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Our Residents

Pediatric Chief Residents & Junior Faculty

Stephanie Craig

Stephanie Craig, D.O.

Hometown: Lynnfield, MA
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Acadia Fairchild

Acadia Fairchild, M.D.

Hometown: Honeoye Falls, NY
Medical School: State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Shelby Nelipovich

Shelby Nelipovich, M.D.

Hometown: San Diego, CA
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin

Shannon Sanda

Shannon Sanda, M.D.

Hometown: I've moved too many times to have one!
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine

 

PGY3 Residents

Teaghen Buscemi-Kimmins

Teaghen Buscemi-Kimmins, M.D., M.P.H.

Hometown: Penfield, NY
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Why I Chose Rochester: I was drawn to how the program commits to partnering with the community, and all of the opportunities to grow as not only a clinician but also as a researcher and community member.
Career Aspirations: public health research, community-based medicine

 

Camille Corre

Camille Corre, M.D.

Hometown: Medway, MA
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: In medical school, I fell in love with Rochester's biopsychosocial approach to medicine, and I have always felt valued as a learner
here. I'm thrilled to be able to call this city and hospital "home" for five more years!
Career Aspirations: Child Neurology. I'm especially interested in neurogenetics, palliative care, and caring for children with disabilities and their families.

Soma Deall-Williams

Soma Deall-Williams, D.O.

Hometown: Queens, NY
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York
Why I Chose Rochester: Rochester was the program that I gravitated toward the most because of the welcoming and genuine interactions that I had with the faculty and residents on interview day as well as during meet and greet sessions. Additionally, the greenery, beautiful lakes and a ton of engaging things to do within the area made me want to explore this part of NY.
Career Aspirations: Primary Care has a special place in my heart, however, I am also quite interested in Allergy & Immunology, Hematology/Oncology, NICU/PICU and Hospital Medicine. I am highly passionate about providing care for communities that are under-resourced.

Evan Huff

Evan Huff, M.D.

Hometown: Middletown, NJ
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Why I Chose Rochester: The people I had met on the interview trail were phenomenal! Everyone was enthusiastic about the program. Furthermore, as someone going into child neurology, the training opportunities at U of R seemed to best support my future goals. Aside from the program itself, the city of Rochester is a gem with many great restaurants, coffee shops, and exciting things to do.
Career Aspirations: My current interest is neurology. At present, I want to explore different aspects of the field before committing to a specific area.

Laura Hufford

Laura Hufford, D.O.

Hometown: Nikiski, AK
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University-Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: Rochester provides a residency that would expose me to robust training offered at a quaternary hospital while also being in an area
that would allow me to be part of a community.
Career Aspirations: I enjoy high acuity inpatient medicine such as PICU and hospital work. I also have a strong interest in transgender medicine.

Aleena Jafri

Aleena Jafri, M.D.

Hometown: Buffalo, NY and Seattle, WA
Medical School: University at Buffalo School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: The people seem amazing and I felt like the program really cares for its residents and treats them well.
Career Aspirations: Unclear! Currently feeling inclined to pursue a fellowship, possibly Allergy/Immunology or maybe Rheum? We'll see!

 

Liam LeBlanc

Liam LeBlanc, M.D.

Hometown: Mansfield, MA
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: Love the program and the city
Career Aspirations: Primary care

 

Mina Milad

Mina Milad, M.D.

Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester for its dedication to serving underserved populations though the CARE tracks, its opportunities for medical
education research, and for its proximity to my hometown. It's also got a pretty awesome resident culture.
Career Aspirations: I am most interested in advocating for optimal healthcare in local and global underserved communities. I also enjoy teaching and hope to be involved in medical education at the university.

Kristina Myers

Kristina Myers, D.O.

Hometown: Orient, OH
Medical School: Ohio University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: Supportive, close knit culture, had all of the bells and whistles of a large program but a small program feel and small program support.
Also I have a huge passion for working with children in the system (foster kids, adoptees) and listened to our past AAP president (via
peds on call podcast) talk about her training at URMC for residency and her work with the foster care system.
Career Aspirations: If there was a need/interest/not already something in place I would love to facilitate some sort of storytelling in medicine at GCH for the residents/staff—we did a "behind the white coat" storytelling event at my medical school to remind ourselves of the humans within medicine. Unsure if I want to subspecialize but if I do—PICU, peds EM, or hospital med. I love working within communities and peds advocacy work. Also interested in research of some sort, possibly related to community/advocacy work. Interested in working with kids in the system and ensuring support and a medical home for them.

Vianne Nanez

Vianne Nanez, M.D.

Hometown: Santa Teresa, NM and El Paso, TX
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: The sense of community I felt on my interview day and their work in adolescent medicine.
Career Aspirations: I would like to go into adolescent medicine.

 

Rebecca Nieters

Rebecca Nieters, D.O.

Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Medical School: AT Still University of Health College of Osteopathic Medicine (MO)
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because of its dedication to community-based advocacy and strong reputation. I believe the program will make me the
best possible doctor for my future patients.
Career Aspirations: I am very passionate about serving the pediatric disability community and plan to pursue a career in disability advocacy and complex care medicine.

Elizabeth Olah

Elizabeth Olah, M.D.

Hometown: Mentor, OH
Medical School: Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I love the feel of the city, not to mention everyone I talked to during my interview was so kind and passionate! I felt like I meshed well
with the program and its people!
Career Aspirations: I am specifically interested in working with underserved communities. Potential future interests include primary care or pediatric emergency medicine, but I am keeping an open mind.

Aditi Prabhu

Aditi Prabhu, M.D.

Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Medical School: SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I could really connect with the residents and faculty from both Pediatrics and Child Neurology that I met on my interview day. I also
grew up in Western NY and knew I wanted to come back.
Career Aspirations: I would love to focus on more advocacy related projects and try to do research in Child Neurology.

Elizabeth Stevens

Elizabeth Stevens, M.D.

Hometown: Pittsford, NY
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose to stay at Rochester because of the dedication to teaching, commitment to the community, and supportive environment.
Career Aspirations: I am interested in the social determinants of health and am interested in pursuing critical care or complex care

 

Irianna Torres

Irianna Torres, M.D.

Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because I was able to have the best of both worlds, being a part of strong pediatrics program centered around the heart of the family unit, children, while also allowing me to stay close to my own family. I also see that there is a lot of work to be done in improving health equity for children in Rochester, which I hope to be a leader of change for.
Career Aspirations: I am passionate about health equity for minorities, immigrant healthcare, delivering healthcare to patients in their primary language and family planning for young adults. I also hope to increase the number of medical students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine through mentorship.

Nicole Vieira

Nicole Vieira, M.D.

Hometown: Campinas, Brazil
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because I really loved my interview day and I felt that we shared similar values: to care for the patient wholistically
and value human connection and advocacy. My partner and I felt really excited about moving here and the program, so we followed our
gut and ended up here! We are loving it so far.
Career Aspirations: I aspire to be a physician who can provide excellent care especially to families who prefer to speak Spanish or Portuguese. I am also interested in Palliative Care and Neonatology.

Audrey Wagner

Audrey Wagner, M.D.

Hometown: Wilson, NY
Medical School: University at Buffalo School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester for the strong clinical training, advocacy and close community involvement, emphasis on the biopsychosocial
model, and sense of community and support I felt on interview day.
Career Aspirations: I am currently interested in pursuing hospital medicine or critical care with emphases on community advocacy work and QI.

PGY2 Residents

Jieen Bae

Jieen Bae, D.O.

Hometown: Ardsley, NY
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester for the opportunities to serve the community while learning in an environment that is equipped with knowledgeable mentors and facilities to provide the best care for patients!
Career Aspirations: NICU/Hospitalist Fellowship, but most importantly focusing on advocacy

Riley Caliccha

Riley Calicchia, M.D.

Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because of its dedication to underserved populations, the opportunity to work at both an academic institution and community hospital, and sense of community and support I felt on interview day!
Career Aspirations: I am passionate about teaching pre-med and medical students, working with refugee populations, and community advocacy. I hope to pursue fellowship following residency, with my current interests being hematology/oncology, infectious disease, and hospital medicine. 

Kevin Dillon

Kevin Dillon, M.D.

