Our residents share a passion for learning, innovation and leadership
Meet the current residents of the Sinai Hospital General Surgery Residency Program. Scroll down to learn more about each resident, including their education history, recent research and future plans.
You can also see the graduates of the Surgery Residency Program and where they are today.
Call us at 410-601-6412 to learn more.
PGY1 Class
Nick Beattie, MD
Hometown: Winter Park, FL
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Future Plans: Trauma/Critical Care Fellowship
Recent Research: Cowan N, Beattie NG, Mkonyi E, Qua K, Wish-Baratz S. Evaluating a Learner-Driven Near-Peer Anatomy Teaching Model for First-Year Students at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. SGIM 2025 Annual Meeting. May 14-17, 2025. Hollywood, FL (Poster)
Beattie NG, Mahajan A, Bardaro SJ, Ho VP. Innovation in AI for the Surgical Patient: An Analysis of FDA approved AI/ML Medical Devices. SAGES 2025 Annual Meeting. March 12-15, 2025. Long Beach, CA. (Poster)
Mahajan A, Poduga P, Beattie NG, Tran AH, Benuska SE, Simpson M, Sweeney S, Ho VP. Accessibility and Readability of Online Patient Education Materials on Firearm Safety: A Cross Sectional Analysis of Hospital and National Injury Prevention Literature. 7th World Trauma Congress. Sep 11-14, 2024. Las Vegas, NV. (Oral Presentation)
What attracted you to Sinai: The positive working culture filled with kind people, a program especially equipped to train great surgeon-educators, the diverse patient population with hospital staff that reflects that diversity, and a hospital that serves communities experiencing systemic inequity.
Gaby McDonald, MD
Hometown: Glen Burnie, MD
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Future Plans: Undecided
Recent Research: Alexander T. Phu, Mark Banghart, Mozhdeh Bahrainian, T.Y. Alvin Liu, Risa M. Wolf, Roomasa Channa; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors, Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors, and Glucagon-Like Peptide 1Receptor Agonists Do Not Worsen Diabetic Macular Edema, Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2024.108808
Peter Vien, Alexander T. Phu, Artificial Intelligence Improves Readability of Digital Health Records,Intelligence-Based Medicine, Volume 8, 2023, 100121, ISSN 2666-5212, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmed.2023.100121.
Alexander T. Phu, Tyger Lin, Jacquelyn A. Manfredo, Elizabeth A. Brown, Risa M. Wolf, "Similar Perceptions on Continuous Glucose Monitor Use amongst Youth with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes", Pediatric Diabetes, vol.2023, Article ID 1979635, 6 pages, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1979635.
What attracted you to Sinai: The culture, atmosphere, and program emphasis on training to not only be great surgeons, but great individuals. The faculty and co-residents here are incredibly supportive and Baltimore is an amazing place to train/live!
Alex Phu, DO
Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Additional Degrees: MBA
Future Plans: Undecided, but interested in MIS/Bariatric Surgery
Recent Research: Alexander T. Phu, Mark Banghart, Mozhdeh Bahrainian, T.Y. Alvin Liu, Risa M. Wolf, Roomasa Channa; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors, Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors, and Glucagon-Like Peptide 1Receptor Agonists Do Not Worsen Diabetic Macular Edema, Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2024.108808
Peter Vien, Alexander T. Phu, Artificial Intelligence Improves Readability of Digital Health Records,Intelligence-Based Medicine, Volume 8, 2023, 100121, ISSN 2666-5212, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmed.2023.100121.
Alexander T. Phu, Tyger Lin, Jacquelyn A. Manfredo, Elizabeth A. Brown, Risa M. Wolf, "Similar Perceptions on Continuous Glucose Monitor Use amongst Youth with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes", Pediatric Diabetes, vol.2023, Article ID 1979635, 6 pages, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1979635.
What attracted you to Sinai: The culture, atmosphere, and program emphasis on training to not only be great surgeons, but great individuals. The faculty and co-residents here are incredibly supportive and Baltimore is an amazing place to train/live!
