{"id":2986,"date":"2017-12-15T14:06:04","date_gmt":"2017-12-15T19:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/?page_id=2986"},"modified":"2025-09-11T11:37:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T15:37:10","slug":"past-graduates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/general-surgery-residency-program\/past-graduates\/","title":{"rendered":"Past Graduates"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
<\/div>
\"2025\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/div><\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

2025<\/div><\/h3>

Ryan Desrochers, MD - Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, Brown University<\/p>\n

Ka\u2019la Drayton, MD - Hand Fellowship, University of Miami<\/p>\n

Jennifer Hale, MD - Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, Ohio State University<\/p>\n

Jonathan Hannam MD - Transplant Surgery Fellowship, University of Maryland<\/p>\n

Filippos Kontos, MD - Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship, University of Wisconsin, Madison<\/p>\n

Christopher Lemoine, MD - Thoracic Surgery (Independent) Fellowship, Texas Heart Institute\/Baylor College of Medicine<\/p>\n

Samantha Slattery, MD - Private Practice<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

2024<\/div><\/h3>

Leah Aakjar, M.D. - Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, Oregon Health & Science University<\/p>\n

Jennifer Brewer, M.D. - Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, Louisiana State University School of Medicine<\/p>\n

Jonathan Chang, M.D. - Colorectal Surgery Fellowship, Saint Francis Hospital<\/p>\n

Abigail Doelger, M.D. - Bariatrics\/Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship, Rush University<\/p>\n

Austin Healy, M.D. - Plastic Surgery Residency, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga<\/p>\n

Akila Ramaraj, M.D., M.P.H. - Pediatric Surgery Fellowship, University of Tennessee Health Science Center-Memphis<\/p>\n

Kesley Sullivan, M.D., M.S. - Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, University of Maryland Medical Center<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

2023<\/div><\/h3>

Ashley Althoff, D.O. - Colorectal Fellowship, Advent Health, Orlando, FL<\/p>\n

Kayla Bassett, M.D. - Colorectal Fellowship, Brown University, RI<\/p>\n

Manuel Alejandro Fajardo, M.D. - Plastic Surgery Residency, University of Illinois, Chicago<\/p>\n

Brendan Gontarz, M.D. - Private Practice, Vascular Surgery Fellowship, Hartford Hospital<\/p>\n

Christina Klecker, M.D. - Critical Care Fellowship, Boston University<\/p>\n

Aneesah McClinton, M.D. - MIS\/Bariatric Fellowship, New York Presbyterian - Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, NY<\/p>\n

Christina Provenza, M.D. - Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship, Baystate Medical Center<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

2022<\/div><\/h3>

Mohammed Irfan Ali, M.D. - Vascular Surgery Fellowship, Thomas Jefferson<\/p>\n

Alyson Cunningham, M.D. - Colorectal Surgery Fellowship, Saint Francis Hospital<\/p>\n

Constantine Poulos, M.D. - Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship, Tufts Medical Center<\/p>\n

Ishna Sharma, M.D. - Bariatrics\/Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN<\/p>\n

Jielin Yu, M.D. - Thoracic Surgery Fellowship, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

2021<\/div><\/h3>

Jacob Campbell, D.O. - Pediatric Surgery Fellowship, Connecticut Children\u2019s<\/p>\n

Brendan Honick, M.D. - Surgical Oncology Fellowship Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine<\/p>\n

Neel Joshi, M.D. - Plastic Surgery Residency, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington, MA<\/p>\n

Laura Lamb, M.D. - Vascular Surgery Fellowship, Hartford Hospital<\/p>\n

David Kull, M.D. - Vascular Surgery Fellowship, Hartford Hospital<\/p>\n

Zachary Solomon, M.D. - MIS Fellowship, Saint Francis Hospital<\/p>\n

Brian Wong Won, M.D. - Plastics Fellowship, University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

2020<\/div><\/h3>

Olayemi Ajayi-Lamanna, M.D. - Private Practice, CT<\/p>\n

Joel Calafell, M.D. - Colon and Rectal Fellowship, Leigh Valley Health Network<\/p>\n

Lance DeRoss, M.D. - Plastics Fellowship, University of Illinois at Chicago<\/p>\n

Swagoto Mukhopadhyay, M.D. - Surgical Oncology Fellowship, Roswell Park<\/p>\n

Anthony Tran, M.B.B.Ch., BAO, MS - Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship, Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital \u2013 Plano<\/p>\n

Zulara Wahla, M.D. - MIS Fellowship, Hackensack University Medical Center<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

2019<\/div><\/h3>

James Berry, M.D. - Colorectal Surgery Fellowship at LSU Shreveport<\/p>\n

Sarah Brant, M.D. - Private Practice, CA<\/p>\n

Vipul Gargya, B.M.B.S. - Plastic Surgery, St. Joseph\u2019s University Medical Center<\/p>\n

Beata Lobel, M.B.B.C.h. BAO - MIS Fellowship, Saint Francis Hospital<\/p>\n

Daniella Vega, M.D. - Beaumont Plastic Surgery Residency, Farmington Hills, MI<\/p>\n

Rickesha Wilson, M.D. - Cleveland Clinic Bariatric Surgery Fellowship, Cleveland, Ohio<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Resident Awards by Sites<\/h2>\n

Connecticut Children\u2019s<\/h3>\n

Mark Sebastian Award for Excellence in Pediatric Surgery<\/strong><\/p>\n

June 2020<\/strong>
\nConstantine Poulos<\/p>\n

June 2021<\/strong>
\nAneesah McClinton<\/p>\n

June 2023<\/strong>
\nJonathan Hanna
\nKa\u2019la Drayton
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mark Sebastian Award for Surgical Excellence<\/strong><\/p>\n

June 2024<\/strong>
\nMaya Petashnick<\/p>\n

June 2025<\/strong>
\nAmmr Al-Houssan<\/p>\n

Hartford Hospital<\/h3>\n

Ludwig J. Pyrtek, M.D. Memorial Award
\n<\/strong>Bestowed to one surgical chief resident<\/em><\/p>\n

To a surgical chief resident who exemplifies the combination of clinical and scientific capabilities so characteristic of Dr. Pyrtek.<\/p>\n

2020 Anthony Tran
\n2021 Jacob Campbell
\n2022 M. Irfan Ali
\n2023 Ashley Althoff
\n2024 Akila Ramaraj
\n2025 Filippos Kontos<\/p>\n

Robert Warren Painter, M.D. Memorial Award
\n<\/strong>Bestowed to one surgical chief resident<\/em><\/p>\n

To the outstanding resident for excellence in academics, teaching, and clinical care.<\/p>\n

2020 Swagoto Mukhopadhyay
\n2021 Laura (Lamb) Healy
\n2022 Jielin Yu
\n2023 Kayla Bassett
\n2024 Leah Aakjar
\n2025 Ryan Desrochers<\/p>\n

Monroe Himelstein, M.D. Memorial Award
\n<\/strong>Bestowed to one surgical chief resident<\/em><\/p>\n

Surgical resident who epitomizes the clinical inquiry and teaching expertise in the area of surgical science so typical of Dr. Himelstein, the \u201cSurgeon\u2019s Surgeon\u201d.<\/p>\n

2020 Lance DeRoss
\n2021 David Kull
\n2022 Constantine (Dean) Poulos
\n2023 Brendan Gontarz
\n2024 Abigail Doelger
\n2025 Ka\u2019la Drayton<\/p>\n

Charles Polivy, M.D. Memorial Award
\n<\/strong>Bestowed to one 3rd\u00a0<\/sup>year and one 4th year categorical resident<\/em><\/p>\n

A 3rd and 4th categorical resident who is recognized as a role model in clinical accomplishments and educational pursuits and who exemplifies a sincere concern for the provision of quality patient care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/strong><\/td>\n3rd Year Resident<\/strong><\/td>\n4th Year Resident<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nConstantine (Dean) Poulos<\/td>\nJacob Campbell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2021<\/td>\nAshley Althoff<\/td>\nConstantine (Dean) Poulos<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2022<\/td>\nAbigail Doelger<\/td>\nAshley Althoff<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/td>\nJonathan Hanna<\/td>\nAbigail Doelger<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2024<\/td>\nJeremey Fridling<\/td>\nFilippos Kontos<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2025<\/td>\nAmmr Al-Houssan<\/td>\nAndrew Kemerley<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

St. Francis Hospital<\/h3>\n

R2 Award: This award recognizes the UConn General Surgery Resident who demonstrates collaboration, congeniality, and excellence as the \u201cConsultation Resident\u201d at Saint Francis Hospital.<\/strong><\/p>\n

2021 Jennifer Brewer
\n2022 Jennifer Hale
\n2023 Joshua Knopf
\n2024 Lauren Harrison
\n2025 Jillian McNally<\/p>\n

Anthony S. Morgan Award, M.D. Award<\/strong><\/p>\n

Established in 2015, the Anthony S. Morgan, M.D. award is given to the surgery resident who provides exemplary care the acutely ill and injured patients on the trauma and acute care surgery service at Saint Francis Hospital.<\/p>\n

2020 Laura Lamb
\n2021 David Kull
\n2022 Dean Poulos
\n2023 Christina Klecker
\n2024 Samantha Slattery
\n2025 Ryan Desrochers<\/p>\n

Henry Mannix, Jr., M.D. Award for Resident Excellence<\/strong><\/p>\n

Presented to the PGY4\/5 surgical resident who has demonstrated professionalism, teamwork, academic achievement, and the highest quality of clinical work at Saint Francis Hospital.<\/p>\n

2020 Anthony Tran
\n2021 Jacob Campbell
\n2022 Kayla Bassett
\n2023 Kayla Bassett
\n2024 Jennifer Brewer
\n2025 Ryan Desrochers<\/p>\n

The Hospital of Central Connecticut<\/h3>\n

Andrew J. Canzonetti Award<\/strong><\/p>\n

Best 4th\u00a0Year Surgical Resident<\/p>\n

2020 Jacob Campbell
\n2021 Jielin Yu
\n2022 Christina Klecker
\n2023 Leah Aakjar
\n2024 Ryan Desrochers
\n2025 Kriti Mittal Agrawal<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ryan Desrochers, MD – Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, Brown University Ka\u2019la Drayton, MD – Hand Fellowship, University of Miami Jennifer Hale, MD – Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, Ohio State University Jonathan Hannam MD – Transplant Surgery Fellowship, University of Maryland Filippos Kontos, MD – Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship, University of Wisconsin, Madison Christopher Lemoine, MD – […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":119,"featured_media":0,"parent":2872,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-28 23:32:17","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2986"}],"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=2986"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2986\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36571,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2986\/revisions\/36571"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/graduate-medical-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}