Sahara Bueker, DOMedical school: UIWSOM
Hi! My name is Sahara Bueker, and I’m from Grand Prairie, TX. I earned my bachelor’s from the University of North Texas before moving to Virginia for a few years to complete my master’s at Eastern Virginia Medical School. I worked as an ED scribe in college, which fueled my passion to pursue emergency medicine as a medical student at UIWSOM.
I chose Corpus Christi for residency because the program truly felt like home. I spent my third year of medical school rotating here, and I was impressed by how welcoming and willing to teach everyone was. The residents were very confident and skilled with procedures. You also get exposed to a diverse and complex patient population in Corpus. But overall it was clear that both residents and attendings genuinely love working here, and that was the biggest factor in my decision.
In my free time I love hiking, lifting weights, and spending time with my friends, cats, and family. I’m passionate about anything related to music, especially piano and live music. I’ve also really enjoyed spending time at the beach and the sunsets in Corpus since moving here.
Hello, my name is Homero Coss Muniz. I am originally from Mexico, but I was raised for most of my life in Laredo, Texas, a border town. After high school, I attended the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley down in Brownsville, Texas. You could say that I’m very familiar with the South Texas region. After graduating, I spent two years being a high school science teacher at one of my hometown schools. I really enjoy the time I spent there and it really instilled into me the passion I have for teaching and mentoring.
I chose Corpus Christi as my number one choice for residency due to a number of reasons. I spent most of my 3rd year in medical school rotating here. I became familiar with the community, the city, as well as the medical scene. I really grew to love it. I also met the residency program at a point where I wasn’t sure what I wanted to pursue. Luckily, the people here talked some sense to me and I chose emergency medicine. South Texas is also my home and I’m very grateful for the opportunities and people that have aided in getting to where I am today. Corpus presents a great chance for me to not only become a great physician but also give back to these communities.
Corpus Christi is a city in terms of fun. There are many things you can do and explore further hobbies. The people are great, the beaches are beautiful, and you can’t go wrong with the food choices here. I’ve enjoyed my time running through Ocean Avenue as well as nearby trails. Also having the beach at an arm’s length is clutch, especially whenever you want to unwind and relax.
Elio Garcia Sosa, MDMedical School: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
My name is Elio Garcia Sosa, and I am originally from Brownsville, Texas. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Before medical school, I had the privilege of working as a registered nurse in several hospitals across the Rio Grande Valley, where I discovered my passion for emergency medicine.
I chose to pursue my residency in Corpus Christi after a second-look visit during interview season. The unopposed nature of the program immediately caught my attention, and once I had the opportunity to meet the residents and attendings, it quickly became my top choice. South Texas has an incredibly unique and complex patient population, offering a rich and challenging learning environment. I am committed to continuing to serve this community while honing the skills and knowledge that will allow me to provide the highest quality emergency care.
In my free time, I enjoy fishing, kayaking, biking, and most outdoor activities.
Willem Gervais, MDMedical school: Baylor College of Medicine
Hey, welcome to the website. My name is Willem Gervais. I was born in the Republic of South Africa but did a lot of growing up in the Texas Hill Country. Exploring and camping its woods, creeks, and caves with my brothers gave me a lasting appreciation for the outdoors and the natural world.
After volunteering with South Hays Fire Department, I worked as a paramedic for Austin Travis County EMS. The men and women in these services demonstrated such a high standard of clinical excellence, technical expertise, and patient advocacy, it inspired me to push to reach my full potential as a clinician. I love the camaraderie that permeates emergency medicine, getting to fill a role as part of a team, all pulling in the same direction, looking out for the patient and for one another.
This is exactly what drew me to CCEMRP. I was fortunate enough to rotate here as a medical student, and I immediately felt at home. The residents were eager to include me in procedures, the attendings were invested in my development as a provider, and the coordinators excel keeping everything running smoothly. The atmosphere is one of support, encouragement, growth, and hard work done well. This is a rad place to train, and I am grateful on the daily that I get to work here.
A life goal of mine is to go back and do part-time work in low-resource areas in South Africa. The unopposed nature of our program affords ample opportunity to hone the necessary critical reasoning and procedural skills, as we are the only residents staffing the ED, TICU and MICU services.
Reach out if you have any questions about the program, or if you want to talk about Rugby, Sewing, or Birdwatching. If you like a friendly city with a steady sea breeze, beautiful birds, no traffic, good rugby and great EM training, Corpus Christi is a splendid place to be.
Molly Hancock, MDMedical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Hey, I’m Molly Hancock. I am from a small city in Michigan, two hours north of Detroit. I have also lived in Kansas and Colorado, but have spent most of my life in Michigan including my medical school years at MSU (go green).
My personality is quite adventurous which led me into EM, a field full of variety and opportunity. Along these lines, I wanted residency to take me on an adventure and expose me to a new patient population. Thus, I decided to explore my options across the country and happened upon CCEMRP. I did not rotate here, however, I did rotate at another unopposed residency in a sick population and valued the similarities. There are also plenty of opportunities here for residents to pursue their interests in the different areas of EM. In the interview, the residents seemed genuinely happy which stuck out to me and solidified this as my top choice.
