Our Residents

Maaz Ghouri, DO

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hello! I was born and raised on Long Island, New York. I earned my Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine and my undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University. My parents are first generation immigrants who instilled in me the power of education and the importance of striving towards goals. I view family medicine as synonymous with humanity. It is built on a foundation of empathy, preventative focus, and continuity of care. As a primary care provider, I aim to build lifelong relationships with patients -- as a listener, advisor, advocate, and healer. I hope to motivate and inspire the younger generation of physicians, especially those who are underprivileged, and instill confidence that they can achieve their dreams.

I grew up with a basketball in my hand and a soccer ball at my feet. At an early age, my passion for sports coincided with my interest in medicine when I volunteered as a sideline medical assistant for my high school’s varsity sports teams. Eventually, I was fortunate to have sports medicine physicians as mentors providing me valuable opportunities throughout the years. As a child, I aspired not only to become a family medicine physician with a sports medicine specialization, but also to be an astronaut. As a child with a telescope looking at the stars - to now an active member of the aerospace medical association - I aim to be a part of the innovative field of space medicine.

Aside from medicine, I prioritize time with family and friends and staying active. I enjoy hot yoga, pilates, and flotation therapy (try it!). In my spare time, I am a DJ who finds music to be therapeutic. I am excited for my journey in Rochester and look forward to my continued growth as a physician and member of this great community!

Jaclyn Grode, MD

Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska as the middle of three children. My family spent a lot of quality time in the car as we drove to rural South Dakota to visit family and occasionally struck out on coast-to-coast national park tours - my favorite so far is Mesa Verde. I went to Boston University to study biomedical engineering and to acclimate myself to east coast winters! After graduation I spent another year in Boston working in an emergency department and a research lab before making my way to Philadelphia for medical school at Thomas Jefferson University. During medical school, I spent a year in a program that focused on forming longer relationships with patients as they navigated the healthcare system. I chose family medicine as my future career early on because of its breadth. I'm excited that as a family doc I can care for people of all ages and with health challenges of all kinds. Within family medicine my interests include maternal-child health, rural health care, palliative medicine and addiction medicine, among other things! I’m excited to continue my medical career at Rochester/Highland Hospital!

When not in medicine-mode, I enjoy baking, science fiction, board games, trivia nights, and planning my future travel.

Rhianna Hibbler, MD

Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

I grew up on a mountain half an hour outside of town, in the part of the Pennsylvania Wilds known for its dark night skies. My mother was a teacher who encouraged reading and close examination of the natural world, as well as an empathy for people and meeting them where they are. These foundational experiences influenced my later decision to enter Family Medicine - however, it was a bit of a winding road!

I went to Bard College at Simon’s Rock after my sophomore year of high school, then transferred to Brandeis University where I completed a BS in Health: Science, Society, and Policy, with a thesis on Reproductive Decision-Making in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. After graduation, I stayed in Boston to work as a Clinical Research Assistant at BIDMC on projects relating to diabetes and vascular health. Additionally, I volunteered as a birth doula, as I was considering becoming a nurse-midwife. From these experiences I found that I loved talking to people, learning their stories, and understanding their individual health goals and how to support them. To rule out a future in my other love, evolutionary and developmental biology, I took a research position at MGH studying the intersection of bacterial evolution and human immune response in the context of Cystic Fibrosis. There I worked with amazing physician-scientists, but also saw that the lab bench was not for me.

During this time I read Caring for the Country by Dr. Howard Rabinowitz, which profiled rural family physicians who participated in Jefferson’s Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP). In it I saw the type of physician I could become, interested not only in the pathophysiology of disease but also invested in serving people and their communities. I was fortunate to complete my medical school training at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, where I participated in the PSAP as well as the Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship, which allowed me to complete my third year rotations in primarily outpatient settings. During my time at Jefferson, I created a podcast 'Along a River in the Wilds', helped lead our Family Medicine and Palliative Care Interest Groups, organized knitting and crocheting volunteers, and took advantage of our rich Humanities and Health program. I continue to be interested in rural medicine, as well as reproductive health, behavioral health, and palliative care. I'm very excited to be joining U of R's program, and to explore more of the Rochester area with my partner, who is from here! In my free time I enjoy walking our two dogs while listening to podcasts, crocheting while watching TV, and cooking with lots of veggies.

Kevin Li, MD

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

I was born and raised in San Francisco, CA, a child to immigrants from southern China. My family’s struggles learning to navigate the health care system and a new culture led to my interests in health care accessibility and the importance of social supports. After getting a degree in exercise science at the University of California, Davis, I spent three years in business and technology working for a start-up company in the field of medical education. Attending the University of Rochester for medical school, I had the privilege of working with the unhoused population, public school athletic programs and being involved with several projects involving behavioral health and interprofessional collaboration. Those roles sold me on family medicine as a specialty to learn from and care for people of all ages and backgrounds. I am fortunate to continue doing so in the diverse and wonderful community I have called home for the past 5 years. Outside of medicine, you will find me hiking, cycling, taste-testing my partner’s delightful cooking and working on my Cantonese with my niece, who already is leaps and bounds more fluent than I am.

