Get to Know

Today on the show we have Orezime Uyeh. Through her experience growing up with Nigerian culture, her journey with faith, and her own struggles, Rezi helps contextualize what lights a fire under her and why she does what she does. Drawing inspiration from her own lived experience, she is passionate about motivating future generations of underrepresented healthcare professionals and uses her talents to be that person that children can identify with and ask, “If she can do it, why not me?”

Today on the show we have Danielle Keller. Throughout the conversation she shares where she comes from, what she's gone through, and how those experiences make her who she is. Not without its fair share of struggles, her story gives a glimpse of what addiction can do to both the individual and those who care for them. Whether it's her resilience, self-awareness, or compassion, these traits will undoubtedly help her to be a physician that not only listens to her patients, but also understands them.

Today on the show we have Chris Tardiff. As someone who's gone through three application cycles, Chris approaches challenges as something to overcome, and not as something to shy away from. Putting his gap years to good use, Chris became a flight paramedic and worked within numerous EMS systems, giving him the insight to think about the future of EMS, to consider the challenges within those systems, and to advocate for what we can do as future physicians to address these issues.

Today on the show we have Amanda Ziminski. Whether it was her own personal experience living in an area that lacked access to specialty care or her journey in finding her identity and claiming her Native American culture, Amanda's story sheds insight onto the lived experience and reality that faces a lot of underserved populations. As the only Native American in CHM's class of 2024, Amanda shares her unique story that brings her to medicine and that ignites her passion for working with the underserved.

Today on the show we have David Klemet. Guided by his own experiences, David hopes to humanize physicians and not perpetuate the hierarchy and power dynamic between patient and provider. Besides the impact he wants to make on healthcare, David takes us through his journey to medical school and the process he took in finding his true purpose and personal drive: whether it was traveling and living the life of a vagabond, serving as an EMT in Detroit, or working as a self-proclaimed “terrible baker”.

Today on the show, we have Melanie Valentin. As the daughter of immigrants, Melanie takes us through her experiences juggling different cultures and the impact culture can have on patient care. Filled with obstacles along the way, her story shows us the importance of seeing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. All of her experiences have culminated in her desire to be a bridge of understanding between patient and provider, considering the whole patient and not just the diagnosis.

Today on the show, we have Michael Knox. Through his own journey of mental health struggles, we see the strength that can come from being vulnerable and the power that vulnerability can bring for others. As someone who's actively normalizing conversations around these topics, Michael is hoping to change how we address mental health from just brushing it under the rug to fostering the transparency and vulnerability that allows for true healing on a physical, mental, and spiritual level.

Today on the show, we have Kyle Bivins. Whether it was working for EPIC as an EHR clinical trainer or going abroad to give internet access to unconnected areas, he consistently finds ways to integrate his love for technology with his drive to help others. In incorporating his own passions outside of healthcare, to healthcare, Kyle uses his unique interests and expertise to find his niche within medicine - all the while, holding on to his childhood curiosity for anything technology. 

Today on the show, we have Mitchell Doerr. Coming from the proud state of Texas, Mitchell brings a larger-than-life personality to CHM. Whether it was being an all-state saxophone player or concurrently taking acting classes with medical school, he embodies the idea of not sacrificing our unique passions for the sake of medicine. Through his winding journey, we see that not everything in life has to be planned and that we need to grasp opportunities as they come - not watch as they pass by.

Today on the show, we have Bridget Gongol. Whether it was her study abroad opportunities in several countries, her love for history, her experiences living in 6 different states, or having a husband that's a classical musician, Bridget brings a unique perspective to medicine - one that explores and learns from the wealth of diversity this world has to offer. From her stories, we see the importance of finding meaning and exploring passions outside of medicine in adding to the vibrancy of our lives.

Today on the show, we have Jonathan Thompson. Serving in the military for over a decade, Jonathan takes us through his wealth of real-world experience. Whether it was helping out during a cholera outbreak or delivering newborns in remote villages, he shares his incredible experience as a Special Forces medic serving not only his fellow soldiers but also the community at large. Through his story of starting medical school at 40, we learn the importance of grit and not giving up on our dreams and aspirations.

Today on the show, we have Dayaan Ghani. Navigating through his story to medicine, he highlights how his community, passions, and faith have all lead him to where he is today. Whether it was living in Flint during the Flint Water Crisis or being born to Pakistani immigrants, he brings us insights into the importance of community, culture, and health. Dayaan hopes to be a physician focused on creating lasting lifestyle changes in his patients.   Instagram: @dghanifit Website: dghanifit.com (coming soon!)

Today on the show, we have Eneka Lamb. Throughout our conversation, Eneka takes us on a journey through several countries. Having been born in Hong Kong, she shares her unique experience of being an international medical student. Whether it was spending 3 months in Kenya or serving in the Peace Corps in Guyana, Eneka's experiences illustrate her commitment to service and the importance of helping the underserved. Instagram: @enekalamb Orgs: @standsafe_msuchm | @grandrapidsstreetmedicine

Today on the show, we have Grant Backer. Whether it was his time as a clinical research coordinator or his involvement with programs pioneering Shared Decision Making, Grant takes us through his unique journey with education, research, and patient care. Learning from his experiences, he hopes to see the paradigm of medicine shift from treating the disease to treating the patient.   Instagram: @grant.backer

Today on the show, we have Maddie Merwin. By following her stories, we explore her journey from a rural town in California to where she is now. Whether it was her experiences with the healthcare system or the service she actively engages in, she advocates for more informed care that acknowledges the impact of connecting people to the right resources and including the family within the sphere of care.   email: merwinma@msu.edu   campkesem.org  

Today on the show, we have Veesh Swamy. Throughout our conversation, Veesh navigates us through his journey to medicine and elucidates the importance of the intersection between art and health design. Veesh brings his passion for the arts, photography, and fashion to share a unique perspective that he hopes will positively impact the patient experience.    E-mail:         vs@veeshswamy.com Website:      veeshswamy.com Instagram:   @veeshswamy