PGY 1 Residents
Kayla Baker, MD
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Medical School: University of Queensland Ochsner
Academic Area of Interest: Social EM, Rural EM, LGBTQ+ health, MedEd
Why LSU? I wanted a program with a wide variety of training opportunities and locations, from
rural to urban, community to academic, with a focus in social EM and I felt confident
that I would receive this at LSU. The faculty and residents were so welcoming and
genuine during my interview, too.
Favorite thing about NOLA: Of all the places I've ever lived, New Orleans feels the most like home. There's
a profound sense of community here as well as excellent food, beautiful architecture,
rich history, and endless culture.
Hobbies: Eating, reality television, all things DIY but currently old home restoration, plants,
nursing foster kittens back to health, reading, and spending time with my people
Tyler Collier, MD
Pronouns: he/him/his
Hometown: Choctaw, OK
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Academic Area of Interest: Disaster Medicine, EMS, Social EM, Event Medicine
Why LSU? During my away rotation the city and the program felt like home. Everyone was so
welcoming. That coupled with the training opportunities at UMC made this an easy decsion. .
Favorite thing about NOLA: The people make New Orleans what it is. There is nowhere else in the country you
will find the combination of nice people and unique culture like you have here in
New Orleans. There is an endless supply of festivals to go to, music to listen to,
and new food to eat.
Hobbies: Cooking, trying new restuarants, traveling, golfing, indoor cycling, reading, spending
quality time with my people, watching all things sports
Ryan Daly, MD
Pronouns: he/him/his
Hometown: Edison, NJ
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Academic Area of Interest: Addiction medicine, Street Medicine, Global Health
Why LSU? The city, the culture, the training opportunities, and the faculty and residents
with shared academic interests made LSU a place that I could get great training and
make a home.
Favorite thing about NOLA: Everything is a 20 minute bikeride away, the old buildings and oak trees, the ladies
singing sweet soul lyrics at FQF, volleyball on the bayou
Hobbies: Long walks with many weights on my back, cycling in and out of doors, running out
of doors, pick-up volleyball, wood/metal working (pending), sitting by running water,
reading a book or two.
Tyler Hicklin, MD
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago
Academic Area of Interest: Social EM, public health, advocacy, women's health, critical care
Why LSU? "I knew I wanted to pursue EM/IM, and LSU's program is amazing. What drew me in the
most was that, on interview day, the first thing discussed was the Spirit of Charity
and the long-standing history of serving populations that are often overlooked. I
wanted to train at an institution that mirrored my values, and I found that at LSU.
Since being here, I've only become more reassured that this is the place I was meant
to be. Also, my sister attends LSU for undergrad, so we're a Tiger household now,
and I love that!"
Favorite thing about NOLA: The food for sure, the history, the culture of celebrating everything
Hobbies: House plants, trying new restaurants, event planning
Mia Jeanty, MD
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: York, SC
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville
Academic Area of Interest: Social EM, Peds EM, Critical Care, Ultrasound
Why LSU? LSU offers everything I was looking for in a residency program. I am passionate about
addressing Social Determinants of Health, so I was excited to find a program that
places such a strong emphasis on Social Emergency Medicine. Just as importantly, I
wanted to train in a place where I would care for a diverse patient population, see
a broad range of pathology, and work alongside a diverse healthcare team. New Orleans
offers all of that and more, making LSU feel like the perfect place for me to grow
as both a physician and a person.
Favorite thing about NOLA: I love the culture and community here! Everyone is so friendly. People will just
come up and start talking to you. Plus, there is always something to do and amazing
restaurants to try.
Hobbies: Gardening, being a plant mom, having too many pets, kayaking, crafts, cooking, going
to Costco
Alder Levin, MD, MPH
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Madison, WI
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Academic Area of Interest: Social EM, global health, bioethics, MedEd
Why LSU? More than anything, I wanted to find a program that featured social EM! I didn’t
want to be somewhere that had one community engagement event and called it a day—I
wanted it to be integrated and thoughtful. I was excited to learn about potential
challenges in conference, connect patients to community resources while on shift,
and explore all the amazing community engagement work already being done. AND we get
to do all of this while supported by amazing residents and faculty!
