Chief Residents

Hometown: Starkville, Miss.

Undergraduate: Millsaps College

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM)

Future Plans: Gastroenterology

Favorite Buffalo/Local Activity: Buffalo grows on you fast. I love to cook, and Buffalo has no shortage of specialty grocery stores, farmers markets, local butchers, even Asian and Indian grocery stores. For when I'm not cooking at home, the food scene is genuinely impressive. Elmwood Village alone is walkable and full of great restaurants, bars, and shops. Outside of food, Delaware Park is a great spot to relax, fish, golf, and play basketball. Niagara Falls and Toronto are both close enough for a day trip, and the airport makes getting anywhere else easy.

A personal message and why I love the program: Training across Buffalo General, the VA, and ECMC gives you three different hospitals, three different patient populations, and about as broad a clinical experience as you can get. But what I love most is the culture. We're a big program (~155 residents) but it feels much smaller. Residents look out for each other, leadership actually listens, and when we raise concerns, things change. The friendships I've made here are the kind that stick around long after residency.

Hometown: Lake in the Hills, Ill.

College: North Park University 

Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine - Peoria 

Future Plans: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Favorite Buffalo/Local Activity: Buffalo has amenities of a big city, without the traffic. From major sports teams, to great park systems and food, it really has something for everyone. Living in Elmwood Village, my wife and I have enjoyed the Richardson Campus and Delaware Park for local adventures with our puppy, Lennie! There are also ample opportunities for hiking and camping in Western New York, including Watkins Glen near the Finger Lakes, Allegheny National Park to the South and Niagara Falls to the West, which we have enjoyed in our time off. We are also near Toronto which is close enough for a day trip, as well as Buffalo airport making travel easy, especially with direct-flights back to Chicago. 

A personal message and why I love the program: I believe our program delivers exposure to all specialties necessary for molding well-rounded Internists. For those interested in research or fellowship, we have many great mentors and there is a collaborative effort amongst residents to help each other out with projects. In my own area of interest, I have had great mentors in the ICUs and access to procedures which, one makes me a better Internist, and two, prepare me for my future plans of PCCM. There is a strong sense of camaraderie amongst residents which has made my time in residency much more enjoyable. 

Hometown: Erie, Pa.

Undergraduate: Duquesne University

Medical School: LECOM

Future Plans: Gastroenterology

Favorite Buffalo/Local Activity: Buffalo is a unique city in that it has such a variety of activities and things to do despite being a smaller city. I love to play golf and have spent the last few years exploring many of the amazing courses that Buffalo and the surrounding areas have to offer. I also love food and going out to eat and have had the chance to try many of the great restaurants around the area. One of my favorite activities is Music on Main in Williamsville which occurs on every summer Thursday evening to enjoy live music on Main Street. As an Erie native, staying close to my family and being able to visit them regularly was also a priority of mine and I am grateful that I have been able to do this over the years.

A personal message and why I love the program: I believe the best thing about the program is the camaraderie and friendships that I have built over the years. We have a very empathic culture here and residents are always willing to help one another. The program leadership also has a collaborative and nurturing relationship with the residents. I feel very supported by them while also feeling like we play a crucial role in making decisions that affect the future of the program. 

Hometown: Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Undergraduate: McMaster University 

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine 

Plans/Goals: Hematology/Oncology

Favorite Buffalo/Local Activity: One of my favorite things about Buffalo is that there is always something to do. I enjoy trying new food places, and some of my favorite local spots are Clay Handi, Wind Sushi, and Picasso Pizza. I also enjoy spending time with my wife and friends checking out local events. We’ve even gone to a rodeo! There is also a strong UB resident soccer group that plays weekly pickup games, which I love going to. Lastly, being close to Toronto and my family in Canada has been a huge bonus, and I definitely take advantage of being able to make a quick trip home when I can!

A personal message and why I love the program: Looking back, one of my favorite parts of residency has been the people I’ve met along the way. From the beginning of intern year, I’ve always felt supported by our residents, faculty, and staff. The program gives you a broad clinical experience while still giving you plenty of opportunities to explore your interests, whether that’s through electives, research, teaching, or experiences at our different training sites.

More than anything, I love the sense of community within our residency. I’ve made some great friends here and have been lucky enough to share some important life moments with my co-residents. Residency can be challenging but having people around you who are willing to help, laugh with you, and make the tough days a little easier makes a huge difference. I’ve also had the chance to see the program grow and improve throughout my time here, and I’m really excited to be able to give back as Chief Resident. I’m proud to be part of this program and hope to help make the experience as enjoyable and rewarding for the next group of residents as it has been for me.

