Meet the Residents
Meet Our Residents
2024-2025
PGY-1s
Ciara Bosh, MD
Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Academic Interests: psychiatry for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, medical education research, psychotherapy, addiction psychiatry
Personal Interests: Listening to podcasts/audiobooks, reading, hiking, traveling, spending time with friends and family
Why UMass: It was important to me to choose a residency program that demonstrated a clear dedication to healthcare for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. UMass does this without question through CANDO, CANDI and the adult neurodevelopmental disability fellowship. I was additionally inspired by the program’s innovative and forward thinking approach to the field of psychiatry. Even in my short time at UMass, I have been learning something everyday from the faculty!
What I like about Central Mass: There is a little something for everyone: beautiful trails to explore, wineries, breweries, and great restaurants. The proximity to Boston and Rhode Island is definitely wonderful. I can’t wait to continue exploring!
Carol Coutinho, MD (she/her)
University of Minnesota Medical School
Emily Caggiano, MD
University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine
Academic Interests: Mood and psychotic disorders, geriatric psychiatry, neuromodulation, medical education
Personal interests: hiking, swimming, being on the coast, crossword puzzles, spending time with dogs
Why UMass: I loved my time as a medical student at UMass and was very excited to continue my psychiatry education here for residency. UMass has the perfect blend of a larger academic medical center with the close knit, supportive learning environment that I had experienced as a student. Umass also serves a very diverse patient population and has an emphasis on public sector psychiatry which I knew would be invaluable to my training.
What I like about central Mass: Central Mass is wonderful because of the ability to easily get anywhere else in the state (or new england) within a reasonable timeframe. This affords me the ability to visit family on a weekly basis which I am very grateful for.
Priscila Lee, MD (she/her)
University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine
Academic Interests: C/L, child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, women’s mental health, psychopharmacology, community psychiatry, medical education
Personal Interests: trying new restaurants & breweries, traveling, volleyball, pickleball, trivia, New England sports, quoting The Office, spending time with family and friends,
Why UMass: Having attended medical school here, I can attest to the unparalleled community at UMass. They truly value collaboration and a commitment to serving its diverse population. They offer their residents strong support, as well as delivering exceptional care to their patients. I also grew up in Massachusetts, so it was extremely important for me to be close to family!
What I like about Central Mass: The city of Worcester is rapidly evolving, so it has been exciting to see new businesses and events pop up in the past few years. Not to mention, the nature year-round is beautiful! It is also so easy to do day or weekend trips to nearby cities like Boston, Newport, and the Berkshires.
Jan Powell, MD (she/her)
Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center
Academic Interests: First episode psychosis, Community psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry, Neuromodulation
Personal Interests: Baking, cooking, athletics, reading, traveling
Why UMass: As someone who went to undergrad within the UMass system, it was refreshing to be somewhere familiar. I chose this program because of the unique curriculum that integrated neuropsychiatry and has a heavy focus on psychotherapy. On interview day, I could tell that the department had a strong sense of camaraderie not only between the residents, but also with faculty. That was something that was really important to me when choosing a residency program.
What I like about Central Mass: Central Mass is an excellent place for someone who enjoys both the city life and being outdoors. There is so much history and natural beauty here. Everything on the east coast is fairly close to get to; this allows for frequent weekend trips to NY, Portland, D.C, etc.
Matthew Spretz, MD (he/him)
University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine
Academic Interests: child and adolescent psychiatry, outpatient psychiatry, psychotherapy, college mental health, LGBTQ+ mental health
Personal Interests: hiking, camping, beach volleyball, traveling, lifting weights, fine arts, hanging out with my dog, caring for my houseplants
Why UMass: Growing up and completing my schooling in Texas, I felt that UMass was a great opportunity to broaden my horizons and learn in a completely different cultural setting. I felt extremely welcomed and right at home from the moment I got to campus. The size of the resident cohort has made it easy to grow close to my co-interns already, and I feel as though we are each able to get individual attention to our specific academic interests. I am excited to be part of the integrated Adult/Child Psychiatry program, as I get to spend a good amount of time during intern year doing pediatrics rotations. UMass has a supportive and familial environment which I am thrilled to be a part of.
