Learn more about our residents down below.
Kyle Otto, MD, MBAUndergrad: Seton Hall University
Medical School: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
About Me: I was raised in Northern New Jersey and attended college in South Orange, where I studied biochemistry. I graduated from college a year early and spent a year as a chemistry teaching assistant before attending medical school at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, just thirty minutes away from Seton Hall. I’m an avid reader of history and sci-fi, and a big fan of Formula 1 and the New Jersey Devils.
Why Family Medicine? I first realized I wanted to go into family medicine while participating in a Covid-19 vaccine drive during medical school. Interacting with members of the community during this experience was what initially piqued my interest. What I value most about family medicine is the broad scope of practice, which is unique to the specialty, as well as the lifelong relationships with patients that can stretch from birth throughout the entirety of life. Finally, I’ve seen the impact that quality primary care and preventative medicine can have on overall health, and I’m striving to one day provide such care in a community that I can call home.
Why Williamsport/Wellsboro? Although I was born and raised in the suburbs of northern New Jersey, I was able to experience rural life firsthand through my wife, who is originally from rural Delaware. During the time I spent there, I developed a keen appreciation of the close-knit communities in rural environments, as well as a deeper understanding of the evident health disparities. Additionally, I feel that family medicine is at its most excellent in rural areas, where family physicians must engage in a much broader scope of care and have the opportunity to establish deeper relationships with their patients. I’m very excited to have the opportunity to train in such a setting and to enjoy the outdoors in Northern Pennsylvania!
Maura Sheehan, MD, MPHUndergrad: Albright College
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
About me: I grew up in upstate New York, where I enjoyed singing, acting, and writing. At 14 years old, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The diagnosis was a little daunting, but I was fascinated by the medicine, and I felt empowered by all the education I received from my diabetes educator. I decided to go into health care so I could help others with chronic medical conditions. I attended Albright College, where I studied biology and musical theatre. From there, I obtained a research position at the University of Pennsylvania, where I earned my Master of Public Health degree. I earned a second master’s degree from Drexel University in Intensive Medical Sciences before moving on to Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. At Geisinger, I used my first-hand knowledge of living with a chronic medical condition and my love for theatre to develop a program that teaches healthy coping strategies to kids with chronic medical conditions using role-play. I’m excited to begin my next chapter at UPMC.
Why Family Medicine? In medical school, we’re taught to care about numbers, but as a person who lives with a chronic medical condition, I know that’s not always what matters to patients. I love partnering with patients to help them live healthier lives in a way that matters to them. In family medicine, we develop lasting relationships with patients that allow us to go beyond numbers and treat the person standing in front of us.
Why Williamsport/Coudersport? I grew up in a rural area. I love the peace and the solitude unique to that setting. I appreciate that everyone in a small town is connected. I am excited not just to live in Coudersport, but to become part of the community there. Medical training in a rural setting offers the unique opportunity to treat conditions and situations that might normally be managed by a specialist. I want to live and work in a rural setting in my career as a physician, and it is a challenge I’m excited to tackle.
Benjamin Balin, MD
Undergrad: Duke University
Medical School: St. George’s University
About Me: I was raised in Southeastern Pennsylvania and attended a Quaker school where I competed in wrestling and track and field. I went to Durham, NC for college. A highlight of my education there was my engagement with Russian Literature, reading Tolstoy, Chekhov, and Dostoevsky. My favorite summer job during that time was working as a Longwood Gardens Arborist Intern, where I was taught how to ascend into trees’ canopies. I then aided my grandmother who was suffering from dementia and studied medical science at Drexel University. Afterwards, I went to St. George’s University in Grenada. The time on the island was cut short because of COVID-19, but I stayed through the end of the second semester after many students had left. Completing basic sciences remotely allowed me to experience living in some different parts of the U.S., like Louisville, KY and Kennebunkport, ME. My clinical experience in third and fourth years consisted of rotations throughout Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Jersey City.
Why Family Medicine? Harrison’s states, “It is important to recognize that tobacco and alcohol use, diet, and exercise constitute the vast majority of factors that influence preventable deaths in developed countries”. Family medicine allows a clinician to develop a longitudinal relationship with one’s patients, and often allows the provider to treat multiple members of the same family. In this way, a provider may be better able to enact positive behavioral change in the family unit as a whole, thereby promoting health interventions that will have a lasting impact, reduce societal disease burden, and most importantly prevent suffering. I also have a strong interest in psychiatric needs, and many family medicine practitioners also manage mental health concerns.
Why Williamsport/Wellsboro? I am excited to be a member of the inaugural class of the Rural Family Medicine program at Williamsport/Wellsboro. I am drawn to the challenges and rewards of being a part of a new program, particularly a program that is dedicated to rural populations. Tioga County has a certified dark zone, and I love looking at the sky undisturbed by light pollution. My favorite Chekhov story is Ward No. 6, which takes place in a rural setting, and the health needs of rural populations align with specific facets of my clinical interests, particularly regarding behavioral change, mental health, and addiction.
Nicholas Ihnatenko, MD
Undergrad: Holy Family University
Medical School: Drexel University
About me: Though I’m originally from Connecticut, I grew up in Yardley, PA and Michigan. After school, I served in the US Army in the 82nd Airborne. After my service, I moved back to Philadelphia and attended Holy Family University where I studied biology, then went on to Drexel for medical school. My true passion is with animals, especially my cats. I also enjoy using my free time to test out new fitness gadgets, keeping me active with running and Crossfit.
Why Family Medicine? Family medicine gives me an opportunity to do a little bit of everything. I want to have the biggest impact for my patients, and I love the challenge of utilizing resources to their full potential to do the most good.
Why Williamsport/Coudersport? Williamsport is an area of need that truly differs from Philadelphia — I feel like I can make a difference here. Additionally, the support from fellow staff and co-workers is phenomenal. I also love the mountains and abundant access to the nature that surrounds the area.
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