Triple Board Residency Training Program
Meet Our Residents!
Meet the Triple Board Chiefs!
Chase Samsel – 2013
csamsel@lifespan.org
Chase earned his MD in 2010 from the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine in Augusta, Georgia.
He completed his undergraduate training with a B.S. in Biomedical Ethics at the University of Georgia in
Athens, GA. During medical school, he was Social Chair of his class and very involved in social experiments
involving loud music, lots of medical students, and good times. During residency, Chase was was accepted
into the Pediatrics Global Health Certificate Program while rotating at Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya. He
is interested in global psychiatry, pediatric palliative care, chronic and lift-limiting illness, psychodynamic
psychotherapy, and serves as the Assistant Director of the TALC Program. To those ends, he is the
currently doing prospective research on palliative care initiatives in the NICU, presenting a poster at
the 2011 AACAP annual meeting on adult transition outcomes of chronically ill adolescents in the TALC
program, co-presenting a workshop on Procedural Hypnosis in Pediatric Patients at the 2011 AAP annual
meeting, working with the pediatric refugee clinic in establishing better trauma screening and treatment
options, attends the Philosophy and Psychiatry reading group at Brown, and will start a psychotherapy
fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis in the Fall of 2011. Outside of work, he enjoys
jet-setting, eating the delicious foods of Providence, getting ripped at CrossFit, and continuing his social
gallivanting ways.
Michelle Palumbo – 2013
mpalumbo2@lifespan.org
Dr. Michelle Palumbo is originally from New Jersey. She attended Rutgers University where she
completed a double major in Biological sciences and Psychology in 2003, magna cum laude, Phi Beta
Kappa. Dr. Palumbo migrated south to Richmond, Virginia to attend medical school at the Medical college
of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University and graduated in 2008. During medical school, she was
involved as her class curriculum representative, LCME accreditation committee, admissions committee,
and a fourth year co-leader for the foundations of clinical medicine course for first year students. Dr.
Palumbo had received two Commonwealth awards, the Nancy B. King Memorial scholarship for pediatrics,
an AMA foundation award, and the High score award for the second year behavioral sciences course.
Dr. Palumbo was also elected to the National Pathology Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Omega
Alpha during her time at MCV/VCU. During residency, Dr. Palumbo has been actively involved as a parent
group co-leader in The Adolescent Leadership Council (TALC), a resident created and led group involving
teens and parents with chronic illness. When not working, Dr. Palumbo enjoys spending as much time
with her family in NJ as possible, running, dancing, and knitting.
Meet the Triple Board Residents!
Rasa Heyda – 2013
Rasa received her MD from Duke University School of Medicine in May of 2008. She completed her
undergraduate studies in the San Diego Community college system, the University of California, Los
Angeles and Duke. Prior to medical school, Rasa was an elementary school teacher for seven years
teaching language arts, math, social studies, science and art. She was instrumental in curriculum creation
and worked intensively with students with special learning needs. Working with children with special
needs prompted her interest in psychiatry and her desire to change career paths. At Duke medical school,
she received an NIH Roadmap fellowship which funded her research year at Duke's Brain Imaging and
Analysis Center. Rasa's passion lies in helping children succeed in the face of neurological, developmental
and psychiatric challenges. Rasa is also an artist, has studied classical Indian music in India and the U.S.,
has taught Indian drumming, and enjoys yoga, reading, cooking and quilting.
Lisa Hutchison - 2014
Lisa earned her MD in 2009 from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She
completed her undergraduate training at Duke University in North Carolina. During medical school,
she had an interest in community health care and was involved in the student run free clinic. During
residency, Dr. Hutchison has continued to be interested in high risk populations with a focus on children
in the foster care system. She spent a month abroad during residency working in a community clinic
in Guatemala. In her spare time, she can usually be found somewhere near water, jogging, reading, or
wishing she owned a sailboat.
Daniel Spencer - 2014
Dan is originally from upstate New York, but is a Red Sox fan and thinks of himself as a New Englander.
