Message from Program Director
Welcome to the Westchester Medical Center Gastroenterology Fellowship Program website.
I am the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program Director at Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College, a tertiary and quaternary referral center set on a beautiful wooded campus in the suburbs of New York City. The Valhalla campus comprises the University Hospital, the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, the new Ambulatory Care Pavilion, the Behavioral Health Center and New York Medical College. The Westchester Medical Center Health Network includes nine hospitals on seven campuses throughout the Hudson Valley. Patients come from the Hudson Valley and New York City and are attracted to the outstanding services at WMC.
Our Fellowship is a three-year ACGME-accredited general Gastroenterology Program with a total of seven fellows all on the Valhalla campus. Fellows manage a diverse population of inpatients and outpatients with a full spectrum of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. We offer our fellows evidence-based clinical training in a multi-disciplinary environment, clinical research opportunities, exposure to cutting edge complex endoscopic procedures as well as training and proficiency in a large volume of routine endoscopic procedures. Recent graduates have entered private or academic practice or have pursued an additional year of fellowship in Liver, IBD or Advanced Endoscopy.
We offer accessible and supportive faculty in a highly collegial and close-knit environment with three dedicated advanced endoscopists, a motility expert, IBD specialist, general gastroenterologists, and three transplant hepatologists. We greatly value our fellows’ contributions to our Division, and are very proud of their consistent accomplishments in clinical care, research, and education during fellowship and beyond. Our fellows are committed to lifelong learning and most remain in close contact with us personally and professionally for years after completing their fellowship.
I hope that the information on this website provides you with a helpful overview of our training program, details about our current curriculum and objectives for our fellows, the application process, and an appreciation of the many opportunities for professional and personal growth here at Westchester Medical Center. As you consider your choice of gastroenterology fellowship programs, we hope that your individual goals and priorities will find a good fit here at Westchester. If you have any questions about our program please feel free to contact me or our Program Coordinator, Denise Abreu (Denise.Abreu@wmchealth.org) at 914.493.3554.
Sincerely,
Beth Schorr-Lesnick, MD, FACP, FACG
Fellowship Program Director, Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases
Associate Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College
Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College
Beth.Schorr-Lesnick2@wmchealth.org
A Message from the Chief of the Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Diseases, Westchester Medical Center and Upham Professor and Division Director, New York Medical College
Program Overview and Curriculum
Gastroenterology Fellowship at Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College
The Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at Westchester Medical College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and offers exceptional training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Our mission is to prepare fellows for their chosen path in their future career in Gastroenterology. Fellows graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue advanced endoscopy, hepatology, functional GI disease, inflammatory bowel disease or general gastroenterology as a focus. While we endeavor to instill in all our fellows a love for life-long learning and innovation, we are supportive of their career choices in either an academic or private setting. We support a diverse and inclusive environment.
Clinical Site
Westchester Medical Center is a 415-bed academic hospital and the flagship of WMCHealth Network in Valhalla, New York. It is the Hudson Valley region's tertiary and quaternary care and referral hospital, serving more than 2.4 million people. Each year, more than 120,000 patients receive care at Westchester Medical Center in every clinical specialty through the University Hospital, the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, the Ambulatory Care Pavilion (ACP) and the Behavioral Health Center. The Westchester Medical Center Health Network comprises nine hospitals on seven campuses throughout the Hudson Valley. Many residents of New York City northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut are also attracted to the outstanding services at WMC. As the only Liver Transplant Center between New York City and Rochester, WMC provides care to most of the region’s patients with end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.
During training at Westchester Medical Center, fellows manage a diverse population of inpatients and outpatients with the full array of gastrointestinal and liver diseases. The tertiary mission of WMC mandates that advanced endoscopic procedures be offered, currently including ERCP, Spyglass cholangiography, EUS, radiofrequency ablation, endoscopic mucosal resection, gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM), intraluminal stent placement, cyst gastrostomy, endoscopic wound vac management, capsule endoscopy, Bravo pH, esophageal and anorectal manometry and ambulatory impedance testing. We have a spacious four-room Endoscopy Unit, fellows' work room and an eight-story Ambulatory Care Pavilion for outpatient care. Fellows see outpatients in their faculty-supervised Continuity clinic and will work alongside the Faculty in the outpatient Gastroenterology and Hepatology offices in ACP, aided by our universal EMR platform (Cerner).
Fellows see outpatients in their faculty-supervised Continuity Clinic and work alongside the faculty in the outpatient gastroenterology and hepatology offices in ACP, during a dedicated outpatient GI and liver rotation.
In addition to core rotations on the GI consult and inpatient liver transplant service, and the previously mentioned outpatient rotation, fellows will have dedicated endoscopy and elective/research time. They will have the opportunity to tailor their elective months to learn more about focused areas such as nutrition, gastrointestinal motility, bariatric/minimally invasive surgery, colorectal surgery, pancreaticobiliary surgery, specialized endoscopic procedures, GI radiology and clinical research.
