Current Residents

Nigel Dsouza, M.D. PGY-IV Resident Physician 
Medical School: Atlantic University School of Medicine, St. Lucia
Undergraduate School: University of Akron, Akron, OH

• Meet Dr. Dsouza

  I chose ETSU Psychiatry due to the approachability of faculty and residents, which was quite evident during my interview. My hobbies include: watching/playing sports, playing videogames, hiking, eating varieties of food, and enjoying time with friends and family.  Being originally from Ohio, I am truly appreciative of the wonderful weather and the southern charm Johnson City offers. During my 3-year tenure at this program, I am honored to have worked with my co-residents and faculty who have become like family.  

Preston Helmly, M.D. PGY-IV Resident Physician
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC
Undergraduate School: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
   

• Meet Dr. Helmly

  I chose ETSU for the supportive and approachable people, as well as for the beautiful area. The attendings and residents are very approachable and always willing to answer questions. They have truly helped to make Johnson City feel like a home and have made residency a truly enjoyable time. Johnson City is a beautiful area that has a huge amount of outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, camping, and more. It has all the amenities a person could need and is only a short drive away from other cities.  My interests include hiking, kayaking, gardening, and cooking. 

David Jensen, D.O. PGY-IV Resident Physician
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harrogate, TN
Undergraduate School: Wright State University, Dayton, OH  

• Meet Dr. Jensen

  I chose ETSU because of the resident camaraderie and friendly atmosphere. The staff, residents, and faculty were super friendly on interview day, and I felt welcomed here. This perception held true, and I feel well supported by my colleagues, staff, and attending physicians. Johnson City is a great place to live, with a friendly culture, affordable cost of living, and plenty of natural beauty. In my spare time, I love hanging out with family and dog. My interests include foreign languages, travel, and nature.  

Krupa Nataraj, M.D. PGY-IV Resident Physician
Medical School: St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
Undergraduate School: University of Maryland, College Park, MD 

• Meet Dr. Nataraj

  I chose ETSU because of the beautiful area, approachable faculty and staff, and the welcoming residents in the program. I have been far away from my family in Washington D.C., but I have gotten so much support from everyone here that it feels like home. There are a lot of outdoor activities within an hour of Johnson City, and the weather is wonderful. In my free time, I enjoy dancing (different styles from around the world), cooking, baking, spending time with my friends, and hanging out with my puppies! 

Carrie Robey, M.D. PGY-IV Resident Physician
Medical School: ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, TN
Undergraduate School: Drake University, DesMoines, IA 

• Meet Dr. Robey

  My favorite thing about our ETSU Psychiatry program is by far its people. Any ACGME accredited program will provide the training you need to be a good psychiatrist--it's the "rest of the story" that makes our program so special. In our program, people care about each other and about the patients we serve, which makes for a great place to train. I have 3 beautiful daughters and have been married to my husband for 15 years--so my spare time and hobbies revolve around them (my greatest blessings!). We love to bike, hike, go to Dollywood (pro tip: get a season pass!), fly airplanes, and just be together in general. This is a phenomenal place to raise a family, and I do find that our program makes wellness and work/life balance an important priority--which was a "must have" for me. My family loves it here, which makes training here that much more satisfying. There is never a shortage of things to do, and we have great weather to do it in! 

Tamie Wells, M.D. PGY-IV Resident Physician
Medical School: ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, TN
Undergraduate School: North Caroline State University, Raleigh, NC 

• Meet Dr. Wells

  I have lived in beautiful Northeast TN for most of my life. I majored in Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Biosciences and Leadership. After graduation, I enjoyed working as an engineer until deciding to go to medical school in Johnson City, TN.  

  My free time revolves around my husband, 3 children, and 2 doggies (Labs). We all enjoy spending time outdoors (hiking and biking), exploring new restaurants, and trying new foods. We also like to travel, scuba dive when we get a chance, and usually have some type of family project going on (like building a potato cannon!).  

  One thing that I especially like about this residency program is that, in addition to our core curriculum, our program offers several training opportunities for residents to broaden their training experience. Currently we have electives in Palliative Care, ECT, Sleep Medicine, Whole Health, Pain, and Substance Abuse. 

  Reason I chose ETSU: Excellent teaching faculty, great camaraderie amongst residents, exposure of different specific subspecialties/electives to maximize one's knowledge and interests in the field of psychiatry.

