Graduating 2003

Ryan Fringer M.D.
Eric Haug M.D.
Travis Henning M.D.
Christopher Johnson M.D.
Timothy Johnson M.D.
Christopher McCoy M.D.
Jody Nelson M.D.
Christopher Palmer M.D.
Karen Ross M.D.
Jenny Thacker M.D.
Thomas Wyatt M.D.

Ryan Fringer M.D.

Ryan Fringer is an honor undergraduate from the University of Michigan and is an AOA graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine in June.  His medical school laurels include a Howard Hughes Research Fellowship, participation in EM and pediatric cardiology research, and volunteering as an educator and clinic medical provider.  His diverse interests include backpacking, canoeing, travel, golf, running, cross country skiing, reading and photography.

Eric Haug M.D.

Eric Haug is an AOA student from the University of Minnesota School of  Medicine. He did his undergraduate studies at Stanford receiving a degree in Biology.  He has been a camp counselor,  project organizer at the Science Museum of Minnesota, and done other volunteer work.  He is an outstanding hockey player and was captain of the Stanford team from 1994-1995.  Interests include hockey, hiking, rock climbing, travel and running.

Travis Henning M.D.

Travis Heining attended the University of Miami Florida as an undergraduate graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School.  He has participated in a lot of undergraduate research and volunteer work including a year in an emergency room in Wisconsin.  He loves to watch movies, participate in all types of sports including tennis, football, basketball, baseball and swimming. He loves to read fiction and enjoys music.  His best friend is his twin brother who attends Ohio State University

Christopher Johnson M.D.

Christopher Johnson attended the University of Virginia as an undergraduate and was headed for a career in foreign affairs and law. He decided that was not the direction he wanted for his life  and entered George Mason University for his pre-medical studies prior to matriculation to the Medical College of Virginia. Just for the sake of  your future health, you should be aware that he has achieved the rank of black belt in Uechi-Ryu Karate and practices Survival Defense, a combination of judo, Mu-Tai kickboxing and jujitsu.   He also likes other fitness activities including weight lifting and running.

Timothy Johnson M.D.

Timothy Johnson will graduate from the University of Washington School of Medicine this spring and when he comes to Hennepin will be back to his roots.  Originally from Stillwater, Minnesota, he moved to Utah where he went to auto mechanic school. He subsequently went on an LDS Church mission to Thailand and upon returning decided to go into medical techology and received his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University.  He was a clinical lab scientist for the next five years while also doing graduate work in molecular biology. He’s very involved with his family and enjoys cooking, reading, and golf.

Christopher McCoy M.D.

Christopher McCoy is an AOA honor student at the University of Texas-Houston Medical School, but is a native Minnesotan.  After high school, he joined the Air Force and was trained as a medical technologist. He had experience with front line medical care during Desert Storm.  He decided to go back to school for pre-med studies and got a degree in biology from Texas Tech University.  He is married to Dawn.  His interests include hockey, golf and water skiing.  He is a registered breeder of French Bulldog’s and sells champion quality dogs throughout the US.

Jody Nelson M.D.

Jody Nelson was born and raised in South Minneapolis and went to the University of Minnesota both for undergraduate and medical education. She has done research in EM with Dave Roberts at NMMC,   Ernie Ruiz at the University, and Mary Carr at Regions. She was President of the Emergency Medicine Interest Group and has worked as an EMT at NMMC. She  won the Dan Gall Memorial Human Spirit Award at the “U of M”. Jody loves “everything outdoors”, working with children and has an extreme interest in the issues facing people with disabilities. She loves to teach in the community, especially CPR.

Chrisphopher Palmer M.D.

Christopher Palmer did his undergraduate study at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN and is now a student at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. He had quite an athletic career at St. John’s where he was an Academic All-American in both football and baseball, was GTE Academic All-American of the year and won the Gagliardi Trophy for National Division III Player of the Year! He has done many volunteer activities during his medical school career including organizing a 5-K run for the Minnesota Medical Foundation. Chris has a diverse list of interests including outdoor sports, international travel, carpentry and spending time with his family.

Karen Ross M.D.

Karen Ross is an AOA student at Creighton University School of Medicine. She attended the University of San Diego as an undergraduate. She grew up in Oregon and is the daughter of a physician and nurse who exposed her to medicine early in life.  Karen is trained as an EMT and has worked as a BLS provider and as a medical assistant. Besides many volunteer activities in medical school, she is President of the Creighton Emergency Medicine Interest Group and has been a student delegate to both the NMA and AMA conventions. She loves to SCUBA dive, hike and camp, run and travel.

Jenny Thacker M.D.

Jenny Thacker is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee and attends the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. While an undergraduate at University of the South (Sewanee, TN), she was an honor student and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In medical school, she was an NIH Medical Student Research Fellow and had an Howard Hughes Medical Institute Student Research Grant. Her efforts resulted in several abstracts and a published paper. She lists numerous volunteer experiences during medical school and undergrad and is interested in many sports, SCUBA, and  studio and performing arts.

Thomas Wyatt M.D.

Thomas Wyatt attends the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Oklahoma and following graduation worked as a paramedic for several years. He authored standing order protocols for EMTs in the state of Oklahoma. In medical school, he received several scholarships due to his academic achievements, and was a member of the American Medical Student’s Association and the Association of Native American Medical Students. In medical school, he researched the epidemiology of birthing at the Fort Yates Indian Health Service Hospital on the Standing Rock Reservation.  Tom is an avid endurance athlete participating in road races and triathlons. He also likes to mountain bike, golf, play racquetball and hike.