Our Residents

Erica Alexander, M.D.

Hometown: Landing, NJ
Medical School: Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Best Program Feature: Aside from the awesome people, I love the 2-week block schedule! It gives you the opportunity to come back to rotations after having learned more. It also makes tougher rotations easier to get through - you can do anything for 2 weeks!
Career Aspirations: Primary Care. I love outpatient and seeing kids for well child checks!

James Barry, M.D.

Hometown: Asbury, NJ
Medical School: Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Best Program Feature: I love that you can feel the intimate connection between the hospital and the surrounding community.
Career Aspirations: A sub-specialty that blends outpatient visits, as well as seeing patients in an acute setting. PICU or ED.

Kate Dwyer, D.O.

Hometown: Penfield, NY
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Best Program Feature: The people!!
Career Aspirations: Primary Care with special interest in Global Health
 

Monica Gonzalez Loperena, M.D., M.M.S.

Hometown: San Sebastian, Puerto Rico
Medical School: Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine
Best Program Feature: The best thing is that Meliora (Ever Better) is a constant feeling that everyone strives for; inclusion and diversity is always present
Career Aspirations: Hematology-Oncology, Hispanic/Latin advocacy

Richa Gupta, M.D.

Hometown: Jamestown, NY
Medical School: University at Buffalo
Best Program Feature: The people! Incredible mentorship and support from both attendings and co-residents. It truly feels like you're part of a family here.
Career Aspirations: GI or Allergy/Immunology, medical education, considering Chief Residency year.

Bryan Jan, M.D., M.M.S.

Hometown: Tulsa, OK
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Best Program Feature: The focus on resident wellness and the accessibility of hospital leadership to resident feedback.
Career Aspirations: Neonatology and/or Palliative Care; work in a metropolitan area
 

Hope Kile, M.D.

Hometown: Bloomsburg, PA
Medical School: University at Buffalo
Best Program Feature: Everyone is super friendly and approachable (and also free lunches everyday)!
Career Aspirations: Cardiology, considering Chief Resident year
 

Andrew Pulfer, M.D.

Hometown: Wayne, NE
Medical School: University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Best Program Feature: All of the residents and attendings I have worked with have been super nice and very patient.
Career Aspirations: Cards, PICU, PHM
 

Jessica Riese, M.D., M.P.H

Hometown: Severna Park, MD
Medical School: University of Utah

Best Program Feature: Caring faculty and staff. Supportive leadership and senior residents.

Career Aspirations: Primary care, CARE track

Hollie Schaffer, M.D.

Hometown(s): Saint Charles, IL
Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Best Program Feature: I love having a designated children's hospital- that was something I was really looking for in a residency program. I like how easy it is to get outside and enjoy Rochester. I was pleasantly surprised how kind and welcoming the other residents were.
Career Aspirations: Pediatric Critical Care. It is my hope to stay in academic medicine and to incorporate ethical and sustainable global health into my practice.

Sarah Smith, D.O.

Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Best Program Feature: The people! Everyone is so kind and encouraging. They are people you genuinely enjoy spending time with, in and outside of work.
Career Aspirations: I plan to stay in the area for primary care, but particularly in a more rural setting.

Rachel Tullio, M.D.

Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Medical School: University at Buffalo
Best Program Feature: Dr. Gellin/enthusiastic and supportive administration that makes you feel really welcomed, valued as a learner, and at home. Living closer to loved ones. Great teaching and hospital reputation. Bio psychosocial model and well-developed advocacy experiences.
Career Aspirations: PHM, Genetics. Considering Chief Resident year.

Alina von Korff, M.D.

Hometown: Westfield, NY
Medical School: Jagiellonian University Medical College, Poland
Best Program Feature: Sense of community combined with a wide range of specialists.
Career Aspirations: Primary Care involved in advocacy work within the community.

Claire Wyman-Rozestraten, D.O.

Hometown: Rochester, NY
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Best Program Feature: I chose Rochester for the excellence in clinical training and strong academics within a warm, collaborative, and supportive environment.
Career Aspirations: Likely primary care, perhaps in an academic setting with a component of clinical research. Considering Chief Resident year.

Jenna Yoo, D.O.

Hometown: East Meadow, NY
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Best Program Feature: A large academic center with a focus on medical education. Supportive faculty, a team-oriented and respectful work environment.
Career Aspirations: Primary care (potentially urgent care), digital health track
 

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: Interested in health ethics and public health. Still figuring out the rest.

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.

Katelyn Cappotelli, 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.

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.

Catherine Gleed, D.O.

Hometown: Ithaca, NY
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: The supportive and collaborative environment
Career Aspirations: Caring for kids with epilepsy.

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.

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.

Catherine Nicholas, M.D.

Hometown: Mount Kisco, NY
Medical School: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester for the program's supportive and collegial academic environment, emphasis on patient-centered care and dedication to the community. I was also very interested in the PLC/CARE track opportunities.
Career Aspirations: Global/immigrant health, Latinx and underserved patient populations, rural health, adolescent medicine, palliative care

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, peds GI, peds EM, 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 also passionate about medical education as well.

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: Medical related project: currently working on submitting research on recurrence rate of febrile seizures.
Professional passions: LGBTQ and transgender care in the pediatric population

Kayla Staub, M.D.

Hometown: Spring Grove, PA
Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Why I Chose Rochester: I was blown away by the empathy and well-roundedness I experienced on my interview day. The emphasis on the biopsychosocial approach and resident wellness closely aligns with my own perspectives and my goal to treat patients as a whole person, not a collection of medical diagnoses. The people I had the opportunity to meet on my interview days were bright, friendly, and extremely accomplished in their field. I knew I found a place where I would be challenged and grow as a physician and as a person.
Career Aspirations: I recently presented at the Premier Breakthroughs conference the results of my QI project that I did through my four years of medical school about the neonatal sepsis calculator in neonates born to mothers with chorioamnionitis. I really enjoy QI work and seeing improvements as they happen. I am particularly interested in the world of communication - how we communicate with patients, other teams, other professions, etc, and how we can make communication even stronger. I am also very interested in palliative care and want to practice medicine through a palliative lens at every level of 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 fellowship (for example Neonatology), 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. I am undecided on any specialty but keeping all options open.

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.

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 ICU, Neonatology, or Gastroenterology. 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 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. I would love to do as much research as possible during my residency.

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:  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.