[vc_row padding_top_multiplier=””][vc_column][fildisi_title heading_tag=”h1″ heading=”h1″ line_type=”line” line_width=”100″ line_height=”1″ align=”center” margin_bottom=”20px”]CLASS OF 2023[/fildisi_title][fildisi_title heading_tag=”h4″ heading=”h6″ increase_heading=”160″ custom_font_family=”custom-font-2″ align=”center”]ONE MORE YEAR, THEN THEY TURN US LOOSE.[/fildisi_title][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5307″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Rana Akkad” subtitle=”University of North Texas Health” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Hi friends, I’m Rana! I was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas with that southern charm but I come from a mixed Syrian/Palestinian background. On a trip to Syria when I was 6 years old I saw my aunt, a physician, treating the underserved population right out of her house at no cost at all. It really inspired me and introduced me to the world of medicine. I actually stayed local for both college and medical school, attending UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Growing up I thought I was going to be a pediatrician because I love kids, but in undergrad I became a scribe and everything changed. From the moment I stepped into that ED, I fell in love with Emergency Medicine and knew it was the right specialty for me. When I’m not studying or working you can find me binge watching Netflix, experimenting in the kitchen, working out, hiking, doing hot yoga, attending concerts, traveling, or just hanging out with friends and family!

I chose Maricopa for a multitude of reasons. Phoenix is an amazing city with a very diverse population and just so much to do! Coming from the south, I love warm weather and trust me, it doesn’t get hotter than Arizona. The program itself has a reputation that precedes it and for good reason. Being passionate about global health and cultural sensitivity in medicine, I was really attracted to the unparalleled elective time. The close-knit family of faculty, staff, and residents are super supportive and a ton of fun! Really, you can’t beat it! I’m so excited to be a part of the Copa family and grow as a physician, training beside these amazing people! I really hope you get the chance to experience Arizona and come see what our program is all about![/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5306″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Syna Daudfar” subtitle=”Western University of Health Sciences” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Hey Cats! My name is Syna and I’m an proud Iranian who moved to the US when I was five. I had the privilege of attending the University of Arizona, so college basketball and college baseball/softball is basically in my blood. While I went to medical school in Oregon, being back in Phoenix for my family was of the upmost importance to me when choosing Maricopa for residency. On my free time, you’ll find me at the local racquetball courts, on the hiking trails, cycling (indoor or outdoor), or being the “Yes Man” of the group. I love Phoenix, I love excellent true county programs that give back to underserved populations in a creative number of ways, and I love people who are down to earth, normal people, who are focused on loving their own lives and the lives of the people around them.

I predict you are probably seriously considering choosing Copa as your future residency location, which ultimately makes me super excited to think about. The number of opportunities Copa will provide you (the elective opportunities, the endless possibilities in Phoenix, the notoriously incredible academia at Copa, the nationally recognized PD and leadership team, etc.) will allow you to solidify the niche of emergency medicine that you want to be in for the rest of your life. I hope you fall in love with this program like I did. Come visit and see how all the amazing things we say about Copa come to life at Valleywise Health Medical Center. Can’t wait to meet you guys! Keep up the awesome work.[/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5305″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Paul Hanna” subtitle=”University of Tennessee” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Hi, I’m Paul! I grew up in Nashville, TN and stayed for college at Belmont University. No, I can’t play an instrument, and I really don’t like country music. I’ve wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember, so I went to medical school in Memphis, TN. I became interested in emergency medicine while shadowing in the trauma bay during my first year of med school. I chose ‘Copa because of the great experience I had on the interview trail. All the residents were so nice and happy. The faculty seemed very supportive of whatever interests you want to pursue, especially with the three months of electives. And, I was looking for a county hospital with an underserved population where I could make a difference in patients’ lives. Phoenix has great weather most of the year, and there are so many opportunities for outdoor activities. Did I mention Phoenix also has In-N-Out? Can’t beat that. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, binging shows, trying new restaurants, hiking, and traveling (when there isn’t a pandemic). Let me know if you have any questions![/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5304″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Shelby Hoebee” subtitle=”University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix” button_text=”” button2_text=””]What’s up guys, I’m Shelby! Welcome to the Copa Residents’ page. If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably heard about all of the Copa rumors. About it being fun, chill, and some of the best EM training in the country. I’m here to tell you, the rumors are true.