Favorite thing about NOLA: I love how natural and green the city is. There are plants and trees spilling out
of yards, the parks are beautiful, and it makes every walk feel special. And, of course,
the food is amazing!
Hobbies: Watching movies, catching up with friends, trying new restaurants, reviving my house
plants, hiking, biking, board games, and crafts
Jake Moore, DO, MS
Pronouns: he/him/his
Hometown: Mansfield, TX
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus
Academic Area of Interest: Advocacy, Social EM, Emergency Cardiology, Critical Care, POCUS, Internal Medicine
Why LSU? From the first shift of my sub-I I knew that I would get elite training at this program
and have a great time doing it. The senior residents all had such a mastery of EM
already, and made me feel welcome and empowered to take care of my patients. Our patients
really need our help and our faculty do a great job teaching and challenging us to
learn more. The acuity here is unmatched, I love the program's commitment to health
equity and social EM, and frankly the vibes here are chef's kiss perfect! Best city,
best hospital, best program.
Favorite thing about NOLA: The history, the unique local cultural blend, the architecture, the food, the food,
the food!
Hobbies: Baking, reading, playing with my guitars, live music, restaurants, birding, hanging
out with my dog, staring at maps and learning history
Jayne Mora, MD
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Medical School: LSU New Orleans
Academic Area of Interest: Peds EM, Disaster Medicine, Social EM, Street Medicine
Why LSU? I knew I wanted to train at a Level 1 trauma center with high volume, high acuity,
and a commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities. I found all of that
with LSU. I felt truly welcomed by residents and faculty who were genuine, passionate,
and dedicated to their patients and trainees alike, in a program that prioritizes
teaching and support at every level. But more than anything, I was born and raised
in New Orleans, and being able to learn and train alongside the people who take care
of my home feels even more incredible.
Favorite thing about NOLA: There is truly no other city like it. New Orleans is a gumbo pot of over 300 years
of French, Spanish, Haitian, Italian, and Vietnamese culture, and it shows in every
bite of food and every note of music that floods our streets. A Tuesday here is never
just a Tuesday, we'll throw the biggest citywide holiday of celebration and indulgence
to close our carnival season. There is never a dull moment, and I wouldn't have it
any other way
Hobbies: Cooking, kayaking, cycling classes, going to the movies, watching Below Deck and all
the spin-offs, dancing to live music on Frenchmen Street, spending quality time with
my favorite people and my pup, and the very serious craft of glitter-decorating cups
and shoes to throw from Mardi Gras floats :)
Bria Okere, MD
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Houston, TX
Medical School: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Academic Area of Interest: Social EM, Critical Care, Street Medicine, Health Equity and Advocacy
Why LSU? Being from New Orleans herself, my mom would always tell me about Charity Hospital.
This was the hospital that many of our family members were born and where we received
care for generations. It was a place that everyone could be treated regardless of
backgrounds or finances. I was happy to see LSU uphold these values while becoming
The Spirit of Charity after the closure of the original hospital with Katrina. Having
interests in Social EM and Health Equity, it was important for me to attend a program
that was committed to caring for patients holistically and far beyond hospital walls.
I also anticipated how rigorous residency would be and knew I needed to be somewhere
that was overflowing with support. LSU checked all these boxes for me. There's always
opportunities to engage with the community and there's always someone in the program
cheering you on. Ontop of all of that, being able to train at a Level 1 Trauma center
as well as multiple rural sites ensures that by the time your training is complete,
you'll have the skills and confidence to serve patients in any environment.
Favorite thing about NOLA: The culture here in New Orleans is something so special. This is a city that is big
on community, preserverence, and unwavering joy. Strangers are never strangers for
long, here.You'll soon make new friends while checking out at Rouses or standing in
line for a snowball. In a city that is accustomed to picking itself up, dusting off,
and starting anew, you'll find that complete strangers are enthusiatuc about encouraging
you to do the same while you traverse your own endeavors. And through every season,
whether good or bad, there's always a cause of celebration. From second lines, to
festivals, to impromptu crawfish boils, this city is fiercely joyous and hopeful through
it all. That type of resiliency and hope is infectious and makes for a wonderful kind
of environment to further your medical training.
