Current Residents

PGY 1

Collin Black, MD

Hometown: Orem, UT
Undergraduate: Brigham Young University Provo, Utah
Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine
Why UK?

Trey Moberly, MD

Hometown: Hillsboro, Ohio
Undergraduate: Youngstown State University
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
Why UK? I was looking for a program with a strong operative volume and great people that would continuously push me to improve.

Jeremy Frederick, MD

Hometown: Clay, KY
Undergraduate: University of Kentucky
Medical School: Columbia University
Why UK? I love having the opportunity to treat patients from my home state, especially given that much of the state is medically underserved. Additionally, the operative volume is large enough to ensure a healthy variety of cases, allowing residents to learn across the spectrum of orthopaedics. The teamwork and camaraderie amongst the residents also impressed me and I knew this was a group I wanted to join!

Cristina Rivera-Ramirez, MD

Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Undergraduate: University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Medical School: University of Puerto Rico Medical School
Why UK? UK has lived and surpassed my expectations as a resident. The camaraderie is unparalleled, not only in the hospital but outside as well. High operative volume, very diverse case load, and faculty that is highly invested in teaching you. You'll work hard but you'll have fun.

Andrew Kirk, MD

Hometown: Lexington, KY
Undergraduate: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Why UK? I chose UK because of the strong work ethic and genuine sense of personal responsibility displayed by the residents. The faculty are invested in the development of clinical and surgical skills, as well as personal growth and leadership. The city of Lexington is a family-friendly, vibrant community that I am privileged to call home.

PGY 2

Eric Abbenhaus, MD

Hometown: Carmel, IN
Undergraduate: Indiana University
Medical School: Indiana University
Why UK? The camaraderie between residents and staff.

Mark Nazal, MD, MPH

Hometown: High Point, NC
Undergraduate: Duke University
Graduate: Boston University School of Public Health
Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine
Why UK? Well-rounded program and extremely strong operative training, level 1 trauma, VA, and Shriners. Positive and cohesive culture, great camaraderie, and invested leadership. Tremendous research opportunities and all subspecialties are well represented.

Joseph Hare, MD

Hometown: Sugar Land, TX
Undergraduate: Tufts University
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Why UK? Nowhere else in the country gives you the ability to see and treat such diverse patients and pathologies, to work with a great tightly knit group of residents and attendings.

Timothy Westbrooks, MD

Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Medical School: University of Tennessee
Why UK? When choosing a residency program I wanted to find a place where I would work very hard for five years and come out prepared to be an independent orthopaedic surgeon, but also one that would have the academic resources and faculty to help me match into whatever fellowship I decide to apply to. UK absolutely checks these two boxes. Aside from this, I think the program has a great team atmosphere to it. We all work together to help our patients, and it is this teamwork that leads to hands on learning.

Gavin Hautala, MD

Hometown: Pittsville, WI
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Why UK? The camaraderie here is unparalleled and is one of the main reasons I chose UK. The residents and faculty take every opportunity to teach, always have your back, and have fun. Also, it was important to me for a program to have all the subspecialties covered in one place, a high operative volume, and great fellowship matches. Lexington is an affordable place to live with plenty of activities to do.

PGY 3

Zeeshan Akhtar, MD

Hometown: New Hartford, NY
Undergraduate: SUNY Geneseo
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Why UK? As a home student, I thankfully had an extended opportunity to get to know the program and people who form it. The culture, camaraderie is ultimately why I chose UK.

Charles-Antoine Mechas, MD

Hometown: Lexington, KY
Undergraduate: University of Louisville
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Why UK: I chose UK for residency because of operative experience, volume, and exposure to all subspecialties of orthopaedics in one place. Also, Lexington is a fun place to live.

Ferras Albitar, MD

Jonathan Grabau, MD

Hometown: Lexington, KY
Undergraduate: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Why UK? I knew the UK residency program had an established history of producing skilled, well-practiced, and highly successful graduating residents. I also knew the program's faculty to be respected across the nation, as well as to truly care about resident education.

Matthew Eads, MD

Hometown: Maysville, KY
Undergraduate: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Why UK? What I wanted in a residency program was great operative training, variety of consults in the ER, and a family friendly environment. We work hard but also enjoy spending time outside of work together whether that’s at breweries, sporting events, Keeneland, or just a backyard barbecue.

PGY 4

Kyle Boden, MD

Hometown:
Undergraduate: Emory & Henry College
Medical School: East Tennessee State University
Why UK? UK provides a comprehensive, high-volume operative experience in a program where residents and faculty support one another in our work and personal lives. Lexington is a fun, vibrant town with plenty of activities for residents and their families to enjoy.

Tyler Kalbac, MD

Hometown: Miami, FL
Undergraduate: University of Virginia
Medical School: Florida International University
Why UK? My away rotation at UK showed by that this was a group of hardworking residents, who cared about one another, had a blast together, and ultimately became great surgeons.

Brandon Collofello, MD

Hometown: Minooka, IL
Undergraduate: St. Francis (Joliet, IL)
Medical School: Univ. of Illinois at Chicago
Why UK? UK offers early operative experience and autonomy with appropriate supervision in a nice city with good food and outdoor activities where you can buy an affordable home. My fellow co-residents treat each other like family and made the transition from Chicago easy.

Boshen Liu, MD

Hometown: Jackson, MS
Undergraduate: Lehigh University
Medical School: University of Mississippi
Why UK? UK Orthopaedics has created a unique environment of operative experience, meaningful friendship, and faculty mentorship. Because we're surrounded by people who are experts in their highly specialized fields, we're exposed to differences in treatment thought processes. If you are a self-motivated, resilient, and coachable individual, this is a perfect place for you to grow and become an orthopaedic surgeon.

Lindsay Hockensmith, MD

Hometown: Jamestown, KY
Undergraduate: Virginia Tech
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Why UK? UK has a great reputation for producing well-trained and competent surgeons. Kentucky is a beautiful state to live in and the people here want everyone to feel welcome and a part of the family.

PGY 5

Syed Mehdi, MD

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Undergraduate: Emory University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Why UK? The combination of high operative volume, early OR experience, and the camaraderie between the residents.

Michael Stevens, MD

Hometown: Saline, MI
Undergraduate: University of Michigan
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Why UK? UK is a place where you learn by doing, and your classmates and colleagues are truly there for you no matter what.

Hometown: Corbin, KY
Undergraduate: University of Virginia
Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine
Why UK? UK provides an extremely well-balanced training program, with excellent operative experience, research opportunities, and didactics. I was confident that the program would prepare me well for any future career in orthopaedic surgery. The residents and faculty look out for each other, function as a team, and hold patient care as a top priority. The supportive and familial environment at UK was very important when deciding where to train.

Brian Muffly, MD

John Whitaker, MD

Hometown: London, KY
Undergraduate: Western Kentucky University
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Why UK? Being born and raised in the Commonwealth, UK offered me the chance to serve my fellow Kentuckians while being trained at one of the best programs in the county. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, too good to pass up.

Zachary Skipper, MD

Hometown: Buford, GA
Undergraduate: University of Georgia
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Why UK? One of my mentors in medical school came from UK and really had nothing but great things to say about the people and the quality of training. My wife and I couples matched up here and and we both really had a great feeling about this place after our interview days so it felt right for us.