Emily Roberts, DO
Hometown: Delta, Colorado
Medical School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Additional Degrees: MS - Biomedical Science
Future Plans: Pediatric surgery, cardio-thoracic surgery, plastic surgery, or trauma surgery
Recent Research: Emily Roberts, Alexa Carboni, Michael Miller, Aleesa Rosas, Ryan Shelton, Jodi Peterson, Jonathan Apfelbaum, Amanda Toney, Anthony LaPorta, K Dean Gubler, eFAST to OR: Determining the Quality of Paramedic Conduction and Interpretation of eFAST Exams in Prehospital Settings, Military Medicine, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaf008
Laura K Wiley; Jonathan A Shortt; Emily R Roberts, et al. Building a Vertically-Integrated Genomic Learning Health System: the biobank at the Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine. The American Journal of Human Genetics. 2024;111(1):11-23. doi:10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.12.001
Agarwal A, Pritchard D, Gullett L, Amanti KG, Gustavsen GA, Roberts, ER (uncredited contributing author). Quantitative Framework for Measuring Personalized Medicine Integration into US Healthcare Delivery Organizations. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2021;11(3):196. Published 2021 Mar 12. doi:10.3390/jpm11030196
Schmanski A, Roberts E, Coors M, et al. Research participant understanding and engagement in an institutional, self-consent biobank model. Journal of Genetic Counseling. 2021;30(1):257-267. doi:10.1002/jgc4.1316
Aquilante CL, Kao DP, Trinkley KE… Roberts, ER et al. Clinical implementation of pharmacogenomics via a health system-wide research biobank: the University of Colorado experience. Pharmacogenomics. 2020;21(6):375-386. doi:10.2217/pgs-2020-0007
What attracted you to Sinai: What drew me to Sinai Hospital of Baltimore was the incredible sense of camaraderie among the residents—I immediately felt the strength of their support for one another and the genuine friendships that fuel the program’s collaborative culture. It’s clear that Sinai fosters not just skilled surgeons, but resilient teams. The surgical training is exceptional, with robust case volume and early operative experience that prepares residents to step confidently into any OR. The trauma experience, in particular, stood out to me—intense, hands-on, and high-acuity, it offers the kind of rigorous exposure that shapes decisive, capable surgeons. Sinai strikes that rare balance between high expectations and high support, and that’s exactly the kind of environment I want to train in.
PGY2 Class
Connor Borresen, DO
Hometown: Cullman, AL
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Future Plans: Pediatric Surgery
What attracted you to Sinai: One of my very close mentors, Dr. Ana Wilson trained here and I auditioned here as a 4th year and fell in love with the program. The culture Dr. Feinman and everyone has created is unlike any other. Surgical residency is hard, but made easier with great colleagues and leadership.
Yolancee Nguyen, MD
Hometown: West Jordan, UT
Medical School: Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU
Future Plans: Undecided but leaning towards trauma, HPB, or pediatric surgery. I picture myself in a role where I can run my own practice and teach residents and medical students!
Recent Research: Mapula, Steven, E. Patrick M Chen. Yolancee J Nguyen. (2023, May 19). Optimizing Healing Via Surgical Dressings for Split Thickness Skin Grafting in Donor Sites Poster presented at: JPS Poster Presentation for Quality and Improvement Measures; Fort Worth, TX.
What attracted you to Sinai: The residents, attendings, APPs, and the culture they've created! We're happy to work and learn from one another, and we do support each other - personally and professionally. Everyone makes surgery residency less daunting and I truly enjoy learning and growing with these people around me!
Pharlin Noel, MD
Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Additional Degrees: Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies
Future Plans: Acute Care Surgery/Surgical Critical Care
Recent Research: Kosciuszek, N., Noel, P., Takabe, K., Seitelman, E., Datta, R., Gunasekaran, G., Takahashi, H. (2022, Dec). Intraluminal Small Bowel Metastasis From Primary Lung Cancer. World Journal of Oncology , 13(6), 409-416.
What attracted you to Sinai: The supportive, team-oriented environment and early autonomy have really helped me grow. We meet with the program director and coordinator regularly, who always makes sure we have everything we need to succeed. The faculty are equally great. I also appreciate how clean and well-kept the hospital is. I truly enjoy going to work every day.
Dawn Liang, MD
Hometown: Elk Grove, CA
Medical School: University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine
Future Plans: Colorectal Surgery, integrative medicine, health policy/advocacy/global health/leadership development, maybe open a coffee shop in my spare time!
Recent Research: Rogers B, Jebbia M, Liang Q, Nguyen P, Lu Z, Cruz J, Barrios C. Prevalence and injury type from seatbelts as mechanism of action from modern vehicles collisions. Southwest Surgical Conference 2025 Annual Meeting. April 6-9, 2025. Santa Rosa, CA
Effects of Acupuncture on Pain and Anxiety in Trauma Patients. Liang QY, Riggle C, Lasso ET, Phelps S, Joe VC, Burton K, Chin TL. CMDA WPDC TRI ePoster Session. Hilton Head, SC. September 9, 2023
Antioxidant Supplementation in Post COVID-19 Neurological Syndrome. Liang QY, Ast H, McNally R, Hwang J, Malik S, Leong J. International Conference on Learning and Memory Poster Session. Huntington Beach, CA. April 27, 2023
What attracted you to Sinai: The operative experience, proximity to DC/strong network for post-residency career plans… but really, the people! Highly recommend the vibes!
