Class of 2018
Benjamin P. George, M.D., M.P.H.
benjamin_george@urmc.rochester.edu 
Ben George is a PGY-4 resident in Adult Neurology. He attended medical school at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, NY. He received his Masters of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He is originally from Verona, NY, a small rural town in upstate NY. In his free time, Ben enjoys wakeboarding, swimming, playing volleyball, going to concerts, and watching Syracuse basketball. Ben’s professional goals are to be a vascular neurologist with expertise in epidemiology and health services research.
Lee M. Gerwitz , M.D.
lee_gerwitz@urmc.rochester.edu 
Lee Gerwitz is a PGY-4 resident in Adult Neurology. He attended medical school at the University of Rochester after earning a degree in Biological Sciences from Cornell University. He is originally from the hamlet of West Valley, NY. In his free time, Lee enjoys photography, classic films, and discussing what it means to be from a “hamlet.” He is also an avid downhill skier and is therefore well suited for winters in Rochester.
Ross Hamilton, M.D.
ross_hamilton@urmc.rochester.edu 
Ross Hamilton is a PGY-4 resident in Adult Neurology. He attended medical school at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, NY. He is originally from Western Springs, IL. In his free time, Ross enjoys playing soccer, swing dancing, and running. In the future, Ross hopes to hike all of the high peaks in the Adirondacks.
Phillip C. Mongiovi , M.D.
phillip_mongiovi@urmc.rochester.edu 
Phillip Mongiovi is a PGY-4 Resident in Adult Neurology. He attended medical school at The Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, OH after earning a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Harvard. He is originally from Cheektowaga, NY just outside Buffalo and would be happy to tell you about the best places to enjoy chicken wings there. In his free time, Phil enjoys hiking and camping.
Andrea C. Wasilewski, M.D.
andrea_wasilewski@urmc.rochester.edu 
Andrea Wasilewski is a PGY-4 resident in Adult Neurology. She attended medical school at Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, Poland (’14) after earning an Honours Degree in Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario. She is originally from Toronto, Canada. Her interests outside of medicine include travel, fitness, fashion and musical theatre.
Carolyn E. Zyloney, M.D.
carolyn_zyloney@urmc.rochester.edu 
Carolyn Zyloney is a PGY-4 resident in Adult Neurology. She attended medical school at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY ('14) after earning degrees in Biology and Psychology from Boston University. Before deciding to go to medical school she did post-baccalaureate research at Massachusetts General Hospital. In her free time, Carolyn enjoys hiking and cooking.
Class of 2019
Matthew R. Leach, M.D.
matthew_leach@URMC.rochester.edu 
Matthew R. Leach is a PGY-3 Resident in Adult Neurology. He attended medical school at the University of Michigan after obtaining his bachelor's in English Literature & Biology from Washington University in St. Louis. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Matthew enjoys reading, cooking, old movies, and exploring new places. Clinically, his interests include academic medicine and neurocritical care.
Michael P. Leone, M.D.
Michael_Leone@URMC.Rochester.edu
Michael P. Leone is a PGY-3 Resident in Adult Neurology. He attended medical school at Marshall University after obtaining his bachelors degree in biology from the University of Pittsburgh. He is originally from Erie, Pennsylvania - as is his wife, Kara. They enjoy traveling and spending time with family. Michael enjoys computers, electronics, and watching movies with his wife. He also enjoys playing soccer, skiing, and other sports.
Kathleen C. Munger, M.D.
Kathleen_Munger@URMC.Rochester.edu 
Kathleen C. Munger is a PGY-3 Resident in Adult Neurology. She attended medical school at the University of Rochester after earning a degree in Neuroscience and Anthropology at Wellesley College in Boston. She is originally from sunny Honolulu, Hawaii. In her free time, Kate enjoys crafting and traveling.
Mitchell R. Onken, M.D.
Mitch_Onken@URMC.Rochester.edu
Mitchell R. Onken is a PGY-3 Resident in Adult Neurology. I'm Mitch and I grew up in a small town in eastern Iowa. I went to Brigham Young University where I graduated with a B.S. in Music and Chemistry. After college, I took a job at the University of Maryland researching neurodegenerative diseases. I worked for a few years in Maryland, before moving to Europe, where I studied medicine at Jagiellonian University in Krakow Poland. I am now a PGY1 at the University of Rochester and I couldn't be happier. The expectations are high, but the atmosphere is supportive and friendly. In my free time, I generally spend time with my wife and 3 kids; but occasionally have a few moments to play the piano or go mountain biking.
Amanda Opaskar, M.D.
Amanda_Opaskar@URMC.Rochester.edu
Amanda Opaskar is a PGY-3 resident in Adult Neurology. She attended medical school at University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, MI. She is originally from Cleveland, OH. In her free time, Amanda enjoys playing the violin, running, and cooking. She also loves to ski during the winter time.
Blanca Y. Valdovinos, M.D.
Blanca_Valdovinos@URMC.Rochester.edu
Blanca Y. Valdovinos is a PGY-3 resident in Adult Neurology. She attended medical school at the University of Rochester after earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She is originally from beautiful Southern California. She loves jogs through nature, movies, and travelling.
Class of 2020
Melanie K. Braun, M.D.
Melanie_braun@urmc.rochester.edu
Melanie is a PGY-2 resident in Adult Neurology. She attended medical school at the University of Rochester after earning a degree in Biology from Ithaca College where she also played varsity lacrosse. During medical school, she developed an interest in teaching and global health, both of which she hopes to include in her career. She is originally from Rochester, NY. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys spending time with friends and family, biking, watching movies, trying new restaurants, attending festivals, and traveling.
