Danielle Aliano, MD

I grew up on Long Island, New York before attending Boston College for my undergraduate degree where I received a Bachelor of Arts in French. I've always loved to travel so when the opportunity arose to go to medical school overseas, I jumped at it. I attended the University of Queensland as a pure international student (an American not in the Ochsner program?! Shocking, I know!). I rotated at Ochsner during my fourth year of medical school and knew this is where I wanted to complete my residency training. The emphasis on didactic learning, diverse patient population, and supportive environment were just some of the many reasons I loved this program. The patients we receive are some of the most complex I've ever seen, which is fantastic from both a training and learning perspective; it allows for development of good clinical judgment and of the ability to manage multiple medical issues simultaneously. As someone interested in pursuing a nephrology fellowship, training at a center that had my sub-specialty of choice and research opportunities was important to me. The number of sub-specialties at Ochsner is a bonus in general because it means greater exposure and educational opportunities, making for a well-rounded physician. The collegial atmosphere is also strong here - I've felt supported by my colleagues, attendings, and other Ochsner staff.

Abigail Boudreaux, MD

Hi, my name is Abby Hagen Boudreaux and I’m from the small town of Thibodaux, around an hour from New Orleans. I went to Nicholls State University in Thibodaux (aka Harvard on the Bayou lol) and chose to stay in South LA for medical school at LSU in New Orleans. I absolutely love the culture and laid-back feel of New Orleans, so I was super excited to match at Ochsner for IM residency. I love to be outside at our many parks, enjoy amazing restaurants, and take in the beautiful churches and architecture of our historic city. I chose Ochsner in particular because of the practical, realistic way the residency and hospital are run. We train working similar hours to how real attendings work and hand off to resident-run night teams overnight, just like the real world. Later, I discovered another reason I love this program, which is that we get to train in a state-of-the-art tertiary referral center that sees the sickest of patients from the tri-state area, including transplant and other patients who would otherwise die due to lack of advanced services at their home hospitals. There is basically not a single advanced IM-related subspeciality we DON’T have here. Our ICU has some of the most critically ill patients in the country, so I feel I will be prepared to handle nearly any situation that arises no matter where I choose to work...even if I end up back “on the bayou.”

Zi-on Cheung, MD

Hey y’all, my name is Zi-on, and I grew up in Plano, TX before moving to Austin, TX to complete my bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas with a focus on mechanical design and technology commercialization. After graduation, I switched gears from biotech startups to working as a Management Consultant with Accenture for three years in their Chicago and San Francisco offices before once again pivoting careers to pursue medicine. I was fortunate enough to attend Texas A&M COM at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX, and I feel extremely blessed to complete my Internal Medicine residency at Ochsner here in New Orleans. Ultimately, Ochsner’s outstanding culture of medical education, robust regional medical presence, and remarkable sense of community drew me to this program. After residency, I hope to serve in a role that blends my experience in technology commercialization, business development, and clinical medicine.

Lina Cubides, DO

I was born in Colombia but moved to South Florida at a young age. I received my bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and attended Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. Coming from South Florida, I knew the benefit of having a diverse population throughout my education as a physician and as a person. I was excited to go to New Orleans to learn from the patients and the city; their diverse background and wide range of pathology can teach a lot. The faculty at Ochsner have been welcoming, making the environment very comfortable to work in. As a result, I am able to have a good work-life balance, where we have a rigorous training schedule and still have time to enjoy everything the city of New Orleans has to offer.

Wesley Duerson, MD

My name is Wes Duerson and I am a first-year resident from Dothan, Alabama. I attended the University of Miami where I triple majored in Chemistry, History, and Political Science. I went to medical school at the New York University School of Medicine. New Orleans is an incredibly exciting and very affordable place to live. The Audubon Zoo, Café Du Monde in City Park, and Saints games are a few of my favorite things to do in the city. For me, joining Ochsner meant joining the largest and fastest growing healthcare system in the state of Louisiana. This meteoric rise has been paired with a legacy of excellence in serving the people throughout the state of Louisiana and beyond for many generations. What makes the Internal Medicine program truly excellent are the residents and faculty of which it is comprised. The faculty members are truly compassionate towards residents, they care about your education, and you are treated with kindness and respect as a resident at Ochsner. Furthermore, the 4+2 schedule as well as the program’s focus on a true work-life balance for its residents have allowed me to actually go out and enjoy the city of New Orleans while I have lived here. As a resident I am currently earning my MBA from Louisiana Tech University, and after my training I plan on pursuing a fellowship in Hematology and Oncology.