PGY3 Class
Caitlin Burnette, D.O.
Hometown: Round Rock, TX
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Future Plans: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Recent Research: YC Hung, AJ James, SC Chaker, M Saad, EL Jung, CA Burnette, M Feinman, ED Slater. ChatGPT is a Rapidly Growing Platform for Medical Information Delivery to the Lay Public.
Favorite Thing About Sinai: My co-intern class, by far. I truly could not and would not want to do residency without them. They make every hard day better and we have so much fun together. Additionally, the operative experience thus far has been great and the faculty are all very supportive and eager to teach. Lastly, all the pets in the program
Austin Dixon, D.O.
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (Midwestern University)
Future Plans: Endocrine Surgery or Trauma/Surgical Critical Care fellowship
Recent Research: Dixon A, Zeller M, D'Adamo C, Chairs S, Feinman M. "The Often-Forgotten Non-Intraoperative EPA; How a Simple Intervention Led to an Increase in Completion." [Podium presentation]. 2025 Surgical Education Week, WA, USA.
Awarded 2025 GME QI Project of the Year
Dixon A, Kayarian F, Price T. Squamous cell carcinoma in the setting of hidradenitis suppurativa: a retrospective review of the literature. Wounds. 2023;35(12):E448-E462. doi:10.25270/wnds/23118
Favorite Thing About Sinai: The culture of the program was super evident from the interview day, and I've loved how kind and approachable the current residents are. Sinai impresses me with its diverse set of past fellowship matches along with numerous graduates that were ready to practice straight away. Lastly, I love living in Baltimore: great food, tons of nature, and awesome dance scene.
Brandon Green, MD
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
Future Plans: Trauma/Surgical Critical Care
Favorite Thing About Sinai: The residents enjoy working together and supporting each other, attendings are passionate about teaching, great exposure to Trauma, and the opportunity to bring cultural competence to a unique, underserved patient population.
Kevin Hansen, M.D.
Hometown: Portland, OR
Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
Future Plans: Undecided. Currently interested in Acute Care and Minimally Invasive Surgery.
Recent Research: Lybrand, D. B., Naiman, M., Laumann, J. M., Boardman, M., Petshow, S., Hansen, K., Scott, G., & Wehrli, M.. Destruction complex dynamics: Wnt/Beta-catenin signaling alters Axin-GSK3Beta interactions in vivo. Development. (2019, Jul); 146(13): .. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 31189665. Pub Status: Published.
Favorite Thing About Sinai: My co-residents, who support each other both inside and outside of the hospital. The dedicated faculty who encourage autonomy, resident involvement, and foster the ability grow both as a surgeon and as healthcare leaders.
Angela Hsu, M.D.
Hometown: Taipai, Taiwan
Medical School: Mackay Medical College
Additional Degrees: MPH - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Future Plans: Undecided but currently interested in Thoracic and ACS/Trauma
Recent Research:
Hsu AT, Zion M, Powell J, D'Adamo CR, Feinman M, Felton J, Wolf JH. Association of robotic surgery with early discharge, readmission, and complications in elective colectomy: an analysis of NSQIP data from 2012 to 2021. J Robot Surg. 2024 Oct 14;18(1):366. doi: 10.1007/s11701-024-02121-3. PMID: 39402423.
Hsu AT, Wolf JH, D'Adamo CR, Felton J, Paul S, Kumar P, MavanurAA. Adjuvant chemotherapy in stage 1 colon cancer: Patient characteristics and survival analysis from the national cancer database. Surg Oncol. 2024 Jun;54:102075. doi: 10.1016/j.suronc.2024.102075. Epub 2024 Apr 15. PMID: 38636304.
Born LJ, Chang KH, Shoureshi P, Lay F, Bengali S, Hsu AT, Abadchi SN, Harmon JW, Jay SM. HOTAIR-Loaded Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell Extracellular Vesicles Enhance Angiogenesis and Wound Healing. Advanced Healthcare Materials. (2022, Mar); 11(5): e2002070. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 33870645. Pub Status: Published.
Chang TN, Daniel BW, Hsu AT, Chen LW, Sung CW, Chuang DC, Chao YK. Reversal of thoracic sympathectomy through robot-assisted microsurgical sympathetic trunk reconstruction with sural nerve graft and additional end-to-side coaptation of the intercostal nerves: A case report. Microsurgery. (2021, Nov); 41(8): 772-776. Pub Status: Published.
