Our Residents
Pediatric Chief Residents & Junior Faculty
Hometown: Jamestown, NY
Medical School: University at Buffalo
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Medical School: University at Buffalo
Hometown: Bloomsburg, PA
Medical School: University at Buffalo
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
PGY3 Residents
Eric Balta, M.D.
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I grew up in Rochester and loved the city. I've been away for 8 years, but always wanted to come back.
Career Aspirations: Pursuing a fellowship in cardiology
Jennifer Battaglia, M.D.
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Medical School: University of Rochester
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose to stay at Rochester because all of the residents, attendings, and staff are so kind and willing to teach.
Career Aspirations: One of my most significant professional passions is the role of medical humanities and bioethics in medical education and patient care. I am planning on an allergy-immunology fellowship.
Katelyn Nevin, M.D.
Hometown: Caledonia, NY
Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: Strong commitment to working with and beside the local community that I call home. Access and exposure to both a large medical center and community hospital. Dedicated and supportive faculty within a collaborative learning environment. Ultimately, I knew that choosing Rochester for residency would give me the opportunity to pursue and excel in both my academic and clinical interests.
Career Aspirations: I'm passionate about community health, school-based medicine, and academic medicine and serving as a child advocate in those fields.I'm planning on a carre in primary care.
Marisa DeSanto, D.O.
Hometown: Canfield, OH
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: The values of this program and the faculty!
Career Aspirations: Legislative advocacy, mainly regarding reproductive justice and healthcare.
Elizabeth Jilek, M.D.
Hometown: Two Rivers, WI
Medical School: Medical School of Wisconsin
Why I Chose Rochester: Welcoming feel, good programs for both my partner and I
Career Aspirations: Providing patient-centered care to families. Advanced care planning. Carrer in palliative care.
Sarah Khan, M.D.
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Medical School: University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I liked everyone that I met on my interview day and it seems like a place with great mentors
Career Aspirations: Currently, I'm interested in caring for the underserved and/or global health.
Stephanie Nonawzki, D.O.
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: The camaraderie, anti-racism commitment, diverse and underserved patient population, track options, advocacy opportunities, size and opportunities, the resources, and it felt like the best fit overall.
Career Aspirations: Social justice work, including anti-racism, anti-sexism, and LGBTQ+ efforts. Advocacy both on an individual and larger, governmental level.
Lauren Ozdowski, D.O.
Hometown: Clovis, NM and South Weber, UT
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Why I Chose Rochester: I knew Rochester would be fantastic for training based on the conversations I had with residents as well as the reputation I had heard. The biggest reason I chose it was because I felt like they were serious about making changes to the issues in our communities and nation in regards to DEI work. I felt like I would be able to be changed as well as make changes at UR and that I would end up a strong but also well rounded individual and pediatrician.
Career Aspirations: I am interested in the PICU and Peds EM, and I would like to work on LGBTQ advocacy in medicine.
Anjali Patel, D.O.
Hometown: South Plainfield, NJ
Medical School: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I loved seeing how the residents interacted with each other and applicants, the opportunity to work at both an academic institution and community hospital, involvement in community, and variety of electives/fellowships available
Career Aspirations: Mentoring pre-medical and medical students, passionate about trauma-informed care, disease prevention/preventative care, and primary care.
Tiffany Sheng, M.D.
Hometown: Santa Clara and Fremont, CA
Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: Great interview experience overall! The children's hospital has a great reputation and I enjoyed my interactions with my faculty interviewers. Residents were very friendly and I felt I would fit very well with the team. I liked the curriculum and schedule which had many opportunities for advocacy as well.
Career Aspirations: I am interested in being involved in advocacy especially related to social determinants of health, mental health, and toxic stress. In addition I am planning on a career in primary care.
Mary Helen Simpson, M.D.
Hometown: Morganton, NC
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I couples matched with my partner, and this was an excellent fit for the two of us!
Career Aspirations: LGBTQ and transgender care in the pediatric population. Planning on pursuing primary care.
Angelica Trybulska, M.D.
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Medical School: Jagiellonian University Medical College (Poland)
Why I Chose Rochester: Among many reasons: the vibe and interactions during my interview (even though it was virtual). The residents and faculty seemed like a big supportive family! In addition, it is an outstanding, balanced, and supportive residency program that shapes independent and well-rounded physicians.
Career Aspirations: Interested in neonatology fellowship, community outreach, and research.
Adrianna Wurster, D.O.
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: It's home for me. More importantly it was the camaraderie shared between each resident and the support for each other both professionally and personally that made Rochester a great fit for me.
Career Aspirations: My professional passions include deaf medicine and advocacy.
PGY2 Residents
Fatima Alam, D.O.
Hometown: Piscataway, NJ
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I really enjoyed the atmosphere on interview day and Rochester itself had so much to offer. Also, I loved the two hospital system which allowed you to experience working in an academic institution as well as a community hospital.
Career Aspirations: I would like to be a confident and well-rounded general pediatrician first and foremost. However, some of my future interests include Neonatology and Emergency Medicine, but I am open to all the possibilities!
Morgan Albert, D.O.
Hometown: Massena, NY
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I went to undergrad at University of Rochester and spent countless hours at the medical center. I loved everything about it and on interview day it felt so comfortable and I quickly realized that this place felt like home and was where I was meant to come back to.
Career Aspirations: I am interested in neonatology at this point but I am definitely going to keep an open mind as I experience multiple pediatric subspecialties during my residency.
Noor Asi, M.D.
Hometown: Damascus, Syria
Medical School: University of Damascus Faculty of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: It is an outstanding, balanced, supportive residency program that shapes independent and well-rounded physicians. It offers the ideal setting to pursue and thrive in my academic and clinical interests.
Career Aspirations: I am passionate about Neonatology and addressing health disparities in perinatal care. I am also interested in working with underserved communities.
Stephanie Craig, D.O.
Hometown: Lynnfield, MA
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: The positive and collaborative environment, along with the supportive residents/faculty I met during my audition rotation in the PICU.
Career Aspirations: Special interests/projects include addressing and alleviating food insecurity in adolescent populations, with a focus in nutrition education. I hope to pursue pediatric critical care and QI research.
Acadia Fairchild, M.D.
Hometown: Honeoye Falls, NY
Medical School: State University of New York Upstate Medical University
Why I Chose Rochester: Having grown up in the area I have always been interested in returning and serving the local populations. For me Rochester was the perfect size program to give me opportunities without concerns about being overshadowed. I loved the close-knit feeling I got from the leadership and residents!
Career Aspirations: I am currently interested in hospital medicine but have enjoyed many other areas! I have interests in quality improvement, advocacy, bioethics, and med ed.
Patrick Hebble, M.D.
Hometown: Sudbury, MA
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: I went to Rochester for medical school and during those 4 years my wife and I fell in love with the city and all it has to offer. As a medical student I took just about every pediatric elective offered and I found that the residents and attendings here truly embodied the Biopsychosocial Model while also being a fun, close-knit, and welcoming group that I wanted to be a part of!
Career Aspirations: I am leaning towards outpatient, primary care however I loved every pediatric elective/sub-specialty in medical school so I am open to almost anything!
Elizabeth Hohl, D.O.
Hometown: Webster, NY
Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because after many years living all across the United States, I want to develop my career in a mid-sized city with great potential and high need. Fostering change inside and outside the medical community is incredibly important to me. I am excited to 'come home' to Rochester to do just that.
Career Aspirations: My career aspirations are quite simple - to become a competent and compassionate pediatrician who gives special focus to the impact of population & community health on youth. I have a special interest in working with adolescents and children with disabilities.
Bingjie Li, M.D.
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I've only heard great things about Rochester and Golisano from my mentors, and my fiancé is currently a resident at URMC as well which helps! The city, hospital, and people all stood out as positives when comparing schools.
Career Aspirations: I am considering doing a fellowship in neonatology in the future! As for professional passions, community outreach programs and medical education for students are both areas where I have focused on in the past, and hope to continue in the future.
Wilson Mei, D.O.
Hometown: Elmhurst, NY
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: So many reasons! The children’s hospital has a great reputation and I got nothing but good vibes from residents and faculty alike during my interview (even though it was virtual). Everyone seemed supportive of each other, professionally and personally, and genuinely happy. Also Wegmans.
Career Aspirations: Fellowship in neonatology. I am also very passionate about medical education and patient counseling.
Shannon Moyer, M.D.
Hometown: I've moved too many times to have one!
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: There were two reasons. The first is that I got really good vibes from the program - everyone was nice and seemed super happy (and importantly, had a good work-life balance!). The second is that I did a couple's match and so my partner will also be at a program Rochester!
Career Aspirations: I aspire to be a pediatric gastroenterologist, and liver transplant medicine has been calling my name for a while now. I like to partake in both bench and clinical research (while acknowledging that maintaining and animal colony or cell line during residency probably is not realistic). I also like to help connect children to learning about the environment, nature, and science, and have volunteered in schools and taken students on field trips.
