PGY4
Erica Brasley
- Year in ProgramPRG4
- Medical SchoolTufts University Maine Medical Center
Allie Nelson
- Year in ProgramPRG4
- Medical SchoolUniversity of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Bernadeth Piamonte
- Year in ProgramPRG4
- Medical SchoolUniversity of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine
Rachael Schaefer
- Year in ProgramPRG4
- HometownVisalia, CA
- Medical SchoolLECOM
- Interests / HobbiesReading, hiking, paddle boarding
- Favorite ActivityGetting outside and exploring
- Favorite Place in MaineCamden Hills State Park
PGY3
Rebecca Cusack
- Year in ProgramPRG3
- HometownUnited Kingdom
- UndergraduateUniversity of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern
Ireland - Medical SchoolInternational University of the Health Sciences, Norwich, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern
Ireland
- Interests / HobbiesPara triathlon and distance running. I have run several marathons and have my eyes set on an Ultra Marathon!
Traveling to remote locations.
Volunteering. I hold several awards nationally in the UK for unique activities
Brandon Wolfe
- Year in ProgramPRG3
- HometownGranger, IN
- UndergraduateSalem State University
- Medical SchoolLMU-DCOM
- Interests / HobbiesSports (specifically hockey), food, going to the beach, hanging with my dog (Oliver), and board games
- Favorite restaurant in PortlandThere are too many good ones too choose, and it depends what you are in the mood for. But I can never say no to a lobster roll from Luke's Lobster
- Favorite ActivityTrying new restaurants/breweries
- Medical InterestsToo early to tell, still so much to learn! But as of now am most interested in Vascular Neurology
- What did you do before Medical SchoolI spent 3 years playing junior hockey before attending undergraduate university. It allowed me to travel all over, most notably living in Ontario where I saw a polar bear up close and personal!
- Why Maine Medical Center?The environment and location. When I asked anyone about Maine Med, first thing they said was community. So far, I cannot deny it. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming, while also creating a great environment for learning and development. Location for me was also important, I wanted to be closer to family and in a place that experienced all four seasons, but especially winter as I grew up playing hockey on outdoor rinks
- If I wasn't a doctor I would be aTeacher or dog trainer
PGY2
PGY1
Velina Chavarro
- Year in ProgramPRG1
- HometownBoston, MA
- UndergraduateHarvard University
- Medical SchoolUniversity of Queensland
- Interests/hobbiesHiking, long-distance running, reading, environment advocacy, public health literacy
- Why MaineHealth Maine Medical Center?My personal and professional goals aligned perfectly with the team at MaineHealth, the faculty were extremely supportive of their residents, and the program possessed the breadth of clinical and research experiences I sought. Portland's vibrant small-town feel, exceptional seafood and farm-to-table restaurants, and proximity to the largest undeveloped forested area in the US (read fresh food, clean air) made MaineHealth my top choice.
- Celebrity I most resembleWinona Ryder
- Personal quote (100 words or less)If you are more fortunate than others, build a longer table, not a taller fence.
- If I wasn't a doctor, I would be a...forensic psychologist.
- Medical interestsneurotechnology research, clinical trials, BCI
- Favorite weekend destinationWhite mountains Highland center
- Favorite place in MaineSebago lake
- Favorite Maine activityTrail hiking
- Favorite restaurant in PortlandAny fresh lobster restaurant
- What did you do before medical school?I worked in clinical research for ~10 years and had the opportunity to travel the world.
- Personal goalsI would like to explore the remote hiking trails in Maine, and to contribute to our rural community.
Carly Forest
- Year in ProgramPRG1
- HometownBoulder, CO
- UndergraduateColorado State University
- Medical SchoolUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine
- Interests/hobbiesHiking, camping, cooking, baking, and hanging out with my pets!
- Why MaineHealth Maine Medical Center?I chose MMC for its excellent medical education, its incredible people, and its commitment to community service. I have always had a passion for community involvement and service. During my interviews, I saw my values reflected in MMC.
- If I wasn't a doctor, I would be a...paleontologist or wildlife biologist
- Medical interestsCognitive/Behavioral Neurology, Neurophysiology, and Movement
- Favorite Maine activityHiking
Grace Mockaitis
- Year in ProgramPRG1
- HometownBend, Oregon
- UndergraduateLewis & Clark College
- Medical SchoolFrank H Netter School of Medicine Quinnipiac University
- Interests/hobbiesPaddleboarding, hiking, camping, attempting to keep an indoor garden alive
- Why MaineHealth Maine Medical Center?My partner and I fell in love with Maine during weekend trips while I was in medical school in Connecticut. Portland's outdoor recreation and food scene were big draws for us, but it was really the people that were the biggest factor. Every person I interacted with during my interview day was so friendly and welcoming I knew Maine would be an excellent fit.
- If I wasn't a doctor, I would be a...Elementary school teacher
- Medical interestsGeneral neurology
- What did you do before medical school?Medical scribe by day, nanny by night
Donovan Russo-Mingle
- Year in ProgramPRG1
- HometownTampa, Florida
- UndergraduateUniversity of South Florida
- Medical SchoolNova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM)
- Interests/hobbiesAnimal Rescue, Gaming, Reading, Gardening, Grilling, Surfing, Skating, Bird Watching, Hiking, Camping
- Why MaineHealth Maine Medical Center?During my interview, it was clear that MaineHealth Maine Medical Center fosters a tight-knit and supportive community for their residents, and everyone truly cares about your career as a physician as well as your personal life. Portland Maine is the best of both worlds when it comes to a city, small enough to have a smalltown vibe, while also having access to an abundance of restaurants, stores, and culture. Lastly, Maine is a gorgeous state that experiences all 4 seasons, and gives me the opportunity to indulge my passion for nature via close proximity to the mountains, ocean, and lakes.
- Personal quote (100 words or less)“Our ultimate goal, after all, is not a good death but a good life to the very end.” - Atul Gawande
- If I wasn't a doctor, I would be a...Marine Biologist or Veterinarian
- Medical interestsNeurology (duh), Myasthenia Gravis, Neuroimmunology, Dysautonomias
- Favorite weekend destinationThe Mountains!
- What did you do before medical school?Before medical school and during my undergrad at USF, I worked as a Pharmacy Technician, gaining exposure to lots of commonly prescribed outpatient medications as well as the innerworkings of insurance and our healthcare system. When I wasn't studying or working, I volunteered for an animal rescue, fostering cats/kittens and helping them get adopted!
- Personal goalsMy goal is to be a kind and hard-working physician so that every patient is confident that they are in the best hands possible. After graduation, I hope to be able to support my dream of starting an animal rescue with my partner.