Lorena Acuna-Eaton – Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Columbia
Lorena studied medicine in Colombia, where she practiced general medicine for two years before relocating to Kodiak, Alaska with her new husband Glenn. She took three years off to study for the Boards, keeping her sights on this program all the while. One weekend outing with residents convinced them that this is where Lorena belonged. When not working Lorena cooking for friends, hiking and fishing.

Darin Bell – University of Texas
Darin was born in Illinois, but spent his formative years in Huntsville, Texas. When his father got a new job, his family moved to Lubbock, famed birthplace of Buddy Holly. Darin eventually made his way through college at Texas Tech University, and attended medical school at UT Southwestern in Dallas. After spending what seemed like an eternity living in an extremely hot climate, he decided to move as far away from his roots as possible. He enjoys, among other things, skiing, backpacking, climbing, and biking, and is interested in rural and remote medicine. Therefore Alaska was the logical choice, having outdoor activities close at hand, and being about as remote as you can get. Since he also enjoys travel, it is convenient that he now gets to travel great distances in order to visit family and friends.

Charlotte Cant – Pennsylvania State University
Charlotte Cant grew up in the Midwest where she spent much of her time on the family dairy farm. As a child, she was dedicated and committed to her violin. She performed whenever possible and ultimately earned a music minor in college. Also, while growing up, she developed a love and respect of nature fostered during the time she spent in rural Wisconsin. Whenever possible she explored the wildlife through outdoor education classes, camps and family hiking and/or ski trips. Her college major was cultural anthropology. Through the AKFMR program she hopes to continue to learn about the art of cross-cultural medicine.

Robert Church – University of Arizona
Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Rob Church was excited to return for Residency. He and his wife Jana (a pharmacist, and also Alaska born and bred) arrived just in time for their first child to be born in Alaska, as well. He has spent most of the past 15 years in Washington and Arizona, first attending Pacific Lutheran University, and now finishing medical school in Tucson at the University of Arizona (Go ‘Cats!). He has been fortunate enough to have a short career as a Forensic Scientist, as well as time spent as a wildlife biologist, an environmental technician on the North Slope of Alaska, and as an EMT.

Chris Cornelius – University of Arizona
Chris calls Tucson, Arizona home, but as a military brat he grew up around the U.S.A. and beyond. He used to call himself "outdoorsy" but was humbled when he moved to The Great Land of Alaska. After too many scorpion stings over the past decade, he appreciates that dangerous animals in Alaska are too big to hide in his shoe. His first idea after college was to do research and be a professor, but felt strange spending so much time with bacteria and found that the twill-and-loafer look wasn't his. Now, as a resident, he gets to wear comfy blue pajamas most days, and enjoys hearing the stories his patients regularly prepare for him.

Jill Gaskill – University of Washington
Jill made her first trip up the Alaska Highway as a 1-year-old and spent her childhood in Anchorage, Alaska. She ventured to Michigan for undergraduate at Calvin College, and then spent a year in Kenya teaching high school science in a rural village. She went to the University of Washington medical school through the WWAMI program with her first year back in Alaska. It was here that she met and married her husband Brad, a Midwesterner in search of an Alaskan adventure. They set off down the Alaska Highway for 4 years of medical school in Seattle. Jill’s favorite activities include cross-country skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and playing with her kids. She is thrilled to be back home in Alaska with family and friends for residency!

Ulyana Howk – Habarovsk State Medical Institute, Russia
Ulyana Howk was born and raised in the Russian Far East. She grew up dreaming of becoming an Olympic downhill skier. As often happens in life, the influence of her teachers and a “small” push from her parents refocused her attention toward medicine. She attended the Khabarovsk State Medical University and after graduating, practiced medicine in the Russian Far East. There she was faced with the challenge of treating infectious disease, cancer, TB, and more than the occasional trauma. This experience instilled a desire to develop skills in alternative medicine, telemedicine, and Native Health. Her goal is to one-day help the underserved Russian Native population from an Alaska based medical facility. Ulyana remains passionate toward Alpine and Nordic skiing but it is not uncommon to find her snuggled up by the fire reading a good book.