In my free time I am down to do anything active including soccer, bouldering, biking, long walks, beach volleyball. I also enjoy doing winter sports, but I think I will have to transition to water sports while I am in Corpus Christi!
Blake Kissane, DOHi, I’m Blake Kissane, and I’m originally from Simi Valley, California. I played a year of college football at the University of Puget Sound but ended up finishing my undergraduate degree at California Lutheran University back home, where I began coaching instead. The red mountains of Southern Utah became home during medical school at Rocky Vista University, until I eventually made the long trek down to Texas for residency.
I would consider myself an odd man out, as I did not rotate at Corpus Christi prior to matching here. I learned about the program through word of mouth and by meeting faculty at ACOEP. During my interview, I could immediately sense that this program was genuinely different. You could tell that what they said about the hospital and program was true—it’s a hidden gem. You get autonomy, lots and lots of procedures, and best of all, the work environment is unmatched. As soon as I arrived, I felt instantly connected to everyone in the program. It was clear that everyone worked hard but also had a blast while doing it. My first few months have been an absolute joy. I never would have expected to learn so much and do so many procedures so early.
It has also been a very family-friendly program. My wife, daughter, and I quickly assimilated into the community of residents and their families. We are extremely happy and lucky to have landed our first choice.
Obadiah Michler, MDHi, I’m Obadiah Michler, most people call me Obi. I grew up in Jasper, Texas, the fourth oldest of twelve siblings. Although I never graduated from high school, I was lucky enough to get accepted into college and eventually earn my bachelor’s degree in biology from Stephen F. Austin State University—go Lumberjacks! My wife and I went to medical school together at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and couples matched into emergency medicine.
I first got hooked on emergency medicine in college while working as an ER scribe in a busy East Texas emergency department. That job showed me just how important it is to pick a residency program that not only prepares you to survive the tough shifts but also helps you thrive during them. The fast pace and variety kept me on my toes and made me certain this was the career for me.
When my wife and I did our 4th year away rotations at Christus Health, it just clicked. The vibe here is the real deal—people have your back, the learning’s hands-on, and the eight-hour shifts mean you can still live your life after work. That balance is huge for us. This program checks all the boxes we were hoping for when we started our EM journey: unopposed clinical experience, early procedural competence, great faculty who love to teach, unlimited free food and parking, and a fun training environment. I’m fired up to be in a place that gets you ready for anything.
Aside from saving lives and extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, I really enjoy hanging with my friends, the great outdoors, fishing, working out/fitness, cooking, reading, and yearning for more delayed gratification.
Jeffrey Ptak, MDMedical School: TTUHSC Lubbock
Hello, my name is Jeffrey Ptak. I was born and raised in Allen, Texas, though I've spent the past 10 years in Lubbock. I entered college as a finance major before ultimately graduating with a degree in biochemistry. After college, I worked as a scribe in the ED for 2.5 years before starting medical school.
My Fiancé and I have lots of family that live in the area, so naturally this program was going near the top of my rank list. Participating in the wilderness medicine rotation as a 4th year solidified this program as my top choice because of how strong this program was inside and outside of the ER. I saw the incredible volume and acuity that the local population offered, as well as the opportunities for leisure and recreation. I saw how committed the staff and faculty were to providing an elite education. Lastly, I experienced the perks this program offers - which were amazing as a student but are truly game-changing now that I'm a resident.
Outside of the ER you can find me grappling, skiing, or walking my dog. In my spare time I enjoy watching movies, playing video games, and painting/playing Warhammer 40k.
Calvin Rodman, DOMedical School: A.T Still University- School of Osteopathic Medicine Arizona
Hey, I'm Calvin Rodman. I grew up in Redmond, Oregon, prior to getting my Bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University. Sco Beavers! During undergraduate studies I worked as a wildland firefighter over the summers in addition to working as a medical scribe. I then ultimately attended medical school at A.T Still University- SOMA.
My first choice of residency was here at CCEMRP. During my 4th year of medical school, I rotated all across the country (Pennsylvania, Arizona, Ohio, California), and though there were some other great programs, none paralleled my experience here in Corpus Christi. Everyone I met here was down to earth, friendly, and fun in addition to being incredibly knowledgeable. The faculty here are superb physicians and fantastic teachers. I soon learned how sick the population we serve here in Corpus is, and completed as many if not more, procedures during my 4-week rotation than I probably had during my other rotations combined! The unopposed nature of this program lends to immense learning opportunities and will certainly serve me well when I begin to work as an attending physician. I was confident that the programs I interviewed at would train me to be a great resident, but that CCEMRP would prepare me to be a great attending out the gates.
If I’m not at work or home with my lovely girlfriend, you’ll probably find me out golfing. I also enjoy finding a good microbrew, pickleballing, fishing, camping, working out, and watching NFL football (Go Birds).
Heidi Schultz, MDHello my name is Heide Schultz. I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and attended Stephen F. Austin State University in East Texas. While in college, I began working as a scribe in nearby rural emergency departments, where I discovered my passion for emergency medicine—and met my husband, Obadiah. Inspired by the physicians I worked with, I applied to medical school with the goal of becoming an emergency medicine doctor. Through a lucky twist of fate, my husband and I were both accepted into our dream medical school, the University of Texas Medical Branch.
