House Staff

Aviva Beleck, MD

Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Undergrad: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Medical School: Stony Brook University
Professional Interests: I love heme/onc, but not 100% positive what I will decide to further specialize in.
Personal Interests: I love to design and sew clothing – I used to want to be a Broadway costume designer! I love hiking and swimming and spending time outside.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I was really drawn to the comradery that I was able to see on my interview day, and the relationships between residents and attendings. I am also passionate about medical education, and am excited about the Med Ed track!

Taylor McDaniel, MD

Hometown: Mason, OH
Undergrad: Miami University
Medical School: University of Toledo
Professional Interests: Advocacy and Mental Health. Interested in inpatient medicine but still undecided!
Personal Interests: Avid TV watcher, board game player, and coffee taster. Baking, hanging out with my cat and husband, and exploring the outdoors.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because during my interview, each person I met was so kind, and relatable. I loved the 6+2 schedule, and how it would let me focus on inpatient and outpatient individually. The residents that I met at the meet and greets were so nice and welcoming and spoke so highly of their faculty and the positive relationships that they had with them. I can’t wait to be part of the Rainbow family!

Garrett Simkins, MD

Hometown: McLean, Virginia
Undergrad: James Madison University
Medical School: University of Virginia
Professional Interests: General Pediatrics, Academic Medicine
Personal Interests: I love astronomy, creative writing, podcasts (usually about philosophy and psychology), working out, and spending time with friends.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I was most drawn to Rainbow because the people were warm, fun, down to earth, and full of genuine interest in being excellent pediatricians and teachers. My interview day was one of very few that I left feeling energized by, rather than drained! The structural pieces of the program – like an X+Y schedule, and the opportunities to get involved with medical education – were also big draws. Finally, the program seemed truly interested in balancing a fulfilling out-of-work life with a strong and engaging work-life.

Kendall Franz, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Undergrad: Canisius College
Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
Professional Interests: Children with Medical Complexity, Care for young adults with developmental disabilities, Transitions of care, Medical education, Health Systems Science
Personal Interests: Rock climbing, hiking, exploring the Cleveland restaurant/cocktail/brewery scene, gardening, watching The Office and other sitcoms, family & friends, hanging with my dog
Why I Chose Rainbow:  Patient and case diversity, Mentorship opportunities, collegiality, and great exposure to a variety of pediatric subspecialties!

Trenley Anderson, MD, Peds Neurology

Hometown:  Staunton, VA
Undergrad: University of Virginia
Medical School:  Case Western Reserve University
Professional Interests:   Neurology, medical humanities, medical education
Personal Interests: Music (all genres!), visual art, ethics, writing, indigenous knowledge, nature, running, cycling
Why I Chose Rainbow: I wanted to live in Cleveland and take care of northeast Ohio's patients. Cleveland offers a lot yet has a good cost of living. I enjoyed my rotations at Rainbow as a med student and felt that I would be well-supported and could thrive here.

Mara Atherton, MD

Hometown: Louisville, KY
Undergrad: University of Louisville
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Professional Interests: Neonatology, Critical Care, Complex Care
Personal Interests:  Gardening, birdwatching, hiking, knitting, and running
Why I Chose Rainbow:  I chose Rainbow because I had such great interactions with the faculty on interview day. I felt like faculty were truly interested in hearing what skills I wanted to improve in residency. I also thought the residents seemed to really enjoy their time together. I took a weekend trip to Cleveland and really enjoyed visiting the Lakefront Nature Preserve and local restaurants. I love the volume and acuity of patients at Rainbow and feel like I've made strides of growth since starting intern year!

Laura Burns, MD

Hometown: Bloomington, IL
Undergrad:  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Medical School:  Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary Care, Adolescent Medicine, Special Needs Care, Academic Medicine
Personal Interests:  Music, art, my cats,
Why I Chose Rainbow: I went to medical school at Case Western Reserve University, then couples matched to Cleveland with my partner, another CWRU grad. We both love the city and were very happy to stay. In addition, we both loved our medical school experiences at the Cleveland hospitals, and we were excited to continue working at institutions that we knew would give us great educational opportunities in our respective specialties.

Rainbow is a great place for me to learn to be a pediatrician. As a student here, I found the work to be challenging, educational, and rewarding. At Rainbow, I help patients who experience a lot of negative social determinants of health and I get to learn how to help them navigate their social challenges in addition to their medical ones. I feel like Rainbow is a place where I can find any opportunity I would want to prepare me for any pediatric career I might choose to pursue.

Christine Campisi, MD

Hometown:  Stamford, Connecticut
Undergrad:  Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School:  Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hematology/Oncology, Research, Advocacy
Personal Interests:  Running, hiking, crocheting, my cat Nero
Why I Chose Rainbow: Ultimately, I chose Rainbow because I could just tell on interview day that all of the residents and faculty I spoke with genuinely loved caring for this community and working with each other. I knew I would learn a lot and be challenged in terms of seeing complex cases here, but I also felt like I'd be well-supported by the program and my co-residents - and I have been.

Coreena Chan, MD

Hometown: York, Pennsylvania
Undergrad:  Penn State University
Medical School:  Ohio State University
Professional Interests: Primary care, advocacy
Personal Interests:  My cat, baking, eating
Why I Chose Rainbow: The collaborative and supportive environment and dedication to patient care.

Adrija Chaturvedi, MD

Hometown:  Solon, Ohio
Undergrad:  Johns Hopkins University
Medical School:  Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Adolescent Medicine, Gastroenterology, General Pediatrics, Medical Education, Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine
Personal Interests: I love reading, cooking, listening to podcasts, going for long walks in the Metro parks, and spending time with friends and family! 
Why I Chose Rainbow: I completed all of my pediatrics rotations at Rainbow during medical school and I was consistently impressed by how compassionate, welcoming, and intelligent the residents were. It was clear they got excellent training and exposure to a wide variety of cases, from bread and butter pediatrics to niche diagnoses. I knew that at Rainbow I would be supported both personally and professionally by my co-residents as well as program leadership. By the time I was applying to residency programs, I realized that Rainbow set the bar for all of the other programs I was looking at! It really felt like a natural choice for me as I wanted to get the best possible training while staying close to home.

Gabriella “Bella” Cotter, MD

Hometown:  New Guilford, Ohio
Undergrad:  Baldwin Wallace
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: I am interested in pediatric intensive care, patient/family education, and social determinants of health
Personal Interests:  My husband and I enjoy trying new restaurants and have loved the Cleveland food scene! I also enjoy going on nature walks/hikes to explore my neighborhood and the many tow paths and bridal paths in the Cleveland area. I drink a lot of coffee and tea and love spending time outside with a sweet drink and a good book. On days off, I like to go to antique and thrift stores, concerts, and local seasonal events in the area or bake a new recipe!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I was drawn to Rainbow by the friendly atmosphere on interview day and the passion with which all of the staff talked about their program! There was a big emphasis on effective communication between team members and promoting resident independence. I also appreciated the X + Y schedule and the structure of the resident outpatient clinic. Cleveland was a great city for my husband and I to couples match into!

