Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Graduates

Sara Elrefai, M.D.
Graduated in 2009

Sara originates from New York City, where she was born and reared. She has family in Egypt, and enjoyed a three-year sabbatical there during her junior high years, before settling down to her degree of biology at Banard College/Columbia University. Dr. Elrefai obtained her M.D. from Ross University, and came to Med-Peds at Wright State, because she says she was charmed by the strong focus in primary care, as well as the numerous opportunities to sub-specialize. When not saving lives, Dr Elrefai enjoys shopping (as evidenced by her ever stylish and varying wardrobe), as well as being made fun of by Dr. Hudson. Additionally, Sara appreciates sleeping, playing piano and perusing fashion magazines. She plans to pursue a subspecialty in pulmonary-critical care medicine or infectious disease.

Sara is a faculty member at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

Ava Hudson, M.D.
Graduated in 2009

Ava comes to us from Jackson, Mississippi, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in biology at Jackson State University. Following that, Ava decided to give the Midwest a try and attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine.  She entered the Med-Peds program at Wright State in 2005 because of its strong primary care focus, which is also what lured her to this field in the first place. In her spare time, Ava likes to sleep, and actually admits to finding great enjoyment in making fun of her friends (also see "Sara Elrefai" above).  When not ridiculing her friends (or perhaps, concurrent to this) she also experiences joy watching movies, drinking tea and eating as often as possible.  Dr. Hudson's goal following graduation involves returning to the great south as quickly as possible.

Ava is in a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

Ryan Simon, M.D.
Graduated in 2009

Ryan left his hometown of Beavercreek, Ohio, to study biochemistry and astronomy at Ohio State University. After graduation, he sought employment back home in the Miami Valley Hospital Patient Relations Department. Resolved once again to embark on adventure after a year, he decided to pursue education as a medical doctor, and enrolled in American University of the Caribbean, on the island of St. Maarten. There, he resided in Marigot, the capital city on la partie Francaise, for nearly two years. From there, he migrated to Waterford, Ireland, where he lived for a year while completing his clinical studies. He returned to St. Maarten for graduation in spring 2005. Ryan's many interests include travel (South Africa, Swaziland, Eire, England, France, Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, to name a few), literature, history, foreign languages, camping, basketball, swimming, and current events.

Ryan is an inpatient attending at the Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, Ohio

Dwain Woode, M.D.
Chief Resident for 2008-2009
Graduated in 2009

Dwain was raised in Brooklyn and is the second of six children. Dwain initially pursued a course of math and computer science at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, after which he attended graduate school and worked as a teaching assistant. He then worked as a computer programmer and a technical support specialist for a computer company as well teaching computer science at Miles College in Birmingham. He received his M.D. from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, and was drawn to Med-Peds because he says he has always enjoyed working with children but needs his adult fix as well. He enjoyed Wright State's program for the opportunity to work in diverse practice venues as well as the small community of residents. He is married to the lovely Charmaine, who is a pediatrician practicing in the community. In what little free time he has, Dwain enjoys playing racquetball, public speaking and anything to do with science fiction. He also enjoys collecting comics and subsequently watching the dust upon them accumulate as he performs his various tasks as a physician. Dwain plans to pursue a career in endocrinology.

Dwain is in an Endocrinology Fellowship at the University of Alabama

Kathy Cribbs
Graduated in 2008

Kathy is a native of Dayton, Ohio, and has not strayed since birth. She attended Wright State University for her undergraduate degree in biology, as well as her M.D. Kathy entered the Med-Peds Residency Program in 2004, and says she was drawn to this program not just for its location, but also for the variety of clinical experiences it offers. Her favorite pastime is hanging out with her son Nicholas and her husband Mike. She also enjoys playing the flute, hiking, fishing and reading on the beach.

Kathy is a faculty member at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine

Shahan Stutes
Chief Resident
Graduated in 2008

Shahan is from Sugarland, Texas, home of the imperial sugar factory. He decided to stick with the Lone Star State for his undergraduate studies at Baylor University and completed medical school at Texas A&M. There, he met his wife Josephine, who is completing her residency in psychiatry along with Shahan in Dayton. Shahan says he chose WSU because of the med-peds clinic, the free standing children's hospital and his good gut feeling about the people, but we think it's because of the foosball table in the clinic! When he is not practicing medicine, he enjoys flying (remote control) airplanes, taking pictures of his lovely daughter and wife and cooking. Rumor has it that he makes fajitas and margaritas.

