Medicine-Pediatrics Residents

Cynthia Avalos, MD
Albany Medical College

My name is Cynthia Avalos, and I was born and raised in San Diego, California! During my gap years, I worked as a bilingual psychometrist at a nonprofit Alzheimer's research center, where I worked closely with San Diego's large Spanish-speaking community. I then moved to the Northeast for the first time to attend medical school at Albany Medical College in upstate New York. During medical school, I was involved with organizations such as the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) and the Underrepresented Student Alliance, which focused on promoting diversity and providing mentorship for first-generation students.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy strength training, hiking, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops. A fun fact about me is that I love collecting vinyl records! (:

What brought me to Baystate: I have always known I wanted to train at a program that serves a large Spanish-speaking patient population, and I found exactly that at Baystate. I was also drawn to the strong sense of camaraderie and support among the residents. From the moment I interviewed, I felt genuinely welcomed, and I'm so excited to join the Baystate Med-Peds family!

Katrina Bakhl, MD
Penn State College of Medicine

Hi everyone! I grew up splitting my time between my birthplace, Uzbekistan, and Brooklyn, New York. I completed my undergraduate education at CUNY Hunter College and spent my gap years working as a clinical research coordinator in food allergy research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. I matriculated at Penn State in 2022 and truly enjoyed my time in Central Pennsylvania. Go Nittany Lions!!

What brought me to Baystate were the incredible impressions I had of the residents, faculty, and staff. The welcoming atmosphere made it feel like one big family, and I was especially impressed by how well everyone knew one another and how easily they all got along.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time outdoors through activities like whitewater rafting, ziplining, hiking, and fishing. I also enjoy watching movies and TV shows, following hockey (Go Islanders!), and trying new foods!

Juan Castellanos, MD
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Hey y’all! I grew up in the Rio Grande Valley which is the southernmost part of Texas! I stayed for undergrad at Baylor in Waco and went to medical school at UT Southwestern in Dallas! I am currently interested in Palliative Care or being a primary care med peds physician. In my free time, I like to explore coffee shops/bars/breweries, hike, exercise in some capacity, and recently picked up playing pool! I also love the fall season so super excited to experience a New England Fall!

What brought me to Baystate: During the interview, I loved how close everyone felt and how down to earth everyone was which continues to be true meeting everyone here in person! One of the biggest highlights for me was the continuity experience as well as the mission of the clinic and the options to strengthen your continuity experience in your 3rd year.

Tatum Gross, MD
Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University

I grew up in East Tennessee and attended East Tennessee State University for both undergrad and med school. My interests include hospital medicine, infectious disease, and developmental and intellectual disability. Outside of medicine, I am a lifelong ballerina and love to read, journal, and do anything arts and crafts.

What Brought Me to Baystate: During interview season, Baystate portrayed a supportive environment from not only the residents but all team members. Also, I loved Baystate's focus on working with underserved populations and exclusively Spanish-speaking patients.

Elizabeth Kaido, MD
SUNY Upstate Medical University Alan and Marlene Norton College of Medicine

I was born in rural New York and attended medical school at the Norton College of Medicine at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. At this time, I am interested in many different career paths and am excited to explore all of the options that the med-peds field has to offer.

What brought me to Baystate: It was important for me to find a program that had both support for individual career growth and well as a collaborative, family-like community between its members. From my first encounter with Baystate, I knew this was a strength of the program. I also wanted to train in a health system that cares for a wide variety of patient populations.

Harjaap Kathuria, DO
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie

Hi!! My name is Harjaap and I’m originally from Northern Virginia. I love gardening (although I’m not the best), playing board games, trying new restaurants (Thai and Mexican are my fave!), and spending time with my friends! (don’t tell them I said that.)

I’m passionate about the intersection between nutrition, public health, and the gut microbiome; and I'm hoping to build a career that connects all three of these by pursuing a combined GI fellowship after residency.

I chose Baystate for many reasons, but the biggest was its incredible community. Even among the many outstanding Med-Peds programs, Baystate stood out for having the most supportive and enthusiastic culture. Baystate serves a large and diverse catchment area, including many underserved and immigrant communities. The program also offers many fellowships, research, mentorship, and teaching experiences, all of which played a major role in my decision to train here. I'm excited to begin this next chapter knowing I'll be supported every step of the way as I grow into the physician I aspire to be!