Christine Ly, MD

State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Hey everyone! I was born and raised in Flushing, NY where I was surrounded by Asian cuisine and learned to speak three different dialects of Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, and Fujienese). Although I am not a big foodie, I am always down for bubble tea! My interest in medicine started at a young age when I realized the importance of sight in navigating everyday life and wanted to help people preserve their vision. With high school research experience in a corneal wound healing lab at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, I spent a year at New York University studying biological sciences before transferring to Cornell University, partly in pursuit of snowier weather. After majoring in biological sciences and minoring in business and biomedical engineering, I pursued the dual MD/PhD program at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Following defense of my dissertation on retinal development, I received my PhD in Neuroscience and returned to third year of medical school. With an open mind, I fell in love with Family Medicine. From playing with children to talking to adults, I enjoyed my interactions with people and found myself wanting to learn more about their stories. With my vast interests within Family Medicine, I am excited to begin my training at University of Rochester and become more than capable of treating anyone who comes through my doors.

In my free time throughout the years, I dabbled in music (violin, piano, and flute), Chinese traditional dancing, Lion dance, Wushu martial arts, and arts and crafts (drawing, painting, and origami). Small things in life make me happy, from having a Minion with me to watching squirrels frolic around. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family, watching television, playing board games, and trying to practice Spanish through the Duolingo app.

Katherine Macarthur, MD

Tufts University School of Medicine

I was born and raised in Acton, Massachusetts, a suburb 20 miles west of Boston. Much of my childhood was spent in the ballet studio, studying classical ballet. In high school, I fell in love with science and medicine and decided to stay close to home for college and attended Tufts University in Medford, MA. In college I studied biochemistry, and during my summer breaks I traveled independently across Europe and volunteered in wildlife reserves in South Africa. In 2018, I graduated from the undergraduate program at Tufts and started medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine. During medical school, I found that I was most passionate about developing longitudinal relationships with my patients and creating a safe and affirming environment in clinic. I loved all of medicine, especially primary care, leading me to choose family medicine as my specialty. Within family medicine, my interests include reproductive health and LGBTQ+ medicine.

When I'm not working, I enjoy reading novels while cuddling with my cat, a 13-pound black cat named Jem. I also am a huge Broadway fan and currently have a stack of about 50 playbills from the many shows I've seen! I am so excited to move to upstate New York and serve the community of Rochester.

Jessica Meyer, MD

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Hello! I grew up in Belmont, MA just outside of Boston. After high school I headed west to attend Colorado College. After college I was interested in Public Health and worked at a non-profit where I facilitated community-based, multi-stakeholder alliances across Colorado to increase health equity. The passionate community leaders I worked with taught me that communities hold the best solutions to the challenges they face.I then I worked as a clinic and research assistant at Planned Parenthood in Minnesota where I developed a love for cheese curds, and a deeper understanding of how clinical care and research can be tools to investigate the causes and identify solutions to unjust health outcomes.

During medical school at the University of Rochester I worked closely with the local Syringe Exchange Program, served as a community advocate for im/migrant, and was lucky to complete an International Research Fellowship with a team based in Santiago, Chile. I found Family Medicine as the perfect space where people were working on innovative and non-traditional models of primary care to increase health equity via clinical care, advocacy, and research. And the people were just the best.

I plan to focus on the clinical areas of reproductive health and addiction medicine and identifying solutions to better care for marginalized patients through advocacy and mixed-methods research. Outside of the clinic I enjoy outside activities including trying to grow new vegetables in my garden and exploring new trails on foot, skis, or by bike. If I am inside, I enjoy any activity in the kitchen and learning how to throw pottery on a wheel. And I love ice cream, regardless of if I am inside or outside.

Julia Norton, MD

State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Hi all! I grew up in Jamesville, NY right outside of Syracuse. I attended Colgate University where I majored in French and minored in biology. I spent a semester abroad in Dijon, France and eventually completed my honors thesis on women in medicine in post-independence period Algeria. My French studies helped me develop a love for life stories, relationships, and identities, which lends well to a career as a primary care physician. While in undergrad I also participated in rural EMS and enjoyed building connections with the local community. After college I went directly to medical school at SUNY Upstate in Syracuse where I was involved in leadership of the OB/GYN and Medical Students for Choice interest groups as well as research projects on fibromyalgia and public health. Throughout my time at Upstate my passion for Family Medicine grew as I realized it was the best environment to bring together all of my clinical interests!

I am especially passionate about reproductive justice work, adolescent medicine, gender-affirming care, and advocacy. Outside of medicine I love to spend time outdoors with my husband and our boxer mix, Juniper. I also love cooking and baking — especially layer cakes! I’m thrilled to complete my Family Medicine training at the University of Rochester!

William Zachary Prebel, MD

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Hello everyone, my name is William Prebel, but I go by Zach (my middle name). I grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, an inner ring suburb of Cleveland where local programs like Help2Others (H2O) and Key Club helped show me the importance of giving back to the community through service. In high school I discovered my love of the biological sciences through participation in a Biotechnology class sponsored by the local career technical high school. I then went on to major in Molecular Genetics at the University of Rochester, where I also minored in Medical Anthropology. After graduation I worked as a medical scribe in the Emergency Department at Rochester General Hospital for a year before moving back to Cleveland to continue my scribe work in Primary Care through the MetroHealth system. It was through these experiences where I first began to realize that I wanted to continue community work by providing medical care to underserved populations. During my medical school training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine I discovered that the field of Family Medicine really encapsulated all of my prior interests: encompassing a wide breadth of medicine, while at the same time addressing the social determinants of health. Within Family Medicine, I have particular interest in Behavioral Health and HIV care.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy watching documentaries and Youtube videos on various topics, and have recently developed a specific interest in city planning/urban design. I love playing strategy-based computer games, particularly those based in history, such as Sid Meyer’s Civilization and Humankind. I also enjoy spending time outdoors, and love exploring the different greenspaces in my area. I’m really looking forward to spending time in my favorite park in Rochester- the arboretum in Highland Park.

Matthew Sears, MD

Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University

I was born in Pittsburgh and was raised in Amish country in south central Pennsylvania. I grew up around a lot of people in family medicine, including my mom, a family doctor, and my dad, a physician assistant. I came to Rochester in my late teens to study physics at the University of Rochester. After graduating, I got a PhD and began a career teaching sciences at Texas A&M University. I went through several life experiences that convinced me that I would better serve others as a medical doctor, so I hung up my spurs as a college teacher. I completed the postbaccalaureate program at Johns Hopkins University, spent a year as a clinical researcher for patients with sickle cell disease at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and went to medical school at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Seeing patients in Baltimore and Philadelphia invigorated my passion for meeting new people, learning what makes them tick, and helping them manage their health so that they can be doing the things they want with the people they love. I enjoy caring for people of all ages and from all walks of life. I'm interested in all aspects of family medicine and am particularly passionate about women's health, maternal and child care, behavioral health, and sexual health. I'm honored to work and advocate for these things in Rochester! I’m proud to be at URMC, both as a resident and as a patient.

When I'm not working in the clinic or hospital, you'll find me walking my boxer around Rochester, taking photos of people, architecture, and nature. If I'm at home, you might also find me tinkering under my car, working on new recipes in the kitchen, or playing board games with my partner.

Kalyani Sonarikar, MD

Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science

Hi! I grew up in many places but spent a good portion of my life in Round Lake, IL with my parents and younger sister. I got involved in service at an early age through Girl Scouts which taught me the importance of knowing your community. Attending a math and science-focused boarding school led me to try and round out my education by attending Knox College, a liberal arts college in central Illinois. During my undergraduate years, I majored in neuroscience and minored in education policy while staying involved in my local community through various service organizations such as Alpha Phi Omega and Best Buddies.

I stayed close to home for medical school at Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University. During my third year, I fell in love with family medicine because it felt like the perfect combination of serving my community, public health education, and forming long term relationships. Within the field, I am passionate about behavioral health, family planning, lifestyle medicine, nutrition, LGBTQAI+ Health, and medical education.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, family, and friends (both in person and over video calls!). I also enjoy cooking new foods, thrifting, and continuing to grow my deep appreciation for fall, warm sweaters, and coffee.

Yuki Takeuchi, MD

Asahikawa Medical University

Hi everyone! I was born and raised in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan, a beautiful snowy city located at the same latitude as Rochester. I completed my medical degree at Asahikawa Medical University in 2016. After finishing the Japanese 2-year postgraduate internship at Teine Keijinkai Hospital, I worked at Teine Family Medicine Clinic and U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka. Through my clinical experience, I have seen many patients with chronic illnesses related to complex factors. When I struggled as an intern in Japan, I was fortunate enough to meet Dr. Ryohei Otsuka, Class 2011 of URMC Family Medicine Residency. His holistic approach was eye-opening for me. He listened carefully to patients' narratives and supported their biopsychosocial treatment needs with interdisciplinary teams, providing evidence-based care. Since then, I have been pursuing an opportunity to learn holistic care at URMC in order to become a reliable family physician for each and every patient, like Dr. Otsuka.

I am especially interested in behavioral health, academic medicine, geriatrics, and palliative care. One of my unique backgrounds is that I completed training as a motivational interviewing trainer in 2021 after six years of practicing. The experience helps me understand patients' own values and support them to fulfill their wishes. Outside of medicine, I enjoy playing sports, hiking, cycling and spending time with my family. Especially soccer is my favorite sport. I was a competitive high school soccer player and participated in Japan National High School Soccer Tournament (Inter-High) as a member of the delegate team representing Hokkaido. Playing soccer taught me team spirit and leadership. I am very excited to work as a member of the URMC Family Medicine Team!

Basim Ahmad, MD

Suny Downstate Health Sciences University College of Rochester

Hello everyone! I was born and raised by my Pakistani immigrant parents in Buffalo, NY. I stayed there throughout college at the University at Buffalo and majored in biomedical sciences. For medical school I went to SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn. During medical school I collaborated on a research project regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the health of underserved populations. This really shaped my desire to continue to work to advocate for marginalized communities. I chose family medicine because I love building long-term relationships with patients and their families, and addressing their whole health - including their physical, mental and social needs. I hope to provide holistic and compassionate care to patients of all ages and backgrounds, and to particularly provide accessible care to those who may struggle to get it otherwise.

In my free time I enjoy watching Hockey (Go Sabres and Americans!) with my wife and my 3 cats (Furdinand, Cannoli, and Susie). I also enjoy painting landscapes, playing board games, and cooking food, especially for friends and family.

Prabjot Kaur Batth, MD

Saba University School of Medicine

Hello hello! My name is Prabjot K. Batth, PK for short. I grew up in a small Canadian town named Tecumseh, Ontario before I moved to Detroit, Michigan for college.

I received my BS in Biomedical Physics at Wayne State University. During undergrad, I spent time travelling to Belize working with medical outreach groups to raise awareness and provide supplies concerning diabetes and dental disease. Before medical school, I spent some time working as a TA for the physics department at Ryerson University.

