Medical Education Program Hosts 9th Graduation

Emergency Medicine Resident Graduates

Family Medicine Resident Graduates

Internal Medicine Resident Graduates

UNC Health Southeastern celebrated the graduation of 26 residents across three residency programs on Friday, June 19. These residents marked the 9th graduating class of the health system's medical education program, as well as continued growth and sustainability for the program which was established in 2015.

The health system’s overall medical education program boasts over 90 medical residents and fellows in the largest non-university-based residency program in North Carolina. In addition to the three current residency programs of emergency medicine, family medicine, and internal medicine, a cardiovascular disease fellowship began in July 2025, and plans are underway to add a sports medicine fellowship.

Medical residents support the health system’s existing medical staff by extending their coverage and providing additional perspectives and insights from current medical school research and training. These doctors receive hands-on, bedside training in settings including the hospital and medical clinics, while learning about the dynamics of rural healthcare.

UNC Health Southeastern hosts a graduation ceremony each June for residents completing requirements for their respective programs with oversight by UNC Health Southeastern Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Joseph Roberts, MD. 

“The graduation ceremony was a rewarding experience, and we are very appreciative of the service our residents have provided to our community,” said Dr. Roberts. “We are confident that they will bring that same level of care to their future careers.”

UNC Health Southeastern President and CEO Chris Ellington welcomed attendees and thanked the graduates for their service to this community as they honed their skills as physicians.

“For a rural health system, graduate medical education is not simply an academic program it is a strategic necessity,” said Ellington. “Many of the physicians who choose to practice in communities like ours first experience rural medicine as residents. Every graduation represents not only a personal achievement for these physicians, but another step toward building a stronger healthcare workforce for southeastern North Carolina.”

During the commencement address delivered by Board Certified Family Medicine Specialist Robin Peace, MD, she underscored that physicians should “never forget what only you can do,” emphasizing the uniquely human elements of care, including empathy, presence, and compassion. She reminded graduates that medicine is not simply a career, but a calling centered on caring for patients during their most vulnerable moments. Dr. Peace noted that patients seek not only clinical answers, but also connection, reassurance, and a genuine human presence.

Several graduates have decided to remain at UNC Health Southeastern and the region to practice while others will depart to pursue jobs around the county. Several will continue their training through fellowship programs. Those remaining in our community to provide care include:

1. Jason Spinnicchia, DO -Emergency Medicine Physician, UNC Health Southeastern/ Apollo 
2. Sherry Starling, DO- Outpatient Medicine, UNC Health Southeastern Family Medicine at The Oaks
3. Ahmed Ahmed, MD- Hospitalist, UNC Health Southeastern
4. Baraa Baraawi, MD-  Hospitalist, UNC Health Southeastern
5. Zachary Carriker, MD- Hospitalist, UNC Health Southeastern
6. Durga Lohana, MD- Gibson Cancer Center, UNC Health Southeastern 

Emergency Medicine graduates were: Ali Al Saegh, MD, James Ansell, MD, Katherine Hachat, DO, Kory Jansma, DO, Maya Pinzon, DO, Manjinder Kaur Samra, MD, Sarah C. Spelsberg, MD, Jason Spinnicchia, DO.

Family Medicine graduates included: Owais Azharuddin, MD, Bianca Sabina Gonzalez, MD, Joshua P. Rathod, MD, Sherry Evone Starling, DO, Doris B. Takwe, MD.

Internal Medicine graduates were: Ahmed Osman Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed, MD, Meghana Balakrishna, MD, Baraa Baraawi, MD, Zachary Carriker, MD, LaQuanda A. Fredericks, MD, Pradeep Ghimire, MD, David Grosz, DO, Eveline Hok, DO, Durga Lohana, MD, Tanuja Rajan, MD, Ravina Ramnani, MD, Saahil Thukral, DO.

Some of the program’s residents, attending physicians, and nurses with which they worked, were also recognized with special awards during the graduation ceremony. The awards were given as follows:

1. Emergency Medicine Resident of the Year: Ali Al Saegh, MD
2. Family Medicine Resident of the Year: Sherry Evone Starling, DO and Neveen Al-Atiyat, MD
3. Internal Medicine Resident of the Year: David Grosz, DO
4. Emergency Medicine Attending of the Year: Brianna Crosby, MD
5. Family Medicine Attending of the Year: Jonathan Butler, MD
6. Internal Medicine Attending of the Year: Obiefuna Okoye, MD
7. Emergency Medicine Nurse of the Year: Kameron Locklear, RN
8. Family Medicine Nurse of the Year: Dakea Barnes, RN
9. Internal Medicine Nurse of the Year: Juan Chen, RN

To learn more about UNC Health Southeastern’s Medical Education program, visit https://www.unchealthsoutheastern.org/residency-program/.