Get to know our residents
Our residents are a diverse group from a variety of backgrounds with unique experiences and interests. We look forward to getting to know you as well!
PGY 1
Benjamin Arnold, MD
Hometown: Tiffin, OH
Medical school: Northeast Ohio Medical University
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? Corewell Health in West Michigan gives me the opportunity to stay close to my family in the Midwest! I'm so eager to train at such a beautiful hospital where the faculty bleed the spirit and values of the institution while creating a culture with a strong family feel!
Clinical interests: As an internal medicine resident, everything! There are aspects of taking care of patients in inpatient and outpatient settings that equally delight me, but there's no physiologic system that displeases me! I love it all and can't wait to dive in.
Hobbies: I love sports, both playing and watching (especially Liverpool FC and Cleveland Cavaliers! Otherwise I love to hang out with friends doing jigsaw puzzles, playing board games, or going for a hike!
Catherine Bloch, MD
Hometown: St. Clair Shores, MI
Medical school: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am excited about the close-knit environment of the internal medicine program and the clear passion that faculty have for teaching! The hospital system at Corewell Health in West Michigan provides many exciting opportunities to practice medicine and to treat a diverse patient population with access to top-notch resources.
Clinical interests: My main interests at this time are medical education and geriatrics! I am looking forward to more opportunities in residency to explore these passions.
Hobbies: I spend my free time running, singing and playing guitar, and cooking and baking. I also enjoy camping trips to the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota.
Lara Hakim, MD
Hometown: Troy, MI
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? During my clinical training at Corewell Health in West Michigan in medical school, I not only received excellent training but also felt very supported by the residents and staff. I look forward to continuing to evolve as a clinician in this positive environment! I am also excited to stay in Grand Rapids, as I love this city's vibe and being close to the lakes.
Clinical interests: My clinical interests include Pulmonary and Critical Care medicine and medical education.
Hobbies: I love exploring new trails with my dog, international travel, cooking, kayaking, spending time with family/friends.
Javeria Hayat, MBBS
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Medical school: Dow Medical College
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I feel honored to be able to train at Corewell Health in West Michigan given its prestigious reputation and years of excellence in promoting graduate medical education. I feel excited to be a part of a program which is led by exceptional leadership and top-notch faculty and hope to learn from their expertise to become a competent internist.
Clinical interests: My clinical interests include critical care and cardiovascular medicine.
Hobbies: My hobbies include singing, playing chess, watching thrillers, traveling and a new-found love for cooking.
Megan Kempa, DO
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? As a long-time Grand Rapids resident, I can't wait to serve the community I grew up in! Also, there are so many great people in this program; I'm excited to learn from such supportive mentors & peers.
Clinical interests: I'm interested in inpatient medicine and cardiology, especially heart failure.
Hobbies: I love being in nature! In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my pets, plant-based cooking, cycling, reading (especially fantasy & sci-fi) and creating art like drawing & painting.
Ross Kendall, MD
Hometown: Orinda, CA
Medical school: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I chose Corewell Health-Grand Rapids/Michigan State University because of the learner-centered educational philosophy, the culturally diverse and medically complex patient population, and the high quality of life that comes with living and working in West Michigan.
Clinical interests: I am interested in pursuing fellowship in pulmonology/critical care after residency.
Hobbies: I spend as much time as possible with my wonderful spouse and preschool-aged daughter. Together we enjoy cooking, swimming, mountain biking and playing with our dog.
Melanie Mrozek, MD
Hometown: Sandusky, MI
Medical school: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am so excited to start my residency at Corewell Health in Grand Rapids. I can't wait to get to know all the faculty and other residents, and I am looking forward to exploring the city! This program has so many great opportunities and I'm so excited to be here!
Clinical interests: I am very interested in cardiology.
Hobbies: My hobbies include volleyball, yoga, roller skating, video games and hanging out with my husband and cats!
Robert Ocomen, MD
Hometown: Harbor Beach, MI
Medical school: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I can't wait to work with the amazing faculty and residents I met during my interview. I know the rigorous training I will receive will make me an excellent, well-rounded physician. I also can't wait to explore Grand Rapids, it is such a beautiful city with many walking trails, parks, and restaurants!
Clinical interests: I am interested in minimal invasive procedures, pathophysiology, and taking care of critically ill patient. That is why I am leaning towards pulmonary or nephrology critical care.
