Amanada Labora (she · her · hers)
Hey! I am currently a MS4 preparing to start my residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Obstetrics and Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences Residency Program at the University of California, San Francisco. At Penn, I am a co-coordinator of the Women's Refugee Health Clinic at the Penn Center for Primary Care and a medical student representative to the Advisory Council of the Office of Inclusion and Diversity at Penn Medicine. Prior to medical school, I completed a Fulbright research project in Mexico on obstetric violence. I was awarded a degree in History from Brown University in 2013. Outside of school, I enjoy cooking and baking, listening to podcasts, and playing old school Nintendo video games.
Dorothy Charles (she · her · hers)
Hi, my name is Dorothy (she/her), and I’m an MS4, originally from Guam and coming to Penn via Oregon. I moved out to the East Coast to study molecular biology and neuroscience at Princeton University and spent my summers here at Penn, doing research in Dr. Murray Grossman’s cognitive neurology lab as part of the Penn Access Summer Scholars Program. I started medical school in 2014 and have since been involved in SNMA, Students for a National Health Program, and Students Opposing Racism in Medicine. I have also worked to provide absentee ballots to Pennsylvania registered voters who are hospitalized and unable to make it to the polls on election day. This work has since been piloted as a program called Presby Votes and is now being rebranded as Penn Med Votes as we expand to HUP this fall. Aside from my work in social justice in medicine, I am also interested in maternal-child health, community health, and public health, and I hope to continue exploring those interests as I prepare to start my residency in Family Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria Family Medicine Residency. My intention for this year is to be present so that I can better practice self-care and therefore be more effective in caring for others.
Sabrina Layne (she · her · hers)
Hi, my name is Sabrina! I’m an MS4 preparing to start residency in Internal Medicine at the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. I grew up in Oyster Bay, NY and attended Stanford University, where I majored in Human Biology with a focus in global public health. After graduating, I spent an awesome year-out teaching in the HumBio major. At Penn, I’ve enjoyed volunteering with UCHC clinic, learning from my incredible classmates, and developing my interest in quality improvement. In the future, I hope to be a practicing clinician engaged in health systems reform and innovation. Outside of school, I love biking, hiking, tennis, anything outdoors!, potlucks, and exploring Philly via coffee shops and window boxes. This year I look forward to pleasure reading, spending more time at UCHC clinic, and getting to know Penn Med’s new MS1s!
Christopher Magoon (he · him · his)
I’m a Canton, Ohio native who graduated with a degree in History from Yale, focusing on American freedom movements. After college, I worked for a rural education nonprofit in Southwestern China and worked as a freelance writer before starting a postbac-premed program at Bryn Mawr. When not in school, I’m a fan of sitting on the couch with our dog Willow and going on bird-watching adventures. Recently, my wife Allison and I returned to Philly after a year of vision impairment research in Chinese schools on a Fulbright grant. Currently, I am preparing to start my residency in Psychiatry at the Psychiatry Residency Program at Columbia University. This year, I hope to continue to build time into the day to read for pleasure and go on walks. Don’t hesitate to reach out via email. I’m happy to be helpful in any way I can. You can also contact me through my website www.christophermagoon.com.
Vidya Viswanathan (she · her · hers)
Hello! My name is Vidya and I am a MS4 currently preparing to start residency in Pediatrics at the Pediatrics Residency Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). During my time as a Penn medical student, I founded Doctors Who Create, an online platform that aims to foster a community driven to change the culture of medicine to one that rewards and encourages creativity. Prior to medical school, I completed a B.A. in Social Studies at Harvard University, interned in China as a journalist for multiple news outlets, completed a Fulbright English teaching fellowship at the Jhongshan School in Yilan, Taiwan. I later served as a research coordinator at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. This year I look forward to grounding myself further in my intentions and hosting the Doctors Who Create inaugural Creativity in Medicine Conference!
Joan Li (she · her · hers)
Hello! My name is Joan and I am a MS4 currently preparing to start residency in Pediatrics at the Combined Residency Program in Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital. Prior to medical school, I received a B.S. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania before spending 3 years at McKinsey & Company as a strategy consultant in the Healthcare Systems and Services practice. Being passionate about improving healthcare delivery and economics, I served as an executive board member with Penn Health X during my time as a Penn medical student. Looking forward, I hope to one day combine the deeply meaningful one-on-one patient-physician interactions I have had (and will continue to have) with high-level health policy and management work. In doing so, I believe that learning how to heal an individual patient will help me and others learn how to heal the healthcare system.
Corey Watts (he · him · his)
Hi! I’m a Midwesterner who was raised by geriatric specialists, a physician and a social worker. I grew up with the unstated value that taking care of others was the most important thing. Currently, I am preparing to start residency in Internal Medicine at the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with an interest in longitudinal care of patients with complex illnesses. In particular, am drawn to infectious diseases. This year, I intend to find ways to mature in my relationships with patients, colleagues, and mentors as I transition to a greater responsibility for patient care and for my own career in medicine.
