University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson
Hello Lovely People!! My name is Melissa. I was born and raised in good ole’ NJ. Went to Rutgers University then jumped across the campus to attend UMDNJ-RWJMS. I made a point during my educational years to stop, smell the roses and refocus my vision. Along the way I also attended Massage Arts of Philadelphia where I learned the importance of body mechanics, therapeutic touch and how to be good to my body as we all should.

So in my attempts to keep a balanced life I make every effort eat right, get enough sleep, keep from slouching and make it to yoga class at least twice a week. Oh and I have not even mentioned that I love to dance! Any weekend free in my schedule is sure to have a night out on the town to enjoy some soulful house music that just goes right through me and makes me feel reborn.

Chicago Medical School
Well helloooo!  My name is Leila, and I was raised in a cornfield in Rockford, Illinois.  No, not technically *in* a cornfield, but I was surrounded by them for most of my youth.  After surviving an occasionally sitcom-like Iranian upbringing in a conservative, semi-rural Midwestern town, I went to the University of Illinois to study French and physiology.  I finished my master’s and medical programs at the Chicago Medical School, then decided to break free from the Midwest for residency.  The BIFP program was an obvious choice as it encourages my interests in complementary and alternative medicine ( CAM), LGBT health, and working for social change.  I am continuously inspired by the faculty and my fellow residents.

When not running around the hospital (I just do it for the exercise), I enjoy participating in Critical Mass, rollerblading, and making music with and without my former Chicago band 'Hey Champ'. Drop me a line with any questions:  lhagshen@chpnet.org.

Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Hello! My name is Adesuwa (A-day-su-wa) or Ade for short. Born in Brooklyn, NY, I had the opportunity of growing up partly in Brooklyn and Nigeria. Upon returning from Nigeria, I attended Yale University and medical school at Mt Sinai School of Medicine. After completing one year of OB/GYN, I realized I wished to have a more primary care focus in my career in medicine. My interests are International health/medicine, Women’s health, Adolescent health and health policy. I feel Family Medicine gives me the unique opportunity to satisfy my interests and BI is definitely one of the most supportive and engaging places to do it.

New York Medical College
Hi! My name is Elaine, born and raised in New York City. I grew up in a medically underseved portion of Queens, New York and moved over the Queenborough Bridge to Manhattan to received a B.S. in Biology at NYU. After 21 years of living in the city I moved to Westchester, NY to received a M.S. in Physiology and a M.D. at New York Medical College. My interest in Family Medicine spawned from its diversity and dedication to serving the underserved community. I also have a strong interest in CAM, cross-cultural medicine, and reseach. Outside of the hospital I enjoy the numerous activities that NY has to offer - dining, dancing, Broadway shows, roller-blading, snowboarding, and much more. Please feel free to email at any time ek203@yahoo.com.

Kirksville College of Osteropathic Medicine
Hi! My name is Natasha Kelly and I grew up in Norwell, MA. I received my BA in Biochemistry from Middlebury College in Vermont. I then decided to explore the Midwest for Medical School, attending Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine; the founding school of Osteopathy. All that time in rural American, made me long for the sirens and the horns of New York City. I picked Beth Israel for its strong commitment to CAM, Women’s Health, and support of Osteopathic Medicine. Above all, I look forward to the opportunity to train in New York City, with its diversity, talented physicians and strong academic reputation.

Since I have been in the city I have developed a love for biking; having explored all the trails on the east and west sides, as well as central park. Besides biking, I love to ski, draw, and hike

New York Medical College
Hi! I grew up in Connecticut, the second of four kids and went to college at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.  Although I knew I wanted to become a physician at young age, I also wanted time between college and medical school.  While it ended up being longer than anticipated (seven years!), I had wonderful experiences ranging from working in laboratory research to being a case manager in a homeless shelter and participating in a volunteer program in Los Angeles.  When I finally entered medical school at New York Medical College, after attending graduate school there, I was immediately drawn to family medicine.  Their approach to patients, and medicine in general, is the ideal way to practice medicine in my eyes.  As a fourth year student I rotated at Beth Israel and found the program offered everything I was looking for, including strong experience in CAM therapy and caring for the homeless population, and the most amazing people!  Please feel free to contact me with any questions at alyssaluddy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

University of Connecticut
Born and raised in Connecticut, I ventured a bit farther North to Massachusetts to attend Mount Holyoke College. In hopes of being able to spend time traveling, reading and writing, I initially planned on continuing to study medical anthropology. However, a semester spent working at a Hospice in England changed my mind. After college I decided to return to Connecticut to complete a Post-Bac program and medical school at UCONN.

I am excited and impressed by the energy of the residents and faculty at Beth Israel and encouraged by their commitment to integrate family and community based medicine into New York City. Being raised by a New Yorker and having spent a lot of time here over the years, I’m glad to call the big city home! I am interested in learning more about international health, end of life/palliative care, primary care psychiatry, women’s reproductive health and Ob. I am looking forward to continuing to explore NYC- especially the museums and restaurants! Feel free to email me with any questions etmccormick@gmail.com.

