Meet Our Residents!
Every Med-Peds program will offer similar educational experiences but the residents are really what make each program so unique! Each of our residents plays a vital role in making our residency the best it can be - every single day. All residents are available via their email addresses (listed below); if you have a specific question or similar interest, don't hesitate to directly contact them!
Class of 2027 (PGY4s)
Stephanie Sikkink, DO (Chief)
Hometown: Bruno, MN
Med School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Hospital medicine, Allergy/Immunology, Outside medicine I enjoy Painting with acrylics , exploring new hobbies, and kayaking
Why Geisinger?: “I could tell the residents worked hard, pushed each other and were truly there for the good and bad. I knew I would be fully, supported and allowed to be my goofy self while doing some outstanding training.”
Fun fact : I visited all 50 US states by the time I turned 21!
Email: sjsikkink@geisinger.edu
Abdulla Jastaniah, DO
Hometown: Lorton, VA
Med School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia campus
Interests: Everything, but especially medical education work with Anki. Non-academic interests: beatboxing, stand-up comedy, and distance running
Why Geisinger?: “I did an audition rotation here and fell in love with the people. I came to a strange place knowing no one, and left feeling like I was among family”
Fun fact: In 2013, I was part of the world record for the longest chain of high fives in a row (2,470!)
Email: awjastaniah1@geisinger.ed
Austin Jasnewiski, DO
Hometown: West Allis, WI
Med School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Preventative care and community medicine. Non-academic interests: Board games, fantasy novels, and Dungeons & Dragons. Also everything outdoors.
Why Geisinger? Supportive, continuous professional growth, “I was fascinated by the preventative medicine programs that were highlighted during the interview, and loved the idea of both learning from these programs and being able to use my public health training to add to these programs”
Fun fact: I was part of a group in college that made the world’s largest Rice Krispies treat (totaling over 11,000 pounds!)
Email: arjasniewski@geisinger.edu
Jaimie Mcphedran, DO
Hometown: Naples, FL
Med School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Early childhood development, critical care for the young and young-at-heart, medical education. Non-academic interest: wining and dining, working on complicated puzzles
Why Geisinger? An Impressive reputation and educational opportunities “I instantly felt welcome and at home, and really connected with everyone that I met”
Fun fact: I am a three-time pie eating champion!
Email: jnmcphedran@geisinger.edu
Haleigh Minor, DO (Chief)
Hometown: Green, Ohio
Med School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Inpatient medicine; Non-Academic Interests: Trying new restaurants, cooking/baking , exploring wineries, board games and arts and crafts
Why Geisinger? “The program has a good balance between medicine and pediatrics, and takes genuine interest in your career path and pushing you towards your personal goals. On thing that really stood out to me was how involved Geisinger is in their community and how they give back”
Fun fact: I have a Dalmation and 1 cat (Arya and Capa respectively)
Email: hminor1@geisinger.edu
Class of 2028 (PGY3s)
Kathrine Gaiko, DO
Hometown: Bowling Green, KY
Med School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia
Interests: Everything! But if you are twisting my arm: complex care, women’s health, childhood obesity, knitting, espresso, reading, workout classes, and dreaming about having a dog
Why Geisinger?: “The people. I was blown away by the medical opportunities such as in complex care and longitudinal subspecialty opportunities, but it was the people that made me feel at home. My interview was full of conversation about myself and how to thrive as a person, and I want to give and receive that kind of support.”
Fun fact : One time, I spent 10 days in Italy and ate 49 scoops of gelato. I’m so proud.
Email: kgaiko1@geisinger.edu
Wali Mansour, MD
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Med School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Interests: Addressing health disparities and optimizing care for chronic illnesses such as CHF and diabetes, primary care or double hospitalist, tennis, volleyball, cooking, trying new restaurants
Why Geisinger?: “The residents seemed really well trained to care for any case that came in and there was a strong sense of camaraderie that I appreciated”
Fun fact: I used to be part of an improv comedy team
Email: wmansour@geisinger.edu
Manjoyt Sandhur, DO
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Med School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Autoimmune Diseases, Preventative Care, Allergies, Bhangra, reading, traveling, eating
Why Geisinger? "I knew from day one that this hospital had some of the most supportive and genuine people and I'm reminded of that every day! Combined with its great reputation, it was amazing to find out I would complete my training here!"
Fun fact: I was on a bhangra team in undergrad and was able to compete and host competitions!
Email: msandhur@geisinger.edu
Stacy Terentieva, DO
Hometown: Roslyn, NY
Med School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Adult/pediatric pulmonology & critical care medicine, addiction medicine, adult/pediatric hospitalist medicine, pediatric hematology/oncology, baking, hiking, reading, playing piano
Why Geisinger? "I did a rotation at Geisinger in my fourth year of medical school, and quickly realized that the culture cultivated by the Med-Peds residency is truly unique. This program is home to incredibly welcoming, kindhearted, and supportive individuals. At Geisinger, I will not only be molded into a knowledgeable and skillful physician, but will also become a member of a close-knit family of Med-Peds providers."
Fun fact: I once sang in a female choir at Carnegie Hall in NYC!
