Leadership

Genaro Ramirez-Fernandez, Co-President

My name is Genaro (Hen-r-o), a first-year medical student at the University of Washington - Seattle campus. Growing up in the greater Seattle area, a large part of my childhood was spent outside running around, mostly playing soccer. More than anything else, through participating in outdoor recreational activities, I considered it a blessing to have the ability to participate in the activities that I found enjoyment in. My interest in Orthopedics began before ever realizing a career in medicine was even possible, through a high school program in automotive training. It is here that I cultivated the passion for being able to help others in diagnosing a problem, articulating a plan to procure a solution, and then applying that plan through technical skill to achieve a certain outcome. These experiences later blossomed when I began working at an ambulatory surgical center, working for a group of orthopedic surgeons. I was kindly introduced to the incredible world of orthopedic surgery by many amazing people and was able to provide care for patients who also sought to return to doing the things that they had always enjoyed doing. Outside of medicine, I enjoy cooking many different types of cuisine, reading mostly non-fictional books, and calisthenic exercise.

Sonali Matta, Co-President

Sonali is a current MS1 at UWSOM’s Spokane campus. She grew up in eastern Washington before graduating from the University of Southern California. Growing up, she trained pre-professionally as a dancer with the Mid-Columbia Ballet for 14 years, where she first studied the human body and its range of movement, as well as experienced the spectrum of musculoskeletal injury. Her training became the start of her interest in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, which was furthered by her time shadowing a team of orthopedic trauma surgeons as well as witnessing her mother undergo orthopedic surgery. Sonali also works with the Dance for Parkinson’s Disease program, assisting with dance classes to improve motor skills, balance and freedom of movement for individuals with Parkinson’s. She has been touched by each of these experiences—being able to witness her own and others’ journeys in regaining or improving their ability to move in the way they want to. She hopes to provide the same impactful and patient-centered care to help others achieve their quality-of-life goals through the art of orthopedic surgery. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, staying active through dance/yoga, and exploring Spokane’s coffee shops.

Alyssa Randall, Co-President

Alyssa is a current MS1 at UWSOM’s Anchorage campus. She was born in Kodiak, Alaska and grew up in a military family before starting college at Campbell University to play Division I softball. Her interest in orthopedics began when she underwent three hip surgeries for softball-related injuries before and during college. These injuries ultimately led to the end of her softball career but were the start of her motivation to help the next generation of athletes through their injuries and support them to be the best version of themselves both on and off the field. To pursue medical school, she transferred to the University of Washington where she earned bachelor’s degrees in Medical Anthropology and Human Evolutionary Biology. Alyssa is excited to continue her time at UW (go dawgs!) and be back in her home state for her medical education. Outside of medicine she loves being outdoors with her dog, lifting weights, and spending time with friends and family.

Leilani White, Co-President

Before moving to Seattle, I attended Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, WA, where I played collegiate basketball. I became interested in sports medicine after I was injured and spent a season sitting on the bench next to our team’s orthopedist. This interest pushed me to participate in my university’s donor dissection program, where I became fascinated with musculoskeletal anatomy and enjoyed working with my hands. I discovered the field of orthopedic surgery when I worked as an emergency medicine scribe and certified nursing assistant. While working alongside trauma surgeons, I developed an appreciation for the creativity required to take on unpredictable cases and the drastic outcomes that treatment could provide patients. After graduating with a B.S. in biology and a minor in chemistry, I moved to Seattle to begin medical school. Now I am enjoying playing basketball and exploring Seattle’s boba tea scene. I am excited to explore the ortho world further so that I can one day support people in staying active, independent, and happy.

Kendra Cooper, Co-President

Kendra is a current MS1 at UWSOM’s Spokane campus. Prior to medical school she earned a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training at Washington State University. Following her undergraduate education, she spent a year working as a Licensed and Certified Athletic Trainer for the Auburn University softball team in Auburn, Alabama. Her time working as a part of the sports medicine care team allowed her to gain hands-on experience with musculoskeletal trauma and a deep appreciation for the art of Orthopedic Surgery. Witnessing the immense positive impact the orthopedic field has on patients’ lives was profoundly moving to her. This in combination with her desire to make a direct impact in her future patients’ healing and to problem-solve to improve peoples’ quality of life has cultivated her passion for pursuing a career in Orthopedic Surgery. Outside of school, Kendra enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching college football, hiking, reading, and exercising. 

Freddy Pan, Co-President

Freddy grew up in Portland, Oregon and graduated from the University of Washington. As a lifelong athlete in numerous sports, he always had a desire to someday help fellow athletes recover from and prevent injuries. He explored this passion by shadowing orthopedic surgeons and he even experienced a knee injury himself, which cemented his desire to provide the same level of personalized, highly impactful care that he witnessed and received. He hopes to use his diverse experiences in sports to relate to his patients and provide care that will bring them back to their passions. Outside of medicine, he enjoys the outdoors, working on cars, and is hoping to compete at the USA Olympic Weightlifting National Championships.

Maggie Phillips, Co-President

Maggie is a current MS1 at UWSOM’s Seattle Campus. Before starting medical school, she attended University of Washington and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in the Comparative History of Ideas. While at UW she had the opportunity to walk-on and learn to row with the UW women’s rowing team. Senior year the team won the the NCAA championship with a historic sweep of all three events. 

After graduation, Maggie continued to develop her passion for developing athletes as a coach for the UW women’s rowing team for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, primarily focussing on the growth of first year athletes. As an athlete and coach, Maggie was continually inspired by the care of the sports medicine doctors in empowering athletes and teams to become the best versions of themselves. 

Inspired to pursue medical school, Maggie completed her pre-medical requirements through a Masters of Medical Science at the University of Vermont. As part of her thesis requirements, Maggie completed research in atrial fibrillation in endurance athletes and the female athlete triad. 

Maggie is thrilled to be back at UW (Go Dawgs!) for her medical education where she can continue to learn from the amazing sports medicine staff and culture on Montlake. While not studying, Maggie loves running, cycling, hiking, and road trips with her dogs. 

Owen Roth, Co-President

I grew up in Seattle, WA before heading to CSU Stanislaus in California for undergrad where I majored in molecular biology, minored in chemistry, and played Division 2 soccer. My sports background shaped my interest in the human body and dealing with injuries of my own got me curious about how to fix it when things go wrong. In college, I shadowed an orthopedic surgeon and was drawn in by the restorative nature of the work and the tangible impact made on patients’ lives. Currently, I am an MS1 completing my foundations in Seattle, and am very excited to be back home! In my free time, I enjoy playing/watching soccer, fantasy football, lifting weights, getting outdoors, and hanging out with my dog.

plipson@uw.edu

Trisha Lipson, Co-President

Trisha is a current MS1 at UWSOM’s Seattle campus. Before starting medical school, she attended the University of Mississippi where she earned a degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Biological Sciences. After graduating, she worked as a research technician at both St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; her projects focused on uncovering the molecular basis of hematological malignancies and optimizing gene therapies. Working in research, she discovered that she has a strong desire to methodically work with her hands, organize objects, and make more of a direct and corrective impact on her future patients. Her initial interest in Orthopedic Surgery began after shadowing an orthopedic surgeon during her senior year of college, but she always had pediatrics and oncology in the back of her mind as interests. It was not until she started working at St. Jude that she saw a clearer path for herself in orthopedics – there, she discovered the sub-specialty of Pediatric Orthopedic Oncology! When not glued to the computer to study, she enjoys attending Community Fitness classes, spending time with her family and friends, and cooking.

jbigham2@uw.edu

Joseph Bigham, Co-President

Joseph grew up in Lakewood, WA and graduated from the University of Washington. During his time at UW, he co-founded the CandleLight Foundation that provided free wound care services for people experiencing homelessness. He fostered his love for orthopaedics and research by joining the CoRE lab in 2016 as a research assistant.  There, he was able to conduct a range of studies that primarily focused on musculoskeletal disorders and this experience furthered his desire to go into orthopaedic surgery. In his spare time, Joseph enjoys fishing for salmon, taking photos, playing basketball, and hanging out with friends and family. 

mkanani@uw.edu

Mohammed Kanani, Co-President

nhovland@uw.edu

Nikki Hovland, Co-President

As a “double dawg,” Nikki is an MS1 at UWSOM’s Seattle campus and also attended the University of Washington as an undergraduate student, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience and minored in Nutritional Sciences. Her interests in orthopedics and sports medicine were initially sparked through her experiences seeking treatment for multiple soccer-related injuries prior to and during college. While in college, she spent over two years as an intern for the UW Athletic Training and Sports Medicine team and had many shadowing and hands-on training opportunities. She is extremely grateful for these experiences, which fostered a deeper understanding of orthopedics and sports medicine, and for the knowledge shared by the supportive athletic trainers, physicians, surgeons and faculty who challenged, encouraged and mentored her. When she’s not immersed in all things medicine, she enjoys running, hiking, reading, photography and chasing the sun with friends and family.

dtskerr@uw.edu

Duncan Skerrett, Co-President

Duncan grew up in Seattle and went to Pomona College, where he played baseball and majored in mathematics. During his time on the ballfield, he battled injuries and appreciated the value of quality sports medicine care. After graduating, he worked as an emergency room scribe and developed a fascination for orthopedic trauma. He also worked for Saykara, Inc., a healthcare technology company that is striving to reduce the charting burden on all healthcare providers, including orthopedists. In his spare time, Duncan enjoys playing pick-up soccer, attending Mariners games, reading, and hiking. He completed his preclinical training at the Spokane foundation site. 

Levi Bale

Levi graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Sports Science. Initially interested in physical therapy, his time spent as a strength coach for sports teams ranging from wakeboarding to rugby led him to seek a career that would allow him to have a more integrated role in the care of musculoskeletal injuries. After graduating, Levi spent two years working as an assistant in several orthopedic subspecialties including hands and elbows, sports medicine, ankle and foot, and large joint replacement. He is currently an MS1 in Seattle and spends his free time cooking, trail running, and attending concerts.

Ermyas Kahasi

Lynn Moss, E-'16

Lynn grew up on a ranch in Central Oregon where she first fostered her interest in medicine by assisting with veterinary care and developed a passion for working with her hands while helping with the family business.  After graduating from Portland State with a B.S. in Arts and Letters, she decided to pursue a career in medicine and began post-baccalaureate work at Bellevue College.  While at Bellevue College, she enjoyed tutoring Biology and Chemistry and was an active member in both chemistry and premedical clubs.  It was during this time that she had to opportunity to shadow in Orthopaedics and discovered her passion for the specialty.  The physicality of the procedures, and their impact on the quality of life for the patients, impressed her and is the driving factor in her continued exploration of the specialty.  Currently, she is completing her first year in Seattle, where she takes advantage of nearby hiking and kayaking in her free time.

Danielle Petersen, E-'15

As a child, Danielle was a gymnast for 8 years, which began her interest in the beauty and grace of sports. She has always been astounded by the human body, its capacities in performance and the mechanisms that cause injury. She studied kinesiology at Washington State University to further explore biomechanics in the realm of sports. Prior to starting medical school, she focused on pursuing clinical research, wanting to incorporate it into future practice. Since starting medical school, She has sought opportunities to continue to learn and immerse herself in sports medicine. Currently, She is working with the UW Sports Medicine Clinic at Husky Stadium and has developed strong relationships with many physicians in the field. She has started work on a longitudinal project researching sudden cardiac arrest in athletes. Outside of medicine, she enjoys outdoor activities – hiking, skiing, rock climbing – and baking professionally for special events. She is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm for sports medicine to the Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Interest Group.

Nick Andring, E-'15

Nick was born and raised in Washington State, where he has mostly lived in the city of Monroe. Throughout his childhood he played many different competitive sports, but most notably baseball, basketball, and football throughout high school. When he had the chance to work with a local doctor casting and suturing, he decided to opt out of a collegiate baseball opportunity instead for the pursuit of medicine. He completed is Bachelor’s degree between Bellevue College and the University of Washington, majoring in microbiology. After getting married his senior year and graduating, he moved to Bellingham where he began working in a skilled nursing facility as a caregiver, medication assistant, and manager for three years. As a medical student he has begun to pursue his passion for orthopaedics and rural practice by participating in low-income clinics, enjoying Harborview trauma call, and starting to work with a surgeon at Seattle Children’s Hospital. In his spare time he still likes to play recreational sports and enjoy the outdoors with his wife and corgi dog. He believes that his childhood playing several sports and seeing the musculoskeletal ailments that plague seniors gave him awareness and excitement for taking care of these populations in the future.

Matt LaCourse, E-'14

Connor Pihl, E-'14

Ray Koopmans, E-'13

Eric Woelber, E-'13

Ansab Kwaja, E-'12

Sean Sterrenberg, E-'12

Etasha Bhatt, '15

Philip Louie, '14

Kara Sawyer, E'14

Alex Farnand, M.D., '13

Lauren Meyer, M.D., '13

Sara Van Nortwick, M.D., '12