Current General Surgery Residents
Current General Surgery Residents
Our 2024-25 General Surgery residents.
Chief Residents in Surgery
Kristen Laaman – Cedarville University, B.S., 2016; University of Virginia School of Medicine, M.D., 2020.
- Where are you from?
- Grew up in Madbury, NH, most recently from Charlottesville, VA.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- Global surgery and international health.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- Attended college in the cornfields of Ohio, worked in a grocery store / gas station in the Adirondacks, went to East Africa a couple times.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Blueberries from Ingalls Blueberry Hill, Stewart's ice cream.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Being outside, running, hiking, reading, making food. There are lots of nearby trails and state forests, and the Catskills and Adirondacks or not far either.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- The approachability of the attending surgeons and how well they get to know you since it is a small program, high operative volume, wide range of surgical subspecialty exposure like plastic surgery and urology, rural environment, absolutely incredible co-residents.
Matthew Ward – Brigham Young University, B.S., 2015; University of Washington School of Medicine, M.D., 2020.
- Where are you from?
- Mountain Home, ID.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- Rural General Surgery.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- Plumber.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Home cooked BBQ / Steak from the grill on my front porch.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Fishing, hunting, backpacking, paddle boarding, rafting / kayaking, dirt-biking, snowmobiling, snowboarding, and wood working.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- Broad scope community-based training that can be tailored to future rural practice goals.
Eunice Yang – University of Washington, B.A., 2004; Pennsylvania State-Dickinson School of Law, J.D.; Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, M.D., 2020.
- Where are you from?
- Born in Korea, raised in Seattle.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- General surgery.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- Law school (licensed in PA).
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Upstate Bar and Grill in Cooperstown, Simply Thai in Oneonta.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Picking up random hobbies and quickly losing interest.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- True general surgery in a bucolic wonderland working with residents, attendings, and staff who are all in it for the right reasons.
Fourth Year Residents in Surgery
Alex Kurtz – Carroll College, B.A., 2017; University of Washington School of Medicine, M.D., 2021.
- Where are you from?
- Glendive, MT.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- Underserved Populations, General Surgery.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- I've had a few interesting jobs, from garbage man to college teaching assistant.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- You can't beat the fresh fruit and baked goods from the farmer's market in the summer.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- I love to hike, bike, and fish. You'll often find me in the woods or wading into that perfect stream.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- The wonderful people in this beautiful setting. This program offers a breadth of experience one can't find elsewhere in a setting like Cooperstown.
Lydia Rafferty – Cornell University, B.S., 2011; University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, M.D., 2021.
- Where are you from?
- Boston but I’ve lived in Madison, Wisconsin for most of my adult life.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- Broad scope general surgery, colorectal surgery.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- I worked as a management consultant for several years.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Origins Cafe! It’s a beautiful farm-to-table restaurant inside a green house :)
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Cooking, rock climbing, hiking, travel, and swimming. I also recently took to kitesurfing, though I think I’m too bad at that currently to be allowed to call it a “hobby.”
- What makes this program unique for you?
- I really love all the people, the early operative experience, and the broad exposure we get.
Emily Sippel – University of Portland, B.S., 2014; Creighton University School of Medicine, M.D., 2021.
- Where are you from?
- Portland, OR.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- I'm still unsure exactly what I want to do when I grow up, but so far I've really enjoyed the plastics, endocrine, and thoracic cases I've seen...I could see myself in fellowship one day but I'm also not opposed to general surgery in a smaller town at this point.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- Played a lot of soccer (I played in college). I also worked as a research assistant at OHSU looking at concussion rehabilitation.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Ommegang brewery Brussel sprouts are pretty dang good, although I also enjoyed the sandwiches from Yellow Deli in Oneonta a lot too.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- I really enjoy being active outdoors - hiking, camping, snowboarding. Hoping to get into kayaking soon with all the lakes around here!
- What makes this program unique for you?
- I know “culture” is the go-to buzzword these days but I sincerely feel, the culture, is what sets Bassett apart. From the nurses (both floor and OR) to the scrub techs, to my more senior residents and attendings, I genuinely feel like I’m part of a team helping take care of our surrounding community.
Third Year Residents in Surgery
Rahima Khatun – New York University, B.A., 2016; Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, M.D., 2021.
- Where are you from?
