Resident Testimonials

Matthew Ajaj, DO
PGY-3

"After growing up in the Garden State and acquiring a B.A. at The College of New Jersey, I made a four-year pit stop in Long Island to attend New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine before rooting back down in NJ for residency. I knew Overlook Medical Center’s Family Medicine program was right for me during my fourth year rotation there, where I was inundated by a bevy of passionate people whose fervor for medicine was matched only by their kindness and compassion for others. Now a PGY-1 in that very program, I have felt supported each day and every step of the way. I may still be green with just a month’s experience under my belt thus far, but with the privilege of working with the excellent faculty and my exemplary co-residents for the next three years, I am confident that I have found the perfect place to cultivate my medical knowledge and skills and maximize my potential as a physician."

Marianna Jolly, MD
PGY-3

"Born and raised in California, I pursued my undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley in Molecular and Cellular Biology. With 3 gap years in between, I eventually decided to make the leap to attend New York Medical College where I received my M.S. as well as my MD. As soon as I found out what family medicine was in my second year of medical school I was hooked. The only thing left to do was find a residency program that emphasized: learning and growth in a positive environment, friendly faculty and peers, diverse patient population, community involvement and a robust mental health curriculum. Furthermore, as a National Health Service Corps Scholarship recipient it was important that my future residency program have ample opportunity to work with medically underserved populations. Overlook Family Medicine residency program fulfilled all these wants with ease. I felt increased confidence in my decision to attend Overlook Family Medicine program after shadowing for a day. The residents appeared to have comradery amongst themselves, with the faculty, and with the leadership of the program. They seemed to have curated a positive environment while continuing to prioritize learning and strong patient care. Now as a new intern, I am constantly affirmed in the impressions made upon me by the program. I feel so fortunate to have found this program and to have the opportunity to learn and work alongside such smart, well rounded colleagues and mentors."

Philip Lena, MD
PGY-3

"I chose Overlook Family Medicine residency because of the people. No other residency program sold themselves to me but Overlook did. They made me feel welcome, valued, and supported from the moment my interview started. My interview with Dr. Tribuna sealed the deal. He was so genuine, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable that I knew I wanted to learn from him and be part of his team. And if the program director is so great, you can imagine how amazing the rest of the faculty and staff are. They are all dedicated, experienced, and passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of family physicians. Overlook Family Medicine residency is more than just a program, it’s a family. I am proud to be an Overlook resident and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to pursue a career in family medicine."

Amanda Labib, DO
PGY-3

"I was born in NJ and have been here my whole life. I received my bachelor’s degree in biology at Rutgers University – New Brunswick and my medical degree from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. I knew I wanted to stay close to home and had always heard nothing but great things about the Overlook Family Medicine program. From the first day of my sub-internship rotation, I was greeted with overwhelming kindness and felt extremely welcomed. The camaraderie among the residents was unmatched which was exactly what I was looking for – a supportive, collaborative environment. I recognized that all the faculty were deeply dedicated to building up strong, well-rounded family physicians and offered great autonomy to residents with their patients. The community that OMC serves also allows me to interact with a diverse population, equipping me to take on various challenges in medicine. I am so grateful to be a part of the Overlook Family Medicine team and I hope to pass on the same spirit and love for teaching and learning that I have experienced as these next few years go by."

Devon Mackey, DO
PGY-3

"I have lived in New Jersey my whole life. I grew up in Wayne in North Jersey, I studied biology at Rider University and then went on to earn my master's degree at Rutgers, and finally my medical education at Rowan University in South Jersey. As a New Jersey native was important to me to stay local when choosing a residency program. While I found that there were many great family medicine programs in NJ, Overlook was the one that stood out from the rest. I felt the residents and faculty were above and beyond in terms of how supportive and welcoming they were on my interview day, and they truly made it feel like a positive environment for me to be able to work and further my medical education. Something that I have always wanted from my medical career is to be able to give back to my community, which is why the strong emphasis on community medicine here at Overlook was so important to me. Since I have started here at Overlook, all of the faculty and residents have been eager at every step of the way to teach and support my goals as I transition into the role of a family medicine physician. I am extremely grateful to be part of the Overlook family, and I am confident my training here will serve me well throughout my career as a family medicine physician."

David Schulman, DO
PGY-3

"When thinking of which residency programs I wanted to apply to, the most important quality for me was working with fun, brilliant, and caring people who promoted a supportive and collaborative learning environment. I went to the University of Delaware for my undergraduate studies in Biology, and then went to medical school at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. During my time at Rowan SOM, I came to Overlook for a sub-internship and I absolutely fell in love with the program. The staff, residents, and faculty were so incredibly welcoming to me as a medical student, and even now as one of the new residents. I think my favorite part about working here, besides my co-residents, is how I never feel afraid to ask questions or make mistakes. There are an abundant number of opportunities for learning and teaching, as well as time for fine-tuning procedural skills. With the new family I’ve made here, I’m extremely confident I will become a well-rounded family physician throughout my time at Overlook Family Medicine." 

