Class of 2026 Continues Proud Teaching Tradition
Members of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset’s Family Medicine Residency Program’s Class of 2026 from left to right: Vadim Kashtelyan, MD, MS, Anika Soleyn, MD, Avajé Jackson, MD, MPH, Jin Huang, MD, Elma Joseph, MD, Hiteshree Nayak Badhan, DO, MS, and Laz Akachi, MD.
Somerville, NJ, June 30, 2026 – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health hospital, recently celebrated the graduation of seven physicians from its Family Medicine Residency Program, continuing its longstanding tradition of training family physicians who go on to serve communities across New Jersey and beyond.
A designated teaching hospital of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the hospital’s three-year Family Medicine Residency Program was established in 1975 to help meet a need for family doctors in the region. The program’s 21 residents work under the supervision of attending physicians to provide care to its hospitalized patients and to outpatients at the hospital’s Somerset Family Practice Center. More than 300 physicians have graduated from the program over the past five decades.
“Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset is extremely proud of its teaching tradition, which has expanded to include residency programs in several additional medical specialties,” said Deirdre A. Blaus, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Somerset. “We are committed to fostering academic excellence and supporting the next generation of physicians as they develop the skills and experience needed to provide exceptional care to patients and families.”
Members of the Class of 2026 were honored at a ceremony at the Bridgewater Marriott. They include:
- Laz Akachi, MD, of Hamilton, who is a graduate of Ross University School of Medicine.
- Jin Huang, MD, of Somerville, who is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, will be joining a medical practice in Pennsylvania. Dr. Huang was also honored with the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Resident Teacher of the Year Award, recognizing her exceptional commitment to family medicine education, teaching excellence, and mentorship.
- Avajé Jackson, MD, MPH, of Somerville, who is a graduate of St. Georges School of Medicine, will be joining an RWJBarnabas Health family medicine practice in Cranbury.
- Elma Joseph, MD, of Somerville, who is a graduate of St. Georges School of Medicine, will be joining a medical practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- Vadim Kashtelyan, MD, MS, of Somerville, who is a graduate of Ross University School of Medicine, will join the Hospitalist Program at RWJUH Somerset.
- Hiteshree Nayak Badhan, DO, MS, of Ringoes, who is a graduate of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, will join the Family Medicine faculty at RWJUH Somerset. In addition, she received the program’s Clinical Excellence Award, presented by faculty in recognition of her outstanding clinical knowledge, judgment, technical skills, and unwavering commitment to compassionate patient care.
- Anika Soleyn, MD, of Somerville, who is a graduate of Ross University School of Medicine, will be joining a medical practice in Louisiana.
The graduating class presented the Teacher of the Year award to Endocrinologist Ara Apelian, MD in recognition of his dedication to the education and training of family physicians.
More information about RWJUH Somerset’s Family Medicine Residency Program.