Chidambaram V, Tun NL, Haque WZ, Majella MG, Sivakumar RK, Kumar A, Hsu AT, Ishak IA, Nur AA, Ayeh SK, Salia EL, Zil-E-Ali A, Saeed MA, Sarena APB, Seth B, Ahmadzada M, Haque EF, Neupane P, Wang KH, Pu TM, Ali SMH, Arshad MA, Wang L, Baksh S, Karakousi. Factors associated with disease severity and mortality among patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. (2020, Nov); 15(11): e0241541. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 33206661. Pub Status: Published.
Hsu AT, Wolf JH, D'Adamo CR, Felton J, Paul S, Kumar P, Mavanur AA. Adjuvant chemotherapy in stage 1 colon cancer: Patient characteristics and survival analysis from the national cancer database. Surg Oncol. 2024 Jun;54:102075. doi: 10.1016/j.suronc.2024.102075. Epub 2024 Apr 15. PMID: 38636304.
Favorite Thing About Sinai: I am so glad to be part of the Sinai family, it is full of love and support from colleagues and faculty. Baltimore is the Charm city too! VOLO YOLO!
Value-Added Year Class
Esther Jung, D.O.
Hometown: Houston, TX
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center/ Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Future Plans: Pursuing plastic and reconstructive surgery
Value-Added Year: Plastic Surgery Research, John Hopkins Hospital
Recent Research: Jung, E. Ethmoid Sinusitis as a Possible Differential Diagnosis in Orbital Complications: A Case Study. Poster presented at: AWS Southwest Regional Conference; December 7, 2019; San Antonio, TX.
Philip, S; Javed, M; Lachowsky, P; Karagoli, M; Hutton, S; Di Le, M; Jung, E; Kao, J; Fisher, C. Pericardial Cyst: A Case Report. Poster presented at: UNTHSC Research Appreciation Day; March 29, 2019; Fort Worth, TX.
Hricz, N., Schlidt, K., Ha, M., Er, S., Stark, K., Jung, E., Liang, F., & Rasko, Y. M. (2024). A review of Peyronie’s disease insurance coverage. Sexual medicine, 12(5), qfae071.
"Lympcatic and Anatomic Considerations in Breast Surgery" Presentation at Osteopathic Medical Education Conference, September 2024
Favorite Things About Sinai: What initially attracted me to Sinai was the flexibility offered during the Value-Added Year and the program’s record of producing excellent surgeons. It was apparent on interview day how invested the faculty are in their residents as well as the residents’ camaraderie with one another. It was important to me to not only receive excellent surgical training but also be in an environment where I would thrive.
Jo Rowe, D.O.
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Additional Degrees: MA in Bioethics Kansas City University
Future Plans: Burn and Trauma Surgery, Critical Care, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Value-Added Year: Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship, John Hopkins Hospital
Recent Research: Rowe JG, Potts M, McGhie R, Dinh A, Engel I, England K, Sinclair CT. Palliative Care Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Qualitative Study of Palliative Care Clinicians. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2021 Dec;62(6):1111-1116. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.06.013. Epub 2021 Jun 17. PMID: 34147579; PMCID: PMC8265891.
Gordon V, Rowe J, Grubb L, Lewis A, Johnson K, Segars L, Surek C, McCumber T, Willet GM, Olinger A. Mapping a Danger Zone of the Dorsal Nerve of the Clitoris: Implications in Female Cosmetic Genital Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2021 Nov 1;148(5):1005-1010. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000008412. PMID: 34705773.
Johnson KS, Rowe J, Hans K, Gordon V, Lewis AL, Marolt C, Willett GM, Orth C, Keim-Janssen S, Olinger A. Effects of Leg Length, Sex, Laterality, and the Intermediate Femoral Cutaneous Nerve on Infrapatellar Innervation. Orthop J Sports Med. 2022 Mar 24;10(3):23259671221085272. doi: 10.1177/23259671221085272. PMID: 35356312; PMCID: PMC8958693.
Favorite Things About Sinai: The supportive culture and people! It is a gem.
Mayen Gonzalez, D.O.
Hometown: Havana, Cuba
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Future Plans: Thoracic Surgery
Value-Added Year: Thoracic Surgery Research, John Hopkins Hospital
Recent Research: Qurashi F, Powell J, Amoateng RB, Gonzalez M, Wetherell J, Gannon J, Adams B, Demos J, Cromwell-Rims L. Geriatric Trauma Patients With Alcohol Withdrawal: Current Overview. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2022 Apr;23(4):701-702. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.01.073. Epub 2022 Feb 24. PMID: 35219604.
