EM Class of 2027

Caleb Bailie

Hometown: Manchester, MI
Medical School: Rush Medical College
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Fun fact - I grew up on a farm and traveled around the country showing horses. I like stand-up comedy, sneakers, fashion, craft beer, snowboarding, basketball, music.
Why SUNY/Kings County: I wanted to train in a place where I could go anywhere and feel like I can handle anything after residency. I also wanted to serve and learn from a diverse community at a County Hospital. The energy was amazing on interview day and afterwards I knew I’d be very happy to end up here!

Daniela Borges

Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I love to travel and try new foods (certified foodie). I also really enjoy cooking, working out, binging on Netflix, spending time with friends/family, and listening to music (hip hop/R&B).
Why SUNY/Kings County: I wanted to train at a strong, supportive, and diverse program that shared my passion for serving the community. Also, NYC is my birthplace and I have a lot of family here.

Nicholas Coppola

Hometown: Madison, CT
Medical School: St. George's University
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I enjoy hiking with my dog, watching movies, reading, golfing, bowling, traveling, spending time with friends and family.
Why SUNY/Kings County: When I rotated at Kings County I knew immediately that I would be lucky to match here. It was obvious that this would be the place where I would receive the best training possible. All of the residents and attending were not only great at their jobs, but more than willing to teach me as a student interested in emergency medicine.

Dylan Dembin

Hometown: Monroe, CT
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Mountain biking, trail building, skiing, hiking, video games, anything having to do with craft beer. Fun fact, my dad did his residency at Kings also.
Why SUNY/Kings County: I did an EM rotation at Kings in the beginning of my fourth year of school. It was the first time that I had worked with a team of residents and attendings who were as competent, ambitious, and willing to help me learn about the field. You really feel like a part of the team here. Not to mention the clinical exposure that is provided at Kings is second to none. But most importantly, the pizza in Brooklyn is incredible.

Samuel Evans

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Medical School: Keck School of Medicine of USC
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I love playing most instruments, reading sci fi novels, super smash brothers melee, tennis (preferably doubles), eating almost anything. Favorite band is Radiohead, favorite drink is an old fashioned. Proud fantasy league commissioner.
Why SUNY/Kings County: I'm getting 4 years of amazing training while caring and advocating for a diverse and broadly underserved population, all alongside down to earth co-residents and faculty who seem to genuinely care for and value one another. Living in Brooklyn doesn't hurt either!

Shawn Gibson

Hometown: Queens, NY
Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
Hobbies/Fun Facts: I love long walks to Jamaican restaurants to find the best jerk chicken in the city. After the jerk chicken is in my belly, catch me watching some BBQ cooking shows on Netflix and planning the NYK/NYG Championship Parade. Fun fact: I am a self-claimed Tea Connoisseur and on my ERAS application, I'm known as The Meal Prep King. Hit me up for some tea flavors and meal prep recipes (at a small fee) and you won't be disappointed baby!
Why SUNY/Kings County: Many reasons. First off, I was born here. Big full circle moment! Serving this community is a privilege and an honor. The ED has a real family feel. Representation really matters to me and it was important for me to train at a hospital where I could make a difference. Lastly, to be the best you have to be trained by the best! #ClinicalMonster.

Kyle Gilbert
Hometown: Salinas, California 
Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University 
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Muay Thai, wood working, automotive restoration, harm reduction
Why SUNY/Kings County:
1. The opportunity to become a clinical monster 
2. An adventure in the best borough 
3. A supportive culture of people that I vibe with   
Alexander Graff

Hometown: Providence, RI
Medical School: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Music, Cooking, Biking, Boxing, Bob’s Burgers Aficionado, Peer Counseling, Organizing, Studio Ghibli Movies
Why SUNY/Kings County: I wanted a program that would push/help me to grow into a clinically excellent, compassionate, humble, advocating, roll-up-my-sleeves kind of EM doc. The residents, attendings, and program grads I talked to were looking for the same, embodied those values, and said Kings/SUNY trains you to be a true clinical monster and to go the extra mile for the human and social needs of patients and community. 

Jessica Kim

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PCOM
Hobbies/Fun Facts:  nighttime gym goer, snack queen, napping, texting, and subtweeting. I love the northeast, the seasons, and how everyone looks so good in a winter coat. I am keen on aesthetics and enjoy rooftop views, city skylines, and creating the space to make room for these things to color my life.
Why SUNY/Kings County: for its reputable training that makes for some of the finest EM doctors, and that one day I will be known as such. I want to be confident with what I can bring to the table and how I find my resolve. I truly admire the faculty and staff that make it all worthwhile, and who I can now call my mentors.

