Introducing the Next Generation of Internal Medicine Chief Residents

Please join us in congratulating the six energetic and talented residents who have been selected as the J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program’s 2019-2020 Chief Residents. Each year, our chiefs serve as exemplary resident role models who exude intellectual curiosity, inspire curiosity in others, provide top-notch patient care, and invest in our program and our people. This group’s outstanding leadership and enthusiasm for resident education will enrich the legacy of our training program.

Please see below for additional information and hospital assignments for the 2019-2020 Chief Residents.

Caitlin Anderson

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: Ambulatory Chief Resident

Medical School: Emory University SOM

College: Emory University

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Why did you choose to train at Emory?

“As a medical student, the faculty of EUSOM left a very strong impression on me. I had the luck of counting some of the best clinician educators among my mentors, including Joyce Doyle. I knew that Emory was the right fit for me because these physician-teachers modeled the integrity, compassion and clinical acumen that I hoped to develop as I became a doctor myself.”

What’s been your favorite residency experience?

“Developing relationships with my primary care patients. I will never forget the first time someone called me “their doctor.” For me, receiving that title is the ultimate expression of someone’s trust in your ability to care for them, and that is truly a humbling and amazing gift!”

Danica Rockney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Emory University Hospital Midtown

Medical School: University of Wisconsin

College: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Hometown: Black River Falls, WI

Where did you grow up?

“A very small, rural town in Western Wisconsin called Black River Falls – home to an orange moose and five stop lights.”

What is your favorite thing about our program?

“The people – the faculty, our co-residents, and most of all, the patients. Everyone has been incredibly supportive and approachable, and the patients are forgiving and thankful – even when we may feel as though we don’t deserve it.”

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

“A somewhat obvious fun fact is that I love (read “am obsessed with”) all things Wisconsin – cheese, beer, Badgers, Packers.”

John Haydek

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Emory University Hospital

Medical School: Emory University

College: Emory University

Hometown: Knoxville, TN

What’s been your favorite residency experience?

“My month on Night Float. We grew as physicians, gaining independence and experience while still finding time to kick back, play ping-pong and listen to Portugal the Man on repeat all night. The #NewKidzontheFloat had a great month.”

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

“I spent several summers performing classified bomb detection research at Oak Ridge National Lab.”

Babusai Rapaka

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Atlanta VA Medical Center

Medical School: UT San Antonio

College: University of Texas

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

What is your favorite thing about our program?

“I really love the faculty and the house staff. Some of my best experiences during my training was because of the people who have a real passion for teaching. Also some of my closest friends are those I have made in residency.”

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

“I have known my girlfriend since I was 14 years old and we are high school sweethearts.”

Akanksha Vaidya

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Grady Memorial Hospital

Medical School: Cornell University

College: Carnegie Mellon University

Hometown: Pune, India

Why did you choose to train at Emory?

“Emory was such a friendly place on my interview day- all of the residents and faculty were so friendly and welcoming. I wanted to train at a program that had a great public hospital to work at, a great university hospital, and above all, easy, friendly people to work with. Emory fit perfectly.”

What’s been your favorite residency experience?

“One of my very first wards patients as an intern now is one of my continuity clinic patients. When I first met her, she was having trouble breathing and had an EF of 15%. I’ve been seeing her for almost two years now and she now walks for miles a day, drives to clinic in a truck, has recovered her EF to normal, and also gives me fun fashion tips!”

Cindy Ye

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Grady Memorial Hospital

Medical School: Medical College of Georgia

College: Duke University

Hometown: China, Mississippi, and Georgia

Where did you grow up?

China, Mississippi, and for the most part, Georgia

What is your favorite thing about our program?

“Being able to individualize the residency experience: whether its pursuing medical education, fellowship, global health, or perfecting ultrasound skills.”

What’s been your favorite residency experience?

“When I had a tough day, and my 80 year old patient hugged me and thanked me for the care I provided for him (even though all I did was give him a bag of IV fluids for his dehydration). He reminded me of why I do what I do.”