Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Internal Medicine Residency Program at Danbury Hospital
A message from the Program Director
Dear Applicant,
Welcome to the Danbury Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program, part of the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell! Thank you for considering us as you take the next steps in your medical career.
Our program has served our community for over 50+ years and in that time our institution and faculty have dedicated themselves to training outstanding physicians and cultivate leaders in their field. We are academically affiliated with the Yale University School of Medicine which grants our trainees access to didactics from Yale clinical professors and allows for elective training opportunities on the Yale New Haven Health Campus. Additionally, we are firm believers that the most meaningful way to strengthen your skills is by teaching others what you’ve learned. Danbury Hospital’s partnership with multiple medical schools provides residents with valuable opportunities to teach and mentor students, enhancing both their clinical skills and education experience.
Danbury Hospital is a large 450-bed acute care hospital that is a part of the Nuvance Health/Northwell Network. While being a community hospital, we are also a highly specialized tertiary care center and primary transfer site which support many surrounding hospitals within our region. As a result our residents encounter a wide range of pathology and gives them access to advanced procedures and clinical management spanning all subspecialities.
Here at Danbury it’s our mission to prioritize resident education and scholarly work via a team of dedicated and supportive faculty who provide one-on-one coaching and mentoring to help you realize your full potential as you navigate your career path. Our peer mentoring program fosters enduring relationships among trainees that extend well beyond residency, while our post-graduate mentoring initiative connects residents with our extensive network of distinguished alumni, offering personalized guidance as they establish themselves in their chosen specialties.
Our program is focused on providing high quality education, evidence based critical thinking and high value patient-centered care. In order to accomplish this our didactics use a novel approach: our weekday Morning Report is Chief Resident driven but it is also attended by program faculty, primary care physicians and subspecialists who provide nuanced, evidence-based and cost-effective guidance as we discuss cases in an open-forum style. Our Grand Rounds, hosted by our residency, allows our trainees the opportunity to present and also hand-pick topics of value to their career development from leading experts in the field including Northwell and Yale faculty. Unlike other programs, we combined the typical noon-conference didactics into one Academic Half Day. This allows for true educational protected time and helps residents bond through program sponsored wellness activities. In addition, we have multiple subspeciality journal clubs and allow our residents to attend Tumor Board, Cardio Cath Conference, POCUS training (with an optional advanced track), procedures team training. Danbury also has a large and phenomenal Simulation Lab with access to standardized patient training, procedural training and advanced life-support/emergency rapid response sessions so you quickly become comfortable taking the lead during emergent situations.
Here at Danbury we are proud to share our outstanding board pass rate and competitive fellowship match track record. We firmly believe that setting residents up for success starts on day one. Residents receive an education stipend but are separately given access to MKSAP, Uworld, UpToDate and a separate boards review course through their training. All residents are encouraged to participate in scholarly activities. We sponsor presentations at national conferences and global health opportunities. Additionally, as part of the large Northwell GME network, residents will have access to research opportunities through the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, broader elective experiences and fellowship opportunities across the system.
Danbury is a multicultural community, and our teaching faculty similarly hail from all over the world. We embrace individual experiences and the richness of other cultures to better serve the public. Through community outreach and through our massive, award winning Global Health program, we give our trainees the opportunity to travel and experience medicine through a different lens at a variety of established international sites. We are a family friendly program who understands the inherent stress of medical training and strives to maintain work-life balance.
As Program Director it has been a privilege to train and work alongside such motivated and accomplished individuals who through training have gone on to become Chiefs, faculty educators, outstanding Primary Care clinicians serving our community, win national awards or become leaders in their field. Thank you for considering us as you plan the next steps in your career. We are excited to share more about our program and hope to support you on your journey.
Best wishes as you make your way through application season,
Matthew Barbery, MD
Program Director
Overview
Welcome to Danbury Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program, part of the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell! As a three-year categorical medicine program, we aim to train competent, compassionate and well-rounded physicians. Our graduates are prepared to provide excellent patient-centered care as they take their next career step, whether entering general practice or pursuing further subspecialty training. Through the vast Northwell GME network our residents have broader access to elective experiences and fellowship opportunities.
We are also an affiliate of Yale University School of Medicine. As a result, our residents have a hybrid opportunity to learn from experts in academic medicine each week, while being able to train in a community-hospital setting. Our house staff additionally serve as clinical instructors for the University of Vermont, providing residents the valuable opportunity to develop teaching skills. Combined with our growing research department and Global Health Initiative, we believe our program strongly encourages residents to be equipped with both knowledge for the medical boards and prepares them to become lifelong learners.
