Congratulations to the Chief Resident Class of 2025
Jul 1, 2025
The 含羞草研究所 Downstate Department of Surgery congratulates Dr. Omar Eldeib, Dr. Eiman Ghaffarpasand, Dr. Crisanta H. Ilagan, Dr. Edwin Jimenez, Dr. Zhida A. Jin, Dr. Marla Sacks, and Dr. Yi Song on their graduation from the general surgery residency program. The department is extremely proud of all they have accomplished and looks forward to their future careers taking care of surgical patients in a diverse array of specialties all over the nation (full list here).
The Department of Surgery hosted a wonderful graduation night at Giando on the Water. Chief residents, their family and friends, faculty, residents, and department staff were all in attendance. Each chief recieved a special introduction from a faculty member, followed by a few minutes to impart their experience and wisdom to the audience. The department awards were presented (full list below). Chief resident highlights included Dr. Marla Sacks receiving the Golden Apple Award, a medical student award to a chief resident for excellence in teaching, and Dr. Zhida Jin winning the Thomas Pollock Chief Resident Award, a faculty award to a chief resident exemplifying Dr. Pollock鈥檚 professionalism, compassion, and dedication. The evening ended with a chief-resident led cake cutting and dancing with a live DJ. The graduation night was a cumulation of a month鈥檚 worth of celebrating and honoring the chief residents.
The chief residents were invited to give a Grand Rounds Talk, a series revered by
the Downstate Surgery community. Dr. Yi Song gave an impactful talk entitled 鈥淪cale:
From Ambition to Purpose,鈥� where she described the importance of learning to appreciate
each step on the journey, as opposed to fixating on the destination.
Dr. Zhida A. Jin鈥檚 talk was entitled 鈥淎nger Management: 鈥楢n Unconventional Barometer
in Residency.鈥欌�� Dr. Jin imparted insightful advice to the residents on emotional management
and strategies to deal with difficult situations in residency.
Dr. Crisanta H. Ilagan gave an inspiring talk 鈥淭he Unlikely Surgeon: My Journey of Persistence, Presence, and Possibility,鈥� where she described her incredible life journey from growing up in the Philippines to immigrating to the United States to the multiple challenges and barriers she overcame to ultimately matriculate into surgery residency and become the incredible surgeon she is today.
Dr. Marla Sacks gave an inspiring talk entitled, 鈥淲earing the White Coat: 鈥楥hallenges, Growth, and Purpose in Surgical Training,鈥欌�� in which she discussed the motivators and purpose that drove her through residency, including meaningful global surgery service trips.
Awards
Outstanding PGY-1: Dr. Evelyn Ross
Outstanding PGY-2: Dr. Lauren Thau
Outstanding PGY-3: Dr. Pablo Cuartas
Outstanding PGY-4: Dr. Sagar Rohondia
Theo Lewis Advancement Award: Dr. Antonio Klaroudas
Warren Wetzel Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Lance Jung
Outstanding Junior Faculty Award: Dr. Kelsey Ensor
Outstanding Program Director Award: Dr. Natasha Becker
Surgical Olympics: A Cut Above the Rest
Golden Apple Award: Dr. Marla Sacks
Thomas Pollock Chief Resident Award: Dr. Zhida Jin
Warren Widmann Master Teacher Award: Dr. Francisca Velcek
Erfan Faridmoayer Award for Outstanding Citizenship: Dr. Claire Ferguson