Please help us welcome the Class of 2029!
Faith Ayepola, MBChB, MPH
School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (SMAHS), University of The Gambia
Pronouns: she/her
Pronunciation of Dr. Faith Ayepola
Being raised in The Gambia by missionary parents whose home was often a refuge for those in need shaped Dr. Faith Ayepola’s resolve to become a doctor who could offer both empathy and evidence-based medical care. Dr. Ayepola completed medical school at University of The Gambia’s School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences and earned a master’s in public health from the University of New Haven, which equipped her to address clinical issues through a broader lens. During medical school Dr. Ayepola provided spiritual and emotional support to patients and peers through a volunteer chaplaincy service and designed and published a study to characterize patients with chronic kidney disease. She completed two years of postgraduate rotations at The Gambia’s largest public hospital, where she learned to adapt and deliver good care despite limited resources. Her recent activities include volunteering with a grassroots advocacy organization in New Haven to address poverty and advocate for equitable health policies. Dr. Ayepola envisions a family medicine practice in which she provides comprehensive care across the lifespan and develops programs that strengthen preventive care in rural and underserved areas. Outside of medicine she enjoys singing and learning media production.
Harman Bajwa, MD
Windsor University School of Medicine
Pronouns: he/him
Pronunciation of Dr. Harman Bajwa
Dr. Harman Bajwa’s decision to pursue family medicine is rooted in a commitment to person-centered care and the belief that health is built through a continuous, supportive relationship. Originally from Alberta, Canada, Dr. Bajwa brings a diverse professional background to Maine-Dartmouth, having worked in educational support for students with learning needs and in various technical trades. He is dedicated to helping patients achieve life-changing results through lifestyle medicine, drawing on the outdoors as a tool to build mental and physical resilience. To maintain his own balance, he enjoys backcountry camping, weightlifting, cycling, and automotive restoration.
Linda Boahemaah-Kontoh, MD
Vinnitsa National Pirogov Memorial Medical University
Pronouns: she/her
Pronunciation of Dr. Linda Boahemaah-Kontoh
Dr. Linda Boahemaah-Kontoh grew up in Ghana and as a child dreamed of becoming a physician. She completed medical school at Vinnitsa National Pirogov Memorial Medical University in Ukraine, where she served as secretary for the National Union of Ghanaian Students. She comes to Maine-Dartmouth with a background in critical care medicine that includes experience with burn patients and critically ill newborns as well as expertise in virtually supporting individuals with chronic conditions on their weight loss journeys. Dr. Boahemaah-Kontoh volunteers regularly in community health outreach efforts and enters family medicine training with the desire to care for patients and families across all life stages. She enjoys traveling to new countries and cities and learning about different cultures, and loves cooking for family and friends.
Kate Gelman, MD
West Virginia University School of Medicine
Pronouns: she/her
Pronunciation of Dr. Kate Gelman
With a bachelor of science in biomedical, electrical, and computer engineering from Duke University, Dr. Kate Gelman came to medicine following a 5-year career in engineering. While working as an engineer on the surgical robotics team at Neuralink, Dr. Gelman spearheaded a patient engagement team and spent time outside of work volunteering at a women and children’s shelter. Realizing that her true passion was in working with people and communities rather than robots, she returned to her childhood dream of becoming a doctor. During medical training at West Virginia University School of Medicine, she was able to merge her engineering background with clinical practice by consulting in human trials of brain-computer interface devices, and she co-authored numerous publications in neuroengineering and clinical medicine. Dr. Gelman is passionate about incorporating compassion into medicine, and she served as chapter president for the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Throughout medical school, she demonstrated her deep commitment to giving back to her community through regular volunteering with the foster system. Working with incredible full-spectrum family physicians in rural West Virginia showed her that rural family medicine was the specialty that would allow her to practice the medicine that drew her to go to medical school in the first place: community-rooted, empathetic, and accessible care. She dreams of one day opening a free women and children’s clinic with therapy dogs and using her engineering skills to make medical care more accessible for her patients. Outside of medicine, Dr. Gelman enjoys spending time with her Great Dane Sirius Black, trail running, and drawing cartoons.
Paula Hernández-Acevedo, MD
Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine
Pronouns: she/her/ella
Pronunciation of Dr. Paula Hernández
Dr. Paula Hernández is originally from Puerto Rico, where she earned her undergraduate degree in biology from UPR-Mayagüez campus and her medical degree from Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine. During medical school, she served in various leadership roles, organizing and participating in initiatives such as student-run free clinics and island-wide health fairs that provided preventive care to underserved communities. Dr. Hernández is bilingual in English and Spanish and is interested in the full spectrum of family medicine, supporting patients across all stages of life and caring for the family as a unit.
Grace Hughes, DO
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Pronouns: she/her
Pronunciation of Dr. Grace Hughes
Dr. Grace Hughes was called to family medicine with the aspirations of building strong and meaningful relationships with her patients while empowering them. She was inspired to become a physician by her grandfather, a beloved general surgeon with a gift for giving patients his undivided attention and someone who truly mastered the art of listening. Dr. Hughes holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and biology from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY and completed her medical training at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown, NY. During medical school, Dr. Hughes developed a new clinical rotation opportunity in pediatric/fetal echocardiograms to give rural primary care physicians more tools to better serve patients in areas with fewer resources and specialists. She was also the lead researcher on a project studying the effects of cranial OMT on brain wave activity in patients with anxiety and depression. Her medical interests include obstetrics, family planning, osteopathic manipulation, and integrative medicine. She plans to open her own full spectrum family medicine practice with an emphasis on a holistic, accessible, and personable approach to patient care. In her free time she enjoys lake days with family, going to the movies, baking, and skiing.
Baskhan Ibragimov, MD
Russian National Research Medical University
Pronouns: he/him
Pronunciation of Dr. Baskhan Ibragimov
Dr. Baskhan Ibragimov grew up in the Caucasus Mountains and completed medical training at the Russian National Research Medical University in Moscow. He gained experience in outpatient primary care as a general practitioner in Grozny and Moscow, where he organized a program focused on blood sugar control for patients with diabetes. Dr. Ibragimov has a strong desire to provide comprehensive care and advocacy for underserved rural communities. Outside of medicine he enjoys hiking, judo, and quiz games.
Wady Jacoby, MD
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
Pronouns: he/him
Pronunciation of Dr. Wady Jacoby
Dr. Wady Jacoby earned an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from SUNY College at Geneseo and a medical degree from Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. He is committed to patient advocacy and service, and envisions a career in full-scope family medicine practice in underserved communities. During medical training Dr. Jacoby served as a peer educator in gross anatomy for first year medical students, scribed during forensic evaluations for refugees and asylum seekers, and co-authored several peer reviewed publications. An avid gardener, he organized volunteer gardening events for medical students and built community garden beds in underserved communities in Buffalo, promoting food as medicine. Outside of medicine, Dr. Jacoby enjoys traveling abroad with his wife, weight-training, pickleball, and frequenting local coffee shops and bakeries.
Chelsea Osuji, MD
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Pronouns: she/her
Gitali Piekarska , DO
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Pronouns: she/her
Pronunciation of Dr. Gitali Piekarska
Dr. Gitali Piekarska earned a bachelor’s degree in health science studies from the University of Iowa and completed her medical training at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is dedicated to serving underserved families, offering a steadying and compassionate presence as they navigate healthcare systems. She strives to integrate conventional, osteopathic, and lifestyle medicine for a holistic approach to patient care. Outside of medical practice, she enjoys hiking, comedy, animal rescue, martial arts, and relaxing with her three beloved cats.
Jennifer Reinmuth-Birch, DO
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Pronouns: she/her
Pronunciation of Dr. Jennifer Reinmuth-Birch
Dr. Jennifer Reinmuth-Birch spent over ten years working with families of children with autism before realizing her lifelong dream of becoming a physician. She earned a bachelor’s in fine arts from Oregon State University and a master’s in special education from Portland State University, and completed medical training at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Reinmuth-Birch’s experiences prior to medical training included homeschooling twin sons and managing a hobby farm in a rural community; co-founding a support group for parents of critically ill newborns in Portland OR which now has chapters across the Pacific Northwest; and working as an autism research assistant and consultant, contributing to autism research and the creation of a guide for families of children with multiple disabilities. Drawn to community-based and rural practice, she chose to specialize in family medicine because it aligns so well with her values of continuous relationships, preventive care, and whole-person care. Outside of medicine she likes to paddleboard, hike, trail run, sing & act in community theatre, and travel to music festivals in a converted school bus.