Our Care Sites
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group
Serving Southeast Michigan
Trinity Health Medical Group
Serving West Michigan
Probility Physical Therapy
Physical therapy services
TrinityElite Sports Performance
Athletic development services
Back to homepage
MyChart

Fellows

A group of residents stand together in a hospital, smiling at the camera

Hospice and Palliative Medicine

 

Meet the fellows of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Program at Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Medical Education.

2026

A silhouette of a person 

David Raffo, MD

Indiana University School of Medicine
A silhouette of a person

David Raffo, MD

2026

Medical School

Indiana University School of Medicine

Hometown

Okemos, Mich.

Professional Interests

Hospice & Palliative Medicine, Geriatrics, Home Health Care, Medical Education

Undergraduate

University of Notre Dame

Why I chose this program/location for my training

I have lived in the Grand Rapids area for the last 25 years. I did my Family Medicine Residency with Trinity Health here. I met my wife, Jennifer, here during residency. I had two kids here, Ella and Sydney. The rest is history! My roots are here in West Michigan.

The Hospice & Palliative Medicine program is meaningful to me, because two of my closest mentors are part of this fellowship – Dr. John Mulder and Dr. Patrick Fitzgibbon. Dr. Mulder slowly encouraged me to enter this field over decades. Although this is an immense time of grieving and transition, I hope to make Dr. Mulder proud. The doctors that carry the legacy forward are excellent and I know I will learn much.

Hobbies/interests outside of work

Outside of work, I enjoy walking our dog Max (labradoodle), running, spending time with family and being in nature. I also like encouraging family in their pursuits – Jennifer and Ella with horse riding, Ella with playing horse polo, Sydney playing basketball, etc.

If I had more time, I enjoy golf and playing chess

2025

Kara Archambault, DO 

Kara Archambault, DO

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kara Archambault, DO

Kara Archambault, DO

2025

Medical School

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hometown

Marine City, Mich.

Professional Interests

Neuropalliative Care, Cancer Rehabilitation

Undergraduate

Grand Valley State University

Why I chose this program/location for my training

I chose the Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) program for my fellowship training as I felt I would get excellent foundational training in HPM, while also having the availability to have some more Neuro-focused exposure as well.

Hobbies/what I do outside of work

I love spending time with my husband and our two dogs and two cats. We enjoy spending time outside together and do lots of gardening (vegetables, ornamental and cut flowers.) My houseplant collection is continuously growing. I also love to bake, read (lots of audiobooks!) and have many artistic and crafty hobbies like watercolor, crochet and embroidery.

Purvi Desai, DO 

Purvi Desai, DO

Kansas City University
Purvi Desai, DO

Purvi Desai, DO

2025

Medical School

Kansas City University

Hometown

Chicago, Ill.

Professional Interests

Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Emergency Medicine

Undergraduate

University of Illinois at Chicago

Why I chose this program/location for my training

I really enjoyed the interview and speaking with the leadership in the program. The program has a good legacy and I felt confident that I would receive great training here.

Hobbies/what I do outside of work

In my free time I love to travel, bike, bake, read, explore new restaurants and spend time with friends and family.

David King, MD 

David King, MD

Georgetown University School of Medicine
David King, MD

David King, MD

2025

Medical School

Georgetown University School of Medicine

Hometown

Marlboro, New Jersey

Professional Interests

I am interested in how Palliative Medicine can be better integrated into the practice of Emergency Medicine.

Undergraduate

Georgetown University

Why I chose this program/location for my training

I have loved living and working in Southwest Michigan over the past 8 years. When I interviewed at the Grand Rapids Trinity program, I felt welcomed, and I knew this would be an excellent place to continue to learn and grow.

Hobbies/what I do outside of work

I enjoy traveling whenever I have the time. I am learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu for fitness and self-defense. In (what feels like) a past life, I enjoyed playing tennis and rock climbing avidly. I like reading and learning about religions. I would like to learn how to sail one day!

Matt Misner, DO 

Matt Misner, DO

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matt Misner, DO

Matt Misner, DO

2025

Medical School

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hometown

Spring, TX

Professional Interests

Bioethics, Training IU medical students and residents

Undergraduate

Loyola University of Chicago

 
Graduate School

University of Mary (MS: Bioethics), Catholic Theological Union (MAPS: Pastoral Studies)

Why I chose this program/location for my training

The MD who chairs the department is one of the amazing leaders of this specialty. Furthermore, I will receive an opportunity to do some pediatric training at DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids.

Hobbies/what I do outside of work

Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, reading, spending time with my wife, Karissa, and playing with my 3 wonderful children (Lydia, Violet, and Ty) and pets.

