Nnemdi Baird, D.O.
Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

I was born in Brooklyn, New York but raised in the suburbs of Queens, New York. My family background is of Caribbean decent (Guyana, South America). I completed my undergraduate years at Syracuse University (GO Orangemen!) and earned my bachelors degree of science in Biochemistry. It was within these years my interest and passion for medicine grew (ultimately decided my sophomore year of college spending the summer at Duke University Biomedical Education Program in Durham, NC) which then led me to pursue my medical degree in 2005. I went on to medical school in Blacksburg, Virginia (Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (the campus of Virginia Tech)) and spent my clinical years on the family medicine track at UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine in New Jersey. I knew I wanted to pursue a primary care specialty and in my third year ultimately decided on Family Medicine. Although, I had an interest in birth, pregnancy and motherhood I undeniably found a passion for working with children, young, and older adults. I realized the beauty of being uniquely prepared and trained to take care of patients of all ages and genders. In 2007, I was first introduced to the compassionate and family-oriented faculty and residents of Albany’s residency at the American Academy of Family Physicians Conference and from then the rest is history. I enjoy spending my free time with family and friends traveling, participating in indoor and outdoor activities, eating at authentic restaurants, and relaxing in the comfort of my home. Now back in the Upstate New York area, Capital District, I am very excited and blessed for this new beginning and look forward to pursuing my interest in women’s health and international medicine.

Upon graduation, Dr. Baird will become a faculty member at our Family Medicine residency program.

Rajni Bhardwaj, D.O.
New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine

I am originally from Binghamton, NY and am very excited to be closer to my family again! Coming back to Albany is a full circle journey for me…

I recently told my Dad I was moving back to Albany and he said, “We used to live there, don’t you remember?” I was totally puzzled, I was born in Queens and then we moved to Binghamton…where was Albany in all this!? Then he said, “That’s where we were when your mother was pregnant with you!” …. “Sure dad…I TOTALLY remember that…”

I am looking forward to spending time with my family on a more regular basis than I’ve been able to in the last nine years. I just completed my internship at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. I have grown so much from that wonderful experience and will carry the friends I made there in my heart forever.

Prior to this I attended medical school at UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine. In medical school I found I really loved most of my rotations and wanted to treat the whole person … from birth to death. A rotation in India showed me the versatility of being a family doctor and this is what appealed to me. I am interested in women’s health, integrative medicine, osteopathic medicine, mind-body medicine, preventative medicine, spirituality in medicine, and international medicine.

Outside of medicine I love to try new recipes, knit, hike, hang out with good friends, do yoga and meditate, travel, sing, eat, and of course SLEEP! (Hey man this is residency after all!)

Here’s to embarking on a new journey…one moment at a time!

Upon graduation Dr. Bhardwaj is entering a fellowship in OMM in New York City.

David Colman, M.D.
Sackler School of Medicine

I was born and raised in Albany, right down the street from Albany Med, and I am now very excited to be coming back. After graduating from Albany High School, I left for Boston to attend Tufts University. During college and the year afterward I had the opportunity to study, travel and work in Asia and the Middle East. Later, I moved to New York where I did medical research and completed a Post-Bac program. For medical school, my wife Jennifer and I went off to Tel Aviv, Israel, where we spent four wonderful years studying, traveling, and enjoying the Mediterranean lifestyle. Our son Joseph was born in Albany at the beginning of my third year of medical school, and he took his first trans-Atlantic flight at the age of 5 weeks. I consider myself very lucky to have been trained in a medical system that was rooted in American scientific practices and Middle Eastern cultural practices. Having spent a very exciting time abroad, my family and I are ecstatic to be returning to Albany now for residency. I love learning languages, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with my family.

Upon graduation, Dr. Colman will join as a faculty member at our Family Medicine residency program.

KrisEmily McCrory, M.D.
Albany Medical College

I grew up north of Boston in an itsy-bitsy town just south of the New Hampshire border. I attended Simmons College in Boston where I earned a BA in Psych and an MA in English before going to Brandeis University for Post bac pre med coursework. During this time I had two daughters, Emily and Olivia, who light up my life. I went to med school at Albany Med and had so much fun with the Family Med residents and faculty that I decided to stay here after graduation. Outside of medicine I spend time with my girls, read, quilt, hike, and tend my menagerie of birds, fish and a cat. I love to listen to all kinds of music and go to concerts. Looking forward to a year of new experiences and new friends.

