Transitional Year Program Staff
Interim 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 since 2013 and is now excited to take on Neurology this year are program director!
In his spare time, Dr. Teeple enjoys CrossFit, hanging out with his dog, enjoying the beautiful southwest weather, and traveling with his family.
Assistant Director
Jason Wright, M.D.
Jason E. Wright, MD is board certified in internal medicine and radiology and completed fellowships in nuclear medicine and body MRI at the University of Arizona. He graduated from Georgetown University Medical School in 2007 and currently practices abdominal and nuclear radiology in Tucson.
Having trained at Tucson Medical Center during his internal medicine residency and now practicing there as a radiologist, Dr. Wright feels very much at home at TMC and has a deep appreciation for the institution, its people, and its educational mission.
Dr. Wright enjoys working with trainees and is particularly interested in helping interns develop clinical confidence, competence, and empathy as they transition from medical school to residency. His evolving clinical interests include point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), which he sees as a natural bridge between internal medicine and radiology. He has participated in clinical education work in Central America and hopes to continue developing this global health aspect of his career.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Wright’s life centers on his family—his wife of 21 years and their four children, ages 8 to 17—and his faith. He finds joy in music, laughter, and family travel; likes fast cars, the beach, and fishing; and is often exploring new ideas and skills. He was a philosophy major as an undergraduate and currently studies music and piano.
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.
