Maria Joyce Rowena Bernabe, M.D.

Dr. Bernabe earned her medical degree in the Philippines at Ateneo University. She trained and practiced medicine in the Philippines before migrating to the U.S. Her U.S. clinical experience includes residency in Family Medicine at St. John Episcopal Hospital in New York before joining Ghent Family Medicine.

Dr. Bernabe's hobbies are reading, piano, chess, growing orchids and creating flower arrangements. She loves classical, jazz, pop and Tagalog music and watches Jeopardy and comedy shows. She lives with her son Mike, sister Leah and a golden retriever, Schweitzer.

Ellen M. Catalan-Aquino, M.D.

Dr. Catalan-Aquino is a graduate of Saint Louis University in the Philippines. She finished residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at San Juan de Dios Educational Foundation, Inc., and served as a faculty member in the same institution before migrating to the U.S. in 2002. She worked as a medical assistant for a family physician in New Castle, Del., prior to joining the Ghent Family Medicine Residency Program. She intends to pursue fellowship training and concentrate on women’s health care. She loves sports, traveling, cooking, cross stitching and playing with her four-year-old daughter.

Nirvana Hujic, M.D.

Dr. Hujic graduated from the University of Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After graduation she worked as a primary care physician before immigrating to Canada. Prior to coming to EVMS, Dr. Hujic worked as a research assistant at an infertility/andrology practice, and in a family doctor’s office as a physician’s assistant. When not working, Dr. Hujic enjoys spending time with her family exploring this beautiful part of the country.

Vivian Mapanao, M.D.

Dr. Mapanao graduated from St. Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines. She worked as the company physician for few months at Texas Instruments, PI prior to residency. Her clinical interests include minor office procedures, obstetrics and gynecology. Vivian is a travel enthusiast and she loves cooking and photography.

Ahmad Ziaie, M.D.

Dr. Ziaie graduated from Avicenna State Medical College of Kabul, Afghanistan. He had one year of postgraduate training in OB/GYN, and one year in family medicine in Afghanistan. He completed a psychiatry internship at St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers in New York prior to coming to Ghent Family Medicine. His outside interests include swimming and cooking. Dr. Ziaie eventually envisions a career combining clinical practice with the mentoring of new trainees in the field.

Maria Lourdes Nicora-Garrett, M.D.

Dr. Nicora-Garrett graduated from medical school in 1994 at the University of the Republic in her country of origin, Uruguay. She practiced there as a primary-care physician for six years and she has always been involved in family medicine. Dr. Nicora-Garrett moved to Hampton Roads with her husband and daughter from San Diego. Her main areas of interest are women's health, prevention and the care of the elderly.

Bo Lee, M.D.

Dr. Lee graduated from Catholic University of Korea and then completed residency in Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgery at St. Mary's Hospital in Seoul, Korea. She practiced in an ambulatory ENT office in Korea before coming to the U.S. Dr. Lee was active in research in chemosensory perception at a lab at University of California, San Diego before joining Ghent Family Medicine. Her way of thinking is to be proactive, enjoy what you are doing and keep learning.

Fatma Masoud, M.D.

Dr. Masoud graduated from Ain Shams University in Egypt then received a master's degree in Pediatrics. She has extensive experience in primary care and general medicine working in Saudi Arabia. Her areas of interest include Ob/Gyn and working with the underserved community. She likes cooking and spending time with her family.

Theo N. Mwamba, M.D.

Dr. Mwamba graduated from the University of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1992. He practiced general medicine in a rural area and gained some interesting skills in general surgery and obstetrics. Dr. Mwamba is interested in working for underserved areas after his graduation. He enjoys spending time with his family and working out on his days off.

Preeti Saran, M.D.

Dr. Saran graduated from MGM Medical College, Indore, India. She worked a primary care physician and public health medical officer in India before moving to the U.S. Dr. Saran received her MPH from Virginia Commonwealth University before joining Ghent Family Medicine residency. She lives with her son and enjoys movies, socializing and traveling.

Simin Vakily, M.D.

Dr. Vakily graduated from Azad University-Tehran Medical Branch in Iran. She worked as an emergency physician for almost three years in Boushehr, Iran, and after that as a family physician for three years in Tehran, Iran. She likes spending time with her family and friends, swimming, biking, cooking and traveling.

Athena Halol, M.D.

U.S. Clinical Experience: Pediatric extern, private practice of Dr. Nolasco-Alonzo, Hayward, CA, 10/06 - 07/07.

Previous Residency: Senior Internship, U. of the East, PI, 5/00-4/01. Pediatric Residency, U. of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital, Manila, 1/02 - 12/04.

Medical School: M.D., University of the East, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City, PI, grad. April 14, 2000.

Dr. Kuramshyna graduated from Crimean Medical University of Ukraine. She was trained as a neonatologist and worked with sick newborns for several years, before moving to the U.S. Her other experiences include working as a research assistant and as a registered nurse. In addition to clinical areas such as pediatrics and adolescent health, Dr. Kuramshyna is interested in social and business aspects of family medicine. Outside of work, she is an avid traveler and photography enthusiast.

Vidya Nagamangala MBBS, MPH

U.S. Clinical Experience: FP observership at Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation, 4/04 - 8/05. IM extern (hands on) x 2 years, Health South Rehab Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO. GI externship, 6 months, Peak Gastroenterology Associates, Colorado Springs, CO.

Other U.S. Experience: MPH from Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL, 8/02 - 8/04.

Previous Residency: Mandatory Rotating Internship, 4/99-12/99, Tumkur Gen. Hospital, India, continued at K.C. Gen Hospital, India, 12/99 - 9/00. Junior Resident, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, India, 5/01 - 5/02. Research fellow, Dept. of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, India, 2/02 - 8/02.

Medical School: Sri Siddhartha Medical College, India, 11/94 - 4/99, MBBS degree.

Ramani Rangavajhula MBBS, Ph.D.

U.S. Clinical Experience: Observer, inpatient pain mgt, St. Vincent's Hospital, 6/04 - 8/06 (during vacation times summer & winter).

Other U.S. Experience: Assistant Professor, San Jose State U, San Jose, CA, faculty in health science, 8/99 - 07/07. Taught Managed Health Care, Health Economics & the U.S. Health Care System. Ph.D., Old Dominion University, 8/94 - 5/99, Urban Services - Health Services Admin.

Other Clinical Experience: Private practice outpatient clinic, India, 6/91 - 6/94. Saw children and adults for common ailments.

Previous Residency: M.D. in Preventive Medicine & Public Health, Osmania Medical College, India, 5/91 - 6/94.

Medical School: MBBS from Kakatiya Medical College, India, 10/83 - 10/88.

Lina Sosoian, M.D.

U.S. Clinical Experience: Medical Assistant, Glendale Pediatrics, 9/04 - 07/07. Med Asst, Universal Primary Care, 5/04-8/04; Med Assistant, Family Medical Assoc, 8/03 - 5/04. Med Asst, Glendale Family Health Ctr, 7/02- 4/03. Med Asst, Broadway Family Med Ctr, 11/01 - 6/02.

Other Clinical Experience: General practitioner, Al-Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, 8/95 - 5/99.

Previous Residency: General Internal Medicine Residency, Al-Kut Health Institute, Kut, Iraq, 7/93-8/94. General Internal Medicine residency, Baghdad Health Institute, Baghdad, Iraq, 9/94-7/95.

Medical School: Mustansiriyah Medical College, Iraq, 9/87 - 6/93