Stephanie Ferrell, MD

I took an non-traditional path to internal medicine but I’ve loved the journey. I did undergrad in South Carolina, majoring in Biology at Columbia College, a small liberal arts school. I worked in a pharmacy during college and ended up applying to pharmacy school. I worked as a pharmacist for several years but realized how much I wanted to be more involved in patient care. I was actually working at Ochsner hospital pharmacy when I was accepted to LSU Shreveport School of Medicine. I’m happy to be home in New Orleans and working and learning at Ochsner in their IM residency program. I interviewed at many great programs in the South but Ochsner’s program had the best schedule and the most real-world approach to training. The program has done a great job at combining compassionate care with clinical education and practice management. Afternoon educational sessions, rather than morning reports, allow me to prioritize patient care in the beginning of the day and my professional development in the afternoons. Ochsner also has a multitude of specialties unlike any other in the region which provides an opportunity to work with very talented and passionate clinicians. Whether your interest is critical care, hepatology, epilespy, or anything in between, Ochsner has opportunities for these experiences for motivated individuals. After my residency, I hope to either pursue hospitalist medicine or pulmonary critical care fellowship. I know with the opportunity here, I’ll be well prepared for wherever life takes me.

Mary Gabriel, MD

Hello! My name is Mary Gabriel. As an oil baby (similar to military brat, but with petroleum) I had the privilege of traveling the world throughout most of my life. Eventually my family and I landed in the US of A and made our way to NOLA, the land of Mardi Gras and Seafood. I fell in love with the city, its people, and its culture. I went to Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, where I was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society and served on the board of the Latino Health Scholars, a program dedicated to providing the best care to the ample Latinx population in NOLA. When it came time to choosing a residency to continue my training, I knew the most important things to me were strong didactics, a good work-life balance, and being able to access the most diverse patient population. I was able to find all those things with Ochsner. The thing that drew me in the most was that Ochsner provided not only an intern half day where interns had protected learning time, but a morning Ambulatory school during clinic weeks and a resident half day during second year to cater to more advanced and complex problems. The 4+2 schedule ensured I would have protected weekends to be able to make plans with family and friends. Last, but certainly not least, Ochsner is the Quaternary referral center for the entire Gulf South, ensuring I was going to be able to access as diverse a patient population as possible. Lagniappes: practicing in only one hospital (I get lost so easily, the idea of having to figure out the layout of multiple hospitals gave me low key anxiety), EPIC (let’s face it, it’s the superior EHR), $100/month meal cards, strong research support, numerous fellowships, and Dr. McIntyre’s moustache.

Ghady Moafa, MD

I was among the first-ever female cohort to attend medical school at Jazan University, located in the remote southern region of Saudi Arabia. The idea of pursuing my medical training in the US was a pipe dream, and now, I am an Upper level resident at Ochsner Medical Center. While such a transition may seem rough, the Ochsner community made me feel like home while receiving the best medical training. I feel well-supported by my attendings staff with their valuable and constant feedback and by my co-residents with their help, encouragement, and friendship. As I plan to pursue my career in Gastroenterology, exposure to a broad spectrum of patients matters, and this is precisely what Ochsner Medical Center provides — no wonder why it has one of the best liver transplant centers in the nation (if not THE best). Being a resident at Ochsner is a daily exercise of growth in medical knowledge, clinical practice, self-confidence, and, most importantly, future career prospects.

