Anna Akita, MD (2013)

Anna was born and raised inPortland, Oregon. She has an undergraduate degree in biology fromLinfield College in McMinnville, OR. Her husband Daniel, also fromOregon, is a middle school teacher. In her free time, Anna enjoyshiking, camping, snowboarding and photography. She also swimscompetitively.

Ryan Aycock, MD (2013)

I’m originally from Louisiana and Florida and never thought that I wouldend up in a place where it snows several months out of the year. I’mthe first physician in my family. Professionally, I am interested incardiac emergencies, international health, and biostatistics. Outside ofwork I enjoy cooking, eating, and reading fiction.

Jennifer Dima, MD (2013)

Hometown: Staten Island
Undergrad: St John's University
Medical School: St Matthew's University
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family/friends/pets, baking/cooking/eating
Favorite thing about EM: Expecting this unexpected

Braden Fichter, MD (2013)

BS University of Florida
MD University of Miami Miller School of medicine

Favorite things I like to do:
Anything outdoors, specifically hiking, surfing, hiking to surf spots,
scubadiving, entire days playing beach volleyball, and long rides on myroad-bike. I love music of all kinds too. Getting lost in big citieswith my camera is a favorite creative outlet because I get to take anidea,make it a reality, and hopefully sell it!

Ann Giovanni, MD (2013)

BA English Literature: St Michael's College, Vermont
MA Journalism: Emerson College, Boston
MPH: Tufts School of Medicine , Boston
MD: Ross University School of Medicine

PlayedWomen's Rugby for St Michael's and went on to play for University ofMelbourne, Australia . Past 4 years have become a road cyclist, part of"Team Storm Riders",

Why EM? I love the rapidity of the ER and I find the high pace and high pressure of the ER innervating.

Mansour Jammal, MD (2013)

Hometown: Bellflower, CA
Undergrad: UCLA
Post-Bacc: University of Pennsylvania
Medical: UCLA/Drew
Interests: Playing piano, sports (esp. basketball), international travel and cuisine, live music

Daniel Peterson, MD (2013)

Dan graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine 2008. Hecompleted a preliminary year in general surgery at Beth Israel MedicalCenter in New York. As a first year radiology resident at Tufts inBoston Dan began working in the ED and liked it so much he transferedinto EM. Dan has many interests including bike rides and music.

Oscar Lane Rankin, MD (2013)

Lane graduated from the University of Tennessee with his MD andoriginally entered a radiology residency. He loved EM so much during hisinternship that he decided to switch career paths. In his spare time heenjoys whitewater kayaking, fishing and golf.

David Barney, MD (2014)

Hometown: Rockville,Maryland

Undergrad: Universityof Michigan

Medical School: VirginiaCommonwealth UniversitySchool of Medicine

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy traveling. I have traveled to Western andEastern Europe, Central America, Middle East, New Zealand, almost everystate in the U.S. and lived in Australia for six months. Activities Ihave done while traveling include bungee jumping and sky diving in NewZealand and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef and the Mesoamericanreef off the coast of Honduras. I also like playing soccer, racquetballand tennis. I am excited to explore and experience NYC.

Ethan Cohen, MD (2014)

I was born and raised in Dallas, TX. After graduating from high school, I went to Cornell U. in upstate NY. After college, Idecided to exploreother interests, so I worked in public policy and education areas. After doing this, I realized my calling was to be adoctor, so Iapplied to medical school. My utmost passions are my family and friends. I love traveling and exploring new areas, and meeting new people.

Jessica Preedy, MD (2014)

I grew up in Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania which is a part of "The Poconos". I attened the University of Scranton, where I recieved my bachelordegree in biology. After college, I joined the Air Force as part of their health professions scholarship program "HPSP". I attended New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY.

For fun I like to do pretty much any outdoor activity. I also enjoy spending time with friends, family and my dog.

Erika Jones, MD (2014)

I am a native Staten Islander and really excited to be working at SIUH. Igrew up coming to this hospital, so it means a lot to be able to carefor people in the community. I graduated from Albany Medical College,where I realized that I love everything about Emergency Medicine. In myspare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends andtraveling to the Caribbean.

Seyun Kim, MD (2014)

Hometown: Berkeley, CA

Undergrad: UC Davis

Med School: UC Davis

Hobbies/Interests: Old School music, fishing, Korean movies, boxing, visiting Japan to see family

Brock Royall, MD (2014)

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
Undergrad: Chemistry BS at University of Utah
Medical School: University of Utah School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy rock climbing, water and snow skiing and spending time with family and friends.

