A Message from the Program Director
Thank you for your interest in our residency program in Primary Internal Medicine offered by St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.
Our training program has a rich history of producing high quality physicians who go on to excel in both general and sub-specialty medicine. We have as our mission the education of physicians who have the clinical skills and the humanistic qualities to practice as well rounded primary care general internists, hospitalists and sub-specialists.
In order to meet our goals, the training program at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital has undergone significant, exciting change. While retaining the best, high-quality categorical internal medicine program, we have added several months of ambulatory care experience to our schedule. Residents will, therefore, acquire expertise in the nuances of both inpatient and outpatient care. Much of this training takes place in our Ambulatory Care Center and is provided by an experienced faculty of Board Certified physicians.
Our curriculum has also been expanded in the areas of ambulatory and general internal medicine, as well as evidence-based medicine, to provide our residents with the knowledge necessary to practice comprehensive Primary Care Internal Medicine. We service a wonderful diverse community, which provides a fertile training environment.
We welcome your interest and look forward to meeting with you. Please apply to our residency through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
Sheldon Markowitz, MD
Program Director
Mohammed Anwar, MD
Associate Program Director
Samer Takmaje, MD
Associate Program Director
Audeth Clarke
Senior Residency Coordinator
Maybel Akosah
Residency Coordinator
About Internal Medicine at St. John’s
Our Internal Medicine Residency Program has been ACGME Accredited since 1983. The training program is a fully approved three year categorical program and is a major teaching affiliate of the State University of New York Downstate Medical School.
Our expected residency distribution for the coming year is as follows: 20 PGY-1’s, 20 PGY-2’s, and 20 PGY-3’s.
Patients are housed in a state-of-the-art 11 story Patient Care Tower. A new Ambulatory Care Center and Outpatient Dialysis Unit have recently been completed. The hospital is equipped with the most modern invasive and non-invasive monitoring and imaging equipment, thus enabling our staff to care for over 10,000 admissions, 30,000 emergency cases, and more than 34,000 ambulatory care visits per year.
The biomedical laboratories at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital provide a full range of testing on-site and are completely computerized. Terminals to access laboratory data are located in all patient areas, thus making the physician’s job much easier. The Medical Service carries a daily census of approximately 150 patients. This includes patients located in an 8 bed Intensive Care Unit, an 8 bed Coronary Care Unit. On the Teaching Medical Service, approximately 70% are private patients and 30% are service patients. Our patient population reflects the heterogeneous community which we serve. We provide care for patients from all socio-economic classes and all races, with a special emphasis on critical care and geriatric medicine.
A large, active group of voluntary attending physicians complements the salaried faculty to give St. John’s Episcopal Hospital strong representation in both General Internal Medicine and every subspecialty of Internal Medicine.
In addition to the training program in Internal Medicine, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital serves as a teaching site for rotating allopathic residents in Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Rehabilitation Medicine.
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital is an equal opportunity employer.
Accreditations
- Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Residency Review Committee (RRC-ACGME)
- The Joint Commission Certifications
- Emergency Heart Care Station by the American Heart Association
- 911/Level II Trauma Receiving Hospital by New York City Department of Health
Didactics
As a supplement to the broad range of clinical experience we provide, the training program offers an extensive conference schedule. Our weekly Medical Grand Rounds often features eminent speakers from major medical centers all around the country, and our monthly Morbidity/Mortality Conference is a highlight of the educational program. At our monthly Basic Science Conference, speakers from the Medical School present the latest developments in bench research. There are monthly conferences in every subspeciality of Internal Medicine, as well as twice monthly Radiology conferences and a monthly ECG conference.
Residents at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital are actively encouraged to participate in medical research. Clinical projects at the Hospital are ongoing and opportunities for laboratory research are available at the Medical School. St. John’s Episcopal Hospital has been a participating institution in several major international cardiology studies such as the third and fourth versions of the International Study of Infarct Survival (ISIS 3 and ISIS 4). Several publications with residents as co-authors and resident entries into writing competitions have resulted from these efforts.
Curriculum
Post Graduate Year 1
The PGY-1 year includes approximately:
- Twenty Four weeks on the General Medical Floors
- Eight weeks of night float
- Four weeks in Intensive Care Unit
- Four weeks in Coronary Care Unit
- Four weeks of block continuity ambulatory care experience.
Post Graduate Year 2
The PGY-2 year consists of approximately:
- Twenty Four weeks on the General Medical Floor
- Four to Six weeks of night float
- Four weeks in the Medical Intensive Care Unit
- Four weeks in the Emergency Department
- Four weeks in the Neurology Unit
- Four weeks of Elective Rotation
- Four weeks of block continuity ambulatory care experience.
Post Graduate Year 3
The PGY-3 year consists of approximately of:
- Four months of elective
- One month on the General Medical Floors
- One month in the Emergency Department
- One month as the supervising resident in the CCU
- One month on the Cardiology Unit
- One month of Geriatrics
- One month of block continuity ambulatory care experience
- One month of block interdisciplinary ambulatory care experience.
Inpatient Training
Our relationship with the medical school is a strong one. Medical students rotate to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital during their second year and the medical school faculty provides many teaching conferences. St. John’s Episcopal Hospital residents spend a total of six months at the medical school campus during their training; rotations include General Medicine, Neurology, Cardiology, and electives.
All of the intensive care units at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital have the most up-to-date computerized equipment and are staffed year round with board-certified subspecialists. Residents are assigned to intensive care units a total of five months during their training, and receive additional critical care experience on night float.
Our inpatient floor rotations include rotations in a dedicated telemetry service, a non-telemetry floor service and an admitting team.A team in General Medicine consist of two PGY-1 residents, one PGY-2 resident, and an attending physician.Care is split into a day shift and a night shift.
Outpatient Training
While we remain a Categorical Internal Medicine Training Program with extensive in-patient experience, we have been expanding our emphasis on primary care and ambulatory medicine. Residents attend their medical continuity clinic twice weekly and have a total of four months of ambulatory block rotations in the three years of training. All clinics are directly supervised by faculty, and we have developed a separate ambulatory care curriculum. Our Ambulatory Care Center provides a modern and comfortable environment for patients and staff. Additional ambulatory experience is obtained in subspeciality clinics
and private offices of local voluntary physicians. Areas of emphasis in primary care include Adolescent Medicine, Gynecology, Behavioral Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. Ambulatory experience is also gained in Orthopedics, ENT Medicine, Neurology, Dermatology, Pediatrics, Geriatric Medicine, and many other fields. Clinical experience is supplemented by ample teaching rounds and a
comprehensive lecture series in general Internal Medicine. By expanding our curriculum in primary and ambulatory care, we are providing residents with the broad skills needed to enter practice in general medicine. At the same time, the training in categorical internal medicine provides residents with the backgrounds to enter subspeciality training.
Electives
Each resident chooses rotations in medicine subspecialties during their Electives. Cardiology. We offer electives in:
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Hematology
- Infectious Disease
- Integrative Medicine
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Palliative Care
- Pulmonology
On-Call Schedule
Our Program utilizes a night float system of on call. This system means that residents do not work more than 24 hours at a time and have adequate time off between shifts.
Benefits
- Medical Benefits with Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Vision Benefits with Davis Vision
- Dental Benefits with Guardian Insurance
- Vacation: 4 weeks of vacation (paid) each year
- Sick days: 12 days of sick leave per year
- Personal days: 4 days of personal leave per year
- Other leaves offered: Family and medical leave, maternity/paternity leave, marriage leave, disability leave, bereavement leave
Resident Life
Far Rockaway, Queens
We are located on a narrow peninsula at the southeastern end of Queens. Something about the Rockaways just hits the sweet spot: It’s easily accessible by subway; the beach is totally free, spacious, and clean; just a perfectly chill mix of beach bums, families, hipsters, and surfers.
Wellness Events
Wellness events are organized by program leadership and chief residents and usually take place during and after hours. Monthly birthday celebrations ,Resident forum, soccer games are just part of what is offered throughout the month.
CIR (Committee of Interns and Residents/Service Employees International Union)
All residents are part of CIR house staff union, and provide additional resources for education, medical, and professional needs. Additional information regarding benefits can be found via their website St. John’s Episcopal Hospital – Committee of Interns and Residents (cirseiu.org)
Graduates
Our graduates are a mix of internists/subspecialists. Residents who have completed the program at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital are highly sought after for primary care practice positions, hospitalist positions and fellowships. Many are hospitalists or primary care internists with community-based office practice and some have completed fellowships in Pulmonary Medicine, Nephrology, Critical Care, Hematology/Oncology among others and function as consultants.
Current Residents
Chief Residents
Mariam Dabaghyan
Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia
Medical School: Yerevan State Medical University
Interests: Cooking, horseback riding, traveling, hiking, kayaking, spending time with family and friends
Syed Ahmad Moosa
Hometown: Sylhet, Bangladesh
Medical School: Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Bangladesh
Interests: Plane spotting, politics, being the best father to my daughter
Richard Toussaint
Hometown: Cap-Haitien, Haiti
Medical School: Faculte des Sciences de la Sante, Universite Quisqueya, Haiti
Interests: Sports, travel, and restaurants
Fernando Vazquez Pascual
Hometown: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Medical School: University of Medical Science, Santiago de Cuba
Interests: Fishing, scuba diving, enjoying time with family
Post-Graduate Year 1
Moaaz Abdelrashid
Hometown: Monofiya, Egypt
Medical School: Ain Shams University
Interests: Squash, camping, biking
Amali Baissari
Hometown: Merida, Venezuela
Medical School: Universidad Romulo Gallegos
Interests: Watching sports, basketball, football, F1, baking, knitting, reading
Estifanos Bejitual
Hometown: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Medical School: AAU, School of Medicine
Interests: Laughter, socializing
Gizeshwork Belete
Hometown: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Medical School: Gondar University, Ethiopia
Interests: Spending time with family
Heidi Fernandez
Hometown: Passaic, NJ
Medical School: Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo
Interests: Formula 1, traveling, spending time with family and going to concerts
Yumnary Gato Satiesteban
Hometown: Pinar del Rio, Cuba
Medical School: University of Medical Sciences Pinar del Rio
Interests: Movies, TV shows
Hridaya Ghimire
Hometown: Biratnagar, Nepal
Medical School: Sun Yat-Sen University, China
Interests: Traveling
Jonathan Gonzales
Hometown: Whittier, CA
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Interests: Skating, snowboarding, motocross, guitar, MMA
Yulia Grigorova
Hometown: Krasnodar, Russia
Medical School: Pavlov Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Russia
Interests:
Christiana Igbenabor
Hometown: Benin City, Nigeria
Medical School: Igbinedion University Okada, Nigeria
Interests: Event planning, cooking/baking, road trips, long walks, spending time with family and friends
Farirai Marwizi
Hometown: Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
Medical School: Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara
Interests: Volleyball, chess, hiking, home improvement projects, learning languages
German Masnata
Hometown: Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Medical School: Catholic Bolivian University, Bolivia
Interests: Playing guitar, rock climbing, canyoneering, hiking, soccer, racquetball
Aye Mon
Hometown: MyaungMya, Mayanmar
Medical School: University of Medicine, Magway
Interests: Gardening, stray dog adoption
Avik Nandi
Hometown: New York, NY
Medical School: Jahurul Islam Medical College, Bangladesh
Interests: Watching movies, traveling, playing drama
Saman Nassiri
Hometown: Tehran, Iran
Medical School: Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Interests: Tennis playing, skiing, traveling
Maria Teresa Pacheco Hernandez
Hometown: Monteria, Colombia
Medical School: University of Cartagena
Interests: Hiking, traveling, and dancing
Maha Qas Marrogy
Hometown: Baghdad, Iraq
Medical School: Alkindy College of Medicine/Baghdad University
Interests: Music, movies, coffee, drawing, cooking, traveling
Sajedur Rahman (Sajed)
Hometown: Tangail, Bangladesh
Medical School: Jalalabad Ragib Rabeya Medical College, Sylhet, Bangladesh
Interests: Exploring trails, hiking, world politics and history, mentoring young physicians and medical students
Karamveer Singh
Hometown: California
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Interests:
Phyo Sone
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Medical School: University of Medicine 2, Yangon, Myanmar
Interests: Traveling, outdoor activities, spending time with dogs
Post-Graduate Year 2
Sofia Therese S. Abella
Hometown: Batac City, Philippines
Medical School: University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Interests: Coffee, interior design, hiking, pop culture
Shahab Bozorgmehri
Hometown:
Medical School:
Interests:
Bethelham Chemere
Hometown: Bahirdar, Ethiopia
Medical School: Addis Ababa University, MF
Interests:
Moonyoung Choi
Hometown: Gwangju, Korea
Medical School: Chosun University School of Medicine, Korea
Interests: Golf, wine, coffee, traveling, music
Jamel Dahim
Hometown: Sana’a, Yemen
Medical School: Sana’a University Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Interests: Play soccer, chess game, reading, traveling, watching movies
Samvit P. Dave
Hometown: Plainsboro, NJ
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Interests: Sports, movies, socializing
Carlo Emilcar
Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Medical School: Notre-Dame University
Interests: Sports, lounges/bars, movies, music, traveling
Yaditsa Estrella
Hometown: Santiago, Dominican Republic
Medical School: Universidad Technologica de Santiago
Interests: Strength training, hiking, traveling, plants, coffee
Joel Jophin Francis
Hometown: Kerala, India
Medical School: North-Western State Medical University
Interests: Movies, music, sports, road trips
Sabin Gurung
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Medical School: North Bengal Medical College, Sirajgonj, Bangladesh
Interests: Soccer, cooking, driving
Hnin Lwin
Hometown: Yangon, Myanmar
Medical School: University of Medicine 1, Yangon
Interests: Gardening, movies, travel, food, photography
Alfredo Ortiz Labrada
Hometown: Las Tunas, Cuba
Medical School: University of Medical Sciences, Las Tunas
Interests: Reading, hiking, movies
Bo Pang
Hometown: Jinan, China
Medical School: Shandong University
Interests: Traveling, writing travel guides, traditional Chinese painting
Sofia Sampara
Hometown: Temopil, Ukraine
Medical School: I.Ya. Horbachevski Temopil State Medical University
Interests: Traveling, hiking
James Santos
Hometown: San Juan City, Philippines
Medical School: University of Santo Tomas
Interests: Golf, traveling, cooking, boxing, basketball
Ahmed Sarwat
Hometown: Cairo, Egypt
Medical School: University of Cairo, Egypt
Interests: Swimming and running
Imrana Siraj
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Medical School: Chittagong Medical College and Hospital
Interests: Traveling, listening to music
Eunice Animwaa Sisa
Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana
Medical School: University of Ghana Medical School
Interests: Cooking, traveling
Nageh Soliman
Hometown: El-Menya, Egypt
Medical School: University of El-Menya
Interests: Traveling, running, mountaineering
Olga Sviderskaya
Hometown: Moscow, Russia
Medical School: Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
Interests: Traveling, hiking, rock climbing, art
Post-Graduate Year 3
Oluwaseun Adeniyi
Hometown: Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Medical School: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (MBChB)
Interests: Cooking, gardening
Luis Cabrera
Hometown: Dominican Republic
Medical School: Universidad Catolica Nordestana
Interests: Engaging in quality time with family, dining at restaurants, participating in outdoor activities such as fishing/running/hiking, reading, and listening to instrumental music
Carlos Campos
Hometown: Havana, Cuba
Medical School: University of Havana
Interests: Spending time with family, dancing, reading
Christopher Edicheria
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Medical School: Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences
Interests: Basketball, reading
Florence Eyenga
Hometown: Lyon, France
Medical School: Lyon Laennec, France
Interests: Spiritual activities, reading, cooking
Negin Hatami
Hometown:
Medical School:
Interests:
Christine Henen
Hometown: Assiut, Egypt
Medical School: Assiut University Faculty of Medicine
Interests: Biking, running, swimming
Aye Khine
Hometown: Yangon, Myanmar
Medical School: University of Medicine 1, Yangon
Interests: Traveling, outdoor activities, cooking
Brian Leddy
Hometown:
Medical School:
Interests:
Marco Melek
Hometown: Assiut, Egypt
Medical School: Assiut University Faculty of Medicine
Interests: Volleyball, ping pong, reading
Shamsun Nahra Shammi
Hometown: Sylhet, Bangladesh
Medical School: Jalalabad Ragib-Rabeya Medical College and Hospital, Bangladesh
Interests: Spending quality time with family and friends, reading, watching TV/documentaries
Loubna Rabbouh
Hometown: Casablanca, Morocco
Medical School: Faculte de Medecine et de Pharmacie Casablanca
Interests: Morrocan cuisine and gardening
Sandra Shinkut
Hometown: Missouri
Medical School: Windsor University School of Medicine
Interests: Gym, traveling, photography, shopping
Iryna Evgenyevna Thomas
Hometown: Gomel, Belarus
Medical School: Gomel Medical University
Interests: Cooking, dancing, hiking, skating
Klodiana Toska
Hometown: Fier, Albania
Medical School: University of Medicine Tirana, Albania
Interests: Swimming, reading, cooking gardening, Shopping, enjoying nature
George Zhang
Hometown:
Medical School:
Interests: