Current Residents
Emergency Medicine Residency Program at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Class of 2027, PGY3s
Taylor Antongiovanni-Frazier, MD
Undergraduate School: Utah Valley University
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Interests in EM: Trauma, Toxicology, International Medicine
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Spending time with my dogs (Lulu and Jäger) and I guess my boyfriend
too. Traveling, boating, skiing, horseback riding, motorcycles, archery,
martial arts, golf (only recently) and obviously eating good food.
Bio and why you chose NBI: Originally born in California, I spent most of my formative years in
a rural Utah community. Following college, I chose to spend my gap years
in Honolulu, HI, before pursuing medical school in Grenada. Unfortunately,
my time on the island was cut short due to COVID-19, sending me home to
complete the remainder of my basic sciences.
Opting for rotations in NYC provided a unique insight into some of the prevailing healthcare challenges we face today. This perspective greatly influenced my residency application decisions. My ultimate aspiration is to practice rural and community medicine, and I sought training that would equip me for this path. The diversity of pathologies, high patient volumes, and complex cases at NBI were pivotal factors in my choice. Moreover, my partner and I made the deliberate choice to couples match, seeking a program that could accommodate both of our professional aspirations. NBI stood out as one of the few institutions capable of meeting both our needs.
I consider it a great privilege to contribute to the care of rural and disadvantaged communities. After completing residency, I plan on returning home to continue this work, guided by the timeless wisdom of Spiderman: ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’
Christopher Dayaramani, MD
Undergraduate School: Northeastern University
Medical School: Tel Aviv University
Interests in EM: Entrepreneurship, Global Health, Ultrasound and Critical Care
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Hiking, traveling (I want to hike at all 63 US national Parks), Most
outdoor activities, Music, and Languages
Bio and why you chose NBI: I’m born and raised in Queens, NY. I spent 4 years in Boston and
4 in Tel Aviv during my education. I became interested in Emergency Medicine
through attending medical school in a country affected by war, and thought
Newark would be a great place to see some interesting pathology and continue
my training! I’m not going into residency with any definite plans
for fellowship training, we’ll see what these next few years of
clinical training teach me and go from there!
Eddie Fahoury, MD
Chief Resident
Undergraduate School: Auburn University
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Interests in EM: Critical Care
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Sports especially basketball I am a huge Boston Celtics fan, lifting
weights, finding the best pizza spots in NYC, Central Park, spending time
with my family.
Bio and why you chose NBI: I grew up in NJ down the road in Roselle Park. I spent time in the south
while I was in the military and during undergrad, but I always wanted
to come back home and practice medicine in the NJ/NYC area. NBI was a
great choice due to its proximity and the great opportunity it offered.
I liked the connectiveness between the faculty and residents I saw during
my interview as well as the wide array of pathologies I would be exposed
to by coming here.
Michael Magierski, MD
Undergraduate School: The George Washington University
Medical School: Poznan University of Medical Sciences
Interests in EM: Ultrasound, health policy, administration global health
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Cooking, running, hiking, blind wine tasting, weird movies, kicking in
with my pals
Bio and why you chose NBI: I knew I wanted to do emergency medicine ever since volunteering for my local rescue squad in high school. When applying for residency, I prioritized staying closer to my family in New Jersey and getting great training at a busy center. Although I never rotated at NBI, I had the opportunity to tour the ED during my fourth year and meet one of the senior residents. I was really impressed with the acuity of patients and the new renovations of the facility. My intuition during interview season was that the people at NBI are a close and collaborative group. So far that has proven true!
Praise Njoku Austin, MD, MS
Undergraduate School: Utica College/Syracuse University
Medical School: Upstate Medical University, Syracuse NY
Interests in EM: Critical Care Medicine, Tactical Emergency Medicine/Disaster Response/Global
health, Sports Medicine
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Languages (Planning for French Russian, and Arabic over the next 3 years;
perhaps Mandarin if time allows), Soccer, Running, Cycling, Rock Climbing,
Photography, Daytrading
Bio and why you chose NBI: I spent parts of my childhood and teenage years in West Africa, Central
America and the Caribbean. This background was the origin of my interest
in practicing in resource-limited environments. I plan on a fulfilling
career in an adventurous, physically demanding and mentally stimulating setting.
NBI was appealing to me as hospital to train given acuity and varied of pathology encountered given a close proximity to a major international airport and given that NBI serves a diverse population. I also admire the autonomy afforded in training.
