Pediatrics Residents
Everybody wants to know what to expect in residency.
Learn more about our program from those who know!
Hear from our chief residents
Our chief residents talk about what sets us apart.
Meet our current residents
Find out more about our current residents and learn how you'd fit in.
Learn what past residents have gone on to do
Discover where our graduates have found success.
As the 2024-2025 Pediatrics Chief Residents, we are thrilled that you are interested in our Pediatrics Residency at UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate!
We'd love to tell you a little more about what sets our residency apart from other programs.
We've Created a Close-Knit Family From a Diverse Team
We pride ourselves on providing excellent training for a diverse group of pediatricians.
Our close-knit group of residents includes 9 pediatric residents as well as 8 Med-Peds residents per year. Our residents come from a wide variety of backgrounds including, basic science and research, microfinance, engineering, emergency response, and even the music industry. They enjoy just as many interests: softball, trivia, rock climbing, local music, and just hanging out playing board games, to name a few. It’s fun to have fun, but you have to know how. Our residents certainly do!
Our favorite part of working at Baystate is the amazing team of people who work with us. Our residents, attendings, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, pharmacists, and medical students are all vital members of our team, and we all work to support each other in the care of our patients. Baystate is our family, and it is a great place to call our "home away from home."
Emphasis on Education is the Driving Force of Our Residency
We are passionate about exceptional educational opportunities coming first and foremost during the residency experience.
Our general pediatric and subspecialty attendings love to teach residents, whether it is during rounds, academic conference, weekly Sim Labs, or afternoon teaching sessions on the wards.
We also know some of the best learning happens when you are teaching, and we focus on fostering our residents’ ability to teach the many UMass Chan and other medical students who regularly rotate through Baystate.
We hope this has given you a better idea of our program. Thank you very much for considering us in your search to find the best fit for you.
Please Contact Us If You Have Questions
We are happy to help however we can.
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Charlotte Beers, MD |
Natasha Thiagalingam, MD |
Best of luck!
Let our amazing team of residents introduce themselves and tell you why Baystate is a good fit for them. They represent a wonderful diversity of backgrounds, interests and medical schools.
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Current Residents
Emily Bakaj, MD
Emily (she/her) grew up in New Jersey and South Carolina before coming to NYC for college. She attended Barnard College and studied anthropology with a focus on medical anthropology. After graduating, she worked at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan as a Clinical Research Coordinator in rheumatology. She transitioned to a clinical research role at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn while also attending their School of Public Health for her MPH in Community Health Sciences. She later matriculated at SUNY Downstate COM. She will be specializing in Child Neurology/Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Her professional interests include promoting equitable access to care and effective care coordination for complex patients. She is also passionate about advocating for providers and trainees with disabilities in the medical field. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her partner and their super mutt, Stevie. Emily also likes to run, hike, read fiction, and practice photography.
Why UMass Chan- Baystate?
I’ll be at Baystate for 2 years for my pediatrics training before moving to Boston for my Child Neuro/NDD training. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to experience a different practice environment for this part of my residency. The warm and welcoming people are what Baystate special, and I know I’ll cherish the relationships I make here throughout my career.
Amanda Elliott, MD
Amanda was born and raised in Central California. Prior to pursuing medicine, she worked as a store manager for more than a decade. She completed bachelor's degrees in biology and psychology at the University of Idaho. She studied medicine at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Amanda is passionate about both teaching and medicine. While in medical school she also completed a master’s degree in higher education. When not in the classroom or on the wards, Amanda can usually be found enjoying the great outdoors.
Why UMass Chan – Baystate?
My connection to Baystate started with the resident social the evening before my interview. They were all genuine and incredibly warm and welcoming. Despite interviewing virtually, I felt a strong connection to the faculty who interviewed me. I could picture myself working alongside them throughout residency training. I am excited to be joining the Baystate family as I begin my career as a pediatrician.
Yara Kassamani, MD
I grew up just outside of London, England in a Lebanese family. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at Boston College where I also spent time volunteering as an EMT. I later went on to pursue my master’s in medical sciences at Boston University. I then moved back across the globe, but this time to Ireland, where I completed my medical education at University College Cork School of Medicine. I began medical school initially unsure of which specialty I would pursue but along the way found myself gently gravitating towards pediatrics. I greatly enjoyed learning how pediatricians support children and their families across a multitude of areas in their lives in addition to medical care. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, taking piano lessons, boxing, and spending time with friends and family.
