Medicine-Pediatrics Residents

Zoe Burrow

Hometown: Greenfield, IN

Fun Fact: I sang at the Indiana governor's inauguration with my college choir

Ask Me About: books, baking, board games, coffee, movies, my cat Momo, the Chicago Cubs, and whatever else you can think of!

What Brought You to Baystate: I immediately fell in love with the staff and residents when I interviewed with Baystate for the curated culture of caring, thoughtful practice of medicine with their patients and advanced education with their graduate medical education. The community here with its respect for patients, families, and each other set Baystate apart when I was deciding where to complete the next phase of my training. Even far from home, I know I've found a new home!

Tarek Firzli

Hometown: I was born in Santa Monica, CA and grew up in Phoenix, AZ.

Fun Fact: Growing up some of my hobbies were tennis, judo, reading and anything outdoors. For college I went to ASU where I studied mathematics and got deep into outdoor rock climbing. Ready for some adventure after school I spent a couple years rock climbing and travelling. Afterwards I became a high school math teacher for several years where I met my wife. During this time I decided that I wanted to pursue medicine.

I attended the University of Nevada Reno where I lived for 4 years prior to coming to Baystate for residency! I have too many interests to count but also like woodworking, investing and hanging out with my two wonderful dogs Colby and Brie (yes, named after the cheeses).
What brought me to Baystate: The supportive culture and focus on excellence in education

Claudia Heritage

Hometown: Saratoga Springs, NY Medical School: SUNY Upstate Norton College of Medicine

Fun Fact: I'm an expert at finding 4 leaf clovers!

Ask Me About: Skiing, hiking, paddle boarding, how to make the perfect s'more, navigating residency with a non-medicine partner, having a pet in residency, or anything Med-Peds related

What Brought You to Baystate: I chose Baystate because of the people! I could tell from my interview day how genuine everyone was and saw how close all the residents were with one another! My co-residents and I are already so close and I know I've made the right decision. I was also drawn to the Mason Square clinic, as having a dedicated Med-Peds continuity clinic was very important to me!

Eghosa Igbinobaro

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Fun fact: I used to be part of my high school marching band and I played the saxophone

Ask me about: Afrobeats Music, step aerobics

What brought you to Baystate:love that the program has Huge Med- Peds community and the innovative learner- Manager- Teacher model which will foster autonomy in caring for patients.

Hannah Little

Hometown: Port Angeles, WA

Fun Fact: I volunteered at an insectarium (a bug zoo) for 3 years! I love arthropods and science education.

Ask Me About: Spelunking, hiking misadventures, and movies.

What Brought You to Baystate: I was incredibly fortunate to do an away rotation at Baystate towards the beginning of my fourth year, and it set the bar. All members of the team were active in not only patient care, but the support and education of the residents. The Med Peds Baystate program is upfront with their values of lifelong learning and care for patients, ourselves, and each other, and consistently demonstrated those values. I am so fortunate to become part of this Med-Peds family!

Avery Roland

Hometown: Chattanooga, TN

Fun Fact: I am an ordained minister(and I became ordained in college so I would have a good fun fact that was unique but not too much of a brag.)

Ask Me About: My baking addiction - I love making macaroons. Also, I am a big sports fan.. .coming from the south this mostly means college, so go Vols (aka Tennessee). But I also love playing sand volleyball when I can.

What Brought You to Baystate: Honestly, it was the vibe of the program during the interview that really drew me in. I felt a profound sense of community coming from faculty and residents, and I knew it was something I wanted to be part of. It was also evident that the culture at Baystate recognizes that to take care of patients you also need to take care of yourself. Finally, since my passions are in global health, which I personally define as improving health care access and disparities for all people everywhere, being at a residency program, like Baystate, that serves both urban and rural underserved communities was crucial.

Alexis Watson

Hometown: I grew up in Porterville, CA – a town in central CA. I moved to CO for my undergrad education at the University of Denver where I studied Biology and Psychology After I stayed in CO for two gap years to work as a behavioral health technician in an inpatient psych hospital. I then came to MA to attend medical school at UMass.

Fun Fact: I have been skydiving! (and would love to go again)

Ask Me About: podcast recommendations, books, video games

What Brought You to Baystate: Having been in MA for med school, the reputation of Baystate as an excellent place to receive training spoke for itself. During interview day, it was clear the program provided a supportive environment from leadership to policies that make wellness during residency a possibility. It was also important to me to find a program that was attentive to the needs of its surrounding community. All in all, I could see myself thriving as part of the Med-Peds family at Baystate!

Katia Yazji

Hi, I’m Katia! I am originally from Athens, Greece, but was raised in Kuwait for 18 years. I spent 6 years in Dublin, Ireland, where I attended medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and now am fortunate to be starting my residency in Medicine-Pediatrics at Baystate!

