Nick Ahern, MD
Where are you from?
I lived the first year of my life in Provo, Utah. I grew up in Rochester, NY, as well as across upstate NY, in both the Syracuse and Albany areas.
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
I chose family medicine because of how I wanted to be involved in nearly everything medicine has to offer, and I truly enjoy being a part of people’s lives. UA Family Medicine provides such a great opportunity to be involved in full-spectrum family medicine, where you can experience the breadth that medicine has to offer.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
I was surprised to learn how much of a foodie scene there is in Tucson! As someone who loves to eat everything – from Sonoran dogs to fancier faire, I’m excited to discover what Tucson has to offer. Also, the nearby mountains and terrain are so beautiful.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?
As a husband, and father of two lively children, I love doing all sorts of things: video and board games, imaginative play, playing guitar and painting, outdoor games and sports, cooking and eating, movies and TV – I’m easy to please.
What are your professional interests within medicine?
I like to be involved with lots of things with a changing variety, so I’m hoping to practice full-spectrum family medicine.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
I like to spend my mornings slow, doing some exercise, making a good breakfast. Then spending the day playing with my kids, making a nice dinner and then bike riding or longboarding around the neighborhood with my family. Finishing the day off with my wife watching my shows and talking!
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
I hope to travel to so many places, but Italy is at the top right now.
Chloe Kidd, MD
Where are you from?
Ventura, CA
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
I chose UA because it felt like the perfect blend of academic and community medicine while providing full-spectrum training and experiences caring for rural and underserved patient populations.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
After four years in upstate NY, I couldn’t resist Tucson’s 350+ days of sunshine!
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?
I’m a big foodie! I love cooking meals at home, but also keep a running list of restaurants/eateries around town to try!
What are your professional interests within medicine?
My goals are to practice full-spectrum family medicine and my specific interest areas include reproductive health, addiction medicine, and LGBTQ+ care.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
I love to start with a lazy morning with some homemade waffles and coffee. Then perhaps some chilling poolside, a quick workout with my husband, and then an evening plopped on the couch watching whatever newest Marvel, Star Wars, or TV show has our attention (perhaps even my guilty pleasure – The Kardashians)!
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Get scuba certified and dive the Great Barrier Reef (before it bleaches completely!).
Tyler Kidd, MD
Where are you from?
San Diego, CA
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
The program values everything that I care about and provides training in broad-spectrum family medicine. In addition, being in warm and sunny weather year-round is just too hard to resist!
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
The food, culture, and nature! In addition to being closer to my family in California.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?
Very into trying out new food and restaurants
What are your professional interests within medicine?
Point of care ultrasound, MSK, and procedures
Favorite way to spend a day off?
Sleep in, sit on the patio, go to the pool, etc.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Drive a Ferrari on a racetrack
Jinx Lioi, MD
Where are you from?
I grew up in Canton, OH.
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
I was looking for programs with full-spectrum training and the Tucson South program offered that. My goal is to be able to go anywhere in the world and be able to contribute. That means delivering babies, working inpatient, and doing procedures. However, I pursued medicine for more than the clinical training and wanted a program that offered more. I wanted a space where people were challenging the oppressive systems in this country. Since the program is located near the US-Mexico border and Indigenous communities, a lot of politics are inherent to the location. Instead of shunning those communities, the program has been trying to embrace them and I want to be a part of that. Lastly, yet still very important, I felt welcomed as a queer and nonbinary person. I am loud and proud and that loud and proud was embraced.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
NO MORE SNOW! I lived in Buffalo, NY for ten years and I. Am. Tired. The beautiful scenery and exploration opportunities in the mountains and parks. Biking to work every day all year round. The big cacti. Sunshine everyday?
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?
Art! In all its forms. I am a circus arts performer (partner acrobatics and starting to do flow art/fire spinning). Biking. Hiking. Language learning. Reading (fantasy, politics, history, theory, queer fiction). Community building. Video/board games.
What are your professional interests within medicine?
Medical education, point of care ultrasound, community medicine, global medicine, cultural safety.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
Waking up without an alarm! Depending on the energy levels, it’s either baking a frozen pizza, lounging and inviting friends over to play games, or exploring with a hike/bike ride and dabbling in some acrobatics in there. Then ending the day with friends – talking and sharing space with one another.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Choreograph and record a dance/fire spinning piece in the desert.
Anna Moga, MD
Where are you from?
Reno, Nevada but I call Tucson home now
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
I love this program! I love its commitment to underserved and rural people, and I think it will help me become a doctor who remains committed to those values.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
I am excited to stay in Tucson for another three years and continue to explore the beautiful mountains and wonderful food.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?
Gardening and indoor houseplants, cooking elaborate meals with my husband, traveling (my goal is to go to as many countries as I am old)
What are your professional interests within medicine?
Rural medicine, street medicine, public health
Favorite way to spend a day off?
In the pool!
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
To bake the perfect sourdough loaf
Radu Moga, MD
Where are you from?
I’m from Phoenix, AZ originally, but I have lived in Tucson the last 4 years.
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
UA Family Medicine is a place that values rural communities and the underserved. I knew that by coming here I would be surrounded by residents and faculty that inspire me.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
I love Tucson’s vibrant community – the people, the food, the views, the murals, and the many things to explore.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?
Watching movies, cooking, and hanging out with my dog, George.
What are your professional interests within medicine?
I am interested in full-spectrum family medicine and rural health.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
My ideal day off consists of a breakfast burrito, a “shaded and brief” hike, and happy hour with my wife and friends.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
To visit Peru and try as many of their 3,800 native potato types as I can.
Jessica Pirkle, MD
Where are you from?
Detroit and Phoenix
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
Our shared interest in addressing social determinants of health and healthcare disparities.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
Finding the perfect Sonoran hotdog and exploring all the nature!
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?
Making and eating delicious foods, taking care of my plants, pets, and children; traveling, going to as many concerts as possible.
What are your professional interests within medicine?
Women’s health, integrative medicine, healthcare policy & advocacy, and quality improvement.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
Hiking, lounging, or seeing live music with or without my four wild kiddos.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Visit Portugal!
Athena Zimon, MD
Where are you from?
I’m a local! I grew up in Tucson.
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
I loved the program’s emphasis on care for underserved populations and learning to provide a broad spectrum of care, so our patients don’t have to struggle to access as many specialty services or go without necessary care. I loved that it had the option to learn medical Spanish and learn about evidence-based alternative medicine. Most of all, I loved how everyone seemed extremely kind and supportive and cared a lot about supporting each other.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
I’m excited to establish a new relationship with Tucson as an adult! I want to eat so much food at all the restaurants I was too picky to try as a kid. I’m really excited to spend time with my family who lives here.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?
I love to garden, both for decoration and for food, and I am especially passionate about growing tomatoes. I’ve been reading all about techniques for saving water with vegetable and flower gardening. I also am a big crafter. I sew, I knit, I hot-glue-gun excessively. Now we have a shed in our backyard and my spouse is mildly in dread of the day I decide to get power tools.
What are your professional interests within medicine?
I am passionate about expanding access to care for those who have trouble affording, physically getting to, or understanding their medical needs. I really enjoy helping people feel in control of their reproductive health, whether through managing periods, contraception, or pregnancy. I care a lot about integrating mental and physical health care, so treating addiction, anxiety, and depression are passions of mine. I also care a lot about weight bias in medicine, so empowering people with all body types to feel good and healthy in their current bodies. The unifying factor in all of these interests is a focus on trauma-informed care.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
Waking up slowly with a cup of coffee made by my beloved spouse, playing with my two cats Agnes and Big Scout, then going to brunch with friends and spending the afternoon in the garden and listening to an audiobook while pulling weeds.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Go on a multi-day solo hike through a redwood, old-growth forest. Have a profound spiritual moment with an elk or a rare beetle or something a la Reese Witherspoon in “Wild.”