Why UMass Chan- Baystate?
Baystate really stood out on my interview day. Even from a virtual format, I could tell that the residents and faculty were genuine, compassionate people who care about fostering a positive, collaborative environment. Baystate has everything I could want in a program, and I am confident that the balanced, well-rounded nature of the residency program will help me become a holistic pediatrician. I am delighted to be coming back to Massachusetts and to be joining the Baystate pediatrics family.
Sophia Leu, DO
Born and raised in the historic Hudson Valley region of New York, Sophia grew up in a small but close-knit community with the outlandish dream of becoming a pediatrician. Despite being a first-generation doctor, her high school science teachers supported her every step of the way. After completing a bachelor’s degree in human biology and psychology at SUNY Albany, she returned to her hometown to work as a college tutor and volunteer as an EMT. She didn’t have to travel far for medical school, attending the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown. Over the years, she found her love working and interacting with the community’s youngest population, solidifying her decision in pediatrics during 3rd-year rotations. As it turns out, her outlandish dream of becoming a pediatrician wasn’t so strange! While not practicing medicine, she enjoys cooking new recipes, exploring new places, and documenting them in photographs.
Why UMass Chan- Baystate?
The post-COVID age of Zoom interviews were nerve-wracking because I feared I couldn’t gauge a program from behind the screen. But that wasn’t the case with Baystate. From the moment I logged on to interview day, a sense of comfort and warmth washed over me. Everyone was genuinely kind, passionate, and excited to meet us. The family-like support and learner-manager-teacher model made me realize their passion for doing what’s best for their residents. I felt I could thrive and truly connect to this program, and I’m so excited to start my journey with everyone here!
Emma Mills, DO
Emma grew up in Kent, England and describes herself has an adventurous child: playing outside with neighbours, horseback riding, volunteering at the stables and competing in gymnastics. She moved to Madison, CT with her Mum, Stepdad and three younger sisters in 2012. She joined the gymnastics team and volunteered at a therapeutic horse-riding center, where she developed an interest in working with children with Autism, ADHD and Down Syndrome.
Emma completed her B.S in Physiology and Neurobiology within UConn’s Honours program. Throughout college she continued her love of working with children, both as a peer mentor and tutor and she continued to ‘casually throw tricks’ at gymnastics club. She worked in a neurobehavioural lab studying genes associated with ASD and Anxiety in knockout mice, combining her passion for science with her fascination for neurodevelopment. After graduation Emma worked as an ABA therapist and Elementary School special education paraprofessional.
“I absolutely love a child’s raw honesty, curiosity and unrestrained enthusiasm and I whole-heartedly commit my life to: improving health literacy in children, supporting engagement with preventative health services, and promoting mental well-being so that children are able to thrive in the face of challenge vs. spiral into mental health crises. It is an absolute dream to be part of Baystate’s wholesome Pediatrics Program and I am ecstatic!
Why UMass Chan- Baystate?
I felt that I shared many core values and goals with the program; the staff seem so passionate about preventative medicine, community engagement in health, improving health literacy, working with underrepresented populations, and tailoring plans according to patient’s socioeconomic and behavioural needs. It just felt wholesome and inspiring.
Rich Pack, MD
Rich moved here from Central Florida, where he lived the past 12 years for undergrad, med school, and plenty of odd jobs in between. He’s worked at the Lego Store in Disney, as an advisor and interim director of a group home and spent time as a researcher in a biostatistics lab. His hobbies outside medicine include gardening with his wife, running with his dog, and baking.
Why UMass Chan- Baystate?
What impressed me most were the kind and generous personalities of the directors, attendings, and residents. They radiated warmth and kindness from the first introduction. As a student, it could be difficult to weigh out which aspects of a program are most important. Since Baystate has so many great resources, not to mention being in a beautiful and affordable part of the country, the assurance of a friendly work culture really won me over.
Manasa Pisipati, DO
Manasa was born and raised in Long Island, New York. Growing up, she enjoyed making greeting cards and performing dances for hospital and nursing home patients, and volunteering in the local community. She completed her bachelor’s degree in biology at Adelphi University, Honors College, in New York. She is passionate about the role of nutrition in patient care and wrote her Honors College Senior Thesis on dietary sources for the maintenance of bone health, with a focus on the Mediterranean diet. Manasa pursued her medical degree at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she was selected for the Doctor Patient Continuum program, a case-based learning curriculum. She has always enjoyed interacting with kids, and teaching lessons and crafts at a local children’s museum. She pursued a pre-clinical internship with a pediatrician, where she discovered an interest in endocrinology, and worked on a project about growth hormone deficiency in pediatric patients. She also worked with her preceptor on a presentation about diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in pediatric patients. Her interest in pediatrics was confirmed by her clerkship rotation, where she had the chance to teach children and families by giving a talk on common pediatric rashes, which was shared on their website. Outside of medicine, Manasa enjoys painting, visiting art museums, baking, dancing, and spending time with friends and family.
Why UMass Chan Baystate?
I appreciate Baystate’s commitment to academic instruction for residents. From my interview, I could tell that the faculty truly wanted to help residents learn and thrive. I liked that I would get to learn from a diverse set of cases, through gradual autonomy with the learner manager teacher model. Baystate’s emphasis on community health also resonated with me. The social determinants of health have always been important to me, and I appreciate how they are incorporated into the curriculum and patient care at Baystate.
Emily Rodriguez Ortega, DO
Emily was born in Lima, Peru and moved to Florida with her family many years ago. She always enjoyed working with kids and volunteered at a local summer camp during her first summer in high school. She completed his bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at Florida Atlantic University. She discovered her passion for giving back her community by working as a tutor and volunteering at her local hospital during her undergraduate years. She later went on to move to central Florida to complete her medical education at Kiran C. Patel College of osteopathic Medicine in the Tampa Bay campus. Outside of medicine Emily enjoys painting, listening to podcasts, group work out classes, and spending time with her family .
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
I knew Baystate was the right place for me to complete my pediatric training after my interview day. Despite interviews being online it was possible to see that the residents and faculty were genuinely warm and supportive. I also knew this program was going to provide me with depth and breadth of clinical cases and research opportunities. I am excited for what the future holds for me and my new coresidents here at Baystate and hope to give back to this community as well.
Raizel Suresh, MD
Born in Tirunelveli, at the southernmost tip of India, Raizel lived in various places in south India before completing medical school at Stanley Medical College, Chennai. Spending time with kids made her the happiest, hence her decision to pursue pediatrics. Subsequently she moved to the US-and lived in the states of beautiful Washington and sunny California for a while. Her next stop is Springfield, MA! She likes exploring various cuisines, binge watching Netflix, writing stories, reading books of all genres, and singing Tamil cinema songs.
She lives with her husband and her little daughter.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
The story of how I landed in Baystate is a very dramatic one. Having lost the program, I matched in due to unfortunate circumstances, I got the opportunity to interview at Baystate. Like the 'wand choosing the wizard', it was a perfect fit for me. I liked the program from the get-go and meeting the faculty and residents only solidified that feeling. Their approach to both pediatrics and resident well-being is amazing:) I'm glad to say that I feel incredibly happy to be here!
Samuel Weitzen, MD
A lifelong resident of Massachusetts, Sam was born and raised in the Merrimack Valley. He was actively involved in the Boy Scouts, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and explored his love for the outdoors. He completed a bachelor's degree in microbiology at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. During this time, he spent his summers working as an EMT and was actively involved in microbiology research. After completing his bachelor's degree, he went on to medical school at the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. During his time there, he was part of their global health program and helped to run “Ask the Doctor” sessions for newly arrived refugees from all over the world. Outside of medicine, Sam enjoys hiking, skiing, cooking, baking, listening to international music, and learning about commercial aviation.
Why UMass Chan/Baystate?
One of my best friends in medical school worked at Baystate. He constantly spoke about their supportive environment and about how they were just big enough that you got a broad exposure to Pediatrics while also not being so big that you got lost. Add in an amazing global health program and the opportunity to explore the mountains of Western Massachusetts and you have the perfect program for me to start my career in Pediatrics.
Ume-Farwah Zahidi, MD
Farwah was born and raised in Orange County, CA. She grew up playing basketball and spending time with her family. She completed two years of undergraduate degree at Chapman University in California, then packed up and moved to Ireland for the opportunity to study medicine at University College Dublin. There she made incredible friends and was able to travel around Europe. Outside of medicine Farwah enjoys spending time with her family, reading, hiking, and listening to true crime podcasts.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
Baystate instantly gave a warm and welcoming feeling. From the beginning of the interview, it felt like everyone cared about the residents, both professional and personal lives. I instantly felt a connection with the people at Baystate. I am excited to begin my career in Pediatrics here at Baystate.
