Class of 2027

Resident

Brief Bio

Irina Adao
Irina Adao

Undergraduate: University of California, Davis
Medical School: University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine, considering heme-onc, pulm/crit, or GI!
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose this program because of the diverse patient population it serves, its supportive learning environment, and the warm camaraderie among the residents!

Miassa Aljiboree
Miassa Aljiboree
 

Medical School: Al-Nahrain University / college of medicine 
Career Interests: Endocrinology
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose to train at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix because of their approachable leadership, and the great rapport they have with their residents. I also enjoy the program’s academic sessions.

Dheeraj Atmakuri
Dheeraj Atmakuri

Undergraduate: The George Washington University
Medical School: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interests: Cardiology
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose the Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Internal Medicine Program for its collaborative, friendly atmosphere and outstanding interview experience. I'm eager to take advantage of the teaching, Spanish certification, and ultrasound training opportunities offered here, all while staying close to friends and family in the Southwest and making a positive impact on my community.

Mark Betonio
Mark Betonio
 

Undergraduate: Rhodes College
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine
Career Interests: I am leaning towards Hospital Medicine as of now, but I also have an interest in global health as well as GI fellowship.
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose the program because the supportive and collaborative culture within the program as well as a diverse patient population to learn from. I am also unsure of what I want to do after residency and the wide variety of experiences by the program would help guide me on what my path would be. The warm, dry weather is also a huge plus!

Somya Bhatnagar
Somya Bhatnagar

Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: Tulane School of Medicine
Career Interests: GI, Heme Onc, or Allergy
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: Phoenix is my home! I am so thrilled to be returning back to Phoenix for residency. On my interview day, I felt that this program would support me for my future career goals, and I wanted to be at a large academic center for my training.

Anurag Borah
Anurag Borah
 

Undergraduate: University of New Mexico
Medical School: University of New Mexico
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine, leaning towards becoming a hospitalist but not entirely sure
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: Close to home, big city, warm weather, diverse population to work with.

Courtney Civelli
Courtney Civelli

Undergraduate: Georgia State University
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: Location, emphasis on resident wellness, great work-life balance. Residents and faculty were so welcoming on my away rotation here.

Nicholas DeLuca
Nicholas DeLuca
 

Undergraduate: Elmhurst College
Medical School: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interests: Pulmonary/Critical Care
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: As a Medical Student, I had the opportunity to rotate both at Banner University Medical Center and the Phoenix VA. I worked with an outstanding group of Residents and Attendings that were very team-oriented, passionate about teaching, and supportive of one another. I also loved taking care of the diverse patient population within Phoenix. I knew this program would provide me with the tools and guidance needed to reach my full potential as a physician.

Samuel Erb
Samuel Erb

Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine; the two things that currently excite me the most are hybrid/traditionalist medicine and cardiology. 
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: What I really liked about this program is how friendly all of the  residents were. Everyone was very welcoming and it just felt like a great fit. I am very confident I will get great training here, and I will also make sure I make the most of the many activities Arizona has to offer. 

Rawan Elkurdi
Rawan Elkurdi
 

Undergraduate: University of Balamand
Medical School: University of Balamand
Career Interests: Cardiology HemeOnc
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I found in UArizona a program that supports my dreams and career goals as a physician with its solid training program, exposure to various subspecialties, along with a diverse patient population as well as strong camaraderie between colleagues and mentors. 

Meagan Hanson
Meagan Hanson

Undergraduate: Baylor University
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine 
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose to do my residency here because I wanted to train in a large city where I could see a diverse patient population. On my interview day I immediately felt comfortable and could see that the program’s values aligned perfectly with my own. I also was excited about living and working in a place with many fun activities outside of work and enjoying the beauty of Arizona! 

Thomas Higley
Thomas Higley
 

Undergraduate: Gonzaga University
Medical School: Creighton University
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine, pulm/ critical care
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: Culture and environment

Austin Huang
Austin Huang

Undergraduate: Arizona State University
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: Proximity to friends and family as well as learning from the community that I grew up in.
 

Sunhee Jung
Sunhee Jung
 

Undergraduate: Cornell University
Medical School: Rocky Vista University, Colorado
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine, gastroenterology
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: The College quickly became my top choice after completing my ICU Sub-I as a fourth year medical student. I chose this program for its healthy culture, excellent schedule, leadership structure with a significant representation of female leaders, opportunities for GI fellowship, and proximity to mountain access. I joined a team that fostered the most balanced and healthy learning environment I've encountered, where I felt challenged and empowered to grow both personally and professionally. The phenomenal evidence-based teaching and my team’s advocacy for me provided me the opportunity to perform many procedures including my first bedside echo, central line, lumbar puncture, and paracentesis. Another poignant instance of support was when, despite knowing me for only two days, my attending encouraged me to fly home for a weekend to care for my hospitalized family member. Moreover, enjoying daily outdoor lunches in the sun, a rotating supply of baked goods, and weekly post-workday hikes on nearby trails added to the positive experience.

Asha Kurup
Asha Kurup

Undergraduate: University of Western Ontario
Medical School: Midwestern University - Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interests: Currently undecided between hospital medicine or a subspecialty. The subspecialties I may be interested in are hospice and palliative care or hematology/oncology.
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I moved to the Phoenix area for medical school and loved the city so I wanted to stay here for residency as well. After doing a Sub-I rotation here and working with the residents and attendings I felt this program was a great fit for me!

Arathi Kulkarni
Arathi Kulkarni
 

Undergraduate: Arizona State University
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine, rheumatology, hematology-oncology
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose the UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix because of its supportive atmosphere, diverse pathology, and the opportunity to train in my hometown. Throughout my rotations, I saw how the program cultivates an environment where residents thrived both personally and professionally. I am thrilled to come back home!

Matthew McClintock
Matthew McClintock

Undergraduate: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine; Interested in fellowships such as endocrinology, addiction medicine, sleep medicine, rheumatology, allergy/immunology, heme/oncology
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: During my interview day, I loved the sense of community and collegiality among the residents and faculty at University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. At this program, I know I will receive excellent clinical training in a supportive environment, all while being surrounded by a great group of educators and colleagues. I also love the idea of being in such a beautiful city with easy access to all things outdoors!

Helen Mitiku
Helen Mitiku
 

Undergraduate: Arizona State University
Medical School: University of Illinois-Chicago
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: Phoenix is home and I knew I would have plenty of support from family and friends during the hardest days of residency. Also as a pre-medical student, I worked with attendings who completed their residency here and felt confident that I would receive excellent training.

Austin Nickell
Austin Nickell

Undergraduate: University of Minnesota, Duluth
Medical School: University of North Dakota
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose to train at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix due to the programs strong emphasis on research, quality improvement, and preparing residents as educators. The program offers a perfect mix of both academic and community medicine, providing me with valuable preparation for my future role as a hospitalist. Having spent my entire life in the Upper Midwest, I am certainly looking forward to being somewhere warmer for the winters! 

Mueez Rehman
Mueez Rehman
 

Undergraduate: The University of New Mexico
Medical School: The University of New Mexico, School of medicine
Career Interests: Cardiology/interventional cardiology
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I wanted to find a training program where I would find new opportunities to learn, grow, and be surrounded by supportive co-residents and faculty. Plus who can resist the warm weather and living in phoenix!

Derek Scholes
Derek Scholes

Undergraduate: Brigham Young University and Utah State University
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
Career Interests: Gastroenterology (Advanced Endoscopy)
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix for my internal medicine training for two main reasons, their efforts to serve the underserved through cultural competence and language training, the diversity of the patient population, and the location.

Diwanshu Soni
Diwanshu Soni
 

Undergraduate: UC Berkeley
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Career Interests: PCCM or heme/oncology
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose to train at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix because of its exceptional faculty, residents, and quality of training. During my away rotation here, I had the opportunity to experience the collaborative and supportive culture firsthand.

Bradley Steiner
Bradley Steiner

Undergraduate: Florida State University
Medical School: Florida State University
Career Interests: I am interested in ambulatory focused subspecialties such as endocrinology or allergy/immunology. However, I am keeping a very open mind and looking forward to exploring all aspects of internal medicine during training!
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I wanted to find a program that truly emphasized resident education and prioritized the wellbeing and personal growth of its trainees. Throughout the interview trail I was so impressed by the dedication, commitment, and friendliness of the faculty and residents I met here and knew that it was a place I wanted to train. My wife and I love Arizona with its abundant sunshine and outdoor recreation and we're both thrilled to be moving to Phoenix for our residency training!

Jayen Sum
Jayen Sum
 

Undergraduate: University of California, Santa Barbara
Medical School: University of Queensland-Ochsner School of Medicine
Career Interests: Pulmonary and critical care
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose theCollege of Medicine – Phoenix because of its academic culture which is balanced with a strong emphasis on resident wellness. It is a place where I know I will be supported in both my career aspirations and my wellbeing.

Jay Wegman
Jay Wegman

Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine
Career Interests: Hospital Medicine; Currently, I am interested in pursuing a Cardiology fellowship. However, I am open to other avenues and opportunities. 
Why UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I have a lot of connections to Arizona. I have frequently visited over the years. My fiance's brother currently lives in Phoenix, my parents own a home in Phoenix, and I have a multiple friend's that currently live in the area. It was apparent through the interview process that UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix offered me the opportunity to receive fantastic medical training, receive support for research interests, get top tier mentorship, and be part of a group that is dedicated to bettering the world around them.