PGY4

Arihant Surana, M.D.

Arihant grew up in Bihar, India, and earned his medical degree from Nil Ratan Sircar (NRS) Medical College in Kolkata. He subsequently completed his Internal Medicine residency at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts. He enjoys the intellectual challenge and collaborative nature of pulmonary and critical care medicine and is committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care while continuing to learn and grow as a physician. His professional interests include academic medicine, clinical research, medical education, and mentorship. Outside of medicine, Arihant enjoys playing chess, traveling, cheering for the Golden State Warriors, and spending quality time with his family and friends.

Abigail Immanuel, M.D.

Having grown up in Connecticut, Abigail was delighted to remain at UConn for fellowship training after completing both medical school and residency there. Pursuing Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) was an unexpected path, as she initially planned to become a hematologist-oncologist. However, Abigai quickly developed a passion for the ICU, appreciating its unique combination of structure and unpredictability. Her academic and professional interests include thoracic oncology and critical care medicine. Outside of work, Abigail enjoys running, hiking, snowy weather, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new coffee flavors.

Alan Lanurias Diaz, M.D.

Alan was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. He attended medical school at Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) before completing his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Connecticut. His professional interests include interventional pulmonology, point-of-care ultrasound, and pulmonary vascular disease. Outside of medicine, Alan enjoys traveling, Caribbean music and culture, watching and playing sports, particularly baseball and basketball, and spending time with his friends and family.

PGY5

Monika Lewkowicz, D.O.

Monika was born in Poland and has spent the latter part of her life in Connecticut. She completed her undergraduate dual degree in Biology and Allied Health Sciences at the University of Connecticut. She attended medical school at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and subsequently completed her Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Monika’s academic interests include critical care, pulmonary hypertension, and interventional pulmonology, among others. Outside of medicine, she enjoys playing volleyball, traveling, taking walks with her Siberian husky, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Zidan Saleh, M.D.

Zidan was born and raised in Amman, Jordan. He earned his medical degree from the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Irbid, where he also completed a four-year Internal Medicine Residency. Following his training, he returned to Amman to work as an ICU hospitalist at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC). It was during this time that he discovered his passion for pulmonary and critical care medicine.

Pursuing this interest, Zidan went on to complete an Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, where he was thrilled to stay for fellowship training in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. His clinical and academic interests include pulmonary physiology, point-of-care ultrasound in critical care, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary vascular disease, and interventional pulmonology.

Outside of medicine, Zidan enjoys playing soccer and tennis, exploring history and cultures around the world, spending quality time with family and friends, and cooking—when he’s allowed in the kitchen.

Kyler Smith, M.D.

I was born and raised in Grand Junction Colorado where I completed my undergraduate studies at Colorado Mesa University with a biology major and chemistry minor. While there I was also fortunate enough to travel the country and play golf as a member of the Men’s Golf team and served as a team captain in my senior season. Afterwards, I made my way to Barbados and completed my medical school at Ross University School of Medicine. I couple’s matched and completed my Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. My academic interests include medical education, pulmonary hypertension, interventional pulmonary and critical care. Outside of work I continue to enjoy playing golf (when I get the time!), spending time with friends and eating out at the many wonderful restaurants New England has to offer.

PGY6

Alexandria Plant, M.D.

Alex was born and raised in Swoyersville, PA. She completed her undergraduate studies at Boston College, where she majored in Biology and also competed on their division 1 cross country and track and field teams. She completed medical school at UConn School of Medicine, where she concomitantly also obtained a Certificate in Social Determinants of Health and Disparities through UConn’s Graduate School. After medical school, she was excited to stay at UConn Health for her Internal Medicine Residency. Alex is also very enthusiastic to continue her post-graduate training in Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine at UConn Health. Alex’s interests include academic medicine/teaching, critical care, obstructive lung disease, COVID-19 sequelae, and pulmonary infections. Outside of medicine, she enjoys traveling, long distance running, spending quality time with loved ones, and baking.

Ali Tahir, D.O.

Ali was born and raised in New Jersey (central NJ, which exists). He completed his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University - New Brunswick in Supply Chain Management and went to medical school at Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine. After that he did his Internal Medicine training at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Pennsylvania. Ali’s medicine interests include point-of-care ultrasound, post-intensive care syndrome, pulmonary vascular diseases and bridging the gaps between business, technology, and healthcare. In his free time, Ali enjoys traveling, sports (mainly basketball), hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Michelle Zur, D.O.

Michelle was born in New York to an immigrant family. Early in her life, she traveled and experienced different countries and cultures including Russia and Israel. Her mixed background taught her to connect to universal languages such as math and science and thus early on she chose a pre-medical career in college. She attended St. John’s University in Queens and received a bachelor of science in Toxicology. Before attending medical school, she also pursued a masters of science in Toxicology where her thesis focused on mechanisms of injury and compromised immune response in ventilator associated pneumonia. This research initially sparked her interest in pulmonary and critical care medicine. She continued to successfully graduate from Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine where she got the opportunity to experience a different part of the country and develop an interest in medical education. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Connecticut along with a chief year that grew her devotion to medical education. At UConn, she attained excellent medical training and along the way built strong personal and professional relationships that cultivated into pursing a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at UConn! Although early in her PCCM career, her professional interests include pulmonary vascular medicine and bedside POCUS. Outside of medicine, Michelle’s interests include yoga, kayaking, skiing, art, and finding new restaurants to try in the area.