House Staff

House Staff Contact Information
If you wish to contact our residents, please email Peds_Chiefs@UHhospitals.org.
Pediatric Chief Residents

Rebecca Audette, MD
Hometown: Millbury, MA
Undergrad: University of New Hampshire
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Planning to complete a PICU fellowship. Interested in research and MedEd.
Personal Interests: Exploring new parks and hikes outdoors, crossword puzzles (especially with friends), baking, reading, watching tv/movies, exploring new breweries, spending time with friends
Why I Chose Rainbow: Even during my virtual interview I could tell that Rainbow was a supportive environment with a sense of community among residents. I appreciated that program leadership emphasized resident wellness initiatives and ways that they are trying to improve resident burnout including the x+y schedule. I also was drawn to the strong emphasis on education and the education structure which creates a really well-rounded residency experience.

Virginia Busby, MD
Hometown: Jenks, OK
Undergrad: Rice University
Medical School: University of Oklahoma
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine, medical education
Personal Interests: I love puzzles (sudoku, kakuro, etc.) and spending time with friends and family, especially if it involves food!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I love the x+y schedule – it gives me so much peace of mind knowing that after every 6 weeks, I will have two guaranteed golden weekends. I also loved the tracks because I am very interested in medical education.

Miranda Gregori, MD
Hometown: Bucks County, PA
Undergrad: Pennsylvania State University
Medical School: Thomas Jefferson – SKMC
Professional Interests: Answer still loading.
Personal Interests: I enjoy making new things: from bread baking to arts and crafts; I am always in the middle of a project!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I was really excited by the idea of an X +Y program. Rainbow was one of the first (and still one of the few) programs to make a major change for the benefit of its residents and their education. That speaks volumes about the supportive and friendly environment here.
PGY-1

Mai AlAdwan, MD
Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Undergrad: University of Jordan
Medical School: University of Jordan Faculty of Medicine
Professional Interests: I’m still figuring it out, but I’m really excited to see where I end up after residency.
Personal Interests: Trying different types of food, any outdoor activity, swimming and weight lifting.
Why I Chose Rainbow: Might be a cliche answer but I really felt comfortable and reassured after my interview!

Jessica Alvarado, MD
Hometown: Monument, Colorado
Undergrad: Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Research; Inpatient medicine; still undecided on a specific specialty.
Personal Interests: Rock climbing, running, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I primarily chose Rainbow for two main reasons: the breadth and diversity of patient care combined with a culture that is truly uplifting, patient centered, and fosters a love for lifelong learning.

Maha Ayub, MD
Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Jared Badgley, MD
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Undergrad: Purdue University
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Global Health, Neonatology
Personal Interests: Spending time with my family (wife, dog, and daughter), church, watching/playing sports (Boiler Up!), board games
Why I Chose Rainbow: 1) Interview: It was clear from my interview that the people I interviewed with actually read through my application and wanted me to be a part of their program. 2) Resident Run: From the interview and the first two months here, it is obvious that residents get first dibs on procedures, taking care of patients, etc. as compared to fellows. 3) Global Health: Rainbow has the oldest pediatric global health track and has NUMEROUS global connections instead of your traditional 1 or 2.

Nicholas Bean, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Mentor, Ohio
Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Professional Interests: Complex Care pediatrics and care for individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan!
Personal Interests: Analog photography and darkroom printing, skateboarding, and music
Why I Chose Rainbow: Northeast Ohio always has and always will be my home! I wanted to train at an institution that would allow me to give back to my community, and that would give me exposure to all types of subspecialty care. The close-knit and supportive culture was also a huge draw for me, both within the Med-Peds program and in how we are integrated into the Medicine and Pediatric sides! Everyone I spoke with throughout the recruitment and interview season was exceedingly kind, and that made a big impact on me.

Ashley Becker, MD
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Undergrad: Xavier University
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: At the moment, I am most interested in Gastroenterology!
Personal Interests: Spending time with family and friends, exploring the Cleveland Metroparks, dance, reading, going to baseball/basketball/football games, trying new restaurants and coffee shops.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the strong sense of community here- the flight system allows you to become very close with your co-residents! The process in which Rainbow allows us to gain autonomy is intentional and robust, balancing supervision with trust to ensure we’re ready for independent practice. The support from faculty and senior residents is unmatched- every day I walk into work knowing there are people in this program who genuinely care for me and are ready to help when I need it!

Alec Bryson, MD
Hometown: Akron, OH
Undergrad: John Carroll University
Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Professional Interests: Cardiology, Pulmonology, Primary Care, Quality Improvement
Personal Interests: Hiking/being outside, yoga, golf, vinyl records, Cleveland sports
Why I Chose Rainbow: I love the city of Cleveland and Rainbow had a lot of what I was looking for in a program. It was a medium-large sized program, with a good volume and variety of patients, and x+y schedule. Above all, I really enjoyed my interview day and knew it would be a supportive program where I could thrive as a resident.

Gabrielle Butz, MD
Hometown: Canton, OH
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Professional Interests: Undecided
Personal Interests: Cooking, Bravo Reality TV, Cleveland and Ohio State sports, Orange Theory workout classes
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I felt like it was the best possible place for me to grow as a pediatrician. Everyone is so welcoming and has made it feel like home right away! Also, I’m the biggest Cleveland enthusiast! The lake, the sports, the food, the affordability!

Imani Campbell, MD
Hometown: Boynton Beach, Florida
Undergrad: University of Florida
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Still exploring, but Child Abuse and Child Advocacy is high on the list!
Personal Interests: I love to cook, spend time with family and friends, and explore Cleveland’s food scene and Metropark system.
Why I Chose Rainbow: On my interview day, I was impressed by the hospital’s commitment to serving its community and how it valued diversity among both residents and faculty to better serve its diverse patient population. Additionally, the level of acuity stood out to me, offering the opportunity to develop strong clinical skills while caring for a diverse and complex patient population. And x+y scheduling model!

Matthew Carlisle, MD
Hometown: Solon, Ohio
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Professional Interests: Cardiology
Personal Interests: Reading, climbing, backpacking, hockey, board and video games, my cat
Why I Chose Rainbow: The interview day, proximity to home, subspecialty opportunity and patient complexity, x+y schedule, supportive faculty, receptive to couples matching (coordinating Y blocks!).

Cassandra Daniels, DO
Hometown: Lakewood, WA
Undergrad: University of Washington
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Undecided specialty but leaning towards primary care
Personal Interests: Plants, traveling, reading fiction, cooking, watching reality TV
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of how genuine people were on interview day. The program is truly intentional about serving the community while supporting trainees and providing excellent education for residents. After starting my training here, I couldn’t be happier with my choice!

