Residency and Fellowship Programs

Lauren Blasen, DO

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: East Lansing, MI
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic Area of Interest: Vast! Pediatrics, wilderness medicine, social EM, community outreach, academics, global medicine, critical care 
Why LSU? There are many aspects of any program a prospective resident should look for including academics, location, facilities, and resident/faculty relationship. LSU checked all those boxes for me. However, what really sold me was the community outreach opportunities, palpable passion for medicine, and the focus not only on resident development, but character development as well. These things are very hard to come by!  
Favorite thing about NOLA: I am very new to the area so I'm sure this answer will change, but I love the diversity of people and the ability to meet individuals completely different from me and have the opportunity to connect with them. Oh and I heard the music and food are great additions too!!
Hobbies: Traveling!! Anything outside - running, hiking, camping, water sports, snowboarding. All Michigan State sporting events. Ice hockey. Being with my family. Any activity involving my dogs - Rory and Betty White. They're the best.

Jonah Gevercer, DO

Pronouns: he/him/his
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Medical School: Rocky Vista University- Colorado 
Academic Area of Interest: Pediatrics, Peds EM, Med Ed, Ultrasound
Why LSU? The faculty, residents, community, and culture was a perfect fit for me, and they clearly put effort into cultivating that experience in this program. LSU reflects the vibrant, caring city its housed in, and after my month doing an away rotation here I couldn't picture myself anywhere else.
Favorite thing about NOLA: The food, music, culture, and people. 
Hobbies: Cooking/ eating, traveling, watching basketball, listening to music/ going to concerts. 

Keyur Patel, MD

Pronouns: he/him/his
Hometown: Jacksonville, NC
Medical School: Brody School of Medicine at ECU
Academic Area of Interest: Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Education, Social Medicine, Ultrasound, Pipeline programs
Why LSU? Diversity within the program and the city stood out when I interviewed at LSU Nola! I wanted to join a community that welcomes and embraces diversity. Strong EM and IM training located in a one-of-a-kind city. Residents and faculty were awesome during the interview day!
Favorite thing about NOLA: I am new to NOLA, but it goes without saying that the food, music, drinks, and culture are all areas that I am excited to explore!
Hobbies: Backpacking, rock climbing, soccer, binge watching shows, and video games.

Tayana Rodriguez, MD

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Palmview, TX
Medical School: Texas Tech HSC El Paso - Paul L Foster School of Medicine 
Academic Area of Interest: Health Care Disparities, Medical Education, Street Medicine, Critical Care
Why LSU? I spent a month here during my away rotation and was blown away! I loved the patient population, the residents, faculty and the city. It felt like a month long party in and out of the hospital! I am also extremely excited for the exceptional DOCTORA this program will help me become!
Favorite thing about NOLA: The PEOPLE, culture, food and music! There's never a dull moment! 
Hobbies: Strength training, weight lifting, cooking, eating, dancing, traveling, spending time with family