Fourth-Year Combined Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine Resident
Stephen Kane, M.D.
Georgetown University School of Medicine
University of Maryland: College Park
Third-Year Combined Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine Resident
Emmanuel Asenso, D.O.
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
I am a first-generation, Ghanaian American, born and raised in Northern Virginia. I attended Virginia Tech and majored in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. There, I became passionate about the field of public health and health disparities, through my major and research with the Translational Obesity Behavioral Research Lab. As part of the lab, I planned, implemented and evaluated an 8-week, group dynamics-based healthy lifestyle program for racial minority students at my institution. These experiences led me to pursue my MPH at George Washington University during my gap year to learn more about attaining health equity, social determinants of health and program planning and evaluation. I then attended Rowan SOM for medical school where my love for primary care and preventive medicine grew. I was fortunate to serve as a leader in initiatives and clubs that aimed to address racial health disparities and support marginalized communities like SNMA, and co-founded IMPACT Week and The Black Collective. I was also a research intern at the Neuromusculoskeletal Institute at Rowan, where I was able to develop CME’s and toolkits as part of initiatives to reduce opioid overdose deaths in South Jersey.
I spent a month at MedStar Franklin Square as a 4th year student and I am so ecstatic to return to serve the community and learn from the amazing faculty, residents, and patients. The combined program was an ideal fit for me because it will provide me with opportunities to strengthen my knowledge and skills to improve the health of marginalized communities. As a person who stutters, I am also passionate about improving the health and well-being of people with disabilities.
In my free time, you can find me watching sports and rooting for my DC teams, playing basketball, listening to music, trying plant-based restaurants, and going to amusement parks
Third-year residents
Chika A. Adiele, MD
Howard University College of Medicine
University of Virginia
I grew up in Washington, DC to two Nigerian immigrant parents. As the oldest of five siblings, I immediately understood the importance of leadership and setting a good example. When exploring career options, I knew I wanted a blend of science and human interaction. As I continued my journey, I realized the great need for people who looked like me in the medical field for my community. I attended the University of Virginia for my undergraduate years, majoring in Biochemistry, and Howard University for medical school.
During my clinical years, I found myself loving each rotation. So, when it came to deciding on a specialty, I knew I wanted one that offered flexibility in practice and broad spectrum exposure. Patient education, preventative medicine, wellness, integrative medicine, and teaching are all elements of primary care that I'm interested in. I value the continuity of care that I get to provide to my patients, examining them holistically and keeping in mind that their behavioral and mental health all play a role in their overall well-being. Family medicine is truly an art and one that I look forward to being a part of at MedStar Franklin Square!
When I’m not doing medicine, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and experimenting with new hairstyles. I’m looking forward to beginning this next chapter of my life in Baltimore!
Kwame Akyeampong, M.D.
Medical College of Wisconsin
Minnesota State University
I spent most of my early years in several countries across Africa. Then as a young teen, my parents sent me to America to continue my education. The Midwest became my home away from home. It was my experiences with health care in the third world that drew me to medicine. Primarily, issues with availability of health care resources and poor health systems as a whole. Here in America, there also exist a similar issue of shortage of primary care providers. I look forward to being part of the solution to this problem. Furthermore, I am drawn to family medicine because of the opportunity to provide longitudinal care and build lasting relationships with patients.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy both playing and watching basketball and soccer. When time permits, I also enjoy traveling and exploring new cities. I look forward to exploring the city of Baltimore and cheering on the local sports teams!
Stephanie Davis, MD, PhD
Georgetown University Medical School
Georgetown University Graduate School
Barnard College, Columbia University
I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in West Newton. At 13, I moved to Philadelphia with my sister and mother, an immigrant from Greece. After graduating from Barnard College in 2011, where I studied Behavioral Neuroscience and French, I moved to DC to pursue an MD and PhD in Neuroscience at Georgetown University. My PhD research focused on Multiple Sclerosis and immune-modulation of the central nervous system. As I progressed in my graduate studies, I found myself increasingly drawn to Family Medicine because of the meaningful relationships that it fosters with patients, allowing me to care for the whole person.
