Program Alumni—The MedStar Health—Franklin Square Residency Program in Family Medicine / Preventive Medicine

University of Delaware, BA
Thomas Jefferson University, MD
Johns Hopkins University, MPH

Nithin Paul, born in India and an immigrant to the United States at the age of eleven, studied Biology and Political Science at the University of Delaware. His interest in international development led him to working in the rural sector of India, focusing on clean energy access for communities without access to electricity. However, a desire for a more intimate connection with people and a desire to embed in communities in order to gain in-depth perspective on the root causes of inequities eventually brought him back to healthcare. Learning medicine in Philadelphia showed him the value of primary care and grew his love for cities with culture, grit, and strong grassroots movements.

He sincerely feels that ever since discovering this incredible combined Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine program at MedStar Franklin Square and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, it could not have felt like a better fit to continue his education. He is now a Baltimore City homeowner and focused his MPH studies in community organizing/development and global health. He interests lie in leveraging his role as a primary care physician to build partnerships with the community and advocate for systemic changes for social justice and health equity.

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Paul N. In Jordan, care amid the chaos of a medical system under strain. Philly.com Health blog. August 23, 2016. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/healthcare/In-Jordan-care-amid-the-chaos-of-a-medical-system-under-strain.html

Stanford University, BA
Johns Hopkins University, MD & MPH

Max Romano, MD, MPH is from St. Louis, MO, and lived in California, Germany, and Washington, D.C., before moving to Baltimore, MD, in 2010. His interest in medicine and public health began at an early age, inspired by the work of Dr. Albert Schweitzer to provide humanistic primary care to those patients most in need. His circuitous path through college, Americorps service, medical and public health school, and residency has brought him to blend clinical family medicine and public health preventive medicine with the aim of addressing community health problems through primary healthcare delivery systems.

His academic background is in health services research related to primary care quality, health information technology, and interpersonal continuity of care. His clinical interests include HIV, complex multimorbidity, and women’s reproductive health. He earned his bachelor’s degree in human biology with Honors from Stanford University and both his doctorate in medicine and Master of Public Health degrees from Johns Hopkins University. He lives with his spouse and two daughters in Baltimore, MD.

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Makerere University School of Medicine, MBChB
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, MPH

Hasan M. Shihab, MBChB, MPH, Bangladeshi by descent, born and raised in Uganda, immigrated to the United States after completing his medical degree from Makerere University. While working as a Medical Officer at the Infectious Diseases Institute, he realized the importance of public health solutions in truly understanding clinical medicine dilemmas. Dr. Shihab completed his Master of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He has extensive experience in clinical research and has numerous publications and presentations.

Dr. Shihab’s interests are in designing interventions for reducing hospital readmissions, increasing the need for occupational health training for family medicine physicians, and finding solutions to global health challenges particularly for the geriatric and pediatric populations.

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Princeton University, BA
Oregon Health and Science University, MD
Johns Hopkins University, MPH

Richard Bruno currently practices family medicine at an underserved clinic in Baltimore city, where he is active in local, state, and national campaigns for universal healthcare, sugary drink reduction, and other public health interventions. He serves on the board of directors of the American Academy of Public Health Physicians, Sugar Free Kids Maryland, Hampden Family Center, and the Roland Park Civic League. He ran for state delegate in District 41 (Northwest Baltimore), and continues to engage politically, giving testimony and participating in events and rallies. He is a husband and father of two. Follow him on Twitter @RichardBrunoMD.

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Georgetown University, MD
Johns Hopkins University, MPH

With the opportunity to train at Franklin Square, it feels like I'm back home. Though I grew up in nearby Howard County, I got to know Baltimore when I was working as a nurse and a researcher downtown. Those opportunities led me to pursue a career in medicine because I wanted to work with patients to help them reach their best health and quality of life. I feel lucky to learn from so many great patients and their families while working with compassionate and dedicated doctors. I'm looking forward to being your neighbor and your doctor!

Harvard University, BA
Johns Hopkins University, MD

I grew up in warm and sunny Florida in a small town a few hours south of Tampa. I decided to head up north for college and I was fortunate to attend Harvard University, where I graduated in 2012 with a major in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology and minor in History of Science. During my gap year before medical school, I worked in Boston for the Clinton Health Access Initiative on global projects in chronic malnutrition and maternal-child health. I also served as a volunteer for Health Leads in Boston addressing the social service needs of women and children. Together, these valuable opportunities inspired my interest in domestic public health and made me feel called to a primary care career. Now since I came to Baltimore for medical school at Johns Hopkins, my family moved here, and Baltimore officially feels like home. I have continued to play the flute, do yoga, bake, and make crepes with friends.

It was through American Academy of Family Physicians and Maryland Academy of Family Physicians conferences in conjunction with my family medicine rotation at Franklin Square during medical school that I was drawn to become a family physician. It was then through policymaking in the American Medical Association and MedChi (Maryland's state medical society), namely around community health workers and housing instability, that I was motivated to pursue further efforts in domestic health care policy and a Master of Public Health degree. I am so grateful to be at Franklin Square and Johns Hopkins learning to become a skilled generalist and public health practitioner. I am excited to learn more about how multidisciplinary, integrative health services are an avenue for more cost-effective care and wider social support for underserved populations. I honestly cannot think of a better city than Baltimore in which I could learn, grow, and serve.

Thomas Jefferson University, BA
University of Tennessee, MD

I was raised in the hills of North Georgia and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Global Politics and Economics (Go Vols!). After graduating, I headed north to Philadelphia as a National Health Corps member where I served at the Nationalities Service Center, the city's largest refugee resettlement agency. I stayed on for two more years as a medical case manager for refugees with chronic illnesses and disabilities, while also helping with Affordable Care Act outreach to Philadelphia immigrant communities. This work fostered my interest in both primary care and health policy, especially the impact they have on marginalized and low-income populations.

Following my stint in social work, I joined the Sidney Kimmel Medical College class of 2019 at Thomas Jefferson University. During the four years, I became increasingly interested in how research impacts health policy and advocacy efforts. Coupled with my continued affection for primary care and Family Medicine; the MedStar and Johns Hopkins Family/Preventive Medicine program was an ideal fit. I am also thrilled to move to Baltimore where I plan to eat lots of crab, hang out in Patterson Park, and pretend to be a Ravens fan.

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Brigham Young University

I grew up in Bethesda and am a proud Marylander. While I’ve always wanted to become a physician, it was during a two-year service mission to the West African nations of Togo and Benin that I became passionate about care of the underserved and public health.

After graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in Public Health, I accepted a commission as an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service and attended the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences for medical school. My position there was sponsored by the Indian Health Service, so upon completion of training, I will work in a hospital and/or clinic that serves American Indian/Alaska Native populations.

I chose the combined Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine Program at MedStar Franklin Square and Johns Hopkins because it will provide me opportunities to better understand social determinants of health, health disparities, and community-based interventions. This training will allow me to both provide excellent, patient-centered care as well as effect change on a larger level.

When I’m not working, I enjoy rock climbing, whitewater kayaking on the Potomac River, hiking, and playing guitar.