Meet Our General Surgery Residents

PGY-5

Rami Mustafa, MD

Rami Mustafa, MD I studied medicine in Egypt, finished my surgery residency, and earned a master’s degree in Trauma, I was incredibly fortunate to receive the PhD scholarship Award as dual supervision between Menoufia University and Case Western Reserve in Cleveland. Also, I’ve finished a clinical research fellowship at the University Hospitals of Cleveland, after that, I did my internship year at UH of Cleveland/CWRU, and continued my second year at Jefferson Health in Abington, Pa. Now I’m truly delighted to continue general surgery training at Trinity Health/Nazareth Hospital one of the biggest health systems in the country among fantastic staff and peers. I love cooking, spending time with my family, cycling, and traveling, also a PlayStation addict

Julianne Pilla, MD

Julianne Pilla, MD Born in Southern N.J. I attended Ursinus College in Pa., where I majored in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Spanish. At Ursinus, I played NCAA Field Hockey and studied abroad in Bonaire, Netherland Antilles focusing on Marine Biology. After undergrad, I taught English in Madrid, Spain for one year before attending Medical School at Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Puerto Rico. I commissioned as an officer in the medical corps as a recipient of the U.S. Air Force Health Profession scholarship program. I then completed a year of surgical internship at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento before attending USAF Flight Surgeon training. I spent three years serving overseas in Okinawa, Japan as the 67th Fighter Squadron Flight Doc, where I met my fiancé, who is a fighter pilot in the Air Force. I recently became a certified yoga instructor. I love hiking and snowboarding and treating my loved ones to homemade gnocchi.

PGY-4

Shashank Thyarala, MD

Shashank Thyarala, MD I was born in India and grew up in Galway, Ireland. I stayed in my hometown and went to med school at NUI Galway. I became interested in surgery towards the latter stages of med school. It has become my passion and I look forward to a rewarding career in surgery.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy football, I’m a big Arsenal fan. I also enjoy cooking, watching TV shows, and video games. I try my best to make time for family and friends.

Moving from Ireland to the States has been a big change! I look forward to exploring Philadelphia and the Northeast and seeing what the area has to offer!

Tanner J. Wright, MD

Tanner J. Wright I began my medical journey studying exercise science at Brigham Young University. In the middle of my undergraduate education, I spent two years in Antofagasta, Chile and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Immersed in Latin culture, my passion for assisting underserved Hispanic populations ignited, leading me to volunteer as a Spanish medical interpreter. It was during this time that I also crossed paths with my wonderful wife. Following my graduation from BYU in 2018, I pursued medical school at Washington State University, followed by a general surgery intern year at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. We now have three kids ages 3 years, 2 years, and 4 months. I enjoy weightlifting, wakeboarding, snowboarding, pickleball, ping-pong, and corn hole. I’ve been drawn to surgery ever since I took a high school anatomy class. In general surgery, I love that we see a wide variety of disease processes, procedures, and patient populations. The surgery we perform is often lifesaving and can significantly improve quality of life. I am so excited to be at Nazareth Hospital to serve a diverse population and be a part of the historic and vibrant city of Philadelphia.

PGY-3

George Chapa, DO

George Chapa I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio where I spent a lot of time riding four wheelers and dirt bikes growing up. Once I graduated high school, I moved down to South Florida where I was the first person in my family to go to college. I attended Florida Gulf Coast University where I majored in Biology, minored in Chemistry, and participated in Organic Chemistry research creating resveratrol analogues using a novel synthetic pathway to be used for research on mesenchymal stem cells. After undergrad, I worked as a medical assistant for a year in a very busy Orthopedics office until I started medical school at Nova Southeastern University KPCOM in Fort Lauderdale. I then completed a General Surgery intern year at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. I was very happy to have matched at Nazareth Hospital, allowing me to live much closer to my parents and 6 siblings than I have in the past decade. In my free time I like turning wrenches on my cars, woodworking, weightlifting, snowboarding, and traveling.

Eric Luo, MD

Eric Luo A native of Tampa, Florida, I attended medical school at the University of South Florida. I have always had an interested in surgery, eventually deciding on general surgery once I finally started my medical education. I’m really excited to spend my next five years with wonderful attendings and residents here in Philadelphia! Outside the hospital, I love playing/watching tennis, reading about history, meal prepping, and exercising.

PGY-2

Devika Soin, DO

Devika Soin Bio to come

Anthony Tigano, MD

Anthony Tigano, MD I was born in South Jersey and have always wanted to remain close to the Philadelphia area. I attended St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in North Philadelphia before being accepted into the 3+4 BS/MD program with Rowan University and Cooper Medical School. At Rowan I was able to play varsity football as a placekicker. At Cooper, I received a comprehensive medical education that sparked my passion for surgery through extensive exposure to the operating room. I also had the opportunity to give back to the community by engaging in local service and founding the Food Recovery Network, an organization that continues to thrive today. The high volume of trauma cases at Cooper enabled me to participate in multicenter research, with findings that have the potential to inform and improve protocols in major trauma centers.

Outside of the operating room I enjoy boxing, pickup sports with friends, and exploring the city. In the winter, you can find me at the mountains snowboarding or watching the Eagles. In the summer I’m golfing or at the Jersey Shore.

I’m looking forward to my surgical training in Philly and serving the community that once raised me.

PGY-1

Stephan Attilus, MD

Stephan Attilus, MD I was born and raised in Florida. I’m a proud first-generation doctor from Haitian immigrants. My interest in medicine peaked after seeing the movie “Gifted Hands,” about the life of Dr. Ben Carson. The fact that a man from such humble beginnings had the impact that he had in the field of medicine really inspired me. I went to undergrad at Florida Atlantic University, pursued a masters in biomedical science at Thomas Jefferson University, and attended St. George’s University School of Medicine.

Having completed a masters in Philadelphia and living in the city for four years, I was excited to get the opportunity to start my journey as a surgical resident in the city. I enjoy watching and playing sports, traveling, wine tasting with my friends, and playing guitar.

Fenil Chavda, MD

Fenil Chavda, MD I was born in New York and grew up in Kentucky, where I spent much of my free time playing competitive team-based video games. At 15, I left home to attend The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, which marked my first major step toward pursuing a career in medicine and eventually led me to earn my bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Western Kentucky University. While at WKU, I conducted undergraduate research on the synthesis and applications of ligand-conjugated gold nanoparticles. I then attended Ross University School of Medicine and spent two years living in Michigan while completing my clinical training, where I developed my interest in surgery.

Outside of the hospital, I enjoy playing computer games, watching esports tournaments, trying new restaurants, playing tennis, traveling and thrifting, with a particular interest in garment construction, textiles and shoe restoration.

PGY-1 Prelim

Dave Delima, MD

Dave Delima, MD I was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Medicine, in a way, found me after the devasting 2010 earthquake. Seeing people who survived the quake later died from untreated injuries forced me to understand that becoming a physician was my calling to the underserved communities. I obtained my undergraduate degree at Florida International University and attended Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Ga. Before medical school, I worked as a tutor and served as a Haitian Interpreter at the University of Miami CHS clinic, where I met my wife. I recently completed a Transitional Year at South Texas Health System in McAllen, where I gained broad clinical experience across multiple specialties. I found general surgery most rewarding as it compasses a variety of diseases with often rapid and tangible results, mirroring my gratification for fixing cars.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy exploring nature, hiking with my wife, spending time with family and friends, and supporting my soccer team, Paris Saint-Germain. Allez Paris!

I am excited to continue training at this outstanding program, caring for the diverse patient population and serving the underserved community.

Jimmy Smith, MD

Jimmy Smith, MD I began my journey studying human physiology at the University of Iowa, where I stayed busy leading student organizations and volunteering with advocacy groups working to expand access and opportunity. From there, I went on to medical school at Howard University College of Medicine, where some of my most meaningful hours were spent caring for uninsured patients at a student-run, free clinic in Washington, D.C.

After earning my MD, I worked as a postdoctoral research scholar at UC Davis, coordinating multi-center clinical trials and publishing in surgical oncology and metastatic disease. Alongside the research, I helped lead a free clinic for uninsured patients in Sacramento, where we grew our services from blood pressure checks to include sickle cell and glucose screening.

Outside the hospital, I recharge by staying creative through painting, clay sculpting, and going to art museums. When I want to move, you’ll find me kayaking, in the gym, or in a yoga studio. I am thrilled to join St. Mary and to serve the community here as part of this program.