Delia Isabel Calderon De Jesus, MD
Delia was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved with her family to Attleboro, Massachusetts at a very young age. Upon graduating high school Delia decided she wanted to get back to her roots and get her Bachelor’s in Molecular Biology at the University of Puerto Rico. It was during this time that she discovered her love of road trips, hiking, and warm beaches. Delia enjoyed her undergrad years so much that she stayed in Puerto Rico for medical school, joining the Universidad Central del Caribe in Bayamon. Her love of pediatrics came as a surprise to Delia during her medical school journey, but she couldn’t be happier with the outcome! Delia’s interest outside of medicine are baking, the outdoors, visiting art museums, and film.
Why UMass Chan-Baystate?
For me Baystate was an obvious choice. Springfield’s population is almost 50% Hispanic/Latino and as someone with my background, I am delighted to be serving this community. When I participated in my visiting rotation with UMass Chan it simply felt like the right fit for me. I was able to enjoy the wintery Massachusetts weather, while being within walking distance of a Puerto Rican diner for when I felt a bit homesick. Baystate itself is a well-organized and welcoming place. The pediatric residency crew are very honest, caring, and strong individuals and I am beyond excited to consider myself part of their team.
Mariana Colussi-Pelaez, MD
I was born and raised in a European household in Toronto, Canada with my two sisters. Gymnastics was a very important part of my life growing up and this led me to receive a full-ride athletic scholarship at Oregon State University where I competed in the NCAA while earning a degree in Microbiology. My senior year of undergrad I shadowed a pediatrician, and it became clear to me that this was the career I wanted to pursue. I then attended the University College Cork School of Medicine in Cork, Ireland for my medical education. During this time, I grew my passion for Pediatrics through my role as chairperson of the UCC Pediatrics Society, where we raised awareness and fundraised for local children’s charities. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, spending time with family and friends, and trying new coffee shops.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
remember being very happy and excited after interviewing at Baystate. The program had everything I was looking for, importantly it was a small program with a family feel that had very supportive and passionate faculty. The program coordinator, PD, faculty and residents were all very welcoming, kind and genuine. Some unique aspects of the program that caught my eye were the learner-teacher-manager model and the global health and second site continuity opportunities.
Katherine Eisenberg, DO
Katherine was born and raised in the northern suburbs of Boston with a large extended family and lots of kids and dogs running around. Boston and New England have always felt like home to Katherine because that is where her family is, and so she stayed close to Boston attending Tufts Undergraduate and working at Boston Children’s Hospital for 3 years in pediatric orthopedic research. For medical school, Katherine branched out and made new connections and friendships in the Chicagoland area at Midwestern University CCOM. Her experiences at CCOM helped her to solidify her desire to specialize in pediatrics. Katherine also developed new hobbies and interests during her time in medical school and during the pandemic including yin yoga and paint by numbers.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
Baystate was originally top of my list because it brought me home. However, the more I researched the program, the more I fell in love with the program based on its own merits. There is a definite sense of priority on resident education that shines through at this program. Initiatives to push towards a 100% pass rate caught my eye, as did the obvious care that went into simulating a full and well-resourced outpatient experience at the continuity clinic. Every aspect of the resident education at Baystate appears to have been approached thoughtfully and that, in addition to geography, is why Baystate for me.
Hilda Gutierrez, MD
Hilda was born and raised near the mountains of Lima, Peru. She completed her medical degree at Universidad de San Martin de Porres and, by the end of her studies, she found that her passion was pediatrics. While volunteering as an equine therapy assistant, she met many children that required complex care, which solidified her interest in child care. After graduating from medical school, Hilda completed her masters in medical research and moved to Boston to continue her training. She became a research coordinator at the Neurology Department at BIDMC and made incredible friends and mentors along the way. Hilda enjoys horseback riding, reading sci-fi/fantasy, learning sign language, and is deeply passionate about cooking.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
Ever since my virtual interview, I could see that the faculty truly wanted to help residents learn and thrive. I’ll always remember that a few minutes after I received the email saying I matched at Baystate, the Program Director, Dr. Senn-McNally, called to congratulate me and wish me luck. How thoughtful was that! I am eager to start this new journey with the Baystate family.