Ryan Canissario, M.D.
Ryan_canissario@urmc.rochester.edu
Ryan Canissario is a PGY-2 resident in Adult Neurology. He earned a B.S. in Applied Economics & Management from Cornell University in 2007 before working in New York City as a project manager for a digital marketing agency. Though successful in the field, he decided to change careers in order to pursue his passion for medicine. He completed Columbia University's postbac premed program and subsequently attended medical school at SUNY Downstate. Ryan is originally from the mid-Hudson Valley region of New York. When not in the hospital, he enjoys cooking Italian food and spending every opportunity he can outdoors.
Dimitrios G. Manou, M.D.
Dimitrios_manou@urmc.rochester.edu
Dimitrios (Jim) Manou is a PGY-2 resident in Adult Neurology. He attended medical school at the University of Rochester after obtaining his bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacology from the University at Buffalo. Originally from the Rochester area, Jim enjoys spending time with his wife and dogs, sports, and traveling.
Kristen L. McCartney, M.D.
kristen_mccartney@urmc.rochester.edu
Kristen McCartney is a PGY-2 resident in Adult Neurology. She attended medical school at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She previously graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Biochemistry. Kristen is originally from Sanford, North Carolina and is a diehard Tar Heel fan. In her spare time, she enjoys playing volleyball, singing, and snuggling with her cat, Lexie.
Tyler A. Rehbein, M.D.
Tyler_rehbein@urmc.rochester.edu
Tyler Rehbein is a PGY-2 resident in Adult Neurology. He attended medical school at the University of Minnesota after earning his Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Genetics from the same institution. During medical school he engaged in neuroradiology research with diffusion tensor imaging. Being from Minnesota he enjoys spending time outdoors and around the lakes. In his free time he enjoys running, hiking, swimming, camping, reading, and computers.
Nicholas J. Taylor, M.D.
nicholas _taylor@urmc.rochester.edu
Nicholas Taylor is a PGY-2 resident in Adult Neurology.
I’m Nick- I attended medical school at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, where I also completed my undergraduate training, and met my wonderful wife Carly. We take care of a snake, a leopard gecko, and most recently, a dog. In my free time I enjoy reading fantasy novels, playing computer games, karaoke, and hiking (Rochester has awesome parks and miles of trails – look into it!) I have found the environment at U of R to be full of friendly people, busy, but supportive of my not knowing many things (yet) as a new intern.
Class of 2021
Michael H. Cohen, M.D.
michael_cohen@urmc.rochester.edu
Michael Cohen is a PGY-1 Resident in Adult Neurology. He attended medical school at the SUNY at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences after earning a degree in Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Science from The University of Michigan. He was born and raised in Manhattan, and would be happy to help you navigate the NYC subway system if you plan a visit to the Big Apple. In his free time, Michael enjoys playing soccer and riding his bicycle.
Kelly L. Donohue, M.D.
kelly_donohue@urmc.rochester.edu
Kelly Donohue is a PGY-1 Resident in Adult Neurology. She attended medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Cincinnati, OH after earning a degree in Psychology with minors in Biology and Coaching from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. She is originally from Jamestown, NY but has come to consider herself a Hoosier with a love for Indiana University football. In her free time, she also enjoys watching the Philadelphia Eagles, trying new restaurants, playing tennis, and spending time with family and friends.
Lauryn E. Hemminger, M.D.
lauryn_hemminger@urmc.rochester.edu
Lauryn Hemminger is a PGY-1 resident in Adult Neurology. While attending medical school at the University of Rochester, she spent a year doing research in neuro-oncology and palliative care. Lauryn is originally from Gilroy, California, also known as the garlic capital of the world and shares a birthday with her younger brother. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, a dairy and vegetable farmer in the Finger Lakes, and her two rescue dogs.
Joseph S. Modica, M.D.
joseph_modica@urmc.rochester.edu
Joseph Modica is a PGY-1 resident in Adult Neurology. He graduated from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY in 2017. A lifelong Buffalonian, he previously attended Canisius College where he earned a degree in Biology with minors in Classics and Neuroscience. Joe loves to run, hike, camp, and backpack (especially in the Adirondack Mountains). He additionally enjoys trying new foods, exploring breweries, playing with his dog, and attending concerts.
Patrick J. Rooney, M.D.
patrick_rooney@urmc.rochester.edu
Patrick Rooney is a PGY-1 resident in Adult Neurology. He attended medical school at the Jacobs School of Medicine in Buffalo, NY after earning a degree in neuroscience at Middlebury College where he participated in track and field. In his spare time, Patrick still enjoys running and being outdoors. Whether it’s bird-watching, skiing, or kayaking, Patrick enjoys living in upstate New York because there is something different to do each season. Although he doesn't plan on owning a pet during residency, Patrick grew up with Bernese Mountain Dogs and is always happy to meet a new 4-legged friend.
Matthew R. Womeldorff, M.D.
matthew_womeldorff@urmc.rochester.edu
Matt Womeldorff is a PGY-1 resident in Adult Neurology. He grew up in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Matt graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Prior to attending medical school at the University of Utah, Matt taught high school biology in Arkansas for two years with the Teach For America program. During medical school, he engaged in brain tumor research, further developed his passion for teaching and leadership, and married his high school sweetheart, Kayla. He is excited about all aspects of neurology. In his spare time, Matt enjoys reading non-fiction, trying new restaurants, hiking, and spending time with his wife watching shows and movies.