General Surgery Residency – Current Surgery Residents

Ryan Cassidy
Education: Salem State University, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine 
Personal Interests: Running, hockey, spending time with friends and family
Why Tufts MC? "I chose Tufts MC because of the small, close-knit group of residents and the faculty who are all invested in our education and development."
 

Eamon Khatibifar
Education: Boston University, Boston University School of Medicine
Personal Interests: Playing guitar/music, baseball, traveling, history, politics
Why Tufts? "Tufts is a supportive, warm and welcoming program that provides its residents both excellent clinical training across the surgical disciplines and incredible mentorship to achieve one's goals."
 

Caroline King
Education: Dartmouth College, Georgetown University School of Medicine 
Personal Interests: Dogs, baking, golf, running, travel, breast cancer, innovation, research
Why Tufts: "Besides the obvious answers that Tufts is an incredible Surgery program with tremendous operative and research opportunities serving a diverse population, it was my future colleagues who drew me here. During my interview, I felt an instant spark with everyone I spoke to. In narrowing down where I'd like to spend the next five years, I knew that matching at Tufts meant I'd be able to learn from the best and brightest while also ensuring I felt supported, guided and valued by my colleagues on a personal level."

Jake Lee
Education: Saint Louis University, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Personal Interests: Tennis, cooking, traveling, trying new restaurants, spending time with his German Shepard
Why Tufts: "I chose Tufts because of the collegial environment, diversity and supportive culture. I was born and raised in Missouri, so I'm excited to fulfill my dream of living on the East Coast with faculty dedicated to my success as a future surgeon."

David Hollis
Education: Loyola Marymount University, Tufts University School of Medicine
Personal Interests: Cooking; his best cuisines are Mexican and Italian
Why Tufts? "I chose Tufts because of the great mentorship I have received as a medical student."

Matthew LaBarge
Education: Northeastern University, Tufts University School of Medicine
Personal Interests: Golf, scuba diving, nature photography, skiing, cooking
Why Tufts? "I chose Tufts because there is a clear commitment to resident education and a culture of support amongst the residents and faculty. Boston is also a great city to live and work in."

Sonia Lee
Education: Duke University, Tufts University School of Medicine 
Personal Interests: Skiing, yoga, boxing, hiking, spending time with family/friends/dogs
Why Tufts? "I chose Tufts because of how friendly and down-to-earth everyone in the hospital was from day one of my surgery clerkship as third year medical student! The attendings always put patients first, while also being committed to training the next generation of surgeons who are well-rounded, caring human beings. Everyone from support staff, to nurses and OR teams are all in it to help us succeed. The patients we get to treat truly brighten my day. Finally, the residents genuinely enjoy each other's company in and out of the hospital, and that is ultimately what drew me to Tufts. Plus, it's hard to beat living in Boston!"

Jeff Aalberg 
Education: Tufts University, Tufts University School of Medicine 
Personal Interests: Rowing, cross-country skiing 
Why Tufts: "I love everything Boston has to offer, the people I have met along the way and the patient population served."

Naseem Bou-Ayash 
Education: University of Balamand, Lebanon 
Personal Interests: Education - robotics, minimally invasive surgery, hernia. Activities - skiing, martial arts, chess 
Why Tufts: "A program with a rich history and a palpable sense of companionship between faculty members and residents. At Tufts, you are surrounded by exemplary role models at all levels who inspire and support you on your career path." 

Elsa Chahine 
Education: American University of Beirut 
Personal Interests: Yoga, baking, traveling 
Why Tufts: "The people, the sense of community, the diversity and the endless opportunities."

Austin Olano 
Education: Michigan State Univerity, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine 
Personal Interests: Musical theatre, running, traveling, exploring new restaurants 
Why Tufts: "The opportunity to work with a diverse patient population in the heart of Boston alongside top-notch surgeons, combined with the palpable camaraderie between the residents, made Tufts the perfect fit for me!"

Muhammad Atiq
Education: Aga Khan University Medical College, Pakistan
Personal Interests: Cooking, all kinds of animals. “If I wasn’t a human doctor, I would have been a veterinarian or zookeeper.”
Why Tufts? “Tufts has a very well-respected cardiac surgery program, which is what I’m interested in pursuing as a fellowship. Tufts also offers a high level of clinical complexity, excellent mentorship, and many opportunities for self-directed advancement - all of which are essential for comprehensive surgical training.”

Isaac-Gendelman, MD   
Education: Tufts University School of Medicine  
Clinical Interest: Surgery  
Personal Interest: Cooking, gardening, swimming, painting, technology, reading  
Why Tufts: "Close department with collegial relationships and supportive peers and attending. Great clinical opportunities with a diverse patient population."

Saman Kamal  
Education: Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans  
Personal interests: Travel, cooking and baking, trying new restaurants, chasing my toddler at the park, exploring Boston with my family. 
Why Tufts: "I chose Tufts for the warm, welcoming and supportive environment, combined with strong operative experience and dedication to teaching."

Nicole Wise  
Education: Case Western Reserve University SOM  
Personal Interests: Frisbee, rock climbing
Why Tufts: "It's the perfect combination of clinical and academic medicine. I feel like everyone here really cares about the patients as people, surgery as an art and also us residents as a part of the family. I definitely consider myself lucky to be here."

Kerry Gaffney  
Education: Stony Brook School of Medicine   
Clinical Interest: Thoracic, breast, colorectal  
Personal Interest: Hiking, camping, skiing   
Why Tufts: A well-balanced program with the perfect combination of hands-on experience, surgical education and emphasis on cultivating a collegial working environment

Ryan Hall  
Education: Tufts University School of Medicine  
Clinical Interests: Thoracic surgery, surgical oncology, medical education  
Personal Interests:  Politics, biking, camping, surfing, basketball  
Why Tufts: "The culture at Tufts is one of support and encouragement. Small program size leads to individual attention and closer relationships with attendings and greater autonomy. The academic setting, medical school and professional networks offer all the resources necessary to pursue goals and interests."

Manish Karamchandani   
Education: Tufts University School of Medicine  
Clinical Interest: Cardiothoracic surgery, surgical oncology, oncoplastic reconstruction  
Personal Interest: Travel, exercise, sports  
Why Tufts: "I chose Tufts for its excellent mentorship, close-knit resident family, and strong operative experience."

Caroline Ricard
Education:  Tufts University School of Medicine
Clinical Interests: Thoracic surgery, surgical education research
Personal Interests:  Rowing, hiking with my dog, family, friends
Why Tufts: "Close-knit group of residents. Attendings show real interest in our development as surgeons. Great location!"

Alexandra Tedesco
Education: Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans
Clinical Interests: Cardiothoracic surgery and trauma surgery
Personal Interests: Watching New Orleans sports teams, cross-stitching, spending time with family and friends
Why Tufts: "Everyone I met during my interview was incredibly friendly and welcoming. I was impressed by the dedication to teaching by both the residents and faculty."

Alexander Friedman  
Education: Georgetown University School of Medicine  
Clinical Interest: Trauma, management information systems
Personal Interests: Traveling, exercise, cooking, movies  
Why Tufts: "I chose Tufts Medical Center for my surgical training because I felt it would provide me with not only the knowledge and skill set required of a versatile surgeon but also with a unique and intimate learning environment. The competence and accessibility of the staff are second to none here at TMC."

Monica Majumdar, MD  
Education: Rush Medical College, Chicago
Clinical Interest: Vascular surgery  
Personal Interests: Walking through the woods, playing cards  
Why Tufts: "The value placed on resident education is intrinsic in every area of the department; the mentorship extends all the way from the top down to senior and even co-residents."

Sandra Park  
Education: Medical College of Wisconsin  
Clinical Interests: Colorectal surgery, plastic surgery  
Personal Interests: Swimming, speed-skating, clarinet, baking

Yurie Sekigami, MD  
Education: Medical College of Wisconsin  
Clinical Interests: Surgical oncology  
Personal Interests: Friends and family, tennis, singing, travel  
Why Tufts: "I chose Tufts because of the close-knit feel of the program, wonderful and supportive faculty and for its great location!"

Samuel Barnett  
Education: University of Melbourne  
Clinical Interest: Pediatric Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Surgical Research/Education  
Personal Interest: Hiking, traveling, Australian football  
Why Tufts: "Friendly, supportive and welcoming program that includes a broad general surgical experience."

Ian Nickel  
Education: The University of Virginia School of Medicine  
Clinical Interest: Cardiac surgery, aortic surgery, critical care  
Personal Interest: Alpine, rock and ice climbing, cycling, backpacking, pretty much anything that gets me outside!  
Why Tufts: "The Tufts culture heavily emphasizes resident education and training and I felt that the attendings here all genuinely cared about the success of their residents. The residents themselves all seemed happy and well-supported with abundant post-graduation opportunities and I really appreciated the overall sense of community that is evident throughout this program."

Carly Wareham
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine 
Clinical Interests: Surgical oncology, medical education 
Personal Interests: Hiking with my pup, beaching, reading, spending time with friends and family
Why Tufts: "I chose Tufts because of its tight-knit feel, supportive environment and the faculty's dedication to resident success. The residents are a fun group of people who support one another. Boston is a great place to train, and Tufts has a unique and diverse patient population."