Meet Our Residents
Stanford’s Ob/Gyn program is a small and close-knit group of residents. Below is a short synopsis of each resident’s history and what brought them here to Stanford
Amanda Antono, MD, MPH - PGY 1
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hi everyone, I’m Amanda! I have called North Carolina my home for the last 10+ years but am ecstatic to return to my Bay Area roots for residency! For undergrad, I attended North Carolina State University where I majored in Biological Sciences and Nutrition Science. Following graduation, I ran a Before and After School Center, served as a Health Education Peace Corps Volunteer in Kyrgyzstan, and worked as a Research Assistant for the Center for AIDS Research. My time in the Peace Corps sparked an interest in women’s health and global health, and ultimately was the foundation for pursuing a career in Ob/Gyn. I completed a dual degree MD/MPH program at the University of North Carolina where I focused my public health practicum on analyzing contraception services available to persons experiencing incarceration. I have an interest in serving marginalized populations and am passionate about health advocacy. I hope to pursue a career as a generalist in academic medicine with a focus in global health. Outside of the hospital, my hobbies include going on long walks and hikes with my Standard Poodle (Ophelia), testing out new recipes, biking, and listening to audiobooks/podcasts!
Elodia Caballero, MD, MPH - PGY 1
University of California, San Francisco
My upbringing as a first-generation, low-income child of Honduran immigrants, raised by a gritty, resilient, and loving New York neighborhood of Black and Latine/x residents, has shaped my values to be grounded in justice, resourcefulness, and community. Armored with the unfaltering faith and spirit of my family and the community that raised me, I went on to pursue higher education as first in my family to go to college. I went to undergrad at Columbia University, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior. I received my Master's in Public Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as a Zuckerman Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership. I graduated from UCSF School of Medicine, as part of the Program in Medical Education for the Urban Underserved (PRIME-US). With all this schooling, I popped out as an OBGYN resident passionate about intimate partner violence prevention and sexual and reproductive justice for youth. My journey in medicine and public health is nested in storytelling as well as transformative, healing-centered solutions that envision a more just, equitable healthcare. My heart lies within the communities buried beneath the hyper-intellectualized "social determinants of health" and "health inequity" conversations. My fight is for their joy, rest, and whole well-being, which I hope to honor in my own residency training. That said, my joy is in salsa and bachata dancing (maybe some future dabbling in kizomba), co-creating with loved ones (art, food, stories, music, etc), working out (I use to powerlift in college!), and my moka pot!
Graciela Caraballo, MD - PGY 1
George Washington University
Hi there, my name is Gracie! I am the proud daughter of Venezuelan immigrants and doctors, whose hard work and family-centric values inspired my passion for medicine and community health. I grew up in the suburbs of Minnesota and attended the University of Chicago for my undergraduate degree, where I studied biology and fell in love with public health and working with marginalized communities. After completing a gap year at Northwestern University and gaining experience in clinical research, I attended George Washington University for my medical degree. There I led hands-on cooking classes with women in the community and became involved in outreach programs aimed at providing food-insecure mothers and families with access to high-quality produce and nutrition education. Recognizing the pivotal role that women, often serving as the primary caretakers in their homes, played in the intergenerational health of their families and communities sparked my interest in women’s health. My desire to pursue OBGYN was solidified during my clinical rotations, where I encountered the stark healthcare disparities that Latinx women face within the US medical system, from the lack of Spanish-speaking providers to the cultural differences in reproductive healthcare and the nuances they require. As a Latina in medicine, I feel empowered to translate the experiences and amplify the voices of my patients to better advocate for their needs. I am beyond thrilled to join the family of compassionate leaders at Stanford and chose the program for its wonderful people and supportive environment! In my free time, I enjoy spending all my money on flowers, playing with ceramics, watering my plant collection, and kickboxing.
