46 th Annual
GraduationCeremony
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Hilton Scranton & Convention Center
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Acknowledgments
Our nonprofit Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortium (GME-SNC) model immerses our resident and fellow physicians in diverse community venues where they are most needed. By training in rural and medically underserved areas, our physicians gain firsthand experience that not only enhances access to care but also increases the likelihood they will remain in these communities after completing their training.
The Wright Center provides clinical learning opportunities at our community health centers in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, as well as through partnerships with mission-aligned regional hospitals and public health organizations across Northeast Pennsylvania. These strong affiliations offer rich, innovative learning environments that expose trainees to a wide range of patient populations, organizational systems, EHR platforms, and the dynamics of multidisciplinary care teams.
Like-minded community stakeholders, resources, and assets align with our innovative GME-SNC model to address foundational health care issues by advancing local solutions with national implications.
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona provides the educational infrastructure for our National Family Medicine Residency Program (NFMR). By partnering with four mission-aligned Federally Qualified Health Centers in Washington, D.C., Ohio, Arizona, and Washington, NFMR operates as a unique educational partnership that trains community-minded physicians. These partnerships deliver competent, compassionate physicians who are well-positioned to serve their communities for decades to come.
We are exceptionally grateful to the following Federally Qualified Health Center partner sites that offer relevant and community-based training opportunities to our NFMR physician learners:
MASTER AND MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Brian Ebersole, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Associate Designated Institutional Official, and Helayna Szescila, Deputy Chief Governance Officer
Please join us in a moment of silence to honor and remember Dr. Stephen J. Pancoast, whose legacy continues to inspire us.
OPENING ADDRESS
Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP, President and Chief Executive Officer
WELCOME ADDRESS
Jumee Barooah, M.D., FACP, Senior Vice President of Education and Designated Institutional Official
CHAIR OF THE BOARD REMARKS
Harold W. Baillie, Ph.D., Chair,The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Board of Directors
RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Aimen Iqbal, M.D., Continuity of Care Chief Resident
PARTNER REMARKS
Sharon Obadia, D.O., FNAOME, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Board of Directors, and Dean of and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Presentation of Awards and Certificates
THE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
Presented by Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP
For exceptional mission-driven academic leadership
THE SANDY A. FUREY, M.D., FACP, GOLDEN STETHOSCOPE AWARD
Presented by John Diakiw, M.D., Internist, Commonwealth Health Physician Network
For the graduating senior who most serves as a role model for underclassmen
THE WILLIAM M. WATERS, PH.D., EXCELLENCE IN ADVOCACY FOR EDUCATION AWARD
Presented by Gerard Geoffroy, M.S., MPA, Immediate Past Chair of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Patient & Community Engagement
For the graduating resident or fellow physician who does The Wright Things, The Wright Way, for The Wright Reasons, to assist vulnerable populations in our communities
GERARD J. GEOFFROY PATIENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD
Presented by Gerard J. Geoffroy
In recognition of the most passionate and impactful resident contribution to the empowering engagement of patients, families, and the community
THE BOST AWARD
Presented by Brian Ebersole and Helayna Szescila
For the individual who most demonstrates inspiration, guidance, and support of the mission of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education
Presentation of Awards continued.. .
ROBERT E. WRIGHT, M.D., OUTSTANDING RESIDENT AWARD
Presented by Brian Ebersole and Helayna Szescila
For the individual who demonstrates excellence in patient care, teaching, and community spirit
DR. STEPHEN J. PANCOAST COMPASSION, KINDNESS, SERVICE, AND HUMILITY AWARD
Presented by Brian Ebersole and Helayna Szescila
This award honors the legacy of the late Stephen J. Pancoast, M.D., who retired in 2021 after serving as an integral member of our Ryan White HIV care team for more than 20 years.
THE WRIGHT CENTER ‘VALUES IN ACTION’ SPIRIT AWARD
Presented by Brian Ebersole and Helayna Szescila
In recognition of a residency program whose learners have demonstrated extraordinary behaviors that exemplify The Wright Center’s Core Values
NATIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES
OUTSTANDING RESIDENT AWARD
For the graduating senior who most demonstrates excellence in patient care, teaching, and community spirit
COMMUNITY ORIENTED PRIMARY CARE (COPC) PROJECT AWARD
In recognition for the COPC project that best supports Community Oriented Primary Care
PRACTICE IMPROVEMENT AWARD
For the graduating senior who has made the most significant contribution to quality improvement at their training site
FACULTY OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching
REGIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES
TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching
INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENCY
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES
INTERN OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the intern who has gone above and beyond what is required of them and demonstrated the highest degree of altruism, accountability, duty, and respect for others
TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching
FELLOWSHIP IN GERIATRICS
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES
OUTSTANDING FELLOW AWARD
For the graduating fellow who demonstrates excellence in patient care, teaching, and community spirit
TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching
FELLOWSHIP IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES
OUTSTANDING FELLOW AWARD
For the graduating fellow who demonstrates excellence in patient care, teaching, and community spirit
TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching
FELLOWSHIP IN GASTROENTEROLOGY
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES
OUTSTANDING FELLOW AWARD
For the graduating fellow who demonstrates excellence in patient care, teaching, and community spirit
TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching
Closing Remarks and Reception
Brian Ebersole and Helayna Szescila
NATIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE
Training location: Tucson, Arizona (El Rio Health)
Vaishnavi Gadicharla, D.O.
Future Plans: Primary Care Physician Novant Health Charlotte, NC
Justin Kim, D.O.
Future Plans: Primary Care Physician Tucson Family Medicine Tucson, AZ
Sarah Jane Lawson, D.O.
Future Plans: Primary Care Physician Arizona Community Physicians Tucson, AZ
Training location: Hillsboro, Ohio (HealthSource of Ohio)
Jacob Matthew Brumfield, D.O.
Future Plans: Primary Care Physician Community Health Network Anderson, IN
Leah Joy Moorefield, D.O.
Future Plans: Primary Care Physician HealthSource of Ohio Mount Orab, OH
Kent Stanton, D.O.
Future Plans: Hospitalist Baptist Health System San Antonio, TX
Training location: Auburn, Washington (HealthPoint)
Jingyi Gao, D.O.
Future Plans: Primary Care Physician HealthPoint Auburn, WA
Andrew Roy Tsai, D.O. Future Plans: Primary Care Physician
Kayla Simone Williams, D.O.
Future Plans: Primary Care Physician
NATIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE
Training location: Washington, D.C. (Unity Health Care)
Stacey Elizabeth Benben, D.O. Future Plans: Primary Care Physician
Hope E. Hardy, D.O. Future Plans: Primary Care Physician
Sachit J. Desai, D.O. Future Plans: Primary Care Physician
Vienna Family Medicine Vienna, VA
Urvashi Pandit, D.O. Future Plans: Primary Care Physician
Daniel Gatazka, D.O.
Future Plans: Primary Care Physician
Capital Medical Group Chevy Chase, MD
Evan James Smith, D.O. Future Plans: Primary Care Physician
REGIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE
Cassandra Rose
D’Andrea, M.D.
Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician Mercy Health Ardmore, OK
Navaneeth
Nambiar Othayoth Ganapathiyadan, M.D.
Future Plans: Primary Care Provider Northwest Healthcare Tucson, AZ
Renee Frieda
Gladilen, M.D.
Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician
Justine Carlo G. Guevarra, M.D.
Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician
Community Medical Center Stockton, CA
Deepinder S.
Samra, M.D.
Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician
Andrew Sukhu, M.D.
Future Plans: Primary Care Provider Geisinger Pittston, PA
Imran Hamid, D.O.
Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician
Salman Abdul Basit, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist
Rochester Regional Health Rochester, NY
Lokendra Chhantyal, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist
UPMC Western Maryland Cumberland, MD
Sajid Hussain, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist
Central Carolina Hospital Raleigh, NC
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Ahmed Abdellatif
Ibrahim Mohamed Algohiny, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist
Louisiana State University Shreveport, LA
Yash Deshpande, M.D.
Future Plans: Rheumatology Fellowship
Houston Methodist Hospital Houston, TX
Mohammad Ibrar, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Wilkes-Barre, PA
Sanya Badar, M.D.
Future Plans: Cardiology Fellowship
Geisinger Medical Center Danville, PA
Sonam Gautam, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist
Carolina East Medical Center New Bern, NC
Mohammad Faisal Iftikhar, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Wilkes-Barre, PA
Taibah Chaudhary, M.D.
Future Plans: Endocrinology Fellowship
Allegheny Health Network Pittsburgh, PA
Faryal Haider, M.D.
Future Plans: Endocrinology Fellowship
Southern Illinois University Springfield, IL
Aimen Iqbal, M.D.
Future Plans: Endocrinology Fellowship
University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN
Nadia Jamil, M.D.
Future Plans: Primary Care Provider Rochester Regional Health Rochester, NY
Ravleen Kaur, M.D.
Future Plans: Endocrinology Fellowship University of Toledo Toledo, OH
Atif Nasrullah, M.D.
Future Plans: Primary Care Physician ECU Health
Edenton, NC
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Kanishq Rajan
Jethani, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist
Baystate Medical Center Springfield, MA
Mohamed Hesham
Esmat Ahmed
Khorshid, M.D.
Future Plans:
Primary Care Provider Crystal Run Healthcare-Optum Rock Hill, NY
Maria Nawaz, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist Sentara Suffolk, VA
Jesvin Jeyapaulraj, M.D.
Future Plans: Academic Hospitalist Louisiana State University Shreveport, LA
Anand Reddy
Maligireddy, M.D.
Future Plans: Cardiology Fellowship University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City, KS
Ronakkumar Rameshbhai Patel, M.D.
Future Plans: Primary Care Physician Veterans Administration Clinic Fayetteville, NC
Lavleen Kaur, M.D.
Future Plans: Hematology Oncology Fellowship
Wayne State University Detroit. MI
Elmkdad Mohammed, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist
Beth Israel Lahey Health Boston, MA
Arathi Prabha Kumar, M.D.
Future Plans: Infectious Disease Fellowship University of Wisconsin Madison, WI
Usman Iqbal Rana, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist
Geisinger Community Medical Center Scranton, PA
Amninder Singh, M.D.
Future Plans: Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship
The Wright Center Scranton, PA
Archana Sridhar, M.D.
Future Plans:
Endocrinology Fellowship
National Institutes of Health Bethesda, MD
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Samurna Sabir, M.D.
Future Plans: Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship Cook County Health and Hospitals Chicago, IL
Gurminder Singh, M.D.
Future Plans: Physician Optum Health Long Island, NY
Ei Ei Tun, M.D.
Future Plans:
Primary Care Physician
Kaiser Permanente Northern California Santa Clara, CA
Sonali Sachdeva, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist Catholic Medical Center Manchester, NH
Harmandeep Singh, M.D.
Future Plans: Hospitalist Adventist Health Hanford, CA
Yuexiu Wu, M.D.
Future Plans: Undecided
Muhammad Hassan Shakir, M.D.
Future Plans: Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship
University of Miami/Jackson Hospital Memorial Hospital Miami, FL
Sapinder Pal Singh, M.D.
Future Plans: Primary Care Physician AtlantiCare Atlantic City, NJ
Richard Michael Bronnenkant, M.D.
Future Plans: Infectious Disease Fellowship
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Washington, D.C.
Ahmad R. Khan, M.D.
Future Plans: Internal Medicine Residency
The Wright Center Scranton, PA
GERIATRICS
Ogochukwu Augustina Ekete, M.D.
Future Plans: Internal Medicine Residency
The Wright Center Scranton, PA
Arun Kumar, M.D.
