Class of 2028

Ryan Bohannan, D.O. - Western University

Undergrad: UC Irvine

I received my Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Medical Sciences from Western University of Health Sciences, where I focusedon LGBTQ+ health, racial inequities in medicine, and advocacy through policy. Before medical school, I worked in research at the UC Irvine Alzheimer’sDisease Research Center, where I also earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. Born and raised in the Inland Empire of Southern California,I am proud to dedicate my career to serving the diverse communities that shaped me. My goal is to work in partnership with individuals of all ages andbackgrounds. I approach full-spectrum primary care with a focus on compassion, dignity, and cultural competence. Within Family Medicine, my specific interests include care for underserved communities, LGBTQ+ health, HIV medicine, healthcare advocacy, and clinical research. Outside of medicine, Ienjoy playing tennis, growing my indoor jungle

Annabel Kleess, M.D., M.P.H. - Tulane University 

Undergrad: UCLA

Hey there! Happy to be part of this epic UCSD class. I've moved around quite a bit, but my heart is in Wyoming where my parents are. I went to UCLA forundergrad and Tulane in New Orleans for med school, where I commissioned in the Navy. Between med school and now, I chose to have some fun andexplore the real Navy for the past 5 years. I served as an active duty Undersea/Diving Medical Officer (UMO/DMO), the team doctor for Navy divers. Iwas fortunate enough to get "beat up" underwater at Navy dive school, launch off a submarine in the Philippine sea, and be stationed in Guam with myhusband Gabe (a family medicine physician) for two years. We couldn't be more excited to be in San Diego. We've been hiking, kayaking, diving,running, aerial yoga-ing and staying active for the past year here. Count me in for anything "ocean" or anything involving food (and good folks). I'mlooking forward to practicing in underserved communities both locally and globally, and learning the art of Family Medicine!

Kysha Mercader, M.D. - UC San Diego

Undergrad: UC San Diego

Hello! I grew up in Sacramento and moved to San Diego to study bioengineering at UCSD. I worked in research as a data analyst for two years before returning to UCSD for medical school, and I'm so excited that I also get to stay here for residency! I look forward to the full-spectrum training that comes with family medicine and the opportunity to be a part of so many kinds of milestones for patients. Within FM, I'm particularly interested in obstetrics and women's health. Outside of medicine, I love to take dance classes at local studios. During the winter season, I try to snowboard at Big Bear any free weekend that I have. I also love to watch basketball and am a lifelong Sacramento Kings fan #LightTheBeam

Maria Nguyen, M.D. - UC Irvine

Undergrad: UC Irvine

Medical interests: medical education, caring for the mother-baby dyad, transitioning care for neurodiverse patients, sustainable global health Hobbies: indoor rock climbing, skiing, reformer pilates, figure skating, piano, making matcha

Kindness Nwakudu, D.O. - Touro University- Middletown

Undergrad: UC Santa Cruz

Hey y'all! I’m Kindness—yes, like the word! I was born in Lagos, Nigeria and raised in Oakland, California. My path to medicine was shaped by stories of inadequate care and preventable deaths in my communities—experiences that sparked a deep desire to make a difference. I studied Molecular Biology at UC Santa Cruz and took several gap years before medical school at Touro, working as a medical assistant in an ophthalmology clinic, where my confidence and commitment to patient care grew. I enjoy working with both children and adults, so what better field to serve across generations than Family Medicine? I was drawn to it for its focus on continuity, whole-person care, and its ability to meet patients where they are. Outside of medicine, I love playing tennis, spending time with my big family, discovering new restaurants with friends, and documenting my journey. The path wasn’t always linear, but I’m thankful to God to be here—and excited to continue growing at UCSD!

Lauren Prisco, M.D. - Weill Cornell University 

Undergrad: Weill Cornell

I'm originally from New York, where I attended undergraduate and medical school at Cornell. During medical school, I served as president of the national Medical Student Interest Group for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM). Within family medicine, I'm interested in sports medicine and women's health and plan to pursue a sports fellowship after residency. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy running, hiking, hanging at the beach, and exploring San Diego's cafés. Looking forward to working with everyone at UCSD!

Grace Roberts M.D. - University of Tennessee

Undergrad: University of Arkansas

I grew up near Denver, Colorado, where I fell in love with hiking and the outdoors. My family and I then moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where they have been for the past 15 years, and I now say that I am “from” both places. I attended college at the University of Arkansas and majored in biology and anthropology with a minor in medical humanities. This is also where I met my fiancé and discovered my love of patient care working as an ophthalmic technician. It was such a joy to go back home to Memphis for medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. At UT, I served onthe leadership teams of our Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) and Gold Humanism Honor Society chapters. I often volunteered to see Spanish-speaking patients at a student-run free clinic, maintain community gardens in food desert neighborhoods, and teach reproductive health lessons to middle and high school students. My research has primarily focused on quality improvement as it relates to both medical education and improving the accessibility and quality of care for undeserved communities. I came into medical school interested in primary care, and I fell in love with how family medicine allowed me to care for diverse patients from all walks of life and mirrored the outreach activities that most enriched my medical education. I’m thankful that it constantly reminds me of why I chose to become a physician! I look forward to building a career that integrates my passions for community health, LGBTQ+ inclusive care, preventive and lifestyle medicine, and medical education. In my free time, I love traveling, cooking, container gardening, trying new coffee shops and restaurants, and taking long walks at sunset (especially on the beach)! I’m also an avid crocheter and always looking for a new project. I am so thrilled to be part of the UCSD Family Medicine family and starting my training in such a beautiful city!

Wiliam Stauffer, D.O. - Western University

Undergrad: UC Davis

Dr. Stauffer is passionate about full-spectrum primary care, sports medicine, public health, and osteopathic medicine. He enjoys being active outdoors and fills his free time with skiing, mountain biking, climbing, scuba diving, surfing, and triathlons.