Hobbies: Fighting for my life at local run clubs, Convincing myself I'm great at crafts & DIY
projects, Attending live music events, Outdoor-sy activities while complaining about
bugs, Hanging out with my friends and family
Sydney Ragland, MD
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine
Academic Area of Interest: Pediatric EM, Social EM, Health Equity and Policy, Bioethics, Critical Care, Health
Disparities, Advocacy
Why LSU? I chose LSU because of its strong commitment to diversity, social justice, and health
equity. After learning about the profound impact of social determinants of health
during undergrad, I intentionally pursued medical training in environments dedicated
to providing equitable care for every patient, no matter their background. LSU's role
as a Level I Trauma Center and safety-net hospital, coupled with its high-acuity pathology
and diverse patient population, offers the ideal environment to develop into a confident,
well-rounded emergency physician while caring for the communities that need it most.
Equally important, I found a community at LSU where I felt I could fit in. From the
interview day to the resident socials, I connected with the residents and faculty
and could easily see myself growing alongside them. I knew LSU New Orleans was a place
where I would thrive.
Favorite thing about NOLA: The culture and the food! I love how committed the people of New Orleans are to preserving
the city's traditions. You can feel that connection to the city's heritage in everyday
life.
Hobbies: Listening to music, houseplant collecting, traveling, weightlifting/fitness, restaurant
exploration, spending time with my loved ones.
Stephen Schwan, DO
Pronouns: he/him/his
Hometown: String Prairie, TX
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus
Academic Area of Interest: Rural Medicine, Neuro Critical Care, Social EM, Wilderness Medicine, Disaster Medicine
Why LSU? My first boss I had as a ranch hand was a physician that trained at Charity in New
Orleans, and from a young age I knew I wanted to follow in his foot steps. After completing
my clinical rotations in southern Louisiana, I fell in love with the people, the culture,
and endless learning opportunities. The welcoming faculty and residents, breadth of
settings to train in, and of course the food sealed the deal for me.
Favorite thing about NOLA: Big city with a close community feel, access to water and wildlife, and BBQ comparable
to Texas.
Hobbies: Traveling, hiking/paddling, all things true-crime, ranching.
Sadie Shelton, DO
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic Area of Interest: Disaster medicine, peds EM, social EM
Why LSU? During rotations, it's so easy to feel ignored and unwanted as a medical student.
I never felt that during my audition rotation here. I fell in love with the community
the residency has built which was very important to me.
Favorite thing about NOLA: the food scene
Hobbies: Reading, cross stich, puzzles, rock climbing
Kaitlynn Walker, DO
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Lafayette, LA
Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic Area of Interest: Social EM, Palliative Medicine, Event Medicine
Why LSU? I chose LSU New Orleans because during my audition rotation I felt welcomed and supported.
I knew this would be the program where I could grow into the knowledgeable and compassionate
physician I hope to become while seeing the breadth and depth of emergency medicine.
Growing up in South Louisiana, I feel connected to this patient population, and I
am excited for the opportunity to train close to home.
Favorite thing about NOLA: The food, culture, festivals, parks, and proximity to friends and family.
Hobbies: Tennis, hiking, rock climbing, watching movies, film photography
Breon Wise, MD
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
Medical School: LSU New Orleans
Academic Area of Interest: Social EM, Event Medicine, Wilderness Medicine, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Why LSU? From the incredible pathology and diverse patient population to the supportive learning
environment, I quickly realized there was nowhere else I wanted to train. During my
acting internship, the residents and faculty only reinforced that feeling; they were
welcoming, invested in my success, and created a culture where I knew I would thrive.
Seeing such a diverse group of residents and faculty made LSU feel even more like
home. As a native New Orleanian, having the opportunity to train and give back to
the community that raised me made choosing LSU an easy decision.
Favorite thing about NOLA: My favorite thing about New Orleans is that it has all the perks of a big city while
still feeling like a small town. There is always something going on, whether it’s
a festival, parades, live music, second lines, or just an excuse to gather and celebrate.
And, of course, the food is unmatched.
Hobbies: Orange Theory, run club, softball, reading, watching movies, spending time with family
and friends