Class of 2026
Haroon Choudry
Medical School: St. George’s University
EM Interests: Sports Medicine, Global Healthcare
Why I Chose HUMC: I love trauma so a big reason has to do with Hackensack being a Level 1 Trauma Center. After meeting Dr. Haji, Dr. Berns and Julia in my interview, I knew this was somewhere I could see myself grow and learn as a practitioner. Also with both the hospital's close ties to local sports, and with the away rotation opportunities outside of the United States, I knew I would be able to pursue my interests inside of emergency medicine as well. I'm also a big fan of NYC.
Fun Fact: I love filming and eventually want to release a culture/food series similar to Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. Also I love animals, and in college I had the chance to buy a horse. His name was Senna.
Nicholas Jensen
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
EM Interests: Sports Medicine, Critical Care, Administration
Why I Chose HUMC: High acuity, diverse patient population, strong support and leadership, close proximity to home, and the ability to learn from a wide range of specialties. I am confident these important elements will ensure I continue to grow as a physician and a person right here at HUMC.
Fun Fact: Former Division-I football player. Enjoy staying active whether it is working out, snowboarding, playing sports, or traveling the world.
Salman Khan
Medical school: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
EM Interests: EMS, Critical Care
Why I chose HUMC: The faculty and residents here at HUMC really helped cultivate a positive learning environment that I had felt like I was able to thrive in when I rotated here as a medical student, and I wanted to continue that experience. That, coupled with the diverse patient population and clinical acuity that comes to this emergency department, made this the ideal opportunity for me to grow as a new provider.
Fun fact: I built my own computer a few years ago, and now spend copious amounts of leisure hours playing video games on it!
Mackenzie Kimball
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Middletown NY
EM Interests: I am interested in ultrasound, anything procedure related, and trauma!
Why I Chose HUMC: I chose HUMC because of location, its high volume of patients, and the fact that they have their own medical school. This meant I’d have the opportunity to get involved with teaching and mentoring other students, which has always been important to me.
Fun Fact: I have a bearded dragon, her name is Pepper, and she loves kale and strawberries!
Patrick Lin
Medical School: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
EM Interests: Medical Education, Critical Care
Why I Chose HUMC: Since my first rotation here as a med student, it's been clear that the EM faculty at HUMC are here to help us grow as physicians and as empathetic humans. Residents are all close to each other. The nursing support and the diversity in patient presentations here are unparalleled. SIM labs are frequent, relevant, and with advanced equipment. The fact that HUMC was just ranked #1 in NJ is just a cherry on top.
Fun Fact: I used to be on a competitive hip-hop dance team in college back in California!
Naiya Patel
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
EM Interests: EMS & Disaster Medicine, Administration, and Sports Medicine
Why I Chose HUMC: I was born and raised in North Jersey, so staying close to home and family was a priority for me. HUMC allows me to not only be close to home, but also get the best clinical experience in order to be a great practicing Emergency Medicine physician. HUMC gives you the ability to see a high-volume of patients, have opportunities to do numerous procedures, practice academically, and have all the resources available to you. HUMC gives you access to all that while being in a supportive environment where the leadership cares about resident wellness. HUMC is also close to NYC and neighboring upcoming towns, so there's always opportunities to relax and have fun when you're not working.
Fun Fact: I survived a Category 5 hurricane, did a medical school semester on a ferry boat, and lived through the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown all during medical school! I love sports, cars, traveling, and am also a certified scuba diver!
Bohdan Semak
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Bradenton
EM Interests: Critical Care, First Response Medicine
Why I Chose HUMC: Hackensack is high-paced, high-volume with complicated patients. Also, when I interviewed here it was one of the more unique interviews where especially the PD showed clear interest in me as a person and future physician.
Fun Fact: I swam in the same pool as Michael Phelps.
Yusteena Shehata-Rizk
Medical School: Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
EM Interests: Procedures, SIM, Sports Medicine, EMS
Why I Chose HUMC: It was very important to me to find a program that 1) is close to my home and my support system 2) has a positive work environment with people I can call family and supportive leadership 3) will not only prepare for post-residency, but will help me become the best physician I can be, through a strong medical knowledge foundation and seeing a large volume of patients with diverse pathologies 4) offers opportunities to explore different subspecialties such as EMS, SIM education, critical care etc. I was able to find all my needs at HUMC. I am grateful for my match and look forward to all the learning I will be doing over the next 3 years!
Fun Fact: I am obsessed with dogs and anything dog! I have a 2-year-old Australian Shepherd who I learned to train myself by reading books and watching videos. I would like to officially study dog training and one day own a dog farm with lots of rescues :) I also love traveling and would love to travel all around the world with my husband! Thailand has my heart.
Daniel Toren
Medical school: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
EM interests: Ultrasound, Education, Sports Medicine
Why I chose HUMC: Having rotated through many departments here during medical school, including the ED, I saw the outstanding patient care that the residents provide and the exceptional education that they receive. I grew up in New Jersey and did all of my education here, from kindergarten through medical school, so coming here for residency was an easy choice!
Fun fact: I‘ve been playing guitar for 15 years and like to write and record music in my spare time.
David Xu
Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, AZCOM
EM Interests: Ultrasound, Medical Education
Why I chose HUMC: I drove across the country completing rotations and sub-internships between San Diego, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Detroit, Boston, and Hackensack. During my time at HUMC, the staff, faculty, and administration were really approachable, friendly, and made a successful learning experience a top priority. I worked a variety of shifts between the adult, pediatric, and trauma/oncology services alongside the resident and attending teams but also one to one with attendings. This program offers great support and a strong educational foundation for new, developing residents as well as the freedom to become a successful, independent Emergency Medicine Physician.
Fun Fact: Two truths and a lie: I got booped by a shark while surfing, I am a world champion martial artist and I have sailed across the Gulf of Bothnia.
Hephziba Yohannan
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
EM Interests: Global EM, Health Policy
Why I chose HUMC: Never thought I'd move to Jersey but the location close to friends and family, the diverse patient population, the high volume and high acuity seen here as well as the focus on wellness and a positive experience during my interview led me here!
Fun fact: I am trilingual and lived in about 6 different states last year! I also love singing, movie nights, and will go out of my way for good sunsets.
Aaron Zohar-Bondar
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Harlem
EM Interests: POCUS, Orthopedic cases
Why I Chose HUMC: HUMC is located 5 mins from where I've lived all my life. There is a diverse patient population, high volume, and excellent education & leadership.
Fun Fact: I was born at Hackensack!