Seif Butt, DO, MPH
Undergrad: Drexel University
Graduate: Thomas Jefferson University
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I grew up in Pottsville, PA with my two older siblings. I’ve always been interested in the life sciences and technology, so I majored in Biology and minored in Computer Science for undergrad. Afterwards I got my MPH and continue to be interested in the various socioeconomic and geographic factors that affect health. I wrapped up my years of education in Philadelphia at PCOM. In my free time I enjoy gaming, binge-watching TV shows, sketching, and hanging out with cats.
Why Family Medicine? Family Medicine speaks to my variety of interests in preventative care, lifestyle medicine, population health, and the opportunity to form long-lasting relationships with patients and be active in the community. I am looking forward to being able to improve and follow patients’ health with long-term continuity.
Why Williamsport? Williamsport provides a full-spectrum, unopposed program in a vibrant community close to my hometown and family. During medical school I met multiple alumni from this program who told me that it’d prepare me for anything I choose going forward. I know that I will be able to receive a broad-spectrum training that will prepare me for my future career.
Ayesha Kahn, DOUndergrad: University at Buffalo (UB)
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCU - COM)
About me: I was born and raised in Amherst, New York. I decided to stay at home for undergrad and attended UB, where I majored in Biomedical Sciences. At the start of the pandemic, I moved to Joplin, a small town in Missouri, to attend medical school at KCU. It was quite an experience living outside of Amherst for the first time in my life, and it made me realize what I had been missing out on in the world. I am excited to move to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to experience a new town and state! Some of my hobbies are embroidery, specifically cross stitching, and watching movies and TV shows, with comedy being my favorite genre.
Why Family Medicine? I knew since I was an undergraduate student that I wanted to pursue family medicine, and I had many experiences in the field from my family members. Family medicine is one of the few specialties where you can build long-term relationships with patients and get to know your patients as a person. With family medicine, I will have the flexibility with how and where I want to practice and be able to see patients of all ages and various clinical diseases. I cannot wait to continue my family legacy by becoming a third-generation Family Medicine physician!
Why Williamsport? Being from Amherst and spending the last four years in Joplin, I wanted to return to the northeast to be closer to my family, all while continuing to live in a small town. Williamsport was a perfect fit for what I was looking for. Also, UMPC at Williamsport is a well-established program that is full-spectrum, unopposed, and has osteopathic recognition. During the virtual meet and greet and interview day, I felt the close relationship that the faculty and residents possessed with each other. Also, the program's flexibility will allow me to pursue my specific interests in Family Medicine. I knew I would become the family medicine physician I always wanted to be at Williamsport, and I cannot wait to start!
Michael Kovalick, MDUndergrad: Wilkes University
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
About me: I was born in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and have lived most of my life in Dallas, which is a small town on the outskirts of Wilkes-Barre. I am the son of two family physicians, and I live with my brother and my two dogs (Gronk and Mookie). I completed my undergraduate education at Wilkes University with a degree in Biology. My time at Wilkes was crucial in convincing me to pursue a career as a physician because of the faculty, advising and activities I was able to participate in. I then completed my undergraduate medical education at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton, PA. In my free time, you will often find me playing guitar, fishing, or just reading a good book! I also love to collect historical memorabilia.
Why Family Medicine? For me, family medicine is such a versatile and rewarding area of medicine to practice in. The fact that I can learn about and practice so many aspects of medicine is truly exciting and makes every day fresh. As a family physician, you are also on the front lines of medicine. You are often the first contact for your patients, and they will come to you with any questions and concerns. It is one of the only specialties where you can take care of generations of families. This allows you to build patient-physician relationships that are truly robust and that can help change a patient’s life for the better.
Why Williamsport? When I was looking for family medicine residencies, I always had the long-term goal of staying in Pennsylvania to serve the communities that have given so much to me. Therefore, I specifically looked for an unopposed program in Pennsylvania that was centered in a small city environment. For me, UPMC Williamsport offered me this and more. To be able to practice in Williamsport with all of the resources that UPMC provides was a true best of both worlds for me. The curriculum is very robust, and I especially appreciated this program’s emphasis on obstetric education. What really stood out to me though was the people. Everyone that I talked to was incredibly friendly and helpful, and it made me feel like I belonged.
