About

Let's be honest. Life as a medical wife has its challenges. Often our lives are uprooted from families and familiarity. Our spouses work long, difficult hours. We find ourselves "on call" with our spouses, isolated and exhausted, burning the midnight oil. Side By Side simply exists to bring you support. We are a community of women that understand this unique journey - full of demands and rewards - and we believe that we stand stronger together. So, bring your laughter, your tears, your crazy. We're here with you "striving, side by side".

Side By Side is a growing ministry for women with unique backgrounds across the nation and world. Beginning with six women meeting around a kitchen table in Rochester, Minnesota in 1988, today, there are more than 60 chapters in cities across the country. Women who are married to medical and dental students, residents, fellows, and consultants are connecting to support each other and grow in faith together. Officially part of the Christian Medical & Dental Association, SBS is a non-denominational, Bible-based ministry that is evangelical in nature. While this is a Christian ministry, all people from diverse backgrounds are welcome.

How did SBS start? It's a neat story, probably best told by the founder herself, over some warm coffee, next to a cackling fireplace with Jim Brickman playing in the background. Ok, ok. So it was 1987, and Robin Morgenthaler moved from the warm, tropical Hawaii with her husband to Rochester MN. And over food and new friendships, that's where it all began...Read more...

Side By Side Twin Cities Leadership Team

We are excited you are interested in joining us! The Twin Cities Chapter started in 2015, and we are committed to building a community of support through prayer, relationships, and taking care of each other such as providing meals for new moms. We meet weekly for a book study, and have various fun events throughout the year, including play dates, Ladies' Night Out, and holiday parties. We look forward to walking with you throughout your medical journey!

Megan Cuevas


In between pursuing an advanced degree in pediatric nursing & working as an ER nurse, Megan loves to get outside - biking, canoeing, hiking, snowboarding, snowshoeing, walking her dog, you name it. She also loves to travel - and one day hopes to do a medical mission. Her husband is a Family Med PGY2. 

Her life verse/chapter is Psalms 18:1-3, 6,16:

"I love you LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the LORD who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies...But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters." 

Jeanine Hirst Bruen

Previously trained as a Registered Nurse, Jeanine is CEO of the Bruen Homestead along with her sidekick 3 year old son. Her husband is an EM/IM consultant. She loves quilting and reading about quilts, and speaks Russian.

Her life verse is Isaiah 40: 31: "But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

Amenah A. Agunwamba

Along with raising three spunky girls, Amenah teaches and conducts research in social epidemiology (read: linking social causes with health) alongside clinicians and health services researchers. In her spare time, she runs the Agunwamba Academy, enjoys music and poetry, and dreams of running a Bed & Breakfast/Farm ministry. Her husband is in family medicine.

Her life verse/chapter is basically  the entire chapter of Matthew 7, a highlighted excerpt : "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened."

Michele Burns

Michele has a BSc in Marketing from Minnesota State U Moorhead, and previously worked for a Montessori School. Along with scrap-booking in her spare time, Michele hangs out with her sweet baby girl while plotting to own a business. Her husband is an attending in Emergency Medicine.

Her life verse is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."