Emergency Medicine Residency Program - Iowa Methodist Medical Center

Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine

Residency: Indiana University

Dr. Whitaker was raised in Omaha, NE and graduated medical school from Creighton University School of Medicine. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Indiana University and served as a chief resident. Given his strong passion for medical education, Nash pursued graduate degrees in medical education from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Kelley School of Business. Nash has since held leadership positions in medical education and administration before joining UnityPoint Health as the program director for the new emergency medicine residency. His professional interests include medical education, quality improvement processes, and team building. Nash enjoys hunting, fishing, and competitive skeet shooting. Most of his Saturdays in the fall are spent watching Nebraska football games. He enjoys traveling the world with his wife Kelsie and rarely goes anywhere without his dogs Winston and Vivian.

Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Residency: University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics

Dr. Kluesner received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2008 with majors in biology and philosophy. He attended medical school at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine – graduating with distinctions in service and global health - as well as residency training at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics where he served as chief resident. He is the vice chair of the Iowa Medical Society's Law and Ethics Committee, and sits on the national ACEP Ethics Committee. In addition to clinical work and leadership in the emergency medicine residency program, Dr. Kluesner also serves as the associate medical director in the emergency department. His professional interests include medical ethics, humanities, medical education and interdepartmental process improvements. He enjoys spending time with his wife and four boys in the comfortable family environment of Des Moines where they have lived since 2015. That largely consists of outdoorsy activities, woodworking projects and barbeque gatherings. They are best known by their friends as avid Notre Dame fans.

Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Residency: University of Wisconsin

Fellowship: University of Wisconsin

Dr. Jennett received his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 2010 with a major in biochemistry. He attended medical school at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine graduating in 2014. After medical school, he completed an emergency medicine residency at the University of Wisconsin where he served as chief resident. After residency, Dr. Jennett completed a fellowship in helicopter EMS and served as a flight physician at the University of Wisconsin. In addition to his clinical work and role as associate program director in the emergency medicine residency program, Dr. Jennett serves as the medical director for the Osceola Fire Department EMS. His professional interests include pre-hospital medicine with an emphasis on HEMS, emergency airway management and medical education. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, living just south of Des Moines in Norwalk. When time permits, his hobbies include electronics prototyping, 3D printing and following Iowa State Athletics.

Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Residency: Regions Hospital

Dr. Hawthorne received his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 2005 with a major in physics graduating with distinction. He attended medical school at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and completed residency at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN before starting at UnityPoint Health in 2012. Since 2019, he has served as the medical director of the emergency department at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines and for the three years prior to that he was the associate medical director. Dr. Hawthorne is the founder of the Des Moines Emergency Ultrasound conference and continues to participate in the planning committee. His professional interests include Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS), stroke, change creation and utilization analysis to achieve cost effective care. He enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, landscaping/yard work, vacationing in northern Minnesota, any type of lake activity you can think of and soccer.

Medical School: Des Moines University

Residency: Blank Children’s Hospital

Fellowship: Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas City

Dr. Stocker was raised in Johnston, Iowa and took a non-traditional path to medicine. He initially went to DMACC where he received an associate degree in automotive science. He then transitioned into driving a semi truck while attending college and ultimately resulting in an undergraduate degree in applied studies at University of Iowa. He attended medical school at Des Moines University and continued to pediatrics residency at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines. He and his family then moved to Kansas City where he completed a fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine at Children’s Mercy Hospital where he served as chief education fellow. He made his way back to practice at Blank Children’s in their emergency department. His professional interests include medical outreach and simulation. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and eight children.

Medical School: University of North Carolina Chapple Hill

Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Dr. Jensen received her undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University in 2008, graduating as class valedictorian with majors in biological sciences and animal science. She attended medical school at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, graduating with highest distinction. Brittany completed her residency training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she served as chief resident. Her professional interests include global health (specifically East Africa), medical education and interdepartmental process improvements. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters (usually outdoors fishing or camping), traveling and visiting her family on the East Coast.

Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Residency: University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics

Dr. Kim was born and raised in West Des Moines, Iowa. She went to the University of Tulsa for college where she played Division I soccer and majored in biology and chemistry. After her undergraduate degree she lived on the east coast for several years, and eventually made her way back to Iowa for medical school, where she received her medical degree at the University of Iowa. She then completed residency in emergency medicine at the University of Iowa. Dr. Kim has a special interest in mental health in the ED as well as physician wellness. Her personal interests include spending time with her husband and two sons.

Medical School: A.T. Still University - Kirksville

Residency: University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics

Dr. Sexton received an undergraduate degree in biology with a biochemistry minor at Northwest Missouri State University in 2011. He attended medical school at A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in 2016. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at the University of Iowa. Dr. Sexton serves as medical director for the East Poweshiek Ambulance service, and director of the Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Conference held yearly in Des Moines. His professional interests include point of care ultrasound, EMS, research and medical education. He is a lifelong Iowa Hawkeye fan. He enjoys spending time with his wife, two boys and daughter. He has been an avid homebrewer for the past decade. When he is not working clinically, he can be found on the golf course, lake or at Kinnick Stadium.

Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Residency: University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics

Dr. Wittry joined UnityPoint Health in 2014 after completing undergraduate studies, medical school and residency at the University of Iowa (Go Hawks!). His professional interests include emergencies pertaining to surgical specialties, and research in patient satisfaction and ED outcomes. In his spare time, he likes to spend time outside and he loves to learn about new subjects, making him a true jack-of-all-trades. He likes to build things, work in his yard and play sports with his kids.