Meet Our Residents
Class of 2023: CA-3
Taylor Abegg-Lawrence
Hometown: Central Utah
Undergraduate: Brigham Young University, majored in Microbiology at BYU
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: When I get the chance, I enjoy snowboarding, canyoneering, and anything that gets me outside.
Why I chose Vermont: I was drawn to this program in part because of how personable and happy the residents seemed to be. There’s something intangible that just “clicks” when you find a program that fits, and for me that was Vermont.
Daniel Crowder
Hometown: Greenwood, South Carolina
Undergraduate: Clemson University
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: My wife and I are big college football fans. I enjoy grabbing dinner and drinks with friends, which is one of the best parts of living in Burlington. I also enjoy getting outdoors and going to the local parks with my wife and son.
Why I Chose Vermont: In looking for residency programs I knew that I wanted to train at a place that offered high quality care, had a track record of producing high quality anesthesiologists, were able to place graduates into fellowship programs, and was filled with kind and caring people. When I rotated through the department during my 4th year away rotation, I was blown away by residents, faculty, and staff. The atmosphere was very laid back, yet professional, the team members were friendly and supportive, and the department made work-life balance a priority. During the interview cycle, I kept in touch with some of the residents and faculty, and I got the sense that the department was invested in my education even before I became a resident.
Andrew Gallagher
Hometown: Jericho, Vermont
Undergraduate: Bowdoin College
Medical School: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: skiing, hiking, home brewing, raising chickens, playing with my dog
Why I chose Vermont: Going to school at UVM, I had ample exposure to the department and residents. Their patient-centeredness, friendliness, and excitement about anesthesiology convinced me that this was the right place for me. Plus, Vermont has an amazing quality of life, with tons to do outside every season.
Conrad Koerper
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Undergraduate: University of Houston
Medical School: University of Texas at Southwestern
Hobbies/Interests: Sailing, traveling, hiking, running, spending time with my family and dogs.
Why I Chose Vermont: During my interview I was thoroughly impressed with the supportive, family-like environment, dedication to teamwork, and strong sense of camaraderie among the faculty and residents. It felt like the perfect place to train.
Joseph Migliazzo
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Undergraduate: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: There is much to do outside the hospital including biking/hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Why I chose Vermont: I came to Vermont and was pleased with the anesthesia program as well as the location. The residents and faculty were welcoming and well trained.
Tobias Robinson
Hometown: Juneau, Alaska and Montpelier, Vermont
Undergraduate: Paul Smiths College and Oregon State University
Medical School: Oregon Health and Sciences University
Hobbies/Interests: mountain biking, skiing and woodworking. Being in Vermont affords me the opportunity to do all of these.
Why I Chose Vermont: I came back to Vermont for not only the mountain’s and nature, but for the people. Residency at UVM is not just a job, it is joining a family where we lookout for each other and foster development of truly excellent physicians.
Class of 2024: CA-2
Jack Chan
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts Undergraduate: Boston University
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Hobbies/Interests: When I have the opportunity, I love to hike, ski, and experiment with cooking. I am also an avid Netflix user.
Why I chose Vermont: I chose UVM for the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the community which overflows into everyone’s work and excitement for what they do. The program is very supportive of their residents and I believe that I will get to become an amazing anesthesiologist. The location also offers endless opportunities to be with nature through hiking and skiing. I am thrilled to be a resident at UVM!
Jason Dixon
Hometown: Spokane, Washington
Undergrad: Eastern Washington University
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Avid do-it-yourselfer, hiking, biking, coffee, WWII history, spending time with family
Why I Chose Vermont: The close-knit community and supportive culture at UVM shined during my interview in Burlington. It was obvious that the relationships between residents and faculty members served to enhance the strong technical education while promoting resident well-being. Graduates of this program enjoy great prospects for fellowship and practice upon completion. Lastly, the beautiful Burlington area is vibrant, safe, and full of opportunities for my family.