A little about myself: I was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. I completed my undergrad at Arizona State and then switched to the dark side to attend U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix for medical school. Realizing that there’s no better place to live than Arizona and no better EM residency than Copa, here I am! I’m not the quintessential rock climbing, mountain biking type of EM resident, but I do love the outdoors. In my free time, you can find me jet skiing at the lake or camping up north with my wife and daughter. While the Arizona outdoors is super fun, I would be lying if I said I didn’t prefer relaxing with my 3 favorite B’s: burgers, burritos, and beer.
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Copa always stuck out to me because of the camaraderie of the residents and the exciting vibe of the program. I was really looking for a work hard, play hard type of program, and was extremely lucky to find it in my own backyard. If that sounds like the type of program you are looking for, you should definitely come check it out for yourself![/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5303″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Matt Kunz” subtitle=”Midwestern University” button_text=”” button2_text=””]What’s up?! I’m Matt! If you’re reading this, you’re in the right place! I grew up in Washington State and I’ve slowly been making my way south. I grew up outdoors and I’m into all the cliche EM stuff like running, cycling, camping, rock climbing, snow, surf, and skate. After high school I bounced around Hawaii, New Mexico and ended up finishing undergrad in Utah where I met my wife (a fellow Washingtonian!) We moved to Phoenix for medical school, had the coolest baby, and fell in love with the desert.
What makes Maricopa truly unique is the people. You won’t find a more supportive, enthusiastic, and down to earth residency. I was drawn to Maricopa for its strong county training, incredible patient population and the chance to personalize residency with elective time, but it was the Copa family that really sealed the deal. Come hang out with us! [/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5302″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Mike Mozer” subtitle=”University of New England” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Hey all! I’m Mike, an east coast transplant. I was born and raised in Takoma Park, Maryland outside of DC (with a short 3 year stint in Eastern Europe). After I graduated from high school in Maryland I was recruited to play lacrosse at Skidmore in upstate New York. There I developed a growing interest in human physiology and pursued a postgraduate position at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. I eventually applied to medical school in Maine and fell in love with the coastline – so much so that I completed an extra year as an undergraduate teaching fellow with plenty of time climbing, hiking and surfing. After years of living in very cold places, I completed a student rotation at Maricopa where I fell in love with the program and the desert life. The doc box is a special place at Copa, and I felt like a part of the family even as a medical student. I was drawn to the work-ethic of the faculty and residents as well as their devotion to high-quality patient care for everyone, especially underserved communities. I am ecstatic to be returning to Phoenix for 3 years with my 1-year-old black lab Samson to train at one of the best Emergency residencies in the country. In my free time I’m a sourdough baker, amateur cook, soccer player, world traveler, runner and pretty much anything active and outside. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions![/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5301″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Anisa Mughal” subtitle=”University of Pittsburg” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Guten tag/asalaamaleikum/hello, I’m Anisa. I grew up in an international family in Salt Lake City and later moved to Pennsylvania for undergraduate and medical school. I stayed involved in global health and worked in Ecuador, Honduras, Malawi and most recently Vietnam, where I completed a Doris Duke Research Fellowship investigating mental health among methadone maintenance and HIV patients. I enjoy videography and have filmed mini-documentaries of my work that I regularly publish to my YouTube (check it out for some cool global health stories!). In addition to global health and epidemiology, my interests include learning foreign languages, travel, salsa/bachata and all things outdoors: skiing, backpacking, hiking, triathlons and diving. I am very excited to be back in the Southwest to be joining the Copa family![/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5300″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Dominic Pappas” subtitle=”Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Howdy, I’m Dominic. I grew up in Northern California before moving to Oregon for college. The hippies almost got me as I was on my way to becoming a farmer living on a co-op outside of Eugene before I decided to go to medical school. I didn’t make it out unscathed though as I still enjoy gardening, The Dead, and finding free stuff! Med school took me across the country to the most polar opposite environment, New York. Humidity is the death of me.

I’m interested in search and rescue and wilderness medicine. Outside of EM I like to spend my time rock climbing, biking, brewing beer, woodworking, and all the other classic EM stereotype stuff!

I’m stoked to be at Copa! I really took the “feel” attribute to heart while interviewing at programs and at Copa I felt most at home. The people were tight knit and adventurous, the county program seemed challenging and ideal for the training I wanted, and the access to the outdoors was endless in all directions. [/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5299″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Carl Pastore” subtitle=”Eastern Virginia Medical School” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Howdy! I’m Carl. I grew up on a cornfield near Erie, PA – the fourth snowiest city in America and the wasteland set for the post-apocalyptic film, The Road. I went to Cornell in upstate New York where my greatest achievements were a series of eating contests and working in a lab filled with thousands of spiders and scorpions. I also met my girlfriend there; she’s pretty cool. When they put the sorting hat on my head on the first day of medical school in southeastern Virginia, the hat recognized that I had tattoos and liked to rock climb so I was promptly sorted into emergency medicine. I was initially drawn to Maricopa for the quintessential “county experience” and its longstanding reputation in emergency medicine. After meeting the Copa family and witnessing the moving and shaking the program does for resident education, I was sold. Add to that the fact that you can rock climb on a few different mountains within the city limits and Phoenix might as well be paradise![/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5298″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Kelby Schaeffler” subtitle=”University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Hi, I’m Kelby! I’m originally from Southern California but after moving to Phoenix for medical school my husband and I have totally fallen in love with Arizona and consider it home! My hobby is spending every minute possible outside in the sunshine – usually in the form of road biking, trail running, hiking with my dog, or laying in a hammock. I also really love making banana bread, watching videos of Jamie Oliver cooking things, and occasionally doing hip-hop workout videos if something prohibits me from getting outside. What I love most about Phoenix is how close you can live to epic trails and cool unique coffee shops/restaurants/breweries at the same time. If you haven’t experienced the desert trails yet you are in for a treat because they’re really something special. While the location was a huge plus about ‘Copa, I chose this program because of the laid-back and fun but incredibly well-trained residents, the family vibe, the patient population, and the flexibility and support the program offers. Copa really is a unique and incredible place – come check it out! [/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5297″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Courtney Schwebach” subtitle=”Medical College of Wisconsin” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Hey all you cool cats and kittens-I’m Courtney! I grew up in Stevens Point, WI, headed down to the UW-Madison for undergrad (Go Badgers!) and went to MCW for medical school. I always knew I wanted to go into medicine and quickly learned that emergency medicine was where I belonged. What I love about Maricopa is that it embodies everything I wanted in a program: the county patient population, the camaraderie, top-notch training and the chance to pursue your interests with the 3 months of electives. There’s also the added bonus that I’ll be able to improve my Spanish. What really surprised me though is how much I loved the desert! I’m used to lakes, lots of tress and healthy dose of cold/snowy winters. I love boating and all the activities that go with it. Some of my other hobbies include playing soccer, experimenting with recipes, and hanging out with friends/family. I decided there was no better time to turn in my snow shovel and try out mountain biking and all the hiking that Phoenix has to offer! Feel free to contact me with any questions! [/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5296″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Saumya Singh” subtitle=”University of Missouri – Kansas City” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Hi, I’m Saumya! I’ve spent the majority of my life living and learning in Missouri… until I kicked off my last year of med school with my first trip to the mountains and realized it was time for my midwestern self to leave the flatlands. Conversation hits differently at elevation! My interest in Emergency Medicine grew from incredible mentors and a couple months spent working in a safety-net hospital in India. The culmination of these experiences fostered interests in academics and global health. I was drawn to Maricopa for a variety of reasons. I wanted the opportunity to work with an underserved population in a program that encouraged genuine camaraderie, but what really stood out to me was the people. People here are the real deal, and I could tell it was a place that would help me find my fit in EM. Outside of the ED, I enjoy running, baking pumpkin-flavored everything (it’s too yummy to be limited to a season!), soaking up the sun, and finding my new favorite IPA. [/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5295″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Ashley Tarchione” subtitle=”University of Nevada – Reno” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Hello all—I’m Ashley! I was born in raised in fabulous Las Vegas but spent the past 8 years in Reno exploring Lake Tahoe and the beautiful Pacific Northwest. While I love a day hike and a good glamping trip, I can’t say I am nearly as outdoorsy as many of my co-residents. Instead, you can find me brunching and happy-houring better than anyone else in the game. I’m now an elite Yelper looking forward to eating and drinking my way through Phoenix! My boyfriend and I are also fiends in the kitchen and look forward to hosting some elaborate dinner parties for my co-residents. Other than eating, I’m a dedicated plant mother, lover of trashy celebrity gossip, and big time road-tripper. I also have a huge passion for health policy and am a lover of all things AMA, EMRA, and ACEP. I’m always down to talk about balanced billing and GME funding, but I won’t be offended if you would rather talk about literally anything else. Copa was my very first interview for residency and nothing ever topped it. The residents and faculty were so warm, funny, and welcoming, I knew it was home. Looking forward to becoming the best EM doc I can be, improving my Spanish, and becoming a true Phoenician (Phoenixer? Phoenixite? Phoenixonion? I’ll figure it out.)[/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”35145″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Jordan Wells” subtitle=”Frank H Netter MD School of Medicine” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Hello! My name is Jordan and I am so excited to be joining the ‘Copa family! I was born and raised in Tempe, AZ and earned a degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University. I was a competitive dancer growing up and taught dance during my undergraduate years. After college, I worked as an emergency department scribe in Scottsdale and I completely fell in love with emergency medicine. Although I loved growing up in Arizona, I wanted to try something different for medical school, so I moved across the country to study at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. I had a great four years on the east coast but I knew I wanted to come home to the Valley of the Sun for residency. I did a rotation at Maricopa and discovered that I had found my home! In my spare time, I enjoy working out, doing yoga, and winning arguments with my twin brother. I love to read more than anything – I’m a huge Harry Potter fan (yes, I am a Ravenclaw). Otherwise, you’ll find me spending time with my family, playing trivia with my friends (our team is called Pivot! Pivot! Pivot! and we’re sometimes victorious), and most importantly playing with my yellow lab, Blakey. I can’t wait to come home to the state that I love and work with the best people![/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”5293″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Michael Yang” subtitle=”Virginia Commonwealth University” button_text=”” button2_text=””]
​Hey! I’m Michael. I’m originally from the bay in NorCal, I went south to the land of sun, surf, and tacos in San Diego for undergrad at UCSD before switching coasts for medical school at VCU in Virginia. Between undergrad and med school I spent a couple of years traveling and working and was first exposed to emergency medicine as an EMT in the bay area. After four great years at VCU I figured it was time to come back to the best coast (where there are actual mountains). So I’m thrilled to match in Arizona where it’s close to nature, in a county program that emphasizes a family culture in the workplace. In my spare time I love hiking and being outdoors; I always wish I were traveling to some new exotic location. I really love electronic music and still try to stay current with all the trends. I weight-lift almost religiously and have a budding interest in economics. Very excited to join the Copa family and can’t wait to start my next adventure in Phoenix. [/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][fildisi_single_image image=”35141″ image_full_column=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][fildisi_slogan title=”Tiffany Ziegler” subtitle=”Midwestern University” button_text=”” button2_text=””]Hi friends! My name is Tiffany and I’m a native Phoenician and ASU alumni. After detouring into commercial real estate for a few years after college, I decided the call to medicine was too strong and went back to school- eventually attending medical school at Midwestern AZCOM. I fall shamelessly into the EM stereotype and love AZ for all of its outdoor sports and activities, with a fair bit of local breweries and wineries sprinkled in between. My dogs (a senior pug named Churchill and a yellow lab/coyote? mix named Tucker) and my husband Nick are my best friends and the best adventure buddies a girl could ask for. As a Phoenix local, training in EM at Copa has been a dream nearly a decade in the making. The sense of family and Copa Pride are renowned and for good reason. I love that we get to take care of a broad and underserved population, get exposed to lots of medical Spanish, and have the grit of a county training atmosphere with phenomenal attendings. But what really sold me during my rotation as a student was the genuine support, encouragement, leadership, and collegiality among the residents themselves. I couldn’t be happier to be part of the Copa family and I hope you’ll take the opportunity to come visit us and see what we’re all about![/fildisi_slogan][/vc_column][/vc_row]