An amazing group of fellows!
Meet our future clinician educators and research investigators
Clinical
Paris Barkan, MD
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
Medical School: Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA
Residency: Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Hobbies: Yoga, documentaries, hiking, Philly sports
Why UW?:
UW stood out to me for it's unique curriculum, which allows fellows to customize their education with many subspecialty clinics and unique tracks. In addition, I also sensed the emphasis on work life balance allowing for a less stressful transition to fellowship.
Sandra Carias Zuniga, MD
Hometown: Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Medical School: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras
Residency: University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA
Hobbies: Travel, scuba diving, music, cooking
Why UW?:
It was the perfect match for me. UW nephrology not only has great leaders and mentors, but provides you with customized training and education to help toward your career goals. What stood out for me was the people. Its nice to work with welcoming, nurturing, accessible and fun people while also learning from very skilled clinicians and scientist nephrologists. Living in a vibrant city like Seattle just makes it even better.
Alex Hawkins, MD
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Medical School: UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Residency: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Hobbies: Film, basketball, hiking, board games
Why UW?:
Everyone seems genuinely excited to be here. It offers a combination of excellent faculty and facilities, an amazing city to explore, and a customized schedule.
Roderick MacDonald, MD
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Medical School: University College Cork, Ireland
Residency: Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA
Hobbies: Traveling, sports & being active outdoors; rugby, soccer, paddleboard & hiking
Why UW?:
My expectations for UW were very high and this program impressed! The renowned faculty and facilities provide a superb environment for learning; the progressive program ensures fellows are treated well. Living in the Pacific Northwest is just a bonus!
Laura Mayeda, MD
Hometown: Salem, OR
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Residency: Virginia Mason Medical Center
Hobbies: Running with friends, trips to my local library, exploring Seattle urban nature with kids
Why UW?:
There are a lot of wonderful programs out there. What really stood out to me about UW is how balanced the program is overall. Clinical duties are structured to maximize learning, team work, and patient-centered care. Research projects with Kidney Research Institute are accessible and clinically relevant. There is a focus on diversity, and an opportunity to care for Seattle's growing underserved communities. Faculty are excellent clinicians and teachers, and invested in the fellows as individuals. Overall fellows just seemed happy and well supported!
Amol Patel, MD
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center
Residency: Houston Methodist Hospital
Hobbies: Weightlifting, guitar, eating exotic foods and drinking coffee
Why UW?:
The strong commitment to education and the culture at UW were things that immediately stood out for me. Fellows not only have the opportunity but are encouraged to explore their specific area of interest to gear them in whatever career path they choose. It is was great to see a program as large and renown as UW to be equally warm and welcoming. In addition, Seattle is such an amazing and unique city!
Ryan Wong, MD
Hometown: Flagstaff, AZ
Medical School: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Residency: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Hobbies: Playing piano, exploring music, enjoying the outdoors, trying new food
Why UW?:
UW Nephrology appreciates the history of nephrology and invests in its future. The faculty are excited to educate fellows and to help fellows achieve their individual goals. We are provided the time to experience the program’s endless learning opportunities and resources while living in an amazing city!
Research
Catherine "Kate" Butler, MD
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Medical School: Washington University, St. Louis MO
Residency: University of Washington, Seattle WA
Hobbies: Skiing, running
Why UW?:
I first came to UW for internal medicine residency and quickly felt at home in Seattle amongst the flavorful people who ended up in this city for love of mountains, coffee, rain, etc. I was thrilled to stay on for a research fellowship after developing strong academic and personal bonds with the nephrology faculty.
Jasleen Ghuman, MD
Hometown: Kent, WA
Medical School: University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO
Residency: Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Hobbies: Long walks/hikes, food - cooking and eating
Why UW?:
Hands down, the people! The approachable, kind and humble people who make up the Division of Nephrology at University of Washington made choosing UW a very easy decision for me. The endless opportunities for collaboration and growth at UW are irresistible. Of course, geography and proximity to my family played a small, yet significant part in my decision as well. I feel very lucky.
Michael Granda, MD
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
Residency: Univ of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hosp, Miami, FL
Hobbies: Cooking, kayaking
Why UW?:
While my choice to interview at UW was about the objective features we judge all fellowships, ultimately I chose to go to UW because of the intangible. This program made me feel the most at home, and clearly wanted to make a strong lifelong connection with its fellows and ensure everybody has the tools they need in work and life. At every step, UW and its fellowship leadership prove that you are a valued member of the department. As a research fellow, it was especially surprising to me how well versed UW was in my particular interests before I even arrived.
Simon Hsu, MD, MS
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine, Univ at Buffalo, NY
Residency: University of California, San Diego
Hobbies: Film-making, hiking, cooking, board games
Why UW?:
Without question, the people. Not only are the faculty and fellows incredibly skilled clinicians, they are also generous, accessible, cultured, and importantly, fun. UW easily fulfills the other requisite attributes of a stellar nephrology training program: program leadership who listens; multiple training sites with diverse patient populations to match; an abundance of research opportunities with a T32 training grant for fellows interested in research. Cap that off with Seattle's food culture, summer festivals, blue waters and lush greenery. It's undeniable.
Ben Lidgard, MD
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Medical School: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Residency: Harbor - UCLA, Torrance, CA
Hobbies: Climbing, hiking, camping, reading, board games with family and friends
Why UW?:
The combination of world-class faculty, excellent research opportunities, and great location were huge factors in choosing UW. What really sold me was how personable everyone was, and how invested the faculty are in fellow education.
Christine Limonte, MD
Hometown: Miami, FL
Medical School: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Residency: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Hobbies: Film, music, board games, running
Why UW?:
I chose UW because I knew it would provide me with excellent clinical training by allowing me to engage with a diverse patient population across a range of hospital sites. Additionally, I knew UW would help me develop a successful career as a physician-scientist through strong mentorship and involvement in research opportunities as part of the Kidney Research Institute.
Frances Tian, MD
Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Residency: University of Illinois at Chicago
Hobbies: Hiking, skiing, photography, and hanging out with my 1 year old miniature golden doodle
Why UW?:
I am interested in both the research and medical education aspects of academic nephrology. Since my days as a teaching assistant in college I have found teaching and interacting with learners to be one of the most professionally satisfying aspects of medicine. During my interview, I was particularly impressed with how well established and accessible the medical education program is. Furthermore the abundance of resources, accessibility of successful mentors, and warmth of the department are indisputable. I feel strongly that training at UW will be exceptional for my personal and professional growth.
Transplant
Rasha Alawieh, MD
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Medical School: Beirut, Lebanon
Residency: American University of Beirut (IM Residency) & Ohio State University (Nephrology Fellowship)
Hobbies: Running, traveling and spending time with family and friends
Why UW?:
It is a great institution with friendly people in a beautiful city.