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Chief Residents & House Staff

We currently have 47 residents - 15 PL1s, 15 PL2s, 15 PL3s and two chief residents. Our residents are recruited from the top universities across the globe. We try to attract residents whose broad and diverse interests and backgrounds match well with our team placing a premium on personality, communication skills and open-mindedness. We are truly a diverse global group!

Class of 2023

PL-1

Ali Ba Sahel, M.D.
Ali Ba Sahel, M.D.
Hometown: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Medical School: Saint Petersburg Pavlov State Med Univ
Professional Interests: I’m interested in hem/onc, I also like neonatology and infectious diseases.
Personal Interests: I enjoy reading, writing, being in nature, participating in outdoor activities, and spending quality time with my loved ones.
Joshua Baldwin, M.D./M.P.H.
Joshua Baldwin, M.D./M.P.H.
Hometown: Wellington, Florida
Medical School: George Washington University
Professional Interests: Community involvement and working towards equity in healthcare. I would also like to complete a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship after finishing residency.
Personal Interests: I enjoy playing the piano and playing a video game with friends. I also really enjoy watching true crime and scientific documentaries.
Karishma Desai, M.B.,B.S.
Karishma Desai, M.B.,B.S.
Hometown: Surat, Gujarat, India
Medical School: Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research
Professional Interests: I am currently interested in Neonatology, Cardiology but I am open-minded and will let my residency Journey decide for me.
Personal Interests: I love dancing, doodling, reading, meditating, working out, and binge-watching any show. My weakness is coffee and desserts:) I enjoy spending time with family and friends and exploring new places or restaurants.
Andrew Dickson, M.D.
Andrew Dickson, M.D.
Hometown: East Williston, NY
Medical School: St. George's University
Professional Interests: I am interested in critical care- either in the PICU or NICU.
Personal Interests: Fly fishing, football, basketball, and New York Yankees baseball.
Ibrahim Habib, M.B.,B.S.
Ibrahim Habib, M.B.,B.S.
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Medical School: Aga Khan University
Professional Interests: Interested in pursuing Pediatric Cardiology and finding a way to integrate it with Healthcare Simulation and Data Science.
Personal Interests: I love listening to music and also writing my own songs. I’m always scribbling new lyrics and experimenting with cool new melodies. My other go-to’s when I want to unwind are running, swimming, and playing video games or Dungeons & Dragons with my friends.
Anna Hrbac, M.D.
Anna Hrbac, M.D.
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Medical School: St. George's University
Professional Interests: I’m interested in specializing in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
Personal Interests: I love being outdoors especially skiing, mountain biking, and hiking. Otherwise, I enjoy spending time with friends and family over good food and some music.
Mubasshira Maryam Khan, M.B.,B.S.
Mubasshira Maryam Khan, M.B.,B.S.
Hometown: Raipur, India
Medical School: Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha
Professional Interests: Emergency medicine, Refugee health, PICU, and Bioethics in medical education and patient care.
Personal Interests: I enjoy cooking, experimenting with recipes, white water rafting, and caring for my house plants. I love playing board games and exploring new cafes, countries, and cultures. Also, sunsets are the best!
Pranjali Muppidi, M.B.,B.S.
Pranjali Muppidi, M.B.,B.S.
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Medical School: University of Limerick /NUI Galway (intern)
Professional Interests: General Pediatrics
Personal Interests: I look forward to trying something new everyday, especially with my family and friends. I also enjoy travelling, painting, and listening to podcasts during my free time.
Jamal Obeid, M.D.
Jamal Obeid, M.D.
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Medical School: American University of Beirut
Professional Interests: It’s either a fellowship in Infectious disease or Pulmonology for now
Personal Interests: I love spending time with friends, family and my cat Basbous. I also like to spend my time outside admiring the wilderness and trying new restaurants.
Abimbola Olufayo-Aluko, M.D.
Abimbola Olufayo-Aluko, M.D.
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Medical School: Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University
Professional Interests: Many are the potential goals of my heart, safe to say I am still exploring but it’s definitely a sub specialty in the future!
Personal Interests: Music (Afro Pop actually has a huge chunk of my heart), traveling, reading novels, binge watching tv shows, I am actually open to finding new interests!!! Excitingly, I am learning to knit but it’s also testing my patience.
Chetana Pasam, M.B.,B.S.
Chetana Pasam, M.B.,B.S.
Hometown: Kakinada, India
Medical School: G.S.L. Medical College, Rajahmundry
Professional Interests: Pediatric hospital medicine, Neonatology, Peds Emergency, and the list goes on. I love them all, so keeping the options open.
Personal Interests: For me, happiness is food, dogs, and kids, particularly my niece who is the princess of our home. Other than that, I also like cooking, shopping, playing video games, and going for long walks with Bollywood music plugged into my ears.
Jency Patel, M.D.
Jency Patel, M.D.
Hometown: Northlake, IL
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: General Pediatrics but also keeping my mind open as I navigate through residency!
Personal Interests: I absolutely love baking! I enjoy painting and ready a good book on a cozy day. Or you can always find me at the nearest dessert shop :)
Yasmika Rasakumar, M.D.
Yasmika Rasakumar, M.D.
Hometown: Ottawa, Canada
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: I am interested in Adolescent medicine and Heme-Onc but open to seeing where residency leads me!
Personal Interests: I'm a huge foodie so I love checking out new spots to eat and exploring different cuisines. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family whenever I can.
Ahmed Souid, M.D.
Ahmed Souid, M.D.
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Professional Interests: Provide longitudinal care to patients with chronic conditions as they transition to adulthood; particular interests in medical genetics and cardiology
Personal Interests: Growing plants, exploring the world, and meeting new people
Stephanie Tom, D.O.
Stephanie Tom, D.O.
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Medical School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: General pediatrics!
Personal Interests: I have two rescue dogs and a rescue cat who I love to cuddle & play with in my free time! I also love to knit, crochet, hike, alpine ski, mountain bike, scuba dive, and read!

PL-2

K. Campbell, D.O.
K. Campbell, D.O.
David Cea-Flores, M.D.
David Cea-Flores, M.D.
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Medical School: St. George's University
Professional Interests: I would like to be part of a team of clinicians that I can call a family and build an effective, welcoming practice with.
Personal Interests: I’m always listening to some good music. I enjoy watching a lot of films, take my bike for a ride when the weather permits, and will most certainly say yes to any type of baked dessert.
Mohammed Doklaijah, M.B., B.Ch.
Mohammed Doklaijah, M.B., B.Ch.
Hometown: Saida, Lebanon
Medical School: Beirut Arab University
Professional Interests: Currently interested in Acute care medicine including Emergency medicine, critical care and cardiology.
Personal Interests: I love spending time with my family and friends, playing football and video games.
Tara Dowd, M.B.B.Ch.B
Tara Dowd, M.B.B.Ch.B
Hometown: Millbrook. NY
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Professional Interests: Pediatric Critical Care
Personal Interests: Spending time with my French Bulldog, traveling, cooking and horse back riding
Ghina Fakhri, M.D.
Ghina Fakhri, M.D.
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Medical School: American University of Beirut
Professional Interests: Definitely a subspeciality, but keeping an open mind
Personal Interests: Spending time with my family, baking together and making a mess. Also thinking of getting a dog and probably a house with a backyard!
Maxence Gilles, M.D.
Maxence Gilles, M.D.
Hometown: Wilton, CT
Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Med
Professional Interests: I'm still exploring!
Personal Interests: I enjoy social dance, especially Argentine tango. I also love to knit, both from patterns from other designers and designing my own items.
Lamia Jouhar, M.D.
Lamia Jouhar, M.D.
Hometown: Damascus, Syria
Medical School: University of Damascus
Professional Interests: Cardiology or PICU
Personal Interests: I love good books and good coffee. I enjoy hiking, working out, traveling and exploring new cultures.
Michael Kennedy-Yoon, M.D.
Michael Kennedy-Yoon, M.D.
Hometown: Salt Lake City
Medical School: University of Utah
Professional Interests: Child Abuse or Pediatric Psychiatry Fellowship
Personal Interests: Reading, writing, running, weightlifting, dungeons and dragons, podcasts, making lists of personal interests, answering questions in a smarmy way, birds, and frogs.
Michael Markel, M.D.
Michael Markel, M.D.
Hometown: Montreal, Canada
Medical School: Technion Israel Institute of Technology
Professional Interests: Interested in Peds EM or Primary Care pediatrics
Personal Interests: I love hiking, camping, skiing, etc.- basically anything that'll get me outdoors. When I need to be inside, my activities of choice are cooking, baking and watching all the Disney movies.
Areeb Mustansar, M.B., B.S.
Areeb Mustansar, M.B., B.S.
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Medical School: Aga Khan University
Professional Interests: Interested in critical care, but giving myself space to figure it out as residency goes on.
Personal Interests: Making breakfast for dinner and hate watching any movie my wife likes or is looking forward to. Love watching all kinds of sports or having the opportunity to see them live.
Precious Sanni Adeniyi, M.B., B.S.
Precious Sanni Adeniyi, M.B., B.S.
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Medical School: University of Lagos
Professional Interests: Pediatric Critical Care/Pediatric Anesthesiology
Personal Interests: Graphic Designing, Cooking, Music & Traveling
Sara Taha, M.B., B.S.
Sara Taha, M.B., B.S.
Hometown: Khartoum, Sudan
Medical School: University of Khartoum
Professional Interests: Community pediatrics and child development
Personal Interests: i enjoy listening to music, I’m a huge ABBA fan. I also enjoy nature, long walks in the park, reading and spending time with my family.
Mhd Khalil Tamr Agha, M.D.
Mhd Khalil Tamr Agha, M.D.
Hometown: Damascus, Syria
Medical School: University of Damascus/AUB-Peds Residency
Professional Interests: Currently, I am interested in general Pediatrics, Though I will keep the door opened for potential subspecialty, based on my future journey in Pediatrics at Upstate
Personal Interests: Tennis, cooking, and watching Movies
Deepa Thomas, M.B., B.S.
Deepa Thomas, M.B., B.S.
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Medical School: A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences
Professional Interests: Pediatric ER or Heme/Onc. I want to keep my options open just in case I fall in love with another sub-specialty.
Personal Interests: Volleyball, Hiking, Dancing, and my favorite watching-The Bachelor/Bachelorette on Mondays
Lauren Waichenberg, M.D.
Lauren Waichenberg, M.D.
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Medical School: Ben-Gurion University
Professional Interests: Not too sure yet but strongly considering ED or PICU
Personal Interests: I love to hike with a group of friends or any activity that involves the outdoors. I also really love coffee and enjoy sitting in a cafe and reading a good book. Otherwise you can probably find me at home binge watching netflix ;)

PL-3

Allison Clack, MD
Allison Clack, MD
Hometown: Amherst, NY
Medical School: St. George's University
Professional Interests: I hope to go into general pediatrics or pursue a fellowship in adolescent medicine.
Personal Interests: I love reading, listening to music, spending time with friends and family and traveling and capturing the beauty of the places I visit with photography.
Clara El Nakib, MD
Clara El Nakib, MD
Hometown: Beirut
Medical School: American University of Beirut
Professional Interests: Currently interested in Hematology-Oncology, Intensive care and Gastroenterology, but keeping an open mind!
Personal Interests: I love hiking, biking, running and many other activities involving the outdoors. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and binge-watching Netflix series (and Disney movies!). I also like to travel and explore more countries and cultures.
Akilah Evans, MD
Akilah Evans, MD
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Medical School: St. George's University
Professional Interests: As of right now, I am interested in general pediatrics or child abuse pediatrics.
Personal Interests: I love spending time with my family and friends. Dance (ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical), and Broadway Musicals. I enjoy anything art related, traveling, culture, languages and laughing.
Sarah Hendrix, MD
Sarah Hendrix, MD
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
Medical School: Ross University
Professional Interests: Pediatric Emergency
Personal Interests: Freediving, hiking, circus arts, taking care of my shiba inu, swimming, and anything that gets me outdoors.
Kaitlyn Kennedy, MD
Kaitlyn Kennedy, MD
Hometown: Traverse City, MI
Medical School: University of Cincinnati
Professional Interests: General Peds
Personal Interests: I love hiking, spending time outdoors, and going to concerts. In my free time, I also enjoy baking and trying out new recipes. I love spending time with my husband and our dog and visiting family whenever we can.
Mohamed Khallaf, MBBCh
Mohamed Khallaf, MBBCh
Hometown: Alexandria, Egypt
Medical School: Alexandria University
Professional Interests: Pediatric Cardiology
Personal Interests: I love spending time with my wife outdoors or binge watch a new TV series.
Abeir Mohamed, MBBS
Abeir Mohamed, MBBS
Hometown: Khartoum, Sudan
Medical School: University of Khartoum Faculty of Medicine
Professional Interests: Intensivist
Personal Interests: Having a good time with family and friends - Interior designing - reading
Avnee Nulkar, MBBChB
Avnee Nulkar, MBBChB
Hometown: Santa Clara, California
Medical School: University College Cork School of Medicine
Professional Interests: I am interested in developmental pediatrics, advocacy, community outreach, and neonatology, but I’m keeping my options open!
Personal Interests: I love dogs, especially labradors and golden retrievers. I also enjoy cooking, exploring the outdoors via hiking and traveling, playing soccer and tennis, trying various cuisines ie eating my way through new places, painting/designing for fun, and spending time with my family and friends.
Ayat Siddiqui, MBBS
Ayat Siddiqui, MBBS
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Medical School: Aga Khan University Medical College
Professional Interests: I would love to pursue a career in Pediatric interventional cardiology, but am also really interested in hospital administration.
Personal Interests: Personal Interests: I enjoy baking and almost all water sports. I would love to master sailing and scuba diving in the future.