For medical school, I headed to the Caribbean where I completed my basic science courses on the island of Saba, Netherland Antilles. I completed my clinical years in the United States travelling throughout the country, from Brooklyn, NY to Joplin, MO. Following medical school, I pursued a preliminary surgery position at a community hospital in Waterbury, CT. During that year, I found myself craving more patient interaction, preventative care, and a better work-life balance, which led me to pursue family medicine here at the University of Rochester. I’m excited to be a part of a very supportive and comprehensive program.

As for my personal life, you can typically find me tending to my many tropical house plants and playing with my cats all while listening to a podcast. I also enjoy the outdoors as well and love living in a region where I get to experience all four seasons. My future plans involve living in the northeast and working as an outpatient practitioner.

Gabrielle Capone, MD

Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo

Hello! I was born in Syracuse, NY and grew up in the Village of Chittenango. I went to high school at Faith Heritage and spent my summers working on a produce farm in Kirkville, NY. For my undergraduate degree I moved to Wenham, MA where I majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry at Gordon College. I enjoyed spending time in Cape Cod during school breaks. During school, I was able to travel to do research in Belize, study in Northern Ireland, and do mission work in Guatemala.

After graduating from college, I spent a year in Syracuse working with Advocates Incorporated as a mentor for adults with developmental disabilities and volunteering in a local nursing home. I then headed to downtown Buffalo, NY to attend the Jacob’s School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences where I spent time volunteering with children at Oishei Children’s Hospital with Project Sunshine, and became an End-of-Life Doula at the Sloane Comfort Care Home. During my fourth year of medical school, I was able to do a rotation at Highland Hospital with the University of Rochester. I loved seeing how happy and supportive everyone was, and was impressed by the quality of the program. I knew this is where I wanted to continue my education, and I am so excited to be a part of the team! My passions include preventive medicine, geriatrics, and palliative care. When I am not working, I enjoy working on home renovations, cooking, and spending time outside.

Meghan Connor, DO

Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California

Hi everyone! I was born and raised in sunny San Diego, CA. There I grew up playing competitive volleyball and was fortunate to pursue volleyball collegiately at the University of Rochester while majoring in Neuroscience. During my time in Rochester I had the opportunity to work with the Women’s Initiative Supporting Health - Transitions Clinic to support women involved in the criminal legal system get access to healthcare and community services. This experience primarily was where my passion for women’s health and community involvement was sparked.

I then drove across country to the Bay Area to begin medical school at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Here I had the opportunity to apply for a position as an Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) teaching fellow where I spent an extra year of medical school teaching first and second years the foundations of OMM while continuing to hone my own skill as an osteopathic provider with the amazing OMM faculty at Touro. During this additional year I also was able to get my certification in sexual assault and domestic violence counseling with an organization called Napa NEWS where I volunteered as a crisis counselor to support those individuals in need of acute services in Napa County. This experience opened my eyes to the need for improved trauma informed care within the healthcare system, which I will strive to be a lifelong advocate for.

I am excited to drive back to Rochester to begin my Family Medicine training at the University of Rochester, while continuing to pursue my interests in women’s health and trauma informed care!  Things you can find me doing outside of the hospital/clinic include beach volleyball, tennis, photography, reading fantasy novels, trying to water color and playing video games!

Katherine Hausrath, DO

University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hi! I am originally from the small town of Plattsburgh, NY. I did my undergrad in Molecular Biology at Florida Institute of Technology and was a member of the men’s rowing team as a coxswain. While in undergrad I completed a summer research project at Brookhaven National Laboratory studying DNA barcoding. I then attended the University of Rochester for a master's in Medical Humanities. My capstone research project was the creation of a patient education comic book on smoking cessation. I then attended medical school at the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. I am very excited to come back to Rochester and I hope to continue to create patient education comic books during my residency at URMC. I also hope to excited to enjoy the ski slopes in the Rochester winters! Outside of medicine I enjoy tatting which is a form of lace making as well as yoga, biking, and watching movies!

Shea Kelly-Buckley, MD

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Hello! I was born in Albuquerque, NM and grew up near Reading, PA. After high school I studied sociology at Notre Dame, where I grew to appreciate all the discipline had to teach me about health, justice, and how we can live better in community with one another. I moved further west after college to spend a year with Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest / AmeriCorps in Bend, OR. I served as a member of a street outreach team serving youth and young adults, and as a liaison between folks experiencing homelessness and a mobile medical clinic. This experience both challenged my understanding of our health care system and solidified my belief in the power of good primary care.

During medical school here at the University of Rochester, I’ve been grateful to work closely with the Department of Health Humanities and Bioethics on a longitudinal Ethical Storytelling project that explores how we care for patient stories, both in our clinical notes and more publicly. I’ve also found community to support a developing mindfulness practice, and have enjoyed getting to know Rochester via the public market, soccer and kickball leagues, and the Rochester Mutual Aid Network.

I’m grateful for the chance to continue to serve this community as a resident, and I especially hope to develop clinical skills in substance use disorder care and harm reduction, psychiatry in primary care, reproductive health, gender-affirming care and palliative care. Outside of clinic I like to be outside (especially in a hammock), listen to podcasts, thrift in new places, accumulate houseplants, and share meals with friends.

