House Staff
House Staff Contact Information
If you wish to contact our residents, please email Peds_Chiefs@uhhospitals.org.
Pediatric Chief Residents
Kammeron Brissett, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Professional Interests: Advocacy, Social Determinants of Health, Underserved Communities, and Emergency Medicine
Personal Interests: Documentaries, True Crime, Skincare/Makeup, Traveling, trying new restaurants, Music, concerts, dance fitness, and spending time with family.
Why I Chose Rainbow: The reasons are endless! I loved the people during my interview and AI. I was challenged academically however the environment was also safe for questions and mistakes. Program leadership is responsive to resident input. The 6+2 schedule encourages resident wellness. Our ambulatory clinic has programs and services to address the total health of our underserved community. There are multiple avenues for mentoring and exploring specialty specific and other interest such as advocacy and global health. Lastly, Cleveland is a city with great character and much to explore as far as nightlife, restaurants, Metroparks, museums, theater district, sports and so much more!
Plans for next year: PEM Fellowship
Daniel “Danny” Himelstein
Hometown: Media, PA
Undergrad: Haverford College
Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Professional Interests: GI, medical education, advocacy
Personal Interests: Tennis, reading, cooking, being outdoors
Why I Chose Rainbow: During my interview day I was inspired by the camaraderie and friendship I saw amongst the residents. I loved the passion the faculty exuded for teaching and training the residents. I wanted to find a program that believed in serving the community they work in. I am excited by Rainbow’s intention to support Cleveland and work with community partnerships to provide the best care to their patients.
Plans for Next Year: GI Fellowship
Hannah Spellman, MD
Hometown: Sharon, MA
Undergrad: Barnard College, New York, NY
Medical School: Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Professional Interests: General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine, Medical Education, Bioethics.
Personal Interests: Reading YA literature, spending time outside, Israeli dance and tap dance.
Why I Chose Rainbow: Everyone here is kind, welcoming, and warm! I was drawn to the program’s values of humanism, compassion, and service. There is a deep commitment to the individual patient and the whole community, coupled with an emphasis on supporting each individual resident being their best self.
Plans for Next Year: Primary Care Pediatrics
Angeline Sawaya, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Westland, MI
Undergrad: Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
Professional Interests: Med/peds hospitalist, transitions of care, Global Health, local health disparities, healthcare for Spanish-speaking patients, pediatric camps
Personal Interests: Being a cat mom, traveling, exploring Cleveland, drinking coffee, eating lots of cheese, going to church, cooking new recipes!
Favorite Things About Cleveland: Cleveland has the amenities of a big city without the cost! I love to eat and try new restaurants, and Cleveland has too many to name. There is always a different neighborhood with a different vibe to explore: Ohio City, Tremont, Little Italy, the Flats, just to name a few!
Plans for Next Year: Med/Peds Hospitalist
PGY-1
Sarah Abdalian, DO
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad: Tulane University
Medical School: Kansas City University
Professional Interests: Hematology/Oncology, Research, Advocacy
Personal Interests: Trying new recipes, reading, going on walks, traveling
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the people. I could tell it was the type of place where everyone was so supportive and wanted to help each other succeed. I also was looking for a large academic center where I would gain exposure to a wide variety of pathologies and have the opportunity to participate in research.
Amanda Appel, MBBch, BAO
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Professional Interests: I am currently undecided but interested in hospital medicine, pulmonology, and endocrinology. I am also passionate about global health.
Personal Interests: Dancing, playing the ukulele, yoga, swimming, spending time with friends and family.
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because it was so clear to me on interview day that the program truly cares about resident learning and wellness! The residents seemed happy and supported. I really liked the Flight program where you have the opportunity to connect and learn with residents in different years in a smaller group setting. There are so many program initiatives, like the specialized tracks, that can help you explore your professional interests.
Samuel Baker, MD, MPH
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad: Tulane University
Medical School: LSU New Orleans
Professional Interests: Primary and preventative care, infectious diseases, and pulmonology
Personal Interests: Paddling, walking, appreciating Cleveland Heights gardens, and calling patients “bud”
Why did you choose Rainbow: I was so excited to be able to return home, in many ways! I was born at Rainbow, raised in Cleveland, and after spending so much time away, loved how friendly and familiar the folks at rainbow were on interview day. It feels very special to have the opportunity to help take care of the community that worked so lovingly to take care of me. In addition, the University Circle area makes me feel like I’m highfalutin’, which I appreciate!
Melissa Becker, MD
Hometown: Covington, KY
Undergrad: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Advocacy
Personal Interests: Pickleball, cooking and exploring new restaurants
Why did you choose Rainbow: I love that Rainbow is a large academic center, but the people make you feel as if you are part of their family. I really wanted to experience all types of disease processes from simple to complex, but not sacrifice knowing all of my co-residents and Rainbow is just that. Everyone here is so supportive and the program really puts residents first. I also love their commitment to advocacy and supporting the city of Cleveland.
Brooke Bidwell, MD
Hometown: Traverse, City, MI
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: St. George's University
Professional Interests: PICU vs Emergency Medicine, Global Health, Education
Personal Interests: Reading, hiking, traveling, spending time with my family, eating at new restaurants
Why did you choose Rainbow: I absolutely loved the program as a whole. It is a very resident-centered program, and from my first interview and meet-and-greet I felt very welcomed and supported. There are so many great opportunities such as the global health program, along with the Silver Junior team, and we are exposed to a lot of different pathologies. Plus, the X + Y schedule was a huge draw for me, and I love the balance and break that this schedule provides.
Megan Binder, MD
Hometown: East Canton, OH
Undergrad: Kenyon College
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Rural and underserved populations, comprehensive primary care, medical education
Personal Interests: Gardening, Peloton, NCAA basketball
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the comradery and culture between the residents and within the hospital itself as a stand-alone pediatric hospital. I also love the X+Y schedule, faculty teaching and living in Cleveland!
Sarah Branch, MD
Hometown: Allentown, PA
Undergrad: Franklin & Marshall College
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Emergency medicine, primary care, newborn nursery
Personal Interests: Painting, baking, singing, exercising, spending time with my husband and two cats
Why did you choose Rainbow: I was drawn to Rainbow due to the warmth of the house staff and the supportive nature of the clinical environment. I could tell Rainbow would help me to become the best pediatrician I could be while in a system that supported resident learning and well-being! I also love the dedicated clinic time residents get with the X+Y schedule; it allows us to be fully present in the clinic and nicely balances with the weeks of inpatient rotations. I am truly so happy to be part of this program and would not have it any other way!
Caroline Caldart, MD
Hometown: Avon Lake, OH
Undergrad: Ohio State University
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hospital Medicine, NICU, GI
Personal Interests: Baking, College Football. Audiobooks / Podcasts, Outdoor walks
Why did you choose Rainbow: I had amazing rainbow pediatricians as a kid and was so impressed with the program later as a medical student, and it's a nice bonus to be close to home!
Megan Cavataio, MD
Hometown: Escondido, CA
Undergrad: Whitworth University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: General pediatrics, continuity of care, community outreach, mentorship, medical education PICU vs Emergency Medicine, Global Health, Education
Personal Interests: For exercise, I enjoy hiking in the Metroparks and rock climbing (both bouldering and top rope at Shaker Rocks!). At home, I love cooking, taking care of my vegetable garden, reading, binge-watching TV shows, trying new restaurants, and embroidery. I also have two cats!