Trisha Santos (she · her · hers)
Hi, I’m Trisha! Born in Manila and raised in Brooklyn, I’m a Filipina American and a proud New Yorker. I studied Neuroscience and History at Brown University and earned a Master’s in Biomedical/Translational Research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai before moving to Philly. At Penn, I’ve been involved in a number of activities including the Penn Human Rights Clinic and the Medical Education Club. I’ve served as a Clinical Course Representative during clerkship year and am the current President of the Radiation Oncology Interest Group (ROIG), our school’s American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)-funded cancer interest group. I’m now preparing to start residency in Radiation Oncology at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Radiation Oncology Residency Program with aspirations to pursue a career in academic medicine. My dream is to blend my lifelong love of neuroscience with my newfound passion for cancer care through clinical research, medical education, and patient care. When I’m not managing large patient databases or TA-ing Doctoring/Anatomy, I love spending time drawing portraits, eating new foods, going on long walks throughout the city, or reading a great book at any one of my favorite coffee shops in Philadelphia! Never hesitate to ask me for recs—I’ve got plenty! :)
Leah Rethy (she · her · hers)
Hi, I’m Leah. This year I am at Northwestern University studying microvascular disease in people with HIV. I will be applying (next year) in Internal Medicine and am interested in preventative medicine and cardiology. I came to medicine through politics and organizing and am excited to think about ways to more fully bring my medical training into organizing work and organizing into treatment strategies!
Tianyu (Tom) Liu (he · him · his)
Hi! My name is Tianyu (Tom) Liu, and I am a MS4 student preparing to start residency in Ophthalmology at the Penn Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Scheie Eye Institute. I grew up outside of Philadelphia, studied Biology at Swarthmore College, and then worked in D.C. at The Advisory Board Company before starting medical school. At Penn, I’m been involved with organizing community outreach events through the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association. In my free time I enjoy running, biking, exploring Philly’s restaurant scene, and spending time with friends and family.
Elizabeth (Ducky) Duckworth (she · her · hers)
I went to Claremont McKenna College where I studied Science and Management with a Biotechnology Sequence (aka economics, biology, and computer science). At CMC, I was a Consultant at the Center for Writing and Public Discourse for three years and served as a Senior Interviewer for the Office of Admissions. Following graduation, I moved to Baltimore to work at a biomedical device startup and shadow an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon. In medical school, I have been involved with a number of student organizations. Serving two terms as President of Medical Student Government, my primary passion is to advocate for institutional change to buttress the mental health of my classmates. Currently, I am finishing a combined MD/MBA at the Wharton School of Business. Next year, I will apply for residency in Orthopaedic Surgery with the hopes of developing my interests in global surgery, trauma care, patient centered care models, and the interaction of clinicians with the broader healthcare system. This year I am striving to foster interclass community and destigmatize failing with an emphasis on times of transition.
Jessica Dong (she · her · hers)
Hi I’m Jessica! I grew up outside Chicago, went to Dartmouth for undergrad, and spent a couple of years working in San Francisco at a small company dedicated to helping people with diabetes and obesity. I’m a 5th year MD/MBA student currently preparing to start residency in Internal Medicine Primary Care at the University of California, San Francisco Primary Care General Internal Medicine Residency Program. An intention I hold for myself this year is to pay forward all of the great mentorship I received from upperclassmen to the current underclassmen.
Moses Murdock (he · him · his)
My name is Moses Murdock, an MS4 applying into internal medicine. My family is from Costa Rica, but I grew up in Boston and Orlando. I went to undergrad at the University of Central Florida where I majored in molecular biology. I spent two years at the NIH before medical school, helping to discover new primary immunodeficiencies. At Penn, I’ve been involved with SNMA, the Heart Health Bridge to Care clinic, and research with the AML genomics group. Currently, I’m finishing a year of research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Outside of medicine, I love to run and read. This year, my intention is to stay connected to my friends and loved ones, whether they are geographically near or far.
Jane Abernethy (she · her · hers)
Hello! I’m Janie and a 4th year medical student preparing to start residency in Internal Medicine Primary Care at the Internal Medicine Primary Care Residency Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania who graduated with a degree in Cognitive Science and Hispanic Studies from Dartmouth College. After college, I worked in international development in Latin America and the Caribbean at the Inter-American Development Bank before starting a post-baccalaureate program at Bryn Mawr. My interests include women’s health, medical ethics and policy work, and I am currently completing a Masters in Bioethics. I would love to be a resource for students who are working to determine their interest within medicine or who need tutoring during their clinical year.
Alomi Parikh (she · her · hers)
Hi! My name is Alomi and I'm an MS4 interested in ophthalmology. I grew up in Holmdel, New Jersey, and went to Princeton for undergrad, where I majored in chemistry with certificates in global health & health policy as well as neuroscience. At Penn I've been involved with United Community Clinic and the Leadership in Medicine group. I'm finishing a year out to pursue the MD/MBA dual degree and in the future hope to work to improve quality of care at the systems level as a practicing physician. Outside of medical school, I like to play guitar, do yoga, explore Philadelphia's coffee shops, and bake cookies. In the next year I hope to connect with many new students in the Penn Med community!