Hometown: Vietnam 

Undergraduate: Nazareth College 

Medical School: William Carey University, College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Future Plans: Gastroenterology

Favorite Buffalo/Local Activity: Buffalo has a wonderful mix of urban neighborhoods, parks, and local restaurants. When the weather is warm, I love running around Hoyt Lake and Delaware Park. My longest run so far is about 8 km, and my next goal is to train for a 10K! As the weather gets colder, I enjoy doing hot yoga instead. I also love exploring Buffalo’s food scene with my co-residents- from lunch at The Beans on Hertel, Kostas, and La Divina Tacos to coffee at Chalab and frozen yogurt at Blum. Butter Block is next on my list to try for pastries! On weekends, I enjoy going to the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers’ Market, one of the local gems for fresh and affordable produce from local businesses.

A personal message and why I love the program: One of the things I value most about our program is the culture of support. I still remember starting my intern year late and feeling unfamiliar with the hospital. On my first day, my chief took the time to walk me around the hospital and show me where everything was. I also remember my senior offering to help me with my tasks as I was getting settled into intern year. Those small gestures meant a lot for me and shaped how I think about residency and supporting others. I also appreciate how our program provides both comprehensive clinical training and flexibility to explore different career paths. With different elective rotations and multiple subspecialty pathways- including Cardiology, Pulmonary/Critical Care, Hospital Medicine, and Primary Care- the program supports residents’ individual career goals and fellowship pursuits. Most importantly, I love that our leadership continually listens to residents and looks for ways to improve the program. It is rewarding to be part of a program that is always willing to learn, adapt, and grow.

Home Town: Williamsville, N.Y.

Undergraduate: Ohio State University 

Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences  

Future Plans: Rheumatology

Favorite Buffalo/Local Activity: Buffalo has something for everyone. Some of my favorite things are going to Bills and Sabres games, golfing, fishing, skiing and hanging out with my coresidents. There are a lot of great restaurants and breweries to try around town along with a plethora of concerts and shows. Nearby Ellicottville is a fun spot to visit for events like Fall Fest in October or skiing in the winter. Having the Niagara River and Lake Erie at our disposal too provides ample opportunity for activities like kayaking or going to the beach in the summer. Our proximity to Canada offers unique opportunities for weekend excursions such as going to Toronto or Niagara on the Lake.

A personal message and why I love the program: Our program is full of kind, supportive, knowledgeable staff which is our greatest strength. The faculty is invested in our residents’ growth and there are ample opportunities to get involved in research, education, QI, or part of a committee. We have strong mentors here that will work with you to forge your path in medicine. Our residents also get a lot of autonomy but there is always support when needed. In addition, UB has multiple sites in different settings with a wide array of experiences, providing a strong foundation for any career.

Being a large program, our residents build strong relationships with each other and the staff. New relationships are made throughout the entire year, and the camaraderie makes coming to work enjoyable. Outside the hospital, our residents spend a lot of time together whether it be monthly trivia or playing pickle ball. The program also offers great work-life balance making residency a manageable training experience.

Overall, UB provides broad clinical exposure, personalized mentorship, and the framework to pursue any path in medicine. I am grateful to be a part of this program, and I feel prepared for the next step in my journey.

Home Town: Buffalo, N.Y.

Undergraduate: Canisius University

Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences 

Future Plans: Hematology-Oncology, Primary Care

Favorite Buffalo/Local Activity: Buffalo has so much to offer that it’s hard to pick just one favorite. My husband and I love trying local restaurants, though we always find ourselves going back to Wind Japanese and Thai and K-BBQ & Hot Pot. We also love spending time outdoors. Letchworth State Park is especially close to our hearts, with beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails – and it’s actually where we got married! Another favorite spot is East Aurora, a charming village with local shops, good food, and quaint scenery at Knox Farm State Park. Fun fact: a Hallmark movie was filmed in East Aurora, which tells you just how cute it is! Beyond that, I’m a big sports fan, and Buffalo takes great pride in the Bills, Sabres, and Bandits – even when they’re losing. 

A personal message and why I love the program: This program is incredibly supportive and genuinely invested in helping residents get to where they want to go, whether that’s pursuing fellowship or a career in hospital medicine or primary care. The culture here encourages you to think independently and grow into the doctor you want to be, all while learning within a strong framework of evidence-based medicine. You’ll build lasting friendships that make training all the more enjoyable.