Nada Deraz, M.B.B.Ch.
Hometown: Cairo, Egypt
Medical School: Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine
Professional Interests: Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Stewardship
Personal Interests: Cooking, Baking, Traveling, Music, Audiobooks
Why I Chose Rainbow: Compassionate and family centered patient care. Fosters a supportive teaching environment.

Ifeoma Ezeilo, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Haverstraw, NY
Undergrad: SUNY Binghamton
Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
Professional Interests: Endocrinology, Sleep medicine, Rheumatology, A/I, global health, gun violence intervention
Personal Interests: Power heels, Pilates, reading manga, watching anime, yoga and competitive swimming
Why I Chose Rainbow: The people for sure! I think what I wanted most was to be at a program where I could be my true self and find my tribe. The kindness and unwavering support of those around me created a space where authenticity is not only encouraged but deeply valued.

Nadra Gaber, M.B.B.Ch., Peds/Neuro
Hometown: Egypt
Medical School: Cairo University Faculty of Medicine
Professional Interests: : My interests within pediatrics include neurology, with a focus on epilepsy and headache.
Personal Interests: : I enjoy organizing and cleaning, cooking, hiking, stargazing, desert camping, reading and watching Turkish series and TV in general.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital for its supportive and welcoming residency community, along with its commitment to resident development. I also value the location in Cleveland, which offers a family-friendly environment with access to parks and a vibrant city life without being overwhelming, and I’m glad to be close to friends in Cleveland and Columbus.

Marlisa Granderson, MD
Hometown: Canton, Michigan
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine – Flint
Professional Interests: Primary Care, Public Health
Personal Interests: Baking, cooking, listening to music/podcasts, traveling
Why I Chose Rainbow: Community, support, location, patient population

Ian Hollander, DO
Hometown: St. Louis
Undergrad: Eckerd College
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Pediatric Sports Medicine
Personal Interests: Making music, playing sports, cooking, following St. Louis sports (and now Cleveland sports too!)
Why I Chose Rainbow: I could tell that the faculty care a lot about the learning experiences of their residents and during my interview day I could see how close the residents are and how much they care about one another.

Mary Hyland, MD
Hometown: Rocky River, OH
Undergrad: Walsh University
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Bioethics, Global Health
Personal Interests: Running in the Metroparks, playing board games with my family, baking and going to the beach
Why I Chose Rainbow: I choose Rainbow because it gave me the opportunity to come home and serve the families of Cleveland! I loved the x+y schedule and the commitment to child advocacy here.

Michaela John, MD
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Undergrad: University of Ottawa
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Pediatric emergency medicine, with a sprinkle of primary care; also global health and research.
Personal Interests: Trying new restaurants (especially sweet treats), traveling, swimming, reading, pottery, and NBA games.
Why I Chose Rainbow: Even virtually, Rainbow immediately felt like a family. Everyone was welcoming, and the residents spoke genuinely and highly of the faculty. I was drawn to the supportive environment, the diversity of cases and subspecialties, and the opportunity to be challenged.

Robert Kelley, MD
Medical School: Meharry Medical College

Zoya Khan, MD
Hometown: Charleston, WV
Undergrad: West Virginia University
Medical School: West Virginia University School of Medicine – Charleston
Professional Interests: Neonatology, critical care, cardiology, advocacy
Personal Interests: I love baking, reading fiction, watching sports, traveling, and spending time with my family & friends.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose this program because my interview day had such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I was really impressed by the strong focus on well-being and the supportive environment. I was also drawn to the x+y schedule – it offers a great opportunity to learn from a wide range of specialties, which I know will really enrich my pediatric training.

Yun-Yu Liu, MD
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Chioma Mbionwu, MD, MD
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Undergrad: University of Florida
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Endocrinology, Gastroenterology
Personal Interests: Violin, Pilates, Muay Thai
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow stood out to me because of how intentional and thoughtful the faculty were. During my interview, it was clear that they had thoroughly reviewed my application and genuinely wanted to get to know me beyond just what was on paper. Rainbow also has a very robust curriculum with a diverse patient population, so I felt confident that I’d receive an excellent education and be prepared to treat patients who look like me.

Danah Muhanna, MD
Hometown: Columbus, OH / Riyadh, KSA
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Not sure yet!
Personal Interests: Reformer pilates, cooking/re-creating recipes, all types of tea, plants + gardening, art
Why I Chose Rainbow: I rotated at RBC as a med student and was so impressed by the program; I felt that I could thrive as a resident here and would be well supported!

Hannah Parson, DO
Hometown: Amherst, Ohio
Undergrad: John Carroll University
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary Care, Child Psychiatry, Neonatology, Advocacy and Ethics
Personal Interests: Crossfit/weightlifting, hiking, exploring Cleveland’s coffee shops, gardening, farmer’s markets and spending quality time with my family and friends!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for its supportive learning environment and reputation for providing outstanding pediatric care! I really loved the strong sense of community I felt during my audition rotation and the positive learning culture that was reinforced by every team member. I also love their commitment to Child Advocacy efforts and wanted to help give back to the community that I grew up in!

Allison Ross, DO
Hometown: Cleveland! (South Euclid)
Undergrad: Indiana University (BA) and Arizona State University (post bacc, BS)
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Gastroenterology, nutrition, cardiology, sports medicine, preventative medicine
Personal Interests: Travel, music, Cleveland sports, dance, anything that gets me outside, and spending time with family, friends, and my two dogs.
Why I Chose Rainbow: As a native Clevelander born and raised on the East Side, choosing Rainbow felt like coming home. Its reputation speaks for itself – both as a top-tier medical center and an exceptional academic institution. I know I will receive an incredible education and training that will challenge me to become the best physician I can be. Just as importantly, everyone I’ve met has been incredibly welcoming, helpful, and kind. Most special of all, as a former Rainbow kid myself, becoming a resident here is truly a full-circle moment.

Mariam Salama, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Rochester, MN
Undergrad: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Professional Interests: Immigrant, Refugee & Asylee Health, Humanitarian Health
Personal Interests: Sustainable home gardening, thrifting, DIY home renovation, mediocre early 2000s movies
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose UH/Rainbow Babies as my training home for its pervasive culture of collegiality. Each person I have interacted with across the UH/Rainbow community, from my peers to my program director(s!), from ancillary staff to hospital support staff, from coordinators to chiefs, has been nothing but kind and willing to lend a helping hand. From all that I’ve learned thus far, the abundance of grace extended to me as I am taught new things each day has reaffirmed my curiosity and excitement for medicine. This sense of collectivism bleeds into how patients are treated here: with warmth, compassion, and dignity. When I could have learned how to be a doctor anywhere, I chose here so that I might embody the same sense of dedication and service towards patients and their families that I have seen continuously modeled thus far.