   

Sarah Falk, M.D. PGY-III Resident Physician
Medical School: St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
MS in Human Nutrition: Columbia University, New York, NY


Undergraduate School: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 

• Meet Dr. Falk

  My roots are in St. Petersburg, Florida, although I have spent many happy years both in New York City and the United Kingdom. 

  I'm an urbanite at heart, and although Johnson City is smaller than what I'm used to, I have found serenity in being able to spend my residency in the mountains, with its resplendent views and southern hospitality. Professionally, my main interests are in child and adolescent psychiatry, a field which I hope to pursue via fellowship following residency training, and in the healthcare of and advocacy for marginalized groups, particularly (but not limited to) LGBT+ individuals.  

  Outside of psychiatry, my personal interests include science fiction, theatre and musical theatre (particularly Broadway), trivia nights, escape rooms, and British comedy. There is a particular place in my heart for the various pursuits of Queen guitarist Brian May, including stereoscopic (3-D) photography, astronomy, and animal welfare advocacy. 

   

Syed Hasan, D.O. PGY-III Resident Physician
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, MO
Undergraduate School: University of Illinois, Champaign, IL 

• Meet Dr. Hasan

  I chose ETSU for the following reasons: 

  Serving two of the biggest hospital systems in the region, the ETSU psychiatry residency program provides its residents with some great clinical experiences. Being in a region hit particularly hard by the opioid epidemic, there are plenty of opportunities to learn the skills necessary to manage this type of patient population for those interested in addictionology. Additionally, Johnson City serves as an affordable town with short commutes with beautiful mountain views all around, offering a good change of pace from the chaos of major cities that I grew up in. I often catch myself staring off at the sun hitting the beautiful mountains that are plentiful in this area on my way to work! All of this, combined with friendly attendings and co-residents, made ETSU my choice for residency. 

   

Deep Kalariya, M.D. PGY-III Resident Physician
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Antigua and Barbuda
Undergraduate School: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 

• Meet Dr. Kalariya

  I chose ETSU because of resident camaraderie and friendly atmosphere I experience during my interview. I'm so glad that I picked this program because my initial perception held true and we have excellent faculty who are friendly, approachable, and dedicated to teaching.   

  I am fascinated by the area and the outdoor opportunities it has to offer, such as hiking, kayaking, tubing, and camping. I like looking at the mountains as I drive to work. In my spare time I like playing golf, cooking, and traveling. 

Christina Largent, D.O. PGY-III Resident Physician
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, MO
Undergraduate School: Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA  

• Meet Dr.  Largent

  I was born and raised in Norristown, Pennsylvania (right outside of Philadelphia). From a young age, I was introduced to medicine by my father, an OB/GYN who encouraged me to pursue a career as a physician. 

  I have family in Tennessee, which first prompted me to consider it as a potential site for a residency, but it is the people and the experience thus far that have encouraged me to consider making it a permanent home even after residency. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to train at ETSU, and my hope is to graduate and continue practicing in or around the East Tennessee area. I am also still considering further fellowship training. 

  I met my husband when I moved here for residency, and in my spare time I love to be with him and my step-son. I enjoy family time, walks and hikes, eating, shopping, visiting the animal shelter to play with kittens, and the various activities that downtown Johnson City has to offer. 

Sri Pallavi Morampudi, M.D. PGY-III Resident Physician
Medical School: Rangaraya Medical College, Andhra Pradesh, India
MS in Mental Health Counseling: Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA
Undergraduate School: Rangaraya Medical College, Andhra Pradesh, India 

• Meet Dr. Morampudi

  I have lived in big cities all my life, and after coming to TN, I realized what I had missed all these years. ETSU is in a beautiful city surrounded by mountains and nature. Easy commute, affordable living, good restaurants, friendly people, a great place to raise kids, and lots of hiking trails. 

  The good things about the residency program are friendly co-residents, approachable faculty, light call schedules, and exposure to both VA and non-VA patient populations. Being exposed to lot of substance issues in the patient population has motivated me to think about an addiction fellowship.   

  Apart from work, I love spending time with my family, gardening, hiking with friends, taking long, scenic drives, and cross-country driving. I have travelled to 25 states and hope to complete the remaining states soon.  

Clay Blanchett, M.D. PGY-II Resident Physician
Medical School: ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, TN
Undergraduate School: University of TN, Knoxville, TN 

• Meet Dr. Blanchett

  In my spare time, you’ll find me with my wife, five-year-old daughter, and three-year-old son, spending time outdoors enjoying the beautiful Smoky Mountains. I was previously a professional guitarist for many years as well, and still love to play music.  

  ETSU Psychiatry is a perfect fit as it serves the region I have always called home. The faculty, staff, and residents here have made me feel like part of an even bigger family!  

Katelyn Cserjes, M.D. PGY-II Resident Physician
Medical School: St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
Undergraduate School: University of West Georgia, Carrollton , GA 

• Meet Dr. Cserjes

  I mainly chose this program because of the people. You get so much support here from staff and attendings that you do not feel overwhelmed. My closest family lives a four hour drive away, which is the perfect distance for long weekend trips but not, as my mother says, "close enough for Sunday dinners." The residents here became my family away from family (you know, like home away from home?). In terms of the location, the area here is absolutely beautiful and provides you with a lot of outdoor activities. There are multiple hiking, camping, and bike riding places within a reasonable distance. An attending offers a chance to go spelunking once a year (completely worth it, by the way). You can even rent a boat and chill out on the lake for a day. There is something for everyone. 

Praveen Fernandopulle, M.D. PGY-II Resident Physician
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Antigua and Barbuda
MSC in Bioinformatics: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY
Undergraduate School: University of Texas, San Antonio, TX 

• Meet Dr. Fernandopulle

  As a US Air Force veteran myself, I love the opportunity to work for my fellow veterans at the Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Medical Center. ETSU’s affiliation with one of the largest VA hospitals in the nation was amongst many reasons I chose this program. 

  Johnson City is surrounded by beautiful mountains, a nice break from the busy life of big cities. In my free time my wife and I like to go on hikes, explore new cuisines, and continue to add to our ever-expanding list of international destinations.  

Jeuel Paña, M.D. PGY-II Resident Physician
Medical School: St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies
Undergraduate School: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada 

• Meet Dr. Paña

  I have a huge passion for keeping up with fitness, especially strength training, which gives my mind and body a chance to reset. It is actually more than just a hobby; it is a lifestyle. I enjoy watching horror films, which give me a rush of adrenaline in entertainment. During my spare time, I look forward to traveling, and many of my favorite cities to visit are in Europe. I am also someone who never says no to karaoke! 

  I chose to train at ETSU because of how close-knit everyone is within the residency program. It makes training a fun experience, not to mention our adventures in the scenic and endless outdoors! 

Sarvatit Patel, D.O. PGY-II Resident Physician
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harrogate, TN
Undergraduate School: State University of New York, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 

• Meet Dr. Patel

  I chose ETSU because of the natural beauty of the area, the affordability, and the sense of well-being that the residents of the program emanated. 

  My hobbies include hiking, white water rafting, biking, traveling/road trips, gardening, exploring small cities and towns, discovering new foods/eateries, playing pickup basketball, watching NBA, and tech. I am also an electronics enthusiast. I am an avid car enthusiast and would love to one day have a blog/website/YouTube channel where I can test drive and write reviews on anything from a Ford to a Ferrari.  

Phillip Glass, M.D. PGY-I Resident Physician
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada
Undergraduate School: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 

• Meet Dr. Glass

  Johnson City is nestled in the Ridge Valley Region of the Appalachian Mountains, which makes for pretty amazing outdoor activities. After four years of intense study in medical school, it has been great to live in an area where you can really delve into some unique outdoor adventures. Mountain biking is a very popular hobby in the area, though I enjoy long hikes with my wife and our dog. We have been able to explore beautiful waterfalls, crystal clear streams, and richly-scented hemlock forests.  

  Aside from the breathtaking natural beauty, the program has been truly welcoming. Starting a residency in the midst of a global pandemic is certainly a challenge, but our administrators have made it as smooth as possible. Our COVID procedures are regularly updated with policies that take into consideration the ever-changing environment. I appreciate that we have a program that takes residents into consideration as it develops policies for the hospitals and clinics. 

James Kim, M.D. PGY-I Resident Physician
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada
MA in Medical Sciences: Boston University, Boston, MA
Undergraduate School: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

• Meet Dr. Kim

  Coming to ETSU was a pretty big change and a decision I am so glad to have made. I am originally from NYC, so the move to TN was a pretty dramatic one. The changes from big city life to a quieter town were definitely something to get used to. But ETSU and Johnson City grow on you really fast, and with the friendly people, both in the psychiatry program and all over town, that transition was so much easier. I came to value the program for the close support that you could immediately feel among the residents and with the faculty.  

