Pediatric Residents Class of 2025 | Hackensack University Medical Center   

Pediatric Residents Class of 2025

Melissa Arfuso, MD

Melissa Arfuso, MD
College:
Fordham University
Medical School: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Pediatric Interests: Hematology-Oncology, Critical Care, Allergy + Immunology, Pulmonology
Hobbies: Baking, cake decorating, cooking, hiking, watching soccer, and traveling to new countries
Bio: I was born and raised in northern New Jersey and attended college in the Bronx, at Fordham University, where I studied Integrative Neuroscience. Prior to Fordham, I completed high school with a major in culinary arts and food science and almost went to culinary school! Throughout college, I worked with Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which kick-started my passion for caring for children. I was thrilled when Hackensack Meridian opened a school in the area I grew up in, allowing me to stay close to my family. After completing my pediatrics rotation at Hackensack, I knew this program would be an amazing fit for me. With its diverse patient population and incredible attending physicians who have been such great mentors to me, I’m so excited to join the pediatrics family at HUMC!

Erica Braun, MD

Erica Braun, MD
College:
Muhlenberg College
Medical School: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine 
Pediatric Interests: Primary Care, Endocrinology, Pulmonology, Hematology/Oncology, Medical Education, Advocacy 
Hobbies: Traveling, Hiking, Pilates, Dancing, Reading, Spending time with family and friends
Bio: Hello, I am Erica! I am very excited to be a part of the Pediatric Residency Program at HUMC. I was born and raised here in Northern New Jersey and then went to Pennsylvania for college where I double majored in neuroscience and dance. Before starting medical school, I worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where my love for medicine really blossomed. Many of my professors and mentors during medical school were pediatricians within the Hackensack Meridian Health Network and I am very honored to continue to learn from them during my residency training. I find the field of pediatrics uniquely rewarding and inspiring knowing I am helping children's health not just in the present but for their entire future. I look forward to starting my career in pediatrics at HUMC.

Hailey Connolly, MD

Hailey Connolly, MD
College:
University of Richmond 
Medical School: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Pediatric Interests: Infectious Disease, Hematology/Oncology, Nephrology, Endocrinology, Integrative Medicine 
Hobbies: Running, hiking, spending time at the beach, exploring new neighborhoods and foods
Bio: I grew up on Long Island and spent my childhood wandering the rocky beaches of the north shore. I was exposed to medicine from an early age, often visiting my grandma at a local hospital where she worked in nursing administration. For my undergraduate education, I moved to Richmond, VA and discovered my interest in caring for children through my involvement with Camp Kesem, an organization serving children affected by a parent’s diagnosis of cancer. After college, I traveled back up north, drawn to the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine’s holistic and community-based mission. During my pediatrics rotation, I had the opportunity to meet the physicians at HUMC whose enthusiastic and compassionate approach to patient care solidified my decision to pursue a career in pediatric medicine. I am incredibly excited to continue learning as a part of this wonderful team! 

Tanjila Haque, DO

Tanjila Haque, DO
College:
CUNY Hunter College 
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medine - Harlem, NY 
Pediatric Interests: General Pediatrics, Neonatology
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, cooking/baking, traveling, hiking/being outdoors, fishing, working out, trying new places to eat  Bio: Hi, I’m Tanjila! I was born and raised in The Bronx. My traditional Bengali parents really laid the foundation for hard work and sacrifice for my family, which inspired me to work hard to achieve my goals. Growing up in NYC allowed me to be constantly surrounded by diversity. I am so excited and grateful to be training close to home alongside this diversity as a Pediatric Resident at HUMC!  I tutored and worked with children for many years of my life. I truly felt their resilience and enjoyed building relationships while educating them in this role. I studied Biochemistry and Psychology at Hunter College, followed by an accelerated nursing program at NYU. While my undergraduate studies led me to becoming a NICU nurse, I eventually discovered that my heart longed to become a pediatrician. I experienced how rewarding and meaningful it is to care for children while educating them with their families. I am passionate about serving diverse and underserved communities similar to the one that raised me. I am so thrilled to know that HUMC will allow me to do exactly that while providing me with a positive learning environment.

Edward Jung, MD

Edward Jung, MD

College: The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)
Medical School: St George’s University
Pediatric Interests: Neonatology, Emergency Medicine, General Pediatrics, Pulmonology
Hobbies: travel, weight lifting, sports (all sports!)

Bio: Hi! I’m Eddie and I was born in Queens NY but raised in South Korea until junior high. I came back to the states and landed in NJ. I've been here ever since and love it. My interest and passion for pediatrics began with my international trips to Panama, Kenya and Indonesia. My passion grew with each trip and I knew that serving the future generation is something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I am very grateful to join this amazing community at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Roland Narine, MD

Roland Narine, MD

College: SUNY Stony Brook University
Medical School: Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Pediatric Interests: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Cardiology, Health Advocacy 
Hobbies: Guitar, barbering, sports, fitness, music, motorcycles

Bio: I was born in Queens, New York and raised in the Bahamas by Guyanese parents. I then returned to New York at the age of 7 and was raised in the ethnically diverse borough of Queens. I learned from my hard working, immigrant parents the importance of giving a hundred percent, everyday, rain or shine. The lessons I learned growing up, of being selfless, showing humility, respect, care and determination, translates each day in my career. The same belief that my parents instilled in me from a young age to achieve my goals and dreams, I hope to convey to my patients as I care for them as their Pediatrician. I have earned a Masters in Public Health, and a Masters In Biomedical Sciences prior to medical school, where I then honed my skills, medical knowledge, and confidence working in children’s hospitals during my rotations. I truly believe I chose the best place for me in HUMC, a stone’s throw away from Queens. I hope to provide care for children not unlike myself growing up, in underprivileged and underserved areas, regardless of socioeconomic or ethnic backgrounds. My interests lie in social medicine, and health advocacy, as I look forward to continuing my dream of being a Pediatrician, starting with taking the first step here at HUMC.

Colleen Tautkus, MD

Colleen Tautkus, MD

College: Southern Methodist University 
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine 
Pediatric Interests: Cardiology, Hematology and Oncology
Hobbies: All forms of yoga, reading mysteries, puzzling, and watching reality television

Bio: Hi, I’m Colleen! I was born and raised in York, PA. I went down to Dallas, Texas for undergrad where I was a division 1 rower. I majored in Psychology and Health & Society. My journey then took me to Grenada for medical school where I focused on my love for pediatrics through the Peds Club. My mother is a pediatrician in my hometown so pediatrics has always been my dream. I spent my third year of medical school at HUMC and loved the hospital. I am so excited to spend my next three years at such an amazing hospital.

Alessia Zambrano, DO

Alessia Zambrano, DO

College: Bard College 
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine - Harlem, NY
Pediatric Interests: General Pediatrics, Pulmonology, Allergy & Immunology 
Hobbies: Yoga, traveling, going to the beach, cooking, learning new languages

Bio: Hi, I’m Alessia! I was born and raised in New York and am happy to now call New Jersey my home. I knew I wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember and always enjoyed working with kids. Whether it was volunteering in the pediatric wing of my local hospital or working at a children’s summer camp, interacting with kids has always been immensely rewarding for me. After completing my first pediatrics rotation during medical school I was sure that I wanted to be a pediatrician. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of the HUMC pediatric team and excited to start this next chapter of my medical training.

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