Current Residents

Hometown: Princeton, NJ

Undergraduate: University of Michigan

Medical School: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine

Career Plans and Interests: Sports Medicine, Interventional Spine, Spinal Cord Injury, Adaptive Sports, Regenerative Medicine, Open

Why VUMC:  The resident culture is close-knit and supportive.  All of the faculty at Vanderbilt are approachable, personable, and leaders in their respective fields.  Vanderbilt is a top tier academic center with incredible resources and learning opportunities for all residents.  Nashville is also a great city to live in with all of the food, music, culture, and outdoor activities in the surrounding area!

Outside Interests and Hobbies:  Playing really any team sport, running, hiking, skiing, reading, watching college sports (Go Blue, Go Bulls, Go Dores!), exploring all the hot chicken and BBQ in Nashville, and cooking.

Hometown: Knoxville, TN

College: Creighton University

Medical School: Creighton University

Career Interest: Sports and Spine, TBI, Regenerative Medicine

Why VUMC: When I came here to interview, I was blown away by the people here. Everyone was so kind and answered all the questions I had. While talking with the current residents, it became clear that this was such a supportive and engaging place to train. The faculty and staff here make it not just a top tier place to train, but an incredible environment to grow into an excellent physician. Being at VUMC and in Nashville is very exciting!

Outside Interests and Hobbies: Skiing, biking, swimming, and fly fishing. I also enjoy all things trivia. I try to go to trivia nights whenever I can.

Hometown: Sacramento, CA

Undergraduate University: Washington University in St. Louis

Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University

Career Plans: Open-minded

Why VUMC: Excellent training, supportive faculty, and a ton of research opportunities. Everyone here is incredibly passionate about their work and has gone out of their way to make me feel welcome and here. Plus, Nashville is a fantastic place to live and work.

Outside Interests/Hobbies: Hiking, fishing, cooking, and taking on far more DIY projects than I have time to finish.

Hometown: Calgary Alberta, Canada 

Undergraduate: Southern Virginia University 

Medical School: Western University of Health Science 

Academic Awards/Honors: Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southern Virginia University, Marriott Scholar, Gold Humanism Honors Society, Pre-doctoral Teaching Fellow 

Career plans: Regenerative Medicine, Interventional Spine and MSK

Why VUMC: Coming to Vanderbilt was an easy decision. After interviewing all over the country at top ranked programs I finally found a program that wasn’t “ok” with being where they were, figuratively speaking. In VUMC I found a program that is advancing, growing, and recruiting some of the best physicians in the country. Vanderbilt’s progressive vision of PM&R and its future is second to none and I was tremendously excited by the opportunity to be a part of a program that is shaping the future of PM&R. 

Outside Interests: My family is my life and my wife is my best friend. Spending time with them is my all-time favorite thing, regardless of the setting. I also love teaching and I’m a little obsessed with Ultrasound; and maybe some fly fishing and basketball.

Hometown: Loveland, Colorado

Undergrad: University of Kansas

Med School: University of Kansas School of Medicine

Career Plans: Adolescent/college sports medicine (as of right now)

Why VUMC: The opportunity to work in a large, renowned medical center while still having a supportive and friendly culture. Dr. Sullivan and the whole department really care about you as a person, not just a resident and it shows.

Outside interests/hobbies: Soccer, amateur paleontology, and hiking/running with my dog.

Hometown: Enugu, Nigeria 

Undergraduate University: Lee University 

PhD: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine 

Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine 

Academic Awards/Honors: Cornelius Scholarship, Jonathan and Virginia Scholarship, Williams Scholarship, Vanderbilt Vaccine Center Scholarship 

Career Plans: Brain Injury, Cancer Rehabilitation, Interventional Spine, Pain Medicine, Pediatric Rehabilitation, Regenerative Medicine, Research

Why VUMC: By attending medical school at Vanderbilt, I got opportunities to have multiple rotations within the PM&R department at VUMC, where I got exposed to the teaching culture among the VUMC PM&R faculty. I was also fortunate to perform research within the department, where I got to learn about the opportunities to pursue my research interests as a resident at VUMC. As a patient at the Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation hospital after life-saving brain surgery, I got to experience the quality of care provided by the PM&R doctors at VUMC; a nature of care that embodies the type of doctor I want to train to become. A combination of the type of training I will receive, and the research opportunities available to me, will make training at VUMC the best path to prepare me for my future career.

Hometown: Lawrence, KS

Undergraduate University: University of Central Florida

Medical School: University of Florida

Career Plans: interests include pediatric rehab and sports medicine

Why VUMC: The people, the culture! It was evident during the interview how warm and friendly everyone was, and that has stayed true every day since. The program really emphasizes caring for their residents just as much as their patients, and that was something I didn't experience everywhere - Vanderbilt is an incredibly special place.

Outside Interest/Hobbies: I grew up playing percussion and love all things music, including currently teaching myself how to play ukulele. I've also been enjoying exploring the many amazing restaurants in Nashville, trying to find the best tacos in town, playing board games and card games, and spending time with my significant other and our sweet pup named Brooke.

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Undergraduate University: Liberty University

Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Career Plans: Open minded

Why VUMC: I chose Vandy because of the supportive and inviting faculty and residents I met on interview day. I knew it would be a positive atmosphere to train in and that I would be invested in by the faculty. The program is also very well rounded and offers exposure to many subspecialties, things I wanted in my residency choice. The trajectory of the program to continue building and excelling was another component of my choice to come here. Plus, Nashville is a cool place to call home for a few years. 

Outside Interest/Hobbies: Exercising, Spartan Races, playing sports, hiking/camping, rollerblading, reading, New England sports (Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, Celtics)

Hometown: Marion, IL

Undergraduate: Miami University in Oxford, OH

Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Career Plans: Undecided; Currently Interested in Neurorehabilitation, Sports Medicine

Why VUMC: I became familiar with the VUMC PM&R program as a medical student, and I was immediately drawn to it by the great people. They were so welcoming and interested in teaching physiatry, and they wanted me to be as successful as I could be. Additionally, I wanted to be part of a group working to become the best PM&R residency program in all areas including the best residents. I am proud to be in this program and working with all the residents, faculty, and staff.

Outside interests/hobbies: walks with my wife and dog, intramural basketball, golf, reading, crossword puzzles.

Hometown: Overland Park, KS

Undergraduate: Tulane University

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine

Career Plans: Sports; Interventional Spine/Pain

Why VUMC: Vanderbilt is a great learning facility and environment, with opportunities to see varied and diverse pathology. There is an inclusive culture, and an emphasis on the health & wellness of residents. In addition, the ability to learn hands-on and have opportunities to perform procedures early in the program was important to me.

Outside interests/hobbies: Rock climbing, running, jazz piano, guitar, soccer, woodworking, brewing beer.

Hometown: Deerfield, IL

Undergraduate: Georgia Institute of Technology

Medical School: Carle Illinois College of Medicine

Career plans: Undecided; Currently Interested in Academic Medicine/Teaching

Why VUMC: Kind, supportive, and fun people in the PM&R program, combined with stellar educational and research opportunities throughout Vanderbilt. Also spending 4 years in Nashville!

Outside Interest/Hobbies: Rock climbing, hiking, HIIT, exploring farmers markets, restaurants, beer and craft cocktails, live music, salsa dancing, traveling, practicing Spanish.

Hometown: Fort Myers, FL

Undergraduate: University of Florida

Medical School: University of Florida College of Medicine

Why VUMC: It's Vandy! It's a cutting-edge place with the best co-residents and culture. I felt Vanderbilt had great sports coverage opportunities and solid exposure to MSK medicine during training. It also doesn't hurt to be in Nashville!

Career Plans: MSK/Sports, Concussion/TBI, Ultrasound-guided Injections, Carpal Tunnel Releases, and Trigger Finger Releases.

Outside Interests/Hobbies: mountain and road biking, running, houseplants, hanging out with my cool co-residents.

Gary Allen, M.D.

Hometown: Princeton, North Carolina

Undergraduate University: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Medical School: Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

Career plans: Sports Medicine, Interventional Spine, Pain Medicine, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Spasticity Management, Clinical Informatics, and General Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Why VUMC: I chose Vanderbilt PM&R because the program offers a well-rounded education with supportive faculty that are eager to be mentors. The department is expanding rapidly and located in a world-class academic medical center with extensive resources in any discipline. Also, Nashville is an amazing city with a thriving music scene and lots to do on days off.

Outside interests/hobbies: Golf, basketball, UNC athletics, coffee (caffeine), hot sauces (sriracha), adding jalapeños to my order and bargain hunting.

Kevin Gilbert, M.D.

Hometown: Pico Rivera, CA 

Undergraduate University: University of California, San Diego  

Masters: Johns Hopkins Carey Business School  

Medical School: University of California, San Diego School of Medicine  

Career Plans: Interventional Spine, Pain Medicine, Sports Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, Open-Minded  

Why VUMC: Couples matched with my partner (Pediatrics). Large academic program with incredible residents and faculty that expressed interest in developing incoming residents into amazing physiatrists and supported interests inside and outside of the hospital.

Outside interests/hobbies: Sports (Basketball, Football, Golf, Baseball, Pickleball, etc.), board games, exploring new restaurants and speakeasies/bars, trying to work out to combat my love for eating out.
 

Kelly Michanczyk. M.D.

Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA

Undergraduate University: Louisiana State University

Medical School: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans

Career Plans: Open-minded; Interests include Brain Injury, Cancer Rehabilitation, Interventional Spine, Sports

Why VUMC: Vanderbilt has the perfect balance of academic excellence within a genuinely positive and encouraging learning environment. There are endless opportunities for cutting edge research, and I feel I will be very well-prepared for anything I decide to do with my future career. Plus, Nashville is a wonderful city with lots of live music and outdoor activities!

Outside Interests/Hobbies: Watching LSU sports, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, traveling, spending time with my significant other and our dog, Charlie.

Austin Sturdivant, M.D.

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Undergraduate University: The University of Memphis

Medical School: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Medicine

Career Interests: Open-minded. Sports/Spine, TBI, Regenerative Medicine

Why VUMC: I was able to do an away rotation here during my fourth year of medical school and loved it. The attendings in every sub-specialty within PM&R want to teach and care about helping the residents learn. The culture of support in the residency program makes it a great place to train, and Nashville is awesome!

Outside Interests/hobbies: Golf, biking, taking my dog to the park with my wife, restaurants, any live music, or sporting event!