Hi there, I'm Jessica! I'm originally from metro-Detroit and grew up in the Clinton Township area. I spent my undergraduate years at Albion College, a small liberal arts college in Michigan, studying biochemistry and political science. I graduated from Albion in 2019 and spent a year working and traveling (before COVID) and then matriculated to Michigan State University - College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2020.

 

Continuity of care is what first drew me into Family Medicine. Having the ability to get to know patients and their families is one of my favorite parts of clinic. FWMEP checked all the boxes on my list for residency programs: unopposed, a strong OB curriculum, and a great learning environment.

 

Outside of medicine, I love spending my time with my family, especially my two younger sisters. You can often find me out for a walk with my rescue pitbull, Nugget. I also enjoy crochet, yoga, kayaking, anything that involves the lake, and reading (I started a book club with friends in Michigan!). I am excited to move to Fort Wayne and explore all the city has to offer! 

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Hello! My name is Karissa Barela. I was born and raised in Southern California approximately 30 miles from the happiest place on earth, Disneyland. I have an identical twin sister/best friend who equally shares my love for Mickey Mouse. 

 

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of California, Irvine in 2016. I then completed my Master’s Degree in Anatomy from the George Washington University in Washington, DC in 2018. While applying to medical school, I had the opportunity to work for an OBGYN who subspecialized in chronic vulvar pain. My desire to practice medicine with excellence, compassion and integrity was further fueled to dismantle the disparities in women’s health care.  

 

I attended medical school at Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. I explored my many interesting including obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, preventive medicine and mental health. I served as the vice-chair for the Finding Inspiration and Resilience in Medicine committee to reshape the culture of medicine and empower my colleagues to advocate for their own health and wellness. 

 

From the start, my dream residency program was unopposed, full-spectrum, community-based and located in Indiana. The Fort Wayne Medical Education Program is quite literally a dream come true. Even before the match season began, the FWMEP was my top choice for residency. After I rotated with the program for a month, I found myself comparing every other program to this one and wishing I was back at the FWMEP where my eagerness to learn was met by attentive faculty and residents who were intentional to teach throughout the day. Right away I could see that this program would help me become a competent, confident physician equipped to care for pregnant women, speak up for vulnerable patients and give back to the community. 

 

Outside of medicine I enjoy reading historical fiction, biographies, or murder mystery novels. For me, a night out on the town includes swing dancing, a live band, and good friends. More likely than not you will find me at a local church listening to sermons, teaching Sunday school or volunteering in the nursery. 

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Hello! My name is Ava Lamm and I am grateful to call Fort Wayne my home. I earned my Bachelor of Sciences in Health Sciences at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. I also worked briefly as an EMT prior to pursuing medical school at A.T. Still University in Arizona. FWMEP was my first choice because everyone was incredibly welcoming and seemed to have a life outside the hospital. Beyond the desirable location, I was happy to find a community program that would help me learn full scope family practice. In our spare time, my husband and I enjoy gathering friends and family, hiking with our dog, attempting new recipes, traveling, gardening and tennis. 

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Hey! My name is Adam Newport. I was born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN. I went to Homestead High School here in FW and was active in baseball and football. I went to Manchester University for my undergraduate studies of Biology/Chemistry before working as a wastewater technician/chemist for 2 years before medical school. For medical school, I went to VCOM in Spartanburg, South Carolina and completed my clinical training at Cleveland Clinic Indian River in Vero Beach, Florida (which I have come to call my second home).

 

I am happy to be in my home community and serving the people I grew up alongside. It is my goal to follow my passion of eventually working in a sports medicine setting.

 

I have many passions outside of medicine! I love playing pickleball, baseball, football, sand volleyball, video games, and fantasy sports. I love watching any sport (and I mean ANY sport) with my favorite being Formula 1 and my collegiate team being Notre Dame. I love to keep up with current events with friends and family, spend days in the sun, and be as active as possible. My golden retriever dog, Maui, would love to meet you. I am excited for this journey in life!

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Hi, I’m Lucie, and I am so grateful to be returning to my hometown for residency!  I graduated here from Bishop Dwenger High School and studied Science Pre-Professional Studies and Theology at the University of Notre Dame.  After college, I attended Indiana University School of Medicine and pursued a combined MD/MA degree in Philosophy with a concentration in Bioethics.

