Laura N.  El-Hage, MD
St. George's University School of Medicine, 2012

Academic Interests: International health and working with underserved populations.
Plans: Enjoy residency and take every thing one day at a time.
About Me: I grew up in Maryland, but left the D.C. area  when I began medical school. Fortunately, I have always loved to travel and truly enjoyed my time in both Grenada and NYC.  I am very excited to start my residency in Albany and explore a new place over the next 4 years. In addition to traveling, I am a self proclaimed "foodie". I enjoy both cooking at home and trying new restaurants.                                   

Preetha Anna  Kurian, MD
Rice University, BA Biochemistry, 2007
St. George's University School of Medicine, 2012

Academic Interests: Primary care, underserved populations
Plans: To become an awesome doctor. I would love to one day work in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
About me: I was born in Chicago but I’ve lived most of my life in Houston. I’m a TV junkie, I love hanging out with friends and family, and I love reading when I can (Harry Potter fan!!!). I’m excited about being part of Albany Med-Peds and to live in the capital district with the potential to do so much!

Lyndsay Marie  Molinari, MD
Rochester Institute of Technology, BS Biology, 2005
Albany Medical College, 2012
 
Academic Interests: Primary Care, Endocrinology, or Critical Care Medicine
Plans: Learn as much as I can throughout residency, and to figure out which of the above fields suits me best.
About Me: I was born in Syracuse, NY and came to Albany for medical school, by way of Rochester and Boston.  In my free-time I love to sing, play softball, and watch sports, with my favorites being baseball, football, hockey, and of course, Syracuse Orange Basketball.  Even when residency offers limited free time, I also love to cook with my husband as many times a week as we can.

Samuel Joon  Park, MD 
Union College, BS Biology and Economics, 2005
Union Graduate College, MS Healthcare Administration, 2006
Albany Medical College, 2011
Hospital of St. Raphael, Intern in Surgery, 2012

Academic Interests: Primary Care, IM and Pediatric Hospitalist Medicine, Critical Care
Plans: Primary Care
About me: I was born in Michigan and grew up in Albertson, NY.  I enjoy playing tennis, hiking, flying remote control helicopters and one of my best friends and I are in the midst of an IS300 to Supra engine build!  I love Albany and our Med-Peds Residency program is great.  I am very happy here and I look forward to balancing quality of life with residency.

Melanie Antonia Ecung, MD
United States Air Force Academy, BS Psychology 2001
Morehouse School of Medicine, 2011

Academic Interests: Cardiology, HIV Education and Management
Plans: Ask me again in 4 years . . .
About Me: I was born in Los Angeles and spent a few years in the Rome-Utica area as a kid.  I love all things chocolate and when I have the time, I like to bake.  I return to upstate New York after several years on the road from the Rockies, to the Bay Area, DC and Atlanta.   I'm happy to be back and closer to my sister in the city.

Sara Khalil, MD                                                
Rutgers University, B.S. Mol Bio/Biochemistry and Philosophy, 2007
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 2011

Academic Interests: Adult congenital heart disease              
Plans: Pediatric cardiology fellowship                          
About me: I was born and raised in New jersey, I enjoy playing guitar, reading fiction, and studying the bible.  I was active in CMDA and with research in medical school.  I chose Albany Med-Peds because of the strong peds cardiology presence, and I like that Albany is a big city  with a suburban feel. 

Britta Sundquist, M.D.
University of Maine, B.S. Biochemistry 2006
St. George's University School of Medicine, 2011

Academic Interests: Allergy/Immunology, Hospitalist Medicine, or Sports Medicine
Plans: Learn as much as possible, and find something to laugh about everyday. 
About me: Grew up in Minnesota, where I spent most of the time either swimming or skating.  I moved out the to the east coast for my undergraduate degree in Maine.  I like to get outside as much as I can, I enjoy running, ice hockey, hiking and biking and also getting down to New York City for some fine dining.  I plan to get out and explore as much of the area as possible over the next 4 years.

Alexander Chang, MD
Knox College, Chemistry, 2006
Rush Medical College, 2010

Academic Interests: primary care 
Plans: Learn as much as I can. 
About Me: I am from San Francisco, CA, and enjoy playing tennis and cello.  I came out to Galesburg, Illinois in 2003 to attend Knox College. There, I came to love Jesus Christ with all my heart and became involved in Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship. In College, I also competed on the Men's tennis team and became captain in 2005. Afterwards, I attended Rush Medical College in 2006 and spent a lot of time with the Rush Christian Medical Association. I continue to play cello for fun.

Stephen Lambrinos, MD
University of Rochester, BS, 2004
Union College, MBA, 2006
University of Rochester School of Medicine, 2010

Academic Interests: Peds cardiac critical care and adults with congenital heart disease 
Plans: Pediatric Cardiology fellowship, adult transitional care 
About Me: I grew up in the Albany area-- it's a very easy place to live and work in. When I am not in the hospital , I try to get out and scuba dive when I can (regardless of the cold weather in Upstate NY!)  I also like playing sports such as soccer and tennis. When the time permits, I like hosting movie nights on my home theater system.

Thuy Le-Rathell, DO
University of Delaware, 2006
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2010

Academic Interests: Primary care, hospitalist medicine 
Plans: I would like to practice in an academic setting and take my IM/Peds training to its fullest potential by working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. 
About Me: I emigrated from Vietnam to the First State, Delaware, when I was eight years old. I grew up in the suburbs of Delaware and met my husband there.  I finally left there to attend medical school in the Sunshine state and gained many wonderful experiences and friendships in the process.  My dog, Riley, is a buster, and we love Albany.

Desmond Francis, MD
Methodist College, Malaysia, GCE A-Levels, 2004
International Medical University, Basic Sciences, 2007
Jefferson Medical College, 2009

Academic Interests: Primary Care. 
Plans: To practice in an underserved area. 
About Me: Blessed with faith, family, friends and a rewarding job. Favorite activities include attending Mass, being with my girlfriend, and other close friends.

On May 24, 2011, Dr. Francis was inducted to the Gold Humanism Honor Society.    

Deborah Light, MD
Reed College, BA Biology, 2003
University of Rochester School of Medicine, 2009

Academic Interests: Sports medicine & critical care medicine. 
Plans: Balancing life and residency. 
About me: I grew up in the Colorado Rockies, then became a transplant to the Pacific northwest before coming out east for med school. I love the outdoors and  hiking. Martial arts are my passion, particularly full-contact karate and Muay Thai;  I plan to continue to compete during residency.
Applying into: Sports Medicine Fellowship

Andrea Teague, MD
Northwestern University, BA Molecular Biology, 1995
Albany Medical College, 2009

Academic Interests: Hospital medicine & critical care. 
Plans:  Well, still trying to figure that one out.... 
About me: Running is my sanity; being outside camping/hiking/scuba diving keeps my perspective; horses are my passion; reading is my escape; and sitting on the front porch of my house watching my kids run around and play is my greatest joy.
Applying into: Heme/Onc Fellowship