Adebimpe Oderinu, MD
Chief Resident
Undergraduate School: Florida Atlantic University
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Interests in EM: Trauma, Critical care, Global medicine, Administration
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Travel, Movies and TV shows, Cooking, Theme parks
Bio and why you chose NBI: Born and raised in Nigeria, moved to the US with my family 9years ago
and settled in South Florida. My plan before starting medical school was
to become a surgeon. However, during my third year in medical school,
I did a 2-week stint in the ED and I fell in love with EM! You mean I
get to be the first stop for every patient that comes through the hospital,
be exposed to different pathologies across all specialties, and still
get to do procedures??? Say less, SOLD. Just to make sure it wasn’t
an infatuation, I did 3 more EM rotations during my 4th year and nothing
changed. It was during this time I found out about NBI; its reputation
for commitment to the community, the quality and intensity of training
provided here, resident autonomy, diverse population with varying pathologies,
and tight-knit relationships among the staff. I knew NBI would be the
place for me to receive the best training to become a competent physician
in every setting.
Laura Renzi, MD
Chief Resident
Undergraduate School: Tulane University
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Interests in EM: Ultrasound, EMS, Sports Medicine
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Scuba diving, hiking, reading, jigsaw puzzles
Bio and why you chose NBI: I was born and raised in Winchester, VA then spent seven years in New
Orleans going to college and working. Most of my medical school rotations
were in Florida, but I was fortunate enough to do an EM elective at NBI.
I knew it was where I wanted to train due to the teamwork, support, and
patient acuity.
Camille Vincent, MD
Undergraduate School: Salisbury University, Maryland
Medical School: American University of Antigua
Interests in EM: Global Health, EMS, US
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Spending time with my dogs, travel, scuba diving, hiking
Bio and why you chose NBI: I was born in Long Beach, CA but grew up on the east coast. I worked
in a large Trauma I hospital in Miami, FL which sparked my interest in
emergency medicine. Having completed most of my medical school rotations
in NYC, I knew I wanted to apply to an EM residency in NY/NJ. I chose
NBI because of the high volume, high acuity and incredibly diverse pathology.
It is such an honor to be part of the NBI family and to serve this amazing
community.
Class of 2028, PGY2s
Nirmal Patel, MD
Undergraduate School: University of Toronto
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Interests in Emergency Medicine: Airway management, resuscitation, point-of-care ultrasound, and high-acuity
care in resource-limited settings
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: I’m passionate about staying active outdoors through strength training,
hiking, or road trips. I enjoy exploring different cuisines, both trying
them out and attempting to cook them (with mixed results). I’m also
a big fan of thrillers and documentaries, especially those that delve
into real-life mysteries and untold stories. I believe in maintaining
a healthy balance between work and personal life, which helps me stay
grounded and focused.
Bio and why you chose NBI: I grew up in Toronto, Canada, and completed my undergraduate studies
at the University of Toronto before heading to the Caribbean for medical
school at St. George’s University. I’ve always been drawn
to emergency medicine because of its fast-paced, dynamic nature and the
opportunity to make an immediate impact on patients during critical moments.
I value the collaborative, team-oriented environment of EM and look forward
to learning from the diverse group of mentors and colleagues at NBI. I
chose this program for its strong sense of mentorship, the close-knit,
supportive atmosphere, and the chance to train in a high-volume, high-acuity
setting. I’m excited to contribute to that environment, knowing
it will challenge me and help me grow professionally and personally.
Madushini Gunasekera, MD, MBS
Undergraduate School: Stony Brook University
Medical School: St. George’s University
Interests in EM: Global Health, EMS/Disaster Medicine
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Music, Baking/cooking, Knitting, Hiking, Spending time with my doggo
Bio and why you chose NBI: I was born in Sri Lanka and then moved to Central Jersey, where I grew
up. After completing undergrad in New York, I returned to New Jersey to
pursue a Master’s program while simultaneously working as a scribe
in the Emergency Department at NBI. During medical school, I completed
my rotations in Brooklyn and Queens. However, returning to New Jersey—particularly
to NBI—seemed like the next best step. The staff at NBI are incredibly
supportive, fostering an exceptional learning environment. Additionally,
the hospital serves a diverse community with a broad range of healthcare
needs, offering invaluable opportunities to enhance my ability to treat
patients from various backgrounds. I consider myself fortunate to be back
at NBI, where I have the opportunity to learn from staff members who treat
one another like family and consistently strive to provide the best care
for their patients.
