Aaron Small, DO
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Undergraduate Institution: St. Edward’s University
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Bio: Raised in San Diego, I spent my early days chasing seagulls on the beach and body surfing near La Jolla Cove. As I’ve grown, my simple pleasures now include playing with my two mischievous orange cats (rescued from a dumpster), attempting to keep 19 houseplants alive, and maintaining a nine-step skin care routine. Choosing Vanderbilt has been an incredible decision—beyond the world-class education, the people here make coming to work truly enjoyable.
Dorothy (Adair) McCafferty, DO
Hometown: Charleston, S.C.
Undergraduate Institution: Clemson University
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Bio: I grew up in Charleston, S.C., before earning both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition at Clemson (go Tigers!). I then moved to Houston, Texas, to become a registered dietitian, where I met my husband. While working as a renal dietitian, I realized I wanted to pursue a career as a physician. When I interviewed at Vanderbilt, I immediately felt it was a place where my family and I would thrive. We are a diverse yet close-knit group, which makes the experience especially meaningful. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors with my husband and two kids, going on coffee dates with friends, cooking, and running. Fun fact: I qualified for the Boston Marathon and hope to do so again soon!
Andrew (Andy) Steiner, MD
Hometown: A small town in Colorado
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington
Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine
Bio: I grew up exploring the mountains of Colorado and the waters of the Pacific Northwest. Before medical school, I had a career in business and technology consulting, followed by work in the nonprofit sector focused on organizational transformation and technology innovation programs. Eventually, my path led me to medicine, and my spouse, our daughters, and I are thrilled to be in Nashville for training—and for adventuring through the forests and waterfalls of Middle Tennessee! We love the vibrant warmth of the city and its surrounding areas; it’s an excellent place to raise a family. We couldn’t be more excited to be here and to have the opportunity to train in this program, growing alongside an incredible group of co-residents and faculty.
Brayden Raper, MD
Hometown: Wylie, Texas
Undergraduate Institution: University of Oklahoma
Medical School: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
Bio: I grew up around Dallas, Texas, where I spent most of my time in gymnastics and competitive cheerleading. I cheered at OU for undergrad, where I became a die-hard college football fan (Boomer Sooner!). After returning to Texas for medical school, I moved to Nashville to join the best anesthesiology program ever. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my co-residents, my fiancé, and my two dogs—whether that’s running and exploring parks around Nashville or relaxing with a drink while listening to live music at one of the city’s local dive bars.
Bright Etumuse, MD
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Undergraduate Institution: University of Houston
Medical School: The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
Bio: I grew up in the beautiful city of Lagos, Nigeria, before moving to Houston with my family as a young man with a dream. I attended the University of Houston and then UTMB for medical school. I moved to Nashville for residency to train at an incredible program and to stay connected to my wife’s community in the Memphis area. In my free time—yes, it does exist during residency!—I enjoy connecting with family and friends, going on trips planned entirely by my wife, working out, and learning to play new musical instruments (I’m currently learning the saxophone!). Residency has been a wild ride so far, and it’s amazing to see how much growth has happened in just seven months. I’m excited for the next few years, maybe four—of bonding and making lasting memories with my co-residents. I truly love and enjoy what I do.
Camryn Means, MD
Hometown: Panama City Beach, Fla.
Undergraduate Institution: University of Florida
Medical School: Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Bio: I grew up in the Florida Panhandle and attended the University of Florida for college (Go Gators!). I then headed a bit farther north to North Carolina for medical school before landing in Tennessee for residency. I couple matched with my fiancé, Justin, who is a pathology resident, and Vanderbilt has been an amazing fit for both of us. We were especially drawn to the supportive, welcoming culture, the investment from residency leadership, and, of course, the city of Nashville. We are so happy here, and I absolutely adore my co-residents. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy trying new restaurants and coffee shops, hosting charcuterie nights with friends, reading a good book, and binge-watching reality TV for hours on end.
Caroline Heltsley, MD
Hometown: Hopkinsville, Ky.
Undergraduate Institution: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Bio: I grew up in a small, rural town in Western Kentucky, just an hour from Nashville. After eight amazing years in Lexington for college and medical school, I was ready to be closer to my family. It didn’t take long to realize that Vanderbilt had everything I was looking for in a residency program—not only am I closer to my family than I’ve been since leaving home, but I’ve also found a family within the department and the community I’ve been lucky enough to build since moving here. In my free time, you can find me taking walks with my golden retriever, Murphy, attending my favorite Pilates studio, or tending to my many houseplants (or adding to my collection at a plant nursery). Choosing Vanderbilt was the easiest decision I’ve ever made, and I can’t wait to see what the next four years here will bring!
Christopher (Brett) Bankston, MD
Hometown: Crossville, Ala.
Undergraduate Institution: The University of Alabama
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Bio: I grew up on a farm in a small town in North Alabama, just a few hours from Nashville. After spending the past ten years between Chicago, Philadelphia, and Houston, matching at Vanderbilt felt a bit like coming home! In my spare time, you can find me binge-watching the latest shows, hiking or exploring Nashville’s parks and outdoors with our dogs, Billie and Cooper, or trying new restaurants around the city with friends and co-residents. When applying to residency, I was looking for a program with a welcoming culture and broad clinical experience. I found exactly what I was looking for!
