Recent Fellows' Profiles (2017-2019)
Geriatric Psychiatry Fellows:
Tahira Akbar, MD
Tahira Akbar was born in Pakistan and raised in Atlanta, GA where she attended Kennesaw State University for her Pre-med. She went to Windsor University School of Medicine in St. Kitts & Nevis. She has a passion for Psychiatry, however, it was during her geriatric rotation in residency training at New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus NJ when she decided to pursue a geriatric fellowship. She is currently a geriatric psychiatry fellow at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn NY. Dr. Akbar notes that, "This fellowship has been a great opportunity for me to gain the skills that I will need to practice as a geriatric psychiatrist."
Aninditha Vengassery, MD
Aninditha Vengassery is a Geriatric fellow at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. She completed her psychiatry residency from Downstate as well. She was a recipient of AAGP Honors Scholar program in 2017. When she is not working, she spends her time trying various recipes, reading, traveling and gardening.
Syed E Maududi, MD
Dr. Syed Maududi received his medical degree from UTESA. He completed his adult psychiatry residency at Bergen regional medical center in 2017 and is completing his fellowship program in geriatric psychiatry at SUNY Downstate.
Dina Ghoneim, MD
Dr. Ghoneim received her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 2009. She completed her adult psychiatry residency at Vanderbilt Medical Center in 2013. Dr. Ghoneim worked in private practice in New York City prior to attending the fellowship program in geriatric psychiatry at SUNY Downstate.
Anup Mani, DO
Dr. Mani attended 3+4 accelerated program for BS/DO and graduated from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2011. He attended and completed his psychiatry residency at SUNY Downstate and was chief resident in his final year of training. He has had the opportunity to present his research work at various national conferences, and was nominated and awarded the GHMF scholarship from the AAGP in 2014
Geriatric Medicine Fellows:
Basma Elsawy, MD
Dr. Elsawy is a Geriatric Medicine Fellow and is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She Completed her Internal residency program at Coney Island Hospital, Brooklyn, NY and Graduated Cum Laude from the Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt 2011. She is fluent in English and Arabic.
Past Fellows' Profiles (2014-2015)
Geriatric Psychiatry Fellows:
Hoa Thuan Le, D.O.
Dr. Leserves as a second year fellow in Geriatric Psychiatry. He completed his Adult General Psychiatry residency at University of Connecticut and his Psychiatry internship at Louisiana State University / Ochsner Clinic Foundation. He received his Doctor of Osteopathy at the University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is currently licensed to practice in New York and Louisiana. Dr. Le is fluent in Vietnamese.
Michael Reinhardt, M.D.
Dr. Reinhardt received his medical degree from St. George’s University of Medicine in 2009. He completed his residency in Psychiatry at SUNY Downstate Medical Center from 2009-2013, where he served as Chief Resident during his final year. Dr. Reinhardt worked as the Member in Training Deputy Representative and Representative to the APA Assembly for Area II (New York State). Dr. Reinhardt received a Recognition Award for his service to the Project for Psychiatric Outreach to the Homeless in 2012 and the Distinguished Resident Service Award from SUNY Downstate Department of Psychiatry in 2013.
Geriatric Medicine Fellows:
Meaghan Alexander, MD. MPH
Dr. Alexander completed her Internal Medicine residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. She received her medical degree at St. George's University. She also has a master’s degree in public health at St. George's University where she completed a Capstone presentation on Elderly Health within the United States Health Care System.
Robert Plachy, MD
Dr. Plachy, graduate of St. George's University School of Medicine, completed an internship at UHB/KCHC and a Residency in Family Medicine at North Shore-LIJHospital at Glen Cove, NY.
Mohmad H. Tantary, MD
Dr. Tantary, completed medical school at Government Medical College, Srinagar Kashmir and an internship at Catholic Health System , University of Buffalo. He successfully completed his residency in internal medicine at Staten Island University Hospital.
