PGY1 Residents
Brian Ayotte, DO
Undergraduate: Merrimack College
Medical School: Des Moines University
Professional Interests: Sports medicine, obesity medicine, lipidology
Hometown: Salem, NH
Hobbies: Building computers, mechanical keyboards, videogames, weightlifting, and bread baking
Why Spartanburg Regional? SRHS ticked all the boxes I was looking for in a family medicine residency program. The opportunities are numerous and the people are incredibly welcoming. The overall good vibes I received during the interview trail from SRHS were unparalleled and I knew I found my people.
Lillie Campbell, DO
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina - Wilmington
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Women’s health, obstetrics, lactation, preventative care
Hometown: Goldsboro, NC
Hobbies: Spending time with my husband and daughter, taking our labs to the park, and watching the Today show
Why Spartanburg Regional? I wanted to stay in the Carolinas and love the area! I am also very excited about the women’s health and obstetrics training residents are provided. Spartanburg Regional was by far my favorite residency interview because of how welcoming and encouraging the staff and attendings are.
Tiffany Fanter, DO
Undergraduate: Westminster College
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Obstetrics & Women’s Health, Preventative Medicine, Outpatient Medicine, SDOH
Hometown: Wingina, VA
Hobbies: Beekeeping, bamboo gardening, tattooing/body art, make-up, knitting, baking/cooking, art
Why Spartanburg Regional? The number one reason I chose SRHS Family Medicine Residency as my top choice is because of the overwhelming amount of support and love I felt from the attendings, faculty, staff, and residents. My interview and my in-person second-look visit left me with a feeling of overwhelming happiness. and I knew that moment that I found my “family,” and I knew I would be well-supported during my residency training. I already felt I was a part of the SRHS family and could not be happier with the supportive learning environment. The program also provides high-volume inpatient and OB experiences and fills my passion for women’s health and obstetrics. I knew SRHS would provide me with the education I needed to be supported and challenged to become a well-rounded, exceptional full-spectrum family medicine physician. I cannot wait to see what the future holds!
Chandler Kaufmann, DO
Undergraduate: State University of New York College at Oneonta
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Sports Medicine, Dermatology, OMT, Procedures
Hometown: Manorville, NY
Hobbies: Knife throwing, hiking, cooking, wellness
Why Spartanburg Regional? I chose Spartanburg Regional because I was looking for an essentially unopposed residency experience that allows me to pursue my interests within medicine. I was also looking for a program that had a mixture of rural and suburban training that fully prepared me for inpatient and outpatient practice. For me, it was critical to see that the faculty held similar interests to me. When I interviewed and went on my second look, I felt like I was home. The faculty welcomed me with open arms and were genuinely excited to show me what made Spartanburg the right program for me. Also important was the fact that my family is close by, there’s plenty of hiking, and an added bonus of a Chipotle on my commute home from work!
Taylor Martinez, DO
Undergraduate: Florida International University
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University - Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Women’s health, behavioral health, education, advocacy
Hometown: Miami, FL
Hobbies: Puzzles, reading, thrift shopping, gardening, farmers markets, and cooking
Why Spartanburg Regional? Spartanburg Regional originally caught my attention at the AAFP conference in July 2022. I met Dr. Bouknight and the chief residents and they were so caring, kind, informative, and truly made me feel like I already belonged. I then completed an audition rotation a few months later and felt like the faculty and residents treated me like part of the team and I found myself growing as a person and medical professional in just 4 short weeks. I found that Spartanburg Regional truly encompassed everything I wanted in a residency program: full spectrum family medicine program, plenty of opportunities to learn and practice women’s health, the prominent role it plays in serving its community, and the dedication to teaching its residents to be competent, caring, and educated.
Merritt McGowan, MD
Undergraduate: The University of Georgia
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Obstetrics & Women’s Health, Ultrasound, Academic Medicine, and Rural/Underserved Populations
Hometown: Camilla, GA
Hobbies: Mentoring students through my website/social media pages, frequenting Mexican restaurants with my husband, and playing with Wink, my special needs cat
Why Spartanburg Regional? Honestly, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System checked all my boxes and made the decision so easy for me. I was first drawn to the program for its reputation of providing extensive Obstetrics & Women’s Health training to equip residents for the opportunity to pursue a surgical OB fellowship. From there, the emphasis on providing full-spectrum, holistic care as family medicine physicians, the camaraderie among both fellow residents and faculty, the opportunity to work with medical students, and the unopposed feel of the program won me over. I am so excited to be joining this residency team!
Mackenzie Morris, DO
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus
Professional Interests: Women’s Health, Urgent/Acute Care, Behavioral Health
Hometown: Newburgh, NY
Hobbies: Creative writing, travel/exploring, board games/puzzles, gardening, music festivals/concerts
Why Spartanburg Regional? The Upstate became our home over the last four years while in school at VCOM. My wife and I want to continue to grow our roots in the area and stay close to family in Charlotte. The people at SRHS seemed genuinely happy, and the staff was warm and inviting from the moment the interview process started. I am excited about the various tracks and opportunities as well as the flexibility the program provides to explore my interests in medicine.
McKay Morrow, DO
Undergraduate: Utah State University
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - South Georgia
Professional Interests: Broad-Spectrum Family Medicine, Sports Medicine, OMT
Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Hobbies: Sports, the Atlanta Braves, audiobooks, hunting, gardening, boating, and spending time with my amazing wife and 4 children
Why Spartanburg Regional? I did an audition rotation at Spartanburg Regional and really enjoyed it. It was a great environment for learning and residents and attending were easy to get along with. In my opinion, it seemed like a good mesh of rural and urban and community hospital and academic center. I felt the curriculum was well-rounded and I liked that it had osteopathic recognition, great training, and I could live in the beautiful Upstate South Carolina!
Samantha Rikabi, DO
Undergraduate: University of South Carolina - Columbia
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus
Professional Interests: Women’s Health & Obstetrics
Hometown: Newberry, SC
Brittney Shultz, DO
Undergraduate: East Tennessee State University
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Rural Primary Care, Mental Health, Procedures
Hometown: Crossville, TN
Hobbies: Houseplants, Gardening, Painting, Scrapbooking, Hiking
Why Spartanburg Regional? I chose Spartanburg Regional for the combination of rigorous training with a family atmosphere. I was looking for a family-friendly program where residents are supported and encouraged, and a program with few other residency specialties. I felt that the Spartanburg program has all of this and more!
David Unland, DO
Undergraduate: East Tennessee State University
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: OMM, Medical Missions, Hospice & Palliative Care, Rural Medicine
Hometown: Mt. Juliet, TN
Hobbies: Nashville Predators Hockey, Owner/Handler for Dog Showing, Cooking, International Travel
Why Spartanburg Regional? Having worked with SRHS for my clinical years of medical education, I felt the program possessed the heart of a true servant-leader. Of course, the rural clinic is outstanding, the faculty are warm-hearted, and the career opportunities are truly endless with this program, however, I see the desire to uplift those we serve. That is the culture I want to be a part of.
Alexa Zak, DO
Undergraduate: St. Bonaventure University
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Lifestyle Medicine, Pediatrics, Outpatient Medicine, Procedures
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Hobbies: HIIT Workouts, Jumping Fitness, Ballet, Spending time with friends & family
Why Spartanburg Regional? Spartanburg Regional just felt right! During my interview and open house tour, I was welcomed with open arms and hugs from residents and faculty. I felt part of the family already and knew how supportive my environment would be during residency. I love that Spartanburg’s Family Medicine Residency is relatively unopposed in a community-based setting. As a result, I will have ample opportunity to learn and grow in all scopes of family medicine, especially pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, osteopathic medicine, and procedures. I truly feel I can become a well-rounded family physician at Spartanburg Regional!
PGY2 Residents
Gabriela Avalos, MD
Undergraduate: Florida State University
Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Women’s Health, obstetrics, pediatrics, underserved care, and academic medicine
Hometown: Weston, FL
Hobbies: Farmer’s markets, festivals, local restaurants, cooking, video games and audiobooks
Why Spartanburg Regional? Spartanburg Regional met everything that I was looking for in a program: high-volume inpatient and OB experiences in a community hospital, full spectrum family medicine clinic, and a diverse patient population to give back to the community. My decision to rank them as my #1 was confirmed after my interview day when I felt like I had found “my people”. I knew the supportive and welcoming environment combined with their excellence in training would help me become the best version of me I could be. I cannot wait to see what the future with SRHS holds!
