Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Residents

First Year Interns

	Colleen Cecola, MD Medical School: LSU School of Medicine - New Orleans Graduated: May 2021 Residency Completion Date: June 2026 Undergraduate: LSU Hometown: New Orleans, LA Hobbies and Interests: a variety of types of art, relaxing outside, and baking.
	Armand Jacques, MD Medical School: LSU School of Medicine - New Orleans Graduated: May 2020 Residency Completion Date: June 2026 Undergraduate: LSU Hometown: Metairie, LA Hobbies and Interests: hike, bake, play basketball, and collect movies.
	Nick Poche, MD Medical School: LSU School of Medicine - New Orleans Graduated: May 2021 Residency Completion Date: June 2026 Undergraduate: LSU Hometown: New Orleans, LA
	Shradha Mamidi, MD Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine Graduated: May 2021 Residency Completion Date: June 2026 Undergraduate: St. Bonaventure University Hometown: Bridgewater, NJ Hobbies and Interests: acrylic painting, drawing calligraphy, and exploring new restaurants.

Second Year Residents

	Adam Blancher, MD Medical School: LSU Health School of Medicine - Shreveport Graduated: May 2019 Residency Completion Date: June 2025 Undergraduate: LSU Hometown: Mandeville, LA Hobbies and Interests: team sports, cooking & grilling competitions, weightlifting & fitness
	Christine Matthews, MD Medical School: LSU Health Science Center - New Orleans Graduated: May 2020 Residency Completion Date: June 2025 Undergraduate: UC Berkeley Hometown: New Orleans, LA Hobbies and Interests: travelling, yoga, golf, cooking with friends Why I chose LSU: "I wanted to stay with LSU for residency because the people involved in this program are the best. Our staff are so hands-on in our training I knew I would get a great education working with them.  The residents are friendly, gregarious, and delights to be around both inside and outside of the hospital."
	Kurt Mueller, MD Medical School: Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Graduated: May 2020 Residency Completion Date: June 2025 Undergraduate: University of Georgia Hometown: Watkinsville, GA Hobbies and Interests: golf, live music, scuba diving, watching sports Why I chose LSU: "For its well-balanced and comprehensive training that would equip me to be exceptionally prepared to practice general otolaryngology or pursue a competitive fellowship, and for the culture of camaraderie and collegiality amongst both faculty and residents."
	John Logan Sobiesk, MD Medical School: LSU Health School of Medicine - Shreveport Graduated: 2020 Residency Completion Date: June 2025 Undergraduate: LSU Hometown: Hattiesburg, MS Hobbies and Interests: hunting, fishing, competing in 3D archery competitions, golfing, water sports Why I chose LSU: "This program has a great reputation of producing excellent clinicians/surgeons, which was evident while on my away rotation. During my rotation, I was immediately made part of the team and saw the family-like atmosphere within the program stemming from Dr. Nuss and down to the interns. After working with the residents, faculty, and staff, I knew this program would provide me with the support needed throughout residency and the proficiency to have a complete Otolaryngology practice upon completing residency."

 

Third Year Residents

	Kelsey Doguet, MD Medical School: LSU Health Science Center - New Orleans Graduated: May 2019 Residency Completion Date: June 2024 Undergraduate: LSU Hometown: Iota, LA Hobbies and Interests: I love being outdoors, playing golf and tennis, cooking, and finding a good happy hour.  Why I chose LSU: "I chose LSU because I loved the camaraderie between the residents and with faculty. LSU residents have a lot of autonomy and finish with a high case load and wide breadth of experience. We also have a large faculty with all of the sub-specialties within otolaryngology being well-represented. Lastly, I love treating patients from my native South Louisiana!"
	Ashley Kraft, MD Medical School: University of Mississippi School of Medicine Graduated: May 2019 Residency Completion Date: June 2024 Undergraduate: Mississippi State University Hometown: Pascagoula, MS Hobbies and Interests: kayaking, reading, cooking, painting Why I chose LSU: "Wanted to be close to family in MS and the water while also getting to experience new places and benefit from a wide array of faculty from all backgrounds."
	Gregory Marks, MD Medical School: LSU Health Science Center - New Orleans Graduated: May 2019 Residency Completion Date: June 2024 Undergraduate: LSU Hometown: New Orleans, LA Hobbies and Interests: running, playing guitar, and eating Why I chose LSU: "I felt that my home program would make me the best doctor I could be.  I never felt more challenged, smarter, and more capable than when I spent time on my rotations with LSUHSC ENT."
	Bailey Minehart, MD Medical School: Texas A&M Health Science Center Graduated: May 2019 Residency Completion Date: June 2024 Undergraduate: Southern Methodist University Hometown: Dallas, TX Hobbies and Interests: Trying new restaurants, exploring new work out studios, walks around local neighborhoods and parks, quick trips to the beach with fellow residents  Why I chose LSU: " Large staff to resident ratio, very early operative experience, independence with call, change of pace traveling between the three cities."