Geriatric Dentistry Fellows:
Yelena Gofman, DDS
Dr. Gofman serves as a second year fellow in Geriatric Dentistry. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2012 (Cum Laude) and her BA degree in Biology from Hunter College in 2008. She completed a one-year general practice residency at Maimonides Medical Center in New York in 2013. She is fluent in Russian and Hebrew. Dr. Gofman is also a member of the American Dental Association.
Franz Pierre-Louis, DDS
Dr. Pierre- Louis serves as a second year fellow. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Howard University in 2009. He has worked as a Community Organizer to promote health/dental hygiene awareness in the Haitian Community. He’s fluent in Haitian Creole and proficient in French.
Past Fellows' 2013-2014
Geriatric Psychiatry Fellows:
Hoa Thuan Le, D.O.
Dr. Le completed his Adult General Psychiatry residency at University of Connecticut and his Psychiatry internship at Louisiana State University / Ochsner Clinic Foundation. He received his Doctor of Osteopathy at the University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is currently licensed to practice in New York, Connecticut, and Louisiana. Dr. Le is fluent in Vietnamese.
Michael Reinhardt, M.D.
Dr. Reinhardt received his medical degree from St. George’s University of Medicine in 2009. He completed his Residency in Psychiatry at SUNY Downstate Medical Center from 2009-2013, where he served as Chief Resident during his final year. Dr. Reinhardt worked as the Member in Training Deputy Representative and Representative to the APA Assembly for Area II (New York State). Dr. Reinhardt received a Recognition Award for his service to the Project for Psychiatric Outreach to the Homeless in 2012 and the Distinguished Resident Service Award from SUNY DownstateDepartment of Psychiatry in 2013.
Geriatric Medicine Fellows:
Upama Barua, M.D.
Dr. Barua received her medical degree from Jahurul Islam Medical College, Kishorganj, Bangladesh in 2001. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Coney Island Hospital in June, 2013. She’s fluent in Bengali and Hindi. Her professional organization memberships include American College of Physician and the American Medical Association.
Mason Blake Pimsler. M.D.
Dr. Pimsler received his medical degree from St. Mathews University, British West Indies where he was awarded the Patch Adams Award. He earned a law degree from Touro Law School. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Cornell Medical College affiliate. There he received a Recognition Award/ The Best PGY-2 Internal Medicine Resident for Competence and Caring. He was accepted into the Mount Sinai School of Medicine to complete his fourth year medical school electives. Dr Pimsler is a medical volunteer for NY state to respond to disasters.
Geriatric Dentistry Fellows:
Yelena Gofman, DDS
Dr. Gofman received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2012 (Cum Laude) and her BA degree in Biology from Hunter College in 2008. She completed a one-year general practice residency at Maimonides Medical Center in New York in 2013. She is fluent in Russian and Hebrew. Dr. Gofman is also a member of the American Dental Association.
Franz Pierre-Louis, DDS
Dr. Pierre- Louis received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Howard University in 2009. He has worked as a Community Organizer to promote health/dental hygiene awareness in the Haitian Community. He’s fluent in Haitian Creole and proficient in French.
Past Fellows' Profiles (2012-2013)
Geriatric Psychiatry Fellows:
Mirnova Ceide, MD
Dr. Ceide serves as a second year Fellow in Geriatric Psychiatry. She completed her internship and residency at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, where she also served as Chief Resident of Psychiatry from 2010 - 2011. She received her medical degree from Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology at Georgetown University. She is ACLS and BLS certified, with licenses to practice in Maryland and New York. She is fluent in French and proficient in Haitian Creole.
Rosha Ramezani, MD
Dr. Ramezani received her medical degree from the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine.She completed her residency at Harbor UCLA Psychiatry Department. She is ACLS certified, with a license to practice in California.She was awarded a Donald Strauss Foundation $10,000 Grant for an original student-run community service project. Dr. Ramezani is fluent in Farsi and proficient in Spanish and American Sign Language.
