Hailey Chapin, DO
Undergrad: Indiana University of Pa.
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me: I grew up in very rural northeastern Pa. with my 5 younger siblings. I then moved to western PA to attend IUP where I majored in biology and spent most of my free time playing the tenor saxophone in various musical ensembles. After spending a gap year working and traveling, I moved to Erie to attend medical school at LECOM. While there, I focused on becoming involved in the family medicine and sports medicine communities. In my spare time, I enjoy playing recreational sports, watching NFL football (go Colts!), crafting, and spending time with my Pomeranian and 2 orange cats.
Why Family Medicine? Coming from such a rural background with very few doctor’s offices around, I noticed a need for good family medicine doctors at a young age. I love every aspect of medicine and could not imagine focusing on one specific system of the body, so the variety of pathologies seen in family medicine is perfect for me. I also really enjoy forming long-term relationships with patients and being involved in the community, which are both very important aspects of family medicine.
Why Williamsport? I was originally drawn to UPMC Williamsport because it is located close to my family in NEPA and offers great full-spectrum, unopposed training. I had been to Williamsport a few times in the past and I already knew that it was the perfect mix of city and small town that I was looking for. After visiting the hospital and meeting the faculty and residents here, I could not have felt more at home and immediately knew this is where I wanted to be. Sports are also a huge interest of mine so the fact that Williamsport is the home of the Little League Baseball® World Series just makes it even better!
Lam Chau, MD
Undergrad: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
About Me: I was born and raised in Orlando, FL. I did my undergraduate education at the UNC Chapel Hill (Go Heels!). There, I had the opportunity to do research with obesity and Type II diabetes. These experiences showed me the importance of lifestyle medicine and ultimately formed the foundation of why I decided to become a physician.
During my free time, you will most likely find me at home watching Netflix. Everything from anime to true crime documentaries, I watch just about everything. I am a huge movie buff as well. My go-to fun fact about myself is I used to write film reviews for my college newspaper. Other hobbies include cooking, trying new places to eat, traveling, and video games.
Why Family Medicine? My passion as a physician is rooted in preventative medicine. Everything from nutrition to mental well-being, family medicine’s macroscopic view of health aligns well with my own beliefs and approach to medicine. I prioritize patient continuity and establishing a good repertoire with individuals. For me, family medicine offers a unique opportunity to build these types of long-lasting patient relationships.
Why Williamsport? The people at UPMC are undoubtedly what drew me to Williamsport. A familial team dynamic and nurturing learning environment were two of my biggest priorities when looking for a residency program. On interview day, I felt an immediate sense of ease and support from everyone at the program. UPMC’s excellent reputation, alongside the program being unopposed, gave me the utmost confidence that I will come out of residency as a well-rounded, capable physician.
Jonathan Goldstone, MD, MS
Undergraduate: Colorado State University
Graduate: Colorado State University
Medical School: American University of The Caribbean School of Medicine
About Me: I grew up in Denver, CO where I always played sports and enjoyed many other outdoor activities, including fly fishing, snowboarding, mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking. I completed my undergraduate and graduate education at Colorado State University with a major in Biomedical Science. Learning the intricacies of the human body, conducting medical research, shadowing numerous local doctors and being both a student and educator convinced me to pursue a career in medicine. This decision was further validated when I traveled to Kenya for a medical relief trip and was exposed to the great need for skilled health care providers in underdeveloped countries. I attended American University of The Caribbean in St. Maarten where I met my amazing wife, Cristina. We have a beautiful daughter, Vivian. We love spending our free time together doing a variety of outdoor and other activities.
Why Family Medicine? Family medicine provides me with the opportunity to practice a broad spectrum of medicine and treat a diversity of patients and diseases. I look forward to forming a trusted relationship with my patients and getting to know them as unique individuals rather than just their medical conditions. I value having skills across many fields of medicine to confidently treat a variety of medical conditions faced by my patients.
