Current Residents
Class of 2011
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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.