Ernest Philon, MD

My name is Ernest Philon and I'm originally from Mobile, Alabama. I received my bachelors from the University of Alabama in biology. While doing that I also served in the Army National Guard as a 68W or combat medic which is the military equivalent of an EMT with some advanced field training in trauma. This experience shaped most of decisions including choosing medical school. I attended VCOM Auburn in Auburn, Alabama and during school I was able to continue my military service with the Army National Guard as a commissioned officer. These experiences afforded me many opportunities in terms of training and my decision to complete residency at Ochsner only enhances that. Ochsner's Internal medicine program provides excellent training, research and opportunities within a close knit community. After residency, I plan on applying for a fellowship in hematology and oncology.

Brent Ruiz, MD

I was born and raised in New Orleans. My journey to medicine has been filled with life lessons and rich experiences. I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and later an M.B.A. from University of New Orleans, then went off to work in agricultural research at the USDA before going into IT consulting. During my time as a consultant, I realized that my passions lay elsewhere. Growing up without access to healthcare, my desire to bridge the gap between underserved communities grew and I challenged myself to become a doctor. I got accepted to LSU Shreveport School of Medicine and was later fortunate enough to match at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans. Training at Ochsner's Internal Medicine residency program provides a unique opportunity to serve the diverse patient population that represents this city. The program combines learning from skilled and compassionate clinicians, while providing an atmosphere of support along with comprehensive clinical education. After residency I plan on either practicing medicine as a hospitalist or pursuing a fellowship in cardiology. My short-term goal is growing each day as a person and physician.

Farnoosh Shariati, MD

My name is Farnoosh Shariati and I am from Tallahassee Florida. I obtained both my undergraduate and Medical degree from Florida State University. As an Undergraduate I had a deep passion for helping those in need. This passion not only led me to the field of medicine but also allowed me to start two non-profit organizations along with a leadership Program at FSU College of Medicine. Through these experiences I’ve learned the importance of leadership and the positive impact it can have in patient care through advocacy, selfless service, and teamwork. Given my love for helping the underserved and my interest in the field of cardiology, I’ve chosen Ochsner Medical Center for its patient centered reputation and for numerous opportunities it provides us young physicians through research, strong Mentorship, patient and medical diversity in order maximize our potentials and make a big impact in our chosen fields.

Mohammad Sultan, MD

Hey, my name is Mo. Places I’ve called home: NYC (Brooklyn)-> DFW-> now NOLA. I did my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at UT Dallas in Biology/Business Administration and Healthcare Administration. I was blessed to attend medical school at UNTHSC/TCOM. Now I I have the privilege to learn and practice medicine here at Ochsner! I was drawn to this program because of the incredible resources available to residents including reputable physicians that enjoy teaching, simulation labs, the 4+2 schedule and exposure to as many sub-specialties that can be pursued after an IM residency as possible. It was important for me to match somewhere that was relatively big/had good volume to ensure stellar training, but at the same time had a smaller, more intimate atmosphere. Being in such a vibrant and exciting city doesn't hurt. I also wanted the opportunity to form meaningful bonds with my colleagues- both my co-residents and attendings. I found that here and am so grateful to have made connections, both professional and personal, that I will cherish beyond residency.

Austin Tutor, MD

I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Memphis. I then attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. I chose Ochsner due to its reputation for rigorous training and also the diverse patient population that New Orleans offers. I have really enjoyed the strong emphasis the program places on quality education and lectures. Also, Ochsner fosters professional but personal relationships with attending physicians, creating an environment in which it is easy to learn. After residency I plan on either practicing hospital medicine or applying for a cardiology fellowship.

Vipin Varghese, MD

Originally from Detroit, I found myself in New Orleans as a medical student at the Ochsner Clinical School. I was able to see the tremendous growth experienced by internal medicine residents I worked with here. When it came time for me to decide where I wanted to be for residency - Ochsner Internal Medicine was at the top of the list. As a second-year resident, I've been able to see myself grow quickly and begin maturing into the clinician I want to be. Between the diverse pathology and level of acuity, Ochsner is a great place to train. I've been able to find great mentorship here at Ochsner which has encouraged me to become more involved in research, lead my own projects, and help grow my interest in Nephrology as a future career. Aside from the medicine, New Orleans has been a fantastic place to live. There's no lack of food, festivals, and fun when it comes to this city. I'm happy to call New Orleans home and grateful to be a part of this program.