Michael "Moshe" Levenson

Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
Medical School: Technion Faculty of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Comedy, mentoring/medical education, budding coffee aficionado, basketball, hiking.
Why SUNY/Kings County: I wanted a program where I would truly thrive academically, professionally and personally over 4 years. The unique Academic/County hybrid program molds its Residents into true “Clinical Monsters.” The dedicated faculty and mentorship opportunities allow for both professional development & personal growth. As for vibes, it’s a very ‘proud’ program that fosters both strong Resident & community cultures.

Heerod Malekghassemi

Hometown: Diamond Bar, CA and Chino Hills, CA
Medical School: Touro University Nevada
Hobbies/Fun facts: Soccer, basketball, football, MMA, games (both video and board), music festivals, anime, eating, getting caught in a Wikipedia wormhole, commanding dance circles, and anything to do with The Lord of the Rings. SpongeBob SquarePants and I share the same birthday.
Why SUNY/Kings County: I wanted to train somewhere that would challenge me to be the best physician I can be while giving back to an incredible community. Joining the Clinical Monsters was an easy decision.

Bastu Adebayo Olowo-Oribi

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria/Bridgeport, CT
Medical School: St. George’s University
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Movies, traveling, puzzles, big soccer fan (playing or watching; Arsenal supporter), music (Afrobeats and 90s R&B). I have supported the Arsenal football team from the age of 9/10. Due to the time difference, I would set up alarms to watch weekend gam
Why SUNY/Kings County: People and place. I was searching for a residency that would provide me with vast exposure to different pathologies and strong clinical experience. After rotating through Kings County ED, I knew this was the place for me. The community/population, location, and outstanding support from the faculty were the exact qualities I was looking for in a program. Especially the patient population, which was one of the reasons I pursued medicine. Besides, I grew up in Lagos, and it would be nice to feel the big city vibe again and do what I am passionate about. So, why not SUNY/Kings County?

Fabian Ortiz

Hometown: Santa Ana, CA
Medical School: Michigan State University, CHM
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Hanging out with fam and friends, cooking, eating, eating seconds, playing with dogs, traveling+learning about different cultures, NFL RedZone, Lebron’s legacy, Super Smash(Kirby), buying books I think I’ll read
Why SUNY/Kings County: A county program where I can address medical and social needs of diverse vulnerable populations at a hospital and community level. Also, I liked that the mini-fellowships would allow me to explore and find mentorship in sub specialties of EM.

Julian Raul
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Medical School: Frank H Netter MD School of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: My main hobby is fencing! I competed in college and try to still keep up with it. I also love to cook - homemade Korean bbq is the best! Also traveling abroad, and exploring NYC whenever I can
Why SUNY/Kings County: I really wanted a residency that was large, but still felt like a family. I also wanted to serve a diverse patient population, so I can be ready for anything as an attending. Downstate offered both these things and so much more! As soon as I interviewed, I knew this was the place for me!
Hannah Reiss

Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Medical School: Emory University
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Napping, rock climbing, finding a deal, playing New York Times spelling bee
Why SUNY/Kings County: The rigorous training, the patient population, and the warmth I felt from residents and faculty when interviewing. Plus, I’ve wanted to live in New York for as long as I can remember. 

Derek Shu
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: running, hiking, cooking, playing guitar, traveling, Korean dramas, video games, Duke basketball, trying new restaurants
Why SUNY/Kings County: To learn from a diverse and personable group of faculty/residents while caring and advocating for the local patient population. I know that training here in the heart of Brooklyn will challenge me to become a better EM doctor and person every day!
Galina Udod
Hometown: Monroe, NY
Medical School: SUNY downstate, Brooklyn, NY
Hobbies/Fun Facts: marathon running, going on surf trips, hiking w my dog, narrative writing, hosting dinner parties, binge reading
Why SUNY/Kings: I loved getting to know the patients and community throughout medical school and am so excited to continue to serve them. On my various EM/sub-specialty rotations at kings, I felt that the program had a genuine passion for social justice and patient advocacy that resonated with and inspired me. In addition, I loved the emphasis on diversity and inclusion in the residency classes, faculty and program leadership. Above all, I wanted a challenging county program with humble and intelligent role models that would support me in my future goals. Lucky for me, I found that with the amazing residents and faculty here.
Yi Qin "Jackie" Zhu

Hometown: Alameda, CA
Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Fun Facts: Swimming, boxing, exploring museums, Escape room, watching thriller/horror movies. Excited to experience a snowy winter for the first time!
Why SUNY/Kings County: To learn from the best in this field and push myself out of my comfort zone; to serve the local population and learn how to address the social determinants of patient-centered care.