Categorical Intern Class of 2026
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Neal Bartl
Hometown: Davidson, NC
College: Sewanee: The University of the South
Medical School: UNC Chapel Hill
Hobbies: Running, Weight Lifting, Trying new breweries with family and friends
Why CMC: I had the opportunity to work on a research project with several of the surgeons at CMC during my undergrad summers and they left a lasting impression on me. Everyone was incredibly kind and eager to help. The residents were strong leaders and clearly saw each other as family, from interns to chiefs. While rotating in Charlotte as a fourth year medical student I was impressed by the operative volume and high level of autonomy given to the residents by attendings. The location is also stellar; Charlotte is a great city with plenty to do. I can’t think of any better place to be for residency!
Surgical field of interest: Undecided |
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Bryce Dugas
Hometown: Denham Springs, LA
College: Louisiana Tech University
Medical School: LSU School of Medicine-Shreveport
Hobbies: Hiking, Camping, Hunting, Fishing, Cooking, Reading, Exercise
Why CMC: Being a “Communiversity” program, CMC gives you the benefit of being able to be exposed to academic medicine while also getting tremendous operative experience throughout your 5 years. The people here really try to maintain a supportive training environment and that was something that I noticed in my interview and have continued to appreciate since starting. I had also never left Louisiana and I wanted a bit of a change of scenery at least for a little while and Charlotte is a great city to live and work especially for young professionals.
Surgical Field of Interest: Undecided
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Alexis Holland
Hometown: Nashville, TN
College: Furman University
Medical School: The University of Tennessee College of Medicine
Hobbies: Golfing, Painting, Community Service, Watching sports, Exploring the city, Hanging out with family and friends
Why CMC: I was looking for a program that had the experiences and resources of a large academic center but had the culture and feel of a community program, and CMC fit that perfectly! Despite virtual interviews, I could tell the residents were incredibly supportive of each other, both in and outside of the hospital, and I felt that I fit in well! No matter what specialty I end up pursuing, there are opportunities for anything at CMC, and I chose this program because of that flexibility.
Surgical Field of Interest: Surgical Oncology, Breast Surgery |
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Stephanie Jensen
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
College: Duke University
Med School: UNC Chapel Hill
Hobbies: Hiking, Traveling, Running, Spending time with friends and family
Why CMC: I rotated here as a medical student and love the fun and supportive environment! The operative experience is also amazing, and I was very impressed with the clinical and technical skills of the residents even early in their training.
Surgical field of interest: Undecided |
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Mariah Johnson
Hometown: Wichita, KS and Muskogee, OK
College: The Mecca - Howard University
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita
Hobbies: Politics, Traveling, Attending live performances, Reading, Family time.
Why CMC? CMC has a community culture and many opportunities for exploration of my surgical interests. After residency, I will serve as a General Surgeon at an Indian Health Services or Tribal healthy facility, so it was important that I train at a residency that would prepare me well for this career. CMC is an excellent institution with a proven record of graduating general surgeons well prepared to enter practice after residency. But ultimately it was the people! By the end of my interview, this just felt like the place I was meant to spend 5 challenging years in training.
Surgical Field of Interest: General Surgery |
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Will Lorenz
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
College: Furman University
Medical School: University of South Carolina- Greenville
Hobbies: Cooking, Exploring the Charlotte food scene, Hanging out with my wife and dog, Going to the beach or mountains
Why CMC: I was looking for a program that was academic, had great research opportunities and an amazing operative experience. This program seemed to have the perfect balance for me. Also, as soon as I met the residents at the meet and greets and interview day, I found them to be a fun but driven group of people. Since I've been here, this group of residents has been extremely supportive and made my transition way easier than expected.
Area of interest in surgery: Undecided |
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PGY-2 Class of 2025
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Raza Ahamad, MD
Hometown: Potomac, MD
College: St. Mary's College of Maryland
Medical School: University of Queensland-Ochsner
Hobbies: Cooking, Hiking, Coffee Brewing, Rowing
Why CMC?: When looking for a residency I knew I wanted a program that had a culture of operating early, with strong resident autonomy, and exposure to a wide variety of surgical pathology. I also wanted a residency that would either prepare me to excel in any fellowship that I decided to pursue or give me the tools to succeed in General Surgery practice. While CMC checked all those boxes for me, what sold me was the great interactions between the residents and faculty during my interview day and dinner. This is a truly collegial program that strongly invests in their residents' education and growth, and gives them an immense amount of support from all levels. I could not imagine training anywhere else.
