Site: Rural Training Program
Medical School: Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Sage was born and raised in western Washington. She attended Western Washington University for her undergraduate education, where she studied behavioral neuroscience and chemistry. After college, she worked as a caregiver for adults with developmental disabilities and as a scribe in the Skagit Valley Hospital emergency department.

Sage attended medical school at Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine, where she volunteered at a needle exchange program and in the NICU as a cuddler for infants born with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Some of her medical interests include addiction medicine, reproductive health, parent-child health, LGBTQ+ health, and breastfeeding medicine. She also is active in national gender-based violence prevention efforts. Sage is currently part of the Rural Training Program and hopes to provide full-spectrum care in a rural setting after graduation.

Outside of medicine, Sage enjoys spending time outdoors and on the water. She is a U.S. sailing certified sailing instructor and also loves to kayak, hike, and camp. She is very excited to spend her days off exploring Washington’s state and national parks with her wife, Avery. When she’s not outdoors, you will likely find her playing board games, reading, and relaxing at home with her two cats Nora and Oreo.

Site: Carolyn Downs
Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Rakesha Butler (she/her) was born and raised in Oakland, CA. Growing up she learned about serving community in elementary school, where she began aiding children with accommodations in math. She continued throughout college assisting differently abled children and teens in learning math, English and sports.

Rakesha studied Kinesiology at Sacramento State University and grew to love the individualized care needs of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. This deepened her interest in health equity and coordinated care, not just obtaining a diagnosis. In medical school at Central Michigan University College of Medicine, she was grateful for the opportunity to work with incredible colleagues on projects in the Special Olympics, promoting accessible exam rooms, providing health literacy classes to underrepresented youth, providing free and low-cost care in Detroit, and LGBTQ+ health.

Rakesha’s love of therapeutic medicine led to a 2 year-long position at an autism center, building community with families of newly diagnosed children and providing them with the skills and support necessary to integrate therapeutic approaches into everyday interactions. In play groups, feeding times, and during diaper changes, she witnessed the day-to-day triumphs and challenges of the caregivers interacting with their unique child.

Rakesha’s interests lie in developmental medicine, care of the underserved, integrative medicine, food justice, and LGBTQ+ health. When she isn’t in the hospital, Rakesha can be found cooking a new recipe, getting her hands dirty in a community garden or in ceramics, hiking, camping, backpacking, or grounding through yoga.

Rakesha is constantly inspired by the resilience of the individuals and families that she serves. She is a part of an amazing community of co-residents, mentors, family and friends. She is delighted to be a Cherry Hill resident and overjoyed to join the incredible Carolyn Downs clinic and community. Rakesha is humbled to be a first-generation physician and hopes to bring the possibility of becoming a physician to other black and brown children who like her never thought becoming a doctor was possible.

Site: Rural Training Program
Medical School: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Pronouns: He/They

Hi! My name is Aloe. I spent my early childhood in rural communities across the Choctaw Nation/Oklahoma and Texas, later moving to various places across the country. These experiences nurtured a deep respect for people and their cultures, eventually leading me to study cultural anthropology at Reed College in Portland, OR. While preparing for medical school, I worked as a wilderness guide, community safety officer, and clinical laboratory specialist. I attended the A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and completed much of my clinical training in Brooklyn, NY.

I am drawn to full-spectrum family medicine with a focus on holistic, community-centered care rooted in healing justice. My philosophy as a physician is shaped by my experience as a wilderness guide—supporting and guiding others as they navigate their unique paths toward healing. As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, I practice osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and may offer it to patients as a supplemental therapy. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time outdoors, making music, and learning new skills (often through YouTube deep-dives). I am excited to join an amazing team of physicians in providing compassionate, high-quality care to all members of our communities.

Site: Downtown Family Medicine (DFM)
Medical School: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I’m originally from Houston, Texas, where I grew up surrounded by big skies, good food, and even better people. I went to Rice University for undergrad (go Owls—and go Murts!) and spent a lot of time doing research in synthetic biology. I loved tinkering with molecular “machines” and seeing how we could engineer them to do new things. Outside the lab, I was an avid cyclist and even helped lead our team to a big campus race win. One of the most meaningful parts of college for me was volunteering on the labor and delivery floor of a local hospital—that, plus watching my sisters give birth, sparked my interest in obstetric care. 

