Family Medicine Residents

Sydni Barras, MD

Hometown: New Iberia, LA

Education: Louisiana State University School of Medicine - New Orleans

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I enjoy that there is always something going on, a farmers market, live music, festivals, poetry classes

Hobbies and interests: Hanging out with my co-residents, dogs, gardening and crocheting, women's health

Alexandra Goetjen, MD, PhD

Hometown: New Milford, CT

Education: University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I love visiting the Cargo District and supporting the small businesses there.

Hobbies and interests: Reading and spending time with my dog, Henry, Addiction medicine and behavioral medicine

Jessica Goldstein, DO

Hometown: Pittsburg, PA

Education:  Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I mean we live where people vacation, what more could you want?! There are endless activities to do, you can go to the beach before or after work, and the local coffee shops are only growing. It's the perfect small town; it has everything you could ever need but isn't overwhelming like a big city. It's just the perfect place to live and explore while you work your way through residency!

Hobbies and interests: I'm an Orangetheory enthusiast, a yogi, and I can't get enough of learning about how to heal the body through food and movement. I love reading, exploring and traveling, and cuddling with my kitties.

Megan Maar, DO

Hometown: Valparaiso, IN

Education:  Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I love living in Wilmington because there is always something to do here with the abundance of farmer's markets, the beach, the riverwalk, local shops, and pop-up markets.

Hobbies and interests: In my free time I love reading on the beach, walking my Blue Heeler, and cooking/baking something new!

Austin Morgan, MD

Hometown: Jacksonville, OR

Education: Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: In my free time I love reading on the beach, walking my Blue Heeler, and cooking/baking something new!

Hobbies and interests: Beyond medicine, I enjoy staying active and spending time outside including running, biking, hiking and paddling. I also love music, and spending time with my wife Lindsey and our dog Opal.

Sierra Smith, MD

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

Education: Trinity School of Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: The fantastic food scene! Wilmington has a great and growing variety of delicious local restaurants to explore.

Hobbies and interests: All things plants/gardening, traveling, cooking, collecting shells on the beach, exploring new restaurants.

Lauren Askew, MD

Hometown: Ahoskie, NC

Education: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, School of Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I love how much there is to do! Other than the beautiful beaches, there are so many excellent restaurants and coffee shops, great local businesses, fun markets, concerts and events.

Hobbies and interests: Reading, going to the beach, antiquing, and spending time with my family, friends and my dog Kiwi

Avery Bernstein, DO

Hometown: Richmond, VA

Education: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia Campus

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I love that the beach is part of my normal routine now! Sunrises on the beach, sunsets on the river, shark teeth hunting on Wrightsville.

Hobbies and interests: I love to practice yoga, do anything outside (beach, hiking, walking, farmer's market, etc.) see any and all live music, and travel with my fiancé Travis.

Walker Coughlan, MD

Hometown: Wilmington, NC

Education: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, School of Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: It's cheap and there's a lot of fun stuff to do- the beach, parks, lots of good food.

Hobbies and interests: Spending time with my family

Claire Namboodri, MD

Hometown: Cary, NC

Education: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, School of Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I like that it is a very active community with so many fun ways to stay active—surfing, beach volleyball, rock climbing, salsa dancing, run clubs, just to name a few. 

Hobbies and interests: Staying active, reading, politics, travel

Danielle Nerber, DO, MPH

Hometown: Buffalo, NY

Education:  New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: Getting to know and spend time with my co-residents both in family medicine and across the other specialties

Hobbies and interests: Trying new restaurants, Bills Mafia, watching movies with my husband and dogs, and of course exploring the beautiful beaches of coastal NC!

Abby Nicks, DO

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Education:  Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Louisiana Campus

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: Wilmington is so beautiful and there is always something going on

Hobbies and interests: Antiquing, art, reading, spending time with my dog

Courtney Caruthers, MD

Hometown: Greenville, SC

Education: Medical University of South Carolina

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I chose Wilmington because everyone I interacted with—residents, faculty, and administration—was so genuinely welcoming. I could tell they truly wanted me to be part of the program and were invested in helping me reach my long-term goals. I was looking for a supportive, tight-knit community, and I found exactly that here. Plus, Wilmington has such a charming beach town vibe—it’s a beautiful place to live and the perfect spot for friends and family to visit.

