of learning from and advocating for patients and her fellow healthcare colleagues. She also discovered her passion for serving under-served, under-resourced communities after spending her third year at Northern Maine Medical Center in the rural town of Fort Kent, Maine. As a physician, Alex seeks to be a combination of detective, guide, teacher, student, advocate, and sidekick on her mission to provide compassionate full-scope holistic care for all patients. Her other interests within medicine include obstetrics, reproductive care, womenâs health, LGBTQIA+/gender-affirming care, preventative care, and POCUS.
Alex is ecstatic to be joining the TFM family as well as returning to her Pacific Northwest roots to serve the communities that nurtured her passion for medicine. Outside of medicine, Alex loves playing games with family and friends, exploring the great outdoors, practicing with her musical instruments, dancing when no one is looking, and spending time with her boyfriend and his cat.
Ai-Vi Tran, MD
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Medical School: Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Aivi was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. After high school, she chose to stay local for college, attending Pacific Lutheran University, where she studied Biology and Religion. Her interest in medicine began early on in her childhood, as she was one of the primary caregivers for her paraplegic father. Growing up, she witnessed the time and care his team took to learn his story, his worries, and how he envisioned his life. She knew that, as a future physician, she wanted to be able to create lasting relationships with patients and their families, as they had with hers.
After graduating college, Aivi was fortunate to start medical school at Washington State Universityâs Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Aivi came into medical school with a particular interest in primary care, and as she rotated through the core sub-specialties, her heart always found its way back to Family Medicine. As a first-generation college and medical student, Aivi was dedicated to providing mentorship to under-represented communities, joining mentorship programs that offered support to students at the junior high, high school, and college level. Throughout her medical training, she also developed her passions for healthy equity and patient advocacy as a leader in WSUâs Family Medicine Interest Group, Asian Pacific American Student Association, and Health Equity Circle.
She is so excited to be continuing the next stages of her medical training in the community (and hospital) where she was born! Her medical interests within family medicine include obstetrics and reproductive health, behavioral health, health equity, and urban underserved communities. Outside of medicine, she enjoys cooking, experimenting with new foods, rock climbing, and Zumba.
Third-year residents
Elena Dodge, MD
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Medical School: University of Washington, School of Medicine
Elena was born and raised in Tacoma, where she spent her time exploring the Pacific Northwest with her parents and younger sister. After graduating from Wilson High School, she stayed in Tacoma to study Biology at the University of Puget Sound. Her interest in medicine began during an internship with the Pierce County Health Department. There, she assisted in the development of a mobile medical clinic and saw the profound impact that access to healthcare can have on an individualâs life.
After graduation, she joined Teach for America and moved to Homedale, Idaho, where she taught high school science and health. She loved empowering students to make their health a priority and building relationships within the community. In medical school at the University of Washington, she found the same enjoyment in the family medicine clinic. She was drawn to the broad scope of family medicine and the ability to incorporate education about health and wellness into every visit.
Elena is excited to return home to Tacoma and join the TFM family. Her medical interests include womenâs health, rural health, addiction medicine, and adolescent medicine. She is thrilled to be joining a residency program with such strong full-spectrum training to continue developing those interests. Outside of medicine, she enjoys getting outside with her husband and two dogs, hiking and biking in the PNW, trying to keep her garden alive, and cheering on the Seattle Sounders with her family.
Clinton Foriska, DO
Hometown: Macdoel, CA
Medical School: PNWU Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinton grew up on a cattle ranch in rural Macdoel, CA. He spent his youth working for local ranchers and farmers until he joined the US Army right out of High School. After serving nearly 10 years in the infantry with a combat tour to Iraq, Clinton was medically retired from the Army. Clinton transitioned straight from military service to civilian life as a student. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at University of Washington and attended medical school at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.
Outside of medicine, Clinton loves to spend time with his family. He also enjoys archery, hunting, bodybuilding.
