Our Residents

Alissa Bates, MD

Medical school: Creighton University School of Medicine

About me: I was born and raised in a small town in the south Puget Sound area of Washington State and got my BS in Biology from Whitworth University in Spokane, WA. Having initially thought a career in field ecology was the path for me and discovering in my final semester that I wasn’t so fond of it as I thought, I moved back home to figure out my next move and got a job working as an emergency department scribe. 2 years, 5 hospitals, thousands of hours typing notes, and a few great mentors later, I knew medicine, especially emergency medicine, was the path for me. Having lived in Washington for 23 years, I figured a change was in order, so I packed my bags and moved to the heartland for medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, NE. It was there I met my boyfriend, Kevin, who taught me that the stereotype “Nebraska nice” is a real thing, it wouldn’t be so cold in the Midwest if it weren’t for the wind, and there is much more to the state of Nebraska than just cornfields and cows. Outside of work I can be found baking, listening to obscure music, exploring new places, or at the dog park with my French Bulldog, Louis. I am so excited for this new adventure in the Upper Valley and to be joining the Dartmouth family! Why Dartmouth Hitchcock Emergency Medicine? Like many, I was initially drawn to Dartmouth Hitchcock by the location– I couldn't imagine a more perfect setting in which to practice emergency medicine. The more I looked at what the program had to offer, the more I liked what I found– a well-rounded and challenging curriculum, sub-specialty tracks, fellowship opportunities, and a small program size with accessible faculty and mentorship opportunities. What made Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center shoot to the top of my rank list, though, was the people. Even though interviews were virtual, I felt so welcome and at ease during my interview day. I have always wanted to be a part of a program where the people take the medicine extremely seriously, but not themselves, and that is exactly what I felt on my interview day. I think there is a preconceived notion that Ivy League programs are self-important or uptight, but I found that the culture was extremely friendly and down-to-earth. I couldn't be happier with my match!

Nick Casler, MD

Medical school: Florida State University College of Medicine

About me: Born and raised in Central Florida—I was a gymnast through high school, competing in world championships and the Pan-American Games before moving to Florida State University for college, where I performed in the circus and was captain of the coed cheerleading team. I studied exercise physiology and Spanish in college, then stayed in Tallahassee for medical school at FSU. As a medical student, I spent a year working on the development of a multicenter pediatric cervical spine research database before discovering my passion for emergency medicine. When I’m not working or studying, you’ll find me riding my bike, building and restoring furniture in my workshop, or spending time with my dingo-shepherd puppy, Mila. I chose Dartmouth EM for the people! I felt that everyone I interviewed with shared my passion for being the best emergency medicine physician you can be while also making time to hike some mountains and care for each other.

Joshua Cole, MD

Medical school: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

About me: Born and raised in a 1 stoplight town in Michigan, I spent all of my time in the woods and lakes around me. I received a degree in Mathematics at Michigan State University and moved into the healthcare software field working on systems integration and data analysis. During my programming career, I lived both on the West coast and East coast. I found that I was missing more human interaction in my life and wanted to do more to help people, so I went back to medical school. I have a passion for wilderness and austere medicine and I spend the majority of my free time outside. Together with my partner Kristin, I run, bike (road and mountain), ski (x-country and downhill), hike, camp, fish and spend time wandering the woods with our three dogs, Logan, Charlie, and Zeus. When I'm inside, I spend my time playing computer games or reading sci-fi or fantasy. I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for the amazing faculty and staff in the program, the chance to serve Lebanon and its surrounding communities, and to enjoy all that the area has to offer. I'm very excited to be moving to the Upper Valley and am thrilled to be able to continue to learn Emergency Medicine at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

Nathan James, MD

Medical school: University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine

About me: I was born and raised in a rural county in Northern California, at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This incredible environment allowed me to spend most of my time outdoors, whether backpacking, canoeing, skiing, or hiking in Yosemite. My wife and I moved to Los Angeles, California, where she attended a theatre academy, and I continued to cultivate an interest in medicine and serving my community. I transferred to UC Irvine, where I completed my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences. During my gap year I worked in a breast cancer biology research laboratory. I then completed medical school at UCI. While in medical school, I enjoyed every rotation. I realized that emergency medicine combined the best parts of each specialty and would allow me to serve a diverse patient population and improve my community. For me, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center combines the best possible training opportunities– the ability to train with diverse presentations, a variety of training locations, and a strong sense of community. I am incredibly excited to begin my residency at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

Nicholas Poole, MD

Medical school: Drexel University College of Medicine

About me: I grew up in Silver Run, Maryland, a small town just south of the Pennsylvania border by Gettysburg. I left home and attended Penn State University, studying kinesiology and becoming a coxswain for the rowing team. After graduation, I moved on to Drexel University in Philadelphia for medical school where I fell in love with the diverse patient presentations of emergency medicine. I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center EM after completing an away rotation here during my 4th year of medical school. The attending physicians and residents were welcoming and knowledgeable, I loved the access to the outdoors, and I felt at home both personally and professionally. Having spent almost all my life in Maryland and Pennsylvania, I’m happy to train with the incredible team at Dartmouth and explore New England. I like to use my free time to ride my bicycle, listen to the Grateful Dead, and spend time with friends and family I love. I am also looking forward finally learning to ski and getting the full experience of life in the Upper Valley.