Tim Szilágyi Gémesi, MD - PGY 1
Florida State University
Hello there! My name is Tim Szilágyi Gémesi and I am a first-generation Hungarian-American from Sarasota, Florida. My journey to OB/GYN is unusual, as I spent much of my early years training as a classical singer and pianist. At Oberlin College, I completed my Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (with a focus in German art song) and my Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. By the end of college, however, I wanted to find a way to combine the humanism of music, my interest in cultural anthropology, and my love for science. I naturally gravitated towards medicine. During medical school at Florida State University, I engaged in reproductive rights advocacy through Medical Students for Choice (shoutout to my mentor and the best family doc in the world, Lydia Tortorici!). Through this experience, along with my love of surgery, I became passionate for reproductive healthcare and obstetrics and gynecology. I envision myself completing a fellowship in Complex Family Planning or practicing as a generalist, but I’m entering residency with an open mind and an excitement to learn! My hobbies include pickleball, table tennis, bicycling, board games, and playing with my two cats.
Hannah Moran, MD - PGY 1
University of Kansas
Welcome to Stanford! I grew up in Lawrence, KS with an intense love of Jayhawk basketball and a strong sense of Midwestern pride. I attended Washington University in St. Louis for undergrad, where I majored in anthropology and minored in biology and medical humanities. Through my humanities coursework, I became interested in the power of stories, especially in the context of medicine. After graduation, I worked as a clinical research assistant in an L&D unit, where my passion for reproductive health blossomed. I came back home to attend the University of Kansas School of Medicine and also eat home cooked meals every week. There, my involvement in our women’s health free clinic and Medical Students for Choice reaffirmed my commitment to becoming an OB/GYN. I am unbelievably excited to be training at Stanford with such accomplished, inspirational co-residents! My professional interests include wellness narratives, survivorship in oncology patients, and family planning. I also find joy in treating myself to overpriced iced coffee, running, exploring craft breweries with my partner, and having friends over for my latest Trader Joe’s cheese haul.
Lauren Tostrud, MD - PGY 1
Medical College of Wisconsin
I grew up just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was raised to passionately love cheese, the Packers, and the Badgers as any good Wisconsinite! I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I majored in Neurobiology and balanced the grueling pre-medicine curriculum with a minor in Studio Art! I attended medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin and graduated AOA. My passion for global health and engagement began at a young age and flourished throughout undergrad and medical school. I spent summers traveling to El Salvador and working with various communities and was able to return during medical school to work with health clinics in conjunction with the Ministry of Health. The summer following M1 year, I participated in the global summer research program, and while I was unable to travel (COVID), I built and maintained partnerships in Rwanda studying the intergenerational effects of genocide. During my fourth year of medical school, I was finally able to travel to Rwanda and meet my partners! I also spent a month working in the gynecology department of a hospital outside of Kathmandu, Nepal. Outside of medicine, my passions include the Peloton, yoga, exploring new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with family and friends! I unexpectedly fell in love with all aspects of OBGYN during my clinical years of medical school and fell in love with Stanford while completing a sub-internship. I genuinely could not be more excited to join the Stanford OBGYN family!
Danielle Blemur, MD, MPH - PGY 2
Emory University
Hi there, my name is Danielle! I was born and raised in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. I have been so lucky to have been surrounded by friends from all walks of life and a very proud Caribbean family that instilled the values that I hold today. My mother immigrated from Jamaica and my father from Haiti, and they both were committed to education and discipline while remaining grounded and humble. Very early on, I was exposed to public health and community engagement, and I attended Cornell University where I studied biology and society to better understand how we as a health science community can better serve those around us. After graduating, I spent two years in New York gaining experience in clinical and bench research. Afterward, I returned to Georgia where I completed the dual degree MD/MPH program at Emory University. There I was able to develop my skills as a researcher and public health advocate and designed studies to increase HPV and cervical cancer screening in marginalized populations. My hobbies include gardening, bowling, anything involving friends and a board game, hiking and being outdoors, and trying new foods.
