Drs. Jared Neeley and Benjamin Telford selected as Assistant Chief Residents 2026-2027
By Anastazia Hartman | June 23
Dr. Andrew Valesano, 2026-2027 Chief Resident for the Department of Pathology, is pleased to announce Drs. Jared Neeley and Benjamin Telford as the upcoming Assistant Chief Residents for the academic year 2026-2027.
About Jared Neeley
Jared grew up in Dallas, Texas, and studied trombone performance at Brigham Young University, where he developed a love of teaching and mentorship while serving as a chemistry TA and a private trombone instructor. He returned to Dallas for medical school at UT Southwestern. There, his pre-clerkship histology and gross pathology attendings inspired him with their vast knowledge of human pathology and their microscope skills. He sought to pass on this inspiration while working as a histology teaching assistant. During medical school, he and his wife, Madie, had two children: Eliza (5) and Roscoe (2). Jared was thrilled to match at the University of Michigan and has enjoyed opportunities to help with SAS grossing sessions and to serve as a resident huddle leader. He is an aspiring surgical pathologist with a special interest in breast pathology and cytopathology. Outside of work, Jared enjoys spending time with his family of four (and their cat, George), cooking, cycling, camping, and taking in all the nature Michigan has to offer.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to serve this program and its residents as chief resident. My first two years in this program have been greatly enhanced by the guidance and support of amazing chief residents, and I hope to provide that same support to our current and future residents. Being a resident in such an outstanding program is both a blessing and a responsibility. I am committed to upholding and improving our training environment while helping ensure that all of our residents can be successful now and in the future.”
About Benjamin Telford
Ben grew up in Provo, Utah, where he completed his undergraduate degree in Biotechnology at Utah Valley University. While there, he developed a love for laboratory medicine and mentorship through serving as a biotech TA, research lab manager, and biology/chemistry tutor. He moved to Michigan in 2020 to attend medical school at Michigan State University. Though initially interested in pathology, it wasn't until he experienced the role of a pathologist firsthand during an elective rotation that his passion for the field was solidified. Although not native to the Midwest, he, his wife, Karen, and their three children fell in love with Michigan's natural beauty during medical school and were ecstatic to match at the University of Michigan. During residency, he has enjoyed participating in research projects, such as analyzing the downstream impact of the clinical laboratory on patient care. He is an aspiring molecular and hematopathologist. In his free time, Ben enjoys playing board games, exploring the outdoors with his wife and kids, and indulging in the occasional "dad" joke.
"I’ve been privileged to benefit from the amazing culture of excellence and peer support cultivated by outstanding chief residents. I’m excited for the opportunity to build on that foundation, carry forward the traditions that make our program so special, and support my co-residents with the same spirit of collaboration and care."
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