Obstetrics Gynecology Residents

Everybody wants to know what to expect in residency. Learn more about our program from those who know.

Guy Azriel, MD

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Hi! My name is Guy, and I am originally from Mission Viejo, CA. I completed my degree in Biotechnology from Rochester Institute of Technology, and my medical degree from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, both in the Finger Lakes region of NY. I am so excited to make the move to Western Massachusetts to join the Baystate OBGYN Residency!
So much of what I hoped for in residency training came across during my interview day, all underscored by attention to quality in education and collegiality throughout the program. I saw this as soon as I logged on to the virtual pre-interview dinner, and I felt connected to the community present at Baystate. There is extensive interprofessional education, a Ryan program with opportunities to become involved in Family Planning training from the start of residency, all things I had hoped for in becoming a well-rounded OBGYN. While I am not yet sure what my future practice will look like, it was clear to me that Baystate would help me prepare for whatever it may hold!

Some of my favorite things to do include trying new and interesting restaurants, exploring the outdoors, Lindy Hop dancing, and running and hiking outdoors. When I am feeling less ambitious (or there is inclement weather), I like cooking, baking, and becoming absorbed into the latest movie or show from Marvel. Please reach out with any questions you might have!

Alexander Golden, DO

University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine

Hello! Welcome to Baystate’s Department of OBGYN. My name is Alex. Although I was born just outside New York City, I spent a majority of my childhood growing up in New Jersey’s shore town of Barnegat. I completed my undergraduate education at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey where I received a B.A. in Spanish and double-minor in biology and dance. In 2016, I moved to Austin, Texas where I worked with the Baylor, Scott & White Health system as a medical scribe prior to applying to medical school. I attained a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Texas A&M University – College Station and completed my medical training in San Antonio, Texas at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine.

I am very excited to return to the northeast and train at an institution that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. I knew that Baystate was the program for me after sharing meaningful conversations with leadership and the residents during my interview. I have wanted to pursue OBGYN since my freshman year of college and have continued to develop what that could look like for me during and after residency. I hope to provide quality care to the Spanish-speaking population in addition to providing a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to receive obstetric and gynecologic services.

Outside of medicine, I am interested in musical theatre and will absolutely be taking advantage of the proximity to Broadway and regional theaters. For over a decade, I was involved in competitive gymnastics and served as a USA Gymnastics-certified coach. I am also a cat dad to Versace. If I am not participating in a hot yoga class, you can find me tanning at the nearest beach.

I am thrilled to be working with the OBGYN team at Baystate and cannot wait to explore New England. Please feel free to contact me regarding any questions you may have about our program.

Tara Hebert, DO

Hi! My name is Tara and I’m originally from Central Massachusetts. For undergrad, I attended Boston College where I majored in Biology and minored in Irish Studies. Then I moved to Dublin, Ireland to pursue my MPH at University College Dublin before matriculating at University of New England for medical school. I am so excited to be heading back to Massachusetts and joining the Baystate family!

During my 4^th year of medical school, I had the opportunity to complete a urogynecology Sub-I at Baystate which helped me get a feel for the culture of the program and solidified my interest in OBGYN residency at Baystate.

Outside of medicine, I love to read, travel, and hand-knit chunky blankets. I can often be found curled up with a good book or listening to an audiobook on the Libby app. I also really love to get outside and hike and am looking forward to exploring Western Massachusetts. Please reach out if you have any questions at all and good luck with application season!

Isabel Smith, DO

Hey there, I'm Izzy! I'm from Maine and I got my undergraduate degree at Brandeis University, where I studied Biology and Gender and Sexuality Studies. I went to medical school on the coast of Maine, and when I wasn’t studying, I taught myself how to surf.

During a sub-I at Baystate, I was impressed by the supportiveness of the residents and attendings and the care they put into teaching, the diversity in the population and the pathology, and the strong family planning training. My partner is in the Anesthesia program at Baystate, and we were drawn to living in Western Mass with such great access to the outdoors. I am passionate about gender-affirming care and family planning, and I have an interest in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Outside of the hospital, I'm usually at the rock-climbing gym, on my mountain bike, or in my kitchen trying a new recipe. I also love hot yoga, skiing, and hunting for deals at discount stores. I am so happy to be training at Baystate alongside wonderful people and near the beautiful mountains of New England!

Jane Waldron, DO

Hi! My name is Jane and I was born and raised in a small suburb outside of Los Angeles, California. I studied Environmental and Occupational Health, Biology, and Chemistry at Boise State University. After undergrad, I worked for UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/ Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center as a clinical research assistant working primarily on GI cancers for a year before matriculating to medical school in South Carolina. I am so excited to be make my way to Massachusetts and become part of the Baystate family.

During my 4th year of medical school, I had the opportunity to do a rotation in Gynecology Oncology at Baystate which was a major factor in determining that Baystate was the place for me. The attendings and residents were all so welcoming and dedicated to teaching and the environment felt so supportive. By the time I ended my interview with Baystate, I knew that it would be the best place for me to train and give me the skills I need to be an exceptional OB/GYN.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my cat Leon, reading, exploring local restaurants, hiking, cooking and baking. I can’t wait to start exploring western Massachusetts and to start my residency training!

Larsen Welsh, DO

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus

Hi everyone, I’m Larsen! I am beyond excited to be joining such an incredible group of Ob/Gyn residents at Baystate. I grew up in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania before moving to Austin, Texas to attend the University of Texas at Austin. I then moved to Fairbanks, Alaska and spent a year in the Last Frontier working for the Department of Defense and having my sled dog pull me around on my skis. I attended VCOM-Carolinas for medical school and fell in love with women’s health, endocrinology, and surgery. I feel so lucky to have matched at a program that cares deeply about complex social issues, delivering quality care to a diverse patient population, and providing a supportive environment conducive to resident wellness and growth.

Outside of medicine I love doing anything active outdoors—hiking, cross-country skiing, mountain biking. I love to walk; I would walk everywhere if I could! I also like to cook and bake bread. Fingers crossed that I keep my sourdough starter alive throughout residency. I am simply stoked to pursue a career in Ob/Gyn while exploring beautiful western Mass!

Angela Essa, MD

UMass Chan Medical School

Hi! My name is Angela. I’m originally from Western Mass (about 30 minutes from Baystate). I studied Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, during which time I worked in a breast cancer research lab. This is what sparked my initial interest in women’s health. After graduating from college, I worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital studying the genetics of neuropsychiatric conditions. After working in Boston for 2 years, I completed my medical degree at UMass Chan Medical School. As a medical student, I pursued research investigating hypertension and cardiovascular disease in pregnancy, and how these conditions can influence maternal and fetal outcomes.

As a fourth-year medical student at UMass Chan, I completed a Maternal-Fetal Medicine rotation at Baystate. During my rotation, I was impressed by how dedicated the residents and faculty were to teaching and practicing evidence-based medicine. I immediately felt welcome by the team and knew I could find my home here! Other reasons why I love Baystate include 1.) the program’s strong dedication to providing full-spectrum reproductive healthcare, 2.) how the hospital serves an extremely diverse and high-risk patient population, and 3.) how medical students and other learners consistently rotate through the hospital.

My interests in Obstetrics and Gynecology include research, maternal-fetal medicine, and pediatric and adolescent gynecology. Outside of work, I love hiking, exploring restaurants and breweries with my partner, perfecting my homemade hummus recipe, and cuddling with my cat, Hamilton. I hope that you will consider Baystate for your training!

Nadia Kianfar, MD

Frank H Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University

Welcome everyone, I’m Nadia! I was born and raised in Framingham, MA, went to UMass Amherst for undergrad, and worked as a research coordinator at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston for 2 years before matriculating to medical school in CT, and I am so excited to be coming back to Massachusetts!

I had the wonderful opportunity to do a rotation in Family Planning and Contraception at Baystate doing the fall of my 4th year, and this really helped me decide that Baystate was the place for me! All of the residents and attending were so kind and were genuinely excited to teach and see me learn. My top priorities when applying for residencies were training at a Ryan program, an academic center so that I can continue to grow as a teacher, and a program that truly felt like a family - and Baystate it is! Baystate was also an ideal location to be closer to my family and for my husband who is finishing up his residency in Worcester.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and husband enjoying nature and hiking as much as possible. Indoors, I love spin classes, baking desserts, and manifesting my dream home (aka watching a lot of HGTV). Also super excited to become best friends with all of my co-residents and their furry pals!

