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Meet Our Program Director
Letter from our Program Director Dr. Sean Geary
Hi, everyone, and welcome to the Albany Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency website!
First, congratulations on your interest in a career as an emergency physician. Second, thank you for your interest in our program.
You might say that I know Albany Medical Center well. I spent a decade at Albany Medical Center leading up to my time as Program Director. I completed my emergency medicine residency and surgical critical care fellowship here. I also spent two years as one of our program’s Assistant Program Directors before becoming Program Director in 2020.
At Albany Med, we endeavor to create an experience where residents learn all elements needed to be exceptional emergency physicians practicing in any environment, while providing individualized opportunities to explore more focused elements of emergency medicine. We do so through an atmosphere of professionalism, education, and mentorship.
Take a minute to read the letters posted on this website from my colleagues, Dr. Pauze, our Department Chair, and our Chief Residents. They do a phenomenal job highlighting some of the most exciting features of our training program.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to highlight a few of my favorite aspects of the residency program we have created at Albany Med. One of the most important aspects of an emergency medicine residency program is the engagement of residents in developing and bettering their training. To this end, we have monthly steering meetings to solicit resident feedback and actively engage residents in improving their education and work environment. Along with this theme, each class participates in a quality improvement project to improve the program for years to come. Some of the recent advances have included redesigning our eye room for improved patient care, scheduling changes based on resident feedback such as early sign out the night before conference to allow for a full night of sleep, and exchanging the NICU rotation for an orthopedics rotation.
In addition to flexibility and feedback, I am proud of our educational experience outside the emergency department. Over 75% of our conferences are led by attendings. We also have regular visits to our advanced simulation lab and cadaver lab where residents can practice some of emergency medicine's most life-saving, intense procedures in controlled environments.
Finally, resident wellness is a top priority. From scheduled days off as a class for relationship building, to resident families for built-in support, to a weekly farm share of fresh produce from our local farms, our residents are happy, rested, and engaged in the community in meaningful ways.
Please explore our website, check out our video, and email our program coordinator Kara Giglia (gigliak@amc.edu) to get on the list for our digital recruiting packet. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sean P. Geary, MD
Program Director Emergency Medicine
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Surgical Critical Care
Our APDs
Our APD team comes from a broad range of institutions and backgrounds allowing them to facilitate different aspects of our residency education.
Jess Noonan, MD
Associate Program Director
Tim Palmieri, MD
Assistant Program Director
Geoff Gillespie, MD
Assistant Program Director
Our Program Coordinator
Kara is the heart and soul of our program. We would all be lost without her. From making sure all of our recertifications are up to date, to her never ending bowl of office candy, to personally checking in with us when we have had a hard day. She is our life line!
Kara Giglia
Program Coordinator
Our Current Chiefs
Benjamin Bayly, DO
Nathaniel Ekstrom, DO
Julia Romano, MD
Padma Tipparaju, MD
CLASS OF 2026
PGY-3
JULIA ROMANO, MD
Med School: Albany Medical College
Favorite local restaurant: DeFazio's! They have the best gluten free and celiac-safe pizza I've ever had.
Theme song that best describes you: Rip Her To Shreds by Blondie
PGY-3
BEN BAYLY, DO
Med School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - Middletown, NY
Favorite local restaurant: Jack's Drive In, Wynantskill NY
Theme song that best describes you: All Star - Smash Mouth
PGY-3
SARAH COURTNEY, DO
Med School: Kansas City University - Joplin Campus
Favorite local restaurant: Graney's (for the fun, not the food)
Theme song that best describes you: We Are Tonight, Billy Currington
PGY-3
NATE EKSTROM, DO
Med School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite local restaurant: Druther's. Get the pretzels.