He received a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Brown University here in Providence,
RI. During college, he conducted research on mammography screening and played varsity water polo.
Following graduation, Dan spent a year doing clinical pediatric orthopedic research at NYU. He earned
his MD in 2009 from the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles.
During medical school, he was interested in a wide range of specialties including pediatrics, psychiatry,
ophthalmology, and oncology. He taught health topics at a local middle school, participated in a program
which matched medical students to children with chronic illness, worked on research projects in the
pediatric ophthalmology department at CHLA, and played on a champion intramural dodge ball team.
During residency, Dan has been become involved in EMR improvement committees and the Patient and
Family Centered Care Steering Committee. He also wears a bow tie every Friday for “Bow Tie Friday”, a
tradition which he and a fellow pediatric resident started while on a PICU rotation. Dan is married to Emily
and has one son named Henry. He spends most of his free time with his family, and also enjoys home
brewing beer, watching cheesy movies and TV shows, and golfing.
Beth Brannan - 2015
Beth earned her MD in 2010 from University of California at Davis School of Medicine in Sacramento,
California. She completed her undergraduate training at Stanford University in California and taught
there as a Human Biology Course Associate for two years prior to entering medical school. During medical
school, she served as the student representative on the Curriculum Committee for four years and was
elected by the faculty and students to receive the Golden Goblet Award for her service. She was also
inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society. During residency, she is currently participating
in The Adolescent Leadership Council with teens with chronic illness, plans to do research on nurse-
resident communication surrounding difficult patient interactions, and would like to pursue a career in
consultation-liaison psychiatry working with children with medical and psychiatric needs. Outside of work,
she enjoys going to farmers markets; hiking, bike riding, and doing anything else outdoors; exploring the
Northeastern coast in her intrepid Prius; and hanging out with her amazing co-residents.
Vedika Nehra – 2015
Dr. Nehra earned her MD in 2010 from New York Medical College. She completed her undergraduate
training at the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou), in Columbia, MO, majoring in biochemistry
and creative writing. Dr. Nehra’s interest in the arts and teaching blossomed at Mizzou. During medical
school, she developed a strong interest in rural medicine, mental health, and infectious disease leading
her to create the Nehra-Savent Foundation (NSF), a non-profit organization focused on providing
health and education assistance to rural communities (for more information please click http://nehra-
saventfoundation.webs.com). During her intern year of residency Dr. Nehra presented her work at
the department of pediatrics grand rounds in February 2011. She received the Warren Alpert School of
Medicine outstanding teacher award in June 2011. As a second year TB resident Dr. Nehra is currently
fundraising and working to expand NSF’s work in India. Specifically, she is organizing projects to improve
immunization rates in rural Haryana, develop a permanent family clinic, and build a rural public library. In
the realm of mental health, Dr. Nehra has a strong interest in suicide, particularly as it relates to children
and the rural population. In her spare time Dr. Nehra can be found running (a new interest and her legs
are still sore), sketching, teaching arts and crafts, meandering museums, and writing short stories.
Stacey Wermert – 2015
Stacey is from Marietta, Georgia and earned her MD in 2010 from Medical College of Georgia. She
completed her undergraduate training at Barnard College in New York City with a major in psychology.
After college, she worked as a research assistance in the substance abuse unit at the NY State Psychiatric
Institute. During medical school, she co-authored a book entitled “Adherence to Mental Health
Treatment.” Since high school, she has been involved in coaching Special Olympics swimming, and is
interested in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities.
Other interests include international travel and volunteer work. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out
with friends, being outdoors, relaxing, laughing, or planning her next trip abroad.
Jennifer Downs
Jen received her MD from the University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, in May 2011. She received
her undergraduate degree from Colby College in Maine where she graduated magna cum laude. She has
been actively involved in a variety of community service activities during medical school and she received
the Outstanding Leadership and Community Service Award in 2006 because of her efforts. Jennifer
was also selected as a Clinical and Translational research fellow in 2008-09 studying the relationship
between children with chronic illnesses and their health care providers. She also co-authored a study
entitled “Integrating Clinical Hands-On Experiences into the Curriculum for First Year medical students”.
Jennifer likes running, art, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and their pets.
Stephanie Lichtor
Stephanie received her MD from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine in
May 2011. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, magna cum laude
and Phi Beta Kappa. She did bench work in epigenetics and genetics as an undergraduate and volunteered
at the Center for Treatment and Study of Anxiety. Prior to starting medical school, Stephanie was a
high school teacher and then studied prescription drug abuse as a research technician at the University
of Chicago. Stephanie has also served as editor of "Vital Signs," the medical student newspaper. She
published two articles and wrote essays about medicine, ethics, and history for which she won the Robert
D. Sparks Essay contest and took second place the following year.
Paul Stevens
Paul received his MD from The University of Utah School of Medicine in May 2011 where he was also
inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society. He completed his undergraduate
studies at Brigham Young University. He has been a volunteer/mentor teaching behavioral and social skills
to autistic children through the arts and swimming and has mentored a developmentally disabled man in
life skills. Paul co-authored a study entitled "Identification of Hearing Loss in Pediatric Patients with Down
Syndrome". He is noted for his advocacy, hard-work, responsibility, and ethics. Paul also worked full time
as an electrician before entering medical school. He is married and has two boys.
Kahleb Graham
Kahleb received his MD from the University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine in May, 2012. He also has a
B.A in Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.
He attended the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School
of Education where he earned certification in middle school
mathematics. Following graduate school worked as a middle
school math and science teacher in the very competitive Teach
for America program. Kahleb is a member of the Arnold P.
Gold Humanism Honor Society and was the recipient of the
American Academy of Family Physicians “Tomorrow’s Leader
Award.” He was awarded an R25 NIMH Medical Student
Research in Mental Health Fellowship relating to collaborative
physical and mental health care of pediatric patients.
Christina Pastorello
Christina received her MD in May 2012 from Tufts
University School of Medicine. She also has a Bachelor of
Science in dual majors, Biology and Clinical Psychology, from
Tufts University. She was president of the Tuft’s chapter of the
American Medical Women’s Association and organized several
events to enhance leadership, advocacy and mentoring skills
to medical students. Christina has broad experiences working
with adolescent girls with complex psychological and physical
trauma in a Massachusetts residential facility as well as with
teaching typically developing younger girls’ leadership skills
in a summer camp. Christina remained active in teaching as a
medical student and recently was a Problem Based Learning
tutor for first year medical students.
Jason Rafferty
Jason Rafferty is a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar who received his M.D., M.P.H. in Maternal and Child Health, and Ed.M. in Child Development and Psychology from Harvard University. At graduation, he was recognized with the Intellectual Achievement/Faculty Tribute Award for dedication to scholarship that enhances academic life and positively impacts fellow students. He was a Charles A. Dana Scholar who graduated magna cum laude with honors in neuroscience and a concentration in philosophy from Bates College in 2005, and spent a year teaching in a public junior high school before starting graduate work at Harvard. In medical school, he has served in faculty positions as a clinical preceptor and Gross Anatomy tutorial and lab instructor where he was recognized by his students with an “Excellence in Tutoring” award. Pursuing interests in medical ethics, Jason served as vice-chair for the American Medical Association’s Student Bioethics and & Humanities Committee. Jason’s interest in health policy has recently led him to China and Japan to study international health systems, and to numerous leadership courses at the Harvard Kennedy School. During his tenure at Harvard, he was elected to two terms as the Vice-President of Student Advocacy on the Harvard Graduate Council, the University-wide graduate student government. His aspirations are to care for at-risk adolescents and, for the past four years, he has collaborated with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in the design and implementation of a peer leadership intervention to increase health literacy and utilization of school-based primary care services.