Get to know our fellows

Our fellows are a diverse group that come from a variety of backgrounds and have unique experiences and interests. We look forward to getting to know you as well!

Class of 2025

Alysa Butz, MD
Alysa Butz, MD

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine

Why did you choose Spectrum Health? I chose Spectrum Health for my emergency medicine residency because of the people, high acuity and volume. I loved working in the pediatric emergency department and decided to complete my fellowship training here.

Clinical Interests: My interest include pediatric emergency medicine and clinical education.

Hobbies: During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my German Shepherd and family, reading, biking, traveling and cooking.

Tonia Jerrick, DO
Tonia Jerrick, DO

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

Why did you choose Spectrum Health? I chose this program for its diverse clinical environment and large patient volume given that Helen DeVos Children's Hospital is the only free-standing pediatric hospital in West Michigan. I also appreciate that everyone is very friendly and the program allows for an individualized approach to attaining your career goals during fellowship.

Clinical Interests: My clinical interests include global health, academic medicine and community health and advocacy.

Hobbies: I love to travel and explore new countries! I also enjoy reading, outdoor adventures and sports.

Class of 2024

Kristina Kern
Kristina Kern, MD

Hometown: Friedberg, Germany

Medical school: Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg,Germany

Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? My "gut feeling" about Spectrum Health came from the culture. Every person I interacted with on my interview day was incredibly welcoming and kind. Right away I could see myself spending the next three years in Grand Rapids, MI. I wanted this program because of the many opportunities they offer to train in a state-of-art pediatric emergency department in a beautiful free-standing children's hospital.

What are your clinical interests? I am interested in ultrasound guided procedures, diagnostics and imaging. I am also interested in global health, wilderness medicine and advocacy.

Hobbies: I love traveling and getting to know new countries and cultures. My favorite outdoor activities include hiking, kayaking, skiing or anything by/on the water.

Class of 2023

Stephen Gunnink, DO
Stephen Gunnink, DO

Hometown: Littleton, CO

Medical School: Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Why did you choose Spectrum Health? I chose to do my fellowship at Spectrum Health because I found that the physicians and other fellows were dedicated to teaching and to making my experience the best it could be. Being a smaller program, they are able to accommodate and modify curriculum/experiences to fit individual needs. Helen DeVos Children's Hospital also has all the pediatric services/subspecialties, making it a center that sees a wide variety of disease pathology and complex cases from congenital heart disease to ex-preemies with multiple medical problems.

What do you like most about your program? I am most looking forward to finally doing what I have wanted to do for years and doing it with people that I enjoy being around.

Clinical Interests: My clinical interests include blunt chest trauma research and learning how to integrate POC ultrasound into the pediatric emergency department.

Living in West Michigan: I love Grand Rapids for its great food and brewery scene, great events and concerts, and how little traffic there is! I love West Michigan for its great beaches along Lake Michigan and great places to camp/hike/bike within an hour of the city.

Hobbies: My two main hobbies are mountain biking (trail riding) and hanging out with my wife and Labrador retriever (Denver).