This summer, 17 interns joined the Pediatrics Residency Program. Each resident brings a unique background, diverse interests, and a passion for child health. Meet the class of 2029, and get to know them beyond the white coat with this fun Q&A.
Ilayda Aydin, MD
Medical school: Ankara University
Hometown: Ankara, Turkey
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Feta cheese (Turkish/Greek)
What is your current favorite song? “NUEVAYoL” by Bad Bunny
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? Reading tarot
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? Having community/new friends/communication
Victoria Biancavilla, MD, MPH
Medical school: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Natalie Boyce, DO
Medical school: Des Moines University
Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Chocolate-covered strawberries
What is your current favorite song? “Mango Tree” by Angus & Julia Stone
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens evolutionary history
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? Knowing where the free coffee is located 🙂
Johnathan Dallas, MD
Medical school: Western Atlantic University School of Medicine
Hometown: Modesto, California
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Chicken pesto calzones!!! (especially from Siracusa, Sicily, Italy)
What is your current favorite song? “Celebrate Happy” by the Jonas Brothers (written for Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary!)
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? How to find and book the cheapest travel options including flights, hotels, transportation, and experiences at the destination, while still maintaining excellent quality
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? Finding fantastic food from local restaurants that remind me of home
Kara Fontana, DO
Medical school: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Lucas Caue Jacintho, MD
Medical school: Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (USP-SP)
Hometown: Itapira, Sao Paulo, Brazil
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Burritos
What is your current favorite song? “Stateside” — PinkPantheress featuring Zara Larsson
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? Video games, animes
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? Awesome food
Alexandra (Ally) Karras, MD
Medical school: Southern Illinois University
Hometown: Sherman, Illinois
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Pizza of all kinds and flavors
What is your current favorite song? All the songs on the new Olivia Rodrigo album
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? Early 2000s rom com movies
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? Finding a good coffee shop where I can be a regular
Casey Little, MD
Medical school: University of Virginia School of Medicine
Hometown: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? PB&J sandwiches
What is your current favorite song? “Love My Way” by the Psychedelic Furs
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? The politics of cheese and the myth of underground cheese caves
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? I like to explore on my runs and find the best running routes.
Marib Malik, MBBS
Medical school: Aga Khan University
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Sushi
What is your current favorite song? “Cherry Pie” by Warrant
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? Why the most important skill in tennis has nothing to do with hitting the ball
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? People who make the place feel less unfamiliar
Summer Moukalled, DO
Medical school: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: East Bridgewater, Massachusetts
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Sushi, hands down!
What is your current favorite song? Too hard to pick just one! I usually bounce between different genres and listen to whatever I’m in the mood for that day.
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? Birding 🦅It’s an easy hobby to start, gets you outside, and helps you notice things you might otherwise miss.
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? Settling into a new routine like biking to work, finding a new favorite coffee shop, and getting outside to exercise.
Mallory Moyer, MD
Medical school: Drexel University College of Medicine
Hometown: Middleton, Wisconsin
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Chips and salsa
What is your current favorite song? “Save My Love” by Kygo, Khalid, and Gryffin
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? Best Cheese curds in Wisconsin
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? The people! I feel most at home when I have a support system with friends (new or old) and family to do stuff with.
Emma Patch, MD
Medical school: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Hometown: Mequon, Wisconsin
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Pizza
What is your current favorite song? “Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? The meaning behind every Taylor Swift song
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? Finding outdoor spaces to enjoy
Samuel Paul, MD
Medical school: Ohio State
Hometown: Mansfield, Ohio
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Brats
What is your current favorite song? “Malibu” by Miley Cyrus
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? The impact of cultural exchange during the World Cup
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? My cats
Leah Sanford, DO
Medical school: Midwestern University: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Janesville, Wisconsin
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Pasta! There are so many different ways to be creative with it.
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? Either rabbits or ceramic wheel throwing
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? Making new friends to do activities with
Emily Satterlund, MD
Medical school: University of Michigan Medical School
Hometown: Middleton, Wisconsin
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Bread
What is your current favorite song? “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? The many different Power Rangers TV series
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? My cat, Stella Luna!
Syeda Fatima Shariq, MBBS
Medical school: Aga Khan University
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Dumplings
What is your current favorite song? “Mr. Sandman” by SYML
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? Formula 1!
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? Finding small hole-in-the-wall authentic food places
Oskar Zarzycki, MD, MPH
Medical school: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
What food could you eat every day and never get tired of? Pierogi
What is your current favorite song? “Levels” by Avicii
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about? A tour of Madison’s coffee shops
What is one thing that makes you feel at home in a new place? Friendly people