Current Residents
PL3 Class of 2022
Sinan Albear, MD
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Undergraduate: Wayne State University
Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Hobbies: For a couple of years I worked as a jewelry designer in Istanbul, Turkey. During this time, I lived in one continent and commuted to work in another. I love experiencing new cultures and what better way than eating delicious foods and cooking exotic dishes.
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I wanted to be in a residency program that would challenge me and has a diverse patient demographic. Also, New York City is one of the only places in the world where each neighborhood has its own unique vibe and culture.
Mira Amin, MD
Hometown: Warrington, Pennsylvania
Undergraduate: Temple University
Medical School School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, cooking, watching football (Go Eagles!) and spending time with family/friends
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I chose SUNY because I was attracted to the diverse patient population and vast pathology that residents are exposed to. I knew that with the clinical and surgical training I would receive here, I would leave feeling confident to manage any patient on my own. Plus, NYC is a great place to live and explore!
Natalie Antonova, MD
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Undergraduate: New York University
Medical School: SUNY Downstate College of Medicine
Hobbies: Trying new foods, traveling, hiking
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Location in NYC, patient population
Michael Bivona, MD
Hometown: Westhampton, NY
Undergraduate: University at Albany
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Hobbies: Traveling, photography, running, hiking, piano
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: NYC location combined with excellent clinical training
Lena Chen, MD
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Undergraduate: Brandeis University
Medical School: SUNY Downstate College of Medicine
Hobbies: Hiking, traveling, running, snorkeling
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Diverse pathology
Stephen Lobue, MD
Hometown: Murrieta, California
Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego
Medical School: Saint George's University School of Medicine
Graduate: Emory University and Mayo Clinic (Vitreoretinal Research Fellowship)
Hobbies: Weight lifting, tennis, bowling, hiking, paddle boarding, nutrition, cooking
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I was drawn to downstate due to the level of confidence and autonomy developed by residents. It also was exciting to have a young, enthusiastic faculty involved in teaching and research. Lastly, NYC is one of the best cities to train due to high volume/diversity of patients coupled with a city with unlimited options in terms of food and places to explore.
Thanh Nguyen, MD
Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia
Undergraduate: University of Virginia
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Hobbies: Hanging out with my golden retriever. Playing tennis and other winter sports.
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Broad patient population and ocular diseases. Great metropolitan area to live in.
PL2 Class of 2023
Anna Alma Artymowicz, MD
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Undergraduate: University of Toronto
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Hobbies: Painting and illustration, learning something new, spicy foods, a good book, biking, hiking, DIY.
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Caring for those in need is one of life’s greatest rewards. It is an honor to be a member of strong clinical and research centers.
Shuk Kei Cheng, MD
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Undergraduate: Wesleyan
Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Hobbies: gastronomical activities, soccer, photography, languages, grew up helping family’s Chinese take out
Katherine Giovinazzo, MD
Hometown: Staten Island, New York
Undergraduate: Princeton University
Graduate: New York University (Masters in Bioethics)
Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Hobbies: playing squash, reading, swimming
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: The high volume and unique population allows us to see and treat pathology at all stages making the clinical experience at SUNY unbeatable.
Christopher Hampton, MD
Hometown: Farmington, Connecticut
Undergraduate: Johns Hopkins University
Graduate: Johns Hopkins University (Masters of Science)
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Hobbies: Rock climbing, long distance running, hiking, and live music
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I’ve loved having the opportunity to work with a diverse patient population and having a hands-on clinical experience. Additionally, I’ve really enjoyed living New York and going to new restaurants, museums, and shows!
Osama Mufti, MD
Hometown: Newburgh, Indiana
Undergraduate: Indiana University
Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Sports, movies, the usual stuff
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Unique program with a diverse patient population and good resident autonomy
Yvonne Okaka, MD
Hometown: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Undergraduate: Villanova University
Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Hobbies: Cooking, travel, exercise
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Patient population!
Rebecca Silverman, MD
Hometown: Roslyn Heights, New York
Undergraduate: Lehigh University
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Baking, reading, going to the beach, exploring NYC
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: The autonomy, ability to work at many hospitals with vastly different patient populations, residents seemed great, and I love Brooklyn!
Diane Wang, MD
Hometown: Lake Bluff, Illinois
Undergraduate: Columbia University
Medical School: New York University
Hobbies: Hiking, trying new food/restaurants/recipes, drawing and painting, traveling
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I love living in NYC and getting to take care of such a diverse group of patients here in Brooklyn!
PL1 Class of 2024
Subhashini Chandrasekaran, MD
Hometown: Edison, NJ
Undergraduate: New Jersey Institute of Technology
Medical School: New Jersey Medical School
Hobbies: Traveling, beaches, watersports/activities, Taco Bell and dancing
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: amazing residents, attendings and staff that are always there to help and teach, exciting city to explore in, diverse population and pathology.
Hirah Khan, MD
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Undergraduate: University of South Florida
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Hobbies: My favorite thing is Pilates on a reformer machine! Best workout ever and amazing way to destress. I also love traveling and immersing myself in different cultures, as well as skiing, eating dessert, trying new experiences to get my adrenaline rush going i.e., skydiving, sand boarding, water skiing, and just sitting down to watch romantic comedies with popcorn in hand.
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: I wanted a residency with high volume, disease pathology that runs the gamut, a good amount of autonomy, supportive and brilliant peers and faculty, and training that would provide me the skills to be comfortable no matter what gets thrown at me in the future and I believe SUNY Downstate is the best place for all of the above.
Sarah Martin, MD
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: University of Queensland Ochsner Clinical School
Hobbies: Spending time with friends/family, adventuring, listening to podcasts, baking (mostly anything chocolate), making things by hand, being pulled into a good book or tv series
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: The patient population, extensive pathology exposure, and the sense of community amongst the residents! And NYC is a treasure trove for anything and everything!
Abenet Michael, MD
Hometown: Boston
Undergraduate: Boston College
Medical School: Tulane University
Hobbies: running, panting, making smoothies
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Brooklyn is an exciting and diverse place to live in with a patient population to match. Being able to provide care to patients that really appreciate it and the expectation that I can develop strong and valuable clinical experience and take it with me for the rest of my career.
Giannis A. Moustafa, MD
Hometown: Athens, Greece
Undergraduate: University of Athens
Medical School: University of Athens
Research Fellowship: Mass. Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School
Hobbies: Working out, traveling (esp. in Greece), Exploring NY
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Happy residents, great mentors, unique cases and a broad spectrum of pathology; and last but not least, the sense of belonging.
Nicholas Saba, MD
Hometown: Hamden, CT
Undergraduate: Bowdoin College
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Hobbies: Distance running, hiking, reading, travel, exploring new restaurants and venues
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Supportive residents, diverse pathology and patient population, busy clinic, living in Brooklyn!
Milana Sapozhnikov, MD
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Undergraduate: Macaulay Honors College at Brooklyn College
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Hobbies: Traveling, photography, piano, exploring new places in NYC
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: Residents and faculty who not only provide exceptional care to their patients but are also always excited to help and teach. Diverse pathology in various clinical sites around NYC. Large volume of surgical cases and procedures. Wonderful opportunity to stay here in Brooklyn at my home med school in a program I know very well and consider an honor to be a part of.
Alex Song, MD
Hometown: East Patchogue, NY
Undergraduate: Northwestern University
Medical School: Northwestern University
Hobbies: Travelling, Hiking, Tennis, Running
Why I chose SUNY Downstate: diverse patient population with high clinical volume, amazing residents and faculty, and living in NYC.