What I like about Central Mass: There’s something for everyone here! I currently live about 10 minutes from the main university campus, which makes commuting a breeze. Downtown Worcester has a lot of fun restaurants and stores (shout-out to Seed to Stem, the best plant store you’ll ever visit!) as well as the WooSox minor league baseball games, which are awesome. A short drive away and you’ll find yourself immersed in beautiful nature, with everything from hiking in one of many state parks, picking apples in the fall, or catching a few mid-winter ski runs at Mt. Wachusett. Boston is a quick 30 miles away with easy access through the commuter rail, and other cities like Providence, RI and NYC are more than accessible for a fun weekend getaway!
Skylar Sundquist, MD (she/her)
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Emma Zorda, DO (she/her)
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic Interests: Outpatient psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology.
Personal Interests: I enjoy hiking, skiing, kayaking, reading fantasy novels, watching movies, playing card games, and hanging out with my two cats, Fred and George.
Why UMass: I knew after my interview day at UMass that this program was truly special! The faculty, staff, and residents were all so welcoming and I could tell how dedicated to the program everyone is. I was extremely drawn to the diverse population in Central Mass, the variety of training environments residents are exposed to, and the specific focus on neuropsychiatry that this program provides, especially with my interests in both neuropsychiatry and geriatric psychiatry. Furthermore, I’m from northern Connecticut and grew up on the border of CT and MA. After living in Maine for four years during medical school, I was very excited to continue my training closer to home, and to be able to spend more time with my family and friends here.
What I like about Central Mass: Central Mass is the place to be!! There’s easy access to beautiful local hiking trails and ski mountains, as well as bigger mountain ranges and ski resorts. The ocean is nearby for beach days too! I am happy to be able to enjoy all of the seasons here, especially the quintessential New England autumn. I also love the culture and diversity here - there is an incredible array of restaurants, breweries, and art! Plus, if you love to explore, weekend trips to fun cities like Boston, Providence, and Portland are so easily accessible!
PGY-2s
Bhavana Aitha, DO (she/her)
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM)
Academic Interests: outpatient psychiatry, sleep medicine, forensic psychiatry, women’s mental health, psychotherapy, community psychiatry, medical education, college mental health
Personal Interests: food, lifting, traveling, acting, tennis, music, writing, hiking
Why UMass: When my family and I first immigrated to America, we moved to Acton, MA for a couple years before settling in Delaware for most of my life. It’s good to be back! What I was looking for most when applying to psychiatry residencies was a supportive learning environment. I found that within UMass and am looking forward to expanding my knowledge and honing my skills in a positive atmosphere.
What I like about Central Mass: I’m a big foodie so I like that there’s a lot of diversity in cuisine around the area. I also enjoy hiking and there’s a plethora of trails to choose from. Whenever I miss city life, I can easily take the train into Boston. The people here are also very nice!
Mina Botros, MD (he/him)
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Academic/Clinical Interests: Neuropsychiatry, Psychedelic Psychiatry, Stroke Rehab, Mood Disorders and Psychosis Following Brain Injury, Suicide Prevention, Community Interventions
Personal Interests: I enjoy reading, writing and art of all sorts. I play video games, guitar, and am learning to play drums. I spend as much time as I can outdoors, whether it’s playing tennis/pickleball, hiking, trail running, or snowboarding.
Why UMass: I was initially drawn to UMass for medical school because of all of the wonderful things I heard about the community here. Throughout medical school I worked with so many incredible providers and teachers while getting to contribute to opportunities to create a lasting impact on the greater Worcester area. My family and closest friends are also in Massachusetts so being at UMass means I have an incredible support system both in and out of residency. On top of that, UMass offers a unique combined neurology and psychiatry training program in a large academic medical center with top tier research and a commitment to underserved populations – a dream come true for me as I hope to leave no stone unturned to help people with disorders of the brain and mind.