Upon graduation, Dr. McCrory will join as a faculty member at our Family Medicine residency program.

Gattu "Pani" Rao, M.D.
American University of Antigua

Having been to so many places in the last 8 years, Albany has always been home for me. Born and raised in Albany, I always knew I had somewhere to return to after all my traveling. I completed my undergraduate degree in bio-psychology with a concentration in neuroscience at Simmons College, an all female college in Boston, MA. Before I knew it, four years passed and I still had a quench for knowledge. From a young age I always had a keen interest in medicine and after all my experiences I confirmed my true calling. I left to the beautiful island of Antigua to start my career in medicine at American University of Antigua. My adventures didn't quite end after leaving Antigua; they took me to Miami, Atlanta and last but not least, Chicago. I was fortunate to live in so many cities and build phenomenal friendships, but I always felt like something was not quite there. Honestly, there is no place like home, and this brings me to my final destination, Albany, NY! When the First-Aid is not in sight, and the weather is beautiful, I love to hit the tennis courts, not to say that snow will stop me! Playing since the age of six, I figure there is no point in quitting now! I also enjoy reading books particularly by Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell, watching movies, participating in HIV/AIDS awareness and of course, spending time with all my friends and family, especially my adorable niece and nephew. I am ecstatic to be joining Family Medicine group at Albany Medical Center and look forward to the days to come.

Upon graduation, Dr. Rao will be working at a VA hospital in Maryland.

Sokpheary Srorn, M.D.
Ross University, Dominica

My family is Cambodian; however, I was born in Thailand during the war. I moved to the US when I was less than 1 years old and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. I attended the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) and obtained degrees in both mathematics and neurobiology/physiology. During one break from school, I had the opportunity to volunteer in Thailand for one month. There, I taught English to elementary school students and also had the opportunity to shadow a physician at a local hospital. This experience sparked my interest in pursuing a career in primary care medicine. After graduating college, I worked as an office manager for a surgeon while I was continuing my post baccalaureate education at UMCP. In 2005, I began medical school at Ross University in Dominica. My experiences in medical school have been both exciting and challenging and have taught me to be more assertive and independent. During my spare time, I enjoy traveling, scuba diving, oil painting and spending time with my family and friends. I am very excited to embark on a new chapter in my life at the AMC family residency program. I look forward to making new friends and working with such a supportive faculty. Following residency, I am considering pursuing a fellowship in women's health.

Upon graduation, Dr. Srorn is returning to work in Maryland.

Alice Besong, M.D.
Ross University, Dominica

""The journey of a thousand miles begins by taking the initial step."

I was born in Yaounde, a town in Cameroon, West Africa. There I attended Saker-Baptist College, an all-girls mission school, which played a vital role in my life because it laid a solid educational foundation. At the age of 17, I moved to Orlando, Florida and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Cardiopulmonary Science from the University of Central Florida. After graduation, I worked in a few hospitals in the Orlando area and then went on to earn my medical degree at Ross University School of Medicine. My experience at Ross University was very rewarding and I feel privileged to have lived on the Island of Dominica. My hobbies are dancing, walking, laughing and reading fiction. 

As I start this new phase of my life, I am very grateful to all those who took the initial steps which have led me to where I am today. I look forward to joining the warm and supportive people in Family Medicine at Albany Med.

Upon graduation Dr. Besong will working locally at a Community Health Care Center.

Rachelle Brilliant, D.O.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

When meeting for the first time, people usually ask, "Where are you from?" The answer is not as simple as it appears. Should I start with where I call home now. My parents live in Niskayuna, NY (when away from the Capital District I say Albany) but they moved there two days before my freshman year of college at Binghamton University. My father was in the Air Force and I went to high school and spent the most years in Dayton, OH, but I was born in Colorado Springs, CO, and we also lived in Albuquerque, NM, and Nashua, NH. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine is in Erie, PA but my third and fourth years were spent in over five different cities in MI, PA, and NY at more that ten different hospitals. It's a good thing I love traveling, because I've done a lot of it.

When not studying I enjoy skiing, theater, crocheting, calligraphy, pottery, and biking. I'm looking forward to joining the Albany Medical College Family Medicine Department and settling down and having my own apartment again.

Since completing residency training, Dr. Brilliant works locally at a Community Care Physician’s Family Medicine Center.