Vasiliki (Vas) Triantafillou (she · her · hers)
Hello friends! My name is Vasiliki (Vas for short). I was born and raised in South Jersey where I grew up dancing competitively and working in my parents' diner as well as had the incredible luck to spend every summer with my grandparents in Greece. I ventured (just slightly) north for college where I majored in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental biology at Yale before coming to Penn Med.
Currently, I am preparing to start residency in Otolaryngology at Otolaryngology Residency Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In my free time, I enjoy thinking about how we learn and teach medicine. Otherwise, you can find me on "Schuylkill beach" enjoying the sunshine, dancing, or brunching (whether that's at one of Philly's many BYOs or throwing down in the kitchen for friends). Please feel free to reach out!
Claudia Gambrah-Sampaney (she · her · hers)
Hello! My name is Claudia and I’m originally from Ghana but also call Texas home. This year, I returned from a year-long fellowship in Salvador, Brazil researching growth and developmental outcomes of Zika virus infection. Within medicine, I am particularly interested in the intersection between neurology and infectious disease, and I am also very interested in global health. Currently, I am preparing to start residency in Child Neurology at the Pediatric Child Neurology Residency Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Outside of medical school, I love being outdoors, photography and traveling the world! My intention for this year is to be present in all that I do!
Armin Farazdaghi (he · him · his)
I'm originally from Maryland and a proud Orioles fan since childhood, though it's become more and more difficult to pretend that this may be the year we make it to the World Series. I attended West Point and served in the army for five years prior to moving to Philadelphia to attend medical school. Currently, I am preparing to start residency in Integrated Vascular Surgery at Mayo Clinic’s Vascular Surgery Integrated Residency Program. I plan on spending my my final year of medical school involved in research, in addition to contributing to the education of other medical students by serving as a teaching assistant for several courses. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time outdoors rock, ice, and alpine climbing, participating in environmental and wildlife protection, and spending time with my wife and guinea pig.
Tomas Andersen (he · him · his)
Hey! My name is Tomas, and I am a combined-degree MD/MPH student. I grew up in Southern California and I did undergrad at Dartmouth College. Before med school, I spent more than two years at the Haley House soup kitchen in Boston, MA while also taking premed classes through the Harvard postbac. At Penn I have been involved with the UCHC clinic and with Back On My Feet, an organization that focuses on community building through running with people in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Currently, I am preparing to start residency in Ophthalmology at the Penn Ophthalmology Residency Program at the Scheie Eye Institute. Please feel free to be in touch!
Claire Hirschmann (she · her · hers)
Hey! I'm a MS4 preparing to start residency in Emergency Medicine at the Highland Hospital Emergency Medicine Residency Program with particular interests in emergency medicine’s intersection with adolescent medicine and reproductive health. My path to medicine was indirect at best: I grew up in Seattle, majored in English at Yale, and then spent several years adventuring, mostly in the world of education (previous titles include: dude ranch cabin cleaner, traveling school teacher, wilderness expedition guide, nonprofit co-founder, and medical volunteer trip leader). I completed a post-bac program at Goucher College and then (finally) made it to medical school. At Penn, I’ve been involved in Covenant House, the MS1 Backpacking Trip, the Doctoring course student advisory committee, and a lot of intramural sports. Outside of school, I get really excited about outdoor adventuring, lawn games, dystopian teen novels, and breakfast sandwiches. Intention for the year? Talk more (and better) about failure.
Sara Rendell (she · her · hers)
Hi! I am an MD/PhD candidate planning to go into internal medicine. My PhD work is in medical anthropology, and I study inequality and health care, particularly the lives, family ties, and health of immigrants and refugees. I also do some consulting for the World Health Organization in the area of maternal and child health and maternal immunization. I love in-person conversation, writing and reading poetry, movies and running/cycling.
Rosaline Zhang (she · her · hers)
Hi! My name is Rosaline. I was born in Grasse, France (apparently the world capital of perfume, near Nice) but grew up mostly around Seattle. I graduated from Penn undergrad in 2014, with double major in Urban Studies and Biology. At PennMed, I served on the board of the Elizabeth Blackwell Society promoting women in medicine, and cofounded the Penn Global Surgery Group. Last year, I took a year out to pursue the Masters in Translational Research. Currently, I am preparing to start residency in Plastic Surgery at the Plastic Surgery Integrated Residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. Outside of medical school I enjoy baking and feeding my friends vegan treats, running, listening to podcasts, volunteering and spending time at my church. Feel free to email me with any questions!
Samuel Rauch (he · him · his)
Hey! I’m Sam and a MS4 currently preparing for residency in Internal Medicine at the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Duke University. Before medical school, I studied urban education in graduate school and taught high school math for 3 years in New Haven, CT. This year, I want to find more time to read.
Members not listed:
Katherine Magoon, Juan Spinnato, and Makayla Maccoskey.