Yustina Salama, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: John Carroll University
Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hem/Onc
Personal Interests: Traveling, biking, baking, spending time with family and friends
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the remarkable sense of camaraderie, warmth, and genuine bond I observed between the attending’s and residents on interview day. From the beginning, it was clear that this was a collaborative, supportive environment. I knew it would be a great place to train – not only because of its academic strength, but also because of the shared commitment to developing excellent pediatricians, and I was drawn to being part of a community so invested in both personal and professional development.

Monica Sun, DO
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Rural Medicine, Global Health, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, General Pediatrics
Personal Interests: Ceramics, Rock Climbing, Backpacking, Baking breads, my pet rabbit Cumulonimbus
Why I Chose Rainbow: The people and the thoughtfulness of the new outpatient center and building to meet the needs of the community we serve! (building outpatient center on a bus line for easier access, pharmacy/WIC/other resources in the building, Women's clinic in the building so that caregivers can coordinate their healthcare when ensuring their child's care is met) everybody is incredibly friendly and creates a positive learning environment.

Anna Swensen, MD
Hometown: Arden Hills, MN
Undergrad: Bethel University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, allergy/immunology
Personal Interests: I love running, pickleball, traveling, walks and spending time with family and friends!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I rotated at Rainbow during medical school and loved the sense of community that I experienced! It is clear to me how much the residents care for and support each other, and how the faculty also support the residents so well. I also knew I would have a solid education at an amazing hospital with people who are genuinely interested in teaching. I am excited to continue my time at Rainbow now as a resident!

Emillee Vinogradsky, MD
Hometown: Gilbert, Arizona
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Outpatient Clinic Management, Neonatology, Sports Medicine, Healthcare Administration
Personal Interests: Home renovation projects, cooking & baking, hiking, skiing, exploring new places with my family
Why I Chose Rainbow: The 2 week blocks and x+y schedule make the long hours of residency much more manageable. There is always a new rotation approaching to look forward to. Also, there is a lot to do in and around Cleveland and this is a great city to raise a family in.

Larissa Vollin, DO
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Undergrad: Arizona State University
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine, wilderness medicine, sports medicine, lifestyle medicine and nutrition
Personal Interests: Running, biking, indoor rock climbing, weightlifting, hiking, musicals, reading
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow chose me! I am so fortunate to be a resident here for all of the amazing co-residents I get to work with and the incredible support we all have. I heard from almost all of my interviews how supportive each program was, but I was truly blown away by how much the program leadership, hospital and clinic staff, and residents care and have been so willing to help us.

Hannah West, MD
Hometown: Geneva, Ohio
Undergrad: Ohio University
Medical School: West Virginia University School of Medicine – Charleston
Professional Interests: Hospital Medicine, Advocacy, community outreach, Emergency Medicine
Personal Interests: Any and all animals, reading, taking my dogs on walks in new places around Cleveland, watching reality TV, baking.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I loved my interview day with Rainbow. Everyone I met was so nice and the program had a strong community/friendship feel to it. During my interview, I really appreciated the emphasis placed on resident wellness. I could tell the program valued lifestyle balance. Rainbow also is very connected to the community and has lots of resources that can be offered to patients, which was something that stuck out to me. There are so many unique patient cases as well as bread and butter that come into the hospital, so I felt like I would get a really well-rounded education here at Rainbow! x+y scheduling is a HUGE plus too!!

Jessica Williams, MD
Hometown: Southfield, MI
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Professional Interests: Undecided but primary care, advocacy/community outreach, social determinants of health, adolescent
Personal Interests: Workout classes, trying new restaurants, reading, traveling, spending time with family/friends
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the supportive community I felt along the interview trail. Being a large academic center, I felt I would have the exposure to become a well-trained pediatrician while having an individualized curriculum with things such as the tracks. Also, the x+y and emphasis on community outreach were a big draw.

Mary Yeh, MD Med/Peds
Medical School:Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
PGY-2

Trenley Anderson, MD, Peds Neurology
Hometown: Staunton, VA
Undergrad: University of Virginia
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Professional Interests: Neurology, medical humanities, medical education
Personal Interests: Music (all genres!), visual art, ethics, writing, indigenous knowledge, nature, running, cycling
Why I Chose Rainbow: I wanted to live in Cleveland and take care of northeast Ohio's patients. Cleveland offers a lot yet has a good cost of living. I enjoyed my rotations at Rainbow as a med student and felt that I would be well-supported and could thrive here.

Mara Atherton, MD
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Undergrad: University of Louisville
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Professional Interests: Neonatology, Critical Care, Complex Care
Personal Interests: Gardening, birdwatching, hiking, knitting and running
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I had such great interactions with the faculty on interview day. I felt like faculty were truly interested in hearing what skills I wanted to improve in residency. I also thought the residents seemed to really enjoy their time together. I took a weekend trip to Cleveland and really enjoyed visiting the Lakefront Nature Preserve and local restaurants. I love the volume and acuity of patients at Rainbow and feel like I've made strides of growth since starting intern year!

Laura Burns, MD
Hometown: Bloomington, IL
Undergrad: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary Care, Adolescent Medicine, Special Needs Care, Academic Medicine
Personal Interests: Music, art, my cats
Why I Chose Rainbow: I went to medical school at Case Western Reserve University, then couples matched to Cleveland with my partner, another CWRU grad. We both love the city and were very happy to stay. In addition, we both loved our medical school experiences at the Cleveland hospitals, and we were excited to continue working at institutions that we knew would give us great educational opportunities in our respective specialties.
Rainbow is a great place for me to learn to be a pediatrician. As a student here, I found the work to be challenging, educational, and rewarding. At Rainbow, I help patients who experience a lot of negative social determinants of health, and I get to learn how to help them navigate their social challenges in addition to their medical ones. I feel like Rainbow is a place where I can find any opportunity, I would want to prepare me for any pediatric career I might choose to pursue.

Christine Campisi, MD
Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hematology/Oncology, Research, Advocacy
Personal Interests: Running, hiking, crocheting, my cat Nero
Why I Chose Rainbow: Ultimately, I chose Rainbow because I could just tell on interview day that all of the residents and faculty I spoke with genuinely loved caring for this community and working with each other. I knew I would learn a lot and be challenged in terms of seeing complex cases here, but I also felt like I'd be well-supported by the program and my co-residents – and I have been.

Coreena Chan, MD
Hometown: York, Pennsylvania
Undergrad: Penn State University
Medical School: Ohio State University
Professional Interests: Primary care, advocacy
Personal Interests: My cat, baking, eating
Why I Chose Rainbow: The collaborative and supportive environment and dedication to patient care.

Adrija Chaturvedi, MD
Hometown: Solon, Ohio
Undergrad: Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Adolescent Medicine, Gastroenterology, General Pediatrics, Medical Education, Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine
Personal Interests: I love reading, cooking, listening to podcasts, going for long walks in the Metroparks, and spending time with friends and family!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I completed all of my pediatrics rotations at Rainbow during medical school and I was consistently impressed by how compassionate, welcoming, and intelligent the residents were. It was clear they got excellent training and exposure to a wide variety of cases, from bread and butter pediatrics to niche diagnoses. I knew that at Rainbow I would be supported both personally and professionally by my co-residents as well as program leadership. By the time I was applying to residency programs, I realized that Rainbow set the bar for all of the other programs I was looking at! It really felt like a natural choice for me as I wanted to get the best possible training while staying close to home.

Gabriella “Bella” Cotter, MD
Hometown: New Guilford, Ohio
Undergrad: Baldwin Wallace University
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: I am interested in pediatric intensive care, patient/family education, and social determinants of health.
Personal Interests: My husband and I enjoy trying new restaurants and have loved the Cleveland food scene! I also enjoy going on nature walks/hikes to explore my neighborhood and the many tow paths and bridal paths in the Cleveland area. I drink a lot of coffee and tea and love spending time outside with a sweet drink and a good book. On days off, I like to go to antique and thrift stores, concerts, and local seasonal events in the area or bake a new recipe!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I was drawn to Rainbow by the friendly atmosphere on interview day and the passion with which all of the staff talked about their program! There was a big emphasis on effective communication between team members and promoting resident independence. I also appreciated the x+y schedule and the structure of the resident outpatient clinic. Cleveland was a great city for my husband and I to couples match into!

Madison Cox, MD

Melindy Dorcin, MD
Hometown: Westbury, NY (on Long Island)
Undergrad: Trinity College (Hartford, CT)
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Professional Interests: Still pretty broad at this point!
Personal Interests: Baking and knitting
Why I Chose Rainbow: I fell in love with Rainbow as a medical student and while watching my older sister work here as a pediatric resident. I knew that the teaching and the people here were incredible, and I am so grateful that I get to become a pediatrician here!

Matilda Francis, MD
Hometown: Chesapeake, Virginia
Undergrad: University of Virginia
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Professional Interests: Medical education, undecided on specialty but at this moment most interested in allergy/ immunology, GI, or primary care
Personal Interests: Classical ballet, yoga, exploring the Metroparks and new restaurants around Cleveland!
Why I Chose Rainbow: The supportive and welcoming community at Rainbow with emphasis on resident wellness stood out to me during my interview! I also was drawn to the wide variety of inpatient services with x+y schedule.

Irene Ganahl, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Lewisburg, PA
Undergrad: Wellesley College
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, women’s health, health equity, global health, quality improvement, advocacy
Personal Interests: Music (I have played violin since I was 3 1/2 -y/o), farmer's markets, being outdoors in almost all capacities, lap swimming, reading
Why I Chose Rainbow: I absolutely loved my interview! I wanted to train at an institution that prioritizes serving their community through high-quality care. And as Med-Peds, I felt so welcomed by both the Pediatric and IM categorical residents.

Alexander Ladron de Guevara, MD
Hometown: Miami, FL
Undergrad: Florida International University
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Neonatology, Emergency Medicine, Gastroenterology
Personal Interests: Hiking, going to the beach, taking spontaneous trips, and spending time with family and friends!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for many reasons! Not only is Rainbow part of a large, well-respected academic institution, but it serves as a strong stand-alone pediatric hospital. The opportunities here are abundant, yet the program's medium class size fosters a tight-knit environment. Rainbow also has the x+y schedule format, which provides a better balance for my personal and professional interests! The people here are also very kind and welcoming. Cleveland rocks!

Joseph Haight, MD

Kathleen “Katy” Hoffman, DO
Hometown: South Amherst, Ohio
Undergrad: Ohio Wesleyan University
Medical School: OU HCOM – Cleveland
Professional Interests: NICU, Hospitalist, Education, Advocacy, Community Outreach
Personal Interests: Trying new restaurants/cooking with my husband, running, musical theater, travel, quality family time, concerts and crafting
Why I Chose Rainbow: Growing up in northeast Ohio I always admired Rainbow for their innovative care and commitment to their community. On interview day it was easy to see Rainbow is one big, supportive family full of highly intelligent people. I knew this was the best environment for me to learn and grow in. It was also important to me that Rainbow uses x+y scheduling with specialty tracks available to further serve our interests.

Alexandra “Alex” Kinzer, MD
Hometown: Princeton, MA
Undergrad: Purdue University
Medical School: University of Cincinnati
Professional Interests: Open to everything
Personal Interests: Cooking, baking, hiking, running and being outside
Why I Chose Rainbow: I spent a year at UH in another residency program and loved the people that I met while I was at Rainbow! I also have family that live in Cleveland and value seeing them frequently.

Hyerin Kwak, MD
Hometown: Norman, OK
Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Critical care (PICU), bioethics, medical education
Personal Interests: Woodworking, birdwatching, tennis, visiting Metroparks, home improvement, economics
Why I Chose Rainbow: +Y schedule, exposure to variety of pathologies, supportive faculty, reputation of training excellent pediatricians; and my husband and I wanted to be back in Northeast Ohio to be closer to friends and family.

Yusef Kunji, MD, Peds Genetics
Hometown: Port Huron, Michigan
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: Wayne State University
Professional Interests: Genetics, Basic Science Research and Medical Education
Personal Interests: Trivia, reading, soccer, exploring nature and all things fantasy!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I was looking for a strong, academic Peds/Genetics program in the Midwest. During my interviews, Rainbow Babies stood out immediately. The residents and faculty were truly passionate about the care they provide to the diverse surrounding community. The x+y schedule also stood out among other programs as I want to preserve work/life balance as much as possible during residency.

Kehinde Lawal, MD

Michelle Leahy, MD
Hometown: South Euclid, Ohio
Undergrad: University of Dayton
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Professional Interests: Advocacy, Hematology & Oncology and PICU
Personal Interests: Traveling, camping, strength training and playing soccer, trying new restaurants, binge watching Netflix shows, jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with family :)
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for so many reasons! I was drawn to the supportive culture that I felt on interview day, the x+y scheduling, and the opportunity to participate in tracks and serve a diverse patient population. Also, I wanted to stay in Cleveland to be near family and serve my own community :) Lastly, as a strong academic institution, I knew training at Rainbow would expose me to a wide variety of pathologies so that I could become a well-rounded pediatrician!