Why Williamsport? I grew up visiting Laporte, PA, just 45 minutes away from Williamsport. My grandparents had a vacation home there and I spent my childhood summers swimming and canoeing at Lake Mokoma and hiking the Loyalsock trails. I have wonderful memories of the small community, beautiful rural scenery, multiple outdoor activities, and time spent with family. Most importantly, the UPMC program offers everything I was looking for in a residency. The comradery between faculty and residents, unopposed aspect of learning, small class size, diverse population served, and state-of-the-art facility make UPMC the best choice for me.
Rabail “Belle” Hussain, MD
Undergrad: George Mason University
Medical School: Chicago Medical School
About Me: I grew up in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C. I studied biology at George Mason University, where I began fostering my interest in medicine. My pursuit of this career led me to the vibrant city of Chicago, where I attended Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University. Outside of medicine, I enjoy exploring hiking trails, baking new concoctions, and cheering on my beloved Washington Capitals.
Why Family Medicine? Throughout medical school, I discovered a passion for primary care and fostering long-term patient relationships. I loved how the family medicine physicians I worked with were truly able to integrate themselves into the community to provide accessible health care to individuals of all ages. During medical school, I had the opportunity to work with many underserved populations, furthering my interest in understanding the social determinants of health and reinforcing my commitment to addressing health disparities in primary care settings.
Why Williamsport? I was looking for an unopposed program that offered rich community involvement and an encouraging learning environment. I was drawn to the strong training this program offers in pediatrics and inpatient medicine, as well as the opportunities for global medicine. After five years in Chicago, I was looking for a program that put me closer to my family. Williamsport has the advantage being 3.5 hours from where I grew up in Northern Virginia, allowing ample opportunity for me to see my loved ones!
Tina Kieu, DO
Undergrad: Oregon State University
Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me: I was born and raised in Beaverton, OR. I have three sisters and a total of 18 aunts and uncles who all live in Oregon; our frequent family gatherings were always huge and with great food! While in Oregon, I enjoyed hiking, clamming, and floating the Willamette River. While in Idaho for medical school, I enjoyed hot springs and found a love for primary care and lifestyle medicine. In my spare time, I like to learn new skills, like sewing, playing basketball, cooking, or painting. Although I am not the next Picasso, this does not stop me from learning and having fun while doing so!
Why Family Medicine? During my time at OSU, I held multiple leadership positions in the diversity department where I had the opportunity to engage with people from different walks of life and develop initiatives celebrating diversity and inclusivity. Family medicine reflected this diversity in its patient and clinical pathology. I value patient continuity and the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with patients. In family medicine, I find it incredibly rewarding to understand patients’ unique needs and create tailored care plans with them.
Why Williamsport? UPMC is a well-established program supported by kind faculty members who are invested in the success of their residents. As a full-spectrum, unopposed program with osteopathic recognition and a lifestyle medicine curriculum, I am confident in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to become a competent physician. Williamsport is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and provides the tranquility and outdoor activities that I value outside of residency.
Taylor J. Rider, DO
Undergrad: Mercyhurst University
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me: I am a product of a rural and medically underserved community in the southern tier of upstate NY called Spencer-Van Etten. I was known to be particularly academic, but also grew up enjoying opportunities to enrich my community with the arts, sports, and service. My undergraduate years were spent in Erie, Pa. where I majored in Forensic Anthropology, contributing to several active forensic case recoveries and analyses in NY, OH and PA. It was about this time that I decided to pursue medical school to further my career as (I thought) a forensic pathologist. I completed a condensed master’s degree in Human Anatomy at D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY and spent a second gap year working as a clinical assistant in an orthopaedics office in Ithaca, NY. As a medical student at PCOM, I coveted opportunities to engage and serve vulnerable populations, particularly rural communities and those individuals experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. My hobbies include reading (favorite genre: psychological thrillers), wood furniture restoration and refinishing, and doting on my cat, Poe.
