Meet our Current Residents

Chiefs

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Joey Kelley grew up in Shoreham, Vermont and she graduated with a Bachelors of Science from St. Lawrence University with a Major in Mathematics and Double Minor in Statistics and Chemistry. She received her MD from the University of Vermont Medical Center, where she fell in love with Ob/Gyn and the department here. She is thrilled to be staying here for her residency training. In her free time, she enjoys all things outdoors- skiing, hiking, paddle-boarding, coaching lacrosse, running, and traveling with friends and family.

Menezes Katherine PictureKatherine Menezes was born and raised in a suburb north of Atlanta, Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia in Athens, GA (Go dawgs!), where she graduated with degrees in Biology and Psychology and a minor in Spanish. She then moved to Augusta, GA, home of Medical College of Georgia. She has a passion for global health and women’s rights and knew she was meant to be an Obstetrician Gynecologist after going to Kenya between the first and second years of medical school, where she had to be reminded to go home from the Operating “theatres” and the Labor & Delivery unit. Though a proud Georgia peach, she happened upon Vermont as a 4th year visiting AI, and there was no turning back, y’all.  Who can resist the views and dairy products? She is thrilled to be pursuing her dream of being an OB/GYN in Burlington with an incredible team of co-residents and faculty. In her free time, she loves being with friends and family, travelling, eating, attempting outdoor activities, and spending time with her cat, Mr. Darcy. And yes, her first purchase after her move North was a winter coat.
Parad, Rebecca PictureRebecca Parad is a native of Newton, MA. She stayed in New England for her undergraduate studies, earning a degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. Afterwards, she traveled to India to work on an international development project and then returned to Boston for four years as a clinical researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She attended medical school at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Rebecca is thrilled to continue her training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Vermont, and looks forward to pursuing her interests in medical education and clinical research. Outside of the hospital, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her fellow residents and sampling Vermont’s local cheeses, breweries, and farmer’s markers. She is still deciding which view of Burlington is her favorite: the vista over Lake Champlain from Labor & Delivery, or the mountain peaks from her back yard.

 

Third years

Muscanell

Rebecca Muscanell was born and raised in Westchester, NY. She graduated from Cornell University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a minor in Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies. She then moved to New York, NY to work as a research technician and lab manager at a cancer research lab at the NYU School of Medicine. During this time, she realized her passion for women’s health and advocacy and quickly decided to shift career paths from basic science to medicine. Rebecca attended the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where she became deeply involved in family planning, LGBTQ advocacy and global health. Already assured of her desire to become an OBGYN, she hoped to find a program in the Northeast so as to come back closer to home. The day of her UVM interview, she immediately felt a strong connection to the culture and atmosphere of the entire department. The sincere commitment to wellness in the setting of excellent training truly stuck out as a differentiating factor. This program is an unbelievably tight-knit community and she feels so grateful to have been welcomed with open arms into the UVM family! In her free time, she enjoys dancing (anything from salsa to modern to foxtrot), exploring fun destinations, and trying new restaurants with her wife (especially for brunch)!

PierceHayley Pierce was born on Martha’s Vineyard, a small island off the coast of Massachusetts. She is the fourth generation of her family to grow up there. Her love for women’s healthcare started early on when she had the opportunity to do a mentorship with one of the local OBGYN’s, Dr. Linda Stewart. She observed her first birth, gynecologic surgeries and experienced the special relationship between physicians and patients that she felt was unique to women’s healthcare. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biology and minors in Chemistry and English literature from the University of Miami in Miami, FL in 2010. For medical school she went to Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO. She was ecstatic to match at the University of Vermont for residency in the amazing city of Burlington, where her oldest brother went to college. She felt this program was the perfect fit for because of the intimate learning style with enthusiastic teachers, strong surgical skills and a curriculum that fosters independent decision making with constant support. She felt extremely fortunate to find a program with such distinctive camaraderie. In her spare time Hayley is very active, she loved playing field hockey and lacrosse growing up where she earned her nickname Hailstorm. She also spends as much time with friends and family as possible, especially enjoying the local VT cheese and breweries.
Allison Walker

