Current Program Residents

Meet the general surgery residents at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center: a diverse group of future surgical leaders committed to clinical excellence and supporting the well-being of the communities we serve.

Hometown: Belews Creek, NC

Richard Jernigan, MD

MD: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Headshot of Richard Jernigan, MD

Hobbies & interests: surfing, board games, weightlifting

Hometown: Monroe, NY

Alyssa Piscitello-Nolan, DO

DO: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Middletown

Headshot of Alyssa Piscitello-Nolan, DO

Hobbies & interests: hanging out with family and friends

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Kathleen C. Riley, DO

DO: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) - Carolinas Campus

Headshot of Kathleen C. Riley, DO

Hobbies & interests: playing with my French Bulldog, Winnie; trying new Wilmington restaurants, home improvement projects; running

Hometown: Miami, FL

Yvette Rodriguez, MD

MD: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Headshot of Yvette Rodriguez, MD

Hobbies & interests: painting, Pilates with Amy, yoga with Amanda, weightlifting, being in nature, makeup

Hometown: Oxford, NC

Adam Wegener, MD

MD: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Headshot of Adam Wegener, MD

Hobbies & interests: snowboarding, weightlifting, piano

Hometown: Davidson, NC

Matthew Beck, MD

MD: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: fitness, golf, surfing, fostering dogs

Hometown: Brunswick & Forsyth County, NC

Natalie Barnette, MD

MD: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: avid skydiver with over 100 solo jumps; competing in four-way formation skydiving (requires a team of four people to create a sequence of formations during 90 seconds of free fall)

Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK

Amy Gin-Gossett, MD

MD: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: going to the beach, working out with my co-interns, running with my dogs

Hometown: Clearwater, FL

Eric Minnix, MD

MD: Florida State University College of Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: surfing, weight training, going to the beach with my kiddos

Hometown: Sayville, NY

Hanah Lee, MD

MD: St. George’s University School of Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: animals, plants, macrame, hiking, camping, paddleboarding; anything outdoors or in the water

Hometown: Hamilton, GA

Macie Edwards, MD

MD: Mercer University School of Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: reading, playing with my cats, CrossFit, live music

Hometown: Wichita Falls, TX

Bailey Gutierrez, MD

MD: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: trying new bars/restaurants with my co-residents, cultivating my houseplant jungle, live country music, two-stepping, snuggling with my cat, Peggy (8 pounds of pure cross-eyed, Siamese cat magic)

Hometown: Destrehan, LA

Patrick Juneau, MD

MD: Louisiana State University Health Shreveport

JUNEAU PATRICK Headshot Web

Hobbies & interests: fishing, hunting, mountain biking, golfing, fitness, gardening, spending time with my wife, surfing

Hometown: Selma, AL

Jernell Simmons, MD

MD: University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: weightlifting, sports, hiking

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Anshika Bandy, DO

MD: New Mexico State University Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine

Anshika Bandy, DO

Hobbies & interests: traveling, Pilates, cooking, shopping, weightlifting, long walks with my dog

Hometown:  Kings Mountain, NC

Christopher Goddard, DO

DO: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) - Carolinas Campus

Christopher Goddard, DO

Hobbies & interests: camping with my wife in our renovated pop-up camper, cycling, fishing at the beach

Hometown: Siahkal, Iran & Boston, MA

Arnavaz Hajizadeh Barfejani, MD, Pharm. D

MD: Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland

Arnavaz Hajizadeh, MD

Hobbies & interests: long-distance running, cooking and experimenting with different cuisines, listening to a wide range of audiobooks

Hometown: Clinton, NC

Payton O'Quinn, MD

MD: East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine

Payton O'Quinn, MD

Hobbies & interests:  reading (particularly historical biographies), being outdoors and exploring nature, college football (especially the NC State Wolfpack), playing video games, theology

Hometown: Monroe, NC

Meera Parikh, MD

MD: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Meera Parikh, MD

Hobbies & interests: photography, going to the beach, thrifting, trying new recipes/restaurants, crocheting, finding time to work as a film extra

Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC

Salomon Ariza, MD

MD: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: spending time with the fam, soccer, college basketball, music, chilling with the homies

Hometown: Bridgeville, DE

Caitlin Blades, MD

MD: University of Colorado School of Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: road trips, fishing, crabbing, thrift-store treasure hunts, trying new restaurants, rollerblading, baking from scratch

Hometown: Eatonton, GA

Bailey Boyd, MD

MD: Mercer University School of Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: golf, travel, hiking, hanging out with my cat, Chloe

Hometown: Richmond, VA

Gabriella Gee, MD

MD: University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia

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Hobbies & interests: working out, being in the sun, spending time with family and friends, baking, going for walks with my dog, finding fun coffee shops or new places to eat, reading, chatting about new music and shows (especially a good reality TV show) cheering on the Gamecocks

Hometown: Ballston Spa, NY

Casey Northrup, MD

MD: Albany Medical College

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Hobbies & interests: volleyball, soccer, weightlifting, yoga, paddleboarding, pickleball, cooking, exploring new restaurants and cafés, traveling

Hometown: Wake Forest, NC

Evan Peck, DO

DO: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

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Hobbies & interests: sports, especially Carolina Hurricanes hockey and UNC basketball; cooking; running; trying out local restaurants and coffee shops

Wilmington is a great place to live and Novant Health NHRMC is an even better place to learn with a fantastic community of master surgical educators prepared to support generations of future surgeons.
Natalie Barnette, MD, General Surgery Resident, PGY-4
Having grown up in a small coastal community, I have a deep appreciation for the area's natural beauty and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. The people here are welcoming, hardworking and have a strong sense of community. Together, these qualities make Wilmington feel like home.
Caitlin Blades, MD, General Surgery Resident, PGY-1
I love living close to the beach, the high volume and hands-on training, supportive culture and how welcomed I felt by everyone during my interview.
Bailey Boyd, MD, General Surgery Resident, PGY-1
There are so many fun food and coffee spots to explore [in Wilmington], and, as a bonus, every single person I have met has been welcoming, kind and helpful.
Gabriella Gee, MD, General Surgery Resident, PGY-1
We operate early and often; attendings genuinely care about residents and take time to sculpt us into excellent surgeons; residents love one another and will do anything for each other — inside the hospital or out.
Patrick Juneau, MD, General Surgery Resident, PGY-3
I’ve spent most of my life in Albany, NY, so I’m really looking forward to exploring somewhere new with a warmer climate where I can enjoy my hobbies year-round (or closer to it).
Casey Northrup, MD, General Surgery Resident, PGY-1
Wilmington surgery residents and faculty in white coats at graduation

From residency to real-world impact

We prepare our surgeons to take their next steps with purpose and confidence. Our graduates go on to grow as leaders, whether they pursue specialized training, move into roles in academic centers or pursue private practice. 

A vibrant place to live and work

Working at New Hanover Regional Medical Center offers the benefit of living on the beautiful NC coast. Wilmington has small-town charm with big city amenities.
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Surgery residents practicing in the Novant Health simulation lab at NHRMC

Meet our faculty

Our general surgery residency faculty are more than educators. They partner with you during your time here, teaching you evidence-based skills, offering support and creating a culture that sets our program apart.

team member phone call desk

Contact & support

For questions, email Program Administrator Kathy Radley, C-TAGME, at Kathy.Radley@NovantHealth.org.

Administrative Office Address

General Surgery Residency Program
2131 S. 17th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401