For medical school, I headed to Philadelphia to attend UPenn. There, I was active in the Latino Medical Student Association, where I organized Spanish-language lunch events to help build community. I also led the SAFE (Scrubs Against the Firearm Epidemic) club and volunteered at the Covenant House clinic, which serves youth experiencing homelessness. That experience taught me so much about showing up with love, respect, and consistency. My research focused on how the setting of depression screenings can influence follow-up care—a topic that made me think deeply about how we structure and deliver mental health support. 

Outside of medicine, I’m into painting and digital art, binge-watching Love Island, baking (especially anything with chocolate), camping, and spending time with my cat (who definitely thinks she’s in charge). 

I’m thrilled to be training at the Downtown Family Medicine clinic as part of the Swedish First Hill Family Medicine Residency Program. I’m especially looking forward to continuing to advocate for vulnerable patients while sharpening both my clinical and procedural skills so I can practice full-spectrum family medicine. 

Site: Sea Mar

Site: Cherry Hill

Site: First Hill Family Medicine Clinic
Medical School: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I was born and raised in Washington and feel deeply connected to the community here, especially with my parents and sister nearby. I’m incredibly close to them and grateful to call this place home. I love traveling and have been fortunate to explore countries like Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Japan. Whether it’s wandering through a new city or exploring a local trail, I’m happiest under the sun, catching sunsets, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or spending time by the ocean and on Lake Washington. 
 
At home, I find joy in slow, grounding rituals such as baking breads and cookies, reading, painting with watercolor, and browsing farmers markets. I also love discovering new restaurants around Seattle and having long conversations over good food. These moments of connection whether with nature, family, or community are what keep me centered. 
 
I attended A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, where I was drawn to its mission of service and equity. I completed most of my clinical training at HealthPoint, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Washington, where I worked with diverse, underserved communities and saw firsthand how relational, community-based care can make a lasting impact. 
 
My clinical interests include women’s health, lifestyle medicine, and procedures. I’m thrilled to be joining the Swedish First Hill team, where I can continue growing alongside others committed to delivering inclusive, whole-person care in the community that raised me. 

Site: Cherry Hill

Site: Ballard
Medical School: Saint Louis University
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I grew up in the Seattle Eastside region and I'm proud to call this beautiful and multicultural area my home. At University of Washington, I studied bioengineering and gained an appreciation for developing tools that we use every day as doctors, from prosthetics to telemetry machines to novel drug therapies. I also volunteered in a health outreach role and realized my passion for teaching others how to lead healthier lives. After college, I worked as a medical assistant for a busy ophthalmology office and volunteered my time in a special needs classroom and a local hospice center. 

While attending Saint Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri, I continued working with the special needs community, tutored incarcerated youth, and provided care for underserved and refugee populations. Family medicine felt like a natural fit with my variety of interests in preventative health, women's health, reproductive rights, behavioral health, and health equity & outreach. As a provider, I aim to understand how my patients' life circumstances affect their health, how their health fits in with their goals, and how I can help them achieve these goals. I am looking forward to forming long-term partnerships with my patients and caring for my community at Swedish First Hill. 

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, singing (I'm a proud Swiftie), hiking, visiting cat cafes, attending comedy shows, and eating a bit too much dark chocolate. 

Site: Carolyn Downs
Medical School: University of Missouri School of Medicine
Pronouns: He/Him/His

Kyle Liggins was born and raised in Saint Louis, MO. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri - Kansas City and attended medical school at the University of Missouri - Columbia. He is passionate about providing full-spectrum family medicine in underserved communities. When not at work, he enjoys listening to music, reading, and exploring everything Seattle has to offer.  

Site: Cherry Hill
Medical School: Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Angie was born and raised in chilly northeast China. As a child, she immigrated to the U.S. with her family, initially living in North Carolina before finally settling down in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her immigrant background exposed her to the unique challenges faced by minority communities and strengthened her resolve to empower and advocate for vulnerable populations. She completed her undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Utah and went on to attend the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah. Angie discovered her passion for family medicine through her work with refugee and immigrant populations, where she recognized the importance of culturally responsive care and the power of building trusting, long-term relationships with patients and communities.

Angie is especially passionate about collaborating with patients and their families to reach their health goals utilizing a lens of radical hospitality and health equity. She believes in meeting people where they are and strives to create a welcoming, inclusive space for all. She is particularly drawn to work that blends clinical practice with advocacy, education, and systems-level change to improve health outcomes for underserved populations around the world. Her clinical interests include global health, LGBTQIA+ health, reproductive health, addiction medicine, and community medicine.

