Nisha Divan, MD
Hometown: Buffalo, NY

Undergraduate School: University of Rochester

Medical School: University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Hobbies/interests: Spending time with my family and friends, cheering for the Buffalo Bills (maybe this is the year they go to the Super Bowl?!), traveling, going to concerts/anywhere with live music, watching Netflix

Clinical interests: I’m still deciding! I have a strong interest in Global Health, so I’m definitely planning to incorporate that into my career. I would be really happy as a General Ob/Gyn, but I’m also considering a fellowship in REI – we’ll see!

Reason for choosing Danbury: The people and the atmosphere! On my interview day, Danbury immediately stood out to me as having such genuine, warm, and supportive faculty and residents. This has become even more clear to me since starting intern year! Our program is strong academically with a smaller community feel, allowing for each resident’s education to be individualized – which is exactly what I was looking for. I am confident that my training here will shape me into a compassionate, well-rounded Ob/Gyn, and I feel so lucky to be part of the Danbury family!

Cosima Neumann, MD
Hometown: Born in Germany, but raised all over! Lucky to call Germany, Qatar, and the US home.
Undergraduate School: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Medical School: Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar

Hobbies/interests: Traveling, going to concerts & museums, thrifting, trying new restaurants with friends, and pilates

Clinical interests: chronic pelvic pain, robotic gynecologic surgery, women's mental health, and using virtual reality for empathy training in healthcare professionals

Reason for choosing Danbury: When I interviewed at Danbury, I knew I had hit the trifecta: people, resources, and location! I dreamed of joining such a tight-knit program that serves a diverse community. Danbury faculty and staff foster a positive learning environment, and the residents have access to excellent medical education resources, including an obstetric patient simulator. Danbury's proximity to NYC was also important to me, because I can hop on a plane at JFK to visit my family abroad!

Zeynep Tek, MD
Hometown: Woodbridge, CT

Undergraduate School: Barnard College

Medical School: The Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont

Hobbies/interests and clinical interests: My hobbies outside of work are yoga and baking! I’m still exploring my clinical interests, as there are so many aspects of OBGYN that I love!

Reason for choosing Danbury: I loved how warm all the residents were during our meet and greet. Everyone worked well together and supported each other. It is the perfect combination of a community program with strong academic roots and the curriculum allows for residents to be well trained in all aspects of OB/GYN as well as explore their own personal interests. The residency feels like family, and I knew that I would find friendships that I will keep with me for the rest of my life.

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
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.