Audrey Hunt, DO (PGY 5)
I was born in NY and did all of my education there but I wanted a break from the fast-paced world and cold winters. Winston Salem offered a great quality of life with tons of fun, affordable, and accessibility activities while on a super busy resident schedule. Wake Forest offered everything I was looking for from a mid-sized program, sub-specialized attendings and a strong academic focus. I feel like I'm part of a large and supportive family that allows me to thrive in my individual interests while helping me to become a well rounded child neurologist!
Matthew Somerville, MD (PGY 5)
I am originally from Connecticut and attended medical school at St. Georges in Grenada and did clinical training in New Jersey. I chose Wake Forest for child neurology residency due to its size (Medium program with several excellent co-residents to learn along-side) and location. The community of Winston-Salem has been an amazing place to live. Trivia with friends and colleagues at one of the many great local breweries is always a highlight of the week and provide a great opportunity to destress from the busy pace of work. In addition, the weather is typically great and almost anything I could want is within a 20-minute drive with minimal to no traffic.
The best part of training at Wake Forest is the personal support and interactions with colleagues and mentors who have helped guide me through my training. I know my decision to come to Wake for residency will help me become an excellent child neurologist.
The best part of training at Wake Forest is the personal support and interactions with colleagues and mentors who have helped guide me through my training. I know my decision to come to Wake for residency will help me become an excellent child neurologist.
Hannah Miyanji, MD (PGY 4)
I was raised in Florida and lived in New York before starting residency. I chose Wake Forest because I remember feeling that the program actually cared about me as a person. They want you to succeed and grow while still maintaining who you are as a person. I feel supported in both my professional and personal endeavors. My coresidents have become more than friends - they are family! North Carolina offers a great middle ground to what I appreciate in a living situation. I still get to experience the four seasons without the harsh long winters.
Allison Fees, MD (PGY 4)
I am from Nebraska originally and did medical school at UNMC. I chose Wake Forest for residency because I wanted a program that where I would be able to see a variety of neurologic pathologies while in training. I also wanted a program that wasn't too big or too small, as I did not want to get lost in the shuffle, but I wanted at least one co-resident my year(I like having a buddy!) . I truly enjoy spending time with my co-residents both at work and outside of work, whether we are getting ice cream or having a movie night. I appreciate that Winston Salem is a medium-sized city, where we have many amenities but I can get anywhere in town in 15 minutes or less. I also like being close to both the mountains and the beach (both make for great weekend trips). I could not ask for a better environment to do residency in.
Paige Estave, MD, PhD (PGY 3)
Though my family and I are originally from New Orleans, Winston-Salem has truly become our second home. I completed both medical and graduate school at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and continuing my training here at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist felt like a natural next step. The strong research collaborations and incredible mentorship I have found here have been invaluable.
Winston-Salem is also a wonderful place to raise a family. We appreciate the city’s affordability and family-friendly activities, and when we want a quick getaway, we can never decide between the nearby mountains and the beach—so we usually just flip a coin.
My career aspiration is to become a pediatric and adolescent headache medicine specialist. I have always felt supported in pursuing this goal, and I know that this residency will prepare me to be an excellent child neurologist.
Winston-Salem is also a wonderful place to raise a family. We appreciate the city’s affordability and family-friendly activities, and when we want a quick getaway, we can never decide between the nearby mountains and the beach—so we usually just flip a coin.
My career aspiration is to become a pediatric and adolescent headache medicine specialist. I have always felt supported in pursuing this goal, and I know that this residency will prepare me to be an excellent child neurologist.
Natalie Smith, DO (PGY 3)
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and decided to stay in South, FL for medical school at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine. I originally went to medical school not knowing what specialty I wanted to pursue, but once I learned more about neurology, my future was set. I now have particular interests in stroke, neuromuscular disorders, and movement disorders.
It's natural to feel drained by the residency application process, but when I interviewed at Wake Forest, I found myself feeling full of energy by the end of my interview day. Even though it was virtual, the excitement and love everyone had for the program transferred effortlessly through the computer screen. I also felt like my interviewers genuinely cared for my career trajectory. I was already being mentored by people who just met me, and I immediately felt at home. Now that I’m here, the mentorship has exceeded my expectations, and one of the best parts has been building great friendships with my co-residents in pediatrics, pediatric neurology, and adult neurology.
I also love living in Winston-Salem! There is no traffic, and while still having everything I would need in a larger city, it has this small-city feel with so much character. It also helps that I experience all the Seasons now, too! Between the community, the friendships, and the learning environment, I consider myself lucky to be training here.
It's natural to feel drained by the residency application process, but when I interviewed at Wake Forest, I found myself feeling full of energy by the end of my interview day. Even though it was virtual, the excitement and love everyone had for the program transferred effortlessly through the computer screen. I also felt like my interviewers genuinely cared for my career trajectory. I was already being mentored by people who just met me, and I immediately felt at home. Now that I’m here, the mentorship has exceeded my expectations, and one of the best parts has been building great friendships with my co-residents in pediatrics, pediatric neurology, and adult neurology.
I also love living in Winston-Salem! There is no traffic, and while still having everything I would need in a larger city, it has this small-city feel with so much character. It also helps that I experience all the Seasons now, too! Between the community, the friendships, and the learning environment, I consider myself lucky to be training here.