I was born in India and moved to the US when I was 17. I went to medical school in Poland, where I had the opportunity to learn, grow and explore the beautiful country. My experiences in primary care and preventive medicine enhanced my interest in family medicine and enabled me to choose this path. After residency, I intend to work with a diverse population and create a difference in peoples’ health and their lives. During leisure, I love spending time with my family and traveling around the world. I have traveled to more than 20 countries and am keen on exploring more. My other interests include feeding the hungry and I have been actively advocating for the fight against hunger. I also like caring for animals and have been involved in animal welfare activities.
Dr. Bhandari was born and raised in Nepal and attended medical school at College of Medical Sciences. Belonging to a large family and being the youngest child, he was also the first one in the family to have a medical degree. After medical school, he worked as a senior medical officer and tutored medical and nursing students. Dr. Bhandari has holistic medical care interests which is why he chose Family Medicine. He is looking forward to utilize the skills and knowledge gained to make a difference to people’s lives by giving them the best care possible. Aside from medicine, Dr. Bhandari is a sporty person and loves playing soccer. He also likes to spend time with his family and friends, cooking and travelling to new places.
I am a first generation Haitian American, born in Houston, TX, but raised in Florida (Miami area predominantly). I call myself a nomad as I am always moving around - from South Florida for undergrad, to Mexico and New Jersey for medical school, to Illinois for work, and now here in New Mexico for residency. Living in a multitude of places has brought me a sense of cultural diversity, flexibility, and overall joy as I meet and interact with a wide variety of people. These same emotions are embodied by pursuing family medicine. By encompassing these factors into medicine, I can work with a wider audience of people in an array of different settings. Apart from medicine, I enjoy strength training and high intensity interval workouts, spending time with my loved ones, and traveling to new places (big surprise). I love to get dressed for any occasion, music always makes me happy, and trying different foods and restaurants is always a win for me.
I was born and raised in Venezuela. I came to the United States at an early age and spend time in Florida. After interviewing for medical school at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Las Cruces I fell in love with the area and decided to pursue my medical career in Las Cruces. I would like to be a part of helping in bridging and fixing the inequalities of health care in populations. During my free time I love to spend time with my wife and children.
I grew up in Iowa, but I’m originally from Harare, Zimbabwe. I love New Mexico and am so excited for all the things residency has to teach me! I have a particular interest in addiction but love to work with all types of patients. In my free time I like to paint and explore New Mexico.
Dr. Kahlon is from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Before attending medical school, she completed her degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada. She then attended American University of Antigua College of Medicine for her medical studies. Since graduating she has worked as a researcher and a coordinator at Larkin Community hospital in Miami, Florida. Additionally, she worked as a peer tutor for the CUNY School of Medicine, New York. Her goal is to serve underserved communities and provide continuity of care to her patients. She enjoys playing tennis, bowling, and skiing in her free time.
I am from Virginia, and I went to medical school in India. I am excited to begin my residency journey in New Mexico. One of the key drivers for me in Family Medicine is the opportunity to help make a difference in patients' lives. I see each patient as a unique learning opportunity, and believe patients are as important a part of the healthcare team as doctors, nurses, and more. Medicine to me is a constantly changing puzzle - no one patient or disease process is the same. Outside of medicine you can find me traveling, going for runs, reading books, and spending time with family.
I grew up in a rural town in Pennsylvania and have always appreciated the feel of a tight-knit community. My family and I moved to Las Cruces 4 years ago so I could pursue my medical education and fell in love with what this place has to offer in regards to the weather the people and the culture. I’ve been blessed to welcome the birth of my two daughters while in Las Cruces and although thousands of miles away from family the Las Cruces community has never failed to help us out, we have truly met life-long friends here. I gravitated to the program here at the SNMFMR because of their values in helping out the great people of the borderlands region while also promoting unique educational experiences to train us family physicians in truly broad-spectrum medicine. I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up and plan on using the next 3 years to figure this out even more. In my spare-time I enjoy working out, spending time with my family including two pitbull dogs and love watching anything sports related especially Ohio State football… Go BUCKEYES.
Dr. Maina was born and raised in Kenya, spending most of her adult life in Washington state. She received a BS in chemistry from Texas Southern University and an MD from St. George’s University. Dr. Maina is passionate about delivering healthcare to rural and underserved communities, and she believes family medicine plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining care. In her free time, Dr. Maina enjoys exploring the outdoors, shooting hoops, and spending time with her family.
