Dr. Muhammad Yasir Baloch joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Muhammad Yasir Baloch joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology as an Assistant Professor in July 2025.  He has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to clinical excellence, innovative education, and impactful advancements in patient care.  His personal journey, shaped by his family’s experience with kidney disease, has instilled in him a deep […]

Dr. Sayel Alzraikat joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Sayel Alzraikat joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. Born and raised in Amman, Jordan, he earned his medical degree from the University of Jordan, where he developed a strong interest in clinical practice and research. During medical school, he worked on multiple projects, including […]

Dr. Majd Mokbel joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Majd Mokbel joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025.  He started his journey at the University of Michigan Dearborn for his undergraduate studies, graduating with a double major in biochemistry and Spanish. Following graduation, Dr. Mokbel followed his passion for community service by serving in […]

Dr. Aarthi Venkatramanan joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Aarthi Venkatramanan joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. Her diverse upbringing—spending her early years in the United States and later completing her education in India—has shaped a global perspective that enhances both her clinical approach and patient care. Dr. Venkatramanan graduated with Honors […]

Dr. Michelle Baliss joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Michelle Baliss joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology as an Assistant Professor in July 2025. Her clinical focus lies in advanced endoscopic procedures with expertise in therapeutic ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), advanced endoscopic resection techniques (endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection), peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for the management […]

Dr. Melis Celdir joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Melis Gokce Celdir joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology as an Assistant Professor in July 2025. She is a Fellow Physician in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Iowa. She completed her medical training at Koç University School of Medicine in Istanbul, Turkey, followed by Internal Medicine residency at the State […]

Dr. Ali Abdelhay joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Ali Abdelhay joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. Originally from Jordan, he earned his medical degree from the University of Jordan Faculty of Medicine in 2019, graduating among the top of his class. He later completed his internal medicine residency at Rochester General […]

Dr. Shuchi Pandey joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Shuchi Pandey joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. Originally from India, Dr. Pandey earned her medical degree from the University of Delhi in 2021. She is a proud graduate of Lady Hardinge Medical College, India’s first all-women’s medical school, founded in 1914 to […]

Dr. Hekmat Sukkari joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Mohamad Hekmat Sukkari joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. He completed a comprehensive and rigorous internal medicine residency at Southern Illinois University. Dr. Sukkari brings a wealth of experience, advanced training, and a strong clinical background to his role, focusing on delivering exceptional care […]

Dr. Devvrat Yadav joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Devvrat Yadav joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. He completed his medical school from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, the most prestigious medical institute in India. Following medical school, Dr. Yadav completed a two-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the […]

Dr. Nikita Wadhwani joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Nikita Wadhwani joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. The stark differences in access to healthcare drew her into the field of medicine. Additionally, growing up in a household with varied cultural backgrounds and perspectives shaped her understanding of accepting and valuing different viewpoints […]

Dr. Mathew Thomas joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Mathew Thomas joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. He was born in Buffalo, NY and spent most of his upbringing in Eau Claire, WI. He graduated from Boston College, MA, with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Chemistry. During his undergraduate career, […]

Dr. Shaili Tapiavala joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Shaili Tapiavala joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July of 2025. She was born in New York and soon moved to Dallas, Texas. She attended the University of Miami with merit scholarship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Public Health and a minor […]

Dr. Jia Tang joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Jia Tang joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. She grew up in the beautiful countryside of central China before attending Tongji Medical College, where she graduated with a medical degree and also completed the Internal Medicine residency program. Her early years in medicine solidified […]

Dr. Adnan Qureshi joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Adnan Qureshi joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. Originally from Pakistan, he has pursued a path of academic excellence and dedication to patient care.  He earned his medical degree on a full scholarship from Nishtar Medical College. He was actively involved in co […]

Dr. Vinathi Polamraju joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Vinathi Polamraju joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July of 2025. She was raised in Dallas, Texas, and attended Texas A&M University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences and a double minor in neuroscience and business administration through […]

Dr. Kirtan Patolia joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Kirtan Patolia joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July of 2025. He completed medical school at B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad in India, before moving to Chicago for an Internal Medicine residency at John H. Stroger Jr., Hospital of Cook County. His desire to become an […]

Dr. Jessica Ohemeng-Dapaah joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Jessica Ohemeng-Dapaah joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the University of Science and Technology in Ghana, West Africa, in 2011. She then completed her medical degree, a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, in […]

