Meet the Residents: Class of 2024

Nasrin Akter, MD

Where are you from?
Bangladesh and Brooklyn, NY
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
I wanted a broad-spectrum family medicine training with adequate ob-gyn procedures so that I can work in low-resourced settings both in the US and abroad. I was drawn to the South Campus program’s global health track, and its rural rotations, which I thought were a unique aspect of the program that would allow me to experience the greatest breadth of family medicine practice. On my interview day, I felt welcomed and saw that the faculty were dedicated to resident education and helping us meet our career goals. There is so much more to like about the program – emphasis on working with the underserved, patient advocacy, refugee clinics, friendly residents – I am very grateful to be here.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?
Sunny days, warmer winters, beautiful sunsets, experiencing a completely different climate and geography than what I was used to before
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?
Hiking, playing board games (my current favorite is Dixit), badminton, writing poetry/short stories, reading sci-fi/fantasy, improving my Bangla language skills
What are your professional interests within medicine?  
I am interested in global health and health equity.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
My ideal day off would be as follows: I take the opportunity to sleep in, have a large breakfast with my husband, go out to hike, eat out for dinner, and then come home and watch some TV.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Go to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and eat some amazing plov


Taylor Buel, MD

Where are you from?     
Overland Park, Kansas
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?    
I was impressed by everyone I talked to and how excited they were about the program and caring for patients. I’m especially excited about the global health experiences. There are so many learning opportunities here and it seemed like a great place to be.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?    
I am excited about all of the opportunities for outdoor activities, the awesome food and the lack of snow.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?    
I enjoy hiking, running, camping, climbing, and kayaking with my wife. I like to travel and am looking forward to exploring the Southwest.
What are your professional interests within medicine?    
I look forward to working with underserved populations both in Arizona and abroad. I am also interested in preventative health and education
Favorite way to spend a day off?    
Spending the day with my wife outside, going on a new hike or to a new place. Then going to a brewery and eating some delicious Mexican food for dinner.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Hiking the AT or PCT.


Bryce Hunsaker, DO

Where are you from?
I grew up just outside of Sacramento, CA.
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
I’m very interested in UA’s tracks that they offer especially with the involvement in global medicine.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?    
The snow! I’m told it gets quite chilly in Tucson.
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?
Volleyball, golf, skiing, waterskiing, reading, board games.
What are your professional interests within medicine?
10 years from now I see myself working in an outpatient clinic. I may try working in some rural areas before then.
Favorite way to spend a day off?
All day on a boat with friends.  If not that then golf.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Hike the Camino De Santiago in Spain.


Amanda McKeith, MD

Where are you from?     
I was born and raised in Freeland, Mi
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?    
I was looking for a program that provided excellent full-spectrum training in a variety of settings with a culturally diverse patient population. Focused on working with underserved populations and academic excellent and offered training in the specific areas of Integrative Medicine, Global Health, and Women’s Health. The warm sunny location was a cherry on top!
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?    
Sun, sun, and more sun! Coming from a state with seemingly endless winter and perpetual grey skies desert life is very alluring. The tacos and excellent hiking are a bonus!
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?    
I’m an amateur outdoor enthusiast with a love for hiking, camping, and downhill skiing. I love to dance particularly classical Ballet, Swing, and Latin dance. Additionally, I enjoy tinkering around in the kitchen endeavoring to be more like Julia Child.
What are your professional interests within medicine?     
I am interested in making integrative medicine more accessible to underserved populations particularly with in the refugee and global health sphere.
Favorite way to spend a day off?    
Going on hikes with my pup Archie, catching up with friends over happy hour, and tending to my ever-growing collection of house plants.
Top items on your "Bucket list"?
1. Learn to fly an airplane
2. Sail the Greek Islands
3. Hike a portion of Patagonia
4. Learn to scuba dive


Daniel Murphy, MD

Where are you from?
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Did medical school and first year of residency in Chicago, IL.   
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?
My real life answer is long and nuanced. But suffice to say that I really enjoy learning and teaching and being exposed to a wide breadth within medicine, and the UA Tucson program seemed to be a great fit.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson? 
I look forward most to enjoying time with colleagues and leading an active lifestyle outside of work.  
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine? 
Hiking, running, backpacking, biking, reading and coffee. (the abbreviated list)
What are your professional interests within medicine? 
Evidence based practice, preventative medicine, osteopathy, family/individual counseling, health policy/community level interventions.
Favorite way to spend a day off? 
Hike or run in the morning, then breakfast at home followed by a slow coffee while watching a bike race or reading a book. And getting to do all of that with my amazing wife makes it twice as great : )
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
I think I’m still working on defining the top item.. Maybe check back in a couple of years.


Cynthia Sanchez, MD

Where are you from?     
I am originally from Anthony in Southern New Mexico, but I have spent the last 8 years in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?    
The rural medicine opportunities that South Campus has were IRRESISTABLE! I wanted to work with a diverse patient population not only in remote areas of the state, but in a border town much like the one I grew up in. I am also passionate about learning integrative medicine and bringing this type of holistic care to underserved communities.
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?    
I am excited to make new connections with my colleagues, mentors, and patients!
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?    
I love plant life and hope to grow a proliferative garden (with breaks during the summer of course). I’ll dance to anything, but my favorites are Salsa, Cumbia, and Bachata. I am an avid forager with a special interest in mycology! Lastly, cooking connects me to my cultural roots and making traditional Mexican dishes with plant-based alternatives replenishes my spirit.
What are your professional interests within medicine?     
One of my core values is social justice and I plan on applying it to an upstream model of health care. With the help of UAFM I hope to develop the skills to advocate for my patients inside and outside of the clinic/hospital with the goal of supporting community efforts towards structural changes that address my patient’s social determinants of health.
Favorite way to spend a day off?    
Finding my way into nature and engaging all my senses! Another way is meal prepping and finding a new vegetable or tea concoction to ferment.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
Going on an EPIC mushroom hunt traveling to find chanterelles, morels, lion’s mane, chaga, reishi, and many more!


Megan Garrett, MD

Where are you from?     
Cincinnati, Ohio
Why did you choose UA Family Medicine?    
I chose this program because I will get full spectrum family medicine training and get to work with diverse patient populations. The program also offers great global health and rural medicine opportunities. Also, everyone in the program is wonderful!
What are you most excited about for life in Tucson?    
I am most excited to be able to go outside in the winter and to enjoy the mountains
What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine?    
I really enjoy traveling and going on hikes.  
What are your professional interests within medicine?     
Some of my professional interests within medicine involve underserved care, especially taking care of global populations, women, and people with addictions.
Favorite way to spend a day off?    
On my days off, I enjoy being in the pool or discovering new places around Tucson.
Top item on your "Bucket list"?
I’d like to visit all 7 continents