Emergency Medicine Residency Faculty

Kristen Whitworth, DO
Program director
Hometown: Vienna, Illinois
Medical school: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)  
Hobbies/interests: Spending time with my husband and two dogs, running, boating, reading, traveling
Why I chose Lakeland: I am passionate about medical education and, upon completion of my formal training, wanted to practice in a setting with an opportunity to be involved with a residency program. The faculty at Lakeland are dedicated to the program and the residents' success. I couldn't imagine a more supportive working and learning environment.

Michelino Mancini, DO
Vice president academic affairs
Hometown: Chicago Heights, Illinois
Medical school: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University
Residency: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University
Hobbies/interests: Interests include administration, medical education, critical care and innovative learning techniques. Hobbies include enjoying time with my wife and children, coaching soccer, traveling, and playing golf and soccer.
Why I chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland because of the medical staff and the relationships I have made with them. The medical staff is a high performing team that makes medical education enjoyable, cutting edge and effective.

Larisa Dyer, DO
Ultrasound director
Hometown: Portage, Michigan
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)
Hobbies/interests: Traveling, spending time outside, biking, volleyball, reading.
Why I chose Lakeland: I chose to stay at Lakeland because of the location, sense of community, and the opportunity to be involved in resident education.

Jason Hamel, MD
Medical director
Administration track director
Hometown: Berrien Springs, Michigan
Medical school: Loma Linda University
Residency: Michigan State University - Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies (now Western Michigan Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine)
Hobbies/interests: Fly-fishing, boating, photography, scuba diving.
Why I Chose Lakeland: This area is where I spent many of my growing-up years, and I was eventually drawn back. This community keeps my family happy when I am at work and provides plenty of recreation opportunities on my days off.

Kevin Hoffman, DO
Hometown: Hammond, Indiana
Medical school: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)
Hobbies/interests: Hiking, biking, time outside with family and friends.
Why I chose Lakeland: As a resident, it was clear to me that every faculty member and everyone involved with the residency was committed to the success of the program and the residents. They were all excited for the opportunity to teach and produce great physicians. As an attending now, I chose to stay because of the great opportunities here to continue to grow in experience and knowledge and help pass on the training I received. All of the people in the emergency department are family to me and I couldn’t imagine a better group to work along side of.

Matthew Hysell, MD
Medical student program director
Designated institutional official
Hometown: Midland, Michigan
Medical school: University of Michigan
Residency: University of Michigan - St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
Hobbies/interests: Birding, photography.
Why I chose Lakeland: It offers a supportive, community-focused environment with access to diverse clinical experiences, while being located in a beautiful area with outdoor recreation and excellent schools.

Maddi Massa, DO
GME wellbeing liaison
Hometown: Holt, Michigan
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)
Hobbies/interests: Golf, running, yoga, outside, crafts, desserts.
Why I chose Lakeland: I have loved Lakeland since starting here as a student. The area is wonderful and living by the Lake is my favorite. The people here have become like family, and I continue to learn from them daily.

Joseph McCarthy, DO
EM clerkship director
Medical education track director
Associate medical director
Hometown: Highland, Michigan
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)
Hobbies/interests: Spending time with my wife and family which includes our dog and two children, and outside activities such as spending time at the beach, biking, running and skiing (water and snow).
Why I chose Lakeland: I was a resident here and enjoyed the atmosphere and experience it has to offer. The attending physicians and residents get along well at and away from work. The opportunity to work with residents as well as without and the diversity of the three sites (St. Joseph, Niles and Watervliet) were also large factors on staying here at Lakeland. The location and seasons were also influential in the decision.

Robert Nolan, DO
Chair, department of emergency medicine
SVP CMO quality, safety and experience
Administration track director
Hometown: Canby, Oregon
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University of Washington/MAMC
Hobbies/interests: Scuba, koi, gardening, hiking.
Why I chose Lakeland: The people and location are second to none.

Christopher Trigger, MD
Sports medicine track director
Hometown: Flushing, Michigan
Medical school: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Residency: University of Illinois at Chicago
Fellowship: University of Pittsburgh - Primary Care Sports Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Spending time with family, cycling, running and travel.
Why I chose Lakeland: I came to the area because of the opportunity to be involved with a new emergency medicine residency, as well as the opportunity to have my own sports medicine clinic and to provide medical care for local sporting events. It's on the lake and close to home, and I wanted a Midwest lifestyle. St. Joseph is a great community to raise a family in close proximity to Chicago.

Jonathan Beyer, DO
EMS director
Hometown: Havertown, Pennsylvania
Medical school: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Pennsylvania State University - Hershey Medical Center
Fellowships: Pennsylvania State University - Hershey Medical Center (EMS and Ultrasound)
Hobbies/interests: Hiking/backpacking, history, reading.
Why I chose Lakeland: EMS with a chance to teach residents.

Vince Blum, MD
Hometown: Saline, Michigan
Medical school: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Residency: LSU Health Baton Rouge
Hobbies/interests: Spending time with family.
Why I chose Lakeland: Great location to have a family and the people I work with are great.

Sam Campbell, MD
Medical director observation unit
Hometown: Fruita, Colorado
Medical school: Ross University School of Medicine
Residency: Genesys Regional Medical Center
Hobbies/interests: Hanging out with my kids, camping, fishing, woodworking.
Why I chose Lakeland: Awesome area with lots to do, great place to raise a family, good work environment that prioritizes patient care and work/life balance.

Andre Castelbuono, MD
Hometown: Okemos, Michigan
Medical school: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Residency: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Anything I can do that allows me to be outside, sports, camping, triathlons, gardening.
Why I chose Lakeland: I grew up in Michigan and have always loved the idea of coming back here to live. After living in multiple countries and many different states, I was excited at the opportunity to move back closer to home. I especially love Southwest Michigan with all is has to offer. Lakeland has earned a great reputation and came highly recommended from multiple friends.

Emily Cobb, MD
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Medical school: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)
Hobbies/interests: Spending time with my husband and our children, traveling.
Why I chose Lakeland: I chose to stay and work where I trained because it feels like home. The sense of solidarity here is powerful - there's never a moment I feel alone or unsupported. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to grow alongside the medical students and physicians, contributing to the same culture of education that shaped me.

Abigayle Gama-Sosa, MD
Medical school: Rush Medical College at Rush University
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)

Marc Headapohl, MD
Hometown: Canton, Michigan
Medical school: University of Michigan Medical School
Residency: Michigan State University - Bronson Methodist Hospital and Borgess Medical Center (now Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine)
Hobbies/interests: Finance, golf, ultrasound and family.
Why I chose Lakeland: Lakeland has given me the chance to work with residents in a community of excellence in emergency medicine.

Judd Herring, DO
Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina
Medical school: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)
Hobbies/interests: Kite boarding, outdoor activities, photography, dingo training, sports, movies, travel.
Why I chose Lakeland: It offers a diverse patient population with challenging pathology, and I also fell in love with the people in this community we serve by the big lake.

Peter Josimovich, DO
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Medical school: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Akron General Medical Center - Emergency Medicine
Residency: UHS Wilson Medical Center - Internal medicine
Hobbies/interests: Skiing, beaches, gardening, movies
Why I chose Lakeland: This hospital is an ideal size for community emergency medicine, with a beautiful lake, a world-class city within striking distance (Chicago), and a lovely blend of vineyards, incredible produce, fishing, and dining venues close at hand. The residency is the icing on the cake, with a strong group of residents who stimulate the faculty to remain informed and engaged in the constantly evolving world of emergency medicine.

Ashley Kowalkowski, DO
Medical simulation director
Medical education track director
Hometown: Merrillville, Indiana
Medical school: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)
Hobbies/interests: Enjoying the lake, spending time with my husband and pups, thrift shopping, gardening, and home decor.
Why I chose Lakeland: Since my first shift as a medical student, I have felt right at home at Lakeland! I could not have asked for a better place to receive my residency training. My husband and I love St. Joe and with both of our families from the Midwest, we did not want to leave the area. I am thrilled to have a chance to work with the wonderful attendings and ED staff who helped train me. I look forward to having an impact on the new medical students and residents to come!

Jonathan Krauss, DO
Hometown: Midland, Michigan
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)
Hobbies/interests: Cooking, fishing, sailing.

Jereme Long, DO
Hometown: Salinas, Kansas
Medical school: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
Residency: Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, TX

Victor Maslon, DO
Medical school: A.T. Still University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)

Christopher Milligan, DO
EMS track director
West Michigan Air Care
Hometown: Sturgis, Michigan
Medical school: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)
Hobbies/interests: Anything on the water, golf, traveling, movies (because you need something to do in the winter), EMS/resident education, FOAMed.
Why I chose Lakeland: I initially decided on Lakeland for residency after rotating here. It had a smaller hospital feel (everyone was friendly and seemed to know one another) but also had the capabilities of larger tertiary centers and the wide ranging pathology to go with it. After residency, I wanted to stay on to continue to see our great program here grow and stay involved with the education process. That small hospital feel is still there....and you can't beat living on the sunset coast of Michigan!

Karla Newbold, MD
Hometown: Guaruja, S.P. – Brazil; Horta, Azores - Portugal; Berrien Springs, Michigan
Medical school: Rush Medical College at Rush University
Residency: John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County
Hobbies/interests: Travel, spending time with my family, reading, gardening.
Why I chose Lakeland: Great group of people to work with, wonderful location by the lake/beach/outdoors, large Seventh-Day Adventist faith community in the area.

Robert Nydza, DO
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Medical school: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)
Hobbies/interests: Woodworking, soccer, full contact fighting.
Why I chose Lakeland: I grew up in this program and came to truly love the institution and the positive atmosphere created by my colleagues. I particularly enjoy the opportunity to teach residents and the opportunity to perform a wide variety of procedures in the ED.

Louis Standiford, DO
Hometown: Portage, Michigan
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Spectrum Health Lakeland (now Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals)
Hobbies/interests: Woodworking, boating, hanging out with my family and dog, projects around the house.
Why I chose Lakeland: Lakeland has a strong emphasis on community, and everyone here has become like extended family. You see a diverse patient base that also has a large variety of pathology. You always have support while you are working, and always have someone to call whenever you need help.

Nicole Van Horne, DO
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Medical school: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Kettering Health Grandview Medical Center
Hobbies/interests: Spending time with my husband and children. Hiking, traveling and all water-sports - paddle boarding, boating, fishing, water skiing. I love spending time outside!
Why I chose Lakeland: I love the comradery amongst all who work here. There is a strong sense of community both in and outside of the hospital. It’s a strong supportive environment and everyone displays a true love for what they do and a genuine happiness at work. I am also passionate about medical education and enjoy practicing in a location with such a strong residency program.

Matthew Vitale, DO
Hometown: Macomb, Michigan
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: McLaren Macomb
Hobbies/interests: Sports, football, running, traveling.
Why I chose Lakeland: I have a passion for teaching, and I knew I wanted to work for a group that placed a strong emphasis on medical education. The residency's strong reputation, combined with the beauty of Southwest Michigan, was what originally drew me to the area. I was also very intrigued by the ability to work at multiple sites. Practicing in a variety of different settings will allow me to continue to grow as a physician.