New Faculty and APP Additions – 2026
The Department of Internal Medicine is pleased to introduce some of the department’s newest members, most of whom joined us between August and October 2026 (start dates in parentheses). We are happy to welcome them to the department.
Benjamin Avner, MD, PhD (10/19/26)
Dr. Benjamin Avner comes to the Division of Infectious Diseases as a clinical associate professor from a faculty position at the Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. He earned his MD/PhD at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago and completed an internal medicine residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and an ID fellowship here at the University of Iowa. Dr. Avner’s clinical interests include antimicrobial resistance in bacteria and defining ideal antibiotic durations, the latter being the source of the clinical research he has done to date. When he’s not working, he enjoys backpacking and obsessing over music.
Tori Bostwick, PA-C (10/12/26)
Tori Bostwick joined the Division of General Internal Medicine as a Physician Associate, where she will see patients in the Internal Medicine Clinic at IRL. She received her MPA from The University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. She was raised in Indiana but has family in Iowa, and earned her bachelor’s degrees in Iowa. She is excited to return to Iowa to begin her career. Her hobbies include watching college sports, spending time with her friends and family, and she recently picked up playing golf this past summer.
Calie Brownlee, MD (10/5/26)
Dr. Calie Brownlee joined the Division of Hospital Medicine as a clinical assistant professor, where she will care for patients at UI Health Care Medical Center. She received her MD from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine in Little Rock, Arkansas, followed by an internal medicine residency at UI Health Care. Dr. Brownlee’s clinical interests include public health and medical education. When not at the hospital, she enjoys spending time in nature with her husband, baby boy, and dog—or trying new recipes to feed them!
Paarmit Chhabra, MD (8/19/26)
Dr. Paarmit Chhabra joined the Division of Hospital Medicine as a clinical assistant professor, caring for patients at UI Health Care Medical Center. He received his MD from Windsor University School of Medicine in St. Kitts & Nevis and completed his internal medicine residency at Southeast Health in Dothan, Alabama. His clinical interests focus on cardiovascular disease and health disparities. His hobbies include playing soccer, cooking, and watching films.
Caleb Chiang, MD (8/17/26)
Dr. Caleb Chiang has joined the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine as a clinical assistant professor, where he will see patients at the UI Health Care Medical Center. Dr. Chiang received his MD (2019) and completed an internal medicine residency (2022) at Rush University – Rush Medical College in Chicago. He then completed a cardiovascular disease fellowship (2025) and a critical care fellowship (2026) at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Dr. Chiang’s clinical and research interests include echocardiography, cardiac arrest management, pulmonary embolism treatment, cardiogenic shock, and medical education. In his spare time, Dr. Chiang enjoys playing music, vacationing in the North Woods of Wisconsin, and spending time with his wife and two young children.
Zeba Hashmath, MBBS (8/31/26)
Dr. Zeba Hashmath joined the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Iowa after completing her clinical cardiac electrophysiology fellowship at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. She earned her medical degree from Rangaraya Medical College in Kakinada, India, and completed her internal medicine residency at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she served as Chief Resident. She subsequently completed her cardiovascular medicine fellowship at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, North Carolina, where she served as Chief Academic Fellow. Her clinical interests include the diagnosis and management of cardiac arrhythmias, catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and premature ventricular contractions, as well as pacemaker and defibrillator implantation and left atrial appendage occlusion. Her research interests include advancing catheter ablation techniques, improving outcomes in patients with atrial arrhythmias, and exploring the relationship between cardiac arrhythmias and infiltrative heart diseases. Outside of medicine, Dr. Hashmath enjoys playing badminton, practicing yoga, reading, and painting.
Niranjan Khaire, MBBS, MD, DM (8/31/26)
Dr. Niranjan Khaire joined the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation as a clinical assistant professor after completing a leukemia fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He received an MBBS from Seth G.S Medical College and Kem Hospital in Mumbai, India, after which he received an MD (internal medicine) and DM (clinical hematology) from the Post Graduate Institute for Medical Education & Research in Chandigarh, India. He also completed a clinical fellowship in the Han Messner Allogeneic Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Khaire’s clinical and research interests include myeloid disorders and stem cell transplantation. He likes to read books and watch soccer and basketball in his spare time.
Jerrica Koster, ARNP (10/5/26)
Jerrica Koster joined the Division of Hospital Medicine as an ARNP, where she will care for patients at UI Health Care Medical Center. She received her BSN and MSN from Chamberlain University in Illinois. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband and her three children; you can usually find them at one of their multitudes of sporting events! During the summer they love to boat and spend their days on the lake. They also enjoy traveling and are looking forward to an upcoming trip to Costa Rica. And in any spare time she can find she likes to stay fit and active by running.
Matthew Kroll, MD (9/21/26)
Dr. Matthew Kroll joined the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation as a clinical assistant professor after completing his hematology and medical oncology fellowship at UI Health Care. He received his MD from the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, followed by an internal medicine residency at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. His clinical and research interests focus on GU oncology, particularly around the introduction of novel therapeutics, bladder preservation, and patient communication. Outside of work, he likes to read, watch movies at FilmScene, play trivia, and spend time with his family.
Jennifer Lee, ARNP (9/14/26)
Jennifer Lee joined the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine as a Nurse Practitioner. She received her BSN from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, followed by an MSN from the University of Iowa College of Nursing. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.
Tiffany Rickertsen, ARNP (8/24/26)
Tiffany Rickertsen joined the Division of Hospital Medicine as a Nurse Practitioner, where she will care for patients at IRL and UI Health Care Medical Center. She received an MSN from the University of Iowa College of Nursing. In her spare time, she enjoys Hawkeye sports, traveling, gardening, and boating on Lake Macbride.