PL1 Pediatric Residents
Imtithal Ahmed Elowad
University of Khartoum Faculty of Medicine
Hi! I’m Imtithal Ahmed Elowad, though most people call me Sally because my real name is a tongue twister. And as you can probably tell from the name, I didn’t grow up here. Even though I was born in California, I grew up in Sudan, a country in North Africa where the sun never seems to take a day off. As the true Sudanese person I am, one of my favorite hobbies is hiding in the shade with a nice cup of chai, a tradition that somehow survived even after I moved to the great USA.
When I first arrived, I’ll be honest, my first thought wasn’t, “Wow, it’s so beautiful.” It was more like, “Wait… places can actually be THIS green?” I know, shocking. You’d think I’d seen enough trees by then. And with that realization came about a thousand more questions. Little by little, this strange new world started making sense, and I slowly adapted to the culture, the people, and the differences. I even accomplished what I once thought was impossible, understanding American football. A truly miraculous achievement for someone who spent most of their childhood as a bookworm with absolutely zero sports knowledge.
Back home, I was a physician, but after moving to the land of football and Michael Jackson, I became a substitute teacher, which was quite the career plot twist. I didn’t stop there, though. With the support of my three wonderful children, Basmala, Samy, and Judy, I kept pushing forward. What began as substitute teaching eventually led me back to medicine, and today I am proud to be a pediatrician at UVA. From the moment I discovered UVA, I knew it was the right fit for me because of its outstanding academics, compassionate people, and collaborative environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I found strong mentorship, meaningful relationships, and incredible resources, and I am grateful to be part of this community and thrilled to contribute with the knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my journey.
Myriam Boueri
Lebanese American University in Beirut
Training at the University of Virginia feels like the perfect next chapter of my story. I began my medical journey at the Lebanese American University in Beirut and continued my academic path with a postdoctoral research position in pediatric medical genetics at Duke University. Along the way, I discovered that pediatrics is where my curiosity, resilience, and love for children naturally belong. If I had to describe myself, I’d say I’m a bit like a pencil constantly sharpening my skills, learning from mistakes (thank you, eraser), and hoping to help write healthier futures for the children I care for. UVA excites me because of the breadth of training and mentorship that will allow me to explore every corner of pediatrics before choosing my path. I hope to build a career in academic medicine and one day take on leadership roles (maybe even come back as a program director someday!). After all, I believe that you’re never too young to lead and never too old to learn.
Beyond medicine, I bring creativity and joy wherever I go. I sing in a choir, paint and draw, write Arabic poetry, and never miss the chance to dance a little Latin. Most importantly, training at UVA means being close to my partner and extended family, making Charlottesville feel like a home away from home.
Emily D’Arpa
VCOM
Hi everyone! My name is Emily D’Arpa, and I am beyond excited to be a pediatric resident here at UVA! I grew up in a small town in southwestern Virginia called Troutville. I went to UVA for undergrad, where I majored in Biology, and went to medical school at VCOM. I chose this program for a combination of personal and professional reasons. Staying within driving distance of my family was important to me, and returning to a place I’ve known and loved since undergrad feels a little like coming back to a second home. I was also really drawn to the program in terms of its connection to the surrounding community, as well as the size of the program – it is large enough to provide exposure to a wide variety of pediatric pathology, while still being small enough to build meaningful relationships.
When I am not in the hospital, I’m usually doing one of two things: being active or fully embracing a cozy hobby. I love staying active – you can find me running around Charlottesville, playing pickleball, soccer, or hiking. Otherwise, I am probably reading a good thriller, working on puzzles or board games, or catching up on whichever TV show currently has everyone hooked.”
Zachary Fritz
Georgetown University
My name is Zach Fritz, and I was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. I attended Georgetown University for undergrad, where I studied Biology of Global Health and Science, Technology, and International Affairs with a Global Health Policy Concentration. Hoya Saxa!
Following graduation, I spent one year working as a research analyst and volunteering with children with special needs back in Orlando before returning to Georgetown for medical school. I entered medical school knowing I wanted to pursue a career in pediatrics, and my experience throughout my education only reaffirmed it. Pediatrics combines the fun of working with children with the opportunity to potentially holistically improve the health of a person for the rest of their life, both inside and out of clinical settings.
When applying to residency, I knew I wanted a program that combined stellar pediatric inpatient and outpatient training, a passion for community advocacy, and a feeling of home. After learning more about the program at my interview and second look, I felt that UVA Pediatrics was the perfect place to prepare me to become a well-rounded pediatrician and child health advocate. The faculty and residents were incredibly welcoming and helped me envision myself attending UVA and living in Charlottesville.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy hiking, playing, and watching basketball (Go Magic!), college football (now adopting the Hoos as my FBS team), trying new restaurants, and kayaking in the beautiful rivers and lakes in the area.
I am ecstatic to join the UVA Pediatrics family, and I cannot wait to make Charlottesville home!
Rachael Huebler
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
From my interview to the second look, UVA Peds never stopped impressing me. There was camaraderie, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to excellence that felt authentic and deeply rooted in the program’s culture. I was struck by how genuinely the residents interacted—with each other, with faculty, and with every member of the care team. But what ultimately placed UVA at the top of my list were the small, meaningful moments—people looking up to smile as you walk by, conversations sparked in elevators, doors held open without hesitation.
These simple acts of kindness speak volumes. They reflect a culture grounded in respect, humility, and humanity—exactly the environment in which I want to train and grow.
Mili JyotsnaMy name is Mili Jyotsna, and I am so happy and excited to be joining UVA as an incoming pediatrics intern. I am from Lahaul, a beautiful region in the Indian Himalayas. I completed my schooling in Kullu, a nearby town, before moving to central India for my medical school at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal.
From an early age, I was inspired by the compassion and dedication of my pediatrician, and my experiences throughout medical school only deepened my passion for Pediatrics. What made UVA stand out to me was my interaction with the team on my interview day. Despite the virtual format, the warmth, kindness, and genuine sense of community among the residents and the faculty were impossible to miss. Residency is a challenging journey, and I wanted to train in a program where I would feel supported, welcomed, and surrounded by people who truly care for one another. UVA felt exactly like that.
Another reason UVA felt like home was Charlottesville itself. Its beautiful landscapes and abundance of outdoor spaces, similar to those I grew up around, made it feel comfortingly familiar.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy hiking, writing, and exploring the outdoors. I am also a horror movie enthusiast and cat mom to my sweetest boy, Milo.
I can’t wait to meet everyone and begin this journey together. Wishing all of us a wonderful start to residency!
Hasan Kaloglu
Maltepe Üniversitesi Tip Fakültesi
Hi everyone! My name is Hasan. I am from Türkiye and was raised in Istanbul. I decided that
I wanted to become a doctor when I was a junior in high school, and I went on to complete medical school in Istanbul.
During the final years of medical school, I realized that pediatrics was the field I wanted to pursue. After graduation, I started working as a pediatrics resident at Koc University Hospital in Istanbul. Working in an academic medical center and caring for children in an inpatient pediatrics unit, the pediatric ICU, and the emergency department deepened my respect and understanding of the field even more.
What I love about pediatrics is its unique world: the special connection with children, the communication with patients and families that truly requires its own kind of mastery, and the perfect amount of joy and fun comes with taking care of kids. Within pediatrics, my interests include pediatric cardiology, congenital heart disease, critical care, emergency medicine, and medical education.
I am very excited to continue my training at the UVA Pediatrics program. Throughout my medical journey, I have been fortunate to train and learn in various hospitals and clinical settings across multiple countries. UVA Medical Center and the Pediatrics program stood out to me as a place where the residents and faculty genuinely care about their patients. The science of pediatrics involves training thoughtful, skilled, and confident physicians. I feel very grateful to become a part of this community.
Outside of medicine, I love playing both electric and acoustic guitar. I also enjoy watching European football/soccer, and I am a huge Galatasaray fan — Haydi Cimbom! If you ever want to talk about music, football, Turkey, Turkish culture, or have any questions about UVA, please do not hesitate to reach out. I wish everyone the best on this journey!
James Lemon
University of Mississippi
Hey, y’all! My name is Jay Lemon, and I’m excited to be a part of the UVA Pediatrics Residency Program.
I’m from Brandon, Mississippi, just outside the capital city of Jackson. For my undergraduate years, I moved up north to attend Harvard, where I studied Molecular and Cellular Biology (as well as Folklore and Mythology). Through thesis work, I discovered an interest in Hematology/Oncology, which I am excited to explore further at UVA. I then returned home to Jackson to attend medical school at the University of Mississippi, which reinforced my desire to become a pediatrician. While looking for residency programs, UVA caught my eye with its emphasis on a conducive learning environment. This, coupled with my family’s ties to the region, beautiful Charlottesville, and a welcoming virtual interview, was the ultimate selling point.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy staying active through tennis and hiking, as well as playing guitar. I’m also a lifelong DC sports fan, so I’m excited to be a little closer to my teams. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to be at UVA and can’t wait to get started.
Madison Philhower
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Child Neurology
Hello! My name is Madison Philhower, and I am one of the Pediatric Neurology residents at UVA. I was born
and raised in Richmond, Virginia, and have strong ties to Virginia’s Northern Neck region. I attended Virginia Tech, where I discovered my passion for neuroscience and developed an interest in pursuing neurology as a career. This passion led me to the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in southern Maine.
Although I enjoyed my adventures in New England—including skiing and ice skating on frozen ponds—I felt a strong pull to return home to Virginia. When applying to residency programs, I was looking for an academic medical center with a wide range of pediatric neurology subspecialties, opportunities for rural outreach, and a supportive learning environment. Just as importantly, I hoped to find a program with welcoming faculty and a strong sense of community among the residents. During my interview, it became clear that UVA embodied all these qualities while also allowing me to be closer to family and home.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy painting and other creative projects, floral arranging, skiing in the winter, and spending time on the Rappahannock River.
I am so excited to explore Charlottesville and continue my training with UVA Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology.
Hello everyone! My name is Swetha Prakash, and I am one of the PGY-1 Pediatrics interns. A little bit about me – I grew up in Frisco, Texas, and went to the University of Texas at Dallas for undergrad, majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology. I completed my medical school training at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where I found my passion for pediatrics.
For residency, I knew I wanted a program that had a supportive environment, strong clinical foundations, and a wide array of patient experiences-and UVA was a perfect match. The program has crafted a great culture among the residents to learn and explore our passions as physicians.
In my free time, I really enjoy spending time with my loved ones. For me, it’s about the people I make memories with rather than the location at hand. I also enjoy being active and love to play soccer, badminton, and dance. I am excited to be starting residency at UVA and cannot wait to explore Charlottesville.
Rachna Reddy
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hi everyone! My name is Rachna, and I’m so excited to be joining the pediatrics residency program at UVA.
I grew up in Ashburn, Virginia, just a short drive from Charlottesville. I studied biology at St. Bonaventure University in a small town in Western New York before moving to Erie, Pennsylvania, for medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. I’m grateful to now be back in Virginia, close to home and my support system.
My interest in pediatrics is rooted in the experiences where I felt most connected to supporting children and their families. When considering the program that was the best fit for me, I knew I wanted to train in a setting where I would be both challenged and supported. I was drawn to UVA for its strong academic culture and wide range of pediatric subspecialties, especially as I continue to explore my interests within pediatrics. Another priority for me was finding a community that emphasizes resident well-being and growth, and UVA’s commitment to mentorship, wellness, and collaboration was clear on interview day.
In my free time, I love staying connected with family and friends, even if it’s just catching up over FaceTime. Lately, I’ve gotten more into reading and even started a book club with friends from school. I also enjoy traveling and recently visited Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, with plans to visit Spain and Barbados before starting residency. I’m also drawn to creative outlets like cooking, arts and crafts, and photography.
Hey y’all! I’m Rebecca Slay. I was born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and then made my way over to The University of Tulsa (REIGN ‘CANE!!) where I majored in Biology and got a minor in music. I am thrilled to further my education and career in Pediatrics at UVA. When I began the residency search process, I prioritized a couple of factors that felt important to me: I looked for a program with an uplifting environment, a place with strong connections between peers and mentors who feel like family, an institution that would push me academically, and a program that was located in a thriving, but also safe city. I have found all of this and more at UVA. While Charlottesville may be the furthest I’ve ever lived from family, it also couldn’t feel more like home.
The beginning of my life began in the NICU as one out of a set of triplets. My heart is currently drawn towards Neonatology – and I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to explore this professional passion of mine at the #1 children’s hospital in Virginia! All of the physicians/ faculty that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting have taken a personal interest in me and my journey towards becoming the pediatrician I aspire to one day become. I couldn’t be more grateful to get to pursue this dream in Charlottesville alongside incredible, bright co-resident physicians. So much support and love are felt from every corner of this program.
In my free time, I love playing the piano, Harry Potter movie marathons, spending time outdoors, and trying different coffee shops and wineries. If you have any questions about UVA or life in Charlottesville, I’m happy to be there for you. Don’t hesitate to connect with me!
Khadeeja Talhah
C.M.H. Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry
Austin Thomas
Lincoln Memorial University
My name is Austin Thomas, and I am beyond excited to start my training in pediatrics at UVA. I grew up a bit down east on 64 just outside Richmond. As a native Virginian, UVA is a force that looms large, especially when your elementary school teachers already pre-determined that’s where you would go to college. Naturally, I attended the University for my undergraduate education, studying biology and religious studies. I ventured one state over for medical school and earned my degree in Osteopathic Medicine from Lincoln Memorial University in Knoxville, TN. As an undergraduate student, I served as the student liaison and co-chair of the Student Advisory Board of UVA’s Center for Global Health Equity. Between undergrad and medical school, I worked as a medical scribe and was a pharmacy technician. I am so grateful for the opportunity to return to Grounds and serve the children and families of the Commonwealth. Pediatricians have a unique position in medicine; we care for and nurture the future of our community. It is a great honor to be entrusted with this responsibility.
Having been bitten by the UVA bug, it didn’t take much convincing to see myself returning to UVA. To those who haven’t been here, it’s hard to explain the feeling of home that Grounds provides. All I can say is that it just felt “right.” Charlottesville is such a unique place, too. No town of its size anywhere has what it has in terms of food, shopping, and the arts. And, of course, having the beauty of the Blue Ridge outside your window can’t be overstated.
When I am not working, you will find me either cooking up a storm, researching my wife and my next vacation on points and miles, or hanging out with our dog, Gus. I am also highly involved with the American Medical Association, Medical Society of Virginia, and American Academy of Pediatrics, fighting for children both inside and outside of clinic and hospital walls.
Madison Trailkill
University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill
She/Her
I grew up in rural eastern North Carolina and went to Wake Forest University for undergrad (GO DEACS!). I did not decide I wanted to be a physician until after college, and I ended up taking three gap years. I was a children’s librarian, a CNA at the community hospital, a home health aide, and an ophthalmic technician. I attended the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill and was honored to attend 2 UNC vs Duke home basketball games, both of which the Tarheels won! I will miss NC, but the UVA pediatric residency program really convinced me to make the move to VA.
My UVA social and interview felt different in the best way. I distinctly remember feeling I had found my people and was hanging out with a group of friends. I loved the size of the program and that there was an extremely strong sense of community, not only within the program but in the hospital. I am very interested in medical education, and UVA has a strong commitment to teaching residents how to be teachers.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy crocheting, hanging out with friends, and attempting to keep my plants alive! I am looking forward to branching out into a new terrain with hiking trails and exploring all that Charlottesville has to offer.