E. Taylor Haring
Hometown: Norman, Oklahoma and Bozeman, Montana
Undergrad: Montana State University
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Mountaineering, skiing, surfing, playing the drums, and playing with my dog (Tonka)
Why I Chose Vermont: I chose Vermont because it seemed like the friendliest and happiest group of residents and anesthesiologists I came across, coupled with great outdoor access for the North East. Also, Vermont had the closest access to ice climbing of any residency!
Brett Heber
Hometown: Oil City, Pennsylvania
Undergraduate: Juniata College
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, being outdoors, exercising, snowboarding, learning Spanish and the ukulele, history, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, reading, sand volleyball, spending time with my lovely wife, Kara, and our dog, Felix.
Why I chose Vermont: It was the culture of the UVM anesthesia department and the opportunity I had to experience it firsthand as a visiting 4th year student that led me to choose Vermont for residency. I feel privileged to be training at a program that genuinely cares about it's members, instills a palpable sense of community, and produces highly competent physician anesthesiologists.
Additionally, the Burlington area is an excellent place to live and explore. There are ample opportunities to get outdoors regardless of the season, local breweries to enjoy, and other local attractions including Church Street, Lake Champlain, and maple creemees. If you want to get out of town for a weekend, Montreal, NYC, and Boston are all a short drive.
Britta Kilgus
Hometown: Chester, Vermont
Undergraduate School: St. Lawrence University
Medical School: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: I grew up in Vermont so my hobbies are all the usual suspects: snowboarding, running, hiking, laying by and swimming in the lake, and pretty much anything that gets me outside. I also love to bake and cook, care for my houseplants, see live music, and hang out with dogs.
Why I chose Vermont: When I started my 4th year of medical school at UVM I did every anesthesia related rotation I could and had the best time. The department was welcoming, enthusiastic about teaching, and offered me all the support I needed when I started the process of applying for residency. After having that experience it was hard to imagine I would find better culture at any other program. Plus once you’ve spent enough time cruising the waterfront, watching the sunset over the Adirondack Mountains, and getting to hit the local mountains all winter you realize it might be hard to find anywhere else like Burlington.
Matthew Nowland
Hometown: Suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts
Undergraduate School: USMC and UMass Boston
Medical School: Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Hobbies/Interests: I have 2 boys and love my time with them, enjoying doing whatever activities I can like taking them to new places, hockey, or simply playing video games with them. On my own time, I enjoy traveling, seeing new cities, going to concerts, enjoying the night life, and being outdoors whether its hiking, snowboarding, or being at the beach. I also like to be as active as I can be, and think that healthy lifestyles and exercise promote a more fun quality of life..
Why I chose Vermont: Truthfully, I knew very little about Vermont before I interviewed here. During the interview, I was absolutely blown away by the community of the people, how family friendly they were, and the camaraderie and overall high morale of the residents. My first year at this program did not disappoint and only reinforced those initial impressions, especially during COVID! There is the serenity in the beauty of Vermont with the mountains and the valleys. The people genuinely enjoy the outdoors, good quality food (and beer!), and are warm and inviting. Being close enough for a drive to Montreal, Boston, or NY is also perfect for easy travel getaways. As someone who enjoys being active and the outdoors, going out to restaurants and breweries, and hanging around with like-minded hospitable people I could not pick a better place!
Class of 2025: CA-1
Javier Blanco
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Undergraduate School: State University of New York at Buffalo
Medical School: University of Pittsburg School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Rock-climbing, cycling, watercolor painting, tending to my plants, developing my own ramen recipe
Why I chose Vermont: I chose Vermont because I was impressed by the genuine happiness and care for the program that the residents and faculty expressed during my interview. It also helps that Vermont is incredibly beautiful and has unparalleled access to nature and outdoor activities year round!
Robert Carpenter
Hometown: North Yarmouth, Maine
Undergraduate School: Kenyon College
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy skiing, golfing, hiking, trying new food and craft beers.