What I like about Central Mass: Central Mass has so much to offer! My favorite part of being in this area is just how many city and state parks are in the area fill with trails to explore. Worcester itself has a number of great places to check out – including restaurants, museums, and more – but what’s nice about Central Mass is that everything you could want is within driving distance. Whether you want to spend the day in the mountains of New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine, or hang out in Boston, Providence, or NYC, everything is in reach!
Paige Comerford, MD (she/her)
UMass Chan Medical School
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cademic Interests: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinical Bioethics
Personal Interests: Listening to podcasts, curating music playlists, DIY/crafts, tending to my houseplants, and snuggling with my kitten.
Why UMass: Having attended college in Worcester and medical school at UMass, I can unequivocally say that the people and community are our greatest strengths.
What I like about Central Mass: So many fun activities in and around Worcester: cafes, bookshops, museums, the Woo Sox, & more! There are lots of local hiking/nature walks and breweries. Plus, we’re not too far from Boston, Providence, the Cape, or NH.
Pooja Dutta, MD (she/her/hers)
UMass Chan Medical School
Academic Interests: Reproductive Psychiatry, Community Psychiatry, Consult-Liaison Psychiatry, Medical Education
Personal Interests: Cooking, mixology, any dancing (particularly Bollywood fusion!), board games, old cheesy sitcoms
Why UMass: Having attended UMass for medical school, I was drawn to its emphasis on hands-on clinical education and addressing the health disparities of the diverse yet marginalized communities in the area. It was appealing to be in a centrally located area where there are number of community stakeholders and resources I could offer to my patients. In addition, being at an academic center that had a strong women’s mental health and C/L focus was of particular interest to me. During my interview trail, I really enjoyed how warm and welcoming residents and faculty were! For more personal reasons, my husband was planning to move to New England so it was really important to live together while continuing my training!
What I like about Central Mass: After living in NYC for most of my life, I really enjoyed the ample amounts of space and serenity in Central Mass, while still being conveniently close to NYC, Boston, and Providence! I especially love the fall foliage here and the variety of things to do in the summer. As someone who is a huge foodie, I’ve loved exploring the evolving restaurant scene in Worcester and currently eating my way through Providence while living here. I also love being by the water so having spots like Cape Cod, MA and Newport, RI are great to visit during the summer!
Rachel Jenkins, MD (she/her)
UMass Chan Medical School
Academic Interests: Child and adolescent psychiatry, social determinants of health, psychotherapy, mindfulness
Personal Interests: Art projects, baking, gardening, and anything involving my dog Moose
Why UMass: I attended medical school at UMass and was delighted to match for both residency and fellowship in the combined adult and child/adolescent psychiatry track. UMass has a strong emphasis on public-sector psychiatry and robust child and adolescent training program. I admire many of the colleagues and patients that I’ve encountered here in Worcester and am thrilled to continue serving this community.
What I like about Central Mass: This corner of New England is brimming with hidden gems! The greater Worcester area has lots of parks, restaurants, breweries, and charming small town main streets. I especially love exploring vintage and thrift stores in the area. The close proximity to Boston and Rhode Island is an added plus!
Kiana Malta, MD (she/hers)
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Academic Interests: Consult Liaison Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Medical Education
Personal Interests: searching for the perfect pastry, brunch, travel, spending time with family and friends, podcasts, baking, reading Wirecutter/CR reviews
Why UMass: I could tell there was a warm culture that embraced education and supported the resident experience. I knew I would be encouraged to grow as a clinician through diverse experiences and be joining a wonderful community at the same time.
What I like about Central Mass: It’s a very accessible area and has lots of different opportunities to get involved, whatever your special interest might be. As an out of state person, I have already been given an endless list of fun new food options to try and I can’t wait to explore more of Central Mass!
Julio C Mantero-Munoz, MD (He/Him/His)
Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine
Academic interests: Addiction psychiatry, Children and Adolescent psychiatry, Hispanic/Latinx mental health
Personal Interests: Spending time with my wife and son. Playing soccer, cooking.