Shelby Nelipovich, M.D.
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Why I Chose Rochester: Good vibes from the residents, friendly faculty, opportunities to train at a tertiary medical center and a community hospital, and very supportive of partners in medicine
Career Aspirations: Hospital Medicine - interested in asthma research and community outreach for education and prevention of medical conditions/exacerbations
Laura Owlett, M.D., Ph.D.
Hometown: Clifton Park, NY
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: I was inspired to go into child neurology by many of the faculty here at Rochester and loved the focus on education and family-friendliness of the program. Rochester is also centrally located between our families.
Career Aspirations: I hope to do research in my child neurology career- currently in conversations with Dr. Sam MacKenzie to work with him in his projects to develop genetic models for TANGO2-related metabolic encephalopathy. I'm particularly interested in genetic treatments for childhood neurologic diseases.
Parvathy Rajagopal, M.B.B.S.
Hometown: Kottayam, Kerala, India
Medical School: Government Medical College Kottayam
Why I Chose Rochester: This program provides good experience and exposure to an impressive array of Pediatric conditions and sub-specialties.
Career Aspirations: I enjoy working in Hospital Pediatrics especially after having spent time as a Pediatric trainee in England. I am also interested in Health promotion and Preventive medicine/ Community health.
Yassir Selouani, M.D.
Hometown: Rabat, Morocco
Medical School: Université Mohammed V Souissi Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie de Rabat
Why I Chose Rochester: I felt that I would fit in great with the team, and I believe the training curriculum matches my aspirations.
Career Aspirations: Child Neurology, Medical Education; Neuromuscular and Neurogenetics
Bippenjit (Bip) Singh, M.D.
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: The program has a strong emphasis on both medical training and training outside of medicine, such as advocacy. Everyone also seemed wonderful on interview day.
Career Aspirations: Learning more about advocacy and political policy making and working as a general pediatrician.
Nikole Van Wie, D.O.
Hometown: Brockport, NY
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: The Rochester community and SMH/GCH are both home for me. I completed all of my shadowing and research pre-medical school at this institution, and it was these experiences that made me fall in love with medicine and pediatrics. As soon as I walked into the hospital, I immediately felt like I was a part of something bigger than myself. I knew that it was the perfect match for me, and that I would continue to grow into the woman and doctor I wanted to become.
Career Aspirations: I love general pediatrics, but I am very interested in an Emergency Medicine fellowship as well.
PGY1 Residents
Teaghen Buscemi-Kimmins, M.D., M.P.H.
Hometown: Penfield, NY
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Why I Chose Rochester: I was drawn to how the program commits to partnering with the community, and all of the opportunities to grow as not only a clinician but also as a researcher and community member.
Career Aspirations: public health research, community-based medicine
Camille Corre, M.D.
Hometown: Medway, MA
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: In medical school, I fell in love with Rochester's biopsychosocial approach to medicine, and I have always felt valued as a learner
here. I'm thrilled to be able to call this city and hospital "home" for five more years!
Career Aspirations: Child Neurology. I'm especially interested in neurogenetics, palliative care, and caring for children with disabilities and their families.
Soma Deall-Williams, D.O.
Hometown: Queens, NY
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York
Why I Chose Rochester: Rochester was the program that I gravitated toward the most because of the welcoming and genuine interactions that I had with the faculty and residents on interview day as well as during meet and greet sessions. Additionally, the greenery, beautiful lakes and a ton of engaging things to do within the area made me want to explore this part of NY.
Career Aspirations: Primary Care has a special place in my heart, however, I am also quite interested in Allergy & Immunology, Hematology/Oncology, NICU/PICU and Hospital Medicine. I am highly passionate about providing care for communities that are under-resourced.
Evan Huff, M.D.
Hometown: Middletown, NJ
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Why I Chose Rochester: The people I had met on the interview trail were phenomenal! Everyone was enthusiastic about the program. Furthermore, as someone going into child neurology, the training opportunities at U of R seemed to best support my future goals. Aside from the program itself, the city of Rochester is a gem with many great restaurants, coffee shops, and exciting things to do.
Career Aspirations: My current interest is neurology. At present, I want to explore different aspects of the field before committing to a specific area.
Laura Hufford, D.O.
Hometown: Nikiski, AK
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University-Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: Rochester provides a residency that would expose me to robust training offered at a quaternary hospital while also being in an area
that would allow me to be part of a community.
Career Aspirations: I enjoy high acuity inpatient medicine such as PICU and hospital work. I also have a strong interest in transgender medicine.
