Mitchell Keena, DO
Internal Medicine Chief Resident
University of North Dakota
Which residency or fellowship program are you currently in?
I graduated from internal medicine residency in 2025 from the University of North Dakota and am currently completing a chief resident year at the same institution.
Why did you choose internal medicine? If you’re in fellowship, why did you choose that subspecialty?
I chose internal medicine because it perfectly blends my passion for diagnostic reasoning with the complexity of managing diverse medical conditions. I’m drawn to the intellectual challenge of piecing together clinical clues to uncover the root of a patient’s illness. Beyond that, internal medicine offers a unique opportunity to build meaningful relationships and care for people oftentimes in their most vulnerable state. I value the trust patients place in their internal medicine physician, and I’m inspired by the chance to walk alongside them through both uncertainty and recovery. This specialty allows me to be both a detective and a compassionate healer, and I am privileged to be in this career path.
What lesson(s) did you learn in residency or fellowship that will help you for the rest of your career?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned during residency is the importance of growth through support and perseverance. I started residency feeling behind my peers, which was humbling and at times discouraging. However, with the guidance of supportive colleagues and engaged leadership, I was able to catch up quickly and gain confidence in my clinical skills. Their patience and encouragement taught me that vulnerability is not weakness—it’s a part of learning. I appreciate the power of a strong team and the resilience that comes from leaning into challenges with humility and determination.
What are your plans for after residency or fellowship? What factors or advice from mentors contributed to your decision?
I plan to stay on as a chief resident for the upcoming academic year and as a hospitalist thereafter. The ability to care for people with a wide breadth of pathology at their most vulnerable is an immense privilege.
How has being a member of ACP helped you in your professional life? What resources have been most helpful to you?
ACP has been an integral part of my residency experience. Board prep with MKSAP, various College publications, and comprehensive ACP annual meetings are just a few of the areas that I have been involved in that have given me a wider understanding of what it means to be an internal medicine physician. I have had the opportunity to participate in Doctor’s Dilemma®, ACP’s resident competition at the annual meetings, which was a great way to reinvigorate my appreciation of internal medicine. Most importantly, the ability to network and build relationships with both local and national ACP members has been the most impactful way that ACP has been a part of my residency path.