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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

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-2

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!

PL-3

Shehzad Ahmed, MD
Shehzad Ahmed, MD
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Medical School: American University of Antigua
Professional Interests: I am interested in specializing in either Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Gastroenterology or Neonatology. I am also interested in global health opportunities.
Personal Interests: A few of my favorite interests include playing soccer, trying new restaurants, traveling, amusement parks, spending time with my family and friends and anything to do with Halloween.
Andrew Brooks, DO
Andrew Brooks, DO
Hometown: West Barnstable, MA
Medical School: Philadelphia Col of Osteo Med,
Professional Interests: Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Personal Interests: I’m a huge sports fan. I love all Philadelphia professional teams, as well as Auburn University (War Eagle), and Liverpool FC. My wife and I have a golden retriever named Blue, he’s the best ever. Together we enjoy going on runs, hiking, road-tripping, and having fires around our fire pit. I also like to read, snowboard, and go to breweries. My undergrad degree is in Radio, Television, and Film so I also do a healthy amount of Netflixing when time permits it.
Laaibah Ejaz, MBBS
Laaibah Ejaz, MBBS
Hometown: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Medical School: Aga Khan University
Professional Interests: Inclined towards Neurology and Endocrinology but still keeping an open mind!
Personal Interests: Swimming, reading, painting (particularly digital art), updating my newly created blog whenever inspiration strikes and catching up on TV shows and movies. Excited to explore the great outdoors in Syracuse when the weather permits and to brush up on my photography skills!
Colleen Feeney, MD
Colleen Feeney, MD
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Professional Interests: Still exploring and keeping my options open!
Personal Interests: I enjoy spending time with family and friends! I love to run and workout (Cross Fit, Boxing, Zumba- you name it! I love trying new workouts!). To balance that, I love to bake anything and everything. Not only do I love trying out new recipes but I also love putting my cake decorating skills to the test!
Simi George, MBBCh
Simi George, MBBCh
Hometown: Calgary, Canada
Medical School: National University of Ireland Galway
Professional Interests: I would like to complete a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology or rheumatology.
Personal Interests: I love to cook up new recipes, read fiction, write poetry and dance (especially to Bollywood music). Always looking for pals to join me to go hiking, kayaking or rock climbing!
William (Billy) Hall, MD
William (Billy) Hall, MD
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Medical School: Ross University
Professional Interests: I am interested in specializing in either Cardiology or Emergency Medicine. But I’m also very open minded, so who knows, maybe that’ll change.
Personal Interests: I love all things music! I’m a singer, guitar player, drummer, and I dabble on the piano. Whether it’s singing in the shower or for strangers at karaoke night, count me in. I love trying new restaurants and cooking for groups of people. Hosting game nights or trivia nights with my friends and playing video games! Fun fact: I was a sponsored skateboarder growing up and love all extreme sports, you bet I’ll be snowboarding every chance I get!
Saber Jan, MBBS
Saber Jan, MBBS
Hometown: Medina, Saudi Arabia
Medical School: Taibah University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: PICU or Emergency Medicine
Personal Interests: I love traveling, meeting new people from different cultures, and exploring new places. Ultra-marathon running is my passion. I am planning to join the amazing ultra-marathon races in the states.
Lucia Janovicova, MD
Lucia Janovicova, MD
Hometown: Ziar nad Hronom , Slovakia
Medical School: Masaryk University
Professional Interests: Global Health , Refugee Health , Infectious Diseases
Personal Interests: Traveling, exploring new places through the culture, food and people. I love all kind of outdoor activities, hiking the mountains (and getting their good tidings), biking, running. I am also a reader, enjoy cooking and baking for family and friends.
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.
Mayank Sharma, MBBS
Mayank Sharma, MBBS
Hometown: India
Medical School: Calcutta National Medical College
Professional Interests: Pediatric Cardiology
Personal Interests: Reading, debating, hiking, painting
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!
Elizabeth (Lizzy) Simmerman, MD
Elizabeth (Lizzy) Simmerman, MD
Hometown: Niskayuna, NY
Medical School: New York Medical College
Professional Interests: Likely primary care, but I have some interest in adolescent medicine and child abuse pediatrics.
Personal Interests: I enjoy a lot of different crafting hobbies like sewing, and knitting. I often end up teaching myself these things so I can make gifts for my friends and family. I also bake, mostly cookies and cakes. When it is nice outside I like to go hiking.
Andrew Smith, DO
Andrew Smith, DO
Hometown: Washington, PA
Medical School: Lincoln Mem Univ, Debusk Col of Osteopathic Med
Professional Interests: Neonatology
Personal Interests: Running, Going to the thrift store, Being outside, Finding new Netflix documentaries
Dayna Ukwuoma, MD
Dayna Ukwuoma, MD
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Medical School: American University of Antigua (AG)
Professional Interests: Right now I'm leaning towards general pediatrics, but I'm keeping my mind open to considering other sub-specialties!
Personal Interests: I'm obsessed with Orangetheory Fitness! I also enjoy hiking, boxing, cycling, traveling, baking, and spending time with friends/family.

Chief Residents

Ahmed Eltayeb, MBBS
Ahmed Eltayeb, MBBS
Hometown: Khartoum, Sudan
Medical School: University of Khartoum
Professional Interests: I’m quite interested in doing pulmonology and fascinated by sleep medicine.
Personal Interests: Travel, travel and travel…I love to explore new countries, new cultures and enjoy their foods. Love Spending time with family and friends. Soccer enthusiasts (Man city to be exact).
Alex Ramirez, MD
Alex Ramirez, MD
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Professional Interests: Undecided, leaning towards hospital medicine but interested in a couple of subspecialties as well (mainly cardiology, GI, infectious disease).
Personal Interests: Hanging out with family/friends, watching and playing sports, music, eating, traveling
Holly Stacey, MD - Assistant Chief
Holly Stacey, MD - Assistant Chief
Hometown: Kleinburg, Ontario
Medical School: St. George's University
Professional Interests: At this point, I am up in the air with a 50/50 chance of pursuing primary care vs. fellowship. I find Heme-Onc incredibly fascinating and I also enjoy endocrinology and international health. 
Personal Interests: I enjoy running both competitively and leisurely and I also enjoy high-intensity workout classes and spinning. I am a huge foodie: I love trying out new restaurants as well as experimenting with new recipes. I also love travelling the world, riding roller coasters and hiking. Spending time with family, friends and my black lab puppy are by far my favourite past times! The Toronto Maple Leafs are my all-time favourite sports team.
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