Class of 2010

	Nathan Bloom, MD Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Undergraduate School: University of Kansas Hometown: Eudora, KS I'm a Kansas boy who's back after a four-year stay in Milwaukee. I came back to do Family Medicine for the simple reason that I enjoy nearly the entire length and breadth of the medical field, and I feel that Family Medicine offers the best opportunity to stay a generalist. It's difficult to beat a specialty where you'll go from treating diabetes and blood pressure, to musculoskeletal problems, then straight to a happy, healthy kid all within the hour. I really like that we don't get saddled into seeing only one or two diagnoses like specialists do. The fact that our program allows us to lean more towards our own interests and set up rotations on an individual basis was a big draw for me. I'm planning on doing clinical and emergency work here in Northeast Kansas when I'm done. My second year schedule is open enough to allow me to pick up weekend shifts. Even throughout my first year I've had plenty of time to stay active outdoors running, biking, and the like.
	John Bustle, MD Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
	Eric Clarkson DO, MBA Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Undergrad: MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe KS Hometown: Cimarron, KS I was born and raised in a small Southwest Kansas farm town. I earned my B.A. in Biology and Chemistry at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS where I met my beautiful wife, Amy. While she started Medical School at KU, I worked for a few years at a large local health insurance company. Since my wife was studying almost every evening, I decided to find a safe way to occupy my time so I got my private pilot’s license. I then went to KCUMB in Kansas City and earned my DO degree while working on my MBA at Rockhurst University. I knew I wanted to do family medicine but I was unsure where I wanted to go. Because my wife was now a family medicine resident in Kansas City, I knew I was going to choose between one of the three Family Medicine residency programs in town. By this time it was obvious that my wife was getting a world class residency experience at KU. She was able to go on several international medical trips, do research, and design her third year curriculum around the set of skills she would need for her future practice. Despite seeing this I still spent time at each of the other programs, but KU was the only residency program that ultimately had everything I wanted: Curriculum flexibility, complicated pathology, incredible Family Medicine and Subspecialist faculty, large volume, and an emphasis on clinical/outpatient medicine. Now having been in the program for over a year I have no doubts that I made the right choice. I hope we can provide you with that same sense of peace.
	Greg Copeland DO Med School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Undergrad: University of Missouri, Columbia Hometown: Fresno, CA My name is Greg Copeland and I am a 2nd year resident at KU. I’m a family man with family values, so Family Medicine seemed like a logical career for me. I love the variety this field provides, as well as the difference I can make in my patients’ lives. I’m married to my lovely wife, Laura, and we have two wonderful boys: Sam(3), Ben (2), and Number three on the way! Most of my free time is spent with my family, performing the daily joys of chasing the kids or changing diapers. If time allows, I also enjoy time with my wife doing outdoor activities , home improvement projects, or watching Chiefs/Royals games. We are also active members at our local church, Lenexa Baptist. After Residency I plan on pursuing one or more of the following: Overseas Medical Missions, Private Medical Practice, starting an urgent care, doing a fellowship, starting a sleep lab, or dabbling in real estate.
	Kristina Diaz, MD Medical School: Ross University Life has taken me on many fun adventures and I now find myself experiencing new roller coaster adventures of residency daily. I came here in Kansas after living in New York City, Miami, Guadalajara, and Tucson and can honestly say that I'm where I'm supposed to be and doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm a University of Arizona alum and a crazy Wildcat fan - not to be confused with the local Kansas State Wildcats. When not tied to the hospital, I enjoy hanging out with my wonderful husband - it doesn't matter where I am as long as I'm with him! We like the outdoors, going on trips, exploring, sports (both participating and watching) and of course mellow moments at home. I also like to spend time documenting our life moments via scrapbooking. For my second and third year of residency I will be heading out to Junction City, KS. I look forward to the many opportunities I will have to learn and also to educate in the community. My plans for the future include focusing on women's health and being an educational advocate for area I live in while maintaining a healthy balance between family, friends, and work.
	Clark Eddy, DO Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Undergrad: Kansas State University, Manhattan Hometown: Fairway, KS I grew up in Topeka, KS and went to college at K-State. No, being a resident at KU has not made me any more of a Jayhawk fan. Sorry, Erin. I have been married for almost 7 years to my wife Kerry. We have a little boy, Charlie, who is about to turn 2 in January. I chose family medicine basically because it fits my personality. I also like that it gives me options. I can choose to do outpatient clinic, urgent care, hospitalist, urban or rural medicine. I can even do OB if I want (which I don't, just being honest). What I like about KU is the flexiblity of the curriculum, especially in 3rd year, when over half the year is elective-based. I also really like having the opportunity to work with residents and faculty from the different specialties. Our inpatient service is challenging but fun. Our clinic is a great place to learn clinical medicine. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I can honestly say that we residents are good friends and we really look out for each other. So if you are interested in family medicine, check us out, and good luck!
