Chief Resident Introductions, 2026–27
Cameron Brownlee, MD
If it hadn’t been for one incredible medical school mentor, Dr. Sheena CarlLee, my wife and I might have never applied to Iowa. At the time, we felt lucky just to get an interview. But after meeting Dr. Suneja and the rest of the faculty, Iowa suddenly felt almost too good to be true. Despite our doubts—and thinking it was a long shot—we ranked Iowa number one.
Iowa has been a second home for my family and I since we moved here for residency. We were welcomed with open arms and have made countless lifelong friendships. Coming from Arkansas, the transition certainly wasn’t easy (and yes, it’s still very cold), but the immense amount of support and remarkable training we have received have certainly been worth it.
Iowa trains excellent physicians, and I am incredibly proud to have shared this journey alongside such talented friends and colleagues. Over the past few years, I’ve looked up to many of our previous chiefs. They were bright, confident, and compassionate, but most importantly, they were humble educators—always willing to teach and always eager to learn.
Being selected as chief is an honor and a remarkable achievement. I strive to be like my mentors and role models before me. I strive to contribute to Iowa’s culture of inclusivity and outstanding medical education. Over the next year, I look forward to focusing on these goals, growing as a clinician and educator, and proudly navigating fatherhood. After chief year I will be pursuing a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.
Amanda Chang, MD
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and my early passion for science was inspired by my parents (an engineer and chemist). Following in their steps, I earned a degree in biochemistry from UCLA, and I was fascinated by the intersection between research and healthcare, prompting me to pursue a career in medicine. After graduating, I took my first venture into the Midwest for medical school at the University of Iowa.
Throughout medical school, I was fortunate to learn from exceptional mentors who not only shaped my clinical development but also inspired my passion for mentorship, medical education, and research. I became increasingly interested in how innovation and emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, could improve both patient care and medical education. As a medical student, I was impressed by Iowa’s culture of collaboration and genuine sense of community, and I was ecstatic to have stayed here for Internal Medicine Residency. This residency program has provided me with exceptional clinical training and lifelong friendships, and I am grateful that I took the leap of faith moving to the Midwest!
I am honored to serve as the Ambulatory Chief Resident for the 2026-2027 academic year. As a chief resident, I hope to give back to the program by strengthening the ambulatory curriculum, building upon the warm and welcoming culture, and providing mentorship to the junior residents and medical students.
Outside of medicine, I am a huge foodie (probably influenced by my LA roots), and I love to play video games and board games! Following this year, I plan to pursue a fellowship in cardiology, and I hope to continue research and education initiatives throughout my career!
Maluki Radford, MD
I’m originally from Kansas, where I grew up around my parents’ business in Social Security disability advocacy, which sparked an early curiosity about people’s stories—the “why” behind who they are. That same curiosity drew me to science and eventually Internal Medicine. This career allows me to ask both the physiological “why” behind a diagnosis and the human story behind the patient.
When my husband and I couples-matched to Iowa, we were excited but uncertain of whether the program would live up to the “Iowa Nice” reputation and impression we received from interviews. Our fears were quickly allayed as we were welcomed into the Internal Medicine family. Through the years of training here I have been blessed with lifelong friends within the program that have also served as role models and mentors. Iowa fosters a culture of humility and excellence that attracts both the brightest and most down-to-earth people you will meet.
In particular, the chief residents during my intern year were a lifeline. Witnessing the chiefs be approachable, patient, and self-sacrificing inspired me to also pursue this servant-leader role. Their advocacy and support helped me develop into a compassionate provider and I hope to continue encouraging that legacy.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy running, traveling to visit friends and family, spoiling my cat, and reaping the benefits of my husband’s cooking.
As the Chief Resident in Quality and Safety, I look forward to deepening my understanding of quality improvement and developing the tools necessary to improve patient outcomes within systems. After completing residency, I plan on pursuing a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.
Ashten Sherman, MD
I was born and raised in Iowa in a little town on the Mississippi called Le Claire. I came to Iowa City in college for an engineering degree and never looked back. Over the years Iowa City has become much more than just the place where I’ve learned and trained—it has truly become home. Growing up in Iowa gave me an appreciation for the values of hard work, community, and kindness, and those are qualities I have found reflected throughout my time in Iowa City.
When I got into medical school at Carver College of Medicine and trained with the IM residents, faculty, and staff, I decided very quickly that I wanted to continue my training here. Their welcoming nature, love for teaching, and overall kindness was so infectious that it made the program feel like a family. The supportive culture encourages everyone to become the best physician they can be while ensuring no one has to do it alone. Throughout residency, I have had countless opportunities to develop as a clinician, educator, and leader, including the privilege of completing a StARR research year where I had the opportunity to exponentially grow as a physician scientist through close mentorship. I have also discovered a passion for teaching and mentoring residents and medical students, and I am grateful to be part of a program that invests so deeply in the growth of its trainees.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my family (especially my husband, daughter, and golden retriever), reading, writing, cheering on the Hawkeyes, and getting outdoors whenever I can. Whether it’s exploring a local trail, attending a Hawkeye sporting event, or relaxing with a good book, there is always something to do in the Iowa City area and keep folks grounded during their training.
As Recruitment Chief, I am excited for the opportunity to showcase everything that makes our program so special and to help welcome the next class of residents into our Iowa family. It is incredibly rewarding to introduce applicants to the community and culture that I have been so fortunate to call home. I also look forward to continuing to grow my teaching and leadership skills during my chief year. After completing my chief residency, I plan to pursue fellowship training in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and I know the experiences and relationships I have built here will continue to shape the physician I aspire to become.
Trisha Slehria, MD
I grew up in North Carolina, earning my undergraduate degree at North Carolina State University before attending medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I was drawn to internal medicine by its breadth and its fundamentally holistic nature – the opportunity to care for the whole person, to reason through a wide spectrum of clinical problems, and to build lasting relationships with patients over time.
When it came time for residency, my now-husband Mash and I set out to interview at the same programs, carefully scheduling our visits on different days – until Iowa, which by pure coincidence was the one program we interviewed at together. It turned out to be the place we both ended up, and it’s hard to imagine it any other way. On interview day, Dr. Manish Suneja and Dr. Katie Harris stood out immediately; they had clearly read our applications and genuinely knew who we were. That thoughtfulness set the tone for everything that followed. We’ve come to love Iowa for its culture, for the friendships we’ve built, and for a program that has supported us at every step in becoming excellent internists and in pursuing our long-term goals.
I am passionate about women’s health, education, and mentorship, and I feel fortunate to carry those interests into my chief year. As the scheduling chief, I hope to continue advancing resident wellness – building schedules and a culture that protects the well-being of our residents while helping each of them grow into the physicians they aspire to be. Outside the hospital, my time is spent with family and friends, baking, exercising, and going on long walks, often with our one-year-old dog, Simba, who is truly the light of our lives. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a cardiology fellowship, and I hope to once again couples match alongside my husband as we begin our next chapter together.