I knew from very early on in my medical career that I wanted to become a specialist in a field where I could develop life-long relationships with my patients and their families. After discovering that Medicine-Pediatrics could give me the opportunity to care for patients from early childhood into adulthood while also providing me with a depth and breadth of both inpatient and outpatient training, a Medicine-Pediatrics rotation at Baystate’s Mason Square as an MS3 sealed the deal for me. All the residents I got to work with were kind, patient, generous with their time and eager to teach. They became a group of people that I felt I would be privileged to call co-residents. I also felt incredibly supported by program leadership and the Med-Peds attendings I worked with. Their passion and commitment to their community, patients and residents was unparalleled. Choosing Med-Peds and choosing Med-Peds at Baystate was the easiest decision I‘ve made.

In my free time I enjoy cooking, baking, playing pickleball and exploring the local food scene. Small fun facts about myself: I have traveled to 28 countries and have lived in 4 countries. I enjoy travelling and am always happy to give any travel recommendations!

APEKSHA ASHOK KUMAR, MD

State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Hi, my name is Apeksha! I was born and raised in India until I was 10 years old, when my family and I moved to Acton, Massachusetts. I grew up there until attending college at New York University in New York City and then going to medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY.

I’ve always known that I would go into pediatrics, but during medical school, I realized my passion for taking care of adult patients as well. I found that Med-Peds provided the perfect avenue for me to explore multiple opportunities! During my time in Syracuse, I worked with physician mentors to provide health information to a diverse refugee population. I also created a podcast with my peers to highlight important intersections between medicine and our community. I am interested in continuing refugee and immigrant healthcare, global health, as well as honing skills in medical education.

In my free time, I love listening to podcasts (ranging from pop culture to educational), cooking and baking (trying to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe), and exploring parks and trails. I am excited to return to Massachusetts and explore the Springfield area!

My interview day at Baystate emphasized a collaborative and supportive atmosphere that drew me to the program. It was also important to me to work with a diverse population of patients, faculty, and staff. After speaking with current residents and alumni, I knew Baystate would offer the training and support for my goals. I am excited to be a part of a great team at Baystate!

GRACE BUCKLEY, MD

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

I’ve come to Baystate all the way from Ireland (County Kildare). I lived in Ireland my entire life and was lucky enough to attend college in Dublin. I did my undergrad in Physiology in Trinity College Dublin and attended the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland for medical school. I worked as a doctor in Ireland for nearly 2 years prior to starting residency.

I have always had a passion for science, but also a passion for improving equality within society. Medicine allowed me to work closely with people and to blend those passions in a very tangible way.

Med-peds at Baystate felt like a program that focused on the career development and well-being of its residents, as well as the health and prosperity of the community it works with. For me, I wanted to work in a place that knew and responded to its community effectively and Baystate most definitely demonstrates those qualities.

I am looking forward to exploring my new neighbourhood, the nearby bike trail and the food scene around Springfield, MA. Also, I am excited to see if I can manage to grow anything in my new garden. I love all things music, art and comedy. And, I must confess I also love reality television (much to the dismay of everyone I have ever shared a living room with).

ALESSANDRA DE FRANCO, MD

Tufts University School of Medicine

TALIN HANDA, MD

University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Hi, I’m Talin! I grew up in Melbourne FL with my parents and sister and often visited extended family in Delhi, India. I went to Emory University in Atlanta, GA, where I majored in Neuroscience and Chemistry. While in college, I started a creative arts group, TheraMusic, with my friends in which we would go to the cancer center and perform for the patients. While in college, my research interests were in neuroendocrinology, focusing on gender and racial differences in Acromegaly and Cushing’s Disease. I came back to Florida where I went to University of Central Florida College of Medicine (UCF COM) in Orlando. Here, my research interests pivoted from adult to pediatric endocrinology, focusing on long-term endocrine outcomes in children undergoing craniopharyngioma resection.

I decided to pursue med-peds (and medicine in general!) based on my own experiences! In short, Med-Peds really appealed to me in terms of maintaining a therapeutic alliance with children into adulthood, something that I wished I had as a patient. Indeed, when I did an away rotation at Baystate's Mason Square clinic, being able to see whole families at once really confirmed that Med-Peds was the right choice!

At the same time, it was this rotation that really sealed my decision to come to Baystate! Everyone, from Dr. Munoz, Dr. Borden and Dr. Wretzel to the residents to the even the staff really made me feel like I was still home. Baystate's innovative learner-teacher-manager model in the wards coupled with working in one of the nation's oldest and strongest Med-Peds continuity clinic truly showed me that I can become a strong generalist while being set up well for a future combined Med-Peds Endocrinology fellowship! Outside of medicine, I enjoy listening to podcasts (Diary of a CEO, Ryan Holliday, and Jay Shetty are my go-to!), supporting Orlando City and Tottenham Hotspur, biking, rock climbing, playing piano, viola, video games and chess, and reading everything from finance to philosophy!

DIANE HASSANIEH, MD

Frank H Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University

Hi, I’m Diane! I was born in beautiful Beirut, Lebanon, and moved to the U.S. at 4 years old. I have since grown up in CT where I attended the University of CT and graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences and an English minor. Before medical school, I took a gap year where I kept myself busy working as a medical assistant for an Allergist/Immunologist, being a substitute preschool teacher, and volunteering as an EMT. I then stayed in CT and attended the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine where I served as President of my class and spent time volunteering in various teaching roles.

