Welcome
Dear Applicants,
Welcome to the Cleveland Clinic Internal Medicine Residency Program at South Pointe! Our program is a fully ACGME-accredited three-year categorical program, with the distinction of additional Osteopathic Recognition by the ACGME. We take pride in having Cleveland Clinic Main Campus as our sponsoring institution.
Since our inception in 1959, we have been a pioneer in osteopathic education. Our mission is to provide you with the best training and opportunities to become an outstanding physician. Here’s what you can expect from our program:
- Clinical Experience: As part of the program, you'll have the opportunity to complete elective rotations at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, Fairview Campus, and South Pointe Campus, giving you access to world-class resources for your training. At South Pointe Hospital, you'll encounter a diverse array of pathologies across both the general floors and ICU, providing you with comprehensive clinical exposure. You'll be also part of a resident clinic, where you'll gain hands-on experience in continuity of care with a stable patient population. Additionally, you'll dedicate a half-day each clinic week to practicing Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Therapy (OMMT), further enhancing your skills in holistic patient care.
- Didactics: Our program includes dedicated time for didactic sessions held every weekday. We focus heavily on board preparation, in addition to lectures from expert faculty, to ensure you're ready for the real world. Senior residents also have a half-day each clinic week dedicated to board preparation.
- Research: You'll have numerous opportunities to collaborate with world-renowned researchers across the Cleveland Clinic Health System. The Brentwood Foundation at South Pointe also offers grants to support your research endeavors. A half-day each clinic week during your senior year is reserved for qualified research activities.
Our alumni’s achievements are a testament to the excellence of our training program and the possibilities that await you.
If you're interested in a 2-week audition rotation, we invite you to apply here.
Thank you for considering our program. We look forward to meeting you during the interview process!
Sreerag A Surendran, MD, MBA, FACP
Program Director
Andrea Fischione, DO
Associate Program Director
Application Process
Thank you for your interest in our Internal Medicine Residency Program.
Applications are accepted exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
We also participate in ERAS Program Signaling. If you are particularly interested in our program, we encourage you to use Program Signaling to express your interest. Learn more here.
To maximize your chances of securing an interview, we strongly recommend submitting your application by the end of September, as interview slots fill up quickly. The following documents are required for your application:
- ERAS Common Application Form.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Dean’s Letter (MSPE).
- A minimum of three (3) Letters of Recommendation.
- Personal Statement.
- Photograph.
- Medical School Transcripts.
- USMLE and/or COMLEX Transcripts.
Program Details:
- Program Code: Cleveland Clinic Foundation/South Pointe Hospital Program.
- Accreditation ID: 1403800537.
- City: Warrensville Heights.
- State: Ohio.
Minimum Application Criteria:
- Successful completion of all licensing exams on the first attempt. Step 1 transcript must be submitted with your application; Step 2 transcript is required by June 1.
- Any gaps in your training or medical education should be accompanied by an explanation.
- You must be able to assume all training responsibilities by July 1. All appointees are required to report for orientation during the last two weeks of June.
- Successful completion of all preclinical courses on the first attempt.
- A minimum grade of PASS on the first attempt for all Core Clerkships.
- A grade of High Pass or Commendation (if awarded) for the Medicine Clerkship.
Diversity & Inclusion
Explore the pivotal role of diversity and inclusion within Cleveland Clinic and its Graduate Medical Education program, along with our ongoing efforts in these areas.
Didactics
We have a structured didactic schedule that spans the entire academic year. Every weekday from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM is reserved for didactic sessions. Our goal is to make these sessions interactive and engaging, incorporating Jeopardy-style games, interactive case scenarios, and chalk talks. Additionally, we dedicate specific sessions to MKSAP question-and-answer discussions.
Faculty
Sreerag Surendran, MD, MBBS
Program Director, Internal Medicine
Education: Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation, Kerala, India
Residency: University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler/CHRISTUS Good Shepard Health System, Longview, TX
Andrea Fischione, DO
Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine
Education: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, Pennsylvania
Residency: University Hospitals, Richmond Hts., Ohio
Jane D’Isa, DO
Core Faculty, Internal Medicine
Education: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens
Residency: Brentwood Hospital, Warrensville Hts., Ohio
Ari Garber, MD
Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Education: University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington
Residency: Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
Elizabeth Habjan, DO
Core Faculty, Internal Medicine
Education: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens
Residency: Brentwood Hospital, Warrensville Hts., Ohio
Hardeep Rai, MD
Core Faculty, Critical Care and Pulmonary Disease
Education: Tver State Medical University, Russia, Russian Federation
Residency: Western Reserve Care System Youngstown, Ohio
Internship: Government Multi Specialty Hospital Chandigarh, India
Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
Eberechi Agwa, MD
Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, Hematology
Education: Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Residency: Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
Samir Abraksia, MD
Clinical Faculty, Hematology & Oncology
Education: Damascus University, Syria
Residency: Huron Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio
Fellowship: University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio
Ann Awadalla, DO
Internal Medicine, Outpatient Clinic
Education: Touro University Nevada, Henderson
Residency: South Pointe Hospital, Warrensville Hts., Ohio
Jennifer Lazor, DO
Internal Medicine, Nephrology
Education: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens
Residency: South Pointe Hospital, Warrensville Hts., Ohio
Fellowship: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
Do Gyun Kim, MD
Internal Medicine, Geriatrics
Education: Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
Residency: Flushing Hospital and Medical Center, New York
Fellowship: Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
Erin Rocchio, DO
Internal Medicine, Outpatient Clinic
Education: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pennsylvania
Residency: South Pointe Hospital, Warrensville Hts., Ohio
Pratibha Rao, MD
Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
Education: University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio; Bangalore University Medical College, India
Residency: Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, New York; JIPMER Pondicherry, India
Grant Medical College, University of Mumbai Maharashtra, India
Sana Hasan, DO
Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
Education: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine Athens
Residency: Summa Health System Akron, Ohio
Fellowship: University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha
Julia Bucklan, DO
Internal Medicine, Neurology
Education: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine Athens
Residency: Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
Katrina Rakowsky, DO
Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
Education: Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing
Residency: South Pointe Hospital, Warrensville Hts., Ohio
Korrie Beverley-Waters, DO
Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, Director of Osteopathic Education
Education: Ohio Univresity College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens
Residency: Summar Health System Family Medicine Residency Program, Akron, Ohio
Fellowship: Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor
Melina Aguinaga Meza, MD
Core Faculty, Cardiovascular Medicine
Education: Universidad Nacional Mayor De San Marcos, Lima, Peru
Residency: British American Hospital, Lima, Peru
Residency: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
Fellowships: Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan
Lindsey Perusek, DO
Internal Medicine, Addiction Medicine
Education: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH
Residency: South Pointe Hospital, Warrensville Heights, Ohio
Fellowship: MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Resident Life
As a close-knit program, we are deeply committed to the wellness and overall well-being of our residents. We strive to make learning enjoyable by incorporating gamification into the process. To support work-life balance, we dedicate an entire clinic half-day to wellness, allowing residents to spend this time as they choose.
We provide multiple channels for residents to communicate their needs to the program administration, whether openly or anonymously. Additionally, we regularly organize events where residents can relax and spend quality time with their colleagues, including but not limited to:
- TopGolf.
- Cooking Classes.
- Go-carting.
- Orchestra concerts.
- Escape rooms.
- Cleveland Cavaliers games.
- Apple picking.
- Canoeing and kayaking on the lake.
- Barbecuing.
If needed, the Cleveland Clinic Health System offers a range of mental health support options, including psychiatry, psychology, and therapy appointments, with flexible virtual and evening availability.
Current Residents
PGY-3
Sulman Khan, DO, Co-Chief
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, AL
Mark Zemanek, DO, Co-Chief
Medical School: Ohio University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH
Chaitanya Maddukuri, DO
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, MO
Dao Nguyen, DO
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, MO
PGY-2
Joseph Abdalla, DO
Medical School: New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT, Old Westbury, NY
Deepika Mannem, DO
Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Smith, AR
Peter Oro, DO
Medical School: AT Still University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Mesa, AZ
Riley Smith, DO
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lewisburg, WV
PGY - 1
Sufia Ahmed, DO
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA
Emma Goldblatt, DO
Medical School: Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, IL
Azka Khan, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA
Jonah Stavsky, DO
Medical School: Ohio University, College of Osteopathic Medicine/Athens, OH
Alumni
Our graduates from the past five classes have secured the following positions immediately after residency:
Primary Care:
Dr. Sheeda Golian
Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, Kokomo, IN
Hospital Medicine:
Dr. Kaitlyn Korn
Mercy Regional Medical Center, Lorain, OH
Dr. Margo Simon
Firelands Regional System, Sandusky, OH
Dr. Neha Harwani
Atrium Health, Lincolnton, NC
Dr. Firas Ibrahim
Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Akron, OH
Dr. Jeffrey Lee
Premier Health, Cincinnati, OH
Dr. Sundas Naseer
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Dr. Jacob Snyder
OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital, Athens, OH
Dr. Royson Valliyil
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Dr. Sarah Honsaker
West Virginia University United Hospital Center, Bridgeport, WV
Dr. Woan Kim
Baylor Scott and White, The Heart Hospital (Hospitalist Internists Associates), Dallas, TX
Dr. Farhan Qayyum
St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany, NY
Dr. Emma Fleckman
LCMC Health, New Orleans, LA
Dr. Taylor Stang
Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital, Warrensville Heights, OH
Fellowships:
Dr. Brandon Dunmyre
Nephrology, Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH
Dr. Zaib Khan
Geriatric Medicine, Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York
Dr. Dan Carlson
Hematology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Dr. Joshua Soliman
Gastroenterology, Thomas Jefferson Health, New Jersey
Dr. Lindsey Perusek
Addiction Medicine, MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH
Dr. Benjamin Strickland
Nephrology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL
Dr. Lauren Munoz Tremblay
Critical Care, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Dr. Nathan Reynolds
Hematology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
Dr. Katherine Westbrook
Gastroenterology, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA
Dr. Yuxin Tian
Hospitalist Fellowship, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON
