PGY3 Residents

Christopher Bullers, M.D. Dubois, PA Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

Hi, I was born in western Pennsylvania in the small town of DuBois (pronounced Dew-boys, not frenchy) but moved to Hickory, NC when I was small. (You may notice that a fellow resident in my class is also from Hickory. Although he is slightly older than me, he continues to look up to me. I have become kind of a mentor to him). I grew up and went to Catawba College in Salisbury, NC where I played football and majored in biology. I then worked for several years in Raleigh and also coached high school football. I continued the move east as I then attended THE Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.  After looking all over the country, I felt Wake Forest and Winston-Salem was the best place for me. Every day I find something new that I like about this area, e.g. hiking, restaurants. I continue to enjoy all sports especially football and basketball. We even manage to get a game of basketball together every now then.  I intend to pursue a sports medicine fellowship at the end of residency like many of my colleagues.  I finally got married during the spring of my intern year which wasn't as hard to do as an intern as I would have thought.  My wife is an interior designer, so she provides a little counterbalance to my medical world (Bonus: our house looks really nice).  Best of all, I continue to believe we have the number one family medicine residency in the country.   Life is good.

---

Bradley Evans, M.D. Kinston, NC Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

I was born in Kinston, NC where I lived until I moved to Raleigh at age 18.  In Raleigh, I had the great privilege of attending North Carolina State University (GO WOLFPACK).  I graduated from NCSU with a degree in Biological Sciences in 2005.  In August of 2005 I enrolled at the Brody School of Medicine at ECU.  It was there that I started dating my wife Cooper.  We got married one week before I graduated from ECU.  I started my residency in late June of 2009.  I’m now a third year in the program.  The program has been much better than I could have expected.  The attendings and residents have been great to work with.  WFBMC has provided a very learner friendly environment to learn from many specialties of medicine, which has been  great.  My wife and I have enjoyed living in the piedmont region of NC.  We started mountain biking and hiking once we got here and have continued to do so.  We have been up to hanging rock and Asheville to hike a couple of times.  We do our mountain biking at Tanglewood Park and Hobby Park in W-S. 

---

Steven Heffner, M.D. Hickory, NC Wake Forest University School of Medicine

I was born in the western North Carolina city of Hickory & grew up in the same house my father did.  Even though I knew I wanted to be a physician from a young age, I attended Appalachian State University where I majored in Computer Science with a minor in mathematics.  It was while in college that I met my now wife, even though we did not start dating seriously until I was in medical school at Wake Forest and she was a school psychology graduate student at the University of South Carolina.  It was after my third year of medical school, that I knew I wanted to go into Family Medicine & that I wanted to stay at Wake Forest for residency.  The past two years have been great—both in the quality of my training and my quality of life.  After residency, I hope to stay & practice in central North Carolina.  My interests outside of work include environmentalism/sustainability, skiing, & just about anything dealing with computers.

---

Todd Hodges, M.D. Hickory, NC Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

I was born and raised in the metropolis of Hickory, NC with two older brothers. My childhood consisted of lots of family bonding and sports. After graduating from the one and only Hickory High School, I attended the University of Virginia. After graduating as a Wahoo, I decided to move to Charlotte and worked in sports marketing for two years (Go Panthers). After procrastinating, I decided to tighten up and attended the Brody School of Medicine at ECU. My passion for Family Medicine and Sports Medicine led me to Wake Forest. I enjoy any sport specifically soccer, baseball, basketball, golf, horseshoes, and cornhole. In addition, I enjoy watching any college or professional athletic event in person or on television. Despite the doldrums UVA sports continue to occupy, I remain a loyal fan and annually hope that next year will be our year. Professionally, I am interested in a mix of inpatient and outpatient medicine with some sports medicine on the side.     

---

Shireen Moore, M.D. Omaha, NE Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine

I grew up in Augusta, Georgia and did my undergrad at Agnes Scott College near Atlanta. I returned to my hometown to attend the Medical College of Georgia, where I received both my MD and my MRS – I married fellow medical student, Tim! He has started as a Pathology resident this year, and we have had a great time settling into our new lives together. Outside of work, I enjoy watching movies, baking, board games, and international travel and have had a lot of fun exploring my new city and state. The people I have met here at Wake Forest are so supportive and the program is a perfect blend of inpatient and outpatient, community and academic. What better place to do your training than in a beautiful city with some of the greatest fellow residents and faculty you could ask for! 

