Mohammad Adam, M.D.

Medical School: University of Khartoum
Bio: I was born and raised in UAE and returned to my home country to finish medical school at the University of Khartoum. The rigor of residency & fellowship training at HMC, Qatar, has developed many of my clinical skills. My interest is in pursuing a GI fellowship.
Why did you choose UMKC? I came to know about UMKC from my friends. The reputation of the residency program in teaching and mentorship opportunities is incredible. Kansas City gives you a feel of a metropolitan city while maintaining the sense with the right amount of gardens & open spaces; I enjoyed hiking & the barbecue.
What are your interests? My favorite hobby is soccer; however, my passion is learning about life through traveling and exploring new things.
Where do you live? Union Hill

Zain Al-Momani, M.D.

Medical School: Jordan University of Science and Technology
Bio: I am originally from Jordan, where I went to med school. I developed a great interest for Internal Medicine early in my clinical training and decided to pursue my residency here in the US since then. Looking ahead, I am keeping my options open for future goals but hoping to continue in academia.
Why did you choose UMKC? Why not? This is a great place to be, surrounded by phenomenal colleagues in a beautiful city.
What are your interests? I like outdoor activities, travelling, food, and cats.
Where do you live? The Plaza

Maria Alvarenga, M.D.

Medical School: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Bio: I was born in El Salvador and moved to Texas when I was eight years old. I completed my undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and medical degree from University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I am passionate about care for the underserved and public health/outcomes research.
Why did you choose UMKC? I chose UMKC for 4 main reasons: great clinical training, faculty invested in resident training/education, great resident camaraderie, and my family ties to the KC area.
What are your interests? I like to try new foods/restaurants and visit new coffeeshops. I also like to travel, and spend time with my husband, pup, family and friends.
Where do you live? Kansas City, MO

Ameen Awad, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri – Kansas City
Bio: I was born and raised in Kansas City all my life and I love it here. I am half Persian and half Palestinian, and I am lucky to celebrate that heritage with my family. When I find free time I spend it with my best friend Sage (my cat) or I play soccer, piano, or some video games.
Why did you choose UMKC? I went to UMKC for medical school and I always loved the family feel that the residency program gave. Everyone here is on the same team and they only want to lift each other up.
What are your interests? Soccer, basketball, piano, skiing, gaming.
Where do you live? Downtown

Muath Baniowda, M.D.

Medical School: Al-Quds University
Bio: I was born and raised in Palestine. I finished medical school at Al-Quds University. I then returned to medical school and worked as a research and teaching assistant in the histopathology department for 3 years before coming to UMKC. My passion for internal medicine started during my clinical rotations. Since high school, I’ve loved academics. My main goal is to mix academic and clinical internal medicine.
Why did you choose UMKC? I put the UMKC program at the top of the ranking list. As it has a home-friendly environment and cultural diversity, in addition to a wide variety of pathology and the background of unique training opportunities at two distinct hospitals. Everything about Kansas City, from its parks and sports to its museums and cultural institutions, is wonderful to me. It is a tiny city with the energy of a large metropolis, and I do guess that it is the ideal place for striking a balance between one’s professional and personal life. There are a lot of things to do, from participating in sports to going to amazing parks.
What are your interests? Soccer, Tennis, Table Tennis, Swimming, outdoor activities, and spending time with family and friends.
Where do you live? Mission, Kansas

Simran Chandra, M.D.

Medical School: Armed Forces Medical College
Bio: I was born and raised in India, where I went to medical school. Soon after graduation, I moved to Kansas City for residency training and it has been an exciting experience so far!
Why did you choose UMKC? Because of the amazing people, supportive leadership, and an abundance of opportunities for pursuing future career goals! I love living in Kansas City – it has all the amenities of a big city while still preserving the ambiance and charm of a small town!
What are your interests? I love reading and my favorite genres are fantasy and science fiction. I also enjoy writing poetry, watercolor painting, embroidery, and crocheting.
Where do you live? Westport

Huda El Mais, M.D.

Medical School: Beirut Arab University
Bio: I was born and raised in Abu Dhabi, UAE and attended medical school in Beirut, Lebanon. I then moved to Ottawa, Canada where I worked as a cardiology research fellow. My career goal is to do a fellowship but I also like hospital medicine so I’m keeping an open mind.
Why did you choose UMKC? I love UMKC’s commitment to diversity. It’s like a big family where everyone’s got each other’s backs, and we learn from one another. Kansas City’s got that Midwest charm, and everyone is super friendly and welcoming. I love the vibrant vibe and diverse food scene and can’t wait to explore more!
What are your interests? Baking, exercising, trying new restaurants, spending time with family & friends, hiking in the fall, traveling.
Where do you live? Downtown KC

Greeshma Erasani, M.D.

