Our Graduates 1970 to 2008
See the names and current practice sites of our 400 graduates. Then click on the Featured Alumni link to learn about the exciting work being by some of them
— working for health care reform, researching racial differences among patients concerning end-of-life inetrventions, spearheading the Ideal MicroPractice concept, and writing poetry.
Recent Graduates
Class of 2008
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Shirish Balachandra, M.D.
McGill University Faculty
of Medicine |
Patrick John Costa, M.D.
Temple University School of Medicine |
Mathew John Devine, D.O.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
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Todd Evan Gerwig, D.O.
Ohio University College
of Osteopathic Medicine |
Shazia Janmuhammad, M.D.
Dow Medical College |
Roksolana Kuchma, M.D.
Poznan University of Medical Sciences |
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Miia Helena Lim, M.D.
Ross University |
Edith Lubin, M.D.
Drexel University |
Kristen Thornton, M.D.
Dartmouth Medical School |
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Matthew Wilson, M.D.
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry |
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Shirish Balachandra, M.D.
I grew up in suburban Los Angeles and studied molecular biology and French literature at U.C. Berkeley. While there, I spent one year at the Université de Bordeaux. The travel bug has possessed me ever since. I spent two plus years in Cameroon as a Community Health Educator with the U.S. Peace Corps, and then returned to North America for medical school at McGill University in Montréal. After two years of living in the remote (and pristine) Northeast Kingdom of rural Vermont, my wife and I decided to try replacing the moose with neighbors here in Rochester. My wife April is a Certified Nurse Midwife, so we are both excited to be working in a very midwifery-friendly community. Personally, I am thrilled to be at the inner-city Brown Square clinic, and I look forward to working in Honduras with the International Health Track. We spend most of our time outdoors, juggling the dog, our kids, and our wanderlust.
Patrick John Costa, M.D.
I was born and raised in Rochester, home to the Lilac Festival and birthplace of modern photography. I come from a traditional Italian Roman Catholic background. After obtaining a Ph.D. degree in molecular and cell biology from the University of Pittsburgh, I realized that molecular biology and genetics will increasingly play a role in medicine. This is exemplified by sequencing of the complete human genome and successful cancer drugs such as imantinib mesylate, which specifically targets the Philadelphia chromosome lesion of CML. I received my medical education at Temple University in historic Philadelphia. Family Practice is my chosen specialty because family is more valuable than the largest emerald. I enjoy classic movies (favorites include “The Man Who Came to Dinner” and “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"), fishing, good books (favorite is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird), and ice hockey.
Mathew John Devine, M.D.
I was born at Highland Hospital and raised in the city of Rochester. I have been all over the place but I am happy to find myself back home with my wife and family. I went to the University of Albany for my undergraduate work. I was able to study abroad in London for one semester my senior year of college. This experience sparked my interest in traveling and exploring other cultures and places. I graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2004. I spent a year in Philadelphia doing a categorical internship. My interest is in sports medicine, and Rochester has many opportunities to pursue sports event coverage. I enjoy getting outdoors, traveling, and working on our new house that was built in 1900 near the University of Rochester's Memorial Art Gallery.
Todd Evan Gerwig, M.D.
I was raised in a small town just north of Columbus, Ohio, called Sunbury. I went to college at Heidelberg (Tiffin, Ohio) were I was premed with a major in biology. I ran track and cross country there and was a Division III All-American three times. More importantly, however, this is where I met my best friend and soon-to-be wife, Michelle. Medical school was Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where I solidified my interest in primary care. Outside of medicine, I enjoy strength and conditioning, outdoor activities, and strumming on my guitar. I'm considering a sports medicine fellowship after residency.
Shazia Janmuhammad, M.D.
I am a graduate of Dow Medical College, the oldest medical school in Pakistan. In addition to my responsibilities as a resident I am a mother of three beautiful children. Over the last five years Rochester has grown on us and we all enjoy being a part of this town. When I get time I love to go hiking with my husband and daughters. Cooking and reading are my other passions. My clinical interests include treatment of chronic illnesses that affect women and children. I hope to work with underserved communities in the inner-city, minorities, and immigrants.
Roksolana Kuchma, M.D.
My roots are in the Ukraine, where I was born and spent my childhood. My family and I moved to Rochester in the early 1990s where I finished high school. I went to college at New Paltz. Besides keeping track of my studies, I swam competitively for my high school and college teams. I studied medicine in Poznan, Poland, where I had the chance to travel throughout Europe and experience cultures and cuisine, international travel and languages, and intercultural ethics—interests that grew over the years.
Miia Lim, M.D.
