Outstanding Faculty, Interns and Residents were Honored with Awards:
FELLOWSHIP IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Fellow of the Year: Dr. Nimesh Patel
Graduation, held on June 20 at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, marked the graduation of 22 Internal Medicine Teaching Health Center residents, six Allopathic Family Medicine residents, three Cardiology fellows and two Osteopathic Internal Medicine residents.
Teacher of the Year: Dr. Madhava S. Rao
Notably, 15 of our 33 graduates plan to continue their medical careers within Pennsylvania. Four will be employed with The Wright Center: Dr. Qasim Malik, Associate Program Director for Internal Medicine; Dr. Hrushik Amin, Chief Resident at the VA; Dr. Christopher Minello, Physician Faculty at The Wright Center Clarks Summit; Dr. Sherine Tadros, Physician Faculty split between hospital services and The Wright Center Mid Valley.
INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENCY Intern of the Year: Dr. Maryyam Ali Teacher of the Year: Dr. Mladen Jecmenica Golden Stethoscope Award: Dr. Michael Saleeb Robert E. Wright, M.D., Outstanding Resident Award: Dr. Michael Saleeb REGIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY Regional Lackawanna Intern of the Year: Dr. Samuel DeLiberato Regional Luzerne Intern of the Year: Dr. Hishita Parikh Teacher of the Year: Dr. Lisa Robertson Marvin Blum Award: Dr. Richard Fischbein Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Award: Dr. Ahamed Shamsedeen George B. Davis Award: Dr. Shaista Hussain
Chief Residents were also Recognized:
NATIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY Intern of the Year: Dr. Sushant Bandarpalle (New York)
Three graduates joined The Wright Center’s cardiology fellowship program; two have accepted positions with CHS Wilkes-Barre General Hospital’s hospitalist group; one joined Geisinger Wyoming Valley as a hospitalist; and one joined Geisinger’s Cardiology Fellowship in Danville. At graduation, Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak excitedly announced Dr. Wasique Mirza, Medical Director at Scranton Primary Health Care Center, had accepted the position of Acting Program Director for the Internal Medicine Program. The Wright Center and Scranton Primary’s partnership represents a deliberate focus on strengthening safety net services in our region while developing competent, compassionate doctors committed to non-discriminatory, high quality and affordable care of all patients, regardless of ability or inability to pay. Achievement awards were presented to interns, graduates and faculty. Dr. Michael Saleeb was honored with the Golden Stethoscope Award, given to the graduating senior who most serves as a role model for underclassmen. Dr. John Diakiw of Moses Taylor Hospital presented the award. Dr. Saleeb shared the moment with his father (pictured, lower left). Internal Medicine graduate, Dr. Dinesh Keerty presented faculty member Dr. Mladen Jecmenica with the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year (pictured, right). The celebration concluded with dinner and dancing with family, friends and colleagues — and lots of photos!
CARDIOLOGY Dr. Keyur Mavani Dr. Toral Patel Dr. Nimesh Patel INTERNAL MEDICINE Dr. Christopher Minello Dr. Qasim Malik Dr. Dinesh Keerty FAMILY MEDICINE Dr. Shaista Hussain Dr. Kwaku Boakye Dr. Ahamed Shamsedeen 15