First Classes of Internal Medicine and Transitional Year Residents Announced
St. Clair Health marked a historic milestone in its transition to a teaching hospital with the successful completion of its inaugural Match Day on Friday, March 21. Institutional leaders, program faculty and staff, and other supporters gathered to celebrate the matching of the first cohort of residents for the newly established programs in Internal Medicine and Transitional Year. Click here to view photos from thi s special celebration.
“This inaugural Match Day is a testament to St. Clair’s commitment to excellence in healthcare and education,” said Amy Bunger, PhD, Vice President, Chief Academic Officer, and Designated Institutional Official at St. Clair Health. “Everyone at our institution has collectively embarked on this aspirational and innovative education journey in support of physicians who will deliver and improve access to high-quality patient care in Western Pennsylvania.”
St. Clair Health qualified to participate in the National Resident Matching Program® after receiving initial accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for the Internal Medicine Residency Program in April 2024 and the Transitional Year Program in December 2024.
The Internal Medicine Residency Program is a three-year training program designed to equip physicians with not only clinical expertise, but also compassion, cultural humility, and a steadfast dedication to addressing the healthcare needs of our community. Along with core faculty members, Program Director Kristen Livesey, MD, and Associate Program Director Mallory Ciuksza, MD, FACP, will welcome a class of eight internal medicine residents in June 2025:
- Nishant Agrawal, MD – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- Kayleigh Askin, MD – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- Brianna McGowan, DO – Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Hector Nieves-Rosado, MD/PhD – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- Krishna Pichikala, MBBS – Alluri Sitaram Raju Academy of Medical Sciences
- Viswanath Swamy, MD – Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
- Wendy Weaver, DO – Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Joyce Zhang, DO – Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
The Transitional Year Program is a one-year training opportunity that will provide a strong clinical foundation in primary care medicine for physicians pursuing advanced training in specialties including anesthesiology, dermatology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and radiation oncology. Program Director Patrick Sleckman, DO, and the core faculty look forward to greeting a class of 12 transitional year residents in June 2025:
- David Broytman, DO – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Cynthia Burke, MD – Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
- Indigo Johnson, DO – Philadelphia School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Shweta Kitchloo, MD – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- Monica Lee, DO – Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Adam Liu, MD – Creighton University School of Medicine
- Ana Negron Garcia, MD – San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
- QueenDenise Okeke, DO – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- David Painter, MD – The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
- Amanda Quinones, MD – Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- Xinxin Wu, MD – Creighton University School of Medicine
- Jessica Yetunde Aduwo, MD – Ohio State University College of Medicine
“The addition of these residency programs will enable St. Clair Health to continue delivering advanced care close to home, while fostering an environment of continuous learning,” said Mark Zacur, Chair of the Education Committee, St. Clair Hospital Board of Directors. “We are excited to welcome these outstanding residents as they begin their medical careers and work closely with experienced attending physicians to shape the future of healthcare in our community.”
Graduate Medical Education (GME) at St. Clair Health is designed to provide an exceptional teaching experience that prepares residents to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. The program combines a rigorous curriculum with hands-on clinical training from seasoned professionals to foster the development of well-rounded, confident physicians. For more information about GME at St. Clair Health, please visit stclair.org/graduate-medical-education/.
About St. Clair Health
St. Clair Health is a nationally recognized, integrated health system with more than 2,500 employees and 600 physicians serving 500,000 residents of the region. It encompasses St. Clair Hospital; St. Clair Medical Group—a growing physician multispecialty group; St. Clair Health Foundation; and other related entities. In 2016, St. Clair Health became a member of Mayo Clinic Care Network. As a leader in high value healthcare, it participates with all major insurers. For more information, visit stclair.org.
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