 

Fourth Year Residents

	Kody Bolk, MD Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Graduated: May 2018 Residency Completion Date: June 2023 Undergraduate: McKendree University Hometown: Carlyle, IL Hobbies and Interests: golf, boating, fishing, hanging out with family, watching college and professional sports Why I chose LSU: "I chose LSU for a couple reasons. Being from a small town in southern Illinois, I was used to a friendly, hometown environment. This was exactly what I found when I came and visited LSU. Everyone was welcoming with southern hospitality and it felt like a family away from home. Also, I appreciate the diverse staff and sub-specialties represented at LSU as it allows for an encompassing training experience. Always great that the Cajun cooking is absolutely phenomenal, as well."
	Sara Bressler, MD Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Graduated: May 2018 Residency Completion Date: June 2023 Undergraduate: University of Miami Hometown: Roslyn, NY Hobbies and Interests: travel, reading, wine, cooking (eating in general...), binging crime documentaries Why I chose LSU: "The southern hospitality (and Dr. Nuss's soothing voice during his introductory presentation on interview day)."
	Neelam Phalke, MD   Medical School: University of Nevada School of Medicine Graduated: May 2018 Residency Completion Date: June 2023 Undergraduate: University of Southern California Hometown: Las Vegas, NV Hobbies and Interests: working out, reading, cooking healthy meals, hiking, and being in the mountains Why I chose LSU: "The diversity of staff and training opportunities offered by the multiple training sites and also the opportunity to work with rural and underserved populations."
	Tracy VandeWater, MD Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin Graduated: May 2018 Residency Completion Date: June 2023 Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame Hometown: Sheboygan, WI Hobbies and Interests: baking, biking, watching football, hiking, travelling Why I chose LSU: "The diversity of cases and the friendly and approachable faculty."

 

Fifth Year Residents

	Tyler McElwee, MD Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine Graduated: May 2017 Residency Completion Date: June 2022 Undergraduate: Texas A&M Hometown: New Orleans, LA Hobbies and Interests: tennis, sailing Why I chose LSU: "Loved the vibe I got on interview day with collegial residents, strong training, and faculty support. I ranked LSU highly for both those reasons as well as a desire to return home for residency and couldn't be happier about that decision." Career Plans: Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship
	Palak Patel, MD Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Medicine Graduated: May 2017 Residency Completion Date: June 2022 Undergraduate: University of Texas at Dallas Hometown: Morbi and Mt. Abu, India; Austin, TX Hobbies and Interests: painting, cooking, DIY projects, attempting gardening, and currently wedding planning!  Why I chose LSU: "I really enjoyed my interview here. I made Dr. Pou laugh. Dr. Peden and I talked about cooking the whole time! I took that as a sign." Career Plans: Private Practice
	Christine Settoon, MD Medical School: LSU Health Science Center - New Orleans Graduated: May 2017 Residency Completion Date: June 2022 Undergraduate: University of Georgia Hometown: New Orleans, LA Hobbies and Interests: podcasts, reading, needlepoint, cooking, travelling, tenni Why I chose LSU: "Great balance of autonomy and hands on training, depth of sub-specialties, location, and approachable faculty." Career Plans: Pediatric Otolaryngology fellowship

 

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