PGY-1 Bios

Camille Adajar

Hometown: Reno, NV
Undergraduate Education: University of Nevada, Reno
Medical School: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Bio: I spent my childhood moving around the US - so far I’ve called New York, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, and Nevada home. I’m so excited to add Nashville to that list! When interviewing for residency, Vanderbilt truly felt like a perfect fit. The diverse clinical training, unique global health opportunities, and genuine kindness and support I received from everyone I interacted with solidified my want to become a part of the Vandy fam. In addition to hanging out with my lovely co-residents, other things that bring me joy include chai lattes, Broadway musicals, board game nights, trying new restaurants, and exploring Nashville with my fiancé Hunter and puppy Beignet.

Ashami Athukorala Cooper

Hometown: Lexington, KY
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Bio: I was born in Sri Lanka, grew up in Malaysia, Boston, MA, and Lexington, KY, before settling in Nashville. I enjoy taking walks and getting out in nature after spending the day in the hospital. Fortunately, I have found some beautiful parks close to where I live. My favorite activities are hiking, cooking, and trying new foods. But I also really enjoy staying in with my husband and binge watching a good show together. I also LOVE dogs. We don't have a pup of our own yet, but I love meeting friendly pooches out on our walks. When applying to residencies I was looking for somewhere with great training and good people. After my second look, I knew this was the program for me! I have the most supportive co-residents and I am excited to learn and explore the exciting places here in Nashville!

Sarah Birk

Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Undergraduate Education: George Mason University
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Bio: I grew up in coastal Virginia and spent time living in California and Washington, DC before heading to Nashville. I fell in love with the anesthesiology program at Vanderbilt at first sight. Even during the virtual open house, it was obvious how warm and welcoming the faculty and residents were, and I am so happy I matched here.  My co-residents are amazing, and I love that we all hang out together several times a month. My husband and I are having a blast exploring Nashville, including the many top restaurants and outdoor activities. We live with our cat Sashimi in Germantown, which is a great, walkable neighborhood. There is always something to do, and we are very excited to spend the next four years here.

Byranna Buchman

Hometown: Waunakee, WI
Undergraduate Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Bio: I am a Wisconsinite through and through but couldn't be more excited to start this new adventure in Nashville and at Vandy! From day one, the Vanderbilt Anesthesia Department felt like a home away from home. I am so excited to have the opportunity to train alongside the very best, and serve patients all across middle Tennessee and the surrounding areas. Outside of the hospital, you can find me training for the Rock and Roll Marathon in April, binge watching trashy reality TV shows, or continuing the quest to find the best brunch spot in Nashville!

Courtney Cleary

Hometown: Huntsville, AL
Undergraduate Education: Auburn University
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
Bio: Originally from Huntsville, AL, I decided to go out of state for medical school at UTHealth Houston after graduating from Auburn University (War Eagle). While Vanderbilt is known for incredible clinical education, what truly made this program stand out were the people. The faculty and residents here are all such fun, supportive people who are truly invested in you as a future physician and as a colleague/friend. For me and my two corgis (Roo and Marley), Nashville has quickly turned from a new place into a new home! We’re always down for a walk around McCabe or Percy Warner Park - you just might have to bribe Roo with a pup cup. On weekends, I love live music, anything outdoors, and a good brewery with friends!

Alexis Cull

Hometown: La Grange, IL
Undergraduate Education: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Bio: Having spent my childhood in a Chicago suburb, I went to Vanderbilt for undergrad while my family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. I already loved Nashville and after learning about the incredible International Anesthesia program at Vanderbilt, I couldn’t wait to return to Vandy to join the Anesthesia family! When I’m not in the hospital, you’ll often find me on runs, enjoying walks with my husband and our new dog, or trying out new restaurants around Nashville!

Cooper Elkins

Hometown: Brentwood, TN
Undergraduate Education: Auburn University
Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
Bio: Born and raised in Middle Tennessee, I grew up enjoying everything Nashville has to offer from the live music and delicious food to the fan-centered sports scene and great hiking spots. While I follow professional sports including golf, football, hockey (go Preds!), and basketball, I really enjoy a good pickup game of pickleball or basketball. My wife and I live in the Charlotte Park neighborhood and love walking to shops and living in Nashville! When I’m not working in the hospital, you can find me on the pickleball court, working out, playing Settlers of Catan, hiking any of the nearby trails, playing a round of golf, or enjoying some down time with my wife.