Sheryl Brown, M.D.
Ross University, Dominica

At the age of five my family and I migrated from Jamaica to the USA. I was raised in a suburb of Queens, New York. Growing up in a family where both of your parents are Registered Nurses fostered this passion of medicine that has grown within me. During high school I participated in creative arts including acting, painting and writing. As I furthered my education at SUNY College at Buffalo I began to foster my interest in medicine more intensely. I later decided to participate in student exchange program in Manchester Metropolitan University in Manchester, England where I met wonderful people traveled and indulged in the culture. Upon graduating from undergrad my family and I moved to Georgia. Shortly after the move I went to Ross University medical school on the island of Dominica. Coming from a Caribbean background this was not a very difficult transition and I enjoyed my time in Dominica. During my rotations in New York I resided in Queens NY for the duration of my medical school training. As this chapter of my life unfolds, I am excited to know that Albany Medical Center is the Hospital where I completed my residency training. I feel extremely fortunate to have trained and learned from this amazing group of residents and attendings. I look forward to the road ahead and appreciate all of the opportunities that have taken me thus far.

Since completing residency training, Dr. Brown is working locally at a Community Health Care Center.

Erica Fish, D.O.
New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

I was born in Iowa and moved around quite a bit as a child. I grew up mostly in Watertown, New York. I went off to college at Umass Amherst and loved every minute of it. I went straight into med school at UNE and here I am in Albany. 

I am definitely an outgoing person and I love meeting new people. I enjoy doing anything outside especially being at the beach or near the water. I love traveling and experiencing new things. I hold my family and friends close and jump at any chance to get together and have a good time. Last of all I love to laugh!

Since completing residency training, Dr. Fish works locally as a hospitalist.

Awais Malik, M.D.
Ross University, Dominica

Medicine has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. I was always curious about why people become ill, causing life’s processes to go awry. I started taking science classes in high school to learn about some of the fundamentals of these processes and found them incredibly intriguing. Both in order to further satisfy my curiosity and to enhance my knowledge, I decided to go into medicine. I began my pursuit of a career in medicine at the University of Connecticut where I graduated with honors in Molecular and Cell Biology. After graduating from UCONN, I began medical school at Ross University on the Island of Dominica.  It was a challenging but amazing experience all at once being able to learn the art of medicine in such a unique setting.   When I am not preoccupied with my studies, I love traveling, snorkeling, reading about current events, and most of all spending time with my friends and family.

Upon graduation Dr. Malik is returning to Connecticut to work at a private Family Medicine Center.

Malalai Nasiri, M.D.
Ross University, Dominica

I spent most of my childhood in Afghanistan. I have also lived in Buffalo, New York and the Bay Area, California. I attended the University of California at Davis, earning a Bachelor of Sciences in Biology. I received my Medical Degree from Ross University.
My interest in Medicine began early in life, and it was then that I realized the difference trained healthcare professionals can make in peoples' lives. Family Medicine best suits me because it is the primary care specialty that cares for children and adults as members of a whole family unit. I am fluent in Pashto, Farsi and have a moderate understanding of Hindi and Spanish. I have two brothers and two sisters who are also pursuing Medicine. I don't get a chance to see them often so it is always a treat to spend time with them.  My hobbies include jogging, cooking, gardening and watching Hindi movies. Since completing residency training,  Dr. Nasiri returned to California to work at a private Family Medicine Center.

Adam Stallmer, M.D.
SUNY Upstate Medical College @ Syracuse

Until the near-end of my teen years, I lived just across the Hudson River from Albany in the city of Troy. After high school, I enlisted in the Marine Corps where over a period of six years I was afforded the opportunity to travel extensively, especially throughout the Western Pacific and Middle East. I then returned home to continue my education, leading to a B.S in biology from RPI. During this time I also was very active in my church and there met the woman who is now my wife, Joy. From there we were led to Syracuse, NY where I attended SUNY Upstate Medical University. At the beginning of my third year we were thrilled to introduce to the world our first-born, Kara Marie, who since her birth to now, continues to be the sweetest little girl. For my last year of med school we moved about 45 minutes north of Albany to Glens Falls, NY where I participated in Upstate's Rural Medical Education program. This move brought me in touch with the residents and faculty of the Albany Family Medicine program. I found the program and people to be great, outstanding, second-to-none, etc. I knew after spending elective time there that I certainly wanted to become part of the team of bright and caring people.  I try to stay involved in the church and in my rare free time enjoy tinkering on the piano/guitar, running, cycling, swimming and just about any contact sport. After a recent medical mission trip to Guatemala, I have a renewed interest in international medicine and hope to become more involved with medical mission work in the future.

For now, however, I'm looking forward to caring for the people of the capital district and continuing my education here in Albany!!  Since graduation, Dr. Stallmer is working locally as a hospitalist.

Jonathan Teubl, M.D.
SUNY Upstate Medical College @ Syracuse

Originally from rural Red Hook, NY in the Hudson Valley, I developed a strong interest in physics and calculus while being home schooled in high school; this focus directed me to obtain a two-year degree in Engineering Sciences and consider bioengineering or chemical engineering. I completed a degree in Biophysics/Biochemistry at RPI in 2004, thought about pharmaceutical research, but was led to enroll at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. My fourth year of medical school was in the rural community of Montour Falls. During that year I did family medicine one-on-one with Dr. Winkler, a family practitioner. (I also ate a lot of his wife’s cooking, and built the Cabin-in-the-Woods with his family). Academically, professionally, and personally it was a rich and meaningful time. We would discuss difficult ethical and medical cases when we went for our four-mile runs – or crack jokes and debate philosophical issues. More recently, I went to Ecuador for a medical mission trip. Like Adam Stallmer, this trip renewed and revitalized my desire to serve overseas through the church and through medicine. Besides assisting in many fascinating orthopedic and pediatric surgeries, I saw first-hand the impact of Christian faith in the setting of medical problems.

I enjoy horseback riding, canoeing, and hiking. Piano (classical, jazz and rock), guitar, and late-night philosophical discussions are also up my alley. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, playing music at church, contact sports with the youth group, or just talking.

I look forward to being part of the Albany Family Residency and developing the clinical and personal skills of a physician.  Upon graduation Dr.Teubl will be working locally as a hospitalist.

Tracey Viola, D.O.
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine

Although originally from Long Island, I spent a good part of my childhood in Saratoga.  I loved "upstate" NY, and decided to go to college in Albany.  After finishing my master's, I moved to Vermont and worked at the Vermont Lung Center at UVM, in Clinical Research.  I always knew I wanted to go to medical school, but at the same time I loved research.  This job showed me that I could do both, and that was when I decided it was time to go back to school.  I made the move back to Long Island for medical school, and was fortunate enough to be close to my family again. The decision to come back to Albany was the easiest one of my career.  It was my first home away from home, and I couldn't wait to get back.  Doing a rotation at the FP program here made me feel like everything was falling into place.  I was exactly where I was supposed to be. 

Upon graduation Dr.Viola is training in a Sports Medicine fellowship at the University of Connecticut.

Being a native of the Metro Detroit area, I have had the privilege of growing up in the immersion of multi-culture and diversity. I began my undergraduate studies at Ferris State University in northern Michigan, whereupon I discovered my interest to study medicine. I earned my medical degree at Ross University, where I enjoyed the beauty and culture of the West Indies. After graduation I participated in Oncology research at Providence Hospital in Southfield, MI. Having had the foresight from an older brother also with a Family Practice background, I decided to pursue a career in family medicine. In my spare time I enjoy weightlifting, biking, sports (DEEE-TROIT Basketball), movies and sharing quality time with friends and family. Today, I look forward to working with my new family at AMC. 

Upon graduation Dr. Wazni will be working as a hospitalist in North Carolina.

Toyin Weaver, M.D.
SUNY Upstate Medical College @ Syracuse

My life is made up of the places I've lived; I was born in Lagos, Nigeria but raised in London, Ontario where I moved when I was just two.  I am a first generation Canadian who was given the opportunity to succeed by my parents who came to this country so that my siblings and I could have a better life than they did.  I grew up in a neighborhood that was nicknamed "The United Nations" because of its ethnically diverse population.  Because of this I was fortunate enough to learn the importance of cultural diversity at a very young age.  After living in the same city for 14 years, I moved twice in less than a year - first to Texas and then to New York, where I have spent the last 9 years of my life, graduating from high school in Staten Island, attending St. Lawrence University, and then medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. 

In my free time I like catching up with friends, playing volleyball, reading and dancing. I am very excited to have moved to Albany with my husband (anesthesiology.)  I love collecting quotes and sayings so I will end with one of my favorites:  “Happiness doesn't depend nearly as much on our circumstances as it does on our relationships, our attitudes, our beliefs. It comes not as much from what we have and acquire, but from what we accomplish in the way of attaining our goals.”

Since completing residency, Dr. Weaver works locally as a hospitalist.