We are proud to present this year’s incoming interns. We wanted to take the opportunity to go a little past the names and faces and learn a couple things about them. We asked them each to tell us about why they chose Internal Medicine at Iowa for their residency. And, now that they have been here a month or so, what they like about living in Iowa City or working at University of Iowa Health Care. We will introduce them a few at a time each week for the next couple months. Welcome to Iowa!

Beth Daniels, MD

Hometown: Buffalo, Illinois

Medical school: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

“Why Iowa”: I chose the University of Iowa because of its positive and supportive learning environment, where residents are genuinely valued and encouraged to grow. During my interview, I was struck by the camaraderie among the residents—they clearly enjoyed working and spending time together, which created a fun and welcoming atmosphere. The faculty and staff were approachable, invested in resident education, and committed to creating a culture of mentorship and support.

What I like about Iowa City: I love that Iowa City has that small-town vibe where you can get anywhere in 15 minutes, but still has everything I need. There are tons of great parks for walks, the food scene is super yummy, and the people are just really nice, fun, and welcoming.

Alec Hanson, MD

Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Medical School: UI Carver College of Medicine

“Why Iowa”: I wanted to stay at Iowa for residency training for so many reasons, but it boils down to our department’s balance of a close-knit, small-program type of feel with all of the academic and clinical rigor that a large medical center can offer. The program leadership and administrative staff are second to none, and I immediately felt at home the moment my interview started.

What I like about Iowa City: Campus towns like Iowa City always have so much to offer in terms of food, concerts, sports, nightlife, and more. Hawkeye football games are particularly electric. But what makes us different is that although we get that Big Ten-university vibe, it takes just a ten-minute drive from the heart of downtown outward to find yourself in small-town Iowa with the quiet and peace that a slower pace can bring. Iowa City carries all of the convenience of small-town life with the excitement of a big city, as well as plenty of gray area in the middle for folks like my wife and I who want a little bit of both.

Nimansha Jain, MD, PhD

Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska

Medical school: Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

“Why Iowa”: I was interested in coming to the University of Iowa for residency because the Internal Medicine leadership is truly invested in resident teaching and helping us grow as resident physicians.

What I like about Iowa City: I enjoy the people and spending time with my co-residents, the Stanley Museum, Iowa City farmers market, and summer festivals.

Lucas Jurasek, MD

Hometown: Byron, Illinois

Medical school: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford

“Why Iowa”: I grew up in the Midwest, and I love it here! I stayed here for my undergraduate studies at Iowa State University, where I met my wife (Mary), who is from Le Mars in northwest Iowa. I attended medical school back in Illinois near my hometown, and when searching for potential residencies, geography was a major factor. I valued the strength of training at an academic center, but I didn’t want to live in a big city. The University of Iowa was a perfect fit, and I was so excited to have matched here!

What I like about Iowa City: My wife and I rent a duplex with our 2-year-old female golden retriever, Oaklee! Our neighborhood has tons of nice walking paths, and it’s near City Park along the river. I love that I can bike to work on safe roads, and I’m only 5-10 minutes away, depending on what part of the university campus I am working at each day. I also love riding my bike on gravel roads and the mountain bike trails around the area. My wife and I also ride to Heyn’s to have an ice cream date when the weather is nice! There are so many parks to take Oaklee to, and she especially enjoys the dog park on the peninsula. There are tons of fun things to do in Iowa City, and we won’t come close to being bored while we’re here for residency.

Gopika Patel, MD

Hometown: Darien, Illinois

Medical school: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin

“Why Iowa”: What drew me to UIHC was the strong sense of community. I knew that training at UIHC would offer a diverse clinical experience and provide the foundation to become a well-rounded physician, while also being close to home.

What I like about Iowa City: I like the sense of community Iowa City has and the welcoming enviorment. I like the walking and hiking trails and exploring downtown.