CA-1 Bios | Department of Anesthesiology

Haylee Bergstrom Hometown: Dana Point, CA Undergraduate Education: Duke University Medical School: Rush Medical College Bio: From California to North Carolina, Chicago to Nashville, I have seen and lived in (too) many places across the country. What drew me to Vandy was the kindness, positivity, and support I felt from each and every person I met in the department. Things that bring me happiness include but are not limited to: my family, Duke basketball, Settlers of Catan, Harry Potter, Google Sheets, Diet Coke, Shark Week, and intentional puns. Outside of the hospital, I am most excited about exploring new breweries and listening to live music with my co-residents who already feel like family!				Mikaela Biavati Hometown: Dallas, TX Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Worth, TX Bio: I grew up in Dallas, TX and have spent time in both the East and West coasts, living in Orange, CA and Philadelphia, PA. I landed in East Nashville with my husband and tuxedo cat, Sulley, and we absolutely love it. When not at work, we spend every chance we get traveling locally and abroad, trying new foods, and skiing! For me, Vandy was an easy choice. During my interview, I felt so welcomed by the warmth and sincerity of everyone I met, and I can attest that this feeling has not changed since joining the department.
Brandon Farmer Hometown: Lexington, KY Undergraduate Education: Western Kentucky University Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine Bio: Hi! Before coming to Vanderbilt I was at the University of Kentucky where I completed all of my medical and graduate training. My wife and I bought a house in Goodlettsville (just north of Nashville) and are enjoying all of the parks and restaurants that the Nashville area has to offer. When I’m not at the hospital, you might find me on a pickleball court, at a local brewery, or at home spending time with my family. When applying to residencies I was looking for somewhere that had ample research opportunity, a focus on building resident community, family friendly culture, and excellent clinical training. Vanderbilt has delivered in all these categories, and I couldn’t be happier to train here.				Paul Al Francois Hometown: Fort Myers, FL Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida Medical School: Meharry Medical College Bio: I am originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. My family and I moved to Florida when I was eleven years old. I grew up playing soccer and I am a big Manchester United fan. I also enjoy basketball, volleyball and running. I really enjoy working out during my free time. On days off, I can be found enjoying the many wonders of Nashville. I am extremely happy to be at VUMC and grateful for the amazing second family it has given me through all the residents & faculty.
Ian Funk Hometown: Jacksonville, NC & Stuttgart, Germany Undergraduate Education: The University of North Carolina Medical School: The University of North Carolina School of Medicine Bio: I grew up moving around from military bases on the East Coast and in Germany – so 'home' tends to be wherever my family is currently stationed. I'm fortunate enough to be a 2x Tar Heel (BA '16, MD '22), and I look forward to hosting NCAA national championship watch parties and converting all of my co-residents. In my time off, I enjoy playing tennis, running on the awesome trails around Nashville, eating all of the incredible food with live music in the background, and exploring the downtown spots with my new friends. In addition to Nashville, I chose Vandy because of the close relationships between the residents and faculty, and the emphasis on mentorship, wellness, and diversity in clinical training.				Faith Genereux Hometown: East Charleston, Vermont Undergraduate Education: Tufts University Medical School: Robert Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont Bio: Growing up in New England, I found myself immersed in the many garden varieties of biking, skiing, and various other outdoor activities. Now that I've found my home away from home in Nashville, I'm excited to explore the infinite number of restaurants and state parks spread around the city and beyond. On the weekends you can find me going for a run outside, playing pickleball with my husband, and taking my pup to the river, followed by a game of cribbage at a nearby brewery. I chose Vanderbilt because it was clear that they valued cultivating a strong sense of community among the residents and within the department; I couldn't be happier establishing myself as a Nashvillian!
Kaylea Gunn Hometown: Cameron, MO Undergraduate Education: University of Missouri-Kansas City Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine Bio: I grew up in Cameron, MO, a small town an hour north of Kansas City. After living in the same area all my life, I knew that I wanted to move away and experience new things. I also knew that would require finding a home away from home and a program that feels like family. VUMC Anesthesia was exactly that! On my days off you can find me searching for the best lavender latte in town, poolside, or exploring the amazing city of Nashville! I could not imagine spending my four years training anywhere else!				Chelsea Gustafson Hometown: Cary, NC Undergraduate Education: UNC-Chapel Hill Medical School: UNC-Chapel Hill Bio: I am from North Carolina but moved west down I-40 to explore the great city of Nashville! It seemed like such a fun city with live music, professional sports, and proximity to great parks/trails. I also knew my friends and family would be sure to visit me if I moved here! I was drawn to Vanderbilt because everyone seemed so friendly and emphasized the department has a culture of teamwork and collegiality. In my free time, you can find me playing tennis or pickleball, trying a new brewery, or cheering on my beloved Tar Heels!
Janet Kim Hometown: Brea, CA Undergraduate Education: Cornell University Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine Bio: I was born in Pakistan and grew up in Southern California. I bopped around and spent some time living in New York, Northern California, and Philadelphia before making my way down to Nashville! I was drawn to Vanderbilt because of the genuine support and warmth I felt from the residents and faculty. I was looking for a home away from home, and found just that! Nashville has also been a blast to explore, with its vast food, music, and outdoor options, and it’s been even more fun exploring it with my co-residents. Outside of the hospital, I love exploring local happy hours, dabbling in art projects like ceramics, attending group fitness classes, and eating as many tacos as I can.				Yuri Korobchuk Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO Undergraduate Education: University of Colorado - Boulder Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine Bio: Hi everyone! I was born in Russia and grew up in Colorado at the foothills of the Rockies. I am a big sports fan (go Avs, sorry Preds fans) and I love a good pickup soccer game. When I’m not at the hospital, you can find me at a local park playing catch with my toy Australian Shepard, Juniper, or exploring unique bars/restaurants with my wife. Not only is Nashville one of the most energetic and fun cities, but the Vandy culture of camaraderie is what truly drew me to this program. I am so excited to be part of the Vandy Dream Team and work alongside these wonderful human beings!
