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Home — College of Medicine — Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation — Education — Residency — Current Residents — House Officer III

House Officer III

Ashley Creager, MDAshley Creager

Hometown:  Casper, Wyoming

Medical School:  Medical College of Wisconsin

What inspired your interest in orthopaedic surgery?

My senior year of high school I took an anatomy and physiology course with five other seniors. We were provided the opportunity to shadow an ortho surgeon (thanks Dr. Craig Smith) for a day, so at the age of 17, I scrubbed in to my first ever surgery, a total hip arthroplasty followed by three more surgeries that day and left the hospital completely jazzed about what I had experienced that day. From that point forward, I couldn't help but dream of one day spending my time doing those same kinds of procedures, helping a multitude of people and having fun along the way. 

What are three things people don't know about you?

  • March Madness is my favorite time of the year, second only to Christmas.
  • I hate the word moist.
  • I broke my wrist in 8th grade playing tackle tag in a hotel lobby.

Tyler Kallman, MDTyler Kallman

Hometown:  Omaha, Nebraska

Medical School:  University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine

What inspired your interest in orthopaedic Surgery?

I love how challenging the surgical procedures can be. There is so much to learn about the field of orthopaedics. I also love the mix of acuity and continuity of care as well as the ability to dramatically improve quality of life for my patients. 

What are three things people don't know about you?

  • I went to Uganda after graduating college where I came within 10 feet of an elephant, and fished and white water rafted on the Nile River.
  • I played the trombone and cello growing up.
  • I'm a neat freak.

Robert "John" Pettit, MDRobert Pettit

Hometown:  Idaho Falls, Idaho

Medical School:  University of Utah School of Medicine

That inspired your interest in orthopaedic surgery?

A combination of volunteering experiences and working with exceptional orthopaedic surgeons.

What are three things people don't know about you?

  • I'm fluent in Spanish.
  • I've done research on polar bears.
  • I love to play the bagpipes.

Olivia Thomas, MDOlivia Thomas

Hometown:  Hastings, Nebraska

Medical School:  Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine - Arizona

What inspired your interest in orthopaedic surgery?

I knew that I wanted to be a surgeon and I found the culture, patient population and pathophysiology of orthopaedic surgery to be an exciting fit.

What are three things people don't know about you?

  • I played saxophone in our college pep band.
  • My thumbs are different lengths.
  • I have ambitions of baking the perfect pie one day.

Bradford Zitsch, MDBradford Zitsch

Hometown:  Columbia, Missouri

Medical School:  University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine

What inspired your interest in orthopaedic surgery?

Orthopaedic surgery appeals to me due to the breadth of knowledge required by orthopaedic surgeons in terms of diagnosis and therapeutic options. It is rewarding to be a part of a patient's journey to improved function, of which many orthopaedic surgeries, procedures and treatments have been proven to provide. Other, and possibly more complicated problems, often can require complex and innovative solutions which provide basis for advancement and continuous learning within our field. 

What are three things people don't know about you?

  • To all those curious, I do typically go by Ford and yes, I do drive a Ford. There was no other option for me!
  • I just got a toy Australian shepherd named Merritt.
  • I was a Husker tennis player back in the day!