Enrique Ceppi- University of Illinois College of Medicine
I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois to a Mexican mother and Argentinean father. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the sacrifices they had to make as undocumented immigrants to build a future for my siblings and I, often putting aside their own mental and physical wellbeing to protect ours. Experiencing the obstacles and trauma that members of marginalized communities face on a regular basis motivated me to pursue a medical career grounded in creating positive change in the lives of folks our social systems leave behind. As a biology-psychology dual major at UIC, I learned to recognize how intricately our physiology, perception, culture, and environment weave the tapestry of our day-to-day lives, and how significantly inequity in any (and often all) of these spheres impacts our ability to be well. In medical school, I hoped I would find a specialty that would allow me to incorporate holistic approaches to care and innovation into my work. When I discovered combined family medicine-psychiatry training at TCH/UC, I knew I found my home! I am honored to call myself a member of a team with so much warmth, humor, and commitment to caring for the marginalized. The opportunity to provide integrated care to the underserved communities in Cincy is a dream come true.
Outside of medicine, you can find me noodling around on guitar, embarrassing my family at Uno, and binging reality Netflix with my partner and our hairless kitties, Pearl and Kovu.
Claire Meikle- University of Toledo College of Medicine
I grew up in Oxford, OH, and am thrilled to be close to home for residency! I majored in Biology at Miami University, where I enjoyed ecology research and mock trial. I was accepted into the MD/PhD program at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and earned my PhD in Medical Microbiology and Immunology studying platelet function in patients with cancer. As much as I enjoyed my research experience, the highlights of my time in Toledo included volunteering at the student run free clinic and working at the Ryan White Clinic caring for patients living with HIV and AIDS.
In pursuing primary care for the underserved, I realized that mental health and physical health are often inextricably linked. My interests in social determinants of health, addiction medicine, and eating disorders are at the intersection of family medicine and psychiatry, and I value a patient-centered approach to care me. When I learned about the Family Medicine-Psychiatry residency program at TCH/UC, it felt like a perfect fit—one combined program just wasn’t enough for me! I am honored to be an FMP resident, and I am inspired by the residents and faculty to help patients in creative and meaningful ways.
Shyla Dyer- University of Toledo College of Medicine
Shyla is a Cincinnati native, born and raised on the west side. She received her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Miami in Miami, FL. Immediately after she began her medical training at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Shyla’s interests within family medicine include primary care and geriatrics. What excites her the most about residency is starting her career in the city that she loves the most and being closer to her family.
Grace Park- University of Illinois College of Medicine
I'm from an incredible and close-knit family, but we're geographically pretty scattered about! Living apart and being on the move has been our norm for most of my life. It's been formative to how I landed in family medicine.
Being a part of communities has taught me, we all have such different lives! I've got one body and 24 hours in a day - I have so much to learn from others about what this world is like. This, and my faith, has me searching for how to love others well and how to affirm the value each of us distinctly contributes to the larger body, particularly those we tend to reject as a society. Tying this to family medicine, I love the fluidity of full-spectrum training, the focus on community medicine, and, as the primary care provider, being able to affect how the healthcare system interacts with the patient.
On interview day with TCHUC, it seemed that here, folks try to see people holistically, and I could how it makes a difference in patient care, community initiatives locally and abroad, and in the residency program. I'm also really excited to grow as a learner and teacher in a program that is so deliberate about education. Outside of medicine, I love geeking out with my sister over whatever delights us, being with my family, getting to know people, walking, laughing, and being outdoors.
Maya Prabhu- Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Hello! My name is Maya, and I am from Cincinnati, OH. I went to an incredibly diverse grade school and (to answer the classic Cincinnati question) attended high school at Ursuline Academy. Although both experiences were very different, they each taught me the importance of understanding and honoring cultural differences – and also introduced me to racial and ethnic inequities present within my own hometown.
I took these experiences with me to (THE) Ohio State University, where I explored the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and health both locally and globally – from working in mobile clinics in Peru to studying epidemiology in India, to advancing diversity movements in Columbus. After four amazing years of learning, traveling, and growing – and finding any and every excuse to cheer on the Buckeyes – I graduated with a degree in neuroscience and began medical school at Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton.
I fell in love with family medicine for its inclusive, grassroots nature and its dedication to provide care for all individuals. I was drawn to TCH/UC because of the amazing camaraderie (even virtually, I could feel the love!) and the dedication to fostering compassionate, empowered family physicians passionate about caring for underserved populations both at home and abroad. I am absolutely thrilled and humbled to have matched at Christ and am so honored to grow as a family doctor in the same city that taught my mom and grandfather (both family docs)! Outside of medicine, I enjoy steaming cups of coffee, birdwatching from my backyard, exploring new and old places, reading anything that’s not a textbook, & spending time with loved ones.
Gabrielle Sagesse- New York Upstate Medical University
I am a first-generation Haitian American born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I am passionate about obesity and nutrition, social justice and health equity.
In college, I founded a chapter of a national organization known as Pretty Girls Sweat where we promoted healthy living in communities of color and raised awareness to end childhood obesity.
During medical school, I proudly served as the Chapter President of the Student National Medical Association, implementing institution-wide health equity initiatives and diversity programming. I am a huge proponent for prevention and primary care and am beyond thrilled to begin as a resident at the best! - TCH/UC!
As a Family Medicine Doctor, I will use my platform to serve the most underserved populations. In my free time, I love working out, cooking, meditating, doing power yoga, and listening to Gospel music.
Cassie Stanzler- Tufts University School of Medicine
Armika Tatum- Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
As a native Cincinnatian, I am so excited to return home to serve my local community. As an undergraduate student I attended The Ohio State University and then continued my studies in Biomedical Sciences as a Masters student at The Commonwealth Medical College (now known as a Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine). As a medical student I was given the opportunity to study at Ohio University’s main campus in Athens, OH. No matter which institution I attended, reaching out directly to the community has always been my passion. I’ve had the privilege of participating in everything from urban and rural community health fairs, to volunteering at a free health clinic as well as teaching elementary students about various topics in science. As an undergraduate student, I joined the undergraduate division of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the country’s largest student organization geared towards increasing diversity in medicine by fostering excellence in underrepresented minorities. Within this organization I’ve attended numerous conferences focused on decreasing disparities in underserved populations, effective advocacy for the future healthcare professional and served as a regional treasurer. In between graduate and medical school, I was fortunate to have worked for the City of Cincinnati Health Department where I worked as an environmental health inspection, gained more insight about public health and was a part of a the city’s first group to participate and celebrate National Public Health Week.
I currently have a special interest in diabetes prevention and management and hope to contribute to decreasing the number of individuals who suffer from its detriment.
Habeeb Suara- Ohio State University College of Medicine
I grew up in Bolivar, TN, a small town of around 5,000 people in the Western part of the state. I left for the big city to attend the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia for college, where I became involved in local pipeline and community health education programs. My experiences in undergrad, combined with my upbringing in rural Tennessee, created a passion for health equity and improving health within underserved communities. I attended medical school at The Ohio State College of Medicine, where I became more involved in increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in medicine. Namely, I served as co-creator of our Black Men in Medicine chapter and as host/producer of a podcast for underrepresented medical students.
Our third year residents enjoying a meal.