Meet the Residents
Meet Our Residents
2023-2024
PGY-1s
Eoin Becan Gaj, MD (He/Him/His)
Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah
Clinical Interests: Child and adolescent psychiatry, population health, social determinants of health, healthcare legislation.
Other Interests and Hobbies: Spending time with my family/chasing my kids around, hiking, cycling, road trips, podcasts.
Why UMass: I was excited about residency at UMass for a number of reasons, including the focus on public-sector psychiatry and caring for underserved populations. I also liked the strong training in child and adolescent psychiatry, the large variety of clinical sites, and the emphasis on personalizing the residency experience. Additionally, both my wife and I grew up in Massachusetts, and especially with young children, it is nice to move back east and be close to family.
What You Like About Central Mass: There are lots of nice places nearby to go hiking and lakes to swim in, and tons of delicious farmstand ice cream shops!
Kristen Jorgenson, MD
Louisanna State University School of Medicine
Clinical Interests:
Child and adolescent psychiatry, young adult psychiatry, neuromodulation
Other Interests and Hobbies:
Reading, bike riding, traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family
Why UMass:
I initially became interested in UMass because I wanted to be closer to family in New England after spending 6 years in the South, but soon realized that there was more to the program than just location. During the interview process, UMass stood out to me as having some of the most welcoming faculty and residents, and everyone seemed to feel reassured in their decision to choose this institution. I appreciated the comprehensive training that I would receive at UMass, and knew that I would have abundant opportunities to explore different areas of psychiatry.
I love how much is accessible within a short drive of Worcester; from access to mountains to the proximity to Boston, almost anything is within reach in just a few hours.
Maryann Omran, MD
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Clinical interests: emergency psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, and community mental health.
Other Interests/hobbies: photography, the beach, basketball, playing the drums (without annoying my neighbours).
Why UMass: many reasons including the unique emphasis on neuroscience during our training, the diverse experiences and patient populations, and the sense of community and support I experienced during my interview day and beyond!
What I like about central mass: is that it's central! There are many options for things to do in and around Worcester, including exploring restaurants, hiking, and beaches. There are also many easily accessible big cities!
Clare Ryan, MD
University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine
Clinical Interests
Child/adolescent psychiatry, community psychiatry, psychotherapy and family therapy, women's mental health
Other Interests and Hobbies
Family time with my husband, baby, and black lab, art projects, sewing and embroidery, houseplants, going for walks, podcasts, writing poetry and non-fiction
Why UMass
I was thrilled to match at UMass after being here for med school! Throughout my UMass years, I've come to appreciate the sense of community on campus and the diversity of people (residents, fellows, students, attendings) I've met at work. UMass feels like a place that self-selects for clinicians who are passionate about their work, but who also have varied interests/backgrounds beyond medicine that enrich our shared learning environment. It was also extremely important to me that I match at a family-friendly program where my identity as a parent is appreciated and respected. Finally, the clinical opportunities at UMass are hugely varied and the patient population is quite diverse, making it an ideal place to train and explore new interests.
What You Like About Central Mass
Central MA is great because there is a little bit of everything -- good restaurants and breweries, fun hiking and other outdoor activities, and an easy distance to bigger cities like Boston and Providence.
Shayna Swick, MD
University of Arizona College of Medicine
Clinical interests: Child/Adolescent psychiatry, PTSD, interplay between mental health and chronic illnesses, psychotherapy, integrative psychiatry
Other interests/hobbies: Reading, taking naps with my dog, running, hiking, puzzles, concerts (just listening to music in general…if I’m walking anywhere you will see headphones in my ears!)
Why UMass: I grew up in New England and after being away for almost 15 years it was time to come back! UMass has such a warm and welcoming group of residents and faculty that was palpable even through the virtual interview. It is such a supportive environment that is critical for success during residency and I feel that I will be supported in pursuing my unique interests. I also really like that UMass emphasizes the important role of neurology within psychiatry- a rare find amongst psychiatry residencies!
What I like about Central Mass: I love the proximity to Boston (without having to pay Boston prices or deal with the hustle and bustle of the city) as well as the many hiking opportunities around Worcester. One weekend I’ll spend exploring a nearby park and then next weekend I’ll hop on the commuter rail (10 bucks for unlimited trips on the weekends!) to spend the day in Boston. Also you can’t beat the autumn leaves in Central Mass!
Karuna Sandra Thomas, MD
Amrita School of Medicine
Dalton Mourao, MD
University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine
University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine
Clinical Interests: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Suicide Prevention, Psychotherapy, Mindfulness, LGBTQIA+ Mental Health.