Why did you choose Rainbow: I did most of my medical school rotations at UH and absolutely loved my pediatric rotations at Rainbow! All the residents were kind and compassionate clinicians, supportive of the medical students, and seemed happy to work here. Being a large academic medical center, I knew I would get fantastic training to be a general pediatrician and my career interests would be supported by the awesome PD and APDs. I also fell in love with Cleveland during my time as a student here. I love the Metroparks, food scene, and accessibility!
Phoebe Dodge, MD
Hometown: Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Undergrad: Albion College
Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary Care
Personal Interests: Trying new restaurants and local coffee shops, yoga, cycling, visiting family in Michigan
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for several reasons!!! It was important to me to go to an x + y program where I felt the program really valued our overall well being. I also wanted to serve a diverse patient population which we see at Rainbow while training at a top children’s teaching hospital. On my interview day, I felt like my interviewers were really trying to get to know me as a person, which I valued. Cleveland is also a super cool Midwest city with many fun neighborhoods nearby! Rainbow and Cleveland feel like home already.
Amber Estes, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Tinley Park, IL
Undergrad: The University of Chicago
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: I have many interests and I see myself pursuing either primary care or a combined fellowship (infectious disease, cardiology, rheumatology...we'll see!). I am passionate about advocacy, LGBTQ+ medicine, community engagement, and medical education.
Personal Interests: I like to bake, cook, read, draw, dance, try new restaurants (there are many great ones in Cleveland), and check out the metro parks while birdwatching. I also always love spending time with my two cats.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I had a wonderful experience as a medical student and knew I would enjoy being here as a resident.
Caitlin Fernandez, MD
Hometown: Aurora, IL
Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
Professional Interests: Hematology/oncology, critical care, advocacy
Personal Interests: Gardening, baking, embroidery, rock climbing
Why did you choose Rainbow: One of the biggest factors that drew me to Rainbow was the program's commitment to serving the community. During my interview, I was really impressed learning about the Midtown clinic and how it was designed to improve access to healthcare. I also really appreciated the program's X+Y scheduling and dedication to resident wellness.
Bethany Giedman, MD
Hometown: Findlay, OH
Undergrad: Otterbein University
Medical School: Western Michigan Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hematology/oncology, medical education
Personal Interests: Playing piano, singing, reading, watching reality TV, online window shopping, spending time with friends and family
Why did you choose Rainbow: I felt so welcomed by the warm and genuine people that I interacted with during my interview day- I knew I'd feel at home and supported with this group of residents and faculty members. I love how the flight program gets you connected with mentors and a smaller group of co-residents. I am excited about the opportunities provided by the tracks and look forward to pursuing my interests in medical education and research!
Rachel Graf, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad: Ohio State University
Medical School: Ohio State University
Professional Interests: NICU, advocacy, medical education
Personal Interests: Reading, coffee shops, cocktails, traveling, weight lifting, yoga
Why did you choose Rainbow: Focus on serving the community, X+Y, strong fellowship matches, and rooted in neonatology history
Katherine Guilbo, MD
Hometown: East Greenbush
Undergrad: College of the Holy Cross
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Professional Interests: Critical care, hospital medicine
Personal Interests: Marathon running, the Buffalo Bills, Taylor Swift
Why did you choose Rainbow: My interview at Rainbow was my first (and favorite!) of the interview season. The residents were kind, welcoming, and down to earth at the virtual meet and greet. They seemed to genuinely enjoy each other’s' company. During the interview, I could tell that the faculty cared about the well-being and success of their residents. I had never visited Cleveland before, but after my interview I was ready to hike at the Metroparks, catch a Guardian’s' game, and soak up the sun at Edgewater Park. Schedule was also huge draw for me, and I love the balance and break that this schedule provides.
Kayla Harshman, MD
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Undergrad: St. Louis University
Medical School: St. Louis University
Professional Interests: Health Care Ethics, Disability Rights, primary care
Personal Interests: Swimming, cello, camping, hiking, video games, my cats, gardening, baking
Why did you choose Rainbow: This program was very welcoming and inviting on my interview day. They seemed to really value resident wellness alongside resident education. Cleveland is also an amazing city and has a medically and socially complex patient population that I really look forward to working with.
Mary Irwin, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergrad: Virginia Tech
Medical School: University of Cincinnati COM
Professional Interests: Dual hospitalist, critical care (PICU or MICU), adolescent + advocacy and med ed
Personal Interests: Plants, yoga, most popular fantasy series, trying local breweries, hiking, anime, reading a good book (fiction and nonfiction), ice cream (most varieties)
Why I Chose Rainbow: Great balance of excellent education/resources/PEM/specialists with supportive culture and ability to grow with graduated autonomy. Rainbow is also very cognizant of our unique patient population and prioritizes equitable healthcare + advocacy among its residents and faculty.
Andrea Janis, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Westport, Connecticut
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine, primary care, transitional care, medical education
Personal Interests: baking, hiking, dogs, live music
Why I Chose Rainbow: I had an incredible interview day that demonstrated camaraderie amongst residents, emphasis on resident education, and support for resident wellbeing. I love the x+y schedule, which is pretty rare for pediatric residency programs! Additionally, opportunities for advocacy, research and any other interests are endless.
Samantha Kauffman, MD
Hometown: Winamac, IN
Undergrad: Eastern Mennonite University
Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis
Professional Interests: Neonatology, Global Health
Personal Interests: My cats, trying new restaurants, reading/watching historical fiction
Why did you choose Rainbow: I wanted to stay in the Midwest, and I felt really warm and fuzzy and excited after my interview day. The X+Y schedule and tracks (specifically global health) were huge draws!
Jamie Kent, MD
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Undergrad: Miami University
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Advocacy, Work-Life Balance, Evidence-Based Medicine
Personal Interests: Animals (especially my dog), my partner and family, OSU football, watching movies, swimming
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the support they provide to residents both as new pediatricians and as people outside of work. Both work and home are top priorities in my life. I also love Ohio and Cleveland, obviously.
Tyler Langenfeld, MD
Hometown: Massillon, OH
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Cardiology, critical care, neonatology
Personal Interests: Cleveland sports, golf, video games, board games, reading, trivia nights at local breweries, exploring the city with my fiancé.
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow has everything I could possibly ask for in a training program: resources and support to pursue any career path I wish, opportunity to see every pediatric pathology under the sun, X+Y scheduling, and a deep commitment to serving the children of its community. In addition, Cleveland is only an hour from my hometown and is the city I grew up wanting to live in!
James McCarthey, MD
Hometown: Northern Kentucky
Undergrad: Berea College
Medical School: University of Louisville SOM
Professional Interests: I chose medicine as a career because of my experience as child in the hospital dealing with Juvenile idiopathic rheumatoid arthritis. With this experience, I have personal interest in Rheumatology. I did also enjoy my time in the NICU and general outpatient medicine.
Personal Interests: I have been learning Japanese since I was in college and still have an online tutor i see each week! In addition, I love reading fantasy, hiking, and playing video games.
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow was a clear choice for me after speaking with faculty and residents. It is a friendly environment that is truly supportive and seemed like an obvious choice for training. With great experts in a variety of specialties under the UH hospital/Case western system I felt that I would be well supported.