Hometown: Cranston, RI
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: I've been in Rochester for the last 10 years (since undergrad) and I absolutely love it here! Not just the University and hospital, but the city as well. I know that I fit in really well here and love the way the faculty and staff are so approachable and willing to help in all my endeavors. I've never been told "no" at Rochester, just "how can I help?" I knew that not only would I find a great match in terms of culture and values at Rochester, but that it would provide me with excellent training and support along the road.
Career Aspirations: Currently working on several Deaf Health related projects with members of the UR faculty. Unsure about sub-specialization, but my ultimate goal is to open a clinic dedicated to the neurologic care of Deaf patients and families. I also would love to continue research and advance education for providers in the area of Deaf Health and how to care for this population. Also working on a podcast with fellow co-resident Sam Mussorfiti with the goal of providing case presentations and reviewing relevant board exam material included in the case, with a hint of clinical preparation for M3 year.

Elizabeth Habicht

Elizabeth Habicht, D.O.

Hometown: Anchorage, AK
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: Social justice is a core tenet of the program.
Career Aspirations: I am passionate about reproductive justice and would like to be able to provide reproductive health care as a pediatrician. I am also an osteopathic doctor and would like to be able to keep up my osteopathic manipulation skills.

Sarah Hansen

Sarah Hansen, M.D.

Hometown: Hutchinson, KS
Medical School: University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I was fortunate enough to do an away rotation at Rochester, and had an amazing experience with the faculty, patients, and hospital as a whole. I love the positive teaching environment and the focus on patient advocacy and biopsychosocial considerations in care. Additionally, my partner is a resident at Strong, so it aligned with my location preferences as well.
Career Aspirations: Career goals in primary care pediatrics with a focus on gender affirming care, health literacy initiatives, and advocacy in public policy.

Kristine Herrera

Kristine Herrera, D.O.

Hometown: Elizabethtown, KY
Medical School: University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I had such a positive interview experience with the University of Rochester. As I learned about the program's efforts to support its residents through this important part in their training, I felt that Rochester could provide a home away from home for me. I am excited to spend the beginning of my medical career in Upstate New York with what feels like a tight-knit group of educators and learners.
Career Aspirations: General Pediatrics; Potentially Peds Infectious Disease or Peds Endocrinology if I pursue fellowship; Advocacy and community engagement.

Kristen Kim Sawtelle

Kirsten Kim Sawtelle, M.D.

Hometown: Creston, IA
Medical School: Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester as my residency because the program shared my values and put them into action. I also felt very welcomed during my interview and connected with the faculty and residents. I really liked that we get to do rotations at the main hospital and the community hospital to learn how medicine differs in these settings. There were also plenty of opportunities for advocacy within the community, which was important to me.
Career Aspirations: I am currently piloting a project entitled "Improving the Vaccine Experience for Patients and Parents," which is looking at ways to improve the vaccination experience for both patients and their parents. I am passionate about providing holistic care with a focus on preventative medicine, especially to underserved populations.  

Antonio Maldonado Liu

Antonio Maldonado Liu, D.O.

Hometown: Portland, OR
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Why I Chose Rochester: University of Rochester has a strong reputation for high quality training, and I was excited about the collaborative and team-oriented culture I was told about on my interview day. It was also recommended to me by multiple faculty members, mentors, and friends.
Career Aspirations: Likely primary care, but strongly interested in medical education as well.

Marianne Maves

Marianne Maves, D.O.

Hometown: Rochester, NY
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester for my residency because it is an all-around perfect fit for me. During my audition rotation, I felt so welcomed by everyone and loved the balance of academia and a family-like feel. The values of the program align well with my career goals and passions, and I felt confident I would be well supported here.
Career Aspirations: I am passionate about preventative medicine and community health, especially through health education and adequate support for parents and children. I am interested in primary care pediatrics, hospital medicine, or PEM, but I plan to keep an open mind throughout residency! 

Samantha Mussorfiti

Samantha Mussorfiti, M.D.

Hometown: Massapequa, NY
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: I went to medical school in Rochester and fell in love with the city and the program here! The residents are all so supportive of each other, and the faculty are all very invested in the success of their residents—so it felt like the perfect fit! I also love that the Biopsychosocial model of medicine is woven into the education and clinical practice here at Rochester. The commitment to patient-centered care is something I really value and I am so excited to be joining the Pediatric/Child Neurology teams here in Rochester!
Career Aspirations: I am a Child Neurology resident, and specifically interested in Neonatal & Fetal Neurology—but love all areas of child neurology. I am also passionate about medical education, pre-med mentorship, and bioethics! Current Projects: Neurology Education Podcast, Sex- and Gender-Specific Health Workshops for Medical Professionals.

