Get to know our residents
Our residents are a diverse group that come from a variety of backgrounds and have unique experiences and interests. We look forward to getting to know you as well!
PGY 1
Youstina Abdallah, MD
Hometown: Troy, MI
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am incredibly excited to train at such a high volume hospital and tertiary referral center. I am confident that the varied pathology will train me to be a well rounded OB/GYN. Additionally, I am excited to bond with all of my co-residents and to be involved in medical student education.
Clinical Interests: I am passionate about general women's health and infertility as well as minimally invasive surgery. I am currently considering becoming a generalist, but I am excited to explore all the subspecialties.
Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, listening to music and going on long walks. I also love traveling and immersing myself in different cultures and I am always looking forward to my next adventure. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends and exploring different coffee shops.
Abigail Christmas, MD
Hometown: Montague, MI
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am very excited to get to know my co-residents better! I am also excited to work with all the inspiring attending physicians, midwives and nursing staff that I had the privilege to meet while rotating at Corewell Health in West Michigan as a medical student. I look forward to working in a high-volume labor and delivery and gaining hands-on experience and exposure to high-risk pregnancy care. Being from West Michigan, I am also excited to be close to home and my family and serve the women of this community.
Clinical Interests: I have a strong interest in providing generalist OB/GYN care in a rural area following residency. I am also interested in being involved in global health and women's healthcare advocacy. Within the field of OB/GYN, I am particularly interested in high-risk pregnancy care.
Hobbies: I love the opportunity to get outside as often as possible. During the winter, I love to snowboard and ski. In the warmer months, I enjoy backpacking, fishing, mountain biking, boating and running.
Drue Dagenais, DO
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Medical School: Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? This residency program captivates my interests on many different levels. Some things that excite me most include the diverse pathologies and clinical challenges, high acuity and high volume obstetrics and the opportunity to learn from great mentors in my hometown.
Clinical Interests: My clinical interests include high risk obstetrics and reproductive health education. Within health education, I hope to empower individuals of all ages with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about their reproductive well-being.
Hobbies: One of my favorite things to do is travel and explore new cities with family and friends while hunting for the best restaurants in the area. I also love curling up on the couch with a cup of coffee and a good book.
Brittni Eller, MD
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am elated to be back home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Having been born in this hospital, it feels full circle to continue my training here as an OB/GYN resident. The opportunity to work alongside the dedicated and knowledgeable health professionals at a high-volume tertiary care center will provide excellence in training, education and competency. I am honored to be serving the women of West Michigan and providing them avenues and advocacy to fulfill their health and wellness.
Clinical Interests: I am passionate about women's health, women's health education, patient advocacy and reproductive justice. I am particularly interested in how minimally invasive gynecologic surgery can improve patient outcomes, and as such I hope to pursue a fellowship following completion of my residency.
Hobbies: One of the reasons I love Michigan is its changing seasons. I enjoy beach volleyball in the summer, downhill skiing in the winter and watching college football (Go Green!) and professional football (Go Lions!) in the fall. I also enjoy reading beloved books while snuggling with my cat Midnight and visiting local coffee shops and microbreweries all year round.
Meghan Gallagher, MD
Hometown: Mukwonago, WI
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am excited to continue to discover new knowledge and skills to provide my patients with the best care.
Clinical Interests: I am interested in women's health and improving patient outcomes.
Hobbies: I love to read, bake and figure skate!
Jamie Huizinga, MD
Hometown: Muskegon, MI
Medical School: University of Michigan
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am so excited to learn and teach in this high volume environment with my co-residents! The academic/community hybrid nature of the program was something I desired. I am looking forward to being in West Michigan and enjoying all that Grand Rapids has to offer.
Clinical Interests: My clinical interests include general obstetrics, contraception and reproductive care, and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. I am passionate about patient education and advocacy.
Hobbies: I come from a board-game playing family, so I will rarely say no to a game night. I also love to dance (particularly bachata). Playing racquetball or pickleball and exploring a new city are also activities I enjoy!
