Current Residents

Ryan Aschenbrener, MD

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin
Professional Interests: Sports medicine, MSK, pain medicine
Hobbies: Exploring with my dog, basketball, tennis, going to concerts
Quote: When I visited UVA, the residents made it clear that they love living and training here.  From going jogging together to covering sports events, they seem to take full advantage of the outdoorsy Charlottesville lifestyle. I’m lucky to be a part of such a tightly-knit program. UVA PM&R offers first-class inpatient training, and it will help me become the best physiatrist that I can be.

Glenn Sapp, MD

Medical school: University of Florida College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Florida
Professional Interests: Sports Medicine, MSK, Ultrasound, EMG
Hobbies: CrossFit, Cycling, Photography, Video Games
Quote:Initially, it was hearing about the excellent quality and opportunities of the UVA PM&R program that sparked my interest. Many people I talked with had nothing but positive things to say about the program. After visiting, interviewing, and subsequently meeting with many of the residents, attending, and staff I was glad to see everything was true. I was most impressed by the welcoming personalities that genuinely seemed to care about each other’s well being. I am grateful and excited to be a part of a thriving program that offers unrivaled opportunities and that will mold me to be an excellent physiatrist and person.

Michael Sheppard, MD

Medical School: The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Professional Interests: MSK, Cancer Rehabilitation, SCI
Hobbies: Disc Golf, Basketball, Softball, Ping-Pong, Running, Hiking, HBO shows
Quote: I am thrilled to be starting my career as a physiatrist at UVA. Our program has so much to offer, especially in regards to musculoskeletal and sports medicine training, which aligns perfectly with my interests in the field. Most importantly, the patients are happy here. There is a warmth to the city of Charlottesville, and I’m excited to explore every bit of the restaurants, mountains, and sports scene over these next 3+ years.

Justin Tu, MD

Medical school: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Undergraduate: University of Rochester
Professional Interests: Sports medicine, MSK, pain medicine, TBI
Hobbies: Basketball, frisbee, badminton, golf, swimming, video gaming, watching sports, and reading
Quote: What drew me to UVA was the strong emphasis on sports medicine and the exposure residents can get to seeing patients with sports injuries. I appreciate the patient variety that we can see at UVA and Charlottesville as a town will be a great place to reside and practice in for the foreseeable future!

Jacob Boomgaardt, DO

Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania
Professional Interests: Sports, MSK, Interventional pain
Hobbies: Hiking, Cycling, Crossfit, Piano
Quote:“I was very excited when I found out I matched at UVA. The MSK and sports training is amongst the best in the country, and with ample elective time this would allow me to craft the ideal training experience for my future professional goals. The opportunity to train in a beautiful area, with world class hiking and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures was simply the cherry on top. I can’t wait to start my training at UVA!”

Kovosh Dastan, MD

Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
Undergraduate:  George Mason University
Professional Interests: Procedures, Pain, Ultrasound, Sports/MSK, Stroke Rehabilitation, EMG, Advocacy, Mentorship and Regenerative Medicine.
Hobbies: Wrestling, Hiking, Football, cooking, traveling, chess, table tennis, collecting sneakers.
Quote: “Matching at UVA was a feeling that was unparalleled. It was such a wonderful experience rotating here as a med student. The faculty are sincere and supportive, combining that with a program that cultivates a family culture made it very appealing. To find out that my professional path would find its course in Charlottesville has left me feeling very excited about what is to come. This place is charming, welcoming and beautiful. My wife and I are very excited to explore Charlottesville and be part of this community.”

Stephen Tan, MD

Medical School: Loma Linda University
Undergraduate: Walla Walla University
Professional Interests:  MSK, SCI, TBI
Hobbies: Golf, Soccer, Video games, Various coffee brewing methods
Quote: “I was first drawn to the program here at UVA because of its strength in MSK and I knew the generous amount of elective time offered would allow me to focus in on whatever I enjoyed most. Once I visited, I fell in love with Charlottesville and knew it was place I could see myself living. The residents, attendings and other staff were all genuine and welcoming and it solidified my desire to train at UVA.”

Michael Warwick, MD

Medical School: University of Virginia
Undergraduate: University of Virginia
Professional Interests: Spinal Cord Injury, Neurorehabilitation, Cancer Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Prosthetics, Adaptive Sports
Hobbies: Running, basketball, the beach, music, design, visiting family
Quote: “After only a few days on service as a medical student, I knew the UVA PM&R program was right for me. Beyond the diverse patient population and clinical rotations, emphasis on musculoskeletal and sports medicine, and generous third and fourth year elective time, what truly stood out to me were the residents, faculty, and staff. The small cohort fosters a true sense of support and camaraderie and an ideal faculty to trainee ratio, while faculty are all highly knowledgeable, dedicated to education, and compassionate toward their patients. We are also very lucky to have the best residency coordinator and support staff who are truly committed to resident well-being. I am perhaps most excited to get more involved in the local running community through race coverage, the gait lab, and runner’s clinic and feel incredibly fortunate to call the beautiful city of Charlottesville home for another four years. Best of all, I get to continue my training in close proximity to my family as a Triple Hoo!”

