First Years
As interns, the year starts with a one month long Orientation process designed to help your class develop a strong bond, gather a strong foundation as a group, and get some ED shifts under your belt before launching into the rest of the year. With multiple off service rotations and opportunities for learning, first year is nothing short of exciting.
Luke Allen, DO (he/him)
Hometown? Seattle, WA
Undergrad & Major? Seattle Pacific University - B.S. in Physiology
Med School? A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Trying new food, woodworking, hiking, running, playing golf
Favorite movie/tv show? The Mandalorian
Favorite place to travel? National Parks/Forests and back home in the PNW
Favorite food? Pizza
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? Become a pilot
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Spiderman
Favorite ice cream toppings? Cookie dough
Random fact? One of my earliest memories and my first experience in an ED was after my twin sister and I ate some poisonous berries as children
Favorite Western MA activity? Going to Flayvors of Cook farm for ice cream, and running on the rail trail
Favorite thing about Baystate? The people at Baystate are amazing, and the family feeling in the residency program
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Antibiotics
Vicky Barragan-Lopez, DO (she/her)
Hometown? Omaha, NE
Undergrad & Major? University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Biology major, French minor
Med School? Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Play soccer or go to the gym
Favorite movie/tv show? Money Heist
Favorite place to travel? Any place that has a good mountain view or the beach
Favorite food? Chilaquiles
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? Makeup artist or hairdresser
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Penny Proud
Favorite ice cream toppings? Sprinkles
Random fact? I used to play the electric guitar when I was younger
Favorite Western MA activity? I want to learn how to snowboard or ski!
Favorite thing about Baystate? Diversity of patient population, emphasis on wellness, and amazing residents!
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? The ambulance
Nakiya Belford, DO (she/her)
Hometown? Richland, WA
Undergrad & Major? B.S. Biological Sciences, Washington State University
Med School? Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Favorite thing to do in your free time? watercolor painting or staring at my plants
Favorite movie/tv show? 2005 Pride and Prejudice, or the 2016 masterpiece that is Fleabag
Favorite place to travel? Havana, Cuba
Favorite food? Cheese, or cake. But definitely not cheesecake.
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? Sell feet pics
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Superman? I would love to know what if feels like to have upper body strength
Favorite ice cream toppings? Hot fudge
Random fact? Have gone viral a few times on social media, will NEVER tell you why
Favorite Western MA activity? Watching the leaves change colors
Favorite thing about Baystate? I had an amazing audition rotation here, and I fell in love with the program.
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? ALL of the medications
Stefan Boas, MD (he/him)
Hometown? NYC
Undergrad & Major? University of Vermont - Biology
Med School? Ben-Gurion University (Israel)
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Travel
Favorite movie/tv show? none
Favorite place to travel? countries I've never been to before
Favorite food? love trying new food. can't pick a favorite
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? Chef 100%
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Jimmy Neutron
Favorite ice cream toppings? No toppings. I'm obsessed with ice cream though
Random fact? I have 3 citizenships/passports
Favorite Western MA activity? Snowboarding!
Favorite thing about Baystate? Cool people, great vibes, great training
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Turkey sandwich
Mackay Burgon, DO (he/him)
Hometown? Orem, Utah
Undergrad & Major? Brigham Young University, Molecular Biology
Med School? University of North Texas Health Science Center
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Hike or spend time outdoors
Favorite movie/tv show? The Office
Favorite place to travel? Alaska
Favorite food? Steak
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? A biologist
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Hercules, we both have red hair, however the muscles are lacking
Favorite ice cream toppings? Caramel
Random fact? I got stitches on my tongue as a child
Favorite Western MA activity? Leaf peeping, there are no fun leaves to peep at in Texas
Favorite thing about Baystate? The high acuity ED, good vibes, and outdoor activities.
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Insulin, because there is no way I'm surviving the zombie apocalypse... a peaceful good night
Joseph Douglass, MD (he/him)
Hometown? Chicopee, MA
Undergrad & Major? Assumption College - Biology
Med School? UMass Medical School
Favorite thing to do in your free time? I love pretty much everything about sports. Playing, watching, listening to podcasts about, etc. I also enjoy being in the outdoors, whether that is hiking, fishing, or exploring, being out in nature is my happy place.
Favorite movie/tv show? Movie: The Dark Knight - TV show: Breaking Bad
Favorite place to travel? Interlaken, Switzerland
Favorite food? Buffalo chicken wings
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? Sports/pop culture podcast
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Ironman
Favorite ice cream toppings? Classic hot fudge, toffee, chocolate sprinkles. (Underrated: butterfingers)
Random fact? I was once mugged in Barcelona (down one necklace, but I was okay)
Favorite Western MA activity? Quick hikes up Mount Tom and the Mount Holyoke range; dinner in Northampton; ice fishing in the Berkshires
Favorite thing about Baystate? The people and the culture of the ED and Baystate overall!
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Antibiotics. Great for using or for trading.
Jordan Eichelser, MD (she/her)
Hometown? Pittsfield, MA
Undergrad & Major? UMass Amherst, Biology
Med School? St. George's University
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Workout, hang out with my dogs and find a new restaurant or brewery to try out. Oh and watch football!
Favorite movie/tv show? Gilmore Girls or One Tree Hill
Favorite place to travel? Europe, but really just anywhere!
Favorite food? Pizza
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? I'd likely open a bakery! I love making anything sweet, primarily because I have a huge sweet tooth
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Elastigirl
Favorite ice cream toppings? Cookie dough, reese's and rainbow sprinkles
Random fact? I lost my first tooth in a Chuck E Cheese
Favorite Western MA activity? Hopefully getting back into skiing
Favorite thing about Baystate? The vibes, people and support from everyone. I instantly knew I'd love it here.
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Ketamine... you just never know
Sam Fox, MD (she/her)
Hometown? Montreal, QC
Undergrad & Major? Yale, Psychology
Med School? Yale School of Medicine
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Cook
Favorite movie/tv show? Better Things
Favorite place to travel? British Columbia/NoCal/Pacific North West
Favorite food? salmon in all it's glorious forms
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? psychiatry, or learn to become a chef
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? She-Hulk
Favorite ice cream toppings?Mochi
Random fact? played rugby for 12 years starting in middle school
Favorite Western MA activity? hiking with my dog!
Favorite thing about Baystate? work/life balance
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Antibiotics
Frances Kimball Russo, DO (she/her)
Hometown? Bridgton, ME
Undergrad & Major? Biology, Pre-Med Concentration
Med School? VCOM - Carolinas
Favorite thing to do in your free time? EAT, exercise, vibe
Favorite movie/tv show? Wedding Crashers
Favorite place to travel? Anywhere, all the places!
Favorite food? Pizza, (anything combo of bread & cheese)
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? Coach Cheerleading & Gymnastics
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? John Wick
Favorite ice cream toppings? Dark chocolate, Cookie dough & Brownies
Random fact? My team won the National Cheerleading Championship in our division in Daytona Beach in 2016
Favorite Western MA activity? Getting back on the slopes!
Favorite thing about Baystate? I loved the people here when I came for my audition rotations. I felt valued, I learned so much, and the residents and people were so awesome!
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Lidocaine
Calvin Knox, DO (he/him)
Hometown? Oakland, NJ
Undergrad & Major? Rutgers New Brunswick. Exercise Science
Med School? Touro COM Middletown
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Anything outdoors, reading fantasy novels, sleeping
Favorite movie/tv show? Iron Giant
Favorite place to travel? South Africa
Favorite food? BBQ. Probably pulled pork
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? I would love to rebuild cars
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Finn from Adventure Time
Favorite ice cream toppings? Hot Fudge
Random fact? I competed in a beard and mustache competition
Favorite Western MA activity? Skiing, hiking, or biking
Favorite thing about Baystate? Culture and surrounding area
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Ortho-glass. I can make whatever I need!
Lynn LeBlanc, DO (she/her)
Hometown? Lebanon, NH
Undergrad & Major? Castleton University - Forensic Psychology (Grad school at PCOM-Phila - Forensic Medicine)
Med School? Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Binge Netflix
Favorite movie/tv show? Movie: Grease; TV show: Criminal Minds
Favorite place to travel? Anywhere with mountains
Favorite food? BBQ chicken pizza
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? Forensic Anthropology, working with law enforcement and crime scene investigators to identify skeletal remains
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? John Wick - arguably a superhero. He is fair, honest, polite to everyone (even when they are trying to kill him), and fiercely protective of his dogs.
Favorite ice cream toppings? No toppings. My mint chocolate chip ice cream is perfect the way it is :)
Random fact? Pre-pandemic I attended at least one rock music concert or festival annually for 15 years in a row.
Favorite Western MA activity?Getting to know all of my wonderful co-residents!
Favorite thing about Baystate? I had the privilege of rotating at Baystate as a fourth year medical student in the ED and it felt like "home" from day 1! I was welcomed into the Baystate family immediately and incorporated into the patient care team effortlessly by all of the residents and faculty I met. Not only does Baystate have a strong curriculum and all of the people, tools, and resources to help me grow personally and professionally, but it is less than two hours from my family in NH, a major perk after spending the past four years 1000 miles away in TN! Very, very excited to officially join the Baystate family and spend at least the next three years here!
