Nicholas Gavern, MD
Where are you from and where did you go to medical school?
Grand Rapids MI. Michigan State College of Human Medicine
What attracted you to the PM&R residency program here at the University of Utah?
I was looking for a program that would give me a wide variety of exposures to all the facets of PM&R as well as a great educational experience and felt like the University of Utah was exactly what I was looking for.
What particular aspects of the program do you think have been most beneficial to you?
While just starting PGY2 year I haven’t had much exposure yet my limited experience with the program has been really good. At this point I have to say the people, both the medical and administrative staff have been incredibly helpful and supportive.
What is your most memorable experience during your residency?
Getting to know my co-residents both in the hospital and out exploring Utah camping, hiking and climbing.
What is your favorite activity outside of work?
Hiking and Climbing.
What is your most memorable experience outside of work?
Hard to pick a single experience, any one of the camping trips, hikes or days spent exploring Salt Lake!
***************************************************
Justin Provo, MD
Where are you from and where did you go to medical school?
I was born into a military family and have traveled all over the USA. I mostly lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico since high school and went to the University of New Mexico for med school.
What attracted you to the PM&R residency program here at the University of Utah?
This program had all the things I wanted in a residency. The faculty and coresidents are all great, well-rounded people who lead fun lives outside of work. You get great training in spinal cord injury and sports medicine, two of the areas I am most interested. Being in a categorical program let me make friends with lots of faculty and residents from other specialties. Finally, Salt Lake City is an amazing city if you love outdoorsy activities!
What particular aspects of the program do you think have been most beneficial to you?
I am just finishing up intern year, so I would say that the fact that Utah is a categorical program has been the most beneficial thing so far. I received great training from the Utah IM program and met a lot of other residents and faculty that I will be working with in the future.
What is your most memorable experience during your residency?
Being able to tell a wife that her young husband, who had been in the ICU ECMO for 2 months, was coming off the ventilator and that we expected him to make a full recovery.
What is your favorite activity outside of work?
I spend most of my time either playing sports like tennis, volleyball, soccer or doing outdoorsy things like hiking, backpacking, and skiing.
What is your most memorable experience outside of work?
Hard to pick one, but I would say backpacking in the Sawtooth mountain’s in Idaho!
***************************************************
Nate Davidson, MD
Where are you from and where did you go to medical school?
I grew up around Iowa City, IA. I ended up leaving for Chicago to study Biomedical Engineering during college (Go ‘Cats) before eventually returning to the University of Iowa for my medical school training.
What attracted you to the PM&R residency program here at the University of Utah?
I chose the University of Utah for it’s amazing faculty and the Division’s integration with the engineering colleges throughout the university. I knew I wanted to train with individuals that cared deeply about their patients and had a genuine curiosity in not only the medicine they were providing – but how to positively impacted the world around them – and I found that in the faculty and residents I worked with during my away rotation. I also wanted to choose a program that valued outdoor activity as much as work, and the opportunities to stay active and get into nature, while living in downtown SLC, are unparalleled.
What particular aspects of the program do you think have been most beneficial to you?
The positive and collaborative nature of the PM&R Division truly shines and is evident throughout the staff and the trainees that come to the University of Utah. While striving to reflect those values, even while working as an Internal Medicine intern, and bringing a good attitude to work every day, I’ve found colleagues and patients that are excited to learn and work alongside anyone who is willing to do the same.
What is your most memorable experience during your residency?
2020-2021 were some memorable years for everyone.
Do you have a mentor? If so, who is it? And how has this person helped you?
I am not one to have a single mentor, I have a number of colleagues and friends that I respect and trust who I go to for help or advice in particular arenas of my life.
What is your favorite activity outside of work?
I love spending time outside in the dirt, hiking, backpacking, and gardening. In the winter though, we ski :)
What is your most memorable experience outside of work?
Several months after my wife and I both plunged into our medical internships, we took an amazing trip to the Sawtooth Mountain range where we soaked in natural hot springs along freezing rivers, hiked to glacial lakes, and reconnected with old friends.
**********************************************************************
Omar Rachdi, DO
Where are you from and where did you go to medical school?
I’m from Portland, Oregon, I am a dual-citizen (Moroccan-American) and I went to Western University COMP-Northwest in Lebanon, Oregon.
What attracted you to the PM&R residency program here at the University of Utah?
I remember having this feeling of, “Woah, these folks are the real deal” after my interview. The training resources are incredible for the UofU PM&R residency, but really it’s the people that made me want to come. The faculty and staff are genuinely invested in our wellbeing and success. I can’t imagine training anywhere else.
What is your favorite activity outside of work?
I really love gardening, listening to Sam Cooke and watching my chickens just do their chicken thing.
What is your most memorable experience outside of work?
Definitely hiking Arches with my friend Ryan and thinking we were going to fall during our hike from how windy it was. Haven’t felt wind like that since I lived in Oregon.
