Meet Our Residents (2025-2026)
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Kenneth Kwalar, MD is a New York native with a passion for community health and healthcare access, Dr. Kenneth Kwalar blends clinical experience with social impact. He earned his B.S. in Biology from CUNY Lehman College and completed his medical degree at St. George’s University in January 2025. As the co-founder of Brain Fuel Boxes, he helped provide fresh produce to food-insecure communities, reinforcing his commitment to public health. His hands-on experience as an LPN at Northwest Restorative Therapy further solidifies his patient-centered approach. Fluent in French, he enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and sharing his Cameroonian heritage through cooking Ndolé with his daughter. |
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Gavin Martin, MD brings a diverse academic foundation spanning psychology, chemistry, and biology to our residency. He earned his BA from the College of William & Mary and completed his MD at Meharry Medical College in May 2024, alongside an MA. from Liberty University. His experience as an EMT fueled his passion for patient care, while his certification as a personal trainer reflects his dedication to wellness and preventative medicine. Outside of medicine, he is an avid fitness enthusiast, enjoys sports, reading, art, music, and automobiles, and remains actively involved in his church community. |
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With extensive international medical experience, Shahzada Bilal Syed, MD brings a global perspective to patient care. He earned his M.D. from Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina in Cuba and has been practicing as a physician in both the public and private health sectors in Uruguay and Brazil since 2018. Fluent in multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and Urdu, he values cross-cultural communication and health equity. Outside of medicine, he is passionate about exploring natural landscapes, honing his photography skills, reading, and organizing social gatherings that foster community and connection. |
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Tirzah Talampas, DO combines her background in exercise science and human performance with a strong commitment to patient wellness. She earned her BS from Grove City College and an MS from Liberty University before pursuing her medical degree at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. A dedicated athlete and former personal trainer, she has been practicing Muay Thai and kickboxing since 2016, reinforcing her interest in movement-based medicine. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and basketball, engaging in board games with friends, and baking for those she loves. |
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Anusha Venkatesh, MD brings a dual passion for clinical medicine and public health to Fitchburg Family Medicine. She earned her medical degree from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, and a Master of Public Health from Harvard University, where she served as a Diversity and Inclusion Fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. With experience as a Research Scientist and Program Manager at Brigham and Women's Hospital, she has worked at the intersection of maternal-child health and global health initiatives. When not in the clinic, she enjoys long-distance running, perfecting her espresso-making skills, practicing hot yoga, and exploring the outdoors with her partner and their dog. |
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Annaerolande Charles, MD graduated from Ross University. She is a graduate of Grand Canyon University where she earned a M.S. in Healthcare Administration. Annaerolande also obtained a B.A. in Biology and a B.S. in Neuroscience & Behavior from Florida Atlantic University. She is a Haitian native that currently resides in Maryland and has been working as a Virtual Medical Scribe. She is especially passionate about community outreach having enrolled in a community medicine elective that provided free healthcare to the homeless and underserved. Annarolande additionally completed a global health elective in Uganda. Finally, she used her background as a dance choreographer to develop her patience and organizational skills in order to teach children with Autism and behavioral challenges. |
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Arianna Gray, DO, Class Representative, graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Arianna graduated from Hampton University with a M.M.S. in Medical Science and UMass Amherst with a B.S. in Biology. A Jamaican native born and raised in Worcester, MA, Arianna is presently a PCOM Research Assistant for the Biomedical Science Department. She has a commitment to provide quality compassionate care to the underserved. Arianna was drawn to join the Teach for America and AmeriCorps program as a science teacher due to the mission of aiding the underserved community. She is a long-standing volunteer of the Salvation Army in various capacities. Gardening is one of her passions which she enjoys sharing with her family. One of her favorite things in gardening is to tend to her homegrown cucumbers. |
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Angie Ossa, MD graduated from Ross University. She obtained a BS in Science Technology & Mathematics from Kean University. Angie currently resides in New Jersey and has a background as an Anatomy Teaching Assistant and EMT. She was selected to speak at the National Hispanic Medical Association and was instrumental in getting the community to understand the importance of managing chronic comorbidities and medication compliance. Angie participated in a global health elective in African underserved communities. She grew up servicing her community through Be the Change, a program that focuses on feeding the homeless, restoring houses, and re-beautifying abandoned community parks. While in medical school, Angie also continued to provide free healthcare to the homeless. |
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Peggie Mendoza Robles, MD graduated from Universidad de San Martin de Porres Facultad de Medicina Humana in Peru. Peggie is currently a Research Fellow for the Global Lumen and Lumen Foundation and is an active member of the American Medical Association. She resides in Maryland and has a background as a Medical Assistant. Peggie was an ongoing participant of the Peruvian Embassy Health Campaign and provided education regarding the importance of Preventative Medicine. She serves as a Spanish-English Interpreter for Catholic Charities Medical Clinic in Washington, DC. Her passion for primary care medicine began while observing her father, a physician, provide care out of their family home. |
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Annamaria Muwonge, MD graduated from Makerere University School of Medicine in Uganda. She was a practicing medical doctor in Uganda from 2017-2020 before relocating to the United States. Additionally, she has a background as a nursing aide and math tutor. Annamaria currently lives in Leominster. She was involved in Student Leadership, elected as Community Based Education and Research Service student leader. In that role, she worked closely with Ugandan district and community leaders as a diagnostician and to also educate people on a multitude of topics, including HIV, AIDS and malaria prevention. Since 2022, Annamaria has volunteered for Tufts Medicine Lowell General Hospital as a direct support to the patients. She has overcome many obstacles to get to where she is today and feels ready to fight for her dream of practicing Family Medicine. |
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Lia Priela, MD graduated in July 2020 from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. A native Filipino, Lia’s desire to train in the United States was fueled after the completion of a medical externship in Tacoma, WA. It was there that she developed a special interest in addiction medicine, having served the healthcare needs of patients at a family and addiction clinic. |
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Rosanna Gessel- Larson, MD, is from Newton, MA. She graduated from UMass Chan Medical School and earned her BA in English & American Literature from New York University College of Arts and Sciences. Rosanna is passionate about promoting empathy, connection, and resilience among her peers through the humanities. She is also committed to improving her own knowledge as well as others about LGBTQIA+ care. She loves reading, travelling internationally as well as exploring locally. Even more exciting, Rosanna ran the 2023 Boston Marathon! |
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Kyle Hofer, DO is a graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Kyle grew up local in Fitchburg, MA and earned his BS in Biology & Chemistry from Fitchburg State University. Kyle has shown a deep passion for community medicine and participated in many research projects. He got into miniature painting in medical school and has since gotten quite good at it which helped him bond with the Fitchburg community during a contest where he won 3rd place. Kyle also loves reading, weightlifting, meditation, and is involved in a darts league. |
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Srijesa Khasnabish, DO, Chief Resident, is a graduate of New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. Growing up in Lexington, MA, Srijesa earned a BA in Neuroscience from Boston University and worked as a Research Assistant for both BU and Brigham & Women’s. She is someone who cares deeply about the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the medical community. Srijesa enjoys blogging, experimenting with new recipes, photography and singing. She is also involved in Orange Theory High Intensity Interval Training as well as yoga. |
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Harleen Neelon, MD earned her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC, Canada (2012-2017), before pursuing her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Saba University School of Medicine in the Caribbean Netherlands, where she graduated in March 2023. Following medical school, Dr. Neelon joined The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education in Scranton, PA, as a family medicine resident, where she further developed her clinical skills and knowledge. Due to the pending closure of her initial residency program, she transitioned to the UMass Fitchburg Family Medicine Residency as a PGY-2. Dr. Neelon is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care and is known for her dedication to fostering strong, supportive relationships with her patients. She is passionate about family medicine and looks forward to continuing to grow as a clinician while making a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of her community. |
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Venkata “Sai Sri” Penumetcha, MD, Chief Resident, is a graduate of the Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences. Since graduating, she has completed both Inpatient and Outpatient experience in the U.S. Sai Sri has demonstrated to be a driven individual who is passionate about serving the community by her involvement in organizing and leading blood and rural health wellness camps. In her free time, hiking is one of her favorite pastimes as it allows for her unwind and re-energize. She also enjoys kayaking with her family, reading, as well as cooking and baking various cuisines. |
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