Graduation Program 2024

45th ANNUAL

Graduation Ceremony SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2024 Mohegan Pennsylvania Convention Center Wilkes-Barre, 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. The GME-SNC model improves the distribution of primary care doctors throughout rural and other medically underserved areas and increases the likelihood that these physicians choose to work in these settings after completing their training.

The Wright Center offers training locations at our community health centers in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties and with mission-aligned partners at regional public health-based learning environments and hospital systems, caring for patients throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. These strong affiliations provide diverse, innovative learning environments with exposure to a broad range of patient demographics, different organizational structures, various EHR programs, and increasingly complex team dynamics.

Like-minded community stakeholders, resources, and assets align with The Wright Center 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 (NFMR). By partnering with four mission-aligned Federally Qualified Health Centers in Ohio, Arizona, Washington, and Washington, D.C., 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 partners that offer relevant and community-based training opportunities to our NFMR physician learners:

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The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education

Dinner and Cocktails MASTER AND MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES Harold Baillie, Ph.D., Chairman, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, and Helayna Szescila, Deputy Chief Governance Officer OPENING ADDRESS Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP, President and Chief Executive Officer WELCOME ADDRESS Jumee Barooah, M.D., FACP, Senior Vice President, Education and Designated Institutional Official RESIDENT REMARKS Chilsia Shafi, M.D., President, House Staff Council KEYNOTE SPEAKER Humza Quadir, M.D., Class of 2022, Internal Medicine Residency

Presentation of Awards & Certificates THE WILLIAM M. WATERS, PH.D., EXCELLENCE IN ADVOCACY FOR EDUCATION AWARD Presented by Gerard J. Geoffroy, Chairman of The Wright Center for Community Health 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

THE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD Presented by Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP For exceptional mission-driven academic leadership

THE BOST AWARD Presented by Harold Baillie, Ph.D., and Helayna Szescila For the individual who most demonstrates inspiration, guidance, and support of the mission of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education

ROBERT E. WRIGHT, M.D., OUTSTANDING RESIDENT AWARD Presented by Harold Baillie, Ph.D., 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 Harold Baillie, Ph.D., and Helayna Szescila Honors the legacy of Stephen Pancoast, M.D., who retired in 2021 after serving as an integral member of our care team at the Ryan White HIV Clinic for more than 20 years

45 th ANNUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY | JUNE 22, 2024

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Presentation of Awards continued.. .

GERARD J. GEOFFROY PATIENT AND 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 community

THE WRIGHT CENTER ‘VALUES IN ACTION’ SPIRIT AWARD Announced by Harold Baillie, Ph.D., and Helayna Szescila In recognition of a residency program whose learners have demonstrated extraordinary behaviors that exemplify The Wright Center’s Core Values

FELLOWSHIP IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD Presented by Yaser Khalid, D.O., Chief Fellow

For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching

OUTSTANDING FELLOW AWARD Presented by Samir Pancholy, M.D., FACC, MSCAI, Program Director For the graduating fellow who demonstrates excellence in patient care, teaching, and community spirit

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE GRADUATES Presented by Tanya Torres, Coordinator, Cardiovascular Disease and Samir Pancholy, M.D., FACC, MSCAI

FELLOWSHIP IN GASTROENTEROLOGY TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD Presented by Fouzia Oza, M.D.

For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching

OUTSTANDING FELLOW AWARD Presented by Vikas Khurana, M.D., Program Director For the graduating fellow who demonstrates excellence in patient care, teaching, and community spirit

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO GASTROENTEROLOGY GRADUATES Presented by Michelle Grochowski, Coordinator, Gastroenterology, and Vikas Khurana, M.D.

FELLOWSHIP IN GERIATRICS TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented by Muhammad Ishaq, M.D.

