Class of 2026
DESMOND BHIMULL, MD
Hometown: Ronkonkoma, NY
Ի: Stony Brook University
Med school: 51 of Medicine at Stony Brook University
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan: Neurophysiology & Stroke
Favorite cranial nerve and why: CN 2. Lets me appreciate mountains & sunsets
Favorite thing about Long Island: The East End - Restaurants, fishing, vineyards.
Favorite way to relax on a day off: Sprinting hills
Your personal theme song: Michael Jackson - Beat it
CERISE CAREY, DO
Hometown: Queens, NY
Undergrad: Stony Brook University
Medical School: University of New England
Fellowship plans: Undecided
Favorite cranial nerve: CN VII because it lets me taste yummy food
Favorite thing about Long Island: If you drive in any direction you'll eventually reach the ocean
Favorite way to relax on a day off: reading at the beach
Your personal theme song: Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac
ZAREMA DZHEMILOVA, DO
Hometown: East Meadow, NY
Ի:Crimean State Medical School
Medical School:NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
Fellowship plans: Clinical Neurophysiology
Favorite cranial nerve: CN VII for symmetric smile
Favorite thing about Long Island:Fall and Long Island Beaches
Favorite way to relax on a day off: Laying down on a couch with a good book
Your personal theme song: Stones by the “The Hardkiss”
MARCOS LANIO, MD
Hometown: Miami, FL
Undergrad: Princeton University
Med school: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan: Behavioral Neurology
Favorite cranial nerve and why: XI, because it's actually a spinal nerve masquerading as a cranial nerve
Favorite thing about Long Island: Open space
Favorite way to relax on a day off: Sleep, anime, video games
Your personal theme song: Staring at the Sun by The Offspring
JONATHAN OGULNICK, MD
Hometown: Newburgh, NY
Undergrad: SUNY Purchase
Med school: New York Medical College
Fellowship: Vascular
Favorite cranial nerve: VII because I love to smile
Favorite thing about Long Island: It's like its own state
Favorite way to relax: Doing as close to nothing as possible
Personal theme song: Can't stop by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
MELANIE SCHWEITZER, DO
Hometown: New York City
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Med school: NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan: ܰ-DzԳDZDz
Favorite cranial nerve and why: CN X; the nerve has multiple functions and connects the brain to other organs in the body
Favorite thing about Long Island: A lot of fun things to do outdoors; beaches, wineries, hikes:)
Favorite way to relax on a day off: Sleep in and hang out with family/friends
Your personal theme song: "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel
Class of 2027
ALEX CABE, DO
Hometown: Fairview, North Carolina
Undergrad: North Carolina State University, Go Pack
Med school: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine- Carolinas
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan-:ܳٴǾܲԱ
Favorite cranial nerve and why: Just hear me out, CN VIII. Makes for a great pun.
Favorite thing about Long Island: The outdoor activates- Lots of state parks to go biking or surfing
Favorite way to relax on a day off: Staying at home and binge watching HBO or watching my favorite sports team ultimately lose
Your personal theme song: So Fresh, So Clean - OutKast
YU CAI, MD
Hometown: Fujian, China
Undergrad: Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Med school: Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan: It is currently under consideration and will be determined in the near future.
Favorite cranial nerve and why: CN I. It's often overlooked because we get so accustomed to its function that we forget about it—until it stops working, much like the subtle yet essential aspects of life.
Favorite thing about Long Island: Excellent weather, scenic biking trails, and beautiful beaches.
Favorite way to relax on a day off: Enjoying crabbing on the beach with my daughter
Your personal theme song: "I'll BeThere for You" by The Rembrandts
ETHAN KIDDE, MD
Hometown: Chappaqua, NY
Ի:University of Southern California
Med school:SUNY Downstate
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan:Undecided
Favorite cranial nerve and why: CN IV The trochlear because it enables precise downward movement and intorsion, crucial for activities like reading and navigating uneven terrain.
Favorite thing about Long Island:South shore beaches
Favorite way to relax on a day off: Pickleball.
Your personal theme song: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major - Johann Sebastian Bach
ZACHARY PIAZZA, DO
Hometown:Holtsville, NY
Ի:Stony Brook University
Med school: NYITCOM
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan: Movement Disorder
Favorite cranial nerve and why:Cranial nerve 4 because it helps me roll my eyes
Favorite thing about Long Island:
Favorite way to relax on a day off:Coffee and listening to records
Your personal theme song:Giant Steps by John Coltrane
LAXSHIKA RAVEENDRAN, MD
Hometown: Commack, New York
Undergrad: Fordham University
Med School: SUNY Upstate Medical University
Fellowship Plan: Clinical Neurophysiology or Epilepsy
Favorite Cranial Nerve: CN1- Can't taste well without smell
Favorite Thing about LI: Being close to friends and family
Favorite way to relax on a day off: Movie marathons and enjoying good food
Personal Theme Song: Rocky theme song- Gonna Fly Now
SARAH WESTLAKE, DO
Hometown: Austin, TX
Undergrad: Texas A&M University
Med school: NYITCOM- Arkansas
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan: Leaning towards vascular
Favorite cranial nerve and why: The Vagus nerve is my favorite because it's embodies the spirit of travel- connecting diverse destinations (the brain and my organs) while making sure I stay balanced and happy.It's like my personal world class travel guide.
Favorite thing about Long Island: Hands down the beaches.
Favorite way to relax on a day off: A day at the beach, grab the train for a day in the city, heading to vineyards, and exploring different towns along the island.
Your personal theme song: Shake it off- Taylor Swift
Class of 2028
OMAMA ALI, DO
Hometown: North Bellmore, NY
Ի:SUNY Stony Brook University
Med school: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan: Vascular Neurology
Favorite cranial nerve and why: Facial nerve VII because it allows you to smile
Favorite thing about Long Island: The bagels
Favorite way to relax on a day of: Getting brunch or sitting at home watching Netflix
Your personal theme song: Don’t stop believing by Journey
JARED BURNS-MARTIN, DO
Hometown: Bradenton, FL
Undergrad: University of South Florida
Med school:NYITCOM at Arkansas State
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan:Neurocritical Care/Neurointerventional or a fellowship geared toward doing General Neurology
Favorite cranial nerve and why: Vestibulocochlear because it carries two unique and complex functions. The cochlear component is a part of the system that converts mechanical sound waves into electrical signal, and carries that signal for the brain to process what we hear. While hearing feels so organic to us it is interesting to know our experience is electrical processing. The vestibular component, by input from the inner-ear apparatuses, continuously keeps our brain informed about the body’s movement, acceleration, balance, and positioning in space. I find this to fascinating, especially in the context of fast and precise bodily movements such as in extreme sports.
Favorite thing about Long Island: Having access to NYC and beautiful Northeast seaside views to the East
Favorite way to relax on a day off: Grill good food alongside my wife, play and cuddle with my husky.
Your personal theme song: Somewhere I Belong – Linkin Park
AMBER HUGHES, MD
Hometown: Bohemia, NY
Undergrad: UMass Amherst
Med School: St. George’s University
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan: Undecided, but excited to figure it out!
Favorite cranial nerve and why: Facial Nerve
You test her function by asking patients to smile, do I have to say more? :) :)I will. It is both sensory and motor and I am both sensitive and love to be active! I also am very expressive and can’t help but show my thoughts with my facial expressions. Not to mention, 7 is my favorite number!
Favorite thing about Long Island: My family and friends!
Favorite way to relax on a day off: Spending time outdoors with my fiancé.
