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Felix Chang MD, FAAMA, DABIM
Associate Professor
Inpatient Service Director
Guayaquil University School of Medicine in Ecuador, 1986
UMass Chan Fitchburg Family Medicine Residency, 2006
Dr. Chang completed his training at the Fitchburg Family Medicine Residency Program in 2006. He remains on faculty at the Residency. He serves a Latin outreach program at the Leominster FHC. As director of the residency's Family Medicine Inpatient Service, Dr. Chang supervises morning report and rounds and lectures frequently on topics related to inpatient medicine, maternity and pediatrics. Dr. Chang is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese. |
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Valerie Coppenrath, PharmD
Assistant Professor
MCPHS University School of Pharmacy Worcester/Manchester – Department of Pharmacy Practice
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Valerie earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2007 from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Afterwards, she completed a pharmacy practice residency and a primary care pharmacy residency, both accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacy and both at Boston Medical Center. She joined MCPHS University as an assistant professor in the School of Pharmacy – Worcester/Manchester in 2009. She practiced at a small community health center for six years where she directly managed the pharmacotherapy of patients with chronic diseases in collaboration with primary care providers.
At FFP, she supervises blocks of PharmD candidates as they conduct medication reconciliation, complete prior authorizations, provide education for the medical staff, and serve as a consult service for selected patients. Dr. Coppenrath and her team promote the judicious use of medications only when the benefits outweigh the risks. Her teaching and practice interests are diabetes, cardiovascular care, and evidence-based medicine. She enjoys the scholarship of teaching and learning most, but also enjoys reflective writing. She takes pleasure in mindfulness, the outdoors, and preparing and sharing meals.
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Amber Cahill, PsyD
Director of Behavioral Science
Assistant Professor
Dr. Cahill is a clinical psychologist who completed a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship at UMass Chan Medical School in primary care behavioral health, health psychology, and medical education. In addition to her faculty role in the Fitchburg Family Medicine Residency (FFMR), she provides integrated, team based clinical care to patients at the Fitchburg Family Practice.
Dr. Cahill is also Faculty in the UMass Center for Integrated Primary Care. Her role in the FFMR involves developing and implementing a longitudinal behavioral science curriculum, training residents in responding to mental health and substance use disorders, as well as health behavior change in primary care. Her clinical and academic interests include integrated primary care, women’s health, opioid use disorders, improving methods of patient education, expanding treatment of substance use disorders (SUD) in primary care, and enhancing SUD education and training across health care disciplines, with an emphasis on disseminating harm reduction-informed care.
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Shahida Fareed, PsyD
Assistant Professor
Dr. Fareed is a Clinical Psychologist and the director of behavioral health for the department of family medicine and community health. She earned her Doctorate in Psychology from Adler University, Chicago and completed her internship at the University of Rochester Medical Center in primary care, ambulatory outpatient clinics, and at a state inpatient psychiatric facility. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Geisinger Medical Center in Internal Medicine and has been working as primary care psychologist for past few years. Along with treating individuals with depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders, her clinical interests include working with individuals living with chronic illnesses, sleep disorders, psychosomatic illnesses, health behavior change, and provider wellness.
In addition to her Doctorate in Psychology Dr. Fareed earned a Master’s in Public Health from Oklahoma University. She also received her Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) with an emphasis in Family Medicine from Karachi University, Pakistan. Outside of her professional life she likes to paint, cook, travel and read books.
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James J. Ledwith, MD, FAAFP
Assistant Professor
Former Program Director
College of William and Mary, 1979
Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, MD, 1983
Family Practice Residency at The Toledo Hospital, OH, 1986
Areas of Interest and Research: Clinical interests include chronic disease management, preventive services, obesity, substance abuse and suboxone therapy. I work with local colleagues to improve care in opioid dependence and pain management and take part in regional and national work groups to improve training in these areas. Despite advanced training in geriatrics and addictions, I won’t take the boards in these disciplines. I’m proud to be called “family doctor”.
About UMass Chan Fitchburg: After 19 years of rural clinical practice before coming to UMass Chan, I maintain a passion for community service and for the care of patients with a focus on health maintenance and systems implementation to enhance safe, accessible, comprehensive service. When I came to UMass Chan, I shopped for a residency that was community-oriented and expressed care for its members, patients and staff like family. I found what I was looking for in Fitchburg!" I love working with our residents and feel torn when working at the medical school.
Personal Facts: Hobbies (often conflicting) include good food, reading, fitness, visiting the Cape, and protecting my home from the enthusiastic exploration of our lab, Cassie. Someday, I'll dust off my golf clubs or perhaps join another medical mission team.
Community Involvement: Dr. Ledwith served as the Medical Director and Board Member of the Epworth Free Medical Services in Worcester, a medical student run free clinic. He supports the Franklin Food Pantry and serves on the Board of the Ledwith-Lewis Free Clinic which he founded in rural Tappahannock, VA.
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Charles W. Lehnardt, DO
Associate Residency Director, Osteopathic Director
Assistant Professor
A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO, 2008
Residency at Via Christi Regional Medical Center, Wichita, KS, 2011
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine / OMM Plus 1 Fellowship at NERMC in Kirksville, MO, 2012
Areas of Interest and Research: Clinical interests include the integration of Osteopathic Manipulation (OMM) with primary care, teaching and training medical students and residents in family medicine and OMM. In the past I have participated that researched utilization of OMM in clinical practice.
About UMass Chan: "I am impressed with the supportive environment of the family medicine department at UMass Chan. Each member is encouraged to improve on their interests and talents, collaborate with colleagues, and take the best care of their patients. The department is actively training each other as well as the residents and students we are here to teach."
Why Family Medicine: "Family medicine is very dynamic, and I find the most satisfaction in continuity care, educating and guiding patients toward their best health. I find osteopathic manipulative treatment is integral in the treatment of patients’ acute and chronic illnesses." |
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Beth Kurtz Mazyck, MD, FAAFP
Medical Director and Associate Professor
Former Residency Program Director
George Washington University School of Health Sciences, Washington, DC
Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, GA
Areas of Interest and Research: Current new area of interest is Obesity Medicine, providing clinical services to help prevent and treat obesity utilizing a team approach: nutrition, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, group support, promoting physical activity, medications, and referrals for surgery when appropriate. Additionally, career-long interest in Women’s Health, Community/Public Health, and Clinical Ethics.
About UMass Chan Fitchburg: “UMass Chan Fitchburg is a great place to train. The education is wonderful, the variety of opportunities outstanding, and the resident support is unmatched at any residency.”
Why Family Medicine? "Family Medicine offers the opportunity to really get to know my patients and be involved in their lives. We can partner with them to remain healthy, not just recover from being sick. A family medicine practice is always challenging and interesting; you never know what will be next. Perhaps most importantly, family docs are the nicest group of docs you could every want to work with!"
Personal Facts: Dr. Mazyck financed her medical education with a scholarship from the US Army. Following her time in the active forces she remained in the Army Reserves until her Army retirement in 2017. “I very much enjoyed the diversity of people served with, the travel to many places in the world, and the opportunity to have served our country.” When not working, she enjoys spending time with her large family, hiking the variety of trails in the area, and traveling when possible. |
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Laquita Morris, MD
Assistant Professor
Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
University of Missouri-Columbia Family & Community Health
Residency Program
Assistant Professor
Areas of Interest and Research: My current interest areas include physician wellness, gynecologic procedures and maternal health, specifically disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality. I am also interested in all things diversity, equity and inclusion in healthcare.
About UMass Chan Fitchburg: I am very new to the department, but so far, I feel welcomed by my colleagues and enjoy working with our residents. It feels like home already.
Why Family Medicine? I found Family Medicine to be most rewarding to me through establishing long-term, trusting relationships with my patients. With FM-OB, I have the incredible experience of caring for a mother throughout her pregnancies, delivering her babies, continuing to care for her needs outside of pregnancy, and watching her children grow as I manage their healthcare needs.
Personal Facts: I’m a Chicago native and most of my family still lives there. In my free time, I like traveling, trying new cuisines, enjoying a glass of wine in the company of family and friends, spending time with my fur baby (Harlem, Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier), and diving into a new book.
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Grant Pierre, MD, CAQSM
Assistant Professor Family Medicine/Sports Medicine
Medical School/Residency- University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Galveston, Texas
Sports Medicine Fellowship-Texas Tech Health Science Center, El Paso, Texas
Areas of Interest and Research: Interested in acute, and chronic injuries in pediatric and adult populations. Strength, and condition and nutrition.
About UMass Chan Fitchburg: I have found this program to be a welcoming, family oriented, well rounded program. With multiple opportunities to talor your experience to your individual goals.
Why Family Medicine? Family Medicine give me the opportunity to see individuals of all activity and fitness levels. For many people nutrition and exercise is a lifestyle change and provides many benefits for not only physical health and mental health. I want to incorporate this knowledge into treating the whole patient and contribute to my patients living long health lives.
Personal Facts: I was born and raised in Austin, Texas. So a new transplant to the area. On my free time you can find me watching sports, participating in Crossfit, and hiking. Looking forward to the next Cowboys super win.
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Eric Rosenthal, DO
Residency Director and Assistant Professor
Eric is a 2014 graduate of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and a 2017 graduate of the UMass Chan Fitchburg Family Medicine Residency. He's from Providence, RI and attended the University of Rochester and the University of Rhode Island. Eric's interests are reading, writing, baseball, skiing, traveling, gardening and cooking. He speaks Hebrew and some Spanish. Eric believes “trust is what makes for better health outcomes and is one of the most important things to strive for as a physician.”
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Jeannette Ryan-Alkasab, MD
Assistant Professor
Jeannette Ryan Alkasab, MD is a 2019 graduate of the UMass Chan Fitchburg Family Medicine Residency and a 2016 graduate of UMass Chan Medical School. Jeannette was born in Boston, MA and attended Wellesley College, MIT, Harvard Extension School and the Boston Conservatory. She has been a research assistant at Mass General Hospital, MIT, and Wellesley College, to name a few and has been a volunteer for many organizations. Jeannette completed an office clerkship with us as a medical student and is “looking forward to a career where she can get to know underserved or otherwise complex patients and spend time with them over years, not hours”.
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