Danbury Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Program Residents

Clarissa Jacknow, DO
Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA

Undergraduate School: University of Maryland

Medical School: Rocky Vista University Colorado

Hobbies/interests: Hiking with my dog and Husband, paddleboarding, cooking, traveling, hosting friends and family

Clinical interests: I am passionate about working with underserved populations, gynecological surgery, high risk obstetrics, and providing comprehensive family planning.

Reason for choosing Danbury: I felt instantly comfortable and like a part of the family on my interview day! Furthermore, the proximity to family/NYC, and the well-rounded training with opportunities to work with a very diverse patient population drew me to the program. I am so thankful to be joining a supportive group of passionate individuals for my training.

Aarthi Srinivasan, DO
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas

Undergraduate School: University of Texas - Austin

Medical School: William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hobbies/interests: I love to travel and prioritize getting out of town as often as I can. I spend a lot of time reading, being outdoors, spending time with my cats, and watching TV! I love hosting people at home and enjoy spending time with my friends and family.

Clinical interests: I am interested in pursuing a complex family planning fellowship.

Reason for choosing Danbury: When I interviewed at Danbury, I immediately felt the warmth and friendship between all of the residents. It was really important to me when picking a program that I would be in a supportive environment that welcomed me with open arms and that is exactly what I got with Danbury! The interviewers on my interview day were so kind and positive and genuinely wanted to know who I was at my core. I fell in love with the program so quickly on the interview trail and am so happy to be here. It's also a plus that we are a short train ride from NYC!

Akshata Yalvigi, MD, MPH
Hometown: Kennett Square, PA

Undergraduate School: Drexel University

Medical School: Penn State College of Medicine

Hobbies/interests: I enjoy exploring new places, dance of all types and reading a good book!

Clinical interests: I love all aspects of OBGYN, but have a specific interest in maternal-fetal medicine and improving health equity in obstetrics. I also have an additional interest in medical student education.

Reason for choosing Danbury: In my interview, it was so clear that this program really invests in helping you achieve your professional goals. I loved that the program has strong ties to its community, but also offers ample research and teaching opportunities. I also love the supportive environment. I feel so lucky to be a part of the Danbury family!

Dominique Barral, MD
Hometown: Port St. Lucie, FL

Undergrad: University of Florida

Medical school: Drexel University College of Medicine

Hobbies/interests: finding new ways to stay active/get outside (recently pickleball, strength training, neighborhood strolls), baking cookies and sometimes bread, reading, playing Overcooked, talking to friends after a long day at the hospital. Clinically, menopause and general/preventive gynecology.

Reason for Danbury: the people, the surgical experience, and the people again! Despite virtual interviews, the group at Danbury were truly the most genuine and kind-hearted people I encountered. Add to that an excellent surgical education and a culture of respecting and listening to their residents, I was sold.

Cayman Bickerstaff, MD
Hometown: Falmouth, ME

Undergraduate School: University of Georgia

Medical School: Medical College of Georgia

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy playing Ultimate Frisbee and playing guitar. I am an avid reader, mainly of fantasy, but I enjoy all genres. I also love playing with my children and taking trips as a family.

Clinical Interests: I am passionate about working with underserved/rural populations and implementing community-based interventions to help increase care in areas where care may not be readily available. I am also interested in complex family planning and making sure all patients have access to family planning services.

Reason for Choosing Danbury: On my interview day, it was very easy to see that the residents and faculty truly were one large family that cared for and supported each other in both their personal and professional lives. I knew that Danbury would be a place where I could achieve all of my goals with the help of so many amazing people. Additionally, coming back to the Northeast brought me closer to family and allows me to practice Obstetrics and Gynecology in a region without significant family planning restrictions. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!

Bishoy Joseph, MD
Hometown: Fresno, CA

Undergraduate School: University of California, Riverside

Medical School: American University of the Caribbean

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy spending time with the people I care about more than anything else; otherwise, escape rooms, video games, grilling on a nice day, and watching sunsets/sunrises

Clinical Interests: I hope to use the clinical skills and knowledge that I learn throughout my training to provide care and health education in underserved communities around the world. I am also interested in minimally invasive surgery.

Reason for Choosing Danbury: The people at Danbury Hospital really do feel like family. It is so easy to love and feel loved by everyone here.

Isabella Bennett, MD
Hometown: Concord, MA

Undergrad: Bates College

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine, Maine Track

Hobbies/Interests: I love staying active and getting outdoors (exploring hiking and walking trails, going for runs, playing tennis). Hanging out with my two rescue dogs, Champ and Scrugsy. Cooking and baking sourdough. I am interested in general OBGYN!

Reason for Danbury: Right away, something about Danbury felt special. Everyone I met came across as genuinely kind and welcoming. What really sealed it for me was the strong surgical training and the way the program clearly values and supports its residents. I also liked that it’s a smaller program—it feels more personal, with room for individual growth and early hands-on experience. I’m truly excited and grateful to be joining the Danbury family!

Amanda Hernandez Rodriguez, MD
Hometown: Toa Baja, Puerto Rico

Undergrad: University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus

Medical school: University of Connecticut

Hobbies/interests: I love playing pickleball, going on pretty hikes, and hosting board game nights. I'm a sucker for rom-com books and movies, and binge-watching comedy series.

Reason for Danbury: Danbury's interview was the first one I felt so inviting and welcome by everyone I talked to. I could easily tell it would be a great program to learn and grow in together with both residents and faculty. Plus, I loved the strong surgical training and being able to work closely with the Hispanic population!

Jennifer Toner, MD
Hometown: Long Valley, NJ

Undergrad: Saint Michael’s College
Medical School: The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: Exercising! I am fully addicted to Peloton but I also enjoy running/walking outside, going for hikes (I am currently hiking the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks), and swimming in the ocean. I love exploring the different National Parks and finding funky, local restaurants to try out. Recently, I got a kindle and have been engrossed with mystery thrillers and historical fiction during my downtime (while still sneaking in a few minutes of Animal Crossing). I also spend as much time as possible with my friends and family - and my family’s dog Cloud!

Reason for Danbury: The genuine supportive nature of everyone at Danbury has always stood out to me. I was fortunate enough to do rotations here during medical school and it was these people who made me fall in love with OBGYN.

Elise DeForest, MD
Hometown: Charleston, SC

Undergraduate School: Clemson University (Go Tigers!)

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and friends, trying new coffee shops, wine bars, and restaurants, traveling, reading, golfing, practicing pilates and yoga, and enjoying the beach.

Clinical Interests: I have a strong interest in maternal health and global health. I love the continuity of care and advocacy within Ob/Gyn and could see myself being very happy as a General Ob/Gyn, though I’m excited to explore the specialty’s many subspecialties during residency.

Why Danbury: The people and culture immediately stood out to me. Everyone I met was incredibly welcoming, genuinely happy, and invested in one another’s success, and I could truly see myself growing here both personally and professionally. I was also drawn to the strong clinical training, collaborative learning environment, and close-knit community within the program. I’m excited to join the Danbury family!

Nadia Koltchine, MD
Hometown: Redding, CT

Undergraduate School: University of Connecticut

Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

Hobbies/interests: I love staying active by weightlifting at the gym, hiking, and running! I also really enjoy traveling, baking sweet treats, and spending time with my husband and family.

Clinical interests: I am excited to experience residency and all of the different fields that Ob/Gyn has to offer. I would be very happy as a general Ob/Gyn but if a certain field sparks my interest during my time as a resident I would definitely pursue it!

Reason for choosing Danbury:
Having rotated at Danbury during my third and fourth years of medical school, I was able to fully appreciate the amazing vibes that this program had to offer both in terms of the residents as well as faculty and staff. I really enjoyed the collaborative and educational atmosphere while I was a student and was confident that these values would be even more important as a resident. When applying for residency programs something else that I was looking for was exposure to different fields of Ob/Gyn as well as hands on experience, both of which I found at Danbury.
Overall, the people, community, and the educational value of this program are what really stood out to me. I am so excited to have the opportunity to train here and am looking forward to all the experiences I will make and the people I will meet over my next 4 years!

Elena Masters, DO
Hometown: Litchfield, NH

Undergraduate School: University of Connecticut

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hobbies/Interests: Photography, event planning, and traveling to new countries! On weekends, if I’m not planning to see a Broadway Musical, then I’m usually cuddled up on the couch with my dog reading or napping. Otherwise, I love to swim, surf, and ski!

Clinical Interests: I think that’s the best part of residency because I haven’t decided! I love the idea of both general Ob/Gyn, but I’m very interested in Urogynecology and REI.

Reason for choosing Danbury: I wanted a small, close-knit community without compromising on volume or opportunities. From the moment I interviewed, I could tell there was a warm and genuine culture among both the attendings and residents. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of the Danbury family, and I’m confident that my training here will help me become a well-rounded Ob/Gyn. Also who doesn’t love being a quick train ride away from NYC for weekend day trips?