My childhood was spent in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada—home of the largest Finnish population outside of Finland. I remember spending a lot of time outdoors and have continued to love hiking and cross-country skiing. I spent time at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and continued my education at the University of Toronto, where I graduated with a degree in Forensic Anthropology. I worked different jobs for two years after graduating. Most rewarding was being a personal care assistant to a wonderful lady named Brenda. This experience solidified my desire to become a physician, and I had the unique experience of living on the island of Dominica attending Ross University. Rochester is a very welcoming city, and my husband, Nick, and I look forward to enjoying all that it has to offer. Now, where is this Wegman’s everyone is talking about?
Edith Lubin, M.D.
I grew up in North Jersey. After college, I taught chemistry at the high school level. I chose to attend Drexel University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania after a teaching career because I hope to make a bigger difference in young people’s lives. Now, I am in Rochester to pursue my interest in women’s health and in international medicine. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my husband and my daughter. Also, I like to curl up with a good book. I enjoy cycling, jogging, listening to music, the outdoors, and traveling.
Kristen Thornton, M.D.
I was born and raised in the beautiful state of New Hampshire. I graduated from Providence College with a major in biology and a minor in public and community service studies. After college, I completed a year of service with the Redeemer Ministry Corps, providing Hospice respite care as well as outreach to the homebound elderly. I then spent a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer based at the Feinstein Institute for Public Service in Rhode Island. I returned to New Hampshire to attend medical school at Dartmouth, where I developed my love for family and community medicine. At Dartmouth I continued to pursue my interest in palliative care as an Albert Schweitzer Fellow, as well as in rural medicine through the Rural Health Scholars program. My ultimate goal is to combine full scope family medicine practice with an active role in resident and medical school education. Outside of medicine, I enjoy running, knitting, cooking, learning Spanish, and travel, with my favorite activity being sharing a good hearty laugh in the company of dear friends and family.
Matthew Wilson, M.D.
I am a long time resident of Rochester, and come to the University of Rochester/Highland Family Medicine Residency program after completing an M.D. and a Preventive Cardiology Fellowship at the University of Rochester. In addition to direct patient care, I enjoy the wonders of clinical research in many areas, but predominantly in cardiovascular disease. The goal of my research is to increase prevention and public health. I will continue exploring my research interests during residency, and am always interested in collaborating. Outside of medicine, I spend most of my time with my wife, Jamine, and our three children, Trinity, Jordan, and Christian. We enjoy Rochester and take full advantage of the parks, museums, beaches, and other area activities.
Class of 2007
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Vidush P. Athyal, M.D.
Ben Gurion University of the Negev |
Jessica A. Davis, M.D.
University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry |
Sonya Foster-Merrow, M.D.
Tulane University School of Medicine |
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LeWanza M. Harris, M.D.
University of Rochester
School of Medicine & Dentistry |
Brittany L. Morse, M.D.
University at Buffalo School
of Medicine |
Leonore Novotny, M.D.
University of Zurich |
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Emily S. Queenan, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine |
Nao Sakurai, M.D.
Albany Medical College |
Eric Wilcox, D.O.
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine |
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Ronald S. Yearwood, M.D.
St. George's University |
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Vidush P. Athyal, M.D.
I consider myself a mix of both the U.S. and Indian cultures. I was born and brought up in India, but have lived in the U.S. since high school. This cross-cultural blend is probably the root of my passion to serve people through international public health and medicine. I earned my M.P.H. in International Health from Loma Linda University, California, and then joined the Ben Gurion/Columbia University medical program. After medical school, I did one year of research in Preventive Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota. Joining the International Health Track of the U of R Family Medicine Residency Program is the icing on the cake to my training. My lovely wife, Merina, and I are looking forward to our three years here in Rochester, where we can celebrate the diversity of this area.
Jessica A. Davis, M.D.
I grew up in a small rural town north of Albany, New York. I majored in biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester, where I met my husband. He works as an optical engineer. We like Rochester so much that we stayed for medical school and now residency. When we’re not working on our house and garden projects, Art and I love swing dancing, hiking, and playing with our two cats. I also enjoy volleyball, kayaking, cooking, crocheting, and various other crafts.
LeWanza M. Harris, M.D.
I am originally from Memphis, Tennessee. My undergraduate studies were at Xavier University in Louisiana. I am an alumna of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. My husband, Fredrick, and I enjoy traveling and collecting art, antiques, and memorabilia. I have a true passion for culinary arts and music. My area of interest is health care disparities and health advocacy.
Sonya Foster-Merrow, M.D.
I come to Rochester from a small town in Pennsylvania. I completed my undergraduate work at Hampton University in beautiful Hampton Roads, Virginia, and my medical degree at Tulane University in New Orleans. Outside of medicine, my life is incredibly filled with joy and excitement. I am proud to say that I am a new mother and my son is the most beautiful child in the world. I spend every waking moment that I can watching him grow and discover life.
Brittany L. Morse, M.D.
I grew up just outside of Rochester in LeRoy, New York (the home of Jell-O). We love the little town so much that my husband, Adam, our son Bailey J., and I are making it our home still. I am a graduate of SUNY Geneseo and the University of Buffalo School of Medicine. Outside of medicine, my interests are centered on my family, spending all of my “extra” time raising Bailey and building our new house with Adam.
Leonore Novotny, M.D.
I was born in Switzerland, spent seven years of my childhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, returned to Switzerland, and graduated there at the University of Zurich. After one year of residency in Surgery and two years of residency in Internal Medicine, my husband and I moved to the United States in 1996, where we had two wonderful children. Since medicine has always my passion, I decided to go back to work and do a residency here. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, woodworking, playing the piano, and spending time with my family.
Emily S. Queenan, M.D.
After growing up outside of Philadelphia in Haverford, Pennsylvania, I went to Williams College, where I discovered my love for all things outdoorsy, particularly hiking, backpacking, biking, and climbing. After college I spent a year and a half working in the pediatrics department of a community health center in New York as an AmeriCorps Health Corps member. It was a phenomenal experience and really allowed me to explore my passion for community and public health. After I left New York, I spent five months through-hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. One week after finishing, I returned to Philadelphia to start medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. While in medical school I met the love of my life, Rick, and we were married the day before my medical school graduation. We fell in love with Rochester on our first day here (in December no less!) and are so excited to establish a life here.
Nao Sakurai, M.D.
I am here in Rochester because our residency program has strong roots in biopsychosocial medicine, and I hope to become a mindful healer. My branches of interest in care of the underserved, cultural diversity, integrative medicine, and global health have grown bigger during my medical education at Albany Medical College. Growing up in Japan with many folklore and fairy tales, I like reading, writing, and listening to stories. After graduating from the University of Oregon, I worked at a feminist bookstore and discovered more stories. I also enjoy swimming, making and drinking teas, and looking at the sky and the earth.
Eric Wilcox, D.O.
I'm a native Rochesterian who graduated from East High School and SUNY College at Brockport. Since graduating from Brockport, I have been on sabbatical in search of sunshine and cloudless days, which I successfully found in the four locations that I have lived over the last decade: Dallas, Nashville, Denver, and most recently a four-year stint in Sacramento. I have returned to Rochester to be close to my relatives and to participate in what I believe to be the best Family Medicine residency in the country. My wife, Mary Beth, and I met while in high school and have been happily married for the past 12 years. We have three wonderful children ages 11, 5, and 2. When not at the hospital or at clinic, I enjoy playing basketball, taking part in outdoor activities, and spending time with my wife and children.
Ronald S. Yearwood, M.D.
I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, but raised in Grenada and Barbados, Caribbean. I completed my undergraduate and post-graduate education in London, England. After graduating from the University of London with a B.A. in liberal arts, I embarked on a diverse career path (teaching, direct and telemarketing, business analysis, and project management). I have visited several continents, participated in a 12-month trans-Atlantic sailing expedition, and was a volunteer counselor (specialization in suicide) for several years. I completed my pre-medical and medical doctorate at St. George’s University (Grenada and St. Vincent) and did my clinical clerkships in Birmingham, England and New York and Miami. I enjoy multiple outdoor sports and hiking. I lived in Puerto Rico before coming to Rochester. I consider it an absolute privilege to be at the University of Rochester. My main objective is to be as good a physician as I can, so as to maximize my own personal potential. I intend to pursue further work in psychiatry and geriatrics after completing my Family Medicine residency.
Class of 2006
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Lucy L. Bucci, M.D.
Ben Gurion University of
the Negev |
Jose R. Canario, M.D.
Eastern Virginia Medical School |
Adriane Cross, M.D.
University of Vermont College of Medicine |
Sarah C. Kent, M.D.
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey |
S. Steven Kim, M.D.
St. George's University |
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John N. Murimi, M.D.
St. George's University |
Elizabeth Brown, M.D.
Ben Gurion University of
the Negev |
Ahmad M. Rana, M.D.
Dow Medical College, University of Karachi |
Angela L. Tobias, M.D.
Baylor College
of Medicine |
Edward B. Yoon, M.D.
Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine |
Elizabeth Brown, M.D.
I was born and grew up in coastal Maine. During my years at Messiah College, I became interested in international health. After graduation I embarked on a trip to Israel to begin medical school at Ben Gurion University of the Negev’s M.D. Program in International Health and Medicine. I loved the experience of working and living in a new culture and the opportunity to travel to places like Jordan, Egypt, Cyprus, and Kenya. After medical school, I spent a year pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at Columbia University. I’m glad that I came to Rochester, and still feel that this is the best place for me. After a year as co-chief resident, I am joining the Family Medicine Department as faculty in 2007. I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, softball, a good book, and spending time with my husband.
Lucy L. Bucci, M.D.
Global health and medicine are my passions. To serve others with clinical medicine and public health is what I love to do most in life. Outside of work, I love to cook, read for leisure, exercise, travel, listen to good music, eat good food, spend time with family and my beau, and hike. Training in the Family Medicine Residency Program here at the U of R and having my continuity office at Brown Square are experiences of a lifetime.
Jose
R. Canario, M.D.
Although born in the Windy City, I grew up
in wild, wonderful West Virginia. After five years and two undergraduate
schools, I finally graduated with a B.S. in chemistry from Salve Regina
University. While at SRU, I obligated myself to the United States Navy. During
my Navy stint I had the opportunity to travel around South America and live
in Italy for close to three years. Upon returning to the United States, I taught
at a Naval school for health and legal professionals. During this time I
was encouraged by my students to pursue my dream of becoming a physician.
I applied for and received a scholarship through the Navy. Also during this
time I met my future wife, Irene. I attended Eastern Virginia Medical
School and served two years payback to the Navy. Now I’m
here in Rochester enjoying the program immensely and watching my daughter
grow and develop.
Adriane Cross, M.D.
I’m a graduate of the University of
Vermont’s College of Medicine. I love Rochester and the program here at Highland. I particularly enjoy Community Medicine, which is a huge part
of our program. I am glad to say that I continue to have some free time to spend gardening, practicing yoga, listening to live music, and enjoying the outdoors.
Sarah Kent, M.D.
I am a graduate of Penn State University College
of Medicine in Hershey (yes, the town does smell like chocolate) and Messiah
College. Although a native of Pennsylvania and having lived most of my
life there, I was attracted to Rochester by its rolling hills outside the
city. The hills remind me of my home area, where I was raised on a truck
farm with my five siblings. One of my interests within the confines of medicine
is clinical research, particularly in the area of insulin resistance. Outside
of medicine, I enjoy playing the piano and crocheting.
Steven Kim, M.D.
I
was born in Seoul, Korea but spent early years of my life in Columbia,
South America. I moved to the United States when I was 12 years old and grew up in
New Jersey and California. After getting my B.S. in biochemistry at
Boston College, I was obsessed for eight months with backpack traveling throughout
the globe until I entered St. George’s
University School of Medicine, where I was exposed to the Caribbean sun
and white sand beaches. I am greatly interested in the International Health
Track at the Family Medicine program. I enjoy traveling, skiing, and playing
video games.
John Murimi, M.D.
I am a St. George’s
University graduate. I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. Apart from
my interest in pediatrics and adolescent medicine, I am looking forward
to seeing how the International Health Track develops. I enjoy foreign
films and travel.
Ahmad Rana, M.D.
I was born and raised in Pakistan. I graduated from Dow Medical College, Karachi. After graduation, I practiced medicine for a couple of years with my father who is a pulmonologist and a family physician. I moved to the United States in 1998. I spent my initial years at Boston and did clinical research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. I have done
an externship in medicine in Baltimore and my preliminary year of residency
in surgery at Yale. I like sports and play squash and tennis and enjoy skiing
during the winter. I love both eastern and western music. I like to travel
and explore new cultures. My future goal is to do a fellowship after residency.
I find myself very lucky to be accepted by the Family Medicine program at
the University of Rochester and look forward to serving the community it serves.
Angela Tobias, M.D.
I was born and raised in Post, Texas. Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of it. I trained at Rice University and
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where I was first a biochemistry
and Russian major and then an MD/Ph.D student. Eventually I came to my senses,
quit grad school and came back to medical school with a commitment to serve
the underserved. In Rochester I found shared priorities, extremely warm
and hospitable colleagues, and a great training program. I enjoy obstetrics
and multicultural medicine, and in my free time I relax with cross stitch
and crochet, movies, and several other nerdy things. But I plan to take up
hiking now that I live in a place that has hills.
Edward Yoon, M.D.
I
was raised in Ohio where I obtained my B.S. from the University of Akron.
I graduated from Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine in 1994.
I then finished a residency in OB/GYN at Summa Health Systems in Akron City
Hospital in 1998. I was board-certified in 2000 and have practiced in
Ohio and North Carolina. After approximately five years of practice I have
returned to residency to become board-certified in family practice. I enjoy
spending time with my wife, Gina, and two children, Tommy and Kelly.