Kristen Mikhail, MD
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine - Grand Rapids
Professional Interests: Undecided, potentially allergy/immunology or primary care
Personal Interests: I like going to yoga, taking nice walks near our place by Edgewater beach. I love trying new yummy restaurant spots!
Why did you choose Rainbow: I loved Rainbow for their genuine energy that came across during my interview day. I felt that I would be well supported both in my professional goals and in my personal life, by allowing some life balance (X+Y) and being in a supportive environment amongst my peers and attendings/fellows. I felt that leadership cared for us as individuals and that we would be in a fun team environment, which I felt that I could thrive in!
Eli Moss, DO
Hometown: Ashland, Ohio
Undergrad: John Carroll University
Medical School: Ohio University
Professional Interests: Most likely Allergy and Immunology vs Outpatient vs less likely Undecided
Why did you choose Rainbow: The Program, Residents, Opportunity, and location
Dana Othman, MBBS
Hometown: Amman, Jordan/ Dubai, UAE
Undergrad: UAE
Medical School: University of Sharjah
Professional Interests: Emergency, PICU
Personal Interests: Reading, hikes, the beach!
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow felt like it would be a great place to turn into a home for the coming 3 years. The people, the tracks, X+Y scheduling, and the city setting all spoke to me.
Michaela Parker, MD
Hometown: Ashtabula, Ohio
Undergrad: Ohio State University
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Undecided, but interested in: primary care, hospital medicine, infectious disease
Personal Interests: Hiking, especially with my dog! Mushroom-hunting, paddle-boarding. I also play piano and am currently trying to learn ukulele.
Why did you choose Rainbow: Overall, I just had a great gut feeling when I interviewed at Rainbow. I love that we see a wide range of patients here and have the opportunity to treat all sorts of pathologies. There is also a strong emphasis on serving the community, which was important to me in choosing a residency program. I am also from Northeast Ohio originally and even stayed at the Rainbow NICU as a newborn, so I was thrilled to come back to Cleveland!
Rida Raza, MD
Hometown: Edmond, Oklahoma
Undergrad: University of Oklahoma
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Possibly Hospital Medicine
Personal Interests: sports, anime, puzzles, video games
Why did you choose Rainbow: good vibes, X+Y, and diverse learning opportunities!
Maria Roufaeil, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: University of Toledo
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Professional Interests: "Inpatient care - hospitalist or PICU potentially! Working with underserved populations"
Personal Interests: Reading, walks at the Metroparks, family time, movie nights with friends
Why did you choose Rainbow: The friends and family feel of the program really drew me to Rainbow. I could tell that everyone within the residency program was really invested in our learning and molding us into well-informed and culturally competent pediatricians. In addition, the X+Y program was a bonus as it really allows for a good work-life balance!
Nada Salman, MBBS, Peds Neurology
Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Medical School: Yarmouk University, Irbid
Professional Interests: General Pediatric Neurology, Neonatal Neurology
Personal Interests: Outdoor activities, listening to podcasts, spending time with my nephews
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow had all that I wanted for my training; a busy service allowing exposure to a variety of pathologies, and a diverse population; a top-notch NICU, many subspecialty clinics, and above all commitment to teaching.
Brandi Williams, DO
Hometown: Clearwater, FL
Undergrad: Elon University
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Neonatology, PEM, Medical education
Personal Interests: Traveling, reading, running, spending time with friends & family, and thrifting!
Why did you choose Rainbow: During my interview, it really felt like the program prioritized education and resident wellness while providing a supportive environment for growth. I was looking for a program that had X + Y scheduling, a medical education track, and the fellowship programs that I am interested in - Rainbow checked all of these boxes and more!
Jaysa Withey, DO, Med/Peds
Hometown: Flint, Michigan
Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Dual Hospitalist, Integrative Medicine, Global Medicine
Personal Interests: DIY Home decor, plants!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Supportive culture was very important to me.
Stephen Worrall, DO
Hometown: Reading, PA
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine- Seton Hill
Professional Interests: Cardiology or PEM.I was a paramedic before attending medical school, so there is always a draw to Emergency Medicine for me, but I also really enjoy the complex anatomy and physiology that comes along with congenital heart defects, along with the continuity of care you can establish with those patients!
Personal Interests: Nothing too crazy, I enjoy watching TV with my wife and our cat, reading, exercising, cooking and sleeping. I also enjoy playing video games and building computers when the time and money allows for it. What has been really fun lately is exploring the restaurants that CLE has to offer, along with its amazing Metro parks!
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow on paper checked off all of the boxes that I wanted. It is a medium-larger program with a good volume that caters to my learning style this is located in a good sized city with a lot to offer (don't sleep on Cleveland!). It has the resources available to help set me up for success if I decide to go onto fellowship. What sealed the deal for me was the interview day, from the beginning with Dr. Dell's speech where you could tell he pulled parts from everyone who was interviewing's application and related it to why you would be a good Pediatrician, all the way throughout my faculty interviews and into the social hour!
Audrey Wright, MD
Hometown: Owensboro, KY
Undergrad: University of Louisville
Medical School: University of Louisville SOM
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine, comprehensive care, LGBTQ+ health equity, eating disorder treatment, medical education
Personal Interests: Hiking, yoga, baking, reading, crossword puzzles, thrifting, listening to podcasts, visiting museums.
Why did you choose Rainbow: X+Y scheduling, program emphasis on wellness, supportive and close-knit residents, opportunities for outreach and advocacy
PGY-2
Rebecca Audette, MD
Hometown: Millbury, MA
Undergrad: University of New Hampshire
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Currently considering hospitalist or PICU. Also interested in research and MedEd
Personal Interests: Exploring new parks and hikes outdoors, crossword puzzles (especially with friends), baking, reading, watching tv/movies, exploring new breweries, spending time with friends
Why I Chose Rainbow: Even during my virtual interview I could tell that Rainbow was a supportive environment with a sense of community among residents. I appreciated that program leadership emphasized resident wellness initiatives and ways that they are trying to improve resident burnout including the X+Y schedule. I also was drawn to the strong emphasis on education and the education structure which creates a really well rounded residency experience.
Ashley Augustine, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, TN
Undergrad: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary Care, General Pediatrics
Personal Interests: Baking, cooking, yoga, hiking, hockey
Why I Chose Rainbow: My rotations at Rainbow really pushed my growth as a clinician because even as a new medical student, I was challenged to lead the care of my patients. Navigating this role was scary, but I felt supported by everyone I worked with, as so many residents and attendings encouraged and helped me embrace that position. This mixture of autonomy and mentorship, both in culture and curriculum, was something I held in high regard when I looked at residency programs, and Rainbow continually stood out. Add in my interest in x+y scheduling and the great Ophthalmology programs in Cleveland for my fiancé’s training and choosing Rainbow was a slam dunk. I am so thrilled to continue my training here!
Kati Baillie, MD
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Undergrad: University of New Mexico
Medical School: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Medical Education, undecided on specialty but interested in: pediatric emergency medicine, primary care, NICU, hospitalist
Personal Interests: Running, reading, snowboarding, hiking with my pup Millie, spending time with friends and family
Why I Chose Rainbow: The people, X+Y scheduling, exposure to so many sub-specialties, med-ed track, emphasis on wellness
Virginia Busby, MD
Hometown: Jenks, OK
Undergrad: Rice University
Medical School: University of Oklahoma
Professional Interests: Medical education, hospitalist vs. critical care
Personal Interests: I love puzzles (sudoku, kakuro, etc) and spending time with friends and family, especially if it involves food!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I love the X+Y schedule-it gives me so much peace of mind knowing that after every 6 weeks, I will have two guaranteed golden weekends. I also loved the tracks because I am very interested in medical education.
Elisabeth Cahill, MD
Hometown: Rocky River, Ohio
Undergrad: John Carroll University
Medical School: University of Toledo
Professional Interests: Critical Care, Education
Personal Interests: Hiking, bouldering, star wars, harry potter, marvel, kayaking, dogs
Why I Chose Rainbow: The People! And I wanted to be back in my city in a program that would support and challenge me.
Emily Certo, DO
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Undergrad: University of New England
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: General pediatrics
Personal Interests: Sports, spinning, biking, being outside, going to the beach, spending time with friends and family!
Why I Chose Rainbow: When I was rotating as a medical student it was the first hospital I had ever been in where I truly felt like a valuable member of the team, people took an interest in me and who I was outside of work and everyone remembered my name! The competency and confidence that the residents showed was impressive and motivating. I knew it was a place I would be supported, challenged and cared for all in one!
Jefferson Chandler, MD
Hometown: Willamette, Oregon
Undergrad: Southern Virginia University
Medical School: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Professional Interests: Always been in love with primary care, but open to exploring subspecialties. It is important to me to establish strong therapeutic relationships with my patients that can grow and develop with them.
Personal Interests: I love spending time outdoors with my wife and two kids! Running, kayaking, biking, hiking, and bird watching are some of my favorite pastimes. Indoors I like to play the piano, do puzzles and read.
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow was my first interview and I told my wife that if Rainbow offered a guaranteed position I would accept it and cancel all of my other interviews on the spot! My Rainbow connection was partly a gut instinct, but also based on the impressive track record that Rainbow has in providing exemplary patient care, training compassionate physicians and being a leader in health care.
Shradha Chhabria, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Undergrad: Georgetown University
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine; MPH at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Professional Interests: Obesity medicine, global health equity, non-communicable disease epidemiology, health disparities, cultural competence in healthcare delivery
Personal Interests: Traveling, trying and making vegetarian food from around the world, yoga, meditation, and exploring all that Cleveland has to offer!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I really value that Rainbow is a top notch academic center that focuses on providing the highest quality of care to all children and families in Cleveland, including the significant portion that are underserved. I also really appreciate the program’s focus on wellness with an x+y schedule that is integrated with that of the medicine program (yay Med-Peds!), and that Rainbow is incredibly supportive of its residents.
Adrianne Cornette, MD
Hometown: Fort Thomas, KY
Undergrad: University of Cincinnati
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Professional Interests: Endocrinology
Personal Interests: Reading, traveling, going on walks and hikes
Why I Chose Rainbow: You get to see a wide variety of pathologies, from the very common to more rare. You have autonomy as an intern. While the class size is bigger, you still get to know everyone. The program puts a lot of focus on their residents and their well-being.
Amy Dadisman, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: John Carroll University
Medical School: The Ohio State University
Professional Interests: Allergy & Immunology and Med-Ed
Personal Interests: Being a cat mom, Netflix/Hulu/HBO Max/etc., trying new restaurants, cooking, and I recently took up embroidery!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Cleveland is amazing, the people that work at Rainbow are caring and collaborative. We see bread & butter pathology alongside the rare diagnoses, truly endless opportunities for whatever you are interested in!
Gates Failing, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Abington, PA
Undergrad: Elizabethtown College
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, hospital medicine, allergy/immunology, US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
Personal Interests: Listening to NPR podcasts (Marketplace, Fresh air), reading biographies (anything by David McCullough), swimming, bicycle commuting, skiing, Amtrak train trips, visiting National Parks, baking homemade bread
Why I Chose Rainbow: X+Y scheduling, geographic proximity of hospital/clinics, multidisciplinary resident clinic opportunities, supportive residents/faculty
Kaushik Ganesh, MD
Hometown: Clifton, NJ
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Professional Interests: Cardiology, Medical Education
Personal Interests: Tennis, hiking, music, cooking, fitness, and finding new restaurants to try!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow has a wonderful culture of camaraderie and collaboration, and it shows in how invested they are in the community and the patients they serve. This program advocates for their residents and has a huge focus on resident wellness too! I noticed that the residents here truly seek out and love spending time with their co-residents, and knew each other well. Multiple tracks for professional interests, X+Y schedule, and strong mentorship between residents/fellows/faculty shows how invested the program is in helping their residents grow and succeed. Lastly, the city of Cleveland is close to my friends and family, who I love spending time with!
Barbara Ornelas Garza, MD
Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico
Undergrad: Tecnologico de Monterrey
Medical School: Tecnologico de Monterrey
Professional Interests: School health, health literacy, mental health, and childhood obesity/nutrition.
Personal Interests: International cinema, museums, painting with watercolors, and exploring new restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I fell in love with the workplace culture and the values they uphold toward patient care. In addition, the program's strong emphasis on resident wellness while balancing a solid academic and clinical training foundation was just the perfect combination that exceeded my expectations of what a residency program could even offer.
Sara Greene, MD
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Undergrad: Wright State University
Medical School: St. George's University SOM
Professional Interests: General pediatrics, health disparities, social determinants of health, advocacy
Personal Interests: Tennis, yoga, skiing, hiking, cooking, travel, spending time with family and friends
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of their dedication to excellence, welcoming environment, and commitment from attendings to teaching
Miranda Gregori, MD
Hometown: Bucks County, PA
Undergrad: Pennsylvania State University
Medical School: Thomas Jefferson-SKMC
Professional Interests: Answer still loading.
Personal Interests: I enjoy making new things: from bread baking to arts and crafts; I am always in the middle of a project!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I was really excited by the idea of an X +Y program. Rainbow was one of the first (and still one of the few) programs to make a major change for the benefit of its residents and their education. That speaks volumes about the supportive and friendly environment here.
Rebecca Healy, DO
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Undergrad: Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Buies Creek, NC
Professional Interests: LGBTQIA+ Health Equity (Endocrine/Adolescent/Primary Care), Advocacy, Medical Education
Personal Interests: Reading (fantasy, literary fiction, romance, anything), Harry Potter, Disney, traveling, musicals, and my pets.
Why I Chose Rainbow: During my interview, Rainbow felt like the right fit for what I wanted for my career. Rainbow is a resident centered program that fosters autonomy from day one. I was also drawn to the formal mentorship program within the flights, X+Y scheduling, and the availability of resources for underserved populations at our resident clinic.
Brandon Hoff, MD, Peds Genetics
Hometown: Arlington, TX
Undergrad: University of Oklahoma
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Patient safety; health informatics; public health
Personal Interests: Cleveland MetroParks; playing with my dog; finding new TV shows to watch
Why I Chose Rainbow: Everyone at Rainbow is so friendly, encouraging, and supportive. Rainbow is a large children's hospital that serves most of Northeast Ohio, with an incredible diversity of clinical opportunities. Faculty and program leadership understand how challenging being a resident can be, and wholeheartedly support resident wellness and diversity. Also, the X+Y (6+2) rotation schedule gives all residents a dedicated outpatient experience without being bogged down with inpatient responsibilities. We have specialized tracks that allow residents to pursue excellence in their areas of interest early in their career. Finally, we have the Silver Junior rotation that promotes independence and autonomy early in residency.
Collin Huth, MD
Hometown: New Philadelphia, OH
Undergrad: Wheeling Jesuit University
Medical School: Marshall University
Professional Interests: Emergency Medicine, Hospital Medicine
Personal Interests: Rock Climbing, Disc Golf, Sampling the local breweries
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because it was close to home for me and the people I met during my interview just seemed genuine. I lived in Cleveland before medical school, so I knew that it was a city I would be happy living in for residency.
Suhib Jamal, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Community work
Personal Interests: Education
Why I Chose Rainbow: I believe in serving the community that has invested in me, and working and training at rainbow provides the best opportunity to make a difference right here in my hometown
Emily Kain, MD
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Undergrad: Hope College
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Endocrinology, neonatology, medical education
Personal Interests: Outdoor activities, climbing, traveling, and reading
Why I Chose Rainbow: I felt so welcomed by all of the people I met during my interviews and social hours! I liked that Rainbow has a strong focus on resident wellness and mental health. I also really loved the idea of the flights within the residency program – it will be so great to have a smaller group of people for peer-to-peer mentoring and socializing with!
Elisabeth Kamano, MD, Peds Neurology
Hometown: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Undergrad: University of Virginia
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Professional Interests: Neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy, quality improvement
Personal Interests: Traveling, trying new restaurants, hiking, going to the beach, learning new languages, watching Harry Potter, sharing funny memes with friends
Why I Chose Rainbow: My interview day was an absolute delight – everyone I met was so lovely, I heard about a few projects I wanted to be a part of, and I wanted to learn from everyone.
Harshita “Hershey” Kumar, MD
Hometown: Plano, TX
Undergrad: University of Texas at Dallas
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Bran
Professional Interests: Social determinants of health, foster care medicine, gender-affirming care
Personal Interests: I love gardening and have a lot of houseplants that I hauled all the way from Texas to Ohio! I enjoy concerts and live music, bar trivia, reading, board games, macrame, and baking
Why I Chose Rainbow: Many MANY reasons! X + Y scheduling, emphasis on resident wellness, good balance of inpatient and outpatient medicine, plenty of elective options and tracks to personalize your curriculum, good response to resident feedback, and most of all…some of the most incredibly supportive chiefs, co-residents, and faculty I've ever encountered!
Monica Larson, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Undergrad: Wheaton College, IL
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine (both IM and pediatrics), inpatient care for medically complex people across the lifespan, advocacy and research for community violence, global health equity
Personal Interests: Traveling to visit friends & family, swimming, hiking & camping, always trying to cook new recipes.
Why I Chose Rainbow: The faculty I knew were excellent educators and mentors, and excited to encourage my multifaceted interests. It's a hospital with a nice mix of general inpatient medicine and subspecialty services that will train me as a hopeful hospitalist.
Anisha Lobo, MD
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Undergrad: The University of Texas at Dallas
Medical School: Texas A&M College of Medicine
Professional Interests: I am currently undecided but really enjoy inpatient medicine! I am keeping a very open mind but am interested in GI or Cardiology.
Personal Interests: I enjoy baking, cooking, and exploring the outdoors – especially water activities! I also love to explore new restaurants!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for the community! Despite having virtual interviews, the camaraderie and support was so evident amongst the residents. Now being part of the program, I can confirm that the culture is even better than I thought! My husband (IM) and I couples matched, and both programs have been extremely supportive!
Priya Mohan, MD
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Endocrinology and Advocacy
Personal Interests: Trying new restaurants, tennis, reality TV/anything on Netflix
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of its focus on advocacy and its commitment to the community it serves. I was looking for a program where I would not only be able to become a great pediatrician, but one where I would also be well supported. Everyone at Rainbow from the attendings to the residents have been so welcoming. Also the X+Y schedule was a bonus!
Nisha Nanavaty, MD
Hometown: Centerville, Ohio
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: University of Toledo
Professional Interests: Medical education & inpatient medicine! Undecided on subspecialty vs general hospitalist medicine right now.
Personal Interests: I love to paint, play tennis, and try out new restaurants!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I got great vibes from both the open house and my interview day! I love the X+Y schedule and how much the residency values resident wellness. Everyone has been so helpful and welcoming to us new interns.
Karishma Palvadi, MD
Hometown: Houston, TX
Undergrad: Baylor University
Medical School: Texas Tech El Paso
Professional Interests: Undecided but maybe ICU or hospital medicine
Personal Interests: Cooking, baking, hiking, attempting to play tennis, spending time with my friends and family, game nights!
Why I Chose Rainbow: My interview day sold me. Everyone was so nice and the residents seemed genuinely happy! The X+Y system was a huge factor as well. I wanted a program where I could get a great education but also one that takes resident wellness seriously and Rainbow seemed like a great fit!
Diana Ponitz, MD
Hometown: Shaker Heights, OH
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Professional Interests: Adolescent medicine, advocacy
Personal Interests: Gardening, DIY projects, woodworking, playing with everyone’s dogs and cats
Why I Chose Rainbow: I love the X+Y schedule; it allows you to fully engage with inpatient rotations and also have periods of time away from the hospital with free weekends! There’s commitment to clinical care, teaching, and resident wellness. The residents seemed happy and supportive of each other. I’m also thrilled to be back in NE Ohio and living near my family
Emily Qin, MD
Hometown: Richmond, IN
Undergrad: Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)
Medical School: Northwestern University (Chicago, IL)
Professional Interests: Primary care with a focus on adolescent medicine, reproductive medicine, and health education curricula in public schools K-12.
Personal Interests: I’ve always been a big fan of musicals but the $15 student tickets at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago got me hooked on plays and now I've committed to Cleveland Play House membership. Also spend a lot of time playing modern board games and tending to my domesticated lagomorphs 🐇
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow is phenomenal! 🌈It's a tertiary referral center with great subspecialty care that serves urban and rural communities and has the only level 1 pediatric trauma center in the region. The comprehensive primary care at the Midtown resident clinic is also impressive, but what made Rainbow rise to the top of my list was how well the program supports its residents through the ups and downs of life. The structure of the program and the wonderful people in charge here do a really good job of promoting balance in all things.
Kendyl Schreiber, MD
Hometown: Reno, Nevada
Undergrad: Baylor University
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Undecided, Advocacy, MedEd
Personal Interests: Yoga, Hiking with my pup Pepper, Reality TV, trying new restaurants
Why I Chose Rainbow: Amazing program that gave me the opportunity to explore every field of pediatrics. Not to mention the kind and welcoming Rainbow family!
Miriam Stats, MD
Hometown: Burlington, Vermont
Undergrad: Northeastern University
Medical School: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Professional Interests: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Child Abuse Pediatrics, Global Health
Personal Interests: Outside the hospital you'll find me hiking with my dog, exploring restaurants with my fiancé, or at a yoga class!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I felt that everyone I met was kind, supportive, and down to earth. I loved the programs commitment to advocacy. I also think Cleveland is a hidden gem of a city with endless opportunities.
Gwendolyn Thomas, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: Miami University in Ohio
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Combined Pediatrics and Internal Medicine primary care, Hospital medicine, Advocacy, Medical Education and leadership
Personal Interests: Attending musical concerns like the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center or at Severance Hall, playing flute, swimming or boating on Lake Erie, hiking through beautiful Cleveland Metroparks.
Why I Chose Rainbow: To be trained in and serve the city I was raised, to be close to family and because Rainbow Babies and Children is the regions foremost pediatric children's hospital with innovative research and many educational leadership opportunities for residents. It also offers a wonderful combined internal medicine-pediatrics residency program.
Carolyn Vekstein, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: Brown University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Undecided, but potentially hospitalist medicine, medical education, advocacy, patient and peer wellness & mental health
Personal Interests: Cooking/baking, exercise (running, yoga, spinning), reading, spending time with my husband, our dog, and family/friends!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I fell in love with Rainbow when I rotated as a medical student. The residents are warm, down to earth, eager to learn, and excited to teach. They treat each other like family. This family atmosphere extends to the fellows, attendings, and program directors. The PD and APDs care deeply about the residents and their wellness, are receptive to feedback, and place emphasis on getting to know each resident individually. I also was drawn to the medical education opportunities through the Med Ed track. Finally having grown up in Cleveland, I am thrilled to be back serving the community that means so much to me!
PGY-3
Sathya Areti, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Undergrad: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Professional Interests: Child Abuse and Neglect, Legislative Advocacy, Genetics, Medical Education
Personal Interests: Hiking, Tennis, Traveling, Cooking, Baking (anything with chocolate)
Why I Chose Rainbow: I loved the people I met during my interview and found amazing opportunities for research and advocacy for Cleveland’s extremely diverse population. I also really appreciated the emphasis on resident wellness with the X+Y schedule.
Aviva Beleck, MD
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Undergrad: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Medical School: Stony Brook University
Professional Interests: I love heme/onc, but not 100% positive what I will decide to further specialize in.
Personal Interests: I love to design and sew clothing – I used to want to be a Broadway costume designer! I love hiking and swimming and spending time outside.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I was really drawn to the comradery that I was able to see on my interview day, and the relationships between residents and attendings. I am also passionate about medical education, and am excited about the Med Ed track!
Saya Bery, MD
Hometown: West Chester, PA
Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Professional Interests: Advocacy, public health, peer wellness and mental health.
Personal Interests: Trying new foods, traveling, creating floral arrangements, reading, knitting/crocheting, and being a plant mom.
Why I Chose Rainbow: On my interview day, I fell in love with the program, especially Rainbow’s focus and commitment to physician/resident wellness. As someone who cares deeply about peer wellness, I thought Rainbow seemed like a perfect fit! I also wanted a program that was devoted to the service of its community, providing opportunities for outreach and advocacy as a resident.
Raktima Datta, MD
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Undergrad: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Medical Education & Advocacy
Personal Interests: Arts and crafts, cooking, trying new restaurants, readings, and all things Harry Potter.
Why I Chose Rainbow: All of the residents and PDs were super nice on my interview day, and I could tell the program was committed to resident wellness because of the 6+2 scheduling and strong mentorship. Cleveland looked like an awesome city too with all of the different foods to try/things to do. I knew that combination would help me become the best doctor I could be while maintaining my mental health.
Shanna Dorcin, MD
Hometown: Westbury, NY
Undergrad: Quinnipiac University
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Professional Interests: Mentoring (especially my fellow minorities in medicine!), Serving underserved communities
Personal Interests: TV Shows (especially True Crime and Reality TV), Movies (love a good Rom-Com) Cooking, Eating, Reading, Yoga.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I knew I could get great training here!
Melody Bellora Edmondson, MD
Hometown: Holland, Michigan/San Diego, California
Undergrad: Point Loma Nazarene University
Medical School: Loma Linda University
Professional Interests: Critical care, cardiology, medical education, bench research
Personal Interests: Singing/choir, rock climbing, petting other people’s dogs, game nights
Why I Chose Rainbow: I couples matched with my husband (UH also has a fantastic neurology program) and we both loved the emphasis on medical education and the opportunities for different fellowships since we are both interested in specializing. I also remember from my interview day being super impressed by all the resources at Midtown Clinic to meet the specific needs of the community it serves.
Savannah Fotheringham, MD
Hometown: Red Bluff, CA
Undergrad: Point Loma Nazarene University
Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care pediatrics, advocacy, clinical and community research, patient and family education
Personal Interests: Travel, cooking, hiking, pediatric advocacy and education, community engagement, and family time
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for the family atmosphere, humanistic values, robust outpatient curricula, mentorship, diverse patient population, and great advocacy education and opportunities.
Ana Gonzalez Herrera, MD
Hometown: Hermosillo, Mexico
Undergrad: Universidad de Monterrey
Medical School: Universidad de Monterrey
Professional Interests: Hematology/Oncology and Advocacy
Personal Interests: Anything outdoors like hiking, kayaking, and swimming, I also love cooking, so I’m open to any new recipes and finally I love reading anything from novels to history books.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I felt like I bonded so well with people on my interview day and loved that, also the great clinical and research opportunities we have and why not, the cute name of the hospital!!
Eleanora (“Ellie”) Hicks, MBBCh
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Undergrad: Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
Medical School: University College Dublin, Ireland
Professional Interests: Gastroenterology, hematology & oncology, patient advocacy
Personal Interests: Cooking, swimming in the ocean, spending time with friends & family!
Why I Chose Rainbow: With interviews being online this year it was often hard to get a sense of the program – that was certainly not the case at Rainbow! The residents and faculty were warm and welcoming, and their genuine enthusiasm for pediatrics shone through! Additionally, their dedication to providing holistic care and advocating for their patients was admirable, and something I knew I wanted to be a part of!
Adriana Hoffman, MD
Hometown: Miami, FL
Undergrad: University of Florida
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Professional Interests: Neonatology and Pulmonology
Personal Interests: Hiking with my dogs, baking and traveling
Why I Chose Rainbow: The residents I worked with as a medical student were exceptional – patient, kind, and always willing to teach and this extends to the faculty and fellows as well. Rainbow Babies feels like a second home to me and I love all the good food places and hiking trails of the MetroParks. Cleveland is an awesome place to continue my training!
Alexa (“AJ”) Jordahl, MD
Hometown: Plymouth Meeting, PA
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh
Professional Interests: Academic medicine and medical education
Personal Interests: I love to be crafty and creative (knitting, crocheting, baking etc.), my fiancé Michael and I are looking into getting a puppy soon!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow has a great, well respected program with a good size and breadth of medicine, plus it was recommended to me by my preceptors in Pittsburgh. It’s also close to my friends and family back in Pittsburgh!
Courtney McCall, MD
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Undergrad: University of Cincinnati
Medical School: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, general pediatrics
Personal Interests: Cincinnati Reds baseball, spending time with my husband and pets, traveling, crime shows
Why I Chose Rainbow: The people – everyone I interacted with on my interview day was so friendly, supportive, and genuinely cared about one another. I immediately felt at home and knew I wanted to be a part of such an amazing program.
Bridgette McCormick, MD
Hometown: Crown Point, Indiana
Undergrad: Indiana University Bloomington
Medical School: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Developmental and Behavioral pediatrics, Heme/onc, NICU, undecided! Community education and outreach.
Personal Interests: Hiking, painting, running, animal welfare and rescue
Why I Chose Rainbow: I felt like Rainbow in particular was really dedicated to resident education and had a lot of unique initiatives based on the goal of improving resident education, such as the Silver Junior rotation and X+Y schedule. I also love the diverse patient population and that this hospital system serves such a variety of patients from urban Cleveland to rural Ohio. They both come with their own unique health care challenges that I think really helps prepare Rainbow residents to be great pediatricians. I also felt that the faculty seemed really dedicated to serving the community and being a part of that community and meeting the specific needs of those it serves.
Taylor McDaniel, MD
Hometown: Mason, OH
Undergrad: Miami University
Medical School: University of Toledo
Professional Interests: Advocacy and Mental Health. Interested in inpatient medicine but still undecided!
Personal Interests: Avid TV watcher, board game player, and coffee taster. Baking, hanging out with my cat and husband, and exploring the outdoors.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because during my interview, each person I met was so kind, and relatable. I loved the 6+2 schedule, and how it would let me focus on inpatient and outpatient individually. The residents that I met at the meet and greets were so nice and welcoming and spoke so highly of their faculty and the positive relationships that they had with them. I can’t wait to be part of the Rainbow family!
Shrushti Mehta, MD
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Undergrad: University of Missouri–Kansas City
Medical School: University of Missouri–Kansas City
Professional Interests: I am currently undecided – I know that I love the inpatient world, so I’m interested in hospital medicine or infectious disease as well as medical education and advocacy.
Personal Interests: reading, cooking/baking, hiking, running, exploring new coffee shops!
Why I Chose Rainbow: On my interview day, even though everything was virtual, I could still tell that all the residents were like a big family and were always looking out for each other. I loved the emphasis on advocacy, resident wellness and diversity.
Joseph Park, MD
Hometown: Erie, PA
Undergrad: Carnegie Mellon University
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Undecided, but currently interested in sports med, primary care, heme-onc, and GI
Personal Interests: Watching and playing sports (namely basketball, soccer, and football!), trout fishing, coffee (#chemexforlife), and martial arts.
Why I Chose Rainbow: The sincerity and kindness of everyone I interacted with at Rainbow. Seeing how happy the residents were to be there and the way they loved and championed their program. Great combination of a strong academic center that serves as a tertiary care center with plentiful resources while still being committed to community health/advocacy and the camaraderie of a tight-knit work community.
Nehaly Shah Patel, MD
Hometown: Riverside, CA
Undergrad: California Institute of Technology
Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, preventive/lifestyle medicine, research on ACEs
Personal Interests: Spending time with family, hiking, cooking, reading, watching TV/movies, cleaning/organizing
Sarah Redmond, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Bainbridge Island, WA
Undergrad: University of Washington
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Infectious diseases, public health/epidemiology, or maybe rural primary care
Personal Interests: Running, hiking, plant/animal/mushroom identification, knitting, local history
Why I Chose Rainbow: I went to Case for med school and rotated through UH/Rainbow. I decided to stay for multiple reasons including the patient population, the breadth of training both clinically and from a research standpoint, as well as the collaborative attitude among staff at Rainbow. From a med-peds point of view I also appreciated the adult population and the opportunity to rotate through a large VA hospital.
David Ritzenthaler, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Sandusky, OH
Undergrad: Xavier University – Cincinnati
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care with vulnerable populations, medical education, addiction medicine, increasing access to care, doctor-patient communication
Personal Interests: Spending time with my wife and our dog (a greyhound named Bleu!), cooking, improv comedy, podcasts, finding new restaurants
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow has a strong commitment to the community, which is exemplified by the Rainbow Center for Women & Children, a clinic and grocery store located right where our patients live. RBC has great faculty who really care about resident learning, career goals, and well-being.
Carlos Ronquillo, MD
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Undergrad: University of Texas at El Paso
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-Foster School of Medicine, El Paso, TX
Professional Interests: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Medical Education, Child Advocacy
Personal Interests: Sports (NBA, NFL, MLB, NCAA), Weightlifting, Traveling, Movies, Music Festivals/Concerts
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose this program for several reasons. The program leadership at Rainbow are passionate about the program, resident education, and the community they serve. They also heavily emphasized the importance of resident wellness and dedication to continued improvement. The interview social at Rainbow was also one of the best/most fun, hands down. I was drawn by the strong sense of camaraderie among residents and felt I would fit right in. After only one week into my intern year, I can confidently say that I will leave this program as a very well-trained pediatrician prepared for the next step of my career.
Noor Saeed, MD
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Undergrad: Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
Medical School: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH
Professional Interests: Primary care, advocacy, preventative medicine, social determinants of health
Personal Interests: I love babies, coffee, puzzles, rap music, hugs, libraries, the moon, my family, and pasta!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Strong emphasis on community advocacy, mental health training, steps to increase diversity and address injustices, X+Y schedule, proximity to home
Christina Shrefler, MD
Hometown: Willoughby Hills, OH
Undergrad: University of Notre Dame
Medical School: The Ohio State University
Professional Interests: Primary care, emergency medicine, newborn care, family-centered care, medical and patient education, quality improvement, advocacy, ethics, mental health, environmental health
Personal Interests: Hiking and running in greater Cleveland’s gorgeous terrain (Squires Castle! Buttermilk Falls! Edgewater! Cuyahoga Valley National Park), nonfiction reading (especially Michael Pollan, Bill Bryson, Malcolm Gladwell, Mirelle Guiliano, CS Lewis), crafts, spending time with family, going to church, trivia, board games, the USS COD (Cleveland’s WWII submarine on Lake Erie’s coast), musicals (CLE has the largest theater district outside of NYC! – can get tickets to traveling Broadway shows for as little as $10), space exploration, Fighting Irish football, British panel comedy shows.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I appreciate the intuitiveness of the X+Y schedule and the comprehensive resources available to patients at clinic (legal, social work, dental, optometry, and obstetrics and more on location!). The PD’s experience-based discussion of concrete changes the program has taken to improve resident wellness in recent years (no intern call, X+Y schedule) and convincing understanding of the psychology behind resident wellness displayed on interview day was also meaningful. Other aspects of Rainbow I loved were medium program size, institutional dedication to family-centered care, Angie’s Garden (rooftop oasis), additional week of vacation at the end of intern year, and the program coordinators’ warm hospitality. Beyond the hospital itself I love Cleveland’s Metroparks, diversity, low cost of living, four seasons, diversity and relatively central location in the country.
Garrett Simkins, MD
Hometown: McLean, Virginia
Undergrad: James Madison University
Medical School: University of Virginia
Professional Interests: General Pediatrics, Academic Medicine
Personal Interests: I love astronomy, creative writing, podcasts (usually about philosophy and psychology), working out, and spending time with friends.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I was most drawn to Rainbow because the people were warm, fun, down to earth, and full of genuine interest in being excellent pediatricians and teachers. My interview day was one of very few that I left feeling energized by, rather than drained! The structural pieces of the program – like an X+Y schedule, and the opportunities to get involved with medical education – were also big draws. Finally, the program seemed truly interested in balancing a fulfilling out-of-work life with a strong and engaging work-life.
Benjamin Smith, MD
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Critical Care Medicine, Medical Education
Personal Interests: Movies, Music, Pop Culture, History, NFL Football (Go Steelers!!!)
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for several reasons, but one of the most important to me was familiarity. Having spent a great deal of time in Cleveland as an undergrad at Case, I always admired the positive role that Rainbow played in the greater community. I was also extremely impressed with the program’s focus on developing residents as teachers and cultivating an environment of support and wellness for all who work here.
Samantha Smith, MD
Hometown: Middleburg Heights, OH
Undergrad: Ohio State University
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Professional Interests: Primary care, comprehensive care and developmental/behavioral pediatrics
Personal Interests: Cooking and baking, trying new restaurants and breweries, exploring the Metroparks, Cleveland sports and Ohio State football (Go Bucks!)
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the strong sense of community. The collaborative and supportive energy I felt on interview day was unparalleled and the attendings seemed very approachable and invested in both resident education and advocacy. Rainbow’s unwavering commitment to Cleveland and the patient population it serves is unmatched. The 6+2 scheduling is also a huge draw!
Emma Strode, DO
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin-Madison (Go Badgers!)
Medical School: A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: I am currently undecided! Love outpatient pediatrics but also considering fellowships in Peds EM, endocrine and PICU. I’m super interested in advocacy and medical education too!
Personal Interests: Hiking, swimming, skiing or any activity outside, trying new local restaurants, traveling, and reality TV
Why I Chose Rainbow: Virtual interviews were difficult for sure, but with Rainbow the residents were so welcoming, kind and genuinely interested in you and it was great to see how close the residents with were with each other. I wanted a program that I would not just be colleagues but friends with my co-residents and I have that here! The X+Y schedule is also the best!
Rebecca Sturgis, MD
Hometown: Port Huron, Michigan
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Heme/onc (although I’m open to any and every specialty including general pediatrics!), community engagement, and advocacy.
Personal Interests: Reading, kayaking, napping, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with my friends, my boyfriend, and my dog!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Even though it was a virtual interview, I was absolutely blown away by how amazing the program was. The faculty and administration genuinely seemed to care about the residents and made resident wellness a top priority. The residents all seemed to be close to each other and made efforts to hang out with one another outside of the hospital. And the X + Y schedule was a huge deciding factor for me as well! I was also looking for a children’s hospital that had roots in the community and provided services to those who needed them most, and Rainbow has that kind of reputation in Cleveland. It’s hard to get a feel for a program during interview season – let alone having to do it all virtually – but I’m happy to say that all my impressions I had about the program during my interview turned out to be true!
Shwetha Sudhaker, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Berwyn, PA
Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hospitalist medicine, adult congenital heart disease, & advocacy
Personal Interests: Cooking, reading, finding new restaurants, spending time with my family and friends and their pets, musicals
Why I Chose Rainbow: I thought there was great mentorship from all the attendings I worked with, and all the residents I met seemed happy.
Natalie Vajda, MD, MPH
Hometown: Broadview Heights, OH (CLE suburb)
Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Professional Interests: Primary Care, Urban Health, Public Health, Pulmonology, Clinical Genetics
Personal Interests: I love spending time with my husband, Derek, 2-month-old daughter, Grace, and 10-year-old German Shepherd rescue, Cash! I also love spending time with my family and friends in Cleveland, and visiting the friends we made when we moved all across the country! I enjoy hiking, jogging, traveling, cooking, baking, reading and boating in the summer with my family.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I grew up knowing that Rainbow is a fantastic children’s hospital, and it remains one of the top children’s hospitals in the country. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to train in Cleveland and help serve patients from my city!
Rachel VanCoillie, MD, Peds/Genetics
Hometown: Shelby Township, MI
Undergrad: Michigan State University
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Global health and all things genetics!
Personal Interests: Hiking, camping, yoga, dancing – being active is my jam. I also love trying new restaurants, checking out live music, and going to sporting events (can’t wait for the Lions to play the Browns!)
Why I Chose Rainbow: Despite interviews being virtual, I couldn’t stop thinking about the positive vibes I felt after my conversations with both the pediatrics and genetics residents/faculty, which was important to me as a combined resident. I felt that Rainbow offered kind people that I would click with, a real emphasis on wellness and advocacy, and a fun city to live in.
Krysta Walker
Hometown: Findlay, OH
Undergrad: Ohio State University
Medical School: Wright State University
Professional Interests: NICU, PICU, hospitalist medicine
Personal Interests: Taking walks with my husband and my puggle, Boo. I also enjoy hiking, traveling, spending time with my family, watching reality television and exploring new restaurants.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I was very impressed that in the midst of virtual interviews, they were able to make the interview day feel very personalized. The faculty and residents were so welcoming and supportive! It was evident that Rainbow continues to evolve to address the needs of the community it serves. I knew that at Rainbow I would be a part of a community that would help me become the best pediatrician possible.
Meagan Zulfer, MD
Hometown: Fairborn, OH
Undergrad: Cedarville University
Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Rheumatology, neonatology, patient and medical education
Personal Interests: Hiking, barre, weekend trips, and exploring local museums, shops and restaurants
Why I Chose Rainbow: I fell in love with this program during my interview. It was obvious that the faculty prioritizes both resident education and wellness. I could tell the residents knew each other well and truly enjoyed spending time with each other. Also, the size was perfect, allowing for both resident autonomy and the opportunities of a large academic center.
PGY-4
Mackenzie Carter, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Barrington, RI & Villanova, PA
Undergrad: UC Berkeley
Medical School: UC Irvine SOM
Professional Interests: Med-Peds ID and Med-Peds Hospitalist; Global health; Immigrant and refugee health
Personal Interests: Hiking and being outside whenever possible; Traveling; Hot yoga
Why I Chose Rainbow: I loved that our Continuity clinic is designed specifically to serve our underserved patient population, with an on-site WIC office, social work team, Medical-Legal Partnership, and dedicated team to screen for and address social determinants of health! Learning to take care of medically and socially complex patients is a team sport, and I love that Rainbow residents see it that way and are all hands on deck to help each other out!
Kendall Franz, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Undergrad: Canisius College
Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
Professional Interests: Children with Medical Complexity, Care for young adults with developmental disabilities, Transitions of care, Medical education, Health Systems Science
Personal Interests: Rock climbing, hiking, exploring the Cleveland restaurant/cocktail/brewery scene, gardening, watching The Office and other sitcoms, family & friends, hanging with my dog
Why I Chose Rainbow: Patient and case diversity, Mentorship opportunities, collegiality, and great exposure to a variety of pediatric subspecialties!
Laurel Green, MD, Peds/Genetics
Hometown: Casper, WY
Undergrad: University of Wyoming
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Pediatric genetics, endocrinology
Personal Interests: Spending time with my puppy, backpacking, hiking, biking, and photography.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I knew on my interview day that it was the right place for me. Everyone was so thoughtful and kind and clearly were passionate about medicine and excited to teach the next generation of pediatricians.
Louise Sayawa, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Westland, MI
Undergrad: Central Michigan University
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Nephrology, transplant medicine, transitions of care for children with chronic disease and adults with pediatric illness, global health, social determinants of health
Personal Interests: Singing, cooking, going to church, hanging out with my cats, camping, hiking, traveling, coffee and tea, Cleveland baseball, and spending time with friends and family.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I love the people and the camaraderie at Rainbow. I also was drawn in by our global health program, and our emphasis on patient advocacy and caring for our community as a whole. We also have a strong academic program that allows us to see a wide variety of pathologies, and the X+Y scheduling prioritizes our well-being. Finally, Cleveland is a great place to live and train!