Current Residents

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2023-2024
FIRST YEAR
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalKhaled Abdoun, MDPerelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalSiya Bhagat, MDState University of New York Upstate Medical University Alan and Marlene Norton College of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalCaroline Cao, MDCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalMegan Cavrak, MDWest Virginia University School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalAllen Chen, MDCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalEmily Chen, MDAlbert Einstein College of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalMichelle Chisdak, MDState University of New York Upstate Medical University Alan and Marlene Norton College of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalMark D'Alesio, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalAishwary Desai, MDDrexel University College of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalJoseph Donohue, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalAdam Eibel, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalVanessa Gipson, MDWest Virginia University School of Medicine - Charleston
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalPaarth Kapadia, MDBaylor College of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalCody Kelso, MDJacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalAmish Khan, MDWashington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalJeong Hoon Kim, MDWeill Cornell Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalRebecca Kuang, MDThe University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalBronson Kunzler, MDPennsylvania State University College of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalKevin Liao, MDUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalAshley McFarquhar, MDBaylor College of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalAlberta Negri Jimenez, MDOhio State University College of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalAdam Schweber, MDColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalShruthi Sethuraman, MDOhio State University College of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalMadeline Sharp, MDUniversity of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalYuming Shi, MDCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalTimothy Shu, MDCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalJacob Sinopoli, MDCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalDavid Sweet, MD, PhDCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalSrinidhi Venkatesh, MDUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalKathryn Vessel, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalJesse Wang, MD, PhDUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalJane Wei, MDPerelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalJonathan Zawadzki, MDUniversity of Washington School of Medicine
PGY 1Traditional CategoricalJacqueline Ziegman, MDOhio State University College of Medicine
PGY 1Global HealthKseniya Anishchenko, MDUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine
PGY 1Global HealthPaul Holden, MDBaylor College of Medicine
PGY 1Global HealthRadu Mitran, MDVirginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
PGY 1Global HealthLilli Schussler, MDIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
PGY 1Women's HealthAbigail Crothers, MDUniversity of Cincinnati College of Medicine
PGY 1Women's HealthValerie Gao, MDUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine
PGY 1Women's HealthRebecca Nye, MDUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
PGY 1Women's HealthCatherine Pressimone, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 1Research PathwayRobert Bortz, III, MDAlbert Einstein College of Medicine
PGY 1Research PathwayLiyan Fan, MD, PhDCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
PGY 1Research PathwayJohn Flickinger, JR, MD, PhDSidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
PGY 1Research PathwayDaniel Goetschius, MD, PhDPennsylvania State University College of Medicine
PGY 1International ScholarsAntoine Bejjani, MDAmerican University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine
PGY 1International ScholarsFatima Sanes Guevara, MDUniversidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia Facultad de Medicina Alberto Hurtado
PGY 1International ScholarsIsabel Trejo Zambrano, MDUniversidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla Facultad de Medicina
PGY 1International ScholarsNanditha Venkatesan, MDAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur
PGY 1International ScholarsKeming Yang, MDNanjing Medical University
PGY 1International ScholarsTuo Yang, MDPeking University Health Science Center
PGY 1International ScholarsShakira Yoosuf, MDAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
PGY 1Med-PedsLisandra Alfaro, MDA.T. Still University of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
PGY 1Med-PedsMichele Ly, MDSidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
PGY 1Med-PedsAmy Paul, MDLoyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
PGY 1Med-PedsHannah Roach, MDLewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
PGY 1Preliminary YearGalen Brennan, MDUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
PGY 1Preliminary YearShara Chopra, MDPennsylvania State University College of Medicine
PGY 1Preliminary YearAmelia Clarke, MDCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
PGY 1Preliminary YearMark Derbyshire, MDState University of New York Upstate Medical University Alan and Marlene Norton College of Medicine
PGY 1Preliminary YearRyan Fan, MDYale School of Medicine
PGY 1Preliminary YearVishhvaan Gopalakrishnan, MDCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
PGY 1Preliminary YearDarryl Mar, MDUniversity of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine
PGY 1Preliminary YearSai Talluru, MDUniversity of Michigan Medical School
PGY 1Neurology PreliminaryMatthew Flounders, DOPhiladelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
PGY 1Neurology PreliminaryPratiti Ghosh-Dastidar, MDThe University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
PGY 1Neurology PreliminaryShruti Iyer, MDSri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute
PGY 1Neurology PreliminaryAnna Eliza Kaiser, DOLake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
PGY 1Neurology PreliminaryRebia Khan, MDUniversity of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
PGY 1Neurology PreliminaryShivaali Maddali, MDAlbany Medical College
PGY 1Neurology PreliminaryGina Mavhezha, MDIndiana University School of Medicine
PGY 1Neurology PreliminaryFrances "Lee" Mueller, MDUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
PGY 1Neurology PreliminarySarah Yaghoubi, DOChicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
PGY 1Transitional YearJoseph Chen, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 1Transitional YearJohn Goté, MDEastern Virginia Medical School
PGY 1Transitional YearGagan Kalra, MDGovernment Medical College Chandigarh
PGY 1Transitional YearJacob Lebamoff, MDUSF Health Morsani College of Medicine
PGY 1Transitional YearLisa Lin, MDOregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
PGY 1Transitional YearEitan Shemuelian, MDSackler School of Medicine - New York State American Branch
PGY 1Transitional YearNicholas Tranchitella, MDMedical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
PGY 1Transitional YearColin Xu, MDCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
PGY 1Transitional YearHaniah Zaheer, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 1Transitional YearRyan Zukerman, MDUniversity of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
SECOND YEAR
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalJennifer Alvarez, MDChicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalAnusha Amaravathi, MDUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalCatherine Chang, MDCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalCelestine Christensen, MDState University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalMary Connolly, MDPennsylvania State University College of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalNicole Curtis, MDJacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalAilaura Donahoe, MDDrexel University College of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalXinxin "Cindy" Du, MDYale School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalShamroz Farooq, MDUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalMorgan Ferrell, MDSidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalChristopher Flores, MDTufts University School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalBrian Fowler, MDOhio State University College of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalCyndi Gonzalez Gomez, MDUniversity of Michigan Medical School
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalCihang "Cece" Gu, MDVanderbilt University School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalCole Hansell, MDUniversity of Washington School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalJacob Hernandez, MDBoston University School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalJoanne Huang, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalRuxandra Ionescu, MDUniversity of Washington School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalHeejae Kang, MD, PhDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalDeepak Kumar, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalJohn Kundrick, MD, MPHDrexel University College of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalSarah Mann, MDPerelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalAlexandre Martinez, MDSidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalKathleen Mathieu, MDOhio State University College of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalJoseph "Joe" Murphy, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalDavid Newhouse, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalPali Singh, MDDuke University School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalGeorgia Vasilakis, MDWest Virginia University School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalJordan Villars, MDSidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalAsim Viqar, MDPerelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalSwetha Vontela, MD, MSDrexel University College of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalPaul Yacono, MDPonce Health Sciences University School of Medicine
PGY 2Traditional CategoricalRami Yanes, MDUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine
PGY 2Global HealthKatherine Boyd, MDDrexel University College of Medicine
PGY 2Global HealthIrada Choudhuri, MDUniversity of Michigan Medical School
PGY 2Global HealthSarah Falta, MDLewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
PGY 2Global HealthDavid Lazris, MDEmory University School of Medicine
PGY 2Women's HealthModupe "Alexandra" Adegoke, MD, PhDPerelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
PGY 2Women's HealthJoanna Kilbane Myers, MDThe University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
PGY 2Women's HealthZhexi "Jersey" Lu, MD, PhDPennsylvania State University College of Medicine
PGY 2Women's HealthAnisha Reddy, MDDrexel University College of Medicine
PGY 2Women's HealthSarah Soniwala, MDJacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
PGY 2Research PathwayNick Huang, MD, PhDState University of New York Upstate Medical University
PGY 2Research PathwayYen-Nan Lin, MD, PhDTexas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
PGY 2Research PathwayRandolph "Randy" Lyde, MD, PhDLewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
PGY 2Research PathwayMary Rossillo, MD, PhDNew York University Grossman School of Medicine
PGY 2International ScholarsThiago Bosco Mendes, MDSanta Casa of Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences
PGY 2International ScholarsIlias Christodoulou, MDUniversity of Patras School of Health Sciences
PGY 2International ScholarsAdriana Cifuentes de la Torre, MDIntl. University of Ecuador School of Medical Sciences and Health
PGY 2International ScholarsSebastian Niezen, MDUniversity An‡huac School of Medicine
PGY 2International ScholarsNgozi Osuji, MBBSNnamdi Azikiwe University College of Health Sciences
PGY 2International ScholarsStefan Preisendorfer, MDLudwig-Maximilians University of Munich School of Medicine
PGY 2International ScholarsMarissa Zarakas, MDUniversity of Athens School of Health Sciences
PGY 2Med-PedsAnjali Alangaden, MDWayne State University School of Medicine
PGY 2Med-PedsWaynesha Blaylock, MDThe Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
PGY 2Med-PedsMadison Martinez, MD, MPHOhio State University College of Medicine
PGY 2Med-PedsAtif Towheed, DOTouro College of Osteopathic Medicine - Middletown
THIRD YEAR
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalBethlehem Agize, MDHoward University College of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalMichaela Barry, MDUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalChristopher Breen, MDYale School of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalCihan Caglayan, MDUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalKimberly Chow, MDNorthwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalMichael Creager, MDLewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalAnisha Das, MDOregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalVu Dinh, MD, PhDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalNicholas Faraci, MDUniversity of Central Florida College of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalFarid Farkouh, MDWashington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalBenjamin Fuller, MDState University of New York Upstate Medical University
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalRichard Giza, MDDrexel University College of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalValerie Gobao, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalRichard Grey, MDRenaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalShane Kaski, MD, PhDWest Virginia University School of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalAlyssa Kelder, MD
Future Chief 2024-2025
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalMuhamad Khalid, MDThe University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalAmy Labar, MDColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalKatherine Lee, MDJacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalJohn Leech, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalAmar Patel, MD
Future Chief 2024-2025
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalAnne Richardson, MD
Future Chief 2024-2025
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalMark Rizko, MDUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalNadeen Sarsour, MDUniversity of Michigan Medical School
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalRosalie Siciliano, MDState University of New York Upstate Medical University
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalPriyanka Solanki, MDLewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalChristopher Thompson, MDUniversity of Michigan Medical School
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalNathanial Tolman, MDPennsylvania State University College of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalPatricia Tyson, MDUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalXiancheng "Lewis" Wu, MDState University of New York Upstate Medical University
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalAkul Yajnik, MDThe University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
PGY 3Traditional CategoricalBenjamin Zuchelkowski, MD, MS
Future Chief 2024-2025
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 3Global HealthAndre Bshara, MDDrexel University College of Medicine
PGY 3Global HealthUsnish Majumdar, MDIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
PGY 3Global HealthSneha Rajendran, MDVanderbilt University School of Medicine
PGY 3Global HealthAmanda Tompkins, MDUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine
PGY 3Women's HealthKate Amodei, MD
Future Chief 2024-2025
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 3Women's HealthEva Bugos, MDUniversity of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences The Pritzker School of Medicine
PGY 3Women's HealthJessica Walker, MDMichigan State University College of Human Medicine - Grand Rapids
PGY 3Women's HealthSydney Weill, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 3Research PathwayJameson Patak, MDState University of New York Upstate Medical University
PGY 3Research PathwayBalvindar Singh, MDUniversity of Minnesota Medical School
PGY 3International ScholarsJessica Atieh, MDAmerican University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine
PGY 3International ScholarsRonaldo Correa Fabiano Filho, MDFaculdade de Medicina de Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA)
PGY 3International ScholarsMohanad Hamandi, MDCharitŽ UniversitŠtsmedizin Berlin
PGY 3International ScholarsFilippos Koutroumpakis, MDUniversity of Crete Faculty of Medicine
PGY 3International ScholarsCindy Traboulsi, MDAmerican University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine
PGY 3International ScholarsMaria Tsikala Vafea, MD, PhDUniversity of Athens School of Health Sciences
PGY 3International ScholarsJabra Zarka, MDAmerican University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine
PGY 3Med-PedsKevin Lozo, MDRutgers New Jersey Medical School
PGY 3Med-PedsJulia Pantalone, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
PGY 3Med-PedsTiffany Wang, MDDonald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
PGY 3Med-PedsKim Winiker, MDUniversity of Massachusetts Medical School
FOURTH YEAR
PGY 4Med-PedsAnna Maria Coronata, MDEmory University School of Medicine
PGY 4Med-PedsAllison Doyle, MDGeorgetown University School of Medicine
PGY 4Med-PedsJonathan Li, MDSidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
PGY 4Med-PedsTalya Mandelkern, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Chief Medical Residents

Dylan Fortman, MD

Hometown: Ottoville, Ohio

Undergraduate: The Ohio State University

Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Career Plans: Hematology/Oncology

Favorite Thing to do in Pittsburgh: Grab a coffee before brunch on the weekends and stroll along Lawrenceville or the Strip District

Dylan grew up in the small town of Ottoville (population approx. 1,000) on a crop farm. He moved to Columbus, OH for college at The Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) where he dual-majored in Biochemistry and Microbiology, fueling his early passion for Oncology. While he initially thought basic science research was his jam, he wanted to work directly with patients and thus entered medical school at the University of Toledo. After learning the true depth and breadth of the “You’ll do better in Toledo” catchphrase, he moved to Pittsburgh to begin residency at UPMC given its highlights in medical education and superb research opportunities. When not at work, Dylan enjoys organizing events for the LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group he co-founded, visiting his family in Ohio, and enjoying the many restaurants, coffee shops, and cocktail bars that Pittsburgh has to offer.

Valentina Jaramillo Restrepo, MD

Hometown: Medellín, Colombia

Undergraduate: Went straight from high school to medical school

Medical School: Universidad CES. Medellín, Colombia

Career Plans: Cardiology / Interventional cardiology / Critical care cardiology

Favorite Thing to do in Pittsburgh: Having mussels and fries at Point Brugge, and then walking over to Mellon Park with a picnic blanket and relaxing under the sun

Valentina was born and raised in Medellin, Colombia, alongside her two sisters, in a loving family focused on her father’s career as an interventional cardiologist. Inspired by him, she pursued a medical career and graduated in 2018 before moving to Phoenix, Arizona. There, she deepened her love for cardiology while working as a research trainee in cardio-oncology.

Attracted by Pittsburgh’s unique healthcare system, commitment to diversity, inclusion, and strong leadership, Valentina chose to continue her training there for her internal medicine residency. Throughout her residency, she fell in love more deeply with cardiology and found a new devotion to medical education and leadership in medicine.

When not traveling to be with her husband in Arizona, Valentina enjoys exploring Pittsburgh’s dynamic culinary scene, discovering new breweries and restaurants. She is a certified 200-hour yoga teacher, embracing physical and mental well-being practices to maintain balance and mindfulness in her demanding medical career. Furthermore, she values the supportive network of friendships she has forged with her residency colleagues, recognizing their significance within the medical community.

Andy Knight, MD

Hometown: Louisville, KY

Undergraduate: University of Louisville

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Career Plans: Hematology & Oncology

Favorite Thing to do in Pittsburgh: Checking out the markets in the Strip District and going to the climbing gym

Andrew was born and raised just outside of Louisville, KY. Growing up in Kentucky, his time was split between the suburbs and his family’s farm. He pursued a biochemistry degree at the University of Louisville, where he discovered his passion for education and research. He earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati where he also worked as a tutor for other medical students. He chose UPMC based on the robust clinical training, strong preparation for subspecialty fellowships, and the degree of autonomy provided to residents at UPMC as showcased by resident-led rounds. When he is not at work, Andrew spends his time exploring the outdoors by hiking and rock climbing at the many nearby state parks in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. After chief year, he plans to pursue a career in academic oncology with an interest in melanoma and novel immunotherapeutics.

Casey Skittle, MD

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Undergraduate: Johns Hopkins University

Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine

Career Plans: Gen Med, Healthcare Innovation

Favorite Thing to do in Pittsburgh: Dog walks to the Bloomfield farmers market + a Thyme Machine breakfast sandwich

Casey was born and raised in the city of bridges, and ventured into enemy territory to study chemical and biomolecular engineering at Johns Hopkins. After college, she worked as a Consultant for Deloitte in Washington, DC, focusing on large-scale healthcare IT implementations. This experience inspired her to pursue her dual MD/MBA degree at the University of Virginia. Despite her shepherd mix, Taco’s, love for the blue ridge mountains, she was ultimately brought back to the ‘burgh by UPMC’s commitment to innovation, resident-run rounds structure, and of course, the people. She plans to pursue a career in academic general internal medicine with an eye toward healthcare innovation, collaborating with groups involved in the commercialization of healthcare innovations and bringing new ideas to market. Outside of the hospital, you can find her walking the city with Taco and trying to convince her Boston-born fiancé into adopting the black and yellow.

Lee Varelas, MD

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Undergraduate: University of Melbourne

Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Career Plans: Gastroenterology/Hepatology

Favorite Thing to do in Pittsburgh: Browsing vinyl at Attic Records in Millvale or watching a cult classic at Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville

Lee grew up in Melbourne, Australia, as the youngest in a Greek-Australian family. He studied zoology and had plans to be a wildlife documentarian until he met Stephanie, who was traveling Australia. Their relationship completely changed his life perspective, and after completing college he returned to the US with her and they married shortly thereafter. After a short stint entertaining veterinary school, Lee realized he was better suited to a career in medicine, completing pre-medical coursework in Atlanta prior to moving to Pittsburgh for medical school. During medical school he became fascinated by the liver, and he has had his heart set on a career in hepatology ever since. He is also heavily focused on underserved care, with a particular interest in immigrant, indigenous and unhoused populations. It was an easy decision to stay at UPMC for residency given their dedication to leadership mentorship, excellent global health opportunities and strong gastroenterology division. During residency, he spent time in Malawi, the Philippines and Navajo Nation as part of a Global Health track. Outside of the hospital, Lee enjoys collecting vinyl records, practicing Greek and Spanish, and spending time with his wife Stephanie, newborn daughter Phoenix and their Scottish folds, Juniper and Jupiter.