Thomas Balint, DO
Undergraduate: Bob Jones University
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Chronic Pain, Acute and Chronic Disease Management
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Hobbies: Reading, playing games and Nature walks with my wife
Why Spartanburg Regional? I chose Spartanburg Regional for several reasons. The first reason was the family atmosphere at the program. I was fortunate to be able to come here for an audition rotation, and I loved every minute of it. I felt appreciated, listened to, and was heavily involved in patient care even as a 4th year medical student. The second reason I chose this program was because of the osteopathic recognition. On my rotation I was able to perform OMT on several patients and saw residents helping each other with OMT on a regular basis. The program walks and talks osteopathic medicine, and I know I will have a great learning experience here. The final reason I chose Spartanburg was location. My wife and I are from Greenville, SC. It was important for us to be close to family as we being to grow our own family in the future.
Jennifer Brown, MD
Undergraduate: Georgia Institute of Technology
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Obstetrics & Women’s Health, underserved populations, advocacy, preventative medicine and OMT
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, taking my doodle to the park, going to the beach, road trips, trying new restaurants, music, dancing, gym, mentoring and community service/volunteer work
Why Spartanburg Regional? Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System provides broad Family Medicine training in a supportive learning environment, but also gives me the ability to pursue my professional interests such as in Obstetrics through the OB track, providing care for the underserved, OMT certification, and patient advocacy. I knew I wanted to train at an unopposed community program that provides a positive and individualized learning experience and SRHS does just that! While I was meeting and getting to know the residents and administrative staff on interview day, it was an extra bonus that showed me I would be working with some very fun and friendly people. It’s clear that SRHS is deeply invested in my success as a Family Physician, and I am so grateful to be training here!
Elizabeth Davis, MD
Undergraduate: Winthrop University
Medical School: University of South Carolina-Columbia
Professional Interests: Obstetrics, Women’s Health and Outpatient Medicine
Hometown: Travelers Rest, SC
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, playing with my dogs, game nights with family and friends, and trying new coffee shops with my husband
Why Spartanburg Regional? I knew in medical school that I loved Women’s Health within Family Medicine and wanted to go to a program that both allowed me to nourish that passion and made me feel at home at their program. SRHS was well-above any other program in the amount of exposure to deliveries and I felt so connected and cared for in every interaction I had with faculty. The icing on the cake was that I grew up in the Upstate and would be able to be back around my family for residency by being here at SRHS. With every conversation I had with faculty, I felt more and more at peace with my decision to continue my medical training here at a place where I knew I could learn in a safe environment around faculty and residents that would challenge me daily to be a better physician.
Monica Eshak, DO
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus
Professional Interests: Preventative Medicine
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, playing table tennis, and anything to do with music
Why Spartanburg Regional? After doing my clinical rotations at SRHS, I knew it was the place for me. SRHS provides numerous opportunities for excellent training! I was truly able to see how excited both the residents and faculty would get as concepts were mastered. Everyone treats each other as family and that was exactly what I was looking for.
Laura Hillard, DO
Undergraduate: Clemson University
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Lifestyle Medicine, Women’s Health, Behavioral Health and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Hometown: Anderson, SC
Hobbies: Gardening, CrossFit, playing board games, traveling and hiking with my husband and our dog
Why Spartanburg Regional? The SRHS Family Medicine Residency Program was everything I was looking for and more! I wanted a residency where I would feel supported and part of a family. I also wanted an osteopathically recognized residency that had a focus on lifestyle medicine and behavioral health. I know that I will be supported, encouraged, and challenged to become a well-rounded, exceptional, full-spectrum family medicine physician.
Alyssa Johnson, MD
Undergraduate: Clemson University
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia
Professional Interests: Women’s Health and Obstetrics
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Hobbies: Crafting, playing with my dog, and spending time with family
Why Spartanburg Regional? I have always had a strong interest in Women’s Health, but I also enjoy the breadth of experience that Family Medicine has to offer. This program allows me to explore my specific interests within Family Medicine while also getting a well-rounded experience. I knew once I got to speak with the Program Director and other residents. I would have a family in this program. I felt as if I had already known everyone for years, and I knew it would be exactly the type of work environment I needed in a residency program.
Bryan Lotici, DO
Undergraduate: University of South Florida
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Preventative Care, Women’s Health and Dermatology
Hometowns: Safety Harbor, FL & Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Hobbies: Experiencing different cultures through travel, language acquisition, hiking, biking, camping, bonfires and comics
Why Spartanburg Regional? I came across Spartanburg while doing a road trip during undergrad and thought of how nice it would be to live in a smaller city that is near the mountains and larger towns. I spent a month on an away rotation with Spartanburg Regional and wish I had not done so elsewhere. The faculty, residents and the staff are passionate and easy-going people, you can visibly see how much they value the residents and medical students’ education. Second- and third-year residents are more than equipped to go on and explore the many routes a family medicine physician can embark on, and the program made me feel like family. It was an easy choice.
Anna Morgan, DO
Undergraduate: Emory and Henry College
Medical School: Edward Via College Of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus
Professional Interests: Women’s Health and Sports Medicine
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Hobbies: Play basketball, hiking with my husband and recently crocheting blankets
Why Spartanburg Regional? Spartanburg Regional felt like home! My husband and I both were fortunate enough to do a clinical rotation here during medical school. We learned so much, in a great environment, among residents and faculty who truly seemed to care for one another. No other program could compare, and we are thrilled to be here!
Micah Morgan, DO
Undergraduate: High Point University
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus
Professional Interests: Rural Primary Care, Emergency Medicine and Sports Medicine
Hometown: Merritt Island, FL
Hobbies: Trail running, Hiking, Camping and Cooking
Why Spartanburg Regional? I chose Spartanburg Regional because of the wonderful educational and learning environment provided by the Family Medicine Residency Program. I was able to do clinical rotations at SRHS during medical school and was completely blown away by both the attendings and the residents. Both were incredibly knowledgeable, and helpful. I knew that Spartanburg Regional would prepare me to be the best physician possible.
Christina Peterson, DO
Undergraduate: Western Carolina University
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus
Professional Interests: Family Medicine
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Hobbies: Cooking, baking, reading, going to the movies, travel and gardening
Why Spartanburg Regional? During medical school, Spartanburg Regional was my core site for rotations, and I absolutely loved every minute of my family medicine rotations here. While working with the family medicine residents and faculty, I saw multiple examples of the physician I hope to become. I am very excited to bow be a part of the wonderful Family Medicine Residency Program and can’t wait to learn everything this program has to offer.
PGY3 Residents
Sydney Achee, DO
Undergraduate: Rowan University
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Women's health, behavioral health
Hometown: Pennsville, NJ
Hobbies: Snowboarding, travel, watching movies of all kinds (especially B-rated horror flicks)
Why Spartanburg Regional? Spartanburg Regional is the place to be! From the faculty, to the residents, and all of the opportunities that the program provides. This residency is like no other. I was extremely lucky to be placed at SRHS for my medical school rotations. I realized very early on that the residency program is much like a family. I was supported and encouraged as a medical student and knew that if I chose to become a resident here, I would feel that support and encouragement through my entire training!
Cordell Beaton, DO
Undergraduate: The University of Maine
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Preventative medicine, women's health, pediatrics, osteopathic manipulative medicine
Hometown: Houlton, ME
Hobbies: Playing guitar, video games, farming, fishing, hunting, exercising, traveling
Why Spartanburg Regional? I chose SRHS family medicine residency program for many reasons. First, during my interview day everyone I talked to was very friendly and caring. In additional to the hospitality, the program was strong in both women's health and pediatrics. This program also incorporates osteopathic manipulative medicine, which I am excited to continue training to use in my future practice. Finally, the location is great being within hours from the mountains, beach, and many cities.
Brandon Blackwell, DO
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Procedures, ultrasound, underserved populations
Hometown: Ash, NC
Hobbies: Cooking, solving puzzles, playing cards and board games, spending time with family, friends and my dog
Why Spartanburg Regional? After completing my medical school core rotations at Spartanburg Regional, deciding to continue my training here was simple. The family medicine residency program fosters a welcoming environment with well-rounded training in an essentially unopposed hospital. SRHS family medicine residency has a long history of success and I am excited to be a part of the team.
Joshua Clark-Fuqua, MD
Undergraduate: J.B. Speed School of Engineering
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Contraception, sex education, sports medicine
Hometown: Benton, KY
Hobbies: Bouldering, hiking, weight-lifting, video games, board games
Why Spartanburg Regional? I loved the feeling I got overall at my interview. I already knew SRHS had intense training, great facilities and opportunities in a smaller town setting. The residents and staff made me feel like I found my people and where I could become the physician I wanted to needed to be!
