Welcome New Residents and Fellows - 2026
The future of rural medicine is being shaped every day at Penn Highlands DuBois.
We are pleased to welcome Family Medicine Residents, Psychiatry Residents and our Sports Medicine Fellows to the Penn Highlands DuBois Graduate Medical Education (GME) Program.
The Penn Highlands DuBois Family Medicine Residency Program is a three-year program offering inpatient and outpatient training to prepare residents for a career in primary care. .
Meet our Class of 2029 Family Medicine Residents
Taseal Ahmed, MD
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Dr. Ahmed gained clinical experience across Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States before beginning residency in DuBois. He was drawn to Penn Highlands DuBois for its supportive hands-on learning environment, broad clinical training, and opportunity to serve a rural community.
Dr. Ahmed’s professional interests include full-scope family medicine, inpatient care, clinical research, and healthcare technology. He is passionate about evidence-based medicine and hopes to contribute to academic research throughout his training. Outside of medicine, he enjoys strength training, gaming, exploring new technology, travelling and spending time with family and friends.
Grace Hogue-Katis, DO
Originally from Knox, PA, Dr. Hogue-Katis earned her Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine with a Minor in Psychology from Waynesburg University before completing her Master of Medical Science and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees at Lake Erie College of Medicine. Before beginning her residency, Dr. Hogue-Katis completed her clinical training at Penn Highlands DuBois, making her return as a resident a meaningful next step in her medical career.
Throughout her residency, Dr. Hogue-Katis is focused on expanding her knowledge and skills in full-spectrum outpatient care, women's health, and office-based procedures. She is grateful for the opportunity to continue her training close to home while caring for patients in the region where she was raised.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Hogue-Katis enjoys reading, thrifting, painting, and spending time with her husband and their two cats. She is passionate about building lasting relationships with her patients and is honored to care for individuals and families in a community that feels like home.
Mary Kathryn McGregor, MD
Dr. McGregor is originally from Rock Hill, South Carolina and completed medical school at the University of South Carolina. She joined Penn Highlands DuBois because of the welcoming atmosphere and patient-centered care. Dr McGregor has special interests in Obstetrics, Women’s health, and Rural medicine. Throughout residency, she aims to focus on well-women exams, newborn deliveries, and proficient surgical skills in order to provide the best care she can for her patients. Dr McGregor is joined in DuBois by her husband and cat, River. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, going on walks, and reading.
Derrick Nguyen, DO
Dr. Nguyen earned his Bachelor of Arts in Cell Biology and Neuroscience from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, and spent several years working as a certified medical assistant, patient safety technician, and emergency room scribe before pursuing medical school, experiences that deepened his commitment to patient care. He went on to earn his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, NJ, where he was recognized with the TOUCH Award for community service and outreach and earned Outstanding Achievement in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. Throughout medical school, he served as Vice President of the Student American Academy of Osteopathy and Outreach Chair for Rowan-Virtua SOM Family Medicine, and remains passionate about osteopathic manipulative medicine and expanding access to care in underserved communities. Dr. Nguyen is a veteran of the United States Navy where he practiced as a Flight Surgeon for Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, an MV-22 "Osprey" squadron out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Nguyen enjoys exploring artificial intelligence and tackling escape rooms with friends. He also has a keen interest in macroeconomics, behavioral economics, and investing, and enjoys applying these principles to financial education.
Jagmeet Randhawa, MD
Dr. Randhawa comes from central Canada He initially got his Bachelor of Nursing through Brandon University and worked as a Registered Nurse in a rural hospital. Wanting to provide more for his patients, he decided to pursue medicine, and graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine. He now hopes to continue his career providing care in rural communities.
In his free time, Jagmeet enjoys weight training, in particular power lifting, and video games.
Sungmin Song, MD
Originally from South Korea, Dr. Song earned his bachelor’s degree in Organic Nano Physics within the Department of Chemical Engineering at Hanyang University before pursuing his medical degree at Trinity School of Medicine.
He enjoys both inpatient and outpatient medicine and hopes to gain broad clinical experience throughout his residency. His professional interests include learning a wide range of medical procedures and becoming a well-rounded family physician.
Penn Highlands DuBois Psychiatry Residency Program is a four-year program offering a one-to-one experience with the attending physician.
Meet our Class of 2030 Psychiatry Residents
Yue Chen, DO
Born and raised in Guangdong, China, Dr. Chen immigrated to the United States in 2015. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences – Pre-medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. After working as a research technician, she moved to Philadelphia and pursued her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine in New Jersey.