Courtney Burns, MD
Hometown: Madison, Connecticut
Undergraduate Institution: University of Michigan
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School
Bio: I was born and raised on the Connecticut shoreline before venturing to the Midwest for college and medical school at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). During medical school, I completed a full-time research year studying mental health challenges among anesthesiologists following adverse events, which solidified my desire to pursue a research-focused residency training program. I was drawn to Vanderbilt’s BH Robbins Scholars Program and have been incredibly impressed by the resources and opportunities available to support my goal of becoming a physician-scientist. I also love the department’s close-knit culture—my classmates are some of my best friends! Outside the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my cat, Ruthie, reading fantasy novels, exploring Nashville’s vibrant food scene, and attending events at the Nashville Symphony, Nashville Ballet, and Frist Art Museum. Vanderbilt was my top choice, and every day I am thrilled with that decision!
Emma Parenteau, MD
Hometown: Phoenix, Ari.
Undergraduate Institution: Grand Canyon University
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine – Phoenix
Bio: I grew up in the New Jersey/Connecticut area before heading west to Arizona, where I completed both my undergraduate and medical school education. I am thrilled to call Nashville home for residency. Outside of work, I love attending spin classes and spending quality time with my family and friends. I couldn’t have picked a better place to train—Vanderbilt truly feels like a family!
Hisham Kashif, MD
Hometown: Marietta, Ga.
Undergraduate Institution: Augusta University
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia at August University
Bio: I was raised in Marietta, Georgia, and moved to Augusta for both undergraduate and medical school. While Vanderbilt offers excellent clinical training and abundant opportunities to explore academic interests, the biggest reason I chose this program was the people. I have never experienced such a welcoming and supportive community. My wife, our two cats, and I love exploring the city, especially the nearby trails. When I’m not in the hospital, I enjoy weightlifting, discovering Nashville’s restaurants as a self-proclaimed foodie, and watching hockey (Go Preds!)
Jesica Burke, MD
Hometown: Snellville, Ga.
Undergraduate Institution: University of Georgia
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Bio: Outside the hospital, I enjoy building LEGO sets, journaling, cooking gluten-free Caribbean meals, and staying active by exploring different workout classes around Nashville. I am incredibly grateful to be at Vanderbilt, where the faculty and residents have created a supportive environment that truly feels like a family.
Kinza Meghani, MD
Hometown: Southlake, Texas
Undergraduate Institution: The University of Texas at Austin
Medical School: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Bio: I knew Vanderbilt was the perfect place as I ventured out of Texas for the first time! What drew me to this program was the supportive environment, incredibly kind people, and unparalleled global health anesthesia opportunities. In my free time, I enjoy traveling (50 countries and counting!), reading mystery thrillers, attending sporting events, watching reality TV, and exploring new coffee and matcha spots around town. Being part of the Vandy “dream team” has quickly made Nashville feel like home!
Kurt Leseberg, MD
Hometown: Dubois, Wyo.
Undergraduate Institution: University of Wyoming
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Bio: Although Nashville is far from home, the people here still have the small-town vibe I was looking for. I grew up spending my summers fly fishing in the mountains, hunting elk in the fall, and riding snowmobiles in the winter. Since moving to Nashville, I’ve loved experiencing the music scene. I also enjoy cooking and experimenting with new dishes, sometimes letting my friends be the taste testers, for better or worse! I couldn’t be happier with my choice to train at Vanderbilt. My co-residents are some of the most thoughtful and intelligent people I’ve ever met, and the leadership has been incredibly supportive. Go Bills and Anchor Down!
Margaret (Maggie) Alvord, MD
Hometown: Tacoma, Wash.
Undergraduate Institution: University of Utah
Medical School: University of Utah School of Medicine
Bio: I grew up in Washington State, in a suburb about 20 minutes outside of Seattle. I attended the University of Utah for both college and medical school, where I learned to ski for the first time! I’m thrilled to have moved to Nashville with my fiancé to begin my career in my dream program and specialty. I love VUMC’S Department of Anesthesiology because everyone is genuine, kind, and supportive. In my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants and exploring this incredibly fun and exciting city!
Marissa Martinelli, MD
Hometown: Grosse Ile, Mich.
Undergraduate Institution: University of Michigan
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School
Bio: I had only lived in Michigan until I moved to Nashville for the residency program, starting in the suburbs south of Detroit and then spending many years in Ann Arbor (Go Blue!). I studied Biomedical Engineering in college, though I knew I didn’t want to work as an engineer, and eventually found my way to medicine. I was fortunate to travel abroad several times during undergrad and medical school, both for school-related projects and personal solo trips. I love meeting new people and experiencing new places! While the robust global anesthesia opportunities at Vanderbilt initially drew me to the program, it was the supportive culture and family-like environment that truly won me over. I’ve also been impressed by the outdoor spaces around Nashville! I enjoy walking at Shelby Park with my fiancé and our dog, Miller (unfortunately, he is not named after the laryngoscope blade). Nearby state parks with beautiful waterfalls are also my favorite. In my free time, I like going to the gym (Gym 5 in East is awesome), snuggling with Miller, and attempting to paint.
