Meet Our Residents
To contact any of our residents, please email Ann Marie Kozlowski, our program coordinator, at kozlowa@ccf.org.
PGY1
Name: Areesha Ahmad, DO
Hometown: Sanford, FL
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "The people and community I have the privilege of working with."
Fun fact about yourself: "I love hiking, rock climbing, and roller coasters!"
Name: Serene Ahmad, MD
Hometown: Garner, North Carolina
Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "The program is so quirky and welcoming! It emphasizes wellness and encourages residents to explore whatever our interests may be. There’s plenty of exposure to common and not-so-common pathologies. I’m new to the city, but Cleveland clearly has a lot of personality."
Fun fact about yourself: "I can speak multiple languages (Arabic, English, Spanish) and am now learning Italian!"
Name: Reem Akiely, MD
Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Medical School: The University of Jordan
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "My apartment's view of Lake Erie is one of my favorite aspects of Cleveland. The things that I love the most about CC Children’s and the program are the people, the safe learning environment, and the residents' lounge with the fish tank next to it."
Fun fact about yourself: "Ice cream is my favorite food, and I enjoy it in winter more than I do in summer!"
Name: Amro Al Mais, MD
Hometown: Barelias Lebanon
Medical School: Beirut Arab University
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "One of the best things about Cleveland is its vibrant cultural scene, including museums especially The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, theaters, music venues, and diverse culinary options, which offer residents and visitors a rich array of experiences to enjoy."
Fun fact about yourself: "Amid the demanding schedule as a pediatric resident, still finding solace and delight in my passion for Italian cuisine – not only relishing its flavors but also creating delectable dishes!"
Name: Mariana Merlini Coelho, MD
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "I love the Cleveland Clinic's strong focus on innovation, commitment to excellent patient care, diversity of pathology and exposure to rare and complex cases. The program's supportive environment and the presence of residents from different backgrounds create a rich and dynamic learning environment. Also, the chance to work with and learn from world-renowned experts is truly inspiring. One aspect that holds a special place in my heart is the opportunity to work with underserved and underrepresented patients, and the Cleveland Clinic provides the perfect platform for me to do that. Lastly, I love the fact that there is no traffic and there is a lot of nature to explore.
Fun fact about yourself: "I love being outdoors, traveling, trying out different restaurants, bringing my daughter to toddler activities, practicing hot yoga, meditation, barre fitness, dancing, swimming, hiking, and skiing. I have watched Titanic 12 times and I am very excited about my new veggie garden."
Name: Carolyn Coughlin, DO
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "My favorite part about our program is the people. Everyone is so supportive of one another and always rooting for each other to succeed!"
Fun fact about yourself: "My family is very important to me. I have over 60 first cousins and most live in the Greater Cleveland Area- makes holidays and family parties very fun!"
Name: Sylvie Denuit, MD
Hometown: Brussels, Belgium
Medical School: The Ohio State University
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "I had never been to Cleveland before matching here...crazy, I know. I love the old buildings, the brick houses and the different neighborhoods with their unique characters...but above all I love my co-residents and the multi-cultural aspect of the hospital and the program. I have felt so welcome and supported here. It's been such a pleasant surprise!"
Fun fact about yourself: "In my mind, I have many hobbies, but in reality I have time for none...I used to draw comics (Belgium is the land of comics), bake anything with chocolate (now I just make my twin's birthday cake once a year), ride motorcycles (I still do occasionally when the weather is nice), design rockets, and swim...now I am mostly just trying to survive residency while keeping my twins (boy/girl) alive."
Name: Kim El Haddad, MD
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Medical School: Lebanese American University, Lebanon
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Cleveland Metro Parks, lake and food scene. This place grows on you."
Fun fact about yourself: "I am always happier in the summer and you can tell! Winter is definitely not my thing."
Name: Iman Fawad, MD
Hometown: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Medical School: Mohammed Bin Rashid University (MBRU)
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "One of my favorite things about the program is the shared working environment for the pediatric residents during floor blocks."
Fun fact about yourself: "I've gone on about 30 flights in the past year!"
Name: Anfal Marafie, MD, RD, MS
Hometown: Kuwait and Virginia
Medical School: Michigan State University
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "My favorite thing about Cleveland Clinic Children's is that it is a little home in a large distinguished hospital system. It's comfortable, warm, and cozy."
Fun fact about yourself: "I've studied at six different universities."
Name: Rob Minturn, MD
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "The many parks, including a beach, and the plethora of sports teams to go watch games! The best part of the program is the people, from co-residents to admin/leadership, there is constant support and comradery."
Fun fact about yourself: "I worked as a barista at Tatte in Boston during my master's degree, so I love great coffee. I also am excited to become a father this year to more than my dog."
Name: Sara Mohamed, DO
Hometown: Toledo, OH
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine - Athens
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Cleveland has tons great places to explore - parks, restaurants, museums. I love the West Side Market too."
Fun fact about yourself: "I love to be outside, workout, read, and explore new coffee shops."