Email: sterentieva1@geisinger.edu
Class of 2029 (PGY2s)
Arjun Luthra, MD
Hometown: Friendswood, Texas
Med School: UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine
Interests:
Within medicine: lifestyle and integrative medicine, palliative and complex care, neurodevelopment | Outside medicine: yoga, kirtan(singing devotional hymns), being outdoors, gardening, cooking and spending time with family
Why Geisinger?: “From the interview, I learned that the program leadership were interested in hearing about my values and how they could support me be my authentic self while training"
Fun fact : I have always lived in the USA, but big dreams of living in India someday. Back up plan is to settle on a farm where cows are protected.
Email: aluthra1@geisinger.edu
Max Jones, MD
Hometown: Mesa, AZ
Med School: University of Arizona, College of Medicine Pheonix
Interests: Rural health, primary care, guitar, tabletop role playing games
Why Geisinger? "I loved the culture I saw here, and it seemed like a great place for me and my family."
Fun fact: Jag talar svenska. 🇸🇪
Email: pmjones@geisinger.edu
Andrew Kennedy, DO
Hometown: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Med School: Kansas City University, School of Medicine
Interests: In medicine: global health, either hospitalist or allergy & immunology, public health outreach | Outside of medicine: scuba diving, traveling, building legos, video games, fly fishing, trying new recipes with my girlfriend
Why Geisinger? "It was easy to see how close all of the residents are with faculty and each other. I felt like my dreams are supported and everyone here will do everything they can to help me reach my goals and find my potential!"
Fun fact: Before medical school, I spent a summer conducting Sea Turtle Research and Saving Baby Sea Turtles
Email: ajkennedy1@geisinger.edu
Juan Gonzalez Salazar, DO
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Med School: NSU Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Primary Care, Rural Medicine, Mentoring, Anime, Tattoos, Gaming
Why Geisinger? ”Everyone was really nice, I could tell the residents really careabout eachother and were very supportive. I also wanted to move back to PA and be closer to home.
Fun fact: I have watched every Zombie movie at least twice.
Email: jcgonzalezsalazar@geisinger.edu
Class of 2030 (PGY1s)
Gibran Merchant, DO
Hometown: Dubai, U.A.E
Med School: KHSU-KansasCOM
Interests: Outside of Medicine: Legos, Foodie, Movies, Poetry, Scuba Diving
Inside of Medicine: Can I say everything? I don't know what I want to do
Why Geisinger? During my Sub-I, I realised that Geisinger is a place that emphasised resident wellness and opportunity. The residents, faculty and staff took care of each other. They celebrated on the good days, and supported one another on the bad days. It was clear that Geisinger would teach me the skills to be a physician while nurturing me into a kind, compassionate physician.
Favorite thing to do around Danville: Walking by the River!
Fun Fact: I've explored a ship wreck at 90 feet deep OR I've lived in 3 different countries across multiple cities (pick whichever one you find most interesting)
Email: gzmerchant1@geisinger.edu
Emily Parker, DO
Hometown: Waxhaw, NC
Med School: Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Complex Care; Interested in reading thriller books, playing on my Nintendo Switch, and exploring new cities with my husband!
Why Geisinger? The sense of being "at home" that I felt from the moment I started on my Sub-I! Everyone I interacted with was (and continues to be) so nice and really wants to see us succeed!
Favorite part thing to do around Danville: Sweet treats! Rita's and Hunter's Ice cream.
Fun fact:
Email: eparker6@geisinger.edu
Cassy Sammarco, DO
Hometown: Hillsborough, NJ
Med School: LMU-DCOM
Interests: I really enjoy critical care and anything hands-on! Outside of medicine, I love to read, spend as much time outside as possible, cooking/eating, and spending time with my partner, family, and friends. I also love any and all crafts!
Why Geisinger? Geisinger has been the most welcoming program with the most supportive people I have ever met. It truly feels like joining a big family where everyone helps everyone else succeed in their professional and personal lives.
Favorite part thing to do around Danville: Trivia Nights at Old Forge! (When we can get there); I also love that we all live so close to each other.
Fun Fact: I love coffee and tea so I worked as a barista during med school
Email: csammarco1@geisinger.edu
Emily Joy Seminara, MD
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
Med School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
Interests: Allergy & immunology, food allergy research, and getting to take care of both kids and adults! Outside of medicine, I love crocheting/crafting, trying new restaurants and cuisines, finding a good coffee shop, cozy video games, and hanging out with my husband and our cats
Why Geisinger? I wanted a Med-Peds program where I could broaden my experiences and diversify my training while being part of a close-knit community. Geisinger offered that balance, and the warmth of the residents and faculty made it feel like a home away from home.
Favorite thing to do around Danville: The Saturday markets! I love that I can easily get local produce and really solid baked goods. Also I've enjoyed perusing antique stores and stumbling upon items older than our country. Love the history and that my house was built in the 1880s.
Fun Fact: After college, I lived in France for a year and taught English at a French high school!
Email: ejseminara@geisinger.edu
Caitlynn Smith-McGregor, DO
Hometown: Salem, SD
Med School: Pacific Northwest University
Interests: Rural Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Complex Care; Spending time with my husband and son, reading.
Why Geisinger? I fell in love with the people and the culture of learning and excellence during my sub-I. It was clear to me Geisinger is not just a place that will help you grow to be a great physician but will also push you to become the best person you can be.
Favorite thing to do around Danville:
Fun Fact: I was the South Dakota state champion in dairy judging. 🐮
Our Furry Family (unofficial residents)
