Family Medicine Residents
PGY I
Farrukh Abid, MD
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Undergrad School: York University
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine
What drew me to Family Medicine: What drew me to Family Medicine is the ability to see and treat patients of all ages and build long lasting relationships with them. I also love the preventative aspect of Family Medicine and unequivocally believe it is vital to shape healthier communities and populations. The wide scope of practice and learning keeps you on your toes and gives you a unique skill set to always have a starting point for anyone seeking your care to better their health.
What do I like to do in my free time: In my free time I like to be outdoors, hiking, rock-climbing or just walking in nature. I also enjoy working on my car, playing video games, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.
Prabhdeep Bajwa, MD
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Undergrad School: University of Manitoba
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine
What drew me to Family Medicine: The ability to practice the full scope of medicine, such as prenatal care, delivering babies, pediatric and adult medicine, procedures, and more. Family medicine can encompass a wide variety of medical cases and this specialty will allow me to become a well-rounded competent and confident physician. I also look forward to growing with my patients and seeing them and their families grow.
What do I like to do in my free time: Reading, cooking, road trips, listening to podcasts, spending time with friends and family, doing outdoor activities, exercising, and watching my favourite TV shows and movies.
Istvan Karacson, DO
Hometown: Solon, OH
Undergrad School: Cleveland State University
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
What drew me to Family Medicine: I was drawn to Family Medicine by the potential to build long term relationships with patients and families. I also enjoy the broad scope of practice and the opportunity to pursue my varied interests within medicine.
What do I like to do in my free time: Snowboarding, going to the gym, basketball, biking, video games, and spending time with family and friends.
Cameron McDonald, DO
Hometown: Pennsburg, PA
Undergrad School: Liberty University
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What drew me to Family Medicine: Family medicine is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get! I was drawn to the variety and potential for relationships in family medicine. I'm excited to come alongside my patients of all ages and their families. I'm passionate about helping my patients prevent illness through lifestyle. I'm excited to meet all kinds of interesting people along the way!
What do I like to do in my free time: Soccer, church, youth ministry, hanging with my wife, piano, movie nights, Youtube rabbit holes, people-watching, spontaneous ice cream runs, winning board games.
Kartik Moza, MD
Hometown: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Undergrad School: University of Toronto at Mississauga
Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine
What drew me to Family Medicine: What drew me to Family Medicine was the ability to provide comprehensive medical care across many specialties to patients all ages and being able to form a longitudinal relationship with them.
What do I like to do in my free time: Watching Formula 1 on the weekends, photography, hiking, cooking with my fiance, exploring new places and listening to music.
Kajal Vachharajani, MD
Hometown: Sarnia, ON
Undergrad School: Western University
Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine
What drew me to Family Medicine: What I love about Family Medicine is that I get to continue learning and practicing all of the skills I encountered in medical school, providing me the tools needed to treat patients of all ages, across a broad spectrum of specialties. I look forward to developing long lasting relationships with my patients and emphasizing the importance of preventative care in medicine.
What do I like to do in my free time: In my free time, I enjoy doing things that allow me to spend time with family and friends. I love to dance, sing, swim, and cook with the people I love! I am very lucky to be in this program alongside my fiancé, as we love exploring new areas and trying new food together.
PGY II
Deborah Adebamowo, MD
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Undergrad School: Salisbury University
Medical School: St. Georges University
What drew me to Family Medicine: I was drawn to family medicine because it affords me the opportunity to provide personal, comprehensive, and holistic care to my patients. It also emphasizes disease prevention and health promotion, both of which are important to me.
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy working out and participating in any form of physical activity. Additionally, I love spending quality time with my loved ones, and lastly, I love attending concerts.
Zachary Au, MD
Hometown: Richmond Hill
Undergrad School: Laurentian University
Medical School: St. George's University
What drew me to Family Medicine: I chose Family Medicine because of the connections I can build with patients and the diversity of care I can provide. I love being able to work with entire family units and being part of their care on a longitudinal basis. In addition to that, I value the preventative and psychosocial aspects of medicine which I believe is unique to the care of patients through this specialty.
What do I like to do in my free time: Fishing, hiking, playing piano, photography, hanging out with friends, golfing, travelling and exploring places
Antonina Calcavecchio, DO
Hometown: Milford, NJ
Undergrad School: Alvernia University
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
What drew me to Family Medicine: What I love most about family medicine is the ability to care for people in all stages of life. I wholeheartedly believe that preventive medicine is extremely important in maintaining a long and healthy life and I am proud to be able to deliver that kind of care to my patients as a Family Physician. Establishing and maintaining good relationships throughout the years with my patients as well is an added benefit!
What do I like to do in my free time: In my free time, I enjoy cooking for friends and family, disc golf, traveling, going to concerts, and relaxing at home with a good book.
Alexander Conlon, MD
Hometown: Goderich, Ontario, Canada
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
What drew me to Family Medicine: I find the variety of conditions that are seen in family med to be fascinating. You never know what you'll see next and that keeps things very refreshing. I also enjoy building strong relationships with patients who I will be caring for over long periods of time.
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy playing sports such as tennis, golf, and volleyball. I also enjoy being in the outdoors and going for runs as often as I can.
Malvin Mak, MD
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Undergrad School: McMaster University
Medical School: St. George's University
What drew me to Family Medicine: I chose family medicine because as a generalist I like the variety of specialties and procedures that family medicine allows me to experience. I also like making connections with people and caring for the entire family.
What do I like to do in my free time: Watching movies, doing puzzles, playing board games, exploring new cities with family and friends.
Hamza Virk, MD
Hometown: Vancouver, Canada
Undergrad School: The University of British Columbia
Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine
What drew me to Family Medicine: There's a lot that can be done within this specialty, from procedures, delivering babies, and taking care of individuals anywhere from newborns to the elderly. I enjoy being able to create a lifelong bond with patients and watch each of them get better. I'm super interested in sports medicine and rural medicine, but let's see where residency takes me!
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy soccer, cricket, ping-pong, board games, and of course spending time with friends and family. I'm also a huge movie junkie, especially anything Marvel related. I love going to the gym and recently got into skipping to help me lose those extra quarantine pounds :)
Anila Rani, MD
Hometown: Pakistan
Undergrad School: Zubaida fazal decent high school
Medical School: Shaheed Benazir bhutto University Larkana, Sindh
What drew me to Family Medicine: I have always been inspired with the family medicine field because it is very diverse and challenging because i believe it deals with the holistic approach of the patients but not just with specific medical or surgical condition of the patient at the given point of time and also gives you an opportunity to build great physician -patient relationship to know them more as a human being than what a general physician do. Moreover, It allows us to see the patients of all ages which is so amazing.
What do I like to do in my free time: I do listen some music to relax and love to spend my spare time with family and friends. My hobby is to read different books related to some real life experiences from the great people in history to understand deeply how they look at life and learn from them as well.
PGY III
Priyanka Bhardwaj, MD
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Undergrad School: York University
Medical School: American University of Antigua
What drew me to Family Medicine: The broad clinical tool set and the ability to serve and guide a community to make healthier day-to-day choices has always attracted me to the field. I enjoy building trust and forming meaningful relationships with patients and their families through multiple visits over time, which serves as a vital asset when delivering care.
What do I like to do in my free time: Spending time with family and friends, trying new recipes, listening to podcasts and learning about mind-body medicine. I also like to hike, explore new restaurants in my community and take part in some retail therapy from time to time.
Shirley Buntoro, DO
Hometown: Surabaya, Indonesia
Undergrad School: The University of Texas at Dallas
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences COMP
What drew me to Family Medicine: Practicing Family Medicine allows me to be the gatekeeper in patients' continuous and longitudinal care. I would like to be able to take care of patients of all ages and be exposed to various pathology.
What do I like to do in my free time: Baking, watching movies, and hanging out with family/ friends.
Dexter Dale, DO
Hometown: Kearney, Missouri
Undergrad School: Truman State University
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
What drew me to Family Medicine: The flexibility and breadth of medicine I get to practice so rewarding. You have the opportunity to treat people from all walks of life or can tailor your practice to specific specialties (i.e. sports medicine, geriatric care, OB/GYN, etc.) depending on your own personal interests.
What do I like to do in my free time: Playing musical instruments, video games, racquet sports, rock climbing. Supporting my Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Spending time outdoors with my wife and our dogs, chickens, and duck.
Gunveer Dhaliwal, MD
Hometown: Surrey, BC
Undergrad School: University of British Columbia
Medical School: St George's University
What drew me to Family Medicine: I have a strong interest in community and preventative medicine and family medicine allows me to focus on these. I love the fact that as a family physician, I can get to know my patients well and take a broader approach to patient health care.
What do I like to do in my free time: Spending time with friends and family, traveling, going for walks outdoors and exploring new places.
Danielle Gagnon, MD
Hometown: Lakeville, MA
Undergrad School: Providence College
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
What drew me to Family Medicine: I was drawn to Family Medicine by the wide scope of practice and the ability to treat patients of all ages. I especially enjoy working with geriatric and pediatric populations.
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy cooking, hiking, riding my bike, or just going for a walk to help me relax.
Patricia Hui, MD
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Undergrad School: McMaster University
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
What drew me to Family Medicine: I chose Family Medicine because I value the concept of continuity of care and developing lasting relationships with patients. I also enjoy the wide scope of practice, caring for patients of all ages, and having the opportunity to pursue my interests including OB/GYN and preventative care.
What do I like to do in my free time: Baking, spending time with friends and family, traveling, swimming, golfing, and hiking.