Residents
Leia Edenfield, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown: Savannah, GA
Undergraduate: University of Georgia
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Interests / Hobbies: Spending time with my husband and dog, Daisy, cooking, going to the beach/lake, traveling whenever possible, trying new restaurants and breweries
Favorite place in Maine: Allagash brewery
Medical interests: Vascular surgery
Favorite weekend destination: Peaks Island
Favorite Maine activity: Visiting new towns
What did you do before school: Worked in my university library and as a lab assistant in a marine biology lab
Personal goals: Keeping my marriage awesome, spending as much time as possible keeping up with my family and friends, working to be a better Christian
Why Maine Medical Center: Maine Med stuck out on my interview day as a place where the attendings were approachable and invested in the residents. There was also a lot of emphasis on early operative experience, which I wanted, and it has definitely proven true!
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a... Chef.
Favorite restaurant in Portland: Central Provisions
Truc Ta, M.D.
PGY 2
Hometown: San Diego
Undergraduate: UCLA
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Interests / Hobbies: lifting weights, hiking, taking pictures, fast cars, art
Favorite places in Maine: Planet Fitness and World Gym
Medical interests: Vascular Surgery
Favorite weekend destination: Boston or NYC
Favorite Maine activity: exploring nature and going on long hikes
What did you do before medical school: EMS
Personal goals: Spend more time with family, read every night, maintain semi-active lifestyle, eat healthy, stay natural
Craziest / Best / Worst Job: Residency
Why Maine Medical Center: I remember the first time I talk to my program director and vascular attendings like it was yesterday. It was love at first sight. For the first time I realized life has a purpose and felt a sense of belonging. Everyone was kind, respectful, and courteous. I was truly honored to have the opportunity to talk to such amazingly talented individuals.
Celebrity I most resemble: Lee Byung-hun
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a... fire fighter, swat police officer, navy seal
Favorite restaurant in Portland: too many
Michael Bianco
PGY 1
Hometown: Hollis, New Hampshire
Undergraduate: Hamilton College
Medical School: Temple University School of Medicine
Interests / Hobbies: Skiing, running, beach days, watching movies and any episode of The Big Bang Theory, following the Boston Celtics, and going to concerts
Favorite places in Maine: Ogunquit Beach
Medical interests: Minimally invasive carotid interventions, endovascular and open aortic aneurysm repair, endoleak prevention and treatment, peripheral vascular disease, creation and care of AV fistulas, management of aortic dissection
Favorite weekend destination: Boston or NYC
Favorite Maine activity: Skiing
Why Maine Medical Center: Wonderful faculty and residents; A long history of excellent surgical training; The warm, friendly atmosphere found inside and outside the hospital; Great location in a fun city with plenty of outdoor activities and terrific food
Celebrity I most resemble: Andrew Luck (especially with a beard)
Farooq Usmani
PGY 2
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Undergraduate: Fordham University, New York, NY; University of Cambridge, UK
Medical School: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Interests / Hobbies: Board Games, Boxing, Running, Cycling, Music
Medical interests: Vascular Surgery, endovascular interventions, new surgical technology
Favorite weekend destination: New York, NY
What did you do before medical school: Management Consulting for the pharmaceutical industry
Personal goals: Expand my professional network within and outside of medicine, Develop meaningful relationships with co-residents, faculty, and patients, Add to my collection of half marathon medals during residency
Craziest / Best / Worst Job: Management Consulting—learnt an incredible amount about all the stakeholders in the health care industry
Why Maine Medical Center: Focus on resident growth, a faculty that is invested in educating exceptional surgeons and physicians, and a supportive group of residents
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a... an engineer
Personal quote: Do something today that your future self will thank you for.
Aarathi Minisandram
PGY 1
Hometown: San Jose, California
Undergraduate: California Institute of Technology
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Favorite places in Maine: Back Cove, Eastern Promenade, and Coffee by Design (couldn't choose just one)
Medical interests: Carotid surgery, PVD, aortic surgery, medical devices, medical education
Favorite Maine Activity: Running by the water
What did you do before medical school: Teach for America and worked in Biotech.
Why Maine Medical Center: The people. Every single person I interacted with during my rotation was not only incredibly talented but also extremely welcoming and interested in teaching. The training is well-rounded and the case load is unparalleled. Portland is also a fantastic city with tons to do.
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a... an engineer