Chief Residents Firm 1 Chief Resident - Galen Ogg, MD: Galen is from Princeton, New Jersey, where she also did her undergraduate studies. She went to medical school at Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia, and is thrilled to stay on with Montefiore for an additional year as chief resident. Firm 2 Chief Resident - Kelsie Pereyra Bencosme, MD: Kelsie is originally from Moca, Dominican Republic, where she completed medical school at Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra before moving to New York City. She has family in New York City and studied here briefly during high school. Montefiore gave her the opportunity to return to the place she had called home and, more importantly, to care for a tremendously diverse patient population. As a chief, she hopes to continue to support residents' growth and contribute to the program's educational mission. In her free time, she listens to podcasts (mostly about medicine and lifestyle), watches sports (soccer, baseball and tennis are her favorites), and tries new dishes and desserts around the city. She plans to pursue a fellowship in cardiology. Firm 3 Chief Resident - Jack Galfund, MD: Jack grew up in Old Tappan, New Jersey. He attended the University at Albany, where he studied biology and Spanish, before earning his medical degree from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. During his internal medicine residency at Montefiore, he developed a strong interest in medical education and mentorship. He plans to pursue a career in academic hospital medicine, with a focus on resident and medical student education. As Firm 3 chief, he is excited to further develop resident education, particularly through bedside teaching and point-of-care ultrasound. In his free time, he enjoys running, snowboarding, and learning about history. Ambulatory Chief Resident - Michael Carducci, MD: Michael grew up outside of Hartford, Connecticut. He graduated from Hamilton College with a degree in biochemistry before moving to Philadelphia for medical school at Sidney Kimmel Medical College. Drawn by the opportunity to care and advocate for underserved patients, he chose Montefiore for residency. As ambulatory chief, he is excited to teach and support residents through their outpatient experience. He is applying for gastroenterology fellowship and hoping to become a clinician educator and hepatologist. Outside the hospital, you can find Michael running in Central Park or along the West Side Highway. Primary Care and Social Internal Medicine Chief Resident - Sahar Shaikh, MD: Sahar was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Wesleyan University, earning a BA in government. While at Wesleyan, she became actively involved in advocacy for refugees and resettlement, and spent time working in refugee emergency response in Lesvos, Greece. Sahar went to medical school at the University of Pittsburgh, where she was a Social Medicine Fellow and founding president of the Pitt Med Human Rights Clinic. Sahar loves primary care and social internal medicine, and its commitment to cultivating physicians who believe in collective liberation and uplifting our Bronx community. She plans on pursuing a career in addiction medicine. In her free time, Sahar enjoys hosting carrom nights for her friends and spending time with her family.