Name: Nick Nicoletti, MD, MS
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "One of my favorite things is going to the west side market every weekend with my tote in hand and earbuds in. Gotta love a main character moment. And I enjoy going to concerts around town! My favorite thing about the program is the people within it, and all the doctors, nurses, and staff you meet through your rotations. Children's is very welcoming and has such a culture of kindness and community."
Fun fact about yourself: "I have way too many plants, I am propagating them all the time! Please take some!"
Name: Kaitlyn Stanfield, DO
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "As a Cleveland native, I (tragically) love the Browns and all of our sports teams. We also have great MetroParks to hike in! Our program stands out to me because of our focus on community medicine and advocacy for the children in the Cleveland area!"
Fun fact about yourself: "I enjoy reading and am currently working my way through all the books Rory read on Gilmore Girls."
PGY2
Name: Abdel Rahman E’mar, MD
Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Medical School: The University of Jordan
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "What I find most commendable about our program, apart from its exceptional individuals, is its holistic integration. I can guarantee that every resident has the invaluable experience of encountering at least one patient for every question on the pediatrics board! It's an amazing comprehensive educational and clinical experience."
Fun fact about yourself: "My birthday coincides with the independence day of my country, and it's a national holiday there. Up until the age of 7, I was truly convinced that it was a celebration dedicated solely to my birthday."
Name: Moath Azmi, MD/DO
Hometown: Jordan, Amman
Medical School: Jordan University of Science and Technology
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Mitchell’s Ice Cream."
Fun fact about yourself: "I can say 'Welcome' in 8 different languages."
Name: Anthony Bernick, MD
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Medical School: Temple University
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "That the Browns can't put together a decent football team so the Steelers get 2 easy wins each year. But in all honesty Cleveland is great, plenty of places to explore and hangout."
Fun fact about yourself: "I played collegiate football at Juniata College. Also further back won the geography bee and spelling bee in the 6th grade."
Name: Sarah Foley, DO
Hometown: Independence, OH
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland Clinic or the program: "My co-residents have truly become some of my closest friends. From creative wellness events to weekly social gatherings, Cleveland Clinic has given me a second family to learn and grow with!"
Fun fact: "I am an avid hiker! The summer after my first year of medical school, I hiked the Camino de Santiago in Spain for three weeks with my dad and sister. I hope to hike through all of the US National Parks someday and I would love to thru hike the Appalachian Trail."
Name: Sara Grewal, DO, MS
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Cleveland
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Favorite thing about Cleveland is that there's no traffic! Favorite thing about Cleveland Clinic Children's and the program are the people who work here, the access to a 24-hour Starbucks, and the fun scrub colors and t-shirts we can wear at work."
Fun fact about yourself: "I have a Master's Degree in Physics. I also have two German Shepherds and when we are not at work, my husband and I are spending our time with them."
Name: Kara Imbrogno, DO
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Medical School: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA)
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Cleveland Clinic is renowned for its world-class care, yet the humble culture of the pediatric program seemed to be the most genuine, resident-centered, and supportive of all the places I interviewed. Since orientation, this has rung true, and I'm excited to continue to learn from so many brilliant people in such an amazing environment."
Fun fact about yourself: "Ice cream is life, so even if it's absolutely Baltic outside, I'll be wondering if anyone wants to join me for a scoop (or 3!)."
Name: Piumi Jayatilake, MD
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Medical School: St. George’s University
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "The arts! (The Cleveland Museum of Art, Playhouse Square, vintage stores, and more!)."
Fun fact about yourself: "I used to do competitive dance in college. One of my performances was at Playhouse Square!"
Name: Rasha Abou Jaoudeh, MD
Hometown: Broumana, Lebanon
Medical School: Lebanese American University
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "I love that there is always a new restaurant to try or a new place to go to, and there are so many fun things that are 1-2hrs away!"
Fun fact about yourself: "I love sea animals!"
Name: Elizabeth Jensen, DO, PhD
Hometown: Bath, Ohio
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Athens, OH
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Favorite thing about Cleveland: Edgewater Park and Mitchell's Ice Cream. Favorite thing about Cleveland Clinic Children’s: The compassion and support of residents and everyone on the medical team has for each other and for patients along with a passion for teaching. Also, wellness activities including impromptu fro-yo rounds!"
Fun fact about yourself: "I played trombone during college in the Marching 110 and was able to perform in Dublin, Ireland and Rome, Italy. I enjoy spending time with my two cats Fitz and Gatsby (named after The Great Gatsby!) One goal during residency is to visit all Cleveland and Akron Metroparks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park."
Name: Tim Mrowiec, MD
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine - Chicago
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Cleveland has all the fun of a big city but it's easier to navigate. And my co-residents are definitely my favorite thing about the program. They are encouraging, easy to work with, and so smart. (In fact, I think they might all be doctors!)."
Fun fact about yourself: "One time during a residency interview meet-and-greet, I was asked to go first and introduce myself. I said my name, my med school, and automatically started saying 'And a fun fact about me is...' No one asked me to do that; I was on autopilot! Having caught myself, I said 'Actually, no, I won't share a fun fact because that's so much pressure to think of one, and I don't want to put that on everyone going after me.' Then a few other applicants thanked me during this Zoom call. I was proud. This is a fun fact about myself."
