Residents

PGY-3

"I knew Mountainside was the place for me right from the minute I walked in to my interview. Everyone that you interact with genuinely cares about you and wants to help you become a better physician. Now after being here for some time, we truly are a family within the residency program. Having grown up in New Jersey I could not think of a better place to train. This is my new home away from home and could not be more grateful. Mountainside Family Medicine Residency is an established program that truly takes pride in bringing out the best in each and every resident."

Reintine Han, M.D. Chief Resident
Medical School: American University of Antigua
Undergraduate: SUNY Buffalo

"I chose Mountainside Family Medicine Residency because this program felt like home. I instantly felt at ease, a feeling that was unmatched by any other program I interviewed at. The faculty members and staff are all easily approachable and fully committed to the success of the program and its residents. Since starting residency, my experience has been nothing short of amazing. I am so grateful for being offered the opportunity to train here."

Miriam Hanna, M.D.
Medical School: St. George’s University
Undergraduate: University of California Irvine

"Simply stated: The people! Everywhere you look the people at Mountainside Hospital exceed your every expectation. As a student, at the interview, and on my first day up until now, the staff was overwhelmingly pleasant and inviting. The transition into intern year was made painless by the receptive nature of the program’s attendings and senior residents alike. The clinical work is seamless because of the dedicated aids, front office staff, and directors. This comforting environment helps academics thrive and allows for a more patient-centered mindset. The outcomes are visible during patient encounters as the care for one another is clearly palpable and reciprocated by the patients."

Marwah Khalid Tareen, M.D.
Medical School: American University of Integrative Sciences
Undergraduate: George Mason University

"Simply put, Mountainside is exceptional. The staff puts patients first, works hard to ensure residents succeed, and provides a friendly environment. As a resident I couldn’t be happier, because being here will help me reach my full potential as a family physician. Mountainside has the feeling of a small community in which you can get to know everyone in the hospital. My co-residents are helpful and a pleasure to work with, and the patient diversity allows for a rich learning environment. I also enjoy being a part of Montclair, which has a small town feel with the perks of being close to a major city!""

Jason Mendelsohn, M.D.
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Undergraduate: SUNY Albany

"The impression I immediately got from Mountainside Family Medicine was that everyone here had been treated right- and was paying it forward to everyone else. The residents are immensely collegial, friendly, and supportive of one another, and the faculty are happy to teach and that ensure you are becoming the best physician you can be. The leadership of this program make me feel like they genuinely have their residents' best interest in mind, all the while providing a comprehensive training environment and the involvement with my patients that I look for as a family doctor. I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else."

Joseph Perez, M.D.
Medical School: St. George’s University
Undergraduate: University of Texas at Austin

"I choose to train at Hackensack Meridian Health -Mountainside Family Medicine due to the strong faculty support and diverse patient population. Being so close to New York City, the patient population really is diverse, with patients hailing from all over the world in all different ages. I was fortunate enough to rotate through the residency as a medical student, and during that time I really got a sense of rapport between residents, faculty, and staff. It really is a family here! The emphasis of home visits along with the various community relationships with universities and schools really spoke to the importance of primary care in the surrounding area. As there are only two other residencies at the hospital, there are many opportunities for hands on training and learning!"

Iniobong Ukonne, M.D.
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Undergraduate: Temple University

"I chose Mountainside Hospital Family Medicine Program because of their commitment to patient care. The faculty, staff and residents are all friendly, welcoming and enjoy teaching. From day one, you feel like you are part of the team and can feel the excitement behind being a Family Medicine physician. Also, as a New Jersey native, I knew the diversity of patients would allow for various and interesting clinical scenarios. I am grateful for the opportunity to train at Mountainside Hospital and look forward to giving back to my community."

PGY-2

Anthony Ciricillo, M.D.
Medical School: West Virginia University
Undergraduate: Rutgers University – Newark

"Being born and raised in New Jersey, it’s an amazing feeling to practice medicine in my own backyard where everyone truly feels like family. All of the residents, faculty, and staff involved with the Mountainside Family Medicine Residency at Hackensack Meridian Health are genuinely supportive, compassionate, and dedicated to providing the highest quality of education and patient care. We have a diverse community and patient population, along with extensive resources to help facilitate our growth and achieve our goals as young physicians."

Donald Fru, M.D.
Medical School: St. George’s University
Undergraduate: Midwestern State University

"I never had any doubts Family Medicine was the specialty I wanted to pursue. That narrowed down my residency search to which program I wanted to pursue my training at. I was interested in a well-established program that also had good working relation amongst the residents and staff. So I did several Family Medicine rotations in different hospitals, and Hackensack Mountainside Residency was the 1 program that stood out. Just walking into the hospital made me feel at home. I have a great support system that will enable me to attain my future goals in this noble profession. The Attending physicians are very friendly, knowledgeable, and very willing to teach. Importantly they have an excellent board pass rate. I would not have wished to be anywhere else."

Silvia Khali, M.D.
Medical School: St. George’s University
Undergraduate: Hunter College

"I knew I belonged at the Mountainside Family Medicine program ever since I was a third year medical student. I was immediately drawn to the quality of the teaching, the diversity of patients, and the camaraderie among the residents. The environment is inviting, welcoming, and supportive. It will be the perfect program in which to learn and grow. I am proud to call it my home for the next three years."

Angella Makaha, M.D.
Medical School: St. George’s University
Undergraduate: Oral Roberts University

"When I visited Mountainside for the first time, I felt a very strong sense of belonging. Everyone was welcoming, open and very easy to talk to. I can tell that the faculty and staff genuinely care for the well-being of the residents, hence fostering a healthy environment for residents to thrive in their efforts to provide quality care to patients as they grow as physicians. Additionally, there is genuine camaraderie among residents which makes the program feel like a family working together for the greater good of medicine and patient care. It also doesn't hurt that the program is located in a lovely part of New Jersey."

George Sidrak, D.O.
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology
Undergraduate: Faculty of Medicine

"It’s difficult to put into words the value I have found as a Family Medicine resident at Mountainside Hospital, but very simply, family has been at the heart of what has motivated me as both a father and a physician. At Mountainside, the unparalleled professionalism and the comprehensive, patient-oriented care has made it easy to see it as a second home. Having been a Verona resident for more than 12 years and spent my third and fourth years here during rotations as a medical student, continuing at Mountainside as a Family Medicine resident has given me the blessing of a network of patients and colleagues that I am proud to call family."

Jorge Suening, M.D.
Medical School: Ross University
Undergraduate: Rutgers University – New Brunswick

"I chose Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Family Medicine Residency Program because everyone was very welcoming and supportive. I saw myself thriving in an environment where people treated each other as family. It was clear from the beginning that everyone was compassionate and committed to the well-being of the patients and staff members. Moreover, I wanted to be close to my own family in New Jersey while being a part of a vibrant and culturally diverse city. I am so grateful to be a part of this program where I can give back to the community while learning from one of the most talented group of individuals."

Sanyo Wen, M.D.
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Undergraduate: Rutgers University – New Brunswick

"I chose Hackensack Meridian Health - Mountainside Family Medicine Residency because I sensed genuine support from the staff and faculty during my interview. After starting the residency, this couldn’t be any truer. All the faculty and staff want to help and support you to get the best out of the residency and become the physician you wish to be. This program definitely prioritizes the resident’s education first before work and business. One of the reasons I want to become a family physician is that family is important to me. With my family living in Jersey City, distance is crucial for me so that during the intense residency training I have their support and I also can be there to support them."

PGY-1

Michelle Berman, M.D.
Medical School: St. George's University
Undergraduate: Pennsylvania State University

"Mountainside Family Medicine offers its residents a training experience for those who don’t want to give up anything, and who are attracted to pushing the boundaries of their knowledge with an exceedingly diverse patient population. I plan to give back to my community here in Jersey, however I also plan to travel abroad with my significant other and do global health. You cannot replace the training you receive during your time in residency, and I feel that what I learn and the cases I am exposed to matter. Mountainside encompasses a complete education that includes the clinic, the hospital, the emergency room, nursing homes, the delivery room, the OR and much more. I feel confident that after I finish training here, I can truly help to make a positive impact on the world and have the skills necessary to do so. That’s why Mountainside Family Medicine was right for me."

Khashayar Farhoomandi, M.D., M.P.H.
Medical School: St. George's University
Undergraduate: SUNY College at Old Westbury

"Having lived in Long Island, NY for over 20 years, location was a very important deciding factor for me. The Mountainside Family Medicine Residency is located in a great location in New Jersey which is very close to both NYC as well as Long Island, making it very convenient to keep in contact with family and friends. Additionally, upon interviewing, I fell in love with how friendly and inviting all of the staff and faculty were. From the very beginning, I felt a sense of closeness and family among everyone in the office and hospital, and knew that this would be an excellent program that would foster great learning and patient care."

Angel Reyes-Diaz, M.D.
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Undergraduate: Rutgers University

"Growing up in NJ, I knew I wanted to stay close to home. I chose Mountainside Family Medicine Residency Program because they made me feel like I was already home. Everyone I met during my interview was incredibly welcoming and receptive. From the staff to residents, I have seen nothing but genuine support and compassion for the overall growth of the residents. This was exactly what I was looking for in a residency program. I like to think that I thrive in a diverse population and this program provides that for me. I can rest assured that with the help of my colleagues and faculty, I will have the clinical skills and experience needed to be the best family physician possible in the state that I care deeply for."

Matthew Rivkin, M.D.
Medical School: St. George's University
Undergraduate: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

"Mountainside Family Medicine residency has cultivated a wonderful environment to feel supported while one learns and grows. It is apparent with the faculty and staff who love to teach and guild us through our journey. Along with the camaraderie of the residents who have just gone through it and can’t wait to give you tips on how to succeed. In addition, there is a diverse patient population, and many opportunities for community outreach. All with the overarching goal of excellent patient center care, make Mountainside an excellent program."

Hyokyung Sung, M.D.
Medical School: Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine
Undergraduate: Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine

"I chose Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Family Medicine residency program because of how patient-centered and committed faculty, staffs and residents were and how much they genuinely valued people and working as a team. Also, residents I met on my interview day were very happy with their program and their learning experience throughout their residency. They enjoyed spending time with each other and were like family. Faculty members and staffs I met were very supportive and approachable. They had great passion to teach and also help residents to build their own career during and after residency. I am confident that I will grow as a physician, having to serve this community with this great team."

John R. Yeiser, III, M.D.
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Undergraduate: La Salle University

"I chose Hackensack Meridian Health - Mountainside Family Medicine Residency because I could tell that the residents were happy being in the program during my interview day. Everyone was friendly and welcoming from the office staff, to the faculty and residents. The residents support each other, and don’t hesitate to teach one another. I feel that the program takes resident development seriously, helping to make us competitive in pursuit of fellowship placement and attending positions following completion of residency. I know my time as a Mountainside Family Medicine Resident will provide a strong foundation to allow me to be a leader in the Family Medicine community."