Gonzalez, M; Carter, A.G.; Cullifer, J.T.; Vasauskas, A.A.; Morrow, R.L.; Brown, J.; Morrow, K.A.. (2018, September 01). Altered Intracellular Osteopontin and Merlin Signaling May Drive Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in BMPR2 Deficient Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells [Poster presented]. Society of Hospital Medicine Wiregrass Chapter 3rd Annual Meeting and Poster Competition/Dothan, AL, USA.
M. Gonzalez, BA, A.G. Carter, BS, J.T. Cullifer, BS, A.A. Vasauskas, PhD, R.L. Morrow, PhD, J. Brown, PhD, K.A. Morrow, PhD. Altered Intracellular Osteopontin and Merlin Signaling May Drive Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in BMPR2 Deficient Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells. Poster session presented at: Society of Hospital Medicine Wiregrass Chapter 3rd Annual Meeting and Poster competition. 2019 Sep 28; Dothan, AL
What Attracted You To Sinai: The people are my favorite. Administration, staff, co-residents, attendings, our APPs – everyone is amazing. Everyone is so hard-working, passionate, and focused on the patient’s success. Having such great teammates helps us treat patients better and that’s my favorite part of Sinai.
Sagar Patel, D.O.
Hometown: Simsbury, CT
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Future Plans: Interested in Surgical Oncology
Value-Added Year: Surgical Oncology Research, John Hopkins Hospital
Recent Research: Tarek E. Hassab, MD; Sagar D. Patel, BS; Christopher R. D'Adamo, PhD; Shane Svoboda, MD; Arun Mavanur, MD; Joshua H. Wolf, MD. Predictors of Underlying Carcinoma in Patients with Suspected Acute Diverticulitis. Surgery. June 2021.
Sagar D. Patel, BS; Ya-Ching Hung, MD, MPH; Solange Cox, MD; Dona C. Hobart, MD, FACS. Hidden Port-A-Cath Placement: Making the Most Visible Scar Invisible. The American Society of Breast Surgeons 22nd Annual Meeting. April 2021. (Poster Presentation)
Sagar D. Patel, BS; Ya-Ching Hung, MD, MPH; Zain G. Hashmi, MBBS; Marcie Feinman, MD; Christopher R. D'Adamo, PhD; Shane Svoboda, MD; Joshua H. Wolf, MD. Surgical Management of Diverticulitis-associated Clostridioides Difficile Infection. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. March 2021.
Sagar D. Patel, Jin He, Richard Burkhart, Kelly Lafaro, Christopher Shubert, John Cameron, Eric Christenson, Elizabeth Jaffee, Lei Zheng, William R. Burns. Perioperative Safety and Treatment Efficacy of PD-1 and CD137 Combinatorial Immune Checkpoint Therapy in Patients with Resectable Pancreatic Cancer. Pancreas Club Annual Meeting. May 2025. Oral Presentation.
Sagar D. Patel, Chris D'Adamo, Joshua Wolf, Joseph Bennett, Arun Mavanur. Novel Non-Closure Technique Using Bipolar Tissue Sealers To Reduce Postoperative Pancreatic Fistulas. AHPBA 2025. Mini Oral Presentation.
Sagar D. Patel, Brady Campbell, Jin He, Richard Burkhart, Kelly Lafaro, Christopher Shubert, John Cameron, Steven Yang, William R. Burns. Defining the Role of Pulmonary Metastasectomy in Oligometastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Maryland Chapter, American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting. April 2025. Oral Presentation.
What Attracted You To Sinai: The combination of outstanding academic surgical exposure and a strong sense of community. We manage a wide variety of complex cases in-house without the presence of fellows, which offers residents hands-on experience and autonomy early on. The value-added year is another unique strength, providing additional opportunities for growth and specialization.
PGY4 Class
Eric Lucas, D.O.
Hometown: Kingsville, MD
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Additional Degrees: MSN - Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Future Plans: Acute Care Surgery/Surgical Critical Care
Recent Research: Lucas, E., Knoblauch, R., Combs-Bosse, M., Broedel, S. E., & Geddes, C. D. . (2020, March 05). Low-concentration trypsin detection from a metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) platform: Towards the development of ultra-sensitive and rapid detection of proteolytic enzymes. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2019.117739 Pub Status: Published. 30 Page 11 Lucas, Eric James (14061682)
Poster: Harmon, K., Guron, J., Lucas, E., & Ward, P. . (2020, January 25). Split Cord Malformation: Anatomical Presentation in a Cadaver [Poster presented]. Mountain State Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institute Mid-Winter Seminar/Charleston, WV, USA.
Favorite Things About Sinai: The residents have constructed a safe environment that feels more like a family and less like a job. We learn together, grow together, fail together, and succeed together and you quickly realize you are never alone in your surgical journey.
Jocelyn Powell, D.O.
Hometown: Corvallis, Oregon
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Oregon Campus
Future Plans: Rural General Surgery
Recent Research: (Presentation) Powell, J. (2021, Oct). Evaluating Frailty and Chronologic Age As Risk Factors For Readmission Following Discharge After Colectomy. Presentation at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, Virtual Meeting.
(Presentation) Powell, J. (2021, June). Utilization of a Standardized Digital Education Platform in the Preoperative Preparation of Bariatric Surgery Patients: A Novel and Necessary Approach. Presentation at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Annual Meeting, Virtual Meeting.
(Poster) Powell, J. (2021, May). Morbidity and Mortality Conference in the COVID Era: Improving Attendance Through a Virtual Education Platform. Presented at the Association for Surgical Education Annual Meeting, Virtual Meeting.
Favorite Things About Sinai: I love the people I work with! We are given early autonomy in the operating room and on the floors. Our program is very well thought out in the way it is structured to challenge us and help us grow as surgeons.
Joseph Wetherell, M.D.
Hometown: Manchester, CT
Medical School: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Future Plans: Colorectal Surgery Fellowship
Recent Research: Reeder, K., Wetherell, J., Jajoo, D. “Incorporation of Genetic Screening in Breast Imaging Patients” American Roentgen Ray Society National Meeting, San Diego, CA, 04/2021
Wetherell, J., Woolley, K., Kostka, J., Adilovic, E., Nepal, P. Idiopathic Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis in a Patient with Atypical Symptoms and Imaging Findings", Case Reports in Gastrointestinal Medicine, vol. 2021, 2021
Klymenko, V., Varughese, R., Woolley, K. A., Wetherell, J. M., Mopuru, H., Mensah, E., & Siddiqui, I. (2021). Debilitating Manifestation of a Disease with Multiple Names: A Severe Case of Sclerosing Mesenteritis. Case reports in gastrointestinal medicine, 2021, 6629424.
Comparative Outcomes of Organ-Preserving Surgery vs. Radical Resection for Clinical T2N0 Rectal Cancer: Lead investigator. Abstract accepted for podium presentation at ASCRS 2025. Manuscript in preparation.
Unexpected Survival in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Emergency Surgery: Lead investigator. Abstract accepted at ASC 2025. Manuscript in preparation.
Surgical Skills on the Podium: Assessing the Impact of Competitive Simulation: Lead investigator. Abstract accepted at ACS Surgical Simulation Summit 2025.
Wetherell J, Mitchell J, Sothilingam N, Micheal J, Guver A, Felton J, Wolf JH. Prophylactic ureteral catheterization performed by the colorectal surgeon: a retrospective analysis. J Gastrointest Surg. 2024;28(11):1917-1918.
Qurashi F, Powell J, Amoateng RB, Gonzalez M, Wetherell J, et al. Geriatric Trauma and Alcohol Withdrawal. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2022;23(4):701–702
What Attracted You To Sinai: The collaborative nature of our department stands out to me. Whether it's working side by side in the hospital or teaming up on research projects with institutions across the country, there's a real sense that we're all working together to make ourselves and the program better
PGY5 Class
James Luong, DO, MS, CWSP, FACCWS
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Future Plans: Burn/Critical Care Fellowship, UC Davis and Shriners Hospitals for Children
Recent Research: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Prevalence and Correlates of Sunscreen Use among a Rural Tri-State Appalachian Population; Luong J, Davis R, Chandra A, White A, Harber I, Engel A, Shields N, York T, Nahar V
Skin Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) among Chinese Populations: A Narrative Review; Stephens P, Martin M, Ghafari G, Luong J, Nahar V, Pham L, Savoy M, Sharma M Skin Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) among Chinese Populations: A Narrative Review; Stephens P, Martin M, Ghafari G, Luong J, Nahar V, Pham L, Savoy M, Sharma M
Attitudes, Behaviors, and Practices Regarding Skin Care and Sun-protective Behaviors Among Minority Groups in a Lower Socioeconomic Community in Student-run Clinics in Sacramento, CA; Nguyen A, Fergus T, Engel A, Ashfaq A, Luong J, Dellavalle R, Sivamani R, Maverakis E
Favorite Things About Sinai: The collegiality and the overall atmosphere of the program. The residents are incredibly welcoming, the operative volume is great, and the administration is always looking for feedback to try and make the program better. This program has been more supportive than I could ever have imagined and has been essential in preparing me for my dream career as a future burn and critical care surgeon.