I learned about CCEMRP through a program alumnus who praised its strong procedural training, moonlighting opportunities, and educational environment. After completing an away rotation, I knew it was the ideal place to continue my training.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time at the beach, exercising, cooking, and relaxing with my husband and our cat.
Taylor Scott, DOMedical School: Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hello, I'm Taylor Scott. I am originally from Livingston, TX. Prior to starting medical school, I was a medical scribe. My first time coming to Corpus Christi was during my away rotation and enjoyed every minute of it. I love being near the ocean and the hospital has a beautiful view from it. The faculty and residents were all approachable and eager to teach. Opportunities provided by this program are bountiful. The chicken noodle soup also gets an honorable mention. I enjoy riding my bike and the weather allows me to do so as I please.
From the city itself out of ED to inside the ED, this program has it all!
Landan Weber, DOMedical School: Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hi everyone! I am Landan Weber. I enjoy tennis, fishing, hiking, and being outdoors. I was born and raised in Rexburg, Idaho and attended BYU-Idaho for my undergraduate degree where I met and married my beautiful wife. We then moved to Fort Worth Texas where I went to TCOM for medical school. We have two kids that bring so much joy into our lives! My family and I have loved Texas and especially enjoy the mild winters, exploring parks with the kids, and of course, Buccees!
Throughout medical school, I was interested in emergency medicine but still wasn’t entirely sure about what I wanted to specialize in. I was drawn to the ideal work life balance and diversity of experiences EM provided and was content to discover it exceeded my expectations while doing a rotation my 3rd year of medical school. I loved the breadth of knowledge the specialty provided and the opportunity to offer support to patients on one of the worst days of their lives.
I chose to do my residency in Corpus after rotating here my 4th year of medical school. I was impressed by the positive environment and the support from all the residents and attending physicians. I learned a lot from the experiences that were provided and felt involved in all the procedures and social events. Witnessing first-hand what it meant to be a part of an unopposed program changed my expectations of what an emergency medicine residency program should look like. I knew that if I went somewhere else this program would be “the one that got away.”
My family and I are enjoying exploring Corpus, including the beach, aquarium, and parks. We are soaking in this stage of life together and feel incredibly grateful to be a part of such an amazing program.
McCoy Clementson, DOMy name is McCoy Clementson and I’m originally from Phoenix, Arizona. I did my undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona and then a master’s at Georgetown University. In between my degrees, I was an ED tech, where I fell in love with the specialty. I went to medical school at Midwestern University knowing that I would return to the ED one day.
I chose to do my residency here in Corpus Christi after I visited here during interview season. Everyone I met was very friendly, down-to-earth, and super smart. Once I knew how sick the population here is, I knew how great my training here would be. In my first months as a resident here, I have done more procedures than I could have imagined, taken care of incredibly sick patients, and met some incredible people at the same time.
In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, running, going to the beach, finding new restaurants, and spending time with my fiancée and co-residents.
Medical school: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hello! My name is Dr. Bryan Coburn, DO. I was born in Logan, UT, and raised in Salt Lake City. I attended undergraduate at Utah State University, graduating with a bachelor's in human biology and a minor in chemistry. My love for emergency medicine developed while at a rural, trauma-level IV emergency department during the third year of my medical education. I enjoyed interacting with the close-knit community members and making a difference in a small community when medical emergencies arose. In 2023, I was a presenter at the Uinta Basin Emergency Care Conference. During the last two clinical years at medical school, I continued to deepen my passion and knowledge of emergency medicine by learning from multiple emergency departments across the United States, such as the University of Oklahoma, Louisiana State University, the University of Las Vegas, Tower Health Hospital System, and Valley Health Hospital System.
I met my wife, Raquel, during my senior year of college. We have an Aussie doodle named Cleopatra, who loves running around the gigantic parks in Texas. In our free time, we love to explore, get good food, go to the beach, and play board games.
After living in Utah my entire life, I am excited about this new adventure in Texas. I am especially interested in helping those with emergent problems in the rural population and with pediatric emergencies in the rural populations. I chose to join the Texas A&M emergency medicine resident team at Christus Spohn Shoreline for many reasons. It is unopposed, meaning we are the only resident learners in the hospital and have tremendous learning opportunities. I like the positive working environment and the autonomy my attendings provide that expedites my learning. This program offers a unique opportunity to work in various types of emergency departments. I enjoy working at trauma-level II referral centers like Christus Spohn Shoreline, but I also look forward to working at smaller emergency departments such as Spohn South, Allice, Kleeberg, and Beeville.
I am currently the Nueces County Medical Society Representative for the first-year class. My wife and I hope to stay in the area even after my residency ends, as there is a tremendous need for emergency physicians in the area, and we want to give back to this community.
Mecham Groneman, DOHi, my name is Mecham Groneman. I was born in San Antonio and grew up just outside Salt Lake City, UT. I stayed local for undergrad at The University of Utah and went to Nova Southeastern University KPCOM in Clearwater, FL for medical school. One of my first experiences with medicine was learning CPR and first aid as a boy scout, and I always found myself drawn to the natural chaos and excitement of emergency medicine. I feel like emergency medicine was a constant flame being stoked in the background throughout my life until I realized during medical school that I truly only saw myself on the front lines, in the emergency room.