Amy Sanderson, MD (2014)

I was born and bred in Southern California, but have always loved to experiment with new places. Before med school I spent a few months in Grand Cayman, Curacao, Maui, London and El Paso. Then I decided to check out the other coast and went to Miami for medical school. For fun, I love all types of music and movies, scuba diving in warm, tropical places, and hanging out with friends.

Lukasz Cygan, MD (2015)

College: St. Joseph’s College-Brooklyn

Medical School: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT

I was born in Poland, and raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. I attended Xaverian High School right over
the Verrazano Bridge in Bay Ridge. Outside of medicine, my passions are spending time with friends/
family and sports. My hobbies include movies, exercise, being bad at golf and coaching basketball.

Otar Datiashvili, MD (2015)

Born in Russia, grew up in Staten Island. Enjoy basketball, chess, literature, films. I am also a competitive powerlifter

Daria Falkowitz, DO (2015)

I'm grew up in Yonkers, NY which is only about 15 minutes North of New York City. I attended Concordia College in Bronxville, NY for my undergraduate studies where I received my bachelor in Biology and English with a minor in Chemistry. I attended the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. For fun, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family and friends. I also love spending time outdoors with my dog. Although my free time is limited, I enjoy traveling and scuba diving when I can.

Anchal Ghai, MD (2015)

I was born in New Jersey and shortly at the age of 3 months moved to Los Angeles, California where I grew up for most of my life. I then moved to Washington, DC for medical school at Georgetown University. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I have a love for beaches, reading and watching movies when I get the time.

Joshua Greenstein, MD (2015)

I grew up on Long Island, and attended medical school at Stony Brook University. I am looking forward to making a small move to NYC! Outside of medicine, I enjoy following the local sports teams (go Yanks!), playing baseball, basketball, ping pong and swimming. I also enjoy cooking, hanging out with friends, and most importantly, spending quality time with my wife and two children.

Alex Latev, MD (2015)

I was born in Sofia, Bulgaria and was in second grade when the Soviet Regime fell. I came to the U.S. at the age of 12, went to high school in Bellevue, WA and subsequently received bachelors degrees in chemistry and biochemistry from the University of Washington in Seattle. After working for two years I went to Albany Medical College. More importantly, I like hiking, skiing, soccer, cooking and fishing and would always be up for an adventure.

Amy Mathew, MD (2015)

I grew up in Fort Myers, Florida but have been in upstate New York for 8 years before coming to SIUH for residency. I received my undergraduate degree from Siena College and then graduated from Albany Medical College. I enjoy singing, dancing, hiking, working abroad and usually take any chance I have to travel. I love meeting new people, seeing new places and learning about new cultures.

Afoma Ndubuisi, MD (2015)

I was born in Nigeria and came to the US when I was 10 years old. Myfamily lived in NY for 9 years and then moved to Tucson, AZ. I went toBinghamton University in upstate NY where I got my bachelors inbiochemistry. I took a year off to spend time with my family in Tucson,while working in healthcare and research. I went to New York MedicalCollege and through my clinical experience I realized that there isnothing like Emergency Medicine and I am so excited to be coming toSIUH! My hobbies include spending time with friends and family,exploring new interests and discovering “hidden treasures” in myneighborhood, movies, shopping, reading, cooking and definitely eating.

Josie Acuna, MD (2016)

My hometown is Tucson, AZ. I went to the University of SouthernCalifornia for undergrad where I received dual degrees in HealthPromotion & Disease Prevention Studies and Political Science.Afterward I moved back to Tucson to attend the University of ArizonaCollege of Medicine. My interests include public health, ultrasound andworking with underserved populations. Outside of medicine I love workingout, watching my never-ending Netflix queue, cooking (but mostlyeating) and being a die-hard USC sports fan.

Shant Broukian, MD (2016)

I was born and raised in Watertown, MA. I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology at Boston University and Masters in Medical Sciences at the Boston University School of Medicine prior to attending Drexel University College of Medicine for medical school.

My hobbies/interests include playing piano for 24 years now, being active in the Armenian community as a deacon in the Armenian Orthodox Church, working out, listening to music, traveling, and exploring the city.

Jerel Chacko, MD (2016)

College: The College of New Jersey

Medical School: New Jersey Medical School

I was born in Queens and moved out to Long Island in 7th grade. I enjoy watching television and movies, especially Japanese shows. I play table tennis but am trying to get into full-size tennis. I love staying up-to-date with breaking technology. And the details I missed: Pepsi > Coke, Batman > Superman, and most importantly, Apple > Google.

