Nili Amir, M.D.
Hometown: Worcester, MA
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Research Interest: OB/GYN for women with disabilities and particularly intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Why do you love UConn OB/GYN: I love the diversity in training we get between different hospitals, different providers, and different patient populations. More than that though, everyone has been so welcoming and supportive. It really does feel like a big family.
Favorite thing about Connecticut: The amazing biking and hiking trails!
Fun fact about your family? My siblings and I all have a bachelor’s degree in the fine arts. In undergrad, my brother and I studied dance and my sister studied theater. It’s funny because neither of our parents work or have hobbies in the arts but somehow, we all managed to pursue degrees in the fine arts. The creative gene must have skipped a generation or two.
What hobby would you start if time and money weren’t an issue? I would really want to build bikes from spare parts. YouTube has helped me develop my skills as a bike technician, but I would really love to build one from nothing.
What are some small things that make your day great? Coffee always makes the day better. Hugging my co-residents always makes my day great. They seriously give the best hugs.
How do you relax at the end of the day? Listening to music as I make dinner. Typically, some dancing is involved.
Laura Cheng, M.D.
Hometown: Troy, MI
Medical School: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College
Research Interest: Mental health, health disparities.
Why do you love UConn OB/GYN: 100% the people!
Favorite thing about Connecticut: The many bike paths and running/hiking trails!
What hobby would you start if time and money weren’t an issue? Probably standup comedy!
What languages do you speak? English, Mandarin.
How do you relax at the end of the day? Cooking a nice meal, reading on my porch, going for a bike ride or run.
Kachenta Descartes, M.D.
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Medical School: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Research Interest: Global/Public health and Health Disparities.
Why do you love UConn OB/GYN: I love my co-residents! They are so supportive and kind. I also love the diverse patient population and the ability to have direct impact in the community.
Favorite thing about Connecticut: The weather! I love being able to enjoy all the seasons and visit nearby cities.
Fun fact about your family? My entire family is from the small island of St. Lucia in the Caribbean. We have beautiful beaches, mountains, even a volcano! I am very proud of my culture and heritage.
What hobby would you start if time and money weren’t an issue? Pottery Making. I would enjoy designing beautiful bowls and vases.
What are some small things that make your day great? A great lunch! I love being able to enjoy tasty food from nearby or from food trucks that come to the hospital.
What languages do you speak? English, Spanish, French Creole (St. Lucian).
How do you relax at the end of the day? Listen to music and catch up on my favorite TV shows.
Alayna Feng, M.D., M.P.H.
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
Research Interest: Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, social determinants of health particularly in the pediatric and adolescent population
Why do you love UConn OB/GYN: It’s like one huge happy family! Everyone is so warm, welcoming and team-oriented. I feel like the faculty and my co-residents are truly invested in my learning, career goals and overall well-being as a person
Favorite thing about Connecticut: I love living in West Hartford. It’s super walkable (I enjoy running at the West Hartford Reservoir and Elizabeth Park Rose Garden) and full of fun places to eat. My commute to each of the hospitals is ~8-20 minutes maximum, making living here as a resident incredibly easy
Fun fact about your family? My grandmother was 1 of 13 children! Pre-covid, we had huge family reunions every 5 years, involving a LOT of delicious Chinese food
What hobby would you start if time and money weren’t an issue? I would learn how to start a small-scale regenerative vegetable farm and host seasonal dinner parties
What are some small things that make your day great? Successfully waking up early enough for a quick 5-minute yoga/stretch session before work (this is a rare occurrence); watching hilarious Tik Toks that my siblings send me
What languages do you speak? English and very basic Spanish
How do you relax at the end of the day? Boxing/kickboxing or catching up on all my shows
Kimberly Forlenza, M.D.
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA
Medical School: Weill Cornell Medicine
Research Interest: Minimally invasive surgical techniques, medical education.
Why do you love UConn OB/GYN: Hands down, the people! I have found such amazing support in my co-interns, my fellow residents, the attendings, and everyone else I come into contact with on a daily basis! Starting residency is tough, but it's so much easier when you're surrounding by helpful, kind, and fun people.
Favorite thing about Connecticut: Even though Hartford is a smaller city, it has amazing diversity and a wonderful array of restaurants, breweries, and things to do during time off! It's also an ideal location for weekend trips to New York, Boston, Maine, and other great spots in New England.
What are some small things that make your day great? Spontaneous dance-offs and Harry Potter impressions with my co-residents … and Diet Coke. So much Diet Coke.
How do you relax at the end of the day? I am an avid cross-stitcher! You can view some of my OB/GYN-themed works in the first year call room (the hottest art gallery in town).
Fun fact about your family? We have a corgi named Bandit, who is infamous for stealing food at lightning speed while your back is turned. Among his most famous heists have been a family-size bowl of spaghetti with meatballs and an entire gourmet charcuterie board.
Carter Johnson, M.D.
Hometown: Hudson, Wisconsin
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Research Interest: LGBTQ+ health, Substance Use Disorder in Pregnancy, HIV.
Why do you love UConn OB/GYN: I love the diverse patient population our program serves and the opportunity to work in multiple different practice settings! The attendings, fellows, and administration create a wonderful, supportive learning environment to train in as well. And of course, my co-residents, who are an incredible bunch of people!
