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.