Internal Medicine Residency Residents

Reyan Atassi, DO
Hometown: Burr Ridge, Illinois
Undergraduate: Loyola University
Medical school: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Reading, writing, exercise.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I found Corewell Health Lakeland resonated with me the more I got to know it. The residents, attendings, and the surrounding area were all superb and very welcoming and the program very equipped to give me the training I wanted. When speaking with the residents on interview day and other occasions they all seemed very satisfied with their choice and enjoyed a good sense of camaraderie. I look forward to spending the next three years in this fantastic program learning from amazing physicians alongside my new coresidents.

Tyler Gabrelcik, MD
Hometown: Hastings, Minnesota
Undergraduate: Loras College
Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Video games, computers, and horror movies.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland for a few reasons, including my in-person interview and the feeling of the town. Firstly, most of my interviews were virtual, but Lakeland offered an in-person option. It was a wonderful experience to visit Lakeland Hospital, converse with fellow interviewees, and feel comfortable in the environment. Secondly, coming from a reasonably sized city myself, I felt at home in St. Joseph's Midwest community. In the end, I felt I could strive to become a better physician while feeling at home.

Yousef Hasanain, DO
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Undergraduate: Nova Southeastern University
Medical school: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Basketball, running, hiking.
Why I Chose Lakeland: Come, spend an audition rotation here and it'll become very clear why I chose Lakeland. Every single person from the program director and co-residents to the support staff are amongst the most kind and welcoming people I've had the pleasure of working with. They went above and beyond to accommodate me as a medical student and have shown their commitment to my future success as a resident and beyond. The sunsets on Lake Michigan and that Silver Beach pizza are just a bonus.

Chris Naco, MD
Hometown: Troy, Michigan
Undergraduate: Michigan State University
Medical school: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Playing video games, reading fantasy novels, cooking, baking.
Why I Chose Lakeland: Lakeland had what I was looking for on paper to begin with, but what really sealed the deal was interview day. The residents were friendly and welcoming, and they seemed truly happy being here. Talking to the faculty, it was clear that they cared to get to know me more as a person than just an applicant. Even the way that they interacted with residents and home students during that day really exemplified the caring atmosphere. The beauty of the city and surrounding area is just icing on the cake!

Syed Qadri, DO
Hometown: Lombard, Illinois
Undergraduate: Benedictine University
Medical school: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Bodybuilding, cooking recipes from scratch (my biggest achievement so far is making a beef wellington), eating, traveling, experiencing different cuisines, anything X-Men or Digimon related, building action figures
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Corewell Health Lakeland because of the teaching faculty, closeness between residents, and everyone’s commitment to lifelong learning. On interview day, faculty and residents were super friendly and welcoming.

Tushar Sharma, DO
Hometown: Bartlett, Illinois
Undergraduate: Saint Louis University
Medical school: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Sports such as basketball and football, listening to music, and playing video games.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland because of the great collaborative culture within all the faculty, residents, students, and staff. I knew it was a place where I would be able to grow as a physician and get excellent training! The diverse pathology and the people from many different backgrounds made this a place feel like the perfect fit for me!

Karanvir Takhar, DO
Hometown: Yuba City, California
Undergraduate: UCLA
Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Playing sports, trying new foods, hiking, listening to music.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland because of the supportive environment and overall cohesiveness in the program. Interviewing here, I felt an immediate connection to the residents and faculty. The sense of community from students to faculty fosters a collaborative learning atmosphere where everyone feels valued and encouraged to succeed.

Sashank Yarlagadda, DO
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Undergraduate: University of Minnesota
Medical school: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Traveling, hiking, movies, sports, and sunsets at the beach.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland because of its reputation of fostering a supportive learning environment. The emphasis of hands-on clinical experience and exposure to a diverse patient population aligns with my career goals. The residents and attendings are always willing to help one another and the community is very friendly and close to home!

