Chief Residents Firm 1 Chief Resident - Faisal Kirdar: Faisal grew up in Foxboro, Massachusetts (go Pats!) and studied neuroscience at Wesleyan University. After college, he taught high school chemistry in the Mississippi Delta, where he saw firsthand how education, stress, and environment can shape people’s health. That experience helped guide him toward a career in medicine and public health. After completing his MD and MPH at Tulane University, he chose Montefiore for its strong clinical training and the opportunity to work with underserved patients in the Bronx while being closer to family. As chief, he’s excited to give back to the program and take on a larger role as an educator. Outside the hospital, Faisal enjoys cycling, playing chess, and watching standup comedy. On weekends, you’ll often find him biking around the city with his wife, Amanda. After his chief year, he plans to pursue a fellowship in cardiology. Firm 2 Chief Resident - Audrey Lee: Audrey was born and raised in northern New Jersey. She graduated from Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Biology and a master’s degree in Biochemistry. She attended Einstein for medical school, and staying at Montefiore for residency was a natural fit. As chief resident, she hopes to continue improving the program and supporting the community of residents who make Montefiore so special. In the future, Audrey plans to pursue a career in Endocrinology and medical education. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching reality TV, and reading. Firm 3 Chief Resident - Kieran Palumbo: Kieran grew up in The Bronx, NY. He attended Boston College where he studied Biology and English and then graduated from Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University. He was excited to train at Montefiore so he could serve in the community he grew up in. He is currently applying to Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine fellowship and is interested in a career in medical education. As Firm 3 chief he is excited to develop resident critical care and ultrasound education. In his free time he enjoys reading, visiting historical sites, and gardening. PC/SIM Chief Resident - Mostafa Elhakim: Mostafa is from Cairo, Egypt where he graduated from Cairo University School of Medicine before moving to New York for residency. He came to PC/SIM to practice medicine that aligns with his values and that prioritizes people and communities over profit. After chief year, he is interested in a career in primary care with a broad focus on minoritized people, including people affected by HIV, substance use and homelessness. When he is not chipping away at normalized social constructs, he can be found appreciating birds, recreating his mum's recipes for friends, and endlessly knitting incomplete projects. Ambulatory Chief Resident - Rahee Nerurkar: Rahee is from Portland, OR. She went to Washington University in St. Louis where she studied psychology and biology, then returned to the Pacific Northwest to attend medical school at the University of Washington. Finding advocacy and health equity as a calling, Rahee ventured across the country to come to Montefiore for residency in the PC/SIM program. As ambulatory chief, Rahee is excited to teach and support residents in the primary care setting. Rahee plans to pursue a career in geriatrics that also centers climate justice advocacy and medical education. In her free time, nothing makes Rahee happier than sitting down with a good book.
