Gastroenterology Fellows Class of 2023:
Each year the program has the very difficult task of selecting new fellows from a large pool of excellent candidates. A major consideration during this process is finding prospective fellows who not only have excellent clinical knowledge and skills but who also embody our programs core values: Patients First, Honesty, Transparency and Professionalism.
During the 2020 Match we matched 4 fantastic candidates! Meet each of them below with a few words about each from Dr. Bongiovanni our program director!
David Kleesattel: “David is a homegrown Ohioan who found the University of Cincinnati to be a wonderful place to grow and learn. He obtained his undergraduate degree at UC, then moved to Northeastern Ohio medical University for medical school and returned to the University of Cincinnati for his internal medicine residency.
He embodies all the qualities we seek in a fellow: intelligence, commitment, respect for others, honesty in his work, curiosity to grow and dedication to his teammates and his patients. We are very proud to have him join us.
David is a gifted cellist and graduated from the prestigious University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of music. He shared that playing the cello taught him to listen, that listening is the foundation of curiosity and of patient care.
We are grateful to keep David in the UC family for another phase of his training. The G.I. Fellowship is proud to call him one of our own!”
Carmen Lopez: “From her beginning at Duke University undergrad to her medical school at the University of South Alabama and then residency at Tulane University, Carmen Lopez has been at the top of her class. We are proud that she was willing to come to the Midwest to continue her postgraduate training in Gastroenterology.
At Tulane, she pursued the Path of Distinction in Gastroenterology and comes to us with mature skills in gastroenterology.
She has been a leader, a respected teammate and someone who has inspired those around her. Her commitment to patient care above all else, her personal responsibility, her commitment to continuing education, her focus on collegiality and team support are only part of why we are so happy to welcome her to the University of Cincinnati in the G.I. Fellowship”
Michael Clanahan: “Michael spent his undergraduate years at Emory University. From there he began his medical career at the Southern Illinois University school of medicine and moved on to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center for his residency.
He comes to us with the experience and maturity of having been chief resident at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
His commitment to teaching and learning garnered him the Gold Apple teaching award in internal medicine.
Michael gives back to his community and to his expanded family. In his off time, he is a jazz pianist. Using his talent as a musician he has raised a large sums of money which he donates to the cause of celiac disease.
Self-described as dedicated and committed to all that he does, Michael is a superb clinician who puts patients first.
We are delighted to have him pursuing his lifelong goal of Gastroenterology at the University of Cincinnati. Our fellowship is stronger for having him join us.”
Brendan Collins: “Dr. Collins began his career at Canisius College and moved from there to Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University. He arrived at the University of Cincinnati for his medical residency and now we are so fortunate to have him in our first year class of G.I. fellows.
Brendan is an outstanding physician. He received the Gold Humanism Award and garnered the Herbert C. Flessa Physician’s Physician Award during residency. As a chief resident at the University of Cincinnati, he was instrumental in projecting his program forward.
He sets high standards for himself and for those around him. Brendan, changes for the better, every person he works with and every program he is a member of. He gains the trust of his patients and his fellow teammates. His dedication to patients is limitless and inspiring. He is excited about new knowledge.
For all of these reasons we are so proud of Brendan and delighted to have him with us to train in Gastroenterology.”