https://medicine.ouhsc.edu/academic-departments Parent Page: Academic Departments id: 24293 Active Page: - Class of 2029id:34480

Meet the Class of 2029

Caroline Ballard, MD

Undergrad School
Washington University in St. Louis, Major in Biology

Medical School
University of Kansas School of Medicine 

Hometown
Manhattan, Kansas 

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
I have enjoyed getting to know all my coresidents and being able to learn in a super supportive environment! 

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
To continue to grow my skills in the operating room. 

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
I am really looking forward to the annual golf tournament

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
The people here are incredibly nice and welcoming. 

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
Oklahoma City is also a very easy place to live. Affordable, not too much traffic, and plenty of fun things to do. 

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
I love hanging out in Midtown. There are a lot of good restreraunts and some fun coffee shops. 

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
I enjoy getting dinner with friends, trying new workout classes, and watching sporting events 

What is your favorite season?
My favorite season is fall. I love when the weather starts to get colder and I am a big football fan. Go chiefs! 

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
I would love to go skiing in the Swiss or French Alps one day! 


Ibikari Legg-Jack, MD

Undergraduate:
University of Oklahoma B.S. Biochemistry

Medical School:
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Hometown:
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
Having an active role in serving patients on their health journey.

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
Serving patients and sharpening my orthopaedic surgery skills/knowledge with my co-residents.

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
Its pace of development, I've lived here on and off for the past 20 years and it has continually improved each year.

What is your favorite OU ortho tradition?
Annual golf tournament

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
Extremely high quality, kind people everywhere you go.

What has become your favorite place to dine/hang out?
Scissortail Park and the adjoining Oklahoma River Trail downtown. Great for walking/running as well as a nice Farmer's Market on the weekends.

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
Playing soccer, and supporting Manchester United FC.

What is your favorite season?
Summer. I enjoy the long days and warm weather.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
I'd love to visit England with my brother and go to as many Premier League soccer games as we could fit in a trip.


Samuel Marshall, MD

Undergrad School
Drury University, Biochemistry

Medical School
University of Missouri School of Medicine

Hometown
Rolla, Missouri

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
The positive culture of OU and getting to know my coresidents.

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
Continue to expand my knowledge and grow as a resident and surgeon.

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
The golf tournament. But I hope to bring back the Resident Games while I’m here.

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
How nice the people are.

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
How easy it is to get around OKC. I live in Edmond but the drive to work is quick.

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
Neighborhood Jam is by far my favorite. The best biscuits and breakfast food!

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
Workout, play basketball, watch movies, hang out with friends, and going to sporting events!

What is your favorite season?
My favorite season is fall. I love the cold weather.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
My wife and I went to Maui for our honeymoon, since then I have always wanted to go back.


Cameron McLaury, MD

Undergrad School
University of Tulsa, Mechanical Engineering

Medical School
University of Oklahoma, College of Medicine

Hometown
Tulsa, Oklahoma

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
Having the opportunity to get to know my coresidents

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
Can't go wrong with a good trauma stache

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
The high volume of trauma

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

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
The tacos at El Tapatio

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
Hunting and Fishing

What is your favorite season?
Fall

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
Alaska


Rob Nayfa, MD

Undergrad School
University of Oklahoma, Science for Medicine and Public Health

Medical School
University of Oklahoma, College of Medicine

Hometown
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
Getting to know my coresidents inside and outside of the hospital!

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
Expanding my orthopedic knowledge to better help our patient population.

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
The annual golf tournament

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
Being an Oklahoma City Native, not much has surprised me but you will rarely be stuck in traffic which is very nice after long days at the hospital.

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
Oklahoma is an incredible city to train in. Most residents own homes, there is little to no traffic, and an incredible food scene. OU football and OKC Thunder games are also a great time and easily accessible as a resident.

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
Café Kacao is one of the best brunch spots in OKC. Midtown offers multiple breweries that are a great place to hang with friends.

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
I love to play new golf courses, watch OU football and Chelsea FC games

What is your favorite season?
Fall is the best because OU football is in full swing.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
I would love to do a golf tour in Scotland and Ireland!


Joseph Rath, MD

Undergrad School
Black Hills State University, Biology and Exercise Science

Medical School
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

Hometown
Canton, South Dakota

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
Getting to know my co-residents and being involved in orthopedics.

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
I am really looking forward to learning how to operate and focus on improving my skills diagnosing and treating orthopedic problems.  Also trauma bonding.

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
Pool party water basketball

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
 The city is very active and there is a lot to do! Also it is not as humid as I thought it would be, which is nice.

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
Oklahoma City is a fun city, and I have really enjoyed living here. There are fun places to hang out, plenty of good places to run and bike, as well as weekly group runs and rides.

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
Red Rooster, Picassos Café, Skydance Brewery

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
Running, biking, hanging out with my significant other Ally and our cat Pebble, and I love a good road trip when I get the chance.

What is your favorite season?
Summer, I like the long days, heat, and the good times summer brings.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
Alaska for the fishing, trails, and snowboarding


Kevin Salomon, MD

Undergrad School
Pensacola Christian College

Medical School
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine

Hometown
Tampa, Florida

What have you enjoyed most about residency?
I love the camaraderie that you build with all the co-residents, especially on trauma. All the residents here actively try to help each other get things done. Even outside work, we're always making plans to hang out.

What are you looking forward to do during residency?
Matching from out of state, I am looking forward to seeing what OK life is like. Can't wait to enjoy all 4 seasons here!

What is your favorite OU Ortho tradition?
I'm definitely looking forward to the trauma stache! It seems to be a staple here.

What has surprised you most about Oklahoma?
When I moved here, several neighbors came by and brought Crumble cookies, pumpkin bread, and several other things. It's incredible how nice everyone is here!

What hidden benefit of Oklahoma have you enjoyed?
Oklahoma City is WELL below average for cost of living so it was great to buy a house near the hospital as an intern.

What has become your favorite place to dine or hang out?
Jones Assembly is a great spot with really good food and fun things like bingo nights with giveaways. There are many other little spots to hang out as well.

What is something you enjoy to do in your spare time?
I've been enjoying exploring OKC with my wife and 2 kids. OKC is a very family-friendly city so we've been able to check out trails, nature centers, parks, etc.

What is your favorite season?
I've only experienced Summer so far, but it reminds me of home back in Tampa so it hasn't been too bad.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
I am hoping to do a Europe trip someday, specifically England, France, and Italy.