Katlyn Clark-Fuqua, MD
Undergraduate: Western Kentucky University
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Rural Medicine, geriatrics
Hometown: Auburn, KY
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, fitness, playing with my dog, Sophie, board games, video games
Why Spartanburg Regional? As soon as we interviewed here, my husband and I loved this program. The people here were so excited to talk about the program and let us know how wonderful it is. We love the unopposed feel in a smaller town, while knowing Spartanburg is known for its comprehensive and well rounded training. We are so happy to have matched here!
John Efstathiades, DO
Undergraduate: University of Florida
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: OMM, lifestyle medicine
Hometown: Port Charlotte, FL
Hobbies: Improv and sketch comedy, reading, short story writing, collecting vinyl records, music production and sampling, board games and going on hikes with my wife, Rachel and my dog, Addie
Why Spartanburg Regional? I did my clinical rotations at SRHS and had such an amazing time and I knew I wanted to eventually become a resident in their family medicine residency program. From day one, everyone from the attendings to the residents were so incredibly kind, supportive, helpful, and knowledgeable. They always made me feel like I was a part of the team and a member of the family. As a student rotating at a residency program that is largely unopposed, I was able to experience many different fields of medicine first hand with great hands-on experience and learning about many different pathologies. With such a great experience as a rotating student, I knew that as a resident I would get the experience I needed to practice great, quality medicine anywhere I went in the future.
Tony Li, DO
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: OMM, lifestyle medicine, preventative medicine
Hometown: Candler, NC
Hobbies: Plant-based cooking, running, video games, watching movies
Why Spartanburg Regional? SRHS has many of the opportunities and experiences I was looking for in a residency. They are osteopathically recognized and have an OMT tract that will allow me to further develop my osteopathic manipulation skills. They have mentorship opportunities with a nearby medical school and flexible schedules to allow me to pursue my interests in family medicine. Lastly, the program director is enthusiastic about the residents' education and is forward thinking with the residency program.
Coral Molina, DO
Undergraduate: Tulane University
Medical School: A.T. Still University- Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Women's health, obstetrics, population health
Hometown: Gulf Breeze, FL
Hobbies: Cooking reading, hiking, watching sports
Why Spartanburg Regional? I chose Spartanburg Regional because of the supportive environment that provides excellent training. SRHS also gives me the opportunity to pursue my interest in women's health and obstetrics while preparing me to practice full spectrum family medicine.
Alison Renner, DO
Undergraduate: Clemson University
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Lifestyle medicine, organized medicine, community outreach
Hometown: Myrtle Beach, SC
Hobbies: CrossFit, hiking, DIY projects
Why Spartanburg Regional? Part of the foundation of family medicine is understanding ways to best serve the people of the community you work in. SRHS provides ample opportunities to learn about treating the specific needs of the community. Also, with a great reputation and long-standing history of training quality physicians with many remaining in South Carolina to practice, I knew this program would best prepare me to serve the people of South Carolina. The passion of the faculty and residents about medical education further solidified that this program was a great fit and would be dedicated to helping me develop my goals in being a physician.
James Stroman, DO
Undergraduate: Claflin University
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Family medicine
Hometown: Orangeburg, SC
Hobbies: Playing the alto saxophone and piano, mentoring youth, speaking to youth groups, traveling, shopping, dancing, spending time with family and friends
Why Spartanburg Regional? I chose SRHS because it felt like home. The residents truly gave me a chance to be independent in evaluating patients and believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. The physicians were very helpful and genuinely showed an interest in teaching. I felt like this residency program would definitely help me in becoming a physician that is confident in treating patients. This program was the right choice for me.
Haley Verity, DO
Undergraduate: Saginaw Valley State University
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Women's health, pediatrics, migrant farm worker health, mission medicine, OMT
Hometown: Freeland, MI
Hobbies: Baking, crafting, fishing, hiking, camping, hanging out with my husband, kids, and dog, playing board games, playing card games
Why Spartanburg Regional? Spartanburg truly had everything I was looking for. I wanted a residency that had osteopathic recognition as well as the opportunity for a surgical OB fellowship. They also had high volume pediatrics as well as a robust inpatient curriculum. On paper, they checked everyone of my boxes. Then, when I had the opportunity to interview and meet some of the residents, I was sold. Not only did they have strong academics, but the people here are so warm and welcoming. They're everything I could ask for in a residency family and more.
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