{"id":20840,"date":"2020-08-19T11:40:27","date_gmt":"2020-08-19T15:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/?page_id=20840"},"modified":"2026-09-10T07:38:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T11:38:38","slug":"residents-pgy1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/obstetrics-and-gynecology-residency-program\/residents-pgy1\/","title":{"rendered":"Residents – PGY1"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Grace<\/div><\/div>

Grace Cromwell, D.O.<\/h3>\n

Hometown:<\/strong> York, ME
\nMedical School:<\/strong> UNE COM
\nResearch Interest:<\/strong> Not sure yet!
\nWhy do you love UConn OB\/GYN: <\/strong>The large scope of practice and experiences we get across 3 hospitals and 40 residents!<\/span>
\nWhat are some small things that make your day great?<\/strong> A quick hug or pat on the back from a co-resident, a sincere thank you from a patient, learning a new quick tip to make exams\/life smoother.<\/span>
\nHow do you relax at the end of the day?<\/strong> Tend to my plants and cook dinner with my husband.
\nWhat languages do you speak? <\/strong>English and the smallest amount of high school French.
\n<\/span>Favorite thing about Connecticut?<\/strong> All the wildlife! There are bears in my neighborhood.<\/span>
\nFun fact about your family?<\/strong> My sister, grandmother, and I all share the same birthday.<\/span>
\nWhat is something that everyone should do at least once in their lif<\/strong>e?<\/strong> Travel to another country and eat the food native to that place.<\/span>
\nIf you had to give a 20-minute talk without any preparation, what would you discuss? <\/strong>Gardening, I learned it from my mother as a child and continue to grow vegetables every summer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Naika<\/div><\/div>

Naika Gernier, M.D.<\/h3>\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Harlem, NYC
\nHobbies:<\/strong> Photography, creative writing.
\nFavorite Summer Activity:<\/strong> Anything on water.
\nDogs, cats or plants:<\/strong> Plants.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Avni<\/div><\/div>

Avni Jain, M.D.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hometown: <\/strong><\/span>Farmington, CT and New Delhi, India\u00a0<\/span>
\nMedical School: <\/strong>University of Connecticut
\n<\/span>Research Interest: <\/strong>Global Health, Simulation, Education.\u00a0<\/span>
\nWhy do you love UConn OB\/GYN? <\/strong>Exposure to everything, clinical training that leaves no gaps, and a community I can't imagine leaving.<\/span>
\nWhat hobby would you start if time and money weren\u2019t an issue? <\/strong>Carpentry .<\/span>
\nWhat are some small things that make your day great? <\/strong>When our cat doesn't stand on my face at 3am. When my favorite teams win. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>
\nHow do you relax at the end of the day? <\/strong>Sunset walk around the neighborhood.\u00a0<\/span>
\nWhat languages do you speak: <\/strong>English (99%), Spanish (50%), Hindi (30%).<\/span>
\nFavorite thing about Connecticut? <\/strong>UConn Women's Basketball.<\/span>
\nFun fact about your family? <\/strong>Mom's side is from Kisumu, Kenya.<\/span>
\nWhat is something that everyone should do at least once in their life? <\/strong>Go to a professional football match in Europe.<\/span>
\nIf you had to give a 20-minute talk without any preparation, what would you discuss? <\/strong>Chai, how to make it and its cultural significance.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Shivanki<\/div><\/div>

