Residents

PGY 1

Dania Atallah, DO

Hometown: Homer Glen, Illinois
Undergraduate: Northwestern University
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Oil painting, cooking/baking, hiking, watching horror films.
Why I Chose Lakeland: There are several reasons I selected Lakeland as my IM residency program. It has a strong reputation in its training, curriculum, clinical experience, and research opportunities which make it a good fit for my professional goals and interests. I was initially drawn to the program for its quality of faculty and residents, and I felt that the program was a good fit for my personality, work style, and values. St. Joseph is also a beautiful place to practice, and is close to home, friends, and family.

Zachary Goodman, DO

Hometown: Redondo Beach, California
Undergraduate: Washington University in St Louis
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Hobbies/Interests: Learning about movie visual effects, trying new breweries, taking care of my houseplants, playing with my dog and cat, lacrosse, golf, paddle boarding, cooking.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I had the opportunity to audition during my 4th year and immediately knew this is where I’d end up. The program treats medical students phenomenally; GME even set up an Endo Day for me to further explore my interests! All of the residents and attendings were friendly and welcoming, and I could truly sense the camaraderie from this group. The beautiful town of Saint Joseph boasts plenty of food, drink, and outdoor activities that I’m excited to try out, while the community hospital prides itself on its diverse pathology and familial culture.

Issa Maslog, MD

Hometown: Davao City, Philippines
Undergraduate: Ateneo de Davao University
Medical School: University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Hobbies/Interests: Watching movies, playing video games, spinning, traveling.
Why I Chose Lakeland: What sealed the deal for me was the great location, collaborative culture, and genuine personalities who make up the program. I really felt that I can be part of this community, be of service to others and become a better physician in the process.

Tho Nguyen, DO

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Undergraduate: University of Illinois - Chicago
Medical School: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Binge-watching shows, biking, hiking
Why I Chose Lakeland: After my interview experience, I knew that Lakeland was the one for me. It happened to be the only in-person interview experience I had during the entire season. I was impressed with the hospitality, the supportive environment and the positive feelings from the interactions I had with everyone on the team. The program has everything I was looking for in a residency program: a structured curriculum, supportive faculty, and a community program in an academic setting. A small, nice town like St Joe, which is 2 hours away from Chicago, my hometown, is also a plus!

Anthony Noll, DO

Hometown: Naples, Florida
Undergraduate: University of West Florida
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Anything outdoors (namely golf, baseball/softball, basketball, and hiking), golf course design, home design, medical business/administration
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland because they had the, “needs and wants” I was looking for in an Internal Medicine program. On interview day, I was able to see the cohesiveness and camaraderie that each resident exuded while thoroughly appreciating all my interviewers trying to get to know me as a person versus, “just another applicant”. Each of these factors, combined with having family and friends in the region, made the decision for coming to St. Joseph much easier! I am grateful that I can serve and learn from the Southwest Michigan community!

Hamza Saifuddin, DO

Hometown: Bolingbrook, Illinois
Undergraduate: University of Illinois - Chicago
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, hiking, kayaking, traveling, playing video games.
Why I Chose Lakeland: Lakeland’s welcoming environment, molded by the leadership, faculty, and residents who are supportive, approachable, and dedicated to each other’s professional growth, is, in my experience, unmatched. Having experienced the rigor of the program, witnessed the high caliber of residents, and worked with a very diverse patient population during my audition rotation at Lakeland, I am elated to continue my training at this program.

Oliver Yockey, MD

Hometown: DeWitt, Michigan
Undergraduate: Central Michigan University
Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: I like to garden and pick fruit at local orchards. I usually make jelly or freeze it for later use! Also have interests in trying new recipes and cooking, particularly if they involve a smoker.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose to continue my education at Lakeland following my time as a base student. I felt the hospital provided a strong learning environment with faculty who were truly invested in your learning. Furthermore, I enjoyed the community hospital atmosphere and the ability to have a direct impact on a diverse patient population. I also strongly valued the surrounding community and outdoor activities this region provides—especially during the summer!

PGY 2

Anneke Bulthuis, DO

Hometown: San Diego, CA
Undergraduate: California State University San Marcos
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, biking, reading, and boxing.
Why I Chose Lakeland: Beautiful location proximal to my family with a collaborative clinical learning environment.

Jeremiah Chang, DO

Hometown: Richland, MI
Undergraduate: Western Michigan University
Medical School: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Basketball, working out, and listening to music.
Why I Chose Lakeland: The residents and faculty were very welcoming and friendly on interview day! Strong sense of camaraderie between residents.

Carlos Guerra, MD

Hometown: Medellin, Colombia
Undergraduate: Florida Atlantic University
Medical School: Xavier University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Playing tennis, swimming, basketball, and reading fantasy novels.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Spectrum Health Lakeland because I was able to see that there is a sense of camaraderie among residents and attendings, and this leads to provide excellent care to the community. As result, it will be a great environment for me to learn and grow as a physician helping those in a community that I already feel a part of.

Sara Palmieri Fermin, MD

Hometown: Nirgua, Venezuela
Undergraduate: University of Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela
Medical School: Universidad de Carabobo, Valencia
Hobbies/Interests: Jigsaw puzzles, outdoor activities, nature photography, swimming, tennis, cooking, volunteering, lifestyle medicine, and quality time with family and friends.
Why I Chose Lakeland: My husband and I had a dream to come to the United States to pursue higher education. In November of 2020, we made it to Andrews University. While he was getting his master's degree, I was getting ready for the match. I got myself involved in many activities like shadowing and volunteering. Just before match season, I had the pleasure to meet a fantastic doctor which I was able to shadow and observe during rounds and night shifts at Lakeland. The residents were welcoming and eager to teach, with excellent teamwork skills. I also love that you will always have an attending to guide you and support you if you have any questions. I've lived over a year in the area, and I am delighted with Southwest Michigan, especially the lake's closeness, which in summer is so beautiful that it makes me think it is a Caribbean beach.

Khateeb Raza, DO

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate: Loyola University Chicago
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Rebuilding cars and engines, swimming, volleyball, community service, philosophy, mathematics, horseback riding, Nintendo Wii/real golf, hand drum making, exploring, and overall stepping outside my comfort zone!
Why I Chose Lakeland: I was drawn to the program's supportive environment, strong leadership, patient population, and interest in bettering the community. I was also captivated by its strong sense of community and collegiality amongst its residents and attendings. Oh, can't forget the added beauty of Lake Michigan sunsets!

William Schreiner, MD

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Distance running, badminton, golf, and going to the movies.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I was drawn to Lakeland's sense of camaraderie within the program mixed excellently with a firm commitment to learning. The Lakeland community is welcoming and has everything I could ask for to foster professional growth while giving back to the community.

Shon Thomas, MD

Hometown: Skokie, IL
Undergraduate: Northwestern University
Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Basketball, biking, hiking, movies, exercise, guitar, reading non-fiction/autobiographies, and eating food.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland because of the wonderful people including faculty and staff I met in the program, the unopposed and rigorous internal medicine residency training, supportive resident rapport, amiable mentors/faculty, and the Midwest homely feel I enjoyed growing up with. I am beyond grateful to be part of this program and to work along with an amazing cohort of residents. The supportive and challenging clinical training will help me become a competent and compassionate physician for my patients in the future.

PGY 3

Courtney Bell, MD

Hometown: Winter Haven, FL
Undergraduate: Emory University
Medical School: University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Travel, boxing, and collecting vinyl records.
Why I Chose Lakeland: Strength and genuine nature of relationships; supportive leadership; patient population.

Robert Garcia, DO

Hometown: Covina, CA
Undergraduate: University of Chicago
Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Technology repair, video games, and cooking.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I chose Lakeland because of the close-knit group of friendly residents, the fantastic teaching faculty, and the beautiful lakeside vista of St Joseph.

Maria Huaringa, MD

Hometown: Bridgman, MI
Undergraduate: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine, Dominica West Indies
Hobbies/Interests: Team sports (basketball, volleyball, soccer) and individual sports (running, cycling, swimming, kickboxing), cooking, baking, knitting, reading, exploring new restaurants and cultures.
Why I Chose Lakeland: Lakeland is home to me. I began my early training at Lakeland back in high school and worked in the Radiology department before I went off to medical school. Lakeland is a great place to be! I am delighted to be part of such a wonderful institution, and I am honored for the opportunity to give back to my community which has given me so much over the years. It's a full circle experience for me.

Kevin Ismair, DO

Hometown: Livonia, MI
Undergraduate: Madonna University
Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Going to the gym, basketball, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I had the opportunity to do an audition rotation here where I saw that there is a strong sense of camaraderie amongst the residents with a strong emphasis on teaching from the attendings. Also, a wonderful town and close to home!

Josh Lee, DO

Hometown: Austin, TX
Undergraduate: University of Michigan
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, playing the piano, board games, and spending time with friends.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I had a great interview experience and I also like Lakeland's supportive and friendly environment.

Bo Liu, MD

Hometown: Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
Undergraduate: Guangzhou Medical University
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Home renovation, landscaping, and photography
Why I Chose Lakeland: I choose Lakeland because I see the healthy and intimate relationship among faculty, residents, so we can grow intellectually and professionally together. I believe this supportive environment alone will provide the excellent learning experience I am looking for. Lakeland is a community-based hospital that will build a close relationship with the local community; however, it provides comprehensive exposure to almost all subspecialties and case variety I am looking for. It is also affiliated with Michigan State University that can provide many potential academic pathways like fellowships, internist, PCPs after graduation. Beyond that, I also love the city size of a small town, the beach, the lighthouse, the farm, etc., this is the ideal place to raise a family.

Derek Westman, DO

Hometown: Naperville, IL
Undergraduate: Calvin College
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Travel, golf, basketball, tennis, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I was lucky enough to do a couple of rotations during my 3rd and 4th year of medical school. I instantly knew that this was the spot for me! Lakeland boasts a small-town community hospital with a surprising amount of diverse pathology and a culture of continued growth and compassion.

Tak Yau, DO

Hometown: Hong Kong
Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
Medical School: Touro University Nevada
Hobbies/Interests: Outdoor activities, hiking, kayaking, landscape photography.
Why I Chose Lakeland: I was greeted with friendly, welcoming residents and faculty, during my virtual interview due to COVID pandemic. Most importantly, I could sense a supportive and encouraging environment. On top of that, I love this beautiful location where it is really close to Lake Michigan with plenty to do.