Tasneem Sannah, MD
Hometown: Chambersburg, PA and Grand Rapids, MI
Medical School: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am excited to be close to my family again.
Clinical Interests: I am interested in high-risk obstetrics and OB ultrasound.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy trying new foods, reading about religion and history, hiking, exploring new parks and spending time with my grandmother.
Erin Scheftz, DO
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Medical School: Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am looking forward to providing comprehensive women's healthcare with a robust curriculum and opportunities for both hands-on learning and mentorship from experienced practitioners. Additionally, I'm excited to work collaboratively with supportive co-residents, fostering a rich learning environment.
Clinical Interests: My clinical interests include general OB/GYN care, ensuring safe reproductive care and medical student education.
Hobbies: When I'm not working, I love to travel, hike, cook, and watch The Real Housewives or anything on Bravo.
PGY 2
Sandra Anazor, MD, MPH
Hometown: Anambra, Nigeria
Medical School: University of Ibadan, Nigeria
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? The high volume of patients and the complexity of the pathologies seen in my residency program, in view of it being a tertiary/referral center, excites me. I am also excited about the topnotch level of organization in the program, appropriate autonomy for residents, emphasis on residents' education, the excellent relationships between residents and faculty horizontally and vertically, practicing in diverse settings and the collaboration with Michigan State University, which would make graduates of this program well set up for OB/GYN practice in both academic and non-academic practices.
Clinical Interests: My clinical interests are in maternal-fetal medicine and obstetrics although I look forward to enjoying all aspects of my residency training while keeping an open mind to the different subspecialties in OB/GYN.
Hobbies: I love spending quality time with my husband, my other family members and my friends, watching interesting Netflix series, listening to music, researching in-depth on any random topic of interest and mentoring people.
Victoria Bright, MD
Hometown: Middletown, CA
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? The high volume and diversity of cases offer immersive and challenging learning opportunities. Knowing this, the residents emphasize the importance of supporting one another, creating a positive learning environment. I am also eager to teach medical students during their clerkship and elective experiences.
Clinical Interests: Two of my primary interests include women's health in rural communities and treating those with substance use disorder during pregnancy. Following residency, I plan on practicing as a generalist while incorporating these aspects into my career.
Hobbies: I love to read, whether it is an audiobook while driving or a physical copy while lounging with my cat. I also enjoy knitting, photography, running and exploring Grand Rapids and surrounding areas with my co-residents, family and friends.
Madeline Hakman, MD
Hometown: Effingham, IL
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? Corewell Health in West Michigan offers a unique opportunity for me to learn from a high volume of patients with varying levels of complexity, thus preparing me to provide the highest level of evidence-based care in any clinical setting. It also provides me the change to be involved in medical student education which is a passion of mine.
Clinical Interests: I'm particularly interested in high-risk obstetrics, perinatal mental health and medical student education.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter, looking for the best places to get ice cream, cooking and watching Formula 1.
Danielle MacMillan, MD
Hometown: London, Ontario Canada
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I am excited to train at Corewell Health in West Michigan because of its high volume, access to all subspecialties and excellent teaching. I am looking forward to living in Grand Rapids for the next few years and getting to know my co-workers and the patients I am lucky enough to serve.
Clinical Interests: I have a strong interest in fertility and womens cancers and hope to complete a fellowship in either reproductive endocrinology & infertility or gynecological oncology.
Hobbies: I enjoy reading and doing book clubs with friends, as well as going for walks or workout out. I recently ran my first half marathon and am looking forward to training for more.
Kellen McCormick, MD
Hometown: Springfield, IL
Medical School: St. Louis University School of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I am most excited to be training at a large volume hospital with a group of co-residents that are so kind and supportive. As someone who is very interested in a career in medical education, I cannot wait to have the opportunity to teach medical students. Outside of work, I am very excited to be living in Grand Rapids! There is always so much going on and so much good food to eat.
Clinical Interests: My interests include medical education, patient advocacy, pelvic pain and pelvic floor disorders.
