Primary Care Residents
PGY 1, 2023-2024
Zaheer Bukhari
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Interests (personal and/or career): A cricket player, he enjoys giving old furniture new life.
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM:
Sumaiyia Chowdhury
Hometown: Queens, New York
Interests: Cooking, crafting, and fashion
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: I chose Downstate PCIM because of my interactions with the leadership during my interview. Their passion and dedication towards this program inspired me and made me feel like this was a place where I could succeed.
Kevin Han
Hometown: Beijing and Missouri
Interests: Climbing mountains, cooking, caring for animals
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: This is a big, warm family, you will have so many big brothers and sisters and fantastic supervisors to support you, as well as awesome co-interns to work with! I am looking forward to growing longitudinal relationships with patients in our primary care practice. This is an environment in which I will grow and thrive as I pursue my career in medicine.
Jacquelyn Huang
Hometown: New York
Interests (personal and/or career): Exploring the city and eating!
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: On interview day, I felt this was the only program that took the time to really read through the candidates' applications and tried to get to know us as not just future physicians but also as people with hobbies, interests, and personalities. I felt reassured that this program will select for a mix people that I can really relate to/become friends with, and I was confident that this program cares about the wellness of their residents!
Shermanda Jean-Francois
Hometown: Florida
Interests (personal and/or career): Traveling, gardening, reading, and cooking
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: I chose Downstate PCIM because it is centered on community-based health and wellness, treating a diverse underserved community, and ensuring residents are adequately trained in primary care skills. Its approachable faculty involved with the residents' training and collaborative curriculum make Downstate PCIM the program of choice.
Jerry Jose
Hometown: New Hyde Park, NY and India
Interests: Drawing and cooking
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: I chose Downstate PCIM for several reasons. Firstly, the program's emphasis on academics aligns perfectly with my career aspirations. Moreover, the supportive leadership at Downstate was also a significant appeal. Knowing that the program's leaders are committed to our success and well-being provides a sense of security and motivation. Lastly, the friendly and helpful nature of all the residents I met during my interview process left a lasting impression. The sense of camaraderie and mutual support within the program is invaluable, as it fosters a collaborative learning environment where I can thrive.
Erwin Odongo
Hometown: Seattle and Nairobi
Interests: Travelling, reading and playing guitar
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM:
Emmanuel Omole
Hometown: Buffalo and Nigeria
Interests (personal and/or career): Playing soccer, ping pong and dancing
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: The program offers a unique opportunity to provide high-quality health services in underserved communities, work with diverse patient populations, participate in quality improvement projects, and engage in healthcare advocacy—all of which align perfectly with my values. The program's structure, which allows for building long-term patient relationships and continuity of care, resonates deeply with my commitment to holistic patient-centered care. Additionally, the exceptional program leadership, supportive faculty, and commitment to resident well-being made it a clear choice for me.
Ruchi Patel
Hometown: New Jersey
Smita Rajan
Hometown: Ridgewood, NY
Interests: Tennis, pilates, cooking and travel
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: I chose Downstate PCIM because I really loved that it is a smaller and academic focused program that provides residents with unique learning opportunities from treating an underserved population in Brooklyn to hosting events to give back to the local community. The program focuses on a holistic medical education both in and out of the hospital. Most importantly, the program leadership is extremely supportive of their residents, which has created a genuine camaraderie for the PCIM residency.
Hira Tahir
Hometown: Pakistan
Interests: Cooking, hiking, taking long drives
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: Downstate PCIM was a great fit for me because of its cultural diversity and academic
rigor. As a bonus, it's close to home!
Radhika Thakkar
Hometown: Sunnyvale, California
Interests: Eating at new restaurants, playing with my cat, taking long coastal drives and appreciating basketball
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: Downstate PCIM gave me a wonderfully warm and welcoming feeling since our first interaction. The program leadership is extremely admirable, and most importantly, strongly advocates for their residents. In addition, the small cohorts allow for close relationships amongst co-residents, making work enjoyable and learning more personalized.
PGY 2, 2023-2024
Rabab Abdalla
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY & Sydney, Australia
Interests (personal and/or career): I love to travel to new and unique places immersing myself in cultures different than my own. I find it gives me new perspectives that better equip me to help my patients
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: Our program is based in a university hospital setting which allows us a plethora of resources to pursue both professional and personal interests. In addition to focusing on academic and patient care activities, we are privileged to have activities encompassing communication skills, QI projects, volunteer opportunities and more.
Gemonique Bowen
Hometown: Miami, FL & Brooklyn, NY
Interests: I am interested in music, art and cooking. My professional interests include internal medicine, cardiology, women's health and community health.
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: I chose Downstate PCIM because I really appreciated the program's holistic approach to health care, community involvement and the sense of genuine kindness/thoughtfulness that I felt from the faculty and program team. My goal is to be a healthcare provider who practices preventative medicine, engages in community health initiatives, treat acute illnesses, treat chronic illnesses, practice specialty medicine. This PCIM program affords me the opportunity do all of those things.
Anwesha Chaudhuri
Hometown: Kolkata, India
Interests: Listening to and performing Indian classical/fusion music, watching Broadway shows, doing Karaoke with friends, painting
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: The excellent leadership and mentor support was evident from the interviews and resident interactions. This program cares about you and your growth as a resident. I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking for a well-rounded university program in primary care, with plenty of learning opportunities in IM.
Ryan Gheevarghese
Hometown: Yorktown Heights, NY
Interests: Primary Care Internal Medicine and Hospital Medicine.