Madison Cox, MD

Melindy Dorcin, MD

Hometown:  Westbury, NY (on Long Island)
Undergrad:  Trinity College (Hartford, CT)
Medical School:  Case Western Reserve University
Professional Interests:  Still pretty broad at this point!
Personal Interests:  Baking and knitting
Why I Chose Rainbow: I fell in love with Rainbow as a medical student and while watching my older sister work here as a pediatric resident. I knew that the teaching and the people here were incredible, and I am so grateful that I get to become a pediatrician here!

Matilda Francis, MD

Hometown:  Chesapeake, Virginia
Undergrad:  University of Virginia
Medical School:  Eastern Virginia Medical School
Professional Interests: Medical education, undecided on specialty but at this moment most interested in allergy/ immunology, GI, or primary care
Personal Interests:  classical ballet, yoga, exploring the metro parks and new restaurants around Cleveland!
Why I Chose Rainbow: The supportive and welcoming community at Rainbow with emphasis on resident wellness stood out to me during my interview! I also was drawn to the wide variety of inpatient services with X+Y schedule.

Irene Ganahl, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown:  Lewisburg, PA
Undergrad:  Wellesley College
Medical School:  Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Professional Interests: primary care, women's health, health equity, global health, quality improvement, advocacy
Personal Interests:  music (I have played violin since I was 3 1/2 -y/o), farmer's markets, being outdoors in almost all capacities, lap swimming, reading
Why I Chose Rainbow: I absolutely loved my interview! I wanted to train at an institution that prioritizes serving their community through high-quality care. And as Med-Peds, I felt so welcomed by both the Pediatric and IM categorical residents.

Alexander Ladron de Guevara, MD

Hometown:  Miami, FL
Undergrad:  Florida International University
Medical School:  The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Neonatology, Emergency Medicine, Gastroenterology
Personal Interests:  Hiking, going to the beach, taking spontaneous trips, and spending time with family and friends!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for many reasons! Not only is Rainbow part of a large, well-respected academic institution, but it is serves as a strong stand-alone pediatric hospital. The opportunities here are abundant, yet the program's medium class size fosters a tight-knit environment. Rainbow also has the X+Y schedule format, which provides a better balance for my personal and professional interests! The people here are also very kind and welcoming. Cleveland rocks!

Joseph Haight, MD

Kathleen “Katy” Hoffman, DO

Hometown:   South Amherst, Ohio
Undergrad:  Ohio Wesleyan University
Medical School: OU HCOM - Cleveland
Professional Interests:  NICU, Hospitalist, Education, Advocacy, Community Outreach
Personal Interests:  Trying new restaurants/cooking with my husband, running, musical theater, travel, quality family time, concerts, and crafting
Why I Chose Rainbow: Growing up in northeast Ohio I always admired Rainbow for their innovative care and commitment to their community. On interview day it was easy to see Rainbow is one big, supportive family full of highly intelligent people. I knew this was the best environment for me to learn and grow in. It was also important to me that Rainbow uses X+Y scheduling with specialty tracks available to further serve our interests.

Alexandra “Alex” Kinzer, MD

Hometown:  Princeton, MA
Undergrad:  Purdue University
Medical School:  University of Cincinnati
Professional Interests: Open to everything
Personal Interests:  Cooking, baking, hiking, running and being outside
Why I Chose Rainbow: I spent a year at UH in another residency program and loved the people that I met while I was at Rainbow!  I also have family that live in Cleveland and value seeing them frequently.

Hyerin Kwak, MD

Hometown:  Norman, OK
Undergrad:  Case Western Reserve University
Medical School:  University of Toledo College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Critical care (PICU), bioethics, medical education
Personal Interests:  Woodworking, birdwatching, tennis, visiting Metroparks, home improvement, economics
Why I Chose Rainbow: X+Y schedule, exposure to variety of pathologies, supportive faculty, reputation of training excellent pediatricians; and my husband and I wanted to be back in Northeast Ohio to be closer to friends and family

Yusef Kunji, MD, Peds Genetics

Hometown:  Port Huron, Michigan
Undergrad:  University of Michigan
Medical School:  Wayne State University
Professional Interests: Genetics, Basic Science Research and Medical Education
Personal Interests:  Trivia, reading, soccer, exploring nature and all things fantasy!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I was looking for a strong, academic Peds/Genetics program in the Midwest. During my interviews, Rainbow Babies stood out immediately. The residents and faculty were truly passionate about the care they provide to the diverse surrounding community. The X+Y schedule also stood out among other programs as I want to preserve work/life balance as much as possible during residency.

Kehinde Lawal, MD

Michelle Leahy, MD

Hometown:  South Euclid, Ohio
Undergrad:  University of Dayton
Medical School:  University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Professional Interests: Advocacy, Hematology & Oncology, and PICU
Personal Interests:  Traveling, camping, strength training and playing soccer, trying new restaurants, binge watching netflix shows, jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with family :)
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for so many reasons! I was drawn to the supportive culture that I felt on interview day, the X + Y scheduling, and the opportunity to participate in tracks and serve a diverse patient population. Also, I wanted to stay in Cleveland to be near family and serve my own community :) Lastly, as a strong academic institution, I knew training at Rainbow would expose me to a wide variety of pathologies so that I could become a well-rounded pediatrician!

Rachel Lukwago, MD

Hometown:  Sterling, VA
Undergrad: Old Dominion University  
Medical School: Trinity School of Medicine  
Professional Interests: NICU, Child Psychiatry, Hospital Medicine
Personal Interests:  Hiking, Reading, and Scuba Diving.
Why I Chose Rainbow: The people are genuine and the program is resident-run which allows for good autonomy

Arnelle Osei, MD

Hometown:  Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Undergrad:  Carleton University
Medical School:  American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Professional Interests: PEM/Primary care, NICU, or primary care on its own.  However, no matter where I end up … child global health will be incorporated into my career.
Personal Interests:  Travelling, watching reality crime shows, cooking, hanging out with friends and family
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I felt I would receive the comprehensive skills required to become an amazing general pediatrician while having the opportunity to explore specialization since Rainbow is a free-standing robust children’s hospital. Not to mention the DEI/URiM virtual socials leading up to interview day really spoke to the direction the institution would like to go with representing its core values.

Not to mention the X+Y schedule is vital! I love the fact that I’m doing something different every two weeks!

Faiyza Osman, MD

Hometown: Troy, Michigan
Undergrad: Wayne State University
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Professional Interests: Largely undecided, but my interests so far include child & adolescent psychiatry, endocrinology, advocacy, and DEI.
Personal Interests: I love creative writing, cooking, reading (specifically historical fiction), and I'm hoping to learn piano soon!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Humility and wellness were emphasized as just some of the core values of the program, and I can confirm that it rings true. This program offers excellent training paired with a culture of humility from its faculty and trainees. I have the appropriate guidance and teaching I need while still having the opportunity to build confidence in my decision-making skills as a physician.

Kara Gilliam Partee, MD, MPH

Hometown:  Nashville, TN
Undergrad:  University of Tennessee
Medical School:  East Tennessee State University
Professional Interests: GI, global health, and legislative advocacy
Personal Interests:  Hiking, traveling, baseball, board games, music, and pullin’ for the Vols!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the emphasis on resident wellness and psychological safety here. Our leaders do a great job checking on us and supporting us!

