St. Louis Family Medicine Residents

Nadine Abdeljabbar, M.D.

Medical school: University of Missouri School of Medicine
Undergraduate school: Washington University in St. Louis

Nadine Abdeljabbar (she/her), a Palestinian American born in St. Louis, Missouri, is excited to continue her training in the city she calls home. She studied biomedical engineering prior to pursuing medicine, and she's passionate about preventative care and serving underserved communities. 

In her free time, Abdeljabbar enjoys traveling to new countries and learning about different cultures. 

Allison Harmon, M.D.

Medical school: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Undergraduate school: The Ohio State University

Allison Harmon (she/her) is from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She's interested in family medicine because it's a specialty that has everything from procedures to behavioral health. 

Harmon grew up going to St. Louis, Missouri, for Cardinals games, and she's moving to St. Louis with her cat, Oscar, who can do more tricks than her sister's dog can. In her free time, Harmon usually spends time baking or reading. 

Chase Mitchell, D.O.

Medical school: A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate school: Northern Illinois University

Chase Mitchell (he/him) has strong Missouri roots and a deep appreciation for the communities that shaped him. Before medicine, he earned a B.F.A. in acting and cinema, and worked in acting, production and casting in Los Angeles, California --- experiences that helped shape his communication skills, adaptability and empathy. During medical school, Mitchell pursued leadership and service through roles such as KCOM Wilderness Medicine Society president, student government, mentoring and long-term volunteer work with underserved communities. He also developed strong interests in research, patient-centered care and community health through clinical training, scholarly work and advocacy. He is especially interested in training in both sports and wilderness medicine.

Outside of medicine, Mitchell enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, home brewing beer, smoking meat, running, road cycling and spending time outdoors with his wife, two daughters and dog. 

Alexander Morse, M.D.

Medical school: University of Illinois College of Medicine -- Peoria
Undergraduate school: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Alex Morse (he/him) grew up in Peoria, Illinois. He studied biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and obtained a master's degree in biomedical sciences at Midwestern University before being accepted to medical school. 

Morse will be coming to St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife, Yoonje, an anesthesiology intern at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, as well as their five-month-old son. His hobbies include golf, fishing and both playing and watching sports. 

Esed Mustafic, M.D.

Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Undergraduate school: Saint Louis University

Esed Mustafic (he/him) aspires to one day provide primary care to the large Bosnian refugee community in St. Louis, Missouri. He has joined many area Bosnian community groups and served on multiple executive boards, including president of the Bosnian student group at his undergraduate campus. 

Outside of cultural involvement, Mustafic has worked as a medical assistant serving local, underserved populations and has volunteered at free health clinics, hospitals and other area non-profits. He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, supporting FC Bayern Munich, cooking, gardening and playing Yu-Gi-Oh. 

Stephen Vega, M.D.

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin
Undergraduate school: Illinois Wesleyan University

Stephen Vega (he/him) holds a bachelor's degree in biology. In medical school, he was involved in research examining the patient perspective of medical treatment for those with opioid use disorder. He continues to have a strong desire to work with underserved populations and has an interest in addiction medicine. 

In his free time, Vega likes to visit history museums and go on walks with his wife and dog. He also enjoys all things related to technology and playing video games with his friends. 

Mona Dagher, M.D.

Hometown: Lebanon
Undergraduate school: American University of Beruit
Medical school: University of Balamand Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences

Mona Dagher (she/her) is completing a geriatric medicine fellowship at Saint Louis University. After an explosion in Beruit claimed the lives of 300 people and left 300,000 homeless, Dagher co-founded Hand-in-Hand, which provides essential aid to those directly or indirectly affected by the tragic event. She enjoys guitar, piano, cooking and tennis. She is also proficient in French and Arabic.

Matthew J. Dreyer, M.D.

Hometown: Godrey, Illinois, and Tulsa, Oklahoma
Undergraduate school: Lindenwood University
Graduate school: University of Mount Saint Vincent
Medical school: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Matthew Dreyer (he/him) holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Chemistry, and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management. Outside of medicine, Dreyer enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, playing and watching sports, and playing online card games. He has a strong interest in sports medicine.

Natasha M. Ignatowski, M.D.

Home state: Wisconsin
Undergraduate school: University of Madison-Wisconsin
Medical school: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Natasha Ignatowski (she/her) was a co-leader of Wellness Inspired Student Enrichment and volunteered with MEDiC, a student-run program that offers free health care to underserved populations. She also worked as a behavioral therapist technician for the Wisconsin Early Autism Project. Ignatowski enjoys photography, team sports and travel.

