The Family Medicine Residency welcomes six new physicians to the North Country each year.
About Our Residency Program
Before you meet our residents, take a look at our short video. It provides an overview of the Family Medicine Residency at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital — highlighting our training, curriculum, and community.
Meet the Class of 2027
Melissa Anderson-Chavarria DO
Family Medicine Resident
Mel considers both Sussex County, New Jersey and Aguada, Puerto Rico to be their hometowns. She completed her AA in Creative Writing at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, her BA in Anthropology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, and her MS in Biomedical Sciences/Immunology at Rutgers Medical School. Mel is a physician-anthropologist, a graduate of the physician-scientist DO-PhD program at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her doctoral dissertation in Medical Anthropology focused on how autism families in Puerto Rico navigate health care systems in situations of economic and natural disaster.
She completed two years of urology residency in Detroit, MI before electing to switch her specialty to Family Medicine to pursue her passion of providing full-scope holistic primary care to rural populations most in need. Her professional and research interests include medical humanism, health care systems, ethnography, rural healthcare, telehealth, and gender affirming health care. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking the state parks with her wife Lily and their two beagles Casey and Rufus, watching documentaries with her cats Carl and Alfalfa, and playing roller derby.
Anna Michalik, DO
Family Medicine Resident
Anna was born in Poland and moved to Long Island, New York at the age of 10. She earned a B.S. from Adelphi University where she studied biology and history, an M.A. in international education from New York University, and a PhD in world history from St. John’s University.
As a doctoral student, Anna focused on the topic of moral courage in times of war and crisis, traveled to various countries for research and taught undergraduate students. She then completed medical school at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. It was during her third-year clinical rotations in Shreveport, Louisiana as well as in a resource limited, remote clinic in Costa Rica, that Anna realized how truly fulfilling, albeit challenging, the life of a family physician could be.
Among Anna’s many interests in family medicine are rural medicine, emergency medicine, wilderness medicine, international medicine, behavioral health and full-spectrum care. Outside of medicine, Anna enjoys cross country skiing, hiking and biking especially in the Adirondacks. She also loves traveling, reading and spending quality time with her family, friends and her family dogs, Tilli and Luna.
Jessica Sandoval, MD
Family Medicine Resident
Jessica (Jessie) hails from Tottenham, Ontario, where growing up, she was actively involved in gymnastics as an athlete, coach and judge. After attending York University for undergraduate studies in specialized honors biochemistry, she made the move to Poland for medical school at Poznan University of Medical Sciences.
Her medical interests include obstetrics, emergency medicine and working in a rural area offering full-spectrum health care. Jessie believes that it is an honor to build relationships with patients and support them in good and challenging times.
In her leisure time, Jessie is an avid skier, loves to swim at her cottage and ride horses. She also enjoys musical theater and traveling.
Thomas Shelton, MD
Family Medicine Resident
Thomas grew up in Ohio, and spent summer in New Hampshire, where he cultivated his love for the outdoors. He studied history at Depauw University before pursuing his medical education at The Ohio State University. Throughout his academic journey, he developed an interest in rural medicine, mental health and sports medicine. He has a passion for using integrative approaches to help patients live active lives.
Outside of medicine Thomas loves to read, run, ski and cook with his wife.
Chana Stern, MD
Family Medicine Resident
Chana was born and raised in Long Island, New York. She completed her undergraduate studies in Biology at Stern College for Women in Manhattan. She later went on to pursue her medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She is passionate about preventative medicine, women’s health, full spectrum primary care and dermatology. In her free time, she enjoys the beach and outdoors, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
Meet the Class of 2028
Cristina Prudencio Brunello, MD
Family Medicine Resident
Cristina was born just across the border in Montreal, Quebec, and was raised in Waterloo, Ontario. She completed her undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences at the University of Guelph before pursuing her medical education at St. George’s University.
Her clinical training has taken her across the United States, Canada and the island of Grenada, where she found deep meaning in connecting with patients and empowering them through education and advocacy. Drawn to family medicine for its continuity of care and emphasis on preventative wellness, Cristina is especially passionate about women’s health, preventative medicine and making health care accessible to all.
Outside of the hospital, Cristina can be found hiking, canoeing, playing the violin or practicing Kung Fu. She lives with her partner Reggie and their very spoiled rescue cat, Orzo.
Irzam Khan, MD
Family Medicine Resident
Irzam grew up in a suburb of Toronto, Canada. He obtained an undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, double majoring in biochemistry and human biology. Following that, he pursued medical education at St. George’s University, participating in the Keith B. Taylor Global Scholars program. His clinical years of medical school were spent in New York City, which is where he further developed his interests in preventative medicine, chronic disease management and mental health.
Outside of medicine, his hobbies include reading and writing fantasy novels, basketball and chess. Irzam credits the sacrifices of his family and loved ones for putting him in the position he is today. He is very excited to train at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital and grateful for the opportunity to serve the diverse needs of the community.
Muhammad Sidiqui, MD
Family Medicine Resident
Muhammad was born in Pakistan. He completed his undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Adelphi University. Upon completion of his degree, Muhammad worked as a registered nurse in cardiac ICU, medical ICU and emergency medicine where he learned the importance of communication, teamwork and professionalism. He then pursued his medical education at American University of Antigua.
Besides family medicine, he has a deep interest in emergency medicine. Outside of medicine, Muhammad enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with his family.
Normeen Siddiqui, MD
Family Medicine Resident
Normeen “Teeny” grew up in Lafayette, Indiana, where her early curiosity about the human mind and passion for helping others laid the foundation for her path in medicine. She pursued neuroscience, psychology and international studies with a concentration in global health at Indiana University before earning her MD from Ross University School of Medicine.
Throughout her journey, Normeen has remained committed to underserved communities — volunteering with dementia patients in Indiana and supporting Indigenous populations through the Salybia Mission Project in the Caribbean. She is particularly passionate about behavioral health, international medicine and advancing health equity. Normeen aspires to a career focused on addressing health disparities both locally and globally.
In her free time, she enjoys yoga, calisthenics and immersing herself in new cultures through travel.
Rishabh Taneja, MD
Family Medicine Resident
Born in Chandigarh, India, Rishabh earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Punjab). A lifelong athlete, Rishabh was recognized as the Best All-Round Student in high school and received the Best Sportsperson award at university, where he also served as Sports Head, organizing intercollegiate sports events across medical schools.
After completing his internship, Rishabh went on to teach at Government Medical College. Alongside teaching, he remained deeply committed to community service — volunteering at free clinics in underserved villages and supporting patients in remote areas.
With a strong foundation in clinical medicine and a deep passion for service, Rishabh is committed to expanding access to care through continued volunteerism and outreach to communities where health care is limited.
Outside of medicine, he enjoys traveling, mountain trekking and spending quality time with friends.
Meet the Class of 2029
Stefani Anash, MD
Stef was born in Tel Aviv and moved to Brooklyn, New York at the age of five. She attended Hunter College, where she majored in Human Biology and competed as a track and field athlete. During her time there, she was actively involved with Peer Health Exchange, serving as a health educator for underserved high school students across New York City’s five boroughs. She went on to earn her Master of Public Health from the University of Bridgeport, graduating magna cum laude. Stef then pursued her medical degree at Saba University School of Medicine, where she served as a class representative and volunteered as a teaching assistant in both neurology and anatomy. Stef is fluent in both English and Russian. Her professional interests include integrative medicine, preventative care, and women’s health. Outside of medicine, she enjoys watercolor painting, skiing, and spending time camping with her partner, Alison, in their 1984 Volkswagen Vanagon.
Louisa Da Costa-Mendes, MD
Louisa was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. She went to Western University, Ontario where she completed an Honors specialization in Medical Biophysics, Bachelor of Science. She then went to medical school at Saba University School Of Medicine. Coming from a Portuguese ethnicity she enjoys spending time with family and eating delicious food. On her free time, she enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling, art activities, pilates, playing board games, and watching new movies and shows with her partner.
Brady Gordon, MD
Brady was born and raised in Killarney, Manitoba, Canada. He completed his bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Manitoba and attended medical school at St. George’s University, where he earned his MD and MPH. He completed his basic sciences in Grenada and his clinical training in the United Kingdom. His professional interests include full-spectrum rural family medicine and sports medicine. Growing up in a small community shaped his passion for broad, relationship-centered care and serving patients across all stages of life. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, traveling, golfing, cooking, and spending time outdoors with Holly and their miniature dachshund, Bella
Julia Kobeissa, MD
I grew up between Lebanon and Nigeria and completed my Bachelor of Science in Biology at the American University of Beirut. My medical training at St. George’s University gave me the chance to spend a year at Northumbria University in the UK, travel through Europe, and enjoy the unforgettable sunsets and community in Grenada before later calling New York City home. My professional interests include hospital medicine, women’s health and chronic disease management. I chose CVPH for its close-knit community, the opportunity to practice full-spectrum family medicine, and its beautiful setting near Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Outside of medicine, I love scuba diving (including wreck diving and search and rescue), photography, cooking, and spending time with animals. I grew up with German Shepherds. I also love going on horseback trail rides.
Piratheep Rajan, MD
Originally from Rotterdam, Netherlands, Piratheep immigrated to Toronto in his early years, where his passion for medicine and serving underserved communities first took root. He went on to complete an Honours Specialist degree in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Toronto before pursuing medicine at St. George's University School of Medicine, gaining broad clinical training across three countries, North Middlesex Hospital (London, UK), Humboldt Park Health (Chicago), Henry Ford St. John Hospital (Detroit), and Hope Health (Canada).
His path to medicine was shaped by experiences that took him beyond the classroom, volunteering with MEDLIFE in Peru, staffing mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics, and running health seminars for elderly communities. These moments reinforced his belief that care is most impactful when it reaches those with the least access to it.
As a Family Medicine Resident, Piratheep's clinical philosophy centers on treating the whole person, not just a condition. He is committed to full-scope family medicine and advocates passionately for care in resource-limited settings. Outside of medicine, he finds creative outlet in music production, drumming, photography, and travel, and is fueled by a love of history, sports, and staying active.
Aina Rattu, MD
Aina was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in South Burlington, VT. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Vermont (UVM) and, prior to medical school, worked as a medical assistant at the Community Health Centers of Burlington. During this time, she developed a strong interest in primary care and working with underserved populations. She also spent time traveling in India and Sri Lanka.
Aina completed her medical degree at the UVM Robert Larner College of Medicine, where she was actively involved in outreach initiatives focused on health equity and community engagement. She was recognized as an Aequitas Fellow and AHEC Scholar, honoring her commitment to improving health within the communities she serves.
With strong ties to the region, Aina is excited to train at CVPH and care for patients in the Plattsburgh community. Her professional interests include preventive care, community health, and women’s health.
Outside of medicine, Aina enjoys walking her dog, Sebby, exploring local trails, visiting Chapter One with her partner, and reading mystery novels.