Matthew Yee, DO
Hometown: Fullerton, California
Undergraduate: University of California, Santa Barbara
Medical school: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Tennis, basketball, movies, video games, board games, and spending time with family and friends.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland because it had all the makings of a great program. Collaborative culture, supportive residents and faculty, organized curriculum, and rigorous training. Everyone was super friendly and easy to talk to. I could see myself comfortably fitting in with what the program had to offer as a whole. I felt confident this environment would help me become a competent and caring physician.

Dania Atallah, DO
Hometown: Homer Glen, Illinois
Undergraduate: Northwestern University
Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Oil painting, cooking/baking, hiking, watching horror films.
Why I Chose Lakeland: There are several reasons I selected Lakeland as my IM residency program. It has a strong reputation in its training, curriculum, clinical experience, and research opportunities which make it a good fit for my professional goals and interests. I was initially drawn to the program for its quality of faculty and residents, and I felt that the program was a good fit for my personality, work style, and values. St. Joseph is also a beautiful place to practice, and is close to home, friends, and family.

Zachary Goodman, DO
Hometown: Redondo Beach, California
Undergraduate: Washington University in St Louis
Medical school: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Hobbies/interests: Learning about movie visual effects, trying new breweries, taking care of my houseplants, playing with my dog and cat, lacrosse, golf, paddle boarding, cooking.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I had the opportunity to audition during my 4th year and immediately knew this is where I’d end up. The program treats medical students phenomenally; GME even set up an Endo Day for me to further explore my interests! All of the residents and attendings were friendly and welcoming, and I could truly sense the camaraderie from this group. The beautiful town of Saint Joseph boasts plenty of food, drink, and outdoor activities that I’m excited to try out, while the community hospital prides itself on its diverse pathology and familial culture.

Issa Maslog, MD
Hometown: Davao City, Philippines
Undergraduate: Ateneo de Davao University
Medical school: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Hobbies/interests: Watching movies, playing video games, spinning, traveling.
Why I Chose Lakeland: What sealed the deal for me was the great location, collaborative culture, and genuine personalities who make up the program. I really felt that I can be part of this community, be of service to others and become a better physician in the process.

Tho Nguyen, DO
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Undergraduate: University of Illinois - Chicago
Medical school: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Binge-watching shows, biking, hiking.
Why I Chose Lakeland: After my interview experience, I knew that Lakeland was the one for me. It happened to be the only in-person interview experience I had during the entire season. I was impressed with the hospitality, the supportive environment and the positive feelings from the interactions I had with everyone on the team. The program has everything I was looking for in a residency program: a structured curriculum, supportive faculty, and a community program in an academic setting. A small, nice town like St Joe, which is 2 hours away from Chicago, my hometown, is also a plus!

Anthony Noll, DO
Hometown: Naples, Florida
Undergraduate: University of West Florida
Medical school: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Anything outdoors (namely golf, baseball/softball, basketball, and hiking), golf course design, home design, medical business/administration.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland because they had the, “needs and wants” I was looking for in an Internal Medicine program. On interview day, I was able to see the cohesiveness and camaraderie that each resident exuded while thoroughly appreciating all my interviewers trying to get to know me as a person versus, “just another applicant”. Each of these factors, combined with having family and friends in the region, made the decision for coming to St. Joseph much easier! I am grateful that I can serve and learn from the Southwest Michigan community!

Hamza Saifuddin, DO
Hometown: Bolingbrook, Illinois
Undergraduate: University of Illinois - Chicago
Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Cooking, hiking, kayaking, traveling, playing video games.
Why I Chose Lakeland: Lakeland’s welcoming environment, molded by the leadership, faculty, and residents who are supportive, approachable, and dedicated to each other’s professional growth, is, in my experience, unmatched. Having experienced the rigor of the program, witnessed the high caliber of residents, and worked with a very diverse patient population during my audition rotation at Lakeland, I am elated to continue my training at this program.

Oliver Yockey, MD
Hometown: DeWitt, Michigan
Undergraduate: Central Michigan University
Medical school: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Hobbies/interests: I like to garden and pick fruit at local orchards. I usually make jelly or freeze it for later use! Also have interests in trying new recipes and cooking, particularly if they involve a smoker.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose to continue my education at Lakeland following my time as a base student. I felt the hospital provided a strong learning environment with faculty who were truly invested in your learning. Furthermore, I enjoyed the community hospital atmosphere and the ability to have a direct impact on a diverse patient population. I also strongly valued the surrounding community and outdoor activities this region provides—especially during the summer!

Anneke Bulthuis, DO
Hometown: San Diego, California
Undergraduate: California State University San Marcos
Medical school: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Cooking, biking, reading, and boxing.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland because leadership has created an incredibly friendly culture for learners, with a warm and collegial atmosphere among the residents as well as staff and attendings. St Joseph is a beautiful area, and I knew it was a place I could thrive as I grow in my clinical skill.

Jeremiah Chang, DO
Hometown: Richland, Michigan
Undergraduate: Western Michigan University
Medical school: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Basketball, working out, and listening to music.
Why I Chose Lakeland: The residents and faculty were very welcoming and friendly on interview day! Strong sense of camaraderie between residents.

Carlos Guerra, MD
Hometown: Medellin, Colombia
Undergraduate: Florida Atlantic University
Medical school: Xavier University School of Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Playing tennis, swimming, basketball, and reading fantasy novels.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Spectrum Health Lakeland because I was able to see that there is a sense of camaraderie among residents and attendings, and this leads to provide excellent care to the community. As result, it will be a great environment for me to learn and grow as a physician helping those in a community that I already feel a part of.

Sara Palmieri Fermin, MD
Hometown: Nirgua, Venezuela
Undergraduate: University of Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela
Medical school: Universidad de Carabobo, Valencia
Hobbies/interests: Jigsaw puzzles, outdoor activities, nature photography, swimming, tennis, cooking, volunteering, lifestyle medicine, and quality time with family and friends.
Why I Chose Lakeland: My husband and I had a dream to come to the United States to pursue higher education. In November of 2020, we made it to Andrews University. While he was getting his master's degree, I was getting ready for the match. I got myself involved in many activities like shadowing and volunteering. Just before match season, I had the pleasure to meet a fantastic doctor which I was able to shadow and observe during rounds and night shifts at Lakeland. The residents were welcoming and eager to teach, with excellent teamwork skills. I also love that you will always have an attending to guide you and support you if you have any questions. I've lived over a year in the area, and I am delighted with Southwest Michigan, especially the lake's closeness, which in summer is so beautiful that it makes me think it is a Caribbean beach.

Khateeb Raza, DO
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Undergraduate: Loyola University Chicago
Medical school: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Rebuilding cars and engines, swimming, volleyball, community service, philosophy, mathematics, horseback riding, Nintendo Wii/real golf, hand drum making, exploring, and overall stepping outside my comfort zone!
Why I Chose Lakeland: I was drawn to the program's supportive environment, strong leadership, patient population, and interest in bettering the community. I was also captivated by its strong sense of community and collegiality amongst its residents and attendings. Oh, can't forget the added beauty of Lake Michigan sunsets!

William Schreiner, MD
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Medical school: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Distance running, badminton, golf, and going to the movies.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I was drawn to Lakeland's sense of camaraderie within the program mixed excellently with a firm commitment to learning. The Lakeland community is welcoming and has everything I could ask for to foster professional growth while giving back to the community.

Shon Thomas, MD
Hometown: Skokie, Illinois
Undergraduate: Northwestern University
Medical school: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Hobbies/interests: Basketball, biking, hiking, movies, exercise, guitar, reading non-fiction/autobiographies, and eating food.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland because of the wonderful people including faculty and staff I met in the program, the unopposed and rigorous internal medicine residency training, supportive resident rapport, amiable mentors/faculty, and the Midwest homely feel I enjoyed growing up with. I am beyond grateful to be part of this program and to work along with an amazing cohort of residents. The supportive and challenging clinical training will help me become a competent and compassionate physician for my patients in the future.