My introduction to Franklin Square Hospital as a fourth-year medical student at Georgetown University was due to a very fortunate accident. Having initially thought that I was signing-up for a rotation located at Franklin Square in DC, I was very surprised to see that it would be 1.5 hours commute to Baltimore! However, after spending two rotations with the Franklin Square family, I felt a unique kinship with the hospital and the community that it serves. It turned out not to be a mistake, but a happy, little accident, because Franklin Square Medical Center feels like home!
When I’m not in the hospital, I am likely to be found (re-)watching Seinfeld, biking around the city, singing at open-mics, trying to learn a new language or dabbling in my many arts-and-crafts projects.
I am thrilled to be continuing my medical training with the MedStar Franklin Square Family Medicine team and look forward to serving the Baltimore community and building relationships with you!
Brigitte Grewe, D.O.
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University
University of Maryland College Park
It is such a terrific feeling to come back to my home state of Maryland and join this group of wonderful residents and faculty at MedStar Franklin Square. I grew up in Western Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland where I studied Microbiology with a minor in Leadership Studies. I then spent time researching at the National Institutes of Health studying Adeno-associated Virus as a vector for gene therapy. All the while, I worked as a pediatric therapy aide where my love for kids blossomed. Medical school took me 2,000 miles across the country to the “Land of Enchantment” to attend Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Amongst the breathtaking sunsets and rich culture, my love for family medicine sprouted from my clinical years of medical school. I have a passion for pediatrics, women’s health, procedures, and osteopathic manipulation. I knew I wanted to be at a residency that would support my interests and allow me to become a strong community health leader where I would build long-lasting relationships with my patients.
You can catch me making the largest pile of dishes and snapping pictures of the various vegetarian and pescatarian recipes that I love to cook. Along with my fiancé and dog Echo, we enjoy exploring, whether it be on a hike or traveling the world. As a former crab house server, I can teach you the easiest way to crack a crab and I am thrilled to be a part of the Baltimore community where Old Bay is never in short supply.
Lindsey Johnson, D.O.
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Michigan-Dearborn
I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I went to The University of Michigan for undergrad and Michigan State University for medical school. I consider myself a true Michigander. Going into family medicine was a no brainer for me. Before medical school I taught math for 3 years in the same areas of Detroit where I grew up. My love for teaching sprouted my want to teach my future patients, of all ages, about their health through the field of family medicine. I want to address ongoing barriers such as health illiteracy and mistrust in the medical field that I saw specifically during my training in medical school.
I am so excited to grow, train and strengthen these skills at Medstar Franklin Square. During my audition rotation I fell in love with the program. I felt so welcome during my time rotating. I admired the encouraging learning environment and how the attendings and residents interacted with their patients. I then knew Medstar was where I wanted to do my residency training.
Lastly, I met my husband back in Michigan before starting medical school. He now works in Washington, D.C. which is what brought us to the DMV area. We live in Maryland with our beautiful little boy whom we welcomed into the world during my 4th year of medical school. I’m excited to be starting this new journey here in Maryland with my husband, our kiddo, and our puppy. I look forward to starting my residency training at Medstar and serving the people in the Baltimore area.
Jyothi Kakuturu, D.O.
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Pennsylvania State University
Growing up, my family moved around quite a bit, so I got to live and grow up in southern and northern parts of India, Kansas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Experiencing these diverse areas during my formative years has made me what I am today because I saw what an amazing difference primary care providers made in my life and others in my community.
After finishing my undergraduate studies at Pennsylvania State University and then subsequent graduate studies at West Chester University, I worked as an assistant scientist in Philly. A new job moved me to Rockville, MD where I worked for a year as an associate scientist. Just as I was falling in love with Maryland, I got admitted to Nova Southeastern University’s medical school.