Dani P. Kander, D.O.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Undergraduate school: University of Chicago, Saint Louis University
Medical school: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine

Dani Kander (they/them) holds a degree in biological sciences and studied nutrition at Saint Louis University. They served two years with AmeriCorps HealthCorps at Grace Hill Health Centers (now Affinia Healthcare). They also worked at Affinia as a registered dietitian and manager of WIC and nutrition services before heading to medical school. In their free time, Kander enjoys being with their family and two dogs, visiting museums and spending time in nature.

Duyen K. Pham, D.O.

Hometown: Worcester, Massachusetts
Undergraduate school: University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
Graduate school: University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Duyen Pham (she/her) holds a Master of Science in Chemistry. She has worked as a medical assistant, phlebotomist, medical interpreter, pharmacy technician, direct caregiver and research assistant. Prior to entering medical school, she volunteered as a food server at St. John's Food for the Poor Program, a playspace activity leader at Horizon for Homeless Children, and an emergency room greeter at local hospitals. She has 26 research publications in covalent-metal organic networks, psilocybin derivatives and biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of medicine, Pham enjoys snowboarding, powerlifting and swimming. She was born in Vietnam and is fluent in Vietnamese.

Kobe A. Young, M.D.

Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Undergraduate school: Texas Tech University
Medical school: University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine

Kobe Young (he/him) has a strong interest in geriatric medicine. He worked as a graduate researcher in the Cognition, Aging, Sleep and Health Lab at the University of Missouri, and as the pharmacy chair for MedZou, a student-run, free clinic that provides care to local community members without access to health care. Young enjoys disc golf, floral design and horticulture, and hiking and trail running.

Thomas Cassimatis, M.D.

Hometown: St. Peters, Missouri
Undergraduate school: University of Missouri-Columbia
Medical school: Ohio State University College of Medicine

Thomas Cassimatis holds a degree in biological sciences and completed post-baccalaureate clinical research with the National Institutes of Health, studying the effects of drugs, diets and diseases on metabolism. During medical school, Cassimatis served on the executive board of Healthy LifeStars, working to teach healthful eating and exercise habits to groups of elementary-aged children. Cassimatis is a lifelong swimmer and triathlete, and he loves the outdoors. He has summited 10 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks.

Galen Hoft, D.O.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Undergraduate school: University of Missouri-Columbia
Graduate school: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Galen Hoft holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Language Arts Education, a pre-medicine post-baccalaureate degree and a Master of Public Health. Hoft served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso from 2014 to 2016. He has a strong interest in serving traditionally marginalized communities and in addiction medicine and harm reduction strategies.

Farhan Hussain, M.D.

Home state: California
Undergraduate school: University of California at San Diego
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Farhan Hussain holds undergraduate degrees in physiology and neuroscience, and was the commissioner of school spirit. He has been deeply involved in clinical research at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He rotated at the Family Care Health Center, where he exhibited a particular interest in improving health literacy. Outside of medicine, Hussain enjoys volleyball, pickleball, basketball, tennis and skateboarding. He is also a competitively ranked video gamer.

Joseph Mooney, M.D.

Home state: Missouri
Undergraduate school: Loyola University Chicago
Medical school: University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine

Joseph Mooney has lived in many communities throughout Missouri. He holds undergraduate degrees in Spanish language and literature. He worked for five years as a bilingual educator for kindergarten and first-grade students at Saint Louis Language Immersion School before completing his pre-medical studies at Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. He spent the 2023-24 academic year in a pathology residency at the University of Nebraska, where he realized he was meant for family medicine all along. Outside of medicine, Mooney has an interest in urban farming and a love of music and singing.

Belainesh ‘Bella’ Nigeda, D.O.

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Undergraduate school: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Graduate school: Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Medical school: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Bella Nigeda holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a Master of Public Health. In medical school, she was involved with the Student National Medical Association and was vice-president of the Student Government Association. Nigeda is the principal investigator on a mixed methods research study exploring the experiences of Black birthing patients who used a doula during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has an ongoing interest in addressing inequities in maternal and infant health.

Maura Walsh, M.D.

Hometown: Arlington, Illinois
Undergraduate school: University of Notre Dame
Medical school: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

Maura Walsh holds a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Behavior, and a minor in both poverty studies and Latino studies. She is a Gold Humanism Society Member and a member of the Community and Global Health Honors Program. Walsh completed extensive volunteerism with the Quinn Community Center in Maywood, Illinois, during medical school. She also did impactful work reflecting on vocation, wellness, emotional intelligence and mindfulness with her peers and colleagues. She has experience working in an FQHC with a migrant farmworker population and speaks Spanish.