Current Residents

Colin Baldwin, M.D.

• Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
• Undergraduate College: University of Illinois, Chicago
• Career Goals: Full spectrum Family Medicine, treating patients of all ages, in the clinic and the hospital.
• Hobbies: Travel, art, food, outdoor activities, and spending time with my family!

Why did you choose the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno Family Medicine Residency?:As a medical student at UNR, I was able to work with UNR FM residents and attendings throughout medical school. In my clinical rotations, I had such a great experience – the residents and attendings were very friendly and approachable. In addition to the great culture, the residency here gives great training for such a wide spectrum of medicine. And to top it off, Reno is a great place to live!

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Daniel Bester, M.D.

• Medical School: Saint James School of Medicine
• Undergraduate College: University of Lethbridge, Canada
• Career Goals: Inpatient medicine, Rural Medicine, and Sports Medicine. Do I have to choose just one?
• Hobbies: I enjoy doing anything outdoors: skiing, camping, and hiking. I also like cooking and subsequently eating. I also enjoy road trips and exploring national parks.

Why did you choose the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno Family Medicine Residency?:The program’s faculty and residents stood out during the recruitment and interview processes. I appreciated the program’s ability to prepare me to become a full-spectrum family medicine physician, and UNR’s opportunities for fellowships in the future. Of course, you can’t beat the area. I look forward to taking full advantage of Lake Tahoe and the Sierras!

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Donald Harker, M.D.

• Medical School: St. George’s University
• Undergraduate College: University of California, San Diego
• Career Goals: Hospital Medicine, Full Spectrum Family Medicine, Medical Education, Research
• Hobbies: Soccer, The Great Outdoors, Woodworking, Reading, Axe Throwing, Great Food, Watching Sports and Movies.

Why did you choose the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno Family Medicine Residency?:Growing up in Reno I have always loved the location and the program could not have been more inviting. The atmosphere was inclusive, caring and driven which were qualities that I knew would help me in my future. Being able to be a part of a program that would help me succeed as well as staying close to friends and family was a nice bonus.

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Kevin Johansen, M.D.

• Medical School: Keck School of Medicine of USC
• Undergraduate College: Connecticut College
• Career Goals: Start my own full spectrum family practice - currently interested in a sports medicine or wilderness medicine focus.
• Hobbies: Skiing, biking, hiking, climbing, and cooking

Why did you choose the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno Family Medicine Residency?:Where else would I want to be? UNR Family Medicine has the complete package. Friendships between residents and attendings are commonplace and they provide groundwork for an incredibly supportive work/learning environment. UNR's strong sports medicine program and the only family medicine wilderness fellowship were also of particular interest for me. Finally, Reno offers easy access (30 minutes) to the world class mountain activities Lake Tahoe.

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Bridget Martinez, M.D., Ph.D.

• Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
• Undergraduate College: University of California, Merced
• Career Goals: Outpatient Family Medicine and Biomedical Research; I will continually strive to bridge the gap between the advancement of scientific knowledge and improve therapeutic strategies for my patients.
• Hobbies: Writing, Painting, Traveling, Learning new languages

Why did you choose the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno Family Medicine Residency?:Nevada is home and its residents my family! I could not imagine working anywhere else. Outdoor activities are unparalleled, incredible water sports just around the corner with lake Tahoe about an hour away. You’ll never find another “biggest little city” quite like it. These reasons, coupled with UNR’s consistent reputation in offering an unrivaled training setting are why I choose UNR.

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Mariah Turcotte, M.D.

• Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
• Undergraduate College: University of Nevada, Reno
• Career Goals: Inpatient and Outpatient Family Medicine
• Hobbies: Riding horses, taking care of our farm, spending time with family and friends

Why did you choose the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno Family Medicine Residency?:The Reno Family Medicine Residency program has everything I was looking for when it came to training. Not only do you get exposed to and learn broad spectrum medicine, but the group that you work with are exceptional. I was lucky enough to work with the wonderful faculty over the last couple years and already knew that this was the place that I wanted to be. The program here is the reason I was able to discover my passion for family medicine and I am honored to be able to work with and learn from everyone in this program in such a wonderful city.