Throughout my medical school training, all specialties interested me, but I kept seeing a certain pattern: most acutely and chronically ill patients who didn’t fare well in inpatient settings had no good outpatient primary care. Although I knew I was going into primary care, it was really during my core 3rd year clinical years that I decided family medicine was it! And I also knew I wanted to come back to Baltimore and DC area because my experience here was cut short. Franklin Square stood out to me the most because of the wonderful residents and faculty I interacted with during the interview. I also liked the location of Franklin square because of its mix of urban patients from east Baltimore City and suburban patients from eastern Baltimore county.
Outside of medicine, I love exploring local state and national parks, trying new cuisines, and watching movies!
Eleanor L. Kane, M.D.
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Yale University
Born in Southeastern Pennsylvania, I am a proud Philadelphian and an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. I attended college at Yale University where I majored in Environmental Studies and concentrated in Food and Agriculture. After college, I got a master’s degree in Food Studies at New York University. While in this program, I realized my interest in food was primarily from a health perspective, so I decided I wanted to become a physician and incorporate what I had learned into my practice. After completing a post-baccalaureate program at the University of Pennsylvania, I attended Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. During medical school, I chose to take an extra year to complete Jefferson’s Master of Public Health program, so I could learn more about the many social factors that impact my patients’ health.
I chose to pursue Family Medicine because of the dedication to the community, the opportunity to care for the entire family, and the ability to build life-long relationships with my patients. Within Family Medicine, I am passionate about all things that relate to overall well-being, especially food – I even considered going to culinary school instead of college at one point. I believe that proper nutrition is one of the foundations of good health, and I am excited to help my patients incorporate healthy choices through education and improved access.
I am so excited to train at MedStar Franklin Square! I’m moving to Maryland with my husband, Tom, who will be completing his Anesthesia training at Walter Reed, and our dog, Riley. Outside of medicine, I love traveling, practicing yoga, cooking, and baking, and watching Disney movies.
Veronica O’Rourke, D.O.
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia Campus
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
I was born and raised in Falls Church, Virginia, just a few miles outside of Washington, D.C. I went to Virginia Tech for my undergraduate degree where I studied Biology and Spanish. My junior year, I completed an immersive study abroad program in Valencia, Spain to further my Spanish fluency and began developing medical Spanish. After graduating from Virginia Tech, I worked in a cardiology office in Northern Virginia for a couple of years. I loved Blacksburg so much that I returned for medical school where I attended the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). While at VCOM, I traveled abroad to El Salvador to provide health care services as a part of VCOM’s international outreach programs.
I was drawn to Family Medicine early in medical school because of the ability to work with patients of all ages, to establish close and long-lasting relationships with patients, and really engage with the local and underserved communities. That is ultimately what really excites me about medicine and is exciting about training at MedStar Franklin Square.
I am an avid sports fan, especially women’s soccer and football. My husband, our beloved dog, Roxie, and I are eager to explore our new home in Baltimore with hopefully more puppies to come!
Meher Pahwa, D.O.
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
San Jose State University
I was born in the Bay Area, California to extremely loving and hardworking immigrant parents. After completing all my schooling and undergraduate education within California, I headed over to Las Vegas, Nevada to complete my medical school training at Touro University Nevada. It was here that I recognized the importance of compassion and how it served as a vital building block in patient interactions. My clinical rotations solidified my passion for Family Medicine when I realized how the field uniquely provides opportunities to manage chronic and complex medical conditions, while comforting patients in their most vulnerable dispositions.
Although I was a “California girl” for 25 years, a cross country move to Maryland to be closer to our extended family has officially turned me to an East Coast gal, and I couldn’t be happier to be starting my medical career at MedStar Franklin Square. I know Medstar Health's collaborative nature and its exposure to a diverse array of patients in MD, will allow me to dedicate my career to serving with patience, kindness, and a strong emphasis on patient advocacy, all while allowing me to return to the state where my family resides and that truly holds my heart.
In my free time, I enjoy anything Harry Potter related, dancing, reading, and laughing endlessly while Facetiming my family (especially my Grandma.)
Second-Year Combined Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine Resident
Ruth Watson, M.D.
Georgetown University School of Medicine
University of Tennessee
I grew up in a multi-generational family in rural Tennessee where I learned how to love and take care of my neighbors. I then moved to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee where I majored in microbiology and minored in public health. Interested in public policy and public health, I moved to Washington, D.C. to attend medical school at Georgetown. During medical school, I was a Health Justice Scholar which provided me the opportunity to advocate for harm reduction and healthcare equity at the local and federal levels. During my 3rd and 4th years of medical school, I was lucky to complete rotations at the Family Health Center. I could not be more thrilled to be returning to Franklin Square for residency!
Second-year residents
Harpal Bains, DO
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Towson University
I grew up in Baltimore County and am thrilled for the opportunity to practice in the community that raised me! I first became interested in health sciences as an Allied Health student at Eastern Tech High School. I continued my journey as a volunteer at Franklin Square and working in the neighboring community. Later, I attended Towson University and majored in Molecular Biology. It was at the end of my sophomore year when I decided to pursue a career in medicine after working various roles within the healthcare field.
For medical school, I moved to Blacksburg, VA to attend VCOM and quickly realized that I enjoyed aspects of each specialty. During my first clinical rotation, I was exposed to family medicine and enjoyed the opportunities to form strong, long-term relationships with patients while providing care to people of all ages. I look forward to being part of a generation of physicians working towards improving health outcomes and addressing health inequalities faced by communities.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy running, listening to podcasts, and being a Baltimore sports fan.
Deborah Cameron, DO
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
James Madison University
I was born and raised in the Hampton Roads "757" area of Virginia. I have been a resident of Virginia my entire life, even during my schooling. I attended James Madison University for undergrad where I majored in Health Sciences with a minor in Biology. I came back to my hometown for a few years to gain experience working in the medical field in different positions such as a medical receptionist, a scribe, and an EMT. While home, I obtained my masters at Hampton University. I then moved to Blacksburg, VA where I attended medical school at Edward via College of Osteopathic Medicine.
During my 4th year of medical school, I was fortunate to be able to do a rotation at MedStar Franklin Square. The residents, attendings, and the MAs were all so kind and eager to teach me and I instantly fell in love with the culture that MedStar fostered. I enjoyed that I was able to participate in different clinics because the best thing about family medicine is that this is the specialty that does it all! And I could tell at MedStar they were truly preparing their residents to identify, manage, and treat any issue no matter how complex. It was only right that I returned here to complete my residency training. I love Family Medicine because I love the opportunity, I am given to form strong bonds with my patients as I get to know them on an intimate level while working with them to manage their health.
My interests in medicine include women's health, underserved communities, geriatric medicine, mentorship, and in-office procedures. My interests outside of medicine include anything that involves my Westie puppy Summer, traveling, eating, watching TV and spending time with the people I love most!
Nidhi Chaudhari, DO
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Rutgers University
As I was growing up, my parents emphasized the importance of nutrition and mental health to me and my brother at a very early age. I grew up witnessing my parents utilize herbal nutrition, yoga, and meditation as a means for “preventative care” for good health. I developed a passion for these practices and even spent time volunteering at my local temple to learn and later teach these practices to the local community.