Raisa Khan, MD
Nova Southeastern University College of Allopathic Medicine

Hi, I'm Raisa! I was born and raised in Queens, NYC, around Woodside & Jackson Heights (the most melting pot area of the melting pot!). I studied neuroscience as an undergraduate at Brown before coming back to NY during Covid lockdowns, where I worked at a mental health clinic and did research for 2 years. I found myself in Fort Lauderdale, FL for medical school at NSU MD before coming back to New England to be here at Baystate!

So many things brought me to this program! Growing up where I did and through my research experiences, I have long had an interest in chronic disease management and social determinants of health for patients of all ages. It follows that the biggest draws to Baystate for me were having a dedicated med-peds clinic at Mason Square with med-peds faculty and the health system at large serving patients from a wide variety of backgrounds. Finally (but probably most importantly!), everyone I met who had trained or worked at Baystate not only emphasized but themselves exemplified just how wonderful and supportive the environment is here. My experience in the program has only affirmed that further every day!

In my free time, you can find me in front of a sewing machine, journaling, on long walks with a podcast, doing arts & crafts with my younger siblings, or at an amusement park for any kind of roller coaster!

Resya Sastry, MD
Creighton University School of Medicine

Hi, I’m Resya! I grew up in a suburb of Sacramento, California. I moved to Cleveland, Ohio for undergrad at Case Western Reserve University and went to medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Now, ready to explore New England! At the moment, I’d really love to do Adult and Pediatric Hospital Medicine after residency with some focus on advocacy and medical education.

I love to try new foods and can’t wait to see what Springfield has to offer! I also like to stay active by dancing or doing sculpt yoga (with occasional wellness walks). Otherwise, I enjoy crafts, puzzles, binging tv shows (especially anime), reading (always looking for new recs), and travel. I’ve been to 10 countries, hoping to go to Japan next!

What drew me most to Baystate was the people and culture. After my interview, I felt that all the residents and faculty genuinely cared for each other and their well-being. I felt that the environment was perfect for providing comfort and safety while challenging you to learn and grow. I’m beyond excited to be here and can’t wait to see how the next 4 years go!

Amanda Ajim, MD
Ponce School of Medicne and Health Sciences

I grew up in Houston and went to Med School at Ponce Health Sciences University in PR. I'm interested in Adult and Pediatric Hospital Medicine as well as Pediatric Primary Care. My favorite things to include Baking, Trying new restaurants, convincing people to watch K-Pop Demon Hunters.

What brought me to Baystate: During the info sessions, I noticed the program matched what I specifically was looking for to the point that it almost felt like I was being spoken to directly. I also felt like the faculty and current residents were people I could see myself getting along with well (which I do haha)

Cheyenne Jenne Canizares, MD
California University of Science and Medicine School of Medicine

Hi, my name is Cheyenne! I am a born and raised California girl from the Inland Empire and grew up in a Filipino immigrant household. I went up north to the Bay Area and attended the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!) for undergrad where I earned a degree in Integrative Biology with a minor in Education. My love for teaching grew during my gap years where I worked for a non-profit afterschool program for low-income teens. I later moved back home and went to medical school at the California University of Science and Medicine in Colton, CA.

Fun fact about myself is that I love podcasting! I started a podcast with my college best friend during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I later went on to manage my medical school's podcast "Our Untangled Minds by CUSM" for two years. Other things I enjoy are outdoors activities, board games (my favorite is Terraforming Mars), video games, binge-watching, textile crafts, and staying active! I also enjoy traveling and immersing myself in different cultures. My favorite place I have visited so far is Chiang Mai, Thailand!

I am interested in a mixture Dual Hospitalist & Combined Primary Care and primarily see myself working in an academic setting where I can take part in MedEd! Baystate made a strong impression on me due to its emphasis on education (Learner-Manager-Teacher model). I also knew after talking with residents during interview day that Baystate truly cared about resident wellness and strived to create a safe learning environment that also challenges you to grow.

Alexandra Jones Packham, MD
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

My name is Lexie Jones Packham, and I am so excited to be a resident at Baystate Medical Center!

