People

PGY 3 Residents

 

Chuks Agusiegbe, Jr., MD, MS

He/him/his

Hometown, State

Jackson, MS


Medical School

Morehouse School of Medicine


Academic Area of Interest

Social EM, Global Medicine, Administration, Critical Care


Why LSU?

LSU-New Orleans was one of the few programs during the cycle where I felt a genuine connection virtually: the faculty and residents felt like family. I resonated with the program's mission and its proven initiatives to serve the marginalized and underserved patient populations/communities. The program here provides me the chance to train in various clinical facilities and develop a diverse skillset, making me a stronger clinician.


Favorite thing about NOLA

The culture and food scene in New Orleans is amazing! I'm looking forward to see some Saints games and all the festivals.


Hobbies

Cooking but mostly eating, doing anything outdoors - hiking, football, water activities, traveling, working out


Kersti Bellardi, DO, MS

She/Her/Hers

Hometown, State

Corona del Mar, California


Medical School

Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California


Academic Area of Interest

Global Health, Social EM, Advocacy, Harm Reduction, Non-Communicable Diseases


Why LSU?

Fit! Vibe! All the words! I was blown away by the people because they discussed things that I care about, they asked impactful questions, and they seemed happy. I loved the structure of the program, the emphasis put on exploring residents’ interests, and the community engagement. Being a supportive program, at a safety-net hospital, that pushes residents to be ready for anything, it ticked all the boxes.


Favorite thing about NOLA

The live music, culture, and festivals! The city is beautiful and gritty, and it always surprises me.


Hobbies

Traveling, going on adventures with family and friends, swimming, binge watching shows, Harry Potter, drag queens, and enjoying music/festivals.


Lauren Blasen, DO

She/Her/Hers

Hometown, State

East Lansing, MI


Medical School

Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine


Academic Area of Interest

Vast! Pediatrics, wilderness medicine, social EM, community outreach, academics, global medicine, critical care


Why LSU?

There are many aspects of any program a prospective resident should look for including academics, location, facilities, and resident/faculty relationship. LSU checked all those boxes for me. However, what really sold me was the community outreach opportunities, palpable passion for medicine, and the focus not only on resident development, but character development as well. These things are very hard to come by!


Favorite thing about NOLA

I am very new to the area so I'm sure this answer will change, but I love the diversity of people and the ability to meet individuals completely different from me and have the opportunity to connect with them. Oh and I heard the music and food are great additions too!!


Hobbies

Traveling!! Anything outside - running, hiking, camping, water sports, snowboarding. All Michigan State sporting events. Ice hockey. Being with my family. Any activity involving my dogs - Rory and Betty White. They're the best.


Usman Chaudhry, MD

He/him/his

Hometown, State

New Orleans, LA


Medical School

LSUHSC New Orleans


Academic Area of Interest

Social EM, Global Medicine, Diversity and Inclusion, Sports Medicine, Administration


Why LSU?

I have had the privilege of growing up in New Orleans. The culture and people of New Orleans have moulded me into the person I am today. Humility and selflessness runs through every fiber of this city and is amplified at LSU’s Spirit of Charity EM Program. After just doing a couple shifts at UMC I knew I wanted to stay here and give back to the city of New Orleans.


Favorite thing about NOLA

Pelicans, Saints, Music Festivals, Food, and of course MARDI GRAS


Hobbies

Cooking, Traveling, Basketball, Watching Sports and video games with the boys!


Amber Davidson, MD

She/Her/Hers

Hometown, State

Sacramento, CA


Medical School

Meharry Medical College


Academic Area of Interest

Social EM, Addiction Medicine


Why LSU?

One of my favorite interviews, faculty were warm and welcoming and focused on the social determinants of health, social disparities, and the health of the community. All of which are values I carry from my home institution.


Favorite thing about NOLA

Haven't gotten the chance to fully experience NOLA yet, but I'm looking forward to learning more about the history, culture, and spirit of the city! Particularly the food and music scene.


Hobbies

Going out to eat at new restaurants


Jonah Gevercer, DO

He/him/his

Hometown, State

Sacramento, CA


Medical School

Rocky Vista University- Colorado


Academic Area of Interest

Pediatrics, Peds EM, Med Ed, Ultrasound


Why LSU?

The faculty, residents, community, and culture was a perfect fit for me, and they clearly put effort into cultivating that experience in this program. LSU reflects the vibrant, caring city its housed in, and after my month doing an away rotation here I couldn't picture myself anywhere else.


Favorite thing about NOLA

The food, music, culture, and people.


Hobbies

Cooking/ eating, traveling, watching basketball, listening to music/ going to concerts.


Alexander Heinz, MD

He/him/his

Hometown, State

McHenry, IL


Medical School

Tulane University School of Medicine


Academic Area of Interest

Med Ed, Addiction Medicine, Social EM, Wilderness EM


Why LSU?

Over the past 10 years in New Orleans, I've heard countless stories about training at Charity/Spirit of Charity and then I experienced some of these things for myself during my AI here. LSU NOLA emphasizes the connection to the community more than any program I know of, and NOLA is the most fun and interesting city in the country!


Favorite thing about NOLA

NOLA has amazing food, music, and people everywhere you look. I also enjoy the proximity to the coastal marshes where I can partake in some of my favorite hobbies.


Hobbies

Running, cooking/BBQ, kayak fishing, and other outdoor activities.