Margaret Keppler – University of Connecticut
Margaret Kepler was first drawn to Alaska out of a sense of wonder. In what would prove to be a life changing college summer break, she came to Alaska to work at Denali National Park. It was there that she fell in love with the state and a 4th generation Alaskan, Kolin Kepler. Margaret is eager for anything outdoors and loves to learn medicine amidst mountains and adventurous people. In her free time, Margaret seeks adventure through x-country sking, camping, relaxing with family, and doing anything crafty.

Valerie Prendergast – University of Colorado
Val hails from the small town of Sycamore, Illinois. She headed West to Colorado for her undergraduate degree and a stint as a varsity swimmer (in beautiful Fort Collins - Go Rams!) and then to the mile high city of Denver for her MD. Between formal studies, Val has enjoyed living in such “challenging” environments as the Southern coast of France and the hills of Puerto Rico. She makes time for telemark skiing, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, Jimmy Buffet concerts, and being a travel bum. Medicine interests include rural and underserved populations, womens' health, and international health.

Elizabeth Roberts – University of Minnesota
Elizabeth grew up in the outskirts of Minneapolis, MN. In college she studied rural health care in India. After college she received her Masters in Public Health by combining studies at the University of NC-Chapel Hill with 2 years of Peace Corps service in Ecuador as a rural health educator. She has also traveled throughout Europe, Russia, Asia and Central & South America, but returned to Minnesota for medical school. Besides traveling, her interests include knitting, running, hiking, camping, and cooking. She was pleased to have found a residency program that provides exceptional rural family medicine training, cross-cultural opportunities, outdoor adventure, and the chance to keep up her Spanish.

Sean Cardinal – University of Wisconsin Medical School
Sean completed his internship at Columbia St. Mary’s Family Practice Residency and joined AKFMR in July 2007 as a second year resident. His interests include integrative medicine, international medicine, public health and medical access, travel, yoga, cooking hiking, camping, snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving, and biking.

Kimberly Corral – Creighton University
Kim knows Alaska well. She has lived and worked in various parts of the state as a teacher and writer. She has worked with Native youth and written about Alaska’s natural landscapes and the people who inhabit them. Kim is interested in preventive medicine.

Cory Ecklund – University of Minnesota
Cory moved from Northern Minnesota to the more temperate climate of Anchorage. He has had extensive experience in rural medicine, and would like to further explore wilderness medicine. Cory supplemented his medical education with volunteer experiences in Ecuador and Peru, and has been active in several community-wide projects. Cory can be found outside running, biking, hiking, kayaking, backpacking, skiing, and SCUBA diving; or you’ll find him inside listening to jazz and playing the trumpet.

Kristen Frank – Albany Medical College
Kristen has traveled much of the globe. She got real-world experience in taking care of people while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guinea. She continued such pursuits by working and volunteering for grass-roots and international organizations throughout Africa. She has also obtained her Masters of Public Health. For fun she “sculls and sweeps” with a rowing club. Kristen looks forward to a career in rural and underserved communities here and abroad.

Tamara Huntington – Kansas City University
Tamara is well acquainted with “Bush” Alaska. She has lived in Galena, Alaska and worked in the medical clinic there. She looks forward to practicing the “personal, eclectic, and physically rigorous medicine” required in rural Alaska. Tamara plays the Carnatic flute and is fluent in American Sign Language.

Nathan Kasukonis – University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Nathan completed his internship at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and joined AKFMR in July 2007 as a second year resident. He enjoys hiking, running, mountain biking, road biking, and skiing.

Allison Kelliher – University of Washington
Allison grew up in the isolated community of Nome, Alaska. Her upbringing has inspired her to provide culturally relevant care to underserved communities. Allison has traveled far from Nome. She found herself in Thailand shortly after the devastating tsunami of 2004. While in training she is looking forward to learning more about complementary and alternative therapies.

M. Jane Moore – Tulane University
Jane moved to Alaska at the age of three, and grew up eating caribou and home-grown vegetables. She describes her route to medicine as “non-traditional”. To Jane, the practice of medicine is a tremendous privilege that is personally, intellectually, and spiritually rewarding. She is a mother who also enjoys fishing, camping, hiking, dancing, furniture finishing, and home improvement projects.

Jessica Scott – University of Washington
Jessica grew up in the Alaskan village of Kake (population 700), and moved to Juneau for high school. This cultural shift, which provided easier access to health care, but a less healthy lifestyle, motivated Jessica to explore a career in medicine. In medical school she was a leader in the Medicine Wheel Society, which explores Alaska Native and Native American health care issues. Jessica enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and kayaking.

Kristen Solana Walkinshaw – University of Texas
Kristen migrated from Texas, where she had long been dreaming of Alaskan adventures and challenges. Prior to medical school, Kristen had a career as a pharmacist. During medical school, she received several honors for humanism and professionalism. She is a longtime soccer player who participates in a Zen meditation group.

Anne West – University of Arizona
Anne has spent time in the Southwest, New York, and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso. She volunteered extensively with underserved clinics while in medical school, and is committed to working in resource-limited settings. Anne and her husband have family in Juneau.

Justin Carricaburu - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Justin came to Alaska from Illinois, where he attended the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University. He was born in Dillingham and grew up in Alaska. Justin is married and has three children.

Mary Gwayi-Chore - University of Nairobi
Mary is originally from Kenya where she earned her medical degree at the University of Nairobi. Before joining AKFMR she practiced as a Physician Assistant, in rural Alaska. She also trained and supervised community health aides. Before immigrating to the United States in 1995, she practiced as an OB/Gyn clinician in Kenya for 14 years.

Alice Hulebak - University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Alice earned her MD degree in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. She graduated in May 2007 and made the trip up to Alaska with her husband. Alice has worked quite a bit with Native Americans in her home state of New Mexico, as well as Arizona. She enjoys traveling, cooking, knitting, and outdoor activities.

Jennifer Hyer - Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine
Jennifer arrived in Anchorage with her husband after sailing their houseboat up from Oregon. She was awarded her MD degree at Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine. Jennifer’s husband was born and raised in Anchorage and his family is looking forward to them being closer to home. Her interests include sailing, hiking, sea kayaking, and international travel.

Mary Lim - University of The East
Mary was born in the Philippines and earned her medical degree at University of The East. Mary’s knowledge of the Alaska Family Medicine Residency program comes from her brother, a recent graduate. She likes to spend time reading, sightseeing, and taking photographs.

Barbara Piromalli - Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Barbara received her medical degree in May 2007 from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Barbara enjoys running, music, hiking and traveling.

Christopher Piromalli - Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Christopher, along with his wife Barbara, received his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Chris lists his hobbies and interests as hiking, travel, cooking, anthropology, and spending time with family.

John Ribadeneyra - Ross University
John spent most of his life in New England. He has an Airframe and Power Plant license, as well as an Associate’s degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology. John earned his Master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and his medical degree from Ross University. He loves ice climbing, skiing, running, biking, whitewater kayaking, working out, as well as reading survival stories and historical accounts.

John Scheck - Ross University
John received his degree from Ross University in March 2007. He moved to Alaska from Florida and worked as an acupuncturist in that state. John’s interests include classical and traditional violin, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, and rock climbing.

Melissa Shein - University of Washington School of Medicine
Melissa is originally from Anchorage, but earned her degree at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She aspires to serve the Alaska Native People and is the proud parent of a little boy. Melissa enjoys beading, sewing, cooking, traveling, as well as fishing and camping.

Meghan Shayhorn - Temple University School of Medicine
Meghan hails from the east coast where she completed her initial medical education at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She enjoys long distance running, traveling, hiking and reading.

Heather Templeton - University of Toledo
Heather comes from Ohio where she attended medical school at the University of Toledo. She and her husband have been looking forward to moving closer to the mountains of Alaska. Heather likes to visit US national parks, write poetry, as well as play competitive card and board games.