PGY-3 Residents
Saloni Bhatt
Undergrad: West Virginia University + Biology
Medical School: Marshall University
I was born in the UK and spent a few years in India before moving to the US when I was 11. I grew up in West Virginia (Let’s Go Mountaineers!) and highly recommend visiting this beautiful state at least once 🙂 I am interested in primary care and global health. In my spare time, traveling, reading and brunching are some of my favorite things to do.
Hobbies: Sleeping, TV shows, Hiking, Traveling
Zarine Broca
Undergrad: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
Medical School: Kasturba Medical College Manipal
Born and Brought up in India, moved here to Georgetown, Washington DC for residency. Enjoy hikes around the DMV area, like to unwind after a long day at work with a good book ( usually classics like Austen, or thrillers like Lee Child), music and solving a challenging jigsaw puzzle is also a favorite pastime. Going into pediatric EM after residency
Hobbies: Hiking, music, cooking, jigsaw puzzles, books.
Hanieh Jafarieh
Underground: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Medical School: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
I was born in Iran and completed my med school and Pediatric residency back in my home town. I moved to US in 2016 and choose to go for pediatrics again. I love working with kids and if I was not a pediatrician, I would run a kid’s bookstore/library or toy store:). I love nature. Spring is always my top season but I fell in love with fall’s colors, after seeing DC area in Autumn.
Hobbies: hiking, baking, wood carving, gardening
Kristina Kern
Undergrad: Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Germany
Medical School: Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Germany
Born and raised in Germany I am probably as german as it gets :). However, always valued international experiences throughout my education and started at the age of 15 by spending a year abroad with a host family in Indiana, as my first real American experience. Throughout my medical education in Germany, I have always valued international experiences and have spend part of my training in multiple different countries, including India, South Africa and Hungary. I love to travel to different countries and get to know different cultures. My favourite country I have lived in is South Africa and I hope to go back some day. I hope to match in PEM fellowship after residency and would love to work further in projects on global health and health disparities. Leaving Washington DC though after residency will be hard, I love the city, the people and all it has to offer!
Hobbies: Traveling, love the outdoors including hiking, kayaking, anything by the water, trying crazy new restaurants or bars in DC
Mayela Leal Chanchi
Undergrad: Universidad del Zulia Facultad de Medicina
Medical School: Universidad del Zulia Facultad de Medicina
Mayela was born and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela. She attended medical school and graduated Cum Laude from University of Zulia. Her interests are sports medicine, child advocacy and community pediatrics. During residency she completed her scholarly project about traumatic stress in latinx immigrant adolescents in a public high school in DC Metro area. During her spare time, she loves hanging out with her family and friends and doing tricks with her dog Russell.
Hobbies: Running, traveling, wine tasting, hiking.
Adam Neinstein
Undergrad: University of Pennsylvania – Neurobiology
Medical School: Drexel University School of Medicine
I grew up a bit of a rolling stone, living in 3 different countries before returning to the States for college. I’m originally from Brooklyn, NY, but spent most of my time growing up in Hungary, Italy, and Croatia. My academic interests include education and global health.
Hobbies: I love endurance sports, spent 10 years as a rower, then transitioned to triathlon after hanging up the oars after college. These days, when not working, I take every opportunity to travel and and to climb beautiful mountains with my wife and dog. I’m also working on getting better at photography!
Stephanie Saaybi
Undergrad: American University of Beirut – Biology
Medical School: American University of Beirut School of Medicine
I was born in France and spent my early childhood years there before moving to Lebanon where I lived prior to moving to DC for residency. In my free time, I love spending time with friends and family, hiking/biking and wandering around the city. I love watching baking shows and have been baking more but I am still a complete novice!
Hobbies: hiking, biking, spending time with friends, martial arts, baking, watching comedy shows
Hannah Sterling
Undergrad: Wells College–biochemistry and molecular biology major
Medical School: Drexel University School of Medicine
Hannah is from in Frederick, MD and then spent the next four years in the small village of Aurora, NY at a small (500 students total) liberal arts school, experiencing the joys of upstate New York living. Next stop was Philadelphia for medical school, where her love for craft beer and gastropubs truly began. She is happy to be closer to her family now here in DC. You can spot her walking around the area ‘catching em all’ in Pokemon Go. She also enjoys discussing reality tv with anyone who will listen and caring for her two guinea pigs. She thinks all babies are cute, even if they made their debut way too early, so obviously will be pursuing NICU fellowship in the future.
Hobbies: gardening, trying new foods, playing pokemon go, watching tv
Sara Szeles
Undergrad: University of Washington, BA Psychology
Medical School: Semmelweis University Faculty of Medicine
Sara was born in Budapest, Hungary and grew up in Pittsburgh, which means she will forever wave the Terrible Towel. (Go Steelers!) She graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. When it came time for medical school, she moved back to Budapest, earning her degree from Semmelweis University. After a brief stint in Nashville doing clinical research at Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, she made her way to DC for residency. Sara enjoys exploring the newest DC restaurants, hiking (especially in the PNW), drawing wildlife and hosting dinner parties for her co-residents. She’s never met a recipe too tough to tackle and will often bring her baked treats to work to share the love and calories. Her 3 favorite places she’s visited: Japan, Samoa, Indonesia.
Hobbies: hiking, kayaking, painting, & running
Michele Zaragoza
Undergrad:
Medical School: Florida Atlantic University
Michele grew up in south Florida, where she attended medical school before moving to DC for residency. After living in a place with two seasons (hot and hotter) for many years, the fall and spring months have quickly become favorite times of year to spend as much time outside as possible. As the oldest sibling in a large family, Michele naturally gravitated towards pediatrics and is passionate about advocating for vulnerable children/families.
Hobbies: Being in nature, artsy things (painting/drawing/knitting), baking, yoga, singing