Transitional year residents class of 2027
Jacob Desman, MD
Dr. Desman, MD, MSE is excited to complete his Transitional Year at Penn Medicine Doylestown Hospital. He is a recent graduate from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and will begin his Diagnostic Radiology Residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital next year. Drawing on his background in biomedical engineering and artificial intelligence research, Dr. Desman values a data-driven and detail-oriented approach to medicine while recognizing that excellent care also requires understanding the person behind each diagnosis. He hopes this year will ultimately make him a thoughtful radiologist whose interpretations are precise, clinically relevant, and grounded in both the broader context and needs of each individual patient.
Alexandra DiTommaso, MD
I believe that patient care begins with listening carefully, approaching each patient with curiosity, and paying close attention to the details that can shape a diagnosis. My medical education at Johns Hopkins has strengthened my appreciation for clinical reasoning and the importance of understanding not only what is happening to a patient, but why. During my transitional year at Penn Medicine Doylestown Health, I hope to bring a collaborative and detail-oriented approach to every patient encounter, working closely with patients, families, nurses, and colleagues to develop diagnoses and thoughtful treatment plans. My own experience with an injury has also taught me how timely and accurate medical care can affect a patient’s life. I strive to carry that perspective into my practice by continually learning, communicating clearly, and advocating for care that is both thorough and timely.
Matthew Dzeda, MD
Dr. Dzeda is excited to return to the Philadelphia suburbs for his transitional year internship. He enjoys building relationships with his patients by meeting them where they are and finding common interests. The principal values that guide his practice are honesty, patient-centeredness, curiosity, and a penchant for caring for patients in the way he would want his own family to be treated. Next year, he will complete his advanced training in Radiation Oncology at the University of Cincinnati. His research interests primarily focus on the intersection of oncology with genetics. He worked on multiple projects as a medical student at Geisinger with their Lynch Syndrome clinic. He looks forward to receiving a diverse education at PMDH and helping patients like his family members who survived cancer thanks to receiving radiation therapy.
Francesca Gilch, DO
My inspiration to pursue PM&R began during my sophomore year of college after spending time at Pennsylvania Pain and Spine. I was drawn to PM&R’s unique focus on improving patients’ overall quality of life through personalized care.My approach to patient care is centered on making sure patients feel heard, supported, and hopeful throughout their recovery. I strive to be patient, transparent about prognosis and treatment plans, and always advocate for what is best for each individual. Patient autonomy, empathy, integrity, and advocacy are the values that guide my practice.
Ultimately, I hope to help my patients thrive in their new normal. Whether that means helping someone walk again, return to driving, manage their pain, or regain independence, I want to partner with my patients to help them reach meaningful goals and live as fully as possible.
Kaitlyn Mast, DO
I was drawn to Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation because it combines a deep understanding of complex medicine with a focus on helping patients return to the lives they want to live after illness or injury. I strive to be both an advocate and a partner for my patients, building trust by listening, providing space for them to share their experiences, and asking thoughtful questions to better understand the challenges they are facing. I value patient education, as I believe that when patients understand the reasoning behind a diagnosis, treatment plan, or recommendation, they are better equipped to participate in their own care. Medicine is often practiced during some of the most challenging periods of a person’s life, and I believe patients deserve a physician who sees them as more than a diagnosis. If my patients feel heard, informed, and confident that their care was guided by their best interests, then I have achieved the outcome I strive for.
Karli Meller. DO
In medicine, a common phrase we hear throughout our training is “pay it forward.” After battling Hodgkin lymphoma and entering remission, I knew I wanted to pay forward the compassion, support, and care that had been given to me during one of the most difficult periods of my life. That experience ultimately inspired me to pursue radiation oncology and continues to shape my approach to building meaningful relationships with patients. I strive to recognize the person beyond the diagnosis by taking the time to listen to their concerns, understand what matters most to them, and establish trust through honest and compassionate communication. Empathy, integrity, and respect for patient autonomy are values that guide my practice, particularly when helping patients navigate complex and often overwhelming decisions. Having experienced cancer from the patient’s perspective, I understand how meaningful it can be to feel heard, supported, and genuinely cared for by your physician. I hope to provide my patients not only with thoughtful, evidence-based care, but also with a sense of comfort, confidence, and partnership throughout their treatment, ultimately making an incredibly challenging chapter of their lives feel a little less daunting.
Zane Sejdiu, MD
I have always been a visual person and drawn to the arts, especially painting and drawing. I have long been fascinated by the detail and complexity of what we see on the surface, and by how much it can reflect what lies beneath. Studying psychology in college deepened that interest, and as I learned more about medicine, I became increasingly interested in the relationship between our skin, our health, and our sense of self. Dermatology gives me the opportunity to care for both the visible and less visible ways skin disease can affect a person. I hope to build trusting relationships with my patients by listening closely, treating each person with empathy and respect, and helping them feel comfortable in their own skin while improving their health.
Congzhou Sha, MD, PhD
I aim to provide state-of-the-art treatment, help patients understand their disease, and be transparent about what medicine can and cannot do.
Transitional year residents class of 2026
Robert Davies, MD
Matched Radiology at Jefferson
Rajiv Deshpande, MD, PhD
Matched Radiology at Johns Hopkins
Rachel Eisenberg, MD, MBA
Matched Radiation Oncology at Fox Chase
Lauren Fane, MD
Matched Radiology at Montefiore Einstein Radiology
Saadiq Garba, MD
Matched to Massachusetts General Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)
Uswa Iqbal, MD, MBA
Matched Radiology at University of Pennsylvania
Caroline McCarthy, DO, MPH
Matched Radiation Oncology at University of Maryland
Genevieve Silva, MD, MBA
Matched Dermatology at University of Colorado