Catherine (Katie) Klapheke, MD

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

I am so excited to be joining the family medicine residency at Rochester. I am originally from Syracuse, NY and I attended Cornell University for undergraduate studies. I majored in Industrial and Labor Relations (Labor Economics), with minors in Music and Inequality Studies. I also focused my studies on Disability Studies. After college, I briefly worked at a corporate HR job and taught ESL to refugees, before I had the opportunity to serve as a Fulbright Scholar to Nepal. While there, I taught English to grades 5-9 in a remote village, and I also ran programs for students with disabilities and a girls’ club. While there, I discovered my interest in medicine and the impact health plays on my students’ lives. In medical school, I worked very closely with asylum seekers through Rochester Human Rights Initiative, a free clinic that provides medical affidavits. I was also involved in Deaf Health and Global Health. I am excited to continue to serve all patients, including those who are Deaf or have a disability. I am very excited to be at Brown Square, as that was a very transformative clerkship experience for me in medical school. Overall, I cannot wait to continue my medical career journey by joining the Family Medicine Residency.

Gillian Perez, MD

CUNY School of Medicine

I was born and raised in the Hudson Valley, in Warwick, NY. I always had a love of medicine, but growing up there, I often volunteered at assisted living facilities and nursing homes which steered me toward geriatrics. It wasn’t until I went to medical school at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education and completed my pediatrics rotation that I realized that I wanted to work with all ages. Knowing this, family medicine was the perfect option for me.  My ultimate goal is to practice outpatient full scope family medicine.

Outside of medicine, my hobbies include reading, practicing Tae kwon do, tending to my collection of desert plants, and playing with my parents’ dog.

Ronald (Ron) Roseman, MD

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine - Grand Rapids

Hello everyone! I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Growing up I enjoyed science along with social interactions and knew I wanted to pursue a career that incorporated both. During high school, I discovered my interest in medicine after attending a medical summer program where I gained exposure to the field of medicine. Witnessing the ability of physicians to use their training and talents to care for patients in transformative ways intrigued me and instantaneously ignited my passion for medicine. After high school, I went on to attend Michigan State University where I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology. After graduating from MSU, I continued to be a Spartan and matriculated into medical school at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine.

While in medical school, I learned more about family medicine and the type of holistic patient care I could practice. I loved the different aspects of what being a family medicine physician offered and decided to pursue it as a career. Particularly, it is rewarding to me for me to see patients improve while also building genuine relationships with them. In time, I hope to further explore my clinical interests of primary care, sports medicine, and global health.

Outside of medicine, I love both playing and watching sports, football being my favorite. In addition, I am a fan of film production, traveling, and trying new foods. I am excited to be continuing my journey with URMC’s program and look forward to serving the Rochester community!

Monica Sharma, DO

Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hi everyone! I was born in Montreal, Canada and at the age of 3, moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where I have been since. I completed my undergraduate degree in English with a minor in Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University. Following this, I made my way back home to complete my Masters of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis. While specializing in epidemiology and biostatistics, I created a project to assist high-risk pregnant women gain access to their OBGYN within the St. Louis Greater Area. This project furthered my interest in medicine and led me to my position as a Clinical Research Coordinator in Pediatric Cardiology at Washington University in St. Louis. While I coded and created 3D printed heart models of children with congenital heart defects, I was able to speak and directly communicate with families regarding surgical planning. Coupled with the simultaneous experiences that I have had in research, these experiences solidified my intention to practice medicine and lead me to Arkansas College of Osteopathic medicine.

Throughout medical school, I became involved with international community projects, service, and continued experiences in research. During my third year, I had the wonderful opportunity to encounter two family medicine rotations, where I was introduced to the value of continuity of care as it improves quality of care and develops meaningful relationships along the way. Primary care became a passion of mine, which I plan to expand during my training at University of Rochester. I was immediately drawn to the program’s diverse concentration tracks, emphasis on preventative medicine, and continuity of care within the lens of the biopsychosocial model. I am extremely excited and honored to begin my residency with Highland Family Medicine.

Outside of medicine, I can always be found near a coffeeshop or bookstore trying to find another fictional world to delve into. Otherwise, I enjoy family time, trying different cuisines, and skiing. If given the opportunity, I would love to travel anywhere and everywhere to experience the world.

Adriane Spiro, MD

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Hi everyone! I grew up in Durham, North Carolina before attending Bates College in Lewiston, Maine where I majored in neuroscience and developed a fascination with trying to understand the finer intricacies of the human mind and body. Torn between pursuing a research career or practicing medicine, I spent 3 years after graduation working as a lab manager in a cognitive neuroscience lab at Brown University. It was through this experience that I realized that, though I love the fine details of research and study design, I missed the human connection that is inherent in the practice of clinical medicine. I therefore moved back to North Carolina to complete medical school at The University of North Carolina.

Throughout my time at UNC, I found myself drawn to Family Medicine because it provides the perfect blend of full spectrum patient care for all genders and ages, focus on social justice issues, advocating for patients, and community involvement. I appreciated that all my mentors in Family Medicine had a propensity for viewing medicine through a biopsychosocial lens. Within Family Medicine, I am particularly passionate about reproductive justice and family planning, LGBTQIA+ health, and care for underserved patient populations.

Outside of medicine, I love to spend time with my friends and family, playing board games, going to see musicals, or trying out a new local spot. I’m also an escape room enthusiast, having escaped from over 20 rooms with my family. In my free time, I decorate elaborate cakes semi-professionally and, when I have access to a workshop, I enjoy woodworking. I’m looking forward to checking out upstate New York and exploring all that Rochester has to offer!