Your personal theme song: I Lived - One Republic
RACHEED MANI, MD
Hometown: New York City/Kingston, Jamaica
Undergrad:New York University (NYU)
Med school:Stony Brook University School of Medicine
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan:Movement Disorders or Vascular Neurology
Favorite cranial nerve and why:Vagus (X), just out of sheer fascination that a cranial nerve can have that breadth of influence on the parasympathetic nervous system
Favorite thing about Long Island:Fall foliage
Favorite way to relax on a day off:Reading and listening to music
Your personal theme song:Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven
KIRANPREET SAWHNEY, DO
Hometown:
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Favorite cranial nerve and why:
Favorite thing about Long Island:
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Your personal theme song:
WILLIAM SHIN, DO
Hometown: Queens, NY
Undergrad: NYU
Med school: NYITCOM
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan: Vascular neurology, NCCU, Epilepsy
Favorite cranial nerve and why: CNXII because I like to eat food and smile
Favorite thing about Long Island: Heartland Golf Park
Favorite way to relax on a day off: Golfing, Hiking, Eating, Farmers markets
Your personal theme song: Runnin’ by David Dallas
JOOMEE SONG, MD
Hometown:
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Favorite cranial nerve and why:
Favorite thing about Long Island:
Favorite way to relax on a day off:
Your personal theme song:
Class of 2029
MAYA BHATTARAI
Hometown:
Undergrad:
Med school:
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan:
Favorite cranial nerve and why:
Favorite thing about Long Island:
Favorite way to relax on a day off:
Your personal theme song:
DOMINICK CALAVANO
Hometown:
Undergrad:
Med school:
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan:
Favorite cranial nerve and why:
Favorite thing about Long Island:
Favorite way to relax on a day off:
Your personal theme song:
MERON CHALLA
Hometown:Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Undergrad:-
Med school:Addis Ababa University School of Health Sciences
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan:Neuro Oncology or Movement Disorders
Favorite cranial nerve and why:Facial nerve, how else would I satisfy my sweet tooth! Ialso love how, during a cranial nerve exam, it can bring a genuine smile to patients, even in the midst of their most difficult moments.
Favorite thing about Long Island:Still exploring the island but loving the greenery so far
Favorite way to relax on a day off:Spending time with my husband and fur baby. Love teaching my golden to fetch items around the house, has become very handyspecially when I’m feeling a bit too cozy on the couch:)
Your personal theme song:Evidence, Josh Baldwin
JOHN NATE GROSS
Hometown:St. Louis
Undergrad:Arizona State University
Med school:St. George's University
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan:Undecided (leaning stroke)
Favorite cranial nerve and why:CN8 because hearing is my favorite sense, and the vestibular component is underrated
Favorite thing about Long Island:Port Jeff is cool.
Favorite way to relax on a day off:Sleep in, go to the gym, hangout with friends, and sit in my recliner while watching tv
Your personal theme song:Cheeseburger in Paradise -Jimmy Buffet
MELISSA MURPHY
Hometown:Ridgefield, Connecticut
Ի:University of Connecticut
Med school:University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan:Neurocritical Care/Vascular Neurology/Neurointerventional
Favorite cranial nerve and why:The Vagus nerve (CN X) is my MVP because when life serves chaos à la carte it keeps my heart steady and my vibes flowing😊
Favorite thing about Long Island:The Italian food and bagels
Favorite way to relax on a day off:Baking (I take requests), golfing, reading
Your personal theme song:“Feeling Good” – Michael Bublé
DANIELA RICO
Hometown:San Diego, California
Undergrad:University of California, Santa Barbara – B.A. in Sociology with a minor in English; Virginia Commonwealth University – B.S. in Biology witha minor in Chemistry
Med school:Ross University School of Medicine
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan:Stroke and/or Neurocritical Care
Favorite cranial nerve and why:The optic nerve is my favorite, as it carries the gift of sight, allowing us to see and be seen, to marvel at the world’s natural beauty, and to bear witness to the wonders created by human hands.
Favorite thing about Long Island:To be determined. I’ve never been to Long Island before, so I’m still exploring the area
Favorite way to relax on a day off:Spend the day with my boys! My partner and I have two Siberian Huskies, Zuko and Iroh. During the colder seasons, we often go on long hikes together, but in the summer, we have to keep the pups cool, so we drive them to the ice cream shop.
Your personal theme song:Relentlessby Walls of Jericho
AUDREY YAN
Hometown:Roslyn, NY
Ի:Binghamton University (Go Bearcats?)
Med school:West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Fellowship plan/potential fellowship plan:Neuro-ophthalmology, Vascular
Favorite cranial nerve and why:CN VIII, because how else would I appreciate music on full blast?
Favorite thing about Long Island:It’s the island that raised me :) (oh, and the bagels obviously)
Favorite way to relax on a day off:Running, Orangetheory, and a long scenic drive with 2000s pop hits blasting
Your personal theme song:That’s the Way It Is by Céline Dion