Dr. Bashar Natour joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Bashar Natour joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in 2025. He was born and raised in Amman, Jordan, he earned his medical degree from the Hashemite University Medical School in 2019 before moving to the United States to continue his training. Dr. Natour completed his internal medicine […]

Dr. Eric Mittauer joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Eric Mittauer joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July of 2025. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and grew up across the country in Florida, Virginia, Connecticut, and Iowa. He attended college at the University of Iowa, graduating with honors in 2018 with a BS […]

Dr. Nikita Melnikov joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Nikita Melnikov joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. Originally from the southern seaside town of Taganrog, Russia, his upbringing fostered his joyful, passionate, and caring personality. During high school, he focused on foreign languages and natural sciences, presenting his projects at regional science competitions. […]

Dr. Brian Kocak joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Brian Kocak joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July of 2025. He was born and grew up outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and he attended the University of Pittsburgh for undergraduate and medical studies. He graduated summa cum laude with dual degrees in philosophy and microbiology […]

Dr. Adam Kneepkens joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Adam Kneepkens joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. He was born and raised in Duluth, MN, before attending Saint Louis University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science and biology. While at SLU, he was a member of the University Honors Program, […]

Dr. Parneet Kaur Hari joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Parneet Kaur Hari joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in Medicine in July 2025. She was born in Bathinda, a small town in the state of Punjab, India, in 1996. She has always been driven by curiosity and compassion, which naturally steered her toward the world […]

Dr. Richard Van Besien joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Richard Van Besien joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine as an Assistant Professor in July 2025. He first came to St. Louis for undergrad at WashU. Medical school brought him back to his home state to attend the University of Maryland on a full merit scholarship. While […]

Dr. Osler Guzon joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Osler Guzon joined the Department of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division as an Assistant Professor in July 2025. He is a board-certified preventive cardiologist with clinical expertise caring for patients with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, pericardial diseases, and obesity-linked conditions such as diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea.  Promoting nutrition and a healthy, active lifestyle as a […]

Dr. Fred Karaisz joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Fred Karaisz joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology as an Instructor in July. In residency, he loved teaching medical students and residents, particularly in bedside procedures, including lines, lumbar punctures, and paracenteses. These experiences translated well in gastroenterology, where he discovered my passion for therapeutic endoscopy. He hopes to work in […]

Dr. Sopiko Gogia joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Sopiko Gogia joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. She earned her medical degree from the American MD Program at Tbilisi State Medical University in 2020. During medical school, she actively participated in several community serving projects. After graduation, she worked as a junior […]

Dr. Edward Daniel joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Edward Daniel joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. He was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He attended Harvard University where he obtained his degree in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a minor in Music, graduating cum laude in 2012. Afterwards, he attended the […]

Dr. Adnan Al Najada joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Adnan Al Najada joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in July 2025. This role marks an important milestone in his career, following the completion of his internal medicine residency at Unity Hospital in Rochester, New York. Originally from Jordan, Al Najada earned his medical degree from the […]

Dr. Eugenia Miranti joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Eugenia Miranti joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases as an Assistant Professor in July 2025. She received her medical degree from Northwestern University. Dr. Miranti specializes in clinical infectious disease and healthcare epidemiology. She is particularly interested in ambulatory infection prevention and emerging infectious diseases.

Dr. Olufunto Olusanya joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Olufunto Olusanya joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases as an Assistant Professor in July of 2025. She is a physician, implementation scientist, and epidemiologist with over 17 years of clinical experience and 12 years of impactful research expertise. Dr. Olusanya’s expertise allows her to investigate innovative methods blending community […]

Dr. Temitope Ojo joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Temitope Ojo joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases as an Assistant Professor in July of 2025. She graduated from the New York University School of Global Public Health with a PhD in Public Health. She has authored several publications on global implementation research, including developing situationally tailored tools to assess […]

Dr. Kyle Moylan joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Kyle Moylan joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Palliative Medicine as an Associate Professor in July of 2025. Dr. Moylan is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care. After completing his internal medicine residency and geriatric fellowship at Washington University, he served as chief resident before joining the Division of […]

Dr. Gassan Kassim joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Gassan Kassim joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology as an Assistant Professor in July of 2025. He graduated from medical school as valedictorian at the University of Debrecen in Hungary. He completed his internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai in New York City. He completed his gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship training […]

Dr. Megan White joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Megan White joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology as an Assistant Professor in July of 2025. She completed her medical education at Saint Louis University and further honed her expertise through residency and fellowship (both in gastroenterology and transplant hepatology) training at Washington University in St. Louis as well as an […]

Dr. Quazim Alayo joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Quazim Alayo joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology as an instructor in July 2025. He earned his medical degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, followed by advanced training in global health science at the University of Oxford and immunology at Harvard Medical School. Under the mentorship of Dr. Dan Barouch, […]

Dr. Sambhawane Bhandari joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Sambhawana Bhandari joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology as an Assistant Professor in July 2025. She provides comprehensive care to patients with autoimmune diseases, participating in general rheumatology, Rheumatology-Oncology, myositis, and CTD-ILD clinics. Dr. Bhandari’s research focuses on clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatic diseases, including database studies on ICI-induced […]

Dr. Wei Zou joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Wei Zou joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases as an Associate Professor in July 2025. He has more than two decades of extensive research experience on bone biology. His research was initially focused on understanding the mechanisms by which inflammatory factors such as LPS and TNF-α regulate osteoclast differentiation. […]

Dr. Shannon Coombs joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Shannon Coombs joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in June 2025. She grew up in Elmsford, New York before attending Howard University in Washington, DC where she graduated summa cum laude with honors distinction with a Bachelor of Arts in History as well as being inducted into […]

Dr. David Zhang joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. David Zhang joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in June 2025. He was raised in San Antonio, Texas. He attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he studied physics and graduated with college honors. During his time in college, was inducted into the physics honor society, […]

Dr. Soophia Naydenov joins Department of Medicine

Dr. Soophia Naydenov joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine as a Professor in January 2025. She is dedicated to excelling in clinical care, educational initiatives, and administrative leadership. Her mission is to enhance PE patient care across all treatment stages, from acute care to long-term follow-up, through innovative and […]

Dr. Ugonna Nwankwo joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Ugonna Nwankwo joined the Department of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division as an Associate Professor in June 2025. He was previously Director of adult congenital heart disease at Saint Louis University and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s hospital. He earned his medical degree at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed a combined residency […]

Dr. Mengcheng Shen joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Mengcheng Shen joined the Department of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division as an Assistant Professor in May 2025. He earned his PhD from the University of Alberta, where his research focused on extracellular matrix remodeling in aortic aneurysm and heart failure. He completed his postdoctoral training and was subsequently promoted to Instructor at the Stanford Cardiovascular […]

Dr. Autumn Holmes joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Autumn Holmes joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases as an instructor in March of 2025.  Her research interests include understanding how the cell types that are susceptible to RNA virus infection influence infection outcomes in the host.  Specifically, she is interested in how events that occur during early virus […]

Dr. Bin Liu joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Bin Liu has held research positions at The University of Arizona and Washington University, advancing from Research Scientist III to Senior Scientist before being appointed as an Instructor. Their research contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including the AHA Cournand & Comroe Early Career Investigator Award Competition Finalist (2024) and First Place Poster […]

Dr. Chinenye Udokwu joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Chinenye Udokwu received her medical degree from University of Nigeria, Nigeria in 2011. She completed a one-year internship in the same institution. She later obtained a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Boston University, Boston in 2016. She then subsequently completed her internal medicine residency at St. Lukes’ Hospital, Chesterfield, St Louis, Missouri […]

Dr. Mark Milunski joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Mark Milunski joined the Department of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division as a Professor in January 2025. He earned his MD degree from the Albany Medical College of Union University in 1984, where he received several awards and honors for academic achievement, including election to Alpha Omega Alpha as a third-year medical student. He […]

Dr. Maria Aponte Farias joins the Department of Medicine

Dr. Maria Aponte Farias joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases as an Instructor as of January 2025. Dr. Aponte’s key research interests focus on the intersection of endocrinology, metabolic diseases, and bone health. She is particularly dedicated to exploring metabolic interventions for diabetes, obesity, and related comorbidities, aiming to […]

Molly Keppell joins the Department of Medicine

Molly Keppell, BS, MS, joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Oncology as an Instructor in January 2025.  She was raised in southern Illinois and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  While there, she earned her B.S. and M.S. in Crop Science.  Her research there focused on diseases of sweet corn and […]