Geriatric Medicine Fellows:
Anupa Barua, MD
Dr. Barua completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Coney Island Hospital. She is a graduate of the Sir SalimullahMedical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh, She is ACLS, BLS, and ATLS certified with license to practice in New York. Dr. Barua is fluent in Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu.
Marina Oks, MD
Dr. Oks completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Maimonides Medical Center. She earned her medical degree from Lugansk State Medical Institute, Ukraine. She also received a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY.Her honors include:Psi Sigma Alpha, and National Osteopathic Scholastic Honor Society. She is fluent in Russian and Ukrainian.
Tejas Patel. MD
Dr. Patel was Chief Resident at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center. He completed PGY 2 and PGY 3 in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. He earned his medical degree at Smt. N.H.L Municipal Medical College, Gujarat, India. He is ACLS, BLS, and ECFMG certified, He received an Excellence in Professionalism and Humanism Award from Johns Hopkins University. Dr Patel is fluent in Hindi and Gujarati.
Geriatric Dentistry Fellows:
Ronald Lin, DDS
Dr. Lin serves as a second year fellow. He is a General Practice resident at Maimonides Medical Center, acquiring advanced training in Endodontics, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics, and management of medically compromised patients. He completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery at NYU College of Dentistry, and his bachelors degree (magna cum laude) in biochemistry at SUNY Stony Brook. He is fluent in Mandarin and Taiwanese, and possesses digital proficiency in computer network and operating systems. Dr. Lin is also a member of the American Dental Association and the Second District Dental Society of NY.
Carolyn Gross Norris, DDS
Dr. Gross Norris serves as a second year fellow in Geriatric Dentistry. She has over 25 years of experience in dentistry, specializing in Prosthodontics. Dr. Norris was most recently the Clinician in general dentistry for the Brooklyn and Health Centers at the NY Hotel Trades Council. She has ten years experience as a Hospital Attending in Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry at area hospitals in NYC. She is a graduate of the NYU College of Dentistry and an alumna of Howard University. She is licensed to practice in New York, New Jersey, and Washington, DC. She is a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry, and civic organizations, such as the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Currrent Geratric Volunteers 2012- 2013
Past Fellows' Profiles (2011-2012)
Geriatric Psychiatry Fellows:
Mirnova Ceide, MD
Dr. Ceide is completing a second yearwith the Geriatric Fellowship Program. She completed her internship and residency at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, where she also served as Chief Resident of Psychiatry from 2010 - 2011. She received her medical degree from Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology at Georgetown University. She is ACLS and BLS certified, with licenses to practice in Maryland and New York. She is fluent in French and proficient in Haitian Creole.
Imran Khan, MD
Dr. Khan completed a second yearfellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry. He served as the Chief Resident of Psychiatry from 2009 - 2010 at Nassau University Medical Center. He completed one year of residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2002 - 2003 when he changed his specialization to psychiatry at Nassau University Medical (2006 - 2010). He earned his medical degree in 1999 from American University of the Caribbean. Dr. Khan completed his B.S. in natural science from University of Akron in 1987.
Geriatric Medicine Fellows:
Farzana Afroza, MD
Dr. Afroza completed her residency in Internal Medicine at The Brooklyn Hospital Center. She is a graduate of the Chittagong Medical College of Bangladesh, where she was a recipient of the national government scholarship for medical college attendees. Dr. Afroza is fluent in Bengali , Hindi, and Urdu. She is a member of the Bangladeshi Medical Association of North America.
Shavon Dillon, MD
Dr. Dillon completed a second year with the Geriatric Fellowship Program. She is a graduate from SUNY Downstate Medical School (2007). She completed her residency at Staten Island University Hospital in the Department of Internal Medicine (2007 – 2010). Her volunteer work includes participation in the Physicians Career Enhancement Program, a mentor program for high school students who want to pursue a career in medicine.
