Class of 2004: Profiles

Tom Baker
With a dad in the Air Force, Tom grew up all around the United States, but would call Dayton, Ohio, home. Tom’s undergraduate degree was from Miami University and his medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine. In medical school, Tom ranked fourth in his class, was elected Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), and his test-taking abilities (USMLE) put him in the top 4 percent of the country. While in medical school, Tom was a student physician for Reach Out Dayton (primary care clinic for working poor), participated in Big Brothers of Dayton, was class representative and chairman of the senior seminar committee. Tom and his wife (No.1 in her class at medical school and matching in Pediatrics at Children’s Memorial) enjoy softball, basketball, triathlons, fishing, hiking, travel and reading.

Jeff Bohmer
Jeff has lived all around the United States, but at one point called Wheaton, Ill., his home. He received his undergraduate degree from DePauw University, and his medical degree from Rush Medical College. Jeff is in the top 5 percent of his medical school class, was elected Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), received straight “honors” in all of his clinical rotations, and his test- taking abilities put him in the top 1 percent of the country. Jeff has worked as an EMT (Indiana), a patient care technician (Central DuPage Hospital), and as a teacher’s assistant in histology at Rush. He was involved in the Pediatric AIDS Big Sib Program, as well as a volunteer at the Rush-sponsored community health clinic. Jeff spent two summers as a research assistant (neurology and oncology) at Rush. Jeff and his wife (a teacher) enjoy skiing, biking, running, sports, travel and movies.

Jennifer Baumgartner
Jennifer was born and raised in rural Utah and received her undergraduate degree from Utah State University. She graduated from Chicago Medical School, where she was near the top of her class, was elected Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) and received “honors” in all nine of her clinical rotations. During medical school, she was elected class representative, volunteered for the Homeless Health Care Project and for four years coached girls basketball for the Community Youth Sports Organization. Jennifer and her husband enjoy camping, fishing, volleyball, basketball and music (guitar).

Geoff Crabb
Geoff was born in Canada and raised in both Canada and Racine, Wisc. Geoff received his undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario, where he was a member of the varsity soccer team. Geoff received his medical degree from Rush Medical College this spring, where he is in the top 10 percent of his medical school class and received honors in all but two of his clinical rotations. Geoff has worked as both an emergency medical assistant (in Racine) and as a research assistant at Rush, studying the use of sleeve lobectomies in thoracic surgery. Geoff has extensive volunteer experience, which includes time in South Africa teaching math, English and working in a casualty unit (emergency department). He was also a volunteer at the Racine County jail, a free clinic in Racine, Pediatric AIDS Big Sib Program, and the Rush-sponsored indigent community health clinic. Geoff enjoys scuba diving, running, hiking, traveling and music.

Scott Guth
Scott is from the Chicagoland area and received his undergraduate degree from Duke University. Scott graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine where he received “honors” in 75 percent of his clinical rotations and his test-taking abilities (USMLE) put him in the top 11 percent in the country. While in medical school, he performed research in neuro-anatomy resulting in two publications involving Alpha-9 nicotinic acetylcholine and the vestibular system. Scott enjoys mountain biking, hiking, camping and golfing (his passion).

Anna Kiernicki-Sklar
Anna was born in Indiana and raised in the Chicagoland area. She received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University where she was a student athletic trainer for four years. Anna received her medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School, where she was president of the AMA student section, a volunteer at the Community Health Clinic and volunteered as an 8th grade girls volleyball coach. Anna received “honors” in 40 percent of her clinical rotations, was a CPR instructor, and a member of the medical school’s admissions interview committee. Anna and her husband enjoy competing in recreational softball and volleyball leagues and golfing.

Erik Kulstad
Erik was born in Venezuela (his father was a member of the United States' State Department’s Economic Development Team) and has lived in many parts of the world. Erik received his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at the University of Maryland. After college he moved to Texas and obtained a master’s degree in chemical engineering, worked as a research engineer, and served as a volunteer paramedic in Houston. Erik graduated No.1 in his class at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, was elected Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), and his test-taking abilities (USMLE) put him in the top 1 percent of the country. Erik served as vice president of the American Medical Students Association and a volunteer for Amnesty International. Erik and his wife (Christine, EM class of 2005) enjoy wind surfing, snow boarding, roller blading, mountain biking, scuba diving, hand held computers and travel.

Justin Macariola-Coad
Justin’s hometown is Napa, Calif. He received his undergraduate degree at Notre Dame and earned his M.S. in biology at the University of Illinois. Justin received his M.D. from the University of Illinois, where he received “honors” in 60 percent of his clinical rotations. Justin has been involved in numerous research activities at the Chicago Center for Clinical Research, the University of Illinois’ Department of Physiology and Biophysics and the University of Illinois’ Department of Emergency Medicine. Justin has co-authored an article on pediatric febrile seizures in Annals of Emergency Medicine. While in medical school, Justin served as treasurer of the American Medical Students Association, president of the Emergency Medicine Interest Group, and also worked as a fitness instructor. Justin and his wife (a psychologist) enjoy travel, medical informatics and personal fitness (including triathlons).

Laura Schulze
Laura is from Glen Ellyn, Ill. She received her undergraduate from Benedictine University and graduated from Loyola University Medical School in 2000 where she was the 2000 recipient of the Gissur Brynjolfsson Scholarship Award. While in medical school, Laura continued to be active as a volunteer teacher for her church, a park district soccer coach, and a member of the medical school yearbook staff. After medical school, Laura took a year off to spend more time with her family (husband, daughter and son) and worked part-time as a research assistant in the Department of Emergency Medicine here at Christ Medical Center. Laura is fluent in sign language and enjoys aerobics, biking, amateur photography, gardening and music.

Frank Szatkowski
Frank is from the Chicagoland area and received both his undergraduate degree and medical degree from Loyola University. After graduating from medical school in 1999, Frank spent two years in the surgical residency program at Loyola University Medical Center before seeing the light and switching to Emergency Medicine. During medical school, Frank was treasurer of the medical student union, a volunteer for S.T.A.T.S. (Students Teaching Aids to Students) and Habitat for Humanity. In 1994, Frank and his brother were United States Handball Association national three-wall doubles champions. Despite the rigors of first a surgical residency and now an Emergency Medicine residency, Frank continues to successfully compete in three-wall and four-wall handball tournaments. Frank also enjoys spending time with his wife, Kathy, woodworking, fly fishing/fly tying, bow hunting, canoeing and mountain biking.

Laura Viero-Dothage
Laura is from St. Louis, Mo, and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri. She graduated from the University of St. Louis Medical School, where she is in the top quarter of her class and her test-taking abilities (USMLE) put her in the top 4 percent in the country. While in medical school, Laura compiled a handbook of emergency orthopedics, volunteered at Health Resources Center’s student-run clinic, and has worked at first aid and emergency ambulance service activities. Laura enjoys Italian cooking, travelling and playing guitar.