Neurology Residents at OHSU
Meet current and former residency program trainees
Neurology residents train as junior faculty to gain expertise and help shape neurologic discovery at OHSU.
As a resident, you’ll join our welcoming culture, talented peers and nationally recognized leaders to find your own path in neurology. You’ll also learn in Portland, a family-friendly city that offers hiking, biking, exceptional food and unique cultural events.
“The residency provided outstanding training and faculty support to pursue my interests in research, teaching and global health. I also formed some of my closest friendships, which made the experience even more meaningful.”
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PGY-1
Laken Behrndt
- Birthplace: Portland, OR
- Undergraduate school: Portland State University
- Medical school: OHSU School of Medicine
- Interests outside of medicine: Weightlifting, basketball and creative writing
Jennifer Duong
- Birthplace: Portland, OR
- Undergraduate school: Oregon State University
- Medical school: OHSU School of Medicine
- Interests outside of medicine: Knitting, cooking and staying active with weekly kickboxing and dance classes
Briana Liu
- Birthplace: Tulsa, OK
- Undergraduate school: University of Southern California
- Medical school: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
- Interests outside of medicine: Reading, hiking and snowboarding
Heather Nelson
- Birthplace: Edina, MN
- Undergraduate school: Winona University
- Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School
Courtney Wilson
- Birthplace: Warren, PA
- Undergraduate school: University of Portland
- Medical school: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Interests outside of medicine: Nature walks, racquet sports, traveling, exploring Portland’s culinary scene, and spending time with her cats, Bella and Lily.
Mandy Wong
- Birthplace: New York, NY
- Undergraduate school: Case Western Reserve University
- Medical school: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- Interests outside of medicine: Gardening, reading, hosting dinner parties
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PGY-2
Monica Becher, M.D.
- Birthplace: West Palm Beach, FL
- Undergraduate school: UC Davis
- Medical school: University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine
- Interests outside of medicine: Hiking, crafting, baking, and anything to do with storytelling (reading books, listening to podcasts, watching movies or creative writing)
Michelle Chu, D.O.
- Birthplace: San Francisco, CA
- Undergraduate school: University of San Francisco
- Medical school: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Nevada
- Clinical interests: Neurocritical Care, Neuropalliative Care
- Interests outside of medicine: Painting, reading, book collecting and baking.
- Why OHSU? I completed a sub-I at OHSU my fourth year of medical school and experienced what it was like to be a resident here. Everyone was genuinely happy and supportive. There are resources and research opportunities for nearly every subspecialty as well as support for resident wellness. It also doesn't hurt to live in a city with an incredible food scene and an hour drive from the Oregon Coast.
Evan Multala, M.D.
- Birthplace: Rochester, NY
- Undergraduate school: State University of New York (SUNY) College
- Medical school: Tulane School of Medicine
- Interests outside of medicine: Books, carpentry, travel, the outdoors, gardening, athletics, cooking and working on his motorcycle or car
Sam Sosland, M.D.
- Birthplace: Kansas City, MO
- Medical school: University of Kansas School of Medicine
- Interests outside of medicine: Reading, running, binge-watching TV series, trying to keep his plants alive and spending time with friends
Chelsea Sykora, M.D.
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA
- Undergraduate school: UC San Diego
- Medical school: Boston University School of Medicine
- Clinical interests: Stroke
- Interests outside of medicine: Performing arts (singing, theater, piano), exploring new places and restaurants and getting outdoors.
- Why OHSU? I was drawn by the close-knit community within OHSU and the neurology department. It fosters a collaborative, supportive environment that truly makes the work enjoyable. As the state’s only academic medical center, OHSU offers an unparalleled learning experience. We care for an exceptionally broad spectrum of neurologic pathology, with complex and fascinating cases from across the region.
Zoe Thuesmunn, M.D.
- Birthplace: Sammamish, WA
- Undergraduate school: University of Washington
- Medical school: University of Washington School of Medicine
- Clinical interests: Epilepsy and neuroimmunology
- Interests outside of medicine: Reading fantasy novels, playing cozy video games and watercolor painting
- Why OHSU? I love the Pacific Northwest and the combination of nature and city life that living in Portland provides. I wanted to work somewhere I could walk to. Living walking distance to the aerial tram that connects me to both hospitals was a great bonus.
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PGY-3
Maddie Evans, M.D.
- Birthplace: Olney, IL
- Undergraduate school: Illinois Wesleyan University
- Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine
- Clinical interests: Epilepsy (EEG interpretation, seizure management and particularly how to manage epilepsy in women of childbearing age), inpatient neurology and research on health equity, health disparities and quality improvement (QI)
- Interests outside of medicine: Cycling, doing any type of puzzle, cooking vegetarian recipes and being an urban homesteader
- Why OHSU? Small resident cohort, approachable faculty, gradual increase in responsibility throughout program (always feel ready for changes in role and level of supervision), good work-life balance, beautiful location and city with lots of access to good food and outdoor activities
Emily Rom, D.O.
- Birthplace: Kodiak, AK
- Undergraduate school: University of Alaska
- Medical school: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Interests outside of medicine: Alpine ski racing and teaching, climbing and rafting
Kimberly Wang, M.D.
- Birthplace: Austin, TX
- Undergraduate school: Johns Hopkins University
- Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
- Clinical interests: Neuro-oncology
- Interests outside of medicine: Cooking new recipes to share with friends, finding new restaurants, drawing, rollerblading and playing the drums
- Why OHSU? When I first interviewed at OHSU, I was struck by the kindness and closeness of the people. The program's flexibility allows us to pursue our passions and provides a unique learning environment. When my husband and I ‘couples’ matched, we were hoping to find a place that valued wellness, close friendships and a real sense of belonging. OHSU has given us all of that and more. Building our life in Portland, with its amazing food scene and vibrant culture, has been a big plus!
Nicholas (Nick) Woods, M.D., Ph.D.
- Birthplace: Portland, OR
- Undergraduate school: Wesleyan University
- Medical school: University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine
- Clinical interests: Acute stroke treatment, research on improving stroke outcomes
- Interests outside of medicine: Cycling
- Why OHSU? Strong academic environment with amazing access to nature for when you are not in the hospital.
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PGY-4
Rachael Eby, D.O.
- Birthplace: Traverse City, MI
- Undergraduate school: University of Michigan
- Medical school: Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Clinical interests: Epilepsy
- Interests outside of medicine: Playing with her cat, Nox, hiking, cycling, running, and traveling
Alexa Lyon, M.D.
- Birthplace: Shakopee, MN
- Undergraduate school: Marquette University
- Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School
- Clinical interests: Sleep medicine
- Interests outside of medicine: Hiking, discovering new restaurants, bookstores and plant nurseries
Scott Shakal, D.O.
- Birthplace: Plano, TX
- Undergraduate school: University of Texas at Austin
- Medical school: University of North Texas Health Science Center
- Clinical interests: Vascular neurology
- Interests outside of medicine: Hiking, swimming, running, reading and watching movies
Luke Smith, M.D.
- Birthplace: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
- Undergraduate school: University of Nebraska
- Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest
- Clinical interests: Vascular neurology
- Interests outside of medicine: Hiking, cycling, reading and playing soccer
Andrew Valenciano, M.D.
- Birthplace: San Diego, CA
- Undergraduate school: University of California, San Diego
- Medical school: University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine
- Clinical interests: Epilepsy
- Interests outside of medicine: Hiking, trail running, playing guitar, meditation and listening to podcasts
Former neurology residents
2025
- Julie Crocker, M.D., Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship at OHSU
- Alicia Dupre, M.D., NSICU Fellowship at OHSU
- Michelle Nguyen, M.D., Headache Fellowship at OHSU
- Daniel Quinlan, M.D., Vascular Neurology Fellowship at University of Washington
- Paige Skorseth, M.D., Vascular Neurology Fellowship at OHSU
2024
- Matt Creech, D.O., M.P.H., NSICU Fellowship at OHSU
- Allison Dycaico, M.D., Faculty Attending at Portland VA Medical Center
- Yuliya Pepelyayeva, D.O., Ph.D., Neuromuscular Medicine at BIDMC/Harvard Medical School
- Ben Rardin, M.D., Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Kyle Sharf, D.O., Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship at OHSU
2023
- Stephan Castro, M.D., Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship at UCSD
- Lindsey Carvalho, M.D., NSICU Fellowship at OHSU
- Audrey Oliger, M.D., Epilepsy Fellowship at OHSU
- Will Shimanek, M.D., Movements Disorders Fellowship at OHSU
- Mary Storm, M.D., Headache Neurologist at MultiCare Neuroscience Institute in Tacoma
- Huan Vo, M.D., Neuro-oncology Fellowship at UCSF
2022
- Sabrena Ahmadi, D.O., Vascular Neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Tae Yeon Kim, M.D., Epilepsy Fellowship at OHSU
- Stacia Lam, M.D., Vascular Neurology Fellowship at University of Texas, Houston
- Rachel Laursen, M.D., Vascular Neurology Fellowship at OHSU
2021
- Vicky Chen, M.D., Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology Fellowship at OHSU
- Michelle Cohen, M.D., Epilepsy Fellowship at OHSU
- Parker Miller, M.D., Vascular Neurology Fellowship at OHSU
- Samantha Allen, M.D., Epilepsy Fellowship at University of California San Francisco
- Amin Rabiei, M.D., Vascular Neurology Fellowship at University of California Irvine
2020
- Brett Lee, M.D., Epilepsy fellowship at OHSU
- Orly Moshe-Lilie, M.D., Neuromuscular fellowship at OHSU
- Chris Wilkins, M.D., Vascular Neurology fellowship at SUNY Downstate
- Sujani Bandela, M.D., Vascular Neurology fellowship at UT San Antonio
Questions?
Email education manager Kelsey Klem at klemk@ohsu.edu.
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