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General Surgery Residency
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General Surgery Residents

The Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center General Surgery Residency Program is designed to provide trainees with clinical and academic skills to prepare for future roles as academic surgical leaders.

For a list of our residency graduates, please see our Alumni page.


5th Year Residents

Aria Bassiri, MD

Aria Bassiri, MD

  • Hometown: Tehran, Iran
  • College: University of Toronto, B.Sc. Cell and Molecular Biology, B.Sc. Human Biology: Health and Disease
  • Graduate education: Boston University, M.S. Medical Sciences
  • Medical school: Wayne State University School of Medicine
  • Why surgery? Because its the best field in medicine! See the problem, find the answer, and fix it.
  • Surgical and professional interests: Thoracic surgery, trauma surgery, medical education
  • Hobbies: Soccer, working out, watches, video games
  • What else should we know about you? I own 53 watches and counting
  • Favorite restaurant in Cleveland: Mabel’s BBQ
  • Any other interesting thing about Cleveland? The river once caught fire...
Louisa Chen, MD, MBA Preliminary

Louisa Chen, MD, MBA

  • Hometown: Canberra, Australia
  • College: University of California Irvine
  • Medical School: Dartmouth
  • Why surgery? The ability to intervene directly in disease processes and the opportunity to collaborate in the OR.
  • Surgical and professional interests: trauma, acute care surgery
  • Hobbies: photography, cooking, hiking
Jennifer Cui, MD

Jennifer Cui, MD

  • Hometown: San Diego
  • College: University of California, San Diego
  • Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
  • Why surgery? I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. Surgery allows for the perfect combination of medicine, art, and the physical ability to heal patients.
  • Surgical and professional interests: HPB surgery, surgical oncology, plastic surgery
  • Hobbies: Baking, hiking, exploring new places, art
  • Favorite Movies: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
  • Why did you choose UH?: UH clearly provides a strong and vigorous training program while prioritizing camaraderie within the residency at all levels!
Saher Zahra-Khan, MD

Saher Zahra-Khan, MD

  • Hometown: Wayne, PA
  • College: Villanova University, B.S. Chemical Engineering
  • Medical school: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
  • Why surgery? In addition to taking care of our diverse and complex patients inside and outside of the OR, there is so much knowledge, confidence, teamwork, and most importantly compassion to be gain in this field.
  • Surgical and professional interests: Colorectal Surgery, Abdominal Wall Reconstruction, Surgical Education
  • Hobbies: Bouldering, playing Scrabble, working out, happy hour, anything social
  • Most scenic spaces in Cleveland: Hilton Downtown Rooftop Bar, Edgewater Beach
  • What is one piece of advice you would like to share? The best advice I’ve heard so far is that you are never alone. There are always people around you here that are both able and happy to help! So never be afraid to reach out.
Alexander Kreger, MD

Alexander Kreger, MD

  • Hometown: Chagrin Falls, OH
  • College: Duke University, B.S. Neuroscience
  • Medical school: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
  • Why surgery? I like doing things with my hands, and I enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the rotation in medical school.
  • Surgical and professional interests: Pediatric surgery, minimally invasive surgery
  • Hobbies: Soccer, tennis
  • What else should we know about you? My parents are both accountants and I was born on Tax Day.
  • Best pizza in Cleveland: Il Rione
Alexander Loftus, MD

Alexander Loftus, MD

  • Hometown: Buffalo, NY
  • College: Cornell University, B.S. Biological Sciences
  • Medical school: University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
  • Why surgery? I want to become a surgeon for the opportunity to deliver compassionate, cutting edge, and safe care to my patients. I believe that as I surgeon I will be able to use both interventional and medical treatment to help patients.
  • Surgical and professional interests: Surgical Oncology, Surgical Critical Care
  • Hobbies: Snowboarding, water activities, Cooking & Beer
  • Research Interests: Melanoma & Pancreatic Cancer Metabolism and Novel Therapies, Cancer Surgery Outcomes
  • Favorite restaurant in Cleveland: Zhug
Daniel Mowoh, MD

