Internal Medicine Residency

Residents: Class of 2029

Joseph Bradley

Graduated from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Hometown: Stuart, FL
Why HUMC: I chose HUMC because it combines outstanding clinical training with a supportive and collegial learning environment. I have seen firsthand the dedication of its faculty, the breadth of pathology, and the strong sense of teamwork that make HUMC an exceptional place to develop into the physician I aspire to be.
Professional Interests: Hematology/Oncology
Personal Interests: Pro sports, live music, fishing, exercise.
If I weren’t in medicine, I would be a: Working in construction
What being a good doctor means to me: To me, being a good doctor means showing up every day with curiosity, humility, and a genuine commitment to helping patients navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives. It means taking the time to listen, earning a patient's trust, and helping them understand what is happening when they feel overwhelmed or uncertain.

Peter Cwalina

Graduated from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Hometown: Middle Village NY
Why HUMC: Having completed my clinical rotations within the Hackensack system, I felt a strong connection to the patient population, my mentors, and the overall learning environment at HUMC. I learned so much from the residents, nurses, and attendings I worked with, and I wanted to continue my training in a place that felt both familiar and inspiring. HUMC offers the supportive culture, strong clinical exposure, and sense of community I was looking for in residency.
Professional Interests: Cardiology (Electrophysiology), Medical Education
Personal Interests: So many: Pickleball, Movies, Video Games, Board Games, Model kits to name a few.
If I weren’t in medicine, I would be a: Hobby shop owner
What being a good doctor means to me: To me, being a good doctor means helping patients feel seen, understood, and cared for, especially during moments of uncertainty. It means combining clinical knowledge with humility, compassion, and clear communication, while remembering that every patient’s story extends beyond their diagnosis. I hope to be the kind of physician who listens deeply, advocates for patients, and helps them feel empowered in their care.

Sally Hwang

Graduated from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Hometown:
Why HUMC:
Professional Interests:
Personal Interests:
If I weren’t in medicine, I would be a:
What being a good doctor means to me:

Farishta Saifi

Graduated from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Why HUMC: HUMC stood out to me for its commitment to serving diverse communities and its strong opportunities to explore fellowship training. I am also excited about the chance to support and teach HMSOM students during their internal medicine rotation, which feels like a meaningful full-circle moment.
Professional Interests: Cardiology, clinical research, and academic medicine.
Personal Interests: I enjoy staying active through yoga and weightlifting, spending time with family and friends, and mentoring aspiring medical students.
If I weren’t in medicine, I would be a: Detective! I love watching true crime and am drawn to the idea of a constantly changing, engaging career, similar to what I appreciate about medicine
What being a good doctor means to me: A good doctor combines clinical excellence with compassionate curiosity. They don’t just treat a diagnosis, they see the person behind it, take time to hear their story, and understand their values. It means listening in a way that builds trust, especially for patients who are vulnerable or have been let down by the system. Even when problems cannot be fully fixed, they still ensure patients feel seen, safe, and valued.

Katherine Margolin

Graduated from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Hometown: Fort Lee, NJ
Why HUMC: I chose HUMC because I knew it would provide exceptional clinical training in a supportive and close-knit environment. Through doing my rotations in the HMH network, I had the opportunity to see complexity of the patient population, the dedication of the faculty, and the culture of mentorship among residents and attendings. I felt that HUMC would challenge me to grow clinically while giving me the support to become the kind of physician I hope to be.
Professional Interests: Gastroenterology, Women's Health, Medical Education, Hospital Medicine
Personal Interests: So many: I enjoy watching gymnastics, gardening, ballet, pilates, yoga, and spending time with my fiancé, my family, and my dog, Wynn.
If I weren’t in medicine, I would be a: Gymnastics judge
What being a good doctor means to me: Being a good doctor means being present for patients during some of the most vulnerable and uncertain moments of their lives. A good doctor not only offers medical knowledge, but also listens carefully, communicates clearly, and helps patients better understand their disease so they can feel empowered in their care.

