Current Triple Board Residents
PGY-1
Devona Samuel, MD
Hometown: Hilliard, Ohio
Undergrad: THE Ohio State University
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Career interests: Child abuse pediatrics and trauma-informed care.
Why I selected the Pitt Triple Board Program: I know it's cliche, but it TRULY is the people. Everyone is so supportive and willing to lend a helping hand. And this stretches from coresidents to chiefs and PDs!
Favorites around the ‘Burgh: There's always something to do, see or experience! There's a bunch of farmer's markets, restaurants, festivals, museums, sports (if that's your vibe), parks, and just beautiful scenery!
Kelsey Talty, MD, MPH
Hometown: Fairport, NY
Undergrad: Salve Regina University
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Career interests: Integrated/collaborative primary care settings, trauma-informed care, infant mental health
Why I selected the Pitt Triple Board Program: I did an AI here and absolutely loved the people I worked and interacted with (in all departments). The program has such a great sense of community and everyone is incredibly supportive and helpful. With my interest in integrated care settings, I also felt that the experience I would get through the Whole Child clinic would be really unique and beneficial.
Favorites around the ‘Burgh: I really love some of the nearby hiking spots such as Ohiopyle, McConnells Mill, or Laurel Highlands, also Frick Park in PGH, and the GAP bike trail. Still exploring the restaurant scene but my favorite iced London fog spot (so far) = Ineffable Ca Phe
PGY-2
Sean McClaine, MD
Hometown: Bethel Park, PA
Undergrad: Boston University
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Career Interests: Child advocacy, psychiatric care for medically complex children, integrated care for victims of trauma and abuse.
Why I Selected the Pitt Triple Board Program: The communities at Children's and Western Psychiatric are amazing and really care about the children of Pittsburgh!
Favorites around the ‘Burgh: The Penguins, Southern Tier Brewery, The Strip District, and PNC Park!
Kiana Heredia, MD
Hometown: Hudson Valley, NY
Undergrad: Mount Holyoke College
Medical School: Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Career Interests: Family-based approach to health, preventative medicine, epigenetics and medical administration..
Why I Selected the Pitt Triple Board Program: The opportunity to couples match and sincere triple board program directors!
Favorites around the ‘Burgh: There's still so much for me to explore, but the Strip District is great!
PGY-3
Ijeoma Unachukwu, MD
Hometown: Marlboro, NJ
Undergrad: Rutgers University
Medical School: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Career Interests: School-based services, community/global health, social determinants of health, working with disability communities, medical journalism.
Why I Selected the Triple Board Program: The vibes are immaculate and they really care about us!
Favorites around the ‘Burgh: The bridges, the mountains, the trails - truly breathtaking. Whether you're a city mouse or country mouse, love being bougie or love the outdoors, you can find activities, restaurants, whatever you want to fit your style (for decent prices)!
Kendall Melvin, MD
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Undergrad: Amherst College
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Career Interests: Consultation-liaison psychiatry and working with families and patients with complex and chronic illnesses.
Why I Selected the Pitt Triple Board Program: The people - there hasn't been a time yet where the best part of showing up to work is not the people I work with!
Favorites around the ‘Burgh: My Sweet Lily's Bakery in the Strip District - their macarons are delicious.
PGY4
Steven “Sven” Lam, MD
Hometown: Alhambra, CA
Undergrad: University of Southern California
Medical School: University of California Davis
Career interests: Consultation-liaison, interventional psychiatry, outpatient pediatrics, and medical education.
Why I Selected the Pitt Triple Board Program: We have a lot of fun, we get great exposure, and we get support in so many different ways!
Favorites around the ‘Burgh: Rowhouse Cinema & Bierport, Iron City Boulders, and Noodlehead.
Kristin Smoot, MD
Hometown: Asheville, NC
Undergrad: University of North Carolina/Charlotte
Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine
Career Interests: Consultation-liaison psychiatry, working with people with autism spectrum disorder, and developmental pediatrics.
Why I Selected the Pitt Triple Board Program: The community within the Triple Board program, and also the community within the Pediatrics program. Triple boarders integrate seamlessly with the Pediatrics program (and during my intern year I saw how this is also true with the Psychiatry side as well!)
Favorites around the ‘Burgh: On the weekends, I like to walk my dogs, grab coffee from one of the cute cafes in Lawrenceville, and stop at my absolute favorite local flower shop (Gold Dust Floral) or go for a run around Point Breeze or Frick Park!
PGY5
Colette Buser, MD
Hometown: Wellesley, MA
Undergrad: University of Richmond
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Career interests: Caring for patients with eating disorders, particularly younger adolescents.
Why I selected the Pitt Triple Board Program: The people! We love to hang out outside of the program and explore Pittsburgh together. We also get incredibly strong training in both pediatrics and psychiatry and are supported by the program directors on both sides.
Favorites around the ‘Burgh: So much good food – some favorites include Everyday Noodle, Thai Cottage, and Red Hawk for coffee.
Evan Keller, MD
Hometown: Needham, MA
Undergrad: University of Massachusetts/Amherst
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Career interests: My interests are varied and include consultation-liaison psychiatry, psycho-oncology, adolescent substance use, and early psychosis.
Why I Selected the Pitt Triple Board Program: I love Pittsburgh, for its culture, gorgeous scenery, friendly people and awesome food. Children’s Hospital and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital are both incredible institutions with brilliant but fun and approachable faculty. My co-residents are my dear friends.
Favorites around the ‘Burgh: The river trails, Frick park, the breweries, the drivability, the perfect size, and some top notch cuisine.