Kevin Schlidt, M.D.
Hometown: Casper, Wyoming
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Future Plans: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship: University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Recent Research: Onyima, O, Schlidt, K., et al. American Insurance Coverage of Endovenous Ablation for Greater and Lesser Saphenous Varicose Veins. Annals of Vascular Surgery. Accepted June 2024.
Abd-Elsayed et al., Schlidt, K. A brief review of complex regional pain syndrome and current management. Annals of Medicine. 2024 Dec;56(1):2334398. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2334398. Epub 2024 Apr 3. PMID: 38569195; PMCID: PMC10993759.
Waldron, O et al, Schlidt, K. Ushering in the era of regenerative surgery. Minerva Surg. 2024 Apr;79(2):166-182. doi: 10.23736/S2724-5691.23.10113-4. Epub 2023 Dec 13. PMID: 3808875
Schlidt, K, et al. Surgical Bioengineering of the Microvasculature and Challenges in Clinical Translation. Tissue Engineering, Part B: Reviews. 2025 Apr 2. doi: 10.1089/ten.teb.2024.0242. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40171780.
Schlidt, K, et al. The Representation of Wellness Programs in Plastic Surgery Residency. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open (PRS Global Open). 2025; 13(1): pe634. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000006434.
Hricz , N, Schlidt, K, et al. Understanding the Insurance Landscape of Dupuytren’s Contracture Management. Advances in Surgical Sciences. Accepted September 4, 2024.
El-Mallah, J, et al, Schlidt, K. The Rise of Pediatric Reduction Mammoplasties Over the Past Decade Trends in Patients and Surgical Outcomes. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. Accepted October 3, 2024.
Hricz, N, Schlidt, K, et al. A Review of Peyronie’s Disease Insurance Coverage. Sexual Medicine. 2024; 12(5): qfae071.
Badiei B, Schlidt K, Ha M, Simon C, Onyima C, El-Mallah J, Nagendran V, Rasko YM. A Cross-Sectional Analysis of American Insurance Coverage of Upper and Lower Lid Blepharoplasty. J Craniofac Surg. 2024 Sep 11. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000010562. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39258929.
Onyima C, Hricz N, Zhu K, Zama R, Obizoba I, Ha M, Schlidt K, Ulloa K, Rasko YM. American Insurance Coverage of Endovenous Ablation for Greater and Lesser Saphenous Varicose Veins. Ann Vasc Surg. 2024 Jul 17:S0890-5096(24)00394-7. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2024.06.007. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39029894.
Abd-Elsayed A, Stark CW, Topoluk N, Isaamullah M, Uzodinma P, Viswanath O, Gyorfi MJ, Fattouh O, Schlidt KC, Dyara O. A brief review of complex regional pain syndrome and current management. Ann Med. 2024 Dec;56(1):2334398. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2334398. Epub 2024 Apr 3. PMID: 38569195; PMCID: PMC10993759.
Waldron OP, El-Mallah JC, Lochan D, Wen C, Landmesser ME, Asgardoon M, Dawes J, Horchler SN, Schlidt K, Agrawal S, Wang Y, Ravnic DJ. Ushering in the era of regenerative surgery. Minerva Surg. 2024 Apr;79(2):166-182. doi: 10.23736/S2724-5691.23.10113-4. Epub 2023 Dec 13. PMID: 38088753.
Favorite Things About Sinai: Our program is comprised of a group of close-knit residents who consistently support each other, along with a diverse patient population and committed faculty mentors invested in our success.
Matthew Zeller, D.O.
Hometown: Portland, OR
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Lebanon Campus
Future Plans: Colorectal Surgery
Recent Research: Michael J, Schwartz N, Zeller M, Felton J, and Wolf J. Robotic Intracorporeal Fully Stapled Kono-S Anastomosis: A Technical Demonstration. Podium Presentation, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting, 2024.
Zeller M, Sterling E, Shah M, Lee S, D’Adamo C, and Feinman M. A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Text Versus Video-Based Education For Surgical Case Preparation Among Medical Students. Podium Presentation at Association of Surgical Education Annual Meeting 2024. Submitted for publication in Global Surgical Education.
Zeller M, Qaqish T.R., Katlic M. (2023). Esophageal Injuries and Esophageal Emergencies in Geriatric Patients. In: Petrone, P., Brathwaite, C.E. (eds) Acute Care Surgery in Geriatric Patients. Springer, Cham.
Amoateng R, Zeller M, Katlic M. Pain control in older adults undergoing video-assisted thorascopic surgery. Accepted for publication, VATS. 2023.