My wife and I were married shortly before moving to Florida for medical school, and we’ve since doubled our family with two boys. While most of my free time is now spent playing cars and trains, I also enjoy hiking and backpacking, camping, skiing, the beach, and playing the piano and organ.
I first met CCEMRP during a “speed dating” event at an ACOEP conference as I started my MS4 year. Among all the programs I spoke with, this one was clearly a winner. I could instantly tell they were genuine people who deeply believed in and cared about their program. They also thought I needed to know about their annual “Mustaches of Medicine” calendar, and they weren’t wrong. After watching the community pushback during the (thankfully temporary) closure and resurrection of the program and an incredibly welcoming interview day, I knew this is where I wanted to be. I actually felt so good about it after my interview that I decided to end my interview season on a high note by cancelling the rest!
Between the family connection I’ve felt since the beginning and the “unopposed” nature of the program with seemingly unlimited opportunities for hands-on learning, I have no doubt this program offers the best possible experiences in emergency medicine training. I have no regrets in my decision and feel extremely fortunate to be a resident here!
Miranda Mingen, DOMedical school: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana
Howdy! My name is Miranda Mingen, and I was born in raised in Houston, Texas on northwest side in Cypress. I went to college in Aurora, NY at Wells College and fell in love with emergency medicine as a medical scribe in my time before medical school. I love the quick pace and the broad variety of things you can see/do.
During my 4th year of medical school, I had the amazing opportunity to rotate here at Corpus Christi and absolutely knew there would be no other place like it. Day 1 and the place already felt like family. Now that I’m here training, it’s been a whirlwind of fun and excitement between the numerous opportunities for procedures to the vast pathology. Everyone is super supportive and I’m so glad I’m here!
In my free time, I spend a lot of it playing with my dog Hinome a very sassy and energetic Australian shepherd. If I’m not with the pup, you can find me outside on a run/hike, whipping up a new dish, playing volleyball/pickleball (any sport really), or hanging out with my co-residents. Although there are no mountains here to snowboard or go on a true hike, there are plenty of other fun outdoor activities I’ve enjoyed since being in Corpus from kayaking to bonfires on the beach.
Mariah Seip, DOHello! My name is Mariah Seip. I was born and raised in Springfield, Nebraska, went to undergraduate at Hastings College, and attended medical school at A. T. Still University. I was first exposed to Emergency Medicine in college after getting my EMT license, and I immediately fell in love with the specialty. Throughout medical school, after participating in campus run organization such as emergency medicine club, and advanced wilderness life support club, my love for this specialty only continued to grow.
I was fortunate enough to meet my lovely husband Jacob in Highschool, and together we have bought our first home here in Corpus Christi! In our free time, we love to do just about anything outdoors including hiking, camping, hunting, and bow-fishing! We are also huge football fans, so during football season we will be glued to the TV watching the Nebraska Corn Huskers inevitably break our hearts. While we don’t have any kids yet, we have two fur babies’ kitties, Fishstick and Nugget, that have us wrapped around their paws.
After living in Nebraska for most of my life, I was beyond ready for a change of scenery for residency, and Corpus Christi has been just that. I originally discovered this program after one of my best friends did an audition here and absolutely loved it. After hearing her talk about the culture of the program, and all the amazing things she got to do, I knew I had to check it out. Throughout my interview it became very apparent that this program was everything I was looking for. Not only is it completely unopposed, meaning that we are the only resident learners in the ED, but it felt like everyone was one big happy family and had each other’s back. Needless to say, now that I have been in Corpus Christi for a couple months, everything that was advertised has held true, and been better than I could’ve imagined. On day one, you are given the autonomy and opportunity to see the sickest patients right away and have the opportunity to make a genuine difference in a community with many co-morbidities and socioeconomic challenges.
For any medical students trying to decide where to complete residency, look for a program where you will be well trained, happy, and feel supported by all your faculty and colleagues. I couldn’t be more grateful to have matched to this program and look for to the rest of my time here.
Alexander Sharum, DOHello. My name is Alex Sharum and I am a PGY-1 at CHRISTUS-Spohn Shoreline. I am from Fort Smith, Arkansas and lived there my entire life up until residency. I attended medical school at Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine and made some lifelong friends there. I decided Emergency Medicine was the specialty for me after my first block during 4th year when I had my core EM rotation. It seemed like all the other specialties I had rotated through the year prior, although great, declined to check all of my boxes. I wanted a broad role and knowledge base, ample opportunity for procedures, and to be able to save lives every day. Emergency Medicine checked all of my boxes. In my free time I enjoy doing anything and everything outdoors. I love to kayak, fish, camp, backpack, and traveling. I enjoy hanging out with my family, friends, and girlfriend and exploring day-to-day life.
I decided to come to Corpus and join this program after my interview. It happened to be my last interview after a long interview season and at the time I felt like I knew where I wanted to match. I decided to accept the invitation and I am so glad that I did. The resident night prior to the interview really stuck out to me. Seeing how well all of the residents got along was refreshing to see. The faculty relations also stuck out to me... everyone seemed like family. It was also nice to hear how strong the residency program is in terms of the alumni network and fellowship matches. Corpus Christi has some wonderful outdoor activities such as fishing, going to the beach, and watersports making days off even more enjoyable. The food is also unmatched. Getting to grind out the trials and tribulations of residency is just a little bit easier when you have a supportive team and the beach right next door. I have learned so much in such a short time already and caring for such a diverse population will make me a well-rounded physician.
Kenneth Slimp, DOHello! My name is Kenny Slimp. I was born and raised in Abilene, Texas. I went to Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas for my undergraduate degree. From there I went to medical school at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. I fell for the specialty of emergency medicine while working as a paramedic in the cities of Waco and Brownwood. Emergency medicine has always felt like the place where I belong.
I met my wife at my first job as a paramedic where she was working as an EMT. We have two beautiful children that keep us busy. When my wife and I are not at work, we love to be outside. Now that were in Corpus Christi, we spend as much time at the beach as we can. We also enjoy hiking, camping, and traveling to places we have never been before. I enjoy woodworking and cooking when I get the time.
After living in Ohio for six years, my family and I are excited to be back home in Texas with our family and friends. The cherry on top of our moving back was matching at my #1 choice here in Corpus Christi! I did not audition here, but I knew what I wanted in a residency program. The first thing about the program that caught my caught my attention was how close everyone is to each other in the program. From day one, I have felt like part of the family, everyone is approachable and excited to help with whatever you need. Another standout feature of this amazing program is the unopposed practice of medicine in the hospital. All procedures are yours from day one, everyone will be there to support and help you. There is no graduated responsibility either. You can pick up the sickest patients in the emergency department the moment you walk in the door. We also get a lot of critical care time, covering the medical and trauma ICU. Consistent exposure to the sickest patients in the hospital helps you feel comfortable in managing any situation, preparing you for the day you practice on your own. Overall, Corpus Christi is an amazing place to live and train!
Zachary Tavallaee, DOHi, everyone, thanks for checking out the program.
I was born and raised in Carrollton, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. I also went to undergrad in Dallas at the University of Texas at Dallas where I played tennis and majored in Neuroscience. I had high-quality mentorship there, which got me interested in medicine, so I eventually scribed in the ER which is where I decided I would go to medical school. I attended TCOM in Fort Worth where I continued to pursue my hobbies of tennis, running, working out, and playing video games with my friends. Here in Corpus the residents play pickleball regularly, have gym sessions, and play sand volleyball so I've begun to incorporate those in my week-to-week life too!
I loved the program at Corpus Christi from the moment I interviewed with them. The culture here is supportive, hardworking, and genuine. We are an unopposed program that allows for more procedures and experience than most which was a priority for me. After spending these first few months here I know I made the right choice as we are gifted with incredible autonomy yet all the support we need to hit the ground running. My upper-level residents are truly capable and the faculty are excellent teachers that bring out the best of us. If you want to be the best ER doctor you can be, one who can handle anything the outside world throws out at you, this is the program for you!
Blake Theabold, DOHello there! My name is Blake Theabold. I always ask myself, “Why didn’t Gandalf have the eagles drop off Frodo and the one ring right there at the fires of Mount Doom instead of making Frodo suffer so incessantly?” I’m also married and have three kids. I was born and raised in the Arizona valley, which is also where I attended college at Arizona State. I have worked in several occupations including construction, EM medical scribing and as a ranch hand. I completed medical school at ATSU - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. Emergency medicine and I are almost as inseparable as me and my wife (which, fyi, we are not at all separable). This specialty feeds into many of my strengths and, as I’m sure many of the faculty here can attest, it targets my weaknesses and allows for an environment of rapid, efficient growth and self-improvement. I am a sucker for any type of athletic competition or outdoor activity. It has been my recent hobby to help persuade my boys to adopt similar sentiments. Corpus Christi has so much to offer in this regard!
My family and I love Corpus Christi and are beyond grateful to be a part of the CCEM family. It was our #1 choice! The CCEM residency program is #1! It is stronger than ever and full of opportunity for growth and improvement available through stellar faculty, state of the art simulation labs, unopposed learning environments, wildest pathology you ever did see, and through a culture of wellness fostered by true leadership. Find your people! I’m blessed to have found mine!
Christopher Tucker, DOMedical School: A.T. Still University | Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate University: University of New Mexico
Hello there, I am a small-town country boy from Granbury, TX. I am what most would call a non-traditional student of medicine. I graduated high school, tried going straight into college and then quickly decided that college wasn’t for me, so I spent the better part of ten years working in the oilfield, construction, and mining industries. While I wouldn’t trade the valuable life experiences I gained while working in those industries, I am so thankful that I was ultimately able to pursue my passion for medicine.
When I finally decided to go back to school and start my journey to medicine, I sought out an opportunity to shadow in the ED and was blown away by the specialty. I loved the idea of practicing the full spectrum of medicine. The adage of being a jack of all trades, in my opinion, truly defines emergency medicine. As soon as I started my clerkships and actually got to perform all the exciting procedures we do in the emergency department I was sold. While I did not have the opportunity to rotate at CHRISTUS Spohn during clerkships, my upper classmate and mentor matched to Corpus Christi and praised how amazing the program was, so I decided to apply, and I am here to tell you that was the best decision I ever made. I absolutely love the culture, how knowledgeable the attendings are, how, even as an intern, I am given appropriate autonomy to diagnose and treat patients, the amazing pathology this hospital has to offer, and lots and lots of procedures that you don’t have to fight for due to our unopposed program. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to train at a place with a tight nit group with amazing hands-on training.
Caleb Watts, DOMedical School: Lincoln Memorial University Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Bellarmine University
Hi I’m Caleb Watts. I am originally from Bardstown, Kentucky the bourbon capital of the world. I spent a few years in Texas while in the Military and fell in love with the culture here. I spent a few years in the Army as a Physician Assistant before attending medical school at Lincoln Memorial University.
My first choice of residency was at Corpus Christi. This was my first interview during interview season and it left an amazing imprint on me. The attending and residents were so nice and helpful. They were very family oriented (I have three wild kids under 5 and a lovely wife). Here you can get all the required procedures for residency within your first year. The patient population is a very complex medical population that requires deep consideration that you won't find many places else.
There’s so much to do here in Corpus and you have bigger cities like Houston and San Antonio close by. You also have a very different landscape from Big Bend National Park to East Texas. I love fishing and cannot wait to teach my son how to fish. I enjoy exercising, going to the beach, reading, and going to Church.
Austin Zimmerman, DOMedical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Brigham Young University
I am originally from Centerville, Ohio. I did my undergrad at BYU in Provo Utah, and most recently completed medical school at UIWSOM in San Antonio. My wife's family lives in the DFW area, which is what originally brought us to Texas! We love it here, so I imagine we will be staying in Texas for the long run! I’ve known I wanted to be an emergency medicine physician for as long as I can remember. I have been lucky to have had some excellent mentors and teachers over the years who helped me get to where I am today! I am incredibly passionate about the specialty and have always wanted to turn around and give back, so if you have any questions about the transition to residency or emergency medicine, don’t hesitate to reach out!
I truly believe this program is a lesser-known hidden gem and one of the best places to train in Texas and maybe even the whole country! I was lucky enough to have been recommended this rotation as a medical student by a now alumni of the program. It was one of the best decisions I could have made! The medical student rotation experience is one of a kind and the program sold itself! I feel like every member of the faculty is incredibly supportive and excited to teach. There are so many opportunities for hands-on experience and our exposure here is unopposed, which is exactly the type of training and experience you want as a resident. I ranked this program #1 and was so happy to match here! The best part is that now that I’m a resident here, I can say that I am still incredibly happy and have no regrets! It’s one big family and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else!
When I’m not at the hospital doing all the doctor stuff, I’m probably juggling my three kids and trying to figure out how to be a better husband and dad for my little family. I enjoy working on my photography hobby by taking pictures of anything and everything, and if I’m not doing that, you’ll most likely find me playing video games on my PC or switch! I’m a huge technology, AI, and 3D printing enthusiast and I’m trying to become a gym enthusiast as well!
If you’re checking out the program, I hope you’ll come rotate with us and see for yourself everything the program has to offer! Thanks for reading my bio!
Tyler Adams, DOMedical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
I am from a small town in Texas located between Abilene and Fort Worth called Olden. I then completed my undergrad at Southwestern University where I competed in football as well as track and field. I was drawn to the ER due to the fast-paced environment and procedures. I enjoy the ability to make an acute difference in a patient's life, whether that be a lifesaving intervention or giving them information for proper follow up to continue their care.
The program in Corpus Christi has delivered everything I could ask for. The unopposed nature of practice in the ER for residents offers us an abundance of procedures and builds confidence early. You are highly encouraged to take the sickest patients in the department on day one. You always have the proper backup you need, but are offered a great deal of independence. We have a great relationship with all of the staff within the Emergency department and we are treated with respect. It is a great practice environment and great place to receive training.
Living in Corpus has been a good time so far. I live in a “tiny house” directly on the water. In my free time, I have taken up fishing, and enjoy going to the beach for bonfires at night. I also hunt for the best food and coffee in town. My co-residents and faculty have become great friends, and we get together monthly. I cannot recommend Corpus enough, and if you are thinking about emergency medicine come do a rotation and see for yourself.
Aaron Bartoe, DO, MSI grew up in south Florida and developed multiple careers prior to becoming a resident at Corpus Christi. Prior to medical school, I worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic, an ER Nurse, and ER Charge Nurse. I did my undergrad at the University of Central Florida, my Master of Science at Kansas City University, and medical school at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri.
From the moment I decided to pursue medicine, I knew Emergency Medicine was where I needed to be. Unfortunately, I was not able to rotate at Corpus Christi during my fourth year. However, when I interviewed with Corpus Christi, which was my first residency interview, I found the faculty and the residents to be very welcoming, friendly, and genuine, with a true desire to provide a highest quality training possible. This became the interview by which the others were measured.
My first couple months as a resident have proven that the Corpus Christi Emergency Medicine Residency Program was the right one for me. The unopposed training environment with outstanding faculty and staff has allowed me to gain a lot more experience, procedures, and growth than I thought possible in such a short period of time.
Kilee Burke, MDHi, I’m Kilee! I grew up in The Woodlands, TX and then went to Baylor University in Waco, TX for undergrad where I majored in biology. After graduation, I moved to Galveston, TX to attend UTMB for medical school. It was there I first got to enjoy the beach life and live an island.
