Carmen L. Cajina Aguirre, M.D.

I was born and raised in Nicaragua, where I attended medical school and later had the opportunity to teach second- and third-year medical students as a junior faculty member. After spending two years conducting research in hyperaldosteronism in Palo Alto, California, I moved to Kansas City to begin my Internal Medicine residency at KU.

From my very first days at KU, I knew I had found a place where I would be challenged to grow while being supported by incredible mentors and co-residents who quickly became like family. Training at both KU and the Kansas City VA has exposed me to an incredible breadth of pathology and strengthened my passion for medical education, patient advocacy, and resident leadership. As Chief Resident, I'm excited to support our residents, help create an engaging learning environment, and make residency a meaningful experience that reflects each resident's unique goals and interests.

After this year, I plan to pursue fellowship training in Nephrology and build a career in academic medicine. My academic interests include chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in Central America, hyperaldosteronism, medical education, and finding creative ways to make learning more engaging and effective.

Outside of medicine, I love spending time with my family, trying new coffee shops and restaurants around Kansas City, and traveling whenever I get the chance. I also love to dance (even if I have two left feet!) and can almost always be convinced to watch an episode of Law & Order.

Jacob D. Hamilton, D.O.

I am originally from Fishers, Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis. I completed my undergraduate degree at Indiana University in Indianapolis (formerly known as IUPUI) before moving across the Midwest to attend medical school at Des Moines University in Iowa. Now, I am proud to call Kansas City home as a member of KU’s Internal Medicine Residency Program!

Kansas City has truly felt like a second home, and I love everything it has to offer—from its BBQ and vibrant local culture to its museums and the streetcar. KU has been an incredible place to train thanks to its outstanding faculty, supportive co-residents, and exceptional culture. As a chief resident, I am excited to help residents navigate the many challenges and opportunities that come with residency training.

My professional interests include medical education and simulation. The lungs are my favorite organ system, and I am applying for Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship this year!

Outside of medicine, I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors, especially going for runs around Kansas City. I also love reading, catching the latest movies, and exploring local coffee shops and restaurants. Whether I am trying a new spot in town or traveling to a new city, I always enjoy discovering new places and experiences. Most importantly, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and significant other.

Despite living in Kansas City, I remain a dedicated Indianapolis Colts fan. I also enjoy watching and playing a variety of sports, including football, basketball, and soccer.

Daniel P. Holtz, M.D.

I grew up in Godfrey, Illinois, a small town just outside St. Louis. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Dayton before attending medical school at Southern Illinois University, where I met my wife, who is also in medicine. Coming to KU for residency has been an incredibly meaningful part of my training. The program’s supportive culture, diverse clinical experiences, and strong sense of community have shaped me both personally and professionally.

During my chief year, I’m committed to creating an environment where residents feel supported, challenged, and empowered to pursue their passions within medicine. I have developed an interest in preventive cardiology, with a focus on how early risk assessment and long‑term lifestyle and medical interventions can improve cardiovascular outcomes. I am pursuing a Cardiology fellowship, and I hope to build a career that integrates clinical cardiology with resident education and a strong focus on preventive cardiovascular care.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my wife, exploring Kansas City, finding new movies, and watching and playing any and all sports!

Emily G. Iannazzo, D.O.

Nicole T. Lux, D.O.

I grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, before moving to Kansas City to attend Rockhurst University for undergraduate school. I then attended Rocky Vista University for medical school and was excited to return to Kansas City for residency at KU. Coming back to Kansas City has been a special part of my journey, and KU has quickly become a place that feels like home.

What I love most about KU is the people. The welcoming culture, supportive environment, and genuine willingness of everyone to help one another make it a truly special place to train. As Chief Resident, I am excited for the opportunity to work with our residents and medical students and to contribute to the collaborative and compassionate community. I am especially passionate about medical education and helping create an environment where everyone feels supported in pursuing their goals.

I am pursuing a career in Hematology and Oncology, with a particular interest in hematologic malignancies and clinical research. Ultimately, I hope to build a career that combines my passion for Hematology and Oncology with my love for medical education. 

Outside of medicine, I love spending time outdoors, whether that means hiking, skiing, fishing, or simply soaking up the sunshine. I enjoy spending time with my husband, our two dogs, and our cat, as well as watching sports and reading. I have climbed many of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks and have hiked Mount Kilimanjaro, fly-fished in Chilean Patagonia and my parents had me on skis not long after I learned how to walk.

Hannah E. Steenblock, M.D.

I was born in a suburb of Denver, CO while my father was completing his psychiatry residency. My mother is a nurse, and so I was raised in a household of healthcare providers, which sparked my interest in the field from an early age.  At the age of 2, we moved to central Iowa, where I was raised and call home. I proudly have degrees from both Iowa State University, where I got my B.S. in Dietetics, and the University of Iowa, where I did my post-graduate training in dietetics and ultimately also received my Doctor of Medicine. Up until recently, I was dually credentialed as both a registered dietitian and a medical doctor. My passion for nutrition and the interface of nutrition and disease is what led me to love internal medicine. Within the scope of internal medicine, it has been too hard for me to pick just one area that I am more interested in, leading me to pursue a career as an academic hospitalist after my chief resident year. Outside of being a clinician, I have interests in medical education (both UME and GME) as well as QI and patient safety. I look forward to caring for patients with a wide variety of pathologies and socioeconomic factors as well as teaching and mentoring the next generations of physicians.

Outside of medicine, my husband and I are kept busy with our 1-year-old son (who we welcomed during my 2^nd year of residency!) and our 2 golden retrievers, Travis (2 years old, yes he was named after Travis Kelce), and Brandi (5 years old). I love plays and musicals, all things Taylor Swift (I am just a millennial girl after all), a long dinner with friends over a glass of wine and good food, and a walk through the park with an iced coffee. My love language is gift giving, and so I frequently am bringing in treats for my colleagues/team to help boost morale!