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Onyeka A.

Hi! My name is Onyeka. I was born and raised in North Florida, the youngest of five and the daughter of Nigerian immigrants. After undergrad at the University of South Florida, I spent a few years working in acute care research and medical anthropology before transitioning into a role as a medical assistant in orthopedics. I went on to earn my MPH from the George Washington University and now work in harm reduction. I love working in this space, and the ability to blend clinical care with public health and advocacy is what drew me to medicine.

During my MPH, I was introduced to the One Health framework, and exploring the intersection of sustainability, health, and how our environment and context shape well-being really resonated with me. As soon as I found out Fort Collins had a One Health focus, it just made sense; it aligned so closely with how I want to approach medicine. The added bonus? A smaller class size and a strong sense of community that just felt like the right fit.

Outside of school, I love traveling and art, especially DIY projects. I also enjoy swimming, reading, spending time outdoors, and exploring new places with my trusty K9 companion. I’m really looking forward to discovering everything Fort Collins has to offer, and I am so excited to be part of the Fort Collins Regional Medical Campus Class of 2029.

Ryan K.

My name is Ryan! I’m beyond excited to be back home in Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå for med school at the Fort Collins Branch of CUSOM. I grew up in Centennial but spent four years in Boston, where I graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Chemistry. A big part of my college experience was competing on the varsity men’s rowing team, which kept me quite busy (and very familiar with early morning wakeups). Throughout college, much of my time was focused on exploring the connections between human, animal, and environmental health. The One Health perspective has been central in shaping my journey and how I plan to approach medicine—not just as a science, but as an interconnected system tied to the world around us. As our planet faces increasingly complex challenges across health domains, I believe integrating this holistic approach into human medicine is essential. I’m eager to train in a program and environment recognized as a leader in One Health, which will equip me with the skills and knowledge needed to bring this perspective into my future practice as a physician. Outside of school, I love getting outdoors and have missed the Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå blue skies and open spaces so much. Also, ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by animals and plants, so I’m thrilled to be in a community that values and prioritizes these interests.

Sophie S.

My name is Sophie, and I feel incredibly grateful to be part of the Fort Collins Regional Medical Campus. I am originally from Texas, but most recently moved to Fort Collins from Bozeman, MT. Since joining, I have been blown away by the care and support of my peers, faculty, and the students in the years above us. I had no idea medical school could feel so much like a family! Outside of school, I love spending time in the mountains with my husband and poorly-behaved dog and finding new coffee shops around town! Within medicine, I am excited to explore rural healthcare - especially OBGYN and Peds. 

John G. 

Hello! My name is John, and I am a first-year medical student at CUSOM at CSU. I was born and raised in Portola Valley, a small town nestled in the hills of California's Bay Area. Eager to explore, I spent a few high school summers guiding on horseback in Wyoming's spectacular Bighorn Mountains, where I fell head-over-heels for the Rockies. This brought me to Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå for college, and I earned a ridiculously fun bachelor's in wildlife biology. Roaming the outdoors remains my favorite pastime; I find rich joy in trail-running, backpacking, cycling, skiing, birding....you name it! I have been blessed with three years of marriage to my radiant wife, Michelle, and I am honored beyond words to have a place among the class of 2028!

Derious O. 

My name is Derious, and I am proud to be a medical student at the Fort Collins Regional Medical Campus of CUSOM. It has been a long journey to get to this point, and I could not have done it without the help of my family and, most importantly, my fantastic wife, Lydia. I started this journey to help others and advocate for people who look like me in healthcare. Regardless of the specialty I choose, I want to be a physician who connects with my patients personally and delivers the highest quality care. I am confident CUSOM will prepare me to fill that role. In addition, I could meticulously list all the reasons I wanted to be at CUSOM Fort Collins, but the reality of it has far surpassed my expectations. I could not have asked for a more nourishing and supportive environment. Plus, being a part of the Fort Collins regional medical campus means I have the unique opportunity to intimately experience 11 other perspectives that I would not have gotten otherwise. We will grow, falter, fail, and achieve together. Ultimately, I know we will learn from each other that there is no one “right” way to succeed in medicine, but many. I am originally from Indiana, but in the months I have spent in Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå, I have come to accept it as my new home. The natural beauty here could sustain me for a lifetime, and I enjoy exploring it with my wife and dogs. I cannot imagine a better place to take on the challenge of medical school. As I struggle to learn yet another pathway or challenging concept in class, I can look to the mountains and be reminded that although something may seem insurmountable, it has already been summited. I need only to keep moving forward and know I am supported; for that, I am so thankful.

Katelyn B.

My name is Katelyn! I grew up in CO and I’m delighted to be a part of the class of 2027. I am especially excited to join the Fort Collins Regional Medical campus – we are a tight community. I love the unique opportunities to foster deep relationships with the faculty, classmates (and their awesome partners/kiddos), and older student classes! The Fort Collins Campus deeply values balance and well-being for their students, which motivates us to take care of ourselves and each other. Outside of classes (yes, there is time), I love to spend time outside hiking, kayaking, biking, swimming in Horsetooth, teaching and practicing yoga, and spending time with my sweet fiancé. Within medicine, I have deep passions for education, integrative medicine, mental health and systems-level change.

Mara D. 

My name is Mara, and I am a member of Mvskoke nation coming to Fort Collins from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am excited to begin my journey in medicine to learn how to address the health concerns of indigenous communities, which often suffer from unfortunate health disparities. I am especially excited about being at the Fort Collins Regional Medical Campus because the One Health emphasis on the shared environment of plants, animals, and humans is something that I feel will be useful when working within the tribal health system as these concepts reflect some of the values held within these communities. Outside of work, I love hiking with my two dogs, and we look forward to being minutes away from the mountains!

Adam C. 

Hello, my name is Adam and I think of myself as a dad, partner, student, cat-parent, and veteran. At 29 years old, my journey through life has taught me that there are no metrics more important than our connection to other people. As a Fort Collins local for 9 years, I am exceptionally excited to attend the Fort Collins CUSOM Regional Medical Campus.  Being a new parent, I have felt that CUSOM recognizes the value of prioritizing both education and my home life. From personal experience, this town has a knack for bringing out the best in people, and I cannot wait to learn from this institution, distinguished for its excellence and service to a community that I love.

Nick F. and Lizzy G. 

Our names are Nick and Lizzy and we are lucky enough to be attending medical school alongside one another and our stubborn Siberian Husky! Nick is originally from Texas but has lived all over the country chasing a childhood dream of playing junior and college hockey. Out of the many places Nick has lived, Fort Collins tops them all! Cycling, hiking, playing recreational hockey – there are ample opportunities to do anything and everything in this quirky place. Lizzy was born and grew up in Barcelona but has lived in several US cities since junior high. She was a swimmer in college and is hoping to start training for longer swims regularly at Horsetooth Reservoir (once the weather allows)! Aside from staying active, we both particularly enjoy walking through Old Town and trying new coffee shops, restaurants, and the occasional brew from one of our many local breweries!

P.S. FoCo is also a super doggo friendly town!