Hassab T, Zeller M, Tidd-Johnson A, Wolf J. Combined SILS/robotic approach for simultaneous transverse loop colostomy reversal and colorectal anastomosis. SAGES, 2023 Annual Meeting. 2023 Apr, Podium Presentation.
Gonzalez M, Zeller M, Katlic M. Cameron JL, Cameron AM. Esophageal Perforation. In: Current surgical therapy. 15th ed. Cameron JL, Cameron AM, editors. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier - Health Sciences Division; Pending publication.
Zeller, M, Wetherell, J. Felton, Y, Wolf, J. Can Colorectal Catheterize? Evaluating the Colorectal Surgeon’s Role in Prophylactic Ureteral Catheterization for Colorectal Surgery. Poster Presentation at American Society for Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) Annual Meeting. May 2025, San Diego, CA. Oral presentation at Chesapeake Colorectal Society, Spring Scientific Meeting, April 2025.
Wetherell, J., Zeller, M., Wolf, J. Comparative Outcomes of Organ-Preserving Surgery vs. Radical Resection for Clinical T2N0 Rectal Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis. Submitted manuscript to DC&R awaiting review, and Oral Presentation presented at ASCRS May 11, 2025.
Zeller, M, Ma, R, Wetherell, J. Felton, J. Nasseri, Y, Wolf, J. Revised Textbook Outcome for Colectomy: A Novel Target For ERAS Programs. Presented as “Quick Shots” presentation at The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract Annual Meeting, Digestive Disease Week. May, 2025, San Diego, CA. Oral presentation at Chesapeake Colorectal Society, Spring Scientific Meeting, April 2025.
Boosahda, V., Ben-Dov, D., Gardyn, M., Baral, D., D-Adamo, C., Wetherell, J., Zeller, M. Felton, J., Wolf, J. Multidisciplinary multimodal analgesic therapy following hemorrhoid surgery: a pilot study. Poster presentation at DDW May, 2025.
Ma, R., Nasseri, Y., Zeller, M., Solis-Pamino, A.P., Wetherell, J., Barnajian, M., Feinman, M., Felton, J., Wolf, J. The importance of procedural indication in predicting operative time for elective robotic colon surgery. Poster presentation at DDW May, 2025.
Solis-Pamino, A.P., Wolf, J., Xu, V., Ma, R., Wetherell, J., Zeller, M., Barnajian, M., Feinman, M., Felton, J., Nasseri, Y. Predictors of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in clinical T2N0M0 Rectal Cancer and associations with sphincter preservation, a NSQIP database analysis. Poster presentation at DDW May, 2025.
Wetherell J., D'Adamo, C., Zeller, M., Feinman, M.,. Mavanur, A., Bennett, J., Wolf, J. Unexpected Survival in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Emergency Surgery: An ACS-NSQIP Analysis. Abstract presented at 20th annual Academic Surgical Congress, February 11, 2025.
Wetherell J., Tan, M., Zeller, M., Wolf, J., D'Adamo, C., Feinman, M. Surgical Skills on the Podium: Assessing the Impact of Competitive Simulation. Abstract presented poster at ACS Surgical Simulation Summit meeting. March 20, 2025.
Zeller, M., Kiboigo, N., Tidd-Johnson, A., Hassab, T. and Wolf, J. Combined single-incision laparoscopic surgery/robotic approach for simultaneous transverse loop colostomy reversal and colorectal anastomosis – A video vignette. Colorectal Dis, 27: e70102. 2025.
Dixon, A., Zeller, M., D’Adamo, C., Powell, J., Chairs, S., Feinman, M. The Often-Forgotten Non-Intraoperative EPA: How a Simple Intervention Led to a Higher Percentage of Completion. Oral presentation at Association of Surgical Education, Surgical Education Week, May 2025.
Wetherell, J., D’Adamo, C., Zeller, M., Feinman, M.,Mavanur, Bennett, J., Wolf, J. Unexpected Survival in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Emergency Surgery: An ACS-NSQUIP Analysis. Poster presentation at the 20th Annual Academic Surgical Congress, ACS, 2025.
Zeller M, Sterling E, Shah M, Lee S, D’Adamo C, Feinman M. Novel surgical video-based education resource for surgical case preparation among medical students: results from a randomized controlled trial. Global Surgical Education-Journal of the Association for Surgical Education. 2024 Sep 19;3(1):98. Podium Presentation, Association of Surgical Education, April 2024.
Favorite Things About Sinai: "The people here at Sinai understand that life continues during surgical training. The culture at Sinai finds the equilibrium between promoting academic and surgical excellence needed to achieve trainees' professional goals and understanding that life balance is key to patient care, personal growth, and sustaining relationships."