Emergency Medicine Residency Program

About Us

Nestled in the heart of Akron, The Cleveland Clinic Akron General Emergency Medicine residency program established in 1973 stands as a beacon for aspiring clinicians seeking rigorous training and compassionate mentorship. Applicants are drawn not only to the program’s academic prestige but also to its reputation for fostering innovation and lifelong friendships.

Our mission statement: "To provide a supportive environment in which residents have the educational, motivational, financial and clinical instruction needed to become not only excellent clinical physicians, but also well and happy people capable of the independent practice of emergency medicine.”

From its inception, the program has blended tradition with innovation, adapting to the evolving landscape of emergency medicine while remaining steadfast in its commitment to resident support and patient-centered care. Over the decades, graduates have built on this legacy, contributing to advancements in emergency protocols, research initiatives, and community outreach. The curriculum continually integrates the latest evidence-based practices and simulation training, ensuring residents are at the forefront of contemporary medicine.

The residency program consists of rotations at Cleveland Clinic Akron General, a Level 1 Trauma Center and two of the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Freestanding Emergency Departments. In 2018, The Cleveland Clinic opened a 49.3-million-dollar, state-of-the-art building which more than tripled the size of the previous emergency department. The new ED consists of 60 beds and treats approximately 60,000 patients per year.

The diversity of clinical settings fosters adaptability and depth, exposing residents to a wide spectrum of emergencies ranging from routine community cases to complex trauma scenarios. Faculty members, renowned for their dedication to teaching and mentorship, provide personalized guidance, ensuring that residents develop both technical skills and critical thinking abilities essential for rapid decision-making in high-pressure environments.

Support extends beyond clinical instruction. Residents benefit from a strong culture of wellness and camaraderie, with regular workshops and social activities designed to cultivate resilience and balance. The program emphasizes holistic development, equipping graduates not only for clinical excellence but for leadership roles within the field of Emergency Medicine. Alumni have gone on to shape practice standards locally and nationally, a testament to the transformative impact of the Akron General training experience.

Welcome

A Letter from the Director of the Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Thank you for your interest in our Emergency Medicine Residency Program. In 2023, we will celebrate 50 years as the oldest community-based EM residency program in the country. We are a three-year residency program, affiliated with Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Our main teaching hospital, Akron General, is a member of the Cleveland Clinic.

We are accredited for 11 PGY1 EM residency positions per year. We provide excellent clinical and academic education. We are accredited as a Level I Trauma Center and a Stroke Center. Our clinical volume is excellent with more than 100,000 visits annually spread among our main ED and our three freestanding state-of-the-art community EDs.

We prepare you for real world practice by providing you a real world education. We provide a very strong community-based emergency medicine clinical education while also being an academic program with significant publications, presentations and chapters. We have faculty who are leaders in Emergency Medicine. Our graduates pursue EM Fellowships every year, including EMS, Toxicology, Sports Medicine, Academics and Ultrasound. We specifically work with each resident individually to help them pursue their career goals.

Our curriculum has been recently revamped and takes advantage of multiple different learning modalities in order to keep residents engaged and target all different learning styles. Our conference occurs on a weekly basis and utilizes small group learning, oral board review, traditional lectures as well as simulation. Tintinalli readings, primary literature studies, podcasts and board review question banks are used to enhance conference.

Our strongest asset is our teaching faculty. We have worked hard to develop a teaching staff representing EM residencies and medical schools from across the country. As the Program Director, I am a board member of ABEM and a member of the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD). Dr. Carol Cunningham, clinical faculty is the Ohio State EMS Director. Additionally, we have faculty recognized nationally for teaching, publishing and service to our specialty.

Once again, thank you for your interest in our program. For more information, contact Medical Education at 800.732.2852 or the EM Residency Office at 330.344.6326.

