Our Residents - Internal Medicine Residency Program

Hi everyone! My name is Angela, and I was born in the Philippines and raised in California. I did medical school in Texas and visited New Orleans for the first time during my MS4 year, and I was drawn to the rich culture. I chose Ochsner because of the positive learning environment and exposure to complex GI cases. I appreciate the balance of support and autonomy that our program offers, and I truly feel like I am growing into a well-rounded physician. There is also so much to explore in New Orleans on your days off!

• Hometown: Alamo, CA
• Undergraduate: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles
• Medical School: Burnett SOM at TCU
• Career Interests: Gastroenterology
• Hobbies: Running, Muay Thai, trying new restaurants

Born and raised in Kenner, Louisiana, I’m excited to be building my career right here in the community I call home. Outside of the hospital, you’ll most likely find me with a good book, at the climbing gym bouldering, checking out a food or music festival, or watching just about any sport I can find. I chose Ochsner because staying close to home was important to me, and I wanted to be part of the health system that serves the people and communities I’ve known my entire life.

What I’ve enjoyed most about Ochsner so far is the people. In particular, getting to work alongside my upper-level residents has made a huge difference during intern year. Their knowledge, guidance, and willingness to teach have made an otherwise steep learning curve feel a whole lot more manageable — and have made the transition into residency genuinely enjoyable.

I chose Ochsner for its supportive environment and strong clinical training. The 4+2 schedule has been a great fit, offering balance and protected time for continuity clinic. As a major academic center, Ochsner provides access to every specialty, allowing me to explore interests without limitations. The faculty are approachable and invested in our growth, and the resident culture is genuinely collaborative. Living in New Orleans adds to the experience - there’s always something to enjoy outside of work.

• Hometown: New Orleans, LA
• Undergraduate: University of New Orleans
• Medical School: VCOM Louisiana Campus
• Career Interests: Hospital medicine or gastroenterology
• Hobbies: Aviation, video games, and tech
• Favorite TV Show: Attack on Titan
• Fun Fact: Mohammad is double-jointed and can rotate his arms 360 degrees while holding his hands together

Hey! I’m Sabahath (Mohammed), originally from the UK and a graduate of the University of Glasgow. I first got to experience Ochsner while rotating here as an observer, and I was immediately drawn to the exposure to complex patients and the supportive, approachable culture. I also loved the breadth of training and the opportunities to explore different interests and build towards fellowship. Since starting residency, what I’ve enjoyed most is the camaraderie between residents, chiefs and faculty alike. It truly feels like a group of people you can learn from and grow alongside, both as a physician and as a person. I’m a big fan of the 4+2 schedule and the work-life balance it brings to residency. Plus, you get the opportunity to live in the incredibly unique city that is New Orleans!

Outside of medicine, I’m a massive Chelsea FC fan and I love travelling, cooking, and watching whatever’s new at the cinema. I also spend a lot of my free time at the gym or playing pickleball.

Ramyashree Nyalakonda, from Cupertino, California, completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and attended medical school at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is considering a fellowship in Rheumatology but is open to other specialties during her intern year. Outside of medicine, she enjoys running, baking, and exploring New Orleans restaurants. Her favorite TV show is Friends, and she studied abroad in Dubai.

I chose Ochsner for the opportunity to train in a supportive environment while experiencing the vibrant culture of New Orleans. The program’s commitment to resident growth and its location in a city rich in music, food, and art made it the perfect fit.

• Hometown: Dallas, Texas
• Undergraduate: Redeemer's University (Nigeria) & University of Texas at Arlington
• Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Career Interests: Internal Medicine with plans to pursue a fellowship in Cardiology
• Hobbies: Playing guitar, learning new languages, and traveling
• Favorite TV Show: Goblin
• Fun Fact: Ayomide taught herself Korean and is fluent!