Surgical Field of Interest: Cardiothoracic Surgery and Pediatric Surgery
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Logan Carney, MD
Hometown: Union, KY
College: Eastern Kentucky University
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Why CMC? I felt most welcomed at CMC by the faculty and residents. There is a great camaraderie here and it is truly a surgery family where you are supported and encouraged. The program is centered on early operating experience and a high volume of complex cases which provide a great environment to learn in. Also, the city of Charlotte is a young and rapidly growing area that has no shortage of things to do and provides a great place to live and have a family. With all these things combined, choosing CMC as my top choice was a no-brainer!
Surgical Field of Interest: Trauma Surgery
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Caleb Pflederer, MD
Hometown: Tremont, IL
College: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Medical School: Rush Medical College
Hobbies: Backpacking, jazz and blues guitar, Chicago Cubs baseball
Why CMC: As a 4th year medical student rotating here, I absolutely loved my time. The program has a tight-knit culture between residents, as well as faculty. This is a program where the residents hang out outside of the hospital together, look out for each other, and have a lot of camaraderie. The training is excellent, and Charlotte has a lot to offer!
Surgical Field of Interest: Rural general surgery or Colorectal Surgery
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Ansley Ricker, MD
Hometown: Greenville, TN
College: Mars Hill University
Medical School: East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine
Hobbies: Intramural sports, community volunteer work, spending quality time with family and friends, traveling and exploring new restaurants.
Why CMC: I chose CMC because the residents, faculty, and staff here are the most incredibly supportive and caring people toward me. After being a part of a team my entire life through basketball, I knew I needed that in a residency program, and that is exactly what I found here at CMC. I have the most supportive group of co-residents who genuinely strive to take care of one another every day. Furthermore, the female mentorship here is strong, which is crucial for women in surgery. Lastly, CMC has a prominent history of placing its residents into top fellowship programs across the country, so my interests of cardiothoracic surgery and surgical oncology, whatever I end up deciding, are well within reach!
Surgical Field of Interest: Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology |
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Christian Sanderfer, MD
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
Undergrad: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Hobbies: In my free time outside of the hospital, I love to play golf, cook, and barbecue with fellow residents.
Why CMC: I completed an away rotation during my 4th year of medical school and can honestly say that CMC had a completely different feel than anything I had experienced in surgery. The culture of the program is unmatched. All of the residents interacted together and any level resident could talk directly to a chief. There was a culture of hard work and excellence. Everyone was happy and genuinely loved what they were doing and the surgeons they were becoming. The training, different complexity levels, and volume of cases are second to none. Charlotte is a wonderful city that continues to grow and offers so many different activities, breweries and restaurants.
Field of interest: Cardiac Surgery, Colorectal Surgery
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Hadley Wilson, MD
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
College: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: University of North Carolina
Hobbies: Golfing, fly fishing, duck hunting, skiing, exploring Charlotte’s many greenways via biking or running
Why CMC?: The camaraderie of the residents is the best in the country, and I started learning to operate my first week here. The free food is actually pretty good too.
Surgical field of interest: Cardiothoracic or Minimally Invasive Surgery |
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PGY-3 Class of 2024
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Michael Avery, DO
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
College: East Carolina University
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Watching and playing basketball, hanging out with my dog Pongo, reading, doing the daily jumble
Why you came to CMC: I spent a lot of time at this hospital during my undergraduate studies and medical school. I got to witness, firsthand, the amazing residents they produce. I always wanted to be one of them. Plus, it's my hometown.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Undecided
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Sullivan “Sully” Ayuso, MD
Hometown: Austin, TX
College: Emory University
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Hobbies: Distance running, playing basketball, skeet shooting, comedic impersonations, cooking mean steaks, road trips and looking at maps
Why you came to CMC: I chose CMC because it provides the unique opportunity to care for a variety of patient populations under one roof. Additionally, the residency program is committed to producing clinically excellent surgeons and has faculty who are willing to provide mentorship in whatever area of surgery I ended up pursuing.
