Meet Our Residents
Class of 2022: CA-3
Rachel Carlson
Hometown: Saratoga Springs, New York
Undergraduate: Bates College, Maine
Medical School: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: Running, biking, skiing, baking, beach lounging and reality tv
Why I chose Vermont: Outdoors lifestyle combined with great mentors. I loved the small program size with access to interesting cases from the start (no fellows!).
Vivek Chittenini
Hometown: Plymouth, Minnesota
Undergraduate: University of Minnesota
Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School
Hobbies/Interests: In my free time I love cooking, mountain biking, and going camping in my camper (Vermont has so many dispersed campsites off the beaten path).
Why I chose Vermont: I picked Vermont because it was program where the residents and attendings seemed the happiest and truly interested in making the program better.
Liana Dagdavaryan
Hometown: Breckenridge, Colorado
Undergraduate: University of Colorado at Boulder
Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences in Lebanon, Oregon
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, paddle-boarding, wood-working, relaxation (local Vermont brew and some Hulu)
Why I chose Vermont: I was initially enticed by the beauty of Burlington and Vermont. Now that I’ve been here for some time I have come to realize that this small city has everything to offer – small community feel with the amenities of a larger city, endless outdoor adventures (hiking, biking, swimming/water sports, snow sports), proximity to amazing places (Montreal, Boston, NYC), and the list goes on. During my interview I was impressed with the genuine kindness and happiness of the residents and now have experienced it first-hand. Ultimately, it is the people here that make me feel like I belong and that I am part of something great.
Justin Jones
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Undergraduate: Cleveland State University
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Hobbies/Interests: Guitar, movies, hiking
Why I Chose Vermont: Culture, great teachers, and the outdoors. I rotated here as a medical student and found everyone to be welcoming and willing to teach and allow me to try new things. There are many great faculty working here with a lot of knowledge to share who have trained all over the country. I liked Burlington for its smaller size. There is no rush hour! I also enjoyed the food scene and exploring the many hiking trails.
Christina Litsakos
Hometown: Port Jefferson, New York
Undergraduate: American University
Medical school: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: All things athletic and outdoors. Exploring with my son, daughter, dog and wife. Spending as much time learning as many new things as possible.
Why I chose Vermont: After my Med school interview, I took a long run on the bike path, along the lake, and just caught a feeling, like wow, good things could happen for me here. And they have. Vermont captures you, and training at an institution like UVMMC allows you to be driven, happy and balanced. It’s a perfect place, if I don’t say so myself.
Angeli Thawani
Hometown: New Hyde Park, New York
Undergraduate: Northeastern University
Medical School: NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: I love traveling, going on (short) hikes, paddle boarding, kayaking, and snowboarding.
Why I Chose Vermont: I was born and raised in NY, and rotated through many hospitals in Long Island, NYC, and New Jersey, and I was so surprised when I found a residency program like the one here at UVMMC. I was immediately welcomed into the perioperative family that included anesthesiology attendings and residents, CRNAs, AAs, nursing staff, and the surgical team. Along with a culture that encourages personal and professional growth, the program is very open to changes that promote work/life balance. Burlington itself has much to offer, including winter and summer sports, amazing food, and mountain views at nearly every corner.
Class of 2023: CA-2
Taylor Abegg-Lawrence
Hometown: Central Utah
Undergraduate: Brigham Young University, majored in Microbiology at BYU
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: When I get the chance, I enjoy snowboarding, canyoneering, and anything that gets me outside.
Why I chose Vermont: I was drawn to this program in part because of how personable and happy the residents seemed to be. There’s something intangible that just “clicks” when you find a program that fits, and for me that was Vermont.
Daniel Crowder
Hometown: Greenwood, South Carolina
Undergraduate: Clemson University
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Interests/Hobbies: My wife and I are big college football fans. I enjoy grabbing dinner and drinks with friends, which is one of the best parts of living in Burlington. I also enjoy getting outdoors and going to the local parks with my wife and son.
Why I Chose Vermont: In looking for residency programs I knew that I wanted to train at a place that offered high quality care, had a track record of producing high quality anesthesiologists, were able to place graduates into fellowship programs, and was filled with kind and caring people. When I rotated through the department during my 4th year away rotation, I was blown away by residents, faculty, and staff. The atmosphere was very laid back, yet professional, the team members were friendly and supportive, and the department made work-life balance a priority. During the interview cycle, I kept in touch with some of the residents and faculty, and I got the sense that the department was invested in my education even before I became a resident.
Andrew Gallagher
Hometown: Jericho, Vermont
Undergraduate: Bowdoin College
Medical School: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: skiing, hiking, home brewing, raising chickens, playing with my dog
Why I chose Vermont: Going to school at UVM, I had ample exposure to the department and residents. Their patient-centeredness, friendliness, and excitement about anesthesiology convinced me that this was the right place for me. Plus, Vermont has an amazing quality of life, with tons to do outside every season.
Conrad Koerper
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Undergraduate: University of Houston
Medical School: University of Texas at Southwestern
Hobbies/Interests: Sailing, traveling, hiking, running, spending time with my family and dogs.
Why I Chose Vermont: During my interview I was thoroughly impressed with the supportive, family-like environment, dedication to teamwork, and strong sense of camaraderie among the faculty and residents. It felt like the perfect place to train.
Joseph Migliazzo
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Undergraduate: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: There is much to do outside the hospital including biking/hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Why I chose Vermont: I came to Vermont and was pleased with the anesthesia program as well as the location. The residents and faculty were welcoming and well trained.
Tobias Robinson
Hometown: Juneau, Alaska and Montpelier, Vermont
Undergraduate: Paul Smiths College and Oregon State University
Medical School: Oregon Health and Sciences University
Hobbies/Interests: mountain biking, skiing and woodworking. Being in Vermont affords me the opportunity to do all of these.
Why I Chose Vermont: I came back to Vermont for not only the mountain’s and nature, but for the people. Residency at UVM is not just a job, it is joining a family where we lookout for each other and foster development of truly excellent physicians.
Class of 2024: CA-1
Jack Chan
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts Undergraduate: Boston University
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Hobbies/Interests: When I have the opportunity, I love to hike, ski, and experiment with cooking. I am also an avid Netflix user.
Why I chose Vermont: I chose UVM for the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the community which overflows into everyone’s work and excitement for what they do. The program is very supportive of their residents and I believe that I will get to become an amazing anesthesiologist. The location also offers endless opportunities to be with nature through hiking and skiing. I am thrilled to be a resident at UVM!
Jason Dixon
Hometown: Spokane, Washington
Undergrad: Eastern Washington University
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Avid do-it-yourselfer, hiking, biking, coffee, WWII history, spending time with family
Why I Chose Vermont: The close-knit community and supportive culture at UVM shined during my interview in Burlington. It was obvious that the relationships between residents and faculty members served to enhance the strong technical education while promoting resident well-being. Graduates of this program enjoy great prospects for fellowship and practice upon completion. Lastly, the beautiful Burlington area is vibrant, safe, and full of opportunities for my family.
E. Taylor Haring
Hometown: Norman, Oklahoma and Bozeman, Montana
Undergrad: Montana State University
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Mountaineering, skiing, surfing, playing the drums, and playing with my dog (Tonka)
Why I Chose Vermont: I chose Vermont because it seemed like the friendliest and happiest group of residents and anesthesiologists I came across, coupled with great outdoor access for the North East. Also, Vermont had the closest access to ice climbing of any residency!
Brett Heber
Hometown: Oil City, Pennsylvania
Undergraduate: Juniata College
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, being outdoors, exercising, snowboarding, learning Spanish and the ukulele, history, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, reading, sand volleyball, spending time with my lovely wife, Kara, and our dog, Felix.
Why I chose Vermont: It was the culture of the UVM anesthesia department and the opportunity I had to experience it firsthand as a visiting 4th year student that led me to choose Vermont for residency. I feel privileged to be training at a program that genuinely cares about it's members, instills a palpable sense of community, and produces highly competent physician anesthesiologists.
Additionally, the Burlington area is an excellent place to live and explore. There are ample opportunities to get outdoors regardless of the season, local breweries to enjoy, and other local attractions including Church Street, Lake Champlain, and maple creemees. If you want to get out of town for a weekend, Montreal, NYC, and Boston are all a short drive.
Britta Kilgus
Hometown: Chester, Vermont
Undergraduate School: St. Lawrence University
Medical School: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: I grew up in Vermont so my hobbies are all the usual suspects: snowboarding, running, hiking, laying by and swimming in the lake, and pretty much anything that gets me outside. I also love to bake and cook, care for my houseplants, see live music, and hang out with dogs.
Why I chose Vermont: When I started my 4th year of medical school at UVM I did every anesthesia related rotation I could and had the best time. The department was welcoming, enthusiastic about teaching, and offered me all the support I needed when I started the process of applying for residency. After having that experience it was hard to imagine I would find better culture at any other program. Plus once you’ve spent enough time cruising the waterfront, watching the sunset over the Adirondack Mountains, and getting to hit the local mountains all winter you realize it might be hard to find anywhere else like Burlington.
Matthew Nowland
Hometown: Suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts
Undergraduate School: USMC and UMass Boston.
Medical School: Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Hobbies/Interests: My wife and I are both very athletic people and like all types of physical fitness activities. We both enjoy social gatherings and hosting events. I also like winter sports and anything I get to do with my kids and family.
Why I chose Vermont: Truthfully, I knew very little about Vermont before I interviewed here. During the interview, I was absolutely blown away by the community of the people, how family friendly they were, and the camaraderie and overall high morale of the residents. My first year at this program did not disappoint and only reinforced those initial impressions, especially during Covid! There is the serenity in the beauty of Vermont with the mountains and the valleys. The people genuinely enjoy the outdoors, good quality food (and beer!), and are warm and inviting. As someone who enjoys being active and the outdoors, going out to restaurants and breweries, and hanging around with like-minded hospitable people I could not pick a better place!
Class of 2025: CA-0
Javier Blanco
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Undergraduate School: State University of New York at Buffalo
Medical School: University of Pittsburg School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Rock-climbing, cycling, watercolor painting, tending to my plants, developing my own ramen recipe
Why I chose Vermont: I chose Vermont because I was impressed by the genuine happiness and care for the program that the residents and faculty expressed during my interview. It also helps that Vermont is incredibly beautiful and has unparalleled access to nature and outdoor activities year round!
Robert Carpenter
Hometown: North Yarmouth, Maine
Undergraduate School: Kenyon College
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy skiing, golfing, hiking, trying new food and craft beers.
Why I chose Vermont: Among the people I met at UVM during the interview cycle, there was an infectious enthusiasm, friendliness, and a genuine desire to get to know me. With the small size of the program, I look forward to developing close relationships with my colleagues. Outside of the hospital, Burlington provides me the perfect location to pursue many of my own passions.
Jonathan Gougelet
Hometown: Hanover, New Hampshire
Undergraduate School: Bates College
Medical School: George Washington University
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, climbing, mountain biking, telemark skiing, playing guitar, cooking and baking.
Why I chose Vermont: UVM was the perfect combination of excellent training and close proximity to the outdoors. It provides a high acuity, tertiary care center in the heart of an amazing small New England city. It is clear that there is a strong sense of camaraderie between residents and faculty, and I have felt welcomed and supported since my interview day.
Marc Hammond
Hometown: Woburn, Massachusetts
Undergraduate School: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Medical School: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy a lot of outdoor activities like hiking, running, swimming, and nature photography so Vermont is a great place to be.
Why I chose Vermont: I grew up in Woburn, Massachusetts and went to UMass Amherst for my undergrad. After that I spent 3 years working in a melanoma research lab in Boston and applied to medical school. I attended the Robert Learner COM at UVM so it feels natural to continue my training here. I chose UVMMC for the kind faculty (who are also excellent teachers) as well as the residents who treat each other like family.
Nicole Kosmider
Hometown: Chester, New Jersey
Undergraduate School: Northeastern University
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences COMP-Northwest
Hobbies/Interests: In my free time I enjoy skiing (uphill and downhill), mountain biking, mountaineering, crafts of all sorts, and ice cream.
Why I chose Vermont: I grew up on the East Coast, and Vermont is where I learned to love the outdoors. When looking for residency programs, I hoped to balance strong training with a lifestyle I would enjoy. UVM affords exceptional educational opportunities in a beautiful setting.
Marc Kostrubiak
Hometown: Monkton, Maryland
Undergraduate School: Middlebury College
Medical School: Robert Larner M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: Skiing, trail running, photography, hiking
Why I chose Vermont: During med school people throughout UVM, and especially in the anesthesia department were always friendly, helpful, and more than willing to teach. That atmosphere combined with the small program size and the location with the mountains so close and easily accessible made UVM seem like not only a great place to learn and train but also a great place to continue to live.
Recent Graduates
Richard Dobson, D.O.
Neuroanesthesiology Fellowship, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI
Benjamin Jorgensen, M.D.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center - Baltimore, MD
Danielle Leahy, M.D.
Dual Cardiothoracic & Critical Care Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University –Baltimore, MD
Christopher Mayhew, M.D.
Universitäts-Herzzentrum Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Germany
Caroline Reynolds, D.O.
Centra Medical Group - Lynchburg, VA
Benjamin Sanofsky, M.D.
Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship, Stanford University – Stanford, CA