Hobbies: I love hanging out and watching movies with my wife and our two cats, Cowboy and Willow. I also like being outdoors, running marathons, lifting weights, playing video games and fishing.
Nicholas Parliament, MD
Hometown: Wixom, MI
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I trained at Corewell Health in West Michigan as a medical student and was impressed by the dedication and compassion of the staff, I am excited to work with them. I also look forward to caring for a diverse patient population, coming from a variety of backgrounds and experiencing a wide range of diseases.
Clinical interests: I am interested in pursuing infectious disease, possibly with a critical care component, however, I am open to other career paths.
Hobbies: I value spending time with my friends and family. I also enjoy playing soccer and riding my bike. Additionally, I like learning about history.
Parth Patel, MD
Hometown: Forsyth, IL
Medical school: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am excited to join the Corewell Health in West Michigan community after having great experiences and interactions with the faculty and staff during my interview.
Clinical interests: My clinical interests include medical education, managing chronic conditions, and working with patients to establish long-term relationships.
Hobbies: I enjoy playing basketball, golf and pickle ball. I am a huge Chicago sports fan and am excited to explore all of Michigan's outdoor activities.
Katarzyna Purzycka, DO
Hometown: Troy, MI
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am excited to train at a program that offers both exceptional learning experiences and a great work environment. As a major referral center for the region, Corewell Health in West Michigan provides the opportunity to see many rare and complex cases, as well as learn from various specialized services. It is also a program that has a friendly and supportive culture and prioritizes resident education. I am also looking forward to moving to Grand Rapids, which offers a great balance of city life and easy access to nature, especially Michigan's beautiful beaches.
Clinical interests: I am interested in a fellowship in pulmonary/critical care medicine. I am also interested in street medicine and medical education.
Hobbies: I love spending time outdoors, especially hiking and kayaking with my dog. I also enjoy soccer, board games and mystery shows.
Nader Rayyan, MD
Hometown: Dearborn Heights, MI
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? The unique city of Grand Rapids with it's fusion of big city and small town. I am also excited to dive into residency and learn as much as possible.
Clinical interests: I'm excited to become a well-rounded generalist and use my residency to refine my career goals. Right now, I'm especially interested in pulmonary critical care and gastroenterology. I love diving into the pathology and management of both systems.
Hobbies: In my free time, I love playing tennis, bowling and volleyball. I would add golf, but the learning curve has been steep. Lately, I've also been honing my video and photo editing skills, which has been a lot of fun. I really enjoy getting together with friends for board games or a lively Jackbox session. Plus, I never miss an opportunity to attend community events or festivals, it's always a blast!
Levi Snoeyink, DO
Hometown: Zeeland, MI
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? I am excited to return to Corewell Health in West Michigan as it feels like a homecoming and for the many opportunities this residency provides. I grew up in West Michigan and had my first healthcare job in The Meijer Heart Center. I am excited to give back to the community and continue to learn in the place that was so formative in my life. The internal medicine program is very intentional in providing all the support, resources and skills you need to become an excellent physician.
Clinical interests: I am interested in all aspects of internal medicine especially inpatient care and critical care.
Hobbies: I enjoy woodworking, carving and any kind of home improvement projects. I also really enjoy baking and cooking. I like to use fresh ingredients from the garden whenever possible.
Tyler Van Velsen, MD
Hometown: Shelbyville, MI
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? Practicing medicine in West Michigan and caring for the communities I grew up in has always been important to me. Attending college at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine allowed me to learn medicine in West Michigan, and being an internal medicine resident at Corewell Health in West Michigan will allow for me to practice and train in an excellent program in the community.
Clinical interests: I chose Internal Medicine because my interests are broad and many topics in medicine excite me. My biggest clinical interests currently are in hematology/oncology and cardiology.
Hobbies: I grew up riding horses and still occasionally find time to ride. I also spend time with family and friends and enjoy getting outside to golf, hike and kayak.
Zachary Yono, DO
Hometown: Troy, MI
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health in West Michigan? The people and the culture at this program are second to none. As an auditioning student, everyone made me feel welcome and made a sincere effort to teach and uplift each other. I thrive in environments where I feel supported and I always felt that way here. In addition to this, Grand Rapids is an amazing place to live and work in. Residency is hard, so I'm glad to be doing it in a city I love.
