Our Fellows

Neal Boone, M.D.
3rd year fellow

Education:
Undergrad: Mississippi College, Clinton, MS
Degree: BS in Biomedical Science
Medical:  University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Residency:  University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR

Scholarly Interests: Nutrition, Infants of Diabetic Mothers, and Stabilization

Personal Interests & Hobbies: Neal enjoys everything outdoors from running and hiking to kayaking. Since moving to Charleston, he enjoys exploring downtown and going to the local beaches. He also enjoys preparing meals with the herbs and vegetables he grows on his patio.

Email: boonen@musc.edu

 

Cassandra Coleman, M.D.
3rd year fellow

Education:
Undergrad: Colby College, Waterville, ME
Degree: BA in Biology and Chemistry
Medical:  Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
Residency:  Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

Scholarly Interests:  She is interested in researching if steroids are protective against acute kidney injury. Another interest is the use of ECMO in high risk patient populations.

Personal Interests & Hobbies: Cassie enjoys exercise, hiking, boating, traveling, and spending time with friends/family

Email: colemcas@musc.edu

 

Laura Lach, D.O.
3rd year fellow

Education:
Undergrad: Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Degree: BS in Biology, Minor in Public Health
Medical: Ohio Univ. Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH
Residency: Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, OH

Scholarly Interests: VLBW body composition and neurodevelopmental outcomes

Personal Interests & Hobbies:  Laura enjoys catching up on the latest movies, listening to music, working out (which includes running & spinning), traveling, cooking/baking and spending time with friends and family.

Email: lach@musc.edu

 

Austin Rutledge, D.O.
2nd year fellow

Education: 
Undergrad: Transylvania University, Lexington, KY. 
Degree: BA, Economics/Biology
Medical:  University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pikeville, KY
Residency:  Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Scholarly Interests: PDA and fluid overload

Personal Interests & Hobbies: Austin enjoys spending time with his wife Ashley and taking their two boys to new activities around Charleston including the many parks, beaches, and sports games. He is always excited for the next Marvel movie and loves to play tennis and golf.

Email: rutledga@musc.edu

 

Lauren Walker, M.D.
2nd year fellow

Education:
Undergrad: University of Georgia, Athens, GA. 
Degree: BS, Biology
Medical:  Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA
Residency:  Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Scholarly Interests: ECMO

Personal Interests & Hobbies: In her free time, Lauren loves spending time with her husband and 70 lb. lap-puppy-child. She also enjoys going to the beach and trying new restaurants.

Email: walkerla@musc.edu

 

Jerica Gee, M.D.

1st year fellow

Education:
Undergrad: University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA. 
Degree: BFA, Fine Art, Painting/Drawing, The University of Pennsylvania, PA, Certificate: Pre-health
Medical:  Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ

Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University Pediatrics Residency, Richmond, VA

Scholarly Interests:
POCUS, nutrition, IVH, inflammation

Personal Interests & Hobbies:  
Cardio (spinning, running), meditation and yoga, pampering my pup, cello, reading entertaining books borrowed from the library.

Email:  geeje@musc.edu

 

 

 

 

Cliff Hegedus, M.D.
1st year fellow

 

Education:

Undergrad: University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
Degree: BS in Neuroscience, Minor in Spanish Studies

Medical: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

Residency: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital-Sidney Kimmel Medical College/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA

Scholarly Interests:  
Ventilation Management, direct hyperbilirubinemia in SGA infants

Personal Interests & Hobbies:
Swimming, hiking, going to the beach with my wife and son, playing golf, and exploring new restaurants and breweries 

Email:  hegedusc@musc.edu

 

 

 

David “Alex” Rueff, M.D.
1st year fellow

 

Education:

Undergrad: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Degree: B.S. Chemistry

Medical: University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MD.

Residency: University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS.

Scholarly Interests:
Honestly they are TBD but generally include: palliative care, ethics, and brain development of the premature infant

Personal Interests & Hobbies:  
Swimming, board games, and theology

Email:  rueff@musc.edu