About Us
Our Family Medical Residency Program
For over 10 years, Memorial Health System has trained dedicated providers, compassionate caregivers, and bright minds. Our Family Medicine program was developed in 2018 and provides a full spectrum of family medicine education. Our Family Medical Residency Program utilizes a clinic first approach, allowing significant patient-provider relationship building, a focus on clinic procedures, and experience in clinic quality improvement processes. Memorial Health System is committed to preventative care and lifestyle medicine, and this year, our residents will be able to graduate with dual board certification thanks to the approval of the lifestyle medicine residency curriculum.
Our Program's Mission Statement
We recognize the value of family medicine and the necessity of having excellent family medicine providers in our community. Our family medicine residency program has been established with the primary aim of securing well-trained physicians, who strive for excellence through a commitment to lifelong learning, to serve the community and the southeast Ohio area and the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Our Community Commitment
Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system governed by a volunteer board of community members that are committed to providing comprehensive services that meet the needs of our region. Memorial Health System consists of a network of three hospitals and multiple outpatient service sites. We work in collaborative and innovative ways to meet the healthcare challenges of our region.
A Message from our Program Director
Sarah Taylor, DO
Hello from the banks of the Beautiful Ohio River! We are so pleased that you are considering an application to our growing program. The past few months with Covid have ended up strengthening us, after a few necessary bends of course!
Our practice is growing and there are plenty of patients to see and pathology to learn. We believe that this faculty, staff, and facility have the resources to help you grow into a strong family physician. It is important that you know how to run a practice as well as helping to motivate your patients to change, so we actively teach these things.
We are proud of all we have accomplished and excited for the future. Looking forward to meeting you!
Our Core Faculty
Caitlyn Santer, DO
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine - Lewisburg, West Virginia
Residency: Shenandoah Valley Family Practice Center - Front Royal, Virginia
"It was exciting to return to the Mid-Ohio Valley following residency and care for entire families in my practice, from newborns to grandparents."
Laura Burkett, MD
Medical School: Aureus University, School of Medicine - Oranjestad, Aruba
Residency: Memorial Health System - Marietta, Ohio
"I love caring for whole families and advocating for my patients to have safe, compassionate, affirming care that enriches their lives. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that I connected with my patient and that our relationship improved their health. It has become one of my highest commitments to teach this same approach to family medicine to the next generation of family doctors."
David Drozek, MD
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine - Athens, Ohio
Residency: Doctors Hospital - Columbus, Ohio
"Lifestyle Medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic intervention—including a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connection—as a primary way to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic disease."
John Prokop, MD
Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine - Athens, Ohio
Residency: Akron General Hospital - Akron, Ohio
"I went into family medicine because I enjoy developing long term relationships with patients to develop personalized care. I moved to Marietta to be near family and serve the people of the Mid-Ohio Valley."
Arash Tirgan, MD
PGY 3
Karina Woodling, MD
PGY 3
Meron Berhe, MD
PGY 3
Shehla Belgam Syed, MD
PGY 3
Geetanjali Gupta, MD
PGY 2
Jennifer Dorling, MD
PGY 2
Joanna Ekabua, MD
PGY 2
Sahira Biland, MD
PGY 2
Tina Joseph, MBBS
PGY 1
Ivan Zepeda Mejia, MD
PGY 1
Oluseye Oniyide, MBBS
PGY 1
Diana Wheeler, DO
PGY 1
Our Curriculum
Including rotations and didacticsRotations
PGY-1
PGY-2
PGY-3
Pay Scale for Residents
PGY-2: $58,843.20
PGY-3: $61,360.00
- 20 days paid time off (PTO)
- 403(b)
- Certification courses (BLS, ACLS, PALS, ATLS) with all fees paid
- CME stipend: $1,200 - $2,000
- Dependent care
- Flexible spending account
- Housing for required "out rotations"
- Library access (24 hours)
- Meal allowance while on service
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Membership to ACGME, ACEP/EMRA
- Wellness Center
- Personalized scrubs and white coats
In accordance with all Federal, State and Local requirements, Memorial Health System’s Emergency Medicine Residency does not discriminate, exclude or treat differently any person or group of people on the basis of race, age, color, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression or other protected classes. Employment matters would include but not be limited to such activities as recruitment, selection, promotion, evaluation, compensation, benefits, training or retention of employees.
About Marietta Ohio
Marietta was established in 1788 as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory and is named after Marie Antoinette in honor of France’s role in the Revolutionary War. As you drive down our brick streets lined with tall trees, Marietta College students, and historical homes, you’ll see why National Geographic magazine named Marietta "One of the Best Places to Live" and "Best Adventure Town”, the New York Times says it’s “where the West began”.
Our river town is tucked in between the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, and provides multiple local festivals, culture, and activities. The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival happens every September filling downtown with people and vendors from all across the Mid-Ohio Valley to awe over the sternwheel boats floating in the river. A couple other events not to miss are year-round downtown outdoor celebrations and the fireworks display on Independence Day! The seasons do not stop the hustle and bustle of Marietta; fall and winter events bring locals together to enjoy activities such as historical home tours while they are perfectly decorated for the holidays and ghost walking tours.