I grew up in Seattle and attended medical school at Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine in Spokane, WA. I am an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and have enjoyed participating in many Urban Native and Native health-related events and activities. (Ask me about my beaded bone project!) I lived in Spain for a year and a half and enjoyed learning Spanish – even if it is the “weird” Spanish!

I have always known I wanted to serve Tribes as part of my future career. In medical school, I enjoyed my rural tribal rotations, and I LOVED my hospital adult and pediatric rotations. Internal medicine – Pediatrics residency was a natural next step. I am particularly interested in cardiovascular health, advocacy work, and Tribal healthcare. Eventually, I hope to practice as a hospitalist and at a Tribal medical center as a primary care doctor.

In my free time I enjoy beading, reading, and playing with my corgi, Jack Jack, who uses talking buttons to ask for scratches and walks.

I look forward to collaborating with you all these coming years. Philámayaye! (Thank you! in Lakota)

Madison Ladines, MD
Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine

My name is Madison Ladines, and I am a born and raised South Carolinian! I am an alumna of Presbyterian College (go blue hose!) and MUSC. I am the oldest of 5 children and being a big sister is truly the thing I am most proud of. I speak English and Spanish and hope to become a Dual Hospitalist with a side of free clinic to love and care for immigrant families.

I love to run, watercolor paint, comb the beach for seashells, play with flowers, and sip on drinks that taste like plants (matcha and lavender lattes), especially if I am doing any of those things with the people I love!

When I interviewed at Baystate the first thing I told my roommate was, "wow they were so kind!" I love the family feel in addition to the fact Baystate has such a strong Med-Peds presence throughout the hospital and affords us the opportunity to serve a patient demographic that is non-English speaking or uses English as a second language.

Nicholas Mikolinis, MD
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Bio: I was born in Killeen, TX and moved to Delta, PA when I was 2 and lived there throughout high school before attending Penn State University. As a student, I majored in Biology and Applied French, in addition to participating in THON and Camp Kesem. I taught ESL in France to middle and high schoolers before attending medical school at Geisinger Commonwealth SOM. In medical school, I participated in clubs that promoted self-care and diversity. I have three brothers, one sister-in-law, and another soon-to-be sister-in-law! I couples matched with my partner, and I have adopted parental rights to his cat :)

Favorite Things to Do: play tennis and run outside when it is nice, ride my Peloton, snowboard, play board and video games, travel, watch movies.

What brought me to Baystate: I was drawn to the sense of community and family felt throughout the interview process. It also offers a diverse population and the unique opportunity to gain experience Medical French in addition to Medical Spanish! I also couples matched with my partner who is a resident at UConn, so this match allows us to still live and experience residency together!

Brittany Pace, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin

I grew up in the Midwest outside of St. Louis, so I love all things Cardinals baseball and Blues hockey! I love animals, and I moved to Massachusetts with my two cats, Timmy and Cricket. Professionally, I am interested in Street Medicine and caring for people experiencing homelessness.

I enjoy spending my free time volunteering in the community, taking long walks in nature, visiting my twin sister in Boston, and spending time with my co-residents.

I could tell during my interview here that there was incredible value placed on resident education, and I wanted to train at a place that valued teaching me how to be an excellent physician. Now that I am here, I can honestly say that Baystate is such a supportive environment to learn in, and everyone cares about my learning and growth as a professional and as a person.

John Tarpey, MD
Rush Medical College of Rush University 

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, then moved to New Orleans to complete my undergraduate degree in Biology at Loyola University New Orleans where I also swam competitively. I moved back to Chicago for medical school, where I studied at Rush Medical College. In my free time I love spending time outside, hiking with friends and my dog, camping, or taking photos. I also love to read, take care of my plants, or try new recipes in the kitchen.

I’m thrilled to be joining the Med-Peds family at Baystate, where I’ll train not only to be a compassionate physician but also an advocate for my patients both inside and outside the clinic. I am grateful to be part of such a strong and prominent Med-Peds community- one that’s deeply dedicated to serving the people of Western Mass.

Swizel Tevenal, MD
Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Hi, I’m Swizel M. Tevenal-Báez, born, raised, and trained in Puerto Rico. I believe growth happens outside your comfort zone. Outside of medicine, I enjoy fantasy books, yoga, painting, running, mountain biking (still learning!), and time with my husband and two dogs. I was drawn to Baystate for its strong Spanish-speaking and Puerto Rican community.