Victoria Simmons

Graduated from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Hometown: Roxboro, NC
Why HUMC: I chose HUMC because it is a tertiary care center that serves a diverse and complex patient population. HUMC is also dedicated to teaching residents and fostering community, making it a great place to train.
Professional Interests: I am interested in academic hospital medicine.
Personal Interests: I enjoy gardening, spending time with loved ones, playing board games, crocheting, and knitting.
If I weren’t in medicine, I would be a: Chemical Engineer
What being a good doctor means to me: To me being a good doctor is not only providing excellent medical care but also being kind, compassionate, and understanding.

Allison Trabold

Graduated from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Hometown: Merrick, NY
Why HUMC: I love the community that the residents have formed at HUMC- it's a collaborative, supportive environment that challenges and empowers residents to become successful physicians.
Professional Interests: Hospital medicine and primary care
Personal Interests: running, reading, crocheting, baking/ cooking, hiking
If I weren’t in medicine, I would be an: art studio and cafe owner
What being a good doctor means to me: It means listening to my patients and treating them as people first. It also means empowering them to take care of their own health as well as advocating for them when necessary.

Mohamed Elhakeem

Graduated from Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Why HUMC: I chose HUMC because it serves and cares for a diverse patient population, offers exposure to diverse and complex pathology, training me to become a culturally competent physician. Not only is HUMC a large exemplary academic medical center, it offers the perfect intersection of strong academic medicine and dedicated community care. I also fell in love with the warm and close-knit culture created by the small, supportive class environment. Being close to home was a plus, allowing me to stay close to my family and loved ones and give back to the community that shaped me. I know HUMC is the perfect place where I can be challenged, grow as a person, and gain the skills necessary to care for diverse underserved communities.
Professional Interests: Cardiology/Interventional Cardiology, Academic Medicine, Global Health
Personal Interests: I enjoy weightlifting, soccer, and volleyball. I am deeply passionate about language learning and I love to learn various languages in my free time. I am a big foodie. I love watching anime, collecting and reading manga and books, playing video games and board games, drawing, and traveling.
If I weren’t in medicine, I would be a: Linguist, Foreign Language Teacher, or Video Game Developer
What being a good doctor means to me: To me, being a good doctor means blending medical expertise with humility and empathy. It’s about truly listening to a patient's story, meeting them where they are, and making complex medical talk easy to understand. At the end of the day, it means being someone my patients and colleagues can trust completely, and offering a comforting, reliable presence when people are at their most vulnerable.

Ina Park

Graduated from Konkuk University College of Medicine
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Why HUMC: I chose HUMC because it offers the best of both worlds—the resources of a large academic medical center and the warmth of a close-knit community. During my interview, I was inspired by the genuine support from the faculty and the strong bonds among the residents. I felt that HUMC would be a place where I could grow not only as a physician, but also as a person.
Professional Interests: Cardiology, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Personal Interests: CrossFit, trying new restaurants, and traveling
If I weren’t in medicine, I would be a: Tour guide
What being a good doctor means to me: A good doctor is someone who treats the whole person, not just the disease. To me, that means integrating medical knowledge with compassion while understanding each patient’s unique story, values, and circumstances.

Joselin Vargas-Rodriguez

Graduated from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Why HUMC: I chose HUMC because of its strong academic environment, diverse patient population, and the genuine sense of support among residents and faculty. Having trained here during medical school, I was able to experience firsthand the collaborative culture and dedication to both clinical excellence and patient-centered care. I knew it was a place where I could continue to grow while being supported every step of the way.
Professional Interests: Primary care, Cardiology and Hematology/Oncology. I am also passionate about patient advocacy and improving access to care.
Personal Interests: I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, our daughter, family and friends. I’m into weightlifting, love to cook, and have a slight obsession with home decor and interior design.
If I weren’t in medicine, I would be a: Math Professor or Architect.
What being a good doctor means to me: Being a good doctor means combining clinical knowledge with compassion and advocacy. It’s about listening to your patients, understanding their unique circumstances, and working collaboratively to provide care that addresses not just their illness, but their overall well-being.

Peter Wynne