In college, I decided to purse my major in Cell Biology and Neuroscience at Rutgers University. I also spent a year finishing my Masters in Biomedical Sciences at Rowan University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. With this background, I knew I wanted to be in a career that represented my passion for holistic health and community service. This eventually led me to pursue medicine at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
I gravitated towards Family Medicine very early in medical school. Throughout my community service experiences and rotations, I realized how much I enjoyed being there for my patients to provide a safe space for their vulnerabilities, not just in regards to their physical health, but also for their mental well-being, financial and social barriers, and overall lifestyle. I really enjoyed connecting with them and building long term relationships, it was the best way I could practice my strengths to make a positive impact. I have always believed in the interplay of mind-body-soul, especially since I practiced this mindset in my own life, and family medicine is the best specialty that allows me to utilize this mindset to serve my patients holistically.
With all this in mind, I knew I wanted to be part of a program that serves a diverse population, and emphasizes community service and behavioral health. During my interview at MedStar Franklin Square, I truly felt a sense of family and support from each person I spoke to, and that is how I knew that this place would be the best fit for me.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy drawing, singing, and meditating. My partner and I are always looking to explore new food places and hiking spots, we have a goal of visiting every national park in the US! I also love having movie nights with my family, especially crime and murder mysteries! I am truly excited to be in Baltimore with my fiancé and will continue to explore what this new home away from home has to offer.
Jenevieve Dunn, DO
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
College of William and Mary
As a Northern Virginia native, I am excited to join the team of family medicine residents at MedStar Franklin Square in nearby Baltimore, Maryland. Growing up, I spent several years competing on the mound as a fastpitch softball player. My passion for team sports carried over to a unique opportunity I had during my undergraduate years to work as an equipment manager for the College of William & Mary football team. I ultimately graduated with a degree in Kinesiology, which is the study of human movement, and am committed to fitness and nutrition both personally and professionally.
A new graduate, I returned home to work in outpatient pediatrics where I quickly discovered my love for primary care. After two years of clinical experience and one year spent exceling in a post-baccalaureate program, I chose to attend the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Southwest Virginia. It was my first family medicine clinical rotation that quickly solidified my passion for the specialty.
I love the diversity of family medicine, the continuity of care and relationships you build with patients, and the ability to help individuals tailor lifestyle interventions to manage chronic conditions, prevent complications, and improve their quality of life. I was drawn to MedStar Franklin Square for residency training because of the pediatric patient volume at the Family Health Center, the strength of behavioral health training, and the wide array of community outreach opportunities this program offers in the Baltimore area. I am passionate about the “Fit Family” community outreach project which emphasizes both fitness and nutrition from a young age as a way to empower individuals to improve their long-term health.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy weightlifting, running, and a variety of different board games. I love a competitive game of Catan, spending quality time with family, and watching my little sister play softball. I am excited to be joining the MedStar Franklin Square team and to begin serving the Baltimore community.
Katherine Lewis, DO
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Bucknell University
I am so excited to join MedStar back home in my favorite state of Maryland after having spent the last several years in central Pennsylvania. I studied Cell Biology and Biochemistry at Bucknell University before starting as a scribe at Suburban Hospital as I prepared for my ultimate goal of heading to medical school. After three years in Maryland working in the ER and as a technician assisting with Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion, I headed back to Pennsylvania for a health science intensive post-baccalaureate program at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, where I then began my medical school training.
During my rotations all throughout the mid-Atlantic region, I realized that it was most important to me to become a well-rounded physician with quality time to develop strong patient relationships as my greatest interests include women's health, diabetes and obesity management, lifestyle medicine, and procedures, all of which ultimately led me to pursue Family Medicine. I'm thrilled to serve the communities that made me fall in love with healthcare in the first place and to hopefully provide the necessary resources and support that all patients deserve.
Outside of medicine you can find me creating and trying new recipes in the kitchen, strength training or finding new walking or running trails, or adventuring with my family including my partner, Teddy, our favorite golden retriever, Riggins, and our sweet rescue cat, Rory.
Matthew Santos, DO
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Towson University
I was born in Baltimore, MD to two immigrant parents from the Philippines. My mother, a retired nurse, and my father, a retired engineer, spent over 30 years each serving the community of Maryland. My two older brothers, my younger sister, and I were mostly raised by our maternal grandmother while they both were at work. I wholeheartedly credit and admire my parents and grandmother for inspiring me to stay resilient in my pursuit to serve others through medicine. I attended Towson University for my undergraduate career and then got my master’s degree in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. I went to Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. While witnessing two Super Bowl wins while in Kansas City was amazing, the greatest win was meeting my wife, Rachel!
I chose family medicine early on because it allows me to pursue my passion for full spectrum training while building my leadership skills in such a close-knit community. Most importantly, I am passionate about building relationships with and empowering my future patients. I am so excited and grateful to be coming back home to Baltimore to join the welcoming and supportive family at MedStar Franklin Square. I fell in love with the program during my interview and the sense of genuine positivity and family atmosphere was incomparable. My other interests in medicine include osteopathic manipulative medicine, pediatrics, and community engagement and health equity.
I will be coming back to Baltimore with my wife, who will be working as a nurse while finishing her MPH. In our free time, you can find us hiking with our two rescue dogs Benny and Jett. My biggest passion outside of medicine is exploring new recipes and just being in the kitchen. I also love fishing, skiing, and traveling!”
Reddhyia Taylor, DO
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Maryland
Growing up in Prince George's County Maryland, as a first-generation Ghanaian American allowed me to experience healthcare systems both in the United States and Ghana, when visiting family and interning with physicians. While overseas, I began to notice common health conditions that plagued various Ghanaian communities, which birthed the important observation on their perception of health. My curiosity in medicine, coupled with my forensic science degree, often leads me to question what interventions can improve a patient's health status, all while bridging the gap between culture and medicine.
After completing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland College Park and my master’s degree at Drexel College of Medicine, I continued to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine to earn my doctorate degree. During my clinical years, I fell in love with the early health interventions and advancement in community health that family medicine provides. I look forward to collaborating with patients to improve overall health and wellness from a social, cultural, osteopathic, and integrative approach!
At my core, I am a creative. I love activities that allow me to use my hands and think outside the box, including DIYs, sewing, digital art, and content creation. I also love interior design and vlogging on aesthetic restaurants and brunch locations. I am overjoyed to join the MedStar family and look forward to exploring the Baltimore area!
First-Year Combined Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine Resident
Adaline Heitz, MD, MSPH
Indiana University School of Medicine
University of Louisville
I was born and raised in Southern Indiana in a home that placed a strong emphasis on service and community. I always saw myself becoming a physician, but it was during my undergraduate studies at the University of Louisville that I was introduced to public health. I spent the following two years in Norway pursuing a graduate degree in this field through a Rotary Global Grant, during which I began to realize the vital connection between medicine and public health. This was further emphasized during my subsequent year of AmeriCorps service, through which I saw real-life examples of physicians simultaneously engaged in both fields.
I returned to my home state to attend Indiana University School of Medicine, where I pursued opportunities to combine my interests through work with our student-run free clinic, rotations with county and state health departments, and global health experience in Kenya. Family Medicine always felt like the right fit for me due to its emphasis on longitudinal and broad-spectrum care. I believe that family physicians are uniquely equipped to serve as leaders and advocates due to their position in and direct contact with the community.
I am thrilled to continue my training in both Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine at MedStar Franklin Square and Johns Hopkins. The uniqueness of the combined program was the initial draw for me, but the warmth and engagement I experienced during the interview process convinced me that it was the ideal fit. I look forward to further exploring the social determinants of health and health disparities while receiving training that prioritizes both individual and population-level care.
My clinical interests include women’s health, preventive care, behavioral health, and care for underserved and marginalized populations locally and abroad. In my free time, I enjoy listening to podcasts, travelling with my spouse, cooking, and spending time outside hiking and backpacking.