Medical School: Gandhi Medical College
Bio: I was born and raised in the Southern part of India and graduated from Medical School in Hyderabad, a city known for its myriad cuisines. Then I moved to Kansas City for residency. With regard to fellowship, I am keeping an open mind.
Why did you choose UMKC? People at UMKC are so friendly and supportive of one another that it fosters a close-knit and supportive campus community. This university also has a strong reputation for academic excellence and research, and its faculty includes experts in their respective fields, making it ideal for seeking mentorship and guidance. I enjoy Kansas City because it offers a little bit of everything: a big-city feel with small-town perks.
What are your interests? Dancing, going outdoors, exploring food, spending time with my family and my dog.
Where do you live? Kansas City, MO

Misha Gautam, M.D.

Medical School: Government Medical College
Bio: I am from India and that is where I attended medical school. I moved to the US in 2021 to pursue internal medicine and clinical research opportunities. I love learning and want to give my patients the best care possible.
Why did you choose UMKC? I could tell from meeting the program leadership and the interview that the environment at the program is warm and collegial. I have only been proven right ever since. Working with amazing staff and co-residents makes residency easier and fulfilling. The two training sites ensure ample exposure to different clinical settings and patient populations.
What are your interests? I love to be outdoors be it for a walk or a sport, and my ideal day off is a good movie with a plate of home cooked Indian food.
Where do you live? The Plaza

Sagar Hansraj, M.D.

Medical School: Armed Forces Medical College
Bio: I was born and raised in Lucknow, India, a city famous for delicious Awadhi cuisine and beautiful Urdu poetry. I attended medical school in India as well- at Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. My future goal is to become a well-rounded physician who is able to make a difference in his patients’ lives. I am excited to move to Kansas City and continue pursuing my dreams and aspirations.
Why did you choose UMKC? UMKC was always my top choice and I was thrilled to match here along with my wife. I had heard wonderful things about the people and atmosphere in this program. The environment and patient exposure here are very good for learning medicine. The fellowship match rates here are stellar too. Lastly, I love the culture and pace of life in the Midwest.
What are your interests? I love playing tennis. I watch all kinds of sports- soccer, tennis, cricket, formula-1. I am a huge Manchester United fan. I am a foodie, and I enjoy cooking too. Lately, I have started playing chess.
Where do you live? Westport

Zainab Humayun, M.D.

Medical School: Government Medical College
Bio: I was born and raised in Kashmir, India. For medical school, I attended Government Medical College, Srinagar. I have always been fascinated by the heart and I plan on pursuing a fellowship in cardiology.
Why did you choose UMKC? During the meet and greet, I was deeply impressed by the strong sense of collegiality and camaraderie among the residents. This, coupled with the program’s dedication to offering a diverse and comprehensive clinical experience truly stood out to me. The appealing aspect of the program doesn’t stop there, as it boasts a robust academic curriculum along with ample research and fellowship opportunities. Moreover, I’ve family residing in Kansas City which allows for a strong support system, making the program ideal for me.
What are your interests? My interests include biking, photography, watching cricket and tennis, as well as traveling and exploring new places and cuisines.
Where do you live? Union Hill

Ibrahim Khamees, M.D.

Medical School: Jordan University of Science and Technology
Bio: I was born in Irbid, a small city in Jordan. I received my medical degree from JUST university in Jordan. I was passionate about internal medicine, so I did my internal medicine residency in Qatar before coming to Kansas City. I want to improve my skills during my training here and decide on my next step afterwards.
Why did you choose UMKC? I Chose UMKC for many reasons. The interview experience and the virtual meeting with the residents were truly amazing. It showed me that people here are nice and friendly. I have a lot of friends here from my previous residency in Qatar, who spoke highly about the program and the culture among the residents.
What are your interests? I like playing table-tennis and watching soccer.
Where do you live? Downtown

Abdul Khan, M.D.

Medical School: Khyber Medical College
Bio: I was born and raised in Peshawar, a city famous for its rich culinary heritage. I earned my medical degree from Khyber Medical College, a well-known institution in Pakistan. My dream of becoming an exceptional physician has brought me to the US. My future goal is to work with underserved communities and reduce the healthcare disparities between different segments of the population.
Why did you choose UMKC? The reason I ranked UMKC on the top is that it is a university program with tremendous learning opportunities for residents. Rotating between Saint Luke’s Hospital and the University Health Truman Medical Center, residents are exposed to a diverse patient population. Also, the learning environment is very conducive and the leadership is very supportive.
What are your interests? I love watching and playing cricket. I also enjoy traveling and hiking.
Where do you live? Beacon Hills

Alexandria Meyers, M.D.

Medical School: University of Missouri – Kansas City
Bio: I was born in raised in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, so Kansas City has always been “home” to me. I received my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from the University of Missouri-Columbia (MIZ!) and returned to complete a traditional 4-year MD program at UMKC.
Why did you choose UMKC? Being from KC and having my family here, it was an easy choice! I love being able to serve the city that has treated me so well. Residency at UMKC allows me to work at different hospitals with a diverse population, along with seeing so many different clinical problems. Being at an academic institution has a lot of benefits.
What are your interests? I’ll try just about any activity as long as I have family or friends with me! I especially love playing with and walking my dog, video games, watching football and soccer, trivia nights, reading any book that catches my attention (mostly mystery), and watching scary movies.
Where do you live? Waldo/Brookside

Karnav Modi, M.D.