Daniel Guillory, MD
Hometown: Honolulu, HI / Bremerton, WA
Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
The child of a Navy family, Daniel was born on the island of Oahu and spent several years there, before moving around and ending up in Bremerton, Washington. He loved the opportunities to see so much of the country and meet people from all walks of life. He eventually attended the University of Washington in Seattle. There he studied International Studies along with a smattering of other languages, hoping to see the world and learn from the experiences of the people in it. Following college, he spent a year abroad in Taiwan before returning to Seattle to work for a consulting firm and figure out his next steps. During this time, he volunteered at a local hospital. His work there helped him rediscover his love of the sciences and realize he wanted to spend every day making an impact like the one at the hospital. He attended a post-baccalaureate program at Temple University in Pennsylvania, where he went on to medical school. While at Temple, outside of his academic pursuits, he worked with student organizations doing practical skills training, community outreach clinics, and providing STI testing for the LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia. He also had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico as well as Manipal, India to learn how physicians practice in other environments and what global medicine can look like. On his Family Medicine rotation in Lancaster, PA, he found his true passion in medicine; a specialty that gave him the opportunity to work with under-served communities, build long lasting relationships with patients, and help them with âFull Spectrumâ capabilities. He is ecstatic to be closer to his family and train at Tacoma Family Medicine. His time here will equip him with the skills to go out and serve any community effectively and compassionately. When not doctoring, he enjoys hikes with his pup Lulu, singing and writing songs on the guitar, and lively game nights with friends.
Morgan Julian, MD
Hometown: Billings, MT
Medical School: University of Washington, School of Medicine- Montana
Morgan was born and raised in Billings, Montana. In school, she was editor of her high school yearbook and at work learned how to make an excellent pizza. For her undergraduate degree, she attended Montana State University in Bozeman, MT where her passion for preventative medicine led her to a degree in Food & Nutrition. Throughout college, Morgan worked in a nutrition research lab where she investigated the relationship between diet and physical activity and how they impact a personâs health. As someone who loves working with people at all stages of life, she also worked with children at Boys and Girls Clubs of Yellowstone County and volunteered with hospice patients.
After graduation, Morgan was fortunate to start medical school at the University of Washington on their Montana campus. Morgan was the lead of the Family Medicine Interest Group and had the opportunity to organize events which exposed students interested in a variety of specialties to the scope of family medicine. She also volunteered at a Foot Care Clinic at a local warming center and participated in free HIV testing in the community. Morgan is thrilled to be starting her journey as a family medicine physician. She is drawn to patient-centered care and looks forward to building strong relationships with her patients. Her medical interests include working with under-served communities, geriatrics, womenâs health, mental health, and preventive medicine. She is also interested in learning more about addiction medicine and LGBTQ+ care to better serve rural communities where this care can be more difficult to access.
Outside of medicine, Morgan enjoys reading books, taking long walks, gardening, starting new crafting projects, and of course spending time with family and friends. She is excited to explore the Tacoma farmerâs markets and will be on the hunt for the best tea in town.
Alexander Mundell, MD
Hometown: West Hollywood, CA / Redmond, WA
Medical School: University of Washington, School of Medicine
Lex was born in West Hollywood, CA and grew up in Redmond, WA, and considers the Pacific Northwest his home. He was first inspired to become a physician after spending many summers in Newfoundland Canada with his grandparents who were small town physicians originally from India. After majoring in Chemistry and Spanish at Grinnell College in rural Iowa, he developed a love and passion for the closeness of rural communities and after graduation served two terms as an AmeriCorps VISTA service member in Prescott, AZ. There, he worked at a public health department on increasing access to healthy foods, HIV testing, and community health education. Through AmeriCorps, he decided he wanted to go to medical school and was excited to go back home and attend the University of Washington as a Rural and Underserved Pathway Scholar in Moses Lake, WA. It was a highlight of his medical school career getting to learn full spectrum family medicine longitudinally across three years in one community. He also was a leader of the Health Equity Circle, where he helped mobilize medical students in community organizing to support affordable housing.
He is honored and excited to continue his passion for rural full-spectrum family medicine and health equity at Tacoma Family Medicine. His interests within family medicine include rural medicine, obstetrics and reproductive health, and pediatrics, but is really excited about all there is to learn in family medicine.
Outside of medicine, he enjoys running, hiking and exploring the PNW, trying not to fall while skiing, spending time with his partner Maria and family and friends, finding new coffee shops and restaurants, cooking, and watching bad Netflix shows.
