Meet the Class of 2028

Undergraduate:
Oklahoma State University, Finance degree

Medical School:
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Hometown:
Tulsa, Oklahoma & Beaver, Oklahoma

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
Having new experiences and hearing new interesting/funny stories from co-workers every day.

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
To continue having a life outside of work while learning to be a competent surgeon.

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
Yearly golf tournament

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
Not a lot, I am born and raised here and love the state, people, and food.

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
Affordable housing that you can have free income to invest in.

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
Red Rooster

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
Wood working/construction

What is your favorite season?
Winter for skiing

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
Havasu Falls in Arizona or Niseko, Hokkaido in Japan for skiing

 

Undergraduate:
University of Tulsa

Medical School:
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Hometown:
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
My co-residents have been the highlight so far. Residency is hard, but going to work everyday with your close friends makes it much more doable.

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
Survive.

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
Tough toss-up between our golf tournament and the roast. 

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
I grew up in Oklahoma so I haven’t really been surprised by much other than the Thunder making it to the top of the western conference. 

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
I have always enjoyed the livability of Oklahoma city. I can get anywhere in the city in about 15 minutes, and when you’re post call the last thing you want is an hour commute home.

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out? 
I’m a coffee shop dweller so I am usually hanging out at Stitch or Prelude coffee. OKC has a long list of fantastic restaurants but Hall’s Pizza or New State burgers are always a good start.

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
I enjoy working on my car and heading to the mountains as much as possible, whether that be snowboarding or hiking.

What is your favorite season?
Fall has always been what I look forward to most.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
I would love to drive a vintage BMW across the Scottish highlands.

Undergraduate:
University of Oklahoma

Medical School:
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Hometown:
Hennepin, OK

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
Having a group of friends/co-residents who know what you're going through! And being involved in surgeries that really make a positive impact patients' lives. 

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
Honing my skills as a clinician and surgeon and seeing new challenges and growth each year of residency.

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
Annual golf outing

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
I’m from Oklahoma, so not a whole lot. But the number of new restaurants and breweries opening is always exciting!

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
The cost of living is fantastic

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
Deep Deuce Grill and New State are two of my favorite places.

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
Anything OU sports related! I also like to cook at home either on the pizza oven or smoker. 

What is your favorite season?
Fall

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
Right now it would be Machu Picchu.

Undergraduate:
Oklahoma State University

Medical School:
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Hometown:
Chickasha, Oklahoma

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
The camaraderie among resients, no doubt.

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
Learning to operate from top notch orthopedic attendings invested in the development of exceptional surgeons.

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
Tough choice, but have to go with the yearly Cheno pool party. Trauma stache is a close second!

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
Born and raised in Oklahoma, I’d say the recent growth. From the Thunder, to concerts, to retailers and restaurants, there seems to be something new all the time. 

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
The small town hospitality with big city accessibility. Oklahoma sunsets are also hard to beat.

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
For a good steak - Cattlemen’s; for the best pizza in town - Hall’s; ice cream - Roxy’s

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
I enjoy being outdoors, hanging with my wife and little girl, or cooking. 

What is your favorite season?
Fall, the weather is nice and football season gets underway.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
The Mediterranean! So much history and great food! 

Undergraduate:
Kansas State University

Medical School:
The University of Kansas Medical Center

Hometown:
Overland Park, KS

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
Getting to know co-residents, especially outside of work. Everyone is super supportive and pushes each other to be their best.

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
Continuing to grow as a surgeon and learning something new every day. 

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
The annual pool party is always a blast, especially the pool basketball tournament which gets competitive.

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
The summers have been much hotter than I anticipated. Kansas summers can get hot, but it’s different in Oklahoma and took some getting used to.

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
Definitely the low cost of living.

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
My wife and I enjoy taking our dog to BarK. We also love the restaurants next to Lake Hefner to watch the sunset during dinner.

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
During the summer we enjoy going to Beaver Lake in Arkansas. We also like going to Lake Hefner to run and bike on the trails.

What is your favorite season?
Summer and lake weekends

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
I would love to visit Banff National Park in Canada

Undergraduate:
University of Oklahoma, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Medical School:
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hometown:
Broken Arrow, OK

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
During residency, I've enjoyed getting to know all of my co-residents and attendings, establishing banter and building relationships, and watching myself grow as a physician and surgeon.

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
I am looking forward to making lasting friendships and memories as well as sharpening my surgical skills and taking care of patients!

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
My favorite OU Ortho tradition thus far has been the various parties and gatherings we have throughout the year. There are post-OITE parties, Christmas parties, and graduation events every year that are fun because the whole program gets together to celebrate good times.

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
Given that I am from Oklahoma, I haven't been surprised by too much. But I will say that I was pleasantly surprised with the food scene in OKC. There are so many cool and delicious restaurants comprised of unique cuisines and spins on traditional dishes. You will find good food here!

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
Oklahoma is a friendly place with a very affordable cost of living. You get most all of the amenities of a big city with a small-town feel. It's the best of both worlds.

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
My favorite places to eat so far are Panang, Cheever's, The Hall's Pizza Kitchen, Chick N Beer, and Manna - Cuisine of India.

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, vegetable gardening, cooking meals with homegrown veggies, spending time with family, playing golf, and playing guitar.

What is your favorite season?
My favorite season is Spring. I love the Spring because everything is new and fresh, the daylight starts to lengthen, it gets warmer (but not too warm), and it's time to get back outside again after the Winter.

I want to take a trip to Southeast Asia and visit many of the countries there. The cuisine is incredible, and the landscape is breathtaking. There is also a very rich cultural history there that I'd love to explore and experience first-hand.

Undergraduate:
University of Arkansas

Medical School:
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hometown:
Jonesboro, AR

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
The people without a doubt. I feel like OU is one big family! My co-residents are amazing. I always feel encouraged, challenged, and supported.

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
Growth. Life is about growth and change and residency is a unique example of that. I'm excited for the growth: professionally, surgically, medically, and personally.

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
The annual pool parties in the summer are great.

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
The community. Everyone is so welcoming; I have truly met some of my best friends here.

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
The ease of travel. I love traveling and it's pretty easy to get anywhere in the country being so central.

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
Good For a Few! It's a great speak-easy in the Plaza District: amazing drinks, music, and atmosphere.

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
Working out, traveling, baking, spending time with loved ones

What is your favorite season?
Fall

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
Currently planning on visiting Iceland and Croatia this year! Otherwise, I'd love to see Vietnam or Thailand.