Medical Student Biographies (Class of 2025)
Michala Clark is a native to the area, raised in Vienna, Missouri. She graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) with a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences and minors in chemistry, cognitive neuroscience and biomedical engineering. Michala is a medical student at A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2025. Michala’s drive to become a doctor is personal: Her mom has multiple sclerosis (MS) and motivates Michala to become the kind of doctor her mom deserves. She also desires to serve her community and use her love of science on a daily basis. Michala is considering becoming an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) and is looking forward to learning more about what it takes to become a doctor, outside of the classroom. In her free time, Michala enjoys reading, gardening, boating, attending spin classes and spending time with her family, friends and cat, Cleo.
Austin Faerber is from St. Louis, Missouri, and earned his undergraduate degree in health science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a medical student at Kansas City University and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2025. Austin is particularly interested in how lifestyle factors can play a part in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. At Phelps Health, Austin is looking forward to mentorship opportunities from practicing physicians and forming relationships with patients. Outside of school, Austin competes in the sport of triathlon.
Karissa Hill hails from O’Fallon, Missouri, and graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Science in biology. She is a medical student at A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2025. Karissa grew up around medicine, as her father is a hospitalist in St. Louis, Missouri. Hearing stories from her father piqued her interest in healthcare and gave her a desire to make a difference in her community. Karissa is currently interested in the cardiology and infectious disease specialties. She is looking forward to using the skills she has learned and interacting with the community, while at Phelps Health. When she’s not studying, Karissa loves walking her dogs (a mini-Aussie and a Shih Tzu), going to the gym, and reading and watching anything fantasy-related.
Laura Mackrides is from Golden, Illinois, and graduated from Quincy University with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. She is a medical student at A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2025. Her mother is a primary care physician, which sparked Laura’s interest in science and healthcare from a young age. Laura, who grew up in a town of less than 1,000, hopes to bring quality, whole-person healthcare to rural and medically-underserved areas. Laura hasn’t decided her specialty just yet, but is interested in cardiology, internal medicine and surgery. While at Phelps Health, she would like to determine her specialty and also improve her clinical and hands-on skills. Laura’s interests include music, theology and travel, and her hobbies are baking, cooking, playing piano, photography and horseback riding.
Duyen Pham is from Worcester, Massachusetts, and earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She is a medical student at Kansas City University and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2025. Watching her grandfather pass away from cancer was a particularly difficult and impactful memory for Duyen. She felt powerless at the time, but hopes to be able to change that in the future. Duyen has been – and continues to be – motivated by seeing patients improve. She is planning to specialize in hematology and oncology. At Phelps Health, Duyen is excited to gain hands-on experience and to interact with patients. Outside of school, she loves swimming and skiing, and has previously volunteered at a homeless shelter and a hospital.
Mariem Towakoli is from Overland Park, Kansas, and graduated from University of Missouri-Kansas City with a Bachelor of Science in biology. She is a medical student at A.T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2025. When Mariem was 9 years old, she spent a month in the hospital and was fascinated by the physicians taking care of her. She decided that one day, she would like to care for patients in the same way. Mariem also attributes her interest in medicine to her mother, who went back to school to become a nurse when Mariem was in high school. While at Phelps Health, Mariem aspires to become a genuinely amazing physician. She adds that doctors must go above and beyond what is expected to make sure patients feel valued and understood, via active listening skills. Mariem wants to be a physician who balances medical knowledge with compassion, and she believes she can learn this at Phelps Health. She is currently interested in oncology, but is still open to several specialties. When she has a break in the action, Mariem enjoys kickboxing, going to the lake with her family and walking her golden retriever pup, Stella.
Medical Student Biographies (Class of 2024)
Allison Josselet is from Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and earned a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering from the University of Missouri – Columbia. She is a medical student at A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2024. Since childhood, Allison has been interested in science – specifically biology – and discovered in high school that her interests could be applied to medicine. She went on to shadow local physicians and decided to pursue a career in medicine. Allison finds the science of how the human body functions – or malfunctions – to be fascinating. At Phelps Health, she hopes to discover which specialties pique her interest. She also desires to expand her patient communication skills and to gain insight into other demographics. Her hobbies include running, hiking and playing with her dog. While living in the Kansas City, Missouri, area, Allison volunteered with Care Beyond the Boulevard, a free clinic; and with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). She is hoping to become involved with CASA again, in the Rolla area.