Samantha Kruger, MD, MA - PGY 2
Drexel University
I grew up in the Bay Area and attended UC Santa Barbara, first as an undergraduate and then for my Master’s in Molecular Biology. After graduating from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, I am thrilled to make my way back to the West Coast for residency! I fell in love with Stanford after having the opportunity to complete a sub-internship with the program and am so excited and proud to be part of a group of individuals who care deeply for their patients and each other. I am the first person in my family to attend a four-year college and, as a result, enjoy mentorship opportunities that allow me to support first- generation college students at each stage of their education. I am also passionate about working with individuals experiencing homelessness and have worked with groups that serve this population since my time in Santa Barbara. Outside of the hospital, I love to spend time with my family and my English Bulldog (Otis), try new restaurants, enjoy the outdoors, and practice photography.
Metabel Markwei, MD, ScM - PGY 2
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
I am a story lover and often love to hear the story of how people found their way into their passions. My own story starts in Accra, Ghana, where I was born and raised, and continues in New Haven, Connecticut, where I studied medical anthropology and global health at Yale University. In college, multiple volunteer/research trips back home to Ghana, clarified my interests in global reproductive health and led me to obtain a master's degree in reproductive medicine at Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health. I went on to attend medical school at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine where my patients' stories inspired me to found the Minority Maternal Health Initiative, a student-led patient-navigator program that assisted Black and Hispanic pregnant patients with social services. Working intimately with minority patients cemented my desire to bridge healthcare inequities for minority women in the United States and Ghana, through translational research across borders. My life story, together with the stories of my patients, family, and friends continue to be my North Star. Outside of the hospital, you can find me curled up with a novel, writing, listening to podcasts/audiobooks, on long walks/hikes, or trading stories with friends over endless laughter and delicious food.
Kevin Petersen, MD, MPH - PGY 2
University of Central Florida
I’m a first-generation German American and the first doctor in my family. I grew up in sunny South Florida. Unlike many, I discovered my love for medicine later in life after first pursuing a career in dance. I started my academic journey at community college, where I first explored my interest in the sciences. I studied Biology at Nova Southeastern University and completed medical school at UCF College of Medicine, where I served as the M.D. Student Council President. I’ve always been a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community – volunteering as a youth-group mentor, working as an HIV testing councilor, and teaching LGBTQ+ inclusive sexual education. After discovering my passion for OB/GYN, I chose to pursue a Master of Public Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health between my third and fourth year of medical school. At Harvard, I graduated with a concentration in Women, Gender, and Health, focused my studies on racial disparities in maternal mortality, and served as the LGBTQ+ & Sexual Health Intern for the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC). My professional interests include transgender healthcare, reproductive justice, health equity, and gynecology oncology. In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, music concerts and festivals, and exploring new cities!
Natalie Spach, MD, MPH - PGY 2
University of North Carolina
I grew up in Seattle, but North Carolina has been my home for the last 10 years. I played collegiate soccer at Davidson College (outside of Charlotte, NC) where I majored in Hispanic Studies and completed the pre- med track. Before medical school, I worked in rural Appalachia on a public health campaign that provided contraceptive education through social media platforms. The campaign ignited my passion for reproductive justice and when I entered medical school at the University of North Carolina, I was strongly considering a career in Ob/Gyn. My medical school experiences cemented my love for the specialty— it is truly such a privilege to care for, support, and advocate for patients. I chose Stanford for residency because of the outstanding clinical training, the program’s values, and, above all, the wonderful people here. When I am not in the hospital, I enjoy running, skiing, doing New York Times crossword puzzles with my partner, watching videos of corgis, and spending time with my family (especially when my Italian momma’s cooking is involved).
Hillary Weiner, MD, MBE - PGY 2
University of Michigan
I grew up in the metro Detroit area and attended the University of Michigan for undergrad. During college, I worked abroad as an EMT in Israel where I had the mind boggling opportunity to deliver my first babies. This experience sparked an initial love for Ob/Gyn. Following graduation, I took a research position at a local biorepository and became interested in medical ethics. I moved to Boston and completed a Masters in Bioethics at Harvard University. In this space, I learned about reproductive ethics, the maternal-fetal relationship, and studied the philosophical frameworks underlying women’s health. I returned to the University of Michigan for medical school and completed a pre-doctoral clinical ethics fellowship. In this role, I had the privilege of leading the hospital ethics committee and consult service. To me, the ethics service is about advocacy and ensuring that my patients' voices and values about their bodies are heard and respected. Additionally, I served as a medical director for the local free clinic and furthered a passion for working with underserved populations and confronting health disparities. Outside of the hospital, you will find me backpacking in Yosemite, snowboarding (lodging) in Tahoe, re-reading Harry Potter, or binging netflix with my partner and our two pups.
