Internal Medicine Residency Testimonials
Categorical Residents
As a resident in the Internal Medicine program at University of Maryland Midtown Campus, I can confidently say that my year here has been an incredible experience. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed into a community of friendly and supportive individuals, both among my fellow residents and the program staff.
The program director, Dr. Chow, and coordinators, Ms. Sheera, Ms. Wanda, And Mr. Christopher are truly exceptional, taking care of everything from scheduling to ensuring that each resident has access to the resources they need for success. And the faculty are not only knowledgeable in their fields, but also kind and approachable. I feel fortunate to have learned from such talented individuals.
Another great aspect of the program is the opportunity for research and other scholarly activities. I have been able to pursue my interests and contribute to the field of internal medicine in meaningful ways.
Most importantly, this program has been instrumental in my personal and career growth. I have seen many of my fellow residents go on to successful careers in hospital medicine, primary care, as well as fellowship training after residency, which is a testament to the strength of the training we receive here.
Lastly, Baltimore City and the state of Maryland as a whole are great places to live in. I have enjoyed exploring the city and taking advantage of all the cultural opportunities it has to offer. Overall, I am grateful for my time in the Internal Medicine residency program at University of Maryland Midtown Campus, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to further their career in this field.
Abdel-Latif Ismail, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2025
As an international medical graduate, and having to say goodbye to my family and friends in 2020, and pack my bags to make a 6000+ mile trip to a new country, and culture, to a city I had only visited for a couple of days for the interview, amid the peak of a pandemic that changed our whole lives, I came to University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus to find a healthy and welcoming environment that fully supported me and made that huge adjustment as simple as it can be, starting from the program coordinators (Ms. Sheera and Ms. Wanda), to my co-interns, senior residents, faculty, and program director. From day 1, you will feel the great support from everyone in the program who was my big family in the US. They support you during your bad as well as good days and help you achieve your career goals, either pursuing fellowship, hospitalist medicine, or primary care medicine.
One thing that never fails to surprise me at UMMC Midtown Campus is how invested everyone here is in ensuring that you succeed. As soon as they know what you want to pursue in the future in your career, they start sharing resources and contacts that help you reach your dreams. The program director, Dr. Chow, is like a father to his residents, his dedication and hard work but also caring support would always guide you through your residency training (and after graduation) beginning from connecting you to perfect mentors early on, to his entertaining and full of wisdom monthly newsletters, to reviewing your CV, personal statement, and fellowship application.
UMMC Midtown Campus is a program that believes in you, and you can believe in it. It was my top choice in the Match, and I would choose it again and again!
Yazan Alzedaneen, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2023
The University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus is the place to be for residency! I have had the honor and privilege of spending a great part of my medical training here, from a medical student to a post-doctorate research graduate, and now as a graduating resident. My training at Midtown has been one of the best experiences of my career thus far. Not only do we see bread and butter cases, but we also see some fascinating and rare cases (making it a great opportunity for publications). We also have numerous resources for research as well- the support and mentorship I have at Midtown has truly helped me build a foundation in my research interests.
What makes our program unique is that we are a close-knit family. Everyone is very collegial and supportive of one another. Our attendings are incredible, renowned, and humble leaders who are very approachable and truly care about our education. There are plenty of opportunities for hands-on procedures. I have had ample experiences with central lines and intubation skills (to name a few!) from my exposure in the intensive care unit.
Midtown has helped me grow throughout my medical career and I have been truly lucky to find a mentor like Dr. Chow. Dr. Chow truly cares about his residents. His sense of humor, hard work, and dedication is what makes our residency training one-of-a-kind. Our APDs, Dr. Marciniak and Dr. Gerbino, are very nurturing and stress a healthy work-life balance. Our training and experience would not be possible without our program coordinators, Ms. Sheera and Ms. Wanda. We have had excellent fellowship match rates, and what is more impressive is that my class all matched at our #1 top choices! The excellent training that I have received here has truly prepared me for my next step in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine fellowship.
Dena Tran, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2022
"Midtown is a program that nurtures dreamers, no matter how big or small your dream is. No matter what you want to pursue, whether it be subspecialty fellowship, hospitalist medicine, or primary care internal medicine, this program supports you fully. My aspiration is to be a physician-scientist in gastroenterology. Midtown is located close to large academic research centers in Maryland, which has provided me with opportunities to pursue bench-level research. Midtown is located one mile away from the UMMC downtown campus, 10 minutes away from Hopkins, and 40 minutes away from the NIH. The program tailors mentorship based on your goals, and it has been very flexible in supporting my passion for scientific research. The mentorship that I have received has established a strong foundation for my future career. The bench research that I have been involved in throughout all three years of residency has been more productive than when I was a full-time post-doctoral fellow.
