Alumni
Class of 2023

Skye Altaire, DO
Undergraduate: Drexel University
Medical school: West Virginia School of Medicine
Plans after graduation: Outpatient Primary Care at Penn Family Medicine, West Grove, PA
Why candidates should choose this program: This is a very supportive and family-oriented residency. I was the first DO resident and I received tons of support in starting an osteopathic manipulation treatment (OMT) clinic. If there is something you want to do during residency, all you have to do is ask. If you provide the drive, they will support you.

Kenya Bingham Psalms, MD
Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
Medical school: Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina
Plans after graduation: Fellowship in HIV Medicine at University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA
Why candidates should choose this program: Our residency program is ideal for candidates seeking a smaller program that is, unopposed, family friendly, fairly new, has a healthy learning environment, a rural setting and the opportunity to train at the renowned Geisinger health system.

Oliver Henry Ruiz, MD
Undergraduate: Carnegie Mellon University
Medical school: Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
Plans after graduation: Hospitalist, Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, Lewistown, PA
Why candidates should choose this program: The Lewistown residency provides the necessary foundation to produce excellent physicians. Residents get out of the experience what they put into it and can graduate fully prepared for the rigors of independent practice.

Jared Smith, DO
Undergraduate: Susquehanna University
Medical school: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Plans after graduation: Outpatient Primary Care, Family Practice Center, Mifflinburg, PA
Why candidates should choose this program: The program provides a really solid outpatient family medicine experience to prepare you for practice in a rural setting. The program prioritizes well-being throughout, allowing for an excellent work-life balance while still providing solid medical education.

Mhd. Wael Tasabehji, MD
Medical school: Damascus University
Plans after graduation: Hospitalist, Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, Nashua, NH
Why candidates should choose this program: Joining an unopposed rural family medicine residency program, where you have all resources devoted for your learning, is a huge plus for this program. Also, experienced, friendly and extremely supportive administration and preceptors are an essential part of this program.
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."