PL1 Pediatric Residents
Connor Clemens
Indiana University
Welcome to UVA Pediatrics! I am Connor Clemens, a first-year pediatric resident.
A little bit about me – I grew up in Ellicott City, MD before moving to Goshen Indiana. I am a 3rd gen graduate of Goshen College where I studied Biochemistry and Spanish while playing on the baseball team. I lived in Peru during the summer after my sophomore year where I volunteered in a hospital lab and at the local middle school as an English teacher. It was after this experience that I knew I wanted to learn more about public health and medicine. I completed a master’s degree at the University of Notre Dame in Global Health before going to medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine.
For residency, I knew I wanted a program with a collaborative environment, diverse presentation of patients, staff support, and smaller class size; and UVA is an excellent fit. I have been impressed by the way the program cares for its residents as well as the excellent learning environment that the program fosters for trainees.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy being active, including hiking, playing basketball, and lifting. I like playing video games, watching NBA games, and participating in fantasy sports leagues with friends. My wife and I enjoy cooking meals together and going to the farmer’s markets around town. I am thrilled to come back to the East Coast to an excellent pediatric residency program here at UVA in Charlottesville.
Uma Gonchigar
University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio
Come join us at UVA! Charlottesville is an amazing place to live and train!
Hi, my name is Uma. I grew up in the D.C. area, specifically Potomac, Maryland. I graduated from Barnard College with a degree in English Literature. For most of my time in college, I was unsure about what I wanted to do for a living. Just before my senior year, personal experiences and a momentous conversation inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. To fulfill the requirements for applying to medical school, I completed a post-baccalaureate program at the Jefferson College of Life Sciences in Philadelphia. I then attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where I fell in love with pediatrics during my third-year clerkship.
During the application process, UVA stood out as a well-rounded program with a focus on resident education. On interview day, I instantly felt relaxed and at home with the faculty and PD. Now I’m thrilled to be joining a happy and close-knit group of residents.
At this time, my interests include general pediatrics, neonatology, and pediatric emergency medicine. I’m also excited for opportunities to work with patients from Charlottesville’s large refugee population. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading nonfiction, and spending time with my niece Annika.
Harriet Hall
Medical University of South Carolina
Pronouns: She/Her
Hello! My name is Harriet and I’m so glad you want to learn more about UVA Pediatrics! I grew up in Clover, SC, went to Wake Forest for undergrad where I studied Biology, and then stayed at Wake Forest for a Masters in Bioethics. Next, I headed to MUSC in Charleston, SC for medical school where I fell in love with pediatrics!
When I started looking for my next home and considering different pediatric residencies, I was blown away by the people and program at UVA. Even during a virtual interview, it seemed like a perfect fit. I could tell the residents genuinely knew and loved one another, and they all emphasized the incredible support and guidance they received from the faculty. UVA was the perfect combination of a tight-knit program, experience caring for medically complex children, and a myriad of opportunities for research, teaching, and personal growth. So far, I can say that this program has exceeded my expectations!
Let’s not forget to mention the perks of Charlottesville! It has quickly become my favorite place. It has truly everything you could need within fifteen minutes including numerous parks, hiking and running trails, charming bookstores, live music, and a variety of restaurants! In my free time, I have enjoyed exploring the shops on the downtown mall, attending free live music events, and getting ice cream at the dairy market with my co-residents! Good luck during the interview process, and please reach out with any questions!
Preston Klein
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Hi everyone! I am Preston and I am one of the child neurology residents at UVA. I am originally from Clear Lake, Texas, which is outside of Houston. I went to The University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘em!) for undergrad, where I majored in biology. I then attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio.
At the beginning of MS4, I had the opportunity to complete an away rotation at UVA. During this time, I was quickly able to appreciate the supportive and friendly environment that both residents and attendings worked to create. I also found that UVA is a goldie-locks program in that it is small enough that you can truly get to know all of your co-residents and faculty, as well as play a significant role in patient care regardless of the service you are on, but it is also large enough to give you great exposure to all subspecialties. Charlottesville is a great place to live as well. It gives you easy access to Shenandoah National Park and numerous state parks, beautiful wineries, great restaurants, and the ability to attend major sports at UVA — all without having to fight the traffic that comes with larger cities!
Outside of medicine, I love watching UT football (and now UVA!), trying new restaurants, hiking, and antiquing. I am also enjoying getting to explore Charlottesville and learning more about all it has to offer. If you have any questions about UVA or Charlottesville please do not hesitate to reach out!
Victoria Lanham
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Hi, everyone! My name is Victoria, and I am from southern Maryland! I went to St. Mary’s College of Maryland where I studied Computer Science along with pre-medical courses. After graduating, I worked for the Navy as a computer scientist at a naval air station. I then attended medical school at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton, PA. I am excited to begin my residency at UVA! UVA has such a strong emphasis on both teaching and fostering a caring community. Since my interview day, I have been continually amazed at the kindness and camaraderie among the residents and attending physicians.
In my free time, I enjoy almost any activity where I can be creative. I like drawing and painting as well as baking and cake decorating, just to name a few! Additionally, my husband and I like to cook together and try new recipes from various cuisines. I also enjoy exploring- whether it be on the myriad of hiking trails surrounding Charlottesville or through traveling!
Gigi Palaca
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
Hi, I’m Gigi! I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and then went to college and medical school in Tampa at the University of South Florida. After many years of melting in the Florida summer (plot twist: it lasts all year long), I’m excited to call Charlottesville and UVA my new home! Besides exploring Charlottesville with my husband (also in residency at UVA), I love to rock climb, hike, and play tennis. I also enjoy baking, singing, and playing piano.
On the residency trail, I was looking for a program with residents and faculty who cared for and supported each other. UVA won me over with the great conversations I had with my interviewers, plus the warmth and enthusiasm of the residents. I’m thrilled to learn, grow, and be goofy with my new UVA pediatrics family!
Carly Pierson
University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her
Hi, y’all, I’m Carly! I am from Thousand Oaks, California, just north of Los Angeles. I went to UCLA for undergrad (Go Bruins!), where I majored in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics and minored in Spanish. I traveled to San Antonio, Texas for medical school, where I attended the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM). When it came time to apply for residency, my priorities were either 1) to return home to SoCal or 2) to go to the East Coast to complete my tour of the U.S. (manifest destiny! …no?). I decided that for me to not return home, the program I matched into had to be INCREDIBLE and have everything that I wanted… and that is UVA!
My medical school was very new, so I wanted to go to an established program for residency—one that really prioritized learning and did so in an encouraging environment. I could tell UVA had amazing, supportive attendings and that the residents received a robust education (morning reports, noon conferences, Wednesday school, etc.). Additionally, I did a lot of advocacy work for the LGBTQIA+ community in medical school; fittingly, UVA has an astounding pediatric gender-affirming care clinic/Transgender Youth Healthcare, and also a great endocrinology program, if I decided to pursue that side of things. And lastly, the residents at UVA truly just felt like a family. Even over Zoom, I could tell how much they got along and had each other’s backs. Not only that, but during the resident social, I remember crying-laughing—they were so funny! And that camaraderie was exactly the atmosphere in which I wanted to continue my medical career.
In my free time, I enjoy watching movies with my roommate (I GUESS you could call him my boyfriend) and our two cats, reading on my Kindle, going on walks in our neighborhood around beautiful downtown, or trying a new beer at one of the many amazing breweries here! Please click my name to email me with any questions (about coming from out of state, being a D.O., etc.), I’d love to help!
Avi Sachs
Albany Medical College
My name is Avi Sachs. I grew up in Annandale, VA and though I came to UVA for many summers as a camper in childhood I was lured to the College of William and Mary for undergrad (Go Tribe) where I majored in Biology and minored in biochemistry. After graduating college in 2016 I moved to Washington, DC, and spent four years as a postbaccalaureate research fellow at the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute working on the development and delivery of adoptive cell immunotherapy for patients with cancer. In 2020 I moved away from the DMV for the first time to start medical school at Albany Medical College in Albany, NY. While upstate New York had beautiful natural vistas I am truly happy to now be back in my home state living and working in Virginia’s most beautiful region.
Professionally I am interested in hematology-oncology and pursuing a career in translational research on cellular immunotherapy. However for now I am excited to explore all of the facets of pediatrics that our program has to offer in abundance. Outside of work I am a major film geek and spend a lot of time watching movies. I am also searching for the best independent cinemas in the region. Additionally, I listen to a lot of music and like to fiddle around on the piano and guitar when I have downtime. I also try to make time to read for fun and in particular enjoy attempting to wrap my head around works of philosophy and philosophical fiction. When I am not on the couch doing one of the above I am often hiking or running.
Our program has a really supportive and integrated structure where I already feel seen and valued as a trainee. We are a big family here and I am excited to pay forward all of the support I have already received in our program. Please reach out if you have any questions and I will be
happy to help. Cheers.
Maya Schnall
Northeast Ohio Medical University
“Hi all! My name is Maya Schnall and I was born and raised in Syracuse, NY, which is (in)famously known as the snowiest city in the US. In 2015, I decided to switch coasts and move out to Los Angeles to attend UCLA with a major in psychobiology and a minor in education studies. There, I became an early childcare educator and fell in love with child development, ultimately deciding I needed to pair that with my love for medicine.
I worked as a nanny for a year in Los Angeles before moving to the Akron area in 2020 to attend Northeast Ohio Medical University. During my fourth year, I did an away rotation in the Birdsong clinic at UVA and knew that I wanted to call this program home. Residents, attendings, and everyone else who works to keep this hospital moving are incredibly kind and helpful people who immediately welcomed me into the UVA family. I was overjoyed when I matched here!
In my free time, you can find me driving up to Maryland to spend time with my adorable nephew and hang out with my sisters. I enjoy staying active with hot yoga and “hot girl walks” to get silly little treats and Charlottesville is the perfect place for this! I hope you love Charlottesville and UVA Pediatrics as much as I do, and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I can’t wait to meet you!”
Adam Shipley
Florida State University College of Medicine
Hi everyone, my name is Adam Shipley. I grew up in Vienna, Virginia, and studied Neuroscience and Public Health at the College of William and Mary. I attended medical school at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Though I will definitely miss the Florida manatees, I am so excited to be back in my home state and completing my residency here at the University of Virginia! During my interview, I was struck by the genuine enthusiasm, warmth, and friendliness displayed by everyone I met. It was evident that this program fosters a strong sense of fellowship and a dedicated commitment to serving one another, their patients, and the community at large. Not only that, but Charlottesville is a beautiful town with plenty of great hikes, food, and people.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, bouldering, playing board games, exploring local sites, and spending time with my friends — and, of course, with my cat, Mango. My fiancé and I have loved taking in all Charlottesville has to offer, from the beautiful wineries to the local rivers, and weekly outdoor concerts.
I am so grateful and excited to be part of the UVA Pediatrics family! Best of luck to everybody on the interview trail, and feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have about the program, area, or anything else I can help with!
Mason Stevens
McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center
Hi everyone and welcome to UVA! My name is Mason, and I was born and raised in Houston, Texas! I went to undergrad at the University of Texas at Austin and went back to Houston to attend medical school at McGovern Medical School. So, I’m a Texas gal yeehaw!
Since the beginning of medical school, I knew I wanted to work with children, and on day one of my pediatrics rotation I was sold. UVA was one of my first interviews and found myself unable to stop talking about the people and program. When I came to Charlottesville to visit, I fell in love with the climate, the mountains, and the people. I immediately knew this was the program I wanted because I could see myself as truly part of the family – and now I am!
During my time off, I love to go on walks with my friends and my sweet standard poodle puppy Ollie. I also love to run, hike, play pickleball, go to Orange Theory, and pretty much any sport I’m game! I love day trips to DC for hiking at Great Falls and sipping coffee on my back porch on a slow Sunday morning after mass. I can honestly say that C’ville has already begun to feel like the home I’ve always had. I can’t wait to be more a part of this city and this UVA Pediatrics family!
Megan Vieira
Medical University of South Carolina
Hey guys! My name is Meg Vieira, and I am beyond thrilled to say I am a new UVA pediatrics intern (WOOHOO!). I grew up in a small town in upstate New York and then moved down to South Carolina where I completed my undergraduate degree at Furman University (Go Dins!) in Greenville, SC where I studied biochemistry. I hopped over to the beach in Charleston, SC for medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina where I fell in love with the field of pediatrics.
I participated in the couples match process with my amazing husband, Noah, who is a psychiatry intern. We were both incredibly nervous at the start of the interview season. During my happy hour with the UVA pediatrics residents, I immediately thought these were the kind of people I wanted to be surrounded by in residency. Every individual was incredibly genuine and approachable, and already were so excited to pour into a new intern class! The opportunities to learn and teach at UVA were beyond compare, and my husband and I quickly fell in love with Charlottesville on our first visit here.
Outside of medicine, I love all things outdoor – from hiking, to paddle boarding, to exploring new trails around Charlottesville with my dog, Sammie, who is truly my four-legged best friend. I love to cook and try out new recipes and am always happy to host friends for dinner and a nice glass of wine! This program is truly a family, and I feel so blessed to be a part of it.
Please reach out if you have any questions about the program or Charlottesville!
Mara Weigner
University of Virginia School of Medicine
Hi everyone, I’m Mara Weigner – welcome to UVA Pediatrics! I am originally from south-eastern Pennsylvania but moved to Lynchburg, Virginia during high school. I majored in Biochemistry at Liberty and then came to UVA for medical school. Charlottesville has so much to offer, but one of my favorite things about the area is the abundance of outdoor activities and beautiful scenery (nowhere does fall quite like Cville)! In my free time, I can usually be found reading a good book, catching up with friends and family, or exploring one of Charlottesville’s many trails.
When deciding where I wanted to end up for residency, I knew that I wanted a program that would offer both solid general pediatrics training and plenty of opportunities to explore subspecialty interests. I also wanted a tight-knit and supportive program where everyone truly knows and supports each other. During my medical school rotations, I was lucky enough to experience firsthand how UVA checks all of those boxes, and I’m so excited to be sticking around! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, it really is a special place!