Associate Program Directors

Associate Program Director VAMC

Nacide Ercan-Fang

Heather Thompson

Associate Program Director UMMC
Hello!  My name is Heather Thompson Buum and I am the Associate Program Director for the University Site. 

I completed Medical School and Internal Medicine Residency both at the University of Minnesota, including a Chief Resident year at UMMC in 2001.  Therefore this role is a good fit for me.  I can honestly say I know the program from the inside out—from trainee to leadership.  I’ve seen many exciting, positive changes in just the few years since I’ve been out of residency.  It’s definitely a program that is constantly innovating and improving, and largely based on the suggestions and evaluations from current residents.

My projects include implementing a Resident as Teacher Program (known as Resident Educator Development, or RED) and organizing the Transition to Residency Workshop early in the PGY2 year.  I have also participated in general program development and problem solving at the University site, such as creating a Night Float system.

I try to achieve work life balance through participation in a community choir (the Oratorio Society of Minnesota—and yes I can get discount tickets!).  I also enjoy cooking, running, and an occasional round of golf.  Family time is also very important to me.  I live with my husband Paul and my two children Samuel and Lydia in St. Paul.

Associate Program Director at Regions Hospital
Hello. I am Kelly Frisch, the Associate Program Director here at Regions Hospital. My goal is to ensure an outstanding educational experience for our residents and students at Regions Hospital and HealthPartners Clinics. One of my areas of interest is Ambulatory Medicine. I oversee all Ambulatory Medicine rotations and Continuity Clinics for the University of  Minnesota Internal Medicine Residency Program. I enjoy teaching the art of outpatient medicine to our residents.

Kelly Frisch