	Greg Erb, MD
	Erin Griffeth, DO Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine Undergraduate School: University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS ROCK CHALK, JAYHAWK!!! Hometown: Lawrence, KS World traveler. Animal Lover. Cowgirl at heart. Osteopathic Physician by training. I was born at KU Medical center and raised in Lawrence, KS, home of the KU JAYHAWKS and birthplace of BASKETBALL. ROCK CHALK, JAYHAWK! I am a Jayhawk by birth, raised a Jayhawk and will die a Jayhawk! I love to travel the world and see & experience new things and meet new people. I also love to come right back home. Experiencing new cultures and hanging out with friends from all over the world right in our backyards is just what I love to do! I recently bought a home, which I currently share with my cat, Beau and my dwarf bunny, B.B. (Blues Bunny). I am slowly transforming the 45year old home with the help of my parents and friends in my spare time. I also really enjoy gardening; it allows me to free my mind of medicine and reconnect with the Earth. I chose Family medicine because of the wide expanse of ages and the diversity of problems, as well as the focus on preventative medicine. My area of interest in medicine is Complementary and Alternative Medicine. In choosing a residency program, it was important to me that the program support and encourage my skills as an osteopathic physician, including Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, and my interests in CAM. This program certainly provides the experiences I need to grow as a D.O., as I use my OMT skills frequently, and with the availability of elective months, I can focus my learning towards CAM. Besides, who wouldn't want to be trained as a JayDoc?!?
	Ann Kurtz, MD Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine Undergraduate: Scripps College, CA Hometown: Leawood, KS I have enjoyed Kansas City so much that I stayed. My difficult decision was between Family Medicine and Pediatrics, between caring for everyone, and more specific care of the child. Due to my interest in medical missions, I decided on Family Medicine. The flexibility of this program is amazing and I appreciate the laid back attitude combined with an intense interest in learning and teaching.
	Kanan Shah, MBBS I was born, raised, went to medical school, and completed Obstretic and Gynecology residency in India. My husband and I came to the U.S. in 2002 for pursuing our academic aspirations. My husband, Vinay Shah is an ophthalmology resident at the University of Missouri Kansas City. I have two girls Simren (4 year old) and Semony (3 year old). My current life revolves around residency and family. Science and then Medicine have always been my first love since school, and I have always dreamed of becoming a physician who would not only cure the patients, but believe that healing is sometimes better than cure. This was one of the reasons why I started liking Family Medicine -- what touches me the most regarding it is that we can make a significant difference in our patients lives. I think being a family physican is very challenging since we need to have knowledge and competency in a wide variety of fields in medicine. I like the continuity of care aspect and dealing with issues from birth to end of life. I chose the University of Kansas Family Medicine program because I realized I can meet my academic goals here. The outpatient clinic setup is excellent here. We get to see wide variety of patients, covering all aspects of family medicine. I would say ours is an enhanced program with a good academic environment and have the opportunity of learning from consultants. In 3rd year, we have many electives so we can cater our rotations according to our interest.The attendings here are just awesome, with excellent knowledge, always willing to teach residents, making us have the patient care responsibility but are always available to guide appropriately. I really enjoy working here and all co-residents are helpful and fun to work with. We are a great team.
	Chris J. Warholic, MD, MS, CIH Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine I was born and raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania, ariving in KC in 1996 as a hospital administrator after spending two years in hospital safety at Duke University Medical Center. Had an extended youth as I lived in Hawaii where I did research with dophins and whales, travelled around the world in 2000, spent time in Africa doing HIV research and climbed Machu Pichu. Also have a black belt in Judo and competed for 13 years, some of which was at the national level. My beautiful wife Jacquie is a medical student and we have four children, Miles, PJ, Colin and Malia. We also have two cats (Alexandria and BooCat), a Guinea Pig (Jumpie) and some fish. I have a BS in Biology, a BS in Occupational Safety, and a MS in Environmental Science and now an MD. I have bagged groceries, built houses , bartended, lectured on whales for Hawaiian Cruises. I like to garden with my wife, play with the kids, travel, work out and play a little guitar. My fundamental philosophy is that life is pretty amazing!
	Sadaf Zafer, MBBS I grew up in Aurangabad, a small and historic town famous for Ajanta Elora caves in India. I came to USA few years back after getting married to one of the smartest persons (he thinks that way :-)). We lived in San Diego for a while until I started my residency at KUMC. Outside work, I enjoy traveling, long drives and eating at exotic local restaurants. My husband says I am an awesome cook (Yeah.. Yeah..). He and I enjoy cooking and have spent many evenings in the kitchen. I also enjoy meeting people and building friendly relationships. This along with my interest in getting a broad perspective on medicine influenced me to choose Family Medicine as my focus during residency. And KUMC has been the BEST match for me because of the faculty, residents and other staff. I immediately felt connected during my visit to KUMC. This also gave me a chance to come closer to my family around Kansas.