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 couple months, what they like about living in Iowa City or working at University of Iowa Health Care. Welcome to Iowa!
Hometown: Ankara, Turkey
Medical School: Ankara University School of Medicine
“Why Iowa”: Iowa stood out to me as the leading academic center in the region, with exceptional clinical exposure, abundant research opportunities, and strong support for teaching. Just as importantly, I was struck by how approachable and genuine the faculty and residents were, creating an environment where I felt I would truly belong.
What I like about Iowa City: Kayaking at Lake Macbride
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
Medical School: George Washington University
“Why Iowa”: Iowa has one of few Med-Psych programs in the country, and residents spoke positively about their training on my interview day.
What I like about Iowa City: Very green + generally an academic community. Biking to work is also nice.
Hometown: Jerusalem, Palestine
Medical School: Al-Quds University, Palestine
“Why Iowa”: Iowa stood out for its supportive culture, excellent training, and people who make you feel at home from day one. Plus, there’s something about the balance of top-notch medicine and genuine kindness that sealed the deal for me.
What I like about Iowa City: Life in Iowa City has been a wonderful surprise. It’s walkable, full of great food, and has a welcoming energy. My husband and I love exploring new coffee shops, catching Hawkeye games, and finding those little local gems that make the city feel like home.
Hometown: Cranbury, New Jersey
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
“Why Iowa”: Iowa stood out to me as an academic powerhouse with a strong culture of mentorship. The faculty were enthusiastic about supporting my research interests, and the POCUS training here is top-class. But most importantly, the people are awesome. It felt like a place where I could thrive professionally and personally.
What I like about Iowa City: I’ve gotten hooked on playing pickleball at the North Liberty and Mercer courts (pickup and with co-residents). On weekends, I’ve enjoyed kayaking at Lake McBride and discovering new spots in the local food scene.
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
“Why Iowa”: I was drawn to Iowa because of its strong reputation for both neurology and neuro-education. During my interactions with the program, I felt that the faculty and residents were genuinely warm and welcoming, which made me confident I would be supported. I knew that the training here would prepare me well for any subspecialty I choose to pursue.
What I like about Iowa City: Iowa City is a family friendly town with lots of fun activities. My family loves walking around Coral Ridge Mall and all the local parks and trying new restaurants in the area.