Meet our Current Residents
The University Hospitals / Case Western Reserve University Urology Institute 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.
Resident Team Assist
Christabel Egemba, MD, MBA
Twitter handles: @Christabel_CE
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Undergraduate: Pomona College
Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Hobbies: playing guitar, creative writing, playing basketball, running (really any sport), keeping up with the latest TV shows and movies, playing board games, hanging with family and friends
Why Urology: Having the opportunity to meaningfully impact patients’ quality of life through the unique combination of the breadth and variety of surgeries, procedures, and medical management is what drew me to urology. I also love the field’s intersection with technological innovation and the ability to incorporate my public health interests, particularly health education and health outcomes based research. Of course, it helps that the people in urology are awesome to work with.
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: I have not spent too much time in Cleveland to know yet but I am excited to explore this city, including the parks and get involved in the local community and attend any fun events!
PGY 1
Melissa Boumitri, MD
Twitter handles: @dorsallithotomy
Hometown: Cleveland (Parma)
Undergraduate: Cleveland State University
Medical School: Wright State University
Hobbies: running, eating, hosting friends, spending time outside, spending money, TV + movie bingeing, anything that requires minimal thought or complexity
Why Urology: If I had to boil it down, it was the people first and the specialty second. As a first-gen high school graduate, I didn't have much guidance navigating medicine, but I was fortunate to find mentors who introduced me to this field and showed me what was possible. Through them, I fell in love with the unique mix of clinic, procedures, complex surgery, technology, and continuity of care that urology offers. My mentors got me through the door, and the magic and versatility of urology convinced me to stay.
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: My family! Also, biking the Towpath trail and getting to explore my hometown with my sweetie husband.
Aymara Evans
Twitter handles: @aymaraevans
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Undergraduate: University of Florida
Medical School: Temple University
Hobbies: pilates, building legos, snorkeling, nature walks, reading, and gaming
Why Urology: I'm drawn to urology because of its unique blend of innovative surgical technology, continuity of patient care, and diverse pathology.
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: I've only had the chance to visit Cleveland once for a few hours, so I haven't found a spot just yet. That said, I'm really looking forward to exploring the Cleveland Aquarium and taking in the natural beauty of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I'm excited to get to know the city and discover all it has to offer!
Deepa Raghavan, MD
Twitter handle: @leftureterMD
Hometown: West Bloomfield, MI
Undergraduate: University of Michigan
Graduate: University of Michigan
Medical School: Wayne State University
Hobbies: national parks, fish tanks, astrophotography, baking, yapping with Mel & Aymara, running away from bugs
Why Urology: While I love everything about urology, endourology is my favorite--I knew urology was for me after seeing my first PCNL. I'm always amazed by how minimally invasive treatments can lead to such drastic improvements in quality of life, and I also love exploring new devices & technology. Most importantly, it's a privilege to be trusted to help patients who are often in their most vulnerable states.
Favorite Things About Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, cherry pizza from Cent's, historical buildings/architecture, the Blue Angels F-4 phantom you can see from I-90
PGY 2
Muqsit Buchh
Hometown: South Bend, IN
Undergraduate: The University of Notre Dame
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Skiing, weightlifting, spikeball, traveling, playing any sports!
Why Urology: The more I saw of urology, the more I loved. The surgeries, the technology, the phenomenal people, the balance that so many urologists between work and family and their hobbies all brought me closer to the field.
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: I haven't spent much time in Cleveland but I am very excited to explore this new city and have heard such wonderful things from those who lived there.
Camilo Arenas Gallo
Twitter handle: @camiloareg
Hometown:strong> Bucaramanga, Colombia
Medical School: Universidad Industrial de Santander – Preliminary Internship General Surgery at BIDMC/Harvard Medical School
Hobbies: Road trips, weightlifting, plant-based cooking
Why Urology: I was drawn to urology for its constant innovation, the mix of big surgeries and small procedures, the wide range of pathologies, and the opportunity to build long-term patient relationships.
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: The Erie Lake views, Mitchell’s vegan ice cream flavors, and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.
Vignesh Sivaganesh, DO, PhD
Instagram handle: @viggy95
Hometown: Simi Valley, CA
Undergraduate: UC San Diego
Graduate school (PhD): Saint Joseph's University
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Basketball, skiing, traveling, cooking, eating, gaming
Why Urology: I found it fascinating that so many common but potentially life threatening urologic complications could be immediately fixed by accessing the kidney, ureter, and bladder through innovative and minimally invasive endoscopic methods. The multimodal approach that defines urology, including minimally invasive procedures, open surgeries, robot-assisted surgeries, and seeing patients in the clinic, appealed to my interest in solving complex diseases by using a mix of medicine, hands-on skills, and technology. I've also had the privilege of meeting incredible people in the field.
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: My wife and I are new to Cleveland, so we hope to explore and enjoy everything Cleveland has to offer!
PGY 3
Jad Badreddine
@JadBadreddine3
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Undergraduate: Lebanese American University
Medical School: LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine
Hobbies: Running, hiking, sleeping (former hobby), MMA fan, family activities
Why Urology: Interesting surgeries, diversity of clinical conditions, balanced mix of outpatient and inpatient care
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: The Metroparks, Mitchell's ice cream, Cavaliers, and the people. Going into my third year here in Cleveland and I proudly call this city my second home
Elizabeth Pagura
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame
Post-Bacc Program: Tufts University
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Dance, weightlifting, group fitness, theatre, crafting (especially knit and crochet), thrifting/vintage shopping and--most importantly--bothering Ilon and Jad.
Why Urology: I fell into a research position within a urology department prior to medical school, observed a major reconstructive surgery and the rest is history. I found that my passion for health justice is ingrained in the field as many urologic conditions intersect with disability and inequitable access to healthcare. Ultimately, the chance to improve someone's quality of life with a singular procedure and the privilege of providing care for sensitive issues made me fall in love with the specialty. It also doesn't hurt that urologists tend to be a fun-loving, welcoming and hilarious group.
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: Even though I grew up outside of Chicago, I was born in Cleveland. I am so excited to be back! The food and drink scene is fantastic, the historic park system is beautiful and the people are simply the best. If I had to pick one thing I love the most about Cleveland, it's the people.
Ilon Weinstein
@ilon_weinstein
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
Undergraduate: UNC Chapel Hill
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Hobbies: music (piano/synthesizers), video games, UNC basketball, pickleball, tennis, trivia, cooking, spending time with my wife and cats
Why Urology: huge range of surgeries and procedures, great patient population and awesome people in the field!
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, Third Fridays Artwalk, restaurant scene, and all Cleveland sports teams
PGY 4
Raymond Pominville, MD
@RayPominville
Hometown: Lowville, NY
Undergraduate: St. John Fisher University
Gap year: Emergency Medical Technician
Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo
Hobbies: Skiing, rock climbing, cooking, eating, golfing, and video games
Why Urology: The chance to form strong patient-surgeon relationships by being able to treat patients both surgically and medically over many years. The board range of procedures performed by urologists.
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: All of the great restaurants (on the West side)
Elizabeth Jackson, MD
@lizmjackson06
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Hobbies: jigsaw puzzles, dance, trying new foods, traveling, hiking, taking long walks outside as much as the weather allows
Why Urology: the relationships that develop from putting patients at ease discussing sensitive medical issues, the endless learning opportunities, the surgical complexity and expertise
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: after 8 (and counting) years here, there are still endless new cafes/restaurants/breweries to try, and I can afford to actually explore them :)
Dana Obery, MD
@Dana_Obery
Hometown: South Euclid, OH
Undergraduate: The College of Wooster
Graduate School: University of Toledo
Medical School: Wright State University Boonshoft SOM
Hobbies: Cooking, traveling, playing any/ all sports, and spending time with my wife and fur baby (our golden retriever).
Why Urology: My initial exposure to medicine was in a lab that several urology residents rotated through and I hit it off with them (many would say “I found my people”). Medical school only furthered my desire to pursue a career in urology as I was impressed by the breathe of procedures and the longevity of patient care with some of conditions that are treated in this field.
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: Oh my goodness, everything. The people, the unsuspecting food scene, the laughingly bad football history (excluding the Jim Brown, pre-Super Bowl era, of course), the sneaky good Broadway scene, and the banana cream pie ice cream from Mitchell’s Ice Cream come to mind. I might be somewhat biased as both my wife and I are born and raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, but still, it’s a wonderful place to live.
PGY 5
Daniel O'Brian, MD
I am originally from West Bloomfield, Michigan, and completed my undergraduate education at The Ohio State University before attending medical school at Northwestern University. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, or just relaxing and trying new food.
Kevin Parr, MD
Kevin was born and raised in Topeka, KS. In 2011, Kevin joined the Army, serving as a Combat Medic. Upon completion of his military term, which included a deployment to Afghanistan, Kevin moved to South Dakota where he received his bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University. Kevin went on to attend the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Today, when not at the hospital, Kevin and his partner, Kelli Jo, enjoy going for hikes and exploring all Cleveland has to offer with their miniature schnauzer, Twylla.
George Gheordunescu, MD
@GGheordunescu
Hometown: Livonia, MI
College: University of Michigan
Med School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Cheering on Michigan (and Cleveland) sports teams, playing soccer, working out, hiking, music, exploring downtown Cleveland
PGY 6
Laura Davis, MD
@LauraElizaDavis
Hometown: Lancaster, Kentucky
Undergraduate: University of Louisville, Vocal Performance
Graduate School: Westminster Choir College, Vocal Performance and Pedagogy
Medical School: University of Louisville
Hobbies: Hiking, fishing, canoeing, gardening, house plants, opera, ballet
Why Urology: I love the patient population and the chance you have to make a difference not only for the patients but for their families, particularly in urologic oncology.
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: The Botanical Garden and Holden Arboretum are AMAZING!
Matthew DeMasi, MD
@MattDeMasi2
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Undergraduate: Columbia University
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Academic Interests/Hobbies: All things urology, Soccer, Formula 1, Fitness, Marvel, Netflix, Hiking
Lauren Chew, DO
Twitter handles: @laur_chew
Hometown: Gibbstown, NJ
Undergraduate: East Carolina Universtiy
Medical School: PCOM - Georgia
Hobbies: Cooking, traveling, hiking, fishing, trying new restaurants, and cycling
Why Urology: There are so many reasons but first and foremost the people! It also offers the unique opportunity to build lasting patient relationships by providing both surgical and medical care while mastering a broad range of different surgeries.
Favorite Thing About Cleveland: The Metroparks, the food scene, and the passion that Clevelanders have for their city!