Mission / Vision Statement
Our mission at the Internal Medicine program at Danbury Hospital is to provide our residents an outstanding educational experience to ensure that they are prepared to practice general internal medicine or to enter subspecialty fellowship training. This is done by educating them in the essentials of clinical medicine along with the necessary pathophysiology and basic science required of a knowledgeable and skillful physician. The residents are taught to deliver health services, regardless of a patients’ ability to pay, to a diverse patient population without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, or social status. The program requires and supports our residents’ role as teachers and educators in their interactions with their peers, students, ancillary medical professionals, and patients. In addition, the program supports the professional development of our residents allowing for personal growth and individualization of goals.
Program Structure
Our three-year categorical medicine program is designed to equip residents for a career in general Internal Medicine or medicine subspecialties. Therefore, our curriculum focuses on providing a broad array of rotations to allow optimal opportunity for learning during training. Additionally, aside from core clinical rotations, we also allow residents to personalize their training through Individualized Learning Plans which are mapped out with faculty mentorship starting day one.
Our curriculum is designed using a “4+2” schedule, meaning that residents participate in 4 weeks of inpatient rotations/subspecialty electives, followed by 2 weeks of outpatient continuity clinic or elective. This allows for residents to have a more balanced schedule in regards to teaching opportunity as well as work-life balance.
Residents are also have rotations in Emergency Medicine, Neurology & Geriatrics, in accordance with ACGME regulations.
Lastly, for residents interested in Global Health, a 4-week international elective can be completed in your second or third year. Please see Global Health for more information.
Outlines per PGY can be seen below:
PGY-1:
-
- 18-22 weeks of inpatient medicine (floors)
- 2-4 weeks of ICU
- 1 week of dedicated Point-of-Care Ultrasound Curriculum (POCUS)
- 2-4 weeks of Night Float
- 8 weeks of outpatient primary care clinic
- 10-12 weeks of subspecialty electives
- 4 weeks vacation
PGY 2 & 3:
- Inpatient medicine (floors) throughout the year
- 4 weeks of ICU
- 4 weeks of Step Down/ Progressive Care Medicine
- 8 weeks of outpatient primary care clinic
- 2-4 weeks of Night Float
- 8-10 weeks of subspecialty electives
- 2-4 weeks of Yale New Haven Rotation (or other away rotation)
- 2-4 weeks of dedicated research time (if requested)
- 2-4 weeks of Geriatric Medicine (PGY 3 ONLY)
- 4 weeks vacation
Academic Offerings
Our program utilizes an academic half day style; [delete where] each Thursday is dedicated to protected time (free from clinical duties) from 12:45-4:30 containing 4 lectures. The first lecture is given by a Yale School of Medicine clinical professor, with the remaining lectures consisting of review from in-house attendings and board review. Lunch is sponsored by the program but selected by our resident-driven wellness team.
In addition to the academic half-day, our residents find that the strongest component of our curriculum to be our Morning Report, hosted by the chief residents, program director, associate program directors and specialists involved in the case. Morning Reports occur four days a week, with the exception of Wednesdays for Grand Rounds.
We have an in-house cardiology fellowship with personalized training for those interested in cardiology. Dedicated faculty will help tailor cardiology elective curriculum to allow for exposure to cardiac MRI, echo reading, stress test evaluations etc. Additionally residents will have the opportunity to work alongside an advanced heart failure team.
Additional Academic Opportunities Include:
- Grand Rounds (weekly)
- Intern Report
- [Delete this: Resident Driven Interactive Learning Sessions (weekly)]
- Nephrology Forum (weekly
- Cardiology Cath Conference (weekly)
- ECG Review
- Infectious Disease Journal Club (monthly)
- Research Seminars
- Formal Procedure Training Sessions
- Mock Code Simulation
- New offering: Internal Medicine Research Journal Club (Quarterly)
Point-of-care Ultrasound
The point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) program at Danbury Hospital is specifically designed to give internal medicine residents a thorough understanding and proficiency in bedside ultrasonography as it pertains to inpatient medicine. It is the first of its kind in our network. We run an ultrasound “boot camp” for PGY-1 residents in order facilitate key concepts in basic ultrasonography and probe manipulation. All residents then go through a one-week rotation dedicated to POCUS education with certified faculty, with a strong emphasis on bedside didactics and hands-on time with the probes. Our SimLab houses highly specialized mannequins which advanced ultrasound tracking equipment to help guide you as you scan for images. Cases are selected from inpatients on the general medical floors, the ICU and the emergency department. There is also an Advanced Track where residents can elect for additional training in the critical care setting.
Our didactic materials are comprehensive and include online modules, the simulation lab, POCUS-dedicated mannequins, standardized patients and, of course, hospitalized inpatients.