Adil Siddiqui, MBBS
Adil Siddiqui, MBBS
Hometown: East Windsor, NJ and Karachi, Pakistan.
Medical School: Dow Medical College
Professional Interests: Emergency medicine, neurology, global health, medical education.
Personal Interests: Cuisines; board games; diasporic literature; hiking; plant care, ghazals, classic rock music
Lexi Sirota, DO
Lexi Sirota, DO
Hometown: East Rockaway, NY
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Med - Middletown
Professional Interests: I have always been interested in Pediatric GI and Hematology/Oncology! I am going to keep my options open because I might fall in love with another subspeciality within pediatrics!
Personal Interests: I absolutely love to work out! Hiking, HIIT, strength training and all sports; you name it And I promise I do it! Also, a very big foodie! Always willing to have people over to try my delicious cooking! Plus, I have the cutest dog who loves doing everything with me.
Sarah Sloan, MBBCh
Sarah Sloan, MBBCh
Hometown: Dundas, Ontario
Medical School: University College Dublin
Professional Interests: I am all about keeping an open mind but I can see myself pursuing pediatric hematology/oncology or emergency medicine!
Personal Interests: In my free time, I love to be outside! From hiking with friends to sitting on a patio at my favorite brewery, if I can feel the fresh air, I am at my happiest! Snowboarding is my go-to winter activity, and I have learned to tolerate running (although I would much rather run while playing sports!). Most importantly, if I’m unsuccessful in stealing my family-dog from my parents, I will happily be your designated dog sitter!
Aly Soliman, MBBCh
Aly Soliman, MBBCh
Hometown: Ames , Iowa
Medical School: Menoufia University
Lauren Thomas, MD
Lauren Thomas, MD
Hometown: Philly
Medical School: Medical University of the Americas (MUA)
Professional Interests: I’m currently interested in primary care, but I’m open to see what other interests residency may bring my way.
Personal Interests: Personal interests: doing hair, listening to podcasts, playing switch, binge watching Netflix/Hulu, reading books, hanging out with family and friends, traveling and trying new recipes.
Elena Wolner, MD
Elena Wolner, MD
Hometown: Albany, NY
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Professional Interests: Adolescent Medicine or primary care
Personal Interests: I enjoy baking and decorating cakes, painting with Bob Ross and traveling!

Chief Residents

Asmita Sharma, MBBS
Asmita Sharma, MBBS
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Medical School: Chitwan Medical College
Professional Interests: Global Health// Intensive care?/Endo?/EM? Safe to say I am still figuring it out.
Personal Interests: Read, eat, read some more, explore outdoors and learn people's stories. I live for stories. Also family. Doing anything and everything with my family tops everything else.
Rida Sherwani, MBBS
Rida Sherwani, MBBS
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Medical School: Dow Medical College
Professional Interests: Interested in NICU or Heme/Onc fellowship. Giving myself space to make the decision after these specific rotations.
Personal Interests: I am an avid reader, particularly drawn to fantasy and classics (Always up for LOTR/ Harry Potter/ Star Wars marathons!). I love writing and sketching in my free time, but still like outdoorsy activities and can't wait to take up winter sports in Syracuse!
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