I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I moved to Boulder, Colorado where I attended the University of Colorado at Boulder for my undergraduate education, and where I started my family. I went to medical school at De La Salle University. My professional interests include OB/Gyne, pediatrics, outpatient medicine and sports medicine. My personal interests and hobbies include working out trying to stay fit and lift weights, biking, climbing, throwing a frisbee, football (Go Broncos!), yoga and playing outside. During my off time, I spend time with my family especially my husband, 4 year old daughter and 5 month old son. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of SNMFMR and learn and practice unopposed full-spectrum family medicine. I am excited to be back in my home state where I can serve the people of New Mexico.
I was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM. I completed my undergrad at the University of NM and it was during that time that I began to volunteer with Family Physician’s in the underserved areas of my city such as the South Valley and International Districts, and so developed an interest in the specialty of Family Medicine. I felt that Family Medicine would also allow me to continue to address the social determinants of health as a physician. My goal is to stay and practice here in my home state of NM and am excited to be able to complete my residency here. When not working I love going to metal concerts, playing music, discovering new bands to listen to, reading Marvel comics, shopping at Hot Topic, and watching horror movies.
I am from Toronto, Canada and my family originally comes from Pakistan. I was drawn to family medicine because of our ability to manage all ages, a full range of medical conditions and the chance to build relationships with our patients. I went to National University in Oman for my medical school after earning my undergraduate degree from McMaster University in Canada. I am thrilled to begin the next step of my physician training as a resident in Las Cruces with my goal to become a successful hospitalist. Besides my passion for medicine I enjoy soccer, basketball, history, trying to understand physics (unsuccessfully), baking and gaming.
Dr. Daan was born and raised in the Philippines, immigrated to the US in 2006 and has been in Las Cruces ever since. He earned his undergraduate degree in NMSU with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He attended medical school in Cebu Doctors’ University College of Medicine. After medical school, he came back to the US and worked as an ICU nurse. During medical school, Dr. Daan was able to work with the underserved population, in which he realized he can make an impact on the community by being a primary care provider. During his free time, he loves to cook, spend time with his family, and play badminton, table tennis, and pickleball.
I was born and raised in Gaza, Palestine. I earned my medical degree from Punjab Medical College, Pakistan. My journey in medicine has been driven by my passion to heal, comfort and make a lasting difference in the lives of those facing health challenges. I am deeply drawn to the role of a hospitalist. The dynamic and fast-paced environment of inpatient care aligns perfectly with my passion for tackling complex medical cases and providing immediate interventions. Witnessing patients' remarkable recoveries within a short span of time fuels my motivation and reinforces my commitment to this path. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, working out at the gym, play competitive volleyball, and travel to new places, explore nature and try different cuisines.
I was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal and went to medical school at Nepal Medical College in Kathmandu. My love for Family Medicine stemmed from the fact that Family Medicine providers are equipped with the ability to take care of a family as a whole. I like to connect with my patients and be able to take care of them in the long run. After residency I would like to practice as a primary care provider. In my spare time I like to hike, play with my children and cook food.
Dr. Brian Lam is from Brooklyn, New York, known for his exceptional dedication to his profession and his broad array of personal interests. Dr. Lam graduated from the American University of Antigua College of Medicine and has since embarked on a life-long journey of learning as a physician resident here in Las Cruces, NM.
Aside from his professional pursuits, Dr. Lam is an avid snowboarder, often found carving down the slopes during the winter season. His love for adventure and physical fitness also extends to martial arts, where he hones his discipline, stamina, and focus. When not on the mountainside or in the training room, Dr. Lam enjoys winding down with a good movie. His diverse taste in films matches his multifaceted personality, highlighting his appreciation for different perspectives and narratives.
In both his professional and personal life, Dr. Lam embodies a balance of hard work, continuous learning, and the pursuit of passions, making him a respected figure in his field and community.
I was born, raised, and attended medical school in India. I come from a family of educators and have always been passionate about teaching. I am also interested in Emergency Medicine, Geriatrics, and research. Practicing medicine in an academic setting is my way forward. I have come to enjoy the road trips around Las Cruces and look forward to exploring the Land of Enchantment.
I was born and raised in Mexico City, where I attended medical school at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. I had the opportunity of working with underserved populations, and being able to help them and work with them as a team made my interest in Family Medicine grow exponentially. I also volunteered in the Mexican Consulate in Orlando, FL, and experiencing firsthand the needs that different populations face, made me realize everything we do for our patients is worth it. I feel both honored and excited to join this program as it offers the opportunity of taking care of a population whom I share roots with, while learning from them and growing both professionally and as an individual. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to country music, watching everything Star Wars, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
I owe my deepest gratitude to my parents and husband for their unwavering support, and for making this entire adventure possible.
