Emergency Medicine Residency Program Leadership

Program Director

Gregory Christiansen, DOGregory Christiansen, DO

Hometown: Aston, PA
Undergrad School: Delaware Valley University (College of Science & Agriculture)
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Albert Einstein Medical Center
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: The opportunity to make a difference for someone in their time of need.
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy doing anything that is fun, especially if I haven’t tried it before.

Assistant Program Director

Lindsay C MacConaghy, MDLindsay C MacConaghy, MD

Hometown: Baldwinsville, NY
Undergrad School: University of Connecticut 
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Residency: Alpert Warren School of Medicine – Brown Emergency Medicine
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: I love rising to the challenge of a busy shift as a member of an amazing team of hard-working people who take on this awesome job because we care about our patients, our community and each other. No two shifts are the same and there is so much to learn every day. But it all really comes down to the people we work with and the people we care for in some of the scariest and most important moments of their lives.
What do I like to do in my free time: Spend time with my husband, two young boys and my two dogs. We love to spend time outside and try new foods…. whether cooking or eating out.

Program Coordinator

Mariah HallMariah Hall, AS

Hometown: Athens, PA
Undergrad School: Corning CCC & SUNY Albany
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: Our incredible team! We consistently work together to accomplish our goals and enhance life in the residency. I enjoy putting together our wellness events and helping each resident as they grow and develop into confident physicians. 
What do I like to do in my free time: I spend most of my free time with pets. I am an artist and local mural painter. I enjoy swimming, kayaking, gardening, and DIY home projects. 

Core Faculty

Director of Simulation

Phillip Lunsford, MDPhillip Lunsford, MD

Hometown: Marietta, GA
Undergrad School: Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw, GA)
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine (Savannah, GA)
Residency: Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte, NC)
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: I like the unknown, the chaos, and the shiftwork.  I also hate insurance companies. 
What do I like to do in my free time: I mainly tote my kids around to sporting events which have taken us all the way to Texas, Florida, and everywhere in between.  I also enjoy home improvement projects, boating, hiking, and riding ATVs.

Director of Student Affairs

Zachary Dewar, MDZachary Dewar, MD

Hometown: Halifax, NS, Canada
Undergrad School: Dalhousie University
Medical School: Dalhousie University
Residency: Guthrie (FM & EM)
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: The complex mix of humanities, technical skills and knowledge base required to care for any patient, any time.
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy spending time with my wife and two little boys, spending time in the woods and volunteering in the community.

Director of EMS

Christopher Berry, MDChristopher Berry, MD

Undergrad School: Penn State University
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Residency: Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Fellowship: Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
 

 

Director of Research

Jon Rittenberger, MD, MSJon Rittenberger, MD, MS

Hometown: Blairsville, PA
Undergrad School: Penn State University 
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh
Residency: University of Pittsburgh​​​​​​​
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: TThe ability to take care of people on the worst day of their lives is a unique privilege. As Emergency Physicians we see anyone, at any time, and at any phase of illness. Since we never know what may happen, Emergency Physicians must keep learning and evolving. That is one of the best parts of the job!​​​​​​​
What do I like to do in my free time: Run/hike, spend time with family, and travel.

Director of Ultrasound

Jackie Jian, DOJackie Jian, DO, FPD-AEMUS

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Undergrad School: Fordham University
Medical School: NYIT – College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: SBH Health System, Bronx, NY
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: Variety of patients, the high acuity and the satisfaction of handling emergencies and resuscitative efforts.
What do I like to do in my free time: Videogames (I swear it helps with bedside ultrasound!), cooking, & working out.

Chiefs

Alexander Payne, DOAlexander Payne, DO

Hometown: New Hartford
Undergrad School: Fredonia State University of New York
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: The opportunity to treat a wide variety of patients. I enjoy the fast-paced environment of the emergency department and every day is different from the last.
What do I like to do in my free time: Exploring the outdoors with my wife and dog and relaxing by the fire outside with friends and family.

Agatha Tweedy, MD Agatha Tweedy, MD 

Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Undergrad School: Florida Atlantic University 
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine 
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: When contemplating a career in Medicine, I worked as a medical scribe in a Level 1 Trauma center and knew early on that I was drawn to Emergency Medicine. EM affords for the practitioner the ability to help patients in real time with the opportunity to ease pain, find answers, and work in a fast-paced team environment. I understand that every day will present new challenges along with new opportunities to learn and impact patient's lives in a positive manner.  
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening, and travel.