Ryan C. Unruh, MD
PGY 5
Undergraduate School: Texas State University
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Residency: Ascension St. Vincent Pediatric Residency program
Why did you pursue a Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship? I realized so much of pediatric medicine involves the pulmonary system. I want to help and optimize every breath of a child, from their first breath when they are born and throughout all their childhood.
What do you like about the IU School of Medicine program?
Everyone in the IU system and even more so in the pediatric pulmonary/allergy and immunology group are amazing physicians, staff and even better people, so it's an honor to work in this system. Not to mention, this is a wonderful place to grow your clinical and research interests.
Research/QI interests?
I am interested in pulmonary hypertension, asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Future plans?
After fellowship, I would like to continue to cultivate my clinical and research interests as I am a junior faculty. I enjoy education and would like to give back to a medical school with teaching and further education.
Hobbies/ Interests?
Outside of work, I enjoy running, swimming, and various sports. I also enjoy reading philosophy and psychology.
What do you enjoy in Indianapolis?
I was lucky enough to have my residency in Indianapolis so I still have many friends here so hanging out with them. I also enjoy the atmosphere and local festivals, fairs, or events.
Kristen L. Tentler, DO, MS
PGY 5
Undergraduate School: Manchester University
Medical School: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University of Florida College of Medicine- Jacksonville
Why did you pursue a Pediatric Pulmonary fellowship? I was originally drawn to the specialty because my nephew was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. I found that I enjoyed pulmonology physiology the most and found I connected with the patient populations the most.
What do you like about the IU School of Medicine program? I found this program to be the most welcoming and engaging during interview season and prior alumni had spoken highly of the experience they gained while in fellowship and that they felt prepared to be confident Pediatric Pulmonology attendings in the community.
Research/QI interests? Improving antenatal Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia detection and postnatal clinical outcomes in this population
Future plans? I look forward to honing my clinical and procedural skills in Fellowship and continuing my clinical career in Indiana.
Hobbies/ Interests? Avid board game player, fluent in Disney/Friends/Office quotes and enjoy spending any spare time with my husband, dog and family/friends
What do you enjoy in Indianapolis? I enjoy being close to my family, Mass Ave, and Metazoa Brewing Company.
Mary B. de Laosa, MD
PGY 5
Undergraduate School: University of Florida
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Residency: Indiana University, Riley Children's Hospital
Why did you pursue a Pulmonary fellowship? I always knew that I wanted to be a pediatrician, but I discovered through my training that I wanted to specialize in pulmonary! I enjoy the diversity that a career in pulmonary has to offer including multiple sub-specialties as well as balancing outpatient clinic, inpatient service, and bronchoscopy. I enjoy fostering long term relationships with patients and their families and being able to watch them improve and grow!
What do you like about the IU School of Medicine program? Throughout my residency here, I was able to work with the amazing pulmonary fellows, staff, nursing, and program team. Their dedication to their patients and education was inspiring! The program also has a wide breadth of interests of each staff, vast research opportunities, and the ability to care for children of the entire state of Indiana (and often children of other states as well). I have also always enjoyed teaching, and even thought I would pursue elementary education until I was in high school and discovered my love for science/medicine. IU has one of the largest medical schools in the country, so being part of this fellowship program allows for me to continue to partake in medical student education and play a role in training future doctors!
Research/QI interests? Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, and Medical Education
Future plans? I plan to continue fostering my clinical and research skills in fellowship to be able to serve my community and provide great care as an attending physician. I also hope to work in medical education in some capacity either within a medical school, residency, or fellowship program!
Hobbies/ Interests? I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and our mini-goldendoodle (Archie), my weekly trivia night with friends, exercising, reading for fun, traveling home to Florida to see my family, baking (always inspired by cooking shows to try new recipes), and binge watching my favorite TV shows.
What do you enjoy in Indianapolis? I love trying new restaurants! Some of my favorites are Livery, Union 50, Divvy, and Patachou. I grew up in Florida, so I have also truly enjoyed being able to experience all the fun of actually having 4 seasons! Indianapolis has many state parks and accessible running paths that I love exploring with our dog!
