Past Residents
Class of 2020
Sameh Askandar, MBBCH
Hometown:
Undergraduate degree: M.B.B.Ch,(Medicine and Surgery), Ain Shams University, 2009
Medical degree: M.B.B.Ch,(Medicine and Surgery), Ain Shams University, 2009
Master's Degree: General Surgery
Residency: Intergrated Plastic Surgery Residency, Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt, 2014
Internship: Ain Shams University Hosiptal, Cairo, Egypt, 2010
Personal interests outside of the residency program:
Spending time with my family, biking and enjoying outdoor activities.
Class of 2020
Atinuke Osinusi, MD
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Belmont University 2011
Medical degree: Doctor of Medicine degree, Meharry Medical College, 2016
Personal interests outside of the residency program:
Reading, eating, working out, spending time with friends and family
Class of 2020
Marisha Sirdar, MD (Designated Resident Wellness Official)
Hometown: Spent most of my childhood years in Jamaica.
Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Science, University of South Florida, 2011
Medical degree: Doctor of Medicine degree, Ross University School of Medicine, Dominica, 2017
About Marisha: I completed my bachelor’s degree at the University of South Florida and medical school at Ross University in Dominica. During medical school, I, along with my colleagues, formed a non-profit organization, Talking4Health. Our goal is to provide health services and education within our local communities, as well as internationally.
I chose the Baptist Family Medicine Residency Program because it is one of the largest hospital systems in the Mid-South. It is a program partnered with Church Health, whose focus is on the body, mind and spirit. They are not only kind and compassionate toward patients and their families, but also to the staff.
What is your day like? Any challenges?What's rewarding about your day?
Some challenges that arise are having complex cases and being able to find solutions for them with a great team to facilitate my education.
What's your favorite thing about Memphis?
The food. There are so many different restaurants located all over Memphis to dine and try new things!
Why did you choose your career? Was there someone or something in your life that helped you choose your path?
I was greatly influenced by my family and growing up in an impoverished country. Having the experiences that I had as a young person encouraged me to want to care for people and ensure that they have the means and resources to live a healthy life. With family medicine here at Baptist and Church Health, I am able to do that.
Why would you recommend Baptist to a prospective applicant?
The family medicine program here is well rounded, gives a good work-life balance, and the program itself feels like a family.
Class of 2020
Kent Starkweather, MD (Chief Resident)
Hometown: Cookeville, TN
Undergraduate degree: Centre College, BS Economics, 2006
Medical degree: M.D. ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, 2017
Why did you choose Baptist?
Baptist has one of the largest hospital networks in the United States, and is continuing to expand in a market that has seen a lot of downsizing in the past few years. The hospital has a great history in the Memphis
community and a great reputation.
What's your favorite thing about Memphis?
I have really enjoyed getting to know the community of Memphis. From the people to the culture, it has been very welcoming to me and my wife.
What is your day like?
Days vary based on rotations. The faculty are very friendly and provide a great learning environment for interns and residents.
Why did you choose your career? Was there someone or something in your life that helped you choose your path?
My passion is helping the indigent communities both here in the U.S. and abroad. Medicine has helped open the door to many communities that I would have otherwise had a difficult time entering.
Class of 2019
Leslie Chanasue, MD (Chief Resident)
Hometown: Saint Louis, MO
Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Arts Degree, Biology; University of California-Santa Cruz
Medical degree: Ross University School of Medicine, Portsmouth, Dominica
Research: Saint Louis University School of Medicine; Saint Louis, MO; 2008
Why did you choose Baptist?
I chose Baptist for the location, the size of the hospital, and the Church Health mission.
What is your day like? Any challenges? What's rewarding about your day?
There is a southern hospitality feel that just has to be experienced to understand. The population here cares about their city, wants to make it better, and you can see it in the night life, community centers, restaurants, parks, etc. There is plenty to do, see, and it is all very affordable and easy to get around.
What's your favorite thing about Memphis?
There is a southern hospitality feel that just hast to be experienced to understand. The population here care about their city, want to make it better, and you can see it in the night life, community centers, restaurants, parks, etc. There is plenty to do and see, it is all very affordable and easy to get around.
What made you decide on your career? Was there someone or something in your life that helped you choose your path?
My parents are both in health care, so they were inspirational. But I also discovered that I enjoy the interaction with patients and that I gain a lot of personal satisfaction from my patient relationships.
Why would you recommend Baptist to a perspective applicant?
Baptist is just getting started with its family medicine residency and that creates a unique learning environment (both in the hospital and at clinic). All the members are very engaged, looking for new input and ideas, and are very committed to making sure we get the best training possible.
Class of 2019
Joseph Freeman, MD
Hometown: Covington, TN
Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Science, Biology; University of Memphis; Memphis, TN
Medical degree: Doctorate of Medicine; UTHSC College of Medicine; Memphis, TN
About Joseph: I grew up in a small town close to Memphis and decided to stay close to home for college at the University of Memphis. After graduating college I worked at the Church Health as a scribe before getting into UT College of Medicine. Working at Church Health really proved to me that I was on the right path and was doing what I was destined to do.
Why did you choose Baptist? Before medical school, I worked at Church Health as a scribe so I knew about all the wonderful things that go on there. So when it came time to start interviewing for residency positions, I knew they would be high on my list. Their recent affiliation with Baptist only strengthened my desire to be a part of their organization. Being from a small town outside of Memphis, many of my family members come to Baptist when they are in need. I have personally witnessed the amazing impact Baptist can have on patients and I am honored to be a part of the Baptist/Church Health team.
What is your day like? Any challenges? What's rewarding about your day?
Currently, I am on my OB rotation so there is a lot of non-exciting down time followed by periods of pandemonium. The hours can be tough to being away from family and friends but it is very rewarding to be there for a family on one of the most memorable days of their life.
What's your favorite thing about Memphis?
The people. I feel like for the most part, the citizens of Memphis are great people who really just want to see the city improve and will go the extra mile to make it happen.
Why did you choose your career? Was there someone or something in your life that helped you choose your path?
My mother and father are both in the medical field as a nurse and paramedic. From very early on in life I would listen in at dinner on conversations about their day and the things they had seen. They would always light up talking about what they had experienced that day. I practically grew up in the ambulance bay and the hospital break room around people who were making a difference and had enthusiasm and I knew this is what I was destined to do.
Why would you recommend Baptist to a prospective applicant?
If you want a typical residency experience where you will do what every other resident has done for 50 years, this might not be the residency for you. But, if you want to be a part of something new and actually have a say in the direction of the residency, then we may be perfect for you. I have a feeling we are creating something very special here.
Class of 2019
Louis Gamble, MD
Hometown: Germantown, TN
Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Science, Biology; University of Memphis; Memphis, TN; 2006
Master's degree: Master of Science, Pharmacology; University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Memphis, TN; 2010
Medical degree: Doctor of Medicine; University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Memphis, TN; 2015
Residency: Preliminary Resident, Surgery; Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee; Memphis, TN
About Louis:
I grew up in Germantown and moved to Memphis in 2001. It was at that time that I began to realize that my perceptions of the city that I claimed as my own were mistaken ones. I learned how blessed I was to have grown up in the community that I did with the support of family and friends that I had. My desires changed from personal accomplishment to wishing to contribute to helping others have the same opportunities as me, regardless of their zip code. After teaching high school science for a few years, I was challenged by a friend to pursue a career in medicine. I accepted the challenge and have ended up where I am now. It is a privilege to be a part of the Baptist family and the Church Health. It is my wish to find a way to further work with these entities following graduation from this residency program.
Why did you choose Baptist?
I chose Baptist because of its commitment to serving patients.
What's your favorite thing about Memphis?
My favorite thing about Memphis is that there is still plenty of work to be done. There are still plenty of people without access to common healthcare. There are still people that do not know how to manage their diabetes, or how to prevent heart disease. Some of this stems from the history of Memphis. Some from our failures as providers to reach the patients that need help the most. I love Memphis because of the people, the history, and the food.
Why did you choose your career? Was there someone or something in your life that helped you choose your path?
Choosing family medicine as a career was easy. It was the only thing that truly excited me. Having variety is a true blessing.
Why would you recommend Baptist to a perspective applicant?
I would recommend Baptist to future applicants because they take care of you. They feed you, which as a resident is an important factor. The extensive hospital system that is Baptist ensures that you will benefit from the variety of clinical hospital opportunities that are available. Additionally, their benefit package is competitive.
Class of 2019
Abdulhalim Khan, MBBS
Hometown: Nigeria
Undergraduate degree: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery; Ahmadu Bello University; Zaria, Nigeria; 2006
Master's degree: Master of Health Administration, University of Memphis; Memphis, TN; 2013, Master of International Affairs and Diplomacy; Ahmadu Bello University; Zaria, Nigeria; 2008
Medical degree: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery; Ahmadu Bello University; Zaria, Nigeria; 2006
About Abdulhalim:
I was raised in Nigeria but I’m originally from Bangladesh. I graduated from medical school in Nigeria and went into family medicine residency in AKTH, Nigeria. When I became a senior resident (3rd year), I came to the University of Memphis to pursue a Masters of Health Administration in hopes of growing into a health care leadership role. I got married while in school and moved to California after graduation. I worked as a Process Improvement (Lean) manager at San Mateo County Hospital but I felt incomplete without clinical medicine so I enrolled into the Baptist Residency Program.
Why did you choose Baptist? :
I chose the Baptist Family Medicine Residency Program because I was excited to learn from the largest health system in the region; and at the same time Church Health being a major part of the training program. I have had prior experiences with both systems and could not imagine a better partnership for family medicine. I wanted to get great hospital experience from the Baptist system, which is a state-of-the-art hospital, and an integrated outpatient system serving the underserved (Church Health). In all my experiences, I was particularly drawn to the kindness and passionate care towards patients and staff.
In addition, I am very excited to be part of a brand new program, which has the advantage of our designing a curriculum that would prepare me to be a competent family physician in the context of current health care reform and transformations.
What's your favorite thing about Memphis?
People in Memphis are so nice and helpful. I have lived here before, lived in the Bay Area and back. I love Memphis for their heart. Memphis is also unique for so many parks and activities. The city has so many perks and living here is really affordable.
Why medicine as a career?
I was particularly moved by an essay my dad helped me write entitled, “Why I want to be a doctor.” When I read it, I began to feel like my future made sense to me: Helping others feel better and helping humanity in my own small way.
Why would you recommend Baptist to a prospective applicant?
A perfect place for residency, life balance, family and personal growth.