Residents > Third Year Residents
First Year Residents
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Nadia Bayram, M.D.
Status: PGY-1 Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine I moved to Toronto, Canada when I was 14 years old. Before that I spent my earlier years between Lebanon and summers at my grandparents’ home in Ukraine. I attended University of Toronto where I earned my Bachelor of Science in human biology and neuroscience. I always knew I wanted to be a family physician, the opportunity to get to know patients and see them beyond their acute illness presentation is what drew me to outpatient medicine. I studied at Saba University School of medicine, where I learned the importance of cultivating a strong support system while navigating the challenges of learning medicine. I rotated at Aultman as a 4th year medical student and admired the supportive environment the attendings and residents created, which aligned perfectly with my preferred learning style. Adapting to change has become an unwelcomed skill that I have developed, I am looking forward to expanding my clinical knowledge during the next 3 years at Aultman. When not at the hospital I prioritize spending time with family. I enjoy outdoors and being active, such as gardening, cooking, swimming, rock climbing and more recently tennis. The residents at Aultman have a weekly soccer and volleyball friendly game which was an additional incentive for me.
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Kheman Hara, M.D.
Status: PGY-1 Medical School: St. George's University Born and raised in Surrey, British Columbia, I developed a strong passion for family medicine at an early age. I pursued a Combined Major in Science at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. Throughout my academic journey, I took part in various volunteer and research opportunities to help enrich my understanding of what it means to be a family physician. I witnessed first-hand the integral role family physicians play in their community as well as the impact made on health trajectories through their longitudinal relationships with patients. These experiences led me to pursue my medical degree at St. George’s University, where I had the invaluable opportunity to rotate through various hospitals and clinics in New Jersey, New York, Florida, and Illinois. Interacting with patients from diverse backgrounds and learning to address their unique barriers to health was an incredibly rewarding experience. I was ecstatic and grateful when I learned that I had matched at Aultman, alongside my wife, Jasleen. Compassion, kindness, support, and encouragement emanate widely from both our faculty and colleagues. This came across quite clearly during our first few interactions and ultimately led to Aultman being ranked as our top choice! It’s a privilege to be a part of the Aultman Family Medicine Residency Program, and I am confident that the exceptional training and educational opportunities will help me grow into a competent and capable family physician. Outside of medicine, I enjoy weightlifting, snowboarding and trail biking when weather permits!
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Lama Issa, M.D.
Status: PGY-1 Medical School: St. George's University I was born in Syria, lived in Saudi Arabia for part of my life, and then moved to Ottawa, Canada in 2012 with my family. I completed my undergraduate studies in Biomedical Science at the University of Ottawa and pursued medicine at St. George’s University. Throughout clinical rotations, I became more interested in Family medicine. I realized my passion for providing care to a broad spectrum of patients through a wholesome approach. Among the interviews I attended for Family Medicine Programs, my interview with Aultman Hospital was the most joyful experience. The impressive clinical training provided and the supportive culture embedded within this program were two driving factors behind my ultimate decision to join Aultman. I look forward to gaining valuable experiences, skills, and memories as I work alongside exceptional faculty and fellow residents over the next three years! Outside of medicine, I enjoy the outdoors, including hiking, kayaking, tennis, and ice skating (in the winter). I also love playing the piano and attending Zumba classes.
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Marie Jajou, M.D.
Status: PGY-1 Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine I was born in Baghdad, Iraq and grew up outside of Toronto in Canada where I attended Ryerson University for my undergraduate studies. I took a winding path to medicine- having initially worked as a business analyst in a supply chain management company and then later in a biotech company, I realized my heart was always drawn to medicine. I subsequently attended Saba University in the Dutch Caribbean where I earned my M.D. I was attracted to the family medicine program at Aultman because it offered the opportunity to learn about comprehensive medical care, the ability to address various healthcare disparities, and the vast opportunities to advocate for patients and their well-being. I come from a large family of five children and value the sense of a close-knit community, which is one of the aspects of Aultman that I truly connected with. I was fortunate to have rotated at Aultman during my final year of medical school, and witnessed firsthand how incredible the program really was! The faculty and residents valued me as a medical student and became role models of the patient advocate I hope to become as a resident.
