UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Class of 2025

Chief Residents

Annie Nyffeler, DO

Annie Nyffeler, DO

Hometown: Columbus, Nebraska

College/Major: Nebraska Wesleyan University; biology and Spanish

Medical school: Kansas City University

Why UNMC: I remember after the interview at Nebraska I called my family with such genuine excitement and happiness that some people refer to as "the feelings". I am so happy that I followed my gut and that feeling because this program truly is a family. UNMC is such a great place to learn and offers incredible opportunities to allow you to be whatever type of emergency room doctor you want to be! The support and kindness you get while on shift make work fun and exciting. Not to mention, Omaha is such a fun city to explore and live in!

John Perez III, MD

John Perez, III, MD

Hometown: Kansas City, Kansas

College/major: University of Nebraska-Lincoln; biological sciences

Medical school: University of Kansas School of Medicine

Why UNMC: Enjoyed the Nebraska atmosphere during undergrad and vibed well with the residents during my away rotation. Thought it was the place to be for my training. Go Big Red (even though we aren't doing so hot).

Tristen Zimmerman, MD

Tristen Zimmerman, MD

Hometown: Little Falls, Minnesota

College/major: College of Saint Benedict/St. John's University; biology

Medical school: Oregon Health and Science University

Why UNMC: I had a great interview with UNMC (even virtually!); I felt like my interview was personalized and really allowed me to get to know the people and how the program would help me achieve my goals. There is a strong emphasis in training emergency medicine physicians who are prepared to practice in any environment, and we get experience at academic, community, and rural emergency department sites. I was impressed with the diversity of fellowship-trained faculty and the sports and event medicine opportunities for residents (Husker football games!). I was looking for a program that would support its residents in all the little ways that really add up (parking, meal money, scheduled shifts for education and teaching). On shift, there is a true team atmosphere between the physicians, 24/7 emergency department pharmacists, social workers, nurses, psychiatric emergency services crew, and all the other hardworking staff. At the end of the day, I was looking for a program full of kind people that would support me and have my back while helping me grow into a confident and capable emergency medicine physician.

Third-year Residents

Brian Bristol, DO

Brian Bristol, DO

Medical school: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

 

 

 

Caleb Heder, MD

Caleb Heder, MD

Hometown: Kaysville, Utah

College/Major: Weber State University; athletic training

Medical school: West Virginia University School of Medicine Charleston Division

Why UNMC: Loved the look and feel of the program. Good vibes from the residents.

 

Keegan McCabe, MD

Keegan McCabe, MD

Hometown: St. Peter, Minnesota

College/Major: Truman State University; biology

Medical school: University of Minnesota

Why UNMC: I wanted a program that offered a variety of clinical exposure, procedural skill development, sick patient population and ultrasound training. UNMC fits all of this! I was especially impressed with the variability in clinical sites: a large academic trauma center at the main campus, a community emergency room experience at Bellevue and our rural rotation. Besides the phenomenal training, our program is also filled with competent, caring attendings who are enthusiastic about teaching and truly care about our education and personal lives!

 

Ryan Mikus, MD

Ryan Mikus, MD

Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska

College/Major: University of Nebraska-Lincoln; finance

Medical school: University of Nebraska Medical Center

Why UNMC: UNMC has an excellent mix of county, academic, and community patient populations, which gives you a wide range of exposures to different pathologies. Omaha is also a fantastic city whether you are looking to raise a family, or want to experience the night life, or anything in between.

 

Ryan Pavelka, DO

Ryan Pavelka, DO

Medical school: AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

 

 

 

 

 

Sydney Powers, MD

Sydney Powers, MD

Medical school: University of Nebraska College of Medicine

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas Szamocki, DO

Thomas Szamocki, DO

Medical school: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, New Mexico State

 

 

 

 

 

Obiaara Ukah, MD, PhD

Obiaara Ukah, MD, PhD

Hometown: Holts Summit, Missouri

College: Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri

Medical school: University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine

Why UNMC: I remember reading the program's welcome page and reflecting on how much the message resonated with me. The great amount of pride the program director had in the program and its residents emanated through each person I met during my interview. Each interaction fueled the next and left me with an overwhelming sense of belonging by the end of my interview, which was unlike any experience I had with any other program I had interviewed with. When finding your residency home, especially in times where in-person interviews and tours are no longer the norm, it is of the utmost importance to find a cohort of individuals that are fully invested in your success and well-being. I found that when I interviewed at UNMC and I could not be happier that I was fortunate enough to match into my extended family!

 

 

Joseph Werner, MD

Joseph Werner, MD

Hometown: Billings, Montana

College/major: Gonzaga University; biology and music

Medical school: University of Washington School of Medicine

Why UNMC: I was lucky enough to do an away rotation here and really enjoyed it. Not only did I learn much during my rotation, but I developed a palpable sense that this residency in particular was a place I could see myself fitting in and enjoying for three years. The friendly, cordial interactions I had with residents, nurses, attendings, and essentially every employee I interacted with in that month was quite noticeable. I had a great time interviewing and overall was left with a very strong impression of UNMC. In addition, UNMC has a great mix of academic, community, and rural aspects that I found appealing!