Our Graduate Medical Education catalog should answer many of your questions about training at Akron General and life in the Akron area. Angie South, our Residency Program Manager, and I are available to assist you as you apply to our program.

Sincerely,

Rebecca A. Merrill, MD
Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director
MerrilR2@ccf.org

Angie South
Program Manager
330.344.6326
SouthA2@ccf.org

Frank Fire
Program Manager
330.344.6743
FireF@ccf.org

Victoria Owens
Program Manager - UME
330.344.6326
OwensV@ccf.org

Clinical Rotations

PGY – 1

• Block 1: Orientation
• Block 2: OB-GYN/Ultrasound
• Block 3: EM
• Block 4: Medical ICU
• Block 5: EM
• Block 6: Pediatric EM
• Block 7: EM
• Block 8: EM
• Block 9: Cardiology/Anesthesia
• Block 10: EM
• Block 11: EM
• Block 12: EM
• Block 13: EM

PGY – 2

• Block 1: Pediatric EM
• Block 2: EM
• Block 3: Freestanding EM
• Block 4: EMS/Orthopaedics
• Block 5: EM
• Block 6: EM
• Block 7: Ultrasound
• Block 8: Trauma at MetroHealth
• Block 9: Freestanding EM
• Block 10: EM
• Block 11: EM
• Block 12: EM
• Block 13: Neuro ICU

PGY – 3

• Block 1: EM
• Block 2: Elective
• Block 3: Pediatric ICU
• Block 4: EM
• Block 5: Medical ICU
• Block 6: EM
• Block 7: Elective
• Block 8: Freestanding EM
• Block 9: EM
• Block 10: EM
• Block 11: EM
• Block 12: EM
• Block 13: Freestanding EM

Teaching Faculty

Residency Leadership

Steven Brooks, MD
Department Chair

Jno Disch, MD
Vice Chair

Rebecca Merrill, MD
Residency Director

Ashley Heaney, MD
Associate Program Director

Kevin Watkins, MD
Associate Program Director

Kristin Drogell, MD
Clerkship Director

Core Faculty

• Amber Bradford-Saffles, DO
• Justin Eggleston, DO
• Candace Leigh, MD
• Amy Raubenolt MD, MPH, MEd, FACEP | EMS Director
• Zachary Robinson, MD
• Erin Simon, DO | Research Director
• Robert Stenberg, MD | Ultrasound Director

Teaching Faculty

• Shannon Baker, DO
• Christopher Barden, MD
• John Basch, MD
• Ranier Borda, MD
• Christopher Budziak, MD
• Christina Campana, DO
• Matthew Campanizzi, DO
• Rohit Chandurkar, DO
• Jessica Conkle-LaGroux, DO
• Megan Cook, MD
• Carol Cunningham, MD
• Jacob Current, DO
• Gregory Gaumer, MD
• Andrew Hill, DO
• Eleni Horattas, MD 
• James “Patrick” Hurley, DO
• Joshua Jacquet, MD – Assistant Ultrasound Director
• Patricia Khatib, MD
• Prisca Kibe-Kinyua, MD
• Christopher Kirkpatrick, DO
• Brittany Koy, MD
• Paul Landis, DO
• Patrick McHugh, MD
• Jack Mitstifer, MD
• Antonio Oliverio, DO
• Carole Parsons, MD
• Spencer Prete, MD
• Ryan Reber, MD
• Thomas Rench, MD
• Melani Sherman-Green, MD
• Nicholas Shundry, MD
• Brett Sitzlar, MD
• Chad Smith, DO
• Andrew Yocum, MD
• Georgia Zachopoulos, DO
• Erick Zoumberakis, MD

Application

We appreciate your interest in Cleveland Clinic Akron General and hope that we've provided you with the information you need to choose the right residency program. Akron General is able to offer an exceptional medical education experience because of our knowledgeable and hard-working staff. Cleveland Clinic Akron General is recognized regionally and within Ohio for its expertise and care. We maintain a standard of excellence that promises nothing but the best care for our patients and therefore, nothing but the best education for our medical students and residents.

