PGY-1 Residents

Aashraya Ramu

About Me:

I did my medical school in India and also did my psychiatry residency at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, India. I did my CL psychiatry fellowship at Mount Sinai. I was really happy to be accepted at Bronxcare for my US psychiatry residency. Outside of work, I am trained in Indian classical music and in the Indian classical dance form, Bharatnatyam. On a typical post call day, you will find me sitting down with an empty canvas, acrylic paints and a paint brush. I am passionate about fashion. I consider my faith, my loving husband and parents, the super-supportive force backing me at all times.

Why I love BronxCare:

Bronxcare is a thriving community hospital in one of the most underserved parts of NYC. Here, you will find a truly global community of psychiatrist-scientists and future leaders who hail from every continent in the world. The number of factors that are taken into consideration while formulating an individualized treatment plan tailored to a patient with a complex psychiatric presentation, comorbid substance use disorder interacting with multiple social deteminants of health, is fascinating. The learning curve is steep but I feel fortunate to have warm and supportive co- residents, seniors and Attendings! This is a program that deeply values family, and the staff here are all bound by common values of compassion and wanting to
give back to the community!! The emphasis is clearly on education of residents through participation in the noble and rewarding task of patient care. I can’t wait to see the exciting learning opportunities that will unfold with each passing year!

About Me:

Hi, I’m Arham. I was born and raised in a small town in Pakistan known for rearing buffaloes for milk and not much else (which is unfortunate for me because I’m lactose intolerant). I fell in love
with psychiatry in medical school and have never second guessed what I’ve wanted to do since. The specifics of my interest currently lie in psycho-oncology, psychiatric disorders in people with cancer, and how we can integrate better mental health care in the routine management of cancer patients. I’m also interested in learning more about parasocial relationships and maladaptive coping behaviors. In my free time, I like to daydream about playing tennis, the drums, video games and reading fiction.

Why I love Bronxcare:

The people. From the moment you start interviewing, you just feel the genuine warmth emanating from everyone. From Dr. Gunturu to Noemi to the chiefs, everyone is extremely welcoming, kind, and supportive. Also, when someone believes in you, recognizes your efforts, and chooses you to be part of something they cherish, it has a huge effect on you. I remember everything about Dr. Gunturu’s phone call when he offered me the position. I remember thinking,
“this place would be perfect for my growth”, and so far it’s been true!

Arham Javaid
Tejasvi Kainth

About Me:

Born and raised in India, I pursued medical education in India and spent my transformative years in Canada as a medical/legal interpreter. Subsequently, I moved to the United States with a singular ambition: to realize my dream of becoming a psychiatrist. Currently serving as a psychiatry resident at BronxCare Health System, my clinical interests encompass neuropsychiatry, consultation liaison, and public psychiatry. Beyond medical pursuits, I enjoy exploring the outdoors and sharing sunsets with loved ones.

Why I love Bronxcare:

BronxCare’s dedication to supporting diverse and marginalized communities aligns with my values and ambitions. The cornerstone of our program lies within its people – genuine camaraderie and invaluable mentorship play an instrumental role in shaping our professional path and nurturing personal development

About Me:

From a tiny island called Bahrain. Fried chicken enthusiast, Boxing/MMA guy, movie buff, video gamer. In my free time I like to browse Netflix and not end up watching anything.

Why I love Bronxcare:

The program has cultivated a culture of comradery (everyone is eager to help) and great leadership.

Daanish Khorasani

Joffre Wong

About Me:

I was born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I am a self-proclaimed Burgers and Sushi Rolls chef and a Manchester United fan.

Why I love Bronxcare:

I began as an observer here and got to firsthand experience the incredible family culture of the program. Being a non-US IMG, starting a new chapter in life can be challenging, but the incredible support from the senior residents and faculty members at BronxCare has been truly amazing.

About Me:

I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, where I attended Medical school. I also lived for a while in Florida before moving to New York for my Residency Training. I love sunny days at the beach and motorcycle sports and also enjoy Standup Comedy.

Why I love Bronxcare:

Bronxcare was my first interview of the season. I knew right then and there that this was the perfect program for me. As I moved along through the rest of the season, I couldn’t find that feeling elsewhere. Now that I am here I can say, I made the right choice.

Julia Lopez
Omar Alzein

About Me:

I am Syrian-American, born and raised in Chicago. I enjoy trying new foods, exploring the city, and playing with my cat ‘Benzo’.

Why I love Bronxcare:

When rotating in the department as a medical student, I saw the collegiate environment, and people who were genuinely invested in patient care. There is an emphasis on sharpening your skills as a clinician, and many resources available to help you do so.

About Me:

Born and raised in Puerto Rico. I obtained my MD and MSc in Biomedical Research from St. George’s University School of Medicine. My professional interests include increasing mental health awareness, reducing behavioral health disparities, and psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapies. Outside of medicine, I enjoy traveling, storytelling through photography, hosting board game parties, binge-watching Netflix, and taking naps with my two cats.

Why I love Bronxcare:

Being part of a program that serves some of New York City’s most vulnerable and underserved populations is simultaneously rewarding and challenging. The disparities in access to and utilization of mental health services across ethno-racial lines motivated me to pursue psychiatry. In light of this, BronxCare’s Psychiatry Residency Program provides residents with training in multidisciplinary communication, psychoeducation, collaborative work, and advocacy, as well as skills for addressing the communication gap between primary care providers, community
members, and psychiatrists in order to promote social justice and equity in practice.

Zerimar Ramirez Lopez