Family Medicine Residency Program - Current Residency

Derek Blaine Clark, DO, Chief Resident

Frank Dang, DO

Jordan Dehli, DO

Nicole J. Ha, DO

Amelia Ruth Hubach, DO

David Kirkland, MD

Michaela Fallon Miller, DO, Chief Resident

Kaitlyn Christine Proctor, DO

Matthew David Ray, DO

Soquel Rey, MD

Makenna Lynn Schultz, DO

Michelle Vu, DO

Bency Abraham, DO

Hometown: Lakewood, CO
College: University of Colorado Denver
Medical School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (Colorado)
Favorite thing about residency: The residents and faculty are the greatest thing about our residency. We all love to laugh together!
Favorite thing about Newport News: I love that there is a large variety of food options available here regardless of the occasion.
Goals after residency: I would love to practice in an outpatient clinic setting following residency.
Hobbies: I love going on outdoor walks/hikes, kickboxing, and finding new brunch spots to try!

Sarah Abuali, MD

Hometown: Washington DC / Fairfax, VA
College: Boston University
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: The residency team/family!
Favorite thing about Newport News: Location, I can explore Williamsburg and Virginia Beach which are close by.
Goals after residency: To serve underserved communities locally and globally and to continue being a patient advocate whether it is through building relationships in daily patient encounters or continuing my contribution to medicine through research.
Hobbies: I enjoy painting, reading, traveling, writing, spending time with family/friends, game nights, and kickboxing. I've been to 14 countries including Malaysia, Greece, Indonesia and Czech Republic. I really enjoy experiencing cultures, museums, cuisines ,and meeting new people!

Zemar Ahadzada, DO

Hometown: Falls Church, VA
College: George Mason University
Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: Finally being able to take all the things I’ve learned in medical school and put into practice
Favorite thing about Newport News: The different varieties of food available, the number of beaches nearby, and proximity to Richmond and D.C.
Goals after residency: Work in outpatient family medicine
Hobbies: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sports, and being outdoors.

Brett Brodsky, DO

Hometown: Baltimore, MD (Go Ravens! Go Orioles!)
College: Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia
Favorite thing about residency: My favorite thing about residency so far has been meeting so many great doctors committed to their craft and helping their patients. Riverside is also a beautiful hospital and it seems to get better everyday. I am enjoying how much I am learning about being the best doctor I can be. Looking forward to getting great training from a program that really cares about their residents and the surrounding community.
Favorite thing about Newport News: I have enjoyed all of the little pockets of neighborhoods in Newport News. Yes almost everything is on Jefferson avenue, but it is fun to venture into the side streets and find new restaurants and hang out spots. I also love how close it is to the beach and some very fun cities in Williamsburg, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach.
Goals after residency: My main goal after residency is to do a Sports Medicine Fellowship. After that, I would love to be more proficient in ultrasound to help with Sports Medicine and my primary care skillset as well. I would love to be a team doctor for a college or university at some point.
Hobbies: I love to stay active in the gym as well as outside. I am an avid golfer, listener of podcasts and reader of books. I go to Trivia at the local breweries as well. I also love to take walks with my girlfriend, Tay and our golden retriever, Lieutenant, who goes by Louie.

Samuel Dobbs, MD

Hometown: Westport, New Zealand
College: Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: The supportive learning environment
Favorite thing about Newport News: My favorite thing about Newport News is it's small town feel while still having everything you need. There's a great restaurant and brewery scene here without having to drive too far. It's close to Richmond and Virginia Beach when that's what you're looking for, and it's close to Yorktown, and more rural areas when that's what you're looking for too.
Goals after residency: Community level primary care
Hobbies: Sailing, Running, and Camping

Fatima Farooq, MD

Hometown: Pakistan
Medical School: Shifa College of Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: Opportunity to learn and professionally grow in a genuinely welcoming, friendly, and supportive environment at Riverside.
Favorite thing about Newport News: Location, close to family in NOVA, and the fact that everything is accessible and available nearby.
Goals after residency: Still in the process of exploring my options but the aim at the end of my residency training is to be equipped with all the necessary skills needed to effectively serve the community.
Hobbies: Traveling, Photography, Cooking, Cricket, Reading, Staying in touch with family.
Favorite Quote: "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." - Robert Orben

Kristina Fisher, DO

Hometown: Buffalo, MN
College: Liberty University
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: Getting to know all the patients! Also the fact that the all the residents and attendings feel like a large family.
Favorite thing about Newport News: So many food options!
Goals after residency: Rural medicine and wound care. Moving to a place I can go fishing on a big lake.
Hobbies: Crafty things, short naps, home improvement projects, long naps, trying to keep up with lingo my kids use.

I was a cryptologist in the Navy for six years, only been to Disney World one time… I know, disappointing, and have dreams to get my kids in love with Harry Potter as much as me, so we can all go to Universal studios. Also, biggest Office fan.

Sarah Hicks, DO

Hometown: Dunnellon, FL
College: University of Florida
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: The attendings and faculty are amazing. This program does a great job making you feel like family
Favorite thing about Newport News: Diversity of the area and being a quick drive to the beach
Goals after residency: I am interested in returning to a small town to practice rural medicine
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my 3 dogs and playing soccer

Brian Kim, DO

Hometown: Burke, VA
College: Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia
Favorite thing about residency: Working with my fellow residents and faculty
Favorite thing about Newport News: Close to the water and my hometown
Goals after residency: Outpatient Family Medicine in Virginia
Hobbies: Cooking and trying new foods with my wife, spoiling my Goldendoodle, video games, and playing guitar

Gina Nathwani, MD

Hometown: Newton, MA
College: Boston University
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: The faculty, staff, and co-residents are so down-to-earth, supportive and friendly! Also free food/coffee/tea/snacks etc.
Favorite thing about Newport News: Everything is easily accessible: groceries, restaurants, stores, gyms. The beaches and trails are nice too.
Goals after residency: Outpatient clinic/private practice.
Hobbies: Thrifting, going to the gym, buying a ridiculous amount of scented candles, trying local restaurants, hanging out with friends/family, traveling to new cities, laughing at memes, spending way too much time watching reality TV or re-watching episodes from the first 3 seasons of Spongebob Squarepants.

Sean Nielsen, MD

Hometown: East Hampton, NY
College: Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: My co-residents and faculty
Favorite thing about Newport News: I live in Williamsburg and the best thing is the Cheese Shop sandwiches
Goals after residency: Working at an outpatient clinic 4 days a week
Hobbies: Spending time with my girlfriend and go. Listening to podcasts.

Vera Okons, MD

Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
College: East Carolina University
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Favorite thing about residency: Support faculty and co-residents
Favorite thing about Newport News: Proximity to everything I need
Goals after residency: Outpatient medicine
Hobbies: Experiencing new restaurants. Spending quality time with family and friends.

Matthew Taylor, DO

Hometown: Parkersburg, WV
College: West Virginia University
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: You get to work with and learn from all sorts of amazing people.
Favorite thing about Newport News: Within a short drive of a plethora of different activities.
Goals after residency: Considering returning to WV to practice rural medicine.
Hobbies: Sports, Hiking, Tech/computers, Bowling

Pritty Dwivedy, DO

Hometown: Great Falls, Virginia
College: George Mason University
Medical School: VCOM Virginia Campus
Favorite thing about residency: Learning as much as possible about general medicine, serving patients in need from all backgrounds and age groups, and working with academically strong and supportive attendings and co-residents
Favorite thing about Newport News: Being close to the beach and going boating
Goals after residency: Working in an outpatient clinic with other family medicine/internal medicine attendings from an established medical group
Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, working out, watching mysteries/psychological thrillers and reality TV, being by the water, eating delicious vegetarian food, and traveling

Brett Frommer, DO

Hometown: Highland Park, IL
College: Indiana University Bloomington
Medical School: A.T. Still Kirksville
Favorite thing about residency: Great culture, happy hours with colleagues, we are well fed
Favorite thing about Newport News: Club sports, pickleball, volleyball
Goals after residency: start with outpatient and some hospital moonlighting
Hobbies: Guitar, martial arts, pickleball, cooking

Brian Ho, MD

Hometown: Annadale, VA
College: George Mason University
Medical School: Saba University
Favorite thing about residency: The people
Favorite thing about Newport News: Good commute, good weather, friendly people
Goals after residency: Outpatient
Hobbies: Cooking

Cristina Litchfield, DO

Hometown: Bismarck, ND
College: Colorado State University
Medical School: Des Moines University
Favorite thing about residency: The people! I have enjoyed getting to know and work with my co-residents, the attendings, and everyone else involved with the program.
Favorite thing about Newport News: The Noland Trail, family friendly neighborhoods and lots of restaurants to try.
Goals after residency: Outpatient family medicine
Hobbies: Spending time with my husband, son and 2 dogs. Being outdoors, traveling

Ashane Lynch, MD

Hometown: Linstead, Jamaica and moved to Fayetteville, NC
College: Queens University of Charlotte
Medical School: Trinity School of Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: The people! Everyone has been helpful and approachable, and my co-residents have been a pleasure to work with.
Favorite thing about Newport News: The local festivals are great! Busch Gardens is also very close, and I've really enjoyed their seasonal events
Goals after residency: I'm interested in lifestyle medicine and preventative healthcare. My goal is to practice outpatient FM after residency.
Hobbies: I'm definitely a homebody, so when I have time I spend it attempting to garden in my apartment, watching anime, horror movies or playing video games.

Tae Moon, DO

Hometown: Annandale, VA
College: Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical School: VCOM - Virginia
Favorite thing about residency: Interacting with many diverse patients and learning how best to treat their medical issues
Favorite thing about Newport News: Food
Goals after residency: Practicing family medicine and continuing to learn and improve
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife, family and our Doberman, Traveling, cooking and trying new diverse cuisines

Emily Notvedt, DO

Hometown: Newport News, VA
College: Christopher Newport University
Medical School: VCOM - Virginia
Favorite thing about residency: My co-residents
Favorite thing about Newport News: The Noland Trail
Goals after residency: Outpatient Family Medicine, with an emphasis on Women's Health
Hobbies: My dogs, walking trails, going to the beach, crochet, trying new breweries

Muhammad Omer, DO

Hometown: Langrial, Pakistan
College: UMBC – University Maryland
Medical School: VCOM - Virginia
Favorite thing about residency: The diversity of the patients and my co-residents
Favorite thing about Newport News: Crown Fried Chicken
Goals after residency: Work in a rural area with underserved patients
Hobbies: Watching movies, cricket, and reading

Neama Setambar, DO

Hometown: Centreville, VA
College: Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical School: VCOM - Virginia
Favorite thing about residency: Great co-residents, teachers, very supportive environment and fun place to learn!
Favorite thing about Newport News: All the parks/trails, food options, close to beach
Goals after residency: Sports medicine fellowship then outpatient practice
Hobbies: Basketball, hiking, weight training, pickleball, watching good movies, sleeping

Stephen Su, DO

Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
College: William & Mary
Medical School: VCOM - Virginia
Favorite thing about residency: The people – how supportive and kind everyone is. The attendings truly care about our raining. Co-residents are fantastic.
Favorite thing about Newport News: Traditions Brewing Company, Aago Indian/Nepalese restaurant, the outdoor converts at Port Warwick
Goals after residency: Outpatient Family Medicine in the Hampton Road area
Hobbies: Football (Go Hokies), video games, skateboarding, movies

Shavanni Sydnor, DO

Hometown: Caroline, VA
College: JMU
Medical school: VCOM
Favorite thing about residency: Honestly the people. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming
Favorite thing about Newport News: Newport News is close to my family but not too close. The area offers a wide variety of food and entertainment, there is always something do
Goals after residency: I would love to work in an outpatient clinic in particular in an underserved area
Hobbies: Watching movies, playing with my cats

Hannah Teague, DO

Hometown: Monroe, NC
College: Wingate University
Medical school: Marian University COM
Favorite thing about residency: my co-residents!!! also really enjoyed getting to know the patients
Favorite thing about Newport News: close to the beach, good food and good breweries, Noland trail
Goals after residency: work outpatient with an emphasis on women’s health in a clinic near home
Hobbies: Going to the beach, eating, reading, hanging out with fam/friends, eating some more, screaming Taylor lyrics in the car, rewatching friends

Chanel Willis, MD

Hometown: Stafford, VA
College: Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical School: University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS)
Favorite thing about residency: hanging out with my co-residents
Favorite thing about Newport News: the food as I'm a huge foodie person
Goals after residency: to practice in under a group for a few years and later consider practice in a rural area
Hobbies: Trying new foods and travelling to different countries

Elizabeth Ellis, DO

Hometown: Tappanannock, VA
College: Christopher Newport
Medical School: VCOM - Virginia
Favorite thing about residency: The people – this is such a family
Favorite thing about Newport News: The best sunsets
Goals after residency: Family Medicine/OMT Attending
Hobbies: Grocery shopping and couponing

Daniel Fordice, DO

Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
College: Old Dominion University
Medical School: VCOM - Virginia
Favorite thing about residency: My peers and patients! Riverside is full of friendly and caring people that make the tough days better. Also, I just love getting to finally be a doctor
Favorite thing about Newport News: You are so close to a variety of things. The beaches are minutes away, mountains hours away, and DC is a fun day trip
Goals after residency: I want to go into clinic-based medicine with a focus on queer and transgendered in an urban setting
Hobbies: Weightlifting, traveling, reading, eating, sleeping

David Graham, DO

Hometown: South Bend IN
College: Indiana University - Bloomington IN
Medical School: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Indianapolis IN
Favorite thing about residency: Patient interactions & hanging out with my co-residents
Favorite thing about Newport News: It's diversity in food and central location to multiple big cities
Goals after residency: Outpatient clinic & seeing all ages
Hobbies: Watching lots of movies, discovering all the regional breweries and restaurants with my wife and co-residents, hiking, tennis, and watching college football and basketball

Niharika Gupta

Hometown: South Bend IN
College: Indiana University - Bloomington IN
Medical School: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Indianapolis IN
Favorite thing about residency: Patient interactions & hanging out with my co-residents
Favorite thing about Newport News: It's diversity in food and central location to multiple big cities
Goals after residency: Outpatient clinic & seeing all ages
Hobbies: Watching lots of movies, discovering all the regional breweries and restaurants with my wife and co-residents, hiking, tennis, and watching college football and basketball

Isobel Hunter, MD

Hometown: York, UK
College: University of Nottingham
Medical School: Same as college, I did the 5 year undergraduate medicine course.
Favorite thing about residency: Returning to being a doctor and experiencing different specialties.
Favorite thing about Newport News: Being near my husband's family (free babysitting!) and the walkability and community feeling of our Hilton neighborhood.
Goals after residency: To work in a small practice near home and know my patients personally, allowing me to provide the best tailored care.
Hobbies: Singing, swimming, climbing, drawing, and playing mad games with my four year old.

Megan Knapp, MD

Hometown: Toano, VA
College: Virginia Tech
Medical School: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Favorite thing about residency: The supportive teaching culture created by the attendings and residents, as well as the atmosphere of the hospital - everyone is so friendly and welcoming. It's a very unique hospital; I've never worked anywhere with such a positive vibe.
Favorite thing about Newport News: All of the different food options and living close to my family.
Goals after residency: Outpatient primary care +/- some inpatient time (TBD)
Hobbies: Spending time with my husband, new baby, and two dogs, dating reality shows (I know), paddle boarding, and embroidery.

Thi Lovo

Hometown: Harrisonburg, VA
College: University of Virginia
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM-VA campus)
Favorite thing about residency: The amazing people who make Riverside unique and the vast opportunity to learn alongside amazing doctors and staffs.
Favorite thing about Newport News: the diverse culture and activities to do
Goals after residency: Be part of an outpatient practice and travel out of the country to provide medical care as much as I can.
Hobbies: Drawing, walking with my corgis, and traveling.

Perla Maldonado-Rivera, MD

Hometown: Comuy, Puerto Rico
College: University of Puerto Rico at Mayguez
Medical School: University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Favorite thing about residency: Getting to know my colleagues and sharing new experiences with them. Having the ability to learn new things every day at work. How inclusive and considerate my colleagues are towards me.
Favorite thing about Newport News: Living in a place that is close to the sea, since it reminds me of Puerto Rico. How nice and welcoming people in this area have been towards me.
Goals after residency: Work in a health group, travel to new places, buy a house and get at least 2 dogs.
Hobbies: Cooking, Hiking, Trails, going to the beach, traveling, road trips

Dikaha Paudel, MD

Hometown: Dan, Nepal
College: Trinity International College
Medical School: China Three Gorges University
Favorite thing about residency: Working closely with a diverse team of health professionals, mentorship support, building relationships with patients and making tangible difference in lives.
Favorite thing about Newport News: Beach access, restaurants, weather, diversity
Goals after residency: Stay in area and work as a primary care doctor
Hobbies: Cooking, watching suspense thriller movies.

Zachary Treser, DO

Hometown: Blacksburg, VA
College: Virginia Tech
Medical School: VCOM-Virginia
Favorite thing about residency: Building relationships with my patients and spending time with my co-residents
Favorite thing about Newport News: Being close to the beach and living near family
Goals after residency: Work in outpatient family medicine with focuses on pediatrics and sports medicine patients
Hobbies: Exercising, pickleball, spending time with my wife and dogs.

Christopher Vaughan, DO

Hometown: Williamsburg, VA.
College: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ft. Smith, AR.
Favorite thing about residency: Co-residents and Faculty.
Favorite thing about Newport News: There's lots of fun stuff in the area and it's close to my hometown.
Goals after residency: Outpatient Family Practice.
Hobbies: Weightlifting and building a 1953 f100 show truck.

Sushmita Yadav, MD

Hometown: Originally Saptari, Nepal and in USA I would like to call Fairfax, VA my hometown
College: Jalalabad Ragib Rabeya
Medical school: Jalalabad Ragib Rabeya medical college, Sylhet, Bangladesh
Favorite thing about residency: the people, patients, location
Favorite thing about Newport News: close to beach, calm and quiet, close to NOVA, proximity to family and friends
Goal after residency: outpatient family medicine clinic might be
Hobbies: Traveling, cooking, spending time with family and friends

Allison Zamora, DO

Hometown: Advance, NC
College: UNC Chapel Hill
Medical School: LUCOM
Favorite thing about residency: I love the people! Residency can be hard but when you have seniors and faculty who are excited to teach and support you, it makes things much better!
Favorite thing about Newport News: There are so many opportunities to get outside and lots of cool places to explore! Plus we are a quick drive to OBX!
Goals after residency: I would love a combination of inpatient and outpatient medicine
Hobbies: I love being outside! - hiking, running, gardening. I also enjoy cooking, trying new restaurants with my husband, and hosting hang outs with friends.