Mercede Erickson

Hometown: Whitefish, MT
Undergraduate Education: Brigham Young University
Medical School: University of Utah School of Medicine
Bio: As a Montana local, I was raised in the northern Rocky Mountains where I grew up skiing, hiking, backpacking/camping, and on a perfect night, watching the Northern Lights. I relocated to Nashville after spending time in Utah for school and enjoying Salt Lake City’s stellar outdoor access. These days, when I’m not in the hospital, I enjoy being outside (I’m slowly adjusting to the Tennessee humidity), live music, vinyl records, brunch and Nashville's food scene, house plants, and book club gatherings. I am so grateful for the opportunity to train at Vanderbilt among such incredible and compassionate anesthesiology residents and faculty! I can’t wait for the next four years with this Vandy crew!

Olivia Gignilliat

Hometown: Glencoe, IL
Undergraduate Education: University of Michigan
Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University
Bio: I am a Midwest transplant enjoying the warmer weather that Nashville has to offer. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and did my undergraduate at University of Michigan before heading back to Illinois for medical school. In my spare time, I love to explore local parks and coffee shops, head to a brewery with friends, cook new recipes, and curl up with a good book. On longer breaks, you can catch me traveling to a ski resort or national park. The warmth and support I have felt from colleagues and faculty at Vanderbilt has been everything I had hoped for in a program, and I am so excited for the years to come!

Tejaspreet (Tejas) Kaur

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Undergraduate Education: University of Southern California
Medical School: Des Moines University
Bio: I was born in Chicago and grew up moving around the Lake Michigan states throughout my childhood. I knew Vanderbilt's program was the perfect fit for me from the warm supportive atmosphere cultivated by the residents and faculty along with the plethora of perioperative and global health opportunities. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, working out, feasting on diverse cuisine, and attending local music festivals. Nashville has been a wonderful town to explore with my new family of co-residents, and I look forward to discovering all that Tennessee has to offer!

Morgan (Abby) King

Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Undergraduate Education: Trinity University
Medical School: University of North Texas HSC-TCOM
Bio: I'm originally from Fort Worth, TX and completed by undergrad in San Antonio, TX, where I also met my husband. We headed back to Fort Worth for medical school. The research opportunities and training quality initially drew me to Vandy, but the community and people here are what truly stand out. I couldn't imagine a better group of humans to spend the next 4 years with. Outside of residency, I spend my time exploring Nashville with my husband and our 2 rescue pups, trying out new bars/restaurants, and catching as many concerts as we can!

Michael Morgan

Hometown: Roswell, GA
Undergraduate Education: University of Georgia
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Bio: I was excited to venture out of the state of Georgia and come to Nashville for residency. My favorite part about Vandy so far has been the culture here. Everyone is very friendly, eager to teach, and wants to do right by their patients. Outside of the hospital, you can find me exploring the live music scene of Nashville. I’ve played the drums since I was 8 years old and have a passion for music. I also love doing anything outdoors, cheering on my Atlanta sports teams, and enjoying all the delicious food around town. I couldn’t be happier with my decision to come here.

Vida Motamedi 

Hometown: McLean, VA
Undergraduate Education: University of Virginia
Medical School: Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Bio: My name is Vida and I grew up in the suburbs of Washington D.C. in McLean, Virginia. I studied Biology and Dance at the University of Virginia (Go Hoos!) and attended medical school at Wake Forest University. My son (aka my puppy) Rumi and I live in Downtown Nashville, and we absolutely love it. Outside of the hospital I enjoy walking around the many parks in Nashville, checking out hotel rooftops, eating at new restaurants and dropping into fitness classes. I was looking for a program that would support my growth both personally and professionally and Vandy offers just that. I am so grateful to be a part of this family and could not imagine being anywhere else!

Rachel Rios

Hometown: Columbus, OH
Undergraduate Education: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis
Bio: I grew up in Columbus, Ohio, then came down to Vanderbilt for my undergraduate education. I loved Nashville as an undergrad, and I still do! I missed the city while I was in medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, and I was thrilled to come back for residency. Aside from the great location, the culture of kindness and warmth made Vanderbilt stand out for me. When I’m not at the hospital, I enjoy exploring Nashville with my co-residents, taking yoga classes, baking, painting, and snuggling with my cats.

Anthony (AJ) Sermarini

Hometown: Boyertown, PA
Undergraduate Education: Princeton University
Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Bio: I’m originally from the Philadelphia suburbs, where I grew up with my parents, dachshund, and identical twin, Zach. After college in New Jersey, I decided to see what Southern hospitality was all about and moved to Nashville for medical school. Needless to stay, I was impressed! Vanderbilt’s culture of wellness is truly special and permeates the hospital – from the attendings down to the medical students. I was a Navy HPSP scholar in medical school, but don’t ask me if I know how to drive a ship. My hobbies outside of the hospital include hiking, cooking (ask me about my family’s stuffed olives), mixing cocktails, and singing. You can find me swapping scrubs for a tuxedo to sing with the Nashville Symphony Chorus a few times a year. I’m so so excited to be sticking around at Vanderbilt. The Vandy Dream Team is alive and well – my co-residents feel like family and I’m looking forward to the next 4 years!

Nilang (Neil) Shah

Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Undergraduate Education: Emory University
Medical School: University of California-Davis School of Medicine
Bio: I am originally from Chattanooga, TN. I left TN for college and then lived in California and Ohio prior to returning back to TN. My significant other and I are both residents are VUMC and are thrilled to be back together again in Nashville (with our two cats, Missy and Rambi). We love exploring different restaurants, music and spending time with friends.

Bennett Sorenson

Hometown: Lake Oswego, OR
Undergraduate Education: Pitzer College
Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University
Bio: I grew up in California and Oregon so I was a complete stranger to Nashville and the South before coming to Vandy! I could not be happier with my decision! I live with my partner near Centennial Park, the site of frequent summer concerts and a replica of the Parthenon. Outside the hospital, you'll find me climbing, exploring the outdoors, or heading to a new spot in the city with my co-residents. The training and culture here are absolutely incredible! There's a reason we call it the Vandy Dream Team!

Akshay Thontakudi

Hometown: Cupertino, CA
Undergraduate Education: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Bio: I grew up amongst the beautiful beaches and parks of northern California before fleeing to St. Louis for college and medical school. When I was looking at residency programs, I wanted a place that valued camaraderie and had a strong training environment in a fun city.  It's only been a few months, but I already feel at home with my co-interns and in Nashville, and I can't wait for what the coming years bring! When I'm not in the hospital, I love running at Percy Warner park, trying out new food all over the city, and petting other people's dogs (with permission of course).   

Lauren Widner

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Undergraduate Education: Wake Forest University
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton
Bio: I pinch myself every day that I get to train with these inspiring people at Vandy and have the opportunity to introduce myself. Before living the dream, I spent most of my life in Florida, with the past 9 years being in Tampa where I worked as an emergency medicine physician assistant. While my family will miss life on the water, my husband Ted, my son Rhys (4), and myself are stoked to explore beautiful Tennessee. You can catch us chasing Rhys on his bike, exploring outdoors, listening to live music, or eating our way through Nashville in our downtime. We're hoping to make it to some NHL games, too, but we're not jumping on the Preds bandwagon just yet (Go Bolts!).

Jen Wray

Hometown: Colleyville, TX
Undergraduate Education: Dartmouth College
Medical School: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Bio: I grew up in the suburbs of Texas before I made my way north for college and medical school (with a three year detour living in New York City!). I've embraced all kinds of seasonal activities: especially hiking, skiing, kayaking, water skiing, and running. During the week you can find me unwinding with a good book, baking some chocolate chip cookie variant or experimenting with new cuisines in my kitchen. On my days off I'm all about spending time outside -- whether it's hitting the trails, playing tennis, firing up the grill, or convincing my friends to go camping with me. Of course every full day activity should be followed up with a good cocktail or craft beer, and Nashville does not disappoint in that area! I am so grateful to be part of the #Vandyfam. Everyone I have met here has been nothing but friendly, kind, and welcoming. Nashville already feels like home!