- Bronx, NY.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- Trauma Surgery, Global Surgery, Health Disparities.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- Took a gap year after undergrad and worked as an administrative aide at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Origins Café, Cooper's Barn for ice cream.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Hobbies: trying new cuisines, traveling, reading, searching for new hobbies and spontaneity.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- Reasons the program is unique for me: Interns are provided with early operative exposure. The rural setting and size of the hospital allows for a collegial atmosphere among all those involved in providing patient care. The setting also allows for perspective into how poor access to care and healthcare disparities among certain patient populations, such as farmers, affects disease severity. Unfortunately, this means we get insight into late stages of certain disease processes that you would not see elsewhere.
Sean Morton – Seattle Pacific University, B.S., 2016; Washington State University, M.D., 2022.
- Where are you from?
- Bonney Lake, Washington.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- I’m interested in many things, currently most interested in trauma surgery.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- I worked as a medical scribe prior to med school.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- So far, Mel’s at 22 has been my favorite food in Cooperstown. Also bagel sandwiches at Stagecoach Coffee!
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Anything outside, like rock climbing, brewing coffee/espresso, and reading.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- Small tight-knit community amongst the residents and faculty. Feel like you're a well-known and valued member of the team from the first day of residency.
Diego Villagomez – Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador, M.D., 2017; Yale New Haven Health, PGY-1, PGY2, 2021-2023.
- Where are you from?
- Quito, Ecuador.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- Outcomes in rural general and plastic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, robotics applications for general surgery.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- Adventure racing and kickboxing.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Lobster ravioli at Toscana of Cooperstown.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Hiking with my dog (Archie) on Sleeping Lion trail at Glimmerglass State Park. Online gaming (COD tag: fabledsurg).
- What makes this program unique for you?
- My co-residents.
Second Year Residents in Surgery
Alexander Clem – South Dakota State University, B.S., 2017; University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, M.D., 2023.
- Where are you from?
- Sioux Falls, SD.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- I am currently enjoying all aspects of general surgery. At this time I'm unsure if I would like to go into practice after residency or pursue a fellowship in a specific area.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- I worked as a patient care technician at my local hospital for 2 years between finishing my undergraduate degree and starting medical school.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Origins Café is my favorite local restaurant. The breweries in the area are a great place to relax on the weekends with my fellow residents and family.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- I enjoy spending my spare time with my wife, son, and dog. We like to explore Cooperstown and the surrounding areas, try local restaurants and breweries, and curl up on the couch for a good movie night.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- The early operative experience along with the strong support from faculty and staff makes me feel like a valued member of the program from day one. The area around Cooperstown is wonderful and unlike any other.
Hilary Giles – Hamilton College, B.A., 2017; Tufts University School of Medicine, M.D., 2023.
- Where are you from?
- Boston!
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- Medical education, and currently especially interested in surgical oncology.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- I worked as a medical assistant for 2 years in an orthopedic surgery office.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- So far that would be the "Brew-Ha-Ha" and "Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup" flavors of ice cream from Stewart's gas station/convenience store.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- I love to be outside and am looking forward to hiking some Adirondack peaks this fall for some A+ leaf-peeping!
- What makes this program unique for you?
- The community and the feeling that everyone truly has each other's back.
Lauren McKay – University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.S., 2017; University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, M.D., 2023.
- Where are you from?
- A small town in Wisconsin (Columbus, WI), but I’ve loved the many years I’ve spent living in the state capital (Madison, WI).
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- Colorectal surgery, surgical ethics, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- Personal care assistant, childcare provider, and waitress extraordinaire.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Beets from the Cooperstown Farmer’s Market and everything at Crumhorn Coffee House.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Distance running, baking, and spending time outside.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- I love the available opportunities to build strong connections with mentors, attendings, co-residents, and patients—all while benefiting from Bassett’s long history as well as its dedication to academics and clinical excellence.
Prince Morkeh – University of Iowa, B.A., 2018; Morehouse School of Medicine, M.D., 2022.
- Where are you from?
- I'm originally from Accra, Ghana, but moved to the northern suburbs of Chicago during childhood.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- At the moment I'm not entirely sure. I have some clinical interests in CT and vascular surgery; however, I'm still open.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- I worked a lot in the tech industry. My first job was as a computer/tablet salesperson at BestBuy. I then worked part-time as an IT Tech Assistant for my college and medical education. I also worked as a research assistant.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Indian Grill, Bocca Osteria.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- My hobbies include exercise / working out, which I can do at the Clark Sports Center (less than a mile from the hospital). Hiking in the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and on local trails. Travelling.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- Faculty are easy to approach, which is a plus. It’s a small community situated in a beautiful location in upstate NY.
First Year Residents in Surgery
Laura Holton – Duke University, B.A., 2016; Georgetown University, M.S., 2017; Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, D.O., 2024
- Where are you from?
- Born and raised in central New Jersey, spent time before medical school in Washington, DC.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- Using surgical techniques for reconstruction and rehabilitation after traumatic injuries. Trauma or Hand Surgery are my current interests, but I'm staying open-minded through residency!
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- I've done a few things. I earned my Master's in Physiology at Georgetown University, I was a server and bartender in DC, and then spent some time in more direct patient care as a Medical Assistant to a Plastic Surgeon. Each taught me a lot in different ways!
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- There are a surprising amount of great food options in this quaint town, but my favorite so far is the Peruvian Chicken at the Otesaga Hawkeye Bar & Grill!
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- I love to go to concerts (alternative, indie, really any live performance) - Ommegang Brewery holds live music events in their outdoor venue. It's beautiful! I also enjoy hiking and snowboarding which is plentiful around here.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- From day one, it's been obvious that there is a culture of support for each resident to have the freedom to grow as a doctor and explore career interests while maintaining accountability and academic excellence. The faculty and residents are welcoming, supportive, and excited to bring on the new group of residents!
Jacqueline Inglis – Cornell University, B.A., 2017; State University of New York Upstate Medical University, M.D., 2024
- Where are you from?
- New York.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- General surgery, orthopedics.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- Worked at Habitat for Humanity in Colorado, volunteered as an EMT, and tutored.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Anything Italian such as Bocca Osteria.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Anything that gets me outside, including: rock climbing, triathlons, biking, skiing, hiking etc. I also like crafts like knitting, embroidery, and carpentry.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- The size of the program allows for a lot of exposure to surgical cases starting immediately in intern year. There are also opportunities for experience in various subspecialties.
Alexis Kohlbeck – University of Wisconsin River Falls, B.S., 2019; Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, D.O., 2023.
- Where are you from?
- Marshfield, WI.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- I am interested in rural medicine and improving healthcare for LGBTQ+ patients.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- I was a college athlete.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- I enjoy the burgers from Upstate Bar and Grill.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- I like to lift weights and workout so I go to the Clark Sports Center. I’m also a huge baseball fan so going to the Baseball Hall of Fame is always fun.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- This program is unique in that it’s truly a rural community hospital/network. Everyone is very supportive and wants to help me succeed.
Matea Mezic – Vassar College, B.A., 2019; New York Medical College, M.D., 2024
- Where are you from?
- Long Island, NY.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- Mainly to help people and the be the best doctor possible 😊 I am not yet sure if there is a field within surgery which I would want to pursue specifically.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- Worked as a nursing assistant.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Have not gotten to go many places yet, but I love Stewarts ice cream 😊.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Run: Wherever there is a sidewalk, trails in parks, etc.
- Hike: Catskills and ADKs.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- I get a great in-depth experience into rural health and rural surgery, which is pretty rare in a general surgery program.
Kristin Nesbitt – University of Idaho, B.S., 2020; Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah, M.D., 2024
- Where are you from?
- Eagle, Idaho.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- General Surgery.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- EMT, medical scribe, and group home care aid for people with disabilities.
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- Norbu, and Upstate Bar and Grill.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Traveling, skiing, backpacking, and game nights with friends!
- What makes this program unique for you?
- I love that it is a small program that is very receptive to resident feedback, has great attending approachability, high operative case volumes, a wide range of subspecialty surgical exposure, and a strong and supportive resident community.
Nuttha Siriwatanakul – State University of New York Binghamton, B.S., 2018; State University of New York Upstate Medical University, M.D., 2024
- Where are you from?
- New York City.
- What are your clinical / professional interests?
- Becoming a general surgeon, and hopefully completing a subspecialty fellowship.
- What did you do prior to becoming a doctor?
- After graduating form medical school, I traveled to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Thailand, and Tokyo!
- What is your favorite food in / near Cooperstown, and where do you get it?
- I'm still trying to find my favorite spots.
- What are your hobbies, and where do you go to participate?
- Reading, cuddling my dog, doodling, self-care.
- What makes this program unique for you?
- Attendings and residents are so approachable, early operative experience, and friendly hospital staff.
