Incredible Interns!
Paige Amendum, MD
she/her
Undergrad: University of Delaware
Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Interests (outside of medicine): I like to spend time with my friends and family, read, and play with my dog, Maisy!
Career Goal(s): Allergy and immunology fellowship or primary care
Where I live and what I love about it: I live in North Wilmington! I love it because it's close to work, close to my family, there's lots of good food and restaurants, and we have a yard for our dog :)
Why Nemours? I'm from Delaware, so I always wanted to come back to train and take care of the community here. Furthermore, every time I was at Nemours, everyone was so kind and supportive, and it's clear how central education is to the program.
Katie Byrnes, DO
she/her
Undergrad: West Chester University
Medical School: PCOM Philadelphia
Interests (outside of medicine): gardening, music, hiking, reading, spending time with friends and family
Career Goal(s): Primary care
Why Nemours? After I came for a rotation as a 4th year medical student, I knew it was my first choice for residency! Everyone is very friendly and supportive, and the program truly cares about all of the residents as people, not just a workforce.
Alana Cianciulli, DO
she/her
Undergrad: Saint Joseph's University
Medical School: PCOM Philadelphia
Interests (outside of medicine): Piano, sourdough, home improvement
Career Goal(s): Primary Care
Where I live and what I love about it: Fairmount. I love running on Kelly drive, picnics by the river, and all the awesome bars especially Bad Brother!
Why Nemours? The people! Everyone will take you under their wing to help you thrive.
Ariella Lucia Colasanti, MD, PhD
she/her
Undergrad: University of California, Berkeley
Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis
Interests (outside of medicine):
Arts and Crafts, Science Communication, Mechanical Keyboards, Japanese
Career Goal(s): TBD! Love Peds Rheum from a pathophysiology/research perspective, but can't get enough of the Peds EM environments!
Where I live and what I love about it: Wilmington! I bought a house. It's amazing.
I cannot shut up about having a porch. I'm continually astounded by the abundance
of trees and grass here. I don't know if it's the air, water, or both, but
my skin cleared up within a few weeks of moving here. 11/10 experience.
Why Nemours? I was looking to put down roots, buy an (affordable) house, and settle in for the long run, while also keeping my options open sub-specialty-wise. What I found at Nemours is a beautiful, state-of-the-art, stand-alone children's hospital complete with level 1 trauma center and full cadre of sub-specialty services and fellowships -- all located in the greater suburban area of a major city (and within driving distance of both mine and my husband's hometowns). I really could not have asked for more. Plus, honestly, the vibes were on point.
Amber Davis, DO
she/her
Undergrad: Drexel University
Medical School: PCOM Philadelphia
Interests (outside of medicine): Baking, video games, reading sci-fi, fantasy and romance novels, roller skating
Career Goal(s): General Peds, maybe Developmental/ Behavioral
Where I live and why I love it: I live in Jersey, born and raised. I love that everything is within reach. I'm like 30 minutes from the city, 45 from the beach, and I'm close to my family.
Why Nemours? I chose Nemours because the culture of the program was super welcoming from interviews to Sub-Is. I wanted a program where I could be challenged and that has a wealth of opportunity to learn and grow. It's the perfect fit for me!
Aristides Escobar Cruz, MD
he/him
Undergrad: NYU
Medical School: University of Maryland, Baltimore
Interests (outside of medicine): I enjoy singing and dancing, creating my own music, perusing Trader Joe's aisles, "running", keeping up with pop culture on Twitter, and choosing places to eat on Yelp by seeing how delicious the photos look.
Career Goal(s): No sé todavía, but I'll let you know once I do!
Where I live and what I love about it: I live in Wilmington in Baynard Village. I came from two large cities and being in a suburb watching people sit on their porch and families walk their little children is so nice. I wake up to birds singing in a tree right outside my room. It's quiet. Que belleza!
Why Nemours? Sometimes, you just have to trust your gut. From the moment I observed the residents’ interactions and the kindness of the residency program directors, I knew. It was evident that everyone enjoyed each other’s company, which is crucial for creating a great work/life balance and fostering strong team chemistry. It’s also remarkable that this is a standalone children’s hospital. Walking around a place specifically designed for pediatrics creates a sense of unity among everyone, united by the common goal of helping our children. There is a playground right outside, like come on.