Other Interests and Hobbies: Houseplant care, gardening, cooking, traveling, playing video games, reading science fiction novels, playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Why UMass: I attended medical school at UMass and admire how nurturing the residents and staff are. The clinical faculty at UMass are some of the kindest, and most knowledgeable people I have met. Additionally, UMass offers a broad breadth of child and adolescent training and prepares residents well to serve patients from diverse backgrounds.
What you like about Central Mass: There are many great family-owned restaurants to enjoy right here in Worcester. The heart of the commonwealth is also a very convenient location to many areas of Massachusetts. During medical school, I was able to continue playing pick-up dodgeball and volleyball with longtime friends in Northampton. Until you're enchanted by the Worcester charm, there are many surrounding cities that also make great weekend getaways. There is always something to do, somewhere nearby!
Cassidy Smith, DO
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: cooking/baking, hiking, travel, reading, exploring new ice cream spots
Why UMass: Initially, I was drawn to UMass because of the strong child and adolescent psychiatry training here. Spending a month on a Sub-I during my fourth year of medical school with the Child CL Psychiatry service really solidified my interest in the program. Not only was I impressed with the caliber of teaching and support, but also the collaboration amongst care teams and the exposure to diverse patients. I felt there was a true sense of community within teams and across departments and a common goal of providing the best care.
What I like about Central Mass: Massachusetts quickly became a second home for me during my gap years. It's the perfect midpoint to be close to the beach, White Mountains, and Boston area, all of which bring their own adventure. Living in Massachusetts also allows me to remain near friends and family.
PGY-2s
Adrian Fanucci-Kiss, MD (He/Him/His)
UMass Chan Medical School
Clinical interests: Child and adolescent psychiatry, psychotherapy, and LGBTQ+ mental health
Research interests: Autism spectrum disorder, expressed emotion, and family systems.
Other interests/hobbies: Hiking, paddle boarding (SUP), martial arts training, playing dungeons and dragons, woodworking, and spending time with family, pets, and all the wildlife my mom feeds.
Why UMass: I enjoyed my medical school experience at UMass because of the diverse patient population and caring faculty. My wife and I also wanted to stay close to family and friends in the area, and we were so fortunate to couples match here.
What I like about Central Mass: It’s a nature lover’s dream! There’s great hiking both locally and within a day trip’s distance.
Hallie Geller, MD
Academic Interests: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, PTSD and Trauma therapy, Psychoanalysis
Personal Interests: Spending time with my husband and two daughters, cooking, biking, crafting and reading science fiction or magical realism
Why UMass: I attended medical school at UMass and enjoyed my experience so much I decided to stay for residency and fellowship in the combined Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry Track. In many ways I consider psychiatry and especially child psychiatry to be an important component of primary care. I love the focus UMass as an institution has on providing excellent primary care and training future clinicians to provide holistic, patient-centered care.
What I Like About Central Mass: Though originally native to the Midwest, I have been living in Massachusetts for the past 8 years and have come to love the New England area.
Alexa Hooberman, MD ( She/Her/Hers)
Tufts University School of Medicine
Clinical interests: Child and adolescent psychiatry, C/L psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, psychotherapy.
Research Interests: Integrated care/extended consultation models, cultural psychiatry
Other interests/hobbies: Hiking, indoor cycling, board games, thrift shopping, and taking my cat (yes, cat) on walks!
Why UMass: I grew up in the greater Boston area and knew I wanted to stay in the northeast to be close to family and friends for residency. I sought a program that was welcoming, focused on community development, had all the benefits of a large academic medical center (research, teaching, etc.), as well as a diverse patient population. UMass has far exceeded my expectations in a residency program! The teaching environment is truly collaborative and there are many opportunities to get involved in one’s interests.
What I like about Central Mass: Central Massachusetts is a beautiful place year-round! There is plenty of access to outdoor activities during any season. It is also not a far drive from other cities in New England like Boston, Portland, or Providence and NYC is just a few hours' drive away as well. I am looking forward to exploring new restaurants and breweries in Worcester.
Katarina Hughes, MD (she/her)
University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Clinical interests: TBI, dementias, Parkinson's, movement disorders, personality disorders, mood disorders
Research interests: clinical ethics, neuroethics, ethics education and curriculum development
Other interests/hobbies: hiking, kayaking, cooking, farmers markets, spending the entire day at the beach, traveling, breweries and board games!
