House Officer II

Nathan Cherian, MD

Hometown:  Saint Louis, Missouri

Medical School:  University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine

What inspired your interest in orthopaedic surgery?

Seeing the immediate, tangible impact orthopaedic surgeons have on helping patients regain their quality of life and enhance their functional status. The variety in orthopaedics is unparalleled – it epitomizes a physician’s role as a lifelong learner and continually demands innovative problem-solving to provide individualized care that aligns with patient-specific goals. 

What are three things people don't know about you?

• I went kayaking at midnight in one of Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent bays. 
• Continually getting disappointed by the Cleveland Browns is my favorite Sunday activity. 
• My breakfast of choice is a shot of espresso, followed by a diet Mountain Dew. 

Michael Garneau, MD

Hometown:  Quad Cities, Iowa

Medical School:  University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

What inspired your interest in orthopaedic surgery?

I really enjoyed learning about biomechanics during my undergraduate studies and wanted to pursue a career in medicine helping restore patient’s mobility and function. 

What are three things people don't know about you?

• I enjoy long-distance running
• I like to cooking.
• I enjoy learning about world history. 

Kirby Hora, MD

Hometown:  Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Medical School:  University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

What inspired your interest in orthopaedic surgery?

The ability to provide acute and tangible restoration of quality of life to patients.

What are three things people don't know about you?

• I worked construction when I was an undergraduate.
• My favorite animal is the mighty camel.
• I love traveling and experiencing new cultures.

Jake Rodgers, DO

Hometown:  West Des Moines, Iowa

Medical School:  Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

What inspired your interest in orthopaedic surgery?

As a kid, I knew that when I grew up I wanted to do two things: I wanted to fix things, and I wanted to work with fun people. My journey into Orthopaedic Surgery has provided me with the opportunity to do both of those. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to provide acute positive change in people's lives, and I could not have asked for a better group to learn and grow with. 

What are three things people don't know about you?

• I am an avid woodworker and have received accolades from the Iowa State fair woodworking competition. 
• My favorite outdoor activity is snowboarding the Teton mountain range in Wyoming with my family.
• My wife and I love to host holiday parties and cookoffs for our friends every chance we can get! 

Tyler Sharp, MD

Hometown:  Omaha, Nebraska

Medical School:  University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine

What inspired your interest in orthopaedic surgery?

Functionality is what allows us to live our lives and do the things we love to do on a daily basis. In orthopedic surgery, our interventions are aimed at restoring, improving, or salvaging functional status, with the goal of getting people back to doing what they love. To me, that is the greatest job and responsibility anybody could ever ask for.

What are three things people don't know about you?

• I am an overly passionate sports fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, San Antonio Spurs, and the Denver Broncos. We don't have professional sports in Nebraska, so I got to pick and choose as a child. Much of my physical, mental, and emotional health is co-dependent with my teams' performances, which is extremely unfortunate if you look back at the last decade for each of the three programs. Really, I'm fine.
• In my former youth, I was deep into the EDM scene, having attended several concerts at Red Rocks and festivals like Bonnaroo and Decadence. In general, music is a great passion of mine. Though, I am not particularly gifted myself. I did try to teach myself piano in college, with limited success. My greatest musical success was learning the Charlie Brown Theme Song on piano.
• I was previously an extremely average Division III Triple Jumper at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Ironically, my career best jump occurred on my very last triple jump ever to secure third place at my conference championship meet and elevate my overall athletic status to "slightly above average" Division III Triple Jumper. Don't ask me to triple jump ever again, I am satisfied going out the way I did.