Taylor Fradella-Doucet

Hometown: Slidell, Louisiana

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine - New Orleans

Undergraduate School: Louisiana State University

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Remember to take care of yourself first. The quality of care you give your patients is its best when you're at your best. So drink water, eat regular meals, and make time for your friends and family. 

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
The residents and faculty. Not just in neurology but in specialties across the board. It's a safe learning environment and people are always willing to help. 

Favorite thing to do in New Orleans:
Football games! I am a huge New Orleans Saints fan and do my best not to miss a home game. The atmosphere inside the Super Dome is like no other. 

Shawn Marcell

Hometown: Morgan City, Louisiana

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine - New Orleans

Undergraduate School: Nicholls State University

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Be kind and smile as often as possible! It helps keep you and everyone around you positive!

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
I was attracted by my many positive experiences working with the program during medical school coupled with my strong desire to stay close to home to serve the community I grew up in.

What is your favorite thing to do in New Orleans?
I love going to City Park when the weather is cool to enjoy walks and games of disc golf. 

Ereny Mikhael

Hometown: El Minya, Egypt & Woodridge, Illinois 

Medical School: Washington University of Health and Science

Undergraduate School: El Minya University Faculty of Medicine

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Stay enthusiastic, maintain interest, and be eager to learn something new every day. The technique I found helpful is writing down the patient's plan during the round so you do not forget the small details.

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
I'm impressed with dedication to teaching that the faculty embrace, culture of the program, and diverse population.

What is your favorite thing to do in New Orleans?
I really enjoy exploring new restaurants in New Orleans and feeling the cold breeze while walking on the lakefront.

Andrea “Drew” Stoltz

Hometown: Mandeville, Louisiana

Medical School: LSU School of Medicine - New Orleans

Undergraduate School: Louisiana State University

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Have fun! You have finally made it - you're a doctor. 

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
The people. The faculty and residents go above and beyond to ensure you're learning but also make it so much fun! 

Favorite thing to do in New Orleans:
I love to try all the amazing restaurants! Cafe Degas is my favorite in the city. I also enjoy going to city park to feed the ducks. 

Nsser Abdelall

Hometown: Kuwait

Medical School: Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Trust the process and enjoy the journey.

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
The program’s commitment to providing excellent clinical training, exposure to a diverse patient population, and opportunities for research and academic growth.

Favorite thing to do in New Orleans:
Try all the amazing food and get exposed to the various cultures.

Sumrita Bindra

Hometown: Silver Spring, MD

Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Undergraduate School: University of Maryland, College Park

What advice would you give incoming residents?
If you don't know something (and there's a ton you won't know), just ask! Be teach-able and curious.

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
Considering how unique New Orleans is, I knew that training here would expose me to a wide range of pathologies that I may not see elsewhere.

Favorite thing to do in New Orleans:
Trying out new eateries - esp. bakeries and coffee shops!

Betsy Johnson

Hometown: Kerala, India

Medical School: Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences

Undergraduate School: NIU, Masters in Public Health

What advice would you give incoming residents?
You made it! Continue the good work, keep learning and polishing your skills with a positive mind set. Investing even a few minutes in something you love can make a huge difference for you as well as help you take care of your patients better.

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
The diversity of training sites including the VA with a wide variety of exposure, was one of the main factors which initially attracted me to the program. During the meet and greet and interview sessions, it was immediately evident that the program harbors a very collegial, happy and supportive environment which was equally important to me as well.

Favorite thing to do in New Orleans:
Seafood, walks in Citypark, Audubon park, Museums etc.

Anthony Pham

Hometown: Cut Off, Louisiana

Medical School: LSUHSC  School of Medicine, New Orleans

Undergraduate School: Xavier University of Louisiana

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and build your confidence! Everyone here wants to see you succeed, so take advantage of any opportunities to ask questions and learn from everyone around you.

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
As a student, I appreciated how much teaching and support was provided by the staff, faculty, and residents which made for a comfortable learning environment (& this still stands true as a resident)! I wanted to join a program that is diverse in its cohort, patient population, and neuropathology/clinical experience so that I would feel comfortable working independently in the real world. LSU Neuro covers all the bases!

Favorite thing to do in New Orleans:
Eating Levee baking company sweets

Laura Joanna Anorue

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida & Heidelberg, Germany

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

Undergraduate School: Florida A&M University

What advice would you give incoming residents? 
1) Plan, prepare and prioritize! There will be a lot of paperwork, emails, and meetings but with these 3 things in mind, you will do great! 2) Be kind. This will take you further than anything else. 3) Ask for help and connect with people. This is a community and everyone wants everyone to win. You are not expected to know everything so just simply ask for help.

What originally attracted you to the LSU Adult Neurology program? 
I sought out a program that truly served all patients--all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, languages, economic backgrounds, and health insurance status. It was equally important to me to find a program that reflected the city's diverse and family-oriented culture, which for LSU-New Orleans means, "We are a big family and we take care of each other." As a resident, you are truly valued and respected here and your education is a high priority.

What is your favorite thing to do in New Orleans? 
I love attending any of the weekly festivals (yes, literally there is a festival every weekend here!) as well as diving into the dynamic restaurant scene. 

Rasha N. Kako

Hometown: Iraq

Medical School: University of Baghdad College of Medicine, Iraq

Undergraduate School: Dijla High School

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Enjoy the moment! You’ve finally achieved your goal. Take every opportunity to learn from everyone around you.

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
I chose LSU because of the welcoming culture of the program, the diversity and strong leadership of the program. The faculty and residents were welcoming and engaging during my interviews. I like the great support provided to the residents.
It's a family here!

Favorite thing to do in New Orleans:
New Orleans has something for everyone. The food, museums, music, architecture, festivals, and shopping.

Taylor J. Marks

Hometown: New Iberia, LA

Medical School: LSUHSC New Orleans

Undergraduate School: University of Florida

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Take it one day at a time!

What originally attracted you to the LSU Neurology program?
I was attracted to LSU New Orleans because I could tell the residents truly cared about their patients and each other.

What is your favorite thing to do in New Orleans?
My favorite thing to do in New Orleans is to walk around the city and find new places and food to try. 

Roger D. Salgado Olivares

Hometown: Monteria, Colombia

Medical School: Universidad del Rosario

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Enjoy the process 

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
I saw the quality of doctor that LSU graduates and I wanted to be like them. 

Favorite thing to do in New Orleans:
Learn neurology with LSU 

Brandon L. Carroll

Hometown: Jonesboro, LA

Medical School: LSUHSC New Orleans

Undergraduate School: University of Oklahoma

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Show up on time and work hard

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
The wonderful residents and friendly staff combined with an excellent training environment.

Favorite thing to do in New Orleans:
Watching the Pels and Saints play, enjoying the food, the Mardi Gras season

David K. Odenheimer

Hometown: Lake Charles, LA

Medical School: LSUHSC New Orleans

Undergraduate School: LSU

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Trust in the training that you have received and that you will receive

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
Supportive, welcoming atmosphere, breadth of subspecialized expertise, and well-balanced heterogenicity of neurologic pathologies.

Favorite thing to do in New Orleans:
Eating local seafood

Komei Shimozono

Hometown: Kagoshima, Japan

Medical School: Tokushima University, Japan

What advice would you give incoming residents?
Enjoy your journey! And do not hesitate to ask for help. People around you are there to support you.

What originally attracted you to the LSU Child/Adult Neurology program?
I was drawn to how friendly and welcoming the residents and staff were. I also appreciated the many opportunities to learn clinical neurophysiology and work with a diverse patient population.

Favorite thing to do in New Orleans:
I love eating, especially enjoying all the great seafood!