BENEFITS
BENEFITS
PGY-1
Abigail Bass, DO
Hometown: Lake Village, AR
Medical School: VCOM- Louisiana
Why LSU BR? During my audition here, I was absolutely blown away by the residents and the training they were receiving. They truly are able to handle anything that comes in the door! Also, everyone from residents to attendings were so nice and supportive of each other! It is an incredible environment to learn how to be an ER doc.
What do you do on your days off? Go to the gym, play video games, take my dog to the park
What would you be doing if you weren't doing Emergency Medicine? Own a plant nursery
EM Interests: Toxicology
Pets/Family: I have such a supportive family including my wonderful husband Matthew and our rescue puppy named Gus!
Megan Coble, MD
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Why LSU BR? I chose to come to LSU Baton Rouge for many reasons, but the number one reason was the people! When they say that they are a family that is not an over exaggeration. Moving 16 hours away from home I was greeted with open arms and welcomed in without hesitation. I would also highlight that LSU Baton Rouge is unique in that it is a program with high volume and high acuity but with very few other residencies in the hospital. This leads to great training as there is no competition for patients/procedures with other residencies within the emergency department.
What do you do on your days off? On my days off you can find me playing sports, petting my cats, crocheting or painting!
EM Interests: My EM interests are vast, but I am highly interested in pediatrics and toxicology.
Pets/Family: I have two kittens named Bean and Gator who I adore!
Cade Collins, MD
Hometown: Houma, LA
Medical School: LSU Health Shreveport
Why LSU BR? South Louisiana has always been my home so I knew pretty early on that I was interested in this program. That interest was solidified when I did an away rotation here during my fourth year of medical school. I looked forward to everything single shift because of the diverse pathology, procedure opportunities, and the awesome faculty and residents.
What do you do on your days off? Hunting during hunting season and watching football during football season. The rest of the year golf, cooking, watching MMA, and hanging out with friends and family.
What would you be doing if you weren't doing Emergency Medicine? Probably studying history
EM Interests: Procedures, medical education
Pets/Family: Engaged to my wonderful fiancée Mikayla
Dylon Collins, DO
Hometown: Melbourne, FL
Medical School: NSU-KPCOM
Why LSU BR? I was drawn to LSU Baton Rouge Emergency Medicine because of its high-volume, high-acuity training environment and multiple diverse training sites, including a dedicated children’s hospital. The program’s unopposed structure means excellent procedural experience, while strong critical care exposure, sports medicine with LSU athletics, and outstanding leadership and mentorship make it an ideal place to grow. I’m excited to embrace new experiences in a supportive community that values hands-on learning, academic excellence, and personal growth.
What do you do on your days off? On my days off, I enjoy watching movies, exploring new places, tending to my garden, and building things with my own hands.
What would you be doing if you weren't doing Emergency Medicine? If not for medicine, you’d probably find me on a construction project working alongside my family. We’d likely open a pub too, so that we could enjoy a cold one together after a hard day’s work.
Pets/Family: My living room hosts a microcosm of aquatic life.
Random fact about me: I grew up in a family of six boys, including my two fellow triplets.
Michael Godley, DO
Hometown: New Iberia, LA
Medical School: William Carey
Why LSU BR? Growing up a fan of the Tigers and hearing about the stellar reputation from past graduates, this program was always at the top of my list. Rotating here and experiencing the environment with the faculty and residents solidified that decision.
What do you do on your days off? If the weather is nice, I’ll be fishing, hunting, or playing pickleball.
What would you be doing if you weren't doing Emergency Medicine? I think I’d be running a charter fishing service where we would prepare fresh seafood dishes with the customers catch!
EM Interests: Sports Medicine
5 year plan: Taking care of the South Louisiana population!
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Jake Graff, DO
Hometown: Bakersfield, CA
Medical School: Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why LSU BR? LSU people are my people. I went to medical school for Emergency Medicine. I knew early on I wanted to train at an autonomous, high volume, high acuity program that built great Emergency Physicians. I rotated at LSU Baton Rouge during my 4th year and fell in love. I looked forward to each shift and loved the patient population, incredible training with autonomy, critical care experience and endless procedures. I never found another program that had the mix of people, unopposed training and acuity. LSU truly is singular in that regard. It only made it easier to choose LSU when I realized how genuine, kind, welcoming and dedicated the residents and faculty were. I immediately felt like part of the team. When my rotation ended the thought of not coming back made me sad. Opening my Match Day letter and seeing LSU was a dream come true. My family and I love being in Baton Rouge and calling Louisiana home. GEAUX Tigers!!!