Ultimately, I was drawn to Aultman because it was the only program where I felt that the program director, faculty, and residents prioritized transparency. Everybody sincerely wanted me to get a genuine idea of the kind of physician I could grow to be by joining their program. It was also clear that the residents LOVED one another. I am very excited to become a part of this family. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, fine dining, travelling, and discovering hidden local coffee shops! |
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Sarah Kirabo, M.D.
Status: PGY-1 Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine I was born in Kampala, Uganda and raised by my uncle, a pharmacist who has not only been a father figure to me but also inspired my pursuit of medicine. I moved to the USA at age 17, went to Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN and then pursued a BA in Biological Sciences at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Having Grown up in my uncle’s household, I witnessed first-hand how he cared for various relatives, who sought comfort and medical advice from him about complex and chronic illnesses because of his medical knowledge and expertise. I was not only inspired by his empathy and humility, but the way his medical knowledge equipped him to touch and positively impact so many lives. Just by watching him all those years, I learned that the practice of medicine requires a heart of servant-hood and a passion to be a problem solver/gap filler. Equipped with this knowledge and my personal experience of growing up in Uganda with limited access to healthcare, I also developed a desire to practice medicine with a very personal and hands on approach. Through my experience, I became confident that my objectives in medicine would be best served through the practice of primary care in family medicine. I chose Aultman because I received very positive feedback about the program from preceding residents. The faculty’s intentional culture of kindness and respect towards residents is what solidified my choice of the program. I enjoy singing, listening to music, watching movies, taking walks and trying new food.
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Fawwaz Safi, M.D.
Status: PGY-1 Medical School: St. George's University I spent the first half of my life in Guyana and the second in Toronto, where I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, before attending medical school at St. George’s University. I have always held a strong interest in family medicine – no other specialty has as much focus on continuity, nor as broad a scope of practice. The emphasis placed on preventative care is essential to helping people live their best lives. As I had no roots in the US, my choice of residency program was based heavily on the training provided and sense of community. Aultman stood out in both aspects. I was immediately drawn in by the care and dedication of the faculty in setting their residents up for success. The support and camaraderie that I found here have made me certain that when I graduate, I will be excellent physician. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing D&D, discovering new fragrances, and sharing my hobbies with others.
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Jasleen Sidhu, M.D.
Status: PGY-1 Medical School: St. George's University I was born in Surrey, British Columbia and spent most of my formative years in Kingston, Ontario. Witnessing the dedicated work of compassionate family physicians in my community, I was inspired by their ability to positively impact people's lives through the care and support they provided to individuals and their families. This profound influence led me to pursue a career in family medicine, driven by the desire to continue their legacy of care, empathy, and healing for the well-being of my future patients and the community at large. During my academic journey, I attended the University of British Columbia where I completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Through volunteering at local hospitals, I interacted closely with patients of all ages and backgrounds, forging meaningful connections that emphasized the significance of continuity in healthcare. To pursue my dream of becoming a family physician, I attended St. George’s University where I obtained my medical degree. I was overjoyed and filled with immense gratitude when I found out that my husband, Kheman Hara, and I had couples matched into the Aultman Family Medicine Residency Program! We ranked Aultman as our number one choice with unwavering confidence as it perfectly embodies everything we envision in a family medicine residency program. During the interview process, it became clear that the program prioritizes creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment, where residents are encouraged to flourish both professionally and personally. The faculty, residents, and staff are kind, supportive, and genuinely passionate about providing residents with the breadth of knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to become well-rounded family medicine physicians. I am excited to complete my training in such a diverse, dedicated, and compassionate program! Outside of medicine, I enjoy exploring new restaurants, trying new recipes, working out, and spending time with family.
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