Name: Irene Obuzor MD
Hometown: Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Medical School: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "I love how nice everyone is at the children’s hospital. There is support everywhere. Everyone literally wants to see you win. Feels like a cool family."
Fun fact about yourself: "I love music. I once flew to another country just to attend a concert!"
Name: Sophia Rafferty, DO
Hometown: Hudson, OH
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "I love hiking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and trying new restaurants around Cleveland with my co-residents."
Fun fact about yourself: "I have a postcard collection with postcards from all 50 states, and from over 20 countries!"
Name: Emily Rembetski, DO
Hometown: Utica, NY
Medical School: Alabama college of osteopathic medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "The people - everyone that I've met both in the city of Cleveland and at the program are kind, genuine, inclusive and excited to share their expertise."
Fun fact about yourself: "I'm a foodie, and I am a self-proclaimed connoisseur of pizza. I have a sweet black lab named Luna that loves walks in the Metroparks and swimming at Edgewater Beach!"
Name: Justin San Juan, DO
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "My favorite part about the program is that if there is something you want to do, we can make it happen at the Clinic. The flexibility in the program to create rotations based on your interests is something that I highly valued when choosing a place to train."
Fun fact about yourself: "I love exploring the national parks with my wife!"
Name: Rachel Wlock, MD
Hometown: Bay City, MI
Medical School: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "I love exploring the Metroparks."
Fun fact about yourself: "I know how to say 'Thank you' in 8 different languages."
Name: F. Zehra Shah, MD
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
Medical School: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Definitely the people! You walk in the doors and everyone is so welcoming and helpful, its incomparable. Witnessing life altering medicine and treatments with this bunch is beyond amazing."
Fun fact about yourself: "My comfort meal is 20 McDonald's nuggets, 1 Double Big Mac, 2 large fries, 1 chocolate sundae and 1 apple pie - all in one go."
PGY3
Name: Reem Albarguthi, MD
Hometown: United Arab Emirates
Medical School: University of Sharjah
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Terrific program! It is comprehensive, focused on resident wellness, and the sense of camaraderie between its residents is unbelievable."
Fun fact about yourself: "I am a huge Real Madrid fan! I watch all of their games no matter what time it is."
Name: Hassan Bazzy, DO
Hometown: Dearborn Heights, MI
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Cleveland Clinic as a whole is enormous, but the pediatric residency is such a tight knit group and its amazing!
Fun fact about yourself: "I like to work out, play video games, built my own computer, have two cats, and am a foodie! Still getting to learn the Cleveland areas but I am finding some real gems!"
Name: Nicholas Borkey, DO
Hometown: Hudson, OH
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (Cleveland Campus)
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "The Cleveland Browns!"
Fun fact about yourself: "My hobbies in a nutshell: playing/watching sports, old sci-fi books, and cardiology of all sorts (but if I had to choose... I'll take the wiring over the plumbing)."
Name: Nicole Buzalka, DO
Hometown: Aurora, OH
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "I love the diversity of pathology that we see, while also seeing general pediatrics patients!"
Fun fact about yourself: "My favorite living being on the planet is my German shepherd, Leia (and yes she is named after Princess Leia in Star Wars)!"
Name: Penina Gross-Richmond, DO
Hometown: Cleveland OH
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "I love the green spaces throughout the Greater Cleveland area. There are also great local coffee houses that are fun to explore. CCF pediatric residency program creates a truly supportive, friendly learning environment and I’m so grateful to be here."
Fun fact about yourself: "I’m a physician, wife and mom, which means life is extra busy and fun! As a family, we love spending time outdoors in the Metro Parks, floating in Lake Erie and discovering new playgrounds. We moved to Cleveland from California for medical school and while on my sub, I knew that Cleveland Clinic is where I wanted to train for residency. And I make sure to go visit the Pacific often!"
Name: Christopher Gomez, DO
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Medical School: Lake Erie of Osteopathic Medicine, Seton Hill
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "My favorite thing about Cleveland Clinic is the people. Everyone is always supportive and encouraging."
Fun fact about yourself: "In my free time, I enjoy traveling around and finding new places to eat and different foods to try. I consider myself a connoisseur of noodles, and I am always down for sushi."
Name: Raya Jadaan, MD
Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Medical School: Jordan University School of Medicine, Amman, Jordan
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "The unique relationship between the program's people and that everyone is extremely supportive! Cleveland: Mitchell's Ice Cream."
Fun fact about yourself: "As a baby, I started crawling backwards, and when I finally started crawling ahead like other babies do, I would do it only in a straight line! Those were very tough times for me I was told!"
Name: Lauren Larkin, MD, MS
Hometown: Euclid, OH
Medical School: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "I chose Cleveland Clinic Children's because of the commitment to wellness, diversity, and community involvement, as well as the supportive nature in exploring educational/research opportunities based on resident interests. I have always felt welcome and a part of the close-knit family here as a medical student to acting intern to a current resident. Cleveland Clinic is world-renowned, which gives us access to plenty of "bread and butter" clinical presentations, as well as the complex and rare cases. The diversity in the patient population is unmatched! I could not think of a more supportive or better place to complete my residency training!"