Favorite thing about Connecticut: The beautiful nature that is all around – from state parks and hiking trails, to the rivers and biking trails that cross all around the region, and the incredible coastline, this is a wonderful state to explore! It is also just a quick trip to Boston or New York!
Fun fact about your family? At one point, my two siblings and I all lived in different countries around the world! My brother was studying in Norway, my sister was volunteering in Hungary, and I was volunteering in the Jerusalem/West Bank area.
What hobby would you start if time and money weren’t an issue? They are already hobbies of mine, but I would definitely want to spend more time cross-country and downhill skiing!
What are some small things that make your day great? A good cup of coffee always starts the day on a good note, summer-time garden walks will never not make me smile, hugs from my co-residents at sign-out, and the smile on my pup’s face when I get home.
What languages do you speak? English, and some basic Arabic.
How do you relax at the end of the day? Coming home to a face full of licks from my sweet puppy, Finn. I try to go for a walk around the pond near my apartment or an evening bike ride with my partner, and then snuggle in to the couch for my latest Netflix binge - I’m currently working my way through Modern Family!
What is something that everyone should do at least once in their life? Sit and have coffee/tea/lemonade with someone they don’t speak the same language as – it opens the door to an amazing new way to connect and communicate with people!
If you had to give a 20 minute talk without any preparation what would you discuss? Definitely my unhealthy obsession with houseplants.
Leigh Kowalski, M.D.
Hometown: Hollis, NH
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Research Interest: Surgical techniques, medical education, equity in healthcare.
Why do you love UConn OB/GYN: The atmosphere! All the attendings, fellows, senior residents, nurses, support staff, and administration have been so friendly and supportive of my training. From day one I felt like a valued member of the team, and everyone has been invested in helping me succeed. It’s truly a family here at UConn!
Favorite thing about Connecticut: Easy access to amazing hiking and skiing, and having family nearby. It’s also great location for weekend trips to Boston, NYC, and the Cape!
What hobby would you start if time and money weren’t an issue? Traveling. It’s awesome that we have four full weeks of vacation built into our schedule – I plan to use each one to the fullest!
What are some small things that make your day great? Coffee, my niece, when the elevator is already at my floor when I press the button.
What languages do you speak? English and un poco de espanol but I’m picking up more and more every day as I interact with our diverse patient population here in Hartford!
How do you relax at the end of the day? I try to unwind every day with some exercise or at least a walk outside – getting my heart rate up takes my mind off the stressors of the day. And then of course a glass of wine and catching up with friends!
What is something that everyone should do at least once in their life? Move to a different part of the country or world.
Anna Manetta, M.D.
Hometown: Billerica, MA
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Research Interest: Substance use in pregnancy, reproductive justice
Why do you love UConn OB/GYN: I love that our program is committed to providing care to such a diverse and underserved patient population. In addition, the faculty, staff, nurses, and residents have been so supportive and welcoming. I could not imagine working and learning to serve the community with a better team!
Favorite thing about Connecticut: I have really enjoyed exploring the many great restaurants, shops, and parks in the area. Hartford has such a cute small city vibe, and is in an ideal location to travel to larger cities like Boston and New York during time off.
Fun fact about your family? My dad grew up in Greece and my mom was born and raised in Venezuela. They both moved to Boston for college and ended up settling down and raising me and my 3 siblings in Massachusetts. In college, I always studied in the same coffee shop that my parents went for their first date 30 years prior!
What hobby would you start if time and money weren’t an issue? I love spending time in the ocean and have always dreamed of learning to scuba dive.
What are some small things that make your day great? Surprise morning Starbucks runs with my co-residents
What languages do you speak? English, Greek
How do you relax at the end of the day? Cooking, playing board games, and spending time with my fiancé and our adorable puppy, Otis!
Roxana Mir, M.D., M.P.H.
Hometown: Chevy Chase, MD
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine, MPH from the Yale School of Public Health
Research Interest: Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Health Equity, Reproductive Justice.
Why do you love UConn OB/GYN: The wonderful, supportive leadership, faculty, attending physicians, and the residents, especially my co-interns! Additionally, I am continually impressed by the extensive exposure to all subspecialties.
Favorite thing about Connecticut: The picturesque scenery and the ability to experience all four seasons!
What are some small things that make your day great? Great vegetarian food and good conversation with friends, both old and new!
What languages do you speak? English, Persian, French.
How do you relax at the end of the day? With a cup of tea and a great book! I am interested in Feminist Sci-Fi literature and my current favorite author is Margaret Atwood.
If you had to give a 20 minute talk without any preparation what would you discuss? Social Determinants of Health, Politics.
Candice Quarella, M.D.
Hometown: South Windsor, CT
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Research Interest: Family Planning.
Why do you love UConn OB/GYN: My awesome co-residents and the supportive environment!
Favorite thing about Connecticut: I love spending a day off checking out a new hiking trail and then relaxing at one of the many cute breweries in the area.
What are some small things that make your day great? Peloton, cheese, and my cat Dr. Fuzz.
How do you relax at the end of the day? Cooking a new recipe, then curling up with a hot cup of tea and a good book.
If you had to give a 20 minute talk without any preparation what would you discuss? The best items to purchase at Trader Joes.