My medical journey began at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences in Jamshoro, Pakistan. Increasingly, I became drawn to family medicine for its all-encompassing nature: from caring for the tiniest of infants to our wise elders. Above all, I am passionate about treating underserved, historically marginalized communities—with a focus on women's health and preventive care.
Beyond the hospital’s walls, I'm a proud parent of two wonderful kids. Amidst the daily hustle, you can find me engrossed in the pages of a captivating book or seeking out the calming embrace of nature.
These different pieces of my life come together to form my commitment to comprehensive healthcare and education. I cannot wait to dive into this new adventure and see where it leads.
I am from a very rural part of Punjab Pakistan. I completed my medical education from Lahore Pakistan. I have seen my father working hard to provide health care to his very underprivileged and underserved community despite being the only doctor of his town. Being raised in such environment has instilled deep sense of empathy towards the people who didn't have a fair chance at life.
I also owe my deepest gratitude to my husband for being one of my biggest support system.
For me, the ability to make a meaningful difference in the lives of someone is always my biggest motivation. I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge of medicine during my residency and later to serve my community in the best of my capacity.
I was born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, where I grew up in an agricultural family. I earned my medical degree from Nishtar Medical University, and afterward, I served my hometown as a primary care provider. During this time, I developed a strong passion for Family Medicine, recognizing its crucial role in providing comprehensive care.
At Memorial, I was drawn to the robust inpatient training that builds a foundation for quality outpatient care, along with the unique blend of academic and community clinical experiences. The program's emphasis on fostering relationships among residents, faculty, and the broader community resonated with me.
My interests include full-spectrum family medicine, inpatient care, sports medicine, and expanding access to healthcare in underserved global communities. I am eager to develop my skills as a comprehensive family physician over the next three years and beyond. Additionally, I look forward to exploring the rich culture, diverse cuisine, and natural beauty that New Mexico and its surroundings have to offer.
Dr. Varun was born and raised in India where he completed his residency in Internal medicine and MRCP(UK). Choosing medicine over other options wasn’t just his career decision; it was driven by a strong sense of passion for the subject and a genuine desire to help people lead more fulfilling lives. His experiences in internal medicine and critical care allowed him to witness the distress of individuals facing health challenges and this is what motivated him to learn more about preventative medicine and choose this path. Alongside being close to his family, he is excited to begin his new journey in Las Cruces and serve the wonderful community here. In his free time he enjoys exploring new places with his wife, reading books, cooking and spend his time with family and friends.
I am a native New Mexican. I was born in, as well as lived most of my life, here in Las Cruces. I attended NMSU where I received my bachelor’s degree. I also decided to stay in Las Cruces for medical school, attending the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine.
I am excited to continue my graduate medical education here at Memorial Medical Center, and in New Mexico in general, seeing that I want to stay in Las Cruces to practice Family Medicine. I want nothing more than to give back and care for this great community that helped raise me.
When I am not providing care for patients, my family is my pride and joy, and my best days are spent with them. However, if it’s not medicine or spending time with my family, you can find me watching NFL or college football games.
Dr. Eduardo Cañedo comes from Tijuana, México where he graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California. He is known for his resourceful, empathic and articulate nature. He is currently enjoying his journey as a family medicine resident.
Dr. Cañedo is deeply committed to patient advocacy, striving to simplify the complexities of healthcare through patient education. His professional belief is that informed patients lead to better health outcomes.
On his personal time, Dr. Cañedo has a passion for music, particularly alternative rock, enjoys playing videogames, watching movies and discovering great food. He also loves analyzing character development in stories, enjoying comedy and cherishing moments with his family and friends.
I was born and raised in the small town of Lordsburg, New Mexico. After obtaining my bachelor's degree at NMSU, I attended Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine for my medical degree.
Growing up in a rural town, I was able to firsthand experience what it was like to have limited access to not only healthcare, but several resources. While in medical school, I had the opportunity to work in both Las Cruces and El Paso and found that these areas struggled with the same issues. This is essentially what drove me to pursue a career in Family Medicine in my home state of New Mexico, specifically in the southern border region. I resonated with this program due to our shared goal in addressing healthcare disparities and serving our communities.
In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading, watching basketball, and spending time with my family and friends.
I was born and raised in Nepal. I belong from one of the minority groups in Nepal and I feel blessed to represent my community. My family is the reason I am here today. I have graduated from Chitwan Medical College, Nepal. I am excited for my residency training at memorial medical center. For my careers , I am exploring the beauty of family medicine and open to any possibility family medicine offers. I am huge soccer supporter, love to play and watch soccer during my free time.
