Current Residents

Chonn Cadiz, MD

PGY-5

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University of Chicago
Undergraduate: Brooklyn College
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Renee Cholyway, MD

PGY-5

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of St. Francis
Hometown: Warren, MI

Anatomy and problem-solving led her to surgery and to research cardiac transplantation optimization. She's a connoisseur of cooking and enjoys new breweries, a horticulture dilettante keeping plants from her pet cats, and a fanatic marathon runner training on the wooded trails of Richmond. Her favorite surgical instruments are the stepstool so she can reach the patient and the Gigli saw.

W. Brenton French, MD

PGY-5

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Georgia
Hometown: Marietta, GA

I chose surgery because I enjoy the both the procedural nature of our work and the potential we have to improve the well-being of our patients. Outside of work, I enjoy golf, watching college football and NFL, going to UVa Basketball games, visiting friends in D.C., yardwork, renovating my house, and spending time with my wife. I plan to pursue a Trauma / Critical Care fellowship upon completion of residency.

Research Interests: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, Post-Operative Acute Kidney Injury, Cost Reduction Efforts in General Surgery

Hannah Gassie, MD

PGY-5

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: St. Louis University School of Medicine

Hae Sung Kang, MD

PGY-5

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

He is a die-hard Lakers fan and he is eagerly awaiting for the revival of the Lakers dynasty. He believes Richmond is awesome because it offers a great selection of food ranging from comfort food to ethnic food and has a lot of nature that is close to the city. On days off, he enjoys playing tennis, attending his church, playing guitar, hanging out with friends and grilling/smoking meat.

Research Interests: Utilization of telemedicine in pediatric surgery, low volume resuscitation in critically ill patients

H. Anna Xu, MD

PGY-5

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh
Hometown: Chicago, IL

Research resident working in Dr. Mangino's laboratory on neurotrauma. Hobbies include board games, travelling, and photography.

Sally Boyd, MD

PGY-4

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Undergraduate: James Madison University
Hometown: Salem, Virginia

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our dog, Bailey. I also enjoy reading, hiking, and exploring Richmond. 
Chief Resident in Quality and Safety through the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA.

Christine Dart, MD

PGY-4

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: University of Pennsylvania

Lucas Keller-Biehl, MD

PGY-4

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Hometown: Loveland, OH

Research resident working at the VA with Dr. Amendola. I enjoying spending time with my wife and son, my fellow residents, playing sports, exercising, visiting the various breweries and restaurants around Richmond, and reading.

Clinical Interest: I want to go into bariatrics

Julie Kilpatrick, MD

PGY-4

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: University of Utah School of Medicine
Undergraduate: Westminster College, Boston University
Hometown: Miami, FL

I try to spend most of my free time outdoors, whether running, biking, hiking, fishing, tubing the James River or even mowing the lawn. I also enjoy baking, but mostly because I enjoy eating.

Alexander Simmonds, MD

PGY-4

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: Greenville University, IL
Hometown: Greenville, IL

My favorite activities include playing the guitar, riding my motorcycle, and cooking.

Research Interest: I'm currently interested in trauma and acute care general surgery

Matt Wishnoff, MD

PGY-4

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Hometown: Chicago, IL

I enjoy spending my free time outdoors mountain biking, skiing, or even just wandering and exploring the neighborhoods around me. My favorite places in Richmond are the Pipeline and North Bank trails, and the restaurants in Church Hill.

M. Aurora Casillas Abundis, MD

PGY-3

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Tecnológico de Monterrey Escuela de Medicina

Devon Freudenberger, MD

PGY-3

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, MI
Undergraduate: University of Maryland College Park
Hometown: Elkton, MD
Outside the hospital you can find me spending my time with my husband, a new baby boy, playing with my 3 cats and 2 dogs, running my dog's Instagram account (@berkley.belle.theshelties), crocheting, or at my parents' farm.
Research Interests: Surgical oncology, intra-abdominal malignancies, surgical education, women in surgery

Email: Devon.Freudenberger@vcuhealth.org

McKenzie Lee, MD

PGY-3

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Oklahoma
Hometown: Newark, CA

Passionate about working towards global health equity; currently completing my Msc Public Health for Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Extracurricular interests include water polo, techno, mixing music, studying French, learning about climate change, and continuously pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.
My goal is to do trauma/global surgery

Email: McKenzie.Lee@vcuhealth.org

Diana Otoya, MD

PGY-3

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Undergraduate: College of William and Mary
Hometown: Winchester, Virginia

About me: Proud immigrant from Peru. I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend, dog, family, and co-workers. I love my plants, traveling, food, live music, making memes, horror movies, Halloween, and hiking.
Favorite things to do in RIchmond: floating the James river and going to breweries.
Research Interests: vascular surgery, surgical education, diversity, and inclusivity, 3D Printing and simulation.