Angelica Nieves-Rivera, MD
Angelica was born and raised on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. She grew up in a big family, playing volleyball and always at parties dancing salsa and Latin music. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Puerto Rico and then moved south to study medicine at Ponce Health Sciences University SoM. There, along with her talented friends, she found her passion for community medicine, patient advocacy, and wellness. Outside of medicine, Ange enjoys reading, photography, brunch, visiting the beach, playing with her dogs Ottie and Olivia, and spending time with her family and friends.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
I had the opportunity to meet some residents from Baystate and I was impressed with how happy they were. I was looking for a residency program that encourages camaraderie, cultural diversity, and residents’ individualized learning and personal wellness, and Baystate-Peds has it all. On the day of my interview, Dr. Senn-McNally really sealed the deal. Cannot wait to meet the rest of the faculty and my co-residents!!
Bianca Olivieri, MD
I was born in Montréal, Québec and raised in a close-knit Italian family. I completed my undergraduate degree at McGill University in Cognitive Science (with a focus in neuroscience, philosophy, computer science, and linguistics), followed by a Master’s degree with McGill University’s Integrated Programme in Neuroscience. My research focused on the effects of birth asphyxia on newborn brain development, with a clinical trial assessing treatment for brain damage repair in these newborns. In addition, I took part in a student-lead initiative to bring neuroscience education to socioeconomically disadvantaged children across Québec. Through these experiences, I cultivated my passion for medicine in the pediatric population and from there went on to complete medical school at St. George’s University, in the global scholars programme. I love to travel (I have lived in four countries and have visited over dozens more) and enjoy learning different languages (currently fluent in Italian, English, and French while learning Spanish and ASL). Outside of medicine you can usually find me baking, museum hopping, painting, and (re)reading any of Douglas Hofstadter’s books.
Why UMass Chan – Baystate?
What stood out to me the most after my interview here was the strong sense of community amongst the residents and faculty. This, along with the nurturing nature of the programme, was evident in each interaction I had - with everyone genuinely invested in the success and wellbeing of one another. I found myself continuously comparing other programmes to this one after each interview, so I knew Baystate was the best programme for me. I was looking for a supportive programme with a robust academic curriculum that would promote strong professional development, and I found all that and more with Baystate!
Joshua Pankin, MD
I was born and raised in the suburbs of Boston and am excited to be returning home to Massachusetts! I’m a non-traditional student and have worked as a sous chef in an Italian restaurant, served in the military, and traveled around the world. During my undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania, I chose to conduct research on lung tissue development because no one chooses the air that they breathe, least of all children. After graduating, I completed my medical education at Tel Aviv University where I focused my volunteer efforts on the asylum-seeking and refugee communities. In my free time I enjoy long-distance hiking, landscape photography, and spending time with my partner and our dog.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
I chose UMass Baystate because of the supportive and welcoming community. From day one, everyone I interacted with has been helpful and generous with their time. In addition, I’m excited by the focus on increasing health equity both here in the Pioneer Valley and abroad through global health opportunities. Lastly, I’m excited to be returning to Massachusetts after fifteen years away.
Robert Soohey, MD
I was raised in a small town in rural Maine. Growing up I spent summers by the water and winters snowmobiling in the northern wilderness. My first exposure to healthcare was through the group homes my parents managed for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. While I had no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up, I knew that I wanted to become someone like my pediatrician. Fast forward, and many years later I am ever closer, having completed my medical training at Tufts University School of Medicine, and now starting residency at Baystate. Outside of medicine I thoroughly enjoy impromptu singing with my wife, playing guitar, reading, most things outdoors, and spoiling our mini-goldendoodle, Barkley!
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
I knew that I wanted to stay in the Northeast and, preferably, close to my family. On interview day, everyone was so endearing and extremely committed to resident education. Baystate has a lot of the features that I was looking for in a program, with a more diverse patient population compared to broader New England, high volume, and a tight-knit, learning oriented program. I am so excited, and fortunate, to be starting my pediatrics career here at Baystate!
Rebekka Vogelgsang, MD
In 2019, Rebekka and her family relocated to the US from her native country Germany, where she was pursuing a career as a pediatrician. Initially planning for a short-term stay, Rebekka wanted to open a sewing business while in the US. But she quickly fell in love with New England, and once the pandemic hit, she couldn’t ignore her call back to medicine and took the USMLE exams.
She had previously completed a 2-year pediatric outpatient residency training in Göttingen, and a 1-year rotation at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University Hospital Erlangen. She completed her 6 years of Medical School at the Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen, where she also wrote her dissertation in the field of Neuroscience. Rebekka loves baking, spending time with her husband and her two children, swimming, and good coffee.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
As an NDD-resident, I have the privilege to start my training at Baystate Pediatric Hospital. I appreciate the wide range of pediatric patients from diverse backgrounds. Most of all, I am excited about the amazing team I get to be part of.
Eva Yagudaev, MD
Eva grew up in the sunny city of Boca Raton, Florida, and is an alumna of Florida Atlantic University. There, she pursued her Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and a Masters of Health Administration. She then moved to Israel and completed her medical degree at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, where she discovered her love for hiking. She is an avid reader and enjoys exploring various genres, from mysteries to autobiographies. Her other passion is baking - she loves to try out new recipes and experiment with ingredients to create mouthwatering treats.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
Baystate immediately stood out to me during my interview day, where I was welcomed by friendly and enthusiastic residents and faculty. I felt a strong sense of community and support that I was looking for in a residency program. I was impressed by the diversity of the patient population and clinical settings, providing a well-rounded training experience. Additionally, Baystate prioritizes resident wellness and work-life balance, which is essential for delivering quality patient care. Overall, I am excited to begin my pediatrics career as part of the Baystate family and feel that it offers just the right balance of all the essential elements.
Veronica Andrade, DO
I was born in Ecuador and emigrated to Oklahoma City at age 10, where I grew up enjoying spending time with family and friends, attending church, and volunteering for various organizations. I completed both my undergraduate and Master’s in Public Health degrees in Oklahoma. While pursuing my MPH, I worked with the ONIE Project, a SNAP-Ed Program, creating nutrition calendars, cooking classes, physical activity programs and online content to help low-income Oklahoman families lead healthier lives. After completing my degree, I stayed on with the project for several years helping expand its outreach to the Hispanic community even more. I completed my medical education at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa, where I continued to cultivate my love for serving underserved communities through global mission work and volunteering. I also enjoy long-distance running, being outdoors, traveling, cooking, and dancing.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
Baystate had several aspects that I was looking for in a program- quality training, small class size, advocacy and global health opportunities, as well as flexibility to tailor my training. The stories I heard during my interview and at the meet and greet as well as graduate feedback spoke well of the culture at Baystate, and it gave me confidence that I would be well-supported during this experience.
Shelby Burton, DO
Born and raised in Denver, CO, I have known I wanted to be a doctor from my early high school years. Because of this, I spent any time in high school that wasn’t dedicated to helping raise my three younger siblings taking every medically-oriented elective offered. My undergraduate degree (B.S.) in Biology was in Billings, MT, where I started a non-profit chapter with campaigns focused on literacy, suicide prevention, and combatting food insecurity. Because my siblings were still young by the time I graduated college, I returned to Colorado to work as a medical assistant for several years to finally get to enjoy watching them grow up. I finally brought myself to leave in order to complete medical school at Touro University Nevada. I spend my free time huddling up under some blankets to read a book (typically young adult, à la Mortal Instruments) or writing one.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
Aside from the warmth that emanated from all the faculty , residents, and staff I met on my interview day (virtually), I love that Baystate dedicates time helping trainees learn the local resources so we can arm our patients with as much information as possible. I believe that an investment in residents’ familiarity with their community upfront will pay off many times over in our ability to better connect with our patients and their families and problem solve with them to help them meet their goals.
Jason Cooper, DO
Jason was born and raised in the suburbs of Washington D.C. He grew up playing the harp, exploring hiking trails with his dog, and volunteering as an EMT. While working at a local summer camp he found his passion for working with children and families. He completed his bachelor’s degree in animal sciences at the University of Maryland and became a paramedic soon after graduating. Jason then packed up and moved south for the opportunity to study medicine at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. There he made incredible friends and went on countless adventures in the Appalachian Mountains. Outside of medicine Jason enjoys reading, hiking, getting together with friends, and baking.
Why UMass Chan - Baystate?
Right from the beginning I felt connected to Baystate. The residents and faculty were all genuinely warm and welcoming on my interview day. Despite the virtual format I could tell that they cared and were excited to meet us. Baystate is a Goldilocks program with just enough of all the right things. I am thrilled to be starting my pediatrics career as a member of the Baystate family.