Fun fact about yourself: "I enjoy traveling, dancing, cooking vegan meals, spending time with family/friends, and being involved in the community, especially as public relations chair for the Bobby R. Larkin, Sr. Charitable Association started in memory of my father. I was humbled to be named one of the '2021 Northeast Ohio Top 25 under 35 Movers and Shakers; by the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club."
Name: Caroline Lieser, MD
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Medical School: The Ohio State University
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Browns football and Cavs basketball."
Fun fact about yourself: "I’ve been coaching Special Olympics volleyball, softball, swimming and basketball for over 10 years."
Name: Jonathan Lim, DO
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Medical School: Midwestern University – Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "My favorite thing about Cleveland is how green it is! After spending four years trapped in the Phoenix desert, it’s been amazing to be near so many parks and trees!"
Fun fact about yourself: "Throughout college, I would spend my spring breaks volunteering in rural Honduran communities working on various public health projects. I immediately felt a strong connection with the children and soon earned the nickname, 'El Chino Loco.' Moments like these solidified my decision to go into medicine and become a pediatrician."
Name: Sabrina Ma, MD
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "The diversity in the residents and how close Cleveland is to home."
Fun fact about yourself: "I still pay for cable TV because I love watching commercials!"
Name: Sana Moghis, MD
Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan
Medical School: Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Cleveland Clinic & the city have a few things in common: tradition, art, hospitality & excellence. Once you come here, you want to stay here!"
Fun fact about yourself: "I love books & my biggest pride and joy is our mini library at my parents’ house! We own over 750 books & I have read about 150 of them. While I hardly read anymore, the dream lives on & I keep buying more books."
Name: Sadhna Samantarai, MD
Hometown: Fremont, California
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Chasing my two puppies along the water at Edgewater’s dog beach while eating Mitchell’s Wildberry Crumble ice cream!"
Fun fact about yourself: "I love (in no particular order): my fur babies, Gilmore Girls, traveling, Crime Junkie podcasts, anything written by Oscar Wilde, Brene Browne’s pearls of wisdom and the soundtrack for Moana."
Name: Jordan Vojtush, DO
Hometown: Northfield, OH
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "Cleveland Clinic Children’s really feels like home to me, and has since I was a rotating third year medical student. Everyone is amazing and wants to see you succeed, and will help in anyway to make that possible."
Fun fact about yourself: "My birthday is January 1st, so growing up, my parents always told me that everyone who was celebrating the new year was actually celebrating my birthday!"
Name: Eesha Zaheer, MD
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Favorite thing about Cleveland, Cleveland Clinic Children's or the Program: "The unparalleled experience to work alongside world experts on diverse pathology in both local and global populations and witness life changing patient outcomes."
Fun fact about yourself: "One of the most incredible experiences of my life was paragliding over the Swiss Alps! Also, I love chocolate chip cookies."
Presentations & Publications
Poster Presentations
Joshua Herber, MD, Arrhythmias and Fasciculoventricular Pathways in Patients with Danon Disease: A Single Center Experience. Poster. SADS Conference. 11th Annual International SADS Foundation Conference; Ann Arbor, MI, USA. October 2018.
Joshua Herber, MD, Arrhythmias and Fasciculoventricular Pathways in Patients with Danon Disease: A Single Center Experience. Poster. Cardiology 2019: Annual Update on Pediatric and Congenital Cardiovascular Disease; Huntington Beach, CA, USA. February, 2019.
Sanu Yadav, Scurvy in the Era of Restricted Dietary Practices. Mid-West Gut Club Annual meeting, Jul 2019. Yadav, S R; Habash, N; Cernanec, J; Radhakrishnan, K; Naduvil Valappil, A M; Panupattanapong, S.
Sanu Yadav, An Adolescent with Recurrent Penoscrotal Swelling as Genitourinary Manifestations of Metastatic Crohn’s Disease. NASPGHAN, Oct 2019. Sanu R. Yadav, Molly Dewitt Foy, Audrey Rhee, Jacob A. Kurowski.
Abdulkader ZM, Stanjord S, Nahra A, Worley S, Rome E, Predictors of Transaminitis in Patients with Nutritional Insufficiency. Presented at: Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM), 2016; Washington, DC.
Abdulkader, ZM, Flank S, Worley S, Peterson J, Saker F, Are Certain Infants More Susceptible to Necrotizing Enterocolitis After Blood Transfusions? Presented at: Pediatric Academic Society, 2016; Baltimore, MD.
Abdulkader ZM, Shah V, Bhesania N, AlKhouri N, Prevalence of Extrahepatic Complications of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children. Presented at: Digestive Disease Week, 2015; Washington, DC.
Dhir, A., Flagg, A., Hanna, R, Incidence and Risk factors for Central Nervous System relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with acute leukemia. Presented at BMT Tandem Meetings, 2016; Honolulu, Hawaii.