Daniel Mowoh, MD

  • Hometown: Bamenda, Cameroon
  • College: University of Maryland, College Park
  • Medical school: Howard University College of Medicine
  • Why surgery? Surgery is the specialty where we see our patients at their most vulnerable and a lot of times on their worst days so we become instruments capable of changing the course of their lives. I couldn’t think of a more rewarding and humbling endeavor that I get to partake in as take responsibility for my patients while advocating for them at their most vulnerable.
  • Surgical and professional interests: I am very passionate about healthy lifestyle and weight loss hence I became drawn to MIS bariatric surgery.
  • Hobbies: Playing soccer, biking, watching anime, and reading manga.
  • What else should we know about you? Baking enthusiast
  • Favorite restaurant in Cleveland: Morton’s Steakhouse
  • What do you reflect on at the end of a day of residency? I reflect on the immense honor it is to be given the opportunity to take care of my patients. I reflect on limitations that I could improve to make my patient’s care more optimal and strive to let every day be an opportunity to improve upon my previous day.
  • Any important thoughts to share with new residents: Amidst the hustle and bustle of being new interns, always make sure caring for your patients come first.
Heming Hannah Zhao, MD

Heming "Hannah" Zhao, MD

  • Hometown: Blacksburg, Virginia
  • College: Cornell University: B.S. Biological Engineering
  • Medical school: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
  • Why surgery? I love to operate, being in the OR, and managing surgical patients.
  • Surgical and professional interests: Undecided for now
  • Hobbies: Hiking, Spartan race, hanging out with friends
  • Greatest accomplishment: Completing a Spartan race

4th Year Residents

Christina Boutros, DO

Christina Boutros, DO

  • Hometown: Oyster Bay, NY
  • College: New York Institute of Technology
  • Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Why Surgery: The fast pace, ability to master a skill, and the ability to make an immediate and tangible impact on a patient’s life.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Surgical Oncology, Thoracic Surgery
  • Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, playing guitar, playing with my dog, travel
  • Any important thoughts to share with new residents: Always be happy to help and keep a smile on your face! :)
Megan Chiu, MD

Megan Chiu, MD

  • Hometown: West Lafayette, IN
  • College: Purdue University
  • Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine
  • Why surgery? Where do I start? I love being able to support patients during what may be for many a scary and intimidating process. I enjoy how patientcentered the specialty is. As part of a surgical team, everyone is focused and dedicated to finding solutions and providing the best care for patients through dedication, innovation and collaboration.
  • Surgical and professional interests: Pediatric Surgery, Global/Rural Surgery, Surgical Innovation, Health Disparities
  • Hobbies: Baking, Cooking, Eating (all things food in general!), spending an inordinate amount of money and time on my future dog(s)
Susan Doh, MD

Susan Doh, MD

  • Hometown: Glenview, IL
  • College: University of Chicago
  • Medical school: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago
  • Why surgery? I love operating and the teamwork involved, the breadth of the field, the technological applications of surgical care, and the capability to directly improve patients’ health and lives.
  • Surgical and professional interests: Surgical oncology, disparities in surgical outcomes, surgical education, systems improvement, sustainability research within the field of surgery
  • Hobbies: Cooking, Biking, Hiking, rock climbing, travel, playing music, crocheting
  • Fun fact about Cleveland? Bill Watterson, the artist and author of the comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes,” grew up in Cleveland.
  • Any important thoughts you’d like to share with new residents? Never stop learning, ask for help, and build in time for people and things you care about, find the humor and joy in small things.
Erik Risa, MD

