2009-2010 Peds Housestaff PGY-1
Chris Allen, M.D.
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Dr. Allen is originally from Saginaw, Michigan. He graduated from Howard University where he majored in Biology. Chris attended medical
school at Wayne State University School of Medicine. He enjoys traveling, playing the piano, music and watching sports.
Cresha Davis, M.D.
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Dr. Davis grew up in Motown/Motor City of Detroit Michigan. Later she attended Tuskegee University in Alabama obtaining degrees in Biology and
Dietetics. She returned home to complete her medical degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine and decided that Neuroscience was her passion
and Pediatric Neurology became her career choice. Cresha enjoys road trips, swimming, and learned to play the piano by the age of six.
John Dykes, M.D.
Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine
Dr. Dykes was born and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, although he also spent time in London and San Francisco during his childhood. He attended
Marist School in Atlanta where he participated in sports as well as coached in the summers. He graduated from Auburn University in 2005 with
a BS in Microbiology. While at Auburn, John enjoyed teaching, participating in intramural athletics, and watching Auburn Football (including
the undefeated season of 2005.) He returned to Georgia for medical school and graduated from Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia
in 2009. While in Augusta, he participated in several activities including the Salvation Army Clinic and Camp Rainbow. John enjoys jogging,
playing team sports, live music, movies, and watching sports. He has a wonderful family living in Atlanta that includes mom, dad, brother,
and sister-in-law. He is excited about the opportunity to continue his education in Memphis.
Paul Finch, M.D.
Temple University School of Medicine
Dr. Finch is a 26 year-old native of Pittsburgh, PA who went to med school at Temple University in Philadelphia. He lives with his beautiful wife,
Brandi and seven year-old son, Gabriel. Paul enjoys spending time with family, writing stories, reading, and skateboarding. We are very excited about moving to Memphis!
Stephanie Glover, M.D.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
Dr. Glover is a born and raised Texan and is very excited to move to the other “Big T” state. She received her bachelor’s degree from Lamar in
Beaumont, Texas where she majored in Psychology. During undergrad, she attended a summer pre-medical academy (or nerd camp) where she met her
husband, Mark, a general surgery resident. They graduated from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. A major goal in finding a residency
program was to start a new personal and professional adventure together in a different state. Thus, they are very excited about a new life
in Memphis. Together they love to travel, ski, and take photographs, however, when Mark spends too much time in the OR, Stephanie loves to
bake, entertain, shop, and work on art projects.
Kelly Jones, M.D.
Florida State University College of Medicine
Dr. Jones was born in Atlanta, Georgia but grew up in Tallahassee, Florida. She attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia and graduated
with Bachelor degree in Biology. After college, she returned home and attended medical school at Florida State University. In her free time,
she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, swimming, hiking and camping.
Daliya Khuon, M.D.
Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine
Dr. Khuon was born in Cambodia and raised in the Chicagoland area and Holland, Michigan. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree
in Biology. Daliya remained with Northwestern University doing basic science research in an Alzheimer Disease lab for three years prior to attending
medical school there. Her fiance, Christian, is a Tennessean from the east side of the state, and she looks forward to living in a new state.
Daliya’s hobbies include reading, cheering on the Northwestern Wildcats, watching TV and cooking.
Dawn McNamee, M.D., PhD
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Originally from Anaconda, Montana, Dr. McNamee moved all over the United States as an Air Force brat before settling in the St. Louis area where
she attended high school. She finished college at University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and then moved to Madison, Wisconsin to attend the University
of Wisconsin School of Medicine. In 2007 Dawn finished her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology, got married and returned to medical school to complete
her last two years of school. She is the mother of a very fun little girl and when not working enjoys relaxing and cooking with family and friends.
Ben Meeks, D.O.
Pikesville College School of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Meeks was born in Parsons, Tennessee, but spent most of his life in a small town, Tiplersville, in North Mississippi. He is the fourth of
seven kids. Ben attended University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi where he graduated with a BS degree in Biology in 2003. He attended
Pikesville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pikesville, Kentucky where he graduated with a DO degree in May of 2009. Ben enjoys outdoor
photography, running and hiking.
Fafa Nyirenda, M.D.
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Dr. Nyirenda was born in Accra, Ghana. She came to the United States for undergraduate education at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri
where she majored in Biology. While there she met her husband, Josh. Later Fafa attended medical school at Albany Medical College in Albany,
New York. She later transferred to St. Louis University School of Medicine to join her husband who is a PhD student in Public Policy Analysis/Health
Policy at the university. Fafa enjoys watching movies, listening to music, dancing, cooking/tasting new dishes, and being with family and friends.
Sima Parikh, M.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Dr. Parikh is originally from Long Island, New York and proud of it! She attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia where
she received a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. Sima stayed in Richmond, Virginia to obtain her medical degree at Medical College of Virginia.
She enjoys playing sports and hanging out with family and friends.
Valerie Parr, M.D.
Royal Free and University College Medical School
Dr. Parr was born and raised in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree in London at King’s College in Biomedical Science. She then went
on to study medicine at University College London. Valerie was extremely blessed to have spent nine years in London, but now looks forward to
living in Memphis again and being closer to family. Valerie enjoys traveling, running, cooking, shopping and almost any outdoor activity.
Sofia Pineda Ochoa, M.D.
University of Guadalajara Mexico
Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, Dr. Pineda received her medical degree from Universidad de Guadalajara Medical College. Right after she
graduated in 2009, she spent a year at the Guadalajara County Hospital Emergency Department fulfilling her national service requirement. While in
medical school, Sofia taught Biochemistry to nursing students. In her spare time she likes swimming, hiking and biking. Sofia has a deep love
for all animals and is looking forward to finding a loving pet in Memphis.
Marianna Rivas, M.D.
Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado
Dr. Rivas was born and raised in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. She graduated at the UCLA, Venezuela where she met her wonderful husband, Mario.
She likes outdoor sports and to dance Flamenco and Salsa. She is in love with the music in Memphis and the Mississippi River.
Ashley Shirah, M.D.
University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Dr. Shirah was born in Pensacola, Florida but grew up in Helena, Alabama where she lived with her mom and spent summers with her dad in Florida.
She is extremely blessed with great parents, stepparents, and siblings. Ashley is currently a captain in the United States Air Force, following in
the military footsteps of her father and grandfather. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys being outdoors, playing at the lake, hanging out with friends,
reading, cooking and traveling. She is a huge fan of Alabama Football…ROLL TIDE!
Meg West, M.D.
University of Arkansas College of Medicine
Dr. West was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. She completed two years at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but transferred
to Auburn University to complete her degree in Marine Biology. Straight from college she moved to Little Rock for medical school and then chose
to move home for pediatric training. In her free time she loves to hang out with her parents, sister, brother-in-law and their children, as
well as all her cousins, 2nd cousins, and aunts and uncles who all live in Memphis as well. Of course, Meg especially loves her dog (small ponies)
Cayenne, a Bernese mountain dog, and Ella, a Great Pyrenees.
Quick Links
Contact Us
University of Tennessee
Pediatric Residency Program
50 N Dunlap St.
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 1-800-733-6371