Why UMass: I was very impressed by the UMass program on interview day. Despite it being my first interview, no other program left such a significant impression. The educational and mentorship opportunities, the diverse patient population, and my interactions with the faculty, program coordinator, and residents all solidified my decision. Additionally, the location is perfect for me. Having lived in Massachusetts for almost 10 years, it offered me the chance to return to the place I consider my second home.
What I like about Central Mass: So far, I love the access to beautiful trails, the proximity to Boston, and the excellent brewery scene.
PGY-3s
Eoin Becan Gaj, MD (He/Him/His)
Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah
Clinical Interests: Child and adolescent psychiatry, population health, social determinants of health, healthcare legislation.
Other Interests and Hobbies: Spending time with my family/chasing my kids around, hiking, cycling, road trips, podcasts.
Why UMass: I was excited about residency at UMass for a number of reasons, including the focus on public-sector psychiatry and caring for underserved populations. I also liked the strong training in child and adolescent psychiatry, the large variety of clinical sites, and the emphasis on personalizing the residency experience. Additionally, both my wife and I grew up in Massachusetts, and especially with young children, it is nice to move back east and be close to family.
What You Like About Central Mass: There are lots of nice places nearby to go hiking and lakes to swim in, and tons of delicious farmstand ice cream shops!
Kristen Jorgenson, MD
Louisanna State University School of Medicine
Clinical Interests: Child and adolescent psychiatry, young adult psychiatry, neuromodulation
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Clinical interests: emergency psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, and community mental health. Clinical Interests: Child/adolescent psychiatry, community psychiatry, psychotherapy and family therapy, women's mental health
Other Interests and Hobbies: Family time with my husband, baby, and black lab, art projects, sewing and embroidery, going for walks, podcasts, writing poetry and non-fiction
Why UMass: I was thrilled to match at UMass after being here for med school! Throughout my UMass years, I've come to appreciate the sense of community on campus and the diversity of my colleagues. I have seen that UMass self-selects for clinicians who are not only passionate about their work, but who also have varied interests beyond medicine that enrich our shared learning environment. Finally, the clinical opportunities at UMass are hugely varied and the patient population is quite diverse, making it an ideal place to train and explore new interests.
What You Like About Central Mass: Central MA is great because there is a little bit of everything -- good restaurants and breweries, fun hiking and other outdoor activities, and an easy distance to bigger cities like Boston and Providence.
Clinical interests: Child/Adolescent psychiatry, PTSD, interplay between mental health and chronic illnesses, psychotherapy, integrative psychiatry
Other interests/hobbies: Reading, taking naps with my dog, running, hiking, puzzles, concerts (just listening to music in general…if I’m walking anywhere you will see headphones in my ears!)
Why UMass: I grew up in New England and after being away for almost 15 years it was time to come back! UMass has such a warm and welcoming group of residents and faculty that was palpable even through the virtual interview. It is such a supportive environment that is critical for success during residency and I feel that I will be supported in pursuing my unique interests. I also really like that UMass emphasizes the important role of neurology within psychiatry- a rare find amongst psychiatry residencies!
What I like about Central Mass: I love the proximity to Boston (without having to pay Boston prices or deal with the hustle and bustle of the city) as well as the many hiking opportunities around Worcester. One weekend I’ll spend exploring a nearby park and then next weekend I’ll hop on the commuter rail (10 bucks for unlimited trips on the weekends!) to spend the day in Boston. Also you can’t beat the autumn leaves in Central Mass!
Amrita School of Medicine
CMC Vellore, India
Academic Interests: Addiction psychiatry, Global psychiatry
Personal Interests: Travelling, cooking, Spending time with my family and friends, Painting
Why UMass: I came to UMass from India, to pursue an addiction psychiatry fellowship but loved the department and academia here and decided to stay on, and do residency.
What I like about Central Mass: The natural beauty, the weather and how everything is so accessible.
