Current Program Residents

Your training family

Meet the residents of Novant Health’s family medicine residency program in Charlotte. Join this diverse group of future physicians who bring energy, curiosity, and heart to every patient encounter. In a program built on support, mentorship, and balance, you will shape your careers while making a difference in the community together.

Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA

Amaad Choudry, DO

DO: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

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  • Medical areas of interest: sports medicine, lifestyle medicine, outpatient family medicine 
  • Hobbies & interests: watching sports (Philly sports fan), staying active and working out, playing basketball, tennis/pickleball, biking, hiking
Hometown: Mooresville, NC

Noah Crees, MD

MD: Wake Forest University School of Medicine

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  • Medical areas of interest: sports medicine, point-of-care ultrasound, lifestyle and preventive medicine, and community health
  • Hobbies & interests: college basketball and football; pro football, baseball, hockey; traveling; the rail trail in downtown Charlotte; local parks and breweries
Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Gerardo Perez, DO

DO: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

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  • Medical areas of interest: preventive health, lifestyle medicine, working with marginalized communities
  • Hobbies & interests: lifelong love of sports, working out, cooking (especially finding ways to put a vegan twist on otherwise non-vegan dishes), spending time with family
Hometown: Newnan, GA & Queens, NY

Jessica Rebaza, MD, MS

MD: St. George’s University

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  • Medical areas of interest: community and preventive medicine, health behavior change, breastfeeding/lactation support, Latino health equity 
  • Hobbies & interests: baking; playing Taylor Swift songs on guitar and piano; time with family, husband and rescue French bulldog
Hometown: Keller, TX

Lauren Summers, MD, MS

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

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  • Medical areas of interest: community medicine, addiction medicine, geriatrics, refugee and immigrant health
  • Hobbies & interests: true crime podcasts, horror movies, concerts, trying new cuisines, traveling, biking, spending time with my fiancé, family and friends
Hometown: Roxbury, CT

Michael Taylor, MD

MD: University of Connecticut School of Medicine

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  • Medical areas of interest: point-of-care ultrasound, medical education, addiction medicine, child and adolescent health
  • Hobbies & interests: golf, cooking, outdoors, attending or watching sporting events on TV, UConn Huskies men's and women's basketball, New York Mets
Hometown: Perryopolis, PA

Gina Coldren, DO, MS

DO: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine – Elmira

Gina Coldren
  • Medical areas of interest: osteopathic manipulative medicine, procedures, integrative medicine 
  • Hobbies & interests: traveling, reading, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, going to local farmer's markets, yoga, concerts, spending time with friends and family 
Hometown: Carlsbad, CA

Jamie Dyvig Crews, DO

DO: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Jamie Dyvig Crews
  • Medical areas of interest: preventive medicine, integrative medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine, women’s health
  • Hobbies & interests: exploring outdoors, traveling, hiking, visiting national parks with my dogs, crocheting, painting, reading, cooking
Hometown: Lake Worth, FL

Jyothi Pravallika Edupuganti, DO

DO: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – North Georgia Campus

Jyothi Pravallika Edupuganti
  • Medical areas of interest: community health, preventive care, women’s health, osteopathic manipulative medicine
  • Hobbies & interests: time with family, exploring new cities and restaurants, road trips to visit friends, nature photography, hiking, thriller novels
Hometown: Roanoke, VA

Areej Haider Hashmi, DO

DO: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Areej Haider Hashmi
  • Medical areas of interest: behavioral health, lifestyle medicine
  • Hobbies & interests: cooking, baking, challenging myself with new recipes every week, cake decorating, reading, discovering new restaurants/cuisines, traveling
Hometown: Little Rock, AR

Jeshrine Mazhil, DO

DO: Kansas City University – Joplin

Jeshrine Mazhil
  • Medical areas of interest: full spectrum outpatient family medicine with emphasis in public health 
  • Hobbies & interests: traveling, thrifting, reading, exploring a new city and what it has to offer
Hometown: Fort Mill, SC

Jonathan Riemer, DO, MS

DO: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Jonathan Riemer
  • Medical areas of interest: sports medicine, preventive medicine, point-of-care ultrasound
  • Hobbies & interests: hiking, disc golf, running, exploring trails around Boone and the surrounding mountains, keeping up with consumer technology innovations
Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Abrianna Beever, DO

DO: Kansas City University

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  • Medical areas of interest: women's health, breastfeeding medicine, preventative medicine, integrative medicine
  • Hobbies & interests: exploring new parks with my family, reading, trips to the beach
Hometown: Newtoown, CT