First-year Residents
Chinwe Abaraoha, DO
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Albany
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, and Port Harcourt, Nigeria, I saw firsthand how social determinants of health influence the quality of healthcare delivered to the community. In light of this, I earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University at Albany, as well as a master's and doctorate from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. During my clinical training, I discovered that Family Medicine is the ideal setting to develop long-term connections with patients while tackling health disparities. Osteopathic manipulative medicine and preventive health are some of my other medical interests.
In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my partner. When we're not catching flights, we watch the Premier League, play soccer, or go swimming together. It brings me great joy to begin my training here and serve the Baltimore area.
Constance Chen, MD
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Cornell University
Hi! I’m excited to join the MedStar Franklin team. I grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland and consider myself a Marylander at heart (I once ate 7 blue crabs for my 18th birthday dinner). I was raised by two Chinese immigrant parents who modeled a strong work ethic and curiosity about the world, and I have carried these values with me. I majored in Biological Sciences with a minor in History at Cornell University, took a gap year in Boston where I worked as an ophthalmic technician, and attended the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine where I fell in love with family medicine.
My pathway to medicine was a gradual process, but ultimately, I was drawn to the chance to hear people’s stories, the science behind medical decision-making, and the chance to give back to the communities that I come from. My specific interests include LGBTQ health, adolescent medicine, behavioral health, reproductive justice, and community/underserved medicine.
Outside of work, I like spending time with loved ones, playing music, drawing/painting, playing Stardew Valley, and working out. I’ve recently started taking blacksmithing classes which I plan to continue once I can get my own forge. I’m looking forward to being close to home and further exploring Baltimore!
Samantha Crawley,MD
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Loyola University Maryland
I grew up on Long Island (NY) with my parents, 3 brothers, and always with a dog in the house. I ventured down to Baltimore to study Biology and Psychology at Loyola University Maryland. After undergrad, I worked as a primary care Medical Assistant which brought me to Washington, DC. I then attended medical school at GW and fell in love with the practice of Family Medicine through great experiences and mentors. Now, I am thrilled to be returning to Baltimore as a Resident Physician at MedStar Franklin Square.
After rotating at Franklin Square during my 4th year of medical school, I came to really appreciate how family medicine has the opportunity to follow patients along their healthcare journeys, providing support and guidance through challenging times and helping to celebrate life's milestones and accomplishments. I have particular interests in women's health, reproductive healthcare, preventive medicine, and procedures–and I look forward to incorporating aspects of various medical specialties into a comprehensive and holistic approach, ensuring that no aspect of care is overlooked.
Outside of medicine, I love to spend time with my family and take my dog, Riley, on adventures. As a former dancer and a daughter to very creative parents, I’ve always enjoyed any opportunity to be artistic–I enjoy painting, repurposing furniture and attempting ‘DIY’ interior design, and cooking and baking new recipes. Also, as a sister to 3 lacrosse-playing brothers, I find myself at many games throughout the season, which is a fun way to spend a day off and spend time with the people I love.
Shivani Gaur,MD
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh
I was born and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, with optimistic, inspiring, and fun-loving Indian immigrant parents and younger brother.
I attended the University of Pittsburgh for my undergraduate studies, studying Neuroscience, Spanish and Religious Studies. I spent one summer semester in Peru to further develop my Spanish skills with Medical Spanish and Community Medicine courses. After graduating from Pitt (H2P!), I did a service year with the NHSC in Philadelphia, serving full-time at the Nationalities Service Center as Clinic Liaison for newly arrived refugee families. Working with this unique population and tackling various medical, social, and cultural challenges with my clients, I learned how I want to prioritize health literacy, independence, and confidence when working with medically underserved individuals.
Following this, I attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine and was a member of I2CRP (the International and Inner-City Rural Preceptorship 4-year track program) which provided further unique learning opportunities from rotating at a mobile clinic serving a large Spanish-speaking population to a completing a Migrant Health community immersion project with the Outreach team in the rural quaint Eastville.
As a family medicine physician, I aspire to build from my previous experiences to serve my community by fostering togetherness, empowering my patients through education, and providing full spectrum care. I look forward to being a part of the MedStar Franklin Square family and getting to know and serve the diverse communities of Baltimore!
In my free time, I love reading, serving as a full-time foodie and finding the best spot for wings, running, and playing any team sport - soccer, basketball, tennis - and I’ll be smiling extra big if it’s outdoors!
Meghan A. Gipson, MBBCh, BAO
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of Medicine
As a Canadian born and raised in Toronto, I have been privileged to grow up in a multicultural city that inspired curiosity about the world and the people in it. I jumped at the opportunity to attend medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of Medicine, because I wanted to experience a different way of life while studying medicine. At RCSI, I continued to realize my passion for caring for people of all ages, advocating for equitable treatment of patients, and both teaching and learning from other students. I felt that a career in Family Medicine would best allow me to care for my patients in a holistic nature while continually being inspired by the people that I work with. I feel overjoyed to be embarking on my dream career in Family Medicine at Franklin Square in Baltimore where I am excited to immerse myself in the culture and care for the community.
Outside of medicine, you will find me in a yoga class, reading a book, spending time outdoors, or dancing. My favorite things in life are spending time with my loved ones, particularly my dogs, and a good chai latte.
Taylor O. Johnson, DO
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of Illinois at Chicago
I am originally from the Chicago, Illinois area. I stayed in Chicago for undergrad and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago. While studying neuroscience and sociology, I also met my fiancé. During the pandemic, I moved to Kansas City, Missouri for medical school at Kansas City University, where I adopted my pup named Aspen and became a Chiefs fan.
At the start of my clinical rotations in medical school, I decided on family medicine as my specialty of choice, mainly for its emphasis on longitudinal relationships with patients and their families, preventive health measures, and wide variation in patient populations. My professional passions include improving health literacy and healthcare outcomes in underserved communities.
Although I will always be a Midwest girl at heart, I am very excited to be moving to Baltimore, Maryland with my partner and starting residency with the MedStar Franklin Square team. I look forward to building relationships with the Baltimore community!
Outside of medicine, you can find me watching reality TV, weight training, reading historical fiction, and dabbling in photography.
Isabelle P. Sico, DO, MSc
Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
While I was born and raised in California, a summer spent as a visiting student at Georgetown University convinced me I would return to the area someday! I am thrilled to learn and train at MedStar Franklin Square and serve the Baltimore community with my passion for comprehensive and compassionate healthcare.
I majored in Asian-American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles to gain more knowledge of my own experience as a first-generation Filipina American and later moved to Durham, North Carolina to earn my Master of Science in Global Health at Duke University. As a graduate student, I spent months living and working in Guatemala City researching the implementation of patient safety programs at the country’s largest public hospital and developed an interest in patient safety and health services research. Prior to starting medical school, I worked in clinical research in Population Health at Duke University focusing on the barriers of care experiences by patients living with HIV and struggling with cardiovascular disease and cancer patients. I attended medical school at Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Knoxville, Tennessee, where I was focused on learning how to provide care to under-resourced patient populations in Appalachia. I continued to pursue my passion for patient safety and access to care by serving my community through holding leadership positions with nonprofit organizations that enable advocacy and support for women’s reproductive health services in East Tennessee and being named Student Doctor Researcher of the year during my fourth year of medical school.
I love the comprehensive nature of care that Family Medicine provides and the opportunity to create long-term relationships with patients to best understand their healthcare needs. I especially value the intersection of women’s health and global health opportunities within Family Medicine and especially at MedStar Franklin Square. My passion for medicine is grounded in learning about how individual experience, socioeconomic factors, culture, and access to healthcare can impact a patient’s health across their lifetime. Outside of medicine, I enjoy baking sourdough bread, finding new shows to watch, hiking, exercising, and exploring new walking trails with my dog, Henle!