Maria Gomez-Caraballo, MD
- Future Plans: A combination of inpatient/outpatient care, palliative care, geriatrics
- Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine
- Undergraduate School: Mount Holyoke College
- Hometown: Cartagena, Colombia
What I like about our program: The program's warm, welcoming, and supportive culture stood out from day one.
What I like about Greensboro: I am impressed with this diverse city. It has a lot of things I need: great weather, fun things to do downtown, good eats/drinks, easy access to parks/trails, quick train/drive to the mountains and the beach!
Other interests: Walking/hiking with my dog and partner, playing board games with friends, enjoying quality time with family, dancing, reading non-fiction books/audiobooks, taking spin classes, and more!
Joseph Goodwin, DO
- Future Plans: Work as a hospitalist or specialize in cardiology or critical care
- Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Undergraduate School: Oglethorpe University and The University of South Alabama
- Hometown: Mobile, AL
What I like about our program: I love the small size of the program while still being able to learn in a big community hospital. It creates a good environment for a close-knit group of residents and exposure to various patients and pathologies.
What I like about Greensboro: I love being near to the mountains but also having access to a large city with good food and fun.
Other interests: Soccer, cooking, and traveling.
Michael McLendon, MD
- Future Plans: Hospital Medicine or outpatient general internal medicine in rural NC
- Medical School: UNC Chapel Hill
- Undergraduate: UNC Chapel Hill
- Hometown: Wilmington, NC
What I like about our program: I like the small class size and the location in Greensboro
What I like about Greensboro: It's a cool medium sized city--an easy place to live and move around in--with big city attractions like the Tanger Center for Performing Arts and the Greensboro Coliseum which hosts the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
Other interests: Backpacking, reading science fiction, spending time with my family and friends
Saad Nooruddin, MD
- Future Plans: At the moment, becoming a hospitalist before moving on to private practice
- Medical School: Saint George's University School of Medicine
- Undergraduate School: University of Miami (Go Canes!)
- Hometown: Port Saint Lucie, FL
What I like about our program: The interview process made me feel like I was talking to people I’d known for years! Also, the drug and addiction medicine rotation is something I didn’t see in any other program, and is a passion of mine, which made Cone Health a perfect fit for me.
What I like about Greensboro: I love the fact that its a small city with such a big city feel! I’m also a huge basketball fan so I’ll definitely be at the ACC tournament this year!
Other interests: Singing, playing guitar and piano, basketball (Go Heat!), and tennis!
Amar Patel, DO
- Future Plans: I desire to go into a rural area to practice hospital medicine
- Medical School: Edward Via College Of Osteopathic Medicine
- Undergraduate School: East Carolina University
- Hometown: Albemarle, NC
What I like about our program: The thing I like most about the program is how family oriented it is. It is very welcoming and provides a great environment for new interns to learn in without being intimidated. Another factor I like about the program is that the size of the program allows everyone to get to know each other well, which in turn allows for great patient care.
What I like about Greensboro: I love that Greensboro is not too big of a town, but yet not too small of a town. There are diverse food options and lots of activities always going on.
Other interests: I love all kinds of sports. My favorite is basketball for sure. In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball, watching TV shows, and building puzzles.
Michael Zheng, DO
- Future Plans: I am still undecided on whether or not to pursue a fellowship. However, I hope to practice in NC afterwards since I grew up here and love the area.
- Medical School: Campbell University of Osteopathic Medicine
- Undergraduate School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Hometown: Reidsville, NC
What I like about our program: I like the size of the program and the direct interactions between residents and faculty. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming which helps with the transition to residency.
What I like about Greensboro: I love the diverse culture here and the many food options available. The area has a lot to offer as it continues to grow. It is also a short drive to the mountains or the beaches.
Other interests: Cooking (my parents owned a restaurant), video games, and hiking.
Prince Amoako, MD
- Future Plans: As a Captain in the United States Air Force, my goal is to serve as a Flight Surgeon, providing primary care to service members and their families. In the future, I plan to transition into a subspecialty in Interventional Nephrology.