Scott Buchanan, DO

DO: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

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  • Medical areas of interest: learning full spectrum of family medicine, developing my skills with point-of-care ultrasound and osteopathic manipulative medicine
  • Hobbies & interests: reading, rock climbing, volleyball, trying new recipes, traveling (one of my dreams is to swim in the Arctic Ocean)
Hometown: Parowan, UT

Gideon Johnson, MD

MD: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

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  • Medical areas of interest: point-of-care ultrasound, obesity medicine, lifestyle management, Medicare expansion advocacy
  • Hobbies & interests: hiking, reading, spending time with family, roleplaying games like D&D, always up for a good game of ping-pong
Hometown: San Diego, CA

Rachel Latterich, DO

DO: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

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  • Medical areas of interest: women's health, global health, lifestyle medicine
  • Hobbies & interests: exploring new places, cuisines, cultures with friends and family; reading and watching the sunset at the beach with my corgi; exploring coffee shops; fitness; traveling the world
Hometown: Sterling Heights, MI

Bhumi Patel, DO

DO: Kansas City University - Joplin

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  • Medical areas of interest: community and population health advocacy, full-spectrum family medicine, palliative care, hospice care
  • Hobbies & interests: reading, hiking to see the sunrise, playing pickleball with my husband, collecting vinyl records, going to concerts and plays
Hometown: Pittsfield, ME

Devon Varney, DO

DO: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

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  • Medical areas of interest: osteopathic manipulative medicine, peri/postmenopausal care, outpatient mental health, lifestyle and integrative medicine
  • Hobbies & interests: family time, exercising, reading, making pottery, tending to my bonsai trees, walking/hiking outdoors with my wife and dog
I did a fourth-year rotation with the program and loved every minute! Faculty and residents were caring and made me feel like a valued member of the team. Everyone was very involved in making sure I had ample learning opportunities, and they made me feel comfortable when asking questions.
Abrianna Beever, DO, Family Medicine Resident, PGY-1
I felt at home in this community during my rotation. What stood out is the opportunity to explore my interests in osteopathic manipulative medicine and integrative medicine. I was confident that this program would offer the training and guidance needed to reach my career goals.
Jamie Crews, DO, Family Medicine Resident, PGY-2
I like the emphasis on outpatient medicine, amazing community programs and the family environment endorsed by the residents. I was met with a warm welcome, witnessed firsthand a sense of community between the residents and faculty. Dr. Higdon is passionate about teaching and resident wellness.
Areej Hasmi, DO, Family Medicine Resident, PGY-2
Novant Health's commitment to advocacy and community-centered care aligns with my passions in medicine. The faculty and program provide the ideal supportive and collaborative environment that fosters learning over competition. I value being encouraged to reach my full potential.
Bhumi Patel, DO, Family Medicine Resident, PGY-1
I was blown away during my rotation. Residents are genuinely happy; everyone I met is kind and welcoming. They don’t just “talk the talk”: they get it right in resident wellness and a supportive environment. Faculty/attending mentorship in outpatient care will shape me into an exceptional physician.
Gerardo Perez, DO, Family Medicine Resident, PGY-3
During my interview I connected with the program’s culture and resident well-being. I experienced the family-like atmosphere among residents, faculty and staff during my in-person visit. I knew this was the place I would want to call home for the next three years.
Lauren Summers, MD, Family Medicine Resident, PGY-3
Family medicine residency in Charlotte, NC class of 2024 graduation

What our graduates are up to

Our graduates have stepped into a wide spectrum of impactful careers, such as:

  • Correctional medicine
  • Academic medicine
  • Hospitalist care
  • Palliative and hospice care
  • Sports medicine
  • Advocacy
  • Administrative leadership

To stay connected with our current and former remarkable residents, follow Novant Health Charlotte family medicine residency on Instagram.

Novant Health physician residency leadership Dr.s Hanlon and Penwell-Waines at event celebrating program growth

Meet our faculty

Train alongside dedicated family medicine faculty, specialists, and educators who are invested in your growth as both a clinician and a leader. Learn from a diverse network of physicians across multiple specialties and expand your perspective as you prepare for a dynamic career in medicine.

A man is holding and reviewing information on his smartphone.

Contact & support

Email Program Coordinator Cynthia Profera, AAS, C-TAGME at NHFMRP@NovantHealth.org or call 704-316-1847.

Administrative Office Address

Family Medicine Residency Program

19485 Old Jetton Road, Suite 200
Cornelius, NC 28031