Erin Field, DO
she/her
Undergrad: University of Maryland
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests (outside of medicine): thrifting, crafting, bingeing reality tv, crabbing, spending time with friends and family
Career Goal(s): Interested in general pediatrics right now, but open to falling in love with something else during residency
Where I live and what I love about it: Kennett Square, PA! It's a quaint little town that is a nice getaway from the hustle of the hospital
Why Nemours? The people and location! From rotating her in my 4th year of medical school to my interview, everyone was so welcoming and I knew it was the perfect place to grow into the doctor I wanted to be for my patients.
Simran Gandhi, DO
she/her
Undergrad: Northeastern University
Medical School: Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests (outside of medicine): I love dancing, hiking, reading, going to the gym, and hanging out with my dog!
Career Goal(s): Fellowship bound! Unsure in what yet - trying to keep an open mind.
Where I live and what I love about it: Philly! I love how the city is so walkable and the restaurant/bar scene is unbeatable!
Why Nemours? I chose Nemours because when I did a rotation here during my 4th year of medical school, it just felt like home! Everyone was so welcoming, and I knew it was a place where I could grow, feel supported, and become the pediatrician I hope to be.
John Kee, MD
he/him
Undergrad: Vassar College
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC)
Interests (outside of medicine): Thrifting, Music, Biking, House Plants, Roller Blading, Nintendo Games
Career Goal(s): Undecided; but interested in all neurodevelopmental disorders and children with various long term disabilities
Where I live and why I love it: Philadelphia, PA; I love living a bike ride away from anything.
Why Nemours? I loved rotating at Nemours as a medical student. The residents and attendings are so down to earth and approachable. I'm from Wilmington, DE and love sharing that connection with my patient population and clinical staff.
Taylor Lacy, MD
she/her
Undergrad: Wake Forest University
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Interests (outside of medicine): Tennis, reading, video games with my husband, board games, my cats (Kit and Ford), anything marvel related!
Career Goals: Primary care + well baby or allergy/ immunology
Why Nemours? Nemours was a stand-out program during interview season. I was drawn to it because of the X+Y curriculum, commitment to equity and inclusion, and the class size. The fact the program has unionized is also a huge plus. On my interview day, I felt like I would be supported by faculty and residents and after starting intern year I can definitely attest to how welcoming and supportive everyone has been!
Extra bonus my husband and I couples matched into the program and we have both been super impressed!
Chrisitan Mancini, MD
he/him
Undergrad: Boston University
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC)
Interests (outside of medicine): time w/ family and friends, movies/TV, comic books, Legos, exercising, baseball (especially the Phillies!)
Career Goal(s): I want to do a fellowship after residency! My number 1 right now is heme/onc, but I also enjoy other specialties like rheumatology and infectious diseases.
Where I live and what I love about it: Riverfront area of Wilmington! I like living in a place that’s 10 minutes from the hospital, while also having easy access to Philly and its suburbs so I can visit family and friends!
Why Nemours? Nemours is such a special place to do residency! As a freestanding children’s hospital with a wide variety of patient populations, you get exposure to many different pathologies. This, combined with the warm culture amongst the attending physicians and coresidents, forms the perfect environment to build your clinical acumen and grow into whatever type of physician you want to be!
Deepika Nagabhushan, DO
she/her
Undergrad: Boston University
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests (outside of medicine): I love to read, do hot yoga, go hiking, watch reality TV, explore new restaurants, and play board games.
Career Goal(s): Hospitalist for now, but open to other inpatient avenues that spark my interest during residency.
Where I live and what I love about it: I live in Wilmington and love that there are so many different neighborhoods to explore with different characteristics.
Why Nemours? After completing my sub-I at Nemours, I knew it was the place where I wanted to train. The residents and attendings I worked with consistently challenged me while also fostering a supportive learning environment, allowing me to grow immensely as a trainee. During my rotation, I saw firsthand the breadth of pathology at a stand-alone children's hospital, from common pediatric conditions to medically complex and rare cases, which is exactly the type of training environment I hoped for. Additionally, I knew that being close to my family in New Jersey and partner in Philadelphia would provide a strong personal support system throughout residency.
Christine Ng, MD
she/her
Undergrad: University of Rochester
Medical School: Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Interests (outside of medicine): Volleyball, Hiking, Food Adventures, Anime, Traveling
Career Goal(s): Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Where I live and what I love about it: Suburbs of Delaware! Love having lots of space to host my friends and family while being close to major highways that connect me to Philly and other major cities
Why Nemours? The people I am surrounded by are infinitely supportive and are starting to feel like family even after a mere few weeks! I also knew I wanted to be at a standalone children's hospital with a wealth of specialists and services so I can better support my patients and learn from the best of the best.