Kayla Lee, MDUndergrad: Saint Leo University
Medical School: St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine
About me: I was born in Florida and raised in a small community in The Bahamas as an only child. After graduating from high school, I returned to Florida for college and have called it home ever since. During undergrad, I discovered my passion for research and tutoring. I worked in education during my gap years prior to medical school. In my leisure time I enjoy quality time with family and friends, reading, biking and trying new cuisine. Despite my newly found mild aerophobia, I look forward to traveling whether by plane, ship or car-road trips whenever my schedule allows.
Why Family Medicine? Throughout my clinical rotations, the specialties that were most attractive were ones that allowed me to advocate for my patients on multiple levels. I chose Family Medicine because I can advocate for my patients throughout their lifetime. I can establish relationships to provide effective care in the ways that matter most to patients and that is important to me. Some of my interests in Family Medicine include women’s health and adolescent medicine.
Why Williamsport? On interview day I felt valued. I appreciated learning about the full spectrum training the program had to offer while being actively involved in the community. The program is unopposed with great mentors in women’s health. I look forward to becoming well versed in taking care of all patient populations with the training this program provides. During undergrad, I had a research project for 2 months in central PA. It was a picturesque town that felt oddly familiar in size and affection to the one I grew up in in the Bahamas. I am thrilled for the opportunity to train here.
Emily Snell, DO
Undergrad: The Pennsylvania State University
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA with my younger sister and have loved the city ever since. After high school I went to Penn State and then up to Erie, PA for medical school and haven’t left the state yet! My undergraduate degree was in Microbiology and Biochemistry where I fell in love with the integration of medicine and research and bringing bench to bedside. In my spare time I enjoy learning new recipes, growing my plant family, and going out with my friends. You can find me on a Saturday afternoon in a coffee shop chatting with friends about our plans to check out a new restaurant or a new hiking trail for later.
Why Family Medicine? I went to medical school with family medicine as a specialty in the back of my mind. Throughout third year clinical rotations, I truly loved each and every one of my specialty blocks and had a difficult time choosing just one of them. During my family medicine rotation, I figured out that you genuinely do not have to give up any facet or population of medicine which is why I figured it was the perfect specialty for me! One of my greatest influences and mentors is my father who is a family medicine physician in Pittsburgh. I grew up watching him love his career and couldn’t be happier with my decision as well.
Why Williamsport? When I first arrived in Williamsport, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging as soon as I stepped in the door of the hospital. All the residents and faculty were so welcoming and truly felt like family. Coming from State College for undergrad, I love the feeling of a small town with the availability to function as a big city and the familiarity it brings is unmatched. I cannot wait to explore!
Sonia Talukder, MD Undergrad: University of California, Riverside
Medical School: St. George’s University
About me: I grew up in Irvine, CA with my older sister and parents. We grew up playing in sports like soccer, learning to play the piano, and in my case, painting. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Biology at UCR, a Masters in Global Medicine at USC, and finally my medical degree from St. George’s University. Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading any RomCom books I can get my hands on, (with persuasion) running or hiking, and playing the piano! But honestly, I mainly just watch Netflix in my free time.
Why Family Medicine? I used to be very sick when I was young, and my family physician who took care of me through that difficult period left such a strong impression that she inspired me to go into medicine with the aim of becoming a Family Medicine physician. As a medical student, my interest in Family medicine was re-established when I realized that my favorite part of medicine was getting to know and build relationships with my patients. I also enjoyed seeing and being challenged by a broad range of issues (as opposed to only one category of pathology). Family medicine is the specialty that will allow me to excel in and enjoy both of these aspects of medicine to the best of my ability.
Why Williamsport? Williamsport is an established, unopposed program that is known for providing excellent training to its residents. It also has a diverse, warm-hearted group of people who make up the faculty and residents. I chose this program because I felt confident that this program would give me the quality training I was looking for and also surround me with kind, lovely people who I would be happy to be with for the next three years. It also doesn’t hurt that my sister is within driving distance!
Morgan Thomas, MDUndergrad: University of Jamestown
Medical School: University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
About me: I grew up in Pingree, ND where I spent most of my time with my ten siblings – yes, ten! Needless to say, family has always been a central part of my life. After completing my undergraduate degree in biology, I was excited to begin medical school at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine (UND). My time at UND has reinforced my passion for medicine, however I continue to maintain my passions outside of medicine as well! I enjoy spending time with my husband Dakota and dog Lilly, collecting plants, exercising, making homemade pasta, and camping.
Why Family Medicine? Growing up in a rural area meant that I had two families – first, my parents, siblings, and relatives and second, my neighbors and fellow community members. Family has always been, and continues to be, an integral part of my life. When my passion for medicine blossomed, I knew family medicine was the right choice as community, flexibility, and lifelong meaningful relationships are at the forefront of this specialty. Not only is family medicine fulfilling, but it will also allow for the opportunity to give back to small communities like my own, which has given so much to me.
Why Williamsport? As a future family medicine physician, my interests are broad and I desire to learn a wide variety of skills. Williamsport has an unopposed program, faculty with a passion for educating, and a hospital system that provides ample learning opportunities for residents. Furthermore, Williamsport strives to give each resident the education they desire by personalizing our experiences as much as possible. I am confident that by attending UMPC Williamsport, I will learn the skills and techniques needed to pursue a lifelong career as a rural family medicine physician.
Hailey Chapin, DO
Undergrad: Indiana University of Pa.
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me: I grew up in very rural northeastern Pa. with my 5 younger siblings. I then moved to western PA to attend IUP where I majored in biology and spent most of my free time playing the tenor saxophone in various musical ensembles. After spending a gap year working and traveling, I moved to Erie to attend medical school at LECOM. While there, I focused on becoming involved in the family medicine and sports medicine communities. In my spare time, I enjoy playing recreational sports, watching NFL football (go Colts!), crafting, and spending time with my Pomeranian and 2 orange cats.
Why Family Medicine? Coming from such a rural background with very few doctor’s offices around, I noticed a need for good family medicine doctors at a young age. I love every aspect of medicine and could not imagine focusing on one specific system of the body, so the variety of pathologies seen in family medicine is perfect for me. I also really enjoy forming long-term relationships with patients and being involved in the community, which are both very important aspects of family medicine.
Why Williamsport? I was originally drawn to UPMC Williamsport because it is located close to my family in NEPA and offers great full-spectrum, unopposed training. I had been to Williamsport a few times in the past and I already knew that it was the perfect mix of city and small town that I was looking for. After visiting the hospital and meeting the faculty and residents here, I could not have felt more at home and immediately knew this is where I wanted to be. Sports are also a huge interest of mine so the fact that Williamsport is the home of the Little League Baseball® World Series just makes it even better!
Lam Chau, MD
Undergrad: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
About Me: I was born and raised in Orlando, FL. I did my undergraduate education at the UNC Chapel Hill (Go Heels!). There, I had the opportunity to do research with obesity and Type II diabetes. These experiences showed me the importance of lifestyle medicine and ultimately formed the foundation of why I decided to become a physician.
During my free time, you will most likely find me at home watching Netflix. Everything from anime to true crime documentaries, I watch just about everything. I am a huge movie buff as well. My go-to fun fact about myself is I used to write film reviews for my college newspaper. Other hobbies include cooking, trying new places to eat, traveling, and video games.
Why Family Medicine? My passion as a physician is rooted in preventative medicine. Everything from nutrition to mental well-being, family medicine’s macroscopic view of health aligns well with my own beliefs and approach to medicine. I prioritize patient continuity and establishing a good repertoire with individuals. For me, family medicine offers a unique opportunity to build these types of long-lasting patient relationships.
Why Williamsport? The people at UPMC are undoubtedly what drew me to Williamsport. A familial team dynamic and nurturing learning environment were two of my biggest priorities when looking for a residency program. On interview day, I felt an immediate sense of ease and support from everyone at the program. UPMC’s excellent reputation, alongside the program being unopposed, gave me the utmost confidence that I will come out of residency as a well-rounded, capable physician.
Jonathan Goldstone, MD, MS
Undergraduate: Colorado State University
Graduate: Colorado State University
Medical School: American University of The Caribbean School of Medicine
About Me: I grew up in Denver, CO where I always played sports and enjoyed many other outdoor activities, including fly fishing, snowboarding, mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking. I completed my undergraduate and graduate education at Colorado State University with a major in Biomedical Science. Learning the intricacies of the human body, conducting medical research, shadowing numerous local doctors and being both a student and educator convinced me to pursue a career in medicine. This decision was further validated when I traveled to Kenya for a medical relief trip and was exposed to the great need for skilled health care providers in underdeveloped countries. I attended American University of The Caribbean in St. Maarten where I met my amazing wife, Cristina. We have a beautiful daughter, Vivian. We love spending our free time together doing a variety of outdoor and other activities.
