Meet Our Fellows

Name:
Maksim Isachanka, MD

Hometown:
Warsaw, Poland


Medical School:
Medical University of Warsaw

Residency/Fellowship: 
Boston Medical Center – Brighton

Hobbies:
Volleyball, logic puzzles, and brainteasers.

Interest in Geriatrics:
Geriatric Oncology.

What are your favorite Central MA activities:
Watching baseball games at Polar Park.

Why did you choose UMass Chan Medical School for your Geriatric Medicine Fellowship? 
The main reason is that I already rotated here for a month during the second year of my internal medicine residency, and I absolutely loved it. I loved the place, the program, and the people. On top of that, what I want to do in the future is geriatric oncology, and I know this program offers geriatric oncology rotations. There's also the collaboration with the oncologists in the area, who I already got to work with during my elective.

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Name:
Hedaia Algheriani, MD

Hometown:
Tripoli, Libya

Medical School:
University of Tripoli Faculty of Medicine

Residency/Fellowship:
Family Medicine Residency at UMass Chan – Family Health Center of Worcester; now a Geriatric Medicine Fellow at UMass Chan

Hobbies:
Running, biking, watercolor painting, and visiting art galleries to pick up new skills.

Interest in Geriatrics:
Nursing home and outpatient geriatric medicine, with a longer-term goal of a multi-setting practice (inpatient, outpatient, and nursing home) in Massachusetts.

Favorite Central MA activities:
Hiking, biking, and going out skiing.

Why did you choose UMass Chan Medical School for your Geriatric Medicine Fellowship?
Choosing UMass Chan Medical School for my Geriatric Medicine Fellowship was an easy decision because it embodies the qualities I value most in medical training: outstanding clinical education, compassionate patient-centered care, and a strong commitment to serving older adults.

Throughout my Internal Medicine residency, I discovered that the most meaningful moments in medicine often came from caring for older patients. Geriatrics challenges physicians to look beyond diagnoses and medications, taking into account each patient's goals, functional status, family dynamics, and quality of life. I found this holistic approach deeply rewarding and knew it was the path I wanted to pursue.

UMass Chan stood out because of its exceptional reputation in geriatric education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and dedication to innovation in the care of an aging population. I was especially drawn to the opportunity to learn from faculty who are leaders in the field while training in a supportive environment that values curiosity, mentorship, and lifelong learning.

As an international physician who has trained across different healthcare systems, I have developed resilience, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for caring for patients from diverse backgrounds. I look forward to bringing these experiences to UMass Chan while continuing to grow as a geriatrician, advocate, and educator.

I am excited to join the UMass Chan community and contribute to its mission of improving the health and well-being of older adults through compassionate, evidence-based, and person-centered care.