7 Interns Join General Surgery Residency Program

Seven interns joined the Stanford General Surgery Residency Program this June as categoricals. The overall group, which included prelims, urology, CT surgery, orthopedic surgery, and ENT, was comprised of more than 50 new physicians.

Dong Hur, MD

Hometown: Daegu, South Korea

Your Journey to Stanford: I earned my undergraduate degree in Neuroscience with a minor in Computer Science from Harvard College, where I developed my interest in medicine. I volunteered teaching children at a local public school, where I discovered my passion for working with people, building meaningful connections, and sharing knowledge through education. I continued my training at Stanford Medical School, where I focused my research on improving national access to trauma centers, combining data-driven analysis with a commitment to health equity.

Why Stanford? I chose Stanford for its outstanding clinical training, cutting-edge research across all domains of surgery, and the opportunity to care for a diverse patient population through rotations at multiple hospital sites. Equally important, Stanford offers a supportive resident community and exceptional faculty mentorship that empower us to pursue our unique passions and thrive both personally and professionally.

An interesting fact: My pseudonym is “Austin,” but most people call me Dong Gi, which means “Rise of Copper”

Tiffany Yue, MD

Hometown: Johns Creek, GA

Your Journey to Stanford: I attended the University of Georgia for undergrad, where I majored in biology and anthropology. Afterwards, I worked at a local food bank before moving out west to start medical school at Stanford. I came into medical school thinking I'd pursue family or internal medicine, but absolutely fell in love with the OR and all things surgery. In particular, I've developed an interest in surgical oncology and the role of palliative care in supporting surgical patients, and I'm so excited to continue exploring these areas through research and clinical practice as a resident!

Why Stanford? I chose Stanford for its top-tier surgical training, diversity of clinical sites, and emphasis on developing surgeon-scientists. Program culture was also a top priority for me, and my experiences as a medical student here showed me that there is a genuine culture of support and camaraderie among residents and faculty here. I know Stanford is a program that will help me become the best academic surgeon I can be, while also ensuring that I have a sense of belonging and home.

An interesting fact: I ran cross country and track in college (go dawgs!)

Eric Bressler, MD

Hometown: Warminster, PA

Your Journey to Stanford: Prior to medical school, I spent two years working at an early-stage biotechnology startup. I've been fascinated with the development of novel devices, diagnostics, and therapeutics ever since.

Why Stanford? Stanford offered the perfect blend of world class surgical training and translational research excellence. I was impressed by the balance of unique and complex cases at Stanford's flagship hospital and community-based practice at sites like SVCMC and Kaiser.

An interesting fact: When I moved here from Boston, I drove and visited six national parks along the way!

Alexander Doan, MD

Hometown: Los Gatos, CA

Your Journey to Stanford: I attended Duke University for my undergraduate studies where I majored in Biology and had the privilege of researching developmental biology in Dr. Ryan Baugh's lab while also being mentored in medicine by Dr. David Kaylie. Both left a strong impression on me, and I knew I wanted to pursue a career where excellent patient care and cutting-edge research went hand in hand. After graduating, I pursued two years of full-time research as a CRTA fellow at the NIH in Dr. Dhruba Chattoraj's lab which furthered my interest in scientific investigation while also introducing me to exciting developments in oncology. I was fortunate enough to return home for medical school at Stanford where I continued my love of research investigating CAR T cell immunotherapy in Dr. Crystal Mackall's lab while developing a new passion for surgery through excellent mentorship through Stanford Surgery.

Why Stanford? When I started medical school at Stanford, I had no clue I would end up pursuing general surgery but fell in love with the field because of the outstanding faculty here. Through my core rotations and eventually my Sub-Is, I had the chance to work with mentors who are not only leaders in their field and excellent surgeons but also truly incredible teachers who are invested in both my professional and personal growth. The resources here are next to none but it's truly the people who make this place so special.

An interesting fact: I can (or at least could at one point) bench press 405 pounds

Ayesha Ng, MD MPH

Hometown: Diamond Bar, CA

Your Journey to Stanford: I did my undergrad at MIT where I majored in Biology and Brain & Cognitive Sciences. I earned my medical degree and an MPH in Epidemiology at UCLA. My research interests are health services research, surgical disparities ,and health equity.

Why Stanford? I wanted to train at a program where I could become a clinically inquisitive, technically competent, and above all, a compassionate surgeon. After doing an away rotation at Stanford, I was drawn to the collaborative culture and supportive environment where diversity of background and experiences are celebrated. Furthermore, Stanford provides unparalleled mentorship from leaders in the surgical field and robust research opportunities to ultimately thrive in academic surgery.

An interesting fact: I dance hip hop and choreographed performances in my medical school’s student-run dance team MDivas!

Rachael Stottlemyre, MD

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Your Journey to Stanford: I completed my undergraduate studies at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University, majoring in Psychology. After graduation, I joined Phoenix Children’s Hospital as a Surgery and Trauma Research Assistant. This experience led to my invitation to become a member of the ATOMAC+ Pediatric Trauma Research Network (now A+ Pediatric Trauma Research Network), a collaboration that sparked my passion for clinical research and one that I continue to be involved with today. I later served as a Pediatrics Research Coordinator, where I developed partnerships with the American Academy of Pediatrics and UCLA to implement and evaluate the Pediatric Approach to Trauma, Treatment, and Resilience (PATTeR) curriculum for medical professionals. I then completed my medical education at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where my aspiration to become a surgeon was solidified.

Why Stanford? What initially drew me to Stanford was its reputation for developing not only exceptional surgeons, but also passionate surgeon-scientists committed to advancing the field. During my visiting rotation on the pediatric surgery service, I witnessed what I believe truly sets Stanford apart: the genuine sense of community among individuals at all levels. The way residents and faculty interacted, supporting one another like family while also challenging each other to achieve their best, made me realize that this is a community where I could become the best version of myself personally and professionally.

An interesting fact: I love to read and hope to open my own bookstore one day.

Zeyi Zhou, MD

Your Journey to Stanford: During my undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley, I majored in molecular and cell biology and public health and gained valuable basic science research experience in Prof. Doudna’s lab. At Stanford Medical School is where I discovered my passion for surgery due to the pivotal role surgeons play in patient care. This interest led me to dedicate a research year within the colorectal surgery division, conducting clinical research under Dr. Kin and Dr. Gurland. I look forward to integrating my basic and clinical science experience to pursue translational research in surgery in the future!

Why Stanford? The people! My decision to become a surgeon was profoundly influenced by the amazing individuals I met during my surgery rotations here. I can't imagine a better place to train other than Stanford, where I am surrounded by role models I look up to and aspire to be like every day.

An interesting fact: I love gardening! From tomatoes to kale, I enjoy growing a variety of veggies and fruits. If you have any recommendations for new things to grow or tips to fend off squirrels, I’m all ears!

Chae Won "Kristy" Kim, MD

Hometown: Port Orange, FL

Your Journey to Stanford: I attended Yale for undergrad where I majored in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. My senior thesis investigated impaired HLA Class I antigen presentation as a mechanism of acquired immune checkpoint blockade resistance in lung cancer, which first sparked my interest in cancer immunology. After college, I deepened this interest through two years of research in Dr. Joshua Brody’s lab at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where I studied dendritic cell vaccines targeted against lymphoma. I attended medical school at UCLA where I discovered my passion for surgery—a field where I could directly impact patients’ lives while remaining grounded in scientific inquiry.

Why Stanford: Stanford is a place where I knew my myriad of clinical and research interests would be celebrated and supported.

An interesting fact: I'm a first-generation physician.