 

I couldn’t be happier to have matched into FWMEP.  What most draws me to family medicine is the ministry aspect of the work we do.  Through relieving physical suffering as well as accompanying individuals and families through moments of hardship and joy, I hope to participate in Christ’s, the Divine Physician’s, healing work.  I have particular interests in developmental psychology, end-of-life issues, and lifestyle medicine, and hope to practice broad-scope outpatient medicine in the future.

 

My husband and I just had a beautiful baby girl, Josie, who has been a great joy in our lives.  In my free time, I like being a wife and mother as well as singing (mostly to my baby), playing piano, enjoying good films, and learning the secrets to a fulfilling life.

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Hello! My name is Riley Spencer and I grew up in Paris, IL. I studied biology in undergrad at Lincoln Land Community College and MacMurray College in central Illinois, where I also played four years of basketball. After undergrad, I attended Ross University for four years where I traveled the entire country for clinical rotations. My first two years of medical school were in Barbados, followed by rotations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. 

 

I was interested in the Fort Wayne Medical Education Program because of its location and everything it has to offer in Family Medicine. My wife attended Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne and we were already located here, therefore it was ultimately my number one choice and a perfect fit for the both of us. Fort Wayne possesses a unique blend of rural and suburban medicine, which is something I felt strongly about in regards to my own career aspirations. 

 

Outside of medicine, my hobbies include hunting, fishing, playing basketball and hanging out with my family. 

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My name is Drew Swing. I am incredibly grateful to continue my medical training in the place I have called home for most of my life. I grew up just east of Fort Wayne in the small city of Woodburn. I was homeschooled until my freshman year of high school when I started to attend Lakewood Park Christian School. There I met my wife Naomi and started on my path to becoming a doctor. We both attended Taylor University where I graduated with a major in philosophy and a minor in psychology. I then worked for a year as an emergency room technician at Parkview Regional Medical Center before welcoming our daughter, Eleanor (2020), the week of medical school orientation. I completed all four years of medical school here in Fort Wayne at the IU school of medicine.  Halfway through we welcomed our son John (2022). 

 

I chose family medicine because it demands a wide breadth of knowledge and affords the privilege of caring for patients of all ages throughout their lives. FWMEP was my top choice for residency because of its long legacy of preparing excellent physicians in the Fort Wayne area. I am humbled by the opportunity to benefit from and continue on this legacy.

 

Outside of medicine, I enjoy walks to the park with my family, grilling in the backyard, reading history and philosophy, serving as a Deacon at Redeemer Baptist Church, and lifting weights. I am looking forward to serving the Fort Wayne area with the FWMEP team for the next three years and beyond. 

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Hello, my name is Bradley Trotter. I am from a rural farm town called Slayden, Tennessee, where the population is currently 175 people. Growing up in rural America gave me a strong foundation of hard work and determination that I used to get through medical school. I did not dream of going to medical school my whole life, and if I'm being honest, I didn't even think that was a possibility. During my senior year of high school, I was accepted into several colleges but decided to join the United States Army. I love my country and wanted to serve as my grandfather did. When I was choosing a job in the Army, I chose Medic on a whim. From there I grew to love medicine.

After I left the Army, I fell in love and married my wife, Shelby, and she supported my dream of becoming a physician. During undergrad, we welcomed two beautiful children into our family. I rocked my newborn son while I studied for the MCAT. I attended medical school in Knoxville, Tennessee, and while I was finishing up my second year, our third child was born. She was born two weeks before we moved again for rotations.

I decided to specialize in Family Medicine because, like Vin Diesel, family is the most important thing to me. As a father, I love caring for children, yet I want to provide care for people of all ages. I want to give back to rural America, a lifestyle that raised me, and the best way to do that is through Family Medicine.

Fort Wayne Medical Education Program caught my eye because of the comprehensive education it offers. I feel confident I will be trained to the full extent because this program is unopposed. I am eager to learn everything I can, and I am excited to do that in a cool city like Fort Wayne, Indiana.

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