Email: Diana.Otoya@vcuhealth.org

Travis Sullivan, MD

PGY-3

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee
Hometown: Knoxville, TN

I grew up and lived in Tennesssee prior to moving to Richmond, VA. Outside of work, I enjoy watching the Tennessee Volunteers, hiking, cooking, continuously improving my house/yard and will soon be a father! I have wanted to be a surgeon since my high school years and general surgery encompasses a variety of pathology that allows me to be hands on while caring for our patients. I am planning to pursue fellowship training upon completion of residency.

Research Interests: Pediatric Critical Care, Neuroinflammation

Natalie Wall, MD

PGY-3

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: University of Utah
Undergraduate: Arizona State University
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ

Kyle Alexander, MD

PGY-2

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Vashti Bandy, MD

PGY-2

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Outside of the hospital I enjoy going to the gym, exploring new places, and traveling. I'm also a major foodie! & Richmond's food scene does not disappoint.

Elizabeth Bashian, MD

PGY-2

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Ohio State University

Mohamad Chehab, MD

PGY-2

General Surgery Residency Program

Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Medical School: American University in Beirut
Undergrad: Lebanese American University
Short Bio: born and raised in Lebanon, moved to the USA after medical school for my surgical training; enjoy the intricacies of surgery involving critical thinking, technical skills, and effective communication; interested in the multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with cancer; avid football fan (read: soccer); you'll find me driving across country roads on my days off
Favorite things about RVA: diverse cuisine; close proximity to the beach, mountains, and DC; not too hot and not too cold
Favorite thing about VCU Residency: high volume across specialties with a variety of training settings including academic, community, and the VA

Taylor Jacobs, MD

PGY-2

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Arunima Punjala, MD

PGY-2

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
About me: I enjoy surgery because I find the art and science behind operating to be absolutely mesmerizing and am awestruck by the impact it has on our patients. My future plans are currently undecided but I hope to serve vulnerable populations and communities in my long-term career. Outside of work I enjoy hiking, traveling, reading, spending time with my baby niece, and eating at new places.
Favorite thing about VCU residency: My colleagues

Email: Arunima.Punjala@vcuhealth.org

Zachary Rollins, MD

PGY-2

General Surgery Residency Program

Hometown: Bloomfield, MI
Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont
Undergrad: University of Minnesota
Short Bio: I choose surgery for the opportunity to be both a clinician and to help fix problems through operative techniques. My long term interest is to be an academic transplant surgeon but I also have an interest in critical care and global surgery. In my free time I enjoy spending time traveling, hiking, running, and trying new foods.
Favorite thing about Richmond: Exploring belle isle
Favorite thing about VCU: I wanted to work at a urban safety net hospital with great trauma and transplant exposure. My favorite part about VCU is the people and the opportunity to learn to operate

Lud Eyasu, MD

PGY-1 Categorical

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Undergrad: Emory University
Short Bio: I like to spend time with my family and friends! I am also a big fan of podcasts and live music. 
Favorite thing about Richmond: My favorite thing about Richmond so far is the new friends that I have made.

Franklin Gergoudis, MD

PGY-1 Categorical

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Anna Gibson, MD

PGY-1 Categorical

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Makenna Laffey, MD

PGY-1 Categorical

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Devin Shah, MD

PGY-1 Categorical

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Deki Tsering, MD

PGY-1 Categorical

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Lovekirat Cheema, MD

PGY-1 Preliminary

General Surgery Residency Program

Hometown: Greenwood, IN
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Undergrad: Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Short Bio: I chose surgery as it allowed me to better my understanding of human anatomy and physiology, while at the same time help change my patients lives for better. Outside of hospital, I like to spend time with friends and family. I like to travel and try new restaurants.
Favorite Thing about Richmond: Try all the new restaurants.
Favorite Thing about VCU: My fellow interns and being able to take care of very complicated patients.