Hobbies and interests: Outside of work, I spend a lot of time with my best friend—my sweet Labrador Retriever. We go on long walks along the beach, look for seashells, and play fetch until he’s completely worn out. I also enjoy acrylic painting, especially landscapes, as a creative way to relax. Staying active is important to me, so I try to fit in workouts regularly. And when it’s time to unwind, I love binging a new anime series.

Hannah Hulshult, MD, MPH

Hometown: Elizabethton, TN

Education: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, School of Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I chose this program because of the people. I felt energized after my interview day, and that excitement only grew after visiting Wilmington for my Second Look. The new rural track also aligns well with my goals of practicing family medicine in a rural setting. Living by the beach is another great bonus

Hobbies and interests: Outside of medicine, I try to spend most of my time outdoors - hiking, running, playing volleyball or pickleball, going to the beach. I also love reading novels, traveling to new places, and spending time with family and friends.

Judy Kim, DO

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Education: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona Campus

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I'm looking forward to learning alongside my co-residents, faculty, and patients! I'm also excited to explore all that North Carolina has to offer and to foster my passions within and beyond medicine

Hobbies and interests: Trying new places to eat/recipes, traveling, running, and making pottery

Laken O'Quinn, MD

Hometown: Pikeville, Kentucky

Education: East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I chose this program because of the residents, faculty, and staff that I met during my interview and second-look day. Everyone was extremely kind and welcoming! It is the optimal program because of the robust curriculum that will prepare you to be a full-scope family medicine doctor, while being in a smaller community setting that is very supportive. I also think Wilmington is an amazing place to do residency! I (and my pup) love that it is a super dog-friendly city. The best part of Wilmington is being so close to the beach for my days off!!

Hobbies and interests: In my free time, I enjoy baking, exploring nature, weightlifting, and playing pickleball. I also love spending time with my husband and my dog!

Carlos Ramos, MD

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Education: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, School of Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: For me, Wilmington is a second home. Although I grew up in Mexico City, and still consider it my favorite travel destination, Wilmington has quietly become the place I feel most connected to. I lived here for several years before medical school, and during that time, I formed deep ties with the local communities and built meaningful relationships that continue to shape who I am. I’m excited to return—not just to be close to my family and my compadre—but to be part of a place that still has a close-knit, welcoming feel while clearly growing into a vibrant, dynamic city full of opportunities to explore and contribute.

Hobbies and interests: I love Latin dancing, and I’d dare say Wilmington has one of the kindest, most welcoming Latin dance communities I’ve ever been a part of. Staying active is also important to me—I’m especially looking forward to playing volleyball at Capt’n Bill’s and joining a Sunday soccer league. On busier days, I wind down by watching anime. I’m a big fan and can always find time for a quick 20-minute episode—whether it’s revisiting a classic or catching up on the latest seasonal releases.

Sujin Seo, DO

Hometown: Tuscon, Arizona

Education: Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I chose Wilmington because it has a great balance of community, nature, and opportunity. The best part is being close to the water and surrounded by people who genuinely care about what they do.

Hobbies and interests: I’m in to reading, cooking new recipes, and playing board games with friends. Lately, I’ve been getting into DIY projects and exploring local farmers markets and thrift stores.

Melissa Sloley, MD

Hometown: Staten Island, New York

Education: University of Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: It offers a unique balance of professional opportunity and quality of life. As a family medicine resident, I was looking for a place where I could train in a supportive, community-focused environment while also being able to afford a comfortable lifestyle. Wilmington has a welcoming atmosphere, diverse patient population, and a pace of life that’s more relaxed compared to larger cities like New York. It’s a refreshing change from Staten Island, where I grew up—less hectic, but still full of character and charm. The sense of community and access to nature in Wilmington is what I am looking forward to the most!

Hobbies and interests: I’m really into music of all genres, theater, cinema, art and dance. I love Caribbean culture and cuisine, which ties back to my Jamaican background. I enjoy cooking, especially traditional West Indian dishes, and I’m always looking for ways to stay active—whether that’s hitting the gym, yoga, or exploring new hiking trails. I also value downtime with family and friends, which helps keep me grounded.

Isis Van Putten, MD

Hometown: Providence, Rhode Island

Education: Brown University, Warren Alpert Medical School

Favorite thing about moving or living in Wilmington: I chose Wilmington because it makes me feel like I’m home! I was born and raised in Rhode Island (the Ocean State), and so I love going to the beach, eating seafood, and exploring the beautiful outdoors. Being in Wilmington feels like a continuation of my roots, just with a little more sunshine and Southern charm.