• Residency applications and the additional items below must be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
• Interviews are by invitation. If you have been selected, we will contact you using the information you have provided.
• The expected program length is three years.
• Selection date is set by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
• For questions regarding the residency application process, contact our Residency Program Manager, Angie South, at SouthA2@ccf.org or 330.344.6682.

Interested in rotating?

We are pleased to offer visiting emergency medicine rotation spots for fourth year medical students. Standard Letter of Evaluations (SLOEs) will be provided upon request to those students completing a fourth year rotation.

Akron General Medical Center uses VSLO, Visiting Student Learning Opportunities to process visiting student applications. To apply for an emergency medicine rotation, please complete and send a VSLO application with your preferred dates.

For questions regarding visiting student rotations, contact our Undergraduate Program Manager, Victoria Owens at OwensV@ccf.org or 330.344.6326.

Current Residents

PGY – 1

Sarah Blank, DO

• Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh
• Graduate: Rockhurst University
• Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Sarah Gaspar, DO

• Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
• Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Alexander Hyde, MD

• Undergraduate: Kent State University
• Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University

Adam Jarrett, DO

• Undergraduate: West Liberty University
• Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Maher Kazimi, DO

• Graduate: Case Western Reserve University
• Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Alexandria Oliverio, DO

• Undergraduate: Ohio Dominican University
• Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Kristen Septaric, MD

• Undergraduate: Kent State University
• Graduate: Kent State University
• Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University

Brent Sodeman, MD

• Undergraduate: Youngstown State University
• Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia

Grace Van Hare, MD

• Undergraduate: Colorado School of Mines
• Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Aidan Ward, DO

• Undergraduate: Fitchburg State University
• Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Zachary Zankle, MD

• Undergraduate: Northern Illinois University
• Graduate: Northern Illinois University & Chicago Med Rosalind Franklin
• Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University

PGY – 2

Jessica Brumbaugh, DO

• Undergraduate: The Pennsylvania State University
• Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

John Current, DO

• Undergraduate: Ohio University
• Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Ross Ferrise, MD

• Undergraduate: Kent State University
• Graduate: The Ohio State University
• Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University

Andrew Giles, DO

• Undergraduate: Manchester University
• Medical School: University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

Jacob Grimmer, DO

• Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
• Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Daniel Hutcherson, MD

• Undergraduate: Wright State University
• Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Stephanie Rivera, DO

• Undergraduate: Youngstown State University
• Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hannah Roland, DO

• Undergraduate: Messiah University
• Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Jessica Stopp, DO

• Undergraduate: Notre Dame College
• Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Collin Sullinger, MD

• Undergraduate: Youngstown State University
• Graduate: Youngstown State University
• Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University

Gina Tubo, MD

• Undergraduate: The University of Akron
• Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University

PGY – 3

Ryan Bither, MD

• Undergraduate: Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University
• Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine

Haneet Chadha, DO

• Undergraduate: University of Maryland Baltimore County
• Medical School: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Svetlana Donato, MD

• Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
• Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Joshua Garmatter, DO

• Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
• Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Negin Orfanian Azimzadeh Khosravi, MD

• Undergraduate: University of San Francisco Graduate - John Hopkins University
• Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University

Joseph Mazhuvanchery, DO

• Undergraduate: Cleveland State University
• Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Kenton McCosh, DO

• Undergraduate: Albion College
• Medical School: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University

Jordan Mirto, DO

• Undergraduate: Kent State University
• Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Ana Ritz, DO

• Undergraduate: University of Dayton
• Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Inderjit Sandhu, DO

• Undergraduate: Moravian College, Graduate: Bluefield College & Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus

Lorne Strausbaugh, DO

• Undergraduate: Malone University, Graduate: Youngstown State University
• Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Alumni

2025 Graduates

• Stephen Biebelhausen, MD – Cleveland Clinic
• Nicholas Butler, MD – Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital
• Abigail Cerroni, DO – Winchester Medical Center Emergency Medicine of Blue Ridge
• Abdoulie Gaye, DO – Integrative Emergency Services at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center
• Evan Lawyer, DO – Ascension St. Vincent Hospital Indianapolis
• Furman Mahmood, MD – Mid-Ohio Emergency Services
• Matthew Mannion, MD – Anesthesia Critical Care Fellowship – Washington University
• Manisha Nannapaneni, DO – Atrium Health Cabarrus
• Kishan Patel, DO – Texas Health
• Erica Reber, MD – ACES Wooster Hospital
• Christopher Riwniak, DO – Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship – Cleveland Clinic Akron General

2024 Graduates

• John Bowling, DO — Clinical Ultrasound Fellowship, Allegheny Health Network
• Mary Bozsik, MD — Medical College of Wisconsin Froedtert Hospital
• David Doty, DO — Hunt Regional Medical Center
• Andrew Hill, DO — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Brian Makowski, DO — Ultrasound Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Cameron Marcus, MD — Cleveland Clinic ESI
• Jeffrey Rabinowitz, MD — EMS Fellowship, The Metro Health System
• Kelsey Schaefer, DO — Southwest Vermont Medical Center
• Ryan Schropp, DO — University Hospitals
• Alen Siljak, MD — Mercy Lorain Hospital
• Hannah Thielmeyer, MD — Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital

2023 Graduates

• Matthew Campanizzi, DO — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Enri Citozi, DO — Cleveland Clinic ESI
• Chizite Iheonunekwu, DO — Memorial Hermann Texas
• Pouya Jouharian, MD — Kaiser Permanente California
• Adriana Morra, DO — Cleveland Clinic ESI
• Bradley Palocko, DO — Critical Care Fellowship University of Cincinnati
• Jorgi Schramm, DO — Cleveland Clinic ESI
• Chad Smith, DO — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Amanda Vaughan, DO — Mount Carmel Health
• Thomas Weiner, MD — Cleveland Clinic ESI
• Tyler West, MD — Cleveland Clinic Mercy

2022 Graduates

• Kirstin Acus, MD — Resuscitation Fellowship, Hartford, Connecticut
• Carl Allamby, MD — Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
• Steven Crane, MD — Baptist Memorial Hospital, Oxford, Mississippi
• Alexandria DeFabio, DO — Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
• Michael DiMauro, MD — Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
• Gregory Griffin, DO — St. Rita’s Hospital, Lima, Ohio
• Nico Jaime, MD — Madison Health, London, Ohio
• Gregory Mancini, DO — Cleveland Clinic, Garfield Heights, Ohio
• Matthew Minotti, MD — Cleveland Clinic, Medina, Ohio
• Matthew Oliverio, DO — Indiana University School of Medicine – Medical Simulation Fellowship
• Katarina Truss, DO — Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

2021 Graduates

• Devon Archinal, MD — Lake Health Hospital System
• Tony Downs, MD — Ultrasound Fellowship VCU Health System Hospitals Richmond, Virginia
• John Francescon, DO — Genesis Hospital, Zanesville, Ohio
• Garrison Graves, DO — Mount Carmel Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
• Brianna Kincade, DO — Advent Health System, Orlando, Florida
• Mikhail Melaku, MD — Kettering Health Network, Dayton, Ohio
• Michael Morales, MD — Cleveland Clinic Enterprise, Cleveland, Ohio
• Marcel Nwizu, DO — Advent Health System, Orlando, Florida
• Chioma Ojiaku, DO — HCA Houston Healthcare, Houston, TX
• Margret Rusnak, DO — Mount Carmel Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
• Tyler Sieron, DO — Kettering Health Network, Dayton, Ohio
• Brett Sitzlar, MD — Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Akron, Ohio

2020 Graduates

• Michael Bragagnolo, DO — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Neysa Dominguez, DO — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• John Hill, MD — University Hospitals
• Prisca Kibe-Kinyua, MD — Summa Health System, Akron, OH
• Lawrence Kramer, DO — Cleveland Clinic Enterprise
• Christopher Longinow, DO — Lake Health Hospital System
• Nicholas Marburger, DO — Florida Emergency Physician Group, Orlando, FL
• Carole, McCormick, MD — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Samantha McIntosh, MD — Advent Health Hospital Systems, Tampa, OH
• Julia Miao, MD — Alteon Health, Richmond, VA
• J.Chika Morah, MD — Summa Health System, Akron, OH
• Ryan Reber, MD — Cleveland Clinic Akron General

2019 Graduates

• Ranier Borda, MD — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Jennifer DeMarco, MD — Fellowship at Metro Health
• Carlynn Fulp, MD — Mid Ohio Emergency Services , Columbus, OH
• Gregory Gaumer, MD — Aultman Hospital, Canton, OH
• Lukas Gladstone, DO — Health Partners-Regions Hospital, St. Paul, MN
• Eleni Horattas, MD — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Damien Jackson, MD — St. Francis Hospital System, Houston, TX
• Onyekachi Otugo, MD — Fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
• Monica Prasnal, DO — USACS, Cincinnati, OH
• Spencer Prete, MD — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Hillary Staebler, MD — Southwest General, Cleveland, OH
• Eric Szymanski, MD — Emergency Physicians of Tidewater, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA

2018 Graduates

• Jeneba Abass-Shereef, MD — Jersey City Medical Center
• Jeanine Awad, MD — St. Elizabeth’s, Youngstown, OH
• Andrew Dream, MD — Progressive Emergency Physicians, New York City, NY
• Peter Griffin, MD — WVU - Ruby Memorial Hospital
• Jeremy King, MD — Salem Regional Medical Center, Salem, OH
• David Meranda, MD — SUMMA Health System - USACS
• Julie Pokersnik, MD — Lake Health
• Scott Poland, MD — SUMMA Health System - USACS
• Dacia Russell, MD — Mid Ohio Emergency Services, Columbus, OH
• Mitchell Sheley, MD — John Hopkins EMS Fellowship
• Asegedech Shimellis, MD — Mid Ohio Emergency Services, Columbus, OH
• Cody Smith, MD — Mercy West – USACS, Cincinnati, OH
• Ian Smith, MD — Mid Ohio emergency Services, Columbus, OH
• Trina Stoneham, MD — CHI Health St. Elizabeth, Lincoln, NE

2017 Graduates

• Alice Chen, MD — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Sarah Dials, MD — Mid Ohio Emergency Services, Columbus, OH
• Tyler Gillen, MD — Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD
• John Latorre, MD — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Russell Maxon, MD — The Toledo Hospital, Toledo, OH
• Krista Parker, MD — Cumberland Medical Center, Northeast Medical Center, Concord, NC
• Pooja Shah Patel, DO — Cleveland Clinic Akron General
• Yojan Patel, MD — Cumberland Medical Center, Northeast Medical Center, Concord, NC
• Elijah Trey Robinson, MD — EMS Fellowship Emory University
• Elizabeth Ulrich, DO — Lake Health, Willoughby, OH
• Nicole M. Wilson, DO — UPMC, Monroeville, PA 

Research & Innovations

Each year, we treat more than 100,000 patients in our emergency departments. Research is part of our mission and core values, and ranges from helping us find better ways to relieve pain for minor cuts, all the way to studying approaches to treatment and outcomes of major traumas.

For more information about resident research in Emergency Medicine, please contact:

Erin Simon, DO
Resident Research Director
SimonE@ccf.org

Jessica Krizo, PhD
Research Faculty
330.344.6316
KrizoJ@ccf.org

• View selected Emergency Medicine Research Publications