M.Medina, E.Ye Mon, C.Cairns, S.Worley. Cleveland Clinic Annual Quality Event Poster Session. 2015.
El-Assaad, I, Al-Kindi GS, Oliveira GH, Boyle GJ, Aziz PF, "Sudden cardiac death in pediatric patients awaiting heart transplantation: implantable cardioverter defibrillators provide no survival benefit." Presented at ISHLT annual scientific meeting, 2015; Nice, France.
El-Assaad I, Al-Kindi SG, Oliveira GH, Wilkoff BL, Boyle GJ, Aziz PF, "Pacemaker implantation in pediatric heart transplant recipients is predicted by biatrial anastomosis and donor age but does not affect survival." Moderated Poster Presentation at ACC annual scientific meeting, San Diego, 2015.
Lina Patel, Kimberly Giuliano, Michelle Medina, Standardized Well Child Care Templates To Improve Risk Factor Screening in Accordance with Bright Future Guidelines. Presented at the 2015 PAS Meeting, San Diego.
Mandelia C. (2015), Liver Disease in Type 1 Diabetes: Are we looking hard enough? Poster presented at: NASPGHAN 2015; Washington DC, DC.
Mandelia C. (2015), Intractable hypernatremia and metabolic acidosis in a neonate- a diagnostic challenge Poster presented at: NASPGHAN 2015; Washington DC, DC.
Marwan Bakhach, Vaishal Shash, Natalie Bhesania, Sara Lappe, Naim Alkhouri, Protein Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF) - An efficacious approach to weight loss in severely obese adolescents. Presented at: 2015 PAS Meeting, San Diego.
Michal Bahar, Tanya Tekautz, Uwe Kordes, Johannes Wolff. Radiation Therapy for Choroid Plexus Carcinoma Patients With Li-Fraumeni Syndrome: Advantageous Or Detrimental? Presented at the 2015 PAS Meeting, San Diego.
Simone Jhaveri, Vaishal Shah, Partha Saha, Sara Lappe, Natalie Bhesania, Naim Alkhouri. Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Children and Adolescents: Experience from a Tertiary Pediatric Obesity Program. Presented at the 2015 PAS Meeting, San Diego.
Sayad E, Dossul A, Cardenas S, Drug-induced Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing pneumonia (BOOP) in a pediatric patient. Presented at the American Thoracic Society 2016, San Francisco.
Shah V, Sayad E, Lappe S, Ibrahim S, AlKhouri N, Cardiovascular risk factors in obese children with obstructive sleep apnea.
Yamini, Effects of Occupational Tobacco Exposure on Foetal Growth, among Beedi Rollers in Coastal Karnataka. Poster to be presented at: American Academy of Pediatrics- National Conference and Exhibition, 2016, San Francisco, CA.
Publications:
Akhtar S, Patel L, Bakhach M, Haider A, Gonzalez-Martinez J, Rogers D, Tsillianidis L, Raissouni N, Schweiger M. Fifteen-year-old female with delayed progression of puberty and visual disturbances. Clinc Pediatr 2016; 55 (7): 664-7
Bakhach M, Shah V, Harwood T, Lappe S, Bhesania N, Mansoor S, Alkhouri N. The protein-Sparing Modified Fast Diet: An effective and safe approach to induce rapid weight loss in severely obese adolescents. Glob Pediatr Health 2016: 22: doi: 10.1177/2333794X15623245
Baskar S, Aziz PF. Genotype-phenotype correlation in long QT syndrome. Glob Cardiol Sci Pract 2015; 2:26
Baskar S, George PL, Eghtesad B, Radhakrishnan K, Hupertz V, Aziz PF, Alkhouri N. Cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac disorders in long-term survivors of pediatric liver transplantation. Pediatr Transplant 2015; 19(1); 48-55
Baskar S, Ackerman MJ, Clements D, Mayuga KA, Aziz PF. Compound heterozygous mutations in the SCN5A-encoded Nav1.5 cardiac sodium channel resulting in atrial standstill and His-Purkinje system disease. J Pediatr 2014; 165(5);1050-2
Bhesania, Natalie; Anani, Anthony; Ochs, Heidi; Okwu, Vera; Magnuson, David; Kay, Marsha. Vomiting in A 2 Year Old With A "Twist"- Undiagnosed Gastric Volvulus. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition 2016; doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000794
Dhir, A., Tekautz, T., Recinos, V., Murphy, E., Prayson, R., Ruggieri, P., Wolff, J. Lumbar spinal atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 2015; 22(12): 1988-1989.
El-Assaad I, Al-Kindi SG, Abraham J, Sanatani S, Bradley DJ, Halsey C, Law IH, Balaji S, Shetty I, Aziz PF. Use of dofetilide in adult patients with atrial arrhythmias and congenital heart disease: A PACES collaborative study. Heart Rhythm 2016; doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2016.07.016
El-Assaad I, Al-Kindi SG, Oliveira GH, Boyle GJ, Aziz PF. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and wait-list outcomes in pediatric patients awaiting heart transplantation. Heart Rhythm 2015; 12(12): 2443-8
El-Assaad I, Al-Kindi SG, Oliveira GH, Houghtaling P, Wilkoff BL, Boyle GJ, Aziz PF. Pacemaker implantation in pediatric heart transplant recipients: Predictors, outcomes, and impact on survival. Heart Rhythm 2015; 12(8);1776-81
El-Assaad I, Aziz P. Sports Participation in Long QT syndrome: It is Time for the Dialogue..