Why Family Medicine? Family medicine provides me with the opportunity to practice a broad spectrum of medicine and treat a diversity of patients and diseases. I look forward to forming a trusted relationship with my patients and getting to know them as unique individuals rather than just their medical conditions. I value having skills across many fields of medicine to confidently treat a variety of medical conditions faced by my patients.
Why Williamsport? I grew up visiting Laporte, PA, just 45 minutes away from Williamsport. My grandparents had a vacation home there and I spent my childhood summers swimming and canoeing at Lake Mokoma and hiking the Loyalsock trails. I have wonderful memories of the small community, beautiful rural scenery, multiple outdoor activities, and time spent with family. Most importantly, the UPMC program offers everything I was looking for in a residency. The comradery between faculty and residents, unopposed aspect of learning, small class size, diverse population served, and state-of-the-art facility make UPMC the best choice for me.
Rabail “Belle” Hussain, MD
Undergrad: George Mason University
Medical School: Chicago Medical School
About Me: I grew up in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. I studied biology at George Mason University, where I began fostering my interest in medicine. My pursuit of this career led me to the vibrant city of Chicago, where I attended Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University. Outside of medicine, I enjoy exploring hiking trails, baking new concoctions, and cheering on my beloved Washington Capitals.
Why Family Medicine? Throughout medical school, I discovered a passion for primary care and fostering long-term patient relationships. I loved how the family medicine physicians I worked with were truly able to integrate themselves into the community to provide accessible health care to individuals of all ages. During medical school, I had the opportunity to work with many underserved populations, furthering my interest in understanding the social determinants of health and reinforcing my commitment to addressing health disparities in primary care settings.
Why Williamsport? I was looking for an unopposed program that offered rich community involvement and an encouraging learning environment. I was drawn to the strong training this program offers in pediatrics and inpatient medicine, as well as the opportunities for global medicine. After five years in Chicago, I was looking for a program that put me closer to my family. Williamsport has the advantage being 3.5 hours from where I grew up in Northern Virginia, allowing ample opportunity for me to see my loved ones!
Tina Kieu, DO
Undergrad: Oregon State University
Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me: I was born and raised in Beaverton, OR. I have three sisters and a total of 18 aunts and uncles who all live in Oregon; our frequent family gatherings were always huge and with great food! While in Oregon, I enjoyed hiking, clamming, and floating the Willamette River. While in Idaho for medical school, I enjoyed hot springs and found a love for primary care and lifestyle medicine. In my spare time, I like to learn new skills, like sewing, playing basketball, cooking, or painting. Although I am not the next Picasso, this does not stop me from learning and having fun while doing so!
Why Family Medicine? During my time at OSU, I held multiple leadership positions in the diversity department where I had the opportunity to engage with people from different walks of life and develop initiatives celebrating diversity and inclusivity. Family medicine reflected this diversity in its patient and clinical pathology. I value patient continuity and the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with patients. In family medicine, I find it incredibly rewarding to understand patients’ unique needs and create tailored care plans with them.
Why Williamsport? UPMC is a well-established program supported by kind faculty members who are invested in the success of their residents. As a full-spectrum, unopposed program with osteopathic recognition and a lifestyle medicine curriculum, I am confident in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to become a competent physician. Williamsport is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and provides the tranquility and outdoor activities that I value outside of residency.
Taylor J. Rider, DO
Undergrad: Mercyhurst University
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me: I am a product of a rural and medically underserved community in the southern tier of upstate NY called Spencer-Van Etten. I was known to be particularly academic, but also grew up enjoying opportunities to enrich my community with the arts, sports, and service. My undergraduate years were spent in Erie, Pa. where I majored in Forensic Anthropology, contributing to several active forensic case recoveries and analyses in NY, OH and PA. It was about this time that I decided to pursue medical school to further my career as (I thought) a forensic pathologist. I completed a condensed master’s degree in Human Anatomy at D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY and spent a second gap year working as a clinical assistant in an orthopaedics office in Ithaca, NY. As a medical student at PCOM, I coveted opportunities to engage and serve vulnerable populations, particularly rural communities and those individuals experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. My hobbies include reading (favorite genre: psychological thrillers), wood furniture restoration and refinishing, and doting on my cat, Poe.
Why Family Medicine? You may consider my trajectory to family medicine unconventional. I refer to it as the journey to my heart. I was initially inclined to pursue forensic pathology, but my knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and a need for living contacts and conversation (ha!) persuaded me to consider orthopaedic surgery. I enjoyed the operating room but loved clinic. My fulfillment is human connection. I aspire to be more than a physician. I care to be an ally, educator, mentor, and advocate. It is my professional aspiration to inspire health, not coerce it – the very calling of family medicine.
Why Williamsport? Above all else, my intuition brought me here. I experienced an inherent sense of belonging in the Family Medicine Residency Program at UPMC Williamsport. The personally notable attributes that I valued included the ideal blend of urban and rural exposure that will optimize my aspired future practice in rural America, and, as an osteopathic graduate, the evident pride for and commitment to the osteopathic philosophy and treatment modalities. It is an honor to join the profession of family medicine, the UPMC medical system, and the Williamsport practice. I look forward to navigating and experiencing these formative years of my career with this community.
Chelsea Toner, DO
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me: I grew up in Sugar Valley within a small town nestled among the central Pa. mountains, a little less than an hour from Williamsport. For undergrad, I decided I wanted to experience the “big city” life so I packed up and moved to Pittsburgh (Hail to Pitt!). During my time at Pitt, I had the opportunity to travel to North Carolina several times and knew that was my next destination. It was while working with the rural underserved eastern North Carolina population during my medical school rotations that I realized rural family medicine was my calling. I could think of no better place to train and practice than the place I call home. Coming back to north central Pa. is truly a full-circle moment for me. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my pandemic puppy, Navi, listening to true crime podcasts, teaching myself new songs on my guitar/piano, and honing my baking skills.
Why Family Medicine? Growing up in a rural area meant that my main interactions with the medical field were through my family doctor, who took care of me from birth up until I moved away for college. When I pictured a doctor, I pictured a family medicine doctor who does it all. Though I kept an open mind during my clinical rotations, I found myself enjoying parts of every specialty. I thrived during clinic days where I got to interact with patients of different ages and a variety of ailments. Deep down, I had a strong desire to be able to see and take care of anyone that walked through the door. When it came time to decide what specialty I wanted to practice, I knew in the back of my mind that family medicine was for me.
Why Williamsport? Once I discovered that there was a Family Medicine Residency so close to home, I knew I had to come to UPMC Williamsport for a rotation. From the moment I got to campus unitl the moment I left, everyone I interacted with was so welcoming and kind. I could sense the comradery, support, and genuine friendship between all the residents and faculty. I knew this was the place I would thrive.
Undergrad: Liberty University
Graduate School: Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me. I grew up in rural northeastern Pennsylvania with my twin sister and younger brother. I attended Liberty University in Virginia and majored in public health and clinical health promotion. I was fortunate to go on two medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic during undergrad. At LU, I met my husband, Matt, who is from a small town outside of Buffalo, NY. After graduation, I went to Johns Hopkins in Maryland to challenge myself academically and gain valuable research experience. With my Masters of Biotechnology, I accepted a position at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY in the pathology research department. Just before returning to Virginia to start medical school at Liberty, my husband and I got married in downtown Buffalo. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring the outdoors, taking care of my plants, and making Norwegian food. I also love watching hockey and football – Go Bills!
Why Family Medicine? At LUCOM, I had a mentor who showed me the different roles that family medicine physicians play in the communities that they serve. During my 3rd year family medicine rotation, I got a snapshot of the opportunity that there is to serve generations of families as a family medicine physician. I chose the specialty of family medicine because of my enthusiasm for community service along with my intent to provide a holistic approach to patient care. Family medicine allows me to have a broad scope of practice in pediatrics, obstetrics, and adult medicine while providing education on disease prevention and health promotion to my patients.
Why Williamsport? I chose Williamsport because I wanted an unopposed residency program with a strong obstetrics curriculum and osteopathic recognition. The genuine community and friendships amongst the faculty and residents was clear, even during a virtual interview! It is also conveniently located between both my husband’s family and my family.
Undergrad: Millikin University
Medical School: The Medical School for International Health at Ben Gurion University of the Negev
About Me. I grew up straddling the Midwest and the Northeast. My family is from central Illinois, but I spent most of my childhood in southeastern Connecticut. I returned to Illinois for undergrad where I studied biology and philosophy. I fell in love the idea of learning about different cultures and religions, leading me to go to MSIH in Beer Sheva, Israel. I fell in love with running while abroad, almost as deep as my love for anything regarding food; there’s always some type of baked good in my kitchen. My ideal vacations would either be sitting on a beach, exploring historical sites, or skiing.
Why Family Medicine? I’ve had a very convoluted journey to making my decision to be a family physician. Throughout medical school, for almost every new rotation, I had a new passion. I was also interested in the how the relationship between the practice of medicine and the community worked. This led me to taking time to study public health and global health in more detail. When applying to my fourth-year electives and preparing for residency applications, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. Family medicine is the perfect combination of both. Not only do family doctors work with all ages and areas within medicine, at the core of being a family doctor is understanding, if not becoming one with, the community you serve.
Why Williamsport? When completing two rural family medicine electives in central PA, I instantly fell in love with the area and the people. Some would be surprised at how diverse the population really is. Having the opportunity to work with the Amish, Mennonites, and farmers, among others, allows for a broad education and something I was looking for in a residency having worked with diverse groups during medical school. I also felt Williamsport was the perfect combination of the Mid-West kindness and Northeast vibes I grew up with; I felt welcomed by everyone I spoke with, all the while the city still felt like it belonged to the northeast with outdoor and city activities. After having lived in the desert in Israel for the last 6 years, I was looking for somewhere that felt like home, and that was Williamsport.
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin at La Crosse
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me. I grew up in the suburbs of Milwaukee and went to the other side of Wisconsin to La Crosse for undergrad. There, I fostered a love for nutrition, exercise, and biology. After graduating, I decided to pursue becoming a physician after working in health care as a nursing aide. I was taken to North Carolina for this pursuit and ended up meeting my now fiancée while I was in school. Our favorite things to do together are watch Bob’s Burgers, have brunch, and hike in nature. I personally enjoy exercise and lifting weights, crashing my computer, and listening to Lofi hip hop.
Why Family Medicine? The things that drew me to family medicine were the long-term relationships built with patients, preventative medicine, an emphasis on mental health, and the broadness of the specialty. Nutrition, exercise, and mental health often feel like the most important parts for being healthy and preventing disease. Talking about all of these with patients is something I look forward to doing and enjoy walking patients through making simple things to improve their lives. Because of these conversations and the variety that family medicine brings, I always felt like this was a good fit for me.
Why Williamsport? Williamsport initially drew our attention because of its strong reputation and being an unopposed program. Then, we became more interested after our interview day, to the point where we drove over 12 hours to visit. When we first went around the city, I looked at my fiancée and told her how I could imagine us living here for a long time and she agreed. Everyone was extraordinarily nice, the area has our outdoor interests as well as a nice community feel, and we like the overall vibe of Pennsylvania. Williamsport checked all the boxes that we were looking for and we’re excited to be here.
Undergrad: University at Buffalo
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me. I was born and raised in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. While I have only one sibling, my mom is one of nine and my dad is one of three, so it goes without saying that I have a big family! I grew up enjoying outdoor activities with them, like camping, hiking, hunting, and hanging out on Keuka Lake. From my small hometown, I decided to attend college at a university that has a student body exceeding the entire population of my home county! After graduating college at UB, I moved to Philadelphia for seven years to continue my education and gain teaching experience. Aside from pursuing outdoor activities, I also enjoy playing sports, like lacrosse and tennis, cooking new dishes, or just diving into a good book.
Why Family Medicine? Family medicine is a unique specialty where there is great diversity in clinical pathology. I have a wide range of interests, from population health and pediatrics to women’s health and osteopathic manipulative medicine, which can only be fulfilled in this specialty. Family medicine also grants me the honor and privilege of working closely with families and communities, while also being able to utilize education as an empowering tool for my patients. Most of all, I treasure the collaborative patient-physician relationships and the creative opportunities that family medicine cultivates.
Why Williamsport? I was incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend time at UPMC Williamsport during my last year of medical school. The residency program has an excellent reputation that preceded itself, with several of my attendings and patients strongly recommending it to me. I felt incredibly fulfilled while working with a cohesive team in a strong program providing comprehensive care to a community where I felt at home. Despite having lived in Philadelphia for the past seven years, it never felt as a “home” to me. Williamsport has the perfect combination of both a city and small town feel, while being so beautifully nestled in the mountains alongside the river. It’s also a short drive to my big family. I am beyond thrilled to join the team and community!
Undergrad: Boston University
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me. I am the middle of three girls, and I grew up in the seacoast region of New Hampshire in East Kingston (which is the perfect distance to the mountains, the beach, Maine, and Boston). I received my bachelor’s degree in human physiology with a minor in public health at BU. Before starting medical school, I embarked on a 2-month long road trip around the United States in my beloved Subaru, Moose. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, hiking, baking, and traveling in my free time.
Why Family Medicine? When I first started medical school, I was interested in women’s health, pediatrics, and preventative medicine. As I started my clinical rotations in my third year, I found that I enjoyed all my rotations and was having a hard time narrowing down which specialty I wanted to pursue. It wasn’t until I did a rotation at UPMC Williamsport that I officially decided to pursue family medicine. I enjoy the diversity of patient care, caring for whole families, and establishing meaningful relationships with patients.
Why Williamsport? I was fortunate to do a rotation at UPMC Williamsport and fell in love with the residents and faculty I met. Everyone involved with the hospital was genuinely nice and welcomed me with open arms. I was drawn to the well-established program at UPMC Williamsport because of the full-spectrum and unopposed training with strong obstetrics and pediatrics. I was also looking for a program with osteopathic recognition to continue developing my OMM skills.
Undergrad: University of California, Davis
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me. I grew up in the East Bay region of California in a town called Castro Valley. I spent my undergrad years as an Aggie at UC Davis where I majored in nutrition science and where I first became interested in preventative care and lifestyle medicine. After living in California for 24 years, I ventured across the country to North Carolina for medical school. I personally love all things grandmotherly, including embroidery, crochet, and houseplants. During my free time, I also enjoy swimming, creative writing, planning food crawls, making playlists, searching for wholesome TV shows to watch, and trying new recipes – specifically finding creative ways to use up leftover puff pastry!
Why Family Medicine? My passions lie in lifestyle medicine and nutrition, both of which play a large role in family medicine. This specialty allows me to utilize my interests in preventative care and patient education while also building meaningful relationships with patients as they move through life milestones. Each day in family medicine offers something different; diverse cases ranging from acute to chronic conditions, procedures, and memorable patient stories. It is a Jack-of-all-trades specialty that requires a broad scope of knowledge and fosters the lifelong learning that makes a strong physician.
Why Williamsport? I was drawn to UPMC Williamsport because of its well-established, unopposed program that placed an emphasis on resident wellness and support. The various areas of concentration and new lifestyle curriculum highlighted the program’s flexibility and the opportunities available for me to pursue my interests. Additionally, after experiencing the city life in California and the countryside living in North Carolina, I knew I wanted to live in a place that was somewhere in between. With its historic downtown area, tranquil neighborhoods, and scenic riverside views, Williamsport was that peaceful corner that I was looking for and a place that I could envision myself living in for many years. Plus, what could be more wholesome than a place that hosts the Little League World Series?
Medical School: Poznan University of Medical Sciences
About Me. I was born in the United States, but never actually lived here until residency. I split my formative years between Taiwan and Vancouver, before uprooting myself to attend medical school in Europe. I enjoy several different hobbies, including basketball, hiking, and kickboxing. At home, I like to read and cook. When I have the time, I try to travel and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.
Why Family Medicine?Entering medical school, I always knew I wanted to be involved in primary care. One of the biggest things that attracted me to family medicine is the unique privilege of helping otherwise healthy individuals further achieve their health goals. I am hoping to gain more exposure in sports medicine and obesity medicine and to use this to treat a diverse range of patients. I love that family medicine places a strong emphasis on preventative medicine and allows us to establish long-term relationships with our patients.
Why Williamsport? As someone who had never lived in the U.S., I wanted to be part of a program that could make me feel welcome, in a location where I could see myself living. Despite the interviews being virtual, it was obvious that the residents are a tight-knit group and that the faculty truly enjoyed mentoring their residents. UPMC Williamsport also offers a strong academic curriculum. Being an unopposed program that offers areas of concentration is also a huge plus. After spending a year here, I have absolutely no regrets!