Mie Mie Han, MD
Dr. Han completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Coney Island Hospital, and internship at Yangon General Hospital in Yangon, Myanmar. Her undergraduate and medical school training were also complete in Myanmar at the Institute of Medicine, also in Yangon. Dr. Han has numerous meritorious awards and honors for educational excellence, and has ample research and oral presentation experience. She is fluent in the official language of Myanmar (formerly Burmese).
Bharath Raghukultilak, MD
Dr. Raghukultilak completed his residency at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center (an affiliate of Cornell University) located in Brooklyn. He serves as the Chief Resident in Internal Medicine at both SUNY Downstate Medical Center and at the Brooklyn Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital, both in Brooklyn, NY. He completed his undergraduate and medical school training at Adichunchangiri Institute of Medical Sciences, an affiliate of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (India). He is licensed to practice in California, New York, and Virginia. He is fluent in Kannada, and Hindi, with proficiency in Spanish.
Geriatric Dentistry Fellows:
Ronald Lin, DDS
Dr. Lin is a General Practice resident at Maimonides Medical Center, acquiring advanced training in Endodontics, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics, and management of medically compromised patients. He completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery at NYU College of Dentistry, and his bachelors degree (magna cum laude) in biochemistry at SUNY Stony Brook. He is fluent in Mandarin and Taiwanese, and possesses digital proficiency in computer network and operating systems. Dr. Lin is also a member of the American Dental Association and the Second District Dental Society of NY.
Carolyn Gross Norris, DDS
Dr. Gross Norris is completing a second year fellowship with in Geriatric Dentistry. She has over 25 years of experience in dentistry, specializing in Prosthodontics. Dr. Norris was most recently the Clinician in general dentistry for the Brooklyn and Health Centers at the NY Hotel Trades Council. She has ten years experience as a Hospital Attending in Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry at area hospitals in NYC. She is a graduate of the NYU College of Dentistry and an alumna of Howard University. She is licensed to practice in New York, New Jersey, and Washington, DC. She is a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry, and civic organizations, such as the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Past Geriatric Volunteer 2011-2012
Psychiatry
Afshan Ranjha
Past Fellows Profiles (2010-2011)
Geriatric Psychiatry Fellows:
Marie P.L. Araujo, MD
Dr. Araujo is a graduate of the State University of Haiti, School of Medicine and Pharmacy (1977). She completed her residency training in internal medicine at the State University Hospital of Haiti then came to the US in 1986. Dr. Araujo also holds a degree in Respiratory Therapy (1988). She is currently a Utilization Review Coordinator for Kingsboro Psychiatric Center in Brooklyn. Research interest includes investigating the impact of psychotropic medications on patients living in nursing homes.
Imran Khan, MD
Dr. Khan completed his B.S. in natural science from University of Akron in 1987. He earned his medical degree in 1999 from American University of the Caribbean. He completed a one-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2002 - 2003 and Residency in Psychiatry at Nassau University Medical 2006 - 2010. He served as the Chief Resident of Psychiatry from 2009 - 2010. He is currently a Geriatric Fellow in Psychiatry.
Geriatric Medicine Fellows:
Shavon Dillon, MD
Dr. Dillon graduated from SUNY Downstate Medical Center (2007). She completed her residency at Staten Island University Hospital in the Department of Internal Medicine (2007 – 2010). During the summers of 2008 and 2009, she participated as a mentor in the Physicians Career Enhancement Program, which is a mentoring program for high school students who want to pursue a career in medicine. As a 1997 alumnus of Queens Bridge to Medicine, for the past 3 years, she has spoken to high school students who are interested in entering the medical field as physicians.
Rajan Dey, MD
Dr. Dey graduated in 2000 from Chittagong Medical College, Chittagong, Bangladesh. He worked as a house staff at Sair Health Private Limited Hospital from 2001-2003. Dr. Dey completed his residency in internal medicine at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, NY 2007-2010.
Jasvir Singh, MD
Dr. Singh is a graduate of Government Medical College, Patiala, India. In 2004, he completed a one-year residency in internal medicine at Brookdale Hospital. From 2004 - 2007, he completed his residency in Internal medicine at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy, NJ. In 2009, he completed a Fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.