Pooja Dahiya, MD
I was born in New Delhi, India but I grew up in Toronto, Canada alongside my younger brother. Growing up I spent a lot of time rehearsing and performing Bollywood dances. After high-school I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Toronto while also volunteering at the pediatrics department of my local hospital. I then attended Ross University School of Medicine and moved to a Caribbean Island. During this time, I cultivated my passion for pediatrics by founding a Pediatrics club in St. Kitts through which we provided healthcare resources to the underserved pediatric community on the island. In my spare time I enjoy watching Marvel films and the Friends TV show. I also love to bake sweets!
Why UMass Chan – Baystate?
I interviewed at UMass - Chan Baystate at the very start of interview season. I distinctly remember leaving every interaction, whether that be meet-and-greet night or interview sessions, with a huge smile on my face. I was excited about this program from the start and that anticipation has stayed with me throughout the application cycle. The camaraderie between residents, the warm and welcoming environment from faculty, and the robust academic curriculum with the learner-teacher-manager model were what attracted me to this program. Lastly, being Canadian, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere that didn’t have snow during the Christmas season!
Ashley Kenyon, DO
I was born in Ireland but grew up in Massachusetts after my family immigrated to Boston. I spent a lot of my childhood either playing with my two brothers or practicing Irish Step Dance. Dance was a big part of my life, and I went on to compete at the regional level and continued dancing into my college years. I attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where I received my BS in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, with a minor in Sociology. After college, I worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at both Joslin Diabetes Center and Boston Children’s Hospital. My passion to work with children stemmed from my pediatric research experience but was solidified after I volunteered at a camp for children with life threatening illnesses. For medical school, my then-boyfriend, now-husband, and I moved across the country to Oregon to attend Western University of Health Sciences COMP-NW. Outside of medicine, I love to travel (especially to the Caribbean), to be outdoors, read good books, and spend time with my family.
Why UMass Chan – Baystate?
After having a little adventure on the West Coast for medical school, I was ready to move back to MA to be back in the communities I grew up in and be closer to family. What drew me to Baystate was the commitment to serving the surrounding communities and underserved populations. After completing a rotation at Baystate, I fell in love with the family atmosphere, and I knew it was the place I wanted to be for the next stage of my career. The residents and staff are so welcoming and always supporting each other and it really felt like home. I am also looking forward to being back in the Pioneer Valley!
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 Peds faculty.
Deaven Theriault, DO
I grew up in Springfield and Ludlow, Massachusetts and was always active in sports. I attended Wells College in Aurora, New York where I received my degree in Biology. During this time, I was part of the cross-country team and volunteered as an EMT/Firefighter. I spent a semester abroad in Granada, Spain and was able to do an internship with a family medicine physician. After graduation I moved to Colorado to earn my Master’s in Biomedical Science at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine and stayed there for the rest of my medical education. I have always known Pediatrics was my passion, which was only solidified while volunteering in the NICU, during local outreach programs at elementary schools and throughout all of my Pediatric rotations. Outside of medicine I love to be outside hiking, camping, running and spending time with family and friends.
Why UMass Chan – Baystate?
I chose Baystate because I knew I wanted to go to a smaller program that truly valued education and where residents felt supported. I was able to experience this firsthand during my Sub-I in the PICU. All the attendings, residents and staff were so welcoming and always took the time to teach and help. I have the opportunity to give back to the community I grew up in and could not be more excited to be back close to home.
Mollie Wald, MD
I was raised in the Boston suburb of Newton, MA with my three younger siblings. I earned an undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and subsequently completed medical school in Israel, studying at the Technion’s Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine. With a background in research, I worked in a food science lab throughout college, and worked in a startup pharmaceutical company, developing a new drug for treating children with PKU. Extracurricularly, I have supported peers in the UMass student disability center and spent a summer volunteering at Rambam Hospital in Haifa, Israel. An avid traveler, I have explored over two dozen countries with my family and friends. In my free time, I enjoy biking, going to the beach, and baking.
Why UMass Chan – Baystate?
There were two important things that were immediately evident to me when I interviewed at Baystate. First, that the standard of care afforded to patients at Baystate is exceptional, and second, that both the faculty and current residents in the pediatric residency program are a welcoming and helpful community. In my interactions with the current residents, I found everyone to be inclusive, which was exactly what I was looking for in a residency program. As a New England native, I’m excited to partake in Baystate’s commitment to supporting underserved communities while also being so close to home.
A Wonderful Place To Be
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