Psychiatry Residents

Posed group photo of the smiling 2024 Psychiatry residents and program directors

Meet our residents

A little bit about our residents—where they're from, what they've accomplished, and their interests and aspirations...

Current residents

PGY-1

Formal smiling portrait of Dr Humza Ali

Humza Ali, DO

Humza grew up in Manchester CT.  He completed his DO at UNECOM.  First in his family to graduate from college, he graduated from Boston College in Biology and competed post baccalaureate studies at Central CT State University. At UNECOM, he was the Treasurer and Committee Chair for Sigma Sigma Phi Osteopathic Honorary Society, was on the Activities Planning Board of the Muslim Student Association and an inductee of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Humza participated in wrestling in high school and college and continues to enjoy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts.

Pronouns: he/him

Formal smiling portrait of Dr Kayley Siemiatkoski

Kayley Siemiatkoski, MD

Kayley is a Connecticut native who completed her MD at UConn School of Medicine after receiving her bachelor’s degree in Pathobiology from the University of Connecticut. Kayley’s early interest in patient care led her to become a certified nursing assistant prior to medical school. In medical school, she volunteered with the Crisis Text Line, was a Student Advisory Board Member for the Psychiatry Interest Group, and was a mentor for undergraduate Latino students through the Latino Medical Student Association. Kayley enjoys hiking in Maine and New Hampshire and spending summers camping in Vermont.

Pronouns: she/her

Formal smiling portrait of Dr Jewel Smith

Jewel Smith, DO

Jewel completed her medical studies at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – New York. She completed her undergraduate studies in Biology at Immaculata College and an MS in Biomedical Sciences at Geisinger School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, Jewel worked as a Direct Care Professional for adults with developmental disabilities and psychiatric disorders, becoming an Associate Program Director for a group home for these individuals. During medical school, she served as Secretary of the Diversity Task Force and volunteered with the Crisis Text Line. Jewel is also a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force. She enjoys running, dancing, and going to church.

Pronouns: she/her

Formal smiling portrait of Dr Peter WilsonBraun

Peter Wilson-Braun, DO

Peter was born and raised in Massachusetts. He completed his DO at UNECOM and his undergraduate degrees at UMass-Amherst with degrees in Kinesiology and Psychology. At UMass, he earned a Certificate in Civic Engagement and Public Service through participation in the Literacy Project, teaching neurodiverse and non-English speaking adults. After graduation, he worked as a research assistant at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and as a clinical research coordinator doing neuroimaging at the MGH/Brigham medical centers. At UNECOM he was an active member and leader in the Student Doctors for Health Equity Club. Peter is a lifelong athlete who enjoys bicycling and power lifting.

Pronouns: he/him

PGY-2

Portrait of Ganna Brych

GANNA (ANYA) BRYCH, MD
University of Connecticut School of Medicine

Anya joins us from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She grew up in Connecticut and graduated summa cum laude in Biological Sciences from UConn. Anya has been involved in the Psych SIG, Ukrainian relief efforts, student research on suicidality in adolescents experiencing domestic violence, and enhancing medical education through an examination of social determinants of health. She has a strong interest in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry that developed from her experiences in pediatrics rotations. Anya enjoys Ukrainian cross-stitching, listening to podcasts, vegan cooking and baking, and dancing.

Portrait of Alexis Dame

ALEXIS DAME, DO
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Alexis grew up in Massachusetts and completed her medical training at UNECOM where she received the honor of being selected to be an OMM Teaching fellow. She graduated from the College of the Holy Cross magna cum laude in Chemistry. Alexis has volunteered as a mentor and for the crisis text line. She has a strong interest in child psychiatry. She enjoys reading and writing fantasy fiction, going to Disney, snuggling her cat, watching documentaries, and building and decorating homes.

Portrait of Arjun Mann

ARJUN MANN, DO
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Arjun is a graduate from UNECOM. He received his BA in Philosophy from Cal State and an MS in Bioethics from Columbia University. He has completed an elective in substance use disorders through the Betty Ford Foundation and has served as Legislative Committee Chair for the Medical Student Section of the Maine Medical Association, mentor, and member of the Health Policy Club at UNECOM . He has done student research on ketamine for treatment resistant depression, MDMA for PTSD, risk factors contributing to AMA discharges, and catatonia. To relax, Arjun enjoys film photography, pottery, and hiking.

Formal portrait of Paige Mastalerz

PAIGE MASTALERZ, MD
UMass Chan Medical School - PURCH

Paige is a Massachusetts native who graduated from the UMass Chan Medical School – Baystate PURCH program. She studied Biochemistry/Biophysics at Rochester Polytechnic Institute. Paige has completed a summer internship at Phoenix House Adult Residential Program and was co-leader for a substance use disorder enrichment program at UMass Chan. Paige enjoys dogs, reading, video games, and English premier league football.

PGY-3

Dr Daniel Drimer Batca

DANIEL DRIMER-BATCA, DO
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Daniel completed his DO at UNECOM. He was born in Bucharest, Romania, and calls East Lansing Michigan and Portland Maine hometowns. Daniel competed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan in Philosophy, and an MS in Medical Science at Boston University. During this time, he also taught 4th-8th graders at the Solomon Schechter Day School in Newton MA. He has done research with Alex Sabo MD at Berkshire Medical Center on improving follow-up rates for patients with substance use disorders, and has worked as a psych tech at Spring Hill in ME. He co-founded and was President of the Medical Humanities Club at UNECOM and organized a Wellness in Medical School Art Exhibit. Daniel enjoys playing strategy board games, backpacking, winter camping, and playing guitar.

Dr Thomas Oram

THOMAS ORAM, DO
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Thomas is a Massachusetts native from Marlborough and a graduate of UNECOM. He studied Biology at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester with additional course work through the Harvard University Extension School. During his post-baccalaureate years, he was a middle school teacher in Waltham and then a medical assistant at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. At UNECOM, he was a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, a student board member of the Latino Medical Student Association, and a teaching assistant in neuroanatomy. He has a strong interest in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and enjoys basketball, music including playing guitar, and visiting aquariums and natural history museums.

Dr Alice Peng

ALICE PENG, MD
Robert Larner MD College of Medicine, University of Vermont

Alice is a graduate of the Robert Larner MD College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. She completed her BS in Biological Science and MS in Pharmacology at University of Vermont. Alice was an Albert Schweitzer Fellow, and has worked as research coordinator, licensed nursing assistant, respite provider for State of VT Dept of Disabilities, and mentor. She has a strong interest in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and in improving psychiatric services for under-served patients such as those with neurodevelopmental disabilities and immigrants. She describes herself as a fragrance and skincare enthusiast, enjoys Asian dramas, is an Elite Yelper, foodie, recreational tennis player, and enjoys traveling and journaling.

Dr Brianna Rowan

BRIANNA ROWAN, MD
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Brianna received her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She is originally from Brooklyn NY. As an undergraduate, she majored in biology with a minor in psychology at the University of Albany where she was also an EMT. She earned her MS in Mental Health Counseling from the College at Old Westbury NY and then worked for 4 years as a shelter and rehab counselor as well as a search engine evaluator before completing post baccalaureate courses at the University of Buffalo. During medical school, Brianna developed and taught a curriculum for under-represented minority students in the Science and Technology Entry Program, served as SNMA historian, was student representative to the Wellness and Resilience Committee, and worked with Deaf culture patients. She has a strong interest in the empathic treatment of substance use and dual diagnosis patients. Brianna enjoys writing poetry and traveling

PGY-4: Chief Residents

Dr Andrew Baccari

ANDREW BACCARI, MD
University of Massachusetts Medical School

Andrew Baccari hails from Bedford MA. He received his BA in premed and religion from Holy Cross, and his MDiv from Harvard where he was a research fellow in Psycho-Social Oncology Department working on spirituality and end-of-life issues. He was a hospital chaplain at Boston Medical Center and Tufts Medical Center. He is currently a clinical and translational research scholar at UMMS working on access to MAT as an Opioid Overdose Prevention Project, and has volunteered in the UMMS free clinic, Americorps, and as a TA and mentor. Andrew enjoys sailing, dinner parties, freshly ground coffee, bread-baking, Art Museums (Impressionist Collections), Halloween decorations, and sending postcards to friends.

Recent graduates

2024

Sanjana Kumar, MD

Post graduate position: Fast-tracked – Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program at Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA

Maria Sarmiento, MD

Post graduate position: Pursuing a Women’s Mental Health Fellowship at New York University Langone, New York, NY

Jennifer Sharma, DO

Post graduate position: Baystate Medical Center as an attending psychiatrist on the Adult Psychiatry Treatment Unit

Suzanne Valcheva, MD

Post graduate position: Atrius Health Psychiatry, Quincy MA, as an attending psychiatrist

Joseph Jabaily, DO

Post graduate position: Fast-Tracked into Baystate Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program, Baystate Medical Center

Michael O’Sullivan, DO

Post graduate position: Fast-Tracked into Baystate Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program, Baystate Medical Center

2023 grads

Alyssa Kahn, MD

Post graduate position: Mount Sinai Transgender Psychiatry Fellowship, New York City, NY

Pooja Sarkar, DO

Post graduate position: Boston Medical Center Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship, Boston, MA

Andrew Vetter, DO

Post graduate position: Togus VA Medical Center, Staff Psychiatrist, Augusta, ME

Rebecca Wetzel, MD

Post graduate position: Boston Children’s Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, Boston, MA

2022 grads
SANTIAGO CASTRO, DO
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Staff Psychiatrist, Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, CT

PHILIP CLOSE-BARBER, DO
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Staff Psychiatrist, Center for Counseling and Psychological Health, University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Amherst, MA

HOSSAIN KHAN, DO
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Medical Director, Emergency Psychiatry Service, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA
2021 grads
RAM LAKHANI, DO
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Post-graduate Position: Staff Psychiatrist, Central Western Massachusetts Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Leeds, MA

FEIER LIU, DO
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Fellow, Consult Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon

IANNA HONDROS-MCCARTHY, DO
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, UMMS-Baystate, Springfield, MA
2020 grads
JAMISON BRADSHAW DO
Medical School: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Staff Psychiatrist, Adult Psychiatry Inpatient Unit, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA

SHANNON MAZUR DO
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT

GURSHARON NIJJAR MD
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Staff Psychiatrist, Bestself Behavioral Health, Buffalo, NY

SAJEL SHAH, MD
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA

KERRY SHEAHAN, DO
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA

DEEPIKA SUNDARARAJ MD
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Post-graduate Position: Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship, Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
2019 grads
EGUONO EDUVIE DO
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post Graduate Position: Staff Psychiatrist at Tuttleman Counseling Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

ERIN JOHNSON MD
Ross University School of Medicine
Post Graduate Position: Staff Psychiatrist, Baystate Medical Practices, Springfield, MA

DANIEL MAROTTA, MD
St. George’s University School of Medicine
Post Graduate Position: Staff Psychiatrist, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA

REBECCA OLUFADE MD
Morehouse School of Medicine
Post Graduate Position: Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship at The University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Revolutionary fife and drum parade

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