Sample 13 Rotation Block Schedule
First Year
-
Inpatient Consultation Service / Inpatient GI Consultation Service (6.5 blocks)
- Inpatient Liver Service (1 block)
- Outpatient GI/Liver Service (3 blocks)
- Endoscopy (1.5 blocks)
- Elective/Research (1 block)
- Vacation (1 month embedded)
- Half-day/week Continuity Clinic
Second Year
- Inpatient GI Consultation Service (2.5 - 3 blocks)
- Inpatient Liver Service (2.5 - 3 blocks)
- Endoscopy (3.5 - 4 blocks)
- Elective/Research (2 blocks)
- Vacation (1 month embedded)
- Half-day/week Continuity Clinic
Third Year
-
Inpatient GI Consultation Service (2.5 blocks)
- Inpatient Liver Service (1.5 blocks)
- Endoscopy (4.5 blocks)
- Outpatient GI/Liver Service (2 blocks)
- Elective/Research (2.5 blocks)
- Vacation (1 month embedded)
- Half-day/week Continuity Clinic
Education
The fellowship program offers a rich portfolio of didactic and interactive learning experiences for fellows.
- Grand Rounds
- Quality Initiatives in Endoscopy
- Pathophysiology Seminars
- Case Presentation Conference
- Variety of guest lectures from other departments and other institutions
- Research/QI Presentations
- Luminal and Liver Pathology
- GI Radiology
- Best of ACG/DDW
- Journal Club
- ACG Educational Universe Series
- Endoscopy Learning Sessions
- IBD Multidisciplinary Conference
- Introduction to research at WMC/NYMC
- Liver Transplant Recipient Review
- GI and Liver Tumor Boards
- Fellows Wellness and Career Development Club
Additionally, fellows are provided virtual learning opportunities though WMC and our professional societies.
Weekly Gastroenterology Grand Rounds
Our Adult and Pediatric Gastroenterology fellows, multi-disciplinary WMC faculty members, and guest speakers deliver Grand Rounds presentations. Each fellow presents one Grand Rounds Pathophysiology Seminar annually on an approved topic of their choice, multiple case presentations, research/QI presentations, Best of ACG and DDW and presents at our Quality Initiatives in Endoscopy sessions.
Monthly Journal Club
During these conferences, faculty members and fellows review and discuss high impact GI and Liver research publications and guidelines from the New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, etc.
Fellows Club
Fellows Club meets approximately three times a year to discuss topics such as: Job Hunting, Emotional and Physical Well-Being, Financial Literacy/Advancement to Society Fellowship.
Weekly Didactics
Our didactic program is Fellow-designed (aside from Journal Club and Fellows Club) and includes:
- ACG Educational Universe Series
- Endoscopy Learning Sessions
- IBD Multidisciplinary Conference
- Introduction to research at WMC/NYMC
Gastroenterology and Liver Pathology Conference
Pathology Conference is held twice a year during Grand Rounds.
During this conference the senior fellows present interesting clinical cases in conjunction with a pathologist for review of the histo-pathology. This is an opportunity for the fellows and faculty to learn to diagnose and recognize common pathological conditions within our subspecialty.
Research and Publications
Fellows are required to design and write a Clinical Research Review article manuscript or a Quality Improvement project and execute the project during their years in training. In addition, our fellows must write at least one poster or abstract published or accepted at the Annual Scientific meetings sponsored by the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and/or American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
Fellows receive introductory lectures on how to navigate IRB process and how to initiate research projects.
Class of 2025
Zilan Xuefei Lin, MD
Zilan was born in China and moved to the US after completing middle school. Initially, ZIlan planned a career in Finance and double majored in International Business and Finance. After working as a broker assistant for a year and earned her series 7 License, Zilan decided to go for medicine. Following one year of an Orthopedic Surgery Research Fellowship and two years of General Surgery residency training, she entered the Internal Medicine Residency at WMC. She is very excited to be able to continue her training at WMC for her GI Fellowship. Outside of work, Zilan loves trying new things (ice climbing, mountain climbing, hang gliding, wakeboarding, archery, gold driving range, go kart, axe throwing, swimming with the pig, ice hotel / ice bar, US open tennis game, NBA game, Broadway, concerts), eating out with friends, and travelling.
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Residency: Westchester Medical Center
Agnieszka Nagorna, MD
Aga was born in Poland and moved to the tri-state area at a young age. She studied Economics at Wellesley College in Massachusetts before deciding to pursue medicine and completed a Post-Baccalaureate at Columbia University. She attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine followed by her residency in Internal Medicine at The Mt. Sinai Hospital. Aga is very excited to become part of the Westchester Medical Center community for her Gastroenterology Fellowship. Outside of the hospital, she loves exploring new restaurants and visiting new countries.
