Current Residents
- A Message from Our Chiefs
-
Congratulations, and welcome to Cleveland!
We are so excited to have you all join us virtually in The Land for your interview day! We want to be among the first to welcome you to one of the most up-and-coming places in the U.S. right now and to share a few of our favorite parts of Cleveland that we truly believe make it the best city to live, work, and play in.
From the foodie scene to our beautiful Lake Erie waterfronts, Cleveland is rising! Thanks to the revitalization of our historic downtown, a picturesque lakeside landscape, and a huge influx of new and creative entrepreneurs, Cleveland offers excitement for every type of medical student and resident adventurer. Can’t-miss food and drink can be found around every corner, from craft breweries to artisan cheese boards to restaurants showcasing local, authentic cuisines as well as the spices, meats, and delicious baked goods found at the multicultural West Side Market.
Aside from our great food scene, Cleveland is notable for being the second largest theater district in the country, known as Playhouse Square. Located in the heart of downtown, this district is home to some of the world’s best plays and musicals that you can’t experience anywhere else. And did we mention that the Cleveland Metroparks were recently awarded the 2021 National Gold Medal “Best in Nation” award for Parks and Recreation?! Encompassing 18 reservations with over 100 hiking trails and eight lakefront parks, an escape to nature is never far away.
Also currently rising in Cleveland – the Cavs! Clevelanders are passionate, and you’ll never find a more dedicated fan base than that of the Cleveland sports teams. A now infamous superstar basketball player once referred to the spirit of our great city as “Cleveland Against the World,” and we couldn’t agree more.
At University Hospitals, we pride ourselves on training to become not only master resuscitationists and expert diagnosticians, but physicians who are connected to and advocate for the community we care for. While we are unfortunately unable to experience this day with you in person, we hope you’ll see just how proud we are of everything Cleveland has to offer and are so excited to share a taste of our CLE family with you!
Congrats again, and we can’t wait to meet you all. Welcome to #Believeland!
- Jehanne, Connor, Dani
Emergency Medicine Chief Residents 2022-2023
Jehanne Belange MD, Connor Parsell MD, Daniella Rao DO
Department of Emergency Medicine
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center/Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
emchiefresidents@uhhospitals.org
Class of 2024
![residents class of 2024](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/em-class-of-2024.jpg)
![Shagun Berry, DO](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/shagun-berry.jpg)
Shagun Berry, DO
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
![Sofia Chinchilla, MD](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/sofia-chinchilla.jpg)
Sofia Chinchilla, MD
Hometown: North Olmsted, OH
Undergraduate: University of Akron
Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
![Nicholas DiMeo, MD](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/nicholas-dimeo.jpg)
Nicholas DiMeo, MD
Hometown: Lexington, KY
Undergraduate: Newcastle University
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
![Richard Dowd, DO](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/richard-dowd.jpg)
Richard Dowd, DO
Hometown: Loveland, OH
Undergraduate: University of Cincinnati
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
![Eniola Gros, MD](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/eniola-gros.jpg)
Eniola Gros, MD
Hometown: Saint Louis, MO
Undergraduate: University of Missouri
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
![William Heersink, MD](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/william-heersink.jpg)
William Heersink, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergraduate: University of California
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
![Samuel Hertz, MD](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/samuel-hertz.jpg)
Samuel Hertz, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergraduate: University of Michigan
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
![Bejan Kanga, MD](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/bejan-kanga.jpg)
Bejan Kanga, MD
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Undergraduate: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
![Blake Nelson, MD](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/blake-nelson.jpg)
Blake Nelson, MD
Hometown: Fairborn, OH
Undergraduate: Wittenberg University
Medical School: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
![Kalee Royster, MD](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/kalee-royster.jpg)
Kalee Royster, MD
Hometown: Fremont, OH
Undergraduate: University of Toledo
Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
![Dylan Sexton, MD](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/dylan-sexton.jpg)
Dylan Sexton, MD
Hometown: Findlay, OH
Undergraduate: University of Cincinnati
Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
![Juan Valdes Infante, MD](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2024/juan-valdes-infante.jpg)
Juan Valdes Infante, MD
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Undergraduate: Indian University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Class of 2025
![Shruti Africawala, D.O.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/shruti-africawala.jpg)
Shruti Africawala, DO
Hometown: Hoffman Estates, IL
Undergraduate: Northwestern University
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
![Ian Brallier, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/ian-brallier.jpg)
Ian Brallier, MD
Hometown: Arvada, CO
Undergraduate: University of Colorado
Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
![Shauna Combs, D.O.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/shauna-combs.jpg)
Shauna Combs, DO
Hometown: Williamsburg, OH
Undergraduate: Miami University
Medical School: University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
![Auryana DeChick, D.O.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/auryana-dechick.jpg)
Auryana DeChick, DO
Hometown: Auburn, NY
Undergraduate: Ithaca College
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
![Brian Fort, MD, PhD](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/brian-fort.jpg)
Brian Fort, MD, PhD
Hometown: Lyndhurst, OH
Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
![Matthew Hom, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/matthew-hom.jpg)
Matthew Hom, MD
Hometown: Westlake, OH
Undergraduate: The University of Akron
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
![Vincent Marshall, D.O.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/vincent-marshall.jpg)
Vincent Marshall, DO
Hometown: LaOtto, IN
Undergraduate: Butler University
Medical School: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
![Brooke Ott, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/brooke-ott.jpg)
Brooke Ott, MD
Hometown: Medina, OH
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
![Ranjana Ravikumar, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/ranjana-ravikumar.jpg)
Ranjana Ravikumar, MD
Hometown: Elk Grove, CA
Undergraduate: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: California Northstate University College of Medicine
![Kelsie Rhyne, D.O.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/kelsie-rhyne.jpg)
Kelsie Rhyne, DO
Hometown: Conover, NC
Undergraduate: Brevard College
Medical School: Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
![Austin Schoeffler, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/austin-schoeffler.jpg)
Austin Schoeffler, MD
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
![Pauline Wiltz, D.O.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2025/pauline-wiltz.jpg)
Pauline Wiltz, DO
Hometown: Yakima, WA
Undergraduate: Western Washington University
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Class of 2026
![residents class of 2026](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/em-class-of-2026.jpg)
![Gabriel Alagna, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/gabriel-alagna.jpg)
Gabriel Alagna, MD
Hometown: Queensbury, NY
Undergraduate: State University of New York at Oswego State
Medical School: University of New York Upstate Medical University Alan and Marlene Norton College of Medicine
![Karishma Dhanani, D.O.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/karishma-dhanani.jpg)
Karishma Dhanani, DO
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
Undergraduate: Georgia Gwinnett College
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus
![Thomas Evans, D.O.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/thomas-evans.jpg)
Thomas Evans, DO
Hometown: Woodbine, GA
Undergraduate: College of Coastal Georgia
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas Campus
![Yanina Guevara, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/yanina-guevara.jpg)
Yanina Guevara, MD
Hometown: North Chicago, IL
Undergraduate: DePauw University
Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
![Hannah Hendrix, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/hannah-hendrix.jpg)
Hannah Hendrix, MD
Hometown: Westerville, OH
Undergraduate: Wright State University
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
![Francis Mensah, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/francis-mensah.jpg)
Francis Mensah, MD
Hometown: Redford, MI
Undergraduate: University of Michigan
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine - Grand Rapids
![Jacob Perino, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/jacob-perino.jpg)
Jacob Perino, MD
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
![Tiana Sarsour, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/tiana-sarsour.jpg)
Tiana Sarsour, MD
Hometown: Sylvania, OH
Undergraduate: University of Toledo
Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
![Ryan Starkman, D.O.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/ryan-starkman.jpg)
Ryan Starkman, DO
Hometown: Streamwood, IL
Undergraduate: Grand View University
Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
![Annie Thai, M.D.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/annie-thai.jpg)
Annie Thai, MD
Hometown: Shreveport, LA
Undergraduate: Tulane University
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
![David Williams, D.O.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/david-williams.jpg)
David Williams, DO
Hometown: Charleston, WV
Undergraduate: Fairmont State University
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
![Abigail Wissman, D.O.](/-/media/images/medical-education/interns-residents-fellows/emergency-medicine-cle/2026/abigail-wissman.jpg)
Abigail Wissman, DO
Hometown: Westerville, OH
Undergraduate: University of Cincinnati
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine