Transitional Year Class of 2026
Meet our current residents or learn more about our past residents
Edgar Aguayo, M.D.
Undergraduate: University of Arizona
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Hello! My name is Edgar Aguayo, and I am an Arizona native. I was born in Douglas, AZ where I lived until I graduated from Douglas High School. I then moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona for my undergraduate studies. After graduating from the University of Arizona (the first time), I took a few gap years to travel and work before setting on the endeavor of medical school. I then completed a Master’s year at the University of Arizona which then led to me attending medical school there as well. You can say I am pretty well-versed regarding Tucson and the University of Arizona.
What excites me about residency at THMEP is that it feels like I am right at home. Having lived in Tucson for so long brings a sense of comfort and confidence which I am excited to weave into my patient care. I look forward to providing care to the community that has provided for me. Tucsonans new and old typically say they love to hike, but I must have missed that part of initiation when I arrived. What I really enjoy doing during my free time in Tucson is exploring the various restaurants as there is a great variety of foods to try. (And sure, I’ll say yes to a hike or two after some convincing). Besides that, I am huge fan of live music and attending music festivals/concerts of various sizes is a very special hobby of mine.
Manav Bains, D.O.
Undergraduate: Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Medical School: Rocky Vista College of Osteopathic Medicine Colorado, Englewood, Colorado
I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where I earned my degree in biology and Spanish. I then returned home for medical school at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where I also completed a competitive predoctoral anatomy teaching fellowship.
I chose THMEP for my transitional year because of its outstanding reputation and the opportunity to train in a world-class teaching environment. I knew this program would challenge and support me, helping me grow into a well-rounded physician. After this year, I will be returning home to begin my diagnostic radiology residency at the University of Colorado.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy playing sports, watching Denver teams, and spending time outdoors. Living in Tucson for the year is an exciting opportunity to experience the Southwest, where I look forward to year-round outdoor adventures, from hiking to golf and beyond!
Kevin Cheng, M.D.
Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego
Medical School: University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Tucson
I was born and raised in the Bay Area of California, after which I attended the University of California, San Diego for my undergraduate and graduate studies. I went on to complete my MD/PhD training at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine – Tucson. I’m incredibly excited for my transitional year at THMEP.
What drew me to this program was not only the strong clinical training and supportive environment, but also the high praise by its alumni who highlighted the excellent work-life balance in the program. Having spent my last 7 years in Tucson, I look forward to continuing to enjoy the balance of outdoor adventure and vibrate local culture that Tucson has to offer. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, cooking new recipes, and travelling abroad.
Ada Florescu, D.O.
Undergraduate: University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Medical School: A.T Still University - AZ
My name is Ada Florescu and I am originally from Romania. I have lived in many places across the United States including in Connecticut, New York, and Nebraska but I am very proud to call Arizona home. During my school breaks and vacation time in college, I frequently took trips to the Southwest and fell in love with this area of the country. It was at that time that I decided to move down here. I have been in Tucson for the past 3 years and have absolutely fallen in love with the community and all this city has to offer. You can find me hiking or enjoying the outdoors at any given time.
As a medical student, I rotated through many different clinics and hospitals around Tucson including TMC. I cherished my educational experience at this hospital, and I am so happy to get to come back as a transitional year resident.
Riley Goldsmith, M.D.
Undergraduate: University of Arizona
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
I grew up in Green Valley, AZ, a small retirement community south of Tucson, where I enjoyed hiking and mountain biking in Madera Canyon with my parents. I attended high school in Tucson and earned my degree from the University of Arizona. After spending the past 12 years in this vibrant region, I’m excited to give back to the community that has shaped me. It is a gift to use my passion for medicine to aid members of the community!
I’m thrilled to begin my Transitional Year Residency at TMC, and next year, I will continue my advanced training in Radiation Oncology at UCSD. Outside of medicine, I love being outdoors. Running, swimming, rock climbing, and skiing are all hobbies I try to take advantage of at every opportunity. Playing the piano and reading fantasy novels are also ways I enjoy spending time when I am not working.
Curtis McGuire, M.D.
Undergraduate: Arizona State University
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
I was born in Indiana but grew up in Phoenix. I went to Arizona State University where I earned my B.S. in Kinesiology. I then went to medical school at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson.
I am excited to do my intern year here at THMEP before starting Anesthesiology residency next year at the University of Arizona Tucson. Having lived in Tucson since 2020, it has become my second home, and I’m excited to continue serving the community here.
In my free time I love watching and playing basketball. Other than that, I love spending time with my Fiancé and newborn son.
Brandon Nguyen, M.D.
Undergraduate: University of Arizona
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
I was born in Tucson at University Medical Center and raised in Santa Rosa, California, before moving to Prescott, Arizona, and attending the University of Arizona for my bachelor’s, master’s, and MD. I love living in Tucson and am excited to continue to serve the community as a transitional year resident, followed by diagnostic radiology training at the University of Arizona.
TMC was my first choice as an intern due to its high-quality training, variety of electives, and excellent culture among residents and faculty. In my free time, I enjoy rock climbing, hiking, golfing, snowboarding, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my wife and dog, Pepper.
Noshin Nuzhat, M.D.
Undergraduate: Brown University
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Arizona has been my home since I moved here from Bangladesh at the age of 13. After attending college in the Northeast, I returned to Arizona for medical school to be closer to my family and to the desert warmth that I had missed.
Tucson has been a wonderful place to call home over the past four years. That’s why I’m excited to complete my intern year at THMEP. After speaking with residents who had excellent intern year experience at THEMP and meeting the incredible faculty and staff during interview day, it was clear that THMEP offered the ideal combination of clinical rigor and supportive culture that I was seeking.
In my free time, I enjoy exploring new restaurants in the area and taking drives up to Mt. Lemmon or Gates Pass to enjoy the views. My hobbies include painting, reading, and playing video games. After this year, I will begin my training in Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Arizona - Tucson.
Erin Pellegrino, M.D.
Undergraduate: University of Arizona
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
I’ve been living in Arizona for most of my life and in Tucson for the last decade since starting my undergraduate education and medical school at the University of Arizona - Bear Down! For me, Tucson has always been a perfect blend of outdoor adventure, delicious cuisine, and a uniquely artistic culture. I am very excited to have more time here in the beautiful desert for my intern year at TMC where I can be close to family and friends before moving to San Diego for Anesthesiology Residency. In my free time, I can be found exploring new places, both local and abroad, chasing the stunning AZ sunsets across town, or relaxing at home with my pups. I most recently visited Japan to celebrate graduation and am always on the hunt for excellent matcha.
I am thrilled to be a part of TMCs Transitional Year Residency where I can continue to care for the Tucson community while strengthening my medical knowledge through training in a variety of specialties.
Daniel Qian, M.D.
Undergraduate: Princeton University
Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
I was born and raised in suburban New Jersey, and I went to Princeton University for undergrad, where I majored in sociology. After college, I moved to San Francisco to work for a couple of years as a management consultant before moving back to the East Coast for medical school at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
I am so incredibly excited to start my career as a resident at TMC! It was immediately apparent during my interview day how genuinely caring the program leadership is about their interns, and I heard nothing but amazing things about the educational opportunities and learning environment from program alumni. I feel so lucky to be an intern at TMC before moving to Palo Alto to complete my Anesthesiology residency at Stanford.
In my free time, I enjoy hiking, camping, reading, trying new foods and restaurants, and traveling whenever I can. I am also an avid skydiver, and I am excited to explore the jumping scene at all the local drop zones.
Elka Rubin, M.D.
Undergraduate: Oberlin College
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
I grew up in Woodside, California, a small town south of San Francisco. I earned my undergraduate degree in Biology and Hispanic Studies at Oberlin College in Ohio. I first fell in love with Tucson while attending medical school at the University of Arizona, and I’m ecstatic to be spending another year here as part of the THMEP Transitional Year Program. I was initially drawn to the program after witnessing the excellent care the medical teams provided to my grandma during her hospitalizations. I’m excited to be part of the welcoming THMEP community and to rotate through a wide variety of medical specialties while learning from supportive faculty members.
In my free time, I love staying active—whether that’s mountain biking, jiu jitsu, weightlifting, hiking, or playing pickleball. I also enjoy baking sourdough and exploring new restaurants around town.
Sarah Pettey Sandifer, M.D.
Undergraduate: Penn State University College of Medicine
Medical School: Penn State University College of Medicine
I grew up and graduated from high school in Mississippi, but a career riding horses found me moving up and down the east coast before I eventually settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to go back to undergraduate and attend medical school and the Penn State College of Medicine. I love climbing and trail running and knew that I was interested in heading west for residency – but did not expect to fall in love with Tucson when I visited during interview season!
My interview with TMC was so personal and inviting and the program offered a well-balanced schedule with a broad selection of electives. I loved Tucson for its unique climate and fauna, access to the beautiful Santa Catalinas, incredible food scene, rich culture, and the warm and welcoming attitudes of the Tucsonans I met – and I’m thrilled to be able to stay local following internship year to pursue Diagnostic Radiology at the University of Arizona Tucson!
Cody Sheppard, D.O.
Undergraduate: Cal State University
Medical School: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University
I was born in Del Mar, CA, a beach community just north of San Diego. I completed my undergraduate studies at Cal State University, San Marcos, and attended medical school at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University. I chose THMEP because it offered the perfect opportunity to continue my journey in the Southwest. The program directors, coordinators, and current residents have been extraordinarily welcoming from the start. They’ve gone out of their way to help me find electives that align with my interests and support a strong general medicine and physiatry foundation. My passion lies in physiatry, particularly spinal cord injury, sports medicine, and pain management, and I’m excited about the opportunity to tailor my training through THMEP’s diverse elective offerings.
What excites me most about residency at THMEP is the chance to receive a well-rounded education within a supportive and passionate community. I’m especially drawn to the program’s commitment to serving the people of the Southwest. The opportunity to care for this population, while learning alongside residents and faculty who are genuinely invested in one another’s growth, makes THMEP feel like the right place to continue my journey.
I'm excited about Tucson because it is close to the outdoors, with access to the Catalina Foothills and Mt. Lemmon, offering incredible mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing. It also brings me closer to family in San Diego. Coming from New Mexico, I’m looking forward to exploring another desert landscape and getting to know Arizona.
In my free time, I enjoy all forms of outdoor recreation, from mountain biking, hiking, and climbing to camping. I also love music, cooking, and spending time with friends and loved ones.
As I pursue a career in physiatry, I know THMEP will provide the excellent training and supportive environment that will help prepare me for the future.