Shanaz Ahmad, M.D.

• Medical School: University of Medicine and Health Science- St. Kitts, Caribbean
• Undergraduate College: University of Nevada, Reno
• Career Goals: To establish a practice that is all encompassing: primary care, preventive medicine, community medicine, lifestyle medicine and women’s health; while also tending to my passion for academic medicine.
• Hobbies: Being outdoors! Hiking, biking, paddle boarding, snow shoeing, skiing, yoga, hanging in my hammock, reading, dedicating time for charity work, learning about the world and the people in it, cooking & finding new places to eat, and my most favorite thing ever- is being a Mom!

Choosing the University of Nevada, Reno- Family Medicine Residency was probably one of the easiest things to do!  I was born and raised here in Reno, NV, so choosing to train in an area that I know so well and love so much, really felt right.  The constructive, driven and collaborative environment here at UNR-FM, made me feel like there are no barriers to my growth.  After completing residency, I look forward to giving back to the same community that has treated me so well for all these years!

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Christianah Akinola, M.D., M.H.A.

• Medical School: Saint James School of Medicine
• Undergraduate College: University of Nevada, Reno
• Career Goals: Upskilling to optimize medical resources for a rapid, coordinated and innovative patient care; addressing, catering and responding to the medical needs of the community.
• Hobbies: Listening to music, making DIY projects, exploring interior decorating ideas and designs.

Offerings of the UNR Family Medicine program triangulates my career goals in both scholarly delivery and the embrace of ingenuity, excellence, and inclusion, equipping me to give back to my 27-year homestead.

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Nephtali Barrera, M.D.

• • Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
  • Undergraduate College: University of Nevada, Reno
  • Career Goals: Serve my community as a physician and medical advocate for the underserved as well as continuing my service with the Nevada Air National Guard.
  • Hobbies: I love spending quality time with my family and just about anything outdoors. Fishing, camping, and mountain biking are some of my favorite outdoor activities. 

Having attended medical school at UNR, I had the privilege of working with the Family Medicine residency team and quickly realized there was something special here. The caliber of our attending physicians and faculty is second to none, and everyone treated one another like family. The desire to belong to such an excellent team and family made this residency an easy choice for me. Secondly, I had a very strong desire to train in the community which I call home.

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Nicole Clifton, D.O.

• • Medical School: Touro University Nevada
  • Undergraduate College: University of California, Davis
  • Career Goals: Full-spectrum Family Medicine with emphasis in musculoskeletal medicine, wound care and volunteer work.
  • Hobbies: Fencing, skiing, country line dancing

This is home! I’ve always had Reno pride from growing up here.  It was great to see that UNR had such a strong Family Medicine program.  After running into a high school classmate who was a current resident, then meeting more of the residents and faculty, I felt that this was the program for me.  Everyone was immediately welcoming and receptive to my interests.  There is always something exciting to do: diverse rotations (ski clinic, Burning Man, rural), meaningful clinic visits, conferences, hikes, ski days and downtown activities. I’m looking forward to it all. 

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Trenten Fenster, M.D.

• • Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
  • Undergraduate College: University of California, Berkeley
  • Career Goals: Health policy, wilderness medicine, academic medicine, sports medicine
  • Hobbies: Skiing, hiking, camping, hockey, live music

The people won me over. From the residents to the faculty, to our wonderful coordinators. I knew I was joining a tight-knit group who enjoyed working and hanging out together. The program itself has everything I want from an academic program with opportunities that fit my personal interests. In addition, I know when I leave here, I will feel competent as a full-spectrum family medicine physician. Lastly and importantly, having Lake Tahoe and the Sierras in my backyard make for the perfect playground to continue to do the outdoor activities that I love. 

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Alexandra Kurek, M.D.

• • Medical School: Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
  • Undergraduate College: University of Nevada, Reno
  • Career Goals: Women’s health, advocacy
  • Hobbies: Weight lifting, cooking, traveling

As a premedical student, I shadowed UNR family medicine physicians and that experience had a massive influence on choosing the specialty. The physicians I worked with were approachable, caring, and excited to teach. It was those qualities and the opportunity to receive broad-spectrum training in family medicine that made me choose UNR. Reno is also a great place to live with something to do for everyone. I am excited to be back in Reno and honored to be training with those same physicians!

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Mohammad Saba, M.D.

• • Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
  • Undergraduate College: University of Nevada, Reno
  • Career Goals: Provide care to socioeconomically disadvantaged and underserved communities. Be involved with medical education.
  • Hobbies: In addition to spending time with family and friends, I enjoy fishing, playing basketball, following professional sports, and reading about history and philosophy. 

I grew up in Reno so it only made sense to come back home and serve my community. Also, given that the program is both academic and community based, it was a major incentive for me in relation to my career goals. Last but not least, the family medicine program here is like one big family, pun intended! I am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing group of genuine and kind individuals.

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Brandy Soltz Isaacs, M.D.

• • Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
  • Undergraduate College: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, California State University San Bernardino
  • Career Goals: Rural family medicine
  • Hobbies: Travel, scuba diving, kayaking, camping, quilting and crochet

Reno has become near and dear to my heart over the last four years while completing medical school. The close-knit community and its sheer beauty quickly made Reno home, and I truly could not think of doing my residency in family medicine anywhere else. In fact, one of the reasons I chose to attend medical school in Reno was for the family medicine residency program. The relationships I formed with the family medicine attendings and residents throughout medical school solidified my decision. I realized quickly that I had found “my people.” The UNR Family Medicine Residency is devoted to patient centered care with a commitment to medical education. I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this remarkable team.

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Laura Wozniak, M.D.

• • Medical School: Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
  • Undergraduate College: University of Nevada, Reno
  • Career Goals: Academic medicine, full spectrum family medicine
  • Hobbies: Skiing, backpacking, surfing, knitting

Here at UNR, they truly practice “cradle-to-grave” family medicine. In the clinic and the wards, they see newborns, adolescence, women’s health, adult health, and geriatrics almost all on a daily basis. I felt confident in my choice with UNR because I knew I would be a well-rounded and a well-trained family physician after finishing this program. Furthermore, the faculty and residents her are so welcoming and eager to teach which makes any residency experience a much greater one. Also, you cannot beat Lake Tahoe with what it offers year round, from kayaking, hiking, to world-class skiing!

Danielle Ginsburg, D.O

• Medical School: William Carey University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Undergraduate College: Western Colorado University
• Career Goals: Sports Medicine with Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine as well as general Family Medicine!
• Hobbies: Rock Climbing, Skiing, nature walks with my dogs, or really anything outdoors!

I immediately felt like I found “my people” when I was on my rotation with UNR Family Medicine. I was immediately welcomed by everyone and thoroughly enjoyed my time. I also was born and raised in Reno, NV which was an added bonus to come back home and train as well as provide care to the community that helped raise me!

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Josef Heller, M.D.

• Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
• Undergraduate College: West Virginia University
• Career Goals: Part-time primary care, part-time locum rural emergency medicine
• Hobbies: Guitar, singing, piano, church, family time, working out, video games

I moved all around the country growing up as a Navy brat. I enjoyed getting to see so many different places and meet so many new people every couple of years, but Nevada was always home—the place we came to visit extended family on holidays and between moves. In 2018, I finally moved back to Carson City to be with family. I worked at Carson Tahoe Hospital while I applied and was accepted into medical school at UNR. I was fortunate to be able to stay in Reno for my Family Medicine residency; I look forward to serving the population of Northern Nevada long after I complete my training. Home means Nevada!

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Robert Higley, M.D.

• Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
• Undergraduate College: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
• Career Goals: Sports Medicine and Diversity within my practice
• Hobbies: music, spending time in Tahoe, and sports such as baseball, football, skiing, and basketball.

I was born and raised in Reno, attending McQueen High School and then UNR where I majored in Biology. Following my undergraduate studies, I obtained my MBA and participated in UNR Med’s Post Baccalaureate program where I then ultimately attended medical school.