What do you do on your days off? Run, lift weights, golf, read books, smoke meats and play with my 3 children. Also finding top tier shows to binge with my wife.
What would you be doing if you weren't doing Emergency Medicine? Working for the CIA or running a BBQ joint.
EM Interests: Austere Medicine, Critical Care, Airway, Pain Management and ED Operations/Policy.
5 year plan: Become an excellent ER doc. Buy land, travel with my family and coach my kids sports teams.
Family: My beautiful wife Breanna and 3 kids that keep me young and make life sweet. Lincoln, Addy and Beckham.
​Random fact about me: I played Rugby during undergrad. Go Cougs!
Desiree Helgeland, DO
Hometown: Menifee, CA
Medical School: William Carey University COM
Why LSU BR? I fell in love with this program during my audition rotation. Everyone is extremely nice, welcoming, and willing to teach. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to train at a program with high volumes, high acuity, and unopposed procedures. This program is truly one of a kind!
What do you do on your days off? I love running, reading, hanging with friends, watching TV, and crafting.
What would you be doing if you weren't doing Emergency Medicine? Probably living and working at a National Park so I could spend all my free time hiking.
5 year plan: Adopt a dog after I finish residency.
Random fact about me: I once was an extra in an episode of a Netflix show!
Nicholas Henderson, MD
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Medical School: LSU Health Shreveport
Why LSU BR? LSU Baton Rouge has high volume, high acuity emergency training that can’t be matched anywhere else. It’s also in my hometown with the best food in the world.
What do you do on your days off? I do something outside, whether that’s just going for a walk, playing tennis, working out outside, or just hanging out in my backyard.
Random fact about me: I worked as an engineer at the Louisiana Accelerator Center before med school.
Octavia Malin, DO
Hometown: Grapevine, TX
Medical School: VCOM-Auburn
Why LSU BR? I absolutely loved my audition rotation with this program. I had never worked in such a high acuity environment, and the education was top-notch. Plus, everybody was so kind, welcoming and willing to teach. I knew it would be a great place for me to train!
What do you do on your days off? I love playing pickleball, crafting (specifically quilting and embroidery) and hanging out with friends.
What would you be doing if you weren't doing Emergency Medicine? I was a special needs teacher for a non-profit before medical school, so I probably would have stayed working in that field!
EM Interests: EMS, Medical Education, Women’s Health, and Pediatrics
5 Year plan: Potentially doing an EMS fellowship and then working in a community setting. I would love to also do a bit of teaching too.
Pets/Family: My fiancé Ivan and our three kitties, Lumos, Lenora and Lucy Gray.
Random fact about me: I have proudly driven a Kia Soul for 10 years.
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Benjamin Smith, MD
Hometown: Paducah, KY
Medical School: University of Louisville SOM
Why LSU BR? This program came on my radar after I visited family in New Orleans for Jazz Fest during my third year of medical school. It was my favorite interview all season and the second look day, where I met the kind people in the program and saw how well residents are trained and taken care of, sealed the deal for me.
What do you do on your days off? A trip to the movies with perfectly over-buttered popcorn, pickle ball, hiking!
EM Interests: Event Medicine, Wilderness Medicine, Global Medicine
Pets/Family: I am the youngest of four brothers, all of which, along with my parents, sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephew are back in Kentucky.
Random fact about me: I was a Peace Corps volunteer before medical school.
Abbigale Thatcher, MD
Hometown: Independence, KY
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Why LSU BR? During the interview process it immediately felt like the right fit! Every resident and faculty I interacted with were amazing. I loved that it was a Level 1 Trauma Center with few other residency programs allowing for completely unopposed procedures, high volume, and high acuity. Also the opportunity to work sidelines at LSU Football games!
What do you do on your days off? Anything outdoors or on the water, read, watch soccer and football
EM Interests: EMS and Sports Medicine
Pets/Family: My parents still live in my hometown in KY but visit often!
Random fact about me: I spent a month studying volcanoes in New Zealand during undergrad!
Tyler Tran, MD
Hometown: Slidell, LA
Medical School: LSU Health Shreveport
Why LSU BR? This EM program will easily become your home away from home. Every single person from the top to the bottom is so kind and here to support your education.
What do you do on your days off? Workout, cook, run, basketball, pickleball, volleyball, lat spread, anime, and game.
What would you be doing if you weren't doing Emergency Medicine? I'd probably be a high school honors biology teacher who also coaches the boys basketball team.
EM Interests: Sports medicine, EMS, and administration.
5 year plan: BECOME a great doctor, a wonderful husband, and cool father.
Pets/Family: My fiancée, Abigail!
Random fact about me: I have 4 brothers! Unfortunately, they are not as cool or funny.