I chose Ochsner for its diverse patient population, strong camaraderie among residents, and excellent clinical training across specialties. The 4+2 schedule supports work-life balance, allowing time to recharge and enjoy New Orleans. The program offers the right mix of challenge and support, with great opportunities for fellowship and research in a vibrant city.

• Hometown: Pearland, Texas
• Undergraduate: University of Texas at Austin
• Medical School: VCOM–Auburn
• Career Interests: Gastroenterology, Critical Care, or Hospital Medicine
• Hobbies: Being by the water, visiting national parks, playing basketball, and playing guitar
• Favorite TV Show: Breaking Bad
• Fun Fact: Patt has visited over 10 countries and more than half of the United States

Kenyatta Poe, from Jackson, MS, completed his undergraduate education at Tougaloo College and attended medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He plans to practice cardiology. His hobbies include collecting basketball cards and comic books, exercising, watching Marvel movies, and cheering for the Celtics. His favorite Marvel movie is Captain America and the Winter Soldier. Kenyatta is a sneakerhead with a love for Jordans, though he keeps the number of shoes he owns a secret.

Hi guys, my name is Nico and I grew up in a small town called Statesboro near Savannah, Georgia. I went to Mercer University for medical school, where I ended up meeting my wife. We couples matched at Ochsner (IM & OBGYN) because I could tell how supported all the residents were and the diverse pathology of the patient population. I am yet to meet someone that hasn't taught me something new here. Outside of medicine, I like building computers, gaming, pickleball, ping pong, and hanging out with my wife, Olivia, and our wiener dog, Zoey.

I chose Ochsner for its role as a major referral center and the opportunity to care for a diverse and complex patient population. The program offers rigorous clinical training, strong fellowship opportunities, and a culture that values both resident development and patient-centered care - making it an ideal place to grow as a physician.

• Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Undergraduate: Western University, London, Ontario
• Medical School: Kansas City University, COM
• Career Interests: Hematology-Oncology, with a focus on combining clinical care and cancer research
• Hobbies: Ping pong, soccer, and reading - especially psychology
• Favorite TV Show: How I Met Your Mother
• Fun Fact: Pouyan played competitive ping pong as a teenager and even competed professionally

During my visit as a medical student, I immediately felt the collaborative and uplifting energy at Ochsner. The environment fosters natural learning, encourages curiosity, and supports growth. What stood out most was how attendings connected clinical decisions to broader public health factors. I left each day inspired and knew this was the right place to train and thrive.

• Hometown: Chicago Suburbs
• Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Chicago
• Medical School: VCOM Louisiana Campus
• Career Goals: To advance health equity by improving access to care for underserved populations through clinical practice and community initiatives
• Hobbies: Exploring local restaurants and coffee shops, cooking Arab-Mexican fusion dishes, and starting an indoor herb garden
• Favorite TV Show: MasterChef
• Fun Fact: I worked as a behavioral therapist for children with ASD starting in high school, inspiring my brother and mother to become RBTs. This experience continues to shape my passion for inclusive care

I ranked programs based on where I’d receive the strongest training, and Ochsner stood out as a tertiary center with diverse, complex cases. My interview experience confirmed the program’s supportive learning environment and close-knit resident culture. Being in Louisiana adds to the experience - New Orleans offers incredible music, food, and culture.

• Hometown: Houston, TX
• Undergraduate: University of Houston
• Medical School: Kansas City University
• Career Interests: Gastroenterology
• Hobbies: Hiking, art, dance, and thrifting
• Favorite TV Show: The Office
• Fun Fact: Joanna is on a mission to visit and hike every national park in the United States

Cristina Zarama, from Woodbury, MN, completed her undergraduate studies at St. Olaf College and attended medical school at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. She is still deciding on her specialty, with interests in cardiology, nephrology, or pulmonology/critical care. Her hobbies include baking, playing squash, and bouldering. Her favorite TV show is Psych, and she has triple citizenship: American, Colombian, and Spanish!