Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Fellows
1st Year
Katie Alsheimer, DO
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Undergrad School: D'Youville College
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University at Buffalo - Catholic Health
What drew me to Pulmonology: I thoroughly enjoy all aspects but to name a few specifics, the team based approach of the icu and the delicate intricacy of pulmonology are among the traits that attracted me to pulmonology and critical care.
What do I like to do in my free time: Running, yoga, row climbing, hiking, and kayaking.
Jonathan Burgei, DO
Hometown: Delphos, OH
Undergrad School: Xavier University
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Summa Health Akron City Hospital
What drew me to Pulmonology: I enjoy working in a multidisciplinary team to help tackle pretty complex patient care. It is very rewarding to help patients and their loved ones through a difficult time in their life. I enjoy learning all of the physiology and the procedures that come with the specialty!
What do I like to do in my free time: In my free time I enjoy traveling, running, hiking, playing volleyball and watching Xavier basketball.
2nd Year
Julia Lantry, MD
Hometown: Akron, OH
Undergrad School: Kent State University
Medical School: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine - Summa Health Akron City Hospital
What drew me to Pulmonology: I enjoy the complex decision making involved in caring for the sickest patients in the hospital, as well as watching those patients improve and recover. I am excited to combine an in-depth knowledge of pulmonary disease with critical care training to provide the best possible care for every patient I encounter.
What do I like to do in my free time: I'm a big fan of reading, particularly fiction and anything by Stephen King. I also enjoy yoga and going out to eat.
Mohamed Swalih, DO
Hometown: Ridgewood, New York
Undergrad School: CUNY Hunter College
Medical School: NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Northwell Long Island Jewish Forest Hills
What drew me to Pulmonology: There were these qualities I grew to admire during my medical training in the ICU and then I realized what I strive to become - a compassionate communicator who is specialized in the careful interpretation of bedside, laboratory, and imaging information, along with constant reassessments, and who is ultimately prepared to intervene swiftly on patients that are deteriorating. It was always love at first sight since my medical school days and I could not be happier to begin this part of my career. Now pulmonary medicine? Fascinating field and there is nothing more satisfying in relieving another's dyspnea.
What do I like to do in my free time: Resting; spending time with my loved ones; reading stories; looking into the idea of exercising, because it is a great idea; figuring out how to fix broken things; window shopping; and playing sports like handball and basketball.
3rd Year
Mansur Assaad, MD
Hometown: Akron, OH
Undergrad School: University of Akron
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
Residency: Internal Medicine - Summa Health Akron City Hospital
What drew me to Pulmonology: Caring for critically ill patients has become my passion. It allows me to be part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with other specialties in order to provide the best possible care for patients. It also allows me to form strong bonds with my patients. Pulmonology-Critical Care is truly a very rewarding field of medicine, and it provides me opportunities to be the best physician I can be.
What do I like to do in my free time: In my free time, I enjoy exercising, hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Netflix is of course a must.
Rajamurugan Meenakshisundaram, MD
Hometown: Komarapalayam, Namakkal
Undergrad School: Thoothukudi Medical College
Medical School: Thoothukudi Medical College-Dr. MGR medical University
Residency: Carle Foundation Hospital- University of Illinois @ Urbana Champaign
What drew me to Pulmonology: Our lives begin with a breath. Pulmonary and Critical care physicians are privileged to take care of this wonderful physiology while striving to optimize every organ system in a declining patient. I believe this is the only specialty where I can broaden my Internal medicine knowledge and practice the skills I learned in anesthesiology. I always have a positive attitude towards my patients and a strong desire to be involved in the continuity of their care, which drove me towards this specialty.
What do I like to do in my free time: Spending time with my family. Watching Netflix/Disney/prime movies. I wish to learn at least one musical instrument (may be Guitar before the end of my fellowship) in the next 3 years.