Athena Paarmann, MD
Hometown: Houston/San Antonio, TX
Medical School: University of Texas, School of Medicine
Athena was born in Houston, Texas but grew up in San Antonio, Texas. She attended The University of Texas in Dallas, where she studied neuroscience as her primary major. During her time in Dallas, she worked on a research project for psychology known as The Healthy Development project. Their research analyzed parent and child relationships to food and what could be done to better promote a healthy diet. This research also focused on the psychology of fat shaming and how this could produce eating disorders. Other notable accomplishments during her time in Dallas involve creating a capstone project for the honors college that was based on the leading theories of consciousness. Athena then pursued a medical degree through the University of Texas Medical branch located in Galveston where she focused her efforts on promoting health and well-being for gender and sexually diverse individuals. During her time there she was able to start a clinic with the help of clinical staff at St. Vincentâs. This clinic focused on getting hormone therapies for transgender and intersex people who did not have insurance. She was also involved in advancing pediatric care for intersex individuals that concentrated on respecting their autonomy and promoting their well-being. Athena is very enthusiastic about this type of work and is happy to begin residency training in Tacoma, Washington where she will continue her focus on those less fortunate with a specialization on gender and sexually diverse patient care.
Katelyn Schumacher, MD
Hometown: Hays, KS
Medical School: University of Kansas, School of Medicine-Wichita
Kate grew up right outside of Hays, Kansas a lovely town surrounded by wheat and sunflower fields. She witnessed the importance of primary care early on in her rural home and was inspired by the strong sense of community. Developing an early interest in medicine and science, she went on to pursue a degree in Microbiology from The University of Kansas where she was recruited to play outfield on the softball team. She continued her tenure as a Jayhawk at the KU School of Medicine, where she developed a love for under-served medicine and public health while volunteering at the student-run safety-net clinic, JayDoc. There, she served as the director of the womenâs health night and started a new specialty night providing gender-affirming care. These meaningful experiences led her to pursue a Master of Public Health between her second and third years of medical school, with her thesis focusing on contraception access in vulnerable populations. Her last medical school rotation was at the national hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, where she focused on improved access to prenatal care and cervical cancer screening.
Her clinical years took her back to rural Kansas for her Family Medicine rotation, where she experienced the true meaning of full-spectrum care. It was inspiring to observe the trusting relationships and the consideration of physical, mental, and spiritual health with each encounter. Family medicine is a field she knew would allow her to continue growing as a medical provider, teacher, advocate, and human being.
Kate is thrilled to move to the PNW and continue her journey at Tacoma Family Medicine, a program with excellent full-spectrum training and dedication to service. Her interests include womenâs health, public health, LGBTQIA+ care, healthcare for the under-served, and global health. Outside of medicine, Kate enjoys hanging out with her boyfriend and two little spaniels, trying new recipes, getting cozy with a good book, and exploring the outdoors. She canât wait to begin her new adventure in Tacoma.
Whitney Keiffer-Sharp, DO
Hometown: Lake City, WA
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Whitney was raised in the northeast region of Seattle, Washington. She grew up with her mother and older brother. her upbringing relied on the welfare system where she witnessed healthcare disparities among her family and neighbors. At a young age, she developed a calling to serve those who face inequality. Whitney became a first-generation college graduate after attending the University of Washington where she earned her degree in Biology and minored in Quantitative Science. After college, she worked as an EMT at a sobering center for two years focused on helping those facing homelessness and addiction. This solidified her motivation to work with underserved communities.
She became a Doctor of Osteopathy at Pacific Norhtwest University of Health Sciences. During her family medicine clinical, she fell in love with primary care and obstetrics. Upon completion of medical school, she decided to branch out of the comfort zone of her home state and complete her residency in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where she felt she could learn the breadth of family medicine including obstetrics.
In Wisconsin, Whitney learned how to drive in the snow, tasted her first cheese curd, and kayaked in the Eau Claire River. She survived the below zero winter, COVID pandemic, and a systemwide cyber-attack taking her back to the basics of medicine and paper charting. Unfortunately, due to the financial strains on the hospital system, her residency program closed. She is excited for the opportunity to move back to her home state after two years and complete her residency training here in Tacoma. Whitney also enjoys spending time with her family, fiancé and two dogs, going on walks and crafts.