Hobbies: I love doing anything that involves the outdoors or food and Grand Rapids is great for both! I enjoy going to the beaches on Lake Michigan, finding new restaurants to eat at, going on walks, and taking my dog to the dog park. I also love working out, puzzles, game nights, cooking, looking at houses that I can't afford on Zillow and reading romance novels.
Kelly Patapoff, DO
Hometown: Whittier, CA
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I am so excited to join the supportive team of faculty and staff at Corewell Health in West Michigan. I look forward to the fast paced learning environment and the opportunity to continue to teach medical students.
Clinical Interests: I look forward to becoming a very competent obstetrician and surgeon. I have a passion for lifestyle medicine and plan to continue to work with patients on meeting their health goals.
Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors. I love going for walks in the park, paddle boarding at the lake or scuba diving in the ocean. In the winter, I enjoy skiing and reading a good book.
Julia Tunze, MD
Hometown: St. Charles, MO
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I am excited to learn with and from my fellow residents! I know the high acuity and high volume of patients at Corewell in West Michigan will provide an excellent education and allow me to be a well-rounded and experienced OB/GYN physician.
Clinical Interests: I am interested in general OB/GYN and reproductive healthcare. Specifically, I am passionate about exploring the effects of social determinants of health and LGBTQ+ healthcare.
Hobbies: I love to spend time outside hiking, biking, camping or taking trips out on our canoe with our Golden Retriever, Walter. I also love to spend time on patios, enjoying local breweries and restaurants. When the weather is not so great, I love to read a good book and maybe do some painting if I'm feeling motivated.
Kate Wiewiora, DO
Hometown: Holt, MI
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I am excited to complete my residency training at Corewell Health in West Michigan because of the emphasis on education, the sense of community, and the myriad of resources available to residents. I have always enjoyed medical student education, so I am ecstatic to continue being involved in teaching from Michigan State University and visiting medical students. I know that by the end of my training, I will be a confident and well-prepared OB/GYN for the West Michigan community, able to tackle any situation that comes my way.
Clinical Interests: I am interested in medical student education. It is my favorite way to pay it forward after being supported through my own medical education and overcoming the difficulties that are unique to this career. I am also interested in community education and patient advocacy. Prevention can be the best medicine, however it is important to begin with education at the community level and continuing the conversation one-on-one with patients. I will work hard to stand up for all of my patients and tackle each medical problem as a team.
Hobbies: I enjoy the miles of beaches and hiking trails that West Michigan has to offer. My family and I try to find a new trail each week to explore. We also love trying new restaurants in Grand Rapids and attending free fitness activities hosted by the city. If I am not at work, you will find me out in the great nature that Michigan has to offer year-round!
PGY 3
Tishanna Ferguson, MD
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Medical school: Ross University School of Medicine
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I choose Spectrum Health OB/GYN program because of its high volume and acuity, location (I wanted to return home), and resources (research support, education stipend and mentorship).
What are your clinical interests? I'm interested in maternal fetal medicine. I would love the ability to pursue this fellowship. I'm grateful that Spectrum Health has this subspecialty, a fellowship in the making, and research resources available to make me a great fellowship candidate.
Hobbies: I love to cook, I try to make dinner 3-4 times a week. I love to travel and experience different cultures, traditions and foods. I love to be around water.
Katherine Hoopes, MD
Hometown: Muskegon, MI
Medical school: Wayne State School of Medicine
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I chose Spectrum Health for my residency as being from West Michigan, I knew it was the hub and center for innovation and care for all of West Michigan.
What are your clinical interests? I am interested in urogynocology, but this could easily change!
Hobbies: My hobbies include weight lifting, cooking and singing in the local Greek Orthodox church choir.
Haley Wild, DO
Hometown: Rochester, MI
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I chose Spectrum Health OBGYN for my residency because of the high volume and high acuity of patients that this program has the privilege to learn from and treat and the opportunities given to residents. I also got along very well with all the current residents and was excited to work with them.
What are your clinical interests? My interests include general OBGYN, robotic GYN surgery, infertility medicine, general labor management and women's health and wellness.
Hobbies: My hobbies include reading, golfing and taking my dogs on hikes while exploring west Michigan.
PGY 4
Merry Berhe, MD
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Medical school: University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I chose Spectrum Health because of the amazing training, high risk and high volume patient population, and the many opportunities to grow into the well rounded OBGYN I want to be. I had the opportunity to visit Grand Rapids several times and really enjoyed it!
What are your clinical interests? My clinical interests are preventive medicine, global health and providing quality care to marginalized and underrepresented patients in communities. I hope to combine clinical medicine and public health/ social determinants of health to take care of the
Hobbies: During my free time I love to travel, cook, explore new restaurants, hike and play volleyball!
Vyvian Borse-Hatchett, MD
Hometown: Denver, IN
Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I chose Spectrum Health for its hybrid academic/community program, the emphasis on becoming an excellent teacher and for the opportunities to learn more about rural women's healthcare.
What are your clinical interests? Growing up in a rural area, I saw the need for physicians in these small towns. I loved the community camaraderie and I aspire to practice as an OBGYN in a rural area.
Hobbies: I love spending time outdoors hiking and doing nature photography (LOVE visiting national and state parks) and running (I've completed two half marathons and hope to run a full someday). I also enjoy being on the water boating, waterskiing, kayaking and fishing! I like baking, reading and watching shows/movies as well.
Mary Brinkman, MD
Hometown: Grayslake, IL
Medical school: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I was interested in Spectrum Health OBGYN program for several reasons. First, both Butterworth Hospital and Mercy Health Saint Mary's Hospital are referral centers for the region, I was confident that I would receive strong training in both obstetrics and gynecology. Second, the closeness and camaraderie of the residents stood out to me during the interview process.
What are your clinical interests? I am particularly interested in exploring the role of nutrition through a woman's life, especially the impact on pregnancy.
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, cooking, running and biking.
Kasandra Hoeksema, MD
Hometown: Elmhurst, IL
Medical school: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I knew I wanted to be exposed to high clinical volumes in a tertiary referral center so that I could be certain I would complete residency feeling confident in my knowledge and skills. Spectrum Health clearly checked those boxes while the faculty and residents demonstrated a culture of collaboration and education that was also incredibly important to me.
What are your clinical interests? I am particularly interested in high risk pregnancy and social determinants of health.
Hobbies: I studied english literature in college so I love to read (or listen to audiobooks and podcasts). I'm a novice cook, but I love to eat and explore new restaurants! My "quarantine puppy" Daisy keeps me and my husband busy and active!
Courtney Makris, DO
Hometown: Wellington, FL
Medical school: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I chose Spectrum Health because of the vast array of pathology, volume and learning opportunities available to me here. I feel like I will be well prepared to practice independently as a general OBGYN after my training at Spectrum Health.
What are your clinical interests? I am passionate about reproductive health and education, and I plan to pursue a career as a generalist after residency.
Hobbies: I enjoy cycling, playing the piano and spending time with my husband and dog!
Bindi Patel, MD
Hometown: Schaumburg, IL
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I chose Spectrum Health for its high clinical volume and outstanding teaching facilities and faculty.
What are your clinical interests? I am interested in general women's health and minimally invasive surgeries, as well as medical education.
Hobbies: My hobbies include reading, trying new restaurants and all kinds of outdoor activities!
Lauren Pavlik, MD
Hometown: Green Bay, WI
Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I am eager to train in a high volume labor and delivery unit and be exposed to as many different situations as possible during residency. A mentor at my medical school once told me, "Don't be afraid; be prepared". I feel strongly that I that the training here will prepare me to become the best physician I can be.
What are your clinical interests? I am especially interested in reproductive endocrinology and infertility medicine. I also enjoy adolescent medicine. Additionally, as a certified lactation counselor, I am excited to help my patients make informed decisions, as well as guide women through.
Hobbies: As a yoga instructor, I enjoy teaching and practicing yoga. After a long day, I love to read a fiction novel with a cup of tea. I also enjoy the excuse to put together a good cheese board and spend an evening with friends. Finally, I love going to the beach with friends and can't wait to take advantage of the gorgeous beaches of Lake Michigan!