- Medical School: AUA College of Medicine
- Undergraduate School: University Of North Carolina Charlotte
- Hometown: Charlotte, NC
What I like about our program: I was immediately drawn to the program's diversity and inclusive culture following my interview. The faculty demonstrates genuine support for each resident’s individual goals and goes above and beyond to help them succeed. Their commitment and care are truly remarkable.
What I like about Greensboro: Greensboro offers an ideal setting for residency training due to its proximity to home and its rich cultural diversity, which I deeply appreciate.
Other interests: Music, traveling and fishing
Emily Bender, DO
- Future Plans: Hospital Medicine
- Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Undergraduate School: Robert Morris University
- Hometown: Ashville, Pa
What I like about our program: The welcoming environment and friendliness that I was able to notice during the interview. Along with a smaller class size in a larger hospital for more support and guidance during residency!
What I like about Greensboro: I truly enjoy having the mountains nearby along with many state parks for hiking. The city itself is pretty with many parks and offers numerous activities to do.
Other interests: I enjoy hiking, walking my dogs, and hanging out with my friends, family, and of course my cat!
Tyler Ingold, DO
- Future Plans: Undecided, perhaps Cardiology Fellowship
- Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Undergraduate School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Christopher Juberg, DO
- Future Plans: Undecided - I am interested in everything internal medicine has to offer!
- Medical School: VCOM Carolinas
- Undergraduate: NC State University
- Hometown: Asheboro, NC
What I like about our program: Growing up in the triad, I appreciate Cone's good reputation and access to all things IM. I also like that the program has a relatively small cohort each year. For me, that makes for a closer and better training environment with mentors and fellow residents.
What I like about Greensboro: Greensboro is a pleasant city, truly "green" with many great parks, and has convenient access to the rest of NC.
Other interests: Being outdoors, gardening, national parks, pro golf and football, The Office, being with my family
Julius Koomson, MD
- Future Plans: Hospitalist or Fellowship in Critical Care
- Medical School: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Undergraduate School: UNC, Charlotte
- Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana
What I like about our program: I like the small size of the program, and the direct interactions between residents and faculty.
What I like about Greensboro: Diverse city with plenty of food options, also central to other travel locations.
Other interests: Cooking, playing ping pong, watching soccer
Roya Tawkaliyar, DO
- Future Plans: Combination of Inpatient and Outpatient Care, Critical Care and Pulmonology Fellowship
- Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Carolinas
- Undergraduate School: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Hometown: Delhi, India
What I like about our program: I absolutely love the warm welcoming environment, friendly faculty and residents, and its unwavering culture of support.
What I like about Greensboro: It is a vibrant city that offers multitudes of diversity and recreational activities!
Other interests: I LOVE baking new desserts. I enjoy traveling, spending time with family, hiking, outdoor activities, and watching movies.
Jaden Amilibia, DO
- Future Plans: Fellowship in either Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, or something else that’ll surprise me!
- Medical School: Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Undergraduate School: Southern Methodist University
- Hometown: Dallas, Texas
What I like about our program: Everyone is incredibly smart and kind, making North Carolina feel like I’ve been here for years!
What I like about Greensboro: It’s a perfect middle ground between small town vibes with big city amenities with an airport 10 minutes away.
Other interests: Major League Baseball, spending time with my husband and our dog Uchi, and exploring new restaurants!
Maryam Azadegan, MD
- Future Plans: Still figuring it out! I know I want to specialize, but I’m keeping an open mind and letting my experiences shape the path ahead.
- Medical School: Jahrom University of Medical Sciences
- Undergraduate School: Combined MD program
- Hometown: Shiraz, the city of poem, gardens, and warm memories
What I like about our program: Supportive attendings, real teamwork, friendships that feel like family, and the freedom to grow while being genuinely cared for. It’s a place that truly values both skill and soul.
What I like about Greensboro: Peaceful but not boring! Friendly people, beautiful nature, and good spots for long walks.
Other interests: Painting, swimming, cooking Persian dishes, spending time with my husband and friends, and squeezing in a workout or a game night whenever life allows.
Rosalyn D’Mello, DO
- Future Plans: Undecided, but excited to see where the next three years will take me!
- Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas Campus
- Undergraduate School: North Carolina State University
- Hometown: Salisbury, NC
What I like about our program: The faculty, staff and residents here have created such a warm and welcoming learning environment! Everyone is so friendly and always willing to help.