Kailee Weiler, DO

Medical school: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University

About me: I was born and raised in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to college, I found my passion for medicine after my time in Panama as a Medical Missionary with Global Brigades. I learned what the doctor-patient relationship truly signified, humility and compassion. Upon arriving in the rural village of Platanilla, we were challenged with the task of setting up our medical clinic in an open-air concrete school amongst wild dogs and chickens, and a short distance from armed militia. During that time, I met patients who had walked hours or rode horseback just to see a physician. This left an impact on me as I realized I wanted to continue to serve and help those with limited access to healthcare. At University of Puget Sound I studied Biology and Neuroscience. I also found a love for research which I was able to pursue for 2 years following graduation, ultimately leading to a dream come true of being published in an academic journal. In addition, during this time, I was privileged enough to serve as a volunteer at the Cancer Resource Center and hospice. It was an honor to be a part of these incredible people’s lives and journeys, during a very vulnerable and emotional time. My goal was to help improve the quality of life of my patients even when medicine could not cure. Medical school then brought me back to the Southwest and the town of Roswell, NM for clinical rotations. Yes, for those wondering, Roswell is the UFO capital of the world. Serving in a small rural community that was absolutely inundated during the COVID pandemic motivated me to become an Emergency Medicine Physician. The diversity of the patient population, wide range of clinical cases along with the high acuity of medical need, coupled with the fast pace of the department fueled my desire to pursue EM. During residency interviews I knew Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center was the program for me because it felt like home. The residents and staff extended a sense of family amongst a top-notch academic center, not an easy task given the on-line interview process. I cannot begin to express how excited I am to continue my training at DHMC. The Upper Valley has so much to offer, and my fiancé William and I are looking forward to exploring it further. In my free time, you can find me baking goodies for my friends, painting watercolors, kickboxing, hiking, or kayaking.

Michael Drake, MD

Medical School: Chicago Medical School

About me: I was born and raised in Helena, Montana and studied French literature at Montana State University. During my summers at Montana State, I worked with Engineers without Borders in rural Kenya to develop clean water delivery systems. My time in Kenya sparked an interest in living and working abroad and I decided to move to France to improve my French language skills. I studied at the University of Montpellier, did some research in neuroscience, and had plenty of good red wine. After gorging myself on European culture, I moved to the island of Bohol in the Philippines where I volunteered with the International Deaf Education Association. After finally returning to the US, I ended up in Chicago for medical school and decided that EM would be the best way for me to further my interest in international health. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time at my cabin near Glacier Park, reading speculative fiction, playing the occasional video game, or trying to learn new languages. I’m very excited to start residency at DHMC!

Kalle Fjeld, MD

Medical School: University of Vermont College of Medicine

About me: I grew up in charming Brandon, VT and studied globalization and French at UVM. Before deciding to go to medical school I worked as a teacher in France and as a pastry chef in Vermont and Massachusetts. I returned to UVM for a post-bac and discovered my love for the ED while working as a scribe in Rutland. I attended UVM (surprise!) for medical school. I'm thrilled to be training in the Upper Valley where I can spend time doing all my favorite things: learning to be an ED doc, riding my horse, cooking, baking, sewing, gardening, and spending time with my family.

Michael Gross, MD

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine

About me: I was born and raised in Shoreline, Washington, a suburb north of Seattle. Although I came from a medical family, I never thought I would grow up to be a doctor. In High school, I took a biopsychology course that sparked my passion for biology and the brain. This led me to Bozeman, Montana where I studied neuroscience. While loving being a student, I found most of my happiness exploring the mountains close to town. During a trek through Nepal my senior year, a respected member of my group was killed in a rockslide, which served as an impetus for me to enter medicine. Following graduation, I enrolled in an EMT course and worked for a year and a half. Additionally, I lived in Spain for a summer and worked as a cook, medical scribe, and search and rescue volunteer. While in medical school, I spent my third year rotating throughout the Pacific Northwest living in rural communities and exploring the outdoors. I particularly loved my time in Alaska. In the wake of COVID, I felt a strong pull to the emergency department. I discovered that so much about the field - from its variety, global portability, and relevance to wilderness medicine - seemed too fitting not to pursue as a career. I am so incredibly excited to receive outstanding training at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, explore the Upper Valley communities, and continue life in the mountains. My (very soon to be) wife, Nell, grew up 45 minutes down the road from Norwich, so we are familiar with the area and are eager to call it home. In my free time, I love training jiu jitsu, backcountry snowboarding, serving as the fortunate recipient of my fiancé's baking passion, and playing all the racquet sports (especially pickle ball and tennis).

Samantha Hunt, MD

Medical School: University of Vermont College of Medicine

About me: I was born in a zero-stoplight town in Vermont and stuck around the Green Mountain State for college at University of Vermont, where I studied biology and played club soccer. After undergrad, I immediately got my first dog and I worked for a few years, splitting my time between being a surgical pathology grossing tech in the basement of University of Vermont Medical Center, and more excitingly (to me, at least), as a crew chief on a local ambulance, which definitely paved the way for the rest of my life. I quickly realized emergency medicine was the path for me, but Colchester Rescue is also where met the love of my life, Chris, a Vermont State Trooper, on a random 911 call at a gas station parking lot (incredibly romantic, I know). Soon after beginning medical school at the University of Vermont, Chris and I decided to rent out our house on AirBnB, which quickly became semi-VIP lodging in our small ski town, which displaced us to the living full-time in our RV for about 18 months with our dogs. We finally bought our dream house in Cambridge, Vermont which is also where we got married during my last year of medical school. We now have three dogs (Meeka, Reiko, and Loki) who control most parts of my life, and I love every minute of it. Outside of doing anything “dog”, you can find me hiking (especially in the winter), skiing, running, traveling to new places with big, beautiful mountains, or RVing with my husband. I am over the moon and so incredibly excited to continue my training at Dartmouth for the next 3 years, which really does have the trifecta of an awesome location, a top-notch program, and amazing people.

Anant Shukla, MD

Medical School: Uniformed Services UHS FE Hebert School of Medicine

About me: I grew up just outside of Boston and went to Boston University for my undergraduate degree, majoring in International Relations and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. After graduating, I spent my first gap year doing some clinical research in Boston while advising a fraternity, then I spent a second gap year working as an AmeriCorps middle-school math teacher in the Baltimore City Public School system. During that period of time I lived in a convent with Catholic nuns which was not too much of a change from living in a fraternity house (just kidding). By some miracle I got into medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and was commissioned into the US Army. Following graduation from medical school I initially matched into a urology residency; however, after completing my second year of training, and speaking to many of my mentors, I decided that surgery was not the right fit. Soon after completing the flight surgeon course at Ft Rucker, AL, I became the primary care physician for an assault helicopter battalion in Ft Bliss TX. A few months later, I had the honor of deploying to Afghanistan for 9 months in 2019 as the sole physician for Task Force Apocalypse and Forward Operating Base Dahlke (Logar Province). In addition, I would also be the CASEVAC provider for a variety of highly skilled operational teams in one of the most violent areas of the country. My deployment to Afghanistan was career altering and changed me forever. Those intense experiences, in conjunction with volunteering at a local Emergency Room during the COVID 19 pandemic, led me to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine. I am very much looking forward to returning to beautiful New England and being close to my family. My sister and brother-in-law are both military physicians currently at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and both of my parents are immigrants. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, writing, reading, meditating, yoga and personal fitness.

Natalie Stump, MD

Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine

About me: I was born and raised in a big family outside of Phoenix, AZ. After 18 long years in the desert, I decided to head east in search of seasons and big cities. I attended Boston University where I studied health science/public health. While at BU I was a varsity rower. After graduation, I worked as an orthopedic tech in the DC area and later as a research assistant back in Boston. I spent five years working, running a few marathons and generally figuring out life before attending medical school at Drexel University. During my third year clerkships I realized I was happiest while seeing ED consults and eventually fell in love with Emergency Medicine during fourth year. Outside of work I can be found baking, cake decorating, salsa making and taste testing my fiancé’s bread recipes. To compensate for my foodie ways, I also enjoy running, kettle belling and swimming. Me and my new puppy Maggie are very excited to explore the Upper Valley and are thrilled to be joining the Dartmouth EM family!

Fallon Bushee, MD

Medical School: Drexel University

About me: I grew up just north of Boston and went to college just south of Boston at Brandeis University. I studied biology, classics, and religion, as well as the bottom of Linsey Pool as a four-year member of the varsity swim team. With all those laps to mull it over, I came to realize that the best way for me to marry my passions for science and the humanities was to become a doctor. I was extremely lucky to be accepted to Drexel University in Philadelphia. My medical education was world-class, and so was the food scene—although I retain my loyalty to my hometown cheesesteak. I found Emergency Medicine to be a natural fit for me, due to my passion for accumulating as broad a knowledge base as humanly possible, and DHMC and the Upper Valley encompassed my love of all things New England. I still swim; but these days you can also find me biking, running, or otherwise triathlon-ing. I also enjoy anything outdoors, reading, listening to and playing music, and trying to understand the latest hit board game.

Monica Chowdary, MD

Medical School: Boston University

About me: I was born and raised in Northern California, in the small university town of Davis. I stayed in the region to attend college at UC Berkeley where I discovered my passion for healthcare advocacy and espresso. After graduating with a BA in Public Health, I decided to make the jump to the East Coast when I took an AmeriCorps position in Boston as a patient navigator. After falling in love with the Northeast, I chose to attend medical school at Boston University. While at BU, I stayed involved in groups and committees devoted to healthcare advocacy and eventually found my way to EM. I was instantly drawn to the role providing frontline healthcare and the specialty’s unique pulse on the community. While not at the hospital, I enjoy getaways with my friends, swimming, live music, and experimenting with latte art! I am excited to stay in New England and become a part of the wonderful Dartmouth community.

Laura Le, MD

Medical School: Texas A.M. College of Medicine

About me: I was born and raised in Houston, TX, and also went to undergrad there at Rice University. Raised as a Texan all of my life, I’m definitely ready to experience something different! I enjoy pretty much everything and truly love trying new things. Cooking and running are some of the ways I spend my free time and I’m looking to add snowboarding and cycling to that list. I’m not only excited to join the amazing team at Dartmouth and learn EM from the best but also to experience the beauty of the Upper Valley!

Miguel Reyes-Zaragoza, MD

Medical School: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

About me: I was born in El Paso, Texas but when I was three my family moved to Mexico. I grew up in Querétaro, a large urban center in the central highlands of Mexico. When the cartel violence peaked in 2006, my family and I made the decision that I should come back to the States to finish high school. Thus, I decamped Mexico for Colorado, where I arrived to finish the tenth grade. In Colorado, I learned to rock climb, and through climbing, I was introduced to the world of outdoor recreation. Having grown up in an urban center, I had never been exposed to activities such as hiking, climbing, skiing or the like, but once I was introduced, I could not get enough! This newfound enjoyment of outdoor sport led me to Bowdoin College in Maine. The two things I took away from college were 1) meeting the love of my life Erin (who is now a neurosurgery resident at the University of Vermont), and 2) my certifications as a rock climbing instructor, whitewater kayaking guide, and wilderness-EMT (technically I majored in Neuroscience and French, but I am prouder of the former achievements). After college, I worked in the outdoor industry: leading hiking trips in Peru, working as a climbing guide in New Hampshire, and as a ski patroller in Vermont to name a few. Throughout my time in the outdoor industry, I realized that I was more into wilderness medicine and rescue that into the outdoor activities themselves. The growing realization that I wanted to do something in medicine was brought to focus after the death of my close friend and roommate to a heroin overdose. After that I decided to pursue medicine, so I applied to a master’s program at New York Medical College, and from there attended the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Today, I have a rekindled enjoyment of outdoor recreation, and particularly enjoy backcountry skiing and mountain biking (especially when my wife and dog come along!). Emergency medicine was a natural choice for me, given my previous experience with wilderness medicine and pre-hospital care, and I am very happy to join the talented team at DHMC for the next three years!

Julie Voydik, MD

Medical School: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

About me: I was born in Portland, OR and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, but have spent most of the past decade on the east coast. I became interested in pursuing medicine as a career after spending a year deployed to Iraq as an Army medic in 2009/2010, where I discovered the world of high acuity and emergency medicine in a trauma center near Baghdad.

After my time in the army, I completed my B.S. in Chemistry and worked as an EMT on the NICU/PICU transport team for Children’s Hospital in Oakland before moving to New England for medical school. Despite my west coast roots, I’ve survived my first few real winters relatively intact, after learning that what qualifies as a “coat” in CA is woefully inadequate for the inside of a Hanover hockey rink in February.

In my “spare” time, I enjoy hiking (my favorite hike was a thru-hike of The Enchantments in WA), scuba diving (a tough pursuit while living in New England, though I did once dive in Boston Harbor), cooking vegetarian and vegan food, and being a soccer/baseball/hockey mom for my 8 year old son, Axel.

Kathleen White, MD

Medical School: Kansas University

About me: I’m a born and bred Midwesterner. I was born and raised in Kansas City, attended undergrad at the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!), and stayed in state for medical school at KU in Wichita. I’m excited to be migrating out to New England and the beautiful Upper Valley for residency and am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Dartmouth EM family. In my free time I enjoy the great outdoors, hiking, photography, and running. My indoor pursuits include reading Wikipedia articles, jigsaw puzzles, and binging Netflix. I love traveling and exploring everything the world has to offer.