Sydni Johnson, MD

Bio: Sydni is originally from Houston, Texas. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Prairie View A&M University, she attended McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas at Houston. During her medical school career, Sydni was deeply involved in multiple leadership, service, and research roles. She served as a camp counselor at Camp Shining Stars, which is a camp for children with renal disorders and spina bifida, and volunteered for Girl’s Club for Success, which supported socio-emotional learning from immigrated elementary school students.  She was the Public Relations Chair for her chapter of the Student National Medical Association through which she managed communications while also mentoring students. She served on the Integrative Curriculum Committee where she helped compile and integrate valuable resources into the medical school curriculum for other students and as a near peer mentor for fellow medical students. She also participated in research on the role of genetic testing in diagnosis and treatment of renal disease. We are so grateful that Sydni will be bringing her leadership and clinical excellence to the Med-Peds family! 

Why I Chose Cincinnati: I loved the program from the moment the interview started. The residents were kind, grounded, and fun—people I could truly see myself growing with over the next four years. The leadership was warm and personable, and I could immediately feel how deeply they cared for their residents. The program offers strong clinical training with a diverse and underserved patient population. Ben and Dr. Warm’s presentation left me in awe of how impressive, strong, and innovative both sides of the program are.

I never would have guessed I’d end up in Cincinnati prior to interview season. As a Houstonian, I knew I wanted to leave the South, but I always imagined myself in an equally large urban center. My second look opened my eyes to the beauty and charm of the city and the expansiveness of the hospital system. It also confirmed what I already felt: I was seen, celebrated, and welcomed. I was genuinely wowed by the hospital, the city, and just how cool the residents were. It also helps that I have family in the Midwest within driving distance. From that point on, I was completely sold.

What moved me most was the authenticity and humility shown by the faculty, residents, and leadership. I knew I wanted to train somewhere I could thrive both personally and professionally, and Cincinnati gave me that peace and joy (with the firm suggestion that I get a better coat lol). I’m excited to join a program that checks all of my boxes: a diverse patient population, a freestanding children’s hospital, a strong emphasis on medical education, and leadership that sees me as a whole person, not just a worker.

Jeff Nosek, MD, MEd

Bio: Jeff attended the University of Notre Dame where he earned a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience as well as his Masters in Education. While earning his Masters, he was a middle school math teacher and coach at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Phoenix, Arizona, where in addition to math class he also developed courses on neuroscience, coding, and study skills and coached multiple sports. For medical school, he attended the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine where he also earned a Well-Being in Medicine Distinction through wellness training, leadership in a mind-body-medicine course, and development of a compassion in medicine course. As an educator, he served as an academic tutor for students studying for pre-clinical exams, Step 1, Step 2, and NBME shelf exams. In addition, he served as the co-lead of the Content Review and Mastery (CRAM) club which provided content review for MS1 students, and as president of the Teaching and Learning Interest Group. For all of his dedicated service Jeff was elected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society. We are so grateful to be welcoming an incredible educator and leader into our Med-Peds community.  

Why I Chose Cincinnati: When looking into residency programs, I knew that I wanted a place that would help me become the future physician and person I want to be. My time with the residents during our social night and my entire interview day made it very clear to me that Cincinnati values and loves its people for who they are while always showing up for them.  On top of its incredible clinical training and opportunities, I left my interview day just amazed by the quality and intentionality of Cincinnati's approach to medical education, both for residents and for aspiring future medical educators. The culture of a growth mindset isn't just talked about here - it's embedded in everything. As a former teacher, I knew that kind of safety and support, paired with challenges to grow because the program believes in your potential, would be exactly what I needed to thrive in residency. For all these reasons and so many more, I knew Cincinnati was the best program for me. I'm incredibly excited to learn from and alongside so many amazing people while developing into the physician my future patients deserve!

Anjola Onadipe, MD, MTS

Bio: Anjola’s journey began in Lagos, Nigeria, before immigrating to Mankato, Minnesota at the age of seven. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Minnesota State University before continuing his education at the University of Michigan Medical School. Anjola paused medical school after his third year to pursue a Master of Theological Studies at Duke Divinity School, focusing on the intersection of religious studies and the philosophy of medicine. His thesis, inspired by the works of Saint Augustine and Martin Luther King Jr., reimagined the patient-physician relationship in the context of modern medical training. 

Why I Chose Cincinnati: I felt at home during my interview with Cincinnati. I was looking for a residency program that would push me towards excellence in a nurturing environment, and Cincinnati left a big impression on me. The medical education environment and infrastructure was unmatched as I went through the interview trail. It was evident that Cincinnati’s emphasis on “growth mindset” isn’t just a buzz phrase but rather it is an intentional framework embedded in the culture of the training programs. I also felt a strong connection with the people here. I had meaningful conversations with program leadership and residents, and it was easy to envision myself flourishing in this community. Finally, as I learned more about the city and what it has to offer, I saw that it is a vibrant place where I would feel at home.

Grace Scharf, MD

Bio: Grace is originally from Cincinnati, OH and earned the Bachelor of Science in premedical studies from the University of Dayton, where she also served as an EMT. She attended the University of Cincinnati Medical School where she pursued multiple leadership, scholarly, and service endeavors. She served as a research fellow in the Department of Internal Medicine looking at the impact of medications on the mental health of patients with cystic fibrosis. She has also participated in research on the best educational methods for improving physician knowledge of diabetes through the Department of Internal Medicine and research through Cincinnati Children’s on primary airway epithelia. She also served as a representative on the UC Service-Learning Advisory Council to improve access to service opportunities for medical students, and on as a member of the Admissions Committee. Nationally, she has volunteered with St. Baldrick’s Foundation to help raise awareness and funding to support research to find cures for childhood cancers. We are so excited to have such an incredible clinician and scholar in our Med-Peds family.  

Mina Shah, MD, MA

Bio: Mina hails from South Salem, New York, and earned their Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature and Master’s of Arts in African Studies from Stanford University. After graduation, they served as Partnerships Director for the Kucetekela Foundation in Lusaka, Zambia, where they were deeply involved in educational initiatives, counseling, and community service. Mina later completed their premedical studies at Columbia University before matriculating to the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. At Rochester, Mina pursued both the Medical Education Pathway and the Global Health Pathway. Their research focused on HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and the geographic influences on mortality in Zambia—reflecting their enduring commitment to global health. They were a dedicated volunteer with the Rochester Human Rights Initiative, advocating for individuals seeking asylum in the United States, and also served as a volunteer and clinic coordinator for URWell, the university’s student-run free clinic. They were also a member of the Steering Committee for Rochester’s Independent Student Analysis for the LCME Accreditation process. Mina’s outstanding clinical acumen and heartfelt dedication to service led to their election to both Alpha Omega Alpha and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. We are absolutely thrilled to have Mina in our Med-Peds family—their passion for education, advocacy, and compassionate care will be a tremendous gift to our community and our patients! 

Why I Chose Cincinnati: As I thought about what I wanted from a Med-Peds program, I was hoping for balanced training in medicine and pediatrics, as well as excellent structures around medical education and global health. It was also important to me that whatever program I ended up in had residents from a diversity of backgrounds. University of Cincinnati Med-Peds checked all those boxes, and when I came to Cincinnati for the second look, it was so clear that this was a group of doctors who care about lifting each other up professionally and personally as they navigate residency, and that was a community I wanted to be a part of!

Caroline Theile, MD

Bio: Caroline is a proud native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and we’re thrilled she’s staying close to home for her Med-Peds training! She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Case Western Reserve University before returning to Cincinnati to attend the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. During medical school, Caroline was a participant in the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholars Program, where she honed skills in interprofessional care with a special focus on medically underserved and rural communities. Her research interests included disparities in care among adolescent cancer patients, as well as work with the Division of Human Genetics. Deeply committed to serving others, Caroline volunteered in college with Rainbow Connects, meeting with families during clinic visits to help address their non-medical needs. During medical school, she served as a Peer Partner with the Social Club program for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, building meaningful relationships and supporting inclusion. Caroline’s outstanding academic achievements and deep compassion led to her induction into both Alpha Omega Alpha and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. She’s already made a lasting impact on our local community, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her continue that journey with us in Med-Peds! 

