Current Residents
Class of 2011
 |
 |
 |
James E. Diekroger, M.D.
Ohio State University
College of Medicine |
Matthew Fernaays, M.D.
State University of
New York at Buffalo
School of Medicine |
Mary Ellen Gilder, M.D.
Albany Medical College |
 |
 |
 |
Chrystal Jenkins, M.D.
Saint Louis University
School of Medicine |
Liz P. Kwon, M.D., M.P.H.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine |
Donald McLaren, M.D.
New York
Medical College |
 |
 |
|
Ryohei Otsuka, M.D.
St. Marianna Ikadaigaku |
Maureen Perdue, D.O.
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
|
Deborah Roessler, M.D.
Oregon Health Sciences University
School of Medicine |
| |
 |
|
| |
Christian Wightman, M.D.
State University of
New York at Syracuse College of Medicine |
|
Class of 2011 Mission Statement
We resolve to utilize the collective benefit of our unique experiences to better ourselves, our colleagues, our patients, and our community with the goals of greater wellness and expanded knowledge. We will advocate for all of our patients, addressing healthcare disparities at whatever level we may find them.
June 2008
James E. Diekroger, M.D.
I grew up in a small city in southern Ohio in a family that hosted a number of exchange students. After high school, I spent a year in southern France, which gave me a new perspective on health, lifestyle, and prevention. I attended Ohio University where I played trombone in the Most Exciting Band in the Land, the Marching 110. Before medical school, I taught chemistry, physical science, and music. At the Ohio State University medical school, I met my fiancée Beth, a fellow Star Trek fan, who was studying pediatrics. We couples-matched in Rochester when we saw that it fit both of us, since we share a common interest in music, the outdoors, and Frisbee golf.
Matthew M. Fernaays, M.D.
I was born and raised in rural western New York and attended Niagara University with the intention of pursuing a career in medicine. While at Niagara, I engaged in microbiology research and found that I enjoyed that process a great deal. In light if these two parallel interests, I entered the M.D./Ph.D. program at the University at Buffalo following my graduation from college in 2001. My research was in microbiology with a strong clinical correlation, involving the genetics/genomics of lung pathogens in COPD patients. As I neared the end of the long dual degree program,with a broad spectrum of career possibilities in front of me, I found that my interests and values were steering me toward a career in primary care in a rural area, a returning home of sorts.Based on this inclination, as well as the comfortable personalitiesI found in the family docs I had met throughout western New York, Ifound family medicine to be a great fit for me. My wife, Sara (also from western New York), and I were quite pleased that a program with the strength and reputation exemplified by the U of R/Highland program was available in our area so we would not have to leave our families in the pursuit of this career. When I am not thinking about medicine, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our three dogs, taking care of our small farm and delighting in the company of our new baby, Oliver.
Mary Ellen Gilder, M.D.
I was born in Tyringham, MA, a town of about 300 people set on the Appalachian Trail. After a childhood of Swallows and Amazons books, delivering lambs and shoveling manure at my grandparents' farm I moved north on the AT to study chemistry at Dartmouth. Before, during and after my time at Dartmouth I got involved in educational, public health and clinical projects abroad, first spending several months in Kenya and then making multiple trips to the Thai-Burmese Border. Other than studying Burmese languages and obscure tropical diseases I like deep snow, cross country skiing, running, watching plays, Bible studies and reading long books slowly. After residency, I hope to return to work with Karen Burmese refugees in Southeast Asia.
Chrystal D. Jenkins, M.D.
I was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. I then moved to St. Louis where I did my undergraduate degree in biology at Washington University in St. Louis. Following graduation, I took a reasearch position at Northwestern University School of Medicine in the Department of Neonatology in Chicago, IL. Two years of research was plenty of time to recognize that I desired to be in patient care, so I moved back to St. Louis for medical school at Saint Louis University. There I was able to focus my time in helping the medically underserved populations at our free student clinic, and I realized that family medicine was the best way totreat a whole patient, as well as the whole family. I was also lucky enough to meet my fiance, Andrew Sherman, with whom I couples matched. He is currently a pediatric intern and we are both very happy to be at the Strong-Highland programs.
Liz P. Kwon, M.D.
I grew up in Rochester (in the town of Brighton) where the majority of my family still lives. I enjoyed growing up here although being Puerto Rican, I am not a huge fan of the cold, long winters! I went to medical school at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA and completed a Masters in Public Health in the Interdisciplinary Program at University of California at Berkeley between my 3rd and 4th year of medical school. I have a strong interest in public health, health disparities, and caring for Spanish-Speaking inner city populations. I am practicing at the Brown Square Clinic and am part of the Political Advocacy Tract. On my spare time I love to spend time in the outdoors with my husband, play around with photography, try different ethnic restaurants, and go to movies. I am looking forward to refreshing my memory about living in Rochester and meeting my new niece or nephew due in July!
Donald McLaren, M.D.
Hello! I grew up in Flatbush Brooklyn as the youngest of 3 and the first doctor in my family. I went to a small Catholic high school where I ran track and fell in love with photography.After high school, I was accepted to Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education which is a combined BS/MD program devoted to creating Primary Care Physicians to work in Medically under-served parts of New York State.While at Sophie Davis, I worked for a non-for-profit organization, CityMeals-on-Wheels, which helped provide daily meals to home bound elderly in New York City. My interest in Family Medicine came from growing up in a part of Brooklyn where many families do nothave access to good and caring physicians who can take care ofthe entire family.My interests include Maternal child health, preventive medicine, and Global Health. My interests outside of medicine include Photography, cooking, cross country running, and traveling (when I can). I look forward to working with my patients and I am happy I chose to be in Rochester!
Ryohei Otsuka, M.D.
- I was born and raised in Iwate, the northeastern part of Japan. After high school, I went to St. Marianna University to pursue a career in medicine. During medical school, I was inspired by the philosophy of family medicine anddeveloped my interest in this field. I trained as an intern at United States Naval Hospital, Yokosuka in Japan, where I learned American style medicine. Then I completed a2-year-rotational residency at Saku Central Hospital in Nagano, Japan. I am excited and delighted to be part of this family medicine program. I am interested in preventive medicine, psychosocial medicine, global health and teaching. Outside of medicine, I like all kinds of sports (baseball, downhill skiing, soccer, marathon, basketball, tennis, badminton and volleyball), cooking and traveling.
Maureen E. Perdue, D.O.
I grew up in the suburbs of Rochester where my family still resides. I then moved on to do my undergrad at Marist College followed by medical school at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Maine. After many great clinical experiences in a variety of fields of medicine, I decided to return to Rochester for residency. My professional interests are in international health care, disparities in our current system of care, and obstetrics. I also will be hoping to maintain my skills in osteopathic manipulation for use in future endeavors. In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, cycling, and traveling as much as I can, both nationally and internationally. I am excited to be living downtown in the city and be near family and friends again here in Rochester.
Deborah M. Roessler, M.D.
I grew up in Elmira, NY, where my parents still live. I graduated from Wesleyan University (in CT) with a major in Biology. I spent my summers in New Fairfield, Connecticut working as a wilderness instructor for a youth leadership program. After that I moved to the other side of the country: Portland OR. There I worked for a few years as a youth advocate with homeless youth, and then briefly for a research lab.I stayed in Portland for medical school at Oregon Health and Science University. Iplayed Rugby in my spare time until I started clinical years in med school. My girlfriend, Sharkee, (and our two dogs and cat) moved with me away from the Northwest rainto try out the Rochester snow.
Christian Wightman, M.D.
I grew up in a small town in western New York. With my dad a doctor and my mom a nurse, I was raised in a medical household. Although I did not intend to become a physician when I left home to attend Binghamton University, my volunteer time at a local hospice pushed me in that direction. After college, I married Kate and I went Upstate Medical University. Medical school was very busy and to top it off, Kate and I had our son in the middle of fourth year. We chose Rochester for both the education it could provide me as well as opportunities it offered our family.