Anna Maria Trachuk
Undergraduate School: NYU College of Arts and Science
Medical School: SGU
Interests in EM: I’ve always found Emergency Medicine fascinating for its fast pace,
emphasis on critical thinking, and the ability to connect with patients
during some of their most vulnerable moments. Throughout my education,
I’ve engaged in research and volunteer work that further fueled
my passion for patient advocacy and comprehensive acute care.
Other interests: Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family,
as well as keeping active with pilates, kickboxing, and swimming. These
activities help me stay balanced and give me fresh perspectives on my
work in the emergency department. I’m also looking forward to exploring
the local area, discovering new restaurants, and getting involved in community
outreach efforts.
Why NBI: I chose NBI because of its strong commitment to serving a diverse community
and its reputation for supportive, hands-on teaching. From my first interaction
with the program, I felt genuinely welcomed by the faculty and residents.
I’m excited about the robust clinical experience here, as well as
the culture of teamwork that will help me develop into a well-rounded
EM physician.
Lucas Oyeniran, MD
Undergraduate School: Laurentian University
Medical School: Medical University of the Americas
Interests in EM: Trauma, Critical Care, and Sports Medicine
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Basketball, Soccer, Fitness, Anime, Movies, Legos, and Quality time with
friends and family
Bio and why you chose NBI: I was born in Nigeria, grew up in Brazil, and lived most of my life in
Canada. As someone who comes from a diverse background, I have been interested
in the culture and community within NBI for a long time. Although I didn’t
rotate at NBI, its patient population, volume and diverse pathology were
what I was looking for. What made me certain about being here was that
when I spoke to the residents and staff, I could tell that it was a place
that fostered teamwork and interpersonal growth of its residents. I’m
excited that I will get to be somewhere that will help mould me into an
emergency medicine doctor who can handle anything that’s thrown my way.
Libby Parsons, MD
Undergraduate School: University of Notre Dame
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Interests in EM: Compassionate Care in Medicine, Medical Ethics, Critical Care
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Running, Hiking, Horror Movies, Spending time with my family
Bio and why you chose NBI: I was born in Boston, MA and am one of four siblings. Growing up, I was
very involved in my church as well as various sports and musical groups.
I attended high school at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, NJ. I then
traveled to South Bend, IN where I completed my undergrad education at
the University of Notre Dame. Following undergrad, I began my medical
education at SGU. After my basic sciences years in Grenada, I returned
to NJ for all of my clinical rotations. I was fortunate enough to do an
EM, PEM, and Radiology elective at NBI. The educational opportunities,
pathology and volume of patients, and community at NBI are truly unique
and, after my rotations here, I knew NBI was where I wanted and needed
to train. I am grateful for the opportunity to train in this high volume,
high acuity institution and hope to make a positive impact on the community
I will have the privilege of serving.
Kunnal Patel, DO
Undergraduate School: New York Institute of Technology – Old Westbury
Medical School: Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests in EM: Administration, Medical Education, and Addiction Medicine
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Hiking, basketball, spending time with friends and family, video games,
and baking
Bio and why you chose NBI: I was raised in Edison, New Jersey. During my gap year, I chose to work
as an Emergency Medical Technician, an experience that solidified my aspiration
to pursue a career in medicine. While in medical school, I discovered
a strong interest in emergency medicine. Ultimately, I knew I wanted to
return to central New Jersey to practice. Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
stood out as an excellent fit for me due to its location, the diversity
of its patient population, and the extensive range of pathology it offers.
Akaash Kumar, MD
Undergraduate School: Case Western Reserve University
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Interests in EM: EMS/Tactical Medicine, Addiction Medicine, Pain Management
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Electronic music festivals, painting, exploring big cities, video games,
DJing, and spending time with my cat Ember.
Bio and why you chose NBI: I was born in North Jersey and raised on the Jersey Shore (not the TV
show). In high school I became an EMT, which ignited my dream to become
an EM Physician. This dream was further cemented when I got the opportunity
to become a Scribe at Monmouth Medical Center. Seeing how EM physicians
thought and acted, I knew that was the type of Physician I wanted to be
in the future.
In medical school I got the privilege to rotate at NBI. One thing that stood out to me was the supportive nature of all the residents and attendings; I never felt shy to ask questions or to ask to do procedures (which there is no lack of). What really got me to choose NBI was meeting with the program director; her vision of residency mirrored what I was looking for from a training program. Plus, all the new renovations to the NBI ED helped my decision a little.
