PGY - 3
Logan Kolakowski

Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Undergrad: Wake Forest University
Medical School: University of Maryland
Fellowship (chief) or Area(s) of clinical/research interest: Shoulder elbow / upper extremity
Why did you chose Maryland? The faculty and residents. It was the group of people I wanted to work with and learn from every day.
Hobbies/Interests Outside Work: Tennis, yoga, travel. Otherwise you can find me and Nichole trying every restaurant in the city
Favorite place you’ve traveled during residency: Yosemite / San Fran
Advice to Applicants: Be honest with yourself about what is important to you in residency and life. There are so many different programs out there, all with different strengths. You have to know yourself to get what you want out of the process! Ask any questions - we're happy to answer anything.
Vinny Miseo
Hometown: Livingston, NJ
Undergraduate: Tulane University
Medical School: Drexel University
Fellowship (chief) or Area(s) of clinical/research interest: Spine / Trauma
Why did you chose Maryland? Maryland has a great group of down to earth, hardworking residents who are always approachable and willing to teach. The opportunity to work at a world class trauma center and the wide variety of experiences at the multiple hospitals we rotate through, adds to the diversity of procedures we see as well as the types of practices we work with.
Hobbies/Interests Outside Work: Cooking delicious food, playing guitar, and learning to play golf
Favorite place you’ve traveled during residency: Ecuador, Shanghai
Advice to Applicants: Take a deep breath...
Brian De Palma
Hometown: Fair Lawn, NJ
Undergraduate: Lehigh University
Medical School: Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson
Fellowship (chief) or Area(s) of clinical/research interest: Working on narrowing that down
Why did you chose Maryland? The people, from faculty to residents and all the rest that we work with and alongside. Could not have asked for a better team to be a part of.
Hobbies/Interests Outside Work: Soccer is my game but all sports really, hiking and other adventures, good food and company
Favorite place you’ve traveled during residency: Hvar, Croatia
Advice to Applicants: Surround yourself with people willing and able to push you. That is the best way to move forward.
Nichole Shaw
Hometown: Portland, OR
Undergraduate: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Medical School: University of Colorado
Fellowship (chief) or Area(s) of clinical/research interest: Spine and Pediatrics
Why did you chose Maryland? When I rotated here as a sub-I, I saw the graduated independence the residents had both and clinic and in the OR. Seeing senior residents walk juniors through cases showed just how much independence the residents get as well as showing how early operative experiences can develop into early teaching experiences.
Hobbies/Interests Outside Work: Baking and decorating cakes, Peloton, my dogs Obie and Tinker, and eating my way through Baltimore and DC with Logan
Favorite place you’ve traveled during residency: Maroon Bells, Colorado
Advice to Applicants: Find a program that fits YOU. As much as we are interviewing you, you should be interviewing the program to find somewhere you will thrive the next 5 years!
Sam Li
Hometown: Gaithersburg, MD
Undergraduate: Wesleyan University
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University
Hobbies/Interests Outside Work: Tennis, squash, rock climbing, hiking, home improvement, exploring new restaurants
Favorite place you’ve traveled during residency: Cuba, Portugal, UT/AZ/NV National Parks
Advice to Applicants: Find the program you fit in with. Look at operative experience because one day you'll be operating on your own! Consider necessary travel to other cities for rotations.
Kalin Fisher
Hometown: Wheeling, WV
Undergraduate: West Virginia University
Medical School: West Virginia University
Fellowship (chief) or Area(s) of clinical/research interest: Trauma, spine, joints, sports
Why did you chose Maryland? I chose Maryland because I felt like it was the best mix of a blue collar hard working environment and high research output.
Hobbies/Interests Outside Work: Hanging out with friends and family, traveling, outdoors stuff
Favorite place you’ve traveled during residency: San Diego
Advice to Applicants: Work hard and be nice to people. Good things will come if you do those two things.
Michael Livesey
Hometown: Bryn Mawr, PA
Undergraduate: University of Richmond
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Fellowship (chief) or Area(s) of clinical/research interest: Shoulder/elbow
Why did you chose Maryland? As I sub-I I was impressed by the surgical skill and autonomy of the residents. The faculty were supportive and the residents felt like a family.
Hobbies/Interests Outside Work: Outdoors, lifting, reading, family/friends
Advice to Applicants: Be proactive. Read. Know everything, but don't come across as a know-it-all. Be respectful to all staff.