Yvonne Olayemi, MD
she/her
Undergrad: Rutgers University - New Brunswick
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine
Interests (outside of medicine): Binge watching shows, Exercise and fitness, and Roller skating (although I'm not that great at it)!
Career Goal(s): I'm interested in Hematology-Oncology and Med-Ed! But I'm still open :)
Where I live and what I love about it: I live in Wilmington and I absolutely love the proximity to the hospital and the convenience that brings. I also like how Wilmington is a charming city/suburb hybrid which makes me feel like I'm still around energy and activity, without being overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of a major city.
Why Nemours? I feel like it's hard to even drive up to the hospital premises without getting excited to step inside. I appreciate the intentional architectural and interior design that makes it so the even the long days still feel bright. Coming from South Jersey, it has been such an added gift to have my family right over the bridge and take the short drive to see them whenever my schedule (and stress level) permits. What really blows me away however, is the fact that in such a large institution with what feels like every subspecialist under one roof, there is such an emphasis on teaching which is evident in how attendings, fellows, and senior residents readily make themselves available if you just ask.
Anthony Pendleton, MD
he/him
Undergrad: University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou)
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
Interests (outside of medicine): Outside of medicine, I enjoy manga and anime, reading, writing, film, music, art, pop culture, politics, baking cheesecakes, and trying new foods. I was a collegiate bowler and maintain a 200+ average. My first career dream and one I still hope to pursue someday is becoming a graphic novelist. This was inspired by the storytelling and life lessons found in manga and anime. My interest in pop culture and politics stems from a fascination with sociology and psychology, as I believe understanding the world around us is essential to appreciating how social and political changes shape the lives of everyday people.
Career Goal(s): My career goal is to become a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine or child abuse pediatrics, where I can care for some of the most vulnerable children and adolescents while advocating for their health, safety, and well-being. I am particularly passionate about LGBTQ+ health and caring for disenfranchised youth, creating environments where young people feel safe, seen, and empowered to be their authentic selves.
Where I live and what I love about it: I recently moved to Wilmington, Delaware from Chicago, so I’m still adjusting to life on the East Coast. Growing up in the Midwest gave me a set of values and perspectives that sometimes differ from those I encounter here, but I see that as one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. I enjoy meeting people whose backgrounds and viewpoints are different from my own, and I appreciate the opportunity to learn from them.
Why Nemours? Choosing Nemours came down to one word: familiarity. From the interview process, I felt like I had found my people. The residents and faculty wore their hearts on their sleeves. They were genuine, approachable, and never tried to portray residency as something it isn’t. They were honest about the challenges of training while also making it clear that they felt supported, valued, and happy. That authenticity was what drew me in most. Nemours never felt like it was trying to sell itself; it simply showed me who it was, and that was enough. Even before Match Day, I found myself following the program’s social media and experiencing a bit of FOMO because of how connected and engaged the residents seemed. Looking back, that feeling was a sign that this was where I was meant to be.
Denise Pinto, DO
she/her
Undergrad: University of Scranton
Medical School: PCOM Philadelphia
Interests (outside of medicine): Traveling, Yoga, Trying new restaurants in Philly, Spending time with my husband and our two fur babies!
Career Goal(s): NICU or primary care!
Where I live and what I love about it: Currently live in Philly! I love being in the city with so much to do and being able to walk places!
Why Nemours? Within the first week of my Sub-I, I felt the warmth and support of all the residents. I wanted to be in a program that truly values their residents and one with a tight knit community!
Ashly Reyes, MD
she/her
Undergrad: Montclair State University
Medical School: Drexel College of Medicine
Interests (outside of medicine): Reading, travelling, crocheting, weight-lifting, baking
Career Goal(s): NICU or PEM
Where I live and what I love about it: Harford County, MD I love how I am in the suburbs but am close to rural areas as well as multiple cities such as Baltimore, Philly, and DC.
Why Nemours? I chose Nemours because I wanted to train at a standalone children's hospital with high acuity where I would receive stellar training in all areas of Pediatrics. It was also important to me to train with people who have similar values and morals and who I enjoy spending time with. People who I can come to during happy or difficult moments.
Kelly Ryan, MD
she/her
Undergrad: Saint Joseph's University
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Interests (outside of medicine): running, cycling, pilates, spending time with friends and family, being a dog mom to my dog Huff!
Career Goal(s): I love working with kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities! I am thinking possibly developmental behavioral pediatrics fellowship, complex care, or maybe general pediatrics with a focus in working with this population!
Where I live and what I love about it: I live on the Wilmington Riverfront! I love being able to walk and run along the river. There's always something to do and lots of outside spaces to explore!
Why Nemours? I had the privilege of being able to rotate through a lot of departments at Nemours as a medical student! I loved all of the residents, attendings, and staff I was able to work with, but I also loved the sense of community and collaboration I felt at Nemours. I knew I would get the best training as a well-rounded pediatrician at Nemours!
Jaclyn Schultz, DO
she/her
Undergrad: University of New Haven
Medical School: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests (outside of medicine): Running, playing soccer, reading, hanging out with my cats!
Career Goal(s): Maybe neonatologist maybe general pediatrician!
Where I live and what I love about it: South Jersey! It's where I grew up so its home to me. I love being close to family but also being near Philly. Go birds!
Why Nemours? I already was interested in Nemours since I grew up in the area. However, I was lucky enough to rotate here as a medical student on Halloween and loved the atomosphere the hospital created for their patients! It showed how much they care for their patients beyond the medicine.
Azeezat Siyanbola, MD
Undergrad:
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Jefferson
Interests (outside of medicine):
Career Goal(s):
Where I live and what I love about it:
Why Nemours?
Maxwell Stukalin, MD
he/him
Undergrad: Williams College
Medical School: UMass Chan Medical School
Interests (outside of medicine): Card and board games (Magic, The Crew, Dominion, literally anything and everything!), pickup sports (soccer, basketball, volleyball), road biking, exploring new areas/restaurants in the city!
Career Goal(s): I don't know yet, but I'd love to explore PEM, Cardiology, and Gen Peds some more!
Where I live and what I love about it: I live in Wilmington and I love how there is access to green spaces and Philly nearby, its close to the hospital and very quaint and cute with nice restaurants/bars and riverfront areas!
Why Nemours? The people here are truly fantastic!! So kind, welcoming, passionate about their patients and their communities, and eager to educate you. It's exactly the kind of learning environment I wanted to train in!
Courtney Vicisko, MD
she/they
Undergrad: Washington College
Medical School: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Interests (outside of medicine): Watching travel content on Youtube, all things Animal Crossing, puzzles, board games, Legos, and getting to be a total couch potato with my fiancé on weekends
Career Goal(s): Either developmental pediatrics, pediatric palliative care, and general pediatrics with a complex care focus
Where I live and what I love about it: I live in Wilmington (in the Baynard Village area) and love the feeling of being a part of a smaller neighborhood in a bigger city. I love being able to walk to Brandywine Park and to a lot of great cafes and restaurants. The convenience in getting to Nemours in the morning also can't be beat!
Why Nemours? On interview and second look day, I could tell that Nemours was a place that really cared about the success of their residents and is very intentional about supporting them on their journey through residency.
Lillian Walton Masters, MD
she/her
Undergrad: New York University
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Interests (outside of medicine): Running (mostly local races for fun), teaching fitness and Pilates, hiking with my husband and dog, getting lost in a good book
Career Goal(s): Ask me again in three years! Primary care and adolescent medicine have always been favorites, but my PICU rotation as a medical student opened the door to a whole new interest, and I'm excited to see where residency takes me.
Where I live and what I love about it: South Philadelphia. I love the close-knit neighborhood feel, being able to walk everywhere, and having local coffee shops, parks, and restaurants just around the corner.
Why Nemours? Nemours was my first clinical rotation as a third-year medical student, and I immediately felt at home. I fell in love with the people, culture, patient population, and the genuine joy everyone brings to caring for their patients. I was lucky enough to return for my fourth year and spend even more time here, and there was never a day—even the tough ones—where I didn’t love being at Nemours. I was thrilled to be able to stay for residency!
Rebecka Wilson, DO
she/her
Undergrad: University of South Florida
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests (outside of medicine): Film photography, going to concerts/techno shows, knitting, spending time outdoors with my husband and dogs.
Career Goal(s): Not sure yet! Probably something hospital based!
Where I live and what I love about it: I just moved to Havertown and love it so far! I love that I’m a quick walk to the train for my Jeff days. I especially love that I have my first patio and yard and am patiently waiting for my raspberry bushes to fruit!
Why Nemours? Best vibes!! I love how supported I’ve felt from day 1. Everyone’s looking out for you in every way possible and it makes such a difference in my ability to do hard things. I love that we’re encouraged to follow our interests and given opportunities to explore them. I feel confident I’ll leave residency as a well rounded pediatrician