Hasti Mazdeyasna Hometown: Tehran, Iran Undergraduate Education: UC Berkeley Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Bio: Hey everyone! And welcome to Vanderbilt! I’m Hasti! I grew up in Iran, moved to California and did my undergraduate at UC Berkeley before moving to Virginia for medical school. I was both excited and nervous about moving to Nashville but couldn’t be happier with my decision to join the Vandy Dream Team! I have been amazed by how kind, welcoming and supporting everyone has been. I live in midtown, and in the same building as a couple of my co-residents, and walk through the Vanderbilt undergrad campus to the hospital everyday. On my days off, I enjoy running, hot yoga, tending to my house plants, and exploring different restaurants and breweries in Nashville. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about Vanderbilt or Nashville.				Ryan McMahon Hometown: Mahtomedi, MN Undergraduate Education: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Medical School: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Bio: My hobbies include basketball, football, weightlifting, running, and taking our golden retriever, Milo, out for long walks after work. Moving to Nashville from the freezing north has been great for a Minnesotan who never learned how to properly ice skate. I have loved taking advantage of the wide range of live music available and the mouthwatering food that the city has to offer. I also can indulge in my obsession for sports with the Titans and Predators playing only a few miles away from campus. I have loved being a part of the welcoming and supportive Vanderbilt family.
Micah Newton Hometown: Kijabe, Kenya Undergraduate Education: University of Richmond Medical School: UT Southwestern Bio: My hobbies include hooping whenever possible, eating out with my wife, hanging by the pool, watching shows (Severance is a new favorite) and being outdoors. Spending most of my life in Kenya, I was initially drawn to Vanderbilt because of the robust global anesthesia program. Aside from that, I quickly realized that the supportive and family environment that this department fosters is unlike anything I could have hoped for. As one of the fastest growing cities, Nashville always has something new to offer or explore!				Matthew Nordness Hometown: Menomonee Falls, WI Undergraduate Education: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Bio: I grew up the oldest of seven, in a suburb of Milwaukee, WI. Prior to medical school I worked as a pediatric ICU nurse, was in a band, and was a semi-professional skateboarder. I currently live in south Nashville with my wife Mina (surgical resident here at Vandy), our sons Milo (2) and Cyrus (8m), our two dogs and cat. In my free time I love spending time with my family, reading, cooking, and playing guitar.
Ashley Peotter Hometown: Kaukauna, WI Undergraduate Education: University of Wisconsin - Madison Medical School: UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health Bio: I grew up and attended undergraduate in Wisconsin before joining the Air Force. This took me to Texas and Mississippi where I found my love for hot weather and biscuits! During medical school back in WI I met and married my husband Nick, now an IR resident, who did undergraduate in Florida. Our mutual love for the south and the stellar programs at Vanderbilt brought us to Nashville. I have two cats, love to cook, spend time outdoors, and ride horses!				Christine Peters Hometown: Denver, CO Undergraduate Education: Harvard Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine Bio: Hello everyone! My name is Christi, and I am originally from Denver, but have lived in Boston, Nashville (prior to medical school), Winston Salem, NC and now back to Nashville! My husband and I live in the Sylvan Park neighborhood with our puppy Sadie. We love to walk to get food in our neighborhood and it is only a 10-minute drive to the hospital! My other hobbies include running, hiking with our pup, drinking iced coffee, and being outside. My husband works in the music industry and plays the cello (bluegrass mostly), so it is a great city for the both of us. My favorite thing about Vanderbilt anesthesia has been how fun and kind my co-residents are and how incredibly supportive the faculty, administration, and upper-level residents are. Please reach out if you have any questions!
Sarah Schneider Hometown: Sioux Falls, South Dakota Undergraduate Education: South Dakota State University Medical School: University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine Bio: Hi friends! I am a homegrown South Dakotan who migrated to Nashville with my husband (best decision we've ever made)! I was drawn to Vanderbilt because of the familial and supportive culture of the program in addition to the exceptional training! My husband and I love exploring everything Nashville! You can find us on our bikes on the Music City Greenway (if you can catch us), taking a stroll through Percy Werner Park, visiting the farmers market, exploring the newest rooftop bar or brewery with my amazing co-residents, or seeking out the best shaved ice vendor in town! I am beyond grateful to be surrounded by incredible co-residents who have become my family!				Bola Soliman Hometown: Giza, Egypt/Nashville, TN Undergraduate Education: Lipscomb University Medical School: Meharry Medical College Bio: Hello everyone! I was born in Giza, Egypt and lived there the first ten years of my life. I then moved to Nashville, TN with my family in 2005 and have been here ever since. Even though I call myself a Nashvillian, I really live south of Nashville in the Antioch/LaVergne area- farther commute but cheaper cost of living. I chose to train at Vanderbilt for many reasons. I didn’t have a home anesthesiology program at my medical school, and I felt that Vanderbilt really took me in when I expressed interest in the field. I was able to connect with mentors, both residents and attendings, who were extremely knowledgeable, humble, and willing to offer their time to guide me through the process. I’d heard a lot about the “culture of family” at Vanderbilt, but I experienced it myself even before starting intern year. Outside the hospital, I love playing soccer, spending time with family and friends, and traveling the world. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions about Vanderbilt, residency, Nashville, or life in general- I would love to help!