Aleena Jafri, M.D.
Hometown: Buffalo, NY and Seattle, WA
Medical School: University at Buffalo School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: The people seem amazing and I felt like the program really cares for its residents and treats them well.
Career Aspirations: Unclear! Currently feeling inclined to pursue a fellowship, possibly Allergy/Immunology or maybe Rheum? We'll see!
Liam LeBlanc, M.D.
Hometown: Mansfield, MA
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: Love the program and the city
Career Aspirations: Primary care
Mina Milad, M.D.
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester for its dedication to serving underserved populations though the CARE tracks, its opportunities for medical
education research, and for its proximity to my hometown. It's also got a pretty awesome resident culture.
Career Aspirations: I am most interested in advocating for optimal healthcare in local and global underserved communities. I also enjoy teaching and hope to be involved in medical education at the university.
Kristina Myers, D.O.
Hometown: Orient, OH
Medical School: Ohio University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: Supportive, close knit culture, had all of the bells and whistles of a large program but a small program feel and small program support.
Also I have a huge passion for working with children in the system (foster kids, adoptees) and listened to our past AAP president (via
peds on call podcast) talk about her training at URMC for residency and her work with the foster care system.
Career Aspirations: If there was a need/interest/not already something in place I would love to facilitate some sort of storytelling in medicine at GCH for the residents/staff - we did a "behind the white coat" storytelling event at my medical school to remind ourselves of the humans within medicine. Unsure if I want to subspecialize but if I do - PICU, peds EM, or hospital med. I love working within communities and peds advocacy work. Also interested in research of some sort, possibly related to community/advocacy work. Interested in working with kids in the system and ensuring support and a medical home for them.
Vianne Nanez, M.D.
Hometown: Santa Teresa, NM and El Paso, TX
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: The sense of community I felt on my interview day and their work in adolescent medicine.
Career Aspirations: I would like to go into adolescent medicine.
Rebecca Nieters, D.O.
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Medical School: AT Still University of Health College of Osteopathic Medicine (MO)
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because of its dedication to community-based advocacy and strong reputation. I believe the program will make me the
best possible doctor for my future patients.
Career Aspirations: I am very passionate about serving the pediatric disability community and plan to pursue a career in disability advocacy and complex care medicine.
Elizabeth Olah, M.D.
Hometown: Mentor, OH
Medical School: Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I love the feel of the city, not to mention everyone I talked to during my interview was so kind and passionate! I felt like I meshed well
with the program and its people!
Career Aspirations: I am specifically interested in working with underserved communities. Potential future interests include primary care or pediatric emergency medicine, but I am keeping an open mind.
Aditi Prabhu, M.D.
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Medical School: SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I could really connect with the residents and faculty from both Pediatrics and Child Neurology that I met on my interview day. I also
grew up in Western NY and knew I wanted to come back.
Career Aspirations: I would love to focus on more advocacy related projects and try to do research in Child Neurology.
Elizabeth Stevens, M.D.
Hometown: Pittsford, NY
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose to stay at Rochester because of the dedication to teaching, commitment to the community, and supportive environment.
Career Aspirations: I am interested in the social determinants of health and am interested in pursuing critical care or complex care
Irianna Torres, M.D.
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because I was able to have the best of both worlds, being a part of strong pediatrics program centered around the heart of the family unit, children, while also allowing me to stay close to my own family. I also see that there is a lot of work to be done in improving health equity for children in Rochester, which I hope to be a leader of change for.
Career Aspirations: I am passionate about health equity for minorities, immigrant healthcare, delivering healthcare to patients in their primary language and family planning for young adults. I also hope to increase the number of medical students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine through mentorship.
Nicole Vieira, M.D.
Hometown: Campinas, Brazil
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because I really loved my interview day and I felt that we shared similar values: to care for the patient wholistically
and value human connection and advocacy. My partner and I felt really excited about moving here and the program, so we followed our
gut and ended up here! We are loving it so far.
Career Aspirations: I aspire to be a physician who can provide excellent care especially to families who prefer to speak Spanish or Portuguese. I am also interested in Palliative Care and Neonatology.
Audrey Wagner, M.D.
Hometown: Wilson, NY
Medical School: University at Buffalo School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester for the strong clinical training, advocacy and close community involvement, emphasis on the biopsychosocial
model, and sense of community and support I felt on interview day.
Career Aspirations: I am currently interested in pursuing hospital medicine or critical care with emphases on community advocacy work and QI.
Recent Graduates - Where Are They Now?