---

Ryan Murray, M.D. Winter Park, FL Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

I am a Florida native, born and raised in Winter Park (suburb of Orlando). I left and never looked back as I went to undergrad at Furman University in SC. Loving the Carolina's I then moved to NC where I decided that I wanted to be a MD (several bad jobs, and many incredible international missions trips later). I went to ECU and received a Master's in Biology, my MD and my beautiful wife, Joanna! During 3rd year we had our amazing daughter, Adelaide (Addie). And during Intern year, we had another little blessing in our son Alister. They make our lives filled with challenges and much joy. Outside of family life I enjoy cycling, running, soccer, reading and camping/hiking!

---

Dustin Pierson, D.O. Kingsport, TN Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

I grew up in Duffield, VA, a small town in the mountains of southwest Virginia.  Duffield is a small town where everyone knows everyone.   I spent most of my time growing up with outdoor activities of hiking, fishing, and was an avid golfer during high school.   I grew up a life-long Hokie fan (my dad went to VA Tech) and decided to go to Virginia Tech for my undergraduate education.  I had a great university experience there and ultimately decided that I wanted to go to medical school.  I stayed in Blacksburg for medical school at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine.   Choosing a field wasn’t an easy decision, but I ultimately chose family medicine because I like the diversity of patient encounters and practice opportunities that the field offers.  I chose Wake Forest due to the strong academic environment, genuine happiness and common interests of the residents, and small city location.  I haven’t been disappointed!  When I am not working (you will have time as an intern), I enjoy all the offerings of Winston including hanging out with other residents, the many great golf courses, and hiking the mountains that are in close proximity.

---

Kyle Pope, D.O. Denville, NJ Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

My family has moved a couple times up and down the east coast, but now I say I am from a small town not far from here named Jamestown, NC.  I went to undergrad at UNC Chapel Hill  (blue heaven), and then traveled up to Blacksburg, VA for medical school at the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine.  I got hitched to my lovely wife Samia in 4th year of medical school, and we have had quite a journey together until we finally landed in Winston-Salem.  She is a nurse working at Forsyth Hospital, and we are enjoying being settled here in our new home.  After being in my 3rd ACC school, I have decided that it’s pretty much impossible to cheer for anything but your first love no matter what the circumstance.  I will have to try to pull for Wake Forest as I love all the sports medicine opportunities that this program offers.  The other big draw about this program for me is the people I met on my interview day.  After being in the program, I can honestly say that my first impression was an accurate one.  The faculty, and residents are very friendly, down to earth, and create a terrific learning environment.  I have enjoyed my time here thus far.  Please ask me if you have any questions.

---

 

Elisha Poynter, M.D. Fort Worth, TX Wake Forest University School of Medicine

I am a third year resident and although I was born in Fort Worth, TX, I grew up in Seattle Washington.  I received a BA in Biology and Chemistry at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington after which I spent a year working as a lab technician at a biotechnology company in Seattle called Zymogenetics.  In 2005, I joined the first year class at Wake Forest University Medical School.  I met my husband in medical school and we both graduated in 2008.  We found out we were expecting our first child during my last year of medical school and I decided to take a year off after graduation so that I could stay home with our daughter, Addision while my husband started his intern year in the Family Medicine Residency program here at Wake Forest.  I returned to work in 2009 and recently welcomed our second child, Caleb into our family this year.  When I'm not working, I enjoy cooking and spending time with my husband, my now 3 year old daughter and my 2.5 month old son.  I've spent the last 7 years in Winston-Salem and love being able to call this city and this program home.

---

Jennifer Roberts, M.D. Redwood City, CA University of Virginia School of Medicine

I am originally from Northern California. Although I loved the west coast, I wanted to try something new so was excited to attend the University of Virginia for medical school in my mom's home state. I met my husband, Luis, in Charlottesville and we were trying to find a place that was a good fit for both of us. He is in academic Infectious Diseases. Wake Forest exceeded our expectations. I love the program--the people, the reputation, and the experience. Above all, it truly has become a second family. We look forward to all of the get togethers and holiday parties.  My husband and I have really enjoyed living in Winston-Salem and exploring all that it has to offer, often with our golden retriever, Riley, and our son, Matthew.  We love living in walking distance to the hospital. If you ever have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact me.

---

Neil Sparks, D.O. Durham, NC Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

I was born and raised just down the road in Durham, NC and attended Furman University in SC for college.   After earning my degree in biology I took a job in an immunology research lab and after a few years went on to graduate school at NC State.   After a couple more years in the working world I finally found my way to medical school at the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, VA.  My interests are sports medicine, osteopathic manual medicine, and rural care.  My goal is to ultimately practice both sports medicine and broad-spectrum family medicine in a small community in western NC.   Outside of residency I enjoy spending time with my wife Tonya (who is a local veterinarian) and exploring the sights in and around Winston-Salem.  So far I couldn’t be happier with my decision to train at Wake; it truly has the best of both a community program and university program with phenomenal people working alongside you.

PGY1 Resident Bios

PGY2 Resident Bios