Chief Residents
- Ethan Flathers, DO
- Ogochukwu "Ogo" Ilobi, MD
- Omar Jafar, MD
- Zooha Altaf, MD - Fatima Jinnah Medical University
- David Armas Florez, MD - Universidad Nacional de Trujillo
- Lixanna Azcona Valdez, MD - Universidad Iberoamericana
- Abes Bautista Neughebauer, MD - Eastern VIrginia Medical School
- Nicholas D'Alessandro, MD - San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
- Joshua Dolsen, MD - St. George's University
- Bryan Fitzgerald, DO - Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine- Carolinas Campus
- Mikaela Kcomt Lam, MD - Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego
- Effie Lambrinos, DO - Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Jennifer Priessnitz, MD - until 1/5
- Hira Sarfraz, MD - King Edward Medical University
- Brandon Savage, DO - Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Manveer Singh, MD - Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- Thais Sloop, DO - Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Nicholas Valle, DO - Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia
- Hisham Mohammed Babu, MD - J.S.S Medical College
- Aleksandra Bulaeva, MD - Sechenov University
- Ben Cavanaugh, DO - Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Vincent Chan, MD - Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Shaelyn Hayes, DO - Oklahoma State College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation
- Ahmed Ismail, MD - Cairo University
- Katie Jaffe, DO - Kansas City University
- Noel John, MD - Avalon University School Of Medicine
- Zack Kaplan, MD - Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Lake Lomax, DO - LMU-DCOM
- Rabeea Mazhar, MD - King Edward Medical University
- Juan Munoz-Moreno, MD - Universidad Nacional de Trujillo
- Cameron Palmer, MD - Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Jeevitha Prativadi, MD - Kasturba Medical College
- Saad Saleem, MD
- Zachary Wilson, DO - Lincoln Memorial University
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Medical School: Jinnah Sindh Medical University
Future Goals: I aspire to be a physician who advocates for health equity, and contributes to policies that make a meaningful impact on our community. I also have a strong interest in rheumatology and endocrinology, and look forward to the learning opportunities these fields will offer.
Hometown: I partnered in a travel venture, combining my love for adventure with real-world experience.
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Future Goals: I’m not 100% sure yet! I may pursue a fellowship in GI or Endocrinology, or remain an internist and do global health mission work. Whatever the path is, I hope to come out very well trained in my field with great friends from residency.
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Medical School: EVMS
Future Goals: Internist vs Cardiologist
Hometown: Elmhurst, NY
Medical School: Universidad de Guayaquil. Facultad de Ciencias Medicas
Future Goals: Becoming a Cardiologist, Becoming an Interventional Cardiologist or Electrophysiologist, Becoming a faculty member or Professor of medicine.
Hometown: Bloemfontein, South Africa
Medical School: University of the Free State, South Africa
Future Goals:Short term, I aim to become an excellent resident and contribute to a culture where our cohort strives to be among the strongest the program has seen. Long term, I hope to pursue fellowship training, build a purposeful clinical career and give back to the community.
Hometown: Mansoura, Egypt
Medical School: Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
Future Goals: I plan to pursue fellowship training in pulmonary/critical care or cardiology, while keeping an open mind as I refine my path during residency.
Why did you choose VHS at ODU? Strong academic rigor and clinical training, where residents are pushed to grow and excel in supportive and easy going environment. During my interview, the atmosphere felt natural and welcoming. I had the sense that people not only work hard here, but also look out for each other. It felt like a place where I see myself belong to, and somewhere I would be excited to show up every day and train.
Describe yourself in 5 words: Ambitious, lifelong learner, reliable, hardworking, loyal
Name 3 things you absolutely can't live without: Being around people, coffee, and a sense of purpose.
Hobbies: Practicing card tricks, playing pool, cooking (especially friendly cooking competitions with my wife), and going on long drives.
What is your favorite food? Egyptian béchamel—baked pasta layered with meat and creamy sauce
Do you have any food allergies or a special diet: No allergies or restrictions
The person that inspires me the most is my dad, because he taught me to focus on solutions and keep going. That it’s always better to light a candle than to blame the darkness.
Something you may not know about me is....I celebrate two birthdays
Hometown: Pakistan
Medical School: Liaquat University of Medical Health and Science. Pakistan
Future Goals: short term, my goals are to complete Internal medicine residency and strength my clinical and decision-making skills. My long-term goal is to develop in well-rounded physician. Given my background, I do have a strong interest in infectious diseases, and I plan to pursue that in future. At the same time, I'm open to learning from all areas of internal medicine during residency.
Hometown: Mailsi, Pakistan
Medical School: King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
Future Goals: Becoming a Internist, becoming a Geriatrician, becoming a Cardiologist, becoming an Interventional Cardiologist or Electrophysiologist, becoming a faculty member or professor of medicine.
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Future Goals: To become a well-rounded physician
Why did you choose VHS at ODU? I enjoy working in a large academic center with many different other residency programs and faculty who enjoy teaching. It is also close to my hometown and to the beach!
Describe yourself in 5 words: Adaptable, determined, analytical, ambitious, curious
Name 3 things you absolutely can't live without: Being around people, coffee, and a sense of purpose.
Hobbies: Photography
What is your favorite food? Thai food
Do you have any food allergies or a special diet: No pork
The person that inspires me the most is my mother because she has taught me compassion, resilience, and determination.
Something you may not know about me is....I enjoy art and museums.
Hometown: Tehran, Iran
Medical School: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Future Goals: My primary goal is to help patients achieve better health while building meaningful, trusting relationships with them. I value spending time getting to know people and understanding their needs so I can contribute to improving their quality of life. Ultimately, I aspire to become a physician whom patients can truly rely on.
Why did you choose VHS at ODU? The friendly and collegial environment at the program was a major factor in my decision. I was also drawn to its strong clinical and research training, as well as the opportunity to encounter a wide range of pathologies. Together, these elements make it an excellent place to prepare for my goal of becoming a well-rounded physician.
Describe yourself in 5 words: Compassionate, analytical, adaptable, detail-oriented, curious
Name 3 things you absolutely can't live without: Family and friends, medicine, coffee
Hobbies: Calligraphy, swimming, hiking, cooking traditional dishes
What is your favorite food? Mediterranean food and pasta
Do you have any food allergies or a special diet: No
The person that inspires me the most is my mother because of her kindness and compassion, as well as her dedication to lifelong learning while being an extraordinary parent.
Something you may not know about me is....I really enjoy driving and am fascinated by vehicles, from cars to airplanes (though I still need proper training for the latter 😊). I also love exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing different foods and cultures.
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Future Goals: Hospitalist or primary care but I am open to pursuing fellowship.
Hometown: Amman-Jordan
Medical School: Jordan University of Science and Technology
Future Goals: I’m really drawn to community-focused care and building close, long-term relationships with patients. I find it meaningful to be part of a community and contribute beyond just clinical encounters. As I move forward, I’m still exploring the different paths within internal medicine, but I know I want my career to stay grounded in service and connection with people.
Hometown: Botetourt, Virginia
Medical School: VCOM- Virginia Campus
Future Goals: To start and family and become a hematologist/oncologist
Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Medical School: Yarmouk University
Future Goals: To grow into a skilled internist and future cardiologist, combining evidence-based care, critical thinking, and the lifelong pursuit of finally feeling confident about every ECG.
Hometown:Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Medical School: Madurai Medical College
Future Goals:To build a career that outlives me, not only through the patients I treat, but through impactful innovations that transform and elevate the quality and accessibility of healthcare. Guided by my mantra, "Treatment is for the patient, but research is for the people," I aspire to contribute meaningful discoveries that advance medicine and improve health at a population level, ensuring my work continues to benefit humanity even in rooms I am no longer in.
Hometown: Williamsburg, VA
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Future Goals: To become a good internist, start a family, and own a house at the beach.
Hometown: Lafayette, Indiana
Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Future Goals: Still deciding!
Hometown: Chantilly, Virginia
Medical School: EVMS.
Future Goals: After PM&R residency, I’m interested in sub-specializing in pain, sports, or pediatric rehabilitation. Coming from an engineering background, I’m excited to bridge cutting-edge technology, holistic lifestyle medicine, and team-based care to help patients move beyond surviving and back into fully living.
Hometown: Harmony, PA
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Future Goals: My goal is to be a clinician-educator in dermatology, and run an HS specialty clinic.
Hometown: Tehachapi/Los Angeles
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Future Goals: Become involved in academic teaching.
Hometown: Norfolk, VA
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Future Goals: Become a radiation oncologist.
Hometown: Wyomissing, PA
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Future Goals: Become a diagnostic radiologist.
Hometown: Sidney, IL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana
Future Goals: Becoming a confident and technically skilled ophthalmologist who prioritizes meaningful patient relationships. I hope to build a life that balances a fulfilling career with personal happiness, ideally.
Hometown: Richmond, VA & Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Medical School: EVMS
Future Goals: To become a competent physician.
Hometown: Sambrial , Pakistan
Medical School:Sargodha , Pakistan
Future Goals: My future goal is to learn medicine and make a real difference in the lives of others. I want to dedicate myself to understanding health, treating illness, and improving the well-being of people.By gaining knowledge and practical skills in medicine, I hope to serve humanity with compassion, care, and responsibility.
Hometown: Arlington, VA
Medical School: EVMS
Future Goals: Becoming an anesthesiologist who provides excellent patient care.
Hometown: McLean, VA
Medical School: EVMS
Future Goals: I'll be completing a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UVA and plan to return to the Hampton Roads area afterwards!
Hometown: Harrisonburg, VA
Medical School: EVMS
Future Goals: A career in ophthalmology, possibly after a subspecialty fellowship.
Hometown: Roston-on-Don
Medical School: In Rostov-on-Don - Rostov State Medical University
Future Goals: My goal is to complete training in Neurology residency and become a specialist in NeuroID field.
Hometown: McLean, VA
Medical School: EVMS
Future Goals:To have a career that is both fulfilling and grounded in helping others.
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Greenville
Future Goals: I want to be the best physician, father, and husband I can be while maintaining personal physical/mental well-being so I can continue to fulfill my roles with enthusiasm, passion, and dedication. I hope I can do these things while maintaining curiosity for both life and medicine. I want to continue to gain new life experiences with my family while also learning as much as I can from my experiences as a new physician.
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Medical School: EVMS
Future Goals: Become an epileptologist, learn how to train a bonsai, play the future Gen 10 Pokemon Game