Brooke Pennza, MD

Hometown: Troy, Ohio
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary Care
Personal Interests:  Baking/cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose rainbow because of the culture. All of the residents I met at my interview and second-look seemed genuinely happy to be training at rainbow and I could see that the program truly valued resident wellness.

Sindhu Ramachandra, MD

Hometown:  Somerset, New Jersey
Undergrad: Johns Hopkins University  
Medical School:  USF Morsani College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Effective communication in healthcare settings, advocacy, bench research
Personal Interests:  I love dancing, baking, and swimming.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I love the close-knit community and supportive learning environment that Rainbow offers. The program’s commitment to serving the community, coupled with its amazing research and mentorship opportunities, makes me grateful and excited to join the Rainbow family.

Riley Reed, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown:  Canton, MI
Undergrad: Michigan State University
Medical School:  Wayne State University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, social determinants of health, DEI, mentorship
Personal Interests:  Reading, travel, trying new restaurants in Cleveland, watching crazy reality tv shows, spending time with family and friends
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because he x+y scheduling was appealing to me and showed me that the program values wellness among their residents. In addition, working with underserved populations is important to me, and Cleveland and Rainbow has many opportunities (like the advocacy track!) for me to pursue that passion!

Steven Reehl, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown:  Summit Hill, PA
Undergrad:  Elizabethtown College
Medical School:  Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, LGBTQ+ Healthcare, Medical Education, Advocacy
Personal Interests: I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, shopping, finding new music, finding good coffee, and exploring Cleveland. I'm always looking for new ways to stay active and meet new people!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for its reputation for excellence in pediatric care, commitment to children's health and well-being, and the excellent residency opportunities.

Jack Reifenberg, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Undergrad:  The Ohio State University
Medical School:  University of Cincinnati
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine vs pulm/crit, quality improvement, medical education, legislative advocacy
Personal Interests: Soccer, making soup, trail running
Why I Chose Rainbow: Felt a strong sense of community during my interview day. Well-balanced clinical experiences within a diverse range of disciplines and settings through an X+Y schedule

Priyanga Selvakumar, MD

Hometown:  Broomall, PA
Undergrad:  University of Pittsburgh
Medical School:  Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Professional Interests: Allergy and Immunology, Medical Education, DEI
Personal Interests: Indian classical dance, exploring the Cleveland food scene, traveling, plants, and k-dramas!
Why I Chose Rainbow: The people, X+Y scheduling, tracks, and amazing vibes!

Hala Al Suqi, MD

Hometown:  Doha, Qatar/Amman, Jordan
Medical School:  University of Jordan
Professional Interests: Undecided and changes by the day but I like a variety of things: global health, palliative care, and emergency medicine
Personal Interests: Yoga and meditation, writing, music, reading neuropsychology books, stargazing, coffee making and drinking, sketching and anything outdoors!  
Why I Chose Rainbow: I fell in love with Rainbow and knew it was the place I wanted to be for many reasons; interview day just reaffirmed that for me leaving me filled with positive energy.  Resident mental health and work life balance are really advocated for at this program and everyone here is super supportive and friendly.

Gregory Sylvestre, DO

Hometown:  Brooklyn, New York
Undergrad:   Hunter College, The City University of New York
Medical School:  Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - Middletown
Professional Interests: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Sports Medicine
Personal Interests:  I enjoy spontaneous day trips, videogames, Football, fitness, scenic drives, nature/hiking, and rewatching classic American mob films (Martin Scorsese - Goodfellas, Casino)
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I wanted a strong academic program that historically supported its resident's professional interests and personal well-being. I had a pleasant interview experience that left me feeling truly desired to be apart of Rainbow and the local Cleveland communities. Additionally, I felt Rainbow was forward thinking in its X+Y schedule, EMR, and leadership structure. Also coming from NY, it was refreshing to move to a smaller mid-west city with lots of character! I enjoy the the ease of access to sporting events, restaurants, nature parks, and interesting city venues.

Tia Szczesniak, MD

Hometown: Dallas, TX
Undergrad: Southern Methodist University
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Professional Interests: I am currently interested in nephrology, neonatology, emergency medicine and hospitalist medicine. I can't wait to experience them more and see which one is my true fit!
Personal Interests: pet therapy, my dog minnie and I are a certified team. I love the work we do together! Baking, I love the small amount of joy sweets can bring.
Why I Chose Rainbow: Although I had never been to Rainbow outside of interview day, the emphasis on how they select their residents based on their individual strengths and description of core values made it my top choice by far. I knew the value was on education and creating better doctors and supporting rather than the ‘learn by being a workhorse’ mentality regarded in other places I interviewed at. Additionally I love that Rainbow is such a big academic center where we frequently get to see and learn how to confidently treat conditions rarely seen elsewhere.

Brooke Wangler, DO

Hometown:  Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad:  Clemson University
Medical School:  Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, newborn nursery, community outreach, mental health
Personal Interests:  Reading (fiction), traveling, crocheting, trying new restaurants, live music
Why I Chose Rainbow: My acting internship at rainbow sealed the deal for me as I witnessed the culture of the program - it was clear that the residents were deeply supported by each other and by the program itself.

Sarah Abdalian, DO

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad: Tulane University
Medical School: Kansas City University
Professional Interests: Hematology/Oncology, Research, Advocacy 
Personal Interests: Trying new recipes, reading, going on walks, traveling
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the people. I could tell it was the type of place where everyone was so supportive and wanted to help each other succeed. I also was looking for a large academic center where I would gain exposure to a wide variety of pathologies and have the opportunity to participate in research.

Amanda Appel, MBBch, BAO

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Professional Interests: I am currently undecided but interested in hospital medicine, pulmonology, and endocrinology. I am also passionate about global health.
Personal Interests: Dancing, playing the ukulele, yoga, swimming, spending time with friends and family.
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because it was so clear to me on interview day that the program truly cares about resident learning and wellness! The residents seemed happy and supported. I really liked the Flight program where you have the opportunity to connect and learn with residents in different years in a smaller group setting. There are so many program initiatives, like the specialized tracks, that can help you explore your professional interests.

Samuel Baker, MD, MPH

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad: Tulane University
Medical School: LSU New Orleans
Professional Interests: Primary and preventative care, infectious diseases, and pulmonology
Personal Interests: Paddling, walking, appreciating Cleveland Heights gardens, and calling patients “bud”
Why did you choose Rainbow: I was so excited to be able to return home, in many ways! I was born at Rainbow, raised in Cleveland, and after spending so much time away, loved how friendly and familiar the folks at rainbow were on interview day. It feels very special to have the opportunity to help take care of the community that worked so lovingly to take care of me. In addition, the University Circle area makes me feel like I’m highfalutin’, which I appreciate!

Melissa Becker, MD

Hometown: Covington, KY
Undergrad: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Advocacy
Personal Interests: Pickleball, cooking and exploring new restaurants
Why did you choose Rainbow: I love that Rainbow is a large academic center, but the people make you feel as if you are part of their family. I really wanted to experience all types of disease processes from simple to complex, but not sacrifice knowing all of my co-residents and Rainbow is just that. Everyone here is so supportive and the program really puts residents first. I also love their commitment to advocacy and supporting the city of Cleveland.