Favorite thing about Richmond: My favorite thing about Richmond so far is the new friends that I have made.

Duru Dillon, MD

PGY-1 Preliminary

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Antonio Dominguez, MD

PGY-1 Preliminary

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Rachel Holmes, MD

PGY-1 Preliminary

General Surgery Residency Program

Hometown: Chantilly, VA
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Undergrad: University of Virginia
Short Bio:"Hobbies: In my free time you'll find me creating art, spending time with my husband and our 2 dogs (Stella the Shiba Inu and Milo the Bichon Frise), or on a spontaneous adventure with friends.
Surgery: Currently most interested in Trauma but keeping an open mind!"
Favorite Thing about Richmond: Maymont Historic Gardens for a day date, Short Pump Town Center for mall-style shopping, the Richmond Arts District for local shops, strolling along the Canal Walk or Belle Isle for some peace and sun. Richmond truly has it all
Favorite Thing about VCU: I look forward to going to work every day and I miss my team as soon as I leave the hospital - that's how I know I have found my place

Chris McClean, MD

PGY-1 Preliminary

General Surgery Residency Program

Hometown: Seattle, WA
Medical School: Saba University
Undergrad: Washington State University
Short Bio:I like golfing, skiing, scuba diving
Favorite Thing about Richmond: Warm weather
Favorite Thing about VCU: Awesome culture
Specialty Interest: Radiology

Liana Rizkalla, MD

PGY-1 Preliminary

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Ruby Barq, MD

Research Resident

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: George Washington University

Graham Gardner, MD

Research Resident

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Alyssa Habermann, MD

Research Resident

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine
White Plains, NY
Outside of work, some of the things I enjoy most are live music (and playing piano and guitar), breweries, and college basketball. And of course, maximizing time with family and friends!
Growing up I wanted to be a paleontologist, which it turns out is not all that different from digging around in the abdomen.

Zachary Kiernan, MD

Research Resident

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Undergraduate: Virginia Tech
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA

I enjoy spending time with my wife, reading when I have the time, watching college sports, and exploring all the great things Richmond has to offer.

Bhavishya Ramamoorthy, MD

Research Resident

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine
Undergraduate: University of Virginia
Hometown: Charleston, SC

In my spare time, I enjoy baking, eating, playing piano, and rewatching Disney and Pixar movies with my little sister.

Dan Scheese, MD

Research Resident

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Undergraduate: Virginia Tech
Hometown: Reading, PA
About me: I am spending my research years in a necrotizing enterocolitis lab at Johns Hopkins University and pursuing a fellowship in Pediatric Surgery. I am an outdoor enthusiast and spend my free time hiking, camping, skiing, and backpacking.
Favorite thing about VCU residency: The quality of the attendings in every specialty we rotate through and the case volume.
Favorite thing about Richmond: The proximity of Richmond to Shenandoah National Park allows you to live in a city with an easy escape into the wilderness!
Research interest: Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Email: Daniel.Scheese@vcuhealth.org

Cody Tragesser, MD

Research Resident

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Cody is a lifelong Hoosier but has traveled to all 50 States and throughout Latin America. He enjoys live music, collecting vinyl, local coffee, and river hikes with his dog Chano. He is interested in pediatric surgery.

Vignesh Vudatha, MD

Research Resident

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Undergraduate: Duke University
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL

Vignesh describes surgery as a field that is constantly evolving which provides the desired opportunity to interpret and explore new information. He states that problem-solving and participating in the OR offers the greatest satisfaction. In his spare time, Vignesh likes hiking, piano.

Kyeong Ri (Katherine) Yu, MD

Research Resident

General Surgery Residency Program

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Undergraduate: Boston College
Hometown: Ranchos Palos Verdes, CA

After spending a wonderful four years in Richmond as a medical student, I decided to spend many more to pursue general surgery, for which VCU Health provides both breadth and depth of experience! Outside of the hospital I'm often found in various restaurants Richmond has to offer.