Hematology & Oncology
| Program Details | |
|---|---|
| Division Chief | Moro Salifu, MD, Acting |
| Program Director | Carol Luhrs, MD |
| Address | 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203 |
| Telephone | 718 613-8678 |
| Number of First year Fellows | 4–5 per year. Total 14 |
| Number of Faculty MD & PhD | 10 Clinical and 1 Research |
| Hospitals Fellows Rotate to | Kings County Hospital Center; University Hospital at Downstate; Brooklyn campus of VA-New York Harbor Healthcare System |
| Sample Schedule of Assignment |
|
| Research Interests of The Division | Health Disparities and Clinical Research in Breast Cancer, Adult T Cell Leukemia and Lymphoma, plasma cell neoplasm, diffuse large b cell lymphoma and multiple primary malignant tumors. |
| Conference Schedule | Weekly clinical Grand Rounds (2 hours); Weekly Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards; Weekly Journal Club alternating with Board Review; Weekly Hematopathology Conference; Weekly Morning conferences with topics on Patient Safety, Case of the Month and FDA Updates. |
| Description of the Educational Aspects and Advantages of the Program |
The program has both clinical and research strengths. The diversity of the patient population in the three hospitals provides an exceptional clinical experience which covers a broad spectrum of diseases encountered in inner city, minority, medically underserved and immigrant populations together with the usual hematologic and malignant disorders seen in adults. Extensive ambulatory care training is provided in the outpatient clinics which include general hematology, general medical oncology, and specialized clinics for breast cancer and hematologic malignancies. Each institution has a special chemotherapy unit staffed by specially trained oncology nurses. This clinical program is augmented with weekly conferences in hematology and medical oncology, multidisciplinary conferences with radiology, surgery, radiation oncology and pathology. Histology reviews of all cases are held weekly and led by a member of the Department of Pathology. The fellows are encouraged to participate in on-going clinical studies with a faculty mentor. |
| Application Information |
The program participates in the National Resident Matching Program. |
| Time frame for Interviews |
September-October of year preceeding start of fellowship. Board eligibility for American Board of Internal Medicine required. |
| Contact | Ms. Lois Cooper |
| Address |
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University |
| Telephone | 718 613-8678 |
| Fax | 718 270-1578 |
| lois.cooper@downstate.edu | |
Current Fellows
Emanuel Vanegas
Medical school:
Universidad Especialidades Espíritu Santo, Guayas, Ecuador
Residency:
NYCHHC Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center
Why SUNY Downstate:
I chose SUNY Downstate for its strong clinical training, diverse patient population,
and exposure to a wide spectrum of hematologic and oncologic diseases across multiple
affiliated hospitals. The program provides a supportive learning environment where
fellows develop clinical independence while working closely with experienced faculty.
I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to care for an underserved community and
to build a strong foundation in both hematology and oncology. I believe the breadth
of clinical experience and collaborative atmosphere at Downstate will prepare me well
for a career dedicated to providing high-quality patient care and pursuing academic
interests.
Hobbies:
Brewing coffee and creating new blends, cooking, and working out.
Aaron Lobo
Medical School:
Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, India
Residency:
Bridgeport Hospital/Yale University Program, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Why did I choose SUNY Downstate for Fellowship?
SUNY Downstate's Hematology-Oncology fellowship stood out for its exceptional clinical
training and commitment to mentorship in an academically rigorous environment. The
large and diverse patient population offers the breadth of experience necessary to
deepen my expertise, while the program's support for scholarly activity and teaching
aligns perfectly with my goal of becoming a physician-educator who bridges clinical
practice and research innovation.
Hobbies:
Singing, Playing guitar
Dedipya Bhamidipati
Medical School:
MediCiti Institute Of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India
Residency:
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Chief Resident:
Brooklyn VA Inpatient Services, as part of SUNY Downstate IM residency program
Why I chose Downstate for fellowship?
Choosing Downstate for fellowship felt like coming home. After completing my Internal
Medicine residency here, I found a community of mentors, colleagues, and patients
who helped shape me into the physician I am today. I knew I wanted to continue my
training in an environment where I already felt supported and inspired. Caring for
patients from every socioeconomic and cultural background is deeply important to me,
and Downstate’s commitment to serving Brooklyn’s diverse community will help me become
the compassionate, well-rounded hematologist-oncologist I aspire to be.
Hobbies:
Crocheting, traveling, cooking
Ronak Patel
Medical School:
St. George’s University School of Medicine
Residency:
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Why I Chose Downstate:
Having completed my residency at SUNY Downstate, I saw firsthand how its rigorous
clinical training, diverse patient population, and exposure to a broad range of complex
conditions shape compassionate, clinically strong physicians. Just as importantly,
I found mentors who were genuinely invested in my growth. Downstate has become home,
and I am excited to continue serving the Brooklyn community while pursuing my interests
in patient-centered hematology and oncology, research, and medical education.
Hobbies:
Skiing, weightlifting, and experimenting with specialty coffee and latte art
Sung Mi Yoon
Medical School:
Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, South Korea.
Residency:
North Central Bronx Hospital/ Jacobi, Bronx, New York.
Why did I choose SUNY Downstate for fellowship?
SUNY Downstate fellowship is a great place to train and kick off for a career in hematology
oncology for many reasons that felt right for me.
It is an academic center with experienced faculty who are committed to teaching as
well as academic excellence. We also take care of a diverse patient population across
several hospitals. What particular drew me to the program was the warm and welcoming
culture, and the program director's commitment to each fellow’s professional growth.
Outside of work, I'm looking forward to exploring the many neighborhoods of Brooklyn
with my co-fellows.
Hobbies:
I enjoy working out and traveling.
Jesus Flores Banda, MD
Medical School: Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi
Residency: University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine, Texas
Why did I choose Suny Downstate for Fellowship? I selected SUNY Downstate for my fellowship due to its commendable work-life balance,
diverse patient population, and abundant teaching opportunities. As the sole academic
medical center in Brooklyn, SUNY Downstate plays a critical role in professional development
for healthcare providers. The fellowship offers a unique rotation experience through
three prominent hospitals: the Brooklyn VA, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and Kings
County Hospital, as well as select rotations at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
During the interview process, I was both inspired and made to feel comfortable by
the attending physicians, which reinforced my decision to join this program. The first
year of fellowship presents an invaluable opportunity to expand my clinical knowledge,
particularly through outpatient settings. This foundational experience will enable
me to effectively apply my learning as I advance into the second and third years of
the program.
Hobbies: Working out, running, participating in social events, exploring new cuisines.
Mina Meseha, MD
Medical School: University of Alexandria Faculty of Medicine.
Residency: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York
Why did I choose Suny Downstate for Fellowship? I chose the SUNY Downstate Hematology–Oncology fellowship for its strong clinical training and the chance to work with a wide variety of complex cases. My positive experience as a resident at Downstate really influenced my decision; I felt supported, encouraged, and part of a great team. Training in Brooklyn also means caring for a diverse, underserved community while living in a lively, exciting city. It’s a great place to keep learning and growing.
Hobbies: Swimming, yoga, traveling and playing tennis.
Kazi Samsuddoha, MD
Undergraduate & Medical School: Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Residency: BronxCare Health System, New York
Why did I choose Suny Downstate for Fellowship? SUNY Downstate offers the perfect blend of academic and clinical training. The wide variety of patient population in terms of background and disease spectrum seen in all three campuses greatly enriches the clinical expertise and experience. Didactics are robust in this program. Most importantly, it's in Brooklyn!
Hobbies: Playing cricket, soccer.
M. Talha Ugurlu, MD
Medical School: Gulhane Medical School, University of Health Sciences, Turkiye
Residency: BMC Brighton, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts
Why did I choose Suny Downstate for Fellowship? I chose SUNY Downstate for fellowship because it offers exceptional clinical training with a large and diverse patient population. The program supports fellows in pursuing their interests and creates an atmosphere for professional and personal growth. It is in NYC with a lot of opportunities.
Hobbies:
Cooking, skiing, hiking and running.
Mahtab Zangui, MD
Medical School: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Residency: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York
Why did I choose Suny Downstate for Fellowship? I chose SUNY Downstate for my hematology and oncology fellowship because of its strong academic environment and deep commitment to both patient care and medical education. The program offers invaluable exposure to a diverse patient population through clinical work at high-volume medical centers across Brooklyn, as well as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. This rigorous and well-rounded experience provides the ideal setting for me to continue building on the foundation I developed during my residency at Downstate.
Hobbies: Yoga, playing violin, cooking.
Zakaria Alameddine, MD
Undergraduate School: Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Science
Medical School: Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Science
Residency: Staten Island University Hospital
Why did I choose Suny Downstate for Fellowship? I chose to pursue a Hematology & Oncology fellowship at SUNY Downstate because of its strong emphasis on serving a diverse patient population, its renowned faculty, and its commitment to cutting-edge research. SUNY Downstate's focus on providing comprehensive, compassionate care to underserved communities aligns with my passion for health equity. The opportunity to learn in a dynamic clinical environment, combined with the mentorship from leading experts in the field, makes it an ideal place to further my training and contribute meaningfully to patient outcomes and advancements in cancer and blood disorder treatments.
Hobbies: Table tennis.
Micha Gooden, MD
Undergraduate School: Stony Brook University, NY
Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine, University of Buffalo, NY
Residency: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Why did I choose Suny Downstate for Fellowship?
I chose Downstate because Brooklyn is home. I enjoy working with this unique patient population and wanted to give back to this community.
Hobbies:
Dancing, reading, exploring new cities.
Farish Maraikayar Mohamed Maraikayar, MD
Medical School: Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Bangalore, India
Residency: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY
Why did I choose Suny Downstate for Fellowship? I chose my fellowship program because of its strong clinical training, diverse patient population and a growing emphasis on research. The program offers exceptional mentorship and opportunities to collaborate impactful projects, especially underserved communities.
Hobbies: I enjoy playing volleyball, cricket. I also love spending some good quality time with my family and friends going out for movies and restaurants.
Parima Saxena, MD
Undergraduate School: Western University, Ontario, Canada
Medical School: St. Georges University, Grenada
Residency: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY
Why did I choose Suny Downstate for Fellowship? Our program has a supportive environment that fosters professional and personal growth. I really love that Downstate is so close knit despite being at 3 different hospitals. The faculty are very dedicated to education and supporting the fellows.
Hobbies: Barry’s Bootcamp, wine tasting, and hanging out with my amazing co-fellows!