Class of 2028

Hometown: Addison, TX

Undergrad: Southwestern University

Medical School: Long School of Medicine, UTHSC San Antonio

Favorite thing about El Paso: the people and the mountains!

Plans after residency: Fellowship, hopefully Tactical Medicine

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I have a BA in Accounting and went to UT Austin to complete the prerequisite courses for medical school.

Name: Joshua Cardenas

Hometown: El Paso, Texas

Undergrad: The University of Texas at El Paso

Grad School: (None)

Medical School: Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso

Favorite thing about El Paso: The kind, hospitable people and the fantastic food!

Plans after residency: I would like to pursue a fellowship after residency and then serve the El Paso community after.

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I'm currently learning Japanese so I can read manga and watch anime without waiting for the English versions.

Name: Rachael Dooley

Hometown: Clarksville, TN

Undergrad: Austin Peay State University

Grad School: Austin Peay State University

Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center SOM- Lubbock

Favorite thing about El Paso: Having family close by, the weather, the mountains, so many amazing places to go running, and Ft. Bliss!

Plans after residency: I plan to practice in a county or community hospital in Texas, ideally working with residents!

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I was stationed in Honolulu, HI, aboard a 378-foot cutter (ship) while in the Coast Guard. We traveled to Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Alaska! I also worked as a medical assistant for a plastic surgeon in Manhattan! Lastly, I taught Zumba classes at my local YMCA during grad school!

Name: Kaisa Elliott

Hometown: Mahtomedi, MN

Undergrad: University of Chicago

Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School

Favorite thing about El Paso: 300 days of sunshine per year and authentic Mexican food!

Plans after residency: I am still deciding, but I would love to work in the community and am considering a global health/ultrasound fellowship.

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I have many hobbies including boxing, salsa dancing and solo traveling!

Name: Bailey Gefroh

Hometown: Flagstaff, AZ

Undergrad: Arizona State University

Medical School: University of Arizona-Tucson

Favorite thing about El Paso: The mountains, the food, and the people!

Plans after residency: To work in rural emergency medicine, and to travel!

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I spend my free time exploring the outdoors with my dog, Boots! I love rock climbing, hiking, camping and eating good food with friends.

Hometown: El Paso, Texas

Undergrad: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso

Favorite thing about El Paso: The people, the mountains, Chicos Tacos.

Hobbies/Interests: Tennis, Sci Fi, adventures.

Plans after residency: Haha, I just got here... Maybe a fellowship or community work.

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I make a mean quesadilla, and I lived in six different states until coming back home to El Paso.

Name: Mark Grant

Hometown: El Paso, TX

Undergrad: UTEP

Medical School: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine

Favourite thing about El Paso: The people, the culture, the art and the FOOD!

Plans after residency: Practice in El Paso and help my community continue to grow.

Interesting/unique thing: I make art and fix up motorcycles.

Name: Taylor Kligerman

Hometown: Flossmoor, IL

Undergrad: Warren Wilson College

Medical School: Rocky Vista COM Colorado

Favorite thing about El Paso: Food, outdoor activities, and sunny weather

Hobbies/Interests: Backpacking, travel, cooking, and gardening

Plans after residency: TBD

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I grew up in a very musical family and have two sisters who are opera singers.

Name: Matthew Pace

Hometown: Mesa, AZ

Undergrad: Arizona State University

Medical School: Ross University SOM

Favorite thing about El Paso: The sunshine. After freezing through Michigan winters for medical school, being back in a warm, sunny place is amazing. I’m an Arizona guy through and through, so matching here was like coming home. And of course the incredible Mexican food!

Hobbies/interests: Mountain biking, snowboarding, chess, aquascaping, horseback riding, sleeping, playing with my kids.

Plans after residency: After residency, I’m excited to jump straight into practice. My main focus is building a career I love while being more present with my family. After years of training, I'll be ready for a little more balance. And to finally enjoy the life I’ve worked hard for.

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I used to run a bounce house business back in Phoenix to help pay for college. Every weekend was a hustle. I was constantly setting up giant inflatables all over town.

Name: Aden Springer

Hometown: Bloomington, IL

Undergrad: Illinois State University

Grad School: TTUHSC- El Paso

Medical School: TTUHSC- El Paso

Favorite thing about El Paso: It feels like home.

Plans after residency: Catching up on traveling!

Something unique or interesting about yourself: Qualified for nationals for Olympic weightlifting in 2014 for the 77kg class.

Name: Martyn Urquijo

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

Medical School: Universidad de Sonora

Favorite thing about El Paso: its rich cultural diversity and welcoming community. The city’s unique blend of Mexican and American influences is reflected in its vibrant food, music, and traditions. I also appreciate the stunning desert landscapes and nearby hiking trails, offering a perfect escape after a busy shift.

Plans after residency: Traveling the world while applying my Emergency Medicine skills from Texas Tech!

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I've played 4 musical instruments since I was 9 years old.

Name: Andrew Wittry

Hometown: Glidden, IA

Undergrad: Iowa State University

Medical School: A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Favorite thing about El Paso: The sunshine/climate and being with my partner

Plans after residency: Possibly pursuing a sports medicine fellowship, living in a big city, and traveling as much as possible

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I won an ice cream eating contest at the Iowa State Fair.

Name: León Figueroa

Hometown: Santa Monica, CA

Undergrad: UCLA

Grad School: Babson MBA, WMed Biomedical Masters

Medical School: Western Michigan Homer Stryker SOM

Favorite thing about El Paso: The "warm" weather and its people!

Plans after residency: Fellowship and business administration

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I love making pizzas from scratch.