Integrated residents
Nicholas Cleveland, DO, MS (PGY5)
Medical school: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego
Graduate: George Mason University/Georgetown University School of Medicine (Biomedical Sciences, MS)
Birthplace: French Camp, CA
Hometown: Stockton, CA
Professional/research interest: Interventional oncology
Hobbies/interests: Golf, biking, hiking, traveling, exploring national parks
Favorite movie: Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back
Favorite TV show: Scrubs
An interesting fact about me: My first job was as a pizza maker in high school and college.
Why I chose Geisinger: Residents are able to see a wide variety of diagnostic cases at a flagship hospital.
Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego
Graduate: George Mason University/Georgetown University School of Medicine (Biomedical Sciences, MS)
Birthplace: French Camp, CA
Hometown: Stockton, CA
Professional/research interest: Interventional oncology
Hobbies/interests: Golf, biking, hiking, traveling, exploring national parks
Favorite movie: Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back
Favorite TV show: Scrubs
An interesting fact about me: My first job was as a pizza maker in high school and college.
Why I chose Geisinger: Residents are able to see a wide variety of diagnostic cases at a flagship hospital.
Ahmad Abughabieh, MD (PGY4)
Medical school: American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Undergraduate: City University of New York, Lehman College
Birthplace: Jordan
Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Internship: General Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Professional/research interest: No specific interest yet, will likely work in an academic setting the first few years, then a private clinic.
Hobbies/interests: Soccer (playing and watching), basketball, volleyball, table tennis, watching movies and exploring restaurants
Favorite movie: Cast Away
Favorite TV show: Friends
An interesting fact about me: I was on my college’s volleyball team for four years.
Why I chose Geisinger: When I visited the hospital for my interview, I felt peacefulness that I never felt at any other place. It felt like I belonged here. Everyone was very nice and respectful, and that is the most important thing to me.
Undergraduate: City University of New York, Lehman College
Birthplace: Jordan
Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Internship: General Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Professional/research interest: No specific interest yet, will likely work in an academic setting the first few years, then a private clinic.
Hobbies/interests: Soccer (playing and watching), basketball, volleyball, table tennis, watching movies and exploring restaurants
Favorite movie: Cast Away
Favorite TV show: Friends
An interesting fact about me: I was on my college’s volleyball team for four years.
Why I chose Geisinger: When I visited the hospital for my interview, I felt peacefulness that I never felt at any other place. It felt like I belonged here. Everyone was very nice and respectful, and that is the most important thing to me.
Zachary Zurla, DO (PGY3)
Medical School: Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate: Michigan State University
Birthplace: Royal Oak, Michigan
Hometown: Fenton, Michigan
Internship: Transitional Year - Henry Ford Jackson; Jackson, Michigan
Professional/research interests: Interventional oncology, lymphangiography, prostate artery embolization, pulmonary and trauma interventions. See publications.
Hobbies/interests: Anything out on the water, sports, weightlifting, running, traveling, camping
Favorite movie: Man on fire
Favorite TV show: Narcos
Why I chose Geisinger: Geisinger is unique in that it's a large health system with the main hospital residing in a small city that has easy access to the outdoors and travel. During my interview, I was able to see how the residents valued their training and enjoyed their time there.
Undergraduate: Michigan State University
Birthplace: Royal Oak, Michigan
Hometown: Fenton, Michigan
Internship: Transitional Year - Henry Ford Jackson; Jackson, Michigan
Professional/research interests: Interventional oncology, lymphangiography, prostate artery embolization, pulmonary and trauma interventions. See publications.
Hobbies/interests: Anything out on the water, sports, weightlifting, running, traveling, camping
Favorite movie: Man on fire
Favorite TV show: Narcos
Why I chose Geisinger: Geisinger is unique in that it's a large health system with the main hospital residing in a small city that has easy access to the outdoors and travel. During my interview, I was able to see how the residents valued their training and enjoyed their time there.
Lubna Ali, MD (PGY3)
Medical school: SGU
Undergraduate: USF Tampa
Birthplace: Lakeland, FL
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Internship: NYP Brooklyn Surgery
Professional/research interests: IO, global health, quality improvement
Hobbies/interests: Archery, Pilates, kayaking/paddle boarding/anything on or in the water, wood soldering, PubSubs/Publix bakery
Favorite movie: Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back
Favorite TV show: Scrubs
An interesting fact about me: I was a competitive gymnast in a past life. I share my birthplace with Publix.
Why I chose Geisinger: The people and culture, great DR training/exposure before the IR-dedicated year, and breadth of pathology.
Undergraduate: USF Tampa
Birthplace: Lakeland, FL
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Internship: NYP Brooklyn Surgery
Professional/research interests: IO, global health, quality improvement
Hobbies/interests: Archery, Pilates, kayaking/paddle boarding/anything on or in the water, wood soldering, PubSubs/Publix bakery
Favorite movie: Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back
Favorite TV show: Scrubs
An interesting fact about me: I was a competitive gymnast in a past life. I share my birthplace with Publix.