Future Plans: Internal Medicine Residency
The Wright Center Scranton, PA
Stephanie Farah, M.D.
Future Plans: Obesity Medicine Fellowship
West Virginia University
Ruby Memorial Hospital Morgantown, WV
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Pranav V. Karambelkar, M.D.
Future Plans: General Noninvasive Cardiologist
Geisinger Community Medical Center
Scranton, PA
Purveshkumar Patel, M.D.
Future Plans: General Cardiologist
Tyler Cardiovascular Consultants
Tyler, TX
Nischay Nikhil Shah, D.O.
Future Plans: Electrophysiology Fellowship
Deborah Heart and Lung Center
Brown Mills, NJ
GASTROENTEROLOGY
William Ivan Buniak, D.O.
Future Plans: Gastroenterologist
Gastroenterology and Hepatology of Central New York
Liverpool, NY
Vabhave Pal, M.D.
Future Plans: Gastroenterologist
Wilkes-Barre General Hospital
Wilkes-Barre, PA
DENTAL
NYU Langone Dental Medicine
Postdoctoral Program for Advanced Education in General Dentistry
Jennifer CanonRothkopf, D.M.D Future Plans: Dentist
Dental Care at Chancellor Crossing Fredericksburg, VA
Thank You
We extend our sincere gratitude to all past and current board members who have actively contributed to advancing our mission over the past year. Thank you for your service.
THE WRIGHT CENTER FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH
Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP | President and Chief Executive Officer, Ex-Officio, Non-Voting
Deborah Kolsovsky | Chair
Richard Krebs | Vice Chair
Kenneth Okrepkie, MHR | Treasurer
Mary Marrara | Secretary
Gerard J. Geoffroy, M.S., MPA | Immediate Past Chair
Pedro L. Anes, M.S. • Mary Ann Chindemi, R.N. • Patricia Desouza • LeeAnn Eschbach, Ph.D. Kim Heritscko • Tracy Hunt • Mary B. Klem, M.S., R.D., CSO, LDN • Lewis Marcus
Joseph J. Marinelli, RPh., MBA • Robert J. Neary • Marwan Wafa, Ph.D. • Ellen Walko
THE WRIGHT CENTER FOR GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION
Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP | President and Chief Executive Officer
Harold W. Baillie, Ph.D. | Chair
James Gavin, MSW, MMS | Vice Chair
Carol Rubel | Secretary
Scott E. Schermerhorn, Esquire | Treasurer
Jumee Barooah, M.D., FACP, DIO, Ex-Officio, Non-Voting • Crystal Berry, MHA • Holly Binnig, M.D. Robert Cole, Ph.D. • Ariane Conaboy, D.O., MHA, CMPC • Michael P. Curran, MHA • Christopher Howe, MHA Frances G. Langan, Ed.D., MPH • Kevin G. Mitchell, Jr., MBA • Sharon Obadia, D.O., FNAOME
Teri Ooms, MBA • Michael J. Paglia, M.D., Ph.D. • Douglas Spegman, M.D., MSPH, FACP • Debra Youngfelt, MCHES, CTTS • Renee Zehel, Ph.D.
THE WRIGHT CENTER FOR PATIENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP | Co-Chair
Mary Marrara | Co-Chair
LeeAnn Eschbach, Ph.D. | Vice Chair
Ellen Walko | Secretary
Pedro L. Anes, M.S. | Treasurer
Gerard J. Geoffroy, M.S., MPA | Immediate Past Chair
Yash Despande, M.D. | Chief Resident Liaison
Kirelos Younan, M.D. | Resident Leader Liaison
Gail Cicerini • Paul Haugland • Charlie Hemak • Nicole M. Langan, Ed.D • Lorraine Lupini
Kari Machelli, R.N. • Jacob Miller, M.D. • Kathleen P. Munley, Ph.D., CMFC • Girard Petula, Ed.D.
Sarah Quinlin-Sheridan • Carol Rubel • Tammy Saunders
We also humbly acknowledge our resident and fellow physicians who entrust us with their respective education, our patients who place their confidence in our care team and our faculty, employees and staff who actively deliver our mission and vision every day.
MISSION:
To improve the health and welfare of our communities through responsive, whole-person health services for all and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve
VISION:
For our Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortium framework that integrates patient care delivery, workforce development, innovation, and empowered voice of communities to be the leading model of primary health care in America
VALUES:
Do the Wright thing Be privileged to serve
Be an exceptional team member
Responds to Community Health Needs
community-based Graduate Medical Safety-Net Consortium (GME-SNC) by Health Resources and Administration’s (HRSA) Health Center program Built on a framework Nasca et al’s proposed Health-Academic Partnerships , the GME-SNC trainees in community settings they’re most and increases of working settings.3
BehavioralHealthHomesandSpecialtyNeighborhoods
Patient-Centered Outcomes
InterprofessionalEducationandWorkf
Trust
GME-SNC value-based reform that o en hospital to more appropriate, a ordable community-based Transparency is standardized methodologies harness evolving health information and educational technologies to develop demonstrate workforce competencies, ensure stewardship GME funds to meet highest reporting standards and to and improve population outcomes.
Leverages
Physician-led teams’ value-driven redesign in a scholarly culture learners as clinical system
Empowered patients and make meaningful contributions enhance care delivery development of comprehensive workforce
GME-SNC demonstrates administrative operational with scheduling tracking centers and quality
management system
improvements.
(CMS) and GME-SNC deliberately converges VA, HRSA GME resources one centralized institution to fund
GME-SNC nurtures an enriched community network of learning venues to improve care coordination and public well-preparing an interprofessional workforce. AHCs’ self-directed transformation, through engagement in GME-SNCs organizations, can lead a fix for America’s health care. The GME-SNC can inspire high integrity academic frameworks comprehensive networks of inclusive stakeholders aligned around shared purpose and mutually reinforcing Utilizing Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s seven leverage points and high impact leadership models, the large-scale health care transformation to address national health care work force needs, to actuate the Triple meaningful professional practice. ⁴
Harvard
of
education: ranking
Sept-Oct 2000: 103-111.;
Med. 2010;152:804-11. [PMID:20547907];
F, Chen C, Petterson S,
DA, Lee PT, Nasca TJ,
GME-SNC nurtures an enriched community network of learning venues to improve care coordination and public health well-preparing an interprofessional workforce. AHCs’ self-directed transformation, through engagement in GME-SNCs as organizations, can lead a fix for America’s health care. The GME-SNC can inspire high integrity academic frameworks comprehensive networks of inclusive stakeholders aligned around shared purpose and mutually reinforcing action Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s seven leverage points and high impact leadership models, the GME-SNC catalyzes health care transformation to address national health care work force needs, to actuate the Triple Aim and meaningful professional practice.4 CM, Bohmer R, Kenagy J. Will disruptive innovations
G,
for primary care general internists: innovation with the affordable care act in mind. J Grad Med Educ. 2014;6(2):395–398 4. Ruddy MP, Thomas-Hemak L, Meade professional development is personal. Acad Med. 2015 Dec 29.
Christianson CM, Bohmer R, Kenagy J. Will disruptive innovations cure health care? Harvard Business Review, Sept-Oct 2000: 103-111.; 2. Mullan F, Chen Spagnola M. The social mission of medical education: ranking the schools. Ann Intern Med. 2010;152:804-11. [PMID:20547907]; 3. Rieselbach RE, Nasca TJ, Rockey PH, Steinmann AF, et al. Ambulatory training for primary care general internists: innovation with the affordable care act in mind. 2014;6(2):395–398 4. Ruddy MP, Thomas-Hemak L, Meade L. Practice transformation: professional development is personal. Acad Med. 2015 Dec
Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. All rights
Kolsky
Rockey PH, Steinmann
Operational Transparency
Title-Funded