Current Residents
First Year Residents (EM-1)
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Audree Baroni , MD
Hometown: Burlington, VermontMedical School: Robert Larner, MD, College of Medicine at the University of VermontInterests/Hobbies: Spending time with my husband and son, backpacking/camping, surfing, skiing, and playing guitar.Why UMass: I was always aware of UMass as it had a great reputation and I knew would be strong training. Coming from Burlington, VT for medical school, I knew that I wanted to stay in New England, but I wanted to train somewhere with higher diversity, acuity, and would provide strong procedural training. So UMass seemed like a great fit. What really sold me, though, was the interview. Everyone I spoke with were so genuine, passionate, and happy. I was used to seeing people burnt out in emergency medicine, but UMass did not give me that impression at all, and it was incredibly refreshing. -
Madison Battersby , DO
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UTMedical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas CampusInterests/Hobbies: I love to hike, backpack, and ski! I love indoor activities like cooking and crocheting as well. I've had such a fun time exploring the outdoor activities in New England so far and I'm stoked for winter!Why UMass: I love to hike, backpack, and ski! I love indoor activities like cooking and crocheting as well. I've had such a fun time exploring the outdoor activities in New England so far and I'm stoked for winter! -
Michael Carbone , DO
Hometown: Rockport, MAMedical School: UNECOMInterests/Hobbies: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why UMass: I chose UMass for many reasons. I have multiple interests following residency training, including critical care fellowship, academic emergency medicine, as well as community emergency medicine. I was looking for a program that would allow me to pursue each of these potential destinations with confidence. The UMass emergency program will allow me to do just that. -
Michaela Farrell , MD
Hometown: Philadelphia, PAMedical School: Thomas JeffersonInterests/Hobbies: Running, hiking, yoga, coffee walks, cooking, planning vacations I can’t afford.Why UMass: I chose UMass for its high-acuity, high-volume training environment that pushes residents early on. I was also drawn to the wide variety of opportunities to explore my professional interests. My fiancé and I (my colleague Matthew Piechnik) couples matched here, and we've both felt incredibly welcomed by the program and the people. Being in New England is also a huge bonus. It’s a great location that offers easy access to the outdoors, which is important to both of us! -
Ezra Hornik , MD
Hometown: Yonkers, NYMedical School: Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook UniversityInterests/Hobbies: Skiing, hiking, running, playing piano, live musicWhy UMass: High patient volume, high acuity, plenty of procedures, lots of academic opportunities, and great location. And I did a toxicology rotation here during med school and loved the people I met! -
Kayla Loycano , MD
Hometown: Chelmsford, MAMedical School: University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of MedicineInterests/Hobbies: Soccer - collegiate soccer player, two-time captain. I love watching and playing soccer; hiking - trying to get through the NH48, I’m about halfway through! Would also love to explore out west at some point; baking - cookies mainly. But open to requests; reading - suspense, thrillers, sci-fi.Why UMass: UMass has everything I was looking for in a residency program. There is great exposure to sick patients, plenty of opportunity for procedures, and the faculty here value resident autonomy and learning. Plus the people are awesome, which is a huge win! -
Courtney McMahon , MD
Hometown: Pittsfield, MAMedical School: University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of MedicineInterests/Hobbies: motorcycle riding, scuba diving, traveling and exploring new places (whether it be a new brewery or a country I’ve never been to) , getting lost in a good bookWhy UMass: UMass has everything I was looking for in a program! During my rotations here, I was deeply impressed by the camaraderie among residents, faculty, and staff. Whether on shift or outside the hospital, it was evident that the program fosters genuine connections and is a supportive culture that encourages growth to learn and excel with the guidance of approachable and dedicated faculty. The program’s early and frequent exposure to high-acuity patients and complex procedures made it evident how much the residents were well-prepared to manage critically ill patients confidently and competently. The program’s impressive track record of retaining graduates who choose to complete fellowships or continue working within the institution or community speaks volumes about the quality of education, mentorship, and culture at UMass, and is a testament to the program’s ability to cultivate skilled and fulfilled emergency physicians. All that aside, Worcester is a fun, diverse city, has endless great food options, and provides proximity to beaches and skiing! -
Matthew Piechnik , MD
Hometown: Chatham, NJMedical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson UniversityInterests/Hobbies: backpacking, climbing, running, kayaking, budding mixologist, amateur radioWhy UMass: I was instantly impressed by the "early & often" exposure to all facets of emergency medicine that would give a strong, well-rounded EM training. I couples matched with my fiancée (& fellow EM co-intern!) Michaela & we've felt extremely well supported and welcomed here at UMass! Worcester is a great place to train and the proximity to so much outdoor recreation, beaches, city life and really all of New England makes our time off all the more enjoyable! -
Jennifer Rossman , MD, MBA
Hometown: Natick, MAMedical School: University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of MedicineInterests/Hobbies: Cooking, Hot Pilates, Playing with my dogs, Hockey, Horseback riding, Going to the beach, Real estate and Watching all Boston and Michigan sports teamsWhy UMass: UMass had all the pieces I was looking for in a program- an amazing community, diverse training, fellowship opportunities and the bonus of being close to family and friends -
Austeja Rubeski , DO
Hometown: Groton, MAMedical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic MedicineInterests/Hobbies: reading, hiking, gardening, hanging out with my dogWhy UMass: UMass was offering everything I was looking for in a program - level 1 trauma center, diverse patient population, great education curriculum, lots of exposure to complex cases and procedures, and a supportive environment! Lastly, I was looking for a program that was close to home so I could be close to my family! -
Alyson Skelly , DO
Hometown: Boston, MAMedical School: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic MedicineInterests/Hobbies: golf, bruins, patriots, beach, boating, running, breweries, Harry PotterWhy UMass: the people, the supportive environment, early exposure to high acuity patients & it’s close to home! -
Pantos Skritakis , DO
Hometown: Boston, MAMedical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic MedicineInterests/Hobbies: Fishing, New England Sports, Greek Dancing. I enjoy chartering boats to deep sea fish or chase after larger fish. Traditional Greek dancing which varies by regions in Greece, is a way in which I can connect with my heritage and is an important component of my identity.Why UMass: Prior to starting medical school, I worked at UMass in the ED as a medical scribe. I got to experience firsthand how amazing the faculty was as they would often find great teaching points for an aspiring medical student. Their passion and dedication inspired me to pursue a career in EM. Several years later, I completed my sub-internship rotation at UMass and found that the community dedicated to education was just as unwavering. Additionally, the residents were welcoming, caring, and always willing to find great teaching opportunities to further enhance my experience. I knew that this was the community that I wanted to be a part of as I trained to be an Emergency Medicine Physician. -
Rose Welch , MD
Hometown: Stanford, CAMedical School: Albany Medical CollegeInterests/Hobbies: swimming, going for walks, birdwatching, yoga, watching F1Why UMass: UMASS has everything I was looking for in a program - high acuity, a diverse patient population, opportunities to explore different fellowships, a great location, and some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. The program does a great job of making you feel supported and included from day 1. -
Caroline Wolek , MD
Hometown: Madison, CTMedical School: University of Connecticut School of MedicineInterests/Hobbies: surfing, climbing, snowboarding, triathlon: ÖTILLÖ /Odyssey SwimRun: First American female team to podium in the International ÖTILLÖ World Series, Qualified for the 2020 ÖTILLÖ World Championships, 2021 Casco Bay SwimRun Legend Award; Distance Running: 2019, 2020 Boston Marathon QualifierWhy UMass: For my training, I was looking for a program that provided high volume, well-rounded exposure, was close to friends and family, and which would prepare me to be an effective EM physician in any conditions. On interview day and during the social, I was blown away by how enthusiastic everyone was to teach and to learn as well as the procedural competence upheld by the program. Residency is hard by nature, and UMass perfectly balances providing a supportive learning environment while pushing us to become the best EM physicians we can be. Lastly, as someone interested in tropical and marine medicine in the future, the month in Hawaii is an added bonus!
Second Year Residents (EM-2)
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Jonathan Berlowitz
Hometown: Lincoln, MAMedical School: Boston UniversityInterests/Hobbies: Boston sports (and the WooSox!), pickup basketball/soccer/tennis/ultimate, strategy board/card games (particularly bridge, if you haven't heard of it ask someone aged 80+), politics (amateur election forecaster), Arsenal FC, backyard games, traveling (or planning future trips!),Why UMass: Academic 3-year program with enthusiastic faculty specialized in all kinds of different areas of emergency medicine. High acuity, lots of procedures and volume. Staying near friends and family in a fun city with a great food and beer scene. Since getting here, everything has been exactly what I was hoping for and has exceeded all of my expectations! -
Brian Brisebois
Hometown: Fitchburg, MAMedical School: UMass ChanInterests/Hobbies: Camping, hiking, running, video games, bass guitar, bass clarinet, role playing games, miniature painting, scuba diving, biking,Why UMass: I've felt at home since I started training here, so staying at UMass was an easy decision. The residents and faculty are kind and supportive, a theme that carries across the entire institution. The training environment is excellent with high acuity and volume. I also love the availability of EM fellowships available, with almost every subspecialty represented. Having access to subspecialty conferences and meetings is a unique learning opportunity that many EM programs don't have. I wanted a three-year program at a major academic center, providing both a focused and well-rounded residency experience. Worcester and the surrounding communities are a great place to raise a family, with good schools and plenty of outdoor activities. Finally, I have many friends that decided to stay here at UMass to complete their residency training, which I think speaks volumes about the quality of the education and culture. I'm so grateful to be able to continue my training here at home. -
Lillith Bulawa
Hometown: Greeneville, TN.
Medical School: Quillen College of Medicine (East Tennessee State Univ).Interests/hobbies: I love traveling, hiking, rock climbing, skiing/snowboarding, spending time with my dog and my loved ones (in that order), watching anime, playing MTG and PC games. Academically, I’m interested in international/rural/austere medicine.Why UMass: I have an interest in a little bit of everything and UMass offers so many fellowship opportunities. Also, mentorship is really important to me and UMass has so many great people who are not only willing to mentor but also are passionate about it. Regarding Worcester, it is home to an incredibly diverse patient population. -
Jon Chastek
Hometown: Pittsburgh PAMedical School: LECOMInterests/Hobbies: Whitewater kayaking, playing music, and hanging out with my three dogsWhy UMass: I chose UMass because I wanted to train somewhere with a wide variety of critically ill patients. Also the residents and the staff seemed to genuinely enjoy being around each other in and outside of work. -
Emily Cheney
Hometown: Bourne, MAMedical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicineInterests/Hobbies: Running, biking, reading, breweries, skiing, going to the beach, gardeningWhy UMass: Umass has everything I was looking for in a program: location, curriculum, and people. I am so excited to be back home in Mass! Secondly, we see everything from day one, there is a diverse patient population, and we are exposed to many fellowship opportunities. Lastly, feel supported by both faculty and residents in the emergency room and outside. -
Sarah Connell
Hometown: Killeen, TXMedical School: Loma Linda University School of MedicineInterests/hobbies: hiking, camping, doing anything with my dog Ellie, reading, video games, concerts, learning new classical pieces on the pianoWhy UMass: Fellowship exposure, procedure experience, rotation in Hawaii, overall program benefits -
Alexander Herr
Hometown: Union, CTMedical School: Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac UniversityInterests/hobbies: Running, fantasy football, golf, disc golf, NFL (Patriots fan), bowhunting, personal finance, pizza, cats, scuba diving.Why UMass: I chose UMass because of the proximity to family, supportive learning environment and down to earth faculty and residents. On my visiting rotation, I observed that residents were comfortable with managing critically ill patients and adept at procedures (e.g. central lines, intubations, lumbar punctures). I also observed that didactics were excellent, and faculty were highly invested in teaching. Overall, I think UMass offers an extremely well-rounded curriculum with excellent leadership, faculty, and residents. -
Annabelle Jordan
Hometown: Kansas City, KS
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
Interests/hobbies: Photography, Taekwondo, Reading
Why UMass: On my interview day I felt like UMass had a really good culture and that I could see myself getting along well with the residents. UMass also had a great reputation and I was sure that I would learn a lot here! -
Teresa Marsinelli
Hometown: Braintree, MAMedical School: UNECOMInterests/Hobbies: cooking, dance, yogaWhy UMass: When looking at residencies my husband (who is a police officer in Sharon, MA) and I wanted to stay close to home and I wanted to go to a well established program in a diverse city. UMass checks both those boxes and more! Being from Massachusetts, UMass was always known as one of the best hospitals in the states so being apart of this program is really a dream come true! -
Christopher O'Neil
Hometown: Shrewsbury MAMedical School: SUNY Upstate in Syracuse NYInterests/Hobbies: I enjoy playing tennis, road bicycling, playing video games, and more recently rock climbing. I also like to dabble in whatever artistic ventures I can get my hands on, and for the last few years have been playing around with silk screening t-shirts and posters.Why UMass: I had the sense after interviewing and after doing an away rotation here at UMass that this is a program that allows its new interns to dive in headfirst and tackle challenging and complex patients - but that also goes to great lengths to make sure those interns are supported and nurtured. -
Joseph Penna
Hometown: Reading MA
Medical school: UNECOM
Interests/hobbies: BJJ/wrestling, video games, coffee, surfing and reading
Why UMass: I wanted to stay close to my family/friends to have a support system near me. Also, I knew Umass would expose me to a lot of different pathologies so I could be better prepared when I am an attending. -
Brandon Smalls
Hometown: LaGrange, GAMedical School: University of South Carolina GreenvilleInterest/Hobbies: Filmmaking, writing fantasy fiction novels, weightliftingWhy UMass: I wanted to get back into skiing! In all honesty, though, the educational system in Massachusetts is hard to beat in general and I already had a fantastic support system in the area. Choosing UMass was a no-brainer. -
Divya Srinivas
Hometown: Cary, NCMedical school: East Carolina Brody SOMInterests/Hobbies: Hiking, Baking, going to the gym, most sitcoms, tea sessions, hosting dinner parties, playing with my German ShepherdWhy UMass: I grew up in Shrewsbury and still had close family in the area and wanted to move back! I loved how strong the program is and how residents graduated with confidence. The people are kind, fun, and always willing to teach! -
Julia Via
Hometown: Buffalo, New YorkMedical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical SciencesInterests/Hobbies: Spending time with my dog Winston, reading, dancing, crafting fun cocktails, trying new restaurants with friends, Mario Kart, and investing my well-being into Buffalo sports teams. Go Bills!Why UMass: UMass had everything I was looking for in a residency program including being located in diverse city with a high volume of patients and offering a wide variety of pathologies, (Hawaii was also an added perk). But my primary reason for choosing this program was that I could feel the sense of camaraderie between residents and faculty during my interview. I liked that even through the screen of a zoom call, I could appreciate how positive and supportive of an environment UMass is.
Third Year Residents (EM-3)
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Jorge Acevedo Herman
Hometown: Cayey, Puerto Rico
Med School: UMass Chan
Interests/Hobbies: Running, Scuba Diving, Traveling, Hiking, Finance and Business Administration, Investing, Aerospace Medicine
Why UMass: The rigor and strength of the 3-year EM curriculum, outstanding residents, and staying close to immediate family. -
Nikhil Bhana
Hometown: Cinnaminson, NJ
Med School: Cooper Medical School
Interest/hobbies: Skiing & Snowboarding (started off skiing then taught myself how to snowboard to hit bigger jumps on the slopes), Soccer (former Division 1 athlete), Hiking (absolutely love the breathtaking views from mountain tops), Body Surfing (nothing more exciting than crashing with the waves), Fitness, Team-based Video games (Rocket League, Halo, COD, you name it), DIY Projects, Traveling, Stocks, Harry Potter Fan (repairo!), Pizza enthusiast (number 1 pizza spot is Kate & Als in Columbus, NJ).
Why UMass: Well-rounded training, super friendly faculty, HAWAII, supportive and collaborative learning environment… you join a family when you come here. -
Audrey Butler
Hometown: Erie, PA
Med School: SUNY Upstate
Interests/hobbies: Wordle & NYT games, contemporary and hip-hop dance, biking, reading, Netflix, podcasts, discovering local breweries & coffee shops, bar trivia, fantasy football & watching the Patriots.
Why UMass: I wanted to come to UMass because I could tell it was an inclusive and supportive environment. When I visited, I loved that there was a strong camaraderie on shift between the attendings and residents. I wanted a program that emphasized wellness and resident life outside medicine. Im so happy I am here because for all these reasons, UMass has helped create a smooth transition into residency and made working on shift fun and a great place to learn. -
Brian Desnoyers
Hometown: Poughquag, NY
Med School: Tufts
Interest/hobbies: swimming, film, cycling, scuba diving, clinical informatics, public health
Why UMass: I choose UMass because it offers a warm and inclusive environment, prioritizes quality improvement and promoting social emergency medicine, and is situated in an ideal setting. -
Hayley Kohler
Hometown: Westwood MA
Med school: New York Medical College
Interests/hobbies: kayaking, hiking, traveling
Why UMass: Location being close to home, high acuity and patient volume, Hawaii, many fellowship opportunities and emphasis on health equity with community outreach programs like road to care and WRAP -
Thomas Leith
Hometown: Cambridge, MA
Med school: University of Michigan
Interests/hobbies: Hiking, climbing, SCUBA diving, gardening, folk and bluegrass fiddle music
Why UMass: UMass blew me away from the start by offering an incredible balance of all my personal and professional interests. It’s an established, rigorous academic program with all the resources of a top-tier tertiary care center, while still offering outstanding exposure to and partnership with a wide variety of community sites. It’s located in a fun and diverse (if often underestimated!) city, with lots to do in town, but is also just minutes away from phenomenal outdoor activities. And, cliched as it sounds, the people here truly are fantastic. Within days of starting here, UMass already felt like home. I’m thrilled to get to spend three years training here. -
Ryan Lindsay
Hometown: West Boylston, MA
Med School: UMass Chan Medical School
Interest/hobbies: I enjoy hiking and traveling. You can find me on the golf course struggling to keep the ball in play. I enjoy trivia, exploring new restaurants, and backyard games (like volleyball and Spike Ball).
Why UMass: I chose UMass EM for the family culture and the patient complexity. The UMass residents and attendings are excited to teach and are approachable. I appreciated how the residents kept a lighthearted attitude while working extremely hard. I was also drawn to the acuity and complexity of the patients that are treated at UMass Chan. Very strong subspecialty departments, such as the toxicology and ultrasound departments, were also a draw to this program. -
Bennett McKinley
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Med School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Interests/hobbies: Tennis, Pickleball, Basketball, Football, Traveling, Guitar, Hiking, Trying new things (Food, Games, Recreational activities)
Why UMass: Being close to family was one of the most important factors I considered when choosing a residency program. When I was looking for programs in the New England region, the strong academic background of the University of Massachusetts and the diverse, urban population of Worcester immediately stood out to me. During my away rotation in October, everyone was very down-to-earth and welcoming. The strong culture for learning and feedback, the exposure to the different specialties of Emergency Medicine, and the diversity in patient presentation with excellent didactics to support those learning opportunities confirmed my decision to rank UMass number one. -
Olga Neyman
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Med School: Washington University in St. Louis
Interests/Hobbies: Rock climbing, dancing, cooking, camping, overly complicated board games
Why UMass: Awesome people and opportunities in a new part of the country -
Matias Page
Hometown: Newton, MA
Med School: Brown Medical School
Interests/Hobbies: Sailing, windsurfing, biking, skiing, New England sports, drawing
Why UMass: My away rotation at UMass made a great and lasting impression on me, and ultimately was one of the major factors in my decision. The residents I worked with moved through the department like seasoned veterans who were comfortable taking care of very sick patients and had plenty of experience doing a wide variety of procedures. I also appreciated that the residents and faculty were incredibly approachable and invested in teaching. Lastly, I wanted to live close to my family and in an area with outdoor activities nearby. The Worcester area has lots of parks, hiking, and even a sailing center next to the hospital, all of which I am excited to make use of during my residency. -
Ryan Silva
Hometown: Johnston, RI
Med School: UConn
Interests/Hobbies: New England sports teams (catch me at Gillette Stadium to watch the Pats play), soccer, flag football, yard games (especially cornhole), music, concerts, Broadway shows, trivia and karaoke nights, ciders, hiking
Why UMass: I chose UMass because it aligned best with my interests and wants when it came to a residency program. The opportunity to train in Emergency Medicine at an academic Level 1 Trauma Center in the second largest city in New England seemed invaluable, especially as someone who was born and raised in New England. It also became evident that residents at UMass are exposed early and often to the management of high acuity level patients and complex procedures, which I especially appreciated. I was additionally drawn to the number of EM fellowship programs at UMass, and the resultant opportunity to garner exposure and expertise from the various fellowship-trained faculty. Everyone I met along the interview trail, from administration to program leadership to the current residents, were extremely friendly and supportive, and I knew they were the people for me. Finally, where else can you find a residency program that sends you to Hawaii for a month? What's better than that? -
Walberto Tejada Menjivar
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Med school: Meharry Medical College
Interests/hobbies: cooking/bread baking and anything food related, making craft cocktails at home, listening to podcasts, watching MMA, and living vicariously through Youtube.
Why UMass: During my interview, I realized that UMass residents get to see the whole spectrum of patients that you would find at a community or county program in a setting with academic resources. Being the only level 1 trauma center in the region allows us to see critical patients from the beginning. Having grown up in the south, getting to explore New England is also exciting! -
Charlotte Tisch
Hometown: New York City
Med school: The University of Pennsylvania
Interests/hobbies: cardiac arrest research, being outdoors, cooking, whale watching,
Why UMass: Strong mentorship, opportunities in practically every specialty within EM, departmental culture -
Jacob Wood
Hometown: Ogden, Utah
Med School: UT Southwestern
Interests/Hobbies: skiing, mountain biking, hiking with my wife and dog, boating, tennis, running, camping.
Why UMass: I have always had an interest in EMS and life flight, and UMass is one of the few programs that gives residents the opportunity to go out on calls with the local EMS, and even participate in life flight flights. Also the month in Hawaii during third year was pretty enticing!