Samantha Myers

Samantha (Sammi) Myers, M.D.

Hometown: Fairport, NY
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: I knew firsthand from going to medical school here what a supportive environment it is, and the Pediatrics and Ob/Gyn programs here were a great fit for me and my partner!
Career Aspirations: Child neurology! I'm still exploring within child neuro, but have interests in movement disorders, palliative care, medical education, and research that focuses on quality of life and the patient or family experience.

Marissa Pierce

Marissa Pierce, D.O.

Hometown: Webster, NY
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester:  I love the energy of the program and current residents. Playing music during the interview stole my heart. I am also thrilled to move back home and put down roots with my husband.
Career Aspirations: Undecided

Kelly Shultz

Kelly Shultz, D.O.

Hometown: Apalachin, NY
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester for proximity to home/family, affordable housing to pay ratios, diverse range of exposure to pathologies and resources for patients, personal connections to the Golisano Children's Network, and educational emphasis and structured learning. Rochester as an institution is looked up to very highly in my hometown, and I personally grew up looking up to the providers here and the quality of care—family, friends, and everyone in between are all excited and supportive of my training at Rochester.
Career Aspirations: Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) oncology and survivorship care/advocacy.

Sydney Stremick

Sydney (Rae) Stremick, M.D.

Hometown: Rochester, NY
Medical School: Norton College of Medicine SUNY Upstate
Why I Chose Rochester: Rochester is home! I also love the opportunities for advocacy and community involvement in addition to strong medical training at both an academic institution and community hospital.
Career Aspirations: Currently drawn towards primary care, and am especially interested in working with kids in the foster care system.

Devin Towne

Devin Towne, D.O.

Hometown: Saratoga Springs, NY
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: The University of Rochester was the exception in an otherwise largely impersonal virtual application/interview process. From initial contact and throughout the interview season, the Peds Residency Program at Golisano Children's intentionally made me feel seen, valued, and wanted. My partner and I couples matched and were similarly blown away by what Rochester and URMC could offer us, but more importantly, by how the Pediatric and Ob/Gyn residency programs made our hearts feel throughout the process. We felt at peace the morning after match day and genuinely could not contain our excitement. That feeling is something I will never forget. This program and this city are an absolute gem, and I cannot wait to serve the pediatric community of Rochester and live out this dream of ours!
Career Aspirations: Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

Emmeline Wheaton

Emmeline (Emmy) Wheaton, M.D.

Hometown: Lexington, MA
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because of the supportive community and commitment to the biopsychosocial model.
Career Aspirations: I am interested in working with patients with disabilities and the intersection of mental and physical health. I am still not sure if I want to pursue this through primary care or fellowship.

Yanwei Zhang

Yanwei (Zoe) Zhang, D.O.

Hometown: Shandong, China
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Why I Chose Rochester: First of all, the people and the community. I had very positive interactions with all the people I met and spoke with during my interview and social hours. The strong academic and clinical training UR provides is also very important to me, in addition to its expansive fellowship options. Joining Rochester further makes me have a happy husband who is returning to his familiar roots. Plus, who would say no to free yummy, catered lunch every day?!
Career Aspirations: I am passionate about procedures, and looking forward to pursue fellowships such as cardiology, gastroenterology, and neonatology.

PGY1 Residents

Maryyam Ali

Maryyam Ali, D.O.

Hometown: Newtown, CT
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology
Why I Chose Rochester: I loved the focus on community health and advocacy while also balancing research/education. I really appreciated the 2-week blocks from a learning perspective as I believe that it would benefit me with developing my knowledge and skills. I also previously lived in Rochester for 1 year and loved the community and liveliness that Rochester brings!
Career Aspirations: I do not have any current projects but would love to revisit my previous experiences in advocacy and DEI. I also previously did my masters research at URMC on deafness and healthcare and would be interested in continuing that work if possible!

Paul Boyd

Paul Boyd, M.D.

