Congratulations to the Chief Resident Class of 2025

Jul 1, 2025

The SUNY Downstate Department of Surgery congratulates Dr. Omar Eldeib, Dr. Eiman Ghaffarpasand, Dr. Crisanta H. Ilagan, Dr. Edwin Jimenez, Dr. Zhida A. Jin, Dr. Marla Sacks, and Dr. Yi Song on their graduation from the general surgery residency program. The department is extremely proud of all they have accomplished and looks forward to their future careers taking care of surgical patients in a diverse array of specialties all over the nation (full list here).  

 

 

The Department of Surgery hosted a wonderful graduation night at Giando on the Water. Chief residents, their family and friends, faculty, residents, and department staff were all in attendance. Each chief recieved a special introduction from a faculty member, followed by a few minutes to impart their experience and wisdom to the audience. The department awards were presented (full list below). Chief resident highlights included Dr. Marla Sacks receiving the Golden Apple Award, a medical student award to a chief resident for excellence in teaching, and Dr. Zhida Jin winning the Thomas Pollock Chief Resident Award, a faculty award to a chief resident exemplifying Dr. Pollock’s professionalism, compassion, and dedication. The evening ended with a chief-resident led cake cutting and dancing with a live DJ. The graduation night was a cumulation of a month’s worth of celebrating and honoring the chief residents.

 

The chief residents were invited to give a Grand Rounds Talk, a series revered by the Downstate Surgery community. Dr. Yi Song gave an impactful talk entitled “Scale: From Ambition to Purpose,” where she described the importance of learning to appreciate each step on the journey, as opposed to fixating on the destination.

 

 

Dr. Zhida A. Jin’s talk was entitled “Anger Management: ‘An Unconventional Barometer in Residency.’” Dr. Jin imparted insightful advice to the residents on emotional management and strategies to deal with difficult situations in residency.

 

 

 

Dr. Crisanta H. Ilagan gave an inspiring talk “The Unlikely Surgeon: My Journey of Persistence, Presence, and Possibility,” where she described her incredible life journey from growing up in the Phillipeans to immigrating to the United States to the multiple challenges and barreirs she overcame to ultimately matriculate into surgery residency and become the incredible surgeon she is today.

 

Dr. Marla Sacks gave an inspiring talk entitled, “Wearing the White Coat: ‘Challenges, Growth, and Purpose in Surgical Training,’” in which she discussed the motivators and purpose that drove her through residency, including meaningful global surgery service trips.   

 

 

 

 

Awards  

Outstanding PGY-1: Dr. Evelyn Ross 

Outstanding PGY-2: Dr. Lauren Thau 

Outstanding PGY-3: Dr. Pablo Cuartas  

Outstanding PGY-4: Dr. Sagar Rohondia 

Theo Lewis Advancement Award: Dr. Antonio Klaroudas 

Warren Wetzel Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Lance Jung 

Outstanding Junior Faculty Award: Dr. Kelsey Ensor 

Outstanding Program Director Award: Dr. Natasha Becker 

Surgical Olympics: A Cut Above the Rest  

Golden Apple Award: Dr. Marla Sacks  

Thomas Pollock Chief Resident Award: Dr. Zhida Jin 

Warren Widmann Master Teacher Award: Dr. Francisca Velcek 

Erfan Faridmoayer Award for Outstanding Citizenship: Dr. Claire Ferguson