I love the community I grew up in and am excited at the opportunity to serve the people I share it with. During my off time I enjoy music, spending time in Tahoe, taking my huskies on hikes, and sports such as baseball, football, skiing, and basketball.

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Nalee Little, D.O.

• Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Undergraduate College: University of Washington Seattle, WA
• Career Goals: Full Spectrum Care, Women’s Health, OMT, and Palliative Medicine
• Hobbies: cooking, reading, writing, painting, hot yoga, weight-lifting, rock climbing, paddle-boarding, meditation, hiking and trail running with my golden retriever!

I grew up in the Seattle area of Washington state and obtained my medical degree from Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Yakima, Washington. I was drawn to Family Medicine for its continuity: watching my patient panel grow and seeing my patients heal and invest in themselves is why I chose this specialty! Currently, I hold strong interests in palliative medicine, lifestyle medicine, newborn care, and women’s health. I love seeing everyone, at any age, and enjoy doing a plethora of procedures in the clinic such as skin biopsies, circumcisions, IUDs, and more, and enjoy performing osteopathic manipulative treatment to help facilitate tissue healing, especially in those with chronic pain and other musculoskeletal ailments. Ultimately, my daily work centers around my passion for patient-centered care, considering all aspects of every individual to promote health in a way best suited to each of their needs.

I was attracted to the Family Medicine program at UNR for so many reasons – my co-residents are amazing, the faculty here are supportive, and I have a strong love for the outdoors. I am excited to spend the next several years taking care of the Reno community and hope to see you during my time here!

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John Russell, M.D., M.P.H.

• Medical School: Our Lady of Fatima University, College of Medicine
• Graduate College: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• Undergraduate College: University of Nevada, Reno
• Career Goals: Public Health, Health Policy, Preventative and Lifestyle Medicine
• Hobbies: Spending time with family, traveling, tech, finance, motorsports

It was a great feeling to be selected in the Match to come back “home” to Reno after living overseas and out-of-state during my medical school training. I wanted to be part of this program’s well-earned reputation for its outstanding training in full-spectrum primary care. Its faculty & residents are beyond exceptional, and it was easy to connect with them throughout the interview season. I’m delighted for the opportunity to train here!

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Taylor Thomas, M.D.

• Medical School: Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
• Undergraduate: University of San Diego
• Career Goals: Full spectrum family medicine of all ages with involvement in LGBTQIA+ health and Women’s health
• Hobbies: Golfing, cooking, traveling, art and spending time outside

Growing up in Reno I knew that I would eventually make my way back home. The faculty and residents of UNR family medicine are truly some of the most compassionate and dedicated people I have met. It was an easy decision to choose this program, knowing that I would be able to explore my interests, learn broad spectrum medicine and grow as a physician.

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Edward Urtiaga, M.D.

• Medical School: University of California Riverside
• Undergraduate: California State University Long Beach
• Career Goals: Own my own business/private practice
• Hobbies: Mountain Biking, Golf, Snowboarding

I was initially drawn to UNR Family Med due to the location. Growing up my family and I would always go camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains and I love the endless outdoor activities this area offers. I was also impressed with the strong comradery amongst the residents and between the resident classes. Furthermore, the faculty and rotation preceptors truly love to teach and create an environment conducive to learning. I appreciate that this program will help mold me into the physician I want to be, and I look forward to serving this community as a physician.

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Jessica White, M.D.

• Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
• Undergraduate: Emory University
• Career Goals: Broad-spectrum outpatient primary care vs. maybe hospice/palliative care fellowship
• Hobbies: Knitting, watercolor painting, hiking, camping, trying out new foods and restaurants!

I chose UNR FM because I felt a very strong connection to the people I met during my interviews and I knew from visiting family in Reno that I would feel right at home in the area. As an east coast transplant, I felt very welcome here in Reno from the moment we arrived. Not to mention the views of the mountains and amazing hikes and camping in the area! From meeting my amazing co-residents to working with all of our faculty on rotations, I'm happy to say that this was definitely the right choice for me. If you're looking for a program with very strong community ties, truly broad-spectrum training in both outpatient and inpatient settings, and a group of co-residents that genuinely do hang out with each other and support each other, then look no further!