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Residency: Mt. Sinai Hospital
Class of 2026
Aaron H. Lit, MD
Aaron was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, CA. He completed his undergraduate degree in molecular biology and public health at UC Berkeley prior to moving to Westchester County, NY for medical school at New York Medical College. He completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Southern California. He is thrilled to return to New York for his GI training. Outside of medicine, Aaron enjoys traveling, learning new songs on the piano, and snowboarding.
Aaron Schluger, MD
Aaron was born in New York City and raised in Westchester. He is very excited to continue his training in gastroenterology at Westchester Medical Center. Aaron possesses an interest in gardening and nature conservation. He has long enjoyed spending time on the water or by the beach. He received a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and an MD from Columbia University.
Class of 2027
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Makeda Marisha Dawkins, MD
Makeda was born in Brooklyn, NY, and moved to Long Island at a young age. She completed her undergraduate training at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, an accelerated BS/MD program, before earning her medical degree at Downstate Medical Center. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency and served as Chief Resident at Westchester Medical Center before starting her fellowship. Makeda has a clinical interest in hepatitis B and was recognized as a 2023 Emerging Liver Scholar by the AASLD with Raymond T. Chung distinction. Outside of the hospital, you can find Makeda traveling, playing tennis, running and trying new restaurants.
Menasche Krupka, MD
Menasche grew up in Passaic, New Jersey. He received his bachelor's degree in biology from Touro University's Lander College for Men. For medical school he attended New York Medical College and went on to complete his Internal Medicine residency training at Westchester Medical Center. Menasche is excited to continue his training within the WMC system in the department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. When he is not at work he enjoys playing golf, watching sports, and most of all, spending time with his wife Abigail and their three adorable children Ari, Ella, and Abie.
Naveena Parvathy Sunkara, MD
Naveena was born in California and grew up in the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley. She completed her undergraduate degree with a major in Molecular Cell Biology/Neuroscience and a minor in Human Rights before moving to Westchester to attend medical school at New York Medical College. She completed her internal medicine residency at Brown University. Naveena is excited to be back at Westchester Medical Center to complete her gastroenterology fellowship. Outside of the hospital you can find Naveena baking, throwing dinner parties for friends and family, spending time by the water, and thrifting.
Gastroenterology Graduates
Class of 2024
Anila Kumar, DO
Attending, Hackensack Medical Center
Amanda Alison Rupert, MD
Attending, Rutgers Newark
Jakob Hy Saidman, MD
IBD Fellowship, Lenox Hill Hospital
Class of 2023
Cynthia E. Cohen, MD
Attending – Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY
Michael S. Rosman, MD
Manhattan Gastroenterology in NYC
Class of 2022
Aaron Weiss, MD
GastroHealth Delray Beach, FL
Zahava Farkas, DO
South Shore Digestive Care, New Hyde Park, NY
Class of 2021
Mehtap Canastar, MD
Hanover Gastroenterology Wilmington, NC
Sarah Olivier, MD
Attending Griffin Faculty Physicians, Griffin Hospital Derby, CT
Frederick Yick, MD
Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, NJ
Class of 2020
Asritha Lakshmi Gollapudi, MD
Attending: Advanced Physician Services, Westchester Medical Center/HealthAlliance Hospital, Kingston, NY with Advanced Endoscopy training
Dhruv Mehta, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Attending, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, TX
Class of 2019
Benjamin Barbash, MD
GI Health Specialists, Trumbull, CT
Shalom Frager, MD
Transplant Hepatology Fellowship, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
Transplant Hepatology Attending at Montefiore Medical Center
Class of 2018
Jonathan Barsa, MD
Albany Gastroenterology Consultants, Albany, NY
Dana Berg, MD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellowship, New York University School of Medicine, NY
Director, IBD Westchester Medical Center Valhalla, NY
Priyanka Chugh, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Queens, NY
Digestive Disease Center of CT, Waterbury, CT
Class of 2017
Vipin Mittal, MD
Presbyterian Hospital at Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tyson Collazo, MD
Attending SUNY Stonybrook
Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology in Harrisburg, PA
Class of 2016
Yuriy Israel, MD
Gastroenterology and Nutrition, P.C., Forest Hills, NY
Mitesh Bhalala, MD
Gastroentrointestinal Specialists, Brockton, Massachusetts
Class of 2015
Maria Kassab, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, Bronx, NY
Ayesha Zahiruddin, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine Brooklyn VA - SUNY Downstate, NY
Ashley Marinino, MD
Gastroenterology Associates, Vermont
Class of 2014
Amy Tyberg, MD
Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY (Class of 2015)
Assistant Professor of Medicine Advanced Endoscopy Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, NJ
Chau Che, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA