Current Internal Medicine Residents
Current Internal Medicine Residents
Our 2024-25 Internal Medicine residents.
Chief Resident in Internal Medicine
Vivian N. Matubia, M.D. – St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada
- Where are you from?
- Nairobi, Kenya.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- Picking fruit, spending time on/by Otsego Lake, beautiful seasonal changes, friendly environment.
Third Year Chief Residents in Internal Medicine
Mohamed Abugrin, M.B., B.Ch. – University of Tripoli, Libya
- Where are you from?
- Tripoli, Libya.
- What are your hobbies?
- Revel in anime. I enjoy the action and story lines that cannot be captured by other media.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- The program does an amazing job incorporating new interns into residency. I haven’t felt overwhelmed during my time here so far. The staff gets to know each resident on an individual level, and provides a lot of support to help reach individual goals. The faculty and fellow residents are blessing to work with. The scenery and nature around Cooperstown are breathtaking. People are friendly and this is reflected in the patient population. Cooperstown is a very safe community.
Kunjal Luhadia, M.B., B.S. – Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, India
- Where are you from?
- Brockville, Canada.
- What are your hobbies?
- Dancing, playing basketball, swimming, and reading.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- I really like the people at Bassett. Everyone is nice and welcoming. I like the small community environment of Bassett and Cooperstown where I’m able to know people and patients on a very personal level.
Timur Otajonov, M.D. – Tashkent Medical Academy, Uzbekistan
- Where are you from?
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
- What are your hobbies?
- Traveling, singing, football, cooking, watching sci-fi movies and Star Wars.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- First of all, Bassett is very supportive of residents’ quality of life and families. Besides enormous support from the faculty and residents, Bassett keeps patient care as its universal priority and teaches residents to do the same. I love Cooperstown for being such an authentic place with its scenic views of Otsego Lake and its beautiful landscapes. If you’re an outdoor person who loves walking, biking, and hiking you will immediately fall in love with this place.
Third Year Residents in Internal Medicine
Navar Almama, M.D. – Russian ‘People's Friendship University’, Russia
- Where are you from?
- Syria.
- What are your hobbies?
- Social dancing, specifically tango.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- I like how everything is within a walking distance in Cooperstown. For a person who just recently moved here and still doesn’t have a car, that’s a great benefit! I love how everybody is just chilling and enjoying the lake and nature.
- What I like the most about Bassett is that everybody knows each other and it feels like a real community. I also love how supportive attendings are of new interns and new moms. Having a lactation room in every building and having the necessary breaks to feed my young baby made life much better, and I think that really promotes resident wellbeing.
Muhammad Bilal, M.B., B.S. – Punjab Medical College, Pakistan
- Where are you from?
- Punjab, Pakistan.
- What are your hobbies?
- I love to travel and explore nature. I enjoy music, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- Incredibly friendly, staff, patients, neighbors, and people in general. When I walk my dog in town random people will frequently start friendly conversations. Staff, especially other residents, are very helpful. The program in general cares a lot about residents and their wellness while at the same time teaching as much as possible. We have great up-to-date didactics and conferences and easy access to sim lab.
Rakel Emma-Okah, M.D. – Univ. of Debrecen, Medical & Health Sciences Centre, Hungary
- Where are you from?
- Nigeria.
- What are your hobbies?
- Watching movies.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- At Bassett, you learn and practice medicine in a collegial and friendly environment. If you’re looking for tranquility away from the business of big cities, while still practicing high quality medicine, Bassett & Cooperstown are the place for you.
Rida Fatima, M.B., B.S. – Punjab Medical College, Pakistan
- Where are you from?
- Punjab, Pakistan.
- What are your hobbies?
- Creating content and spending time outdoors enjoying nature.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- I love the calmness and serenity of nature here. Otsego Lake is my favorite go-to place. I find the community to be kind, pleasant, and wonderful. I look forward to exploring more of nature in the area.
Sagar Ghimire, M.B., B.S. – Nepal Medical College, Nepal
- Where are you from?
- Nepal.
- What are your hobbies?
- I’m a sports enthusiast, especially Premier League (Manchester United) soccer, tennis (Nole), NBA (Bucks). I’m also a huge Led Zeppelin fan & enjoy classic movies, poetry, and hiking.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- Bassett’s culture of helping each other out is something that makes up for a positive learning environment. The attendings are exceedingly approachable. Senior residents are very involved, no matter what rotation you are on. If you need help you can approach anyone and get the help you need. The program is always trying out ways to help residents. Cooperstown, in the center of beautiful upstate NY, is a fairly small town that overlooks beautiful Otsego Lake. If you like to hike, there are plenty of options locally & within just a couple of hours drive. As of my experience so far, summer at Cooperstown has been really beautiful.
Roudabeh Kiani, M.D. – American Univ. of Antigua College of Medicine, Antigua
- Where are you from?
- Iran & Canada.
- What are your hobbies?
- Playing piano, hiking and camping, reading classical Persian novels, listening to classic jazz, watching classic movies, and also watching Disney.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- I love the kind and warm-hearted people of Basset and Cooperstown. Cooperstown and the surrounding area have such wonderful natural attractions.
Thanmay Sathi, M.B., B.S. – Andhra Medical College, India
- Where are you from?
- Vizag, India.
- What are your hobbies?
- My hobbies include playing sports like tennis, cricket and soccer, traveling and exploring new places, reading non-fiction books, watching drama movies & shows, trying different cultural cuisines.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- Bassett is a unique program located in Upstate New York. Out of the many things I like about Bassett, the collegial atmosphere and relationship between everyone working here stands out the most. This type of nurturing environment provides a perfect space for quality patient care, clinical skill development and increasing my medical knowledge. The widespread patient population which the hospital serves provides an opportunity to treat different types of clinical scenarios, which is preparing me to become a more experienced and confident physician. Cooperstown is a lovely, rural town located in central New York. Otsego Lake is a peaceful and serene place to relax after a long, tiring day of work. The Clark Sports Center is a unique and very affordable fitness center which provides standard fitness equipment as well as numerous indoor and outdoor physical activities. There are a decent choice of restaurants to eat at and, out of these, Mel’s should not be missed for a delicious American meal.
Bishnu Singh, M.B., B.S. – Kathmandu Medical College, Nepal
- Where are you from?
- Kathmandu, Nepal.
- What are your hobbies?
- Cricket, Table tennis, riding bikes.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- Bassett covers a large patient population, and I get exposure to a variety of cases with patients from different demographics and backgrounds. Overall, I have found the program to be very supportive of residents in terms of their career choices.
Prejin Upadhyay, M.B., B.S. – Kathmandu Medical College, Nepal
- Where are you from?
- Nepal.
- What are your hobbies?
- Singing, playing guitar, table tennis, traveling.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- It's a small community where you can get to know many people. I find it nice to see attendings and nurses at the grocery store. Beautiful Otsego Lake is relaxing and a great place to unwind. The residency program is very supportive.
Second Year Residents in Internal Medicine
Abolfazl Ahmady, M.D. – American Univ. of Antigua College of Medicine, Antigua
- Where are you from?
- Canada.
- What are your hobbies?
- Video games, soccer, camping, barbeques, getting together with friends and family.
- What do you like about Bassett and Cooperstown?
- Incredibly friendly, staff, patients, neighbors, and people in general. When I walk my dog in town random people will frequently start friendly conversations. Staff and other residents are very helpful. The program in general cares a lot about residents and their wellness while at the same time teaching as much as possible. We have great up-to-date didactics and conferences and easy access to sim lab.
Pavel Bleik, M.D. – North-Western State Medical University, Russia
- Where are you from?
- St Petersburg, Russia.
- What are your hobbies?
- Playing piano and guitar, horseback riding, tennis, chess, martial arts, and basketball.
- What aspects of Bassett’s internal medicine residency program helped guide your decision to apply?
- For me it was the first choice from the very beginning. I loved it here – it’s beautiful and the people are incredibly friendly. I made my ultimate decision after the interview; it was organized perfectly. For these reasons and many more the decision was easy.
Kannate Chotiphansiri, M.D. – Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
- Where are you from?
- Bangkok, Thailand.
- What are your hobbies?
- I love traveling to new places and capturing moments in photography. I’m a big fan of manga, anime and video games. Leaning about stars and night skies, music, beginner level pianist.
- What aspects of Bassett’s internal medicine residency program helped guide your decision to apply?
- People in the residency program seemed very friendly. Cooperstown is located in a very beautiful and peaceful area with a lot of outdoor activities. The program has very good plans about how to introduce residents to the healthcare system in the United States, supports residents during training, and assists with future career path planning. The focus on residents’ well-being and work-life balance was a definite attraction.
Hashim Ejaz, M.B., B.S. – Army Medical College, Pakistan
- Where are you from?
- Islamabad. Pakistan.
- What are your hobbies?
- I like to eat, travel, play soccer and other exercise.
- What aspects of Bassett’s internal medicine residency program helped guide your decision to apply?
- Bassett and Cooperstown are like a second home for me. I’ve found caring, collegial, compassionate friends/colleagues/mentors from whom I continue to learn.
Panisara Fangsaard, M.D. – Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
- Where are you from?
- Thailand.
- What are your hobbies?
- Watching movies, traveling with family and friends, hot yoga.
- What aspects of Bassett’s internal medicine residency program helped guide your decision to apply?
- The people at Bassett, friendly colleagues in a very supportive environment during residency!
Jasvindar Kumar, M.B., B.S. – Khyber Medical College, Pakistan
- Where are you from?
- Pakistan.
- What are your hobbies?
- Cooking, traveling, and listening to music.
- What aspects of Bassett’s internal medicine residency program helped guide your decision to apply?
- I was drawn to Bassett because of its excellent didactic curriculum, rigorous hands-on clinical training, and strong attention to resident wellness. Seniors from my medical school who are in Bassett’s internal medicine program spoke very highly about the program and how supportive and approachable the faculty are. Furthermore, Cooperstown has great diversity, with a large geriatric population which I’ve always enjoyed providing care to. While researching Cooperstown, I found it more like my home country village with greenery, peace, and beautification everywhere.
Rupa Pudasaini, M.D. – Moscow State University, Russia
- Where are you from?
- Kuthmandu, Nepal.
- What are your hobbies?
- Yoga, meditation, dancing, and watching movies.
- What aspects of Bassett’s internal medicine residency program helped guide your decision to apply?
- I always wanted to be in a program which has a tradition of excellence with missions of patient care, teaching, and research. Being a tertiary care system covering thousands of patients seemed like a good platform to brush one's knowledge, and to gain great clinical experience. Also, the excellent support system that Bassett provides to each resident drew me towards the program. Cooperstown is the perfect place to live and raise kids.
Suman Paudel, M.B., B.S. – Gandaki Medical College, Nepal
- Where are you from?
- Pokhara, Nepal.
- What are your hobbies?
- Watching and playing cricket, traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with friends and family.
- What aspects of Bassett’s internal medicine residency program helped guide your decision to apply?
- Bassett is a resident-friendly program offering diverse cases and a close-knit community. With attendings and seniors readily available for support, transitioning to the United States healthcare system was seamless. Cooperstown is a charming town surrounded by natural beauty, and nearby Otsego Lake adds to its appeal, creating a fulfilling and picturesque training experience.
Wajeeh Rehman, M.B., B.S. – Khyber Medical College, Pakistan
- Where are you from?
- Kohat, Pakistan.
- What are your hobbies?
- Swimming, table tennis, badminton, cooking, and watching movies/shows.
- What aspects of Bassett’s internal medicine residency program helped guide your decision to apply?
- Cooperstown is similar to my hometown so it feels home to me. I like the people of Cooperstown and I feel happiness while interacting with them—also, while serving them in the hospital. I like to go to Otsego Lake to swim and to enjoy the surrounding serenity and calmness. I consider Bassett Hospital as a pearl in a shell and feel very privileged working here.
Suprita Shrestha, M.B., B.S. – Nepal Medical College, Nepal
- Where are you from?
- Kathmandu Nepal.
- What are your hobbies?
- Hiking, trekking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
- What aspects of Bassett’s internal medicine residency program helped guide your decision to apply?
- In my previous experience I enjoyed working in a rural setting so I found this to be a good fit. I’ve always found the people to be so warm and welcoming. I was also looking for a program that would help me to grow as a physician, as well as ensuring a good work-life balance. I found it all in Bassett's internal medicine program.
Egor Zakharchenko, M.D. – Altai State Medical University, Russia
- Where are you from?
- Barnaul, Russia.
- What are your hobbies?
- Road cycling, running, attending concerts and sports games, traveling, exploring new places, and learning new languages.
- What aspects of Bassett’s internal medicine residency program helped guide your decision to apply?
- The Bassett program is very well-known for its really amazing atmosphere, and the friendly and careful attention of the teaching staff to their residents. I loved the small size of the program where I felt that residents could grow faster and more efficiently as a real team. Cooperstown is a very nice place where I can enjoy the thrilling nature and upstate autumn beauties.
Arzu Shahid M.B., B.S.
- Where are you from?
- Houston, Texas.
- What are your hobbies?
- I enjoy organizing, cooking delicious meals for my husband and myself, and traveling.
First Year Residents in Internal Medicine
Farhan Afridi M.B. B.S.
- Where are you from?
- Peshawar, Pakistan.
- What are your hobbies?
- I am a big fan of cinema. I enjoy watching movies and TV shows from different regions of the world. I also enjoy playing cricket, hiking, traveling, and exploring new cuisines.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you and helped to guide your decision to apply?
- I researched Bassett and found that Bassett is a closed-knit community with emphasis on resident wellness and didactics. My interview experience was very wholesome and congenial. The camaraderie between seniors and juniors was evident during the pre-interview social. The conducive learning environment here at Bassett incorporates residents very well into residency. The beautiful landscapes of Cooperstown and the scenic Otsego Lake made it even easier for me to rank this place as my top priority.
Katrina Corpuz M.D.
- Where are you from?
- Makati City, Philippines.
- What are your hobbies?
- I enjoy yoga, journaling, taking photos, and exploring different cuisines.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you & helped to guide your decision to apply?
- I was drawn to Bassett because it offers extensive exposure to a diverse patient population and a wide variety of cases. The program is highly supportive and guides residents in their career paths. Additionally, the friendly environment, the beautiful and peaceful location of Cooperstown, and the emphasis on resident well-being and work-life balance make it an ideal choice for me.
Jeyavishnupriya "JVP" Gopalakrishnan M.B., B.S.
- Where are you from?
- India.
- What are your hobbies?
- I like to read, go on long walks, and am always up for trying anything outdoors.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you & helped to guide your decision to apply?
- Apart from its highly efficient training program, Bassett has a legacy that inspires, and I wanted to be a part of that.
Yi "Luke" Hao M.D.
- Where are you from?
- I grew up in China.
- What are your hobbies?
- I like to go to the gym, long distance running, and hiking. I also like to watch movies, TV shows.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you & helped to guide your decision to apply?
- When I was a Columbia medical student, I did a family medicine rotation at Bassett Cobleskill Clinic, which gave me the first exposure to rural care. I truly enjoyed the supportive learning environment with a full spectrum of diseases. I also really love the natural beauty in Cooperstown and accessibility to the outdoor activities. For these reasons, I've been dreaming to come back.
Andrew Hess M.D.
- Where are you from?
- Los Angeles, CA.
- What are your hobbies?
- I enjoy spending time with my children, running, and hiking.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you & helped to guide your decision to apply?
- Bassett's internal medicine residency program feels like a home away from home. The residents look out for one another and always help everyone to learn and grow as medical professionals.
Saniah Khan M.B., B.S.
- Where are you from?
- Pakistani-Canadian.
- What are your hobbies?
- I love staying active and exploring ways to maintain a healthy body, mind, and spirit. My hobbies include lifting weights, jumping rope, biking, hiking, and cooking healthy, nutritious food.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you and helped to guide your decision to apply?
- During my search for residency programs, Bassett quickly emerged as one of my top choices. The program’s strong emphasis on education and its dedicated, approachable faculty stood out to me. During my interview day, I immediately noticed the collegial and friendly atmosphere among the residents and between the residents and faculty. Additionally, the charm of Cooperstown, with its lush greenery and serene environment, was an added attraction that resonated deeply with me. Being here has surpassed my expectations, and I am genuinely happy with my decision. There is nothing I would change about this place.
Unaib Memon M.B., B.S.
- Where are you from?
- Hyderabad, Pakistan.
- What are your hobbies?
- Playing video games, cricket, watching movies and dramas, also developing an interest in cooking. I also love to go by the lake.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you & helped to guide your decision to apply?
- First and most important is the people, the friendly and welcoming environment at Bassett really allows you to be your best self along with great residency training. Second big reason is the town of Cooperstown, it really is the place where you really know your neighbors, additionally there are fun activities to participate in and enjoy. Thirdly, the proximity to nearby cities line Albany, NYC for weekend trips lets you enjoy your life to the fullest.
Ruvarashe Mupedziswa M.D.
- Where are you from?
- Canada.
- What are your hobbies?
- I enjoy travelling and exploring new places, I also enjoy working out and listening to audio book.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you & helped to guide your decision to apply?
- I was drawn to Bassett's internal medicine program due to its strong emphasis on comprehensive patient care and its commitment on fostering a collaborative and safe learning environment. The faculty and staff support created such a nurturing environment which further reinforced my decision.
Steve Nwokeocha M.B., B.S.
- Where are you from?
- Nigeria.
- What are your hobbies?
- I enjoy playing and learning sports, writing stories and poems, and absorbing the serenity of nature in vast green landscapes or large open water.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you & helped to guide your decision to apply?
- The quality of clinical education is as important as the environment where your learn, and Bassett offered the best of both worlds. I could tell from the meet and greets before I came there was a true togetherness in the group and staff, as well as in insistence on a non-compromise to the quality of training and health care delivery. The quiet, rural settlement is an added bonus.
Nikita Srivalsan M.D.
- Where are you from?
- Calgary, Canada.
- What are your hobbies?
- Dancing, swimming, playing various sports, watching movies.
- What was it about Bassett's internal medicine program that interested you and helped to guide your decision to apply?
- One of the reasons I was drawn to Bassett's program was the integration of women's health training into the resident curriculum and the ability to do some training at the gender wellness center, which was unique for an IM program. Bassett stands out for its commitment to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care in a community-focused environment. The rural setting offers unique challenges and opportunities which enables residents to get hands on training and develop a broad skill set to be prepared to handle a wide range of pathologies. Additionally, the close knit community and collaborative environment among residents and faculty fosters professional growth. Living in Cooperstown you get the peaceful, charming experience of the village but you're also just a road trip away from cities like NYC, Boston, and Toronto; best of both worlds!
Shalini Thiruvarudchelvam M.D.
- Where are you from?
- Toronto, ON, Canada.
- What are your hobbies?
- Hiking, piano, photography, & travel.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you & helped to guide your decision to apply?
- I found Bassett's Internal Medicine residency program to be unique in that the residents seemed more like family than colleagues and genuinely cared for one another while encouraging each other's learning in the setting of high acuity patient care. In addition to this, the faculty and program are truly supportive of the residents, approachable and always willing to teach. I found hospitality and warmth not only in the hospital setting but within the greater community of Cooperstown as well, and I came to realize that this residency program would provide the best place for me to develop as a physician through comprehensive patient care but also to grow alongside my fellow residents within a wonderful close knit community.
Trairat "Sum" Unteng M.D.
- Where are you from?
- Thailand.
- What are your hobbies?
- Cooking, watching movies, traveling with family and friends, trying out new cuisine.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you & helped to guide your decision to apply?
- I was drawn to the program because the program seems to be very supportive of the resident with well-planed curriculum. And Cooperstown is a very charming town to live — beautiful lake and natures.
Sara White D.O.
- Where are you from?
- New Hampshire.
- What are your hobbies?
- I enjoy skiing, hiking, rock climbing, and team sports.
- What was it about Bassett’s internal medicine residency program that interested you & helped to guide your decision to apply?
- I was initially drawn to the program at Bassett for its location and small resident-to-faculty ratio, however it was the collaborative and friendly nature of the residents and attendings I met throughout the year during the interview process that truly made the program stand out. The culture of helping one another and the importance of work-life balance at Bassett fosters a positive and supportive learning environment. Also, Cooperstown is beautiful and provides a variety of activities outside of the hospital.