The clinical training in this program is exemplary. We have core rotations at the UMMC downtown campus, including neurology and cardiology, and all other medical subspecialties are available there as electives. We also have fulltime attending faculty in all the internal medicine specialties rotating at the Midtown Campus. Residents have also pursued away- electives at institutions such as Duke, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Tufts, Cleveland Clinic, et al.
Finally, this program feels cozy, with only 36 residents. We are like a big family, working together and supporting each other. Everyone knows everyone in the hospital. Our attendings all focus on our training and personal growth; you will never feel nervous calling any of them in the middle of the night. Dr. Chow, our program director, is like a father figure. You can find him sharing his favorite hot source during lunchtime. He is so approachable, so that whenever you have any difficulties or questions, he will try to help you.
To be short, if you have a dream, training at Midtown can help your dream come true."
Yuting Huang, MD, PhD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2022
"Residency training at University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus is a unique experience that encompasses learning medicine at a community hospital setting with multiple rotations at the flagship hospital of UMMC a few blocks away. In my opinion, one of the best parts of training at the UMMC Midtown Campus was that it has the perfect learning environment owing to the presence of medical students and subspecialty fellows on the teams. Residents are not only vital parts of various projects of medical education, such as Critical Care Simulation lab training, but also lead projects like Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) courses. With an equal number of Categorical and Transitional PGY-1 residents, you will have a calendar that allows sufficient elective time, beginning in your first year, so you can pursue elective rotations of your choice early in your training. I did most of my electives at UMMC with excellent subspecialty faculty, who also provided me with research opportunities in their field. With institutes like UMMC and Johns Hopkins within a five-mile radius, you will not have to leave the city for your important electives. But in case you do want to go, the program will support you.
The program leadership is always open to feedback and their goal is to make sure that you have the tools to succeed, whether it is career counseling, resident well- being, or resources for Board preparation. At UMMC Midtown Campus, I worked with a strong group of attending providers who were always available for me. You will see plenty of pathology in the heart of Baltimore and learn how to manage it with the help of University of Maryland School of Medicine faculty.
Baltimore is a wonderful place to live with great food, outdoors, and museums. It is called the Charm city for a reason. Most importantly, it is home to one of the most exciting teams in the NFL, The Baltimore Ravens!!
UMMC Midtown was my top choice and if I had to choose again, I would certainly pick it again."
Safwan Muhammad, MBBS
Categorical Resident
Class of 2021
University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus is a family. As a medium-sized residency program, each one knows everyone—residents, faculty members, and staff. Dr. Chow, through so many years of experience in academia and program leadership, as well as being an institution in Maryland medical society, is a great mentor, educator, and program director. The program truly listens to and cares for its residents. It is a supportive learning environment with balance between autonomy and supervision and between education and service. Electives and clinical rotations in the Main Campus and Veterans Affairs Medical Center and opportunities for research and collaboration with other School of Medicine faculty are available. Without a doubt, UMMC Midtown Campus residency program will train, support and get you to where you want to be—subspecialist, primary care physician, or hospitalist.
Patrick Ching, MD, MPH
Categorical Resident
Class of 2021
"Let me introduce you to the Midtown Family! We are so excited that you're considering our program. I want to share some of my own experiences, and perhaps that will give you some insights into why this is a special place. I still remember my first day of intern year, starting ICU nights. I was so nervous about placing orders in Epic, being questioned by nurses, and making a positive impression on the critical care faculty. However, I got a lot of support from the nurses, and the senior residents were always available to help. At first, all of us new interns felt at times awkward, out of place, even intimidated. But we were reminded that this is a normal response and that we are never alone! We quickly learned that we are all here to learn, live our dreams of being a doctor, and do our best. This hospital truly values the work of interns/residents, who have such an important role in helping our surrounding community.
The faculty are supportive and understanding, and have the residents' best interests in mind. In fact, I have gotten some of the best life lessons during residency. The culture here is that we are taught to be kind to ourselves and our colleagues. If you stumble, there's ALWAYS SOMEONE here to get you back up. When the journey of residency training is completed with the support of friends and mentors, it goes it faster than you think. The journey is not just about learning about medicine, but also about life and about ourselves. Midtown is the ideal place to make that journey!"
Stephanie Stephanie, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2020
"Getting residency in the US after finishing medical school in Pakistan was a dream come true. University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus did not disappoint me at all. From its ambient and supportive environment to the emphasis on evidence based medical practice, everything is what makes each of my day worthwhile. The three years that I have spent at this campus have not only given me the opportunity to polish my clinical and education skills but also made me a better human being as well. The environment is awesome and nurtures for a clinically and educationally competent and well trained resident. Although I love everything about the program but if I had to pick one, I will say the wonderful environment of this program with the standards set forth by our program director, Dr. Chow, makes midtown distinct, unique and a glorious place to work and train!"
Talha Ahmed, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2020
"The University of Maryland Midtown Campus enabled me to enhance essential skills which I developed in medical school. This program provides many opportunities to teach medical students and fellow residents. One of Midtown's biggest strengths is its collegial environment, which provides space for growth and learning alongside talented co-residents from all over the world. Seasoned attendings from different specialties are passionate about mentoring the next generation of doctors. The curriculum is designed with flexibility in mind, enabling each trainee to create a customized educational plan to build toward individual long-term career goals. Midtown is a great place to become a physician!"
Deya Alkhatib, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2020
"University of Maryland midtown campus is a wonderful place to learn and gain confidence and hands-on experience in internal medicine, in a supportive and enriching environment. At midtown, cultural diversity is highly respected and we have great camaraderie between residents and strong support from Dr. Chow, our program director.
Our patients love coming to our hospital, which has been theirs for generations! Our patients are our biggest asset and make our training unique!"
Mariam Meddeb, MD, MS
Categorical Resident
Class of 2020
"I've had the pleasure of spending a part of my clinical years in medical school as well as my post-doctorate research year at both the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) Main and< Midtown Campuses. From medical school to residency, both campuses of UMMC and their outstanding staff have become a significant part of my life. Specifically, Midtown Campus, located just 9 blocks away from the founding campus, has the unique capacity of balancing the privileges of a large academic tertiary medical center while providing excellent, personalized quality care in a collegial setting. Our program allows us to train under specialty experts from the University of Maryland School Of Medicine using a direct hands-on approach, uncommon at many other institutions. Our access to leading research opportunities and cutting-edge facilities through our unique "1 Hospital, 2 Campuses" setup allows opportunities for those interested in advancing their training for fellowship and beyond. What I value most are my colleagues and faculty. From program leadership to ancillary staff, I've never met such a wonderful group of outstanding, brilliant, and sincere individuals. Overall, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to train here and would highly recommend our program to future candidates."
Osman Ali, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2020
"In my first year at University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, I was immensely impressed with the unfailing kindness and warmth of my co-residents and attendings. The working atmosphere at the program is extremely collegial and all the residents and attendings are excited to be part of this family; everyone at the program is accessible and eager to teach. The greatest strength of the program is our program director, Dr. Chow, who has created a nurturing environment for residents, with great emphasis on education and academics. His role is pivotal to the tremendous support and flexibility that the program promotes in order to help one head in any career direction desired. Here, I feel inspired to dive into the practice of medicine and am honored that I have been able to do it side by side with such intelligent, talented and humble co-residents."
Muhammad Sameed, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2020
"The Resident Program at University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus has the perfect blend of the warm feeling of a community hospital while providing the access and resources of a large university medical system. The culture at Midtown is to provide high quality, fair, and compassionate care. At Midtown, we are inspired to delve into the practice of medicine with compassion. The Residents and Faculty are expected to be part of a family, both as learners and contributors. The morning didactics and daily noon conferences – often with international renown guest speakers - are of high educational quality. The Program Director, Dr. Chow, is highly supportive and always encourages us to explore our interests. He truly has the back of each of his residents. As I near the end of my intern year, I am humbled to train alongside such talented people; I feel confident that I will be ready to practice high-quality, evidence-based medicine anywhere in the world. The Residency Program at University of Maryland Midtown Campus is simply the best!"
Arnaud D Kaze, MD, MPH
Categorical Resident
Class of 2020
"As I near the end of my intern year at University of Maryland Medical Center - Midtown Campus, I could not be happier with what I have experienced. To me, the optimal residency program must have a balance between the number of patients seen and time spent learning. This program is the best of both worlds, as we see a large, diverse patient population in a strong academic setting that thrives on teaching. The faculty are approachable, know every resident by name and make it their priority to shape and mold residents into extraordinary physicians. With every day that passes, I feel more confident in my ability to practice strong, evidence based medicine. Whether I decide to pursue fellowship in the future or not, I know that I will be well prepared for my career in medicine with lifelong friends I have met in the process."
Benjamin McKinney, DO
Categorical Resident
Class of 2019
"Nothing calms the cloying stress of the intern year quite like knowing the other folks alongside you in the trenches, feeling as though they have your back, knowing that we can all get through it together. Midtown gives comfort in the familiar, reminds you that you're part of a team: a group of men and women, staff-specialists, all, fighting the good fight against the assault of hurt and harm that the world inflicts. Here, you know you're known, and you can breathe easier with that fact that there will be any number of your friends at your side, ready and willing.
Midtown Campus fosters what is best: Solidarity, community, and invokes some of the better kinds of curiosities; The rest is what you make of it."
Jonathan Gray, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2019
"The University of Maryland Medical Center – Midtown Campus has the perfect combination of the hands-on training of a community hospital with the access to the variety of resources and sub-specialty rotations available at a university campus. The patient population in our urban setting challenges me to think critically and learn how to care for complex, difficult patients. The infectious disease experience is especially robust and definitely provides me as a future physician with the right tools to "kill all germs."
The faculty are very approachable and give the residents the right amount of autonomy, as we progress in our knowledge and confidence. The small size of our program nurtures a close bonding experience during the first year with my diverse group of co-residents, including those in the Transitional Year. Though many of them will be pursuing future training in radiology and anesthesiology, our relationships will extend beyond our internship year and will last long after my residency has been completed."
Jennie Zhang, DO
Categorical Resident
Class of 2019
At Midtown, we have the benefits of working in a community hospital environment while having access to mentoring for sub-specialty training and research at the university campus. Our curriculum and rotations offer the most up-to-date knowledge and training in internal medicine, while our daily noon conferences prepare us for the board exam and evidence-based practice. Faculty attendings are all extremely approachable and offer perfect balance of supervision and autonomy.
What makes our program unique and outstanding is our program director, Dr. Chow, the heart and soul of the residency program. He is an extraordinary leader and an amazing mentor. With decades of experience in medical education and resident training, he helps each resident achieve their full potential and pursue specific career goals. As one of his second batch residents at Midtown, I have witnessed him taking the residency program to a whole new level. He is an expert in selecting talented and highly self-motivated resident candidates with friendly and easy-going personality. We truly feel like a big family.
Jin Zhao, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2019
"I can remember the stress and anxiety of residency application, when you are supposed to put your best foot forward while somehow also trying to find out which program is best for you. It was one of the most challenging times for me. What jumped out at me when I visited Midtown was that the residents seemed happy. Training here, I have come to appreciate that no one gets embarrassed to speak up with an answer that turns out incorrect. This program fosters an atmosphere conducive to learning at all levels of training. I feel thankful that no matter how busy our patient care duties are, my senior residents always take the time to help me develop my own clinical judgment. The process of residency application can be an overwhelming one; it is important to spend these years of training in a place that treats residents with respect and collegiality, and for me, I found that at UMMC Midtown."
Aseem Sood, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2018
"There are a few fundamental qualities one hopes to find in a residency program, and the most important element is self- growth and exploration. I was lucky enough to have found myself at Midtown, which facilitated the growth and exploration of myself as a physician. I have been infused with the high morals of conduct and the exposure to exemplary standards of health care provision from the faculty at Midtown Campus. The opportunity to have trained in such a system will undoubtedly reflect positively in my future practice."
Faran Ghumman, MD
Categorical ResidentClass of 2018
"The University of Maryland Medical Center – Midtown Campus allows for all the benefits of a large medical system yet provides the rewarding and personal setting of a community hospital. The clinical exposure of urban medicine has allowed ample opportunities for hands-on teaching in various specialties from Emergency Medicine to Critical Care and has been invaluable to my growth as a physician. The Faculty and staff are approachable, eager to teach and provide just the right balance of autonomy and oversight to encourage progression and confidence in young physicians."
Elizabeth Otto, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2017
"Residency after medical school had always been a lifelong dream and achieving this at UMMC Midtown Campus is a dream comes true. UMMC Midtown Campus Internal Medicine is a truly unique program with a diverse group of residents and attendings ever ready and willing to guide you to be the best that you can be. Academics and patient interactions are top- notch. I will say that being here is bringing the best in me and I am sure 2 years from now, I will have reached for the stars and brought them down to earth.
UMMC Midtown Campus is located in Baltimore City, a vibrant and colorful city. Baltimore has a lot of old history including the famous Mt. Vernon, former residence of George Washington (first American President), plenty of really good restaurants. It is also home to the best crab cakes in the United States. If you love classical music, look no further than the nearby Peabody Institute, where you can catch some free live performances. These are just but a few things one can do in Baltimore outside residency at UMMC Midtown."
Afua Ntem-Mensah, MD
Categorical Resident
Class of 2017