Clinical interests: I'm interested in cardiology and academic medicine, and am hoping to one day teach medical students and residents as an attending physician.
Hobbies: I enjoy exercising through running, lifting, or yoga. During the summer I play volleyball or golf and I try to ski at least a few times a year. For less active hobbies, I like to play various board games, videogames, cook and hang out with my friends.
PGY 2
Tajuldeen T. Al-Hasani, MD
Hometown: Bar Harbor, ME
Medical School: William Beaumont School of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? Corewell Health in West Michigan provides a rich educational experience with a culturally diverse population. Butterworth Hospital is a Level I Trauma Center and a clinical leader in cardiovascular, cancer and neurosciences, among many others. The availability of higher level services provided at Corewell Health in West Michigan adds to the exposure of these complex specialized patient populations to resident physicians and truly enhance the educational experience offered. Since 1873, Butterworth Hospital has been growing and building a reputation of excellence in care, diagnostics, treatment, prevention and education. Corewell Health in West Michigan and Grand Rapids has more than 100 years of investing in graduate medical education, which makes me super excited to be a resident at Corewell Health in West Michigan.
Clinical Interests: My clinical interests are hospital medicine, primary care and clinical research in endocrinology, rheumatology and Hematology/Oncology diseases.
Hobbies: I enjoy reading, travel, photography, getting involved in diversity & inclusion activities to serve our community, getting to know new people, making new friends and trying different delicious cuisines!
Saleem Alameh, MD
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? Having trained here throughout medical school, I have developed a deep appreciation for the Corewell Health in West Michigan and MSU faculty's commitment to medical education. As I look forward to my residency, I am excited about the prospect of remaining in such a supportive environment and exploring how this next chapter can contribute to the realization of my career goals.
Clinical Interests: I enjoy all aspects of internal medicine, particularly inpatient care. Recently, my interest in infectious diseases and critical care has grown significantly. In addition to clinical practice, I find fulfillment in medical education and translational research. Moving forward, my aspiration is to pursue a career that integrates these various elements.
Hobbies: Beyond medicine, I take pleasure in spending my days snowboarding and enjoying the outdoors. During quieter moments, I consider myself an astronomy enthusiast, often embarking on tours of observatories or indulging in stargazing at dark sky parks. I hope to eventually pick up a hobby in astrophotography. For now, however, I have recently developed an interest in chess.
Saria Nabil Alazmeh, MBBS
Hometown: Damascus, Syria
Medical School: Alfaisal University, Saudi Arabia
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I am really excited about the opportunity to work in health care that will support me in becoming a competent physician by learning from professionals and being part of a team that provides high-quality care to patients. In addition, the people at Corewell Health in West Michigan are very supportive, helpful and cohesive. They made me feel like they would be my second family. Finally, couple matching with my husband made me super excited to start a new chapter at Corewell Health in West Michigan.
Clinical Interests: Currently, I am interested in gastroenterology and hospitalist medicine; however, during my residency, I will keep an open mind to other specialties.
Hobbies: Cooking is my passion. Whenever I want to have time for myself or need positive energy, I go to my creative place (the kitchen).
Rafael Bernal, DO
Hometown: Plymouth, MI
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I'm very excited to live life on the west side of the state. Being so close to the most amazing beaches, while also being a resident of such a rapidly growing city is such a privilege. Aside from living in Grand Rapids, I'm looking forward to serving and learning from the patients of this community. This residency provides an amazing education, supplemented by complex and pathologically diverse patients.
Clinical Interests: I am currently interested in pursuing a fellowship in pulmonary/critical care medicine, however, I am open to exploring all aspects of medicine throughout residency.
Hobbies: I'm an alumni of the Spartan Marching Band, so I enjoy tailgating for MSU football games and participating in the alumni band as a trombone player. Additionally, I enjoy trying new breweries, watching and reviewing films, playing pickleball, cycling and running.
Phillip Brier, DO
Hometown: Mishawaka, IN
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University-Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? Residency at Corewell Health in West Michigan excites me because I feel as if I have the very best resources available while training in a community that I see myself and my family living in long term.
Clinical Interests: I am interested in inpatient medicine with a particular interest in procedures.
Hobbies: Some of my hobbies include cooking and finding new restaurants, walking my dog, cycling, hiking, camping, vinyl record collecting and listening to music.
Anastasia Bury, MD
Hometown: Marquette, MI
Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? Completing my residency at Corewell Health in West Michigan will be an excellent opportunity for me to learn and train in a diverse and supportive community. I'm also excited to return to West Michigan after several years and look forward to getting to know Grand Rapids and enjoying the parks, trails, and the big lake. I can't wait to get to know my co-residents and build fellowship with the other folks I'll meet here.
Clinical Interests: As an internal medicine resident, my clinical interests are unsurprisingly broad. I do particularly enjoy cardiology, critical care, and palliative care and I look forward to growing my skills in all fields.
Hobbies: I do my best to find happiness everywhere I can and to that end, I like to try a little of everything. I love staying active with things like ice hockey and SCUBA diving, reading and watching TV/movies, learning to cook and bake and I've taken up gardening in the last few years. If I haven't tried it yet, chances are I'm just waiting for the right time!
Ryan Crane, MD
Hometown: Traverse City, MI
Medical School: Central Michigan University
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I am excited to join a program that prioritizes learner education and resident support and wellness. I look forward to spending more time with my co-residents, in and out of the hospital, and learning to care for complex medical patients.
Clinical Interests: My clinical interests include cardiovascular disease and pulmonary/critical care medicine. I am also interested in teaching and medical education.
Hobbies: In my spare time, I like exploring new breweries, restaurants and festivals in the Grand Rapids area, playing board games and puzzles with friends or going for a walk with my wife and puppy. I also enjoy photography, golf and rock climbing.
Mohamad El Shami, MD, MSc
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Medical School: Saint-Joseph University
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I chose Corewell Health in West Michigan because of its outstanding reputation for clinical training, mentorship and nurturing supportive teaching culture. The breadth of patients, state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated teaching attendings and collaborative peer environment will help me grow tremendously as a physician. I feel fully supported by the program to reach my career goals.
Clinical Interests: I have interests in cardiology and hematology/oncology.
Hobbies: I love spending time with my family and friends. I also engage in a range of sports activities including squash, skiing, swimming and working out.
Ali Ismail, MD
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I'm thrilled to embark on my journey and begin taking care of patients. Additionally, I am eager to experience ongoing development and knowledge acquisition within this program.
Clinical Interests: I'm interested in gastroenterology fellowship.
Hobbies: In my free time, I love to workout, hike and play soccer.
Elizabeth Jakubowski, MD
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I am looking forward to taking advantage of the excellent learning opportunities here at Corewell Health in West Michigan, and I knew this program would give me the tools to become the excellent physician I want to be. In addition, I am thrilled to join a residency program with a supportive and kind culture among the residents and faculty.
Clinical Interests: My clinical interests include medical education and narrative medicine. I am interested in pursuing primary care or palliative care, and I'll be excited to see the wide range of where my career in internal medicine can take me.
Hobbies: I enjoy running, reading, writing and hiking in my spare time.
Morgan Korn, DO
Hometown: Sylvania, OH
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? What excites me most about residency is the opportunity to positively impact the health of our surrounding community. I am eager to make connections and work one-on-one with patients and other medical staff in order to grow my knowledge and skills as a physician.
Clinical Interests: I find the heart a fascinating organ of the human body. I would love to pursue a fellowship in cardiology following residency training.
Hobbies: Any outdoor activity, count me in! I love exploring new hiking trails with my two dogs, spending time on the water and snowmobiling in the winter. I am also a huge sports fan- I'm always cheering on the Red Wings, Tigers and Cleveland Browns!
Brian Kunkel, DO
Hometown: Milton, VT
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? I am drawn to the deep roots Corewell Health in West Michigan has within the Grand Rapids community and its devotion to the diverse patient population it serves. Additionally, the warm and inclusive culture that Corewell Health in West Michigan fosters within the hospital assures me it is an excellent place to train.
Clinical Interests: I plan on becoming a hospitalist as I have a wide range of medical interests and enjoy the hospital setting, though I am keeping all doors open to possible specialties.
Hobbies: I enjoy playing the guitar and spending time outdoors, whether it's hiking, camping, kayaking or taking a leisurely walk. Lately, I've also been having fun learning to sharpen my cooking skills.
Mitchell Sarkisov, DO
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? Being a native of Grand Rapids, I saw the profound impact that Corewell Health in West Michigan has had on the city throughout the years. Grand Rapids has become a hub for healthcare innovation, and I knew this would be a place I could excel as a physician. As a medical student, I had the privilege of experiencing the exceptional medical training provided at Corewell Health in West Michigan. The culture of wellness and dedication to high-quality medical education that I experienced while rotating here solidified it as the right choice for me. Now, I couldn't be more excited to be returning to Corewell Health in West Michigan to complete my training and to serve the community I was raised in.
Clinical Interests: I greatly enjoy hospital medicine due to the variety of patients and breadth of pathology. I am also considering pursuing a fellowship in cardiology or pulmonology/critical care. I plan to practice in the West Michigan area as an attending physician.
Hobbies: I love seeing live music at the great venues around the city. I also love being outdoors in general, whether it's relaxing at the beach on Lake Michigan or kayaking down one of Michigan's scenic rivers. Spending time with my family and friends is also very important to me and I enjoy exploring all the great places in Grand Rapids with them. Some of my other hobbies include fencing, cooking, birdwatching, learning about history, science fiction books and movies and video games.
Ajith Thomas, MD
Hometown: Waltham, MA
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
What excites you about your residency/fellowship at Corewell Health? It clicked for me during my interview with the program. The leadership and faculty were welcoming from day one and current residents spoke highly of the program and its learning environment. I fell in love with the Michigan area during medical school, and was excited to stay for residency in the great city of Grand Rapids!
Clinical Interests: Currently, I am interested in hospitalist medicine, and I hope to teach future medical students and residents as an academic physician one day.
Hobbies: I am an avid runner and love exploring the area and surrounding trails. I also enjoy tabletop gaming and will beat anyone in a game of Catan!
PGY 3
Sandeep Buddharaju, MD
Hometown: Park Ridge, IL
Medical school: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I first learned about Spectrum during 2020 when I was a third year medical student researching different programs. I was immediately drawn to the warmth and genuine nature that was exhibited from just the introductory video on the residency page. I knew being close to Chicago, and being able to take care of a wide range of diverse patients was key to what I wanted in my training. Spectrum offered that and more.
What are your clinical interests? I have interests in infectious disease, primary care medicine and hospitalist medicine.
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my co-residents, friends and family. I like hiking, being outdoors when I can and exploring new restaurants and local food spots in Grand Rapids.
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Sarah Cerda, MD
Hometown: South Lyon, MI
Medical school: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I chose Spectrum Health because it is a large hospital system that offers a variety of specialized treatments to care for complex patients. Also, the residents and faculty at Spectrum have created a welcoming and supportive environment.
What are your clinical interests? In the future, I look forward to working as a hospitalist. I also have an interest in socially equitable medicine.
Hobbies: I enjoy horseback riding and reading.
Kyle Rau, DO
Hometown: Flushing, MI
Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? One of the main reasons I chose Spectrum Health for residency was the extremely diverse patient population. Each day brings new challenges and learning opportunities. I also feel that teaching is a top priority for residents and the educational structure of the program reflects this.
What are your clinical interests? I am interested in hospitalist medicine and hope to stay in West Michigan once I complete my training.
Hobbies: One of my hobbies is gardening. I really enjoy working outside in the garden and also tending to houseplants. I am also excited to be living closer to Frederik Meijer Gardens, right here in Grand Rapids!
Jeremy Santamaria, MD
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Medical school: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Why did you choose Spectrum Health for your residency/fellowship? I chose Spectrum Health because the residents during my interview demonstrated great camaraderie and felt supported by their mentors and attending physicians, which I whole heartedly agree now as an intern. I was also attracted to the breathe of food, Art, diversity and nature of Grand Rapids. My experience with the IM residency program and the area has been a great balance between a very supportive work environment and a beautiful area to find just about any activity to spend quality time with my significant other and co-interns.
What are your clinical interests? My clinical interests currently are Pulmonary/Critical Care and Hospital Medicine. I am also interested in improving the EPIC EMR system and hopefully incorporate learning to apply Artificial Intelligence as useful and efficient guide into the healthcare field.
Hobbies: Food is my weakness, and I am usually down to try new restaurants, fast food chains or food trucks around the area. I enjoy playing video games or playing board games/puzzles/escape rooms whenever I have the free time. There are great trails and hiking spots around the area and are breathe taking during the fall season. Most of all, I love to spend quality time with my significant other, our dog and/or our two cats when I can.