EM/IM PGY 1-5 Classes
Kai Cao, MD
EM/IM Resident – Class of 2029
Hometown: Vernon Hills, IL
Undergrad: University of Illinois Chicago
Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: Sports (rugby, soccer, football, formula 1), cooking, cycling, plants, model airplanes, fishing and hiking, frequent caller on local sports talk radio stations
Why HCMC? I can’t think of a better place to train at. There is history at every turn. There are legends who have walked through the halls. This hospital is proud of its place in the community and has made that part of its central vision. The program leadership and residents are tight-knit and show so much support to each other. The culture cannot be understated.
Oscar Monterrosa, MD
EM/IM Resident – Class of 2029
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Undergrad: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Medical School: University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: I enjoy early morning exercise sessions, running and weight lifting. I like to discover new running trails or places to explore while running. Also a big foodie!
Why HCMC? During my away rotation, I was amazed at the knowledge base and the procedural competency of the residents. From observing STAB room resuscitations to longitudinal management of the critically ill patients in the ICU, I knew that Hennepin was an amazing training program and that I would be prepared to train in any environment. The diversity of the patient population is another component that drew me into HCMC, as I am passionate about providing care to underserved populations of different backgrounds. My experiences with the teaching faculty were amazing, as I believe Hennepin houses some of the best clinical educators in the country. I also have family who live in northern Minnesota!
Shilpi Ganguly, MD
EM/IM Resident – Class of 2028
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Undergrad: Washington University
Medical School: University of Miami
Interests/Hobbies: I really enjoy going to music shows of all types, especially EDM. I enjoy hiking and climbing, playing tennis, spending time with my puppy Nova, eating at all the best restaurants, watching TV, sleeping, and cooking/baking. I am a huge fan of alternative organized activities, examples for reference include taking sushi making classes, learning how to arrange a flower bouquet, apple picking, drawing, etc. Big fan of doing stuff!!
Why HCMC? It is the people, the alumni, and the city that drew me to HCMC. I have a very unique non-traditional career path ahead of me, and it’s going to need a lot of non-traditional support, and I know the people of HCMC will rally behind me to help prepare me to become the best doctor and one day, space doctor! Also as a Midwesterner that has been in a Miami world for the past 4 years, Minneapolis feels much more like home!
Matthew Pinkelton, DO
EM/IM Resident – Class of 2028
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergrad: Knox University
Medical School:Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Interests/Hobbies: I love to workout, woodwork, hike, and socialize with my friends and family as much as possible!
Why HCMC? This program was my most memorable interview. I remember thinking about an amazing program with an academic background providing care to county hospital patients. This was made even better by the strength of the program and presence of critical care in a resident run hospital. I was sold!
Mackenzie Herzig, DO
EM/IM Resident – Class of 2027
Hometown: Hermantown, MN
Undergrad: University of Minnesota
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: I enjoy being active and spending time outdoors. I’ve been hunting with my dad since I was 12 and always make a trip back north for deer hunting. Other than that, I enjoy spending time watching HGTV shows with my husband and dog and playing board games.
Why HCMC? As a premed I was involved in the research associate program in the ED at HCMC. I loved my time spent here and it is what introduced me to combined EM/IM Residencies. I was able to do an audition at HCMC during my 4th year. During my month here, everyone was so welcoming and well trained demonstrating how well-rounded of a program it is. We also have friends and family in the Twin Cities making it an ideal location!
Emily Syverud, MD
EM/IM Resident – Class of 2027
Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
Undergrad: Gustavus Adolphus College
Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School
Interests/Hobbies: Spending time outside! In the summer I love to hike and camp in the state parks, in the winter I love to downhill ski. If I’m inside you can find me snuggled up with my two cats reading a book.
Why HCMC? I spent my third year of medical school at HCMC as part of the HeLIX program and quickly fell in love with this community. HCMC has everything that I was looking for in a residency program – a mission-driven institution that cares for a diverse group of patients, an excellent training environment, and amazing people to work with!
Ali Raffman, MD
EM/IM Resident – Class of 2026
Hometown: Reston, Virginia
Undergrad: The College of William and Mary
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: In my free time I generally enjoy cooking/baking, running, hiking, yoga, kickboxing, watching hockey (go Caps!), and hanging out with friends and family. In non-COVID times I love to travel, especially to places where I’ve got the opportunity to try something new!
Why HCMC? On my interview day, I was extremely impressed by the Hennepin EM/IM program and felt that it had pretty much everything that I was looking for in a residency program. I appreciated the program’s commitment to serving a diverse, underserved community, as well as the emphasis on resident autonomy balanced with strong resident support. I am particularly interested in critical care, and was excited by the program’s strong critical care curriculum and research opportunities that suited my particular interests. Overall, I felt that the program offered exceptional training and opportunities that would help best prepare me for whatever I might see in my future career!
Kristin Rouse, MD
EM/IM Resident – Class of 2026
Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
Undergrad: University of Minnesota
Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School
Interests/Hobbies: When I am not busy with medicine or kids’ activities, I enjoy spending time in northern Minnesota at my family’s cabin, traveling, attempting to be artistic, or going to the theater. Musicals are my favorite!
Why HCMC? Having worked at HCMC prior to medical school, I experienced first hand the amazing collaboration among the staff to care for the phenomenal, diverse patient population. I have always pictured advancing my medical training among these colleagues and patients.
Gretta Kreider-Carlson
EM/IM Resident – Class of 2025
Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
Undergrad: Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR
Medical School: University of Denver
Interests/Hobbies: I like climbing, mountain biking, trail running, skiing, sitting around fires with friends… all the outdoor things. When I’m not outside, I love reading, knitting, cooking, exploring new restaurants, and silversmithing jewelry
Why HCMC? When I rotated at HCMC, I was super impressed by the depth of knowledge of the residents, as well as the level of autonomy and responsibility they were trusted with. HCMC serves a diverse patient population, which was a non-negotiable for me, and is as high-volume and high-acuity as I could ask for. What really made the final decision for me was the pit boss role: I was looking for a culture of mentorship among the residents, and I know that this role will prepare me for anything as an attending!
Amelia Krug
EM/IM Resident – Class of 2025
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin – Madison
Medical School: University of Minnesota
Interests/Hobbies: Getting outside in any capacity (hiking, backpacking, biking, running), cooking, botanizing, music, spending time with family & friends
Why HCMC? HCMC has amazing faculty, residents, and staff that all share the common goal of improving health care for the underserved. It’s an outstanding education in my favorite city caring for the community in which I grew up.
