Family Medicine Residents
PGY 1
Kathleen Mae Palma Alfonso, MD
Hometown: Manila, Philippines
Undergrad School: University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Medical School: San Beda University College of Medicine, Philippines
What drew me to Family Medicine: I'm passionate about Family Medicine because it recognizes the importance of having a holistic approach to care, forming genuine connections with patients, and balancing clinical expertise with empathy in every encounter. It allows me to care for generations of families, fostering meaningful relationships that extend beyond hospital stays or clinic visits.
What do I like to do in my free time: Singing, listening to music, and writing songs. I like baking, watching basketball games, running, hiking, and playing badminton. I also love traveling and exploring different cultures.
Reinier Lacson, MD
Hometown: Philippines
Undergrad School: University of Santo Tomas
Medical School: University of Santo Tomas
What drew me to Family Medicine: Family Medicine enlightened me to be the primary barrier for my patients to any harm or diseases that they may be exposed or predisposed to. It would be a great privilege to take care of my patients and be a constant part of their lives in a very positive way.
What do I like to do in my free time: Watching random videos on youtube, playing video games, basketball, spending time with family, friends, and the love of my life.
Hurerah Shah Nawaz, MD
Hometown: Lahore/Toronto
Undergrad School: RCSI MUB
Medical School: RCSI MUB
What drew me to Family Medicine: I believe that medicine, at its core, is about connection. It's about understanding people, their stories, their struggles, and their strengths. Family Medicine is a speciality that allows harboring long term connections with patients and ultimately that is what drew me to it.
What do I like to do in my free time: Spending time with my husband and my two cats. I love going to the gym and I'm a big foodie. I also love anything makeup or fashion related!
Eric Sanchez, MD
Hometown: Naga City, Philippines
Undergrad School: Centro Escolar University
Medical School: San Beda University
What drew me to Family Medicine: I chose Family Medicine because it allows me to build lasting relationships with patients, provide holistic care that goes beyond illness, and empower them through health education. It offers endless possibilities to advocate for patients, serve communities, and help bridge gaps in the healthcare system. I am particularly drawn to the primary care of patients with musculoskeletal problems, as I value helping people, whether athletes or everyday individuals, stay active and maintain movement, which I believe is fundamental to overall well-being.
What do I like to do in my free time: Playing volleyball and badminton, trying new sports, watching anime, singing, and exploring nature.
Jochebeth Trocino, MD
Hometown: University of the East - Manila, Philippines
Undergrad School: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery - Manila, Philippines
Medical School: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery - Manila, Philippines
What drew me to Family Medicine: I chose Family Medicine because I want to be the type of doctor that wasn't available to my family in my home country, where preventive care is often neglected. Additionally, I'm passionate about serving in medical missions and using my holistic skills to provide comprehensive care to underserved communities..
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy singing karaoke, watching anime, practicing yoga, and experimenting with new recipes. I also love traveling and experiencing the beauty of God's creation in different places.
PGY 2
Rizal Abello, MD
Hometown: Manila, Philippines
Undergrad School: University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Medical School: San Beda University College of Medicine, Philippines
What drew me to Family Medicine: Family Medicine is near and dear to me because of how I grew up in the Philippines that greatly influenced my passion for this field. I admire Family Medicine on its dedication to community belongingness and how it provides an all-encompassing care to everyone; from the youngest to the eldest and from the simple to complex cases. This field, especially Primary Care, is an ever-evolving field which encourages us to be always on our feet and to develop our confidence in handling a diverse range of patients and diseases. Despite being a challenge, it is a challenge I welcome!
What do I like to do in my free time: I strive to maintain a healthy mind and body in all my endeavors! In my free time, I like working-out, running, and hiking. I am also passionate about the performing arts, specifically, dancing. Something specific and unique, is that I am fond of Disney Villains! I collect Funko Pops, Lenox figurines, merchandises, and I invest in reading their untold backstories through the novels by Serena Valentino. Also, I am a fur-parent to a total of 15 dogs.
Sneha Alexander, MD
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Undergrad School: Father Muller's Institute Of Medical Education And Research
Medical School:Father Muller's Institute Of Medical Education And Research
What drew me to Family Medicine: My commitment to Family Medicine blossomed during my rural internship in India, where I witnessed its profound impact and holistic approach. Beyond personal experiences, I value its role in community health crises, like the Covid- 19 pandemic, where I counseled families and emphasized preventative care. Family Medicine's focus on lifelong care aligns with my dedication to comprehensive, patient-centered approaches. Building enduring patient relationships enriches my practice. Additionally, its diversity of cases, spanning chronic conditions to infectious diseases and addiction medicine, presents continual learning opportunities. Ultimately, Family Medicine resonates with my mission to serve individuals and communities, making a lasting difference in healthcare.
What do I like to do in my free time: I relax by embracing a balanced mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Hosting friends for cozy gatherings filled with interesting conversations and delicious homemade meals is a favorite pastime of mine. I enjoy getting creative in the kitchen, experimenting with recipes from diverse cuisines. Board games bring out my competitive spirit and provide hours of entertainment with friends and family. I also find pleasure in hiking amidst breathtaking landscapes and exploring new destinations while indulging in the local cuisine. And when I need a break from the hustle, I'll groove to some Bollywood songs, tinker on the piano, or simply unwind with my saved playlists.
Sivagami Rajan, MD
Hometown: Chennai, India
Medical School: Narayana Medical College
What drew me to Family Medicine: I have a big family and therefore being able to care for and help people of all ages is a gratifying experience! I like being part of the first line in healthcare for my patients which enables me to have 'prevent first' as my approach. I love educating patients and find out what works best for them to remain healthy.
What do I like to do in my free time: I love reading, hiking ,binge watching Netflix especially horror movies.
Mayanthi Telge, MD
Hometown: Dubai, U.A.E
Undergrad School: University of Sydney
Medical School: Poznan University of Medical Sciences
What drew me to Family Medicine: What drew me to family medicine is the ability to deliver continuity of care, reaching patients from diverse backgrounds. The field's focus on preventive care and health promotion deeply resonates with me, as it has a profound impact on overall well-being. Moreover, the opportunity to practice a blend of obstetrics and hospital medicine, aligning with my passions, keeps me intellectually engaged and fulfilled.
What do I like to do in my free time: In my free time, I enjoy cooking, baking, and hosting dinners for friends and family whenever I can. I also like to brunch, stay active with exercise and dancing, and unwind by watching my favorite shows and movies on Netflix.
Tanvi Wadhwa, MD
Hometown: Gurgaon (IND) and Burnaby (CAN)
Undergrad School: The University of British Columbia
Medical School: Jagiellonian University Medical College
What drew me to Family Medicine: I like the continuity of care and the holistic approach to treating people afforded by family medicine. The opportunity to see patients with a vast variety of conditions and in diverse settings, makes family medicine challenging and exciting, giving me the chance to keep learning and growing as a person and as a doctor.
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy activities where I spend quality time with my friends and family such as playing squash, badminton and board games (particularly Settlers of Catan and Codenames), watching shows and movies as well as cricket and tennis matches. I also like hiking and baking.
PGY III
Faid Bahor, MD
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Undergrad School: York University
Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine
What drew me to Family Medicine: Building lifelong relationships and developing deep bonds with people is what drew me into family medicine. I also appreciate that family medicine is broad and allows you to learn about all fields of medicine. I am very excited to experience all fields of family medicine!
What do I like to do in my free time: In my free time, I love working out, reading about stocks and cryptocurrency, and playing sports.
Jesse Constantino, MD
Hometown: Cincinnatus, NY
Undergrad School: Wells College
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
What drew me to Family Medicine: I was drawn to family medicine because I truly enjoyed every rotation in medical school and wanted a specialty where I could still do a little bit of everything and see patients of all ages. I also enjoy meeting new people and learning about them and their lives, and I feel that this is the best specialty to do that. I enjoy lifestyle medicine and talking with patients about healthy eating and exercise habits, and I am currently interested in sports medicine and bariatrics.
What do I like to do in my free time: I love being active and doing things outside, such as hiking, playing pickleball and soccer with my fiancee, taking our dogs for runs/walks, and checking out different wineries and breweries on the Finger Lakes. I also enjoy everything coffee- from roasting my own coffee beans to experimenting with different brewing methods and styles.
Sanyukta Dudhat, MD
Hometown: Mumbai
Undergrad School: St. George's University, Grenada, W.I
Medical School: St. George's University, Grenada, W.I
What drew me to Family Medicine: The fact that family physicians are at the forefront of primary care, addressing diverse medical conditions, contributing to the overall well-being of individuals as well as communities, and being able to foster long term patient relationships is what drew me towards this specialty. I enjoy the wide scope of practice and the skill set it equips us with in order to care for people of all age groups.
What do I like to do in my free time: Picking up musical instruments, baking and cooking new cuisines, hanging out with loved ones, exploring new cafes, playing all sorts of outdoor sports, going for a run, painting by quiet lakes and cliffs. My favorite thing is to rewatch the tv shows friends and office for the hundredth time!
Jin Bum (Jack) Kim, MD
Hometown: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Undergrad School: University of British Columbia
Medical School: University College Dublin
What drew me to Family Medicine: The prospect of using interdisciplinary knowledge of medicine and diagnostic skills of internal medicine drew me towards family medicine. I am eager to use my experience and education in collaboration with other physicians, healthcare professionals, patients, and their families to make a multidisciplinary diagnosis which puts the patients at the core. Being a family physician provides me with an opportunity to advocate for underserved populations, so they receive the necessary care that they deserve. Family medicine emphasizes the primary prevention of diseases and longitudinal care for patients and their families, where my passion lies.
What do I like to do in my free time: I will be usually found at the gym during my free time. I am also interested in photography, music, baking, traveling, and camping.
Karrelle Lewis, MD
Hometown: St. George's, Grenada
Undergrad School: St. George's University
Medical School: St. George's University
What drew me to Family Medicine: I am personable; therefore, I wanted to be part of a specialty where I could have as many patient interactions as possible. I wanted a specialty where I could form long-term relationships, learn something new each day, and treat patients holistically. Family Medicine was that specialty! Family Medicine goes beyond the office. It creates an environment for me to exchange personal stories and experiences with my patients, making it easier to develop a trusting relationship. Moreover, I love that I can still pursue different interests, such as OBGYN/Women's Health, within my scope of practice.
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy baking, cooking, binge watching tv shows and films, and spending time with my family and friends. I play badminton and table tennis for fun. I also love to visit different restaurants to try their food. I use meditation as a form of relaxation.
Laraib Sehrish, MD
Hometown: Stoney Creek, ON. Canada
Undergrad School: McMaster University, Hamilton, ON. Canada
Medical School: St. George's university, School of Medicine
What drew me to Family Medicine: Primary quality care to all ages and genders of patients and making a difference in their day-to-day quality of life. Building a long-term rapport with my patients and treating generations of patients.
What do I like to do in my free time: Going to the beach or any waterfront views - Going for a walk to a park or biking or hiking - play recreational sports - Sometimes, I just prefer to stay in and binge-watch a show or a movie