Alexander Hua, MD

He/him/his

Hometown, State

Fountain Valley, CA


Medical School

Tulane University School of Medicine


Academic Area of Interest

Wilderness EM, Administration


Why LSU?

Strong sense of community and the incredibly supportive faculty and team.


Favorite thing about NOLA

Live jazz music and crawfish!


Hobbies

Triathlons, hiking, camping, photography, and salsa dancing


Keyur Patel, MD

He/him/his

Hometown, State

Jacksonville, NC


Medical School

Brody School of Medicine at ECU


Academic Area of Interest

Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Education, Social Medicine, Ultrasound, Pipeline programs


Why LSU?

Diversity within the program and the city stood out when I interviewed at LSU Nola! I wanted to join a community that welcomes and embraces diversity. Strong EM and IM training located in a one-of-a-kind city. Residents and faculty were awesome during the interview day!


Favorite thing about NOLA

I am new to NOLA, but it goes without saying that the food, music, drinks, and culture are all areas that I am excited to explore!


Hobbies

Backpacking, rock climbing, soccer, binge watching shows, and video games.


Daniel Prettel, MD

He/him/his

Hometown, State

Greenville, SC


Medical School

Case Western Reserve School of Medicine


Academic Area of Interest

Social EM, Disaster Medicine, Global EM


Why LSU?

Despite the limitations that virtual interviewing brought, I was able to sense a genuine passion for social justice and communtiy outreach at LSU NOLA. It was the program I saw truly walked the talk when it came to awareness of the population they serve. Far beyond serving as my medical training ground for the next four years, I am thrilled to know that LSU NOLA will be my source of inspiration towards becoming a better human.


Favorite thing about NOLA

Limitless options for food WITH amaizng live music in the background


Hobbies

Edm concerts, gym, dancing, netflixin’, video games, hikes… Did I mention gym ?


Tayana Rodriguez, MD

She/Her/Hers

Hometown, State

Palmview, TX


Medical School

Texas Tech HSC El Paso - Paul L Foster School of Medicine


Academic Area of Interest

Health Care Disparities, Medical Education, Street Medicine, Critical Care


Why LSU?

I spent a month here during my away rotation and was blown away! I loved the patient population, the residents, faculty and the city. It felt like a month long party in and out of the hospital! I am also extremely excited for the exceptional DOCTORA this program will help me become!


Favorite thing about NOLA

The PEOPLE, culture, food and music! There's never a dull moment!


Hobbies

Strength training, weight lifting, cooking, eating, dancing, traveling, spending time with family


Scott Sabo, MD

He/him/his

Hometown, State

Seattle, WA


Medical School

Tulane School of Medicine


Academic Area of Interest

Social EM, Harm Reduction, PEM


Why LSU?

I wanted a program that would teach and challenge me to do more than just see patients by collaborating on interventions for our most vulnerable patients. The faculty, residents, nurses, techs, and all the support staff bring expertise, compassion, and infallible humor to every shift. In short--amazing people doing amazing things in my favorite city in the world.


Favorite thing about NOLA

The music, the way neighbors look out for each other, the heat, sunsets on the levee, and that there is always something fun, ridiculous, or magical going on.


Hobbies

My dog, making bread, eating bread, aerial fitness, camping


Archit Shukla, MD

He/him/his

Hometown, State

New Orleans, LA


Medical School

LSU School of Medicine New Orleans


Academic Area of Interest

Social EM, Advocacy, Disaster Medicine, Crit Care


Why LSU?

Strong connection to local community through the Spirit of Charity. Diverse training sites with a focus on social medicine/outreach. Incredible group and faculty and residents.


Favorite thing about NOLA

Pelicans, Saints, Mardi Gras, tons of restaurants


Hobbies

Basketball, hiking, traveling, eating pasta


Aaron Singer, MD

He/him/his

Hometown, State

San Diego, CA & Las Vegas, NV


Medical School

University of Nevada Las Vegas


Academic Area of Interest

Critical Care & Social EM


Why LSU?

LSU New Orleans genuinely exudes the “Spirit of Charity,” dedicated to helping its underserved community within and past its hospital walls. In addition, it provides the opportunity to learn from empathetic, supportive faculty across many different clinical settings.


Favorite thing about NOLA

The food, the people, & the festivals


Hobbies

Hiking, breakdancing, cooking, enjoying old fashioneds, playing with my corgi pup, anything active outdoors


Allen Turechek, MD

He/him/his

Hometown, State

Milford, CT and St. Paul, MN


Medical School

Uniformed Services University


Academic Area of Interest

EMS, austere medicine, social EM


Why LSU?

The faculty and residents! I wanted to be part of a program focused on taking care of their community and that mission is the focus here at LSU. Also, the training here will prepare me no matter where I practice in the future.


Favorite thing about NOLA

Although I am new to New Orleans, the food, music and culture are world class and I'm hoping to have a more definitive answer to this next year!


Hobbies

Traveling, homebrewing, gardening, going to concerts


Joshua Wahba, MD

He/him/his

Hometown, State

Newbury Park, CA


Medical School

Tulane


Academic Area of Interest

Social EM, ultrasound, critical care


Why LSU?

Amazing and down to earth faculty. Residents were supportive which makes for a great training environment. Big focus on social EM and commitment to the community.


Favorite thing about NOLA

Crawfish, Saints games, friendly people everywhere you go.


Hobbies

Rock climbing, traveling, cooking