Erik Risa, MD

  • Hometown: Seattle, WA
  • College: Santa Clara University
  • Medical School: University of Washington
  • Why surgery? As someone interested in trauma, burns, and critical care, I’m fascinated by the way surgeons intervene and rapidly influence the care of critically ill patients in high acuity settings. I found it very meaningful to care for patients at all stages of their hospitalization, from rapid diagnosis and management in the ER or trauma bay, to the OR or ICU, and finally to eventual recovery and discharge.
  • Surgical and professional interests: Trauma, burns, critical care, health services research
  • Hobbies: Golf, my two Golden Retrievers, sous vide cooking
  • Favorite Movies: Saving Private Ryan, Terminator 2, Good Will Hunting, Star Wars Empire Strikes Back
  • Favorite Food: Steak
  • Favorite Sport: Lacrosse
  • Favorite Game: Settlers of Catan
  • Why did you choose UH?: I was first pointed to UH at the strong suggestion of my mentors, and was very impressed by the excellent breadth and depth of surgical training as well as the opportunities for research through UH RISES. Additionally, I greatly enjoyed my interactions with residents and faculty on interview day, and appreciated how well residents got along and how excited they were to share their program with prospective residents. Finally, I really connected with some of the mission statements of the program with regards to training future leaders in surgery. 
  • What else should we know about you? I couldn’t be more excited about the next 5 years in Cleveland!
Julia Specht, MD

Julia Specht, MD

  • Hometown: Green Bay, WI
  • College: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Why Surgery: I loved working with my hands and loved being in the operating room. It’s rewarding to be able to make immediate and lasting changes that better the health of my patients.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Minimally invasive/bariatric surgery, breast surgery
  • Hobbies: knitting, baking, taking care of my plants and exploring Cleveland with friends
Kallie Wynens, MD

Kallie Wynens, MD

  • Hometown: Atlanta, GA
  • College: The University of Georgia B.S. Biology, B.A. Spanish
  • Medical School: The Medical College of Georgia
  • Why Surgery: I felt at home the very first time I walked into an OR. After seeing the immediate impact that surgeons have on patients’ lives, I knew there was no other specialty that would be as rewarding.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Undecided but potentially pediatric surgery, trauma/critical care, or breast surgery
  • Hobbies: Running, painting, traveling, trying new restaurants and breweries, candle making, attempting to be a plant mom
  • Any important thoughts to share with new residents: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make mistakes

3rd Year Residents

Natalie Chakraborty, MD

Natalie Chakraborty, MD

  • Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • College: Baylor University
  • Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
  • Why surgery? Surgeons get to work with their hands in the OR and to see their work immediately impact patient outcomes. Patient-surgeon relationships are so unique and special because they require such a high level of trust!
  • Surgical and professional interests: Surgical oncology, breast surgery, trauma/critical care
  • Hobbies: Cooking, exploring new restaurants and bars, walking my dog, traveling, reading
  • Favorite Movies: Pretty Woman, Gone Girl, Promising Young Woman
  • Favorite Food: Seafood
  • Favorite Sport: Basketball
  • Favorite Game: Card games, fish bowl
  • Why did you choose UH?: UH is a strong academic program that I knew would prepare me to accomplish my career goals.  I was impressed by the breadth of residents’ exposure to complex pathology and high level critical care and by the collaborative training environment and genuine friendship among the residents!
  • What else should we know about you? I love entertaining/hosting and will never say no to happy hour!
Hamza Nasir Chatha, MD

Hamza Nasir Chatha, MD

  • Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
  • College/Medical School: Shifa College of Medicine, Pakistan
  • Why Surgery: I enjoy the physicality and technicality of this field as well as the ownership you have of your patients. I also love the teamwork in surgery where we all work towards one common goal: the betterment of our patients!
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Surgical Oncology, Colorectal Surgery, Cardiothoracic, MIS, Surgical Education, and Clinical Outcomes Research
  • Hobbies: Basketball, Soccer, Hiking, Swimming, and travelling with my wife (Basically anything that involves sports and physical activity)
  • Any important thoughts to share with new residents: It is very important to find genuine mentors early on. They have a tremendous impact in shaping your career!
  • Please add anything additional that you would like to share:  I love to socialize and try out new food!
Tal Eitan, MD

Tal Eitan, MD

  • Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
  • College: Case Western Reserve University
  • Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
  • Why surgery? I appreciate the different roles that surgery can play in different disease processes and the patient empowerment that accompanies goals of care discussions. I’m also motivated by the teamwork, trust, and camaraderie that surgery uniquely creates, both among the surgical team and with patients.
  • Surgical and professional interests: Thoracic, transplant, HPB, colorectal
  • Hobbies: Playing ice hockey
  • Favorite Movies: Good Will Hunting, Miracle
  • Favorite Sport: Ice hockey
  • Why did you choose UH?: The staff are incredible to work with. They are encouraging when they challenge each resident to and beyond the appropriate level. Everyone seems to be invested in the professional and personal success of each resident. Additionally, UH is a research powerhouse that trains many successful academic surgeons.
Jessica Hungate, MD

Jessica Hungate, MD

  • Hometown: Sugar Land, TX
  • College: University of Texas at Austin
  • Medical school: Texas Tech University – El Paso
  • Why surgery? Surgery is the perfect combination of hands-on intervention and immediate results. Also, surgery allows me to support patients during some of the most difficult times of their lives.
  • Surgical and professional interests: Trauma/critical care, vascular surgery
  • Hobbies: Travel, yoga, exploring Cleveland
Trisha Lal, MD

Trisha Lal, MD

  • Hometown: Varanasi, India but mostly lived in Boston/DC my whole life
  • College: University of Maryland, College Park
  • Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
  • Why surgery? Because I love the balance between clinic and the OR, I love using my hands, and I appreciate the privilege of meeting patients and being able to help them during their most vulnerable moments.
  • Surgical and professional interests: Undecided in terms of surgical subspecialties but passionate about health equity and hope to engage in disparity research.
  • Hobbies: Painting, cooking, yoga, travel, binging reality television
  • Favorite Food: Asian cuisine
  • Favorite Sport: Basketball (go Celtics!)
  • Why did you choose UH? Because I could tell from even a virtual interview environment that this would be an incredibly supportive environment of inspirational colleagues and mentors who will push me to be my best! And also get my dry sense of humor:)
Emily Simon, MD

Emily Simon, MD

  • Hometown: Portville, NY
  • College: University of Rochester
  • Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
  • Why surgery? The pace, technical skill, team dynamic and special relationship with surgical patients felt like a space where I could be happy and passionate about going to work
  • Surgical and professional interests: Colorectal surgery, breast surgery
  • Hobbies: Running, trying out new breweries and food, boating and kayaking
  • Favorite Movies: David Fincher films
  • Favorite Food: Sushi, anything spicy 
  • Favorite Sport: Swimming and all Cleveland sports teams
  • Favorite Game: Clue
  • Who Inspired you to pursue medicine? My parents (who love helping people in their jobs as educators)
  • Why did you choose UH? I loved the culture, academic focus and patient population at UH from my first  MS3 clerkship. The surgical faculty and residents just felt like my people
Ananye Tawde, MD

Ananya Tawde, MD

  • Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
  • College: University of Akron, B.S. Natural Sciences
  • Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
  • Why Surgery: it combines all aspects of medicine and gives you hands-on work
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: ACS/Trauma
  • Hobbies: crocheting, art
  • Please add anything additional that you would like to share: I’m a cat person

2nd Year Residents

Mina Ayad, MD

Mina Ayad, MD

  • Hometown: Lake Forest, California
  • College: University of California, Irvine
  • Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: I found myself drawn to the gratification of having an impact on patients that is direct, profound, and often definitive, as well as the opportunity to engage with cutting edge surgical technology and clinical research.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Research (Clinical and Basic Science), leadership, medical education, and community outreach and service
  • Hobbies: Weightlifting, running, reading, hiking, and cooking
  • Please add anything additional that you would like to share: I’m a cat dad and would die for her.
Kelly Chambers, MD

Kelly Chambers, MD

  • Hometown: San Diego, California
  • College: Mount Holyoke College, B.A Biology and Gender Studies
  • Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: The combination of real time problem solving, technical skill, and complex medical management. And the people — the comradery is unmatched.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Minimally invasive surgery, trauma and surgical critical care, colorectal
  • Hobbies: Cycling, hiking, anything outdoors
Jean Dai, MD, MBA