Why I chose Vermont: Among the people I met at UVM during the interview cycle, there was an infectious enthusiasm, friendliness, and a genuine desire to get to know me. With the small size of the program, I look forward to developing close relationships with my colleagues. Outside of the hospital, Burlington provides me the perfect location to pursue many of my own passions.
Jonathan Gougelet
Hometown: Hanover, New Hampshire
Undergraduate School: Bates College
Medical School: George Washington University
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, climbing, mountain biking, telemark skiing, playing guitar, cooking and baking.
Why I chose Vermont: UVM was the perfect combination of excellent training and close proximity to the outdoors. It provides a high acuity, tertiary care center in the heart of an amazing small New England city. It is clear that there is a strong sense of camaraderie between residents and faculty, and I have felt welcomed and supported since my interview day.
Marc Hammond
Hometown: Woburn, Massachusetts
Undergraduate School: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Medical School: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy a lot of outdoor activities like hiking, running, swimming, and nature photography so Vermont is a great place to be.
Why I chose Vermont: I grew up in Woburn, Massachusetts and went to UMass Amherst for my undergrad. After that I spent 3 years working in a melanoma research lab in Boston and applied to medical school. I attended the Robert Learner COM at UVM so it feels natural to continue my training here. I chose UVMMC for the kind faculty (who are also excellent teachers) as well as the residents who treat each other like family.
Nicole Kosmider
Hometown: Chester, New Jersey
Undergraduate School: Northeastern University
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences COMP-Northwest
Hobbies/Interests: In my free time I enjoy skiing (uphill and downhill), mountain biking, mountaineering, crafts of all sorts, and ice cream.
Why I chose Vermont: I grew up on the East Coast, and Vermont is where I learned to love the outdoors. When looking for residency programs, I hoped to balance strong training with a lifestyle I would enjoy. UVM affords exceptional educational opportunities in a beautiful setting.
Marc Kostrubiak
Hometown: Monkton, Maryland
Undergraduate School: Middlebury College
Medical School: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: Skiing, trail running, photography, hiking
Why I chose Vermont: During med school people throughout UVM, and especially in the anesthesia department were always friendly, helpful, and more than willing to teach. That atmosphere combined with the small program size and the location with the mountains so close and easily accessible made UVM seem like not only a great place to learn and train but also a great place to continue to live.
Michael Shelton
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Undergraduate: Troy University
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Basketball, woodturning, eventual furniture making
Why I chose Vermont: I had the opportunity to work with a great deal of the residents and attendings while a surgery resident and everyone seemed to enjoy being here. I’m also interested in critical care, and the early training and exposure we receive is amazing. It was an easy choice.
Class of 2026: CA-0
Alisha Booms
Hometown: Jenison, Michigan
Undergraduate: Grand Valley State University
Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Reading, hiking with my dog, kayaking, camping, and spending time with friends and family
Why I chose Vermont: I saw firsthand the welcoming and supportive environment the University of Vermont offers when I participated in research at UVM during the summer between my first and second year of medical school. The collaborative environment, excellent training, and countless outdoor recreation opportunities outside the hospital makes UVM a great fit for me.
Sally Clark
Hometown: South Burlington, Vermont
Undergraduate: University of Maryland, College Park
Medical School: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: I love being outside and on any kind of adventure with my amazing husband and our adorable corgi Penny! I accidentally got really into bird-watching during the pandemic, and also love trail running, mountain biking, gardening, reading, and paddle boarding (with Penny, of course)
Why I chose Vermont: First and foremost, I was blown away with how amazing the program/department is- they are so welcoming and their enthusiasm for teaching is apparent. The residents I met truly seemed happy, and the culture in the department emphasized teamwork, clinical excellence, and camaraderie. I also knew this was a location I would thrive- I love that I can live 10 minutes from the hospital, but be so close to beautiful outdoor areas where I can recharge on the trails.
