Internal Medicine – Residents
R1
Josh Benito, MD
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine or Oncology
Jim Katsilometes, DO
Hometown: Pocatello, ID
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Career Interests: Still exploring
Nick Kiourkas, DO
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Career Interests: Primary Care, Hospital Med, or Oncology
Brian Lee, DO
Hometown: Sherwood, OR
Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interests: Primary Care
Sayward Nelson, DO
Hometown: Vashon, WA
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Career Interests: Rural Hospitalist, Pulmonology
Ileisa Oleson, MD
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Medical School: Oregon Health and Sciences University
Career Interests: Rural Hospitalist
Amanda Scott, DO
Hometown: Anchorage, AK
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interests: Still Exploring
Tiana Sestak, MD
Hometown: Mukilteo, WA
Medical School: University of Washington, School of Medicine
Career Interests: Integrating palliative care into inpatient medicine, mentoring for under-represented students in medicine
Lili Szabo, MD
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Medical School: University of Washington, School of Medicine
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine or Primary Care
Ean Van Bramer, DO
Hometown: Federal Way, WA
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Career Interests: Cardiology or Critical Care
R2
Andrea Cronrath, MD
Hometown: Kennewick, WA
Medical School: University of Washington
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine
Taylor Eymann, MD
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Medical School: University of Washington
Career Interests: Still exploring in Internal Medicine!
Tawny Gonzalez-Yetter, MD
Hometown: Priest River, ID
Medical School: University of Washington
Career Interests: Women’s Health, Primary Care, Critical Care, Derm, and Autoimmune
Aaron Kahn, DO
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University
Career Interests: Pulm/critical care and Hospital Medicine
Naomi Leon-Guerrero, DO
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University
Career Interests: Still exploring IM
Hanna Meek, DO
Hometown: Bucyrus, Kansas
Medical School: A.T. Still University
Career Interests: Allergy Immunology, Cardiology, Wilderness medicine,
Connor O'Neill, DO
Hometown: Lind, WA
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University
Career Interests: Hospital medicine and point of care ultrasound
Paxton Smith, MD
Hometown: Cheney, WA
Medical School: University of Washington
Career Interests: GI, primary care, and health literacy
Jessica Wahlgren, MD
Hometown: Fergus Falls, MN
Medical School: University of Minnesota
Career Interests: Still exploring IM
Michael Watling, MD
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Medical School: University of Washington
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine
R3
Laura DeWald, DO
Hometown: Pullman, WA
Medical School: PNW University
Career Interests: Inpatient medicine including general medicine and critical care
Travis Fisher, MD
Hometown: Wenatchee, WA
Medical School: Loma Linda University
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine
Carsten Kirby, DO
Hometown: Bozeman, MT
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University
Career Interests: Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship
Ester Peters, DO
Hometown: Zvolen, Slovakia
Medical School: Midwestern University
Career Interests: Primary Care
Chad Ruger, MD
Hometown: Blackfoot, ID
Medical School: University of Washington
Career Interests: Hospitalist Medicine, Chronic Pain
Ken Scott, DO
Hometown: Boise, ID
Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interests: Hospital medicine and Critical Care
Rakin Solaiman, MD
Hometown: St. Peter, MN
Medical School: University of Minnesota
Career Interests: Pulmonary, Pulmonary/Critical Care fellowship
Jacob Straus, DO
Hometown: Bothell, WA
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University
Career Interests: Still exploring options within internal medicine! I like a little bit of everything!
Victor Warr, DO
Hometown: Erda, Utah
Medical School: Rocky Vista University
Career Interests: Hospital, General Internal Medicine
Kyle Wyer, DO
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Medical School: Rocky Vista University
Career Interests: Pulmonary/Critical Care fellowship
Annual Welcome Party
One evening during orientation, residents, their families and faculty enjoy getting to know each other at the welcome party. Generally held outdoors (weather permitting), this gathering encourages families to interact and socialize in addition to the residents.
Resident Retreat
This year we are transitioning to an all-day resident retreat where residents can focus on wellness and camaraderie. Faculty and fellows provide coverage for resident-dependent services
Holiday Party
The Holiday party is great fun with fellowship, great food and a wild White Elephant gift exchange. Residents , their spouses/SO’s and faculty are all invited.
“Having lived our lives in the Southeast, the Inland Northwest has been our greatest adventure yet. Spokane offers friendly hospitality by the locals you will meet and always offer ideas on things to do, and places to see. From the amazing Spokane symphony, to breathtaking views of Mt. Spokane, we enjoy Spokane and quickly have made it home.”
Lake Picnic
A faculty member hosts an annual day at the lake. A potluck spread of food satisfies the hunger that develops after water sports, volleyball, etc. A great chance for camaraderie in a beautiful natural setting.
At IMR, your co-residents truly feels more like family than co-workers. The residency sponsors events like the annual holiday party, ski days and a resident dinner for rising interns but residents can frequently be found doing spontaneous things around the town.