Surgical Fields of Interest: General Surgery and Operative Trauma
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Jessica Bilz, MD
Hometown: Snellville, GA
College: University of Georgia
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Hobbies: Hiking, Tennis, Group fitness classes at the Dowd, trying the newest restaurants, traveling
Why you came to CMC: The resident culture here is incredible, the attendings are dedicated to the residents, and the surgical volume and operative experience is tremendous.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Minimally Invasive, Rural General Surgery
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Matthew Marturano, MD
Hometown: Palatine, IL
College: University of Notre Dame
Medical School: Tulane University
Hobbies: Playing and watching soccer, baseball, eating and thus cooking, hanging out with my wife, playing with my golden retriever, Cliff andtraveling
Why you came to CMC:This place has the most impressive group of residents who provide amazing mentorship. Impressive work-life balance while still developing unmatched surgical skills. This is truly a place that will allow me to become whatever type of surgeon I would like to be in the future.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Plastic Surgery |
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Jordan Robinson
Hometown: Naperville, IL
College: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Medical School: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Graduate School: Master’s in Public Health, Northwestern University
Hobbies: Reading, Sports, Movies, Philosophy
Why you came to CMC: I felt that CMC would be the best place for me to grow as both a person and a physician. I also had some inside information from a friend already training here who loved it. There seemed to be a rare balance of surgical rigor and personal warmth that made CMC the right fit.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Plastic Surgery, Surgical Oncology |
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Kaylee Smith, MD
Hometown: Bow, NH
College: University of New Hampshire
Medical School: University of South Florida
Hobbies: Running, hiking, the beach, wine, Patriots football
Why you came to CMC: Great operative experience from intern to chief year with graduates equally pursuing strong fellowships or going straight into practice, the camaraderie and respect within the residency, and amazing work life balance in an awesome city.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Colon and rectal surgery, plastic surgery |
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PGY-4 Class of 2023
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Meshka Kamal Anderson, MD
Hometown: Coral Springs, FL (born in Montego-Bay, Jamaica)
College: University of South Florida
Medical School: University of Florida
Why you came to CMC: Clinical diversity, reputation of outstanding training, environment focused on education, research opportunities and the overall sense of community.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Robotic/Minimally Invasive Surgery, Endoscopy, Endocrine and Metabolic Surgery |
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Maria Baimas-George, MD
Hometown: Hingham, MA
College: Colgate University
Medical School: Tulane University
Hobbies: Painting, running, biking, medical illustrations
Why you came to CMC: The tight-knit group of residents who are always supportive, the operative case volume and early autonomy. I also enjoy working with exceptionally skilled attendings and the exposure to a wide variety of cases.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Transplant Surgery |
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Shakira W. Burton, MD
Hometown: Bronx, NY
College: Spelman College
Medical School: Drexel University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Traveling, reading, group fitness classes, watching movies, attending plays and concerts
Why you came to CMC: I was very impressed with the vast surgical experience CMC had to offer. It was important for me to be a part of a program where residents had a decent work life balance and enjoyed each other’s company both in and outside of work. I also wanted to live in a city that had decent weather and made living easy. The surgery program at CMC provides great opportunities for professional growth through wonderful leadership and mentorship.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Trauma, Surgical Critical Care |
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Sharbel Elhage, MD
Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ
College: Clemson University
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Hobbies: Running, Cycling, Climbing, Backpacking, Fishing and any other outdoor activities
Why you came to CMC: The camaraderie between the residents and the great clinical exposure. There is also a premium placed on getting to the operating room and there are always available cases.
Research: Carolinas Laparoscopic and Advanced Surgery Program, focus on abdominal wall reconstruction, minimally invasive surgery, and resident education
Surgical Fields of Interest: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vascular Surgery |
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Isolina Ruth Rossi
Hometown: Tremont, IL
College: Southern Methodist University
Medical School: Rush Medical College
Hobbies: Horseback riding, running, basketball
Why you came to CMC: I was looking for a general surgery training program that would prepare me to come out of training ready to either go straight into practice or focus on a fellowship of choice. CMC is nationally renowned for preparing its surgical residents in all of the sub-specialties. I'm incredibly grateful to join a compassionate group of residents at the hub of some of the most advanced surgical care in this part of the country. Moving to a land of warmer winters and great barbeque was just a perk!
Surgical Fields of Interest: Rural general surgery |
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Michael Watson, MD
Hometown: Magnolia, DE
College: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: University of Virginia
Hobbies: When I’m not at the hospital I like to unwind by going on hikes, running, or playing soccer. I love to make it to yoga during the week with other residents (and attendings too). I try to travel on weekends to see friends and family.
Why you came to CMC: I love the family atmosphere and the camaraderie between all the residents. We’re truly a family here. I also love the autonomy and responsibility that I have at CMC. Residents really take ownership of our patients in many aspects of their care from pre-op to the operating room and through discharge. We also have so many opportunities to operate with experts in surgery and be a co-surgeon rather than simply an observer. I know that I’ll be an amazing surgeon when I graduate.