Lauren Varvatos, MD

Wayne State University School of Medicine

Hello everyone! I'm from a small town called Marshall, Michigan. I grew up cooking and dreamed of becoming a chef. At Michigan State University, I worked in a professional kitchen and transitioned from hospitality to studying Nutritional Sciences. I worked on research projects and for nonprofit organizations focused on community/urban gardening and nutrition education programs for kids.

I moved to Ithaca, NY for my master's in Molecular Nutrition at Cornell University, where I fell in love with upstate New York. My work in the lab focused on skeletal muscle, but I was happiest while working with our human research participants, teaching students in anatomy lab, or volunteering. I decided on a career in medicine and attended the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, MI. I was fortunate to work with some incredible people as part of organizations like Street Medicine Detroit, LGBTQ+ People in Medicine, and the Social Justice in Medical Education Coalition.

I am thrilled to begin my career in Family Medicine at URMC, get to know my patients, and serve the community of Rochester. My interests center on LGBTQ+ health, gender-affirming care, reproductive justice, adolescent medicine, and advocacy for communities which have been marginalized.

Outside of medicine, I love spending time with my family, partner, friends, and all associated dogs. I'm especially happy while cooking, hiking, skiing, mountain biking, paddling, camping, gardening, swimming, or enjoying any form of live music, drag, or theater performance.

Catherine Artemov

Jacobs School of Medicine at the University at Buffalo

Hi there! My family immigrated from Russia and I was the first generation born in Brooklyn, NY. I grew up in Staten Island and relocated to Geneseo for college, where I received my degree in psychology. Between college and medical school, I worked as an MCAT Live-Online class instructor as well as a phlebotomist/medical assistant in an urgent care facility in NYC at the start of the COVID pandemic. For medical school, I ventured back to western New York and attended the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. During my time in medical school, I pursued a certification in Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing. I am a strong advocate for mental health awareness and I believe that a support system, doctor-patient relationship included, is half the battle in healing (even from physical ailments!). I hope to foster this strong therapeutic bond with future patients in a full-scope outpatient family medicine practice.

In my spare time, you can find me contemplating life knee deep in a creek in the middle of nowhere (fishing is one of my favorite hobbies). Other favorite hobbies include hiking, singing, playing guitar and piano, and spending time with my cat, family, and friends.

Zelda Blair

University of Minnesota Medical School

Hello! I was born in Birmingham, AL, and moved around a lot growing up: to Miami, FL, Bellefonte, PA, and Newtown, PA, where I went to high school at George School. I spent many formative years in NYC during and after college, on my winding road to medical school: I earned a BFA in painting from Pratt Institute in 2013 and worked in restaurants in Brooklyn before taking my first step towards learning about healthcare by studying at the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine in Asheville, NC, in 2016. My experience there inspired me to pursue a post-bacc pre-med program at NYU, which I completed in 2019. During that time I also took courses in philosophy, and earned my MA in philosophy of science at the University of Western Ontario in 2020. I attended medical school at the University of Minnesota and was an RPAP student in Long Prairie, MN, during my third year.

I knew from the start of medical school that I wanted to practice family medicine in order to meet the needs of medically under-served communities, empower people to manage their health, and advocate for their ability to do so. As a medical student I gained experience with service and advocacy by volunteering in urban and rural free clinics and serving on the board of my local chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP). My areas of interest within family medicine include mental health, integrative medicine, and reproductive health.

I am very happy to be back in NY for residency to be closer to my partner, who is currently a PhD candidate in music composition at UB, as well as my family in NYC. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, reading, and bike riding -- and I still make art once in a while.

Mackenzie Corcoran

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hi everyone! I grew up in Groton, NY, a small town outside of Ithaca, NY. From there, I left and went to the Pennsylvania State University (We Are!) for my undergraduate degree where I majored in biology with a focus in vertebrate physiology. During my time at Penn State, I was involved in science education and had a goal of combining my passions of education and medicine by becoming a physician. I moved to Elmira, NY to continue my education at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. During my preclinical years, I was an active member of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) and the OBGYN club. Through my involvement with these organizations, I worked closely with the YWCA of Elmira to help run a feminine hygiene product drive and fundraise for their Pink Boutique. I became drawn to family medicine during my clinical years while rotating through clinics and hospitals that served my home community. I love the broad scope of practice and the longitudinal relationships that family medicine has to offer. I am excited to continue my training at the University of Rochester and to further explore the different areas of family medicine, especially women’s health, reproductive justice and family planning, and pediatrics.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending summers on Owasco lake. I also love to read, explore new places and restaurants with family and friends, and spend time with my pets (Allie and Bones).

Henry Gleich

University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine

Hello everyone! I was born and raised in the Worcester, MA area. After graduating from Bowdoin College with a degree in Anthropology, I returned to Massachusetts for a post-bacc premedical studies program at Brandeis University. Prior to medical school, I also worked as a medical scribe in an emergency department and was able to see a range of patient presentations. During my time at UMass Medical School, I was drawn to Family Medicine by the opportunity for providers to develop deep relationships with their patients and offer holistic care; it felt like the perfect speciality to be applying my interest in sociocultural anthropology. Within Family Medicine, I am particularly interested in sports medicine, community medicine, and geriatrics — among other things!

Outside of medicine, I enjoy being a Boston sports fan (especially of the Celtics), playing tennis with my partner, and exploring new cuisines/restaurants.

Lisa Gu

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Hi everyone! I was born in Canada but grew up in Marlboro, NJ for most of my life. I completed my undergraduate degree at Union College in Schenectady, NY in computer engineering but ultimately decided to pursue a career in medicine after enjoying my volunteer and community service work with the local Ellis Hospital. I returned home for medical school at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and was active in the free student run clinic, providing care to the homeless patients in Newark. This eventually drew me to family medicine as I wanted to continue to provide broad-spectrum and long-term care to underserved communities. I am excited to return to upstate New York for residency at the University of Rochester and begin the next leg of the journey!

In my free time, I enjoy reading fictional sci-fi and fantasy books, spending time with my cat Kiki, building wooden models, traveling, and finding new restaurants to enjoy.

Rachel Johnson

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Hi all! I was born and raised in Richmond, VA, and I graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2016 with a double major in Accounting and Chinese and Language and Literature. While at W&M, I was on the founding executive board for the W&M chapter of Camp Kesem, a summer camp for kids whose parents have cancer, and through that experience I learned of the complex social needs that often accompany illness. After graduation, I worked as a CPA in public accounting for 3 years in Washington, DC, during which time I served low income and limited English taxpayers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

After deciding to pursue a career in medicine, I completed the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program at Bryn Mawr College in 2020, followed by medical school at the University of Rochester. While here at the University of Rochester I’ve worked with a number of organizations, including the Health and Incarceration Connection student organization, Street Outreach, URWell, and White Coats 4 Black Lives. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been surrounded by classmates who have shown me the depths of community-centered care and a humanistic approach to medicine.

I am passionate about providing thoughtful and competent primary care for underserved and marginalized communities. I speak professional working Spanish and conversational Mandarin Chinese, and I believe that immigrant communities deserve culturally and linguistically competent care. I am so grateful for the opportunity to pursue my residency in Family Medicine here and hope to continue to develop skills in harm reduction, gender-affirming care, reproductive justice, and care for patients experiencing homelessness. In my non-medical life, I love watching Jeopardy with my grandparents, biking along the Erie Canal with my partner, and sharing laughs over home-cooked meals with friends.

Peter Juviler

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

I grew up outside of Boston and attended Colgate University, where I studied molecular biology and creative writing. I worked as an EMT for 3 years during my time in Hamilton, NY, which allowed me work with local community members and serve the surrounding rural area. I graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and remained in Rochester to train in general surgery, during which time I investigated healthcare system improvements and helped lead a peer support program for children and families with new gastrostomy tubes. Throughout my training, I’ve been interested in the medical humanities and how this lens can support the care of our patients. This interest certainly fits well with Rochester’s strong history in biopsychosocial medicine. I love living in Rochester and enjoy picking berries in the summer and apples in the fall, exploring local parks, and navigating Rochester’s many waterways via paddleboard.

Minh Nguyen

Howard University College of Medicine

Hi everyone!! My name is Minh, and I am originally from a rural area of Vietnam. It's been a long, long journey, and I never believed that I could make it to the United States, let alone become a doctor here at URMC! My first big opportunity arrived when I received a full-ride scholarship from Howard University, an HBCU in Washington D.C. As an international student, I initially expected culture shock and a sense of not belonging, but Howard turned out to be my second family. I loved it there so much that I stayed for another four years at Howard University College of Medicine. My time at Howard truly ignited my passion for serving the underserved and advocating for those in need. I was educated not only in medical knowledge but also about racism, social determinants of health, and the daily struggles faced by people of color. I strive to advocate for all my patients and promote health equity for everyone, regardless of their backgrounds.

Enough of my second personal statement (haha), here are some fun facts about me: I love to longboard and even came in 2nd place in the national championship in Vietnam! I can play the piano by ear, play the guitar, and dabble in drums. I am always open to doing artsy stuff outside of medicine if anyone is interested! While I don't have as much time for music as I used to, I've turned to cooking as my new hobby.

While I haven't decided exactly what I want to do after graduating from residency, I am diving into Family Medicine with hopes of helping patients who struggle with addiction (fun fact: I used to work as a Court Liaison!). I am also deeply interested in gender-affirming care, OB/GYN, reproductive rights, and the full spectrum of family medicine. My goal is to be the biggest advocate for my patients from all walks of life, helping to guide them through our complex healthcare system and fight for their needs. I am looking forward to working with such a knowledgeable and diverse group of residents and faculty here at URMC. To learn, to be taught, to be humbled and definitely will have a lot of fun!

Sarah Peltz

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hi all! My name is Sarah and I'm originally from a small town right outside of Albany, NY. I've always loved math and science growing up, and therefore I chose to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering with the goal of going to medical school! Fun fact, I actually started my higher education journey at the University of Rochester, but transferred after my freshman year to the University at Buffalo, where I graduated from. During my time at UB, I was an active member of the Residence Hall Association (RHA), where my advisors and peers taught me about leadership, advocacy, service, and recognition. These are values that I am very passionate about, and ones that drew me towards family medicine. While in medical school at NYITCOM, I grew excited about serving people who use drugs and harm reduction, as well as reproductive healthcare and justice! One of my goals is to use my role as a physician to advocate for my patients and all individuals on a national scale. I am excited to learn more about addiction medicine, obstetrics and deliveries, gender-affirming care, nutrition medicine, and health advocacy in residency. I LOVE the diversity in family medicine, and cannot wait to start my training at URMC!

I am a New Yorker through and through (never having lived in any other state), and I love the Western NY region... go Bills! Outside of medicine I love to cook/bake, explore new restaurants, hike, spin, and spend time laughing with my family, friends, and partner. I am someone who is super inspired by strong women. That list includes my mother, two beautiful sisters, and all my incredible girlfriends. My favorite book is "Text Me When You Get Home" by Kayleen Schaefer, a book about the power of female friendship gifted to me by my best friend :) Some of my other favorites - shows: Parks & Rec and Ted Lasso, podcasts: Crackdown and Maintenance Phase, season: summer (I love the beach), artist: Noah Kahan, ice cream flavor: chocolate (a classic).

Julia Sagasta

University of New England College or Osteopathic Medicine

Hello everyone! I am a Western NY native, growing up in the northtowns of Buffalo NY. For undergrad, I went to Canisius College in Buffalo where I majored in biology and was a varsity swimmer. I moved to the beautiful southern coast of Maine for my medical education at University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

My interest for Family Medicine blossomed during my time between undergrad and medical school when I participated in a medical mission trip to rural Nicaragua and Costa Rica and saw the direct impact of having a general physician present in communities opposed to communities without. Noting this, my interest continued to grow during medical school where I was surrounded by fearless full-spectrum Family Medicine physicians with broad ranges of interests in combination with preventative care; confirming this was the right specialty for me to best serve my future patients. My interests in medicine include Lifestyle Medicine, Sports Medicine, and OMT.

In my spare time, I enjoy being outside exploring by running and biking; I especially enjoy local running races and triathlons. I also enjoy reading, exploring local bakeries and restaurants with my significant other and spending time with our cat Harbor. I am so excited to be moving back home to WNY for residency at URMC Highland Hospital and look forward to serving the Rochester community! Go Bills!

Stacie Sammott

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University

Hi Everyone! I’m Stacie. I was born in Jamaica and lived there until I was 10 years old. The rest of my childhood was spent in Toronto, Canada. I attended Bowdoin College where I studied neuroscience and played varsity soccer. After college, I dabbled in a few things, including, education technology, coaching, teaching and like many pre-med students eventually landed a job as a research assistant. Through my research I found my passion for medicine, and subsequently did a DIY postbacc at home in Toronto. I attended medical school at The Renaissance School of Medicine, at Stony Brook University, and am thrilled to be continuing my medical training as a resident at The University of Rochester. I am passionate about improving access to primary care in medically underserved communities and hope to practice in an urban setting in the future. My clinical interests include geriatrics, palliative medicine, psychosocial medicine and medical education.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy playing soccer, live music/going to concerts, and spending time with my family. I also spend an inordinate amount of time watching food review videos, but more importantly trying new restaurants and cuisine. I’m really looking forward to checking out the Rochester food scene!

Jack Scheutozow

Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University

Hello everyone! I'm Jack, originally from Fairport, NY, a suburb of Rochester situated along the Erie Canal. I pursued my undergraduate education at the University of Richmond, a small liberal arts school in Virginia. During this time, I conducted research on tsetse fly endosymbionts, was actively involved in men’s club volleyball, and spent a semester abroad in Switzerland. In May 2020, I graduated with dual degrees: a BS in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and a BA in French. After graduation, I began my path toward an MD at Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine. While in medical school, I volunteered with our student-run free clinic, engaged in curriculum development, and participated in a global health partnership in Madagascar, where I worked with a mobile health team to deliver primary care services to remote communities. Through these experiences, I discovered my passion for Family Medicine. I value this speciality because it allows me to serve as the primary contact for patients of all ages and cultivate meaningful, long-term relationships. My particular interests include lifestyle medicine, LGBTQ+ health, and medical education. I’m incredibly thrilled to return home and further explore these passions during my residency training at the University of Rochester!

Outside of medicine, I enjoy endlessly kneading sourdough bread, struggling through NYT Sunday crossword puzzles with my boyfriend, and admiring various species of birds while playing the board game Wingspan with my friends.

Stefanie Stockhamer

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Faculty of Health Sciences

Hello everyone! I’m Stefanie and I’m originally from Toronto, Canada. I studied Biomedical Sciences and Family & Child Studies at the University of Guelph, and after a profound medical trip to Guatemala in 2019, I fell in love with global health. This ultimately led me to pursue my M.D. at the Medical School for International Health at Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Be’er Sheva, Israel. In my final year of medical school, I travelled to Nepal to participate in clerkships at Patan Hospital near Kathmandu. I am eager to continue making global health a part of my training through URMC’s global health program. One of my favorite opportunities during medical school was acting as a music therapy volunteer at my teaching hospital, where I regularly sang and played music for patients who needed company, were struggling through difficult diagnoses, or just needed some cheering up in otherwise hard circumstances. My love for the music and arts continues through the lens of family medicine where I hope to provide holistic, empathetic patient-centered care. Within family medicine, I am eager to integrate my passions for preventative care, social determinants of health, nutrition and lifestyle, chronic disease management, LGBTQ+ health and women’s health. Outside of medicine, I enjoy karaoke nights with friends, powerlifting, following the Marvel Cinematic Universe (a little too closely) with my husband, and spending time with my cats. I am beyond excited to join URMC Family Medicine and am thrilled to serve the Rochester community.