For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching

OUTSTANDING FELLOW AWARD Presented by Brian Ebersole, Vice President Academic Affairs and Associate Designated Institutional Official For the graduating fellow who demonstrates excellence in patient care, teaching, and community spirit

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO GERIATRICS GRADUATES Presented by Russell Day, Coordinator, Geriatrics and GME Workforce Operations,Training & Development Specialist, and Brian Ebersole 4

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education

NATIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY FACULTY OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented by Lawrence LeBeau, D.O., Program Director For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching

INTERN OF THE YEAR AWARD Presented by Lawrence LeBeau, D.O. For the intern who has gone above and beyond and demonstrated the highest degree of altruism, accountability, duty and respect for others

OUTSTANDING RESIDENT AWARD Presented by Lawrence LeBeau, D.O. For the graduating senior who most demonstrates excellence in patient care, teaching, and community spirit

COMMUNITY-ORIENTED PRIMARY CARE PROJECT AWARD Presented by Lawrence LeBeau, D.O. Recognition for the project that best supports Community-Oriented Primary Care

ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY DIRECTORS AWARD FOR ADVOCACY Presented by Lawrence LeBeau, D.O. For the resident who has demonstrated skills and interest in legislative or regulatory advocacy and, by doing so, impacted the future of health care and of family medicine

SOCIETY OF TEACHERS OF FAMILY MEDICINE AWARD Presented by Lawrence LeBeau, D.O. For the individual who has demonstrated interest in teaching medical students, participation in patient education, peer teaching, and is valued as a teacher by patients and peers

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO NATIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE GRADUATES Presented by Samantha Ponce, Coordinator, National Family Medicine, and Lawrence LeBeau, D.O.

PSYCHIATRY TEACHER OF THE YEAR Presented by Brian Ebersole

For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching

INTERN OF THE YEAR Presented by Brian Ebersole For the intern who has gone above and beyond and demonstrated the highest degree of altruism, accountability, duty and respect for others

45 th ANNUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY | JUNE 22, 2024

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Presentation of Awards continued...

INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENCY THE SANDY A. FUREY M.D., FACP, GOLDEN STETHOSCOPE AWARD Presented by John Diakiw, M.D.

For the graduating senior who most serves as a role model for underclassmen

TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD Presented by Kyle Fistner, D.O., Chilsia Shafi, M.D., Sandeep Mandal, M.D., Syed Zaidi, M.D., and Lakshmi Pappoppula, M.D., Chief Residents For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching

INTERN OF THE YEAR AWARD Presented by Douglas Klamp, M.D., Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Education Officer, and Physician Chair of Resident and Fellow Talent Acquisition, and Program Director For the intern who has gone above and beyond and demonstrated the highest degree of altruism, accountability, duty and respect for others

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO INTERNAL MEDICINE GRADUATES Presented by Kristen Welch, Coordinator, Internal Medicine, Douglas Klamp, M.D., and Timothy Burke, D.O., Associate Program Director

REGIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Presented by Amatus Legbedion, M.D., Chief Resident For the faculty member who has most demonstrated excellence in teaching

INTERN OF THE YEAR AWARD Presented by Amatus Legbedion, M.D., Chief Resident For the intern who has gone above and beyond and demonstrated the highest degree of altruism, accountability, duty and respect for others

SOCIETY OF TEACHERS OF FAMILY MEDICINE AWARD Presented by Amatus Legbedion, M.D., Chief Resident For the individual who has demonstrated interest in teaching medical students, participation in patient education, peer teaching and is valued as a teacher by patients and peers

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO REGIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE GRADUATES Presented by Lauren Molinaro, Coordinator, Family Medicine, and Stephanie Gill, M.D., MPH, Program Director

Closing Remarks Harold Baillie, Ph.D., and Helayna Szescila

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The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Yaser Khalid, D.O. Future Plans: Non-Invasive Cardiology

Fouzia Oza, M.D. Future Plans: Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship Harbor UCLA Medical Center Los Angeles, CA

GERIATRICS

Muhammad Ishaq, M.D. Future Plans: Resident Physician Rochester Regional Health Rochester, NY

NATIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE

Jacob Darnell, D.O., M.A. Stephanie Egwuatu, D.O. Future Plans: Future Plans: Addiction Family Medicine Physician Medicine Fellowship University of Washington Boise, ID

Joshua George, D.O. Future Plans: Family Medicine Attending Temple University Family Physicians Philadelphia, PA

Sandya George, D.O. Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician Baylor Scott & White Health North Garland, TX

45 th ANNUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY | JUNE 22, 2024

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NATIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE

Katlyn Jones D.O., MPH Joshua Lloyd, D.O. Hsuan-Chieh Jasper Leonardo Mejia, D.O. Future Plans: Future Plans: Luoh, D.O. Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician Family Medicine Physician Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician TMC One Granger Medical Family Medicine Physician TMC One Tucson, AZ Holladay, Utah Seattle, WA Tucson, AZ