2024

Melissa Duimstra, DO 

Melissa Duimstra, DO

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Melissa Duimstra, DO

Melissa Duimstra, DO

2024

Medical School

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hometown

Grand Rapids, Mich.

Professional Interests

Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Family Medicine, Preventative Medicine, Geriatrics

Undergraduate

Western Michigan University

Why I chose this program/location for my training

I completed my family medicine residency through Trinity Health Muskegon and it was a great experience. I'm thrilled to be returning to the area as a HPM fellow. After speaking with the program director, I knew this was where I wanted to be to further my education. I am confident that I'll receive excellent training and mentorship through this program.

Hobbies/what I do outside of work

I love spending time with family and friends and have interests in visual art, music, writing and theatre.

Alexis Gunderson, MD 

Alexis Gunderson, MD

University of Minnesota
Alexis Gunderson, MD

Alexis Gunderson, MD

2024

Medical School

University of Minnesota

Hometown

Virginia, Minn.

Professional Interests

Hospice and Palliative Care

Undergraduate

College of St. Scholastica

Why I chose this program/location for my training

I really enjoyed the interview process and felt as though I would receive excellent training along with a good support network here. Having been to Grand Rapids in the past, I knew it would be a fun city to live in for our growing family as well.

Hobbies/what I do outside of work

I enjoy running, hiking, backpacking, biking, and spending time with friends, family and our dog.

Ryan Stringer, DO 

Ryan Stringer, DO

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ryan Stringer, DO

Ryan Stringer, DO

2024

Medical School

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hometown

Okemos, Mich.

Professional Interests

Procedural palliative care, palliative care in emergency medicine

Undergraduate

Michigan State University

Why I chose this program/location for my training

The long legacy of training many hospice and palliative care doctors who now are leaders in the field and providing outstanding care throughout West Michigan.

Hobbies/what I do outside of work

Outside of work, I enjoy creating memories and having adventures with my wife and three kids.

2023

David Ashen-Garry, DO 

David Ashen-Garry, DO

Midwestern University AZCOM
David Ashen-Garry, DO

David Ashen-Garry, DO

2023

Medical School

Midwestern University AZCOM

Hometown

Los Angeles, Cal.

Professional Interests

Pediatric Palliative Care, Hospitalist Medicine

Undergraduate

Wesleyan University

Why I chose this program/location for my training

I completed my residency here in Grand Rapids, so I knew and loved the city. And I have always been impressed by my colleagues in palliative care who trained here. I know I will receive a great education and look forward to working with everyone.

Hobbies/what I do outside of work

Outside of work, I enjoy playing tennis, as well as board and video games (when my infant daughter allows me any me time). And sleep, I love sleep.

Gerrit Rauch, DO 

Gerrit Rauch, DO

Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine
Gerrit Rauch, DO

Gerrit Rauch, DO

2023

Medical School

Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hometown

Portage, Mich.

Professional Interests

Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Healthcare Equity, Addiction Medicine

Undergraduate

Grand Valley State University

Why I chose this program/location for my training

I chose Mercy Health because of all the support I received from current faculty and prior graduates. They went out of their way to get me involved with educational resources and opportunities.

Hobbies/what I do outside of work

I love fly fishing, camping/hiking with my wife and rescue dog, bird watching, gardening, wood working and cooking.

Anya Ring, DO 

Anya Ring

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Anya Ring, DO

Anya Ring

2023

Medical School

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hometown

Lakewood, Col. and Pleasant Hill, Ohio

Professional Interests

Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Primary Care

Undergraduate

Wittenberg University

Why I chose this program/location for my training

During the interview process I enjoyed talking with the staff and felt they would be supportive of my interests during my education and after. I did my residency in Kalamazoo and knew I wanted to stay in the area.

Hobbies/what I do outside of work

I enjoy spending time with my husband and dog, doing anything I can to be outside like hiking, skiing/snowboarding, gardening, running and crochet/knitting.

Tim Swords, DO 

Tim Swords, DO

A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic

Tim Swords, DO

Tim Swords, DO

2023

Medical School

A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic

Hometown

Roseville, MN

Professional Interests

Inpatient palliative care

Undergraduate

University of Saint Thomas- St. Paul, MN

Why I chose this program/Grand Rapids for my training

During my interview, I enjoyed meeting the program director as it felt like it was a normal conversation between two people with common interests. The city of Grand Rapids seemed like a great place to further my medical education as well as a wonderful location for my young family.

Hobbies/what I do outside of work

I enjoy spending time with my wife and two kids, golf, basketball, and cooking.