Kaitlyn Wong, MB, MD
Dr. Kaitlyn Wong, aka Khin Myo Lin, is a graduate of Institute of Medicine , Myanmar (2000). She worked as a junior medical officer at Yangon General Hospital and Belin Township Hospital from 2001 to 2004. She volunteered at the Lutheran Medical center and NY Downtown Hospital from 2006 to 2007. She completed the residency of Internal Medicine at Mt. Sinai (Elmhurst), New York from 2007-2010.
Geriatric Dentistry Fellows:
Eric M. Holmes, DDS
Dr. Holmes is a graduate of the Howard University College of Dentistry located in Washington, D.C (2009).He also attended Howard University for his undergraduate studies where he received his degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.Currently, Dr. Holmes is completing a 2nd year of his Geriatric Dentistry Fellowship at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center located in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Holmes enjoys practicing Dentistry and caring for the population one smile at a time.
Rodlin Jerome, DDS
Dr. Jerome graduated from Howard University College of Dentistry (2009). Dr. Jerome is completing his Geriatric Dentistry Fellowship at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, New York. He is a member of American Dental Association.
Past Fellows Profile (2009-2010):
Geriatric Psychiatry Fellows
Thulasiram Janardhanan, MD
Dr. Janardhanan is a graduate of Thanjavur medical college, India (1983). He completed residencies in Psychiatry at Madurai medical college in India and the Senior House Officer Training in Psychiatry in the United Kingdom. In the U.S., he completed an additional residency at SUNY Health Science Center and Kings County Hospital in the Department of Psychiatry (1998). He served as Chief resident of Psychiatry for one year (1997-1998), and served as Assistant Medical Director for Adult Inpatient Psychiatry from 2007-2008. He joined the HRSA Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship program in 2008. As part of the Fellowship program, Dr. Janardhanan will complete a Masters in Public Health in 2010. He is board certified in General Psychiatry and Psycho Somatic Medicine. In addition to his fellowship, Dr. Janardhanan is involved in teaching and training of medical students, physician assistant students and post graduate residents from SUNY Health Science Center and the physician assistant students from Tauro College, New York. In 2007, he received the Best Teaching Faculty award from the Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn. He is also the recipient of Dr. Nancy Roeske Award for Medical Students Teaching from American Psychiatric Association (2007).
Geriatric Dentistry Fellows:
Heather Green, DDS
Dr. Green graduated from Howard University College of Dentistry (2008). She is an active member of the American Association of Women Dentist and was president for the 2007-2008 academic year. She is completing her General Practice Residency at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center
Gloria Kenney, DDS
Dr. Kenney is a graduate of Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee (1997). She was recipient to an Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Fellowship and completed residencies at Veterans Administration Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY (2006), General Practice Residency Program at St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers of Brooklyn and Queens (2006), and General Practice Residency Program at Meharry Medical College (2002)
Geriatric Medicine Fellows:
Omer Tipu, MD
Background: Dr. Tipu is a graduate of Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He worked as a resident in Medicine (Pakistan Institute for Medical Sciences) and came to US in 1998. He completed his residency in the US at SUNY Downstate in the department of Family Medicine from 2005-2008. From 2000 to 2004 he worked at the Institute for Basic Research, Staten Island, NY.
Addisu Temesgen, MD
Dr. Temesgen is a graduate of Addis Ababa University Medical School in Ethiopia (2001). He completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the Brooklyn Hospital Center 2006-2007. Dr. Temesgen’s residency training was completed at Brooklyn Hospital (07-08). His research interest is to investigate whether the education level of individuals with diabetes affect the management of the disease.
Geeti Mahajan, MD
Dr. Mahajan completed her medical training at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh, India (2005). From 2006 to 2008 she completed a residency in internal medicine at Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago Illinois (PGY 1, 2). She joined the residency program in internal medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in 2008 (PGY3). Her plans are to begin a fellowship program in Endocrinology in 2010.