Belle Beshar, MD - PGY 3
Stanford University
I grew up in New York and am a classic oldest sibling to my more mature brother and sister. I stayed on the East Coast for college, where I wrestled with biology classes and thrived in history. I was lucky enough to attend University of Oxford as an American Rhodes Scholar; while there, I witnessed the shock of Brexit and discovered the power of narrative medicine. I chose Ob/Gyn because I am constantly in awe of the female body, which I believe should never be limited by political restriction nor social expectation. My goal is to train as an abortion provider and ensure access for all patients, regardless of who they are or where they live. My happy place is in the water, and I’m thrilled to remain in California, where the beach and alpine lakes fill me with impossible joy. When not in the hospital, I am a proud plant mom, never use the oven, and run (slowly) to the rage of political podcasts.
Farsam Fraz, MD - PGY 3
University of California, Davis
I am a first-generation college and medical school graduate brought up in the San Francisco Peninsula. Growing up a part of an immigrant family, I experienced early on how cultural differences, health, and educational disparities affected my immediate community - inspiring my lifelong commitment to serve and advocate for all underserved and marginalized communities through a career in medicine. As an undergrad at UC Davis, I took an active role at Shifa Community Clinic to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare to the uninsured communities in Sacramento. Being able to give back to communities similar to the one I grew up in reaffirmed my desire to become a physician. I then returned to UC Davis for medical school where I continued my work with Shifa and was a part of Transforming Education and Community Health for Medical Students (TEACH-MS), which trains students on improving access and providing equitable health services for urban-underserved communities. I co-lead the Ob/Gyn Group, Medical Students for Choice chapter, and AMWA at my school in addition to serving on the Diversity Advisory Council, WhiteCoats4BlackLives chapter, and as a mentor to many BIPOC and URM students. I am passionate about social and reproductive justice, diversifying the medical workforce, advocacy, and medical education. I speak Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi fluently, and also speak functional Spanish. In my free time - I love to drink and craft coffee drinks, edit and take photographs, explore new restaurants, and cheer on my favorite sports teams!
Pamela Meza, MD - PGY 3
Stanford University
Hi! I’m Pamela, I was born and raised in Orange County, California. I stayed in Southern California for my undergraduate degree in Psychobiology from UCLA. During my time at UCLA, I developed my interests in global health working with migrant communities along the U.S.-Mexico border. After I graduated in 2015, I worked as an instructional aid for first-generation students in under-resourced communities. I also took this time to co-found a non-profit, The Backpack Strategy, to help students across Mexico decrease the financial burden of their education. I was very fortunate to attend Stanford for medical school where I was able to continue my work in global health, I spent the summer after my first year of medical school in Guatemala City, where I studied the impact of simulation-based training for obstetric emergencies. While at Stanford, I was also involved in various groups to support, promote, and empower URM students in medicine, such at SUMMA and LMSA. I am so excited to be staying at Stanford for residency an continue working with the amazing people that make it so special. On my free time, I love to cook, bake, spend time with friends and family, explore the Bay area, and soak up as much sun as I can!
Sarah Owens, MD - PGY 3
Oregon Health & Science University
I was born and raised in Portland, OR before attending Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA for college. I studied Chemistry and Entrepreneurial Leadership and played on their national championship intercollegiate volleyball team. Following graduation, I worked as a nanny, dog-walker, medical scribe, and pharmacy technician before beginning medical school at OHSU. I fostered my passion for medical education, mentorship, authentic vulnerability, and women’s health through the Women’s Leadership Development Program. During medical school, I also helped create a resilience course for OHSU Ob/Gyn residency applicants and a wellness resource hotline for OHSU faculty and staff in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic because I find the most joy in my life when I am lifting up those around me. I graduated with high distinction and was elected into AOA as a third-year medical student. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, running or cycling, hosting and playing trivia, and cheering on the Zags and Blazers basketball teams. I chose Stanford to continue my residency training in Ob/Gyn because of their unparalleled dedication to social and reproductive justice, excellent clinical training and commitment to education, and a supportive community unlike any other.