I was born and raised in Sacramento, CA and completed my undergraduate degree at California State University, Sacramento. I also completed a Masters of Public Health at the University of Southern California and spent some time working for Sacramento County Public Health prior to starting medical school. I moved to Las Cruces in 2020 to attend Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and fell in love with the culture and natural beauty of the area.
I chose to pursue Family Medicine because I am passionate about preventative medicine as well as addressing social determinants of health in the care of my patients and I appreciate the broad scope of training family physicians have. I spend much of my spare time with my husband, daughter and our Australian shepherd. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, cooking and reading to my baby.
I was born and raised in Nepal, a country known for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, where I completed my medical school. My career has led me to work in both Nepal and Oman for some time, exposing me to a range of healthcare environments from resource-limited to resource-rich settings. These experiences have in some way, helped my understanding of healthcare disparities and fueled my passion for family medicine specialty as it is principled with the continuity of care, with holistic focus on overall well-being, but not just treating individual illness.
I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my parents, beloved wife and my family, who have been my greatest cheerleaders. As I boarded on this new chapter in the U.S., I am enthusiastic about learning, growing, and expanding my skills with the exceptional team in this program. I am also excited to dive into new cultural experiences here. My goal is to give back something to the community through the art of healing, with a special focus on improving healthcare access for marginalized populations in the future.
More about me, I enjoy spending time with my wife and my family, love to cook Nepali recipes, and to listen music. When I have some time off, I love to trek and travel new places.
I was born and raised in Nepal, where I completed my undergraduate studies at the College of Medical Sciences and earned my MS degree from Kathmandu University. My medical journey began with a strong foundation in these institutions. My passion for holistic care led me to pursue Family Medicine which allows me to make a comprehensive and continuous impact on my patients' lives.
I owe my dedication and success to the unwavering support of my parents, sister, and wife. Their encouragement has been a constant source of strength throughout my medical career. Outside of my professional pursuits, I enjoy activities that keep me balanced. I love going to the gym, listening to podcasts, and playing soccer with friends. Spending time with family and friends is important to me, as it helps provide a strong support system that enriches my personal life.
I am passionate about diving into this new experience at Memorial Medical Center, where I aim to bring a compassionate approach to my practice. My commitment to both personal and professional growth ensures that I remain at the forefront of medical knowledge and patient care, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve.
Dr. Isabelo Sicsic Jr. (Iz) was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States at a young age. Having grown up in Miami and having been exposed to diverse cultures and life experiences, he appreciates perspectives that are global and holistic in nature.
Not unlike other inspired visionaries, he reflects on his journey as the conglomeration of multi-generational dreams, community aspirations, intrinsic motivation, universal alignment, and resilience.
Dr. Sicsic’s educational background include a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Miami School of Nursing, a master’s degree in public health from West Coast University, and a medical degree from the Cebu Doctors’ University College of Medicine. Additionally, he has earned Lean Six Sigma Certification showcasing his interest in quality and process improvement measures.
He seeks to create a niche that intertwines his background in medicine, public health, nursing, and process improvement endeavors.
His interests include music, medical missions, travel, hiking, religious studies, fitness, various cuisines, and nonprofit work, where he continues to be involved with a Miami based 501(c)3 approved organization.
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, I have always had a deep passion for the sciences. I pursued my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, earning a degree in Life Sciences with a minor in Psychology. My journey in medicine took me to the Medical University of America in St. Kitts and Nevis, where I not only gained a solid medical education but also had the opportunity to engage with and contribute to the underserved community in Nevis.
After graduating, I returned to Toronto and worked as a clinical assistant in family practices, where I developed a strong appreciation for continuity of care and the importance of building meaningful connections with patients and their families.
Outside of medicine, I love spending time with my family, exploring my creative side as a novice cake decorator, indulging in my love for reading, and discovering new culinary experiences as a dedicated foodie. I am always open to new challenges and experiences, and I am thrilled to be a part of the family medicine residency program. I look forward to growing both personally and professionally with the support and learning opportunities available in Las Cruces.
And the answer to the most commonly asked question in my life: How do I say your last name? I broke it down phonetically: Sugeer-than-aan-antha-say-yon.
I was born and raised in Sylhet, Bangladesh. From a young age, I dreamed about becoming a physician as I wanted to serve the people around me who were deprived of receiving basic health care. I completed medical education at Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh. Then, I moved to New York where I worked at Medical Clinics and Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation Centers, acquainting myself with the US healthcare system. Family Medicine attracted me because of the depth and variety of diseases and their comorbidities, the challenge of making a diagnosis, and the charm of patient care and management. I hope to become a well-rounded physician who will be able to make a difference for each patient and their community. In my spare time, I like reading, listening to music, cooking, hiking and spending time with family and friends.