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Residency: Indiana University, Riley Children's Hospital
Why did you pursue a Pulmonary fellowship? I always knew that I wanted to be a pediatrician, but I discovered through my training that I wanted to specialize in pulmonary! I enjoy the diversity that a career in pulmonary has to offer including multiple sub-specialties as well as balancing outpatient clinic, inpatient service, and bronchoscopy. I enjoy fostering long term relationships with patients and their families and being able to watch them improve and grow!
What do you like about the IU School of Medicine program? Throughout my residency here, I was able to work with the amazing pulmonary fellows, staff, nursing, and program team. Their dedication to their patients and education was inspiring! The program also has a wide breadth of interests of each staff, vast research opportunities, and the ability to care for children of the entire state of Indiana (and often children of other states as well). I have also always enjoyed teaching, and even thought I would pursue elementary education until I was in high school and discovered my love for science/medicine. IU has one of the largest medical schools in the country, so being part of this fellowship program allows for me to continue to partake in medical student education and play a role in training future doctors!
Research/QI interests? Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, and Medical Education
Future plans? I plan to continue fostering my clinical and research skills in fellowship to be able to serve my community and provide great care as an attending physician. I also hope to work in medical education in some capacity either within a medical school, residency, or fellowship program!
Hobbies/ Interests? I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and our mini-goldendoodle (Archie), my weekly trivia night with friends, exercising, reading for fun, traveling home to Florida to see my family, baking (always inspired by cooking shows to try new recipes), and binge watching my favorite TV shows.
What do you enjoy in Indianapolis? I love trying new restaurants! Some of my favorites are Livery, Union 50, Divvy, and Patachou. I grew up in Florida, so I have also truly enjoyed being able to experience all the fun of actually having 4 seasons! Indianapolis has many state parks and accessible running paths that I love exploring with our dog!
Joseph Castlen, MD
PGY 4
Undergraduate School: Boston College
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine
Why did you pursue a Pulmonology fellowship? Respiratory problems are very common in kids - asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood! I like pediatric pulmonology because we have the opportunity to care for patients in the clinic and in the hospital, we get to do bronchoscopies as part of that care, and there are lots of research opportunities.
What do you like about the IU School of Medicine program? Fellows in our program get to perform lots of bronchoscopies and are very well-trained by the end of fellowship. We have extremely friendly and supportive faculty who treat us like early-career attendings. I am also part of our Morris Green Physician Scientist program that provides extra funding and training to residents and fellows who are interested in research.
Research/QI interests? I am doing research on an NIH T32 grant looking at the overlap between primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and asthma, including prospectively having patients do pulmonary function tests and studying their genotypes. I plan to expand the project to do in vitro and in vivo studies as well.
Future plans? I am pursuing a career as a physician-scientist.
Hobbies/ Interests? I play the drums, like to play pickleball, and love grilling out when the weather is nice.
What do you enjoy in Indianapolis? Biking and walking the Monon Trail, going to concerts at some of our great venues like Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, cheering on the Fever and the Pacers, and exploring the city's museums (especially the Newfields museum and gardens).
Alexandra E. Silva, MD
PGY 4
Undergraduate School: San Diego State University
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine
Why did you pursue a Pulmonology fellowship? During my training, I was interested in ventilation, medical complexity, and palliative care in addition to respiratory physiology. I felt Pulmonology provided an opportunity to pursue all of those interests in a ratio I found rewarding.
What do you like about the IU School of Medicine program? There is a balanced breadth of clinical interests amongst the faculty within our Pulmonology department which serves to create a fun and well-rounded environment to learn in. Additionally, the faculty are some of the best teachers/mentors I have encountered in my training. Even as a medical student, it was clear they were invested in helping us grow as clinicians as well as people.
Research/QI interests? Chronic Trach/Vent, Interstitial Lung Disease, Asthma, Access to Healthcare, Medical Education
Future plans? I'm interested in staying in an academic environment as I love to teach and have enjoyed doing research. However, I'm also considering pursuing a diving medicine fellowship before settling into an "adult" job.
Hobbies/ Interests? Traveling, Diving, Cooking/Baking, History (particularly the history of food and 16th century European history)
What do you enjoy in Indianapolis? I enjoy going to the various sporting events and music performances that pass through Indy. I also love going to different international supermarkets and making different dishes I've had while traveling.