Allison Christy was raised in Silver Lake, Kansas, and graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She is a medical student at A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2024. Allison wants to become a physician to help establish care in underserved communities, after growing up in a small community where access to healthcare was limited. She believes all individuals have the right to quality healthcare. Her special interests include internal medicine, gastroenterology, obstetrics/ gynecology and rural family medicine. She looks forward to joining her brother, who works as a charge nurse in an emergency department, and her sister-in-law, who is an APRN (advanced practice registered nurse), in the medical field. At Phelps Health, she hopes to gain practical knowledge and develop her patient communication skills. She also desires to become a well-informed patient advocate. In Kirksville, Missouri, Allison helped package food for children in need through the YMCA and is looking for a similar opportunity in Rolla. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, softball, reading and genealogy.
Matthew T. Bentz grew up in Humboldt, Iowa, and graduated from Drake University with a bachelor’s degree in clinical and applied health science. He is a medical student at A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2024. Matthew first became interested in healthcare after attending a scout camp in western Iowa, where a tornado hit and his best friend passed away. Thankfully, there was a doctor at the camp, and a number of young scouts lived because of his knowledge. This tragic experience continues to motivate Matthew, and he desires to meet people where they are in their health journey. Matthew, whose mother is a nurse and grandfather who is a nurse anesthetist, wants patients to feel enabled by their healthcare team. He envisions himself in primary care, with an interest in the entire human body. At Phelps Health, Matthew is hoping to integrate the whole-person approach taught as part of his osteopathic curriculum into everyday practice. He has served as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS) and a member of its activity committee. He has also volunteered with Knights of Columbus. Matthew’s hobbies include running, lifting and reading.
Sean B. Larson is from Longmont, Colorado, and graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. He is a medical student at A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2024. Sean initially became interested in medicine after working as a lab assistant and phlebotomist at Boulder Community Health, where he enjoyed interacting with patients and working with a like-minded medical team. Sean’s special interests include surgery, orthopedics, sports medicine, internal medicine and family medicine. He is open to any specialty, however, that is hands-on and offers significant patient interaction. At Phelps Health, he hopes to gain firsthand experience in patient and medical team interaction, and in performing various exams and procedures. Outside of school, Sean enjoys aquarium/reef keeping, piano composing, beer brewing and weightlifting. He has volunteered in the past as an Eagle Scout and hopes to volunteer again in the future.
Mark Chiodo hails from Darien, Connecticut, and graduated from Springfield College with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He is a medical student at Kansas City University and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2024. In high school, Mark was a volunteer EMT (emergency medical technician), which first sparked his interest in healthcare. He desires to care for people as a doctor, where care, compassion and science intersect. Mark is currently interested in emergency medicine, with its broad range of patients and fast pace. At Phelps Health, he hopes to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to work as a physician. Mark loves the great outdoors and named skiing, hiking, rock climbing and cycling among his hobbies.
Elizabeth (Liz) Straus spent her youth in Philadelphia, Missouri, and graduated from Culver-Stockton College with a bachelor’s degree in biological chemistry. She is a medical student at Kansas City University and is expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2024. When Liz was 12, she ended up in the ICU at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. During her brief stay, she witnessed amazing physicians and nurses working tirelessly to save children’s lives. She knew then that she wanted to help people in that same way. Liz’s ultimate goal is to return to her small hometown to practice medicine. Having had to travel two hours by ambulance once, she truly feels the need for stronger rural healthcare. Liz is leaning towards pediatrics as her specialty, as she enjoys working with children and thinks the field will be interesting and diverse. At Phelps Health, she desires to learn how to communicate effectively and to form meaningful relationships with patients. Outside of school, Liz enjoys playing with her dog, Nino. She is also an avid reader and knitter and loves visiting her family on the weekends.