Why Family Medicine? You may consider my trajectory to family medicine unconventional. I refer to it as the journey to my heart. I was initially inclined to pursue forensic pathology, but my knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and a need for living contacts and conversation (ha!) persuaded me to consider orthopaedic surgery. I enjoyed the operating room but loved clinic. My fulfillment is human connection. I aspire to be more than a physician. I care to be an ally, educator, mentor, and advocate. It is my professional aspiration to inspire health, not coerce it – the very calling of family medicine.
Why Williamsport? Above all else, my intuition brought me here. I experienced an inherent sense of belonging in the Family Medicine Residency Program at UPMC Williamsport. The personally notable attributes that I valued included the ideal blend of urban and rural exposure that will optimize my aspired future practice in rural America, and, as an osteopathic graduate, the evident pride for and commitment to the osteopathic philosophy and treatment modalities. It is an honor to join the profession of family medicine, the UPMC medical system, and the Williamsport practice. I look forward to navigating and experiencing these formative years of my career with this community.
Chelsea Toner, DO
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me: I grew up in Sugar Valley within a small town nestled among the central Pa. mountains, a little less than an hour from Williamsport. For undergrad, I decided I wanted to experience the “big city” life so I packed up and moved to Pittsburgh (Hail to Pitt!). During my time at Pitt, I had the opportunity to travel to North Carolina several times and knew that was my next destination. It was while working with the rural underserved eastern North Carolina population during my medical school rotations that I realized rural family medicine was my calling. I could think of no better place to train and practice than the place I call home. Coming back to north central Pa. is truly a full-circle moment for me. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my pandemic puppy, Navi, listening to true crime podcasts, teaching myself new songs on my guitar/piano, and honing my baking skills.
Why Family Medicine? Growing up in a rural area meant that my main interactions with the medical field were through my family doctor, who took care of me from birth up until I moved away for college. When I pictured a doctor, I pictured a family medicine doctor who does it all. Though I kept an open mind during my clinical rotations, I found myself enjoying parts of every specialty. I thrived during clinic days where I got to interact with patients of different ages and a variety of ailments. Deep down, I had a strong desire to be able to see and take care of anyone that walked through the door. When it came time to decide what specialty I wanted to practice, I knew in the back of my mind that family medicine was for me.
Why Williamsport? Once I discovered that there was a Family Medicine Residency so close to home, I knew I had to come to UPMC Williamsport for a rotation. From the moment I got to campus unitl the moment I left, everyone I interacted with was so welcoming and kind. I could sense the comradery, support, and genuine friendship between all the residents and faculty. I knew this was the place I would thrive.
Undergrad: Liberty University
Graduate School: Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me. I grew up in rural northeastern Pennsylvania with my twin sister and younger brother. I attended Liberty University in Virginia and majored in public health and clinical health promotion. I was fortunate to go on two medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic during undergrad. At LU, I met my husband, Matt, who is from a small town outside of Buffalo, NY. After graduation, I went to Johns Hopkins in Maryland to challenge myself academically and gain valuable research experience. With my Masters of Biotechnology, I accepted a position at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY in the pathology research department. Just before returning to Virginia to start medical school at Liberty, my husband and I got married in downtown Buffalo. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring the outdoors, taking care of my plants, and making Norwegian food. I also love watching hockey and football – Go Bills!
Why Family Medicine? At LUCOM, I had a mentor who showed me the different roles that family medicine physicians play in the communities that they serve. During my 3rd year family medicine rotation, I got a snapshot of the opportunity that there is to serve generations of families as a family medicine physician. I chose the specialty of family medicine because of my enthusiasm for community service along with my intent to provide a holistic approach to patient care. Family medicine allows me to have a broad scope of practice in pediatrics, obstetrics, and adult medicine while providing education on disease prevention and health promotion to my patients.