Allison Walker was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming where she enjoyed hiking and fishing.  She moved to Portland, Oregon where she received her BS in Interior Design from The Art Institute of Portland.  She then worked in hospice care and as a scribe before earning her MD from Oregon Health & Science University.   In clinical practice, Allison has a special interest in providing healthcare to the underserved and is a passionate advocate for women's' rights.    Her research interests have focused on utilizing a broad array of bio-statistical technique and cost-effectiveness analyses to address questions relating to gestational diabetes and multi-fetal gestations.  When she is not at the hospital, Allison enjoy cooking, film photography, movies and doting on her two adorable cats, Zada and Eleanor Rigby.

Second years

Chung Jessica

Jessica Chung grew up in a suburb west of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and went to undergrad at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Medical Microbiology & Immunology and minoring in African Studies. While studying abroad in Uganda, she become interested in the need for robust health prevention strategies and then pursued her MPH at Boston University. After her time in Boston, Jessica went to work for the CDC in Nigeria and China, improving care for people living with HIV/AIDS. She found herself wanting to bridge public health concepts with clinical care, especially for women in underserved communities, which led her back to the Badgers for medical school. Her desire to continue improving care for women globally grew at UWSMPH into the desire to pursue OBGYN as a specialty. When looking for residencies and her new home, Jessica looked for a program that had a deep sense of community, camaraderie, and support along with a strong academic education that prepares residents for any fellowship or general practice. She was delighted when she found that and much more at UVM, so she traded one snowy place for another. When she’s not at the hospital, she enjoys running, boxing, baking, and cultivating her indoor plant jungle. 

Gunalp, Cemile

Jemi Gunalp was born in Del Mar, California. She attended the University of Washington where she earned a BS in Biology. She then joined the Teach for America chapter in Atlanta, Georgia where she taught high school science for two years and learned about all the joys of southern comfort food. She later earned her MD at the Chicago Medical School. During her medical training she had the opportunity to rotate at the University of Vermont and fell in love with the OB/GYN department here. She is beyond excited to now be joining the University of Vermont OB/GYN team for her residency. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping, hot yoga, cross country skiing and generally all outdoor activities.



Hjalmarsson BrittaBritta Hjalmarsson studied biology at the University of Montana then attended the University of Washington School of Medicine, WWAMI Campus.  She loves running, hiking and both cross-country and alpine skiing.  She also loves both music and reading.



 

Interns

 Morin Laura

Laura Morin grew up in Golden, Colorado and attended college at Colby College in Waterville, Maine where she studied neuroscience and music. After working as an EMT, nanny, violinist and ski bum, she decided to attend medical school at the University of New England. Here, she discovered her love for women’s health. Laura chose to attend the University of Vermont because of the opportunities for global health and family planning as well as the amazing people and abundant ice cream. In her spare time, Laura enjoys skiing, hiking, discovering new breweries and playing with her two adorable cats, Louis and Mabel.

Sekhon Morgan

Morgan Sekhon was born and raised in Fullerton, California. She attended Drake University in Des Moines, IA, where she graduated with a degree in Neuroscience and a minor in Writing. She received her MD from the University of Iowa, where she developed her passion for obstetrics, genetics, and medical ethics. The University of Vermont stole her heart on the interview trail – a strong and supportive Ob/Gyn department nestled in beautiful Burlington and rounded out with all the ice cream, dog sightings, and stunning views a girl could ever want. She loves dogs, yoga, rollerblading, and reality TV.

Vigne Hannah

Hannah Vigne was born and raised in Montana. She studied biology at Carroll College in Helena, MT then attended the University of Washington School of Medicine, WWAMI, where she completed the Targeted Rural and Underserved Track. UVMMC’s commitment to improving and expanding care for women drew her to the program. When she’s not working and learning with her amazing residents and staff, she enjoys running, fishing, and downhill skiing.