Michael Bova, MD

Medical School: Upstate Medical University
Undergraduate: Houghton College
Professional Interests:  Sports Medicine, Interventional Pain, Regenerative Medicine and PM&R Advocacy.
Hobbies: Competitive basketball, strength training, lay-person astrophysics, playing the mandolin, books by my favorite authors (McCullough, Lewis, Tolkien, Dickens, Isaacson).
Quote: “The underlying theme during my residency interviews can be summarized in one word: Excellence. I wanted every program to know that in me they would find a resident who pursued excellence. Likewise, I wanted to feel the reverberations of that commitment from the program. With UVA PM&R, the chord was struck. Across the board, from Drs. Wilder and Jenkins, to Joanne Palmer and the rest of the faculty, I met compassionate, innovative, and genuine humans who I knew would not only push me to achieve my professional goals, but create an uplifting program where all of the residents could thrive. I recall, in the days preceding the Match, turning to my wife and saying “I don’t know how I know, but I do: we’re going to UVA.” Called it.”
 
 

Andrew Clark, MD

Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Undergraduate: University of Washington, Mechanical Engineering
Professional Interests: Sports medicine, adaptive athletes, technology in rehab
Hobbies: Chess, golf, weightlifting, video games
Quote: Joining UVA PM&R is a dream for me! I grew up in Virginia Beach and UVA has always been a leader of academics and learning in the region. The program leadership and members have been so welcoming and helpful to integrate into the program, and I can see a great future from my career by starting it here!

Cameron Forbes, MD

Medical School: Penn State Hershey College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Delaware
Professional Interests:  Interventional Spine, Pain Management, Regenerative medicine, Spinal Cord Injury, Academic Medicine, Ketogenic diet research, Preventive Medicine, Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine.
Hobbies: C Mountain biking, backpacking excursions, camping, running, alpine and cross country skiing, archery, video editing, family time.
Quote: “I was thrilled when I matched at UVA! After my interview experience, I knew that UVA was the best match for my professional and personal interests. I was drawn to the significant Sports Medicine presence, but also the potential to have exposure to regenerative medicine therapies. I got the feeling that people who came to UVA for schooling or training were so drawn to the area and culture that they are hard-pressed to ever leave! My wife and I care deeply about being part of a local and sustainable culture, and Charlottesville was a perfect and easy choice! We love the outdoors and are looking forward to exploring the Shenandoah region.”
 
 

Emily Hillaker, DO

Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Michigan-Flint
Professional Interest: Pediatric rehabilitation, neuromuscular medicine, spasticity
management, interventional procedures, MSK/cancer rehab, brain and spinal cord injury, regenerative medicine, research…Have I listed it all?? I love everything about PM&R
Hobbies: I have a wonderful husband and 2 young children, and spending time with them is absolutely my favorite thing to do! At home, you’ll find me playing dinosaurs, having tea parties, or making a mess with arts and crafts. When I have free time, I enjoy weight lifting, running, cycling, hiking, and love to participate in races and triathlons. I also enjoy healthy cooking/baking.
Quote: My husband and I were very excited to have matched at UVA. Having lived in Virginia during medical school, we already knew the weather was beautiful and the hikes were awesome. Those of course, are just perks. When I interviewed at UVA, I remember thinking it would be the best fit. The amount of procedures, sports exposure and elective time to pursue professional interests was unmatched, and research opportunities were abundant. Previous residents fared extremely well in obtaining competitive fellowships, but those who didn’t want to do a fellowship had ample elective time to hone in their skills before starting their first job. Encompass had the tight-knit feel of a free-standing community hospital, but with the resources of an incredible university hospital, not to mention backed by the highly regarded name UVA. The people here were genuinely kind, and even now that I have officially started here, I can see that they continue to genuinely care about me as a person and about my professional interests. Throw in the mountains, the mild winter, the nearby ocean and DC, all in a small city that has a little of everything and is great for raising kids, and it’s obvious why UVA was my first choice across the board. Lucky me!

Christopher Chrzan, MD

Medical School:  Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Undergraduate:  James Madison University
Professional Interests:  Sport Medicine/MSK
Hobbies:  College football (Go Dukes!), Formula 1, DIY projects, hiking, mountain biking.
Quote: I was extremely excited to match at UVA, which was my number one choice. I grew to love Charlottesville while attending JMU as my (now) wife and I would spend many weekends exploring the surrounding area. It has so much to offer whether it be hiking, visiting wineries, experiencing the down-town atmosphere, getting lost in the beautiful landscapes or being surrounded by historical landmarks. I interviewed at many different programs, keen to learn
what mattered most to me as an applicant. In the end, I realized I wanted a program that was well-rounded not only in exposure, prestige and opportunity but also in camaraderie and support. As an example, in my first week of intern year I had 4 separate residents (and even the program director, Dr. Jenkins) reach out and make sure I was experiencing a smooth transition. The culture, not only within the PM&R department, but throughout the whole hospital is focused on learning in a positive and supportive environment. I would absolutely choose this program over again if given the choice.
 
 

Alaric Justin Gee, DO

Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: New York University
Professional Interests: Sports Medicine, MSK, Spasticity
Hobbies: Music Production, basketball, video gaming, watching anime and sports
Quote: Initially, it was the program’s remarkable sports medicine and MSK opportunities that drew me UVA PM&R. When I began to look deeper, I realized how strong the program was in every area of PM&R. After my interview, it became clear that this program equips its residents to excel at all aspects of our field. Most of all, the residents, attendings and staff are all extremely welcoming and genuinely invested in one another. I am blessed and honored to train at UVA and I look forward to being a member of the Charlottesville community!​