Nagaraju L, Menon D, Aziz PF. Use of 3D Electroanatomical Navigation (CARTO-3) to Minimize or Eliminate Fluoroscopy Use in the Ablation of Pediatric Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2016; 39(6); 574-80
Mandelia C, Collyer E, Alkhouri N, et al. Plasma Cytokeratin-18 Level as a Novel Biomarker for Liver Fibrosis in Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2016; 63(2):181-187
Mandelia C, Bakhach M, Alkhouri N, et al. Liver disease in children with type 1 diabetes: are we looking hardenough?. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 2015; 61(S2): S63
Oral Presentations:
Corcoran, Aoife. Irish Paediatric Society Annual Meeting 2018, 12/7/2019 Case report: B-cell lymphoma presenting as an isolated forehead lesion
Joshua Herber, MD; Simone Jhaveri, MD; Kenneth Zahka, MD; Gerard Boyle, MD; Elizabeth V Saarel, MD FHRS; Peter Aziz, MD FHRS. (May, 2019). Arrhythmias and Fasciculoventricular Pathways in Patients with Danon Disease: A Single Center Experience Oral Presentation presented at: Cleveland Clinic Annual Pediatrics Research Day; Cleveland, OH, USA.
Joshua Herber, MD. Secondary salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma mimicking benign Warthin’s tumor in a hodgkin lymphoma survivor. Should treatment history guide post-remission follow-up? Sixth International Symposium on Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma; Rotterdam, NLD. September 2018.
Brian Chen. Acute Cerebrovascular Accident in a Pediatric Patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. 10th Biennial Conference on Pediatric Sleep medicine. Naples, Fl. Nov 14-17, 2019.
Lina Alkhaled. Growth Hormone Deficiency in a Patient with Ectodermal Dysplasia. ENDO, San Francisco, CA. Mar 2020.
Sampurna Shakya. Clinical Presentation of Infective Endocarditis in the Early 21st Century: A Descriptive Study. (Poster). IDSA 2017, San Diego, USA on October 7th, 2017.
Mohga Behairy: Persistent Hypogammaglobulinemia after Chemotherapy and Rituximab Despite B Lymphocyte Recovery. Behairy, M. Kerns, L. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. Mar 15, 2020.
Brendan Burke: Society of Critical Care Medicine, 2/17/2020, Acute airway obstruction in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus.
Hamza Nasir: Severe Hypercalcemia in a 9 month old girl. Poster. ENDO, New Orleans, LA. March 2019.
Hamza Nasir: Severe Hypercalcemia in a 9 month old girl. Poster. PAS, Baltimore, MD. April 2019.
Hamza Nasir: Bihormonal pituitary adenoma in an adolescent male. Poster. ENDO, New Orleans, LA. March 2019.
Hamza Nasir: Identification of patients at risk of clinical deterioration. Poster. APPD Meeting, New Orleans, LA. March 2019.
Emine Tunc: The use of a CarePath in the diagnosis and management of appendicitis in children in a large integrated health system reduced the unnecessary computed tomography imaging.
Tunc E.M., Fertel B., Fraundorf E., Magnuson D. American College of Emergency Physicians Annual Meeting; Denver, CO, USA. (October, 2019).
Emine Tunc: The use of a CarePath in the diagnosis and management of appendicitis in children in a large integrated health system reduced the unnecessary computed tomography imaging.
Tunc E.M., Fertel B., Fraundorf E., Magnuson D.AAP Section of Emergency Medicine Council of Quality Transformation New Orleans (October 2019).
Emine Tunc: Decreasing Discharge Medication Reconciliation Errors: An Interprofessional Collaborative Quality Improvement Project. Tunc, Emine; Pruitt, Jamie; Moore, Casey; Hoffmaster, Holly L.; Waehner, Erin; Cox, Amy; Cohn, Allan; Zayas-Santiago, Arnaldo. Poster presentation. CCF Patient Safety Day March 13, 2020.
Emine Tunc: 2 Year Old Male Presenting to Emergency Department with Sudden Right Arm Weakness. Tunc, Emine M.; Adams, Richard J., Hsich, Gary. Ohio ACEP resident assembly. Columbus, OH. August 2019.
Jenny Sun: Autoimmune Manifestations in a Child with Autosomal Recessive Hyper IgM Syndrome Secondary to Activation Induced Cytidine Deaminiase Deficiency. Poster. ACAAI American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 11/16/2018.
Jenny Sun: Approach to Food Allergy in Pediatric Primary Care, Poster. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2020 Annual Meeting, 03/14/2020.
Sarah Leluga: “Every True Rash Eventually Shows”. PHM, 2019.