Hometown: Danville, NH
Medical School: George Washington University
Why I Chose Rochester: Proximitiy to my partner at SUNY Upstate, familiarity with the region from my undergraduate studies at St. Bonaventure University, and strong pediatric neurocritical care group
Career Aspirations: I wish to pursue an academic medical career in pediatric neurocritical care and undergraduate medical teaching.

Abigail Buckley

Abigail Buckley, M.D.

Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Medical School: Ohio State University



Jessica Chern

Jessica Chern, M.D.

Hometown: Los Altos, CA
Medical School: Boston University
Why I Chose Rochester: I loved everyone I met, and felt I would be fully supported no matter what I choose to do. It was also the perfect size, with a robust child neurology department with expertise in anything I want to explore, but a pediatrics program that didn't feel overwhelmingly large. I think the opportunity to train at both a children's hospital that's part of an academic institute as well as a community hospital will prepare me well for wherever I end up in the future.
Career Aspirations: I'm going into child neurology, but for now, everything is still interesting!

Geneth Chin

Geneth Chin, D.O.

Hometown: South Windsor, CT
Medical School: CCOM at Midwestern University
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because all of the staff and residents during the interview were incredibly kind and welcoming, and I wanted to be part of that community. Rochester is also known for its strong medical education, so I knew I would receive great training here regardless of what path in pediatrics I end up pursuing.
Career Aspirations: I am currently interested in hematology/oncology, NICU/PICU, and Neonatology, but I am keeping an open mind as I go through residency.

Olivia Garror

Olivia Garror, M.D.

Hometown: Bainbridge, NY
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Why I Chose Rochester: Having attended Rochester for medical school, I experienced firsthand its supportive culture—especially in pediatrics and child neurology. From day one, I felt seen, heard, and uplifted. Given how much time we spend together in residency, I knew I wanted to train somewhere that felt like home—and Rochester was undeniably that place. Being within driving distance to family is also a plus!
Career Aspirations: As a first-generation medical professional, mentorship—especially for underrepresented individuals—is deeply meaningful to me. At the University of Rochester, I’ve worked with the Office of Equity and Inclusion to engage local students in the medical sciences and have continued to mentor premedical and medical students alike through various endeavors. I also love medical education and developing curriculum across all age levels. In the future, I hope to pursue neonatal or pediatric neurocritical care at an academic institution where I can continue my involvement in mentorship and MedEd!

Chekina Kiminu

Chekina Kiminu, M.D.

Hometown: Vestal, NY
Medical School: Penn State University
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because of its excellent clinical training, supportive learning environment, and dedication to the biopsychosocial model. I'm eager to work and learn at both a large academic institution and a community hospital.
Career Aspirations: I'm really passionate about pediatric hematology/oncology! I love mentoring others, getting involved in community outreach, addressing health disparities, and advocating for those in need. I hope to become a pediatrician who can make a positive impact in these areas!

Michael Long

Michael Long, M.D.

Hometown: Penn Yan, NY
Medical School: University at Buffalo
Why I Chose Rochester: The academics, advocacy, and appeal of Rochester are unmatched. Having grown up in the nearby Finger Lakes region of New York, I am deeply familiar with the people of the city and the surrounding areas. I am thrilled at the opportunity to give back to the place that raised me.
Career Aspirations: I am hoping to pursue a career in pediatric cardiology or hospital medicine! I love being able to be a support for patients and their families while providing care, and to be a teacher and advocate in the process. I also have a keen interest in promoting early childhood literacy, and hope to one day write my own novel!

Bharati Murthy

Bharati Murthy, D.O.

Hometown: Dallas, TX
Medical School: University of North Texas
Why I Chose Rochester: The URMC pediatrics residency program was my dream and top choice, because I knew it would provide strong training through serving a diverse community while also providing balance in both well-being and developing skills to become a well-rounded pediatrician. The program has a strong emphasis on serving and promoting the well-being of children not just in the hospital, but also in the community, which aligns with my personal mission to help build a strong foundation of health for every child. Additionally, everyone that I met during the social and the interview day was so genuinely kind and welcoming, that I felt excited to hopefully join and work with them as I continued my journey in pediatrics.
Career Aspirations: Unassigned Albuterol Legislation—interested in continuing to advocate for legislative changes to improve access and administration of Albuterol to kids with asthma at their schools. I am interested in doing creative projects with children and families in the community, as well as in the hospital, as a continuation of my work from the Arts In Medicine organization. Art and medicine both share elements of humanity and human connection, and my passion lies in using art as a method to being people together in a meaningful way.

Maeghan O'Brien

Maeghan O'Brien, D.O.

Hometown: Binghamton, NY
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: Everyone I met during my interview process was incredibly warm and welcoming! The attendings demonstrated a genuine enthusiasm for teaching and a strong commitment to helping their residents thrive, not only in their careers but also in their lives outside of medicine. The residents were all so nice and eager to share their favorite aspects of the program, demonstrating the positive and supportive community within the program. By the end of the interview process, it was clear to me that Rochester is deeply dedicated to fostering a positive, enriching experience for its residents, an impression that stayed with me!
Career Aspirations: Undecided!

Amber Prater

Amber Prater, M.D., M.P.H.

Hometown: Dayton, OH
Medical School: Wright State University
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester for residency because there was a clear dedication to both patients and the surrounding community. Having obtained my MPH during medical school, I sought a program where I can build upon and utilize policy advocacy and community programming skills that I obtained during my MPH year. Rochester's CARE track allows me to work with community partners, like-minded residents, and wonderful faculty, while also providing me with dedicated time each week to work on my advocacy project(s). Having that dedicated time spoke volumes to me about the values at the University of Rochester. Plus, I will have the opportunity to learn all facets of care, including gender-affirming care, while exploring a beautiful location with my husband.
Career Aspirations: Healthcare Reform; Health Equity Diversity in Medicine; Food Insecurity; Obesity Medicine

Kirquenique Rolle

Kirquenique Rolle, M.D.

Hometown: Boston, MA
Medical School: New York Medical College
Why I Chose Rochester: This program seemed like the perfect place to become a well-rounded physician and truly aligned with my values. Not only would I see a wide breadth of pathology and serve a diverse patient population, but the program also emphasizes the impact of social determinants of health and integrates them into patient care. Also, the vibes from the program were immaculate and my partner and I (we couples-matched at Rochester) were both super impressed!
Career Aspirations: I am currently leaning towards general pediatrics but plan to stay open during residency! I am passionate about medical education, mentorship, and community outreach.

Sindhu Sekaran

Sindhu Sekaran, D.O.

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I wanted to broaden my horizons and move to a new city. I also loved the residents and appreciated the variety of fellowships offered!
Career Aspirations: Endocrinology, genetics, developmental/behavioral pediatrics, general pediatrics

Lauren Todoro

Lauren Todoro, M.D.

Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Medical School: University at Buffalo
Why I Chose Rochester: I was impressed by the subspecialty exposure, public health/advocacy curriculum, and amazing professional development opportunities. Also, my significant other is from Rochester so we already loved the area and it's only an hour away from my own family!
Career Aspirations: I am passionate about medical education as well as creating mentorship opportunities for medical students and residents! After residency I hope to complete a fellowship, maybe in neonatology or developmental-behavioral pediatrics.

Louisa Warnke

Louisa Warnke, D.O.

Hometown: I've moved too many times to have one.
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose Rochester: I was looking for a medium to small size and academically rigorous program where I felt like I would fit in with the current residents. The residents were so welcoming during my interview and second-look days and only had good things to say about the program and its leadership.
Career Aspirations: I am not sure yet which direction I want to take within pediatrics, but I am interested in community health, advocacy, education, and health policy reform.

Graham Westphal

Graham Westphal, M.D.

Hometown: Scandia, MN
Medical School: University of Minnesota
Why I Chose Rochester: I chose Rochester because of the welcoming community, the emphasis on equity and diversity, and the plethora of opportunities related to outreach and advocacy.
Career Aspirations: Gender-affirming care, medical education, mobile health, street medicine, and working with AI/AN communities

Sarah Young

Sarah Young, M.D.

Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Medical School: University at Buffalo
Why I Chose Rochester: I am from Buffalo so Rochester is a new environment without being too far from home! I also really enjoyed my interview and second look day at Strong. It really stood out to me how all the residents spoke highly of each other and the program!
Career Aspirations: Currently I am thinking of doing General Pediatrics but I am open to learning more in residency!

Recent Graduates - Where Are They Now?