Why I Chose Cincinnati: I grew up watching Reds games in my grandparents’ living room and eating Graeter’s Chip Wheelies after my middle school choir concerts. There are even rumors that it is Skyline Chili, not blood, that runs in my veins. So when it was time for me to think about where I wanted to end up for residency, there was already so much I loved about this city. The community I have built here – the regulars I see on the pickleball courts, the friends I have made at my volunteer endeavors, and my family who supports me in so many ways – all made Cincinnati a strong contender. But it was my experiences at UC and CCHMC over the last two years that truly set this program apart from the rest. The way that the residents welcomed and supported me as a medical student felt like a testament to the kind of culture I would encounter as a Cincinnati resident. The opportunities to see patients in world class institutions and learn from experts in medical education is unmatched in Cincinnati. Being able to continue advocating for and serving the community I have called “home” for so many years is invaluable. And as I think about my future career, I know that Cincy Med-Peds will give me the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to pursue whatever path I choose. In sum, my “Why Cincinnati” is simple: I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.

Madison Thornton, MD, MPH

Bio: After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Public Policy Leadership, Madison matriculated to Tulane University School of Medicine where she earned a dual MD/MPH degree. While at Tulane, Madison has fostered an interest in medical education, participating in peer-tutoring programs and coordinating the Peer Tutoring Elective, working with medical leaders to refine and improve these programs. She has also honed her advocacy skills through work with the Louisiana State Medical Society where she advocated for policy changes and represented Louisiana medical students’ voices. Madison has also shown an interest in community service and public health through her work as a Clinic Leader at the Acacia NOLA STI Testing Program where she worked to address and dismantle systemic barriers to care for patients and her work at the TUSOM Student Clinic Council as Vaccine Krewe Leader and Clinic Volunteer. She has also participated in several public health research projects to better understand multiple patient populations. Her outstanding academic performance and commitment to compassionate healthcare earned her induction into both Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism Honor Societies. We know that Madison’s passion and expertise for mentorship, advocacy, and community outreach will improve our Cincinnati community.

Joseph (Joe) Walden, MD

Bio: Joe attended the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate studies, earning his Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Psychology. For medical school, he then matriculated to our home institution, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he was selected as a pilot student for the competency-based growth pathway, fostering growth mindset and intentional reflection. During medical school he worked as a clinical research coordinator at Nationwide Children’s investigating health inequities in pediatric sickle cell disease, earning him a grant to investigate influenza vaccine uptake in this population. He also served as the Research and Quality Improvement Co-Chair for the UC Student-Run Free Clinic, working to secure a large interdisciplinary grant to offer free head and neck cancer screening and HPV vaccines to patients. He has also been very involved in community service and outreach through multiple leadership and volunteer roles in Alpha Phi Omega, the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, the Initiative on Poverty, Justice, and Health, and several others! Joe’s commitment to his community and compassionate and inclusive healthcare earned induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. We are thrilled that Joe stayed here in Cincinnati to join our Med-Peds family!  

Why I Chose Cincinnati: There are so many outstanding aspects of this program that it's hard for me to even begin answering this question! First and foremost, the well-balanced and high-quality training in both internal medicine and pediatrics was a major factor for me. Rotating at a state-of-the-art children’s hospital, a top-tier adult academic center, and one of the best VA hospitals in the country makes the training offered by UC’s program truly exceptional. I was also inspired by the program’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable patients throughout the city. Finding a program focused on service, justice, and health equity was extremely important to me, and I was excited to see how UC Med-Peds actively lives out those values. In addition, I was seeking a program that would help me thrive, even during the most challenging times. UC’s emphasis on cultivating and maintaining a growth mindset throughout residency made it clear that this was a place where I could learn and grow without shame or fear of ridicule. Lastly, having grown up in Cincinnati, I was already in love with the city (and the chili!) and having attended medical school at UC, I had already experienced the life-changing mentorship and teaching that these institutions offer. I am beyond thrilled for the opportunity to stay in the place I call home while rotating through the wards that illuminated my path to Med-Peds.