Bahar, M., Dhir, A., Tekautz,T., Wolff,J.. (2015). Intercontinental Multidisciplinary Data Collection and Treatment Optimization Study for Patients with Choroid Plexus Tumors. Oral Presentation presented at: 20th Annual Society of Neuro-oncology Annual Scientific Meeting, November 2015; San Antonio, TX.
El-Assaad I, Al-Kindi S, Mcnally B, Aziz P. Patient and neighborhood level characteristics as predictors of survival in pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Oral Presentation at Heart Rhythm annual scientific meeting, 2015.
El-Assaad I, Al-Kindi SG, Abraham J, Sanatani S, Bradley DJ, Halsey C, Law IH, Balaji S, Shetty I, Aziz PF. Use of dofetilide in adult patients with atrial arrhythmias and congenital heart disease: A PACES collaborative study. Oral presentation at Heart Rhythm annual scientific meeting, 2016
Ei Ye Mon. QI project: “Improving Asthma Care through effective primary care co-ordination.” Shark Tank at the Ohio AAP Annual meeting. Columbus OH. 2017.
Wasim Khasawneh, Jessica Barry, Raidour Ahmed, Sarah Worley, Firas Saker, Jalal Abu-Shaweesh. Compared With CPAP, the Use of Non Invasive Ventilation Post-Extubation in ELBW Infants Is Associated With Increased Incidence of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. Presented at the 2015 PAS Meeting, San Diego.
Mandelia C. (2015). Provider focused interventions to improve HPV vaccination rates among adolescents Oral Presentation presented at: Ohio AAP; Dublin, OH.
Mandelia C. (2016). Otorhinolaryngological Manifestations among HIV Positive Children in Coastal Karnataka. Oral Presentation to be presented at: AAP National Conference; San Francisco, CA.
Awards/Grants:
Zahra Hudda: PAS Nephrology Grant 2016
Senthuran Vijayarajah: 2016 Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award
Iqbal El-Assaad: 2015 Lower Clinical Award – Honorable Mention & Cardiology 2016 Outstanding Investigator Award
Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Training Program Alumni
| Resident | Graduate Year | Fellowship or Practice | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2023 |
|||
| Daniel Janisz, MD |
2023 | Chief Resident, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Michelle Naporano, DO |
2023 | Chief Resident, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Matthew Sanfilippo, DO |
2023 | Neonatal Intensive Care Fellowship, University of Pittsburg Medical Center |
|
| Jakub Cekovsky, MD |
2023 | Pediatrician, Lumpoc, California |
|
| Katie Ellis, DO |
2023 | Pediatrician, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Larissa Maria Isaac Maximo, MD |
2023 | Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, Emory University |
|
| Lauren Jasko, DO |
2023 | Pediatrician, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Allen Joe, MD |
2023 | Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship, University of Pittsburg Medical Center |
|
| Maliha Naeem, MD |
2023 | Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia |
|
| Jessica Ruikka, MD |
2023 | Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship, University of Michigan |
|
| Mira Younis, MD |
2023 | Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| 2022 | |||
| Osama Abuhasheesh, MD | 2022 | Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, Medical University of South Carolina |
|
| Amala J Alenchery, MD | 2022 | Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Mohamed Elshazzly, DO | 2022 | Pediatrician, Seattle, Washington |
|
| Bilasan Hammo, MD | 2022 | Chief Resident, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Nicholas Marshall, MD |
2022 | Fellowship, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Stanford Health Care | |
| Meagan McNicholas, DO |
2022 | Pediatrician, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Ariel Moore, DO |
2022 | Neonatal Intensive Care Fellowship, University Hospitals |
|
| Inga Muser, MD |
2022 | Pediatrician, Cleveland Clinic Children's | |
| Nhu-Hac Truong, DO |
2022 | Medical Genetics Fellowship, National Institute of Health |
|
| Mary Wong, MD | 2022 | Internal Medicine Residency, Cleveland Clinic |
|
| Emily Waskow, DO |
2022 | Medical Genetics Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine |
|
| Shahwar Yousuf, MD |
2022 | Pediatric Intensive Care Fellowship, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences |
|
| Stephanie Lucas, MD |
2022 | Pediatric Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Peter Sarnacki, DO |
2022 | Pediatric Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| 2021 | |||
| Lina Alkhaled, MD |
2021 | Obesity Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic |
|
| Mohga Behairy, DO | 2021 | University of Pittsburgh Medical Center | |
| Brian Chen, MD | 2021 | Sleep Disorders Center, Cleveland Clinic | |
| Aoife Corcoran, MD |
2021 | Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia |
|
| Jasmine Dillard, MD |
2021 | Chief Resident, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Caitlin Ensor, MD |
2021 | Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship, Weill Cornell |
|
| Sarah Leluga, DO |
2021 | Chief Resident, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Michael Lin, MD | 2021 | Pediatrician, Moreno Valley, California |
|
| Pia Maalouf, MD |
2021 | Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship, Brown |
|
| Christiane Mhanna, DO |