I am really looking forward to re-exploring Western MA and showing my husband around the area where I went to college. Happy to answer questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Kaeli Chesley, MD

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Hello! My name is Kaeli, and I am originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I earned my bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of New Mexico and completed medical school at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I am excited to be a part of the Baystate family and to serve the communities of Western Massachusetts!

When I was looking for a residency program, I ultimately wanted a program that felt like a family while providing me with a strong clinical education. During my interview day, the sense of camaraderie and friendship among the residents was palpable, and everyone was kind and welcoming. Beyond that, it was evident that the program had a dedication to resident learning and wellness, a collaborative and supportive atmosphere, a commitment to serve underserved populations, and opportunities for residents to be educators and advocates. As I got to the end of my interview trail, I knew that Baystate was where I wanted to train and develop the skills I needed to be an exceptional Ob/Gyn.

In my spare time, my favorite things to do include baking, cooking, crafting, and discovering new restaurants. I also love to travel, watch MLB baseball games, explore the outdoors, and listen to my favorite podcast or musical theater playlists.

I consider myself fortunate to be able to train at this exceptional program with supportive residents and well-respected faculty. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Kelly Robertson, MD

UMass Chan Medical School

Hi everyone, I’m Kelly! I grew up on Cape Cod in Barnstable, MA. I went to UMass Amherst for undergrad and had my first interaction with Baystate when fundraising for their children’s hospital through Dance Marathon and transporting patients there as an EMT. I became passionate about reproductive health and healthcare access, and I was drawn towards the field of ObGyn. I went to medical school at UMass Med in Worcester, and now I’m so excited to move back to Western Mass and join the Baystate ObGyn family!

I had the opportunity to do Sub-I’s at Baystate in Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility (REI) and Family Planning, where I fell in love with the culture of the program. Everyone was so welcoming, supportive, and clearly enjoyed working with each other. I was also drawn to Baystate’s program for its robust family planning education, long-standing REI program, and opportunity to learn from nurse midwives.

In my free time I love reading murder mysteries, crocheting blankets and stuffed animals (a Covid hobby I picked up that is now a de-stressing staple in my life!), heading to the Cape to see family and spend time at the beach, and trying out new restaurants and breweries with friends! I am also interested in global health and I love to travel. I try to visit the local botanical garden everywhere I go! Feel free to reach out with any questions about Baystate or living in Western Mass, and good luck!

Bethany Spracher, DO

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Virginia Campus

Hi! My name is Bethany, and I’m so excited to be part of the Baystate Ob/Gyn team! I’m originally from a small town in the southern part of West Virginia called Bluefield. Growing up, I loved going to the Virginia Tech football games (Go Hokies!), pioneer camp, and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park was my favorite little getaway. I attended Virginia Tech for undergrad, VCOM/Bluefield University for my Master’s degree, and VCOM-Virginia for medical school. Needless to say, I am excited to spread my wings outside of southwest VA and explore a new area. I had an immediate connection with the Baystate faculty and residents on interview day and knew it would be a perfect match! I successfully couples matched with my boyfriend, Ty, an internal medicine resident. We’re so excited to make the big move up to Massachusetts!

When I’m not working or sleeping, Ty and I like to explore the local coffee shops, restaurants, and go for outdoor walks. We sometimes attempt to walk our tabby cat Stanley Hudson, but like his namesake from The Office, he doesn’t care much for walks or even human interaction. I always keep the TV show Friends on a loop, love listening to podcasts, and am proudly one of Taylor Swift’s top listeners.

I fell in love with Ob/Gyn during clinical rotations and am so excited to start my residency journey in the best specialty! I am passionate about women’s health and advocacy; and the southerner in me loves sitting and chatting with my patients. I’m excited to be living in the northeast and only time will tell how much of my southern accent will be taken over by a Massachusetts one! Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

Padmaja Sundaram, MD

Albany Medical College

My name is Padmaja Sundaram, and I'm thrilled to join the OBGYN family here. I was born and initially raised in Tamil Nadu, India, which laid the foundation for my journey into medicine. I grew up in Irvine, California, then trekked to the East Coast to go to undergrad at Siena College. After completing my undergraduate studies, I embarked on the next phase of my education at a medical school in Albany, New York.

From the very beginning, OBGYN captured my heart. It's the perfect blend of surgery, building long-term patient relationships, and advocating for women's health on multiple fronts. Throughout my medical school years, I witnessed the profound impact OBGYN specialists have on the lives of individuals and communities, solidifying my commitment to this field.

Outside the hospital, my interests reflect the colorful tapestry of my personality. Whether I'm singing Indian melodies, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen (sometimes with unintended char marks), exploring nature through hikes and waterfall adventures, or losing myself in the rhythm of dance, I approach life with boundless enthusiasm and curiosity.

Now, as I begin this new chapter as an intern resident, I'm eager to bring my dedication to providing holistic, compassionate care to every patient I encounter. With my diverse interests and unwavering spirit, I'm excited to contribute to the OBGYN team and make a meaningful difference in the lives of women under our care.

Salman Ali Jan, MD

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Hey! I’m Salman, and I was born and raised in the welcoming island of Bahrain, half a world away from Western Mass. I traveled all the way to Ireland to attend medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons. It was during my fourth year of medical school that I got to solidify my interest in OB/GYN, as I had the great opportunity to train at the oldest continuously operating maternity hospital in the world. After completing an intern year right after graduation, I wanted to learn more about the science behind reproductive medicine, so I moved to London for a postgraduate degree at Imperial College before finally calling Baystate my next home!

Baystate specifically stood out to me for its values rooted in education, diversity, and camaraderie at every level. During the interview season, I immediately noticed how supportive, welcoming, and creative the residents and faculty were, and instantly felt connected to the program and the unique sense of community at Baystate! As someone who has enjoyed teaching thus far in my career, both in the medical field and as a volunteer tutor, I enjoyed learning about the depth and quality of the educational experience here. It was also important to me to be at a program that offered exposure to diverse patient populations as global health is an interest of mine. Not only did I find that at Baystate but I also came to find that the program would provide exposure to the entire spectrum of sub-specialties within OB/GYN.

Some of my favorite things to do include traveling, hiking, island hopping, meditation, theater, musical theater, reading, writing, exploring restaurants, and most importantly, being with family and friends! The beautiful nature around, hiking trails, art galleries, and the easy trip to Broadway were some of the best bonuses about being in Western Mass, but when in doubt, you can find me traveling.

I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of a compassionate team and an excellent program. Please feel free to reach out with any questions!

Alice Berenson, MD

University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Hi! My name is Alice, and when I’m not delivering babies, I train in aerial circus arts (with a focus on “lyra,” or aerial hoop) and take my very small dog on very big walks.

I have spent my entire life in Massachusetts, gradually moving west. I studied in Cambridge, worked in life sciences consulting in Newton, and attended medical school at UMass in Worcester. Now, I am so excited to continue my “great western adventure” at Baystate and to be a part of this amazing community. After discovering Baystate on a Sub-I in medical school, I chose to come here for residency because of the wonderful, welcoming people, top-notch training including early exposure to all the OB/GYN subspecialties, beautiful facilities, and cooperative atmosphere. Whether advocating for reproductive rights, learning from our amazing midwives, or perfecting surgical techniques, you will always be growing here. I fall more in love with our program (and my co-residents) every day!

I live just east of Springfield with my husband and our dog Jackson, and I will show you a million photos of him if you let me (the dog, not the husband). We love hiking, skiing, and cycling (the husband, not the dog) and can often be found exploring the great trails around Springfield. In addition, I am obsessed with Fall, New England foliage, and anything apple or pumpkin. Ask me about why Massachusetts is the greatest place on earth, and please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have!

Eli Bernstein, MD

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Hey everyone! My name is Eli and I’m so excited to be joining the Baystate Ob/Gyn Squad! I am originally from White Plains, New York and I got my undergraduate degree in psychology from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. I decided only after graduating that I wanted to pursue medicine so I completed a post-bacc at Columbia University in New York. I got my medical degree from Ben Gurion University in Be’er Sheva, Israel.

Baystate was my very first interview for residency and boy did it set the bar high! So many of the things that I was looking for in my training are here: the fact that it’s a Ryan program, the opportunity to learn extensively from midwives, the diverse and underserved patient population and of course, the amazing co-residents and faculty. I am hoping to ultimately pursue fellowship in either Maternal-Fetal Medicine or Family Planning.

Outside of medicine, I love to travel and go hiking. I’m an avid NBA fan (let’s go Knicks!!) and love playing basketball and working out. This goes great with my other hobby, which is stuffing my face at every new restaurant I can find. I’ve recently discovered the world of plant-based cooking, thanks to my wonderful partner Kamal, who I met in med school and is a future family physician! I should also mention that my phone’s memory is 95% pictures and videos of my cat, Scout, and my dog, Zeke. Please reach out if you’d like me to share those with you, or we can also talk about Baystate Ob/Gyn.

Stephanie Bista, MD

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Hi there, I'm Steph! I grew up in Delaware, went to undergrad in South Carolina, and then joined the Peace Corps. I lived in a rural village in Namibia for two years, teaching English and science at a primary school. The training I received there sparked my interest in public health, and when I returned, I pursued an MPH at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Next, I moved to Beer Sheva, Israel to join the Medical School for International Health - a global health track for international students at Ben Gurion University. This experience allowed me to learn medicine while being immersed in a new language, culture and healthcare system.

While the OB/GYN program at Baystate has so many things to recommend it, the primary thing that drew me in was the kindness and thoughtfulness of the residents, faculty and admin. It can be a scary thing to commit 4 years of training to a place you've never set foot, but I was confident after my interview day that I would feel at home at Baystate (and thankfully I was right!). Additionally, we have training in all the sub-specialties, ample support for research and fellowship applications, access to training in complex family planning, and a patient population that is diverse in terms of ethnicity and racial background, language spoken, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Outside the hospital I can often be found hiking with my partner and kiddo, discovering new restaurants and breweries, or at home knitting and baking vegan treats. I'm happy to answer questions about the program or the area!

Jessica Bujouves, MD

University of Limerick

Hi everyone, my name is Jessie! I am originally from London, Ontario Canada, however I spent much of the last 10 years living in the US and Europe. After playing soccer for Atletico de Madrid and finishing high school online, I moved to Bloomington, Indiana where I played Division 1 soccer (Go Hoosiers!) and studied Human Biology. After graduating I worked for two non-profit organizations, PINK Concussions and the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada where I developed my passion for women’s health and advocacy. I then moved to Vancouver Island and worked for Stryker Endoscopy and Sports Medicine as a medical device sales representative. I fell in love with the collegial atmosphere in the OR, the ability to use cutting edge technology to improve patient care and the opportunity to directly work with patients. So… I decided to move yet again and came back to Europe where I started medical school at the University of Limerick School of Medicine in Ireland.

The unique combination of primary care and surgery is what led me to OBGYN! I was constantly stimulated by the diversity of patients, the ability to work in a variety of settings and the privilege of treating women throughout all stages of life. During my interview at Baystate, I was so impressed by the culture of the program, the camaraderie between the residents and faculty and the clear emphasis on teaching as a resident. Baystate has the perfect combination of an academically challenging program, comprehensive sub-specialty exposure and a supportive environment where everyone seems to be having fun! The location in Western Mass was also a HUGE factor for me as it is close to my family in Canada and would allow me to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. In my free time, I love to do anything active - particularly trail running, hiking, hot yoga and Pilates. I also love coffee and can’t wait to find my favorite coffee shop in the area!

I am so thankful to be joining the Baystate OBGYN family and can’t wait to start learning from my amazing co-residents and faculty. For all my Canadian or Irish graduates in particular, please feel free to contact me with any questions. I would be happy to help!

Elena Labovitis, DO

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine-New York

Hello everyone! My name is Elena. I was raised in a Greek-Albanian family and immigrated to Massachusetts as a teenager. I earned my undergraduate degree from Wheaton College, MA and then I moved to Boston to work in research for two years before obtaining my master’s and finally my medical degree at Touro COM - NY.

I was fortunate to do a rotation at Baystate in Family Planning and Contraception during my 4th year, and I absolutely enjoyed every aspect of the experience. Everyone was eager to teach, integrate you into patient care and simply get to know you as a person. They welcomed my diversity and made me feel appreciated; it felt like home. Their focus on resident wellness and providing quality care to underserved communities are some of the many qualities that drew me to Baystate. I could not be more excited to join this family!

A bit more about myself: I usually spend time with family and friends in my free time. I love traveling to explore new cultures and cuisines – as food is the whole point of traveling! I picked up skiing this past winter, and I look forward to spending some time in the Western Mass mountains. My happy place is anywhere near a sea/ocean.

I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of the Baystate family, and I feel privileged to be training in the best specialty!

Chloe Benichou, DO

University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hello! My name is Chloe. Although I am originally from Montreal, Canada, I moved to Texas in middle school, so I guess I now claim to be a Texan! I completed my undergraduate degree at Hendrix College (a small Liberal Arts school in Conway, Arkansas), and then worked at a research lab at UT Southwestern for two years before obtaining my master’s and finally my medical degree at UNTHSC in Fort Worth, Texas. Needless to say, I have had ample time to forget what real winters are like and I am about to experience quite the climate change - but I am so excited to be living in New England and have seasons!

Being from the south, I knew I wanted to be at a program that strongly advocated for the right of women to choose their health journey in all aspects of life. My passions within the field include advocacy which led me to the Congressional Leadership Conference in Washington DC during my third year. There, I met and spoke with a Baystate resident and immediately knew the program not only had every aspect I was searching for in a training institution but also would encourage me to continue exploring the passions I was developing within Obstetrics and Gynecology. Although I was not able to complete neither an in-person rotation nor an interview during my fourth year due to the pandemic, the fact that an online interview instantly made me feel like I was home spoke volumes. The residents and faculty’s clear support for one another was evident, even through a screen, and their comradery was immediately contagious. I could not be more excited to join this family!

In my free time, my favorite things include exploring new restaurants, visiting wineries, and traveling (bonus points if I can do all three in one). I also love skiing, hiking, running outdoors, and am a huge adrenaline junkie but I absolutely despise bugs; it’s a catch-22 I have been stuck in my whole life but can deal with to see beautiful views. Realistically, during the next four years, my free time will consist of my other loves, Netflix, and spending time with friends and family. I have been known to make quite the charcuterie board to celebrate any occasion and cannot wait to use this skill as often as I can in Western Mass!

I am happy to answer any questions about this incredible program, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Kelsey Carman, MD

University of Michigan Medical School

Hi! I’m Kelsey, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the Baystate ObGyn family! When I’m not delivering babies or talking about sexual health, I can be found embarking on trail walks with my adventurous dog, or watching my husband play drums in his local blues-rock band.

I grew up in Southern California, but have called many places home. After graduating from college in New York, I spent a year teaching English in Thailand. Upon returning I earned my MPH degree at Tufts University and worked at Fenway Health, a Boston based LGBTQ+ health center and research institute. Through my public health work, I discovered a passion for providing compassionate and inclusive healthcare, understanding social determinants of health, and advocating for underserved communities. After completing a post-baccalaureate program, I attended University of Michigan Medical School, where I solidified my love for ObGyn.

When exploring residency options, I sought out programs where I could serve a diverse patient population, gain exposure to subspecialties and family planning, live in the Northeast, and join a supportive team of people! During my interview experience, I immediately felt connected to the residents and faculty, who emphasized Baystate’s well-rounded residency experience - both within and outside of the hospital. I’m incredibly grateful to have matched at a program where I can receive excellent training in all major sub-specialties while working with academic physicians, midwives, medical students, and residents all in one hospital setting. Training at Baystate allows me to provide care to diverse patients from a variety of backgrounds, who come from a large surrounding area. Ultimately I feel confident that my training at Baystate will allow me to become a compassionate and well-rounded General ObGyn. Being able to receive rigorous training in a team-oriented environment alongside supportive residents and well-respected faculty made Baystate a perfect match for me!

Samantha Haefner, MD

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Hello! My name is Samantha and I am a lifetime Midwesterner. I grew up in Wisconsin and studied neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin, where I had such a great time that I stayed there for medical school. However, when looking for a residency program, I wanted to explore another area of the country, and New England seemed like the perfect spot for this new adventure!

Throughout the interview process, I felt incredibly welcomed by everyone here at Baystate even though the process was entirely virtual. It quickly became clear to me that the residents truly care about each other as a family and support one another, which I was really looking for in a program. Being passionate about women’s health advocacy and reproductive justice, I am also excited about the wonderful family planning training I will get here at Baystate.
For a little bit more about myself, I am married to my high school sweetheart, Jake, and we have a two-year-old corgi named Tilly. I enjoy spending my free time going on walks, crafting, reading, and traveling, and I am so excited to be joining the Baystate team!

Please reach out with any questions you may have about our program.

Megan Murnane, MD

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of Medicine

Hi everyone, Megan here! Congrats on making it this far in your medical training! I am a native Californian, born and raised just outside of San Francisco. I attended Santa Clara University for undergrad. I then went across the pond to my parents home country, Ireland, for my master's degree at Trinity College, Dublin. After my masters, I returned to SF for 4 years and worked in research at UCSF. It was there that I learned that I loved working with patients far more than I liked working with cell cultures/mice, so started my journey to become a physician! That journey took me back to Ireland where I started medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons.

During my first year of medical school in Ireland, I actually got to vote for the first time as an Irish citizen to over turn the law that banned Irish women from obtaining abortions. I spent the remaining 3 years of my medical education working and advocating to improve access to comprehensive family planning education in Irish medical schools. The opportunity for advocacy on behalf of my patients is a large reason I am drawn to the field of Obstetrics and gynecology amongst other reasons: the med/ surg balance, the variety, and the opportunity to be a part of many pivotal moments in a woman’s life. I chose Baystate for many reasons, but the obvious one being how welcoming, kind, and supportive everyone is. Even though interviews this past cycle were virtual due to the pandemic, it was clear Baystate had all the good vibes and was somewhere I could call home. Baystate also had everything else I was looking for in a program: a culturally and socioeconomically diverse patient population, a strong family planning curriculum, an early surgical exposure/ strong surgical training, and it was an ideal location for both me and my fiancé, who’s working remotely with the occasional commute to Boston.

In my spare time you will find me distance running, eating cheese, gardening, painting, hiking, and visiting breweries, wineries, farmers markets, and vintage/ thrift stores! I am so excited to explore all of the outdoor activities Western Mass has to offer— being near ski slopes was a must for our household. All in all, I am incredibly lucky to be in such a great program and place!

The match is so stressful, but just know you will end up where you are meant to be! Feel free to reach out with any questions, especially to all my fellow IMGs out there!

Jahel Santacruz, MD

Universidad Internacional del Ecuador Facultad de Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud

Hello everyone!! I am Jahel, I am from Quito, a beautiful city in the highlands of Ecuador. I graduated from Universidad Internacional del Ecuador and then moved to Chicago for 2 years to study for the USMLE. After that, I moved to Texas to work as an OBGYN research fellow at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where I was working with genetically modified mice and cancer cell lines.

As an international graduate, I applied to a lot of OBGYN programs around the country, but Baystate definitely caught my eye because it had everything on my checklist for a residency program: I wanted to be in a friendly learning environment, have exposure to all OBGYN subspecialties, global health opportunities, family planning and reproductive health training, also I wanted to work with underserved communities and with the Latino community. When they sent me the interview, and they were interested in learning more about what made me unique, I kinda knew this was the program for me. I was looking for a place that values diversity, a place where people come together and work as a team for the patient's well-being.

During the virtual interviews, I felt very comfortable with the faculty and residents, and they were genuinely happy to be working here at Baystate. They all referred to the program and their co-workers as their family and that was a key seller for me. I feel very lucky to be part of this family now and I can’t wait to start training and learning from all these wonderful people.

Bradley Schroeder, DO

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hello! My name is Brad and I’m originally from Johnstown, PA, a small town in western PA. I’ve spent much of my education bouncing between the Midwest and east coast. I did my undergrad at Notre Dame, then grad school at Georgetown, then back to the Midwest for Med school at Marian University in Indianapolis, and finally to Philadelphia for an intern year in internal medicine before finding my home at Baystate.

When I reflect on what drew me to Baystate, there wasn’t any one detail or epiphany; it was more a string of good feelings about the program. I really enjoyed the balanced education across both Ob and Gyn, the emphasis on resident wellness, and opportunities to get involved in health policy as that’s a big interest of mine. I also really valued that we’re essentially a referral center for the western MA. Rarely do cases get shipped out for being too complicated but still provides the supportive and engaged community feel.

Outside of work, I really enjoy baking, playing with my corgi Napoleon, soccer, and college football. I also have aspirations of becoming more of a legitimate outdoors person with all of this wonderful nature around us; Jury is still out on that one though.

Kelsey Bertelsen, DO

Medical School: Des Moines University College Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate position: Generalist HealthPartners in Coon Rapids, MN

Sarah Dunalewicz, DO

Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate position: Generalist at South Denver Ob/Gyn

Sharon Geerts, DO

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate position: Generalist at Atrius Health in Boston, MA

Madyson Noonan, DO

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate position: Generalist at Harbor Medical Associates, Pembroke MA

Jennifer Shields, MD

Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Post-graduate position: Generalist Burlington OB/GYN Associates, in Burlington, MA

Rebecca Barbaresso, DO

Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship, University of Louisville, Kentucky

Tara Formisano, DO

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: TBD

Madison McGahan, DO

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Private practice, Baystate Ob/Gyn, Springfield, MA

Brittany Novak, MD

Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Post-graduate Position: Private practice, WomanCare at NCH, Chicago, IL

Lauren Smith, MD

Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Corewell Health, Grand Rapids, MI.

Stephanie Smith, DO

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences/College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Kaiser Permanente, San Diego, CA

Elizabeth Baker, MD

Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Department of Ob/Gyn, UnityPoint Health, Waterloo, IA

Tiffany Corlin, MD

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship, University of Minnesota

Alecia Hagman, DO

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Completing her service with the United States Air Force, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, AL

Shiva Niakan, DO

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Post-Graduate Position: Breast Oncology Fellowship, UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA

Kelsey Schmidt, MD

Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Lower Anogenital Screening and Treatment Fellowship, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Ravneet Thind, DO

Medical School: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, California
Post-Graduate Position: Ob/Gyn Department, St. Agnes Medical Center, Fresno, CA

Nandi Chihombori-Quao, MD

Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Private Practice, Associates Women’s Health Specialists, Waterbury, CT

Danielle Finch, DO

Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Private Practice, Connecticut Costal Ob/Gyn, New Haven, CT

Catherine Hill-Verrochi, DO

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Private Practice, Mid Coast Medical Group, Brunswick, ME

Lauren Jammallo, MD

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: 3 year Female and Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA

Heather Love, MD

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Private Practice, Burlington Ob/Gyn Associates, Burlington, MA

Taieri McKenzie, MD

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Private Practice, Perinatal Associates of Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD

Sophia Bachilova, MD

Medical School: McGill University Faculty of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: 2 year Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Sami Backley, MD

Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: 3 year Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship, University of Texas Health Center, Houston, TX

Laurie Doyon, DO

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Hospital practice, St. Charles Medical Group, St. Charles Health System, Bend, OR

Sarah Nathan, MD

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Private practice, Women’s Care Group, Oak Lawn, IL

Keith Reisinger-Kindle, DO, MPH

Medical School: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Ob/Gyn Faculty, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

March Thompson, MD

Medical School: Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Private practice of Baystate Ob/Gyn Group, Inc. Springfield, MA

Nicole Afuape, MD

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: 2-year fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ

Wendy Kwartin, MD

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Staff, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UMMS/Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA

Lauren Orr, DO

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: 3-year fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA

Shweta Shah, DO

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Private practice, Medwell Women's Medical Services, Brooklyn, NY

Nicole Thompson, MD

Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Private practice, Valley Women's Health Group, Springfield, MA