Alumni
Class of 2022

Enaam Alsoufi, MD
Medical school: Kalamoon University, School of Medicine
Why I chose Geisinger Lewistown Hospital: "The family friendly atmosphere!"
Favorite thing about the program: "My favorite aspect is being a part of building and expanding a newer residency program and feeling accomplished."
Hobbies/interests outside of residency: "Outside of residency, I enjoy going for walks and spending time with friends."
Plans after graduation: Outpatient Primary Care
Why candidates should choose this program: The program supports an excellent work/life balance. The friendly administration and attendings provide a kind, caring environment; have an open-door policy; and are eager to teach!

Sai Swapnika Guttikonda, MD
Chief Resident
Graduate: University of Massachusetts
Medical school: Katuri Medical College
Why I chose Geisinger Lewistown Hospital: "We have great rural healthcare exposure. We are able to take care of a wide spectrum of disease conditions and all age groups. We also get to work with the local Amish, providing a unique opportunity to learn about challenges and health conditions within this population. We have a supportive learning environment."
Favorite thing about the program: "Faculty of our program are very friendly and approachable, with teaching methods that are effectively tailored to the level of resident/student training. Their experience and strong skill set bring the greatest strength to the program: emphasis on empowering the residents and focusing on training us to be efficient independent practitioners in the future. They encourage and engage in case discussions, which help to strengthen the clinical skills of the residents. In addition, they provide meaningful feedback that aids in resident learning and growth. They promote a healthy work environment among the interdisciplinary teams. Faculty always try to accommodate resident needs and stand as excellent role models on professional and personal levels."
Hobbies/interests outside of residency: "I enjoy meditation, visiting state parks and scenic drives."
Plans after graduation: Outpatient Primary Care, UPMC, Franklin, Pennsylvania
Why candidates should choose this program: Being an unopposed program, we get hands-on experience in each specialty rotation. We get a good amount of opportunities to do office-based procedures, which prepares us to perform those independently and confidently when we graduate.

Matta Temujin Reddy, MD
Undergraduate: Vignan University
Medical school: College of Medical Science
Why I chose Geisinger Lewistown Hospital: "The residency program is a well-rounded, rural program that gives residents the ability to practice traditional family medicine."
Favorite thing about the program: "The variety and quantity of procedures we get to experience."
Hobbies/interests outside of residency: "I enjoy fishing and board games."
Plans after graduation: Nocturnist at Prisma Healthcare, Columbia, South Carolina
Why candidates should choose this program: Great support from program leadership, who are always supportive and caring — especially Dr. Maneval, Stephanie, Sarah, Kirk Thomas, Dr. Rayalam and Dr. Newhouser, with whom I had the most interactions. They are always ready to help, especially during some of the most critical moments of my residency. The experience you gain in outpatient, inpatient and night float will prepare you to work in any fast-paced work environment. I would definitely recommend our program to anyone who

Intekhab Askari Syed, MD
Undergraduate: York University
Medical school: Avalon University School of Medicine
Why I chose Geisinger Lewistown Hospital: "Geisinger's Lewistown Rural Family Medicine Residency provides full hands-on experience to residents, whether its inpatient or outpatient. It prepares residents to be well-rounded physicians with enhanced procedural skills."
Favorite thing about the program: "My favorite part about this residency is biweekly didactics, which brings all of us together where we can share our rotation experiences and learn together."
Hobbies/interests outside of residency: "My hobbies outside of work are tennis, working out and visiting family members."
Plans after graduation: Clinical Associate Professor, Sentara Clarksville Family Medicine, Clarksville, Virginia
Why candidates should choose this program: The program provides great hands-on experience and easy accessibility to providers from different specialties, and it also teaches how to utilize resources to provide better care in a rural setting.
Class of 2021

Anne Beeson Ivie, MD
Plans after graduation: Outpatient Family Medicine at Family Practice Center, Selinsgrove, PA
Why candidates should choose this program: "I have had the opportunity to be part of my own medical training. We have the support and the ear of program leadership, as well as all the rural doctors in central Pennsylvania. If you have an idea or want to learn more in a certain area, you’ll be supported and encouraged, as well as given the opportunity to customize your residency experience to be the best family medicine doctor you want to be."

Alimatu Garuba-Sedenu, MD
Plans after graduation: Outpatient Family Medicine at FQHC in Houston, TX
Why candidates should choose this program: "Because we’re a family within a family medicine residency program. Our schedule allows room for work/life balance, and the culture here with both Geisinger and Family Practice Center is all-inclusive. You’ll be well prepared and equipped for post-training, as well."

Ghazala Sabeeh, MD
Plans after graduation: Outpatient Family Medicine at Family Practice Center, Mill Hall, PA; Hospitalist at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital
Why candidates should choose this program: "Candidates should come to Lewistown Rural Family Medicine Residency because our program is very flexible with extremely supportive and involved attendings."

Lionel Varela, MD
Plans after graduation: Outpatient Family Medicine at Geisinger Juniata Clinic, Mifflintown, PA; Hospitalist at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital
Why candidates should choose this program: "Candidates should choose Lewistown Rural Family Medicine Residency because they will find a well-rounded program with rural focus and unopposed rotations that focuses on resident interest and well-being."