Residents

Michael Cusack, DO

Hometown: Olympia, WA

Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Michael (he/him) grew up in Olympia, WA where he attended and graduated from The Evergreen State College. Prior to attending medical school, Michael worked in construction for several years before pursuing his Master’s of Science at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. After completing his graduate degree, Michael moved with his partner and two dogs to Idaho where he worked as a scribe and a medical assistant in the emergency department and small rural clinics. After a few years, he moved back to Washington where he attended medical school at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima.

Within family medicine, Michael most looks forward to working with underserved populations and practicing procedural medicine. Outside of the hospital, Michael enjoys hiking, biking, playing chess, homebrewing, hydroponic gardening, and spending time with his dogs.

Charlotte Evans, MD

Hometown: Essex, VT

Medical School: Larner College of Medicine, Vermont

Charlotte (she/her) grew up in Essex, Vermont surrounded by the beauty of the Green Mountains. She stayed close to home to attend the University of Vermont and obtained a degree in neuroscience. Wanting to better understand neurological diseases pushed her to pursue medicine, and her senior thesis focused on learning and behavior with particular relevance to addiction.

During the pandemic, she worked at a local community health center and discovered a love for primary care. She then attended medical school in Vermont and continued to explore specialties that would allow her to work with patients of all ages and backgrounds. Charlotte did research on access to healthcare in Vermont during the COVID-19 pandemic and the growth of telemedicine, important in a rural state, and continued to seek out opportunities to work in rural areas throughout her clinical rotations, including in Maine and upstate New York. Outside of academics, she continued volunteering and also took interest in mentoring, planetary health, and medical school recruitment and admissions.

She is excited to start a new adventure in Washington with TFM. Within family medicine, Charlotte’s interests include reproductive health and obstetrics, addiction medicine, adult gender affirming care, wilderness medicine, and integrative medicine. She hopes to practice full-spectrum Family Medicine, continue efforts to improve public health and healthcare policy through legislative advocacy, and work with students and learners in whatever community she eventually lands. Outside of medicine, Charlotte loves to bake, hike, travel, watch soccer, and care for her houseplants.

Amy Iloani, DO

Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas

Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center

Jose Lopez, MD

Hometown: El Paso, TX

Medical School: Paul L. Foster School of Medicine

Jose (he/him) is originally from El Paso, Texas, and attended the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. He previously served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic, working on A-10s, F-15s, and F-22s, and traveling across the country. After completing his military service, he earned degrees in biology and philosophy, drawn especially to ancient philosophy and its insights on human nature, ethics, and resilience. Before medical school, Jose conducted research at the NIH and Georgetown University—experiences that deepened his curiosity about medicine and public health.

Growing up in a working-class family and witnessing the impact of healthcare disparities firsthand, he felt called to provide full-spectrum care in underserved communities. He values continuity of care and hopes to build long-term relationships with patients while advocating for equity and access.

Outside of medicine, Jose enjoys hiking, mountain biking, exploring national parks, and spending time with his wife and daughter.

Katie Kesler, MD

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Medical School: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine

Jeffrey Schaefer, DO

Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Jeffrey (he/him) grew up in sunny Ft. Lauderdale, Fl where he enjoyed the sunny beaches and tropical lifestyle. While in his undergrad at the University of Central Florida, Jeffrey developed a strong passion for holistic medicine organizing classes and workshops in nutrition, yoga, meditation, and tai-chi. He further developed these interests in medical school, gaining expertise in osteopathic manipulative medicine as well as earning a master’s in nutrition.

Throughout his education, Jeffrey has been fascinated by travel and cultural immersion. He is self-taught in Spanish and has completed multiple trips and medical outreach programs across Latin America. Outside of traveling Latin America, he has also traveled significantly across the United States, Canada, and India.

Jeffrey was drawn to Tacoma for its full-spectrum family medicine training and proximity to nature. His clinical interests include behavioral health, preventative medicine, nutrition, and osteopathic manipulation. In his free time, he enjoys being with family and friends as well as being out in nature and living actively.

Rachel Straughn, MD

Hometown: Everett, WA

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine

Alexis Yagoda, DO

Hometown: Miami, FL

Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Alexis (she/her) was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She grew up in a large and lively family with three sisters and a brother. Most of her education and training took place across different parts of Florida. After graduating high school, she moved to Orlando, Florida to pursue her degree in Health Sciences. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for medicine and preventive care. Through her travels and volunteer work in countries with limited access to resources, Alexis became inspired to study medicine with a more holistic, patient-centered approach.

After earning her bachelor’s degree, Alexis spent time working as a medical scribe in an OB/GYN office, where she first discovered her passion for women’s health. She was inspired by the role that physicians play as advocates for their patients and the impact of compassionate, respectful care. Alexis went on to earn her medical degree from Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. During medical school, she became actively involved in community outreach efforts focused on sun safety and skin cancer prevention, leading several educational initiatives in collaboration with local organizations. These experiences deepened her understanding of how targeted public health interventions can uplift underserved populations and reinforced her desire to become a primary care physician focused on prevention, continuity of care, and overall well-being.

Alexis’s medical training took her across the country and abroad, including an international rotation in Portugal. Experiencing medicine in diverse cultural and clinical settings deepened her understanding of how to care for patients with empathy, adaptability, and respect. These passions combined brought her to Tacoma, Washington, where she is thrilled to be starting her residency in Family Medicine with TFM.

Outside of medicine, Alexis loves spending time with her loved ones, exploring new places, binge-watching TV shows, reading, and experimenting in the kitchen. She believes in building meaningful connections—with patients, families, and communities—and is excited to grow alongside the people she serves.

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 patients’ 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 well-being of her community.
Her interests within family medicine include obstetrics and reproductive justice, advocacy, addiction, behavioral health, and LGBTQIA+/adult 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 preventive 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 – 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 bachelor’s 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 Earth’s 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 they’re 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 spouse’s 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 women’s 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: 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 school’s 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: 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, farmer’s market, and cup of coffee, as well as being the cool aunt to her new niece.

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 bachelor’s 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 University 

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 Yaoundé, 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 Children’s 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. 

Naomi Nkinsi received her medical doctorate from the University of Washington School of Medicine and her master’s 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.

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 patients’ 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 – 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 Women’s 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, women’s health, LGBTQIA+/adult gender-affirming care, preventive 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 University’s 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 WSU’s 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.