Rachel Lukwago, MD
Hometown: Sterling, VA
Undergrad: Old Dominion University
Medical School: Trinity School of Medicine
Professional Interests: NICU, Child Psychiatry, Hospital Medicine
Personal Interests: Hiking, Reading and Scuba Diving
Why I Chose Rainbow: The people are genuine, and the program is resident-run which allows for good autonomy.

Arnelle Osei, MD
Hometown: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Undergrad: Carleton University
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Professional Interests: PEM/Primary care, NICU, or primary care on its own. However, no matter where I end up…child global health will be incorporated into my career.
Personal Interests: Traveling, watching reality crime shows, cooking, hanging out with friends and family
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I felt I would receive the comprehensive skills required to become an amazing general pediatrician while having the opportunity to explore specialization since Rainbow is a robust free-standing children’s hospital. Not to mention we are adamant about community engagements. Also, the x+y schedule is vital! I love the fact that I’m doing something different every two weeks and I have a pretty standard schedule!

Faiyza Osman, MD
Hometown: Troy, Michigan
Undergrad: Wayne State University
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Professional Interests: Largely undecided, but my interests so far include child & adolescent psychiatry, endocrinology, advocacy, and DEI.
Personal Interests: I love creative writing, cooking, reading (specifically historical fiction), and I'm hoping to learn piano soon!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Humility and wellness were emphasized as just some of the core values of the program, and I can confirm that it rings true. This program offers excellent training paired with a culture of humility from its faculty and trainees. I have the appropriate guidance and teaching I need while still having the opportunity to build confidence in my decision-making skills as a physician.

Kara Gilliam Partee, MD, MPH
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Undergrad: University of Tennessee
Medical School: East Tennessee State University
Professional Interests: GI, global health and legislative advocacyy
Personal Interests: Hiking, traveling, baseball, board games, music, and pullin’ for the Vols!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the emphasis on resident wellness and psychological safety here. Our leaders do a great job checking on us and supporting us!

Brooke Pennza, MD
Hometown: Troy, Ohio
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary Care
Personal Interests: Baking/cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the culture. All of the residents I met at my interview and second look seemed genuinely happy to be training at rainbow and I could see that the program truly valued resident wellness.

Sindhu Ramachandra, MD
Hometown: Somerset, New Jersey
Undergrad: Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: USF Morsani College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Effective communication in healthcare settings, advocacy, bench research
Personal Interests: I love dancing, baking and swimming.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I love the close-knit community and supportive learning environment that Rainbow offers. The program’s commitment to serving the community, coupled with its amazing research and mentorship opportunities, makes me grateful and excited to join the Rainbow family.

Riley Reed, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Canton, MI
Undergrad: Michigan State University
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, social determinants of health, DEI, mentorship
Personal Interests: Reading, travel, trying new restaurants in Cleveland, watching crazy reality tv shows, spending time with family and friends
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because he x+y scheduling was appealing to me and showed me that the program values wellness among their residents. In addition, working with underserved populations is important to me, and Cleveland and Rainbow has many opportunities (like the advocacy track!) for me to pursue that passion!

Steven Reehl, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Summit Hill, PA
Undergrad: Elizabethtown College
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, LGBTQ+ Healthcare, Medical Education, Advocacy
Personal Interests: I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, shopping, finding new music, finding good coffee, and exploring Cleveland. I’m always looking for new ways to stay active and meet new people!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for its reputation for excellence in pediatric care, commitment to children’s health and well-being, and the excellent residency opportunities.

Jack Reifenberg, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: University of Cincinnati
Professional Interests: HHospital medicine vs pulm/crit, quality improvement, medical education, legislative advocacy
Personal Interests: Soccer, making soup, trail running
Why I Chose Rainbow: I felt a strong sense of community during my interview day. Well-balanced clinical experiences within a diverse range of disciplines and settings through an x+y schedule.

Priyanga Selvakumar, MD
Hometown: Broomall, PA
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Professional Interests: Allergy and Immunology, Medical Education
Personal Interests: Indian classical dance, exploring the Cleveland food scene, traveling, plants, and k-dramas!
Why I Chose Rainbow: The people, x+y scheduling, tracks, and amazing vibes!

Hala Al Suqi, MD
Hometown: Doha, Qatar/Amman, Jordan
Medical School: University of Jordan
Professional Interests: Undecided and changes by the day but I like a variety of things: global health, palliative care, and emergency medicine.
Personal Interests: Yoga and meditation, writing, music, reading neuropsychology books, stargazing, coffee making and drinking, sketching and anything outdoors!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I fell in love with Rainbow and knew it was the place I wanted to be for many reasons; interview day just reaffirmed that for me leaving me filled with positive energy. Resident mental health and work life balance are really advocated for at this program, and everyone here is super supportive and friendly.

Gregory Sylvestre, DO
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Undergrad: Hunter College, The City University of New York
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown
Professional Interests: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Sports Medicine
Personal Interests: I enjoy spontaneous day trips, videogames, Football, fitness, scenic drives, nature/hiking, and rewatching classic American mob films (Martin Scorsese – Goodfellas, Casino)
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I wanted a strong academic program that historically supported its resident's professional interests and personal well-being. I had a pleasant interview experience that left me feeling truly desired to be apart of Rainbow and the local Cleveland communities. Additionally, I felt Rainbow was forward thinking in its x+y schedule, EMR, and leadership structure. Also coming from NY, it was refreshing to move to a smaller mid-west city with lots of character! I enjoy the ease of access to sporting events, restaurants, nature parks, and interesting city venues.

Tia Szczesniak, MD
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Undergrad: Southern Methodist University
Medical School:Eastern Virginia Medical School
Professional Interests: I am currently interested in nephrology, neonatology, emergency medicine and hospitalist medicine. I can't wait to experience them more and see which one is my true fit!
Personal Interests: Pet therapy – my dog Minnie and I are a certified team. I love the work we do together! Baking; I love the small amount of joy sweets can bring.
Why I Chose Rainbow: Although I had never been to Rainbow outside of interview day, the emphasis on how they select their residents based on their individual strengths and description of core values made it my top choice by far. I knew the value was on education and creating better doctors and supporting rather than the ‘learn by being a workhorse’ mentality regarded in other places I interviewed at. Additionally, I love that Rainbow is such a big academic center where we frequently get to see and learn how to confidently treat conditions rarely seen elsewhere.

Brooke Wangler, DO
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad: Clemson University
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, newborn nursery, community outreach, mental health
Personal Interests: Reading (fiction), traveling, crocheting, trying new restaurants, live music
Why I Chose Rainbow: My acting internship at rainbow sealed the deal for me as I witnessed the culture of the program – it was clear that the residents were deeply supported by each other and by the program itself.
PGY-3

Sarah Abdalian, DO
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad: Tulane University
Medical School: Kansas City University
Professional Interests: Hematology/Oncology, Research, Advocacy
Personal Interests: Trying new recipes, reading, going on walks, traveling
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the people. I could tell it was the type of place where everyone was so supportive and wanted to help each other succeed. I also was looking for a large academic center where I would gain exposure to a wide variety of pathologies and have the opportunity to participate in research.

Amanda Appel, MD
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Professional Interests: I am currently undecided but interested in hospital medicine, pulmonology, and endocrinology. I am also passionate about global health.
Personal Interests: Dancing, playing the ukulele, yoga, swimming, spending time with friends and family
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because it was so clear to me on interview day that the program truly cares about resident learning and wellness! The residents seemed happy and supported. I really liked the Flight program where you have the opportunity to connect and learn with residents in different years in a smaller group setting. There are so many program initiatives, like the specialized tracks, that can help you explore your professional interests.

Samuel Baker, MD, MPH
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad: Tulane University
Medical School: LSU New Orleans
Professional Interests: Primary and preventative care, infectious diseases, and pulmonology
Personal Interests: Paddling, walking, appreciating Cleveland Heights gardens and calling patients “bud”
Why did you choose Rainbow: I was so excited to be able to return home, in many ways! I was born at Rainbow, raised in Cleveland, and after spending so much time away, loved how friendly and familiar the folks at rainbow were on interview day. It feels very special to have the opportunity to help take care of the community that worked so lovingly to take care of me. In addition, the University Circle area makes me feel like I’m highfalutin’, which I appreciate!

Melissa Becker, MD
Hometown: Covington, KY
Undergrad: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Advocacy
Personal Interests: Pickleball, cooking and exploring new restaurants
Why did you choose Rainbow: I love that Rainbow is a large academic center, but the people make you feel as if you are part of their family. I really wanted to experience all types of disease processes from simple to complex but not sacrifice knowing all of my co-residents and Rainbow is just that. Everyone here is so supportive, and the program really puts residents first. I also love their commitment to advocacy and supporting the city of Cleveland.

Brooke Bidwell, MD
Hometown: Traverse City, MI
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: St. George’s University
Professional Interests: PICU vs. Emergency Medicine, Global Health, Education
Personal Interests: Reading, hiking, traveling, spending time with my family, eating at new restaurants
Why did you choose Rainbow: I absolutely loved the program as a whole. It is a very resident-centered program, and from my first interview and meet-and-greet I felt very welcomed and supported. There are so many great opportunities such as the global health program, along with the Silver Junior team, and we are exposed to a lot of different pathologies. Plus, the x+y schedule was a huge draw for me, and I love the balance and break that this schedule provides.

Megan Binder, MD
Hometown: East Canton, OH
Undergrad: Kenyon College
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Rural and underserved populations, comprehensive primary care, medical education
Personal Interests: Gardening, Peloton, NCAA basketball
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the comradery and culture between the residents and within the hospital itself as a stand-alone pediatric hospital. I also love the x+y schedule, faculty teaching and living in Cleveland!

Sarah Branch, MD
Hometown: Allentown, PA
Undergrad: Franklin & Marshall College
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Emergency medicine, primary care, newborn nursery
Personal Interests: Painting, baking, singing, exercising, spending time with my husband and two cats
Why did you choose Rainbow: I was drawn to Rainbow due to the warmth of the house staff and the supportive nature of the clinical environment. I could tell Rainbow would help me to become the best pediatrician I could be while in a system that supported resident learning and well-being! I also love the dedicated clinic time residents get with the x+y schedule; it allows us to be fully present in the clinic and nicely balances with the weeks of inpatient rotations. I am truly so happy to be part of this program and would not have it any other way!

Caroline Caldart, MD
Hometown: Avon Lake, OH
Undergrad: Ohio State University
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hospital Medicine, NICU, GI
Personal Interests: Baking, college football, audiobooks/podcasts, outdoor walks
Why did you choose Rainbow: I had amazing Rainbow pediatricians as a kid and was so impressed with the program later as a medical student, and it's a nice bonus to be close to home!

Megan Cavataio, MD
Hometown: Escondido, CA
Undergrad: Whitworth University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: General pediatrics, continuity of care, community outreach, mentorship, medical education PICU vs Emergency Medicine, Global Health, Education
Personal Interests: For exercise, I enjoy hiking in the Metroparks and rock climbing (both bouldering and top rope at Shaker Rocks!). At home, I love cooking, taking care of my vegetable garden, reading, binge-watching TV shows, trying new restaurants, and embroidery. I also have two cats!
Why did you choose Rainbow: I did most of my medical school rotations at UH and absolutely loved my pediatric rotations at Rainbow! All the residents were kind and compassionate clinicians, supportive of the medical students, and seemed happy to work here. Being a large academic medical center, I knew I would get fantastic training to be a general pediatrician, and my career interests would be supported by the awesome PD and APDs. I also fell in love with Cleveland during my time as a student here. I love the Metroparks, food scene, and accessibility!

Phoebe Dodge, MD
Hometown: Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Undergrad: Albion College
Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary Care
Personal Interests: Trying new restaurants and local coffee shops, yoga, cycling, visiting family in Michigan
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for several reasons!!! It was important to me to go to an x+y program where I felt the program really valued our overall well being. I also wanted to serve a diverse patient population which we see at Rainbow while training at a top children’s teaching hospital. On my interview day, I felt like my interviewers were really trying to get to know me as a person, which I valued. Cleveland is also a super cool Midwest city with many fun neighborhoods nearby! Rainbow and Cleveland feel like home already.

Amber Estes, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Tinley Park, IL
Undergrad: The University of Chicago
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: I have many interests, and I see myself pursuing either primary care or a combined fellowship (infectious disease, cardiology, rheumatology…we’ll see!). I am passionate about advocacy, LGBTQ+ medicine, community engagement, and medical education.
Personal Interests: : I like to bake, cook, read, draw, dance, try new restaurants (there are many great ones in Cleveland), and check out the Metroparks while birdwatching. I also always love spending time with my two cats.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I had a wonderful experience as a medical student and knew I would enjoy being here as a resident.

Caitlin Fernandez, MD
Hometown: Aurora, IL
Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
Professional Interests: Hematology/oncology, critical care, advocacy
Personal Interests: Gardening, baking, embroidery, rock climbing
Why did you choose Rainbow: One of the biggest factors that drew me to Rainbow was the program’s commitment to serving the community. During my interview, I was really impressed learning about the Midtown clinic and how it was designed to improve access to healthcare. I also really appreciated the program’s x+y scheduling and dedication to resident wellness.

Bethany Giedman, MD
Hometown: Findlay, OH
Undergrad: Otterbein University
Medical School: Western Michigan Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hematology/oncology, medical education
Personal Interests: Playing piano, singing, reading, watching reality TV, online window shopping, spending time with friends and family
Why did you choose Rainbow: I felt so welcomed by the warm and genuine people that I interacted with during my interview day – I knew I’d feel at home and supported with this group of residents and faculty members. I love how the flight program gets you connected with mentors and a smaller group of co-residents. I am excited about the opportunities provided by the tracks and look forward to pursuing my interests in medical education and research!

Rachel Graf, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad: Ohio State University
Medical School: Ohio State University
Professional Interests: NICU, advocacy, medical education
Personal Interests: Reading, coffee shops, cocktails, traveling, weightlifting, yoga
Why did you choose Rainbow: FFocus on serving the community, X+Y, strong fellowship matches, and rooted in neonatology history

Katherine Guilbo, MD
Hometown: East Greenbush
Undergrad: College of the Holy Cross
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Professional Interests: Critical care, hospital medicine
Personal Interests: Marathon running, the Buffalo Bills, Taylor Swift
Why did you choose Rainbow: My interview at Rainbow was my first (and favorite!) of the interview season. The residents were kind, welcoming, and down to earth at the virtual meet and greet. They seemed to genuinely enjoy each other’s’ company. During the interview, I could tell that the faculty cared about the well-being and success of their residents. I had never visited Cleveland before, but after my interview I was ready to hike at the Metroparks, catch a Guardian’s’ game, and soak up the sun at Edgewater Park. Schedule was also huge draw for me, and I love the balance and break that this schedule provides.

Kayla Harshman, MD
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Undergrad: St. Louis University
Medical School: St. Louis University
Professional Interests: Healthcare Ethics, Disability Rights, primary care
Personal Interests: Swimming, cello, camping, hiking, video games, my cats, gardening, baking
Why did you choose Rainbow: This program was very welcoming and inviting on my interview day. They seemed to really value resident wellness alongside resident education. Cleveland is also an amazing city and has a medically and socially complex patient population that I really look forward to working with.

Mary Irwin, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergrad: Virginia Tech
Medical School: University of Cincinnati COM
Professional Interests: Dual hospitalist, critical care (PICU or MICU), adolescent + advocacy and med ed
Personal Interests: Plants, yoga, most popular fantasy series, trying local breweries, hiking, anime, reading a good book (fiction and nonfiction), ice cream (most varieties)
Why I Chose Rainbow: Great balance of excellent education/resources/PEM/specialists with supportive culture and ability to grow with graduated autonomy. Rainbow is also very cognizant of our unique patient population and prioritizes equitable healthcare + advocacy among its residents and faculty.

Andrea Janis, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Westport, Connecticut
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine, primary care, transitional care, medical education
Personal Interests: Baking, hiking, dogs, live music
Why I Chose Rainbow: I had an incredible interview day that demonstrated camaraderie amongst residents, emphasis on resident education, and support for resident wellbeing. I love the x+y schedule, which is pretty rare for pediatric residency programs! Additionally, opportunities for advocacy, research and any other interests are endless..

Samantha Kauffman, MD
Hometown: Winamac, IN
Undergrad: Eastern Mennonite University
Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis
Professional Interests: Neonatology, Global Health
Personal Interests: My cats, trying new restaurants, reading/watching historical fiction
Why did you choose Rainbow: I wanted to stay in the Midwest, and I felt really warm and fuzzy and excited after my interview day. The X+Y schedule and tracks (specifically global health) were huge draws!

Jamie Kent, MD
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Undergrad: Miami University
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Advocacy, Work-Life Balance, Evidence-Based Medicine
Personal Interests: Animals (especially my dog), my partner and family, OSU football, watching movies, swimming
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the support they provide to residents both as new pediatricians and as people outside of work. Both work and home are top priorities in my life. I also love Ohio and Cleveland, obviously.

Tyler Langenfeld, MD
Hometown: Massillon, OH
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Cardiology, critical care, neonatology
Personal Interests: Cleveland sports, golf, video games, board games, reading, trivia nights at local breweries, exploring the city with my fiancé.
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow has everything I could possibly ask for in a training program: resources and support to pursue any career path I wish, opportunity to see every pediatric pathology under the sun, x+y scheduling, and a deep commitment to serving the children of its community. In addition, Cleveland is only an hour from my hometown and is the city I grew up wanting to live in!

James McCarthey, MD
Hometown: Northern Kentucky
Undergrad: Berea College
Medical School: University of Louisville SOM
Professional Interests: I chose medicine as a career because of my experience as child in the hospital dealing with Juvenile idiopathic rheumatoid arthritis. With this experience, I have personal interest in Rheumatology. I did also enjoy my time in the NICU and general outpatient medicine.
Personal Interests: I have been learning Japanese since I was in college and still have an online tutor I see each week! In addition, I love reading fantasy, hiking, and playing video games.
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow was a clear choice for me after speaking with faculty and residents. It is a friendly environment that is truly supportive and seemed like an obvious choice for training. With great experts in a variety of specialties under the UH hospital/Case western system I felt that I would be well supported.

Kristen Mikhail, MD
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine – Grand Rapids
Professional Interests: Allergy and immunology
Personal Interests: Yoga, walks by Edgewater beach, new restaurant spots
Why did you choose Rainbow: I loved Rainbow for their genuine energy that came across during my interview day. I felt that I would be well supported both in my professional goals and in my personal life, by allowing some life balance (x+y) and being in a supportive environment amongst my peers and attendings/fellows. I felt that leadership cared for us as individuals and that we would be in a fun team environment, which I felt that I could thrive in!

Eli Moss, DO
Hometown: Ashland, Ohio
Undergrad: John Carroll University
Medical School: Ohio University
Professional Interests: Most likely Allergy and Immunology vs. Outpatient vs. less likely Undecided
Why did you choose Rainbow: The Program, Residents, Opportunity, and location

Dana Othman, MBBS
Hometown: Amman, Jordan/Dubai, UAE
Undergrad: UAE
Medical School: University of Sharjah
Professional Interests: Emergency, PICU
Personal Interests: Reading, hikes, the beach!
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow felt like it would be a great place to turn into a home for the coming 3 years. The people, the tracks, x+y scheduling, and the city setting all spoke to me.