Zoe Burrow

Hometown: Greenfield, IN

Fun Fact: I sang at the Indiana governor's inauguration with my college choir

Ask Me About: books, baking, board games, coffee, movies, my cat Momo, the Chicago Cubs, and whatever else you can think of!

What Brought You to Baystate: I immediately fell in love with the staff and residents when I interviewed with Baystate for the curated culture of caring, thoughtful practice of medicine with their patients and advanced education with their graduate medical education. The community here with its respect for patients, families, and each other set Baystate apart when I was deciding where to complete the next phase of my training. Even far from home, I know I've found a new home!

Tarek Firzli

Hometown: I was born in Santa Monica, CA and grew up in Phoenix, AZ.

Fun Fact: Growing up some of my hobbies were tennis, judo, reading and anything outdoors.

For college I went to ASU where I studied mathematics and got deep into outdoor rock climbing. Ready for some adventure after school I spent a couple years rock climbing and travelling. Afterwards I became a high school math teacher for several years where I met my wife. During this time I decided that I wanted to pursue medicine. I attended the University of Nevada Reno where I lived for 4 years prior to coming to Baystate for residency! I have too many interests to count but also like woodworking, investing and hanging out with my two wonderful dogs Colby and Brie (yes, named after the cheeses).

What brought me to Baystate: The supportive culture and focus on excellence in education

Claudia Heritage

Hometown: Saratoga Springs, NY

Medical School: SUNY Upstate Norton College of Medicine

Fun Fact: I'm an expert at finding 4 leaf clovers!

Ask Me About: Skiing, hiking, paddle boarding, how to make the perfect s'more, navigating residency with a non-medicine partner, having a pet in residency, or anything Med-Peds related

What Brought You to Baystate: I chose Baystate because of the people! I could tell from my interview day how genuine everyone was and saw how close all the residents were with one another! My co-residents and I are already so close and I know I've made the right decision. I was also drawn to the Mason Square clinic, as having a dedicated Med-Peds continuity clinic was very important to me!

Eghosa Igbinobaro

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Fun fact: I used to be part of my high school marching band and I played the saxophone

Ask me about: Afrobeats Music, step aerobics

What brought you to Baystate: I love that the program has Huge Med- Peds community and the innovative learner- Manager- Teacher model which will foster autonomy in caring for patients.

Hannah Little

Hometown: Port Angeles, WA

Fun Fact: I volunteered at an insectarium (a bug zoo) for 3 years! I love arthropods and science education.

Ask Me About: Spelunking, hiking misadventures, and movies.

What Brought You to Baystate: I was incredibly fortunate to do an away rotation at Baystate towards the beginning of my fourth year, and it set the bar. All members of the team were active in not only patient care, but the support and education of the residents. The Med Peds Baystate program is upfront with their values of lifelong learning and care for patients, ourselves, and each other, and consistently demonstrated those values. I am so fortunate to become part of this Med-Peds family!

Avery Roland

Hometown: Chattanooga, TN

Fun Fact: I am an ordained minister(and I became ordained in college so I would have a good fun fact that was unique but not too much of a brag.)

Ask Me About: My baking addiction - I love making macaroons. Also, I am a big sports fan.. .coming from the south this mostly means college, so go Vols (aka Tennessee). But I also love playing sand volleyball when I can.

What Brought You to Baystate: Honestly, it was the vibe of the program during the interview that really drew me in. I felt a profound sense of community coming from faculty and residents, and I knew it was something I wanted to be part of. It was also evident that the culture at Baystate recognizes that to take care of patients you also need to take care of yourself. Finally, since my passions are in global health, which I personally define as improving health care access and disparities for all people everywhere, being at a residency program, like Baystate, that serves both urban and rural underserved communities was crucial.

Alexis Watson

Hometown: I grew up in Porterville, CA – a town in central CA. I moved to CO for my undergrad education at the University of Denver where I studied Biology and Psychology After I stayed in CO for two gap years to work as a behavioral health technician in an inpatient psych hospital. I then came to MA to attend medical school at UMass.

