Our Fellows
Current Fellow
Maaz Ghouri, DO
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2026-2027
Hello! I was born and raised on Long Island, New York. I earned my Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine and my undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University. My parents are first generation immigrants who instilled in me the power of education and the importance of striving towards goals. I view family medicine as synonymous with humanity. It is built on a foundation of empathy, preventative focus, and continuity of care. As a primary care provider, I aim to build lifelong relationships with patients -- as a listener, advisor, advocate, and healer. I hope to motivate and inspire the younger generation of physicians, especially those who are underprivileged, and instill confidence that they can achieve their dreams.
I grew up with a basketball in my hand and a soccer ball at my feet. At an early age, my passion for sports coincided with my interest in medicine when I volunteered as a sideline medical assistant for my high school’s varsity sports teams. Eventually, I was fortunate to have sports medicine physicians as mentors providing me valuable opportunities throughout the years. As a child, I aspired not only to become a family medicine physician with a sports medicine specialization, but also to be an astronaut. As a child with a telescope looking at the stars - to be now an active member of the aerospace medical association - I aim to be a part of the innovative field of space medicine.
Aside from medicine, I prioritize time with family and friends and staying active. I enjoy hot yoga, pilates, and flotation therapy (try it!). In my spare time, I am a DJ who finds music to be therapeutic. I am excited for my journey in Rochester and look forward to my continued growth as a physician and member of this great community!
Emily Nepomuceno, MD
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2025-2026
My name is Emily (she/they), and I am so excited to join the URMC Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship program! I was born and raised in Illinois and then finally left the state after medical school to make my way out to the University of Colorado for Family Medicine. In addition to Sports Medicine, my clinical interests include serving underserved populations, community medicine, pediatric and adolescent health, LGBTQ health and gender-affirming care. I am thrilled to be able to partner with the Eastman School of Music for the Performing Arts Medicine Program given my own background as a singer, pianist, dancer, and former theatre-kid. My other interests within sports medicine include concussion, nutrition and MSK ultrasound. I love rock climbing, board games, spending time with family and friends, and easily convincing my spouse Juan to host yet another dinner party. We are looking forward to making another cross-country move now out to Rochester and can’t wait to be a part of the team.
Ari Epstein, DO
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2024-2025
I am Ari Epstein, I grew up in northern Illinois and attended the University of Chicago for undergrad, Midwestern University for medical school, and Northwestern University for residency. Since graduating in 2022, I worked as both an Urgent Care and Occupational Health physician in the Chicago area and a Family physician in student health at Northwestern University. Beyond my passions for Sports Medicine, Aerospace Medicine, Gender Affirming Care, and medical education, I love endurance sports. I am a former international triathlete and open-water swimmer, and I still love to train in all three sports. I cannot wait to explore great roads/trails around Rochester and looks forward to all the mass sporting events Rochester fellows can cover. Lastly, I am a jazz drummer and musical theater nerd who loves to see shows with my girlfriend, so I am thrilled to also have opportunities at Rochester's Eastman Performing Arts and Medicine to care for performing artists. I never pass up a good article and I always enjoy even halfway decent jokes.
James Tremayne, MD
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2023-2024
I enjoyed a rigorous fellowship year in Rochester that was filled with excellent teaching including one-on-one didactics, ultrasound training and the opportunity to solidify my knowledge by teaching residents. There is great camaraderie amongst the faculty, and I received valuable mentorship. Highlights of the year for me were learning ultrasound guided procedures and percutaneous tenotomy with Tenex, presenting at conferences and the unique opportunities of covering professional lacrosse and MMA.
Dominick DeFelice, MD
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2022-2023
After completing my family medicine residency and a fourth year chief residency position at the University of Rochester, and after personally getting to know most of the fellowship faculty in that time, I could not have imagined doing my primary care sports medicine fellowship anywhere other than UR Highland.
Everything from the people involved in the fellowship administration, the demanding though rewarding curriculum, the ample sideline opportunities, the chance to present scholarly work at numerous conferences, and the career mentoring were exceptional. In addition, as someone who had my sights on academic medicine, the chance to work extremely closely with medical students and residents was particularly valuable.
Our program director has taken the time to develop collegial relationships with the many specialists in Rochester who we rotate with. Everyone from the various subspecialties of orthopedic surgery to PM&R to rheumatology to our PT and OT colleagues, all of these clinicians are knowledgeable, love to teach, and are wonderful to work with. That dedication to the fellow experience had made UR Highland an amazing place to do fellowship.
Andrew Hamm, DO
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2022-2023
David Lee, MD
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2021-2022
Robert Eberly, MD
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2021-2022
John McNeil, MD
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2020-2021
"I chose URMC because of the breadth of sports medicine exposure, stellar academic profile, and great working relationship with orthopaedics and sideline/sports clinic autonomy. This is definitely a dark horse program people on the west coast are starting to ask about.
I particularly enjoyed the sports med clinic/sideline autonomy. Having to make medical decisions regarding athletes without always having oversight from your fellowship director/assistant fellowship director/faculty.
I am from Los Angeles and have spent too much time in Houston. In both of these cities, I have spent too much time in my car in gridlock. The lack of traffic in Rochester is wonderful."
Dominique Stevens, MD
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2019-2020
"I chose this program because of its excellent reputation and most importantly the diversity of the faculty. Diversity and inclusion is a core value of mine, which is often times difficult to come across in this field. In order to grow and develop as not just a doctor but as a human being, it is imperative to learn from people of different backgrounds with many different experiences and perspectives. This program offers that opportunity for growth and education from their faculty. From the beginning, everyone I encountered made sure I felt welcome and always held my best interest and my goals as a top priority.
What I like best about this program is its variety and breadth of experiences. From the strong academic and research exposure to the myriad of athletic event coverage at all levels of competition, this program is extremely well rounded. Under the tutelage of the core PCSM as well as the adjunct orthopedic faculty and athletic training staff, this program consistently produces well rounded primary care sports medicine physicians who will have the skills and resources to pursue pretty much any career path of their choosing. As with any new chapter in life there is a sense of trepidation, but I wholeheartedly believe this program has given me the education and support I need to successfully transition to my post-fellowship role as the newest addition to the team of physicians for Northwestern University Athletics.
The best part of living in Rochester would have to be Wegman’s or Pittsford Dairy! We don’t have Wegman’s in Northeast Ohio, and at first I was skeptical about all the hype regarding a grocery store. Now I completely understand and my life has changed for the better. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do with myself without it in Evanston. For the local Rochesterians, there is no explanation needed for the wonder that is PFD. For anyone who is unfamiliar and who enjoys dairy products or baked goods I promise you will not be disappointed. Just trust me on this one and try arguably the best ice cream I’ve ever had...and I’ve had A LOT of ice cream in my day."
Stephanie MacDonald, DO
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2018-2019
"I chose the URMC fellowship program because I am from the Rochester area and did my residency training at URMC as well, and knew about the excellent reputation of this fellowship program, the training the former fellows had received, and the amazing fellowship faculty.
I liked the exposure to a variety of sports and event coverage, learning from a number of different physicians and surgeons at URMC, and working closely with the core faculty who treated me as a respected colleague.
I may be biased being born and raised in Rochester, but I love the city and did decide to return here for my medical training and practice. It is a wonderful place to raise a family, and I enjoy all of the seasons and outdoor activities the city has to offer."
Ethan Beaudett, DO
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2017-2018
Sarah Vengal, MD
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2016-2017
Craig Betchart, MD
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2015-2016
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2014-2015
"I chose to complete my primary care sports medicine fellowship at URMC because I knew I would be exposed to a broad spectrum of athletic injuries, surgical orthopaedic subspecialties, and the opportunity to work in a variety of team settings with substantial hands-on experiences at all levels.
I felt that I received extensive supervised training in musculoskeletal procedures, including ultrasound guided injections, compartment pressure testing and orthobiologics, including platelet-rich plasma therapy; sideline and concussion management.
These skills I acquired enabled me to confidently transition into an independent primary care sports medicine attending. As a Rochester native, I appreciate its cultural diversity and small community, sports town vibe. Four season outdoor activities are plentiful with numerous parks, canal and nature trails, and proximity to Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, and skiing at Bristol Mountain."
Christine Persaud, MD
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2013-2014
Matthew Capuano MD
UR Highland Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow 2012-2013
"Having trained at URMC/HFM I was confident that the quality of sports medicine fellowship would be a superior experience. Working with world class orthopedic specialists and faculty one on one was the most thrilling experience of my career. Rochester has a diverse and rich culture that is easily accessible and family friendly. Most commutes are 15 minutes or less and the quality of life is high. Also Wegmans."