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Fatema Nassar, D.O. Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician TriHealth Liberty Township, OH

Leon Nguyen, D.O. Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician/Hospitalist Sutter North Medical Group Yuba City, CA

Alisa Pham, D.O., M.S. Dunal Riveland, D.O. Future Plans: Future Plans: Rural Maternal and Child Family Medicine Physician Health Fellow WVU School of Medicine Martinsburg, WV

Enne Shah, D.O. Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician Float Provider HealthPoint WA

Emily Silberstein, D.O. Future Plans: Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine University of Rochester Primary Care Network Rochester, NY

Mary Tabakin, D.O. Wei-Jen Yankelevich, Future Plans: D.O., Ph.D. Family Medicine Physician Future Plans: Chevy Chase, Maryland Family Medicine Physician Mid-Atlantic Kaiser Permanente Silver Spring, MD

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Udit Asija, M.D. Future Plans: Gastroenterology Fellowship The Wright Center Scranton, PA

Maria Rose Dominic, M.D. Jawahar Durrani, M.D. Future Plans: Future Plans: Endocrinology Fellowship Hospitalist Ochsner Clinic Foundation Bayview Physicians Group New Orleans, LA Suffolk, VA

Sadaf Fatima, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist

Kyle Fistner, D.O. Future Plans: Addiction Medicine Fellowship Geisinger Scranton, PA

Naeem Ijaz, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist United Health Services Binghamton, NY

Peter Iskander, M.D. Future Plans: Gastroenterology Fellowship The Wright Center Scranton, PA

Ayushi Jain, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist NYC Health & Hospital Bronx, NY

Apeksha Kakkar, M.D. Future Plans: Infectious Disease Fellowship University of Florida Gainesville, FL

Gursharan Kaur, M.D. Future Plans: Primary Care Peace HealthGroup Sedro-Woolley, WA

Abhaya Khatiwada, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist Mercy Hospital Springfield, MO

Aishwarya Krishnaiah, M.D. Future Plans: Infectious Disease Fellowship University of California Irvine, CA

45 th ANNUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY | JUNE 22, 2024

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INTERNAL MEDICINE

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Aamir Makda, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist Apogee Physicians Milford, DE

Sandeep Mandal, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist CCHS, University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL

Sajeel Mirza, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist Bay View Physicians Group Suffolk, VA

Mohammed Musa Najmuddin, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist TidalHealth Salisbury, MD

Sarasija Natarajan, M.D. Future Plans: Pulmonary Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine University of Florida Jacksonville, FL

Lakshmi Pappoppula, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist Carolina East Medical Center New Bern, NC

Preya Patel, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist

Aniqa Raheem, M.D. Future Plans: Internal Medicine Faculty Arkansas

Khadijah Sajid, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist St. Luke’s Allentown, PA

Chilsia Shafi, M.D. Future Plans: Infectious Disease Fellowship University of Florida Gainesville, FL

Ali Shah, M.D. Future Plans: Nephrology Transplant Fellowship University of Chicago Chicago, IL

Sabeeka Shah, M.D. Future Plans: Infectious Disease Fellowship Brown University Providence, RI

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Sumnima Shrestha, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist Carolina East Medical Center New Bern, NC

Omar Syed, M.D. Future Plans: Endocrinology Fellowship University of Central Florida Orlando, FL

Mashu Shrivastava, M.D. Future Plans: Endocrinology Fellowship SUNY Upstate Syracuse, NY

Shila Simkhada, M.D. Future Plans: Hospitalist UnityPoint Health Sioux City, IA

Syed Zaidi, M.D. Lekha Yadukumar, M.D. Future Plans: Future Plans: Hospitalist Hematology & Oncology Great River Health System Fellowship West Burlington, IA University of Iowa Iowa City, IA

Aayushi Sood, M.D. Future Plans: Endocrinology Fellowship UH Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH

Jiayi Zheng, M.D. Future Plans: Clinical Fellowship Barnes-Jewish Hospital St. Louis, MO

45 th ANNUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY | JUNE 22, 2024

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REGIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE

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Tony AbdelMaseeh, M.D. Future Plans: Family Medicine Physician Highland Physicians Family Health Center Honesdale, PA

Neil Espiritu, M.D. Future Plans: Primary Care Physician Sutter Health Modesto, CA

