We are pleased to share with you the J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency program’s 2025–2026 Chief Resident group! These rising Chief Residents were selected from an exceptionally strong class based on input from residents, faculty, and stakeholders across the Department of Medicine.
We look to our chiefs 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 2025–2026 Chief Residents.
Carolyn Brooks: Grady Memorial Hospital
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
College: Northwestern University
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Why did you choose to train at Emory?
I knew I wanted to train at a program with multiple hospital sites that allowed me to care for a diverse patient population, and Emory fit that bill perfectly. But what ultimately sold me was the warmth and enthusiasm radiating from the residents and faculty that I spoke to on my interview day, who gave me a sense of belonging that has stuck with me ever since.
What is your favorite thing about our program?
The people, a million times over! I could go on forever about my amazing co-residents, who constantly inspire me to be a better doctor, make me laugh every day, and are unbelievably supportive. There is so much generosity, positivity, and kindness in our Emory community, and I feel so lucky to be a part of this family.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I have an expansive (and profoundly unhelpful, given my chosen career) knowledge of movie and TV trivia. Someone please teach me how to scrub my brain of these useless pop cultural details to make room for more medicine!
Gabi Gundermann: Ambulatory Chief Resident
Medical School: Penn State College of Medicine
College: Penn State University
Hometown: Palmyra, Pennsylvania
What is your favorite thing about our program?
I chose Emory because I was looking for a program where I could get a strong clinical education in both the inpatient and outpatient settings with the added bonus of training at multiple hospital sites. I am so lucky to have gained the skills necessary to practice in diverse environments, ranging from university hospitals to VA and public healthcare institutions.
What are you most excited about for your chief year?
My favorite part of our program is the exceptional group of residents I have the privilege to work with every day. They’re compassionate, collaborative, and incredibly supportive, which truly makes a difference. I have learned so much from everyone and love working with them!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I love plants and currently have a small lemon tree with four fully grown lemons.
Brett Montelaro: Emory University Hospital
Medical School: Louisiana State University
College: Louisiana State University
Hometown: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Why did you choose to train at Emory?
I was fortunate enough to do an away rotation at here as a medical student and can remember vividly my first day at Grady. Seeing how the residents, fellows, and attendings strived to go above and beyond to care for an underserved patient population was inspiring and motivating as they tackled not only complex medical cases but the added societal barriers to healthcare that many of our patients struggle with. Training here offered the opportunity to serve those with some of the greatest need, while also cultivating the humanistic qualities and clinical acumen needed to be a physician.
What is your favorite thing about our program?
Undoubtedly the people. I am always impressed at how no matter how busy one of my co-residents may be, they are still so quick to offer to help lighten your load in any way they can. The camaraderie in our program, from attendings down to residents, makes the even the toughest days much easier and I am fortunate to work with such an amazing group of people.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
My amazing wife and I love to travel and we have still made time to visit three new countries just this past year! I am also an adventurous eater and have tried everything from ant larvae to guinea pig during my travels.
Darlington Pobee: Grady Memorial Hospital
Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine
College: University of Georgia
Hometown: Takoradi, Ghana; Snellville, Georgia
Why did you choose to train at Emory
I was naturally attracted to Emory’s commitment to academic excellence and resolute efforts in addressing healthcare disparities faced by the patient population it serves. The robust curriculum designed to equip residents with the skillset to be outstanding clinicians, educators and leaders was exciting. The opportunity to train at four different sites with a very diverse patient population just made Emory feel complete.
What is your favorite thing about our program?
The people! It might sound cliché, but the people truly make this program exceptional. From leadership to fellow house staff, everyone is genuinely invested in each other’s career and professional success, but most importantly, their comprehensive wellness. At its core, it speaks to the culture that makes this program special.
What are you most excited about for your chief year?
I am looking forward to honing my teaching and leadership skills. Equally, I am looking forward to being an advocate for my colleagues and upholding the values that make Emory IM a great program.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I am a self-taught novice acoustic guitar learner, but a proficient djembe and African talking drum player!
Kevin Rymut: Atlanta VA Medical Center
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
College: University of Wisconsin- Madison; University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee School of Nursing
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Why did you choose to train at Emory?
I put Emory number one on my list for several reasons. First, after being a Wisconsin lifer through medical school, I wanted to train at a location that would expose me to a different patient population, practice environment, and overall culture. Second, I wanted a program with training at multiple sites to gain exposure to different institutional practices and cultures. Third, I was impressed by the residents’ commitment to the Grady and VA patients, and the focus placed on not just their medical care, but their broader social context. Finally, and most importantly, I wanted to train at a location that would turn me into a strong, knowledgeable, and confident internist. I’ve gotten all of this during my training and then some!
What is your favorite thing about our program?
I am consistently blown away by how supportive and uplifting my co-residents are. Every time I have had a difficult patient encounter, a draining day, or an unexpected code overnight, everyone surrounding me has gotten me back on my feet.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I’ve been an avid runner since high school, and while I’m not as fast as I once was, I’m looking forward to racing more often and adding to my tally of two marathons and over a dozen half marathons.
Katherine Sorrentino: Emory University Hospital Midtown
Medical School: Albany Medical College
College: Georgia Institute of Technology
Hometown: Augusta, Georgia
Why did you choose to train at Emory?
I worked with an Emory committee on my Senior Capstone Design Project for Biomedical Engineering when I was at Georgia Tech. From then on, I knew that Emory was a place that not only valued the highest quality patient care, but also prioritized medical innovation and advancement. I also loved living in Atlanta, so I couldn’t imagine a better place that I could continue my medical training. Coming to Emory felt like coming home, and that sense of comfort and community has only grown during my time in residency.
What is your favorite thing about our program?
I love the breadth of training we receive at Emory. Training at four sites sounds intimidating, but it really prepares you to be a well-rounded physician. We care for all walks of life, and the learning we receive from our patients I feel is unmatched. Not only is the training robust, the education high-yield, but we also focus on the human side of medicine, caring for patients as people and partnering with them in their care. Lastly, I love the people. I’m obsessed with my co-residents and constantly amazed by the people I get to work with and call my friends.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I love to cook and bake for people. I started baking sourdough a couple years ago, and one of my greatest accomplishments was making a loaf of bread shaped like a turkey for Thanksgiving.
We would also like to reintroduce the 2024–2025 Chief Residents, who will assume their positions in July. We are excited to see how they lead and grow in their new roles!
Kylie Anthony– Grady Memorial Hospital
Daniel (Dan) Barboto– Emory University Hospital Midtown
Irtiqa Fazili– Atlanta VA Medical Center
Mackenzie Garcia – Ambulatory Chief Resident
Jim Pennoyer– Emory University Hospital
Suyu Zhang – Grady Memorial Hospital
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