What I like about Greensboro: Greensboro has a nice downtown area with some great restaurants. I like that it is centrally located with access to the mountains, the beach and more!
Other interests: I enjoy reading, traveling and playing pickleball.
Emilie Rihner, DO
- Future Plans: Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology
- Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn Campus
- Undergraduate School: Auburn University
- Hometown: Mobile, AL
What I like about our program: The people: Everyone is so kind, welcoming and supportive. It was clear to me from the interview and second-look, but getting to experience the culture now as an intern has made the start of this new experience both easier and more exciting.
What I like about Greensboro: The city is absolutely beautiful, and I love how there are trees everywhere! This is the largest city that I have lived in, and I’m really enjoying all that it has to offer in restaurants, walking trails, and shopping.
Other interests: I enjoy baking, building Legos, watching TV, and traveling.
Nathanael Smucker, MD
- Future Plans: Rural hospitalist or hybrid hospitalist/primary care
- Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Undergraduate School: Liberty University
- Hometown: Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea
What I like about our program: I like the family friendly atmosphere of the program and being in a community-based program.
What I like about Greensboro: I like being close to friends and family nearby. There are also a lot of greens spaces and opportunities to get outdoors. There is never any traffic and the cost of living is great.
Other interests: I enjoy cooking, disc golf, traveling, and spending time with my family.
Olivia King, DO
- Future Plans: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at The Ohio State University, followed by a pediatric rehab fellowship.
- Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Undergraduate School: East Tennessee State University
- Hometown: Knoxville, TN
What I like about our program: When selecting a residency, I was drawn to Cone Health by the people and the enthusiasm surrounding the teaching environment.
What I like about Greensboro: Greensboro is a wonderful city with great food and beautiful parks.
Elliott Lyles, DO
- Future Plans: After my intern year in Greensboro, I will return to Charleston, SC to complete a dermatology residency at the Medical University of South Carolina.
- Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas Campus
- Undergraduate School: Clemson University
- Hometown: Charleston, SC
What I like about our program: From my interview day, the Cone Health Internal Medicine program felt like home. The community is incredibly welcoming, and the people here are not only kind, but genuinely passionate about teaching. I was especially drawn to the program’s strong commitment to medical student education, and I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute to that by teaching and mentoring students during my training.
What I like about Greensboro: As a South Carolina native, I have to say – North Carolina is a beautiful place. Everywhere I go, I’m met with kindness and warm welcomes. I’ve loved getting to know the local school rivalries and everyone’s go-to beach vacation spots. One thing I’ve noticed: when people here say “Carolina,” they mean the Tar Heels- not the Gamecocks…which, as a Clemson fan, always gives me a good laugh!
Other interests: I love working out (I’m routinely humbled by my CrossFit companions), hiking, and doing yoga. I also love to sing and am looking forward to joining a local choir. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with the people who’ve supported me along the way.
Diana Nguyen, MD
- Future Plans: Radiology at UNC Chapel Hill. Undecided, but maybe Pediatrics or MSK Radiology.
- Medical School: UNC School of Medicine at Chapel Hill
- Undergraduate School: UNC Chapel Hill (yes…I’m a triple Tar Heel!)
- Hometown: Greensboro, NC
What I like about our program: I really enjoy the tight-knit group – my co-interns are fabulous, the upper-level residents are so helpful and welcoming, and all of the attendings have been very supportive.
What I like about Greensboro: I love the green spaces and the fact that there is barely any traffic!
Other interests: Working out, playing with my dog, Nike, doing puzzles or playing board games, reading, traveling, cooking and eating (especially spicy foods!)
Dawson Tan, MD
- Future Plans: Diagnostic Radiology Residency at Wake Forest
- Medical School: UT Health, San Antonio
- Undergraduate School: The University of Alabama
- Hometown: Myersville, MD
What I like about our program: Cone has a very warm and welcoming community that makes it easy to learn and deliver excellent patient care.
What I like about Greensboro: The weather, variety of green spaces/trail systems, access to the mountains and beaches in NC.
Other interests: College Football, Photography, Running.