In my free time, I love to cook and bake. I experiment with new cake and cookie recipes and love to make character birthday cakes for my friends! I also enjoy hiking and exploring new walking trails. I am very close to my family and love to spend time with them, especially my nieces and my nephew! I raise backyard chickens with my dad and also have a pet cat.

I chose Baystate due to its strong Med-Peds presence, the emphasis on wellness, and the excellent teaching faculty. I had the opportunity to attend an away rotation at Baystate and felt at home with the friendly residents and attendings. The attendings were supportive while allowing appropriate autonomy and encouraging my growth as a physician. I am interested in primary care and enjoyed my interactions with patients at Mason Square Clinic and was especially impressed with the resources available for patients! Not to mention, my family is close by and I felt that I would benefit from their support during residency. I felt that I could truly make a difference in patients’ lives while receiving strong training at Baystate.

JOHN HOSMER-QUINT, MD

Ohio State University College of Medicine

Hello! I grew up in Columbia, Missouri and went to college at Lawrence University in Wisconsin. Since I was interested in too many things, I did a 5-year double degree program to get a BMus in Trumpet performance and a BA in Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences as well as Physics. After college I moved to Washington, DC to do research at the NIH (using single molecule microscopy to look at real-time protein translation) and tutor math/english/science. I eventually decided on medical school so I could combine my love of science, research, teaching and patient care. At Ohio State I completed advanced competencies in Point of Care Ultrasound, LGBTQ+ Health, and Family Planning and Reproductive Health. Since I continued to be interested in everything, I chose Med-Peds for residency so that I could continue seeing patients of all ages with every kind of diseases.

Outside of medicine, I've kept up my musical interests through playing trumpet in community orchestras, piano in my free time and directing medical themed A Capella groups at OSU and NIH. I also love hiking, backpacking, bicycling, cooking, woodworking and gardening. I'm excited to explore the beautiful mountains and forests of New England and find out what grows best here!

CHLOE JAMMES, MD

Georgetown University School of Medicine

Hi everyone! My name is Chloé, and I grew up in the Seattle area, surrounded by outdoor activities which kindled my great love of nature and being outside. I am French and my parents are from France. Going to visit family and exploring Europe inspired my love for traveling. I flew cross-country to DC to pursue undergrad and medical school at Georgetown University and now call the East Coast home, a midway point between Seattle and France. At Georgetown, I developed interests first in global health and then in climate health, leading me to be an advocate of disease prevention.

I am hoping to be a primary care physician who can advocate for my patients, foster trusting relationships, and work within a team. I love Baystate’s robust ambulatory care experience with the Mason Square Clinic and know that they will prepare me for a career in primary care. The program’s emphasis on building community and growing as we progress through residency with the Learner-Manager-Teacher model are also reasons why I am excited about Baystate. Also, there are so many outdoor adventures that await which will keep my Seattleite heart happy! I look forward to exploring New England, eating all the wonderful food, going on hikes, practicing yoga and meditation outside in the summer, and cooking meals with friends!

ADINA PALEY, MD

Tufts University School of Medicine

Hi, my name is Adina! I was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City and then went to Haverford College in Pennsylvania where I studied Chemistry and Health Studies. After graduation, I spent a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA in South Carolina working on community mental health and financial stability initiatives before coming to Massachusetts to join the Tufts MD/MPH program. While in medical school, I focused on my interests in medical education and mentorship, as well as epidemiological research on the intersection of infectious diseases and social determinants of health.

Outside of medicine, I can be found outdoors going for a hike, or indoors with a cup of tea solving crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, or any other type of puzzle. I also enjoy circus arts and performing on aerial rope.

I was drawn to Baystate because of the strong Med-Peds identity, the dedication to resident education with the Learner-Manager-Teacher model, and the high level of engagement with the local community. The warmth and supportiveness of the residents and faculty were evident throughout my interview day, and I am thrilled to be a part of this team!

DIANE CHOI, DO

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hi, I’m Diane! I was born in Seoul, South Korea but spent most of my life in New York. I attended NYU for undergrad and graduated with a degree in Biochemistry. Then, I took one gap year working as a lab technician and doing clinical research.

In medical school, I developed a passion in studying Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and other complex, chronic diseases, and consequently, an interest in transitional care. I also have many other interests, which is one of the countless reasons why I chose Med/Peds!

I was confident that Baystate would be the place for me after I reached out and talked to some alumni of the program. Their enthusiastic spirit and detailed impressions when talking about their experiences in the program including how the program positively impacted their lives after residency were big influences in my decision. I also loved the Learner-Manager-Teacher model of the program. I’m incredibly excited and happy to be a part of an amazing team.

As for hobbies, I love exploring new restaurants, taking long scenic walks, binge-watching shows, singing, and dancing. I’ve been also getting into hiking (I have a personal goal to hike at least one trail every month during residency) and playing guitar!