SUNY Stony Brook
Hello. I was drawn to Beth Israel amongst all the family medicine training programs because of its personality and potential. The house staff and faculty are outspoken, passionate, and full of energy, and I have found that they support these same qualities in me. The hospital has its roots in providing for the urban underserved, and the patient population we care for in the inpatient setting and in our Institute for Urban Family Health-associated clinic are diverse and eager to be partners in caring for their own health. I was also excited by the relative youth and therefore potential for continued growth of the already well-established program. We are well-respected leaders within the hospital and at the various outreach sites where we provide and learn.
  After having spent four years visiting Long Island for medical school at SUNY Stony Brook, I was ready to move back to the City. I am originally from Brookline, MA, received a liberal arts education at Barnard College here in NYC, and for several years after lived in Bed-Stuy and worked for City Parks and Recreation, amongst other jobs. I did a post-baccalaureate program at Hunter College, where I met my first group of friends motivated to improve the health of the City, and have done research in Harm Reduction. I am a board member of Physicians for National Health Program and believe strongly in universal healthcare and the need for change in general. I was a member of Stony Brook’s Aid to Impaired Medical Students Committee, and continue to be involved with MSFC and AAFP. In my spare time I build furniture, repair plumbing, change the kitty litter, and clean the turtle tank. If anyone wants to watch a movie, let me know.

Albany Medical College
  Sarah grew up in Boston and attended college in western Massachusetts. She has done bench research in Boston, clinical diabetes research in Seattle, and medical school in Albany.
  Sarah is delighted to be living in New York City, where she enjoys a good sidecar, madeleines, and sleeping late. She is also delighted to pursue her interest in urban underserved medicine at the Beth Israel Urban Family Practice.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
   I am from New Jersey and went to medical school in Pittsburgh (which I
loved).  This is my first time living in NYC, which I find to be overwhelming at times.
   I chose this program because I'm interested in women's health, adolescent medicine, helping the underserved and I wanted to be on the east coast closer to my family.  In my free time I like to go dancing and I love to sing.
   Take care and good luck with your search.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
   My name is Mark and I am from Ohio. I moved to New York and really am enjoying life in the city.
   My interests include immunology, Men's health and family planning. Email me anytime. mmcdowel@chpnet.org.

New Jersey Medical School
   I grew up in Northern New Jersey. After High school I moved to NYC and worked for a few years before deciding to go to college. I went to Hunter College and majored in Religion with a minor in Anthropology. After college I went to NJMS in Newark, New Jersey.
   I chose BI for it's people and location. I plan to do an OB fellowship after residency and then work in an underdeveloped nation. Other interests include hiking, music and herbology
   If you have any questions feel free to write me at dnapoli@chpnet.org.

SUNY Downstate College of Medicine
   I grew up in the 'burbs of Boston, went to undergrad at University of Pennsylvania in Philly, and, to complete the east-cost-urban-triumvirate, I then moved to New York City. I worked here for many years in film production & as a writer and then one day decided to take a biology class. Then a chemistry class or two. Physics. The MCATs. You know how it goes. Suddenly I was in med school at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn and before I could spell "world" backwards, I found myself reporting for internship here at Beth Israel.
   I chose BI because of its integrative medicine component, because of the values & practices embodied in the Institute for Urban Family Health's mission, because it's in Union Square (and I can ride my bike or walk to work). And mostly because of the people I met on my interview day and the people BI Family Medicine attracts to its residency program. When I interviewed here, I immediately felt like I fit in - in a way I had never experienced throughout medical school. The people here are warm, kind, intelligent, insightful, laid back, and believe in and practice inspiring medicine.
   Please email if you have any questions...dreich@chpnet.org

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
   My main motivation in coming to medicine in midlife has been to do human rights work with refugees and torture survivors.  I was an out-of-hospital midwife working with underserved women for many years, so my orientation is very much to complementary medicine as well as to social justice.  It feels very good to be in a program that encourages both.  Also, my classmates and the faculty here at Beth Israel are wonderful-- this program is filled with interesting people who are phenomenally kind to each other as well as to their patients! 
   I suspended work on an MPH in international health from Johns Hopkins during internship year, and will finish that when I can.  Being a bit of an academic junkie, I have degrees from Harvard and the University of Chicago as well as from the American University of the Caribbean, where I went to med school.  I've lived and worked all over the US and also in St Maarten, Ireland, Belgium and South Africa.
   I grew up in San Francisco during the heyday of the human potential movement, and still carry a lot of the optimism and hope of that time.  I also lived in Alaska for many years before going to medical school-- log cabin, sled dogs, the whole bit-- and keep tent and sleeping bag tucked away in my Manhattan closet, just in case there's a chance to get out into the woods!

New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
   Born and raised in LI, off to college at University of Michigan, on walkabout for a few years (experiential learning), Naturopathic school for one year, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine for four, landed here at Beth Israel in July. Strong interests in alternative medicine, animal rights, OMT, working with underserved communities and universal health care. Learning ukelele right now.  Figured I'd stick with a small instrument given the time limitations of intern year and the space limitations of NYC living.
   Drawn to BI by the amazing people (so passionate!), the community, the commitment to making the world better, and the big succulent apple where all the magic happens.  
   My email, msacher@chpnet.org, is always accepting questions/comments/gifts of poetry or prose.

Baylor College of Medicine
  Christina was a welcome addition to the class of 2010 coming to us after a year of OB experience in Texas.
  As a medical student Christina was an active member of the American Medical Association, and Texas Geriatrics Foundation.
  In her free time Christina enjoys flag football, cooking various asian dishes, running and working out, and watching movies.

Medical School