Fun Fact: I have been skydiving! (and would love to go again)

Ask Me About: podcast recommendations, books, video games

What Brought You to Baystate: Having been in MA for med school, the reputation of Baystate as an excellent place to receive training spoke for itself. During interview day, it was clear the program provided a supportive environment from leadership to policies that make wellness during residency a possibility. It was also important to me to find a program that was attentive to the needs of its surrounding community. All in all, I could see myself thriving as part of the Med-Peds family at Baystate!

Katia Yazji

Hi, I’m Katia! I am originally from Athens, Greece, but was raised in Kuwait for 18 years. I spent 6 years in Dublin, Ireland, where I attended medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and now am fortunate to be starting my residency in Medicine-Pediatrics at Baystate!

I knew from very early on in my medical career that I wanted to become a specialist in a field where I could develop life-long relationships with my patients and their families. After discovering that Medicine-Pediatrics could give me the opportunity to care for patients from early childhood into adulthood while also providing me with a depth and breadth of both inpatient and outpatient training, a Medicine-Pediatrics rotation at Baystate’s Mason Square as an MS3 sealed the deal for me. All the residents I got to work with were kind, patient, generous with their time and eager to teach. They became a group of people that I felt I would be privileged to call co-residents. I also felt incredibly supported by program leadership and the Med-Peds attendings I worked with. Their passion and commitment to their community, patients and residents was unparalleled. Choosing Med-Peds and choosing Med-Peds at Baystate was the easiest decision I‘ve made.

In my free time I enjoy cooking, baking, playing pickleball and exploring the local food scene. Small fun facts about myself: I have traveled to 28 countries and have lived in 4 countries. I enjoy travelling and am always happy to give any travel recommendations!

Apeksha Ashok Kumar, MD

State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Hi, my name is Apeksha! I was born and raised in India until I was 10 years old, when my family and I moved to Acton, Massachusetts. I grew up there until attending college at New York University in New York City and then going to medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY.

I’ve always known that I would go into pediatrics, but during medical school, I realized my passion for taking care of adult patients as well. I found that Med-Peds provided the perfect avenue for me to explore multiple opportunities! During my time in Syracuse, I worked with physician mentors to provide health information to a diverse refugee population. I also created a podcast with my peers to highlight important intersections between medicine and our community. I am interested in continuing refugee and immigrant healthcare, global health, as well as honing skills in medical education.

In my free time, I love listening to podcasts (ranging from pop culture to educational), cooking and baking (trying to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe), and exploring parks and trails. I am excited to return to Massachusetts and explore the Springfield area!

My interview day at Baystate emphasized a collaborative and supportive atmosphere that drew me to the program. It was also important to me to work with a diverse population of patients, faculty, and staff. After speaking with current residents and alumni, I knew Baystate would offer the training and support for my goals. I am excited to be a part of a great team at Baystate! 

Grace Buckley, MD

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

I’ve come to Baystate all the way from Ireland (County Kildare). I lived in Ireland my entire life and was lucky enough to attend college in Dublin. I did my undergrad in Physiology in Trinity College Dublin and attended the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland for medical school. I worked as a doctor in Ireland for nearly 2 years prior to starting residency.

I have always had a passion for science, but also a passion for improving equality within society. Medicine allowed me to work closely with people and to blend those passions in a very tangible way.

Med-peds at Baystate felt like a program that focused on the career development and well-being of its residents, as well as the health and prosperity of the community it works with. For me, I wanted to work in a place that knew and responded to its community effectively and Baystate most definitely demonstrates those qualities.

I am looking forward to exploring my new neighbourhood, the nearby bike trail and the food scene around Springfield, MA. Also, I am excited to see if I can manage to grow anything in my new garden. I love all things music, art and comedy. And, I must confess I also love reality television (much to the dismay of everyone I have ever shared a living room with).

Alessandra De Franco, MD

Tufts University School of Medicine 

Talin Handa, MD

University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Hi, I’m Talin! I grew up in Melbourne FL with my parents and sister and often visited extended family in Delhi, India. I went to Emory University in Atlanta, GA, where I majored in Neuroscience and Chemistry. While in college, I started a creative arts group, TheraMusic, with my friends in which we would go to the cancer center and perform for the patients. While in college, my research interests were in neuroendocrinology, focusing on gender and racial differences in Acromegaly and Cushing’s Disease. I came back to Florida where I went to University of Central Florida College of Medicine (UCF COM) in Orlando. Here, my research interests pivoted from adult to pediatric endocrinology, focusing on long-term endocrine outcomes in children undergoing craniopharyngioma resection.

I decided to pursue med-peds (and medicine in general!) based on my own experiences! In short, Med-Peds really appealed to me in terms of maintaining a therapeutic alliance with children into adulthood, something that I wished I had as a patient. Indeed, when I did an away rotation at Baystate's Mason Square clinic, being able to see whole families at once really confirmed that Med-Peds was the right choice!

At the same time, it was this rotation that really sealed my decision to come to Baystate! Everyone, from Dr. Munoz, Dr. Borden and Dr. Wretzel to the residents to the even the staff really made me feel like I was still home. Baystate's innovative learner-teacher-manager model in the wards coupled with working in one of the nation's oldest and strongest Med-Peds continuity clinic truly showed me that I can become a strong generalist while being set up well for a future combined Med-Peds Endocrinology fellowship! Outside of medicine, I enjoy listening to podcasts (Diary of a CEO, Ryan Holliday, and Jay Shetty are my go-to!), supporting Orlando City and Tottenham Hotspur, biking, rock climbing, playing piano, viola, video games and chess, and reading everything from finance to philosophy! 

Diane Hassanieh, MD

Frank H Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University

Hi, I’m Diane! I was born in beautiful Beirut, Lebanon, and moved to the U.S. at 4 years old. I have since grown up in CT where I attended the University of CT and graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences and an English minor. Before medical school, I took a gap year where I kept myself busy working as a medical assistant for an Allergist/Immunologist, being a substitute preschool teacher, and volunteering as an EMT. I then stayed in CT and attended the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine where I served as President of my class and spent time volunteering in various teaching roles.

In my free time, I love to cook and bake. I experiment with new cake and cookie recipes and love to make character birthday cakes for my friends! I also enjoy hiking and exploring new walking trails. I am very close to my family and love to spend time with them, especially my nieces and my nephew! I raise backyard chickens with my dad and also have a pet cat.

I chose Baystate due to its strong Med-Peds presence, the emphasis on wellness, and the excellent teaching faculty. I had the opportunity to attend an away rotation at Baystate and felt at home with the friendly residents and attendings. The attendings were supportive while allowing appropriate autonomy and encouraging my growth as a physician. I am interested in primary care and enjoyed my interactions with patients at Mason Square Clinic and was especially impressed with the resources available for patients! Not to mention, my family is close by and I felt that I would benefit from their support during residency. I felt that I could truly make a difference in patients’ lives while receiving strong training at Baystate. 

John Hosmer-Quint, MD

Ohio State University College of Medicine

Hello! I grew up in Columbia, Missouri and went to college at Lawrence University in Wisconsin. Since I was interested in too many things, I did a 5-year double degree program to get a BMus in Trumpet performance and a BA in Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences as well as Physics. After college I moved to Washington, DC to do research at the NIH (using single molecule microscopy to look at real-time protein translation) and tutor math/english/science. I eventually decided on medical school so I could combine my love of science, research, teaching and patient care. At Ohio State I completed advanced competencies in Point of Care Ultrasound, LGBTQ+ Health, and Family Planning and Reproductive Health. Since I continued to be interested in everything, I chose Med-Peds for residency so that I could continue seeing patients of all ages with every kind of diseases.

Outside of medicine, I've kept up my musical interests through playing trumpet in community orchestras, piano in my free time and directing medical themed A Capella groups at OSU and NIH. I also love hiking, backpacking, bicycling, cooking, woodworking and gardening. I'm excited to explore the beautiful mountains and forests of New England and find out what grows best here! 

Chloe Jammes, MD

Georgetown University School of Medicine

Hi everyone! My name is Chloé, and I grew up in the Seattle area, surrounded by outdoor activities which kindled my great love of nature and being outside. I am French and my parents are from France. Going to visit family and exploring Europe inspired my love for traveling. I flew cross-country to DC to pursue undergrad and medical school at Georgetown University and now call the East Coast home, a midway point between Seattle and France. At Georgetown, I developed interests first in global health and then in climate health, leading me to be an advocate of disease prevention.

I am hoping to be a primary care physician who can advocate for my patients, foster trusting relationships, and work within a team. I love Baystate’s robust ambulatory care experience with the Mason Square Clinic and know that they will prepare me for a career in primary care. The program’s emphasis on building community and growing as we progress through residency with the Learner-Manager-Teacher model are also reasons why I am excited about Baystate. Also, there are so many outdoor adventures that await which will keep my Seattleite heart happy! I look forward to exploring New England, eating all the wonderful food, going on hikes, practicing yoga and meditation outside in the summer, and cooking meals with friends!

Adina Paley, MD

Tufts University School of Medicine

Hi, my name is Adina! I was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City and then went to Haverford College in Pennsylvania where I studied Chemistry and Health Studies. After graduation, I spent a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA in South Carolina working on community mental health and financial stability initiatives before coming to Massachusetts to join the Tufts MD/MPH program. While in medical school, I focused on my interests in medical education and mentorship, as well as epidemiological research on the intersection of infectious diseases and social determinants of health.

Outside of medicine, I can be found outdoors going for a hike, or indoors with a cup of tea solving crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, or any other type of puzzle. I also enjoy circus arts and performing on aerial rope.

I was drawn to Baystate because of the strong Med-Peds identity, the dedication to resident education with the Learner-Manager-Teacher model, and the high level of engagement with the local community. The warmth and supportiveness of the residents and faculty were evident throughout my interview day, and I am thrilled to be a part of this team!

Resident education at UMass Chan-Baystate is unique in that the primary responsibility of both our academic Internal Medicine and Pediatric attendings is to teach residents.

We have an innovative Learner-Manager-Teacher educational model that allows us to develop graduated autonomy and confidence in caring for our patients. As Learners, we are supervised by our senior residents and attendings who help foster our practical and clinical reasoning skills. In second year, we become Managers and work one-on-one with our attendings, which allows us to develop our own approach to patients. Then as Teachers, we come full circle, focusing on our own teaching skills as we help instruct our junior residents in caring for patients.

We are proud to be an integral part of our dedicated med-peds clinic, Mason Square, which was one of the first combined med-peds residency clinics in the country! Mason Square not only strives to provide excellent primary care for one of the lowest income and medically complex neighborhoods in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You will find many of our graduates in careers ranging from local to global, urban to rural, generalist to sub-specialist. We truly believe no matter the career you are working towards, UMass Chan-Baystate will readily prepare you and help advance your journey toward your goals.

If you were to poll our residents about what brought them to Baystate, you will often hear about the people.

Here, we foster educational growth and medical competency in an atmosphere that equally emphasizes resident wellbeing. Our culture at Baystate places a strong emphasis on wellness and support which comes in a variety of forms. Every intern is paired with a Med-Peds peer mentor from the beginning of the year to guide them through residency. Outside of our own program we form strong relationships with our categorical residents and have a dedicated EAP counselor for residents across all programs. When we’re not at the hospital, you will find us having dinner together, hiking, visiting any of the local orchards/wineries/breweries, enjoying Thunderbirds games, going to the beach, or exploring nearby cities!

And when we’re not at the hospital, you will find us having dinner together, hiking, planning birthday parties, visiting any of the local orchards/wineries/breweries, enjoying Thunderbirds games, going to the beach, sailing or exploring nearby cities!

Our supportive family does not stop with the residents. Our program directors and coordinators all provide unending guidance when we need it most with an open door policy. Not to mention, the Med-Peds office is always well-stocked with espresso and snacks! Being one of the largest residency programs at Baystate, we are fortunate to have an established presence where we are taught by many med-peds trained faculty who have graduated from Baystate as well.

Western Massachusetts is a fantastic place to live!

Springfield itself has many things to offer including museums, the Basketball Hall of Fame, and a variety of delicious restaurants to hit up after work. As you head north into the Pioneer Valley, you can find yourself exploring the bustling New England towns of Easthampton, Northampton, Holyoke, Hadley, and Amherst, each with great eats, bakeries, or ice cream.

There are many nearby areas for hiking, swimming, skiing, and biking to keep you busy at all times of the year. Our location makes it convenient to travel for a day or weekend away to cities such as Boston, Saratoga, Providence, and NYC. We are 30 minutes away from Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, which makes long-distance or international travel very accessible.

Gabrielle Cintron, MD
Medical School: CUNY School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship, UC San Francisco

Diane Choi, DO
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Medicine Hospitalist & Complex Care Pediatrician at Northwell Health

Gilbert Garbiso, MD
Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Attending, Baystate Hospital Medicine, Baystate Wing Hospital, Springfield MA

Janhavi Giribhattanavar, MD
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Post-Graduate Position: Adult & Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship at VCU Health

Evan Marzouk, MD
Medical School: SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: 2026-Chief Resident, Internal Medicine Residency, UMass Chan - Baystate, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA

Samantha Pendleton, DO
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: 2026-Chief Resident, Pediatrics Residency, UMass Chan - Baystate, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA

Alyssa Purdy, MD
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University Alan and Marlene Norton College of Medicine
Post Graduate Position: 2026-Fellow, Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
2026-Attending (Per Diem), Baystate Hospital Medicine Program, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA

Rucha Vyas, MD
Medical School: St George’s University School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: 2026-Fellow, Rheumatology Fellowship, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY

Alfredo Colon, MD
Medical School: Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Sleep Medicine- Mt. Sinai

Mina Iskandar, MD
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain
Post-Graduate Position: Baystate Nocturnist

Nicole Kasher, MD
Medical School: Technion Israel Institute of Technology
Post-Graduate Position: USC Fellowship Pulm Crit

Jessica Malhotra, MD
Medical School: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Post-Graduate Position: Med-Peds Hospitalist - Yale Medicine

Jorge Rivera, MD
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Pedi Cards Fellowship Oregon

Lillian Seo, MD
Medical School: School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Post-Graduate Position: Brown HIV Fellowship

Amanda Whitehouse, MD
Medical School: UMass Chan Medical School - PURCH Track
Post-Graduate Position: Mason Square Primary Care- Baystate Health

Charlotte Beers, MD
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Pediatric Chief Resident, UMass Chan Baystate Children’s Hospital

Janette Farrell, MD
Medical School: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Pediatric Hospitalist, University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, NM

Jennifer Grom, MD
Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai
Post-Graduate Position: Sleep Medicine Fellowship, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

Stephanie Lawanto, MD
Medical School: University of Utah School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Combined Med-Pediatrics Renal Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Sarah McCullough, DO
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Combined Med-Peds Infectious Diseases Fellowship, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT

Rachel Robinson, MD
Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans
Post-Graduate Position: Hospitalist, Touro, LCMC Health, New Orleans. LA

Emily Ruseski, MD
Medical School: University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Post-Graduate Position: Primary Care Med-Peds, Maine Medical Partners, Lakes Region Primary Care, Windham, ME

Rachel Schmidt, MD
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Hospitalist, Salina, Kansas

Sara Brenner, MD
Medical School: University of California San Diego School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Combined Med-Peds Infectious Disease Fellowship UCSF

Mitch Milstein, MD
Medical School: Penn State University College of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Hospitalist, Orlando Health Medical Group

Peter Morton, DO
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Pediatric Chief Resident, UMass Chan Baystate Children’s Hospital

Mojdeh Mostafavi, MD
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, Massachusetts General Hospital

Jamie Schwarz, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Med-Peds Primary Care, Baystate Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center

Jessica Urso, DO
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Locum tenens & exploring the US National Parks

Lauren Wagener, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Academic Primary Care, University of Pittsburgh McKeesport Clinic

Diana Yusim, MD
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Post-Graduate Position: Adult Nephrology Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh

Crystal Cobb, DO
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Adult Endocrinology Fellowship, Emory University School of Medicine

Anisha Contractor, DO
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine

Anthony Esposito, DO
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Adult Pulmonary / Critical Care Fellowship, New York Medical College

Nicholas Karr, MD
Medical School: Florida State University College of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Internal Medicine Chief Resident, University of Massachusetts Chan – Baystate Medical Center

Lucinda Li, DO
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia Campus
Post-Graduate Position: Hospitalist, Christiana Care, Delaware

Kathryn O'Brien, DO
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia Campus
Post-Graduate Position: Medicine-Pediatrics Nephrology Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Thomas Presti, MD
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Post-Graduate Position: Adult Pulmonary / Critical Care Fellowship, University of Massachusetts Chan – Baystate Medical Center

Julieta Rodriguez, MD
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Post-Graduate Position: Medicine-Pediatrics Infectious Disease Fellowship, University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine