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Meet Our Residents (2026-2027)

     
 
PGY-1: 
 
    
  Mohamed Ahmed, MD, is a graduate of Benha University’s College of Human Medicine in Egypt. Fully bilingual in English and Arabic, Dr. Ahmed is equipped to provide care to diverse patient populations. He brings a strong sense of discipline and collaboration to the clinical setting, having played professional-level soccer for a first-division team in Egypt. He is drawn to family medicine for its focus on building long-term, trusting relationships with patients. Outside of his medical practice, he enjoys reading about history, fishing, and cooking Italian dishes with his wife.
     
     
  Shem Juma, MD, earned his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and holds a Master of Business Administration from MCPHS University-Worcester. This dual expertise provides him with a valuable understanding of both clinical medicine and healthcare systems. Fluent in English and Swahili, Dr. Juma brings a culturally aware perspective to caring for patients from diverse backgrounds. He is a lifelong soccer enthusiast and Manchester United fan who values teamwork and resilience in his approach to medicine. In his free time, he enjoys cooking traditional Kenyan food, distance running while listening to reggae music, and taking road trips.
     
     
  Michelle Larios Gomez, MD, is a graduate of the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana Facultad de Medicina with strong family ties to central Massachusetts. As a bilingual physician fluent in English and Spanish, she is dedicated to supporting multilingual communities and ensuring patients feel heard and understood throughout their care. She brings a thoughtful, culturally aware perspective to working with patients from diverse backgrounds and is known for her attention to detail and ability to build strong, trusting relationships. Outside of medicine, she enjoys Pilates, challenging 1000-piece puzzles, reading romance and mystery novels, and hosting movie club nights for friends.
     
     
  Morgan Nelson, DO, earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine. With roots in Massachusetts, Dr. Nelson brings a strong appreciation for community to the Fitchburg program. She is known for her approachable, engaging personality and her ability to connect with patients, helping create a comfortable and supportive clinical environment. She is drawn to family medicine for the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and care for patients across all stages of life. In her free time, she enjoys expressing her creativity through intricate nail art, building Disney-themed LEGO sets, and reading historical fantasy Webtoons.
     
     
  Rachel Picard, MD, is a graduate of the University College Dublin School of Medicine and holds a Master of Arts from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Born and raised in New Hampshire and fluent in English and Italian, she brings a culturally aware perspective to caring for diverse patient populations. She is drawn to family medicine for its focus on continuity of care and building meaningful, long-term relationships with patients. Her resilience is reflected in her passion for endurance cycling, including an all-women ride from San Francisco to Boston. She also enjoys hiking the White Mountains with her husband and son and quilting with her mother.
     
     
PGY-2: 
    
     
  Kenneth Kwalar, MD is a New York native with a passion for community health and healthcare access, Dr. Kenneth Kwalar blends clinical experience with social impact. He earned his B.S. in Biology from CUNY Lehman College and completed his medical degree at St. George’s University in January 2025. As the co-founder of Brain Fuel Boxes, he helped provide fresh produce to food-insecure communities, reinforcing his commitment to public health. His hands-on experience as an LPN at Northwest Restorative Therapy further solidifies his patient-centered approach. Fluent in French, he enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and sharing his Cameroonian heritage through cooking Ndolé with his daughter.
     
     
  Gavin Martin, MD brings a diverse academic foundation spanning psychology, chemistry, and biology to our residency. He earned his BA from the College of William & Mary and completed his MD at Meharry Medical College in May 2024, alongside an MA. from Liberty University. His experience as an EMT fueled his passion for patient care, while his certification as a personal trainer reflects his dedication to wellness and preventative medicine. Outside of medicine, he is an avid fitness enthusiast, enjoys sports, reading, art, music, and automobiles, and remains actively involved in his church community.
     
     
  With extensive international medical experience, Shahzada Bilal Syed, MD brings a global perspective to patient care. He earned his M.D. from Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina in Cuba and has been practicing as a physician in both the public and private health sectors in Uruguay and Brazil since 2018. Fluent in multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Urdu, he values cross-cultural communication and health equity. Outside of medicine, he is passionate about exploring natural landscapes, honing his photography skills, reading, and organizing social gatherings that foster community and connection.
     
     
  Tirzah Talampas, DO combines her background in exercise science and human performance with a strong commitment to patient wellness. She earned her BS from Grove City College and an MS from Liberty University before pursuing her medical degree at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. A dedicated athlete and former personal trainer, she has been practicing Muay Thai and kickboxing since 2016, reinforcing her interest in movement-based medicine. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball basketball, engaging in board games with friends, and baking for those she loves.
     
     
  Anusha Venkatesh, MD brings a dual passion for clinical medicine and public health to Fitchburg Family Medicine.  She earned her medical degree from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, and a Master of Public Health from Harvard University, where she served as a Diversity and Inclusion Fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. With experience as a Research Scientist and Program Manager at Brigham and Women's Hospital, she has worked at the intersection of maternal-child health and global health initiatives. When not in the clinic, she enjoys long-distance running, perfecting her espresso-making skills, practicing hot yoga, and exploring the outdoors with her partner and their dog.
     
     
PGY-3: 
    
     
  Annaerolande Charles, MD graduated from Ross University. She is a graduate of Grand Canyon University where she earned a M.S. in Healthcare Administration. Annaerolande also obtained a B.A. in Biology and a B.S. in Neuroscience & Behavior from Florida Atlantic University. She is a Haitian native that currently resides in Maryland and has been working as a Virtual Medical Scribe. 

She is especially passionate about community outreach having enrolled in a community medicine elective that provided free healthcare to the homeless and underserved. Annarolande additionally completed a global health elective in Uganda. Finally, she used her background as a dance choreographer to develop her patience and organizational skills in order to teach children with Autism and behavioral challenges.
     
     
  Arianna Gray, DO, Class Representative, graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Arianna graduated from Hampton University with a M.M.S. in Medical Science and UMass Amherst with a B.S. in Biology. A Jamaican native born and raised in Worcester, MA, Arianna is presently a PCOM Research Assistant for the Biomedical Science Department. She has a commitment to provide quality compassionate care to the underserved.

Arianna was drawn to join the Teach for America and AmeriCorps program as a science teacher due to the mission of aiding the underserved community. She is a long-standing volunteer of the Salvation Army in various capacities. Gardening is one of her passions which she enjoys sharing with her family. One of her favorite things in gardening is to tend to her homegrown cucumbers.
     
     
  Angie Ossa, MD graduated from Ross University.  She obtained a BS in Science Technology & Mathematics from Kean University. Angie currently resides in New Jersey and has a background as an Anatomy Teaching Assistant and EMT. She was selected to speak at the National Hispanic Medical Association and was instrumental in getting the community to understand the importance of managing chronic comorbidities and medication compliance.

Angie participated in a global health elective in African underserved communities. She grew up servicing her community through Be the Change, a program that focuses on feeding the homeless, restoring houses, and re-beautifying abandoned community parks. While in medical school, Angie also continued to provide free healthcare to the homeless. 
     
  Peggie Mendoza Robles, MD graduated from Universidad de San Martin de Porres Facultad de Medicina Humana in Peru. Peggie is currently a Research Fellow for the Global Lumen and Lumen Foundation and is an active member of the American Medical Association. She resides in Maryland and has a background as a Medical Assistant. 

Peggie was an ongoing participant of the Peruvian Embassy Health Campaign and provided education regarding the importance of Preventative Medicine. She serves as a Spanish-English Interpreter for Catholic Charities Medical Clinic in Washington, DC. Her passion for primary care medicine began while observing her father, a physician, provide care out of their family home.
     
  Annamaria Muwonge, MD graduated from Makerere University School of Medicine in Uganda. She was a practicing medical doctor in Uganda from 2017-2020 before relocating to the United States. Additionally, she has a background as a nursing aide and math tutor. Annamaria currently lives in Leominster. She was involved in Student Leadership, elected as Community Based Education and Research Service student leader. 

In that role, she worked closely with Ugandan district and community leaders as a diagnostician and to also educate people on a multitude of topics, including HIV, AIDS and malaria prevention. Since 2022, Annamaria has volunteered for Tufts Medicine Lowell General Hospital as a direct support to the patients. She has overcome many obstacles to get to where she is today and feels ready to fight for her dream of practicing Family Medicine.
     
  Lia Priela, MD graduated in July 2020 from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. A native Filipino, Lia’s desire to train in the United States was fueled after the completion of a medical externship in Tacoma, WA. It was there that she developed a special interest in addiction medicine, having served the healthcare needs of patients at a family and addiction clinic.

Prior to residency, Lia served as a General Physician in the Philippines. Practicing medicine in a Filipino hospital with limited resources, Lia honed her ability to manage patients using a cost-conscious approach without compromising the quality of care. Additionally, Lia became a Jump Rope Enthusiast during the height of the pandemic in order to achieve a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. It transformed into a passion, instilled the value of perseverance, and served as a positive outlet during a challenging period.