Our Residents
Casey Clark, MD
PGY-3
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Medical School: University of Minnesota
Favorite Thing About Residency: Just being a new resident at St. V's and working in the Emergency Department, but I expect that working with EMS and LifeFlight will become my favorite things about residency.
Plans for After Residency: Community Emergency Physician, with some type of involvement with community EMS.
Fun Facts: I knit my daughter a sweater. It took the whole 9 months, but was ready when she was born.
John Doan, DO
PGY-3
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Thing About Residency: The camaraderie/family atmosphere of the program
Plans for After Residency: Air Force
Fun Facts: I spent a year in Africa as a kid, and had a pet vervet monkey named Engelbert Humperdinck.
William, "Glen," Goncharow, DO
PGY-3, Chief Resident
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University-Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Thing About Residency: The team oriented atmosphere here at St V’s is my favorite aspect of residency so far. From match day on it is evident everyone involved in this program want to help you succeed in becoming a top notch EM Physician, all while having a good time! I am proud to be apart of this esteemed program!
Plans for After Residency: Continue to serve in the US Air Force as an Operational Emergency Medicine Physician and Flight Surgeon.
Fun Facts: I have over 650 Flight hours in 9 different Aircraft including 170 combat hours
Bruce Grattan, DO
PGY-3
Hometown: Cutchogue, New York
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Thing About Residency: excellent teaching environment, camaraderie among st residents and attendings
Plans for After Residency: unsure
Fun Facts: I used to be able to run under 5 minute miles
Alexander "Alex" Payvandi, DO
PGY-3
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Your Favorite Thing About the Program: Feeling incredible welcomed by the faculty and residents so quickly
Plans for After Residency: Take over the world but first working in a residency program and hopefully becoming a program director someday or working as a medical director for an EMS company
Gregory, "Greg," Pontach, MD
PGY-3. Chief Resident
Hometown: Temperance, MI
Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine
Favorite Thing About Residency: the people, patients, problem solving, and all of the things to learn
Plans for After Residency: practice at a busy community hospital or do a fellowship in critical care, ultrasound, or administration
Fun Facts: I write/play in the band Whisper Disco, bike, run, and try to rock climb.
Tyler Scaff, MD
PGY-3
Hometown: LaGrange, KY
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Favorite Thing About Residency: Being able to get things moving for patients on my own!
Plans for After Residency: I'll be active in the Air Force for 4 years and will hopefully move to Dayton
Fun Facts: My wife and I have 2 dogs and 2 cats
Zachary Wise, DO
PGY-3
Hometown: Elkmont, AL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn
Favorite Thing About Residency: Mainly the people. I've clicked really well with all my classmates. Also, being from the South, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the Toledo area but I love it so far.
Plans for After Residency:
The Air Force owns me. I'm excited about going to places I'd never see otherwise and, taking care of our country's finest when they need it most.
Once I get out of the military, I plan on moving back to Alabama and spending most of my free time outdoors. I also plan on using emergency medicine to support my real dream of settling down on a goat farm with my family (insert redneck joke here).
Fun Facts: I have a black belt in Wado Ryu style karate and I'm currently learning to play the harmonica (still terrible at it though).
Krista Allen, DO
PGY-2
Medical School: Rocky Vista College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Rainier, Oregon
Hobbies: exploring new restaurants and breweries, traveling, swimming, reading, thrift store shopping, buying unique jewelry, going to comedy clubs and concerts, hanging out with my husband and two dogs.
Favorite Thing About Residency: I was attracted to St. Vs because of how established the program is and how strong of a reputation it has. I wanted to be at a Level 1 trauma center that sees lots of trauma and has more than one trauma rotation. I knew the experience I would gain with the life flight program would be unmatched and that because of this I would be prepared to handle any patient by the time I completed the program. Then when I met everyone on interview day the decision was a no brainer! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming and had the same laid back but go get 'em attitude that I have.
After Graduation: Major goals are to open/help run a free clinic and run for local office one day.
Melina Alexander, DO
PGY-2
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn Campus
Hometown: Clio, MI
Hobbies: soccer, boating, outdoors, spending time with family, traveling
Favorite Thing About Residency: all of the residents are happy, excited, and invested in the program-the culture immediately felt like one that I would thrive in
After Graduation: A fellowship but TBD what subspecialty
Courtney Davis, DO
PGY-2
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Bentonville, Arkansas
Hobbies: running, scuba diving, skiing, hanging out with my puppy
Favorite Thing About Residency: I was able to do an audition rotation here and was not only impressed by the patient acuity, but the relationships that all the residents had with each other
After Graduation: Possibly EMS fellowship, I would like to get involved in some disaster relief
Alisha Fujita, DO
PGY-2
Medical School: Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Hobbies: traveling, eating, anything outdoors
Favorite Thing About Residency: I am excited to have found a program that is committed to meeting patients where they are. The residents immediately felt like my kind of people, and the incredible flight program didn't hurt either!
After Graduation: TBD
Geoffery Garst, MD
PGY-2
Hometown: Loveland, CO
Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: close-knit team-oriented program where everyone is committed to each other’s success in becoming world-class EM physicians. Perfect balance of instruction and autonomy.
Plans for after residency: As part of the USAF Operational Emergency Medicine Program, I plan to spend the first part of my career as a flight surgeon in either special operations or combat search and rescue. Eventually interested in doing a critical care fellowship.
Fun Facts: I play the Great Highland bagpipes, study To-Shin Do ninjutsu and am a PADI certified Master Scuba Diver.
Tyler Johnston, MD
PGY-2
Hometown: Grand Rapids
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Favorite thing about the program: ICU experience
Plans after residency: Fellowship vs Staying in Toledo vs Moving out west
Fun fact about me: Avid Waterfowl Hunter, Former Lucas County Grand Champion for Market Chickens
E Chin Mak, MD
PGY-2
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of Medicine
Hometown: Hong Kong, China
Hobbies: hiking, running, traveling, gymnastics, eating, and learning about new cultures
Favorite Thing About Residency: The people! Diverse, honest, and friendly residents drew me in to the program most, as well as many shared interests. I was excited about the prospect of participating in MedWars and LifeFlight too
After Graduation: I would love to complete a fellowship, but no sure which subspecialty yet
Lauren Angela Rys, DO
PGY-2
Hometown - Reno, NV
Medical School - Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Your Favorite Thing About the Program - the most welcoming learning environment I’ve ever been a part of. I feel that everyone here wants to see me be successful and that makes residency a little less scary for me.
Plans for After Residency- excited for any adventure the USAF deals me. Looking forward to taking care of service members.
Fun Fact About You- I come from a set of triplets (call us super twins) and my husband and I have two dogs who adventure everywhere with us.
Jillian Sampair, DO
PGY-2
Medical School: AT Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College fo Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: White Bear Lake, MN
Hobbies: Golf, lake days, fitness, spending time with my family and dog, cooking and eating
Favorite Thing About Residency: The residents and faculty, without question. I am so excited to train in a diverse and supportive environment
After Graduation: Time will tell!
Daniel Strbich, DO
PGY-2
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Ludington, MI
Hobbies: Any and all sports, CrossFit, running, hiking, snowboarding, breweries
Favorite Thing About Residency: After spending time at V's as a student I knew I never wanted to be anywhere else. I can't say enough about the people I've met in the residency, and there's no shortage of learning opportunities.
After Graduation: TBD
Jenna Tribull, MD
PGY-2
Medical School: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Hometown: Annapolis, MD
Hobbies: happy hour, cooking, animals, hiking, traveling
Favorite Thing About Residency: I'm very excited about the community/feel! I'm also looking forward to being involved in LifeFlight
After Graduation: Air Force Career
Lexi Brown, DO
PGY-1
Hometown: Toledo, OH
Medical School: Michigan State Univeristy College of Osteopathic Medicine
Your Favorite Thing About the Program: The culture. Everyone is always going out of their way to make sure I am doing good and getting everything I need to get the best possible training that I can!
Plans for After Residency: Not completely decided yet but think I want to practice in a community setting
Fun Fact About You: I love to travel
Quinci Copeland, MD
PGY-1
Hometown- Pandora, Ohio
Medical School- University of Toledo College of Medicine
Your Favorite Thing About the Program- As a medical student who rotated here, I noticed how the residents looked out for each other and helped where it was needed without complaints. The faculty has solid leadership values and established a team-oriented culture. I knew this was the type of environment I wanted to train in as a resident.
Plans for After Residency- Attach to a Forward Resuscitative Surgical Team with the Army Reserves, continue research with NASA, EMS director
Fun Fact About You- I was an ice hockey goalie; played for Findlay Highschool and then for a couple years with Toledo Fire.
Zach Edwards, DO
PGY-1
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: West Linn, OR
Favorite Thing About Residency: The residents/faculty, trauma volume, patient acuity, and life flight
After Graduation: work in a community emergency department
Fun Fact About Me: Prior to medical school I served 4 years in the Marine Corps
Jennifer Ginsberg, MD
PGY-1
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Hometown: Hudson OH
Favorite Thing About Residency: I was fortunate enough to do rotations here as a medical student, and I felt at home immediately. It’s an incredibly supportive community, and with such a stellar decades-long reputation as a level 1 trauma center, incredibly smart faculty who are so invested in and skilled at teaching, and opportunities to enhance your learning at every turn (including with LifeFlight), I knew St. V’s would help me become the best EM physician I could be!
Fun Fact About Me: I used to work, perform and sing at Walt Disney World!
Krishna Kidambi, DO
PGY-1
Hometown: Tampa FL
Med school: William Carey university
Favorite thing about program: lots of learning opportunities, really safe location, great place to raise a family
Plans after residency: Join a traveling barbershop quarter probably
Fun fact about me: I can count backwards with my eyes closed.
Megan Ladd, MD
PGY-1
Hometown- Elmhurst, IL
Medical School- Touro University California
Your Favorite Thing About the Program- I've been here only a month and I would say everyone has been very friendly- senior residents and attendings. Been learning a lot and look forward to working with EMS and life flight
Plans for After Residency: TBD
Fun Fact About You- I was a surgery resident last year
Lauren Lessor, MD, MPH
PGY-1 (PGY-4)
Hometown: Houston, TEXAS
Medical School: SGU School of Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: I liked it so much I wanted to do it again. Haha. Yep - this is my 2nd residency, pediatrics was my first. My energy and personality fit much better with the fast pace, thrill seeking, team-oriented environment. In all seriousness though, every EM group needs a pediatric aficionado, right? Good. Because I want that to be me.
Fun fact: I was an Author of FIRST AID FOR THE USMLE STEP-1 three years in a row.
Sara Matthews, MD
PGY-1
Hometown - Milton, FL
Medical School - USUHS (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)
Your Favorite Thing About the Program - the people, everyone is interested in learning and taking care of each other
Plans for After Residency - next Air Force assignment
Fun Fact About You - I was an art teacher before going to med school
Christian Posadny, MD
PGY-1
Hometown- Batavia, Ohio
Medical School- University of Toledo
Your Favorite Thing About the Program- I love the people here, I felt right at home immediately.
Plans for After Residency- My husband and I love Toledo and plan to stick around after residency.
Fun Fact About You- My dog is slowly becoming bilingual as I teach her commands in both English and Czech.
Adam Ranellone, DO
PGY-1
Hometown: Hawthorne, NY
Medical School: Kansas City University
Your Favorite Thing About the Program: Camaraderie between residents, support from faculty, high acuity patient population, and lots of traumas.
Plans for After Residency: Get a job in the community, spend time with my family, and build a house on a quiet spot of land.
Fun Fact About You: I write and record my own music.
Ashley Russell, MD
PGY-1
Hometown: Graytown, OH
Medical School: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Favorite thing about the Program: The camaraderie, opportunity to learn flight medicine, and emphasis on getting involved with procedures and seeing sick patients even as an intern.
Plans for after residency: TBD
Fun Fact: My first job was working at the Jet Express, a passenger ferry boat that goes back and forth to Put in Bay and Kelleys Island. My husband and I still enjoy spending time on Lake Erie whenever we get the chance.
Joe Sharp, DO
PGY-1
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Thing About The Program: The way they’ve managed to combine great training/variety of training opportunities with a genuine family/team culture. Felt right at home here when I showed up to Toledo.
Plans for After Residency: Will go back to being a Flight Doc wherever the Air Force decides to send me.
Fun Facts: My Air Force callsign is Vandal and I’ve been training jiu jitsu for around 7 years. Those two may or may not be mutually exclusive facts.
Matt Slack, DO
PGY-1
Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Your Favorite Thing About the Program: The patient acuity and volume make St V’s an ideal training environment. The attendings and faculty actively listen to resident feedback and are willing to make changes to the program when necessary.
Plans for After Residency: Work in a community ED
Fun Fact About You: I can ride a unicycle