Family Medicine Residency Faculty Profiles
Niral Tilala, MD, ABFM | Program Director
Dr. Tilala received his medical degree from the Medical University of the Americas and did his residency training at the Genesis Family Medicine Residency Program. Prior to moving to Davenport, he was an EMT and taught medical assisting. Dr. Tilala has a practice at the Genesis Family Medical Center in Davenport and joins the faculty in resident education. He completed a fellowship in maternal child health (OB) at the University of Rochester in July 2015.
He serves as the president of the medical staff at GMC Davenport.
Stephen Sorensen, MD, ABFM | Faculty Physician
Dr. Sorensen is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Medicine and a graduate of the MercyOne Genesis Family Medicine Residency Program. Following graduation, he practiced as an emergency room physician in Grinnell, Maquoketa and Muscatine. He served the citizens of Davenport and surrounding communities as a full-time family physician providing care for 8 years prior to joining the faculty.
Dr. Sorensen was the Program Director for the residency from 2015 to 2020 before choosing to leave that position to follow his interest in end-of-life care. In addition to his role on the faculty, he is currently the Medical Director for the MercyOne Genesis Hospice program and the Palliative Medicine teams for MercyOne Genesis Medical Centers. Dr. Sorensen continues to provide lectures and mentor medical students as a Clinical Professor at the University of Iowa College of Medicine.
Brad Johnson, DO | Faculty Physician
Dr. Johnson graduated from Des Moines University - College of Osteopathic Medicine and Sciences.
After graduating, he served in USAF for 6 years; primarily as a flight surgeon. He is a graduate of the MercyOne Genesis Family Medicine Residency Program and now serves as the director of the POCUS curriculum. Additional areas of interest include in-office procedures, sports medicine, and diabetes management. Outside of work his hobbies include running, baking, cooking, watching Bayern Munich and spending time with family.
Barbara Walker, DO, ABFM, AOBFM | Faculty Physician
Dr. Walker is is a graduate of the Chicago College of osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University. She completed her family medicine residency at Presence Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago, IL. Dr. Walker is dually board certified by the ABOFM and the ABFM. She directs the osteopathic curricula that includes lectures, hands on workshops, and dedicated OMT clinics. As an advocate for the profession, she integrates osteopathic principles and practices into all areas of family medicine. She helps to develop ongoing lecture series about resident wellness and resilience training. Additionally, she is passionate about treating the underserved community. Dr. Walker has a family practice at MercyOne Genesis and joins the faculty in resident and student education.
Jesicah Ambrisco, DO, ABFM | Faculty Physician
Dr. Ambrisco received her medical degree from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and did her residency training at the MercyOne Genesis Family Medicine Residency Program.
Prior to medical school, she worked as a CNA and an EMT. She also developed a passion for teaching while studying elementary education and teaching 3rd grade in South Carolina, prior to starting her career in family medicine.
Dr. Ambrisco has a practice at MercyOne Genesis in Durant, IA, and joins the faculty in resident education.
Kelly Krei, DO | Faculty Physician
Dr. Krei received her medical degree from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency training at the University of Iowa Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Krei then attended Sparrow/Michigan State University and completed a primary care sports medicine fellowship.
Dr. Krei has a sports medicine practice in Bettendorf and joins the faculty in resident education. She serves as the primary care sports medicine physician for Bettendorf High School and the Quad Cities River Bandits in addition to providing medical coverage to several local community events.
Matthew Arnold, Pharm.D., BCACP, BC-ADM
Dr. Arnold earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy and completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency in Primary Care at Siouxland Medical Education Foundation in Sioux City, IA. He is Board Certified in Ambulatory Care Pharmacy and Advanced Diabetes Management.
He assists with resident education and patient care in both the acute care hospital and outpatient family medicine clinic settings and oversees the family medicine residency program’s Diabetes Specialty Sub-track curriculum. In addition, Dr. Arnold serves as adjunct faculty at both the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and the College of Pharmacy.
Taryn Hancock, LISW | Behavioral Science Specialist
Ms. Hancock received her Master's Degree in Social Work from St. Ambrose University and her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Augustana College. She is certified in Parent Child Interaction Therapy.
She provides therapy to patients in the clinic as well as teaching residents about topics related to behavioral health.
Trish Halligan, CPMSM | Residency Coordinator
Ms. Halligan is our Residency Coordinator. She is a member of the National Association of Medical Staff Services and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Trish coordinates all clinical rotations, credentialing, and supervises recruiting and interviewing. She is the Educational Coordinator to the University of Iowa, coordinating primary care rotations for M3 and M4 students, community-based, and MECO students.
Ms. Hancock received her Master's Degree in Social Work from St. Ambrose University and her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Augustana College. She is certified in Parent Child Interaction Therapy.
She provides therapy to patients in the clinic as well as teaching residents about topics related to behavioral health.
Volunteer Teaching Faculty
Too numerous to list here, the residency program is supported by an enthusiastic volunteer faculty in all other departments to form a coordinated and integrated teaching plan for Family Medicine.
