President:
Jessica Edwards, DO
Zara Medical Aesthetics,
Family Medicine | Our union has created a culture at our hospital where residents are happy and are fairly compensated for their work. They also are not afraid to stand up and fight for the issues.
Executive VP:
Amy Plasencia, MD
Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, Internal Medicine | CIR has taught me a tremendous amount about how to be a resident leader, how to galvanize support for a cause and how to work with administration to reach a common goal – improving patient care.
Secretary-Treasurer:
Linda Alvarez, MD
Jackson Memorial Hospital, Family Medicine | Because of our union, my colleagues and I to be advocates for our patients and ourselves. Being a member my union, I have directly seen how our voices as residents are stronger when we stand together for a common goal.
Regional VP - DC/NJ:
Georgia Davies, MD
Rutgers University – NJMS, Emergency Medicine | Being a member of CIR, I have learned to become a leader and to advocate for resident and patient wellness. I intend to help the organization grow by bringing my ideas and diverse background.
Regional VP - DC/NJ:
Suzanne Borkowski, MD
St. Elizabeths Hospital, Psychiatry
At a time when unions are being attacked, it is more important than ever to remind colleagues of what is at risk if they aren’t organized, protected, and empowered. CIR is a leading example, showing the impact that unionizing has on medical residents, patient care, research initiatives, and policy reform.
Regional VP - So CAL:
Erica Barrios, MD
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center | I have learned above everything else how to be an advocate for my fellow residents which often means collaborating with different groups within the hospital and outside the hospital. In the wake of attacks against organized labor, I have seen that CIR continues to move forward and rally momentum to create new chapters.
Regional VP - So CAL:
Alexis Gordon, MD, MPH
LAC+USC Medical Center, Medicine/Pediatrics | I intend to increase resident’s awareness of their own power, their own voice and ability. We are passionate about serving our patients. Our union has done amazing things at our hospital! Working together, we’ve helped unify the housestaff around issues like resident and patient safety and foster an great working relationship with hospital executives.
Regional VP - No CAL:
Amelia Breyre, MD
Alameda Health System | As a resident it can be hard to ask for things — ask for help with a procedure or ask for a day off to go to a best friend’s wedding. I have learned from CIR that it’s ok to ask for things from our employers — ask for a housing stipend or ask for overtime pay. Our union is an incredible tool for resident advocacy. That means whatever issues are important to residents is important to CIR.
Regional VP - No CAL:
Aneesh Nandam, MD
Zuckerberg SFGH, Psychiatry
I want local chapters to have stronger relationship-focused organizing that would facilitate mobilization and escalation. This would help us win better contracts and enforce existing contracts. I’m committed to supporting CIR’s involvement in advocating for Medicare for All at both state and federal levels.
Regional VP - FL:
Rachel Manalo, MD
Jackson Memorial Hospital, Cardiology | I have learned valuable leadership skills and organizing to achieve common goals for residents and fellows. I have improved my public speaking skills and communicate with administration regarding resident concerns. As a leader, I will be available to listen and educate residents and fellows on the role of CIR and advocacy for their rights.
Regional VP - MA:
Brandon Newsome, MD
Boston Medical Center, Psychiatry | MA is known for its great work in patient safety, patient advocacy, and physician wellness. I’m hopeful that we can collaborate and perhaps give best practices to hospitals working to improve in those goals. I plan to ensure that we remain united, have a livable wage, great benefits, and have all that we need to become exceptional physicians and advocates.
Regional VP - NM:
Christopher Gaudiot, MD
University of New Mexico, Psychiatry
Regional VP - NY:
Mohit Garg, MD
Maimonides Medical Center, Anesthesiology | Our union remains a vital platform to address issues with patient safety and resident well-being. We can appropriately represent residents by continuously modifying our strategies to find solutions to resident issues.
Regional VP - NY:
Alaa Elnajjar, MD
Westchester County Health Care, Psychiatry | My main work with CIR focuses on advocacy for Internatinal trainees, by fostering networking with our hospital administration and GME office. We discuss cultural difficulties, psychological and legal issues.
Regional VP - NY:
Adelaide Oppong-Dwamena, MD, MPH
Harlem Hospital, Psychiatry | I believe that CIR needs to continue to stay connected with residents across all of our hospitals and encourage them to voice their concerns of how to make their experience better.
Regional VP - NY:
Christina Gomez-Juge, MD
New York Methodist Hospital
Pediatrics | I’m most excited about promoting the mission of CIR and educating residents about how vital they are in moving our mission forward. It’s important that we continue to stay connected with residents in various hospitals and encourage them to voice their concerns and fight to make their experience better.
Regional VP - NY:
Chidi Ugwu, MD
Woodhull Hospital Center, Pediatrics Family Health challenge has been the most exciting thing for me as a CIR member. Knowing how much having a union has been of benefit to us, I’m dedicated to working to maintain our organization and encourage every resident and fellow to join.
Regional VP - NY:
Saurabh Somvanshi, MD, MBBS
Harlem Hospital, Psychiatry
Representative -
Greg Gabrellas, MD
UCLA, Psychiatry
Representative -
Anna Yap, MD
UCLA, Emergency Medicine