Why Williamsport? I chose Williamsport because I wanted an unopposed residency program with a strong obstetrics curriculum and osteopathic recognition. The genuine community and friendships amongst the faculty and residents was clear, even during a virtual interview! It is also conveniently located between both my husband’s family and my family.
Undergrad: Millikin University
Medical School: The Medical School for International Health at Ben Gurion University of the Negev
About Me. I grew up straddling the Midwest and the Northeast. My family is from central Illinois, but I spent most of my childhood in southeastern Connecticut. I returned to Illinois for undergrad where I studied biology and philosophy. I fell in love the idea of learning about different cultures and religions, leading me to go to MSIH in Beer Sheva, Israel. I fell in love with running while abroad, almost as deep as my love for anything regarding food; there’s always some type of baked good in my kitchen. My ideal vacations would either be sitting on a beach, exploring historical sites, or skiing.
Why Family Medicine? I’ve had a very convoluted journey to making my decision to be a family physician. Throughout medical school, for almost every new rotation, I had a new passion. I was also interested in the how the relationship between the practice of medicine and the community worked. This led me to taking time to study public health and global health in more detail. When applying to my fourth-year electives and preparing for residency applications, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. Family medicine is the perfect combination of both. Not only do family doctors work with all ages and areas within medicine, at the core of being a family doctor is understanding, if not becoming one with, the community you serve.
Why Williamsport? When completing two rural family medicine electives in central PA, I instantly fell in love with the area and the people. Some would be surprised at how diverse the population really is. Having the opportunity to work with the Amish, Mennonites, and farmers, among others, allows for a broad education and something I was looking for in a residency having worked with diverse groups during medical school. I also felt Williamsport was the perfect combination of the Mid-West kindness and Northeast vibes I grew up with; I felt welcomed by everyone I spoke with, all the while the city still felt like it belonged to the northeast with outdoor and city activities. After having lived in the desert in Israel for the last 6 years, I was looking for somewhere that felt like home, and that was Williamsport.
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin at La Crosse
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me. I grew up in the suburbs of Milwaukee and went to the other side of Wisconsin to La Crosse for undergrad. There, I fostered a love for nutrition, exercise, and biology. After graduating, I decided to pursue becoming a physician after working in health care as a nursing aide. I was taken to North Carolina for this pursuit and ended up meeting my now fiancée while I was in school. Our favorite things to do together are watch Bob’s Burgers, have brunch, and hike in nature. I personally enjoy exercise and lifting weights, crashing my computer, and listening to Lofi hip hop.
Why Family Medicine? The things that drew me to family medicine were the long-term relationships built with patients, preventative medicine, an emphasis on mental health, and the broadness of the specialty. Nutrition, exercise, and mental health often feel like the most important parts for being healthy and preventing disease. Talking about all of these with patients is something I look forward to doing and enjoy walking patients through making simple things to improve their lives. Because of these conversations and the variety that family medicine brings, I always felt like this was a good fit for me.
Why Williamsport? Williamsport initially drew our attention because of its strong reputation and being an unopposed program. Then, we became more interested after our interview day, to the point where we drove over 12 hours to visit. When we first went around the city, I looked at my fiancée and told her how I could imagine us living here for a long time and she agreed. Everyone was extraordinarily nice, the area has our outdoor interests as well as a nice community feel, and we like the overall vibe of Pennsylvania. Williamsport checked all the boxes that we were looking for and we’re excited to be here.
Undergrad: University at Buffalo
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me. I was born and raised in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. While I have only one sibling, my mom is one of nine and my dad is one of three, so it goes without saying that I have a big family! I grew up enjoying outdoor activities with them, like camping, hiking, hunting, and hanging out on Keuka Lake. From my small hometown, I decided to attend college at a university that has a student body exceeding the entire population of my home county! After graduating college at UB, I moved to Philadelphia for seven years to continue my education and gain teaching experience. Aside from pursuing outdoor activities, I also enjoy playing sports, like lacrosse and tennis, cooking new dishes, or just diving into a good book.
Why Family Medicine? Family medicine is a unique specialty where there is great diversity in clinical pathology. I have a wide range of interests, from population health and pediatrics to women’s health and osteopathic manipulative medicine, which can only be fulfilled in this specialty. Family medicine also grants me the honor and privilege of working closely with families and communities, while also being able to utilize education as an empowering tool for my patients. Most of all, I treasure the collaborative patient-physician relationships and the creative opportunities that family medicine cultivates.
Why Williamsport? I was incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend time at UPMC Williamsport during my last year of medical school. The residency program has an excellent reputation that preceded itself, with several of my attendings and patients strongly recommending it to me. I felt incredibly fulfilled while working with a cohesive team in a strong program providing comprehensive care to a community where I felt at home. Despite having lived in Philadelphia for the past seven years, it never felt as a “home” to me. Williamsport has the perfect combination of both a city and small town feel, while being so beautifully nestled in the mountains alongside the river. It’s also a short drive to my big family. I am beyond thrilled to join the team and community!
Undergrad: Boston University
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me. I am the middle of three girls, and I grew up in the seacoast region of New Hampshire in East Kingston (which is the perfect distance to the mountains, the beach, Maine, and Boston). I received my bachelor’s degree in human physiology with a minor in public health at BU. Before starting medical school, I embarked on a 2-month long road trip around the United States in my beloved Subaru, Moose. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, hiking, baking, and traveling in my free time.
Why Family Medicine? When I first started medical school, I was interested in women’s health, pediatrics, and preventative medicine. As I started my clinical rotations in my third year, I found that I enjoyed all my rotations and was having a hard time narrowing down which specialty I wanted to pursue. It wasn’t until I did a rotation at UPMC Williamsport that I officially decided to pursue family medicine. I enjoy the diversity of patient care, caring for whole families, and establishing meaningful relationships with patients.
Why Williamsport? I was fortunate to do a rotation at UPMC Williamsport and fell in love with the residents and faculty I met. Everyone involved with the hospital was genuinely nice and welcomed me with open arms. I was drawn to the well-established program at UPMC Williamsport because of the full-spectrum and unopposed training with strong obstetrics and pediatrics. I was also looking for a program with osteopathic recognition to continue developing my OMM skills.
Undergrad: University of California, Davis
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me. I grew up in the East Bay region of California in a town called Castro Valley. I spent my undergrad years as an Aggie at UC Davis where I majored in nutrition science and where I first became interested in preventative care and lifestyle medicine. After living in California for 24 years, I ventured across the country to North Carolina for medical school where I met my fiancé (and fellow resident!), Tom Gignac. Our favorite activities include hiking, hosting game nights, and searching for wholesome TV shows to watch. I personally love all things grandmotherly, including embroidery, crochet, and houseplants. During my free time, I also enjoy swimming, creative writing, planning food crawls, and trying new recipes – specifically finding creative ways to use up leftover puff pastry!
Why Family Medicine? My passions lie in lifestyle medicine and nutrition, both of which play a large role in family medicine. This specialty allows me to utilize my interests in preventative care and patient education while also building meaningful relationships with patients as they move through life milestones. Each day in family medicine offers something different; diverse cases ranging from acute to chronic conditions, procedures, and memorable patient stories. It is a Jack-of-all-trades specialty that requires a broad scope of knowledge and fosters the lifelong learning that makes a strong physician.
Why Williamsport? I was drawn to UPMC Williamsport because of its well-established, unopposed program that placed an emphasis on resident wellness and support. The various areas of concentration and new lifestyle curriculum highlighted the program’s flexibility and the opportunities available for me to pursue my interests. Additionally, after experiencing the city life in California and the countryside living in North Carolina, I knew I wanted to live in a place that was somewhere in between. Williamsport offered that small town vibe with big-city amenities. Tom and I had such an enjoyable interview day that we decided to visit the area. The residents and faculty welcomed us with open arms and made us truly feel like family. We both fell in love with the downtown area, tranquil neighborhoods, and the amazing views of the rolling hills. Williamsport felt like the perfect fit and a place we could envision living in for many years. Plus, what could be more wholesome than a place that hosts the Little League World Series?
