Fellows

“Coming from a place of humility and curiosity is so important, and that’s something that really was encouraged by my mentors and attendings here at Mount Sinai”
- Joshua Choi, MD, Chief Fellow

First Year Fellows

Laura Berardo, MD, MPH
RESIDENCY: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel
MEDICAL SCHOOL: University of Texas Long School of Medicine at San Antonio
UNDERGRADUATE: Boston College
Dr. Berardo was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She attended Boston College and graduated with a degree in English and a minor in biology. After graduating from college, she obtained her medical degree at the University of Texas Long School of Medicine in San Antonio and her master's in public health at the University of Texas School of Public Health. She is currently completing her residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Her clinical interests include social determinants of health, consult liaison psychiatry, and resident wellness. In her free time, she enjoys taking her dogs on long walks, playing video games, reading, and caring for her multitude of indoor plants.

Samuel Fels, MD
RESIDENCY: Johns Hopkins Hospital
MEDICAL SCHOOL: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
UNDERGRADUATE: New York University
Dr. Fels was born and raised in Philadelphia and later moved to New York City for their undergraduate education at NYU, where they studied psychology and child and adolescent mental health. Following college, they started their journey at Mount Sinai in the Mood and Personality Disorders Research Program, as well as with the Mount Sinai Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program (SAVI). Dr. Fels then returned to Philadelphia for their medical education at Thomas Jefferson University, where they focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in medicine and psychiatry. As a resident, Dr. Fels moved to Baltimore for adult psychiatry training at Johns Hopkins, where they have enjoyed a panel of LGBTQIA2S+ young and transitional-age adults, with a focus on gender-affirming psychiatry. In their free time, Dr. Fels enjoys live music, queer art, and spending time with their family.

Sarah Hmada, MD
RESIDENCY: Temple University
MEDICAL SCHOOL: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
UNDERGRADUATE: Fordham University
Dr. Sarah Hmada was born in Paris, France and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts in natural science. She went on to complete medical school at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia and remained at Temple University to complete her residency. Her clinical interests include forensic psychiatry, psychodynamic psychotherapy and working with underserved populations. In her free time she enjoys thrifting, following her favorite soccer team FC Barcelona, and trying new restaurants.

Jay Louik, MD
RESIDENCY: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/West
MEDICAL SCHOOL: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
UNDERGRADUATE: Vassar College
Dr. Louik was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in neuroscience and behavior. After spending a few years working in clinical research in New York City, he went on to complete medical school at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. He completed his residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/West and is thrilled to be staying at Sinai for fellowship training. Dr. Louik’s clinical interests include LBGTQ affirming health, reproductive psychiatry, and the medical humanities. In his free time, you’ll finding him cooking or enjoying a long walk with his dog.

Harrison Quaal, MD
RESIDENCY: Medical University of South Carolina
MEDICAL SCHOOL: Wayne State University School of Medicine
UNDERGRADUATE: Michigan State University
Dr. Quaal was born and raised in Gaylord, Michigan. He graduated from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in genomics and molecular genetics. He went on to complete medical school at Wayne State University in Detroit. He then moved to Charleston, South Carolina to complete his residency at Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Quaal’s clinical interests include peripartum mental health, LGTBQ+ health, psychodynamic therapy, and transitional age populations. Outside of work, Dr Quaal enjoys rollerblading, hosting dinner parties, indoor cycle classes, cooking Molly Baz recipes, and going for long park walks with friends.

Alexa Rivera, MD
RESIDENCY: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel
MEDICAL SCHOOL: The Florida State University College of Medicine
UNDERGRADUATE: The Florida State University
Dr. Rivera grew up in Central Florida and completed her undergraduate education at The Florida State University, where she received her bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology. She also completed medical school at The Florida State University College of Medicine. She is currently finishing her general psychiatry residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she is serving as Chief Resident. Her research and clinical interests include physician well-being, developmental disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder. In her free time, she is often taking a Pilates class, reading, or spending time with family and friends.

Nicholas Schmidt, MD
RESIDENCY: Temple University
MEDICAL SCHOOL: Drexel University College of Medicine
UNDERGRADUATE: Swarthmore College
Dr. Schmidt was born and raised right outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He completed his undergraduate education at Swarthmore College, where he received a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, sociology, and biology. He then went on to attend medical school at Drexel University College of Medicine and then stayed in Philadelphia to complete his residency at Temple University. During residency, Dr. Schmidt was actively involved in his program’s Recruitment Committee and as co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. His clinical interests include mood disorders and LGBTQ+ mental health. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, going to the gym with friends, and reading.

Second Year Fellows

Yonis Hassan, MD
RESIDENCY: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/West
MEDICAL SCHOOL: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
UNDERGRADUATE: The Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Hassan was born and raised in Woodbridge, Virginia. He graduated from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience. He went on to complete medical school at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. He later completed his residency at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/West. Dr. Hassan’s clinical interests include psychoanalysis, public psychiatry and the social determinants of health, and the medical humanities. He completed a one-year psychoanalytic fellowship program at the New York Psychoanalytic Institute during residency and teaches a Film and Medicine course to medical students.

Erva Khan, MD
RESIDENCY: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel
MEDICAL SCHOOL: New York Medical College
UNDERGRADUATE: Georgetown University
Dr. Khan was born and raised in upstate New York. She received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University with a major in Human Science, minor in Spanish, and certificate in International Health. After graduating from college, she completed an AmeriCorps service year at a community health center in upstate New York. She then obtained her medical degree at New York Medical College. While in medical school, one of her proudest achievements was collaborating with peers to open a student-run clinic that provides forensic medical evaluations for asylum seekers. She is currently completing her psychiatry residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she is participating in the Global Mental Health track. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

Roohi Maini, MD
RESIDENCY: Montefiore Medical Center
MEDICAL SCHOOL: Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
UNDERGRADUATE: Stony Brook University
Born and raised in New York, Dr. Maini is very excited to stay in NYC for fellowship. Dr. Maini completed her undergraduate education at Stony Brook University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minored in Biology. She then went on to attend medical school at the Stony Brook School of Medicine. From Long Island, Dr. Maini moved to the Bronx to complete her residency at Montefiore Medical Center where she also served as the Chief Resident of the Psychiatric Emergency Room during her fourth year. After completing residency, Dr. Maini took a year to explore her academic interests further, work per diem in inpatient, outpatient and ER settings, and travel the world. Dr. Maini’s clinical interests include psychodynamic therapy, mood disorders and psychotic disorders. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, traveling, dancing and spending time with her family.

Zoe Paul, MD, MPH
RESIDENCY: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/West
MEDICAL SCHOOL: SUNY Downstate College of Medicine
UNDERGRADUATE: Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program at The City College of New York
Dr. Paul was born in London, moved to New York when she was one, and has been a New Yorker ever since. She attended the 7-year medical program at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at City College where she learned about biology and the social determinants of health. While getting her medical degree, Dr. Paul earned her Master’s in Public Health where she focused on community health and how the environment contributes to health outcomes. In residency, Dr. Paul spent time working towards increasing access to mental health in BIPOC communities while highlighting the effects of systemic racism on mental health care. In her free time, she attempts to wrangle her puppy named Zen, plans trips with friends, and cooks any delicious recipe that she can find.

Alejandra Vivas Carbo, MD
RESIDENCY: Montefiore Medical Center
MEDICAL SCHOOL: University of Vermont College of Medicine
UNDERGRADUATE: Nova Southeastern University/Florida International University
Dr. Vivas Carbo was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. At the age of 18 she moved to the United States and completed undergraduate, medical, and residency training. Her clinical interests include eating disorders and childhood trauma. Definitely a foodie, in her free time she enjoys exploring NYC restaurants and traveling.

Amy Xie, MD
RESIDENCY: Montefiore Medical Center
MEDICAL SCHOOL: University of Maryland School of Medicine
UNDERGRADUATE: University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Xie grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where her early interest in working with children started while volunteering for 8 years at The Children's Institute for children with disabilities. She graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Neuroscience from University of Pittsburgh and went on to complete a gap year with the National Health Corps as a diabetes health educator. Throughout her medical training, she has volunteered in schools and pediatric units, presented at AADPRT on the collaborative care model, and worked on a QI project to improve resident preparedness to address child abuse cases. Her clinical interests include early development, autism spectrum disorder, trauma therapy, and first-break psychosis. In her free time, she enjoys baking, indoor cycling, embroidery, traveling, and exploring new areas and restaurants in the city.

Edward Yi, MD
RESIDENCY: SUNY Downstate
MEDICAL SCHOOL: New York Medical College
UNDERGRADUATE: Northwestern University
Dr. Yi grew up in northern NJ, where he started his circuitous route into medicine. He graduated with a degree in psychology at Northwestern University and completed the post baccalaureate program at Columbia University. He went to New York Medical College for his medical degree and went on to SUNY Downstate for residency. His clinical interests include consult liaison psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, and developmental and learning disorders. In his free time, he is often occupied with cooking, boxing, or reading.

Graduates

2024
Santiago Castañeda Ramirez, MD
Jaryd Frankel, DO
Nicole Hays, DO
Yonatan Kaplan, MD
Christopher Kroppmann, MD
Naomi Liang, MD
Divya Patel, MD

2023
Usman Jangda, MD
Megan Lin, DO
Asif Rahman, MD
Kimberley Seoane, MD
Michael Stein, DO
Betty Wang, MD
Satin Zarkar, MD

2022
Priyanka Adapa, MD
Julian “Milo” Artunduaga, DO
Meghaa Bhargava, MD
Erica Everest, MD
Trevor Griffen, MD, PhD
Yuliya Hryb, MD
Chanelle Ramsubick, MD

2021
Can Büyükaşık, MD
Joshua Choi, MD
Maria Cuartero-Toledo, MBBS
Laura Dieppa-Perea, MD
Ali Haidar, MD
Michael Kang, MD
Billy Zou, MD

2020
Juste Buneviciute, MD
Maya Hubert, MD
Vasiliki Karagiorga, MD
Lara Katz, MD
Yael Kufert, MD
Yasmin Mohabbat, MD
Swathi Moylan, MD

2019
Sarah Berkson, MD
Alana Bunnag, MD
Kevin Chou, MD
Abigail Cohen, MD
Natasha Juneja, MD
Samantha Kennis, MD
Danica Vargo, DO

2018
Salmahn Alam, MD
Humera Chaudhary, MD
Stephanie Friedman, MD
Amy Glick, MD
Navjot (Nancy) Khinda, MD
Cecilia Lipira, MD
Lan Chi (Krysti) Vo, MD
Thomas Yang, MD

2017
Jesse Costales, MD
Nicholas Figueroa, MD
Stephen Gamss, DO
Erica Lo Re, DO
Nanda Muthusawmy, MD
Laura Powers, MD
Jeffrey Takos, MD