Ross Hardy, MD (2016)

Hometown: Welsh, LA (population 3,380)
Undergraduate: McNeese State University; Lake Charles, LA
Medical School: LSU-Shreveport
Hobbies/Interests: I have a major obsession with fast cars and motorcycles. I grew upracing motocross and sport bikes. Consequently, spent some time in theemergency room for little minor injuries here and there. That wasprobably how I realized how cool emergency medicine is. I am from asmall town in southern Louisiana. I enjoy all things outdoors,particularly fishing and scuba diving. I am very excited to live in NewYork, and look forward to learning emergency medicine in such anexciting part of the country.

Elizabeth Kern, MD (2016)

Undergrad: Southern Adventist University
Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Iwas born in Hartford, CT, and have lived in 9 different states. Ienjoy running, hiking, backpacking, bouldering, traveling, doing medicalmission trips, eating lots of delicious vegetarian food, and spendingtime with family and friends.

Carlos Penaherrera, MD (2016)

Born in Ecuador but raised in northern New Jersey. I received myundergraduate degree from Rutgers University and graduated from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. I enjoy snowboarding, weighttraining, basketball (LETS GO KNICKS!) and traveling when I can.

Kevin Tavangarian, MD (2016)

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Undergrad: University of Texas

Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Hobbies/Interests: I was born in Houston and have lived in 4 majorcities of Texas. I enjoy traveling and have been to Western Europe,Central America, the Middle East, and much of the United States. Activities I have done include sky diving in Dallas, scuba diving inRoaton, Honduras, and studying in a Spanish school for 1.5 months inCosta Rica. I also like playing soccer, basketball, surfing, and stayingup to date with certain TV shows and films. I am looking forward togetting to know all of New York City.

Kelly Tighe, MD (2016)

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I received my undergraduate andgraduate degrees from Brooklyn College, attended New York MedicalCollege for medical school. For fun I like to exercise and enjoy outdooractivities such as running, rollerblading, swimming, and camping. Myhobbies/interests include vegetarian cooking, animal protection,traveling, reading, painting, and listening to music.

Mitchell Bellis, MD (2017)

University of Texas

Eric Golike, MD (2017)

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Seattle, Washington before moving to North Carolina for High School. I studied Chemical Engineering at Colorado State University for undergraduate then completed a MPH and MD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Beyond EM and public health I enjoy many outside adventures particularly cycling, climbing, and skiing.

Shorok Hassan, DO (2017)

Undergraduate: Macaulay Honors College, NYC
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, NYC
Hometown: Staten Island, NY

I was born in Saudi Arabia to Egyptian parents and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, before moving to Staten Island when I was 5 years old. I have two older brothers and two younger sisters, and I love spending time with my big family. In my free time, I like drawing, dancing, cooking (and eating), and playing the keyboard. I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, which include running, rollerblading, and playing most sports. I also love to travel whenever I get the chance; immersing myself in different cultures, and trying all the wonderful foods they have to offer!

My secret lifelong goal is to find the absolute best steak in the world, starting with NYC!

Dersim Kaya, MD (2017)

Hometown: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Medical School: SUNY Downstate
Undergraduate: Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education

Hobbies: I enjoy rock climbing, soccer, playing the guitar, and traveling. Let's go Knicks!

Elias Youssef, MD (2017)

Hometown: Staten Island, NY for 22 Years
Medical School: New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York

Undergraduate: St. John's University, B.S in Biology and Chemistry
Hobbies: Basketball and Soccer

I grew up in Staten Island and I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to give back to my community.

Margaret Zielinski, MD (2017)

Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Undergrad: University of Notre Dame
Medical School: New York Medical College

I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, and spent a few years living in Singapore and Thailand before moving to Indiana for college and New York for medical school. I love running, watching college football (Go Irish!), traveling, and exploring NYC.

Batya Zuckerman, MD (2017)

I was born and raised on Long Island. I received my undergraduate degree at Yeshiva University, majoring in biology and Judaic studies and my medical education at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. My medical interests include EM and ethics. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, botanical gardens, board games, making speedy recipes, studying medieval texts, and most of all spending quality time with my family and friends.

Staten Island University Hospital Emergency Medicine

Staten Island University Hospital Emergency Medicine

Our Alumni

Staten Island University Hospital Emergency Medicine

SIUH Alumni