Shivanki Juneja, M.D.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hometown: <\/strong>\u00a0Houston, TX
\nMedical School: <\/strong>Baylor College of Medicine
\nResearch Interest: <\/strong>Reproductive Ethics, Nutrition, Health Disparities, Medical Education, Oncofertility.
\nWhy do you love UConn OB\/GYN? <\/strong>The people! I could\u00a0not have dreamed of a more supportive environment to train in.
\nWhat hobby would you start if time and money weren\u2019t an issue? <\/strong>\u00a0Travel Photography\/Videography.
\nWhat are some small things that make your day great? <\/strong>My Nespresso Machine, My Emotional Support Water Bottle, and My afternoon Diet Coke.
\nHow do you relax at the end of the day? <\/strong>Watching reality TV and walking around Blue Back Square.
\nWhat languages do you speak?<\/strong> English, but always working on my Spanish.
\nFavorite thing about Connecticut? <\/strong>All the nature!
\nFun fact about your family? <\/strong>Growing\u00a0up in Houston, we take food\u00a0recommendations\u00a0seriously and routinely look up the menu and pick our entrees before we get to the restaurant.
\nWhat is something that everyone should do at least once in their life? <\/strong>Move somewhere completely new, even if it\u2019s just for a little while.
\nIf you had to give a 20-minute talk without any preparation, what would you discuss? <\/strong>Probably an unnecessarily detailed analysis of Vanderpump Rules and why I believe it is actually a masterclass in friendship, conflict resolution, and terrible decision-making.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Jepkoech<\/div><\/div>

Jepkoech Kottutt, M.D., M.P.H.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Grand Rapids, MI and Eldoret, Kenya
\nHobbies:<\/strong> Swimming, cooking, biking.
\nFavorite Summer Activity:<\/strong> Swimming in the lake, ocean, or pool.
\nDogs, cats or plants:<\/strong> I love cats.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Trevor<\/div><\/div>

Trevor Lyford, M.D., M.P.H.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hometown:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span>LaGrange, ME<\/span>
\nMedical School: <\/strong>Eastern Virginia Medical School
\n<\/span>Research Interest: <\/strong><\/span>Maternal and reproductive health policy; health services and outcomes research; healthcare access and disparities in obstetrics and gynecology.<\/span>
\nWhy do you love UConn OB\/GYN? <\/strong>It's so important to enjoy the people you learn with and learn from. UConn has some amazing people both in the residency and beyond. The emphasis on early, hands-on learning is also a huge plus!<\/span>
\nWhat hobby would you start if time and money weren\u2019t an issue? <\/strong>If I had unlimited time and money, I would buy season tickets to the Bruins and the Celtics and go to as many games with my family as I could! Or I would get better at golf!<\/span>
\nWhat are some small things that make your day great? <\/strong>A nice, cold, caffeinated beverage in the mid-morning and a grape Uncrustable at any point, for any reason.\u00a0<\/span>
\nHow do you relax at the end of the day? <\/strong>Bath time with my son and reading Curious George together.<\/span>
\nWhat languages do you speak: <\/strong>English.<\/span>
\nFavorite thing about Connecticut? <\/strong>So far, it is getting back to the New England seasons and being closer to family.\u00a0<\/span>
\nFun fact about your family? <\/strong>My wife is also an OBGYN!\u00a0<\/span>
\nWhat is something that everyone should do at least once in their life? <\/strong>Everyone should train for and finish something they once thought they couldn\u2019t do. For me, that was a marathon.<\/span>
\nIf you had to give a 20-minute talk without any preparation, what would you discuss? <\/strong>Probably an unnecessary amount of The Office<\/em> trivia and why it\u2019s the most rewatchable show ever made.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Zoe<\/div><\/div>

Zoe Paige, D.O.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hometown: <\/strong>West Pawlet, VT
\nMedical School: <\/strong>University of New England
\nResearch Interest:\u00a0 <\/strong>Reproductive healthcare access in rural areas, Gynecologic malignancies.
\nWhy do you love UConn OB\/GYN? <\/strong>I love the variety that comes from learning at each of the three hospitals and the attendings who are eager to support our career goals and research interests. Most of all, I love my co-residents! They are some of the most supportive people I have met and push me to become better doctor and more confident every day.
\nWhat hobby would you start if time and money weren\u2019t an issue?\u00a0<\/strong>I would have a farm and open a farm-to-table restaurant!
\nWhat are some small things that make your day great? <\/strong>A good coffee, sunny weather, laughing with my co-residents and coming home to see my fianc\u00e9 Alex and two cats Goose and Georgie!
\nHow do you relax at the end of the day? <\/strong>Going on a long run outside or going for a bike ride with my fianc\u00e9, making dinner, and having movie nights.
\nFavorite thing about Connecticut? <\/strong>How easy it is to get everywhere! I love being within a few hours of the beach, mountains, and family.
\nFun fact about your family?\u00a0<\/strong>My parents ran a bagel store in Arizona for many years
\nWhat is something that everyone should do at least once in their life?\u00a0<\/strong>Go to New Zealand! It was the most beautiful place I have ever been with the most amazing hiking.
\nIf you had to give a 20-minute talk without any preparation, what would you discuss? <\/strong>Everything you need to know about backyard chickens and how to build a predator-proof chicken coop!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Sarah<\/div><\/div>

Sarah Pogge, M.D.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Hopewell Junction, NY
\nMedical School:<\/strong> Albany Medical College
\nResearch Interest:<\/strong> Exercise in pregnancy, family planning.
\nWhy do you love UConn OB\/GYN?<\/strong> Co-residents that make you feel supported from day 1!!!
\nWhat hobby would you start if time and money weren\u2019t an issue?<\/strong> Have a garden and harvest all my own food and flowers.
\nWhat are some small things that make your day great?<\/strong> My morning egg bites at sign out \ud83d\ude42 And watching the sunrise during postpartum rounds!
\nHow do you relax at the end of the day?<\/strong> A home cooked meal and FaceTime with my people.
\nWhat languages do you speak:<\/strong> English.
\nFavorite thing about Connecticut?<\/strong> Elizabeth Park rose garden.
\nFun fact about your family?<\/strong> My dad is 6\u20195 and my mom is 5\u20190 and I am exactly in between.
\nWhat is something that everyone should do at least once in their life?<\/strong> Visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
\nIf you had to give a 20-minute talk without any preparation, what would you discuss?<\/strong> How anyone can go from couch to Marathoner.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Jeyrie<\/div><\/div>

Jeyrie Ramos Aponte, D.O.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Mayaguez, PR
\nMedical School:<\/strong> University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
\nResearch Interest<\/strong>: Maternal health disparities and improving outcomes for underserved populations.
\nWhy do you love UConn OB\/GYN?<\/strong>\u00a0I love the people and the supportive environment. I feel like I\u2019m surrounded by people who genuinely want me to learn, grow, and succeed. I also love the variety of patients we care for and the breadth of clinical and surgical training.
\nWhat hobby would you start if time and money weren\u2019t an issue?\u00a0<\/strong>Traveling the world and hiking different national parks.
\nWhat are some small things that make your day great?<\/strong> A really good iced coffee, Diet Coke, getting outside when the weather is nice.
\nHow do you relax at the end of the day?<\/strong> Usually by getting comfy on the couch and watching reality TV.
\nWhat languages do you speak?<\/strong> English and Spanish.
\nFavorite thing about Connecticut?<\/strong> I love that you can get a little bit of everything: cute New England towns, hiking, great food, and easy access to both the coast and bigger cities.
\nFun fact about your family?<\/strong> My great grandmother was the first woman to ever serve as mayor in Puerto Rico.
\nWhat is something that everyone should do at least once in their life?<\/strong> Walk the Camino de Santiago.
\nIf you had to give a 20-minute talk without any preparation, what would you discuss?<\/strong>\u00a0Probably why everyone should visit Puerto Rico, complete with where to go, what beaches to visit, what food to eat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Alex<\/div><\/div>

Alexandra Rich, M.D.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Chicago, IL
\nHobbies:<\/strong> Golf, reading.
\nFavorite Summer Activity:<\/strong> Jumping in a very cold lake.
\nDogs, cats or plants:<\/strong> Dog person.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Grace Cromwell, D.O. Hometown: York, ME Medical School: UNE COM Research Interest: Not sure yet! Why do you love UConn OB\/GYN: The large scope of practice and experiences we get across 3 hospitals and 40 residents! What are some small things that make your day great? A quick hug or pat on the back from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":119,"featured_media":0,"parent":2491,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-09-22 22:04:18","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20840"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/119"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20840"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20840\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39848,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20840\/revisions\/39848"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2491"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20840"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}