Transitional Year Program Staff
Program Director
David Teeple, M.D.
Dr. Teeple earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his internship in internal medicine at the University of Arizona. He completed a residency in neurology at the Barrow Neurological Institute where he served as chief resident. Upon completion of his residency, he completed a fellowship in Epilepsy at the Barrow Neurological Institute.
Dr. Teeple is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both neurology and neurophysiology. He has been with the Center for Neurosciences since 2008. He currently works as a full time Neuro-Hospitalist at Tucson Medical Center.
In his time in Tucson, Dr. Teeple has served as Division Head of Neurology at TMC from 2009-2023, he has been the proud director of the Stroke Program at TMC since 2009 helping develop TMC into an award-winning Comprehensive Stroke Center. He has previously served as President of the American Heart and Stroke Association Southern Arizona Division. He is also an Associate Professor in Neurology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Dr. Teeple has also been the program director for the THMEP Transitional Residency Program at TMC Healthcare since 2013.
In his spare time, Dr. Teeple enjoys CrossFit, hanging out with his Dachshund Kevin, enjoying the beautiful southwest weather, and travelling with his family.
Assoc. Program Director
Erick Perez Sifontes, M.D.
Dr. Perez Sifontes is the Associate Program Director of the Transitional Year Residency Program, a role that he has held since March 2024. Originally from Venezuela, he moved to the United States in 2014, bringing with him a deep passion for medical education and the management of critically ill patients. He is dedicated to fostering efficiency and innovation in the medical field, with a particular focus on optimizing the learning experience during residency. Dr. Perez Sifontes enjoys mentorship and giving residents the tools needed to succeed in their careers.
Beyond his professional life, he lives in Oro Valley, AZ with his husband and their two whippets, Hugo and Apollo. He is an avid traveler, and has traveled to over 20 countries, and is always planning his next adventure! Dr. Perez Sifontes's other personal interests include weightlifting, yoga, salsa dancing, concerts, and painting. He loves living in southern Arizona and has fallen in love with the Sonoran Desert and all that it has to offer.
Program Coordinator
Jennifer Sammons, C-TAGME
Jennifer Sammons is the Transitional Year Residency Program Coordinator and has been with THMEP since 2021. In addition to the Transitional Residency, she also coordinates our Structural Heart Fellowship and Visiting Resident rotations. Prior to joining THMEP, she was a patient care coordinator at Swedish Neurosurgery in Seattle, WA. Jennifer received C-TAGME certification in 2023 and brings a wealth of knowledge to her role in THMEP.
Jennifer is a native Tucsonan and loves plants and animals. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening and watching medical TV series. She delights in hosting themed events for family and friends and holds an annual "Christmas Carol" reading every December. She loves getting to know her residents each year and keeping in touch with them as they progress in their careers.