Why UMass: I chose UMass because of the amazing and unique opportunity to complete a double board in Neurology and Psychiatry. The program and the mentors within it felt like the best fit for me, and the opportunities for research and diving deep into my intellectual curiosities seemed endless. I am so happy to get to become a physician in the two specialties I love so much.
What I like about Central Mass: My favorite part of Central Mass is all of the greenery! The nature is quite beautiful and it is much sunnier here than the Midwest.
Carol Renneburg, MD, MBE (she/her)
UMass Chan Medical School
Academic interests: addiction psychiatry, women’s mental health, LGBTQIA+ mental health, and therapy
Personal interests: Disc golf, skiing, running, tabletop roleplaying games such as Dungeons and Dragons, video games, reading
Alexandra Ruuska, DO
Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinical Interests: Psychotherapy, anxiety and mood disorders, existential and relational problems, personality, suicide, end-of-life care, underserved populations and public psychiatry, outpatient and integrated care models, psychodynamic psychopharmacology.
Research Interests: Technology and mental health, trauma, substance use, LGBTQ+ health, neuropsychiatry, ethics.
Other Interests/Hobbies: Comedy, indie music, poetry, guitar, home recording, live music, film, art, literature, politics, philosophy, racquet sports, craft beer, board games, video games.
Why UMass: I visited loved ones in New England during medical school and found the culture to be highly compatible with my values, so I completed audition rotations in the area. I was particularly impressed with the Massachusetts healthcare system due to the quality of care and the emphasis on access. I applied to UMass for these reasons as well as my gut feeling that it was a wonderful fit. The biopsychosocial-cultural perspective, caliber of instruction, and supportive program culture at UMass were praised during interview season and have been echoed in my experience. I couldn’t be happier with my training in psychiatry here at UMass.
What I like about Central Mass: The people, the trees, and the breweries.
Brandon Trojanowski, MD
Rush Medical College, Chicago
Clinical Interest: Child and Adolescent, Addiction, Technology in Psychiatry, Interventional Psychiatry
Personal interests: I enjoy fishing, hiking, camping and pretty much every other activity out in nature - I am currently trying to hone my pickleball, snowboarding, and bouldering skills! I love to cook and enjoy trying new recipes. I prioritize physical fitness, friends, family, girlfriend, and my most recent time vacuum- my adorable Bernedoodle, Mochi!
Why apply to umass: I applied to Umass because of its excellent child and adolescent psychiatry training. I originally grew up in California and completed medical school in Chicago, so figured it was time to experience the east coast for residency. I enjoyed every single interaction with Umass faculty on interview day and knew this would be where I would complete my training!
What I like about Central Mass: I absolutely love the beauty of central mass! There are so many bodies of water to fish, trails to hike, and new places to explore. I am extremely excited to soak in the beautiful colors of fall with the changing of the leaves. I enjoy the drivable distance to so many fun areas, including Boston which is only 45 minutes away. There is a great sense of community here, and I am extremely excited to continue exploring what the East Coast has to offer while training at Umass.
PGY-3s
Bogdan Anton, MD
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Addiction psychiatry, social determinants of health, holistic medicine
Personal Interests: Good books, racquetball, video games, movies
Why UMass: I was looking for a residency that would assist me in becoming an excellent psychiatrist. At UMASS, I have access to faculty who are leaders in their field, a diverse and complex patient population, and research projects to which I can contribute. UMASS also offers great neuropsychiatry training for both combined and categorical psychiatry residents, which is exceedingly rare across the country but best for patient care. Once here, I’ve come to appreciate the high level of academic and personal support, protected didactics, and great faculty to resident ratios.
What I like about Central Mass: I was nervous leaving the Midwest for the East Coast, but I have found the community of Worcester to be very welcoming and friendly. Traffic is fairly light and there are plentiful green spaces to enjoy. The restaurant and bar scene is excellent.
Dipavo Banerjee, DO
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic Interests: Treatment-resistant mood disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, psychedelic psychiatry, ketamine, ECT
Personal Interests: Martial arts, kickboxing, trivia, baseball, football, gaming, memes
Why UMass: I love that UMass is education-focused and emphasizes the development of academic interests. Senior residents and faculty encourage mentorship and check-in frequently. Resident feedback is asked for and acted upon quickly.
What I like about Central Mass: Not being from the area, I wasn’t sure what Central MA would be like. It has been a pleasant surprise! The area has an abundance of restaurants, breweries and outdoor spaces including the new Woo Sox stadium. Worcester is the second largest city in New England and a convenient drive to Boston and other cities.
Danielle Clifford, MD
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Academic Interests: child and adolescent psychiatry, college mental health, women’s mental health, mindfulness, education reform
Personal Interests: hiking, camping, baking, yoga, exploring new restaurants, traveling
Why UMass: One of the many reasons why I chose UMass was the unique child psychiatry track. This track offers special faculty mentorship in child psychiatry, allows residents to rotate in pediatric subspecialties (peds neuro, genetics, adolescent medicine, etc), and guarantees a fellowship position in child and adolescent psychiatry.
What I like about Central Mass: I appreciate that Worcester is conveniently located close to Boston, but far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As someone that appreciates nature, I love going to Tower Hill Botanical Gardens and the nearby state parks!
Gillie Menashe, DO (She/Her)
Nova Southeastern University
Clinical interests: TBI/Concussions, Forensic psychiatry, Underserved mental health, Mood disorders
Other interests/hobbies: Traveling, music, meeting new people, napping, chocolate
Why UMass: There are so many things I love about this program--the endless opportunities to explore your interests, diverse patient population, receptive faculty, etc etc-- but ultimately it was the people that solidified my decision. Every person I have met so far has been genuinely kind, curious, passionate and supportive. Grateful to learn and grow within the UMass community!
What I like about Central Mass: Living here has been a very pleasant surprise! You are so close to everything, from beautiful mountains to big cities, to quaint little beach towns and gorgeous lakes. You'll also find great food, awesome breweries, and some pretty wonderful people around.
Gina Savella, MD
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Academic Interests: women’s mental health, first break psychosis, college mental health, family therapy, mental health stigma
Personal Interests: Baking (and sharing the results), hiking in New England, playing tennis, gardening, going to the beach
Why UMass: A few things I love about UMass Psychiatry are the supportive faculty and leadership’s responsiveness to resident feedback. The program offers a healthy balance of supervision and independence, and values resident education as demonstrated by one full day of didactics each week.
What I like about Central Mass: Central Massachusetts is a great location for me because I can easily visit family and friends who live in Boston and RI. There are also plenty of beautiful parks, lakes, breweries, vineyards, hiking trails, and great restaurants nearby!
Emily Slominski, MD
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Academic Interests: child and adolescent psychiatry: LGBTQ+ mental health, community psychiatry, first episode psychosis, autism, vocational rehabilitation
Personal Interests: Hammocking, drawing, doing puzzles or playing board games, as well as road trips and camping!
Why UMass: I was looking for a close-knit, supportive program that had a diverse array of clinical sites and opportunities, as well as psychotherapy teaching and opportunities to explore my own interests. I found a few programs that fit that description, but when I interviewed at UMass, there was that feeling of “fit” that I didn’t get as strongly anywhere else. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it was...perhaps it was the residents, the connection with faculty, encouragement for leadership opportunities, or interesting community initiatives. But whatever it was, I am beyond happy that I listened to my gut.
What I like about Central Mass: As for Central MA, I love how there are both city and nature options! I like exploring the Worcester Public Market and local restaurants with my co-residents as well as going to a local park to play frisbee golf or hike, and then Boston is always within driving distance if I want to spend the day in a bigger city.
Naillil Torres Moreno, MD
Ponce Health Sciences University
Ponce Health Sciences University
Academic Interests: Child-Adolescent psychiatry, Consultation-liaison psychiatry, Student mental health and ECT.
Personal Interests: watching movies/series, road trips, crafting, interior design and my dog: kiwi :)
Why UMass: I ranked UMass because the program offers a lot of opportunities for residents to explore and expose themselves to different areas of psychiatry. I wanted to train in a program where residents have the opportunity to treat and learn about a variety of diagnosis and a diversity of patients. Also, co-residents and staff are very friendly, motivated and ready to help and teach.
What I like about Central Mass: What I like about Central Mass is the lake views, the many hiking trails and the food! Also it’s just an hour away from Boston!!
PGY-4s
Kimberly Piccoli, DO
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic interests: addiction psychiatry, mood disorders, forensic psychiatry
Personal interests: Hiking, cooking, baking, reading
Why UMass: I applied to UMass for so many reasons! The program has endless opportunities to explore different areas of psychiatry, which was very important to me because I am still keeping an open mind about in which area of psychiatry I will practice. Another huge factor was the strong training in medicine and neurology!
