Class of 2029
Faheem Azad
Medical School: Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia
Medical Interests: I have a strong interest in full spectrum family medicine because it allows me to practice in both inpatient and outpatient settings while fostering strong continuity of care across a wide range of patient needs.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: I avidly follow soccer, Formula 1, and cricket, and I have always been fiercely loyal to my teams through every high and low, especially as a devoted FC Barcelona supporter. Outside of sports, I love road tripping across countries and exploring new places. I also have a long-standing passion for collecting currencies, a hobby I began at the age of six and continue with great fondness today.
Why Grand Forks/Altru: I chose Altru Family Medicine because from the very first time I met the team, I felt how warm, welcoming, and genuine they were. I had the chance to meet people from the program twice before applying, and then interview in person, and each time that same feeling only became stronger. Along with the program’s strong training, supportive culture, and excellent hospital facilities, Grand Forks also felt like the right fit because of how kind and close knit the community seems.
Logan Balstad
Medical School: University of Minnesota – Medical School
Medical Interests: General family medicine, women’s health, prenatal and OB delivery care.
Personal interests/hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends as well as our Boykin Spaniel. I like to be outdoors hunting and fishing with my husband, but also enjoy reading, hand embroidery and sewing.
Why Grand Forks/Altru: I chose Altru FMR because it felt like home. I was instantly comfortable in the space and with the people who make the program what it is. Outside of the “vibes” we all hear about when we interview, I also appreciated all it had to offer for FM training from high delivery numbers, an OB fellowship opportunity after residency and ultrasound experience. It checked every one of my boxes!
Jonathan Blythe
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Medical Interests: Providing comprehensive, whole-person patient care. I am interested in finding and shoring up care gaps that my patients are experiencing.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: I enjoy biking, canoeing, hiking, table-top games, and video games.
Why Grand Forks/Altru: I was very impressed by the atmosphere of collaboration and support when I interviewed and immediately knew that my ideals for my future practice aligned well with the values and experience present at Altru.
Philip Bradbury
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Louisiana Campus
Medical Interests: All-encompassing traditional family medicine spanning all ages.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: I love all things sports, specifically hockey and football. I enjoy going to the lake with my wife and family. My wife and I love to walk our dogs, have game nights and home and watch movies.
Why Grand Forks/Altru: I chose Altru FMR because of the friendly staff and the fact that Grand Forks is where I was born and raised. I wanted to be able to serve the people of my hometown.
Silver Keno Ceria
Medical School: University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Incorporated
Medical Interests: I am passionate about full-spectrum Family Medicine. From acute to long term care including emergency medicine to rural medicine and the in between. I strive to be the doctor my patients can rely on anytime, for anything, at every stage of life.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: I am an aspiring photographer and often plan my travels around capturing unique landscapes, meaningful moments, and profound memories. Through my work with reality TV show Survivor Europe and Robinson Expedition Sweden, I have been fortunate to travel extensively and be surrounded by people in the film industry. This has further deepened my appreciation for storytelling through photography. I also enjoy playing tennis. Over the past year, I have also taken up running and hiking as part of my commitment to staying active. In my downtime, I turn to manga/manhwa/manhua and anime. Lastly, true to my Filipino roots, you’ll usually find me holding a mic, singing karaoke.
Why Grand Forks/Altru: Altru stood out to me because it offers the balance of autonomy to grow, and the guidance from seasoned mentors. As an unopposed program, I am excited for the opportunity to take true ownership of patient care across all departments and develop into a well-rounded physician. That sense of growth is further supported by the environment in Grand Forks, where I know I can truly thrive. Everything is close and accessible, allowing me to stay focused on my training while still maintaining balance through sports and recreation. More than anything, what made it feel right for me was the people. The culture felt genuine, the mentors were truly invested, and there was a strong sense of belonging that I immediately connected with. It felt less like a program, and more like a community I could see myself growing in.
Joel Jacob
Medical School: Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia
Medical Interests: Full-spectrum Family Medicine, Pain Medicine, Preventive Medicine, and Hospital Medicine.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: I enjoy watching soccer, and I am a huge fan of Real Madrid (Hala Madrid). I also enjoy spending time analyzing player stats for fantasy soccer games. My other interests would be watching anime, going to the gym, cooking, and game nights with friends.
Why Grand Forks/Altru: My first contact with the Altru FMR program was at the Future conference. I was impressed by how welcoming and friendly everyone was. This was furthered when I met the rest of the program faculty and residents during my interview. Besides friendliness and hospitality, Altru offers a broad scope of training, both in the community and hospital settings, as well as hands-on experience that would help me become an excellent practitioner.
Tanzeela Saeed
Medical School: Services Institute of Medical Sciences Lahore
Medical Interests: Chronic disease management, mental health integration in primary care, and women’s health in outpatient medicine.
Personal Interests/Hobbies: Reading, hiking, spending time with family and friends.
Why Grand Forks/Altru: During my clinical rotation I enjoyed working with the residents and faculty. I experienced firsthand the opportunities to gain meaningful hands-on experience in the clinic and diverse pathology in the service rotation. I felt a sense of a close-knit community and support from the faculty and administration. During my interview I was impressed by how welcoming and helpful everyone was. Since moving to the Grand Forks, I have found it to be a very peaceful and welcoming city.