Samantha Wagner, MD, MPH - PGY 3
University of Washington
Growing up in “Big Sky Country” Montana, my path is guided by my zest for life, adventure, and service. I earned my undergraduate degree in Biology from Carroll College, where I was also a member of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. Upon graduating, I commissioned as an Officer in the Engineer Corps, and I went on to serve four years on active duty with the 10th Mountain Infantry Division. During this time, I earned my Master of Public Health degree from Creighton University where I fostered my interests in health equity. I attended the University of Washington School of Medicine, where I led and organized a clinical exchange in Nicaragua, co-led a chapter of the Health Equity Circle, and developed a Veteran’s Health Initiative. I continue to serve in a medical unit within the Army National Guard, where I have specialized training as a sexual assault victim advocate. Additionally, I serve on the Board of Directors for a homeless shelter in Port Antonio, Jamaica. My engagement with this world is guided by a deep love for humanity, and I am honored by the privilege to walk alongside people during their medical journey. Beyond these interests, you can find me enjoying all types of outdoor adventure with my husband and our sweet labradoodle.
Wendy Zhang, MD - PGY 3
Stanford University
I was born in a small town in China and raised in the Bay Area. Having been at Stanford for more than a decade now, I am a Stanford “lifer” and obviously continue to be a huge fan. During my undergrad at Stanford, I majored in Biology, conducted research in cardiovascular stem cells, and volunteered at our student-run free clinics. I was thrilled to stay at Stanford for medical school, where I managed Arbor Free Clinic, TAed multiple women’s health courses, and published research on the impact infertility treatments have on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. I’ve taken a more unconventional path through medical school, taking some time away to delve into my REI research and to start a family (I have 2 fierce-minded daughters). I continue to be incredibly passionate about clinically-driven research. Needless to say, I am overjoyed to be joining the Stanford Ob/Gyn family! It is such a tight-knit, supportive, accomplished, and hilarious team that is so invested in each other's success and wellness and so dedicated to serving patients. Beyond medicine, I love exploring nature with my family, cooking with friends, traveling, and being the occasional couch potato.
Kelly Darmawan, MD - PGY 4
University of California, Los Angeles
I was born and raised in the Bay Area, where I grew up playing water polo. I attended UCLA for undergrad, where I studied Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics with a minor in Global Health, and captained the UCLA Women’s Club Water Polo Team. I continued at UCLA for medical school, where I provided care for the surrounding underserved communities as a leader of UCLA's student run free clinic. I also cultivated my love for teaching as a mentor and Anatomy TA to other medical students, and pursued my passion for women's health by conducting research on factors that influence adherence to cervical cancer screening in young women, among other research projects. I am excited to return to my Bay Area roots to not only work and learn from an exceptional group of physicians, but to also serve the community that I grew up in. As a physician, I am committed to advocating for women's health and empowering my patients. When I'm not in the hospital, I enjoy hiking, visiting the beach, traveling, baking desserts, and spending time with my family.
John Hayden, MD - PGY 4
Boston University
I was born and raised in New England and spent most of my childhood training as a pre-professional ballet dancer. In high school, I fell in love with biology and decided to go pre-med while continuing my training. After a year of dancing professionally in Boston, I chose to “retire early" and pursue a career in medicine full time. Over the next few years I finished my undergraduate studies at Vassar College and completed a Masters Degree at Boston University, where I studied chronic traumatic encephalopathy in NFL players. During medical school, also at B.U., I moved away from studying neuroscience and discovered my passion for LGBTQ+ healthcare. This lead me to co-found and chair several initiatives at the medical school ranging from sexual/reproductive health educational electives to LGBTQ+ specific curricular reform. I also fundraised for and established the first LGBTQ+ specific fund at Boston University to promote ongoing education and research efforts. My work in sexual health ultimately introduced me to the incredible world of Ob/Gyn and the rest is history! In my free time, I love staying active (whether in the gym or the great outdoors). I'm a self-described interior design nut and overly enthusiastic foodie. I'm so excited to begin the next stage of my life on the West Coast and as a member of the extraordinary Stanford Ob/Gyn community!
KJ Jennings, MD - PGY 4
Medical College of Georgia
I grew up an avid sports fan in Atlanta, GA, which I think builds a certain character. I have two older sisters and three younger nieces. I attended the University of Georgia for undergrad, where I was able to build on the tradition of sports disappointment from my childhood. In college I discovered my love of physical chemistry and ultimate frisbee, but neither of those career paths panned out. I went to the Medical College of Georgia where I had the opportunity to work in a couple different gender health clinics and discovered how meaningful it felt to be able to be a trans provider to trans patients. I chose Ob/Gyn because of some of my own personal struggles with not being a woman but still facing a “women’s health” problem. My career goal is to make medicine more understanding and accessible for trans and queer patients and to continue to provide for a dynamic population. My other passions include podcasting, Frank Ocean, Top Chef, my bike, and really any competition-based activity.
Megan McCracken, MD - PGY 4
University of Kansas
Hello and welcome to Stanford! I grew up in the Kansas City area and still maintain a devout love of all Kansas City sports teams, GO CHIEFS. I attended undergrad at Wichita State University, where I played softball and majored in Biology. After college, I worked for Cerner, mostly in Salt Lake City, Utah. There, I helped to create and implement the women’s health curriculum for the Intermountain Healthcare System. In medical school my interests centered around prenatal care for students within their high schools, advocating for access within the LGTBQ+ community, and working with cage-side physicians at MMA events in the greater Kansas City metro. Specifically, my research had an emphasis in sexual and reproductive health within the transgender community. I love Ob/Gyn because it allows me to make impactful change through surgery, build intimate relationships in clinic, as well as be a fierce advocate for social change. Outside of medicine I enjoy hiking, yoga, snowboarding, rock climbing, and almost any team sport. I love looking for new coffee shops and am always eager to expand my food horizons. I am honored to be at Stanford alongside such an accomplished and empowered group of co-residents. We look forward to meeting you!
Julie Najar, MD - PGY 4
University of Arizona
Hi my name is Julie I was born in San Jose, CA. I am a first generation Mexican American and I was the first to attend college in my family. After I graduated college I did research on nicotine addiction at the NIH for the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Baltimore, MD. I went to medical school at the University of Arizona and during medical school served as a mentor and tutor to peer and high school students. I was also very involved with my local Latino Medical Student Association chapter and served as Policy Chair. As policy chair I was able to serve as a medical advocate for migrants released from ICE detention, advocate nationally for DACA policies, and locally to increase availability of medical interpreters. I am so honored to continue my medical training at Stanford in the field of obgyn and to continue advocating for all my future patients! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my daughter and husband, going for long runs, and trying new restaurants.
Ravali Reddy, MD - PGY 4
University of Southern California
I grew up in Dublin, CA before attending Stanford for college, where I studied Communication and minored in Biology. After graduating, I ran communications strategy for Stanford Medicine X and volunteered as a Health Educator at the San Francisco Women’s Community Clinic. I moved to Los Angeles in 2016 to begin medical school at the University of Southern California, where I quickly built upon my passion for reproductive health by leading the Ob/Gyn Student Interest Group, joining MSFC, teaching sex education at local public schools, and conducting research within the Division of Family Planning on minority perspectives on contraception. During medical school, I was also elected Class Co-President for all four years and became a nationally certified crisis counselor. I graduated with highest distinction and was elected into both the AOA and Gold Humanism Honors Societies. Outside of medicine, my passions include running, Bollywood fusion dance, trying new foods, and spending time with my family, partner, and friends. I am thrilled to be returning to Stanford as a resident physician and chose the program because of its unparalleled clinical training, cutting-edge research, incredibly supportive community, and commitment to the principles of social and reproductive justice. There's no other place like it and I'm so grateful to be back!