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University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine
PGY-4s
Academic Interests: Addiction psychiatry, community/public psychiatry, street psychiatry, cultural psychiatry
Personal Interests: Getting outside (running, hiking, paddleboarding, etc!), watching comedy shows, reading, and playing with my cat
Why UMass: I grew up in the greater Boston area and knew I wanted to stay in the northeast to be close to family and friends for residency. I sought a program that was welcoming, focused on community development, had all the benefits of a large academic medical center (research, teaching, etc.), as well as a diverse patient population. UMass has far exceeded my expectations in a residency program! The teaching environment is truly collaborative and there are many opportunities to get involved in one’s interests.
What I like about Central Mass: Central Massachusetts is a beautiful place year-round! There is plenty of access to outdoor activities during any season, yet there is also an abundance of restaurants and bars to explore. Some of my favorites include Wooden Bar, Volturno's, as well as Redemption Rock Brewing Company, which hosts stand-up comedy nights and other fun events!
Clinical interests: TBI, dementias, Parkinson's, movement disorders, personality disorders, mood disorders
Research interests: clinical ethics, neuroethics, ethics education and curriculum development
Other interests/hobbies: hiking, kayaking, cooking, farmers markets, spending the entire day at the beach, traveling, breweries and board games!
Why UMass: I chose UMass because of the amazing and unique opportunity to complete a double board in Neurology and Psychiatry. The program and the mentors within it felt like the best fit for me, and the opportunities for research and diving deep into my intellectual curiosities seemed endless. I am so happy to get to become a physician in the two specialties I love so much.
What I like about Central Mass: My favorite part of Central Mass is all of the greenery! The nature is quite beautiful and it is much sunnier here than the Midwest.
Academic interests: geriatric psychiatry, the intersection between end-of-life and psychiatry, ethics
Personal interests: Disc golf, skiing, biking, tabletop roleplaying games (Dungeons and Dragons), video games (BG3, Stardew Valley, League of Legends), anime, reading (mostly fantasy genre), fishkeeping, spending time with my partner/family and my leopard gecko (named Loki)
Why UMass: I was here at UMass for medical school, and I have been thrilled to be able to continue caring for and learning from the incredibly diverse patients that come to this hospital system. What’s more, I love working with the residents, fellows, and attendings here, as they are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, and every layer of this program is geared toward providing culturally-sensitive, patient-centered care. I remember how appreciative I was of the teaching residents did for me when I was a student, and I continue to love to work with medical students and hope to contribute to their learning whenever the opportunity arises!
What I like about Central Mass: Worcester itself is a very dear place to me and I love to explore the city. The Woo Sox baseball team in particular is a more recent addition and the games are affordable and so fun to attend! A recent discovery of mine is an eSports bar called All Systems Go where you can play various PC and Nintendo Switch games. I will also add that Worcester’s proximity to Boston, Providence, Cape Cod, and the Berkshires is incredibly helpful in terms of having relatively quick access to a seemingly endless variety of activities, events, and restaurants!
Clinical Interests: Psychotherapy, anxiety and mood disorders, existential and relational problems, personality, suicide, end-of-life care, underserved populations and public psychiatry, outpatient and integrated care models, psychodynamic psychopharmacology
Research Interests: Technology and mental health, trauma, substance use disorders, LGBTQ+ health, psychedelics, ethics
Personal Interests: Comedy, indie music, poetry, guitar, home recording, live music, film, art, literature (especially classic novels and absurdist fiction), philosophy, racquet sports, craft beer, board games, and video games
Why UMass: I visited loved ones in New England during medical school and felt the regional culture was compatible with my values and interests, so I completed audition rotations in the area. I was particularly impressed with the Massachusetts healthcare system due to the quality of care and the emphasis on access. I applied to UMass for these reasons as well as my gut feeling that it was an excellent fit. The biopsychosocial-cultural perspective, caliber of instruction, and supportive program culture at UMass were praised during interview season and have been echoed in my experience. I couldn’t be happier with my training.
What I like about Central Mass: I find the people in this area to be generally very friendly, collegial, and open-minded. There are beautiful nature trails just a few minutes away from me and plenty of vintage shops, coffee shops, and breweries to enjoy in the area, as well as concerts, festivals, and creative groups in Boston.
PGY-6s