Michaela Parker, MD
Hometown: Ashtabula, Ohio
Undergrad: Ohio State University
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Undecided, but interested in primary care, hospital medicine, infectious disease
Personal Interests: Hiking, especially with my dog! Mushroom-hunting, paddle-boarding. I also play piano and am currently trying to learn ukulele.
Why did you choose Rainbow: Overall, I just had a great gut feeling when I interviewed at Rainbow. I love that we see a wide range of patients here and have the opportunity to treat all sorts of pathologies. There is also a strong emphasis on serving the community, which was important to me in choosing a residency program. I am also from Northeast Ohio originally and even stayed at the Rainbow NICU as a newborn, so I was thrilled to come back to Cleveland!

Rida Raza, MD
Hometown: Edmond, Oklahoma
Undergrad: University of Oklahoma
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Possibly Hospital Medicine
Personal Interests: Sports, anime, puzzles, video games
Why did you choose Rainbow: Good vibes, x+y, and diverse learning opportunities!

Maria Roufaeil, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: University of Toledo
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary Care
Personal Interests: Reading, walks at the Metroparks, family time, movie nights with friends
Why did you choose Rainbow: The friends and family feel of the program really drew me to Rainbow. I could tell that everyone within the residency program was really invested in our learning and molding us into well-informed and culturally competent pediatricians. In addition, the x+y program was a bonus as it really allows for a good work-life balance!

Brandi Williams, DO
Hometown: Clearwater, FL
Undergrad: Elon University
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Neonatology, public health, medical education, medical ethics
Personal Interests: Traveling, reading, yoga, spending time with friends and family, and thrifting!
Why did you choose Rainbow: During my interview, it really felt like the program prioritized education and resident wellness while providing a supportive environment for growth. I was looking for a program that had x+y scheduling, a medical education track, and the fellowship programs that I am interested in – Rainbow checked all of these boxes and more!

Jaysa Withey, DO, Med/Peds
Hometown: Flint, Michigan
Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Dual Hospitalist, Integrative Medicine, Global Medicine
Personal Interests: DIY Home decor, plants!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Supportive culture was very important to me.

Stephen Worrall, DO
Hometown: Reading, PA
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Seton Hill
Professional Interests: Cardiology or PEM. I was a paramedic before attending medical school, so there is always a draw to Emergency Medicine for me, but I also really enjoy the complex anatomy and physiology that comes along with congenital heart defects, along with the continuity of care you can establish with those patients!
Personal Interests: Nothing too crazy, I enjoy watching TV with my wife and our cat, reading, exercising, cooking and sleeping. I also enjoy playing video games and building computers when the time and money allows for it. What has been really fun lately is exploring the restaurants that CLE has to offer, along with its amazing Metroparks!
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow on paper checked off all of the boxes that I wanted. It is a medium-larger program with a good volume that caters to my learning style this is located in a good sized city with a lot to offer (don’t sleep on Cleveland!). It has the resources available to help set me up for success if I decide to go onto fellowship. What sealed the deal for me was the interview day, from the beginning with Dr. Dell’s speech where you could tell he pulled parts from everyone who was interviewing’s application and related it to why you would be a good Pediatrician, all the way throughout my faculty interviews and into the social hour!

Audrey Wright, MD
Hometown: Owensboro, KY
Undergrad: University of Louisville
Medical School: University of Louisville SOM
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine, comprehensive care, LGBTQ+ health equity, eating disorder treatment, medical education
Personal Interests: Hiking, yoga, baking, reading, crossword puzzles, thrifting, listening to podcasts, visiting museums
Why did you choose Rainbow: x+y scheduling, program emphasis on wellness, supportive and close-knit residents, opportunities for outreach and advocacy
PGY-4

Shradha Chhabria, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Undergrad: Georgetown University
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine; MPH at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Professional Interests: Obesity medicine, global health equity, non-communicable disease epidemiology, health disparities, cultural competence in healthcare delivery
Personal Interests: Traveling, trying and making vegetarian food from around the world, yoga, meditation, and exploring all that Cleveland has to offer!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I really value that Rainbow is a top notch academic center that focuses on providing the highest quality of care to all children and families in Cleveland, including the significant portion that are underserved. I also really appreciate the program’s focus on wellness with an x+y schedule that is integrated with that of the medicine program (yay Med-Peds!), and that Rainbow is incredibly supportive of its residents.

Gates Failing, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Abington, PA
Undergrad: Elizabethtown College
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, hospital medicine, allergy/immunology, US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
Personal Interests: Listening to NPR podcasts (Marketplace, Fresh air), reading biographies (anything by David McCullough), swimming, bicycle commuting, skiing, Amtrak train trips, visiting National Parks, baking homemade bread
Why I Chose Rainbow: x+y scheduling, geographic proximity of hospital/clinics, multidisciplinary resident clinic opportunities, supportive residents/faculty, the availability of resources for underserved populations at our resident clinic.

Brandon Hoff, DO, Peds Genetics
Hometown: Arlington, TX
Undergrad: University of Oklahoma
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center – Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Patient safety; health informatics; public health
Personal Interests: Cleveland MetroParks; playing with my dog; finding new TV shows to watch
Why I Chose Rainbow: Everyone at Rainbow is so friendly, encouraging, and supportive. Rainbow is a large children's hospital that serves most of Northeast Ohio, with an incredible diversity of clinical opportunities. Faculty and program leadership understand how challenging being a resident can be and wholeheartedly support resident wellness and diversity. Also, the x+y (6+2) rotation schedule gives all residents a dedicated outpatient experience without being bogged down with inpatient responsibilities. We have specialized tracks that allow residents to pursue excellence in their areas of interest early in their career. Finally, we have the Silver Junior rotation that promotes independence and autonomy early in residency.

Monica Larson, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Undergrad: Wheaton College, IL
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine (both IM and pediatrics), inpatient care for medically complex people across the lifespan, advocacy and research for community violence, global health equity
Personal Interests: Traveling to visit friends and family, swimming, hiking and camping, always trying to cook new recipes
Why I Chose Rainbow: The faculty I knew were excellent educators and mentors, and excited to encourage my multifaceted interests. It’s a hospital with a nice mix of general inpatient medicine and subspecialty services that will train me as a hopeful hospitalist.

Gwendolyn Thomas, MD, Med/Peds
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: Miami University in Ohio
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Combined Pediatrics and Internal Medicine primary care, Hospital medicine, Advocacy, Medical Education and leadership
Personal Interests: Attending musical concerns like the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center or at Severance Hall, playing flute, swimming or boating on Lake Erie, hiking through beautiful Cleveland Metroparks.
Why I Chose Rainbow: To be trained in and serve the city I was raised, to be close to family and because Rainbow Babies and Children is the regions foremost pediatric children’s hospital with innovative research and many educational leadership opportunities for residents. It also offers a wonderful combined internal medicine-pediatrics residency program.