Research Opportunities
Danbury Hospital’s Internal Medicine residency program ensures that all residents have opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in the areas of clinical research, evidence-based medicine, and quality improvement. From the beginning of the intern year, our residents are involved in research seminars that are conducted throughout the year and cover essential principles of the research process. In addition, our journal club puts learned skills into practice by using the published literature to dissect multiple examples of research design and practice applying research findings to patient care.
Our residents are then encouraged to utilize this knowledge to design their own research and quality-improvement projects. The scholarly activities are fully supported by the residency program and Department of Research and Innovation, including assistance with IRB submission, statistical support, and dedicated research time. The Residency Research Director and other faculty provide close mentorship throughout the project development and execution.
Our Annual Joseph L. Belksy, MD Research Day offers an excellent opportunity not only to share results of the work with colleagues, but also to practice presentation skills. Many of our residents have presented their original research at regional, national, and international meetings.
Current research projects span a wide spectrum of research designs and areas of medicine, to include epidemiological studies, cohort studies, case-controlled studies, and randomized clinical trials in the areas of infectious disease, pulmonology, critical care, sleep medicine, cardiology, and rheumatology.
Additionally, next academic year our program will open recruitment for a dedicated Internal Medicine Research Track for those looking for both focused clinical and research training.
Danbury Hospital Internal Medicine residency program is a wonderful environment of curiosity and inquiry that inspires professional growth and can make the residency time truly memorable.
Oleg Sostin, M.D., MCR
Residency Research Director
Recent Resident Research Projects and Publications
Nunez Cuello L, Jain K, Inigo-Santiago L. Unusual Suspect: Streptococcus pyogenes as a Cause of Pneumonia. Cureus. 2023 Jul 26;15(7):e42495. doi: 10.7759/cureus.42495. PMID: 37637676; PMCID: PMC10456145.
Hematologic side effects of biologics and kinase inhibitors used in rheumatologic diseases: a review of the current evidence. Ann Hematol. 2022 Sep;101(9):1897-1904. doi: 10.1007/s00277-022-04896-7. Epub 2022 Jun 27. PMID: 35759025; PMCID: PMC9243812.
Chang Y-C, Song J, Chang Y, Huang C-H, Sudan A, Chen P-C, Chi K-Y. The Association between Proton Pump Inhibitors and the Effectiveness of CDK Inhibitors in HR+/HER- Advanced Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers. 2023; 15(21):5133. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15215133.
Chiang CH, See XY, Wang TH, Chang YC, Lo JE, Liu WT, Choo CYW, Chiang CH, Hsia YP, Chiang CH. Effects of corticosteroids on severe community-acquired pneumonia: a closer look at the evidence. Crit Care. 2023 Aug 29;27(1):336. doi: 10.1186/s13054-023-04614-3. PMID: 37644607; PMCID: PMC10463972.
Chiang CH, Ahmed O, Liu W, See XY, Chang YC, Peng CY, Wang Z, Chiang CH, Hsia YP, Chiang CH. Thromboprophylaxis for outpatients with COVID-19: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2024 Apr 26. doi: 10.1007/s11239-024-02966-3. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38671166.
Chiang CH, Chang YC, Haw Y, Tan JY, Chiang CH, Hsia YP, Chiang CH. The Effect of Exercise on Cardiotoxicity in Women with Breast Cancer Receiving Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Oncology. 2024;102(6):510-514. doi: 10.1159/000535737. Epub 2023 Dec 15. PMID: 38104536; PMCID: PMC11151974.
Wang Z, See XY, Chiang CH, Chang YC, Hsia YP, Chiang CH, Peng CM, Chiang CH. The relationship between statin administration timing and survival outcomes in patients with cancer receiving immune checkpoint blockade. J Chemother. 2023 Dec 8:1-6. doi: 10.1080/1120009X.2023.2290348. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38062978.
Chiang CH, Chiang CH, Hsia YP, Jaroenlapnopparat A, Horng CS, Wong KY, Wang SS, Chang YC, Chen BS, Luan YZ, Wang CH, Neilan TG, Chiang CH, Peng CM, Shiah HS. The impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on outcome of patients with diabetes mellitus and colorectal cancer. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 May;39(5):902-907. doi: 10.1111/jgh.16498. Epub 2024 Jan 31. PMID: 38296226.
See XY, Wang TH, Chang YC, Lo J, Liu W, Choo CYW, Lee YC, Ma KSK, Chiang CH, Hsia YP, Chiang CH, Chiang CH. Impact of different corticosteroids on severe community-acquired pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Respir Res. 2024 Jan 22;11(1):e002141. doi: 10.1136/bmjresp2023-002141. PMID: 38262670; PMCID: PMC10806634.
Lin HK, Cheng JH, Wu CC, Hsieh FS, Dunlap C, Chen SH. Functional buffering via cell-specific gene expression promotes tissue homeostasis and cancer robustness. Sci Rep. 2022 Feb 22;12(1):2974. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-06813-4. PMID: 35194081; PMCID: PMC8863889.
Lee IT, Lin PJ, Yen HH. Pediatric neuroimaging findings and clinical presentations of COVID-19: A systematic review. Int J Infect Dis. 2024 Jan;138:29-37. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.11.006. Epub 2023 Nov 7. PMID: 37944584.
Lin PJ, Hershey MS, Lee TI, Shih CW, Tausi S, Sosene V, Maani PP, Tupulaga M, Hsu YT, Chang CR, Wu SM, López-Gil JF, Tang LI, Shiau SC, Lo YH, Wei CF. Temporal trends of food consumption patterns in Tuvalu under the context of climate change: COMmunity-based Behavior and Attitude survey in Tuvalu (COMBAT) since 2020. Nutrition. 2024 May 3;125:112488. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2024.112488. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38810531.
Lin PJ, Lee TI, Hershey MS, Shih CW, Tausi S, Sosene V, Maani PP, Tupulaga M, Wu SM, López-Gil JF, Lo YH, Shiau SC, Hsu YT, Chang CR, Wei CF. Exploring the link between home garden use and severe obesity: Insights from a nationwide survey in Tuvalu. J Glob Health. 2023 Sep 1;13:04097. doi: 10.7189/jogh.13.04097. PMID: 37655368; PMCID: PMC10472202.
Mohamed Jiffry MZ, Carmona Pires F, Perozo MA, Rangsipat N, Tabares D. A Rare Case of PertuzumabInduced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Cureus. 2023 May 31;15(5):e39797. doi: 10.7759/cureus.39797. PMID: 37398793; PMCID: PMC10313340.
Molina G, Contreras R, Alvarez M, Goodman J, Yekta A. Atypical Presentation of a Right Atrial Myxoma. Cureus. 2023 Oct 15;15(10):e47084. doi: 10.7759/cureus.47084. PMID: 38022078; PMCID: PMC10646150.
Molina G, Rouzbehani Selakhor J, Alvarez M, Contreras R, Khawaja UR. Cardiac Amyloidosis Disguised as Atrial Flutter: A Case Report. Cureus. 2023 May 26;15(5):e39524. doi: 10.7759/cureus.39524. PMID: 37250607; PMCID: PMC10224743.
Nunez Cuello L, Perdomo W, Walgamage T, Walgamage M, Raut R. Unmasking Renal Disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Beyond Lupus Nephritis. Cureus. 2023 Aug 7;15(8):e43091. doi: 10.7759/cureus.43091. PMID: 37680420; PMCID: PMC10482421.
Nunez Cuello L, Jain K, Inigo-Santiago L. Unusual Suspect: Streptococcus pyogenes as a Cause of Pneumonia. Cureus. 2023 Jul 26;15(7):e42495. doi: 10.7759/cureus.42495. PMID: 37637676; PMCID: PMC10456145.
Hematologic side effects of biologics and kinase inhibitors used in rheumatologic diseases: a review of the current evidence. Ann Hematol. 2022 Sep;101(9):1897-1904. doi: 10.1007/s00277-022-04896-7. Epub 2022 Jun 27. PMID: 35759025; PMCID: PMC9243812.
A second look at the mortality in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura score: An external validation study. Transfus Med. 2023 Jun;33(3):227-231. doi: 10.1111/tme.12956. Epub 2023 Jan 27. PMID: 36705047.
Upper Airway Complications in COVID-19: A Case Series. Cureus. 2023 Apr 5;15(4):e37163. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37163. PMID: 37153305; PMCID: PMC10162402.
Chromhidrosis. Brown J Hosp Med. 2022;1(3). Baral MR, Bhandari S, Rudinskaya A. Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia in Limited Systemic Sclerosis. Brown J Hosp Med. 2022;1(3).
A Couple With False Hellebore Poisoning. AIM Clinical Cases.2022;1:e220715. [Epub 20 December 2022]. doi:10.7326/aimcc.2022.0715.
An Uncommon Case of Acute Coronary Stent Thrombosis. Cureus. 2023 Jan 16;15(1):e33834. doi: 10.7759/cureus.33834. PMID: 36655155; PMCID: PMC9842189.
Pneumomediastinum as a Complication of Cocaine Insufflation. Cureus. 2023 May 1;15(5):e38392. doi: 10.7759/cureus.38392. PMID: 37143856; PMCID: PMC10153765.
Cardiac Amyloidosis Disguised as Atrial Flutter: A Case Report. Cureus. 2023 May 26;15(5):e39524. doi: 10.7759/cureus.39524. PMID: 37250607; PMCID: PMC10224743.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Following COVID-19 Infection. Cureus. 2023 Jan 28;15(1):e34307. doi: 10.7759/cureus.34307. PMID: 36721708; PMCID: PMC9884115.
A Rare Case of PertuzumabInduced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Cureus 15(5): e39797. doi:10.7759/cureus.39797.
Internal Jugular Venous Thrombosis With Superior Vena Cava Syndrome: A Rare First Presentation of Gray Zone Lymphoma. Cureus. 2023 Apr 4;15(4):e37096. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37096. PMID: 37153303; PMCID: PMC10158559.
Case Report of Painless Obstructive Jaundice: A Rare First Presentation of Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Cureus. 2023 Feb 27;15(2):e35561. doi: 10.7759/cureus.35561. PMID: 37007420; PMCID: PMC10060124.
A Rare Case of Acute Liver Failure Secondary to Miliary Liver Metastasis. Cureus. 2022 Dec 7;14(12):e32282. doi: 10.7759/cureus.32282. PMID: 36628026; PMCID: PMC9817182.
Dropped Gallstone Mimicking Retroperitoneal Tumor 5 Years After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Posing a Diagnostic Challenge. Cureus. 2022 Nov 9;14(11):e31284. doi: 10.7759/cureus.31284. PMID: 36382310; PMCID: PMC9644824.
Pulmonary Metastases From Primary Thigh Leiomyosarcoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Cureus 15(5): e39562. doi:10.7759/cureus.39562
Pulmonary Angiosarcoma With Synchronous Invasive Aspergillosis Presenting as Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage and Acute Kidney Injury: A Case Report of a Previously Unreported Combination Posing a Diagnostic Challenge. Cureus. 2023 May 3;15(5):e38507. doi: 10.7759/cureus.38507. PMID: 37284386; PMCID: PMC10240848.
An Unusual Case of Lung Adenocarcinoma Metastasis to the Tricep Muscle: Four Years Disease-Free After Surgical Resection and Radiotherapy. Cureus 15(4): e38347. doi:10.7759/cureus.38347
A Rare Case of Relapsed Sarcoidosis Presenting As Severe Thrombocytopenia Associated With Intracerebral Hemorrhage Due to Bone Marrow Involvement. Cureus 15(4): e37973. doi:10.7759/cureus.37973.
Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) First Manifested as a Rapidly Progressive Acute Respiratory Failure (RF): Lymph Node Biopsy Negative Presentation Posing a Diagnostic Challenge. Cureus. 2023 Apr 15;15(4):e37619. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37619. PMID: 37197117; PMCID: PMC10184955.
Hematologic side effects of biologics and kinase inhibitors used in rheumatologic diseases: a review of the current evidence. Annals of Hematology. 2022 Jun 27:1–8. doi: 10.1007/s00277-022-04896-7. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35759025; PMCID: PMC9243812.
Trends and Outcomes of Hospitalized Influenza Patients With End-Stage Kidney Disease: Insights From the National Inpatient Sample 2010-2019. Cureus. 2022 Apr 25;14(4):e24484. doi: 10.7759/cureus.24484. PMID: 35651447; PMCID: PMC9132744.
Severe warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia in COVID-19 managed with least incompatible RBC product and glucocorticoids. Annals of Hematology. 2022 Feb;101(2):431-432. doi: 10.1007/s00277-021-04457-4. Epub 2021 Feb 18. PMID: 33604688; PMCID: PMC7891115.
FOXC1 Binds Enhancers and Promotes Cisplatin Resistance in Bladder Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Mar 28;14(7):1717. doi: 10.3390/cancers14071717. PMID: 35406487; PMCID: PMC8996937.
Foreign body reaction mimicking local recurrence from polyactide adhesion barrier film after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery: A retrospective cohort study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Feb 4;101(5):e28692. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000028692. PMID: 35119013; PMCID: PMC8812642.
A Pilot Study Of Aspirin Resistance In Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients. Clinical and Investigative Medicine. 2021 Oct 3;44(3):E55-63. doi: 10.25011/cim.v44i3.36708. PMID: 34600460.
Gastrointestinal bleeding is associated with higher in-hospital mortality, longer length of stay and higher cost in patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest. Resusc Plus. 2021 Jul 8;7:100150. doi: 10.1016/j.resplu.2021.100150. PMID: 34308394; PMCID: PMC8283135.
A matched cohort study of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19. Journal of Clinical Apheresis. 2021 Aug;36(4):523-532.
Delayed anticoagulation in venous thromboembolism: Reasons and associated outcomes. Research and Practice in Thrombosis Haemostasis. 2021 Apr 7;5(4):e12500.
Clinical Outcomes With the Use of Prophylactic Versus Therapeutic Anticoagulation in Coronavirus Disease 2019. Critical Care Explorations. 2020;2(12):e0309.
Outcomes of MitraClip placement in patients with liver cirrhosis. Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine. 2020;S1553-8389(20)30483-8.
Characteristics of patients with frequent exacerbator phenotype of COPD and role of inhales corticosteroid therapy. CHEST. Volume 158, Issue 4S, October 2020.
Aspirin Resistance in Patients with OSA: ARISA Trial. CHEST. Volume 158, Issue 4S, October 2020.
Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Celiac Disease: An Insight from the National Inpatient Sample. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Volume 75, Issue 11:S2, March 2020.
Diabetes and its effect on abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate in Hispanic patients. Annals of Vascular Surgery; 61, 254-260 – November 2019.
Octreotide as a Novel Agent for Management of Bronchorrhea in Mechanically-Ventilated Patients. Connecticut Medicine. January 2020. Volume 84, Issue 1. To be presented at the 2020 CHEST Annual Meeting.
Association between loop diuretic dose administered in first 24 hours of heart failure admissions and length of hospital stay. J Community Hosp Intren Med Perspect. 2018 Aug 23;8(4):195-199.
Reasons and associated outcomes in delayed anticoagulation in venous thromboembolism. Vascular Medicine. 2020 Jun; 25(3).
Readmissions Rates After Myocardial Infarction for Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A National Perspective. Dig Dis Sci. 2020;10.1007/s10620-020-06315.
The effects of a comprehensive care management program on readmission rates after acute exacerbation of COPD at a community-based academic hospital. Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis. 2018; 5(3): 185-192.
Heart Failure Self-Management Using a Mobile Web-Based Telemonitoring System: Impact on Hospital Readmission and Quality of Life. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Volume 75, Issue 11:S1, March 2020. □ Presented at the 2020 World Congress of Cardiology.
Comparison of the Microbiome Composition of Rectal Stool vs Laxative-purged Liquid Stool in Patients Undergoing Screening Colonoscopy. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 111:S84-S85, October 2016. □ Presented at the 2016 American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting.
Wellness
As medical residents, we understand that despite a strong passion for what we do, work fatigue can take over. Therefore, our program works actively to make sure wellness is a vital component of our day-to-day responsibilities and our program strives to maintain work-life balance.
Firstly, we strive to ease the transition of new interns into residency life by the creation of the “Big-Brother/Big-Sister” program whereby senior residents serve as both work and life mentors to their juniors. Our program supplants work weeks with open-feedback such as “Team Huddles” whereby anyone in the team can express regular workflow feedback, whether seniors to juniors and vice versa. Regular “Town Halls” with the Chief Residents allow residents to receive regular residency updates, express concerns, and have regular interaction. Access to the hospital’s Goldstone Caregiver Center allows residents to find a quiet spot to clear their mind in a calming and relaxing atmosphere.
Over the years our program has promoted wellness in different ways depending on shifting resident interests. For example, we have hosted weekly resident-faculty soccer games at a local sports dome, paintball, yoga, pottery classes, apple/pumpkin picking, resident picknicks, kayaking. Residents have access to an on campus gym via our cardiology department. The program has helped sponsor holiday parties such as our annual Halloween Costume event, winter Holiday Gala, Spring Family Feud, Thanksgiving pot luck, Fourth of July event. Our hospital now houses a wellness-space for residents to access a calming environment away from clinical activities.
Outside of COVID times, for wellness outside of work, we typically host weekly Soccer games held in a local sports dome where faculty and residents can apply a new kind of teamwork. We also provide yoga sessions at a local studio for residents’ free-of-charge. Holiday parties such as our annual Halloween Costume event, winter Holiday Gala, and spring Family Feud challenge bring residents together. While these are temporarily on hold given COVID-19, we are dedicated to finding ways to promote wellness virtually and in small group settings in the meantime. Our program functions on transparency and support in a close-knit environment.
Aside from the aforementioned, our Wellness Initiative includes the following:
- Two half day wellness days annually for residents
- Peer-to-peer support networks
- Direct faculty mentorship
- PACT – Physician/Associate Care Team peer supporters trained to effectively provide support
- System-wide Exercise Challenges
- Invited guest speakers for health and wellness, including Goldstone Caregiver Center
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Vitive Health employee benefit which allows for free health screenings, blood work and access to health coaching
Danbury Hospital Current Residents
Internal Medicine
7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026
Chief Medical Residents
Deeksha Bhattarai, MD
Sun Yat-Sen University
Daniel Jimenez Corado, MD
Universidad Rafael Landívar Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud
Ishan Garg, MD
Ross University School of Medicine
PGY-3’s
Sadikshya Bhandari, MD
Kathmandu University School of Medicine
Tapasya Bhusal, MD
Chitwan Medical College
Yu-Cheng Chang, MD
Chang Gung Medical College
Muhammad Islam, MD
Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Medical & Dental College
Muhammad Khalid, MD
King Edward Medical College
Oleksandr Klymenko, MD
National Medical University
Hao-Kuen, Lin, MD
National Taiwan University
Franz Lopez, MD
Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo
Ayah Mohamed, MD
Ain Shams University
Yuliya Prystupa, MD
Danylo Halytsky Lviv State Medical University
Huda Quanungo, MD
Ross University
Huma Quanungo, MD
Ross University
Karanjit, Ratta, MD
Davao Medical School Foundation
Tenzin Tamdin, MD
Central America Health Sciences University
Anup Uprety, MD
Institute of Medicine Tribhuvan University
Karan Vasireddi, MD
Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medicine & Research
PGY-2’s
Yeshwanth Damalpati, MD
Kasturba Medical College Mangalore
Kasuni Dharmaratna, MD
University of Ruhuna Faculty of Medicine
Mohamad Elgozair, MD
Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine
Shreya Garg, MD
Dayanand Medical College
Veronika Govorukhina, MD
Lomonosov Moscow State University Faculty of Medicine
Stanislav Gruzdev, MD
People’s Friendship University of Russia Faculty of Medicine
Andrei Gruzmanov, MD
Saint Petersburg State University Faculty of Medicine
Rebecca Jen-Ling Hsieh, MD
National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine
Kanish Kamath, MD
Government Medical College Aurangabad
Manya Kumar, MD
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung
Eric Mehm, MD
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland School of Medicine
Joseph Mitchell, MD
American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Dorothea-Sarita Osenberg, MD
Albert- Ludwigs- Universitat Freiburg Medizinische Fakultat
Dinmukhammed Osser, MD
First Moscow State Medical University
Felix Adrian Valverde, MD
Universidad de Guayaquil Facultad de Ciencias Medicas
Zihao Xu, MD
Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
JingYao Zhang, MD
Second Military Medical University
PGY-1’s
Fizra Balkhi, MD
Jinnah Sindh Medical University
Michael Bennett, MD
Tufts University School of Medicine
Justin Bercasio, MD
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Primesh De Mel, MD
SEGi University
Isabella Del Castillo, MD
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Yuhao Guo, MD
Capital Medical University
Domenica Herrera, MD
Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador Facultad de Medicina
Sher Liquido, MD
University of East/Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center College of Medicine
Adriana Menedez Mite, MD
Universidad Catolica de Santiago de Guayaquil Facultad de Ciencias Medicas
Octavian Piatac, MD
Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie luliu Hatieganu
Joseph Piwowarski, DO
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia Campus
Aparajitha Rajkumar, MD
Kilpauk Medical College
Sanjana Reddy, MD
Vydehi Institue of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bangalore
Shivangi Sharma, MD
Government Medical College Chandigarh
Sumukh Shetty, MD
University of Queensland School of Medicine
Debbie Suzana Morales, MD
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Shao-An Tseng, MD
National Taiwan University College of Medicine
Recent Graduate Fellowship Placement
2025 Graduates:
- Pulmonary Critical Care, Emory University
- Pulmonary Critical Care, MedStar Washington Hospital Center
- Primary Care, Chicago
- Hospitalist, Danbury Hospital
- Endocrinology, Westchester Medical Center
- Primary Care, Beth Israel Lahey
- Pulmonary Critical Care, University of Missouri
- Hospitalist, Presbyterian Hospital
- Hospitalist, Reading Hospital
- Hospital Medicine, Brigham & Women Hospital
- Nocturnist, Norwalk Hospital
- Nocturnist, Baystate
- Washington Tacoma General Hospital
- Primary Care, Piedmont
- Pulmonary Critical Care, Emory University
2024 Graduates:
- Allergy & Immunology, University of Virginia
- Cardiology, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
- Endocrinology, University of Maryland Medical Center
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa
- Hematology/Oncology, SUNY Upstate
- Pulmonary Critical Care, University of Virginia
- Pulmonary Critical Care, Norwalk Hospital
2023 Graduates:
- Cardiology, UMass Chan, Baystate Medical Center
- Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Oklahoma
- Hematology/Oncology, UMass Chan, Baystate Medical Center
- Hospice & Palliative Care, University of Iowa
- Infectious Disease, Case Western
- Pulmonary Critical Care, St. Louis University
- Pulmonary Critical Care, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Rheumatology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
- Rheumatology, Thomas Jefferson University
2022 Graduates:
- Cardiology, Danbury Hospital
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Massachusetts
- Nephrology, Johns Hopkins University
- Pulmonary Critical Care, Reading Hospital
- Vascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
2021 Graduates:
- Cardiology, UMass Chan, Baystate Medical Center
- Cardiology, Danbury Hospital
- Cardiology, Marshall University
- Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Geisinger Health System
2020 Graduates:
- Endocrinology, University of Vermont
- Hematology/Oncology, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
- Cardiology, University of Texas
- Cardiology Research Fellowship, West Virginia University
2019 Graduates:
- Cardiology, Hennepin Medical Center
- Endocrinology, Albany Medical Center
- Hospice & Palliative Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine
- Infectious Disease, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
- Rheumatology, SUNY Downstate
- Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Stony Brook Teaching Hospital
- Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, LSU Health Science Center
- Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, New York University
2018 Graduates:
- Cardiology, UMass Chan, Baystate Medical Center
- Endocrinology, UCLA
- Geriatrics, University of Michigan
- Geriatrics Fellowship, Yale New Haven Bridgeport Hospital
- Hematology/Oncology, University of Vermont
- Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic
- Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship, UC San Diego
- Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship, Weill Cornell
How to Apply / Interview Process
Applications to the Danbury Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Categorical Program will only be accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS). The ERAS webs site can be located at http://www.aamc.org/students. We do not accept applications received in the mail or sent by fax.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. MEDICAL GRADUATES
- ERAS Application
- ERAS Supplemental Application (For the 2022 ERAS® cycle, our program will strongly encourage all applicants to complete a supplemental ERAS application, offered through the AAMC’s ERAS program. The additional information collected will help our program learn more about applicants’ medical education journey, including more meaningful information about work, volunteer, and research experiences, and will help us better identify applicants who fit our program environment and mission.
- Curriculum Vitae
- Dean’s Letter
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Photograph (optional but preferred)
- Medical School Transcripts
- USMLE or COMLEX Transcripts (Step 1 and Step 2 CS/CK or equivalent)
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES:
- All of the above requirements
- S. citizen or permanent residency preferred
- J-1 Visa’s and H1-B Visa’s will be considered
- ECFMG Certificate
- Recent US clinical experience is preferred
- Recent graduate of medical school (preferred within past 5 years).
INTERVIEW PROCESS
Applications must be completed by November 1st in order to be considered for review by the Selection Committee, though early applications are strongly encouraged.
Interviews are extended by email invitation only.
Interviews will be conducted virtually this year.
*While our faculty is dedicated to doing a holistic review for each application, our program will participate in Program Signaling this year. *
FAQs
What is the structure of your floor teams?
The inpatient teams include a resident and an intern along with the attending hospitalist with strictly enforced team and individual patient caps.
What is the ICU experience like?
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a 20-bed closed unit that cares for critically ill inpatients. The ICU is supervised by Board Certified pulmonologist/intensivists who make teaching rounds on a daily basis. There is also a Coronary Care Unit under the supervision of Board Certified cardiologists.
Do you have night coverage?
Yes, we have a night float system. All interns now rotate as part of the night float team consisting of interns and upper-level residents supervised by attending nocturnists. We emphasize teamwork and mentoring of night float interns by upper-level residents who are part of the night float team.
What is the vacation system?
Each resident has four weeks of vacation divided into two two-week blocks. Vacation requests are taken before the start of each academic year and most requests are fulfilled, especially for significant life events.
What other residencies are offered at Danbury Hospital?
General Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Dentistry, and Pathology
What fellowships are offered at Danbury Hospital?
Cardiology fellowship which recently expanded in size.
Is there any opportunity for electives at other institutions?
Yes, our residents are offered 4 weeks of elective each year during PGY2 and 3 as dedicated time for electives at Yale New Haven Hospital or dedicated research time. If a resident chooses to complete an away elective at an alternative site, they may arrange to do so.
Is there opportunity to complete a Global Health elective?
Those interested may apply for the Global Health program, a 4-week rotation abroad where you will have the opportunity to experience medicine as practiced in other countries. We have various established sites including Botswana, the Dominican Republic, India, Thailand, multiple regions in Uganda, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Cuba. Residents can sign up as an elective where the rotation covers topics such as tropical medicine, ethical dilemmas, biostats.
Does your health system qualify for the Program Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program?
Yes, we are a 501(C)(3) facility and our residents may qualify for the PSLF Program