  When I’m not being a psychiatry resident, I’m usually hanging out with my two kids, aged 3 and 8 months. They’re definitely a bundle of energy, but the many parks and nature trails keep them well and busy. 

Hemraj Persaud, M.D. PGY-I Resident Physician
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Undergraduate School: York University, Toronto, Canada  

• Meet Dr. Persaud

  I chose ETSU because of the amazing teaching faculty and the camaraderie amongst residents.  Johnson City is a beautiful, captivating, serene area, with so many friendly and hardworking people and unlimited activities to do. ETSU has a bright and lively atmosphere that keeps me feeling young, healthy, and mentally refreshed. My hobbies include playing/watching basketball, working out, and watching movies.   

Trishna Sharma, M.D. PGY-I Resident Physician
Medical School: Nepal Medical College, Nepal
MPH: Univeristy of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Undergraduate School: Nepal Medical College, Nepal  

• Meet Dr. Sharma

  I am from Nepal and the landscape of Johnson City reminds me of home. It’s a beautiful place to explore outdoor activities, and I have been living here with my family for a year now. I chose ETSU Psychiatry because during interviews it was reflected upon me that everyone in the program looks out for one another. As I start my training, I can definitely tell that is true, because I feel connected and heard. 

Sean Swerdan, M.D. PGY-I Resident Physician
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine, Dominica
MA in Biomedical Sciences: Midwestern University of Osteopathic Medicine, Downer's Grove, IL
Undergraduate School: Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH  

• Meet Dr. Swerdan

  I’m from Youngstown, Ohio, and my brother is a navy pilot. I've been a student forever and have amassed 4 degrees: BA Criminal Justice, BA Biology/Pre-med, and Biomedical Sciences Masters. My hobbies entail going to the gym, which is my happy place and mental recharging time, running, yoga, jump stretch classes, playing basketball, hiking, riding motorcycles, reading, playing Smash Brothers on Nintendo Switch, and watching Ohio State football. I’ve been playing Magic: The Gathering since 1998. 

  What really stood out to me about this program? I was nervous and felt overwhelmed on interview day, but meeting some of the residents the night before and getting to see a bit of the town really sold me. The town and campus are beautiful, and everyone whom I came in contact with during the interview was really great. Every program has stuff to hang their hat on, what I was looking for was "can I see myself living here? And can I see myself working in this program?" I was doing psychiatry electives at another location at the time of my interview and when I interviewed and toured here, I became envious. ETSU was my #1 choice. 

Geetha Vyas, M.D. PGY-I Resident Physician
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Antigua and Barbuda
Undergraduate School: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL  

• Meet Dr. Vyas

  I chose ETSU because of the people. When I first interviewed here, I immediately saw myself really enjoying and learning the ins and outs of psychiatry with the people of Johnson City because they were very welcoming. As an intern, everyone in the program has been very kind and encouraging and takes the time to help us learn and adapt to the practice of psychiatry. It has been great working here so far and I’m grateful to be working with great colleagues and the people of Johnson City.  

  I love that Johnson City is nestled among the mountains. Going to work every day and seeing the sun rise above the mountains is one of the reasons I like being in Johnson City, having never lived near the mountains. I enjoy having the opportunities to really explore the wonders of nature, and look forward to seeing everything Johnson City as to offer.  

  Whenever I have time, I enjoy trivia nights, collecting old toys, watching movies, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends. 

 The residents listed above are divided into classes by PGY year.  Psychiatry residents must complete 4 years of training to be eligible to take the  Adult Psychiatry Boards except for those going on to Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowships.   For more information on the curriculum, please visit the curriculum page.

Residents:

PGY4: Nigel Dsouza, M.D., Preston Hlemly, M.D., David Jensen, D.O., Krupa Nataraj, M.D., Carrie Robey, M.D., Tamie Wells, M.D.

PGY3: Sarah Falk, M.D., Christina Giuffrida, D.O., Syed Hasan, D.O., Deep Kalariya, M.D., Sri Pallavi Morampudi, M.D.

PGY2: Clay Blanchett, M.D., Katelyn Cserjes, M.D., Praveen Fernandopulle, M.D., Jeuel Pana, M.D., Sarvatit Patel, D.O.

PGY1: Phillip Glass, M.D., James Kim, M.D., Hemraj Persaud, M.D., Trishna Sharma, M.D., Sean Swerdan M.D., Geetha Vyas, M.D.