GABRIELLE CINTRON, MD

CUNY School of Medicine

Hello! My name is Gabrielle Cintron but everyone calls me Gaby, and you should too! I was born and raised in NYC (specifically, Far Rockaway in Queens, the best borough ever) and I attended the Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program at the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Medicine, which is a 7 year BS/MD program. During those long 7 years I was a class representative for 4, took an interest in narrative medicine, and did diabetes research focusing on islet cell proliferation and pharmacology.
In my downtime I enjoy cooking, baking, listening to music, and exploring new places. I also watch YouTubers and Twitch streamers on a variety of subjects.

What really attracted me to Baystate was the fact that there is a huge catchment area, and we get some of the most complex and unique pathologies in the Northeast. We also see patients of all types, whether they live in the city or on a farm and learn to manage their health with their respective socioeconomic factors. You also can’t deny the benefits of working at Mason Square, where you have your own patient panel with amazing resources and support for your learning and your patients’ care.

GILBERT GARBISO, MD

University of Miami Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Hi everyone, I’m Gilbert! Im a non-traditional student entering residency as a proud papa of two (a toddler and newborn). I was born and raised in Colorado and took the long way around to the wonderful of world of Med-Peds. I found my way to medical school first by finding my joy in medicine as a hospital phlebotomist. From there I returned to college, ultimately graduating from Columbia University and subsequently University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

I chose Baystate because of an amazing combination of attributes. It serves the most diverse socioeconomic population in Massachusetts, it is a tertiary referral center for a huge catchment area, it has a broad range of setting types with numerous satellite hospitals, it boasts a resident/faculty panel full of life experience/cultural diversity and, last but not least, it was clearly a place where residents and employees were happy. I am beyond joyful to continue my journey towards becoming an adult and pediatric hospitalist here with my new Med-Peds family.

Outside of medicine, you can find me begging for naps… usually unsuccessfully. When I do have energy and the time, I have a passion for long, spontaneous road trips, taking portraits/photos of people, getting outdoors (so excited to get hiking, river fishing and snow sports back into my life), music festivals, binge watching TV series/all things Marvel, grilling/smoking/cooking/baking or otherwise just enjoying life with my beautiful wife Cynthia, my vibrant daughter Sienna, my fiery son Gael, my loyal pup Leica and my eccentric cat Stevie (as in Stevie Nicks). Feel free to reach out to me about anything, especially life as a non-traditional student, parenting in medical school/residency, or anything Med-Peds!

JANHAVI GIRIBHATTANAVAR, MD

Albany Medical College

My name is Janhavi and I grew up in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, before heading to The College of William and Mary for my undergrad in biology and classical studies. I was able to work as a scribe in a local ER for a year before joining Albany Medical College. I learned about the Med-Peds residency my 4th day of med school and immediately felt drawn to it! I loved the idea of having such a wide ranging training which really prepares you for every aspect of medicine. All my clinical experiences during med school reinforced the utility of a Med-Peds training, whether that was in the NICU or on my palliative care rotation.

In my free time, I love reading, especially science fiction, fantasy, and murder mysteries. I have a little vegetable and herb garden I'm tending to during the summer and am excited to break in my hiking boots in the Berkshires. I also love board games, ramen, and good beer, and especially love when I can combine my interests with spending time with friends and family!

I knew I wanted to be somewhere that was supportive of my personal and professional goals for the next four years, and Baystate felt like the right fit. I have a strong interest in endocrinology and am very excited to spend these four years working with amazing Med-Peds physicians!

ROBERT MANGES, MD

University of Iowa Roy J and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine

Hello! My name is Rob, I came to Baystate from lovely Iowa City, where I went to medical school at University of Iowa. I was born and raised in Petoskey, Michigan but came to Iowa in 2012 to attend Luther College, where I studied biology and philosophy. After graduating from Luther College I worked as a nursing student and then a clinical research intern at University of Iowa Hospital. As a medical student I continued doing research on indoor air quality and COPD, particularly in the developing world among women who cook using biofuels. During my fourth year at University of Iowa I was also privileged to lobby the Iowa state legislature as an intern with OneIowa, Iowa’s most prominent LGBTQ+ nonprofit. As a future pediatrician with interests in adolescent and gender affirming medicine, it was an incredible opportunity to work in Des Moines during a legislative session that directly affected those populations.

When I’m not at work I maintain a plethora of hobbies, including camping in my vintage 1992 Winnebago Warrior motorhome, lounging in my above ground pool, gardening, and hanging out with my lovely pets and fiancé Jillian. We were incredibly lucky to be able to buy a home in West Springfield. The opportunity to serve both an urban and rural catchment area, in a state with robust public healthcare is truly unique to Baystate. I couldn’t be more excited to learn and grow as a physician under the guidance of the Baystate Med-Peds faculty.

EVAN MARZOUK, MD

State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine

Hi! My name is Evan. I grew up on Long Island, NY and then went to Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY where I studied Neuroscience. After college, I worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where I was a Research Study Assistant on the T-Cell Lymphoma team. I loved living in Brooklyn, so I was super happy to continue on to SUNY Downstate for medical school, where I was involved in the Oncology Club and the Health Equity and Social Justice Workgroup. If you can’t tell, I’m interested in pursuing a Heme-Onc fellowship after residency, though I am keeping an open mind! I haven’t quite decided if I want to do pediatrics or adult medicine (or both…or something in between) which is how I landed on pursuing Med-Peds for residency.

