Fellow Bios

Class of 2022-2024

Anna Carmack, MD, MPH

I grew up all around the country in a military family, but we eventually settled in Maine, where my parents still call home (I try to visit whenever possible). I came to Maryland in 2018 for residency and I haven't left. I chose UMMC first for residency because of the camaraderie of the residency, the strong ID department, and the city itself. I stayed for chief year and then ID fellowship because I knew I would get a stellar clinical ID training with attendings and co-fellows who were top-notch people (personally and professionally). Plus, Baltimore became home! Outside of work, I definitely keep busy. I am very active in my church here in Baltimore, rock climb a few times a week, go for runs around the city, cook and bake for friends and frequent a few local haunts. I found that I am happiest seeing patients, and beyond fellowship I plan to focus my career on clinical medicine either in a community hospital setting or private practice after fellowship.

Drew Charles, DO

Having grown up in a small town in Florida, I enjoy hanging with family and friends. I am a huge Florida Gator's and Buccaneer's football fan and you can typically find me watching a sporting event on the weekends. I chose UMMC for the large diversity of the program and the faculty dedication to teaching. During my interview, the staff and fellows portrayed a family-like atmosphere, which has surpassed my expectation. I could not be happier with choosing UMMC. Beyond work, I like to explore Baltimore and try many of the different food scenes throughout the city. My post-fellowship plans include transplant ID at a large academic center.

Danica Palacio, MD

I'm originally from Morristown, NJ and have been in Baltimore at UMMC for residency, chief residency, and now ID fellowship! What drew me to Baltimore and kept me here has always been the people. Everyone from the leadership, to faculty, co-fellows and other trainees, have a passion for their field and for serving this community—it's truly infectious! (Saying this literally as someone inspired to specialize in infectious disease by my experiences during residency.) In addition to seeing my best friends every day, the patients and breadth of pathology make training here truly second to none. Fun fact: before deciding on medicine, I was planning to get a PhD in philosophy! So, I still love to read philosophy on the side. Outside of work, I fill my time either chilling with my partner and awesome baby kitties, running the trails near my home in Hampden, playing ultimate frisbee, and listening to (sometimes singing and playing) ukulele in the many jazz jams and open mics in Baltimore! On a weekend off, you'll find me visiting family in Philly, away for a frisbee tournament, backpacking on the AT, or checking out breweries, restaurants, and festivals in Baltimore. I'm currently in the immunocompromised track where we're lucky to have immense transplant and cancer ID exposure and from here, hope to pursue a career in academics.

Katherine Sittig, MD, MPH

(she/her/hers)

I'm a Minneapolis native with a particular interest in HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. I chose UMMC for fellowship because I knew I would get exposure to a wide variety of cases and liked how the inpatient services are broken down, allowing you to focus on different subject areas within ID. The people here are also amazing, and it's nice to have a big group of co-fellows to hang out with! Prior to fellowship I did a combined MD/MPH program at Penn State; during my MPH year, I traveled to Sri Lanka and rotated through several governmental public health agencies and I worked at a free STI screening clinic back in the states! When not in the fellow's workroom, you can find me studying at one of Baltimore's many great coffee shops or running the trails on the Hopkins campus. I also think the Enoch Pratt Central Library is one of Baltimore's hidden gems! Beyond fellowship, I'm hoping to split my time doing general inpatient ID and ambulatory care of patients with HIV.

Khadija Tayabali, MD

I am born and raised in Kenya, did medical school at University of Nairobi and a year of internship at Bungoma District Hospital before relocating to the USA. Baltimore has been home since 2017 when I first moved to residency. Choosing UMMC was an easy decision. I rotated here in transplant ID as a resident elective and the structure and reputation of the program, the amazing faculty with whom I interacted—who have an open door policy and always available for mentorship—as well as the collegiality amongst the fellows are what drew me to program. Maryland is also now what I know as home away from home, and transitioning from residency into fellowship was so much easier due to being in a familiar environment. Prior to fellowship I worked in Western Kenya during my internship for a whole year alongside USAID to provide HIV care in a resource limited setting. When I'm not at work, I spend time exploring the DMV area with my husband and two kids—I'm an avid photographer and travel blogger. Following fellowship, I envision a career which entails a good blend of clinical work in tropical medicine/HIV along with research opportunities in global health.