Outside of the hospital, Angie enjoys discovering new local restaurants, working on jigsaw puzzles, and getting lost in a good book. She’s always looking for her next great read. Recommendations welcome!

Site: First Hill Family Medicine Clinic
Medical School: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I was born in Singapore, raised in Irvine, California, and have known Baltimore as home for the last nine years. I went to Johns Hopkins for college and received a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology as well as a minor in Bioethics. As an undergraduate, I spent three years volunteering at a pediatric clinic serving primarily low-income families, helping connect families to community resources for food security, financial literacy, healthcare access, and more. I was fortunate to be able to stay in Baltimore for medical school, during which I was actively involved with the Johns Hopkins Primary Care Leadership Track and with curricular reform efforts, and have helped teach our school’s trauma-informed care elective. I’ve also been involved with various qualitative research projects centered on narrative humility, assessing mental health needs in vulnerable communities, and the experiences of nontraditional families with navigating advance care planning and end-of-life decision-making.  

All my experiences have led me towards family medicine as the clearest path to providing equitable care for patients, families, and communities, while also respecting patient stories and tackling broader structural barriers to healthcare. Within family medicine, I am particularly interested in geriatrics, reproductive justice, LGBTQIA+ health, addiction medicine and harm reduction, and cross-cultural care. I am excited to train at Swedish First Hill and to continue learning what it takes to care and advocate for marginalized and medically vulnerable communities. 

Outside of medicine, I write and (sometimes) publish my poetry, and have also dabbled with spoken word — shout out to Red Emma’s Cafe in Baltimore for providing amazing, supportive open mic nights. Other hobbies of mine include reading, running, playing board games with friends, and finding interesting glassware at thrift stores. In Seattle, I am looking forward to building community with my peers and neighbors, finding my next radical bookstore to support, and working on my bird identification skills in the great outdoors!  

Site: First Hill Family Medicine Clinic
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Pronouns: He/Him/His

I was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States when I was 9 years old. As a pastor’s kid, I moved around and lived throughout various communities all around the PNW. I attended Willamette University where I received my undergraduate degree in Chemistry. During this time, I also spent my summers in Central Washington working for an FQHC as an outreach member providing mobile health visits catered to underserved populations such as farmworkers and people living in temporary shelters. My personal and work experience helped me appreciate the population that helped me grow, which lead me to apply the University of Washington School of Medicine as a TRUST (Targeted Rural Underserved Track) Scholar. As a TRUST scholar, I had the privilege of spending the majority of my clerkships in rural communities. I am very happy to have the opportunity to be with Swedish for my residency as it allows me to provide healthcare to the people in the community that I call home. 

Site: First Hill Family Medicine Clinic
Medical School: University of Arizona
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I’m a Tucson, Arizona native who is thrilled to be in Seattle training alongside such a wonderful group of co-residents. I completed both my undergraduate and medical education through the University of Arizona and have always been drawn to the humanistic side of medicine. In my free time, I love to crochet, cook, and spend time with my partner and cats. I’m excited to grow as a physician while serving the diverse and vibrant communities here in the Pacific Northwest. 

Site: Sea Mar
Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Sonia was raised in both Michoacán, Mexico, and Grand Prairie, Texas. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University (Gig 'em!), followed by a master’s degree in Medical Sciences from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She went on to attend Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. Sonia has been part of several community involvement efforts, including volunteering at food banks and helping distribute resources to unhoused individuals. She has also served as a Spanish medical translator at health fairs and free clinics during her undergraduate and medical school years. In addition, Sonia is passionate about mentorship and has volunteered her time to support underrepresented students pursuing careers in STEM and medicine. Sonia is thrilled to begin residency at Swedish Cherry Hill. She feels deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with Spanish-speaking patients and underserved communities with a profound sense of purpose and connection to her roots. Her medical interests are wide-ranging and include full-spectrum family medicine, immigrant and refugee health, LGBTQIA+ care, psychiatry, and addiction medicine. Outside of medicine, Sonia enjoys exploring new restaurants with friends and family, baking, and spending time in nature.

Site: Seattle Indian Health Board

Site: First Hill Family Medicine Clinic
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I grew up in Massachusetts, later moving west and spending most of my childhood in the Pacific Northwest. My passion for medicine has been shaped by diverse experiences, including working in mental health at a residential facility for at-risk youth, conducting clinical research in women’s health, and engaging in medical advocacy for AANHPI communities. I am dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care to individuals and families across all stages of life. My goal is to foster trust and continuity, ensuring that every patient receives compassionate, holistic, and accessible care. 

Site: Ballard
Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I grew up in Bellevue, Washington, in a close-knit family and community that instilled in me the values of compassion and service. I attended the University of Washington, where I majored in both Biochemistry and Environmental Health. After participating in an Occupational Health Internship Program and seeing how public health and science integrates to affect individuals on a personal level through medicine, I was ultimately inspired to pursue medicine.   

I left the Seattle area to attend Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, where I volunteered with the Micah 6 Community Garden and the Gary Burnstein Clinic. These experiences deepened my passion for family medicine, a field that allows me to provide compassionate, comprehensive, coordinated, and continuous care to people of all backgrounds while remaining deeply engaged with my community. 

I feel incredibly fortunate to have matched at Swedish First Hill, where I now serve the very communities I grew up in by providing full-spectrum care and advocating for my patients as we navigate the complex healthcare system together. My clinical interests include full-spectrum reproductive health care, LGBTQIA+ care, community and preventive medicine, and more. 

Outside of medicine, I enjoy experimenting with baking the perfect apple pie, learning how to garden, and discovering new board games to play. 

Site: Downtown Family Medicine (DFM)
Medical School: A.T. Still University
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

I was raised in the heat of Las Vegas, NV, by my grandparents, speaking Croatian at home. I completed my undergraduate studies in biochemistry at Houston Christian University, where I added cowgirl boots to my shoe collection. After returning to Vegas during my gap year, I volunteered at Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, a free clinic that ignited my interest in medicine and serving marginalized populations. In medical school, I worked closely with our local community health center, HealthPoint, where I developed a strong commitment to Family Medicine that addresses healthcare disparities. I am passionate about lifestyle medicine, addiction medicine, gender-affirming care, and reproductive justice. My goal is to be an advocate for my patients, delivering culturally responsive and inclusive care that meets people where they are. I am thrilled to join the team at Swedish First Hill, a place where the commitment to preventive, equitable care aligns with my mission. 

Outside of medicine, I enjoy swimming, thrift shopping, salsa dancing, and relaxing with my three cats and partner. I love exploring new recipes and am known for hosting elaborate dinner parties, often ending in karaoke sessions. 

Site: Rural Training Program

Site: Cherry Hill
Medical School: Brown University
Pronouns: He/Him/His

Jack was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. He attended the University of Notre Dame, where he studied Neuroscience and Behavior. He spent the next two years working with a team of community health workers for Partners in Health - Mexico, first in a supportive role, then leading a quality improvement project focused on community health worker wellbeing. During this time, he was also engaging in community organizing with a local mutual aid group. 

In medical school at Brown University, he was a part of the Primary Care-Population Medicine program, which allowed him to combine his interest in community health and addiction medicine in his master’s thesis studying the implementation of a peer recovery service at an emergency department. He also cultivated his interest in medical education and mentorship through tutoring, mentoring medical students throughout their clerkships, and leading a health systems navigation workshop series for young adults transitioning out of the foster care system. It was during this time that he also began to become more involved in legislative advocacy to expand access to primary care as well as mental health and substance use treatment services. He fostered his interest in community health and service through involvement with the Rhode Island Free Clinic as an interpreter. His experiences engaging in longitudinal patient care, advocacy, and social medicine cumulatively deepened his interest in Family Medicine. 

Jack is thrilled to be at Swedish Cherry Hill to pursue his interests in providing full-spectrum care to patients who have faced barriers in accessing care within the health care system as well as addiction medicine, community health, and LGBTQIA+ care. Outside of medicine, he enjoys running, reading his latest book club book, cooking new recipes, and spending time outdoors hiking, camping, or playing pickleball.

Site: Seattle Indian Health Board
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Ashvini Vaidya was born and raised in Northern New Mexico, shaped by the vibrant presence of Hispanic, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. As the daughter of Indian immigrants, she found a deep connection to her own heritage through Kathak, a classical Indian dance form she continues to practice today.

She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of New Mexico, later working in a vaccine research lab focused on gonorrhea while also tutoring children at a local school. These early experiences deepened her commitment to public health and community engagement.

Ashvini went on to study medicine at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where she spent much of her clinical time at Grady Memorial Hospital—one of the largest safety-net hospitals in the country. Her patients there challenged her to reflect on the limits of Western medicine and its accessibility. While in Atlanta, she worked with the Intimate Partner Violence Initiative, supporting survivors through expanded access to critical resources, and spent several years conducting research alongside Dr. Lauren Collins, investigating geographic disparities in PrEP use and HIV prevalence by gender.

One of the most formative moments in her medical training came during a rotation at the Zuni Comprehensive Community Health Center, located on the Zuni Pueblo in western New Mexico. Delivering a baby, suturing a head wound, and treating a child with a cold—all in a single day—solidified her passion for family medicine. More importantly, the rotation deepened her connection to the elders, women, and children of an Indigenous community she holds close to heart.

Now, Ashvini is eager to learn from and work alongside the Native communities of the Pacific Northwest through her residency with the Seattle Indian Health Board. She brings with her a strong interest in reproductive health and family planning, particularly for adolescents and young adults.

In her free time, Ashvini tends to over 20 houseplants, lifts weights, and ambitiously attempts to complete 1000-piece puzzles in under a week.

Site: International Community Health Services (ICHS)
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Pronouns: He/Him/His

Tim Wang is from Marietta, GA and attended college and medical school at Tulane University in the very special city of New Orleans. Tim is passionate about community-building and racial/social justice. In his free time enjoys eating delicious food, playing and listening to music, and doing sports outside. He is proud to represent his Taiwanese and Chinese family and speaks

Site: International Community Health Services (ICHS)
Medical School: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Gillian was born and raised in San Jose, California. At UC Berkeley, Gillian found her calling in medicine through her work as a Cantonese labor coach, supporting new immigrant mothers from their last gestational month through postpartum. As a first-generation college student raised by immigrant parents, she understood how patients relied heavily on culturally and language-concordant care to navigate the complex healthcare system. After college, Gillian continued serving marginalized communities through her work at a Chinatown-based FQHC in Oakland, California. Her experiences have shaped her holistic approach to compassionate, accessible care rooted in health equity, cultural humility, and long-term patient relationships. During her time at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA), she continued to be a fierce advocate for her communities. Gillian is grateful to continue her passion for community-based care at ICHS and grow as a physician alongside her brilliant co-residents.

Her clinical interests include full-spectrum reproductive care, addiction medicine, procedures, caring for immigrant and refugee families, and providing a safe space for any patient that walks into the clinic or hospital. Outside of medicine, Gillian is often found at the badminton/climbing gym, in the dance studio, or exploring new hiking trails and food spots. She loves exercising her creativity through board games, crafting custom gifts, cooking a homemade feast, or planning themed gatherings for friends. 

I have lived in Canada, Massachusetts, and California and am lucky to call Washington home for the last 6 years. I am beyond excited to remain close to the mountains, ocean, and diverse communities across the state now as a resident!  

Before medical school, I worked as a housing case manager for individuals and families impacted by intimate partner violence in WA. My time in that role shapes my priorities as a family medicine physician rooted in community-centered advocacy and care. I then moved to eastern WA for medical school, which is where I completed most of my rotations. These experiences solidified my passion for broad-spectrum family medicine training to meet the needs of our state. I look forward to training in Seattle where I can continue to pursue interests in addiction medicine, obstetrics, palliative care, community advocacy, and finding the best cinnamon roll in town. 

I love geriatric dogs, taking naps in the sun, spending time outdoors, starting (though not always finishing) fiction books, and well-designed travel mugs. 

Site: First Hill Family Medicine Clinic
Medical School: University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs

I was raised in the US South - North Carolina is my forever home. I went to college at UNC Chapel Hill, where I studied biology and gender studies. Through working with youth and dabbling in basic science research, I learned that I wanted science education to be part of my career. My time in college overlapped with a surge in political activity against LGBTQ+ folks in the South, ultimately leading me to family medicine as a way of combining my love of longitudinal relationships, science communication, and advocacy. 
 
Throughout my time at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, I worked on gender-affirming care research, LGBTQ+ curriculum advocacy, and held a variety of roles at the free, student-run gender-affirming care clinic. I took an extra year to pursue a Master's in Public Health, developing skills in mixed methods research and experiencing research as advocacy. 

I was drawn to Swedish First Hill by the intentional, community-focused, and advocacy-forward environment. I am excited to learn from my colleagues and grow into a family medicine physician with the ability to advocate for patients both within and beyond clinic walls. I am also so excited to experience my first Pacific Northwest summer with my spouse, dog, and baby. I also don't fear the rainy season - an excuse to cuddle with my cat and crochet, knit, or sew.