Celebrating our graduating pediatric residents and fellows: The latest experts in caring for kids

Our graduating residents and fellows have worked long days, late nights and early mornings. They’ve learned and laughed, struggled and celebrated. Today, we congratulate them and look forward to the positive difference they will make in the lives of their patients and families for years to come.

“This has been an extraordinary experience. These graduates spent over half of their residency under the conditions of a worldwide pandemic. The gifts they have given along the way as they continued to perform in an excellent manner are immeasurable. They take with them a unique background and confidence that they can take on challenges great and small as they continue their training or begin their careers,” said Dr. Suzanne Lavoie, pediatric residency director.

Congratulations to our residency and fellowship grads

Pediatrics residents

Shaikha Halas AlQahtani, MD
Future plans: Pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship, Children’s Cancer Hospital at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Imen Becetti, MD
Future plans: Pediatric endocrinology fellowship, Massachusetts General Hospital

Sarah Daouk, MD
Future plans: Infectious disease fellowship, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital

Darina Dinov, DO
Future plans: Child neurology fellowship, CHoR

Katharine Hastings, MD
Future plans: Pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship, CHoR

Meredith Holmes, DO
Future plans: Outpatient pediatrics

Nadine Bilal, MD
Future plans: Neonatal/perinatal medicine fellowship, University of Iowa

Samson Makonnen, MD
Future plans: Outpatient pediatrics

Jose Anthony Millan, MD
Future plans: General pediatrics

Grace Mueller, MD
Future plans: Pediatric chief resident, CHoR

Belen Pappa, MD
Future plans: General pediatrics

Hiral Patel, DO
Future plans: General pediatrics

Emily Schapka, MD
Future plans: Pediatric critical care fellowship, Children’s Hospital of Michigan

Kemper Steffe, DO
Future plans: General pediatrics, Annapolis Pediatrics

Sara Taha, MD
Future plans: Neonatal/perinatal medicine fellowship

Michelle Wagner, MD
Future plans: Pediatric chief resident, CHoR

Internal medicine – pediatrics residents

Michael Gower, MD, PhD
Future plans: Hospital medicine

Jean Lee, MD
Future plans: Pulmonology fellowship, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford

Erica Peak, MD
Future plans: Combined adult and pediatric infectious disease fellowship, VCU Health and CHoR

Fellows

Balraj Bajaj, MD – Allergy/Immunology
Future plans: Allergy Partners of Richmond

Christopher Schmehil, MD – Cardiology
Future plans: Private practice, Yuma, AZ

Jake Sequeira, MD – Critical Care Medicine
Future plans: Geisinger Medical Center

Adam Rossi, MD – Hematology/Oncology
Future plans: Hospice and palliative care fellowship, VCU Health

Katherine Donowitz, MD – Hospital Medicine
Future plans: Hospitalist

Desiree Garcia Alvarez, MD – Neonatology
Future plans: South Dade Neonatology, Miami Children’s Hospital

Miheret Yitayew, MD, MPH – Neonatology
Future plans: Neonatologist, CHoR

Michael T. Digirolamo, MD – Pulmonology
Future plans: Pulmonologist

Learn more about our outstanding pediatric residency and fellowship programs.