Medical School: B.J. Medical College
Bio: I was born and raised in Gujarat, India, where I went to medical school as well. After that, I did a year of research fellowship at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. I am interested in pursuing Cardiology in the future.
Why did you choose UMKC? For me, the biggest reason for choosing UMKC was the strong clinical experience you get at two different hospitals with different and diverse patient populations. Additionally, the program is very supportive, along with strong camaraderie among residents, and immense support from the faculty. This is something you would want in a program where you will spend 3 years. I also plan to pursue Cardiology and UMKC offers an excellent opportunity to pursue my aspirations, including immense support for research.
What are your interests? I enjoy watching movies, and TV series, and I am also a huge Marvel fan. I also enjoy going out and spending time with friends and family.
Where do you live? Union Hill

Sanjana Perumalla, M.D.

Medical School: Guntur Medical College
Bio: I was born and raised in Guntur, India, where I went to medical school. I moved to Kansas City to pursue residency in Internal Medicine. Still figuring out my fellowship of choice.
Why did you choose UMKC? The remarkable diversity, welcoming atmosphere, and strong support were evident on my interview day. The learning opportunities that arise from working in two different hospital settings. Good academic program that provides strong guidance towards achieving career goals.
What are your interests? Traveling, music, Badminton.
Where do you live? Westport

Yazan Sallam, M.D.

Medical School: Hashemite University
Bio: I was born in Amman, Jordan. I have graduated med school from the Hashemite University in Jordan. I then did my IM residency in Qatar and then came here to achieve my goal of doing my residency in the US.
Why did you choose UMKC? I chose UMKC as it provides a great environment and learning opportunities for me to improve myself. Another reason is that Missouri is well known for its excellent schools, which is an important thing for as my daughter is close to starting school.
What are your interests? Swimming, video games, movie nights.
Where do you live? Downtown

Ehsan Sha’Ban, M.D.

Medical School: Hashemite University
Bio: I was raised and born in Jordan. I had a strong interest in internal medicine during medical school, so I decided to pursue my training in IM. Throughout my life, I had lived in a variety of Jordanian cities, which sparked my curiosity about the rest of the world. I think I am lucky that I could begin my career here.
Why did you choose UMKC? Undoubtedly, the program at UMKC is well-rounded, and in my opinion, it provides all the resources required to let residents pursue their interests and future goals, from the opportunities for research to the excellent bedside clinical training and teaching opportunities. Additionally, I think that having the chance to work at two separate big health systems would prepare me to work anywhere!
What are your interests? Cooking, Swimming, Soccer, and spending time with friends.
Where do you live? Mission, Kansas

Roshni Thomas, M.D.

Medical School: K.S. Hegde Medical Academy
Bio: I’m from Kochi, India. I went to medical school in Mangalore, and after graduating in 2021, I moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and lived there for a couple of years. I was thrilled to match at the UMKC IM program and move to Kansas City for residency.
Why did you choose UMKC? I chose UMKC because it’s a strong university program with an excellent fellowship match rate. I especially liked that residents get to rotate at two very different hospitals. UMKC also struck me as a program that genuinely welcomed residents with diverse experiences and from different backgrounds.
What are your interests? I like to read, cycle, watch sitcoms and go to museums.
Where do you live? Midtown

Xiangni Wu, M.D.

Medical School: Zhongshan SoM
Bio: Born and raised in Southern China, I took my first steps into medicine at Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine. I later deepened my understanding of immunology and rheumatology during my PhD studies at Peking Union Medical School. This journey led me across the globe to Stanford, where I was fortunate to contribute as a Postdoctoral Fellow.

Currently, I am humbled to serve as an Internal Medicine resident at UMKC, a role that continues to shape my skills and perspective. With a dream of contributing to rheumatology, I am keen to focus on the potential of Cellular Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases. Throughout this journey, my dedication to continuous learning, professionalism, and patient-centered care remains unwavering. I am deeply grateful for every opportunity to grow and make a difference in this challenging yet rewarding field.
Why did you choose UMKC? From the moment of my interview, I found myself enamored with the UMKC Internal Medicine program. I was struck by the genuine interest and warmth shown by everyone I met, making me feel valued and recognized as an individual. In this era of virtual interviews, thousands of applicants, I appreciated that they had carefully read and considered every aspect of my application.

Furthermore, the program felt like a perfect fit for my professional aspirations. It seemed to offer an ideal blend of challenge and support, promising to cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary for me to become the doctor I aspire to be. Another appealing aspect of the program was its commitment to serving diverse patient populations. The blend of training in both private and safety-net hospitals promised a well-rounded and enriching learning experience.

It was clear that UMKC fosters an environment of mutual support. Equally notable was the evident passion that the leadership team had for the program and their unwavering dedication to their residents. This strong sense of community and purpose affirmed my decision to choose UMKC for my residency.
What are your interests? We all love hitting the slopes as a family when it comes to skiing. You can also find me cycling, playing table tennis, or diving into some not so cool VR games.
Where do you live? Plaza