Moving to Corpus for residency has been great! I didn’t get to rotate here like most of my fellow classmates, but I fell in love with the program after coming to their open-house. The residents and faculty were so welcoming and everyone seemed like such good friends. Since coming here, I’m constantly reminded of how thankful I am to have matched here because our program is unopposed. As the EM residents, we do all of the procedures and manage all of the trauma patients in the ED, a luxury residents at other hospitals don’t often get or have to fight other residents for. My friends at other residencies are shocked at how much we get to do here!
In my free time, you can find me playing with my dog, Chile, going to the beach, trying new restaurants, or playing volleyball at open gym night downtown. I also really enjoy camping, hunting, archery, and fishing and try to go as often as a I can!
Elizabeth Do, DOMedical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Baylor University
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Hi, I’m Elizabeth! I'm originally from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. I attended Baylor for my undergraduate studies and worked as a scribe in the emergency department for a few years before enrolling at UIWSOM for medical school in San Antonio. In my free time, I enjoy watching Netflix and kdramas, savoring delicious food and boba, and playing volleyball with my fellow residents!
During my fourth year of medical school, I had the opportunity to rotate here, and I absolutely fell in love with this place. The warm welcome and support from both the residents and faculty made it feel like my home away from home. The faculty and residents here are incredibly passionate about teaching, and I am constantly humbled by their profound knowledge. Our program is unopposed, which means we are the only residents in the Trauma and ICU departments, allowing us to sharpen our procedural skills. Moreover, the high acuity level and wide range of illnesses create the perfect training environment, helping us learn to manage multiple critically ill patients while benefiting from the expertise of our attending physicians.
There are countless wonderful aspects to our program that can't be fully expressed in a few paragraphs. We cordially invite you to come and experience firsthand all that our program has to offer!
Griffin Geick, DOMedical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: University of North Iowa
Hometown: Bettendorf, IA
Hi, I'm Griffin! I was born and raised in Bettendorf, Iowa. I went to undergrad at the University of Northern Iowa and attended medical school at Des Moines University. It didn't take me long in medical school to realize that the Emergency Department felt like home. Every day, every shift is a mystery. The ER always keeps you on your toes, something I truly enjoy.
I was fortunate enough to complete a rotation at CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline with the CCEMRP program, and after my first shift, I knew this was the place I wanted to train. To me, I knew that I would get good training no matter what residency I went to. But what I was really looking for was a supportive environment that felt like home. That is exactly what CCEMRP provides: a supportive, family culture where I genuinely look forward to every single shift in the ED. If you're looking for diverse pathology and a high acuity place to train with no competition for procedures from other residency programs, Corpus Christi is the place for you.
In my free time, you can find me on the golf course or watching the Iowa Hawkeyes' offense struggle to put the football into the end zone.
Michael Harbin, DOMy name is Michael, I’m from Austin, TX. I went to UT Austin for undergrad (hook ‘em) and TCOM in Fort Worth for medical school. I’m a college football fan, avid outdoorsman, fisherman, pickleballer, and PADI divemaster in scuba. I’ve got two rescue dogs, a feral toddler, and my wife is a FM resident here at CHRISTUS Spohn.
I’m certain you’re not reading this page to learn more about me, as much as you are interested in the CHRISTUS Spohn EM program and if it’s a good fit for you. So I’ll tell you that I believe that this program has amazing people that know how to have fun, while also being amazingly competent in all areas of Emergency Medicine. Our faculty are overpowered in their education for us as residents, our acuity and volumes are very high, and the program is unopposed to surgical residencies. When it comes to procedures and patient care, the buck stops here. I think that makes our program incredibly unique nationwide, because you’ll find a wide breadth of training without sacrificing acuity or volume. Beyond that, the beach bonfires, group CrossFit sessions, and working hard with some of your new closest friends doesn’t hurt.
In the end, I am a believer that in residency “you get out what you put in”, and I would say that there’s no better place you could invest your time in Emergency Medicine than with the Corpus Christi family.
Christopher Lancaster, DOMedical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Southwestern University
Hi, my name is Christopher Lancaster. I was born in Sacramento, California but grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. I went to undergrad at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas and attended medical school at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. I was first exposed to Emergency Medicine while working as a scribe at a Level II Trauma Center in Fort Worth and I fell in love with it. I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
During my fourth year of medical school I was able to do a rotation here in Corpus and knew right away that this was the place for me. My goal in training is to learn as much as possible and to be as prepared as possible so that when I finish residency I will feel comfortable working anywhere. This program’s unopposed nature, with no other specialty residents to take away patients or procedures, has allowed me from day one to gain experience in the full breadth of Emergency Medicine. The attendings and upper-level residents here love to teach and ensure we are always being challenged in a way that helps us grow.
In my free time I enjoy reading books (sci-fi especially!), playing video games (wide variety including RPG, FPS, strategy, etc.), playing soccer (any sport really), and hanging out at the beach.
When looking at residencies my advice is to look for a place where you will fit in and be happy at, that is offering what you are looking for in terms of training, and where everyone respects you. I feel very lucky to be here at this program and look forward to my continued training.
Rogelio Martinez, DO My name is Rogelio Martinez, but I go by Trey. I was born and raised in McAllen, Tx. I attended Texas A&M University and graduated in 2016. After undergrad I attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio. While I was there, I earned an MPH and a master’s degree in Nutrition. I then attended University of the Incarnate Word for medical school.
In my free time, I hang out with my black lab and really enjoy spending time with friends and family. I’m a big college football fan! Gig em! I also enjoy playing golf on my days off.
Tanner Nielsen, DO Medical School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
University School: Utah State University
Hometown: Hyrum, UT
Hey everyone! My name is Tanner Nielsen. I grew up in northern Utah. I received my undergraduate education at Utah State University and worked for 5 years in the prehospital setting as a firefighter/Advanced Emergency Medical Technician during that time. From there, I made my way south and completed medical school at Rocky Vista University.
I was fortunate enough to have auditioned here as a fourth-year medical student. I was immediately impressed by the competency of the residents and their proficiency in managing sick patients and performing procedures. The culture was very welcoming, laid back, and non-hierarchical between the residents and attendings. I was instantly sold.
Our program is unopposed, offers endless opportunities for procedures, and provides care to a high volume of high-acuity patients in south Texas. Corpus Christi is a great place to live with constant sunshine and nearby beaches. My wife and I are thrilled to have matched here!
Mikayla Shorten, DOMedical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Rhodes College
Hometown: Cypress, TX
Hi, I'm Kayla! I was born in Houston but have actually lived there four separate times in between moving to England, Pennsylvania, and Washington. I went to undergrad at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, and medical school at KCU in Kansas City, Missouri. I fell in love with the Corpus Christi EM residency program during my rotation there and compared every single other program to them throughout my interview season. Everybody here is so welcoming, fun, and friendly, and there is always something exciting going on outside of work. My favorites so far are beach bonfires, sand volleyball tournaments against the Family Medicine residents, and exploring new restaurants with my co-residents. I could not be happier to have matched at such an incredible program and would love to talk to anybody who has questions about it.
Daniel Tran, MD Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
Undergraduate School: University of Texas-Austin
Hometown: Cypress, TX
Hi everyone, my name is Daniel. I grew up in Cypress, TX, a suburb of Houston. I completed my undergraduate studies at UT Austin (Hook 'em!) where I earned my BSN. I worked in a trauma IMC and ICU for about 2 years before attending medical school at Texas Tech El Paso. When I was searching for a residency program, I knew I wanted to be somewhere close (but not too close) to home. I had heard a lot of great things about Corpus Christi from my mentors in El Paso and decided to do an away rotation here. As a student, I found the faculty to be very welcoming and genuinely interested in helping me become a competent physician. All the residents I worked with seemed appropriately stressed while remaining friendly and energetic. The high acuity of the ED and the abundance of procedures ensured great training in emergency medicine.
What I came to appreciate more as I went through the interview process was how valuable being in an unopposed program is. Everyone is more than happy to give you opportunities to perform procedures, and you learn how to consult with attending physicians who are not part of a residency program. Many resources are available to you, including unlimited free food, parking, access to Rosh Review, Hippo Education, EM society memberships, and more! As a resident, I also appreciate that we spend most of our time at one hospital, with only 2 or so blocks at other facilities per year. Eight-hour shifts are fantastic; having time to work out, eat, and get some sleep on most days is a luxury I couldn't enjoy with 12-hour shifts. My peers and faculty are even more amazing than I thought when I was a medical student. I cannot stress enough how great it is to have matched here!
Outside of work, I enjoy going to the beach, fishing, visiting family in Houston and Austin, playing pickleball, eating delicious food, working out, binge-watching shows, gaming, and spending money I don't have.
Matthew Treasure, DOMedical School: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Utah State University
Hometown: Mountain Green, UT
Just a little about me: I am from Mountain Green, Utah, and attended Utah State University, where I majored in Biology. I was totally lost during my sophomore year on what to do as a career and was earning very average grades. I decided to shadow an ER doctor and was essentially hooked from that point on. My grades even magically improved once I found what I wanted to do with my life. I moved to Las Vegas with my wife, to attend Touro University Nevada for medical school. We added what we thought was a mini goldendoodle named Alta to our family, but she grew to 65 lbs. It was the best scam we have ever been a part of! I enjoy binge-watching shows with my wife, mountain biking, skiing, playing pickleball, and online Catan with friends across the country. I’m obsessed with late-night television shows and their hosts. I’m a proud Swiftie!
Why I chose Christus Health - Texas A&M, Spohn Emergency Medicine Residency:
I never got the chance to rotate here in Corpus Christi but did a last-minute change up of my rank list after my interview here. The interview just spoke to me because I realized I needed a place where I would be prepared to work in a community setting and be ready for whatever would be thrown at me. Here in Corpus, they spoke so much about how this is an unopposed residency program and we would get to do as many procedures as we would like. They also emphasized that we would be responsible for the sickest patients on our very first day, all while receiving plenty of support from faculty and co-residents. I have found that to be so true and feel so happy I am getting this experience in residency so I can leave here being the best doctor possible.
It very cool to live in a place so different from my previous experiences. I have taken well to hanging, biking, and running at the beach. I am even learning to kiteboard. I have been thrown in the air and dragged around like a ragdoll, but it has been a fun learning process.