Jean Dai, MD, MBA

  • Hometown: Amarillo TX
  • College: University of Chicago
  • Medical School: Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: I love the immediate, significant impact that surgery can make on patient lives and the wide range of disease processes and patient populations that general surgery encompasses. During my surgical rotations, I enjoyed being part of a team in the OR and the hands-on nature of the field. I knew I wanted to not only become a technically skilled surgeon but also advocate for patients and serve as a comforting guide through an often scary and vulnerable experience.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: endocrine surgery, breast surgery, surgical oncology; healthcare systems, health equity and education
  • Hobbies: hiking, long distance running, hot yoga, snowboarding, crocheting, dressing up my dog in funny outfits
Eleanor Lasch, MD

Eleanor Lasch, MD

  • Hometown: South Newfane, Vermont
  • College: Johns Hopkins University
  • Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: Surgery was by far my favorite rotation during medical school. I love working with my hands and appreciate the immediacy of surgery, as well as the opportunity it offers to provide definitive, often curative, care.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Undecided but possibly trauma/ACS, healthcare disparities research  
  • Hobbies: Cooking, reading, basketball, watching TV, hanging out with my cats
Stewart Maxfield, MD

Stewart Maxfield, MD

  • Hometown: Holladay, UT
  • College: Brigham Young University
  • Medical School: University of Massachusetts
  • Why Surgery: I love working with my hands, and I love the variety that general surgeons see every day. I love the "can-do" attitude that infects our profession and the fact that we have the tools to solve (almost) any problem - be it surgical or medical.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Minimally Invasive Surgery, surgical education
  • Hobbies: When I'm not playing board games, I love to take my family camping, hiking, or kayaking. 
  • Any important thoughts to share with new residents: I'm a dad to two wonderful girls (Riley & Lydia)
Sanath Patil, MD

Sanath Patil, MD

  • Hometown: Wilmington, DE
  • College: Pennsylvania State University         
  • Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
  • Why Surgery: I love working with my hands and I loved anatomy in med school
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, Quality Improvement
  • Hobbies: Basketball, Pickleball, Badminton, Snowboarding, Traveling
Anjali Sivamohan, MD

Anjali Sivamohan, MD

  • Hometown: Floyds Knobs, IN
  • College: Washington University in St. Louis
  • Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: I love working with my hands, fixing problems directly, and the OR is where my skills and curiosities come alive.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Pediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Surgical Education
  • Hobbies: Dancing, embroidery, traveling, puzzles
  • Any important thoughts to share with new residents: Always be curious and keep asking questions and finding answers.

1st Year Residents

Danielle Adams, MD

Danielle Adams, MD

  • Hometown: Arlington Heights, IL 
  • College: Miami University
  • Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: I became interested in surgery during my gap year, when working with a surgeon showed me how exciting and impactful the field can be. I’m also drawn to the teamwork, intensity, and problem-solving involved in caring for surgical patients.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Surgical oncology, surgical education
  • Hobbies: Baking, listening to audiobooks, sewing felt Christmas stockings 
Julia Byrd, MD

Julia Byrd, MD

  • Hometown: Memphis, TN
  • College: The University of Memphis, B.S. Biomedical Engineering
  • Medical School: The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
  • Why Surgery: I love the “whole physician” aspect of surgery. Surgeons diagnose, image, operate, monitor, and guide patients through recovery. 
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Trauma surgery, critical care, burns
  • Hobbies: Knitting, weightlifting, running, and playing with my dog Roxanne
  • Please add anything additional that you would like to share: Languages: English and Spanish (MX)
Emily Frucci, MD

Emily Frucci, MD

  • Hometown: Grosse Ile, MI
  • College: University of Michigan
  • Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: Such a fascinating profession where you get to apply medical knowledge, surgical precision, incredible technology, and a personal investment in bettering your skills in a real-time management of our patients' burdens
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Undecided for now but I really enjoy working in the abdomen!
  • Hobbies: cooking, crafting, reading, swimming, hiking, rock-climbing & skiing
Yifan Liang, MD

Yifan Liang, MD

  • Hometown: Atlanta, GA/Wuhan, China
  • College/Graduate School: Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Medical School: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: I love the technical complexity of surgery and the way the whole team works together to solve problems. It’s a field that lets me build real connections with patients during their most vulnerable moments.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Trauma/Acute Care Surgery, Global Surgery
  • Hobbies: Making my friends try my cooking, Ultimate Frisbee, Rock Climbing, Cycling
  • Please add anything additional that you would like to share: I was a semi-professional pipe organist back in college!
Kiana Loo, MD

Kiana Loo, MD

  • Hometown: Honolulu, HI
  • College: Case Western Reserve University
  • Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
  • Why Surgery: Surgeons are some of the best patient advocates and leaders in patient care, research, and innovation. They have the privilege of caring for patients and their families during stressful times and can treat a wide breadth and acuity of the conditions.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: undecided, surgical education, community advocacy and health disparities 
  • Hobbies: running, travelling, hiking, & dancing
Lily Parker, MD

Lily Parker, MD

  • Hometown:  Melbourne, FL
  • College:  Florida State University
  • Medical School:  University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: It’s the best job in the world! A well-trained general surgeon can be depended on when patients are crashing or emergent, managing everything from trauma and acute abdomens to critically ill ICU patients. Additionally, the dedication of years towards the physical skills utilized in the OR makes the pursuit of surgery uniquely stimulating and rewarding.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Surgical Oncology, Trauma, Vascular 
  • Hobbies: Travel, horse riding, French Horn, Trumpet, vegan cooking
Alleigh Wiggs, MD

Alleigh Wiggs, MD

  • Hometown: Wilmington, NC
  • College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Why Surgery: I love working with my hands, and I continue to be amazed at how a trip to the operating room can change someone’s life for the better.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Trauma, MIS, Surgical Ethics
  • Hobbies: I love playing beach volleyball, needlepointing, and cooking.
  • Please add anything additional that you would like to share: I lived in Japan for two years as a kid!
Austin Chiu, MD Preliminary

Austin Chiu, MD - Preliminary

  • Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
  • College: Cornell University
  • Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: Surgery combines a broad knowledge of pathophysiology with a technical skillset
  • to directly address those problems. I also enjoy the camaraderie and teamwork within the field.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Critical care, medical education, clinical research
  • Hobbies: Reading, cooking, physical fitness
Kerolous Eldeeb, DO – Preliminary

Kerolous Eldeeb, DO – Preliminary

  • Hometown: Seven Hills, OH
  • College: The Ohio State University, B.S. Biomedical Engineering / Case Western Reserve, M.S. Biomedical Engineering
  • Medical School: Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Why Surgery: From a young age, I was driven by a curiosity to understand how things work, often taking objects apart and reassembling them. During my engineering training, I developed an appreciation for the complexity of medical devices and their role in patient care. Through this, I came to view surgery as a field grounded in innovation, in particular, embodying the intersection of technical precision and real-time problem-solving, making it an extension of my desire to build and improve solutions that directly impact patient outcomes.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Neurosurgery, Oncology, Medical device development
  • Hobbies:  Reading, photography, cooking, traveling, and board games with friends.
  • Please add anything additional that you would like to share I have visited over 400 cities since 2012.
Aman Hadgu, MD - Preliminary

Aman Hadgu, MD - Preliminary

  • Hometown: Lansing, MI    
  • College: University of Michigan        
  • Medical School: University of Illinois Chicago
  • Why Surgery: I chose surgery because it combines technical skill, critical thinking, and the opportunity to make an immediate impact on patients' lives.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Trauma & Critical Care
  • Hobbies: Sports, Watching TV, Spending time with family and friends
Taylor Kenyon, MD, - Preliminary

Taylor Kenyon, MD, - Preliminary

  • Hometown: Zionsville, IN 
  • College: Wabash College, B.A. Biology 
  • Graduate Education: Indiana University School of Medicine, M.S. Cellular Biology and Integrative Physiology; Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, M.P.H. Health Policy and Management 
  • Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine 
  • Why Surgery: I was drawn to surgery because it combines technical skill, critical decision-making, and meaningful impact on patients’ lives. I value the opportunity to directly treat complex disease while working within a highly collaborative environment. Surgery also aligns with my commitment to continual growth, adaptability, and service during some of patients’ most vulnerable moments. 
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: My interests include academic surgery, thoracic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, surgical oncology, outcomes research, and healthcare disparities. I am particularly interested in combining clinical practice with research focused on improving access, quality, and equity in surgical care. 
  • Hobbies: Outside of medicine, I enjoy hiking, fitness, coffee shops, podcasts, photography, and exploring new cities and restaurants. 
  • Please add anything additional that you would like to share: I appreciate people who are curious, driven, and genuine. I do not currently have a dog of my own, but I am always happy to spend time with everyone else’s dogs. I look forward to continuing to grow throughout residency.
Shruti Kumari, MD - Preliminary

Shruti Kumari, MD - Preliminary

  • Hometown: India
  • College: N/A
  • Medical School: Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, India
  • Why Surgery: Surgery appeals to me because I feel I have an aptitude for a hands-on, procedural field and value the opportunity to manage acute conditions while making a direct and meaningful impact on patient care.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Neuroradiology, Interventional Radiology
  • Hobbies: Travel, Barre, Pilates, Fashion Design
  • Please add anything additional that you would like to share: I can solve the Rubik’s cube in under two minutes
Kevin K. Nguyen, MD - Preliminary

Kevin K. Nguyen, MD - Preliminary

  • Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
  • College: Vanderbilt University, B.A. Neuroscience; Medicine, Health, & Society
  • Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • Why Surgery: Surgery demands a deep understanding of pathophysiology and a mastery of technical skills to diagnose, intervene, and treat. Surgeons serve as the stewards of medicine, capable of making immediate and profound differences in patients’ lives. It is this unique responsibility and impact that draw me to the field of surgery.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Surgical Critical Care, Pediatric Surgery 
  • Hobbies: Anime, PC Gaming, Cooking, Gym, Drumming, Chess
Nicholas Ogrinc, MD - Preliminary

Nicholas Ogrinc, MD - Preliminary

  • Hometown: Cleveland
  • College: Providence College
  • Medical School: CWRU SOM
  • Why Surgery: I have always been interested in hobbies and sports that require honing skills through careful practice over time, perfecting minute movements. This interest matches surgery perfectly. A surgeon heals people with their hands by honing their skills, and they have a tangible impact on patient treatment. Additionally, patients undergoing surgery go through some of the toughest times of their lives. It is a privilege to provide compassionate care and guide them through the treatment process. 
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Oncologic surgery, voice surgery minimally invasive techniques 
  • Hobbies: Guitar, biking, sourdough baking 
Vishal Sundaram, MD - Preliminary

Vishal Sundaram, MD - Preliminary

  • Hometown: Solon, OH
  • College: Cornell University, B.A. Chemistry
  • Medical School: New York University Grossman School of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: I love mastering a hands-on craft and using it to help solve problems for others. 
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: orthopedic surgery, sports medicine
  • Hobbies: singing, playing musical instruments, running, trivia, cooking, basketball, Cleveland sports (go Cavs!)
Ethan Winter, MD - Preliminary

Ethan Winter, MD - Preliminary

  • Hometown: Lexington, MA
  • College: University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
  • Why Surgery: Surgery allows me to make meaningful impacts on patients’ lives through the mastery of technical skill, critical decision-making, and teamwork. I thrive in the collaborative, fast-paced environment of surgical care and value the constant pursuit of excellence that surgery demands.
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: exploring many surgical fields, medical education 
  • Hobbies: golf, soccer, fitness
Cynthia Uzoukwo, MD - Preliminary, Interventional Radiology

Cynthia Uzoukwo, MD - Preliminary, Interventional Radiology

  • Hometown: Maryland 
  • College: University of Maryland, College Park
  • Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University 
  • Why Surgery: I wanted to do a surgery intern year because I believe it would serve as a building block for the knowledge and expertise I need, to excel as an interventionalist 
  • Surgical and Professional Interests: Interventional Radiology/ Biomedical device innovation/ Global health 
  • Hobbies: watching horror movies and psychological thrillers, exploring new restaurants, cooking and trying new recipes 

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