Why I chose Geisinger: The people and culture, great DR training/exposure before the IR-dedicated year, and breadth of pathology.
Bohao (Henry) Cao, MD (PGY2)
Medical school: American University of Caribbean
Undergraduate: McGill University
Birthplace: Shanghai, China
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Internship: General Surgery Prelim at Stony Brook University Hospital
Professional/research interests: Peripheral arterial disease and varicose vein ablations
Hobbies/interests: Investing, piano, gaming (CS GO, Warzone, League of Legends)
Favorite movie: Lucky Number Slevin
Favorite TV show: Schitt's Creek
Interesting fact about me: Got my license to fly before I got my license to drive.
Why I chose Geisinger: I chose Geisinger due to its high volume of cases within a level 1 trauma center, as well as the relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere of the residents and faculty. I am a believer that building positive relationships and connections will enhance my overall residency experience by creating a supportive and collaborative work environment. So far, the interactions with current residents and faculty have exceeded my expectations.
Undergraduate: McGill University
Birthplace: Shanghai, China
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Internship: General Surgery Prelim at Stony Brook University Hospital
Professional/research interests: Peripheral arterial disease and varicose vein ablations
Hobbies/interests: Investing, piano, gaming (CS GO, Warzone, League of Legends)
Favorite movie: Lucky Number Slevin
Favorite TV show: Schitt's Creek
Interesting fact about me: Got my license to fly before I got my license to drive.
Why I chose Geisinger: I chose Geisinger due to its high volume of cases within a level 1 trauma center, as well as the relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere of the residents and faculty. I am a believer that building positive relationships and connections will enhance my overall residency experience by creating a supportive and collaborative work environment. So far, the interactions with current residents and faculty have exceeded my expectations.
John Nicholson, MD (PGY2)
Medical school: University of South Alabama College of Medicine, 2018
Undergraduate: Auburn University, 2010
Birthplace: Birmingham, AL
Hometown: Vestavia Hills, AL
Internship: General Surgery, Walter Reed NMMC
Professional/research interests: Arterial, interventional oncology and spine
Hobbies/interests: Video games (Apex Legends/Starcraft), scuba diving, PC building
Favorite movie: Star Wars
Favorite TV show: Andor, CriticalRole
An interesting fact about me: I spent 2.5 out of the last 4 years living in Okinawa, Japan, with the USN where I learned how to scuba dive.
Why I chose Geisinger: The people! Every interaction I had from the interview, to previous employees and now my coresidents confirms that Geisinger is a great place to work, train and deliver excellent care to patients.
Undergraduate: Auburn University, 2010
Birthplace: Birmingham, AL
Hometown: Vestavia Hills, AL
Internship: General Surgery, Walter Reed NMMC
Professional/research interests: Arterial, interventional oncology and spine
Hobbies/interests: Video games (Apex Legends/Starcraft), scuba diving, PC building
Favorite movie: Star Wars
Favorite TV show: Andor, CriticalRole
An interesting fact about me: I spent 2.5 out of the last 4 years living in Okinawa, Japan, with the USN where I learned how to scuba dive.
Why I chose Geisinger: The people! Every interaction I had from the interview, to previous employees and now my coresidents confirms that Geisinger is a great place to work, train and deliver excellent care to patients.
Independent residents
Ahmad Chaudhary, MD
Medical school: Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
Radiology residency: Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Birthplace: Lahore, Pakistan
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
Internship: Internal Medicine Residency, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown. NY
Professional/research interests: Interventional oncology, peripheral vascular interventions
Hobbies/interests: Photography, computers and informatics
Favorite movie: Idiocracy
Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds
An interesting fact about me: Great cook (Pakistani food only)
Why I chose Geisinger: I chose Geisinger because of its reputation, large catchment area and diverse patient population. The training experience so far has exceeded my expectations. Being a level 1 trauma center, our case volume is complex and highly educational. The faculty are very skilled and easy to work with, and the IR training has been hands-on from the beginning. All my seniors are very supportive and invested in my success as an interventional radiologist. I am confident that my training at Geisinger will provide me with the skillset necessary to deliver exceptional patient care.
Radiology residency: Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Birthplace: Lahore, Pakistan
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
Internship: Internal Medicine Residency, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown. NY
Professional/research interests: Interventional oncology, peripheral vascular interventions
Hobbies/interests: Photography, computers and informatics
Favorite movie: Idiocracy
Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds
An interesting fact about me: Great cook (Pakistani food only)
Why I chose Geisinger: I chose Geisinger because of its reputation, large catchment area and diverse patient population. The training experience so far has exceeded my expectations. Being a level 1 trauma center, our case volume is complex and highly educational. The faculty are very skilled and easy to work with, and the IR training has been hands-on from the beginning. All my seniors are very supportive and invested in my success as an interventional radiologist. I am confident that my training at Geisinger will provide me with the skillset necessary to deliver exceptional patient care.