Jacob Gozdor, MD
Where are you from?
Clarkston, MI
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
I chose UA Family medicine because it provided me the opportunity to push my boundaries and challenge myself as a physician and as a person. When I visited on my second look, UA Family medicine showed itself as a place where I can meet new people and connect with my coresidents, building lifelong relationships while also achieving my academic and professional goals
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
Tucson provides me with many opportunities to get outside and try new things. From the diverse food culture within the city to camping in the mountains, I am excited for all the new experiences that the city will be able to provide me.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of Medicine?
Outside of medicine, I enjoy being outside. From cycling to running, to camping and hiking, I enjoy my time connecting with nature and exploring new places.
What are your professional interests within Medicine?
I have many interests within medicine and I think that is why Family Medicine suited me best. I am interested in a variety of areas including Sports medicine, addiction medicine, and learning about integrative medicine.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
My favorite way to spend a day off is by getting in an early morning workout, followed by getting outside to golf or explore the city or the surrounding nature.
Top item on your "Bucket list"
The top item on my bucket list is to backpack the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
Daniel Gutierrez, DO
Where are you from?
Phoenix, AZ
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
I chose the UA Family Medicine residency because Arizona is home to me. I love how this program actively supports diverse communities, including refugees, the underserved, and LGBTQIA individuals. Their cultural understanding and inclusivity, along with the friendly environment created by the faculty, staff, and residents, make it the perfect fit for me.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
I’m excited to explore Tucson's vibrant food scene and new hiking trails. I look forward to building lasting relationships and creating a new safe space here, where I can blend my love for the outdoors with connecting with people.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of Medicine?
I love spending time outdoors and exploring new hiking trails. I enjoy staying active, exercising and reading a good book. Also, spending quality time with family and friends is important to me, and hanging out/playing with my puppy, Louie.
What are your professional interests within Medicine?
Underserved populations, hospital medicine, and community medicine. I'm passionate about advocating for patients and ensuring they receive the best possible care.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
Relax and unwind with some mindless activities. I also enjoy visiting cute coffee shops for a change of pace and a good cup of coffee. It’s the perfect way to recharge and enjoy some downtime.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Traveling somewhere affordable outside the country! Honestly, I’m all about finding the cheapest flight and making the most of my next trip. If it’s a bargain adventure, it’s at the top of my list!
Zachary Hori, DO
Where are you from?
Redmond, WA
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
I did a sub-I with the U of A Family Medicine program and really enjoyed working with the team, I found that the working and learning environment was very pleasant and encouraging and supported my learning goals.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
I am most excited to get settled in and explore the rich cultural heritage and food of Tucson and the surrounding areas.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of Medicine?
I enjoy cooking and making a nice comforting meal. I have many family members in Hawaii so many of the dishes I make often have Hawaiian or Japanese roots.
What are your professional interests within Medicine?
Working in the outpatient clinic in the primary are setting.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
Going on a nice hike and taking time to take in the sights and reflect on my life and work is my favorite way for me to decompress.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Traveling to Asia and seeing the sights in Japan and South Korea.
Christie Nguyen, DO
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Tucson!
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
My partner and I knew from the very beginning that we wanted to stay in Tucson for our training and beyond. Additionally, I wanted a program that would prepare me for full spectrum family medicine, with an emphasis in underserved communities. While on my audition rotation here, I was so impressed by the residents and how genuinely kind they all were to me, each other, and to the patients.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
The beautiful sunsets, monsoon season, and the food!
What are your interests or hobbies outside of Medicine?
My current obsession is bouldering and top rope climbing!
What are your professional interests within Medicine?
Women’s health, Global health, Integrative medicine
Favorite way to spend a day off?
Quality time with my partner with an early morning hike then breakfast burritos
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Visiting Spain! Banff National Park too!
Ana Samaniego, DO
Where are you from?
Tucson, AZ
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
The program’s emphasis on integrative medicine and its dedication to serving Tucson, particularly its underserved areas. Being able to train in the city where I grew up and contribute to the community I know and love is an added bonus.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
Being home and spending time with friends and family.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of Medicine?
Pottery, yoga and more recently, browsing Petfinder.com—looking to adopt a pup soon!
What are your professional interests within Medicine?
Integrative Medicine, Community Medicine, Women’s Health
Favorite way to spend a day off?
Hammocking and picnicking on a Mount Lemmon trail with my partner.
Top item on your "Bucket list"
Experience a (proper) fall season
Alysha Sousa, DO
Where are you from?
Camarillo, California
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
During my last year of medical school, I had the opportunity to audition at several residency programs throughout the country. UA Family Medicine stood out with unique offerings in integrative, sports, and rural medicine. In addition to the thorough training, I enjoyed the people I met in the program and the community I was serving.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
I am excited for the endless amounts of outdoor activities, the surrounding nature, the sunshine, and tacos.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of Medicine?
Outside of medicine I enjoy traveling, hiking, gardening, and spending time in nature. I have been to 6 continents and really enjoy meeting people and experiencing their culture.
What are your professional interests within Medicine?
Community Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Sports Medicine, Global Medicine
Favorite way to spend a day off?
My favorite way to spend a day off is any way to recharge my batteries. Sometimes that means a good meal with family/friends, and sometimes that means a road trip to the mountains. I’m also not above a day in bed with Netflix and various desserts.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Invent the world's best chocolate chip cookie.
Natalie Vela, MD
Where are you from?
Clarkston, MI
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
I was seeking to explore a new region of the country and be in a place where I could work with a larger Spanish-speaking/Latinx/Hispanic community and have good access to outdoor activities and more sunshine – Tucson was a great fit! I was also particularly drawn to UA Tucson Family Medicine for their strong broad-spectrum training with unique opportunities in integrative medicine, global and rural health, refugee health and a Spanish Language and Healthcare Disparities track, all of which fit very well with my interests and what I was seeking in a residency program.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
I’m looking forward to finally escaping Midwest winters for a bit! I am also excited to try more Sonoran cuisine, go hiking/camping in nearby Mt. Lemmon and all over Arizona and check out the many festivals and markets that come through town. I also want to get a bike so I can start biking the Loop and participate in El Tour de Tucson at some point during residency!
What are your interests or hobbies outside of Medicine?
I love most outdoor activities – hiking, camping, backpacking, running, biking, swimming, kayaking. My co-residents have gotten me back into pickleball and rock climbing as well! I also love cooking/trying new foods, live music, Latin dancing and traveling.
What are your professional interests within Medicine?
I am passionate about language justice, including promoting language concordant care and safe/effective interpreter use. I am very interested in integrative and lifestyle medicine and how to implement those practices in lower resourced and culturally diverse communities. Naturally as a family doc, I enjoy practicing preventative care and managing chronic illness to improve quality of life. I also enjoy adolescent and women’s health and have a specific interest in weight-neutral approaches to PCOS.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
Having a slow morning. Doing something active with friends. Going to the farmer’s market. Facetiming friends and family, including my baby niece!
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
I really want to get scuba certified and travel to major scuba diving destinations all over the world! I’m already manifesting a post grad trip to do the Camino de Santiago/Camino Portugues. I also want to travel to every state in Mexico.
Sydnie Weber, MD
Where are you from?
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
The University of Arizona made a lasting impression on me because of their deep commitment to supporting underserved communities and their continued work with a diverse patient population. I also chose UA Family Medicine because of the opportunities to be trained in the areas of Integrative and Preventative Medicine which are specific interests of mine.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
I’m excited to spend time hiking and exploring restaurants in Tucson with my fellow residents and new friends. As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy there are so many restaurants to explore! I am also looking forward to improving my Spanish.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of Medicine?
I love to play pickleball, lift weights, and hike. I enjoy finding a fun new coffee shop or bakery. I also enjoy cooking and I am always up for a game of Settlers of Catan!
What are your professional interests within Medicine?
Having a background in Kinesiology gives me an interest in Sports Medicine, however Women’s Health has always held a special place in my heart and I would love to pursue a career focusing on that unique and wonderful world of medicine.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
Start the day with a cappuccino in the backyard followed by checking out a farmers market and then play basketball, pickleball or go on a hike. Then spend the afternoon with friends getting tacos and playing board games!
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Sort of multiple things in one, but I would love to visit 30 countries before the age of 30; only 4 more to go! I hope to visit Colombia and Norway soon.