2021 | Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, Nemours Children's Hospital |
|
| Jamie Pruitt, DO |
2021 | Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, University of Michigan |
|
| Saneeha Shahid, MD |
2021 | Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Kriti Bhayana, MD |
2021 | Pediatric Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| Rita Elias, DO |
2021 | Pediatric Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Children's |
|
| 2020 | |||
| Mohamed Ashkar, MD | 2020 | Pediatrician, Cooperstown, New York | |
| Brendan Burke, DO | 2020 | Chief Resident, Cleveland Clinic Children's | |
| Sara Ghannam, MD | 2020 | Allergy Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Children's | |
| Sumeet Gill, DO | 2020 | Pediatrician, Phoenix Children's, Arizona | |
| Nawras Habash, MD | 2020 | Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, Mayo Clinic | |
| Joshua Herber, MD | 2020 | Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, Riley Children's | |
| Smitha Hosahalli Vasanna, MD | 2020 | Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital | |
| Hamza Nasir, MD | 2020 | Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia | |
| Nicole Rothfusz, DO | 2020 | Chief Resident, Cleveland Clinic Children's | |
| Noah Schwartz, MD | 2020 | Pediatrician, Cleveland Clinic Children's | |
| Sampurna Shakya, MD | 2020 | Pediatrician, Ashtabula County Medical Center, Ohio | |
| Jing Yi Sun, MD | 2020 | Allergy Immunology Fellowship, University of Michigan | |
| Emine Tunc, MD | 2020 | Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship, Seattle Children's | |
| Sanu Yadav, MD | 2020 | Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Children's | |
|
2019 |
|||
| Dayne Bonzo, DO | 2019 | Pediatrician, Alaska | |
| Madelyn Cohen, DO | 2019 | Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, Nationwide Children's Hospital | |
| Caroline Conley, DO | 2019 | Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Children's | |
| Dalal Elsori, MD | 2019 | Development-Behavioral Pediatrics, Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University | |
| Elizabeth Hilow, MD | 2019 | Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Children's | |
| Deanna LaBianca, DO | 2019 | Pediatrician, Randall Children’s Hospital (Oregon) | |
| Amy Porter, MD | 2019 | Pursuing Palliative Care Fellowship | |
| Archana Ramgopal, DO | 2019 | Pediatric Hem/Onc Fellowship, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh | |
| Doaa Shahbah, MD | 2019 | Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, Texas Children's | |
| Jason Sherman, DO | 2019 | Pediatrician, Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Family Health & Surgery Center | |
| Ahmad Suleiman, MD | 2019 | Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, Children’s Hospital of Michigan | |
| Julia Tanguay, DO | 2019 | ED/Acute Care, Cleveland Clinic Akron General | |
| Megh Trivedi, MD | 2019 | ED/Acute Care, Cleveland Clinic Akron General | |
|
2018 |
|||
| Elham Abushanab, MD | 2018 | Cleveland Clinic Child Neurology | |
| Aiman Altaqi, MD | 2018 | Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest ED | |
| Mary Ayers, MD | 2018 | Pediatric GI, UPMC Medical Education-PA | |
| Edward Beatty, DO | 2018 | Akron Children’s ED | |
| Antonio Belda, MD | 2018 | Pediatric Cardiology, University Tennessee COM-Memphis | |
| Sarah Davidson, MD | 2018 | Chief Resident, Cleveland Clinic Children’s | |
| Stephannie Davies, MD | 2018 | Pediatric Allergy, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago | |
| Vedant Gupta, DO | 2018 | Chief Resident Cleveland Clinic Children’s | |
| Zahra Hudda, MD | 2018 | Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering-NY | |
| Travis Larsh, MD | 2018 | Cleveland Clinic Child Neurology | |
| Sana Siddiqui, MD | 2018 | Pediatric Hospitalist Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Arizona | |
| Jessica Smith, MD | 2018 | Pediatric Sports Medicine Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas City, MO | |
| Madeleine Townsend, MD | 2018 | Cleveland Clinic Pediatric Cardiology fellowship | |
|
2017 |
|||
| Zeyad Abdulkader, MD | 2017 | Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, Nationwide Children’s Columbus, OH | |
| Kelsey Bertrand, MD | 2017 | Pediatric Hematology Oncology Fellowship, Baylor/Texas Children’s, Houston TX | |
| Niyati Bondale, MD | 2017 | Pediatric Chief Resident, CCF | |
| Aditi Dhir, MD | 2017 | Pediatric Hematology Oncology Fellowship, University of Alabama Medical Center, Birmingham |
|
| Kamalvir Gill, MD | 2017 | Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, Miami Children’s, Miami FL | |
| Chetan Mandelia, MD | 2017 | Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Children's | |
| Dipika Menon, MD | 2017 | Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI | |
| Jesse Mortimore, MD | 2017 | General Pediatrician, Longmont CO | |
| Edouard Sayad, MD | 2017 | Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship, Baylor/Texas Children’s, Houston TX | |
| Senthuran Vijayarajah, MD | 2017 | Pediatric Critical Care, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT | |
| Yamini Mandelia, MD | 2017 | Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Children's | |
| Ei Ye Mon, MD | 2017 | Pediatric Chief Resident, CCF | |
