Faculty

Gena L.R. Benoit, MD, ABFM, Director of Clinic Operations and Quality, Program Director

Dr. Benoit is a 1999 graduate of the University of Iowa College of Medicine and a 2002 graduate of the Genesis Family Medicine Residency Program. Her medical career has revolved around practicing full spectrum Family Medicine and teaching students and residents. After residency she joined Genesis Health Group in Bettendorf before transitioning to a faculty role in the residency program. She served as faculty for 15 years before accepting the role of Program Director in 2021.

Niral Tilala, MD, ABFM, Associate 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 Durant 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.

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 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 the Genesis Family Medicine clinic in Durant and joins the faculty in resident education.

Brad Johnson, DO, ABFM, 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 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 practice at Genesis Health Group, Davenport Family Practice and joins the faculty in resident and student education.

Stephen Sorensen, MD, ABFM, Faculty Physician

Dr. Sorensen is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Medicine and a graduate of the 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 Genesis Hospice program and the Palliative Medicine teams for Genesis Medical Center. Dr. Sorensen continues to provide lectures and mentor medical students as a Clinical Professor at the University of Iowa College of Medicine.

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 & M4 students, community-based, and MECO students.

Matthew Arnold, Pharm.D.

Dr. Arnold received his Pharm.D. from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2012. After graduation, Dr. Arnold completed his residency in family medicine at Siouxland Medical Education Foundation in Sioux City, Iowa. He is also an appointed adjunct faculty member of the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. Dr. Arnold joins the faculty to assist with resident and student education of pharmacotherapy and drug management practices.

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.