Theme song that best describes you: It’s My Life - Bon Jovi (Might be dating myself)
PGY-3
JACK GUMINA, DO
Med School: Upstate Medical University
Favorite local restaurant: Graney’s
Theme song that best describes you: I Don’t Care If You’re Contagious, Pierce The Veil
PGY-3
CONNOR HOLZKE, MD
Medical School: California Northstate University, College of Medicine
Favorite local restaurant: Brown's Brewing Company in Troy
Theme song that best describes you: Flight of the bumblebee
PGY-3
KEVIN MILONE, DO
Med School: Des Moines University
Favorite local restaurant: El Mariachi
Theme song that best describes you: Simple Man- Skynyrd
PGY-3
ANTHONY PICHE, DO
Hometown: Laval, QC
Med School: NYITCOM
Favorite Local Resturant: Tipsy Moose
Theme song that best describes you: La Ziguezon by La Bottine Souriante
PGY-3
KAVI SHANKAR, MD
Med School: Upstate Medical University
Favorite local restaurant: Vans Vietnamese, Browns Brewing Company for great food and a cold beer with a great view!
Theme song that best describes you: Survive- Rise Against
PGY-3
PADMA TIPPARAJU, MD
Med school : Drexel University College of Medicine
Fav local restaurant: Sweet Basil Thai Restaurant
Theme song that best describes me: Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield
PGY-3
TISHA CORUM, MD
Med School: University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Favorite local restaurant: De Fazio's and The Olde English Pub
Theme song that best describes you: Well, I now feel obligated to choose one from my new accidental "namesake", so while there are potentially several fitting choices, I am going to go with "Learn to Let Go", by Ke$ha.
PGY-3
OLIVIA LOHMAN, MD
Med School: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Favorite local restaurant: TapAsia
Theme song that best describes you: toss up of "Country Roads" mixed with "Ante Up"
CLASS OF 2027
PGY-2
MOMNA ASLAM, DO
Hometown: Niskayuna, NY
Med School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite local restaurant: Mosu
PGY-2
MARK CHIODO, DO
Hometown: Darien, CT
Med School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite local restaurant: Graneys!!
Theme Song that best describes you: Scatman by Scatman John
PGY-2
WILL COHN, DO
Hometown: Winnetka, IL (AKA the Chicago suburbs)
Med School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - CO
Favorite Local Restaurant: Albany Ale & Oyster (the best happy hour in Albany, their oysters are great but their lobster roll is my favorite!)
Theme song that best describes you: You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates
PGY-2
ARON DEIULIO, MD
Hometown: Scotia, NY
Med School: State University of New York Upstate Medical University
Favorite Local Restaurant: Augie's
Theme song that best describes you: "Starboy" by the Weekend
PGY-2
KEVEN HOOGHEEM, MD
Hometown: Deerfield, IL
Med School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Favorite Local Restaurant: TBD (check back!)
Theme song that best describes you: Doin’ It Right by Daft Punk
PGY-2
KATHERINE HUTTON, MD
Hometown: Albany, NY
Med School: SUNY Upstate
Favorite Local Restaurant: Dinosaur BBQ
Theme song that best describes you: Another Night by Sons Of The East
PGY-2
LUKE LEFLER, MD
Hometown: Hot Springs, Arkansas
Med School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College
Favorite Local Restaurant: Tanpopo Ramen
Theme song that best describes you: "Ready for Tomorrow" by Babe Rainbow
PGY-2
ANNE LEHMAN, MD
Hometown:
Med School:
Favorite Local Restaurant:
Theme song that best describes you:
PGY-2
WILLIAM LUNDBERG, DO
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Med School: University of Minnesota Medical School
Favorite Local Restaurant: Nighthawks in Troy
Theme song that best describes you: "Float On" by Modest Mouse
PGY-2
KYLE MARTIN, MD
Hometown: Harper's Ferry, WV
Med School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Favorite Local Restaurant: Viva Cinco de Mayo for good Mexican food, Margarita City for Okay Mexican food with giant margs
Theme song that best describes you: "Tired as F**k" by The Staves
PGY-2
TASHA SCHEKOCHIKHINA, DO
Med School:Western University of Health Sciences - Northwest
Favorite Local Restaurant: TBD (check back!)
Theme song that best describes you: Blind Leading the Blind by Mumford and Sons
PGY-2
KAYLYNN SINES-LOSAK, DO
Hometown: Guffrey, CO
Med School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - CO
Favorite Local Restaurant: Viva Cinco de Mayo
Theme song that best describes you: The Parks and Rec intro song
CLASS OF 2028
PGY-1
ASHLEY ASLO, DO
Hometown: Dublin, OH
Med School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Restaurant: Tipsy Moose
Theme Song that best describes you: Asked ChatGPT what the theme song to my life was and the answer I got was :
“stressed out” by twenty one pilots, “help” by the Beatles or “under pressure” by queen/david Bowie lol
PGY-1
DEVIN BUSH, MD
Hometown: Poland, NY
Med School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Favorite Restaurant: Scoups
Theme Song that best describes you: "This Old Sea" by Goose
PGY-1
ANA CAMPBELL, MD
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Med School: University of Texas Medical Branch
Favorite Local Restaurant: Fresh N' Pressed
Theme song that best describes you: "Long Live" by Taylor Swift
PGY-1
WILLIAM DASILVA, MD
Hometown: Cambridge, ON, Canada
Med School: University of Queensland School of Medicine
Favorite Local Restaurant: Don Tequila mexican Cantina
Theme song that best describes you:
PGY-1
MADELINE LEVY, DO
Hometown: Cheshire, CT
Med School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Local Restaurant: TBD (check back!)
Theme song that best describes you: "Human" by the Killers
PGY-1
NICHOLAS LEWIS, DO
Hometown: Albany, NY
Med School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Local Restaurant: Lanie's Cafe
Theme song that best describes you: "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
PGY-1
DANIEL MACKESSY, DO
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Med School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Local Restaurant: Cafe Madison Breakfast trip after a night shift
Theme song that best describes you: "Good Time" by Niko Moon
PGY-1
NICOLE SILVA, DO
Hometown: Lagrangeville, NY
Med School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Local Restaurant: Albany Ale and Oyster
Theme song that best describes you: "All or Nothing" by Topic, HRVY
PGY-1
MAXWELL SPENCE, DO
Hometown: Pittsfield, MA
Med School:
Favorite Restaurant: Tanpopo Ramen and Sake Bar
Theme Song that best describes you: "Your Type" by Carly Rae Jepson
PGY-1
ANTHONY TEBBANO, DO
Hometown: Halfmoon, NY
Med School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Local Restaurant: Perreca's
Theme song that best describes you: "Get Down" by Audio Adrenaline
PGY-1
JAELLE THORNE, MD
Hometown: Avon, CT
Med School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Favorite Local Restaurant: Short and Stout
Theme Song that best describes you: "The Champion" by Carrie Underwood
PGY-1
SAMANTHA VICENCIO, DO
Hometown: Cranford, NJ
Med School: Liberty University COM
Favorite Local Restaurant: Las Margaritas (Slingerlands)
Theme Song that best describes you: "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves
Our Alumni
Class of 2023
David Afienko, DO, Community Practice, Albany NY
Peter Ahn, DO, Community Practice, Bassett Healthcare System, NY
Jennifer Boccia, MD, Community Practice, St, Johnsbury, VT
Weston Christensen, MD, Active Duty Military Appointment
Alexander Giuliano, MD, Anesthesia Critical Care Fellowship, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Grace Huang, DO, Administrative Fellowship and Community Practice, Albany, NY
Lauren Icken, MD, Community Practice, Basset Healthcare System, NY
Jack Lewis, DO, EMS Fellowship, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME
Arthur Strzepka, DO, Interventional Pain Management Fellowship, Albany and Saratoga Centers for Pain Management
Katie Tai, MD, Community Practice, ME
Yiyang Max Wang, MD, Critical Care Fellowship, Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, NY
Caleb Watkins, MD, Ultrasound Fellowship, Albany Medical Center
Class of 2022
Brendan Blagbrough, DO, Community Practice, Kingston, NY
Andres M. Crane, MD, Community Practice, Pittsburg, PA
Dan Finnin, MD, Active Duty Military Appointment
Brian Frodey, MD, Critical Care Fellowship, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Warren Hayashi, MD, EMS Fellowship, Albany Medical Center
Megan Lieb, DO, Resuscitation Fellowship, Albany Medical Center
Amanda May, MD, Academic Practice, Buffalo, NY
Stacey Natterer, DO, Community Practice, Columbus, OH
Yuvraj Singh, DO, Critical Care Fellowship, Advent Health, Orlando, FL
Stephanie Tsang, DO, Community Practice, West Islip, NY
Cameron Waldman, MD, Resuscitation Fellowship, Albany Medical Center
Briana Wenberg, DO, Community Practice, Albany, NY
Mitch Zekhster, DO, Anesthesia Critical Care, UCSF, San Francisco, CA
Class of 2021
Rachel Le MD, Medical Critical Care Fellowship, Stanford Medicine
Alex Trolenberg MD, Community Practice, Glens Falls, NY
Molly Fillion DO, Community Practice, Albany, NY
Kees Negaard MD, Community Practice, Portland, OR
Cara Bachman MD, Community Practice, Flagstaff, AZ
Zachary Coburn MD, Community Practice, Washington DC
Jeremy Kaswer MD, Surgical Critical Care Fellow, UPENN
Cecily Swinburne MD, EMS Fellowship, Albany Med
Danielle Ballard DO, Community Practice, Henderson, NC
Benjamin Garbus MD, Resuscitation Fellowship, UCONN
Charissa Beaver MD, Community Practice, Albany, NY
Class of 2020
Kevin Allan MD, Community Practice, Eugene, OR
Kira Benson DO, Community Practice, Albany, NY
Thomas Burgess DO, Ultrasound Fellowship, Springfield, MA
Preston Carter DO, Community Practice, Albany, NY
Thomas Castaneda MD, Community Practice, Saratoga Springs, NY
Gretchen Gunn-Kenduru MD, Community Practice, Albany, NY
Spencer Lord MD, Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, Albany Med
Casey McGowan MD, Community Practice, Cooperstown, NY
Carla Graichen MD, Community Practice, Albany, NY
Bhumi Patel MD, Academic Practice Danville, PA
David Ioughran MD, Toxicology Fellowship, Rutgers Medical Center, NJ
Ryan Remarcke DO, Community Practice, Albany, NY
Class of 2019
Conor Coyne MD, Community Practice, Berkshire MA
Emma Furlano MD, Toxicology Fellowship, NYU Bellevue
Geoffrey Gillespie MD, Academic Practice, Albany Med
Joseph Kaczmarek MD, Community Practice, Newburg, NY
Thomas Holman MD, Community Practice, Kingston NY
Stewart Lee MD, Sports Medicine Fellowship, University of Mississippi
Maurice Damek DO, Community Practice, Santa Fe, NM
Travis Minzloff DO, Community Practice, Glens Falls NY
David Peltier DO, Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, Albany Med
Marissa Potenza MD, Administrative Fellowship, Albany Med
Kraig Wasik DO, Community Practice, Placerville, CA
Class of 2018
Holley Briggs, DO, Community Practice, San Francisco, CA
Liquen Chen, MD, Community Practice, Hayward, CA
Lance Dickey, MD, Community Practice, Casa Grande, AZ
Kimberly Donohue, MD, Community Practice, Ellsworth, ME
Christopher Downey, MD, Community Practice, Miami, FL
Emily Esposito, DO, Surgical Critical Care Fellowship - Shock Trauma, Baltimore, MD
David Kassel, MD, Community Practice, Scottsdale, AZ
Matthew Ruppel, DO, Community Practice, Concord, NY
Jason Scheaber, MD, Community Practice, Albany NY
Michael Waldrop, MD, EMS Fellowship, Buffalo, NY
Casey Wilson, MD, Community Practice, Medford, OR