Eleven doctors graduated from the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Family Medicine Residency Program on Friday, June 28, 2024, bringing the total number of family physicians completing the three-year, postdoctoral training program to 338. The physicians were trained and provided care at the Wynn Hospital, the Sister Rose Vincent Family Medicine Center on Hobart Street, the Women’s Health Services office at the Faxton Campus, as well as MVHS’s legacy hospital campuses, St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare.
The graduation ceremony and dinner were held at Delta Marriott in Utica, New York. Several awards were presented, honoring graduates, residents and faculty members. Two of this year’s graduates are joining MVHS primary care practices. Historically, close to 50 percent of the program’s graduates have settled in the Upstate New York region to practice, adding to the primary care work force and helping to alleviate a shortage of physicians in the area.
The Residency Program was started in 1975-76 to attract more doctors to family medicine. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and is affiliated with SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York; Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Elmira, New York; and University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine.
FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY GRADUATES
Alexander Benitez Rodriguez, MD – A graduate of Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, Dr. Benitez Rodriguez will be practicing both inpatient medicine and outpatient family practice, close to his family, in Puerto Rico.
Lizeth Duenas, MD – A graduate of Universidad de Guadalajara Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Mexico, Dr. Duenas will continue her training as a fellow at the East Carolina University Diabetes Fellowship Program in Greenville North Carolina.
Osman Hamid, MD – A graduate of National Ribat University, Sudan, Dr. Hamid will be continuing his training as a fellow at the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at the University of Washington.
Mandeep S. Kataria, MD – A graduate of Ross University School of Medicine, Barbados, Dr. Kataria will practice outpatient family medicine in the MVHS Herkimer Medical Office.
Asim Khan, MD – A graduate of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Sint Maarten, Dr. Khan will practice outpatient family medicine, nearby to family, at the NYC Health and Hospital Metropolitan.
Yousaf Khan, MD – A graduate of Universidad Iberoamericana School of Medicine, Santo Domingo, Dr. Khan will practice outpatient primary care for HealthPoint in Seattle, Washington.
Ecaterina Komarnitsky, MD – A graduate of American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Antigua, Dr. Komarnitsky will be continuing her training as a fellow, at the Integrative Family Medicine Fellowship in New York, New York.
Kyaw Zay Latt, MD – A graduate of University of Medicine 2 Yangon, Myanmar, Dr. Latt will practice outpatient family medicine in the MVHS North Utica Medical Office.
Khaing Metoe, MD – A graduate of University of Medicine Magway, Myanmar, Dr. Metoe will continue her training at the East Carolina University Diabetes Fellowship Program in Greenville North Carolina.
Angel Riveron Leyva, MD – A graduate of Universidad de Ciencias Medicina, Cuba, Dr. Riveron Leyva will be practicing primary care, close to his family, at the Dedicated Senior Medical Center in Houston, Texas.
Scott Schumacher, DO – A graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Schumacher will be practicing outpatient family medicine at the BayCare Medical Group Primary Care office in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
AWARDS PRESENTED
The Golden Apple Award for commitment to high standards of education and unsurpassed dedication in teaching residents was presented to Goutham Malempati, MD, hospitalist and director of Inpatient Medicine Teaching Service.
The Distinguished Faculty Award for commitment to high standards in clinical education and dedication to the MVHS Family Medicine Residency Program was presented to Francis Chabot, MD, Lead Preceptor for Family Medicine Residency Program.
The Roger D. Moore, MD, Integrity Award, given to a graduating resident who demonstrates extraordinary integrity during their three-year residency, was presented to Kyaw Zay Latt, MD.
The First Year Family Medicine Resident Award for Excellence, given to the first-year resident that consistently demonstrates all-around excellence as recognized by faculty, attendings, peers and staff was presented to Yanet Martinez Mederos, MD.
The Second Year Family Medicine Resident Award for Excellence, given to the second-year resident that consistently demonstrates all-around excellence as recognized by faculty, attendings, peers and staff, was presented to Lilibet Miranda Gonzalez, MD.
The Sister Rose Vincent Gleason Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated consistent support for the Family Medicine Residency Program, and who has embraced the mission and vision of the residency program. This award was presented to Christina Torchia.
The William J. Zombek, MD, Memorial Award was given to the resident who exemplifies excellence in clinical performance, quality patient care and overall positive mannerism to patients served, as well as positive relationships with peers and support personnel, was presented to Lizeth Duenas, MD.
The Exemplary Resident Teacher Award is given to recognize teaching contributions by residents. This award is given annually to a resident who has best demonstrated interest in and commitment to family medicine education and was presented to Mandeep Kataria, MD and Gorav Patel, MD
Special recognition was given to Family Medicine Program Coordinator, Keirsten Potocki, for her crucial role in the success of the program and Institutional Coordinator, Svetlana Derevenets for her role in coordinating the graduation event, along with Ms. Potocki.
Photo caption: Mohawk Valley Health System Family Medicine 2024 Graduates. (Pictured left to right) Alexander Benitez Rodriguez, MD; Khaing Metoe, MD; Angel Riveron Leyva, MD; Kyaw Zay Latt, MD; Ecaterina Komarnitsky, MD; Asim Khan, MD; Mandeep S. Kataria, MD; Osman Hamid, MD; Lizeth Duenas, MD; Scott Schumacher, DO; Yousaf Khan, MD.
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