Brooke Bidwell, MD

Hometown: Traverse, City, MI
Undergrad:  University of Michigan
Medical School: St. George's University
Professional Interests:  PICU vs Emergency Medicine, Global Health, Education
Personal Interests: Reading, hiking, traveling, spending time with my family, eating at new restaurants
Why did you choose Rainbow: I absolutely loved the program as a whole. It is a very resident-centered program, and from my first interview and meet-and-greet I felt very welcomed and supported. There are so many great opportunities such as the global health program, along with the Silver Junior team, and we are exposed to a lot of different pathologies. Plus, the X + Y schedule was a huge draw for me, and I love the balance and break that this schedule provides.

Megan Binder, MD

Hometown: East Canton, OH
Undergrad:  Kenyon College
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Professional Interests:  Rural and underserved populations, comprehensive primary care, medical education
Personal Interests: Gardening, Peloton, NCAA basketball
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the comradery and culture between the residents and within the hospital itself as a stand-alone pediatric hospital. I also love the X+Y schedule, faculty teaching and living in Cleveland!

Sarah Branch, MD

Hometown: Allentown, PA
Undergrad:  Franklin & Marshall College
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Professional Interests:  Emergency medicine, primary care, newborn nursery
Personal Interests: Painting, baking, singing, exercising, spending time with my husband and two cats
Why did you choose Rainbow: I was drawn to Rainbow due to the warmth of the house staff and the supportive nature of the clinical environment. I could tell Rainbow would help me to become the best pediatrician I could be while in a system that supported resident learning and well-being! I also love the dedicated clinic time residents get with the X+Y schedule; it allows us to be fully present in the clinic and nicely balances with the weeks of inpatient rotations. I am truly so happy to be part of this program and would not have it any other way!

Caroline Caldart, MD

Hometown: Avon Lake, OH
Undergrad:  Ohio State University
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Professional Interests:  Hospital Medicine, NICU, GI
Personal Interests: Baking, College Football. Audiobooks / Podcasts, Outdoor walks
Why did you choose Rainbow: I had amazing rainbow pediatricians as a kid and was so impressed with the program later as a medical student, and it's a nice bonus to be close to home!

Megan Cavataio, MD

Hometown: Escondido, CA
Undergrad:  Whitworth University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests:  General pediatrics, continuity of care, community outreach, mentorship, medical education PICU vs Emergency Medicine, Global Health, Education
Personal Interests: For exercise, I enjoy hiking in the Metroparks and rock climbing (both bouldering and top rope at Shaker Rocks!). At home, I love cooking, taking care of my vegetable garden, reading, binge-watching TV shows, trying new restaurants, and embroidery. I also have two cats!
Why did you choose Rainbow: I did most of my medical school rotations at UH and absolutely loved my pediatric rotations at Rainbow! All the residents were kind and compassionate clinicians, supportive of the medical students, and seemed happy to work here. Being a large academic medical center, I knew I would get fantastic training to be a general pediatrician and my career interests would be supported by the awesome PD and APDs. I also fell in love with Cleveland during my time as a student here. I love the Metroparks, food scene, and accessibility!

Phoebe Dodge, MD

Hometown: Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Undergrad:  Albion College
Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Professional Interests:  Primary Care
Personal Interests: Trying new restaurants and local coffee shops, yoga, cycling, visiting family in Michigan
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for several reasons!!! It was important to me to go to an x + y program where I felt the program really valued our overall well being. I also wanted to serve a diverse patient population which we see at Rainbow while training at a top children’s teaching hospital. On my interview day, I felt like my interviewers were really trying to get to know me as a person, which I valued. Cleveland is also a super cool Midwest city with many fun neighborhoods nearby! Rainbow and Cleveland feel like home already.

Amber Estes, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Tinley Park, IL
Undergrad: The University of Chicago
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: I have many interests and I see myself pursuing either primary care or a combined fellowship (infectious disease, cardiology, rheumatology...we'll see!). I am passionate about advocacy, LGBTQ+ medicine, community engagement, and medical education.
Personal Interests: I like to bake, cook, read, draw, dance, try new restaurants (there are many great ones in Cleveland), and check out the metro parks while birdwatching. I also always love spending time with my two cats.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I had a wonderful experience as a medical student and knew I would enjoy being here as a resident.

Caitlin Fernandez, MD

Hometown: Aurora, IL
Undergrad:  Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
Professional Interests:  Hematology/oncology, critical care, advocacy
Personal Interests: Gardening, baking, embroidery, rock climbing
Why did you choose Rainbow: One of the biggest factors that drew me to Rainbow was the program's commitment to serving the community. During my interview, I was really impressed learning about the Midtown clinic and how it was designed to improve access to healthcare. I also really appreciated the program's X+Y scheduling and dedication to resident wellness.

Bethany Giedman, MD

Hometown: Findlay, OH
Undergrad:  Otterbein University
Medical School: Western Michigan Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine
Professional Interests:  Hematology/oncology, medical education
Personal Interests: Playing piano, singing, reading, watching reality TV, online window shopping, spending time with friends and family
Why did you choose Rainbow: I felt so welcomed by the warm and genuine people that I interacted with during my interview day-  I knew I'd feel at home and supported with this group of residents and faculty members. I love how the flight program gets you connected with mentors and a smaller group of co-residents. I am excited about the opportunities provided by the tracks and look forward to pursuing my interests in medical education and research!

Rachel Graf, MD

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergrad:  Ohio State University
Medical School: Ohio State University
Professional Interests:  NICU, advocacy, medical education
Personal Interests: Reading, coffee shops, cocktails, traveling, weight lifting, yoga
Why did you choose Rainbow: Focus on serving the community, X+Y, strong fellowship matches, and rooted in neonatology history

Katherine Guilbo, MD

Hometown: East Greenbush
Undergrad:  College of the Holy Cross
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Professional Interests:  Critical care, hospital medicine
Personal Interests: Marathon running, the Buffalo Bills, Taylor Swift
Why did you choose Rainbow: My interview at Rainbow was my first (and favorite!) of the interview season. The residents were kind, welcoming, and down to earth at the virtual meet and greet. They seemed to genuinely enjoy each other’s' company. During the interview, I could tell that the faculty cared about the well-being and success of their residents. I had never visited Cleveland before, but after my interview I was ready to hike at the Metroparks, catch a Guardian’s' game, and soak up the sun at Edgewater Park. Schedule was also huge draw for me, and I love the balance and break that this schedule provides.

Kayla Harshman, MD

Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Undergrad:  St. Louis University
Medical School: St. Louis University
Professional Interests:  Healthcare Ethics, Disability Rights, primary care
Personal Interests: Swimming, cello, camping, hiking, video games, my cats, gardening, baking
Why did you choose Rainbow: This program was very welcoming and inviting on my interview day. They seemed to really value resident wellness alongside resident education. Cleveland is also an amazing city and has a medically and socially complex patient population that I really look forward to working with.

Mary Irwin, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Undergrad: Virginia Tech
Medical School: University of Cincinnati COM
Professional Interests: Dual hospitalist, critical care (PICU or MICU), adolescent + advocacy and med ed
Personal Interests: Plants, yoga, most popular fantasy series, trying local breweries, hiking, anime, reading a good book (fiction and nonfiction), ice cream (most varieties)
Why I Chose Rainbow: Great balance of excellent education/resources/PEM/specialists with supportive culture and ability to grow with graduated autonomy. Rainbow is also very cognizant of our unique patient population and prioritizes equitable healthcare + advocacy among its residents and faculty.

Andrea Janis, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Westport, Connecticut
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine, primary care, transitional care, medical education
Personal Interests: baking, hiking, dogs, live music
Why I Chose Rainbow: I had an incredible interview day that demonstrated camaraderie amongst residents, emphasis on resident education, and support for resident wellbeing.  I love the x+y schedule, which is pretty rare for pediatric residency programs! Additionally, opportunities for advocacy, research and any other interests are endless.

Samantha Kauffman, MD

Hometown: Winamac, IN
Undergrad:  Eastern Mennonite University
Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis
Professional Interests:  Neonatology, Global Health
Personal Interests: My cats, trying new restaurants, reading/watching historical fiction
Why did you choose Rainbow: I wanted to stay in the Midwest, and I felt really warm and fuzzy and excited after my interview day. The X+Y schedule and tracks (specifically global health) were huge draws!

Jamie Kent, MD

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Undergrad:  Miami University
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Professional Interests:  Advocacy, Work-Life Balance, Evidence-Based Medicine
Personal Interests: Animals (especially my dog), my partner and family, OSU football, watching movies, swimming
Why did you choose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of the support they provide to residents both as new pediatricians and as people outside of work. Both work and home are top priorities in my life. I also love Ohio and Cleveland, obviously.

Tyler Langenfeld, MD

Hometown: Massillon, OH
Undergrad:  The Ohio State University
Medical School: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Professional Interests:  Cardiology, critical care, neonatology
Personal Interests: Cleveland sports, golf, video games, board games, reading, trivia nights at local breweries, exploring the city with my fiancé.
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow has everything I could possibly ask for in a training program: resources and support to pursue any career path I wish, opportunity to see every pediatric pathology under the sun, X+Y scheduling, and a deep commitment to serving the children of its community. In addition, Cleveland is only an hour from my hometown and is the city I grew up wanting to live in!

James McCarthey, MD

Hometown: Northern Kentucky
Undergrad:  Berea College
Medical School: University of Louisville SOM
Professional Interests:  I chose medicine as a career because of my experience as child in the hospital dealing with Juvenile idiopathic rheumatoid arthritis. With this experience, I have personal interest in Rheumatology. I did also enjoy my time in the NICU and general outpatient medicine.
Personal Interests: I have been learning Japanese since I was in college and still have an online tutor i see each week! In addition, I love reading fantasy, hiking, and playing video games.
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow was a clear choice for me after speaking with faculty and residents. It is a friendly environment that is truly supportive and seemed like an obvious choice for training. With great experts in a variety of specialties under the UH hospital/Case western system I felt that I would be well supported.

Kristen Mikhail, MD

Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Undergrad:  University of Michigan
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine - Grand Rapids
Professional Interests:  Undecided, potentially allergy/immunology or primary care
Personal Interests: I like going to yoga, taking nice walks near our place by Edgewater beach. I love trying new yummy restaurant spots!
Why did you choose Rainbow: I loved Rainbow for their genuine energy that came across during my interview day. I felt that I would be well supported both in my professional goals and in my personal life, by allowing some life balance (X+Y) and being in a supportive environment amongst my peers and attendings/fellows. I felt that leadership cared for us as individuals and that we would be in a fun team environment, which I felt that I could thrive in!

Eli Moss, DO

Hometown: Ashland, Ohio
Undergrad:  John Carroll University
Medical School: Ohio University
Professional Interests:  Most likely Allergy and Immunology vs Outpatient vs less likely Undecided
Why did you choose Rainbow: The Program, Residents, Opportunity, and location

Dana Othman, MBBS

Hometown: Amman, Jordan/ Dubai, UAE
Undergrad:  UAE
Medical School: University of Sharjah
Professional Interests:  Emergency, PICU
Personal Interests: Reading, hikes, the beach!
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow felt like it would be a great place to turn into a home for the coming 3 years. The people, the tracks, X+Y scheduling, and the city setting all spoke to me.

Michaela Parker, MD

Hometown: Ashtabula, Ohio
Undergrad:  Ohio State University
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests:  Undecided, but interested in: primary care, hospital medicine, infectious disease
Personal Interests: Hiking, especially with my dog! Mushroom-hunting, paddle-boarding. I also play piano and am currently trying to learn ukulele.
Why did you choose Rainbow: Overall, I just had a great gut feeling when I interviewed at Rainbow. I love that we see a wide range of patients here and have the opportunity to treat all sorts of pathologies. There is also a strong emphasis on serving the community, which was important to me in choosing a residency program. I am also from Northeast Ohio originally and even stayed at the Rainbow NICU as a newborn, so I was thrilled to come back to Cleveland!

Rida Raza, MD

Hometown: Edmond, Oklahoma
Undergrad:  University of Oklahoma
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Professional Interests:  Possibly Hospital Medicine
Personal Interests: sports, anime, puzzles, video games
Why did you choose Rainbow: good vibes, X+Y, and diverse learning opportunities!

Maria Roufaeil, MD

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad:  University of Toledo
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Professional Interests:  "Inpatient care - hospitalist or PICU potentially! Working with underserved populations"
Personal Interests: Reading, walks at the Metroparks, family time, movie nights with friends
Why did you choose Rainbow: The friends and family feel of the program really drew me to Rainbow. I could tell that everyone within the residency program was really invested in our learning and molding us into well-informed and culturally competent pediatricians. In addition, the X+Y program was a bonus as it really allows for a good work-life balance!

Nada Salman, MBBS, Peds Neurology

Hometown:  Amman, Jordan
Medical School: Yarmouk University, Irbid
Professional Interests: General Pediatric Neurology, Neonatal Neurology
Personal Interests: Outdoor activities, listening to podcasts, spending time with my nephews
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow had all that I wanted for my training; a busy service allowing exposure to a variety of pathologies, and a diverse population; a top-notch NICU, many subspecialty clinics, and above all commitment to teaching.

Brandi Williams, DO

Hometown: Clearwater, FL
Undergrad:  Elon University
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests:  Neonatology, PEM, Medical education
Personal Interests: Traveling, reading, running, spending time with friends & family, and thrifting!
Why did you choose Rainbow: During my interview, it really felt like the program prioritized education and resident wellness while providing a supportive environment for growth. I was looking for a program that had X + Y scheduling, a medical education track, and the fellowship programs that I am interested in - Rainbow checked all of these boxes and more!

Jaysa Withey, DO, Med/Peds

Hometown: Flint, Michigan
Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Dual Hospitalist, Integrative Medicine, Global Medicine
Personal Interests: DIY Home decor, plants!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Supportive culture was very important to me.

Stephen Worrall, DO

Hometown: Reading, PA
Undergrad:  University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine- Seton Hill
Professional Interests:  Cardiology or PEM.I was a paramedic before attending medical school, so there is always a draw to Emergency Medicine for me, but I also really enjoy the complex anatomy and physiology that comes along with congenital heart defects, along with the continuity of care you can establish with those patients!
Personal Interests: Nothing too crazy, I enjoy watching TV with my wife and our cat, reading, exercising, cooking and sleeping. I also enjoy playing video games and building computers when the time and money allows for it. What has been really fun lately is exploring the restaurants that CLE has to offer, along with its amazing Metro parks!
Why did you choose Rainbow: Rainbow on paper checked off all of the boxes that I wanted. It is a medium-larger program with a good volume that caters to my learning style this is located in a good sized city with a lot to offer (don't sleep on Cleveland!). It has the resources available to help set me up for success if I decide to go onto fellowship. What sealed the deal for me was the interview day, from the beginning with Dr. Dell's speech where you could tell he pulled parts from everyone who was interviewing's application and related it to why you would be a good Pediatrician, all the way throughout my faculty interviews and into the social hour!

Audrey Wright, MD

Hometown: Owensboro, KY
Undergrad:  University of Louisville
Medical School: University of Louisville SOM
Professional Interests:  Hospital medicine, comprehensive care, LGBTQ+ health equity, eating disorder treatment, medical education
Personal Interests: Hiking, yoga, baking, reading, crossword puzzles, thrifting, listening to podcasts, visiting museums.
Why did you choose Rainbow: X+Y scheduling, program emphasis on wellness, supportive and close-knit residents, opportunities for outreach and advocacy

Rebecca Audette, MD

Hometown: Millbury, MA
Undergrad: University of New Hampshire
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Currently considering hospitalist or PICU. Also interested in research and MedEd
Personal Interests: Exploring new parks and hikes outdoors, crossword puzzles (especially with friends), baking, reading, watching tv/movies, exploring new breweries, spending time with friends
Why I Chose Rainbow: Even during my virtual interview I could tell that Rainbow was a supportive environment with a sense of community among residents. I appreciated that program leadership emphasized resident wellness initiatives and ways that they are trying to improve resident burnout including the X+Y schedule. I also was drawn to the strong emphasis on education and the education structure which creates a really well rounded residency experience.

Ashley Augustine, MD

Hometown: Cleveland, TN
Undergrad: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary Care, General Pediatrics
Personal Interests: Baking, cooking, yoga, hiking, hockey
Why I Chose Rainbow: My rotations at Rainbow really pushed my growth as a clinician because even as a new medical student, I was challenged to lead the care of my patients. Navigating this role was scary, but I felt supported by everyone I worked with, as so many residents and attendings encouraged and helped me embrace that position. This mixture of autonomy and mentorship, both in culture and curriculum, was something I held in high regard when I looked at residency programs, and Rainbow continually stood out. Add in my interest in x+y scheduling and the great Ophthalmology programs in Cleveland for my fiancé’s training and choosing Rainbow was a slam dunk. I am so thrilled to continue my training here!

Kati Baillie, MD

Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Undergrad: University of New Mexico
Medical School: University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Medical Education, undecided on specialty but interested in: pediatric emergency medicine, primary care, NICU, hospitalist
Personal Interests: Running, reading, snowboarding, hiking with my pup Millie, spending time with friends and family
Why I Chose Rainbow: The people, X+Y scheduling, exposure to so many sub-specialties, med-ed track, emphasis on wellness

Virginia Busby, MD

Hometown: Jenks, OK
Undergrad: Rice University
Medical School: University of Oklahoma
Professional Interests: Medical education, hospitalist vs. critical care
Personal Interests: I love puzzles (sudoku, kakuro, etc) and spending time with friends and family, especially if it involves food!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I love the X+Y schedule-it gives me so much peace of mind knowing that after every 6 weeks, I will have two guaranteed golden weekends. I also loved the tracks because I am very interested in medical education.

Elisabeth Cahill, MD

Hometown: Rocky River, Ohio
Undergrad: John Carroll University
Medical School: University of Toledo
Professional Interests: Critical Care, Education
Personal Interests: Hiking, bouldering, star wars, harry potter, marvel, kayaking, dogs
Why I Chose Rainbow: The People! And I wanted to be back in my city in a program that would support and challenge me.

Emily Certo, DO

Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Undergrad: University of New England
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: General pediatrics
Personal Interests: Sports, spinning, biking, being outside, going to the beach, spending time with friends and family!
Why I Chose Rainbow: When I was rotating as a medical student it was the first hospital I had ever been in where I truly felt like a valuable member of the team, people took an interest in me and who I was outside of work and everyone remembered my name! The competency and confidence that the residents showed was impressive and motivating. I knew it was a place I would be supported, challenged and cared for all in one!

Jefferson Chandler, MD

Hometown: Willamette, Oregon
Undergrad: Southern Virginia University
Medical School: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Professional Interests: Always been in love with primary care, but open to exploring subspecialties. It is important to me to establish strong therapeutic relationships with my patients that can grow and develop with them.
Personal Interests: I love spending time outdoors with my wife and two kids! Running, kayaking, biking, hiking, and bird watching are some of my favorite pastimes. Indoors I like to play the piano, do puzzles and read.
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow was my first interview and I told my wife that if Rainbow offered a guaranteed position I would accept it and cancel all of my other interviews on the spot! My Rainbow connection was partly a gut instinct, but also based on the impressive track record that Rainbow has in providing exemplary patient care, training compassionate physicians and being a leader in healthcare.

Shradha Chhabria, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Undergrad: Georgetown University
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine; MPH at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Professional Interests: Obesity medicine, global health equity, non-communicable disease epidemiology, health disparities, cultural competence in healthcare delivery
Personal Interests: Traveling, trying and making vegetarian food from around the world, yoga, meditation, and exploring all that Cleveland has to offer!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I really value that Rainbow is a top notch academic center that focuses on providing the highest quality of care to all children and families in Cleveland, including the significant portion that are underserved. I also really appreciate the program’s focus on wellness with an x+y schedule that is integrated with that of the medicine program (yay Med-Peds!), and that Rainbow is incredibly supportive of its residents.

Adrianne Cornette, MD

Hometown: Fort Thomas, KY
Undergrad: University of Cincinnati
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Professional Interests: Endocrinology
Personal Interests: Reading, traveling, going on walks and hikes
Why I Chose Rainbow: You get to see a wide variety of pathologies, from the very common to more rare. You have autonomy as an intern. While the class size is bigger, you still get to know everyone. The program puts a lot of focus on their residents and their well-being.

Amy Dadisman, MD

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: John Carroll University
Medical School: The Ohio State University
Professional Interests: Allergy & Immunology and Med-Ed
Personal Interests: Being a cat mom, Netflix/Hulu/HBO Max/etc., trying new restaurants, cooking, and I recently took up embroidery!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Cleveland is amazing, the people that work at Rainbow are caring and collaborative. We see bread & butter pathology alongside the rare diagnoses, truly endless opportunities for whatever you are interested in!

Gates Failing, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Abington, PA
Undergrad: Elizabethtown College
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care, hospital medicine, allergy/immunology, US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
Personal Interests: Listening to NPR podcasts (Marketplace, Fresh air), reading biographies (anything by David McCullough), swimming, bicycle commuting, skiing, Amtrak train trips, visiting National Parks, baking homemade bread
Why I Chose Rainbow: X+Y scheduling, geographic proximity of hospital/clinics, multidisciplinary resident clinic opportunities, supportive residents/faculty

Kaushik Ganesh, MD

Hometown: Clifton, NJ
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Professional Interests: Cardiology, Medical Education
Personal Interests: Tennis, hiking, music, cooking, fitness, and finding new restaurants to try!
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow has a wonderful culture of camaraderie and collaboration, and it shows in how invested they are in the community and the patients they serve. This program advocates for their residents and has a huge focus on resident wellness too! I noticed that the residents here truly seek out and love spending time with their co-residents, and knew each other well. Multiple tracks for professional interests, X+Y schedule, and strong mentorship between residents/fellows/faculty shows how invested the program is in helping their residents grow and succeed. Lastly, the city of Cleveland is close to my friends and family, who I love spending time with!

Barbara Ornelas Garza, MD

Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico
Undergrad: Tecnologico de Monterrey
Medical School: Tecnologico de Monterrey
Professional Interests: School health, health literacy, mental health, and childhood obesity/nutrition.
Personal Interests: International cinema, museums, painting with watercolors, and exploring new restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops.
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because I fell in love with the workplace culture and the values they uphold toward patient care. In addition, the program's strong emphasis on resident wellness while balancing a solid academic and clinical training foundation was just the perfect combination that exceeded my expectations of what a residency program could even offer.

Sara Greene, MD

Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Undergrad: Wright State University
Medical School: St. George's University SOM
Professional Interests: General pediatrics, health disparities, social determinants of health, advocacy
Personal Interests: Tennis, yoga, skiing, hiking, cooking, travel, spending time with family and friends
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of their dedication to excellence, welcoming environment, and commitment from attendings to teaching

Miranda Gregori, MD

Hometown: Bucks County, PA
Undergrad: Pennsylvania State University
Medical School: Thomas Jefferson-SKMC
Professional Interests: Answer still loading.
Personal Interests: I enjoy making new things: from bread baking to arts and crafts; I am always in the middle of a project!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I was really excited by the idea of an X +Y program. Rainbow was one of the first (and still one of the few) programs to make a major change for the benefit of its residents and their education. That speaks volumes about the supportive and friendly environment here.

Rebecca Healy, DO

Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Undergrad: Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Buies Creek, NC
Professional Interests: LGBTQIA+ Health Equity (Endocrine/Adolescent/Primary Care), Advocacy, Medical Education
Personal Interests: Reading (fantasy, literary fiction, romance, anything), Harry Potter, Disney, traveling, musicals, and my pets.
Why I Chose Rainbow: During my interview, Rainbow felt like the right fit for what I wanted for my career. Rainbow is a resident centered program that fosters autonomy from day one. I was also drawn to the formal mentorship program within the flights, X+Y scheduling, and the availability of resources for underserved populations at our resident clinic.

Brandon Hoff, MD, Peds Genetics

Hometown: Arlington, TX
Undergrad: University of Oklahoma
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Patient safety; health informatics; public health
Personal Interests: Cleveland MetroParks; playing with my dog; finding new TV shows to watch
Why I Chose Rainbow: Everyone at Rainbow is so friendly, encouraging, and supportive. Rainbow is a large children's hospital that serves most of Northeast Ohio, with an incredible diversity of clinical opportunities. Faculty and program leadership understand how challenging being a resident can be, and wholeheartedly support resident wellness and diversity. Also, the X+Y (6+2) rotation schedule gives all residents a dedicated outpatient experience without being bogged down with inpatient responsibilities. We have specialized tracks that allow residents to pursue excellence in their areas of interest early in their career. Finally, we have the Silver Junior rotation that promotes independence and autonomy early in residency.

Collin Huth, MD

Hometown: New Philadelphia, OH
Undergrad: Wheeling Jesuit University
Medical School: Marshall University
Professional Interests: Emergency Medicine, Hospital Medicine
Personal Interests: Rock Climbing, Disc Golf, Sampling the local breweries
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because it was close to home for me and the people I met during my interview just seemed genuine. I lived in Cleveland before medical school, so I knew that it was a city I would be happy living in for residency.

Suhib Jamal, MD

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Community work
Personal Interests: Education
Why I Chose Rainbow: I believe in serving the community that has invested in me, and working and training at rainbow provides the best opportunity to make a difference right here in my hometown

Emily Kain, MD

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Undergrad: Hope College
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Endocrinology, neonatology, medical education
Personal Interests: Outdoor activities, climbing, traveling, and reading
Why I Chose Rainbow: I felt so welcomed by all of the people I met during my interviews and social hours! I liked that Rainbow has a strong focus on resident wellness and mental health. I also really loved the idea of the flights within the residency program – it will be so great to have a smaller group of people for peer-to-peer mentoring and socializing with!

Harshita “Hershey” Kumar, MD

Hometown: Plano, TX
Undergrad: University of Texas at Dallas
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Bran
Professional Interests: Social determinants of health, foster care medicine, gender-affirming care
Personal Interests: I love gardening and have a lot of houseplants that I hauled all the way from Texas to Ohio! I enjoy concerts and live music, bar trivia, reading, board games, macrame, and baking
Why I Chose Rainbow: Many MANY reasons! X + Y scheduling, emphasis on resident wellness, good balance of inpatient and outpatient medicine, plenty of elective options and tracks to personalize your curriculum, good response to resident feedback, and most of all…some of the most incredibly supportive chiefs, co-residents, and faculty I've ever encountered!

Monica Larson, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Undergrad: Wheaton College, IL
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine (both IM and pediatrics), inpatient care for medically complex people across the lifespan, advocacy and research for community violence, global health equity
Personal Interests: Traveling to visit friends & family, swimming, hiking & camping, always trying to cook new recipes.
Why I Chose Rainbow: The faculty I knew were excellent educators and mentors, and excited to encourage my multifaceted interests. It's a hospital with a nice mix of general inpatient medicine and subspecialty services that will train me as a hopeful hospitalist.

Anisha Lobo, MD

Hometown: Dallas, TX
Undergrad: The University of Texas at Dallas
Medical School: Texas A&M College of Medicine
Professional Interests: I am currently undecided but really enjoy inpatient medicine! I am keeping a very open mind but am interested in GI or Cardiology.
Personal Interests: I enjoy baking, cooking, and exploring the outdoors – especially water activities! I also love to explore new restaurants!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow for the community! Despite having virtual interviews, the camaraderie and support was so evident amongst the residents. Now being part of the program, I can confirm that the culture is even better than I thought! My husband (IM) and I couples matched, and both programs have been extremely supportive!

Priya Mohan, MD

Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Endocrinology and Advocacy
Personal Interests: Trying new restaurants, tennis, reality TV/anything on Netflix
Why I Chose Rainbow: I chose Rainbow because of its focus on advocacy and its commitment to the community it serves. I was looking for a program where I would not only be able to become a great pediatrician, but one where I would also be well supported. Everyone at Rainbow from the attendings to the residents have been so welcoming. Also the X+Y schedule was a bonus!

Nisha Nanavaty, MD

Hometown: Centerville, Ohio
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: University of Toledo
Professional Interests: Medical education & inpatient medicine! Undecided on subspecialty vs general hospitalist medicine right now.
Personal Interests: I love to paint, play tennis, and try out new restaurants!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I got great vibes from both the open house and my interview day! I love the X+Y schedule and how much the residency values resident wellness. Everyone has been so helpful and welcoming to us new interns.

Karishma Palvadi, MD

Hometown: Houston, TX
Undergrad: Baylor University
Medical School: Texas Tech El Paso
Professional Interests: Undecided but maybe ICU or hospital medicine
Personal Interests: Cooking, baking, hiking, attempting to play tennis, spending time with my friends and family, game nights!
Why I Chose Rainbow: My interview day sold me. Everyone was so nice and the residents seemed genuinely happy! The X+Y system was a huge factor as well. I wanted a program where I could get a great education but also one that takes resident wellness seriously and Rainbow seemed like a great fit!

Diana Ponitz, MD

Hometown: Shaker Heights, OH
Undergrad: The Ohio State University
Medical School: Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Professional Interests: Adolescent medicine, advocacy
Personal Interests: Gardening, DIY projects, woodworking, playing with everyone’s dogs and cats
Why I Chose Rainbow: I love the X+Y schedule; it allows you to fully engage with inpatient rotations and also have periods of time away from the hospital with free weekends! There’s commitment to clinical care, teaching, and resident wellness. The residents seemed happy and supportive of each other. I’m also thrilled to be back in NE Ohio and living near my family

Emily Qin, MD

Hometown: Richmond, IN
Undergrad: Indiana University (Bloomington, IN)
Medical School: Northwestern University (Chicago, IL)
Professional Interests: Primary care with a focus on adolescent medicine, reproductive medicine, and health education curricula in public schools K-12.
Personal Interests: I’ve always been a big fan of musicals but the $15 student tickets at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago got me hooked on plays and now I've committed to Cleveland Play House membership. Also spend a lot of time playing modern board games and tending to my domesticated lagomorphs 🐇
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow is phenomenal! 🌈It's a tertiary referral center with great subspecialty care that serves urban and rural communities and has the only level 1 pediatric trauma center in the region. The comprehensive primary care at the Midtown resident clinic is also impressive, but what made Rainbow rise to the top of my list was how well the program supports its residents through the ups and downs of life. The structure of the program and the wonderful people in charge here do a really good job of promoting balance in all things.

Kendyl Schreiber, MD

Hometown: Reno, Nevada
Undergrad: Baylor University
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Undecided, Advocacy, MedEd
Personal Interests: Yoga, Hiking with my pup Pepper, Reality TV, trying new restaurants
Why I Chose Rainbow: Amazing program that gave me the opportunity to explore every field of pediatrics. Not to mention the kind and welcoming Rainbow family!

Miriam Stats, MD

Hometown: Burlington, Vermont
Undergrad: Northeastern University
Medical School: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Professional Interests: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Child Abuse Pediatrics, Global Health
Personal Interests: Outside the hospital you'll find me hiking with my dog, exploring restaurants with my fiancé, or at a yoga class!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I felt that everyone I met was kind, supportive, and down to earth. I loved the programs commitment to advocacy. I also think Cleveland is a hidden gem of a city with endless opportunities.

Gwendolyn Thomas, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: Miami University in Ohio
Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Combined Pediatrics and Internal Medicine primary care, Hospital medicine, Advocacy, Medical Education and leadership
Personal Interests: Attending musical concerns like the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center or at Severance Hall, playing flute, swimming or boating on Lake Erie, hiking through beautiful Cleveland Metroparks.
Why I Chose Rainbow: To be trained in and serve the city I was raised, to be close to family and because Rainbow Babies and Children is the regions foremost pediatric children's hospital with innovative research and many educational leadership opportunities for residents. It also offers a wonderful combined internal medicine-pediatrics residency program.

Carolyn Vekstein, MD

Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergrad: Brown University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Undecided, but potentially hospitalist medicine, medical education, advocacy, patient and peer wellness & mental health
Personal Interests: Cooking/baking, exercise (running, yoga, spinning), reading, spending time with my husband, our dog, and family/friends!
Why I Chose Rainbow: I fell in love with Rainbow when I rotated as a medical student. The residents are warm, down to earth, eager to learn, and excited to teach. They treat each other like family. This family atmosphere extends to the fellows, attendings, and program directors. The PD and APDs care deeply about the residents and their wellness, are receptive to feedback, and place emphasis on getting to know each resident individually. I also was drawn to the medical education opportunities through the Med Ed track. Finally having grown up in Cleveland, I am thrilled to be back serving the community that means so much to me!

Sathya Areti, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Richmond, VA
Undergrad: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
Professional Interests: Child Abuse and Neglect, Legislative Advocacy, Genetics, Medical Education
Personal Interests: Hiking, Tennis, Traveling, Cooking, Baking (anything with chocolate)
Why I Chose Rainbow: I loved the people I met during my interview and found amazing opportunities for research and advocacy for Cleveland’s extremely diverse population. I also really appreciated the emphasis on resident wellness with the X+Y schedule.

Sarah Redmond, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Bainbridge Island, WA
Undergrad: University of Washington
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Infectious diseases, public health/epidemiology, or maybe rural primary care
Personal Interests: Running, hiking, plant/animal/mushroom identification, knitting, local history
Why I Chose Rainbow: I went to Case for med school and rotated through UH/Rainbow. I decided to stay for multiple reasons including the patient population, the breadth of training both clinically and from a research standpoint, as well as the collaborative attitude among staff at Rainbow. From a med-peds point of view I also appreciated the adult population and the opportunity to rotate through a large VA hospital.

David Ritzenthaler, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Sandusky, OH
Undergrad: Xavier University – Cincinnati
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Primary care with vulnerable populations, medical education, addiction medicine, increasing access to care, doctor-patient communication
Personal Interests: Spending time with my wife and our dog (a greyhound named Bleu!), cooking, improv comedy, podcasts, finding new restaurants
Why I Chose Rainbow: Rainbow has a strong commitment to the community, which is exemplified by the Rainbow Center for Women & Children, a clinic and grocery store located right where our patients live. RBC has great faculty who really care about resident learning, career goals, and well-being.

Shwetha Sudhaker, MD, Med/Peds

Hometown: Berwyn, PA
Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Hospitalist medicine, adult congenital heart disease, & advocacy
Personal Interests: Cooking, reading, finding new restaurants, spending time with my family and friends and their pets, musicals
Why I Chose Rainbow: I thought there was great mentorship from all the attendings I worked with, and all the residents I met seemed happy.

Rachel VanCoillie, MD, Peds/Genetics

Hometown: Shelby Township, MI
Undergrad: Michigan State University
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Global health and all things genetics!
Personal Interests: Hiking, camping, yoga, dancing – being active is my jam. I also love trying new restaurants, checking out live music, and going to sporting events (can’t wait for the Lions to play the Browns!)
Why I Chose Rainbow: Despite interviews being virtual, I couldn’t stop thinking about the positive vibes I felt after my conversations with both the pediatrics and genetics residents/faculty, which was important to me as a combined resident. I felt that Rainbow offered kind people that I would click with, a real emphasis on wellness and advocacy, and a fun city to live in.