The Department of Internal Medicine is pleased to introduce some of the newest members, most of whom joined us between October and December 2025 (start dates in parentheses). We are happy to welcome them to the department.
Ishtiaq Ahmad, MBBS – Clinical Assistant Professor – Hospital Medicine (10/29/25)
Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad earned his MBBS from Khyber Medical College in Peshawar, Pakistan, and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Geisinger Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. His training and experience reflect a commitment to high-quality, evidence-based practice. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Ahmad enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Adam Bernard, ARNP – General Internal Medicine (12/15/25)
Adam Bernard earned his BSN from the University of Iowa and his MSN from Allen College in Waterloo, Iowa. He brings a solid background in direct patient care and a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two teenage boys, golfing, watching movies, and cooking outdoors in the summer. “I am excited to be here and look forward to further developing both professionally and personally,” he said.
Ashton Brunn, PsyD – Clinical Assistant Professor – Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation (11/3/25)
Dr. Ashton J. Brunn earned his PsyD In Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training in psychosocial oncology, forensic psychology, and neuropsychological assessment. His diverse clinical background includes work in federal corrections settings and state psychiatric hospitals, where he provided care to individuals with severe psychological presentations, complex trauma, and significant behavioral health needs. His clinical work is informed by a strong interest in meaning-making, resilience, and whole-person care across the lifespan. Dr. Brunn’s expertise in behavioral health and interdisciplinary collaboration enhances the department’s multidisciplinary approach to improving patient well-being. In his downtime, Dr. Brunn enjoys martial arts and yoga, reading, spending quality time with close friends and family, watching horror films, and playing video and board games.
Nikkida Bundrant, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor – Hospital Medicine (10/31/25)
Dr. Nikkida Tori Bundrant earned her MD from Howard University College of Medicine. Raised as a “military brat” by a teacher and a retired U.S. Air Force member, she grew up immersed in diverse communities and cultures, fostering a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to public service. After completing four years of General Surgery training and a competitive Pediatric Surgery/clinical research fellowship, Dr. Bundrant recognized that her passion for long-term patient relationships and continuity of care aligned more closely with Internal Medicine. She has a strong research background, integrating evidence-based medicine and advocacy into her publications, and a long-standing commitment to medical education through curriculum development, teaching, recruitment, and mentorship. With training in both medicine and surgery, Dr. Bundrant brings a unique perspective and broad experience to providing thoughtful, comprehensive care. Outside of work, she enjoys designing and sewing clothing, hiking, teaching aerobics, horseback riding, and showing Arabian horses.
Vitor Fiorin de Vasconcellos, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor – Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation (10/6/25)
Dr. Vitor Fiorin de Vasconcellos is a medical oncologist whose clinical practice focuses on the care of patients with genitourinary cancers—including prostate, kidney, bladder, testicular, and penile cancers—as well as gastrointestinal malignancies. His clinical approach emphasizes evidence-based, whole-person care grounded in shared decision-making, integrating scientific rigor with attention to each patient’s values, goals, and quality of life. He is actively involved in clinical research and works to identify and offer clinical trial opportunities when appropriate, with the goal of expanding access to innovative therapies. He received his medical degree from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) in Vitória, Brazil, and completed his residency training in Internal Medicine, fellowship in Medical Oncology, and PhD in Oncology at the University of São Paulo (USP). When not practicing medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife, playing with his two children, and staying active through sports.
Jessica Fung, ARNP – Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine (10/27/25)
Dr. Jessica Fung holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Resurrection University and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Elmhurst University. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of Iowa. Her background integrates nursing science, exercise physiology, and advanced practice care, with involvement in quality initiatives through her work as a VAQS Fellow. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her three cats, working out, and traveling.
Victoria Grandinetti, ARNP – Supportive and Palliative Care (11/9/25)
Victoria Grandinetti earned her BSN from Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids and her MSN with Family Nurse Practitioner concentration from Allen College in Waterloo, Iowa. She joins the department with experience in delivering holistic, patient-focused primary and specialty care. Victoria’s hobbies include spending time with her family, meditation, and connecting with nature.
Kellyann Light-McGroary, MD – Clinical Associate Professor – Cardiovascular Medicine (11/11/25)
Dr. Kellyann Light-McGroary received her MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, followed by a fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Her clinical and academic work strengthens the division’s cardiovascular care and education. In her spare time, Dr. Light-McGroary enjoys gardening and thrifting.
Ellen Pithan, PA-C – Infectious Diseases (8/4/25)
Ellen Pithan earned her bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Iowa State University and her MPAS from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. She brings a strong academic foundation and a focus on infectious disease prevention and treatment. Outside of medicine, Ellen enjoys spending time with her family and baking.
Meredith Schaffner, DO – Clinical Assistant Professor – Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation (10/20/25)
Dr. Meredith Schaffner completed her medical education at Des Moines University. She then pursued internal medicine residency and hematology/oncology fellowship at the University of Iowa. She joins the department with strong interests in clinical teaching, quality improvement, rural outreach and patient-centered care. In her free time, Dr. Schaffner enjoys playing with her kids and traveling outside the frozen tundra.
Breanna Sims, DNP, ARNP – Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine (12/8/25)
Breanna Sims completed both her BSN and DNP at the University of Iowa. Her background includes working as a MICU nurse for 7 years prior to starting her new position as an ARNP. Her time as a nurse and her advanced training helped drive her passion for providing expert, evidence-based clinical care. Her free time activities include spending time with her friends and family, reading a good book, and traveling.
Scott Yoder, MD – Clinical Associate Professor – Cardiovascular Medicine (10/1/25)
Dr. Scott Yoder was raised in Redding, California. He attended Colgate University in Upstate New York for undergraduate education. He earned his MD from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, and also completed internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship there. After training Dr. Yoder returned to Northern California to work at Marshall Medical Center, a small, rural community hospital in the foothills west of Sacramento. In addition to his thriving general cardiology practice, Dr. Yoder led several multispecialty collaborations to promote local quality care programs in chronic heart failure, cardio-obstetrics and cardio-oncology in this rural community. He collaborated with the regional tertiary hospital and Heart Transplant Service at Sutter Sacramento to develop support programs for advanced heart failure and transplant patients in his local community. At Marshall he developed quality programs and expanded service line capability which helped reduce readmissions, reduced mortality, improved quality of life for chronic heart failure patients in the county. He was active in the Marshall Medical Staff, served on multiple quality and service line committees and was elected by his peers to chief of staff for 2 years. After 16 years at Marshall Medical Center, and with the last of five children leaving the house, Dr. Yoder and his wife were looking forward to stepping up to new challenges, and a new life for their three German Short Hair Pointers, the latter of whom desperately desired a wild pheasant experience. As luck would have it, the University of Iowa was looking for cardiologists. Dr. Yoder’s family has a long history with Iowa City: his grandfather was a Professor of Economics and Labor Relations at the University of Iowa and his father was born in Iowa City: GO HAWKS! Dr. Yoder is looking forward to this exciting next step and to advancing the field of cardiac care in Iowa. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities including camping, backpacking, fishing, and hunting as well as considering himself a dedicated amateur Minecraft player and farmer.