Alisha Jadhav
Undergraduate School: NYU
Medical School: SGU
Interests in EM: critical care, trauma, sports medicine
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: working out, traveling, reading, spending time with loved ones, karaoke, napping
Bio and why you chose NBI: I grew up in Central Jersey and have always known that I wanted to serve
the surrounding communities as a physician. From a young age, I was drawn
to emergency medicine and the opportunity to work in a field where every
day brings its own challenges. This calling was only strengthened during
my EM rotations, where I experienced firsthand the fast-paced, dynamic
environment that inspired me. As I applied for residency, I knew I wanted
to train in a hospital that would prepare me to become the type of EM
physician that I aspire to be – one that can handle any challenge
with skill and compassion, especially during patients' most vulnerable
moments. For me, that hospital is Newark Beth Israel.
NBI’s commitment to service community, its high standard of care and the supportive environment it fosters resonated with the values I sought for in a residency program. I am so proud to be a part of the NBI team, and I am excited to serve the communities that played such a meaningful role in my journey to becoming a physician.
Class of 2029, PGY1s
Huy Cao
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Interests in EM: EMS and tactical medicine, resuscitation in limited-resource settings,
critical care
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of Medicine: Piano, running, lifting, spending time with family and friends, cooking,
collecting leather goods
Bio and why I chose NBI: I grew up in Minnesota and moved to Virginia for Medical School. I love
playing the piano and singing, working out, and seeing family and friends
in my free time. Before Medical School I worked as an ED scribe, EMT,
put in drywall, painted homes, did some tiling, installed irrigation systems,
tutored students, pushed shopping carts, and was a DoorDash driver! I
chose NBI because of the family-like atmosphere and the opportunity to
care for an amazing community of patients alongside a team of ED staff
members and faculty who are dedicated to providing the best possible patient
outcomes and advancing the field of Emergency Medicine.
Deyaa Deek
Undergraduate School: New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Medicine Interests in EM: Sports Medicine, Pain Medicine
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of Medicine: Traveling, exploring different cultures and cuisines, cooking, enjoying
the beautiful game of football (soccer), and spending time with family
and friends.
Bio and Why I Chose NBI: I was born and raised in Palestine before moving to New Jersey at the
age of 20, which has since become home. My interest in medicine began
at a young age, inspired in part by my uncle, who is a physician. Prior
to medical school, I worked as an EMT, but it wasn’t until my third-year
pediatrics rotation in the pediatric ED that I realized how much I enjoyed
the pace and unpredictability of the ED and knew Emergency Medicine was
the right fit for me.
I chose NBI because I wanted to continue my training in New Jersey, where I have built both my personal and professional life. During my rotation, I was impressed by the camaraderie among the residents, the supportive faculty, and the broad spectrum of pathology and acuity seen in the ED. NBI felt like home, and I knew it was the right place for me to continue my training and grow as an emergency physician.
Zariah Jean
Medical School: American University School of Medicine Aruba (AUSOMA)
Interests in EM: EMS/Disaster, Wilderness Medicine, Critical Care
Other interests and extracurricular outside of Medicine: Jigsaw puzzles, arts & crafts, spending time outdoors, enjoying friend
and family, quiet time
Bio and why I chose NBI: I was born in Massachusetts and raised in North Carolina. After spending
time in Texas, I knew I wanted to return closer to family—whether
back to North Carolina or somewhere along the East Coast. NBI was a perfect
fit, offering both proximity to family and the type of training environment
I was seeking.
I wanted to train at an exceptional community hospital with a strong reputation, a diverse patient population, high-acuity pathology, and continuous pediatric exposure, all of which NBI provides. I am excited for the opportunities ahead and confident that my training here will prepare me to become a skilled and compassionate Emergency Medicine physician.
Aivan Kakoz
Medical School: St. George’s University SOM
Interests in EM: My interest in Emergency Medicine began in high school. EM has broad
range of pathologies and fast-paced environment. I enjoy the challenges
and working with a diverse patient population. Also, every shift brings
something new, allowing me to continuously learn and grow while avoiding
a boring routine.
Other interests and extracurricular outside of Medicine: I love hiking and exploring new places. I enjoy cooking and spending
time with family and friends. Also, I love driving so road trips are also
something I enjoy when I have the chance.
Bio and why I chose NBI: I grew up in Southern California and attended UC San Diego for my undergraduate
education. When selecting my Emergency Medicine audition rotations, I
chose Newark Beth Israel Medical Center because of its reputation as a
high volume and procedure heavy training environment. During my rotation,
I encountered high acuity cases, and had plenty of hands on learning opportunities.
Also, everyone worked together as a team. The vibe was very friendly and
supportive. So from that point forward, it became my goal to complete
my residency at this hospital.
Ari Kerzner
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown
Interests in emergency medicine: EMS and Ultrasound
Interests outside of Medicine: Hiking, Kayaking, and Cooking
Bio: I grew up in Central Jersey and attended Rutgers University for my undergraduate
education. After graduating, I spent several years working as an EMT in
Middlesex County before moving to New York for medical school. Although
I entered medical school with an open mind, I quickly found myself drawn
to emergency medicine. I love the teamwork, fast-paced environment, and
privilege of caring for patients during some of the most critical moments
of their lives.
Why NBI: During my fourth year of medical school, I had the opportunity to rotate
at Newark Beth Israel and had an outstanding experience. I was impressed
by the program’s strong culture of teaching, supportive residents
and faculty, and commitment to developing confident, capable emergency
physicians. Ultimately, I chose NBI because it felt like a place where
I would be challenged to grow while being supported by a close-knit team.
Alfred Marcinkowski
Undergraduate School: Rutgers University
Medical School: St. George’s University
Interests in EM: Sports Medicine, Critical Care, Wilderness Medicine, and Ultrasound
Other interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Serving in the Orthodox Church, spending time with my family, playing
tennis, strength training, hiking, studying theology and Church history,
and enjoying my wife’s cooking.
Bio and why you chose NBI: I was born and raised in Sussex County, New Jersey. I played Division
1 and professional tennis, which ultimately led me to a career in medicine.
The transition to Emergency Medicine from my career in sports felt natural
due to the fast paced nature and team oriented environment. I am an Orthodox
Christian and am very active in my church community. My goal is to live
out my faith through my work and I chose NBI because I felt that it offered
me the opportunity to do this. I rotated through the ED at NBI during
medical school and saw the capabilities of the residents. I was impressed
by the leadership, mentorship, tight knit nature of the team, and how
they handled anything that came through the doors. I am grateful for the
opportunity to join the NBI family and look forward to building upon the
legacy established by the residents who came before me.
Nneka Onwumere
Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University Norton College of Medicine
Interests in EM: Critical care, ultrasound and neurologic emergencies. I am also interested
in exploring advanced training opportunities in ultrasound, neurocritical
care, pain medicine, and other subspecialties within Emergency Medicine.
Other interests and extracurricular outside of Medicine: Yoga, hot yoga, hiking, content creation, plant care, travel, and spending
time with family and friends. I also enjoy research, mentorship, and community
outreach. (I have 28 plants and 2 rabbits)!
Bio and Why I Chose NBI: I am originally from the Bronx, NY and recently graduated from SUNY Upstate
Medical University. Throughout medical school, I developed a strong interest
in acute care, neuroscience, and caring for patients during some of the
most critical moments of their lives. I chose Newark Beth Israel because
of its strong clinical training, diverse patient population, and supportive
learning environment.
I am excited to join the NBI family and begin my training in Emergency Medicine while serving the Newark community.
Aditya Sharma
Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine
Interests in EM: Critical Care, Ultrasound
Interests and extracurriculars outside of medicine: Hiking, traveling, calisthenics, watching movies, and playing tennis.
Bio and why I chose NBI: I grew up in Edison, New Jersey and did my EM rotations in Brooklyn and
Long Island. Being able to care for patients during some of the most difficult
and frightening moments of their lives was my calling.
NBI was the perfect fit because of its diverse patient population, high clinical volume, and commitment to serving the surrounding community. The culture there is so cohesive and it’s one of the most unique parts of NBI. Training at NBI gives me the opportunity to grow into a skilled emergency physician while giving back to the people of New Jersey.
Ebad-Ur Syed
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – MUB
Interests in EM: Ultrasound, Critical Care
Other interests and extracurricular outside of Medicine: Running, Cycling, watching sports
Bio: I was born in Hoboken, and after completing medical school I knew I wanted
to return home to New Jersey for residency. Newark Beth Israel stood out
to me because it offers the kind of training environment I was looking
for, a high-volume emergency department with diverse pathology and the
opportunity to care for a broad patient population where I could truly
feel like I was making a difference.
What really solidified NBI for me was the people. Everyone I met during the process, from current residents to faculty, made the program feel like a place where I could grow, learn, and be supported. I also had the chance to meet attendings who graduated from NBI, and they were exactly the kind of physicians I hope to become.