Timothy Wenzel, MD
PGY-3

"When I visited Overlook for a “second look,” I was immediately impressed by how close-knit everyone was. Residents and faculty alike seemed to genuinely enjoy and respect one other. Since beginning my intern year, that has proven to be resoundingly true. The entire program is not only invested in your success in medicine, but in who you are as a person. They’ve created an environment where one feels both supported and empowered. The greatest testament to the culture here is how many former graduates choose to return as faculty or stay with Atlantic Health for their careers. When you consider that type of positive environment, along with the opportunity to train at one of the best hospitals in New Jersey, it's easy to see why it’s such a privilege to be a Resident at Overlook Family Medicine."

Jayshree Chauhan, DO
PGY-2

"I was born and raised in the United Kingdom before moving to South Jersey 12 years ago. I completed my undergraduate studies at Rutgers University in New Brunswick and then pursued my medical education at Rowan SOM. During my third year, I found joy in every rotation, which ultimately led me to family medicine. As a fourth-year medical student, I had the privilege of rotating at Overlook Medical Center. From my very first day, I sensed that this was a truly special place to train. The camaraderie among residents, faculty, and staff is unparalleled, creating a supportive environment that fosters growth and collaboration. The clinic offers a wealth of resources to serve our diverse patient population, providing ample learning opportunities at every level of care. I am deeply grateful to train here and eagerly look forward to the next three years as a member of the Overlook family!"

Maria Gomez, MD
PGY-2

"My medical school, Thomas Jefferson university, offered the opportunity to be part of a longitudinal clerkship for 3rd year rotations at Overlook and Morristown hospitals. Through this program I was able to do all my core rotations at both hospitals and I had an amazing experience. I got to work with attendings through all the core specialties and see the dynamics of different specialties within the hospital, which highlighted the positive learning environment throughout the hospital system. For my Family Medicine rotation, I got to work with preceptors, Dr. Baker and Dr. Resciniti and was inspired by their relationships with their patients and felt very involved as a student in patient care. This solidified for me that I wanted to come to this program for residency. I am also very interested in doing a sports medicine fellowship and I knew that AHS had a strong fellowship so I was drawn by the opportunities this program could offer. I was also looking for a program that was close to home in Jersey city and a program that worked in part with Latinx communities.  Overall, I felt the environment in the hospital and the program would be a place where I would be happy to learn, encouraged to grow, and offered the opportunity to expand my interests within family medicine,  and now months into residency I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing program!"

Joseph Melillo, DO
PGY-2

"I was born and raised in North Jersey and went to undergrad at nearby Seton Hall University. After graduating from college, I was a high school teacher for four years in Englewood, NJ before attending RowanSOM. I first was introduced to Overlook Family Medicine through a sub-internship during my fourth year of medical school. From my very first day at the office, I was amazed by how friendly and welcoming the residents and faculty were. I knew early on this was the type of environment I would want to train in for my three years of residency. Overlook also met every other criteria for what I was looking for in a program. There were plenty of opportunities to continue being a teacher by working with medical students, I would be able to work with underserved communities, and I would be able to develop new skills in medical Spanish. I enjoyed learning more about the program and being able to see firsthand how I would be supported and encouraged to pursue my interests within family medicine. I am thrilled to be a part of the team to become the best family medicine physician I can be and to contribute to the culture that makes this program so special."

Jasmine Mortazavi, MD
PGY-2

"I was born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs of Philly in Lower Merion. I went to Drexel University in Philadelphia for my undergraduate degree in Biology.  After graduation, I worked as a basic scientist, taking two gap years before deciding on pursuing my medical degree. I attended medical school at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids, MI. I decided on Family Medicine pretty late in my third year of medical school. I was drawn to Family Medicine and knew it was the right specialty for me when I completed my third year clerkship. It encompassed everything I envisioned for myself as physician; someone who is able to know her patients and provide continuity of care. I also enjoyed how I could explore my other interests, such as behavioral health, addiction medicine, and women’s health. When it came down to applying for residency, I knew I wanted to come back to the North East to be closer to my family and fiancé, who lives in North Jersey. My interview at Overlook Family Medicine program absolutely blew me away. What really sold me and ultimately made me rank Overlook was because of the community that feels like family. Everyone has been so nice and so willing to help make the transition from being a student doctor to resident as smooth as it can be. One of my absolute favorite things about the program are my fellow co-residents! I am excited and eager to see my progress and growth over the next three years in an environment that is warm and so open to teaching. In my spare time, I love being active and doing activities such as hiking or hot yoga."

Taylor Parsons, DO
PGY-2

"I was born and raised in Livingston, NJ, just a short distance from Overlook. I went on to pursue a degree in Molecular Biology at Montclair State University. My journey continued at Rowan SOM for medical school. As you can see, I have yet to leave NJ and have no plans on leaving anytime soon! Therefore, matching at Overlook Family Medicine for residency was truly a dream come true. While I was in medical school, I found myself drawn to every specialty I encountered. I loved learning about the different aspects of medicine and didn’t want to limit myself to just one. This desire to retain a broad scope of practice while also forming lasting and meaningful relationships with my patients naturally led me to Family Medicine. What drew me to Overlook FM was not only its strong reputation as a program but also the people who make it exceptional. Family Medicine is known for its welcoming community; however, Overlook takes it to another level. The warmth and kindness of the residents, attendings, and clinical staff creates an environment that is ideal for patient care and resident education. Our attendings are some of the most empathetic and most intelligent physicians I have ever crossed paths within medicine.  They also encourage you to explore your interests within Family Medicine, which for me include sports medicine, lifestyle medicine, pediatrics, and community health. Here, I feel genuinely supported and encouraged to grow, surrounded by faculty, residents, and staff who aren’t just exceptional mentors and colleagues, but also people who will become lifelong friends."

Sruthi Srinivasan, MD
PGY-2

"I completed my undergraduate studies at Rutgers University, receiving a BA in Cell Biology Neuroscience and Visual Arts, after which, I worked in AmeriCorps for a year. Specifically, I worked in a project to improve access to community resources for the senior demographic in Morris and Sussex counties. From this experience, I became interested in community involvement and education and knew I wanted to incorporate it into my career. This led me to pursue my medical education at Cooper Medical School due to its strong emphasis on community medicine. As a third-year medical student, I realized that Family Medicine was the path for me due to its emphasis on community health education and holistic care. I also wanted to work in a collaborative environment that prioritized residents' wellbeing. During my interview at Overlook Family Medicine, I could really sense the camaraderie among faculty and residents and felt that it provided a positive and nurturing environment to grow as a learner. During my time here, I look forward to receiving a fulfilling educational experience, exploring my interest in geriatrics, as well as bonding with my co-residents. In my free time, I love to draw/paint, sing karaoke with my grandpa, and spend time with family and friends."

Ankita Veta, MD
PGY-2

"I was born in India and moved to the US at 6 years old. Since then, I have spent the vast majority of my life as a Jersey gal: I grew up in Princeton, attended Rutgers University, and worked in New Brunswick for a year before medical school! I got my medical degree at Albany Medical College, and my MPH at Jefferson University. After bopping around the northeast, I am thrilled to be back in the Garden State for residency... especially because it means I get to spend my time learning and working with the wonderful people at Overlook Family Medicine! I could not have imagined a warmer, more supportive environment than OFM. From my co-residents to attendings to office staff, everyone is truly invested in each other's well-being.  I am lucky to be part of a program that fosters both my personal and professional growth!"

Dian Babu, DO
PGY-1

"I was born and raised in Bergen County, and with so much of my family nearby, I knew staying in New Jersey for residency was important to me. I went to The College of New Jersey, where I studied biology and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, and then to Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. I had a wonderful experience rotating in Atlantic Health during my third year and knew I wanted to come back. I was lucky to do a fourth-year sub-internship at Overlook after hearing so many good things about the program from both preceptors and classmates. Overlook has such a strong reputation across the state — and it really does live up to it. From my first day on rotation, I felt completely comfortable here. The faculty, staff, and even patients create an environment that is down-to-earth, welcoming, and natural to learn in. I valued how residents and attendings really practice full spectrum family medicine in this community — from admitting their own patients to the hospital to outpatient continuity visits and procedures. It meant so much to see how everyone truly loves coming to work here — the office really feels like one big family. What stood out to me most was seeing how attendings like Dr. Tribuna and Dr. Gruber as well as senior residents connected with their patients and their families. That kind of trust and continuity is exactly what I hope to build in my own career. After my rotation, I couldn’t stop thinking about this program, and I’m so excited to be starting residency at Overlook! !"

Will Fahy, MD
PGY-1

"As a lifelong New Jersey resident, I had my mind set on staying in the Garden State from the beginning of interview season. Yet as the months dragged on, I found myself conflicted: NJ has so many stellar FM programs, how could I possibly choose one? That internal conflict quickly resolved after spending time with the residents at Overlook Family Medicine, as I had never met a more fun, welcoming, and happy group of medical trainees. They all seemed to have genuine affection for each other, the seniors were fielding an abundance of great job offers, and the interns were getting a top-notch medical education while also maintaining rich social lives outside of the hospital. In essence, this program recognizes that developing stellar family physicians necessitates a recognition that their trainees are more than just residents: they are also husbands, wives, partners, parents, etc. That, in my opinion, is why this program has been so successful for so long. And that is why I couldn’t imagine myself training anywhere else."

Meghan McMullin, MD
PGY-1

"When considering residency programs, I was looking for a warm, supportive culture, a strong emphasis on teaching, and room to grow both personally and professionally. Overlook immediately stood out. The residents seemed genuinely happy—grounded, mature, and full of life experience. The broader OFM community felt close-knit and deeply invested in the program, with many faculty having trained here themselves—a true testament to the environment they’ve built. I was also drawn to the pivotal role Family Medicine plays within Overlook and the Atlantic Health system. As a well-respected and relied-upon specialty, I look forward to the meaningful, hands-on experiences this setting provides. Overlook also aligned perfectly with both my personal life and professional goals. I was raised near the Jersey Shore and have spent most of my life in New Jersey. I earned my undergraduate degree from Princeton University, where I studied Psychology and Neuroscience and competed on the Women’s Track team. After working in Texas as a technology and business consultant and completing a post-bacc at NYU, I returned to NJ to attend medical school at Rutgers RWJMS. With my support system rooted in NJ and NYC, Overlook’s location in Summit, NJ couldn’t be more ideal! I’m especially excited to explore the program’s tracks in sports medicine and lifestyle medicine as I continue to grow in this next phase of training."

Brooke Panzarella, DO
PGY-1

"Originally from Moorestown, New Jersey, I attended medical school at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown, NY. Prior to that, I spent two years serving as an AmeriCorps member in a public health clinic, where my passion for family medicine really began. When it came time to choose a residency, I knew I wanted a program that would support my goals of becoming a well-rounded family physician with a strong commitment to caring for underserved communities— Overlook checked all of those boxes. During my interview, I was drawn to the program’s emphasis on patient-centered care and the strong sense of community among the residents and faculty. I appreciated how supportive and welcoming the environment felt; it was clear this is a place where residents are valued and encouraged to grow. I’m excited to be training at Overlook and confident it’s the right place for me."

Karina Pedetti, DO
PGY-1

"I grew up in Elizabeth, NJ, and volunteered at Overlook Hospital as a pre-med student. Even then, I was struck by how amazing this hospital was, and I dreamed of one day returning as part of my medical career. During my fourth year at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, I returned for a Sub-Internship in Family Medicine, and this experience solidified everything I had felt years earlier. From the residents to the medical assistants and administrative staff, everyone made me feel truly at home! The respect and care they show to each other really stood out to me, but the empathy, dedication and genuine connection with patients is what I valued the most. It was clear this was the kind of physician I aspired to be, and the environment I wanted to train in.

With a large Latinx population, Overlook also offers me the chance to give back to the community I come from which is something that means so much to me. I’m honored to train in a program that values its patients, staff, and residents’ well-being — all while being close to home. I’m grateful and excited to see what the next three years bring!"

Guersom Ralda, MD
PGY-1

"I chose Overlook Family Medicine to complete my training because, as a New Jersey native, I wanted to be close to home without compromising on the quality of training. During my interview and second-look, it was clear the residents were not only competent, compassionate, and culturally-sensitive, but also happy. All thanks to the supportive environment fostered by the faculty - one that is conducive to learning, growth, and well-being. An excellent place to be as a lifelong learner of medicine. Insofar as opportunities and experiences go, Overlook is not lacking in either. Being able to continue to work with underserved and marginalized communities was something I wanted included in my training, in addition to being exposed to the breadth of family medicine - not only to maintain our scope as a discipline, but to eventually open up my own practice. If you’re wondering about this program, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it, and I strongly encourage you to join us!"

Hyun Seung Shin, MD
PGY-1

"I was born and raised in Korea before moving to the United States. I went to high school in Fairfax, Virginia, and completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia where I majored in biomedical engineering. I also completed a post-bac program at Virginia Commonwealth University and worked as a medical scribe for a couple of years before pursuing medical education at VCU School of Medicine. Throughout my clinical rotations, I found myself drawn to every specialty I encountered. I truly enjoyed learning about different aspects of the human body and did not want to confine myself to a single system. This desire to maintain a broad scope of practice and provide holistic care ultimately led me to Family Medicine. I also have a deep passion for community service and participated in various community outreach and volunteer programs throughout my medical journey. I take great pride in becoming a fourth-generation physician in the family and hope to follow in their footsteps by dedicating myself to improving the lives of those I serve. Overlook Family Medicine was my top choice due to their emphasis on serving the community and providing holistic care. Hearing from residents about the supportive faculty and close-knit camaraderie reaffirmed my decision. I am truly honored to join the Overlook Family Medicine and look forward to growing into a compassionate and well-rounded physician over the next three years."