Ryan Dwosh
Hometown: Moorestown, NJ
Undergraduate: The University of Vermont
Medical School: The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine Hobbies/Interests: Biking, skiing, whitewater kayaking, banjo/drums, cribbage
Why I chose Vermont: I picked UVM for the kindness and curiosity among the anesthesia faculty and residents that I met. I chose to live in Vermont for its access to mountains, rivers, and maple creemees.
Christopher Frederick
Hometown: Underhill, VT
Undergraduate: University of San Diego
Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Skiing, Soccer, Baseball, Sailing, diving, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kiteboarding - really anything outdoors, on the mountain, in the water, or just with good friends.
Why I chose Vermont: Vermont is special. I grew up here, but I’ve traveled and lived all across the country and there’s no place that compares to VT. The proximity to Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains provides an unprecedented outdoor playground for every season and every activity. Many places have mountains or water, but few have both that are so easily accessible. The people are equally amazing; Vermonters are genuine, friendly, and consistently great people. UVMMC is an excellent reflection of that. It’s a strong academic medical center that punches above its weight for the size of population it serves, and the people are fantastic, from the leadership down to the support staff - they are the type of individuals you want to spend time with both in and out of the workplace. There is truly no parallel. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that VT boasts the world’s best cheese, ice cream, and beer too!
Jefferson Last
Hometown: Hurricane, Utah
Undergraduate: Utah Tech University
Medical School: University of Utah
Hobbies/Interests: Wakeboarding, guitars, outdoors!
Why I chose Vermont: The people in the program, the smaller size of the program, and the location!
Anna Quinlan
Hometown: Richmond, Vermont
Undergraduate: Carleton College
Medical School: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, skiing, soccer, rock climbing, any kind of game, and hanging with my cattle dog
Why I chose Vermont: As a medical student, I was first exposed to the department's welcoming culture by an enthusiastic resident on my labor and delivery rotation. She spent her limited free time answering my every question, and her passion for anesthesiology was infectious. As my clinical years progressed, I discovered that the department as a whole was passionate, supportive, and dedicated to providing excellent patient care. When the time came to choose a residency program, I was drawn to UVM's close-knit culture in combination with its exceptional training opportunities and access to the outdoors.
Recent Graduates
Class of 2022
Rachel Carlson, MD
Dual Cardiothoracic & Critical Care Fellowship, Brigham and Women’s Hospital - Boston, MA
Vivek Chittineni, MD
University of Vermont Medical Center - Burlington, VT
Liana Dagdavaryan, DO
Regional Anesthesiology Fellowship, University of Utah - Salt Lake City, UT
Justin Jones, MD
Regional Anesthesiology Fellowship, Ohio State University - Columbus, OH
Christina Litsakos, MD
Regional Anesthesiology Fellowship, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center - Hanover, NH
Angeli Thawani, DO
Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship, Montefiore Medical Center - Bronx, NY
Class of 2021
Richard Dobson, DO
Neuroanesthesiology Fellowship, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI
Benjamin Jorgensen, MD
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center - Baltimore, MD
Danielle Leahy, MD
Dual Cardiothoracic & Critical Care Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University –Baltimore, MD
Christopher Mayhew, MD
Universitäts-Herzzentrum Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Germany
Caroline Reynolds, DO
Centra Medical Group - Lynchburg, VA
Benjamin Sanofsky, MD
Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship, Stanford University – Stanford, CA
Class of 2020
Katherine Dillon, MD
Commonwealth Anesthesia Associates – Newton, MA
K. Jared Hinrichs, MD
Chronic Pain Fellowship, University of Vermont Medical Center – Burlington, VT
Michael Kem, MD
University of Vermont Medical Center – Burlington, VT
Brandon King, MD
Dual Cardiothoracic & Critical Care Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD
Russell Shults, MD
University of Vermont Medical Center – Burlington, VT
Virginia Weiss, MD
Spectrum Healthcare Partners – Portland, ME