Dr. Poponea grew up in Waterford, MI and has spent most of his adult life there. He attended Michigan State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science with a minor in Hispanic Studies in 2009. In 2010, he began his medical education at MSUCOM Detroit campus and entered residency training in internal medicine at Mclaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, MI. Dr. Poponea went on to complete a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Mclaren Oakland in 2019 and he began his post-training career by traveling around the country working in ICUs during the covid-19 pandemic. For the last three years, Dr. Poponea’s practice has consisted of travel work in 10 states and dozens of hospitals ranging from small community hospitals to large academic referral centers in the capacity as both an inpatient intensivist and also an outpatient pulmonologist. He is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, critical care medicine, and he is pursuing board certification in neurocritical care. His academic interests include advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy, neurocritical care, asthma, and medical education. Outside of medicine, he enjoys outdoor pursuits involving camping, hiking, rock climbing, and skiing. Later this year he will be moving to the southwest to join a private practice pulmonary group in Phoenix; but despite this, he remains a Michigander at heart.