Shahan is in an Allergy and Immunology Fellowship at the Ohio State University Medical Center

Carrie Courtney-Shapiro
Chief Resident
Graduated in 2007

A native of New York City, Carrie escaped the hustle and bustle of the northeast by moving to Kentucky for undergraduate studies. With a desire to see more of the country, however, the blue grass couldn't hold her and she spent time living out west in both California and Oregon. The friendly Midwest atmosphere called her back for the intense studies of medical school, and she graduated from the University of Kentucky medical school. Any spare time(!) she finds is spent with family, friends, cooking and watching movies.

Carrie is in an Allergy/Immunology Fellowship at the University of Michigan.

Vanosia Faison
Graduated in 2007

Vanosia was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. She stayed there to earn her bachelor's in biology from Fisk University and a master's in biology from Alabama State University (1998). Medical school took her up north to Wayne State University in Detroit. She was impressed with Wright State's well established and friendly Med-Peds program. The excellent benefits and low cost of living did not hurt either! She likes being with her friends and family. Her hobbies include shopping, ceramics and knitting.

Vanosia is practicing as a hospitalist in the Duke University Hospital System.

Sheeba Mesghali
Graduated in 2007

Sheeba completed undergraduate studies at Indiana University, then worked a year toward a master's in anatomy at Wright State. She then left on a whim for medical school in Mexico, which she absolutely loved. Sheeba met her husband Cesar there and returned to the United States in June 2000 after their wedding in Mexico. Back in the states, they were married again in a double wedding with her sister. She took time off to go to New Jersey in January 2002 to finish her medical education and complete a school requirement called the Fifth Pathway. Returning to her home town of Dayton for residency, she's happy to be close to family and her son, Diego, born in November 2003. Her husband, Cesar, is an architect.

Sheeba is in private practice in Florida.

Dennis Zaide
Graduated in 2007

Dondi completed medical school at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. Before coming to medicine, he was briefly a microbiologist. He discovered that Fusarium sp., a fungi, can degrade human hair. No matter how trivial it sounded, he considered it his major contribution to his beloved field. After becoming myopic, he decided to enter medical school. He suffered, but survived well. After graduation, he moved back to his parents' home in New York in anticipation of becoming a U.S. resident. He enjoys reading suspense novels and collecting imitation Van Goghs.

Dennis is in a group practice in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wendy Soto
Chief Resident
Graduated in 2006

Wendy spent most of her life living in Northern Maine and moved to Dayton because of the Air Force Base here. Before medical school, besides being a mom, Wendy worked as a pharmacy technician in Anchorage, Alaska. Wendy has three beautiful children, Christopher, Samantha, and Aidan, born a couple months after starting her residency. Wendy graduated from Wright State University School of Medicine and stayed on in the Med-Peds program where she kept everyone laughing in clinic with her great sense of humor. In her spare time, Wendy enjoys spending time at home with family and friends.

Wendy is practicing in a Med-Peds Clinic with
Dennis Anthony, M.D., (class of 2004) in Middletown, Ohio.

Harry VanDerwal
Graduated in 2006

Like his classmate, Harry is a graduate of Wright State School of Medicine (2002). He earned a bachelor's in biology from Cedarville University. Harry's wife Echo is busy lady. She works as a physician's assistant and a real estate investor and somehow managed to have triplets in 2001: Luke, Jacob and Zebadiah. Their latest addition is Zion, another boy, in June 2004. Harry chose med-peds because he wanted to provide primary care for all ages, with an emphasis in pediatric care. He enjoys being active in his church, leading music and spending time with his family.

Harry is in a group practice in Idaho.

Mary Tipton
Graduated in 2006

Mary grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, with her four siblings, two parents, one turkey and a fuzzy bunny. She thawed out in Tucson, Arizona, earning a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. After a short stint making Dial Liquid Gold hand soap she went to Salt Lake City, Utah, for medical school. There she met her husband Dave. It was true love after he eagerly requested to watch the video of her paratonsillar abscess drainage. She chose to come to Wright State because "it just felt right." Dave and Mary are thrilled to call Dayton their home and to become the proud parents of Joshua David Tipton, born in April 2004.

Mary is working at a group practice in West Jordan, Utah.

Cathy Farinet
Graduated in 2005

Cathy was originally from Washington Courthouse, Ohio. Although she spent her toddler years in Dayton, she did the majority of her growing up elsewhere. She held no particular aspiration to enter the health care field until she decided to go to medical school. She graduated from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, and completed medical school at the University of Cincinnati.

Cathy is working at a family practice clinic in a suburb of Dayton.

Matthew Liepke
Graduated in 2005

Matt is a graduate of SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, and Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. He is married to Christina, who graduated from the Good Samaritan Hospital Family Practice Residency Program in Dayton in 2004. He is father to two sons, Matthew Jr. and Samuel. He enjoys brewing beer and running in his spare time. Although Matt admitted to missing snow, Christina enjoyed Dayton's shopping areas and the friendly Midwestern hospitality. An Army reservist, Matt was called up for eight months of military duty in 2003.

Matt is working in a Med-Peds Practice in upstate New York.

Eric Schumacher
Graduated in 2005

A native of Dayton, Eric attended Miami University in Oxford receiving a degree in chemistry and Spanish. He spent the next few years in the pharmaceutical industry while also undertaking graduate studies at Wright State University. He then attended Ohio University where he received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) in June 2000. During his medical school career he spent three months attending the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia, undertaking course work in international health and Spanish. Following graduation he completed an internal medicine internship at Doctors Hospital-Ohio Health in Columbus, before coming to Wright State. He enjoys traveling, fine dining, tennis, college football and numerous other outdoor activities.

Eric is a Med-Peds Hospitalist and
faculty member at Ohio State University.

Phil Simon
Chief Resident
Graduated in 2005

Originally from Findlay, Ohio, Phil completed his undergraduate education at Capital University in Columbus. It was there that he met his wife Laura, a chemical engineer (and, as of June 2004 when their first son Daniel was born, a domestic engineer). He attended medical school at Wright State University and liked the program so much that he decided to stay for residency. In their spare time, Phil and Laura enjoy bicycling, gardening, traveling, and spending time with their dog Sydne.

Phil is in a Med-Peds group practice in Columbus.

Andrea Miles
Graduated in 2004

Andrea went to Indiana University for her undergraduate education and completed her medical school training at Ohio State University College of Medicine. In her free time, she likes to read novels, go for long walks, and participate in aerobics.

Andrea is in group practice in Atlanta, Georgia.

Chris Shaw
Graduated in 2004

After graduating with honors from Brigham Young University, Chris attended the University of Arizona College of Medicine, where he was extensively involved in rural medical care and research in pediatric pulmonology, while still having time to explore nearly every ghost town in southern and central Arizona. He and his wife Heidi have two sons, Austin and Ammon. He enjoys doing various woodworking projects.

Chris is in group practice in Washington, near Portland, Oregon.

Dennis Anthony
Chief Resident
Graduated in 2004

Dennis graduated from the University of Dayton and attended medical school at the University of Cincinnati. He could not escape the call of the Gem City though and returned to Dayton for residency joined by his wife Susan and their son Dominic. Dennis enjoys running, sports, and spending time with his family and friends.

Dennis is in private practice in Middletown, Ohio.

Susan Boyd-Lawhorn
Graduated in 2003

Susan is originally from Elkhorn City, Kentucky. She earned a B.S. in biology at the University of Kentucky and received her M.D. from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, running, hiking, tennis and spending time with friends. "The Med/Peds residents at WSU were among the friendliest and closest group of residents I encountered. Their support and positive attitudes made my experience enjoyable."

Susan is in group practice in Virginia

Jeff Gerard
Graduated in 2003

Jeff graduated from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine after earning an undergraduate degree in molecular biology from Penn State. Steeped in science in his undergraduate career, he turned towards medicine because of the "people" factor. Jeff was married in 1995 to a beautiful school teacher. In May 1999, they had a daughter. While not in the hospital, Jeff enjoys family time and playing cards with intermittent exercise. Jeff and his family are committed church goers. They think Dayton is a great place for families.

Jeff is a Med-Peds physician in a small town in Pennsylvania

Janet Velasco
Chief Resident
Graduated in 2003

Janet grew up in Alberta, Canada, and received her undergraduate degree in biology from Canadian Union College. Medical school found her making the trip across the border to Loma Linda University in southern California. Trying to coordinate career plans with her new husband left her with a year to spare between medical school and residency. She used this time to work on a Master of Public Health from Loma Linda University, practice "parenting" on puppies, and soak up some sun in San Diego where she and her husband lived for the year. After completing her Med-Peds residency, she was a fifth year Internal Medicine resident at Miami Valley Hospital. Her hobbies include spending time with her husband, caring for animals, reading, and the outdoors.

Janet is a hospitalist at Children’s Medical Center in Dayton

Harold Guadalupe
Graduated in 2002

Harold hails from down south — Ecuador, South America, that is. However, he spent most of his life in New Jersey, making frequent trips to "The City" and the Jersey Shore. He obtained a degree in biology from Swarthmore College, a quaint little Quaker school right outside of Philadelphia. Giving in to an overactive social conscience, he then taught high school science in inner city Newark and volunteered as a Paramedic. After a few years, he followed his fiancee (now wife), Melissa, to exciting Ohio, where she was completing her Ph.D. After graduating from Wright State School of Medicine, Harold decided to stay in Dayton because, "I LOVE WSU Med/Peds... besides, where else are the benefits so good that it only costs you $15 to a have a kid?" So far, Melissa has been party to $30 worth of children and continues to work part time as a child psychologist. Harold enjoys his time at home with Melissa and "the boys," and is an avid Monday Morning Quarterback for the New York Giants.

Harold is practicing at Select Care,
Emergency Department, Miami Valley Hospital, in Dayton.

Brian Zimmerman
Chief Resident
Graduated in 2002

Brian is originally from Gilbert, Arizona. He did his undergraduate training at Brigham Young University and received a B.S. in zoology. He then went on to receive his M.D. from St. Louis University School of Medicine. Brian is married and has four children. He enjoys basketball, woodworking, camping, computers, and playing the guitar and piano. He is involved in the Boy Scouts organization and is very active in his church. Brian ranked Wright State Med-Peds number one because they consider it "one of the best in the country!"

Brian is practicing at Select Care,
Emergency Department, Miami Valley Hospital, in Dayton.

Abby Bleistein
Graduated 2001

Abby received her bachelor's in neurobiology from the University of California at Berkeley and her M.D. at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. She spent several years volunteering as a counselor for battered women and has a special interest in women's health. During medical school she volunteered as a tutor for underserved children and as an ambassador for the university, speaking to high school students on careers in health care. During residency Abby presented a Clinical Vignette at the SGIM annual conference. She enjoys skiing, rollerblading, camping, and baking.

Abby is in a group practice in Evergreen, Colorado.

Dave A. Bowlin Jr.
Graduated 2001

David is a graduate of both West Virginia University and WVU School of Medicine. Even before college and medical school, David was an active member of the community, involved in the Boy Scouts of America and the Order of the Arrow. Although medicine and family life keep his schedule full, he still finds time to enjoy the outdoors, target shooting, and adding new tunes to his extensive music collection. His wife, daughter, and family are his first priority. "If you make time for yourself and the ones you love, then everything else seems to fall into place."

Alan Norman
Graduated 2001

Alan and his wife Judy came to Dayton from Virginia Beach, Virginia. They attended Eastern Virginia Medical School together, married, and enjoyed their honeymoon during medical work in Ethiopia (except the small bout of malaria). Judy was in an ob/gyn residency program in Cincinnati while Alan completed his residency.

Bob Williams
Chief Resident
Graduated 2001

Bob grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and received his bachelor' in biology and in psychology from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of California-Los Angeles. He received his master's in anatomy at Wright State University and participated in research into electrical stimulation of paralyzed muscles, which helped to allow paraplegics and quadriplegics to walk! He then went on to receive his M.D. from Wright State University School of Medicine and was inducted into AOA his third year of medical school. Bob was quite active as a resident serving as the National Medicine - Pediatrics Residency Association representative for three years and as a member of the Miami Valley Hospital House Staff Council. As a resident, he enjoyed mentoring medical students and conducting research. He also found time to play volleyball, golf, swim and go scuba diving.

Bob is practicing in a Med/Peds group in Wisconsin.