Medical School: Poznan University of Medical Sciences
About Me. I was born in the United States, but never actually lived here until residency. I split my formative years between Taiwan and Vancouver, before uprooting myself to attend medical school in Europe. I enjoy several different hobbies, including basketball, hiking, and kickboxing. At home, I like to read and cook. When I have the time, I try to travel and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.
Why Family Medicine?Entering medical school, I always knew I wanted to be involved in primary care. One of the biggest things that attracted me to family medicine is the unique privilege of helping otherwise healthy individuals further achieve their health goals. I am hoping to gain more exposure in sports medicine and obesity medicine and to use this to treat a diverse range of patients. I love that family medicine places a strong emphasis on preventative medicine and allows us to establish long-term relationships with our patients.
Why Williamsport? As someone who had never lived in the U.S., I wanted to be part of a program that could make me feel welcome, in a location where I could see myself living. Despite the interviews being virtual, it was obvious that the residents are a tight-knit group and that the faculty truly enjoyed mentoring their residents. UPMC Williamsport also offers a strong academic curriculum. Being an unopposed program that offers areas of concentration is also a huge plus. After spending a year here, I have absolutely no regrets!
Undergrad: The College of William and Mary
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
About Me. I grew up in Yardley, PA, which is just outside of Philadelphia. I met my husband during orientation week of medical school, even though we actually grew up in the same town. We got married in 2020 (pre-pandemic times) and were so blessed to have our daughter join our family a year later. During second year of residency, we welcomed our son. Having a two-resident household and two kiddos can be very busy, but we wouldn't have it any other way! In our spare time, we enjoy cooking new recipes, taking walks to the playground, and watching football (go Eagles!). I took a gap year between 3rd and 4th years of medical school to complete a master’s degree in public health in Philadelphia, and during medical school, I also completed a master’s degree in health care administration online.
Why Family Medicine?During third-year rotations in medical school, I found myself genuinely enjoying almost every clinical rotation I was on and couldn’t narrow down my interests to a particular specialty or patient population like many of my classmates could. After my first day in family medicine clinic, with the diverse diagnoses, opportunity to spend time learning about my patients, and counseling opportunities, I just knew that family medicine was the right fit. As an added bonus, as I have learned more about the specialty, I find that my other interests related to policy and leadership are particularly well-suited for a career in family medicine. Since family medicine is a specialty that emphasizes care for the whole person and the importance of patient-centered medicine, I see so much potential in family doctors as the leaders in improving health care at the community, state, and national levels.
Why Williamsport? As a first-year medical student, I was assigned to a local family physician with whom I spent a few weeks to work on interview and physical exam skills—my physician was in Williamsport! I quickly grew fond of the community and the patients here. Williamsport was already one of my top programs for the great reputation of full-spectrum training, gorgeous geographic location, friendly community, and plethora of outdoor activities. The interview day sealed the deal for me. Despite participating in an entirely virtual interview season, the residents and faculty in this program somehow made my interview dinner and interview day feel welcoming and incredibly comfortable. I’m so happy to be training here!
Undergrad: Gannon University
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
About Me. I was born and raised in Erie, PA. I grew up in the Allegheny Forest, so I like to do anything outdoors, including hiking, hunting, kayaking, skiing, camping, fishing, and exploring. I love to travel so going to Grenada for medical school was pretty exciting. My favorite place I have visited is France. I am a nerd who loves Star Wars, Marvel, and Dr. Who. I love hanging out with my friends and family, but one of my favorite things to do is to be with my husband and my dog, Yoshi.
Why Family Medicine? It is absolutely thrilling to be a part of someone’s life and give them advice on the best life they can possibly live. I enjoy forming relationships with patients and I seek to provide the best care possible. I love the idea of being able to treat most of the population and, therefore, keep an eye out for changes in all fields of medicine. I am passionate about preventive care, quality improvement for health care, and community outreach in the medical field.
Why Williamsport? The residents made me feel so welcome during the meet and greet, and I loved getting to know more about them and their experience within the program. I loved the fact that UPMC Williamsport provided a broad education for residents, as well as the multiple procedural and research opportunities. I appreciate the program’s flexibility towards the residents’ area of concentration as well. I felt a huge sense of family at this program, and I couldn’t wait to become part of this team.
Undergrad: West Virginia Wesleyan College
Medical School: St George’s University
About Me. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, but I grew up in Sarasota, Florida. I attended West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV where I played baseball for the college and majored in biochemistry and psychology. I met my wife at WVWC, and we were married this past spring. I’m a huge nerd and love all things sci-fi, anime, and fantasy. My hobbies range from weight lifting, baseball, and playing the guitar to video games, board games, and playing D&D with my friends. My wife and I are active people and love the outdoors, but don’t be surprised to see us at a brewery or restaurant on our down time.
Why Family Medicine? When I started medical school, I genuinely did not know what exactly I wanted to do. Family medicine was my first clinical rotation of my third year, and I absolutely fell in love with it. Getting that face-to-face connection and establishing a good rapport with my patients really made me feel at home. The diverse nature of the problems you face and the avenues available to you in family medicine as a whole was enticing. I have a distinct interest in sports medicine and family medicine offers one of the best chances to pursue that goal. I personally feel that hearing the patient’s story really helps me get a better picture of who they are and what means of treatment may best suit them as a whole. It honestly was an easy choice for me!
Why Williamsport? When I interviewed with Williamsport, I felt so welcomed. It was like I was already part of the family. Interview season was a little weird being virtual, but Williamsport went above and beyond to make the most of the unique circumstances and provided such an encompassing experience – I felt like I was there. From my conversations with the faculty, to the discussions with other residents, I truly felt that the Williamsport family allotted me with the best chance to pursue my goals and truly become the best physician I can be. I spent my clinical years in Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami and was honestly looking for a change of pace from the big city life. Williamsport offered the change I sought. A beautiful smaller city with big city amenities was just what I was looking for. It was just an added bonus to this retired ball player that it is also the home of the Little League World Series!
Undergrad: Temple University
Graduate: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
About Me. I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia in a small town called Morton. Before pursuing higher education, I worked for a few years, first as a construction laborer and then as an Ophthalmic Technician at Wills Eye Hospital. In my free time, I enjoy several hobbies, including gardening, distance running, back woods camping, and working on my old Jeep Wagoneer. With these hobbies, you may not guess that I have five sisters and one brother. Over the years, I have been the proud foster parent of 25 dogs and even one cat. I am also an avid motorcycle rider, and I am very excited to find the best roads in Lycoming County to cruise down!
Why Family Medicine? I want to take care of and be invested in the health of my entire community. I get excited about the thought of being trusted with the care of children, adults, and the elderly alike. I enjoy building fellowship with my community, and I believe the best care is provided by someone who deeply knows their patients. Through family medicine, I hope to become a guide for patients through their health journey by maintaining a wide depth of knowledge and promoting overall well-being. I am excited to help my patients meet their goals and achieve the good mental and physical health they have been striving towards.
Why Williamsport? Something about Williamsport stuck with me after I finished my rotation as a 4th year medical student. The people, the neighborhoods, the forests and mountains nestling the downtown area, everything about the community seemed to be a refreshing change from my current Philadelphia suburb life. My experience with the family medicine residents and teachers sealed the deal. There is so much chemistry between everyone, promoting a fun, innovative, hardworking, intelligent environment that sets itself apart from any other residency program I worked with. But wait, there was more! Once I experienced the residents’ ability to care for obstetrics patients and lead a labor and delivery team, I truly fell in love! I want to practice full scope family medicine and I knew this place would give me everything I needed and more to succeed.
Undergrad: The Pennsylvania State University
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
About Me. I am the youngest of 3 boys, born and raised just north of Pittsburgh, PA. I was born into the black and gold and will forever be a Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates fan. I took up swimming at a young age and propelled myself through college riding that wave at the one and only Pennsylvania State University. I spent my 4 years in Happy Valley studying biology and swimming for the varsity team. After undergrad, I found myself soaking up the sun in the Caribbean for medical school. Outside of schooling, my interests include attempting to remodel my house, hiking, and drinking good craft beer; however, after a hard day at work, you can find me entertaining my cute but needy puppy or playing video games.
Why Family Medicine?At the end of my core clinical rotations, I was faced with having to decide what route of medicine I wanted to pursue further. While reflecting on my experiences in clinicals, it became extremely evident that I enjoyed all aspects of medicine and could only truly pursue them all through family medicine. I have hopes to practice in a more rural setting in the future to help improve our nation’s access to health care.
Why Williamsport? Williamsport has a perfect balance between the big city feels and the small-town vibes. It has just enough to keep you entertained while not being overpopulated or overwhelming. Having experienced both sides of the spectrum during my time spent in St. Maarten and then in New York City, I realized I was looking for a location that was in between those two. The bonus for me, it is a short car ride away from my alma mater where I’ll be able to go visit old friends and, hopefully in the near future, attend the best college football games in the world.
Undergrad: North Carolina State University
Medical School: Trinity Medical Science University - School of Medicine
About Me. I was raised as the middle of three boys in a northern suburb of Pittsburgh, PA. Growing up, I played multiple sports, including baseball, soccer, and swimming, as well as spending most days outdoors mountain biking. Swimming eventually took me to NC State, where I was a 4-year letter winner and senior captain for the Wolfpack. Currently, my wife and I enjoy hiking, camping, going to the beach, and exploring the many food and craft brewery options of the Baltimore/Annapolis area. We are excited to begin our next great adventure together and to explore a brand-new city!
Why Family Medicine? Family medicine provides a unique opportunity to not only treat a wide variety of conditions, but to also connect with patients on a more personal note and develop a level of care that they feel a part of. My own passions lie in preventive care, specifically utilizing nutrition from an educational standpoint, as well as teaching the benefits of lifestyle modifications for the management of long-term conditions. I highly value the chance to develop long-term relationships with patients and to get to know them personally; I believe this is at the core of providing excellent care and is a key principle of family medicine in general.
Why Williamsport? As a first-year medical student, I was assigned to a local family physician to work on interview and physical exam skills — my physician was in Williamsport! I quickly grew fond of the community and the patients here. Williamsport was already one of my top programs for the great reputation of full-spectrum training, gorgeous geographic location, friendly community, and plethora of outdoor activities. The interview day sealed the deal for me. Despite participating in an entirely virtual interview season, the residents and faculty in this program somehow made my interview dinner and interview day feel welcoming and incredibly comfortable. I’m so happy to be training here!
Undergrad: Bucknell University
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
About Me. I was born and raised in Harrisburg, PA and haven’t been able to leave the state since! I received my bachelor’s degree in biology in Lewisburg (not far from Williamsport) before moving to Scranton for my master’s degree and medical school. In my free time, I enjoy yoga, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Why Family Medicine? Family medicine is the only field that allows you to care for patients during all stages of life, including before and during birth. I love the variety that FM brings and, most importantly, the patient continuity. As a family doctor, I’m looking forward to building relationships with patients and helping them improve all aspects of their health.
Why Williamsport? I chose Williamsport because I wanted an unopposed residency program with a strong OB curriculum that was close to home. The faculty members and residents I met during my interview day also made me feel like I was already a part of this tight-knit community (despite our interactions being only virtual).
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