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Propofol
Stephanie Newsome, MD (she/her)
Hometown? Chicopee, MA
Undergrad & Major? Springfield College, General Studies with Minor in Psychology
Med School? St. George's University
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Read. I'm a total nerd.
Favorite movie/tv show? The Harry Potter Series
Favorite place to travel? Barnes & Noble
Favorite food? Pizza or Tacos
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? I would be a Travel Vlogger
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Iron Man
Favorite ice cream toppings? Rainbow Sprinkles
Random fact? My mom calls me Roni—$ 10 to who can guess what song it's after.
Favorite Western MA activity? Going tubing down the Deerfield River in the Summer.
Favorite thing about Baystate? I loved the vibe of the program! I felt at home.
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Ketamine :)
Jennifer Nordbye, DO (she/her)
Hometown? Eden Prairie, MN
Undergrad & Major? St. Olaf College, Biology
Med School? A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Check out a new brewery, Netflix, get outside
Favorite movie/tv show? How I Met Your Mother or Schitt’s Creek
Favorite place to travel? New Zealand
Favorite food? I’m a sucker for good Mac & Cheese
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? Travel Agent
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Dora the Explorer
Favorite ice cream toppings? Cookie Dough
Random fact? Ranch dressing can go on almost everything
Favorite Western MA activity? Enjoying the fall colors, skiing
Favorite thing about Baystate? For the incredibly welcoming, fun group of people that genuinely care about your well-being !!
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Ketamine
Jacob Paul/"JP", DO (he/him)
Hometown? Kingston, NY
Undergrad & Major? Southern Connecticut State University - Exercise Science Human Performance also got an MS in Nutrition from Columbia University
Med School? West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Sleep…otherwise just hang out with my partner and cat and our baby boy, also enjoy sports and sporting events
Favorite movie/tv show? That’s a hard one but I’m a huge Ted Lasso fan right now. But movie wise would be the saw franchise
Favorite place to travel? I really liked Germany but would love to travel SE Asia
Favorite food? Rabo Encendido or all of Korean BBQ in general
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? Prob stay at home dad if medicine wasn’t an option but in medicine pediatrician
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Kento Nanami from JJK
Favorite ice cream toppings? Brownie bites, whipped cream, caramel sauce, marshmallow
Random fact? I am a tic tac toe master and cannot lose
Favorite Western MA activity? Honestly no idea but maybe hiking or actually finally learning to snowboard? But if I can do it maybe finally start mountain biking
Favorite thing about Baystate? Location!!
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse and why? probably a central line kit - seems like it contains enough items that can be most versatile for different situations.
Kit Sitterley, DO (he/him)
Hometown? Boulder, CO & Mooresville, NC
Undergrad & Major? University of Massachusetts-Boston, Biology
Med School? Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing to do in your free time? Trail run, fish, play hockey, alpine ski by, hope my car starts and, most recently...stretching.
Favorite movie/tv show? It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Favorite place to travel? Anywhere you can scuba dive or backpack!
Favorite food? Sushi or Pizza
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? Be a fly fisherman! Or pretend to be a Mountaineering Guide.
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
Favorite ice cream toppings? Whipped cream
Random fact? I'm a dual American-Canadian citizen
Favorite Western MA activity? Running outside...usually toward breweries.
Favorite thing about Baystate? The wonderful, supportive people. The incredible training and dedicated faculty. My co-interns. Vibes.
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? Turkey Sandwich
Rachel Truland, MD (she/her)
Hometown? Troy, NY
Undergrad & Major? Hartwick College, biology and economics
Med School? Oakland University William Beaumont SOM
Favorite thing to do in your free time? anything outside (hiking, skiing, walking my dog, gardening)
Favorite movie/tv show? Catch Me If You Can
Favorite place to travel? Maine
Favorite food? Pizza, only NY though no Detroit or Chicago style
If you weren't an EM physician, what would you do? Dog walker or trainer
What super hero or cartoon character would you be? Elsa from Frozen
Favorite ice cream toppings? Sprinkles
Random fact? I worked in the craft beer industry before med school
Favorite Western MA activity? Skiing and hiking! The midwest is pretty flat
Favorite thing about Baystate? The community and great training environment
What one thing would you take from the ED in a zombie apocalypse? All the snacks
The REAL Baystate
Don't miss the life of one of our chiefs last year, making it all run smoothly.