Vivek Gautam, M.D. Future Plans: Outpatient Family Medicine Physician

Lehigh Valley Health Network Allentown, PA

Ruhi Goraya, M.D. Future Plans: Outpatient Family Medicine Physician Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Aniq Hakim, M.D. Future Plans: Outpatient/Inpatient Hybrid Family Medicine Physician Ontario, Canada

Anitesh Jaswal, M.D. Future Plans: Inpatient/Outpatient Adult Practice Parrish Medical Center Titusville, FL

Amatus Legbedion, M.D. Future Plans: Outpatient Family Medicine Physician The Wright Center Scranton, PA

Edwin Mogaka, M.D., Ph.D. Future Plans: Primary Care Physician Lehigh Valley Hospital Tobyhanna, PA

Mohana Partheeban, M.D. Nirshanthika Future Plans: Raviendren, M.D. Geriatrics Fellowship Future Plans: Duke University Outpatient Family School of Medicine Medicine Physician Durham, NC Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Omar Saeed, M.D. Future Plans: Outpatient Primary Care Physician Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Ankit Sethi, M.D. Future Plans: Outpatient Family Medicine Physician Blue Oak Medical Clinic Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education

REGIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE

Sahil Sharma, M.D. Safwaan Suleman, M.D. Future Plans: Future Plans: Outpatient Family Outpatient Family Medicine Physician Medicine Physician Vancouver, British Columbia, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Canada

DENTAL NYU Langone Dental Medicine Postdoctoral Program for Advanced Education in General Dentistry

Rishi Priyanka Michael Joseph Regan, DMD Mallampalli, BDS Future Plans: Future Plans: Dentist Advanced Standing Program The Wright Center for International Dentists Wilkes-Barre, PA Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA

45 th ANNUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY | JUNE 22, 2024

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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 Gerard J. Geoffroy | Chair Deborah Kolsovsky | Vice Chair Mary Marrara | Secretary Kenneth Okrepkie | Interim Treasurer Pedro L. Anes • Mary Ann Chindemi, R.N. • Patricia Desouza • LeeAnn Eschbach, Ph.D. Kim Heritsko • Tracy Hunt • Mary Klem, M.S., R.D., CSO, LDN • Richard Krebs Lewis Marcus • Joseph Marinelli, R.Ph., MBA • Ellen Walko

THE WRIGHT CENTER FOR GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP | President and Chief Executive Officer Harold Baillie, Ph.D. | Chair James Gavin | Vice Chair Carol Rubel | Secretary Teri Ooms | Treasurer Jumee Barooah, M.D., FACP, DIO, Ex-Officio, Non-Voting • Peter Amato, DNM • Holly Binnig, M.D. Ronald Bukowski • Ariane Conaboy, D.O. • Michael Curran • Crystal Berry • Sharon Obadia, D.O. • Michael J. Paglia, M.D., Ph.D. • Scott Schermerhorn, Esq. • Douglas Spegman, M.D. • Debra Youngfelt

THE WRIGHT CENTER FOR PATIENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D., FACP, FAAP | Co-Chair Mary Marrara | Co-Chair LeeAnn Eschbach, Ph.D. | Vice Chair Ellen Walko | Secretary Gerard J. Geoffroy | Immediate Past Chair | Interim Treasurer Ayushi Jain, M.D. | Chief Resident Liaison Yash Despande M.D. | Resident Leader Liaison Pedro L. Anes • Gail Cicerini • Paul Haugland • Charlie Hemak • Lorraine Lupini Kari Machelli, R.N. • Jacob Miller, M.D. • Girard Petula, Ed.D. • Sarah Quinlin-Sheridan Carol Rubel • Tammy Saunders • Melissa Simrell In loving memory of William M. Waters, Ph.D., Former Vice Chair, The Wright Center for Community Health; and Former Co-Chair, The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement

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.

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The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education

MISSION:

To improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services 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, and innovation to be the leading model of primary health care in America.

VALUES:

Do the Wright thing Be privileged to serve Be an exceptional team player Strive for excellence Be driven for great results Spread positivity

45 th ANNUAL GRADUATION CEREMONY | JUNE 22, 2024

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Stay In Touch Visit TheWrightCenter.org to stay up-to-date with the latest news and events.

Photographs from tonight’s event will be available on TheWrightGraduation.org #THEWRIGHTGRADS2024