What I like about Central Mass: My favorite thing about central Massachusetts is how accessible it is. There are great restaurants, hiking spots and shops nearby and easy to access. Also, Boston and Providence are both less than an hour drive, so you can always find something new.
Ethan Lindenbaum, DO, Child Fellowship
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Virginia Campus
Academic interests: child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, eating disorders, college student mental health
Personal interests: Spending time with my five dogs and one cat, running, traveling, hiking, food, the beach, jazz music, did I mention spending time with my animals?
Why UMass: What led me to apply to UMass was the dedication to teaching, the approachable residents and faculty, and the emphasis on tailoring training to meet the needs of each unique resident.
What I like about Central Mass: It's in a great location where you are so close to many different activities and cities. I also love all of the state parks and the wildlife in central Mass.
Takeiya Lynch, MD (She/her/hers)
Florida International University
Program Chief Resident
Adolf Meyer Chief Resident, Public Sector Psychiatry
Clinical interests: Women’s Mental Health, Public policy, inpatient psychiatry, Hospital Administration, Social determinants of health and the impact on mental health
Research interests: Cultural psychiatry, psychopharmacology
Other interests/hobbies: Gardening, Exercise, traveling, Wordle (+ all of its iterations), white water rafting, Level 99 enthusiast, snow tubing, video games, arcade, zoos, museums
Why UMass: I started out and completed a year as an OBGYN resident in another program before choosing to transfer to UMass as a PGY-2 psychiatry resident. Everyone I encountered here including residents, faculty, and staff, have all been very welcoming and kind. The program has been very accommodating to my unique situation and have made the transition as smooth as possible. I definitely feel like I made the right choice, and I don’t regret anything.
What I like about Central Mass: I love living in Worcester. It’s a relatively small city with its own unique, quirky culture. There’s lots of fun things to do in each season. It’s accessible to many nearby states as well as Canada. I do a new activity and/or travel to a new area every weekend and I’m nowhere near running out of things to do.
Maite Cintron Pastrana, MD (She/her/hers)
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
Chief Resident, Psychopharmacology
Academic interests: Psychoanalysis, Therapy, and Interventional Psychiatry.
Personal interests: My interests are gardening, reading, traveling, dancing, and learning new sports.
Why UMass: I applied to UMASS due to the opportunity to receive training and supervision on ECT, TMS, therapy, and psychoanalysis. I ranked UMASS, given that the happiest and most grateful residents were those from UMASS.
What I like about Central Mass: My favorite things about central Mass are the lake views, the restaurants, the diversity, and UMASS.
Lily Millen DO, Adult/Child Psychiatry Child Fellowship
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic interests: I am interested in learning more about the effects of early childhood trauma on development. I would like to continue my research into Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs) and ways in which we can innovate in the field of psychiatry to provide better screening and access of mental health care for child and adolescent patient populations.
Personal interests: I love to run. I guess for me it is a form of meditation and it is something that I truly do for myself. I use the time to tune out the world, to refocus and quiet my mind. Some of my other favorite activities include Hatha Yoga, creative and poetry, cooking, global travel, and spending time with my friends and family.
Why UMass: I am a Massachusetts native, but I have not lived in the state since I was 14 and going away to high school. I was excited to return to my home state for residency and to finally have my fellow New England sports fans surrounding me again. I chose the residency program at UMass because I know that at its core, it is training well-rounded clinical physicians. Being in Worcester, we have the privilege of caring for a distinctively diverse patient population in city that is rapidly expanding and changing. Despite being such a large institution with clinical researchers, medical students, and several residency programs, I really appreciated the supportive community and collegial environment of the program. I was also impressed by the sheer number of “UMass-Lifers”; so I had to assume there was something that drew everyone to want to stay here! I am grateful for the opportunity to train here and excited to be able to pursue my interests in Child Psychiatry at UMass.
What I like about Central Mass: Worcester is a growing city that is expanding and evolving very quickly. There are all kinds of new restaurants, breweries, and outdoor activities, including the local Wachusett mountain ski area. It’s also very close to Boston, which is another incredible and historic city to have fun in and explore.
PGY-5s
Alexander Lichtenberg, MD, Neuropsychiatry
New York Medical College
Academic interests: Neuropsychiatry, cross-cultural psychiatry
Personal interests: Hiking, reading
Why UMass: I was interested in UMass due to its combined neurology/psychiatry program.
What I like about Central Mass: I like the easy access to beautiful hikes that central MA provides.
PGY-6 Neuropsychiatry Resident
Pooja Modi, MDRutgers RW Johnson Medical School