Research: HPB Surgery Division, focusing on resident education, surgical robotics, and predictive analytics
Surgical Fields of Interest: Colorectal Surgery, Surgical Oncology |
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PGY-5 Class of 2022
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Sean Maloney, MD
Hometown: Quincy, MA
College: Lehigh University
Medical School: University of Massachusetts
Research fellowship: Division of GI and Minimally Invasive Surgery (2018-2019)
Hobbies: Golf, Cooking and Video Games
Why you came to CMC: I came to CMC for the people, the location and the benefits of the job.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Pediatric Surgery |
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Leslie Okorji, MD
Birthplace: Port Harcourt, Nigeria
College: University of Texas at Dallas
Medical School: Northwestern University
Hobbies/Activities: Watching lots of sports, playing soccer, exercising, leisurely reading, exploring and trying new things
Why I chose CMC: CMC gave me the perfect combination of a top-notch program which is flexible in terms of research and extracurricular requirements, has a very collaborative atmosphere and is in a vibrant city. The best parts of this program include the volume and complexity of cases, superb resident autonomy, the opportunities to do any type of extracurricular activity you desire (research, global health, et cetera), and the camaraderie both among residents and between residents and attendings. Oh, and we have awesome benefits; as my co-residents will tell you I have been well fed and taken care of. The city of Charlotte completes the package. It has so much to offer, whether it be outdoor activities, nightlife, restaurants, breweries, arts and so on. And it is a very livable and affordable city.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Colorectal surgery, Global surgery |
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Ryan Pickens, MD
Hometown: Asheville, NC
College: Lee University
Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Research fellowship: Division of Hepato-pancreato-biliary Surgery (2018-2019)
Hobbies: Camping, backpacking, soccer, playing with my two boys, grilling amazing food
Why you came to CMC: Strong history of residents being accepted to pediatric surgery fellowships from a hybrid program, with an incredible pediatric surgery faculty and case volume without fellows. High volume research opportunities in the surgery department. Finally, the collegial environment amongst faculty and residents is unmatched.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Pediatric Surgery |
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Andrew "Brett" Sorah, MD
Hometown: Bristol, TN
College: East Tennessee State University
Medical School: East Tennessee State University
US Navy: 2012-2017
Internship: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
Flight Surgeon (2014-2017) Naval Aerospace Medical Institute
Hobbies: Hiking, Skiing, Shooting, anything involving the outdoors.
Why you came to CMC: Early operative experience with great surgical volume and variety, acuity of patients, busy trauma service, and excellent camaraderie. The location doesn’t hurt either.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Trauma, Surgical Critical Care |
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Y. Everett Warren, MD
Hometown: Robersonville, NC
College: North Carolina State University
Graduate School: Master’s in teaching at American University (Teach for America in 2010)
Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hobbies: Being outdoors, kayaking, road trips, cooking, kickball, Harry Potter, Knitting
Why you came to CMC: Close-knit group of residents, feels like a family. Early and ample operative experience. Supportive faculty and safe learning environment. A unique hybrid research/clinical year that allowed me to do research with Emergency General Surgery and Trauma, in which I worked as the resident liaison with the STICU PI Committee. This opportunity allowed me to be a part of multiple projects to change the ICU standard and operating procedures. Additional perks from the hospital also make it a great place to work. Charlotte is a great city and living here has enriched my involvement in the LGBTQ community, helping to organize various fundraising events as well as participating in sports leagues such as kickball and dodgeball.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Surgical Critical Care, Trauma |
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Robert “Grant” Willis, MD
Hometown: Montgomery, AL
College: Samford University
Graduate: Master of Science in Medical Sciences from Mississippi College
Medical School: University of South Alabama
Hobbies: Spending time with family, fly fishing, and becoming a better surgeon
Why you came to CMC:Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) is dedicated to excellence in patient care for all patients throughout the Carolinas, and the operative breadth and volume has created a strong department of Surgery with world-leading surgeons in their respective fields. This environment is full of hard working and energetic surgeons to learn from and to train alongside. The volume demands a certain level of autonomy with appropriate supervision across all levels of resident training. There is a congenial disposition amongst the house staff residents that fosters resident resilience, and it has been apparent from the interview process through July 1st of my PGY1 year to the present. I chose CMC for the ideal training environment and unique resources CMC has to offer to residents and surgeons in training.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Cardiovascular Surgery |
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Research
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Joshua Davis, MD
Hometown: Norman, OK
College: The University of Oklahoma
Medical School: The University of Oklahoma
Hobbies: Eating tacos, petting my dog, running, racquetball, hiking, camping, skiing and reading
Why you came to CMC: Strong surgery residency with amazing operative exposure. As a fourth year rotating medical student, I was impressed by the culture at CMC. Faculty are dedicated to teaching, support early operative experience and appropriate clinical autonomy. Cohesive group of residents who are easy to get along with, are good teachers and help you succeed. Also, Charlotte is an amazing city with no shortage of things to offer.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Undecided |
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Michael Katzen, MD
Hometown: Bradenton, FL
College: University of South Florida
Medical School: University of Central Florida
Hobbies: Gym, Guitar, Eating everything in sight
Why you came to CMC: I did a rotation here as a fourth year medical student and fell in love with this program. The operative volume and breadth of pathology are on par with top academic institutions, yet the culture feels more like a community hospital. The residents, faculty, and staff get to know each other to create a truly enjoyable work environment. In addition, Charlotte is a fantastic up-and-coming city that is really easy to live in and has a ton of things to do.
Surgical Fields of Interest: Undecided |
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