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: I love this program because I feel valued as a person and just not another resident. The continuity clinic is one of the best parts, because it helps us build a strong rapport with the patients we serve. Being able to practice medicine in such a diverse community and being mentored by supportive leadership are just some of the things that make this program a great fit.
Nawshin Zara Jamil
Hometown: Ottawa, Canada & Queens, NY
Interests (personal and/or career): Women's health and sports medicine/rehabilitation. Also, cooking, film, and exploring nature (minus the bugs!)
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: The supportive leadership and privilege of serving my hometown. Also, learning how to connect patients from unique and underserved urban communities with the city's vast resources and what NYC Health and Hospitals can offer. Training here can prepare me to practice anywhere.
Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY & Philadelphia, PA
Interests: Cardiology
Qianjun Pan
Hometown: Guangdong, China
Interests: Primary care medicine, critical care, cardiovascular disease
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: In addition to the strong leadership and supportive culture, the program offers unique opportunities to develop a long-term relationship with patients. You will also be exposed to the art of communication, the beauty of teaching, as well as everything you might be interested in medicine.
Hazel-Ann Prince
Hometown: Bon Air West Arouca, Trinidad
Interests: Primary Care & Inpatient Medicine
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: I chose this program because of the numerous opportunities to serve the underserved, as well as the unique educational opportunities such as "teaching to teach" and "motivational interviewing workshops", to name a few. On the other hand, I would recommend this program because the program's leadership truly wants the best for the residents and is extremely supportive.
Rebhi Rabah
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Interests (personal and/or career): Primary Care & Gastroenterology.
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: I chose Downstate PCIM because it was an opportunity to serve and treat the underserved community, I grew up in. In addition, the program’s fantastic leadership and strong teaching curriculum are why I chose to join the Downstate PCIM family.
Charlie Spell, IV
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Afroza Sultana
Hometown: Ozone Park, NY
Interests: Primary care medicine, allergy/immunology, rheumatology.
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: I chose this program because of its academic aspect with a primary care focused curriculum, emphasis on teaching and learning. We have the most caring leadership and faculty who always offer support in order to help us become the best physicians we can be. The patient population is also a great asset to this program.
Mahtab Zangui
Hometown: Mashhad, Iran & New York, NY
Interests: primary care, preventive medicine, hospital medicine, exploring medicine subspecialties
Reason I Chose Downstate PCIM: This is an academic program with amazing environment, supportive faculty and strong curriculum.
PGY 3, 2023-2024
Nada Akkari
Hometown: Lebanon
Interests: Volunteering, traveling, diving, fishing, preventative care.
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: This is a highly academic program with a focus on primary care.
Vallerey Antenor
Hometown: New Jersey
Interests: Primary Care
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: You should pick this program if you value great leadership that cares about your personal and professional growth. The patient population we get to serve is why I made this program my top choice.
Vladimir Falb
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Interests: Wide variety of interests from Primary Care, Geriatrics, Sports Medicine, Rheumatology. Have had exposure to all and found them very interesting.
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: The training and exposure to primary care is probably one of the best that you can get. You will learn the building blocks of both outpatient and inpatient medicine that will set you up well for whatever you want to do in medicine.
Jayashree Gandhi
Hometown: Lexington, MA
Interests: Primary care & hospitalist medicine
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: Focus on primary care in an underserved population
Sarah Goldhill
Hometown: Cambridge, England
Interests: Preventative medicine, wilderness medicine, sports medicine, primary care, acute medicine
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: Amazing program leadership, great teaching, lots of opportunities to learn how to be a good teacher and to explore all your interests, vibrant patient community, lovely co-residents!
Zerin Kashem
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Interests: Traveling, exploring new cultures and cuisines, gardening and enjoying time with my bunny!
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: SUNY Downstate and its community has been very special to me for a very long time. During High School and Undergraduate, I was involved in many volunteering and research opportunities with this community. I also completed my MPH at Downstate and knew I had to come back here for my IM residency to give back to my own community because I truly believe change can start in your own backyard. This is a population that I am passionate about serving and making a difference in. This is home.
Steffi Nainan
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Interests: Hospital medicine, Primary Care and Gastroenterology
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: I chose this program because of how genuine and personable everyone was. I loved that my program strives to deliver special learning experiences, exceptional 4x+2y block schedule and a strong continuity ambulatory curriculum, just to name a few. The vision of this program aligned with my own.
Krunal Patel
Hometown: Canton, OH
Interests: Primary Care, Cardiology, Inpatient Medicine
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: You will receive a tremendous amount of support here!
Gyuhee (Kate) Seong
Hometown: South Korea
Interests: Primary care, research, healthcare innovation
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: This is an academic program with incredible support from the faculty, a forward-thinking curriculum, and a vast array of pathologies to learn from, not to mention living in the heart of Brooklyn!
Vedhapriya Srinivasan
Hometown: Chennai, India
Interests: Patient-centered care, Cardiovascular health in women and preventive medicine.
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: This is a program with excellent outpatient medicine exposure along with strong inpatient training. We have amazing program leadership and faculty invested in residents careers and well being, diverse pathology and the opportunity to work with an underserved but vibrant community.
Bethany Syracuse
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Interests: Primary care and optimizing medical health care to the unique medical needs of the developmentally disabled community. Currently exploring the multiple avenues of internal medicine.
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: This program offers fantastic opportunities for continuity of care and education on how to best navigate medical systems in order to help the underserved. Furthermore, there is great diversity of patient pathology and presentation.
Phia Xiong
Hometown: Fresno, California
Interests: Health inequities
Reasons I Chose Downstate PCIM: The program leadership and support provided by the residents, PD, ADP, and staff.