/ Residents
Internal Medicine Residency Residents
PGY 1
Anthony Castelvecchi, DO
Hometown: Geneva, IL
Medical school: Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: weight lifting, running, pickleball, hiking, watersports, board/card games
Why I chose Lakeland? I chose Lakeland for its excellent teaching faculty, diverse clinical experiences, and strong focus on resident growth. During my interview, it became clear that the residents and faculty form a tight-knit group, which is ideal for both professional development and a supportive, enjoyable work environment. I knew this was a place where I could feel at home and grow into the kind of physician I aspire to be.
Shivam Desai, MD
Hometown: Newington, CT
Medical school: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Hobbies: working out, playing and watching sports, hanging out with new friends, and travelling to new places!
Why I chose Lakeland? I chose the Lakeland residency program because I was immediately drawn to the welcoming and supportive nature of the people I met during my interview The close-knit, community-focused environment combined with the beautiful, small-town setting made it feel like a place where I could truly thrive both personally and professionally. What stood out most was the program’s emphasis on hands-on learning and the abundant opportunities to become actively involved in patient care from the start. I knew this would be the ideal setting to grow as a compassionate, well-rounded physician.
Brooke Foster, MD
Hometown: Flushing, MI
Medical school: Indiana University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Golf, pickleball, game nights with family and friends, traveling, trying new activities (like white water rafting and fling golf!)
Why I chose Lakeland? Lakeland was a diamond in the rough. It was the second place I interviewed at and every other interview I had, I kept comparing to Lakeland. The welcoming and family atmosphere I noticed on interview day stuck with me, and the second look sealed the deal. The residents were happy and friendly, the faculty were kind and seemed like genuine down-to-earth people, and the city was beautiful. My husband and I saw a great opportunity at Lakeland, to not only survive residency, but to enjoy it!
Alyssa Monohon, DO
Hometown: North Bend, OR
Medical school: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: I like to go hiking and camping as much as I possibly can. Also, I enjoy running, swimming, and baking. I recently just received some sourdough starter that I have been experimenting recipes with.
Why I chose Lakeland? I chose Lakeland because of the community - between having a community hospital, an active outdoor community, as well as a community that is easy to get involved in drew me to the area. The hospital itself drew me to it because of the structure for residents, I specifically looked for somewhere without fellowships that way I could have as much hands-on time with patients as possible. Lakeland being able to have so many aspects for their hospital, similar to other much larger hospitals made me feel like I would still get exposure to a large variety while being able to keep the community aspect of training that I desire.
Antonio Ray, DO
Hometown: Slidell, LA
Medical school: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Working out, video games, piano, and 3D printing
Why I chose Lakeland? I chose Lakeland mainly due to the positive experience I had on interview day. Everyone was so welcoming and very supportive. The culture came off as collaborative and I could feel that I would be a perfect fit!
Priya Ramamoorthy, MD
Hometown: Austin, TX
Medical school: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
Hobbies: live-music/concerts, looking for new tea to try, cafe-hopping, travelling, and sunset walks on the beach.
Why I chose Lakeland? I am excited about Corewell Health Lakeland for the exceptional training that residents receive in a community that values collaboration, personal well-being, and professional excellence. I also love the location—close to the beach and just a short trip from Chicago! Above all, everyone I've encountered has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. I can't wait to grow both personally and professionally at Lakeland!
Zachariah Steffen, DO
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
Medical school: AT Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: reading, listening to music, hiking, playing video games, and exercising
Why I chose Lakeland? Picking Lakeland for residency was one of the easiest decisions I have made. The attendings and residents were by far the friendliest and most enjoyable to talk to during interview day and on my second look. The curriculum is strong and the residents are amazing. I absolutely loved how it felt like they were a family when meeting them, and I wanted to be a part of that atmosphere. Furthermore, Saint Joseph is a very picturesque town and I absolutely love living next to Lake Michigan.
Parker Thorson, MD
Hometown: Midland, MI
Medical school: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Hobbies: Soccer, hockey, collecting beach glass, watching movies, cooking, hiking, and working out.
Why I chose Lakeland? I choose to continue my education at Lakeland after getting to spend time here as a base student. During that time, I developed a close relationship with many of the faculty members and the residents which have provided strong mentorship. Additionally, the hospital’s supportive culture, diverse patient population, and hands-on training makes it the ideal place to continue my education.
Courtney VanOphem, DO
Hometown: Washington, MI
Medical school: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Hobbies: Soccer, hockey, collecting beach glass, watching movies, cooking, hiking, and working out.
Why I chose Lakeland? I choose to continue my education at Lakeland after getting to spend time here as a base student. During that time, I developed a close relationship with many of the faculty members and the residents which have provided strong mentorship. Additionally, the hospital’s supportive culture, diverse patient population, and hands-on training makes it the ideal place to continue my education.
PGY 2
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.
PGY 3
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!