Dr. Chen’s favorite aspects of the program include the incredibly supportive faculty, the camaraderie of her co-residents, and the rewarding experience of working in a true community hospital. Dr. Chen’s clinical interests center on immigrant health, suicide prevention, and navigating language barriers in healthcare.
Jacob Frie, DO
Dr. Frie was born and raised in Scranton, PA and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree with a focus in Health Sciences at Lock Haven University (now Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania).
During and after graduation, he earned certifications and worked as a nurse aide focusing in geriatric memory care. He also worked as an emergency medical technician providing emergent on scene care to the central PA area.
He then pursued and completed his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine with the goal of working as a psychiatrist providing care to a wide range of patients including children, adults, and the aging population. His special interests include psychodynamic therapy, palliative/hospice care, and Jungian psychotherapy.
In his personal life he likes to spend time in nature hiking trails in the Allegheny National Forest and kayaking wherever he can. Aside from this, he also enjoys spending time with his family, looking for ways to contribute to his community, reading, and playing video games. He is also the proud dad of two cats.
He is passionate about psychiatry and is looking forward to contributing to the Penn Highlands DuBois team providing high-quality care to DuBois and the surrounding area.
Julia Kooser, MD
Dr. Kooser completed a double Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Microbiology, and also received a Bachelor of Philosophy distinction, at the University of Pittsburgh. She then received her Doctor of Medicine degree at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.
Being a lifelong Pennsylvania resident, Dr. Kooser is originally from Cranberry Twp., Pennsylvania, where she ran cross country and track at Seneca Valley High School. She currently resides in DuBois, Pennsylvania, where she enjoys spending time outdoors growing and tending to herbs, at least when groundhogs or deer aren’t snacking on them. She is passionate about serving marginalized communities and promoting a more just and equitable healthcare environment for vulnerable patient populations.
Her hobbies include exploring historic buildings, frequenting antique shops, distance running, trivia, reading, and spending time with her two cats, Buttercup and Maple.
Trevor Winkler, MD
Trevor Winkler, MD is a resident physician in Psychiatry at Penn Highlands DuBois. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Temple University in Philadelphia. He then received his Doctor of Medicine degree at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Winkler grew up in small-town Mohrsville, PA where he enjoyed spending time caring for his many chickens and family members. He is passionate about providing healthcare to rural communities, as well as education in his families' home country Romania. His hobbies include reading fictional literature, watching history documentaries, and studying chronicles of old shipwrecks.
The Penn Highlands DuBois Sports Medicine Fellowship Program is a one-year program offering opportunities for rotations, one-on-one time with attending physicians, time in the sports medicine clinic, on-site sports care, and non-sports ambulatory care.
Meet our Sports Medicine Fellows
Satyam Sharma, DO
Dr. Sharma is from Toronto, Canada, where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Honors Biology from York University. He was introduced to patient care when he first volunteered at the University Health Network Toronto Rehabilitation Center. His dream of becoming a physician came to life when he attended the Kansas City University, where he earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Dr. Sharma joined Penn Highlands DuBois because of their welcoming and open environment, where he served as Chief Resident for the Family Medicine Residency Program. He looks forward to refining his procedural skills that are offered through the flexible and rigorous Sports Medicine curriculum during his fellowship.
In his free time, he enjoys catching up on his favorite TV shows and playing pick-up basketball and volleyball. He is a regular at Planet Fitness and advocates for an active lifestyle to all of his patients. He enjoys traveling with his wife and trying new foods.
Vishwanath Thondamala, MD
Dr. Thondamala earned his medical degree from the prestigious PES Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in India. He completed a Clinical Research Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, specializing in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, before completing his Family Medicine residency at LSU Health Shreveport–Monroe in Louisiana.
During residency, Dr. Thondamala served as the program's Research Champion and led multiple scholarly initiatives, including quality improvement projects, case reports, journal clubs, and resident research activities. He was the proud recipient of the F.D. Mistry Scholarship, awarded to the outstanding Family Medicine resident in Northeast Louisiana. He has presented research at regional and national conferences and has a strong interest in evidence-based musculoskeletal care and ultrasound-guided procedures.
Dr. Thondamala is pursuing a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at Penn Highlands DuBois, where he looks forward to caring for athletes and active individuals of all ages while helping patients safely return to the activities they enjoy. His professional interests include sports-related injuries, musculoskeletal ultrasound, regenerative medicine, injury prevention, and promoting healthy, active lifestyles.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Thondamala enjoys playing cricket and table tennis, traveling, cooking, singing, and spending time with his family and friends.