Natalie Jones, MD
Hometown: Springfield, Virginia Undergraduate Institution: Virginia Tech Graduate School: Georgetown University Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Bio: I grew up in Northern Virginia before heading to Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!) to study Neuroscience. I then returned briefly to the DC area to earn my master’s in Neuroscience at Georgetown before finding my home in Nashville for medical school. I joined the U.S. Navy as an HPSP scholar when I started at Vanderbilt and look forward to my service after training. I loved Nashville’s music scene, great food, southern hospitality, and amazing people so much that I had to stay for residency! On a day off, you can find me spending time with my wonderful co-residents, running the trails in the area with my dog, Wonton, and exploring the many new restaurants and bars around the city.
Nicole Levine, MD
Hometown: St. Petersburg, Fla.
Undergraduate Institution: Tulane University
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Bio: I absolutely loved growing up in St. Pete, Florida, but when it came time for college, I was ready for something new. I had the privilege of playing volleyball at Tulane University, where I completely fell in love with the city of New Orleans. I was fortunate to remain there for medical school as well, and while New Orleans and I had a great run, after eight years I was ready for a new chapter. Vanderbilt felt like the perfect fit. With a vibrant city that shares so much of NOLA’s culture, the transition has been seamless, and I’ve loved immersing myself in Nashville. Beyond the city itself, I’ve been truly impressed by the people and the teaching I’ve experienced so far. The Department of Anesthesiology has been especially welcoming and supportive, and I’ve also enjoyed getting to know residents across other subspecialties. Outside of work, I love spending time with my co-residents (they are truly the best), staying active through sports and exercise, and exploring new restaurants and bars around the city. I’m excited to see what else Nashville and VUMC have to offer!
Sean Bloos, MD
Hometown: Waxhaw, N.C.
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Carolina
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Bio: I grew up in a small town just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, before spending time across the Southeast and eventually making my way back to Nashville. Before pursuing medicine, I worked as a firefighter and paramedic, which sparked my interest in resuscitation and critical care and ultimately led me to anesthesiology. When it came time for residency, I was excited to return to Nashville. I chose Vanderbilt for many reasons, most notably the program’s supportive leadership, strong sense of community among residents, and exposure to critical care and high-volume trauma cases. Outside the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our two Labrador retrievers, Maggie and Tucker, listening to live music at intimate venues like the Listening Room Café, exploring Nashville’s food scene, and staying active. When I can, you’ll also find me snowboarding or relaxing with a good bourbon.
Stephanie (Steph) Cardenas, MD
Hometown: Joliet, Ill.
Undergraduate Institution: Loyola University Chicago
Medical School: The University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences Pritzker School of Medicine
Bio: I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and later moved into the city for undergrad and medical school. I fell in love with Vanderbilt during my virtual interview because of its strong sense of community and family. That feeling was confirmed during my second look (and the appeal of warmer winters!), and my husband and I have been happily exploring a new city ever since. Outside the hospital, you can usually find me thrifting, lifting heavy things, watching unapologetically trashy reality TV (the trashier, the better), listening to Bad Bunny, attempting to learn Polish, or hunting down the best matcha spots in Nashville.
Terilyn Stephen, MD
Hometown: Naknek, Ak.
Undergraduate Institution: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Bio: I grew up in a rural commercial fishing village in Naknek, Alaska, and completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees in chemistry at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. I then moved to the big city of Chicago and fully embraced city life while completing an MD/PhD in neuroscience at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The main reasons I chose Vanderbilt were: 1) the residents are happy, 2) the program leadership genuinely cares about you as a person, and 3) the clinical and research training are phenomenal. When I’m not at the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two daughters exploring the area and trying new restaurants. Some of our favorites include 8&R Coffee Company, Degthai, and Tantísimo.
Valeria Gamarra, MD
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Florida
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
Bio: I was born in Peru and moved to Florida at a young age, where I loved growing up in the Sunshine State—a place people vacation year-round. Moving to Ohio gave us the chance to experience true seasons—and even snow—but eventually, it was time to head south. As soon as I met Vanderbilt residents at ASA, I knew this was where I was meant to be. The residents and program leadership made me feel comfortable being myself, and when we found out I matched here, we were beyond excited. Since then, my husband and I have loved living in Nashville with our two dogs, Hunter and Nala. There’s always something to do, and we enjoy exploring the city and catching live music whenever we can. We are excited to see what the next few years will bring!
Yeong Ha Oh, MD
Hometown: Ringgold, Ga.
Undergraduate Institution: Berea College
Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Bio: I was born in South Korea and grew up between Tennessee and Georgia, moving up and down the East Coast along the way. Nashville has been home for quite some time now. I met my husband, now a surgical resident, during medical school, and we are incredibly grateful to remain at Vanderbilt for residency. It’s truly an exceptional environment, filled with support, mentorship, and opportunities for growth. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, practicing hot yoga, and exploring all the new restaurants Nashville has to offer!