Our Residents

Erika Aryal, MD grew up in Kathmandu Nepal. She went to Kathmandu Medical College where she was a member of Rotract club which helped organize many projects. She was a part of the poor patient fund Committee where she would help patients pay their hospital bills through funds that were raised through fundraising. She also helped organize a blood donation camp, several health camps in rural areas where they did basic physical, eye and ears exam. Also participated in supplying food and medicine to rural parts of Nepal during the 2015 earthquake. She briefly worked in a GI clinic in Kathmandu, then moved to the US. She was in Michigan when she first moved, then moved to Boston for her husband's job. She studied for her USMLE exams and did observership at Boston Medical Center. And now finally moved to Vermont. She is very excited to be here. This was her dream program. Her interest includes pediatric pulmonolgy and child and adolescent psychiatry. When she is not in the hospital you would find her cooking at home, visiting new places, driving all around VT with her husband, and looking forward to learning how to ski.

Joanna Berg, MD (Jo, she/her) was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She studied Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University in Boston, MA before moving to Syracuse, NY to receive her medical degree from SUNY Upstate. Jo is interested in primary care with a particular focus on sexual/reproductive health, gender affirming care, and global/refugee health. She is super excited to begin her career as a pediatrician at UVMMC and explore all the food, farmers markets, and trails in Burlington, VT. Outside of work she’ll either be reading, planning her next trip (17 countries and counting!), rewatching New Girl, trying out a new workout class (currently: Pilates, previously: karate/kickboxing), or obsessing over her latest house plant.

Erin Callahan, DO grew up in Williams Bay, Wisconsin before moving down south for her undergraduate degree. She studied psychology with a minor in biology at the University of Alabama (roll tide). After graduating, she moved to Utah to attend medical school at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, spending her preclinical years in the sunny desert in the south of the state before completing her clinical years in snowy Salt Lake City. After all these cross-country moves, she is thrilled to be training in Vermont and hopeful to have found a forever home here. Erin has wanted to be a pediatrician since she was a kid herself and is passionate about working with children and families. She is interested in working in primary care, newborn medicine, and incorporating mental health management into her practice. When she’s not at the hospital, you can find Erin planning some sort of get-together with her class, watching some reality TV, or spending quality lazy time with her dog, Margo.

Trevor Coles, MD grew up in Manchester, NH. For his undergraduate studies, he attended Tufts University where he majored in Biology. After graduating from Tufts, Trevor found himself wanting greener scenery and to work with rural populations, so he attended medical school at the Robert Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. He is very excited to have the opportunity to serve the children of Vermont and holds a variety of clinical interests, but particularly enjoys meeting patients with complex medical needs and those with Autism. Outside of work, Trevor can be found playing drums, hiking with his dog Piper, or fly fishing.

Shelby Lawrence, DO grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, LA for her undergraduate education where she majored in biology with minors in chemistry and psychology. After college, Shelby worked as a pediatric physical therapy technician and an operating room technician before starting medical school. She attended medical school at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in Monroe, LA and is thrilled to be in Vermont for residency. Shelby has always had an interest in pediatrics and tried to keep an open mind during medical school clerkships, but she determined that pediatrics is undeniably the most fun specialty and couldn't imagine herself doing anything else. When she's not at the hospital, Shelby is most likely at the beach, lounging in her hammock, or watching trashy reality TV with her cat, Ivy.

Aurelija Liubauske, MD an international medical graduate from Lithuania, earned her medical degree from the Lithuania University of Health and Science. She completed a year of residency in child psychiatry and spent several years working in the emergency department back in her home country. Seeking to pursue her career in the US, she relocated to Boston, where she engaged in research at Boston Children’s Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center before starting her residency at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Aurelija's love for outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and rollerblading made her decision to relocate to Vermont effortless. And her love for cats led her to adopt one shortly after moving to Burlington.

Meredith Stanhope, MD grew up in Falmouth, Maine and stayed close to her Maine roots while attending Bowdoin College, where she majored in neuroscience and minored in sociology. After graduation, Meredith moved to Boston, MA where she spent two years studying melanoma in a zebrafish model. She attended Tufts University School of Medicine in the Maine Track and headed back to Maine for her clinical training at Maine Medical Center. She is excited to adventure in a new corner of New England and delighted to be able to join the wonderful team at UVM Children's Hospital. When she's not at the hospital, you can find her trying one of Burlington's many restaurants, planning her next trip abroad, or exploring a new trail with her dog, Auggie.

Rachel Adelsheim, MD grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. She studied the history of medicine through an interdisciplinary major at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University. After graduating, Rachel worked as a medical assistant and later as a crisis worker at The Trevor Project, a LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention hotline. She then moved to Vermont to attend the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. She is delighted to be staying with the UVM Children's Hospital for her residency training. She is interested in primary care, newborn medicine, and working with LGBTQ+ youth. Rachel enjoys painting, cooking, dancing, and reading fantasy novels. You can regularly find her at the dog park with her wife Emily and their dog Mimi.

Julie Ehrlich, MD was born on Long Island, New York. She first came to the great state of Vermont for undergrad at Middlebury College. She majored in Neuroscience with a minor in Global Health while conducting research on the effects of various chemicals on cow ovaries. She then moved to Boston where she worked as a teacher for young adults with severe Autism Spectrum Disorder. She attended medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. After being away for far too long, the lure of the Green Mountains brought her back to UVM Children's Hospital for residency. She is interested in Pediatric Emergency Medicine as well as serving rural communities. She has aspirations of having a pet cow and has a perfect pup named Bash (AKA Bubba). You can find her gallivanting in the mountains whether on a bike, skis or in a pair of disintegrating trail runners.

Bryan Harrison, DO grew up in Salamanca, NY. He attended SUNY Geneseo for his undergraduate studies where he majored in Biochemistry and minored in Anthropology with a focus in primatology. A career in medicine has been his lifelong dream and the pursuit of which took him to Kansas City, MO, where he completed a Masters in Biomedical Sciences at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. He then attended medical school at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, MS. He found his passion for working in pediatrics while volunteering and working for local youth programs in his hometown. His pediatric interests include critical care and advocacy. Outside of the hospital, Bryan can most likely be found at a coffee shop, exploring the area through local restaurants, or binging a show/movie with his wife and two cats.

til kus, MD joins the UVM Pediatrics Residency after completing their undergraduate work in Medical Anthropology at Brown University followed by their graduate work in Biomedical Sciences at Tufts University School of Medicine and then their medical degree at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Marianna Paradise MD, grew up in North Andover, MA before heading south to the University of Maryland to complete her undergraduate studies in Biology. She spent two years working as a medical scribe in Washington, DC, before heading back to the northeast to attend medical school at the University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine. She led the UMass chapter of Medicine in Motion. When she’s not in the hospital, you can find her at the gym, on a run, at a thrift store, or baking up a storm!

Jill Phillips, MD grew up in the interior of Alaska. After graduating high school, she left her home state and attended Willamette University in Salem, OR where she majored in biochemistry. She spent the new several years in Seattle working at a cancer diagnostic laboratory as well as working with kids, both as a math tutor and a skateboard instructor. She attended medical school at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. She is beyond thrilled to continue her next chapter of training at the University of Vermont Children's Hospital as a pediatric resident. When she's not at the hospital or in clinic, you can find her trail running (away from ticks), skiing, and reading fantasy novels. 

Coral Walker, MD grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas. He studied Microbiology and Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. He knew his love for pediatrics while growing up involved in musical theatre, and his passion grew further while attending the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Within the specialty, Coral holds interests in hematology-oncology, general practice, and mental health. He is excited to continue learning at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital. Outside of medicine, Coral enjoys creating and listening to music, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with family and friends.

Lindsay Caldarone, MD was born in Boston, but spent most of her youth in Toronto, Canada. She studied public health at Johns Hopkins University as an undergrad, spent three years researching lung transplantation back in Toronto, and finally returned to the mid-Atlantic region to attend Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia. She discovered her passion for working with children during her third-year pediatrics clerkship, and is thrilled to be able to pursue this here at UVM. In her free time, she can be found exploring all that Vermont has to offer with her partner and their dog, Max. Highlights so far include hiking, biking, and maple creemees.

Sehar Laljee, MD grew up in Long Island, New York. She attended Stony Brook University for her undergraduate studies and stayed to complete her master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering with a focus on medical imaging. Despite her love for engineering, she wanted to be more directly involved in patient care and followed her childhood dream to attend medical school at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn where she fostered her passion for pediatrics. In particular, she is interested in preventative medicine and advocacy. She is excited to be in Vermont and train at a program devoted to family orientated care and have access to the New American Population. Outside the hospital she loves to paint, play frisbee golf, eat ice cream, and spend time with her family and friends.

Brianna Leahy, MD grew up in Waterloo, Ontario and attended Princeton University for her undergraduate studies where she played varsity ice hockey and majored in the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs with certificate in Global Health. After graduating, she worked in IT for a year and a half before changing paths and pursuing a career in medicine. She attended St. George's University of London based in the UK. Being the second oldest of 7 kids, pediatrics was a natural fit. She is excited to be joining the pediatric residency program at UVM and has interests in emergency medicine and cardiology. Outside of medicine, she enjoys playing and coaching hockey, biking and running. She also enjoys playing guitar, violin and helping out on her family's apple farm. 

Adessa Morano, MD grew up in the Upper Valley of VT/NH and attended Sarah Lawrence College for her B.A. in psychology and M.A. in Child Development. After graduating, she taught 1st/2nd grade special education for children with psychiatric disabilities through Teach For America while earning her M.Ed. in Elementary Special Education. As a teacher at a therapeutic school, she realized her true calling was working with children clinically. She then became a Developmental Specialist for Early Intervention, working with Spanish-speaking families in Boston. Adessa completed her requirements for medical school through the post-baccalaureate pre-medical program at UVM, during which time she completed research on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. While applying to medical school, Adessa found her passion for teaching comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education while working as a Medical Case Manager for people living with HIV/AIDS. She attended the Larner College of Medicine at UVM, and is thrilled to continue her training in pediatrics at UVM. She chose pediatrics because of her love for working with children and families, her enjoyment of pediatric medicine, and the ability to incorporate preventative medicine and social determinants of health into pediatric care. Her interests in pediatrics include primary care, advocacy, sexual health, mental health, children with disabilities, breastfeeding, and working with New American families. Outside of medicine, she enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and spending time with her daughter and family. She is beyond excited to stay in Vermont as part of the UVM pediatrics family!

Megan Prue, MD grew up in Northeastern Vermont. She attended the University of New England and received undergraduate degrees in Biochemistry and Applied Mathematics. She then returned to Vermont to attend the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. She is thrilled to be staying with the UVM Children’s Hospital for residency. She is interested in primary care, especially rural underserved populations. Outside of medicine, Megan enjoys reading, hiking, swimming, baking and spending time with her husband and their daughter.

Abigail Watson, MD grew up in Baltimore, Maryland before moving to Philadelphia to study chemistry at Drexel University and compete in collegiate triathlons. She stayed at Drexel to complete an MPH in epidemiology where she worked with the Philadelphia Public Health Department and the local children's hospitals: CHOP and St. Christopher's. While she loved public health, she realized she wanted to know the people behind her data and applied to medical school. She graduated from Drexel University College of Medicine. She unexpectedly fell in love with pediatrics when she began working with incredibly resilient children and exceptionally compassionate pediatricians. She is excited to continue learning in Vermont! Outside of medicine, she enjoys going on adventures with her two dogs and spouse, devouring books at an unnatural pace, and being on the water. 

Alexander Zajack, MD grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He went to high school in New Hampshire, but left the east coast for undergrad in Portland, Oregon. There he studied chemistry and played goalkeeper for the soccer team. He then returned to Las Vegas for medical school. It was there he discovered his passion for pediatrics. As a kid at heart, there was no other patient population he’d rather work with. Now he’s come full circle around the country, back in the Northeast for his residency training. This time he is bringing his wife (Connie) and dog (Finn) to join him on this journey. You’ll probably find them all enjoying some outdoor adventures this winter on the slopes or PC gaming at home in the warmth (Alex only.)

Trina Thornburgh, MD grew up in New York City as the middle of three girls. She attended Middlebury College where she majored in English and fell in love with the state of Vermont. After stints in Washington D.C. working in harm reduction and skiing in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, she returned to Vermont to attend the Larner College of Medicine. She enjoys the outdoors, especially lake swimming, mountain biking with her husband, and hiking with her dog Doc (who was the first doctor in the family). Inside you can find her making ice cream and reading.