I was drawn to Baystate because the residents and the program leadership and administration were all welcoming and were genuinely happy. There was a strong family-feel to the program that I wanted to be a part of. Not only the Med-Peds program, but the institution as a whole makes resident education and wellness a top priority. Additionally, it was important to me to work with a diverse and underserved patient population.

Outside of medicine, I am a huge New York Islanders fan. I am always happy to talk about all things hockey! At home, you can find me playing guitar, cello, or piano, perfecting my sourdough bread recipe, or playing Rocket League. I also have the two cutest cats in the world, Beau and Bailey! There’s nothing better than coming home to them after a long day at the hospital.

SAMANTHA PENDLETON, DO

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hello, my name is Samantha! I am originally from Indiana, where I completed my undergraduate degree in pharmaceutical sciences at Purdue and my master’s in health administration at Indiana University. However, I’ve spent the last several years in beautiful New England between Falmouth, MA and the state of Maine where I studied medicine at University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

I fell in love with Baystate during two rotations during my fourth year of medical school, including an ambulatory rotation in the Med-Peds Clinic. Everyone I met was incredibly welcoming and passionate, which helped make Baystate feel like home. I could tell right away that I would be supported through all the ups and downs of residency and that both in and outside of the hospital and clinic I would have a family. Although I am a classic Med-Peds resident who loves everything and can’t decide what my future career holds (oops…) I am very happy to know Baystate will continue to foster my passions in population health and LGBTQAI+ care.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy hiking, skiing, playing board games with friends, and attending way too many Broadway musicals. I also love dancing and finding local classes to learn new styles. When time allows, you can also find me moonlighting as a Disney princess for my non-profit organization.

ALYSSA PURDY, MD

State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Hi, my name is Alyssa! I grew up in Syracuse, NY. I attended the University of Scranton for undergrad where I studied Biology. Before medical school, I worked as Head Start teacher and volunteered in Ghana, with Unite For Sight, a nonprofit that aims to increase global access to ophthalmology care. I returned to Syracuse for medical school and attended SUNY Upstate. While in medical school, I had the opportunity to work closely with the global health department on multiple projects in Syracuse and in Kenya. I spent much of my fourth year of medical school working to increase access to Covid19 vaccines and testing in the diverse refugee population living in Syracuse.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy being outdoors. I love going for hikes and spending time on the Connecticut River! I also love traveling to new places to check off my bucket list and trying all of the local cuisine.

I chose Baystate because of the supportive and strong Med-Peds environment that was evident on my interview day. I was particularly drawn to the Mason Square clinic as it is a true Med-Peds clinic with unique resources for the patient population served at the clinic!

RUCHA VYAS, MD

ALFREDO COLON, MD

Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine

Hello! My name is Alfredo Colon, and I come from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. I have a Bachelor’s in molecular biology and a masters degree in medical sciences. During my medical education at Ponce Health Sciences University, my passion for education, mentorship and community service flourished. It was during this time that I discovered the importance of creating long lasting relationships with patients therefore facilitating patient-centered care.

Outside of my time of medicine, I enjoy listening to music, playing the guitar, watching movies & TV shows, playing video games, and exercising. And yes, there is time to continue doing the things you love, even in residency!

I chose Baystate because despite the virtual interview format, I felt a real connection with the faculty and residents I spoke with. It reassured me this would be an excellent place to train as a physician and to grow as a person. It was clear quite early to me that Baystate created a welcoming learning environment that prepares all its residents well for their future practice. Since my arrival, I have yet to see otherwise!

MINA ISKANDAR, MD

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain

Hi! My name is Mina Iskandar, and I am originally from Alexandria, Egypt. I went to school at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (the Bahrain Campus), and am beyond thrilled to have matched at UMMS-Baystate.

IMGs wanting to match into the United States have some difficulty navigating medical school, as they adhere to their home medical school's graduation requirements, arduous as they are, while also preparing for (and taking) USMLE examinations and facing the air-tight National Residency Matching Program. God knows how difficult my road was, and God knows just how challenging and competitive the 2021 NRMP Match season was.

Nevertheless, I am so blessed and lucky to have matched into one of the oldest and most impactful Internal Medicine/Pediatrics residency programs: UMMS-Baystate.

We are tested every day in a challenging yet highly protected and nurturing environment to learn, to push our boundaries of knowledge, to apply ever-evolving skillsets into practice, and to show compassion and sow trust in our patients that are in dire need of compassion and trust.

As such, your work has an impact here, despite being an intern, because that's the philosophy at UMMS-Baystate: you matter, your work matters, and your patients see that. This holds true across all departments here, but is particularly so at UMMS-Baystate Internal Medicine/Pediatrics program.

NICOLE KASHER, MD

Technion Israel Institute of Technology

Hi, I’m Nicole! I grew up in Los Angeles, California. I completed my undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at UCLA and took a few years off to work on clinical research projects in Parkinson’s disease where I learned the value and necessity of advocating for patient rights and education. I made my first move to the (south!)east coast to complete a degree in public health in Atlanta, Georgia after which I moved abroad to Haifa, Israel to pursue my medical studies. Beginning in my first year there, I worked with a diverse, local, and interprofessional group of friends and colleagues to open Israel’s first free, student-run health center for underserved individuals. In this period, I was privileged to learn about the impact and importance of passion, teamwork, leadership through action, and our responsibility to social justice and change.

During my interview, I knew I wanted to be a part of Baystate because I saw those values represented in the program and in the physicians here. Equally important for me, I was able to feel how incredibly supportive, kind, and warm the atmosphere and people of Baystate are, even through the virtual interview setting! My interests in medicine are currently and very broadly women’s health and underserved health and I can’t wait to see how my next 4 years here helps me further mold my career goals!

My interests outside of medicine include cooking (vegan, Persian food), dancing, rock climbing, and board games like backgammon. I also love exploring new restaurants and being outdoors!

JESSICA MALHOTRA, MD

Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University

Hi! My name is Jess and I was born and raised in Stamford, CT. I got a degree in Chemistry from Quinnipiac University and spent a year working as a medical assistant, biller, and tutor for middle school students. I went back to Quinnipiac for medical school where I focused a lot on teaching and peer tutoring. I spent my third year in a rural hospital (Northern Maine Medical Center) all the way up in Fort Kent, ME for a longitudinal core clerkship and loved it! My career interests go far and wide, currently including medical education, hospitalist medicine, and possibly GI or critical care, who knows where Med-Peds will take me!

When I’m not in the hospital or at clinic, I like to cook, play with my two dogs, watch TV with my partner, or play an occasional arc of Dungeons and Dragons with my family. You may also hear me singing quite loudly in my car on my drive into the parking garage. I’m trying to improve my knitting skills but I still have a long way to go, so far my repertoire solely consists of scarves and mittens.

I chose Baystate because everyone I met on interview day seemed really happy and motivated. I thought I would be welcomed with warm arms (and I was!) and Baystate had everything I wanted in a Med-Peds program. Most of my family is still in CT so being near them is really great too. So far working at Baystate is everything I had hoped for and more. I’m excited to see what the rest of my 4 years here will bring!

JORGE RIVERA, MD

University of Illinois College of Medicine

My name is Jorge and I was born and raised in the Chicagoland area (Bloomingdale to be specific). I graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in pre-medicine and anthropology. I took a year off to do a small research project in anthropology and volunteer at local hospital while also starting to interview for medical school. I went to the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago where I discovered my love for Med-Peds and how versatile the specialty could be. My career interests include medical education, primary care, maybe Med-Peds heme onc…but ask me again in a few months and that might all change.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy eating, watching too many TV shows at the same time, taking a nice walk, yoga and dancing.

I chose Baystate because during my interview, I got an instant sense of the supportive atmosphere the program has cultivated. They really emphasize making sure you are doing well and everyone from the residents to the leadership check in on you throughout the year. This was proven tenfold during my first week of working on the wards when many of the Med Peds seniors took the time out of their busy schedule to make sure my co-intern and I were doing okay. Other major pluses include, but are not limited to, the emphasis that Baystate puts on educating their residents to be thoughtful physicians and the clinic at Mason Square.

LILLIAN SEO, MD

School of Medicine at Dartmouth

My name is Lily, and I'm from Westport, CT. I spent most of my life on the East Coast before making a four-year foray to the Midwest where I attended the University of Michigan for undergrad (Go Blue!) and completed my degree in computer science. I came back closer to home for medical school, spending the last four years in New Hampshire where I went to Dartmouth for medical school and learned to embrace the beautiful outdoors - which Western Mass has plenty to boast about!

I chose Baystate initially because of the warmth and support that translated so powerfully even through Zoom, and that I found to be even more genuine when I finally met everyone in person. The people here are passionate, kind, and mission-driven. Since being here, I have been humbled and inspired by the culture of support that I encounter every day. The dedication of upper-year residents and attendings to supporting all the Bambi-legged interns is incredible. The Learner-Manager-Teacher model of medical training here is also unique and a really effective way of lending graduated autonomy. I did not come across any other program on the interview trail with this kind of model, and I'm glad I'm at a place that approaches medical education so thoughtfully. Lastly, my interest lies in correctional health and prison medicine, as well as all the advocacy and social justice work that inevitably lies in that work. Baystate has many people dedicated to this kind of work, taking advocacy to its most meaningful ends.

Outside of medicine, I love taking long walks outside (catch me on the rail trail in Northampton!), hiking (so many peaks to explore in the area), baking, and trying all the amazing local ice cream shops (despite my GI system's apparent lack of adequate enzymes to handle that much dairy).  

AMANDA WHITEHOUSE, MD

University of Massachusetts Medical School - PURCH Track

My name is Amanda. I grew up south of Boston. I did my undergrad at University of Michigan (Go Blue!). I spent some time between college and medical school teaching sixth grade science (chemistry, anatomy and space oh my!) and doing some device innovation research in T1DM at Joslin Diabetes Center.

I attended the University of Massachusetts SOM for medical school and was part of the first graduating class of PURCH. Through this program, we did some of our pre-clinical work in Springfield and all of our clinical years at Baystate. In medical school, I was very involved with state and national health policy as a way to intervene on social drivers of health that disproportionately impact historically disenfranchised communities, like Springfield and some of the surrounding towns. I hope to continue this work as a resident.

I chose Baystate for a number of reasons. First, I am interested in medical education and this institution is really committed to educating residents through their innovative learner, manager, teacher model. They also have many opportunities to help residents to become good educators. Second, the patient population that we have the privilege of taking care of is passionate and resilient. In addition, there are so many brilliant community organizers working to push the needle towards a healthier community and as we know good healthcare delivery takes a village. Third, my sub-I at Mason Square fourth year really sealed the deal. In addition to taking care of patients in MSQ neighborhood, the providers/preceptors here are second to none. They do amazing community-based medicine and top-notch primary care, they are constantly learning and they love teaching residents! It is awesome having role models, whose practice you hope to emulate.

Outside of medicine, I love living in the valley! (Sometimes people from eastern MA forget there is life beyond 495, guilty..). I have a pandemic pup, named Bader. Much of my free time is spent hanging with her! We love hiking and checking out new breweries, of which there are many. There is lots of great food in the area. It has also been so fun getting to know co-residents—dinners, board games, bike rides—the people who choose Baystate are great! I also love the proximity to Boston, NYC and Cape Cod because I am still able to see family easily. There might be something to this whole "Western MA, "Best'ern MA!

Resident education at UMass Chan-Baystate is unique in that the primary responsibility of both our academic Internal Medicine and Pediatric attendings is to teach residents.

We have an innovative Learner-Manager-Teacher educational model that allows us to develop graduated autonomy and confidence in caring for our patients. As Learners, we are supervised by our senior residents and attendings who help foster our practical and clinical reasoning skills. In second year, we become Managers and work one-on-one with our attendings, which allows us to develop our own approach to patients. Then as Teachers, we come full circle, focusing on our own teaching skills as we help instruct our junior residents in caring for patients.

We are proud to be an integral part of our dedicated med-peds clinic, Mason Square, which was one of the first combined med-peds residency clinics in the country! Mason Square not only strives to provide excellent primary care for one of the lowest income and medically complex neighborhoods in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You will find many of our graduates in careers ranging from local to global, urban to rural, generalist to sub-specialist. We truly believe no matter the career you are working towards, UMass Chan-Baystate will readily prepare you and help advance your journey toward your goals.

If you were to poll our residents about what brought them to Baystate, you will often hear about the people.

Here, we foster educational growth and medical competency in an atmosphere that equally emphasizes resident wellbeing. Our culture at Baystate places a strong emphasis on wellness and support which comes in a variety of forms. Every intern is paired with a Med-Peds peer mentor from the beginning of the year to guide them through residency. Outside of our own program we form strong relationships with our categorical residents and have a dedicated EAP counselor for residents across all programs. When we’re not at the hospital, you will find us having dinner together, hiking, visiting any of the local orchards/wineries/breweries, enjoying Thunderbirds games, going to the beach, or exploring nearby cities!

And when we’re not at the hospital, you will find us having dinner together, hiking, planning birthday parties, visiting any of the local orchards/wineries/breweries, enjoying Thunderbirds games, going to the beach, sailing or exploring nearby cities!

Our supportive family does not stop with the residents. Our program directors and coordinators all provide unending guidance when we need it most with an open door policy. Not to mention, the Med-Peds office is always well-stocked with espresso and snacks! Being one of the largest residency programs at Baystate, we are fortunate to have an established presence where we are taught by many med-peds trained faculty who have graduated from Baystate as well.

Western Massachusetts is a fantastic place to live!

Springfield itself has many things to offer including museums, the Basketball Hall of Fame, and a variety of delicious restaurants to hit up after work. As you head north into the Pioneer Valley, you can find yourself exploring the bustling New England towns of Easthampton, Northampton, Holyoke, Hadley, and Amherst, each with great eats, bakeries, or ice cream.

There are many nearby areas for hiking, swimming, skiing, and biking to keep you busy at all times of the year. Our location makes it convenient to travel for a day or weekend away to cities such as Boston, Saratoga, Providence, and NYC. We are 30 minutes away from Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, which makes long-distance or international travel very accessible.

No matter where you end up training to become an Internal Medicine-Pediatrics physician, it is an extremely rewarding and worthwhile career. If you have any questions about Baystate or Med-Peds in general, we would be happy to help you! Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.

Sincerely,

Sara, Jamie, and Jessica
Med-Peds Chief Residents, 2022-2023

Charlotte Beers, MD

University of Rochester School of Medicine

Janette Farrell, MD

University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Jennifer Grom, MD

Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai

Stephanie Lawanto, MD

University of Utah School of Medicine

Sarah McCullough, DO

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Rachel Robinson, MD

Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans

Emily Ruseski, MD

University of Texas Medical School at Houston

Rachel Schmidt, MD

University of Kansas School of Medicine

SARA BRENNER, MD

University of California San Diego School of Medicine

MITCH MILSTEIN, MD

PETER MORTON, DO

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

MOJDEH MOSTAFAVI, MD

Tufts University School of Medicine

JAMIE SCHWARZ, DO

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

JESSICA URSO, DO

University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

LAUREN WAGENER, DO

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

DIANA YUSIM, MD

Albany Medical College

CRYSTAL COBB, DO

Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Adult Endocrinology Fellowship, Emory University School of Medicine

ANISHA CONTRACTOR, DO

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine

ANTHONY ESPOSITO, DO

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Adult Pulmonary / Critical Care Fellowship, New York Medical College

NICHOLAS KARR, MD

Medical School: Florida State University College of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Internal Medicine Chief Resident, University of Massachusetts Chan – Baystate Medical Center

LUCINDA LI, DO

Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia Campus
Post-Graduate Position: Hospitalist, Christiana Care, Delaware

KATHRYN O'BRIEN, DO

Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia Campus
Post-Graduate Position: Medicine-Pediatrics Nephrology Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

THOMAS PRESTI, MD

Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Adult Pulmonary / Critical Care Fellowship, University of Massachusetts Chan – Baystate Medical Center

JULIETA RODRIGUEZ, MD

Medical School: Albany Medical College
Post-Graduate Position: Medicine-Pediatrics Infectious Disease Fellowship, University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine

GREGORY CAMPBELL, MD

Medical School: University College Cork, Ireland
Post-graduate Position: Primary Care, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA

KEVIN HACHEY

Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health
Post-graduate Position: Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship, Indiana University School of Medicine

FAITH ANDREA IKALINA, MD

Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Post-graduate Position: Med-Peds Rheumatology Fellowship, Montefiore Medical Center/Einstein-NY

LAURA KVENVOLD, MD

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Med-Peds Infectious Disease Fellowship, University of Connecticut School of Medicine

MAXWELL NORRIS, MD

Medical School: State University of New York, Upstate Medical University
Post-graduate Position: Med-Peds Allergy and Immunology Fellowship, National Institutes of Health

ALEXANDER ROSEMAN, MD

Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School
Post-graduate Position: Med-Peds Hospitalist, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA and Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, MA

THERESA SEPULVEDA, MD

Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Infectious Disease Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

ADRIENNE TRAN, MD

Medical School: Keck School of Medicine, USC
Post-graduate Position: Adult and Newborn Nursery Hospitalist, Sharp/SDIMA, San Diego, CA

RITIKA WALIA, MD

Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Chief Resident, Internal Medicine Residency, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA

RAYMOND GEHERTY, MD

Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Post-graduate Position: Nephrology Fellowship, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC

CARLA JACOBS, DO

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Adult Hospitalist and Pediatric Emergency Medicine, UMMS/Baystate, Springfield, MA

JESSICA YUEN, MD

Medical School: John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Post-graduate Position: Primary Care Med-Peds, Waianae, HI

KEVIN HACHEY, MD

Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health
Post-graduate Position: Internal Medicine Chief Resident, UMMS/Baystate, Springfield, MA

CECILY WISWALL, MD

Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Primary Care Med-Peds, Baystate Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center, Springfield, MA

CHRISTOPHER LUMPKIN, MD

Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Emory Pediatric ICU Fellowship, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia

CARLY (MARTINIANO) BEBYN, DO

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Primary Care Med-Peds, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

KATHERINE MEALEY, MD

Medical School: Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University of Chicago
Post-graduate Position: Med-Peds Hospitalist, Philadelphia, PA

JAMIE BOWEN, MD

University of Utah School of Medicine
Post Graduate Position: Med-Peds Hospitalist, Baystate Medical Center

BENISON LAU, MD

University of Illinois College of Medicine
Post Graduate Position: Primary Care, Indian Health Service

DEIRDRE LEWIS, MD

University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Post Graduate Position: Pediatric Critical Care, Hofstra-Northwell

CELIA MARTINEZ, DO

University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post Graduate Position: Primary Care, Baystate Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center

JASON PHILLIPPI, MD

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Post Graduate Position: Hospital Medicine, Mission Hospital, Asheville, NC

JOSHUA PRICE, MD

University of Vermont College of Medicine
Post Graduate Position: Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, Seattle Children's Hospital

JONATHAN SAWICKI, MD

Tufts University School of Medicine
Post Graduate Position: Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship, University of Utah

ANGELA SLICK, MD

University of Utah School of Medicine
Post Graduate Position: Hospital Medicine, Providence Medical Group, Spokane, WA

CLARA CHU, MD

Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Med-Peds Primary Care, California

NURA EL HAJ, MD

Medical School: Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Fellowship, University of California, San Francisco, CA

GRACE KIM, MD

Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Medicine Nocturnist, White Plains Hospital

JESSICA PENNEY, MD, MPH

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Pediatric Chief Resident, UMMS – Baystate Medical Center

MATTHEW SHIEL, MD

Medical School: Albany Medical College
Post-Graduate Position: Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh

DAVID SORKIN, MD

Medical School: Albany Medical College
Post-Graduate Position: Med-Peds Hospitalist, Berkshire Medical Center

ANNA ZENNO, MD

Medical School: Stony Brook University School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Med-Peds Combine Endocrinology Fellowship, NIH / Children’s National