Internal Medicine Residents & Administrators – Norton

Meet the current residents and the Graduate Medical Education Team in the internal medicine residency program at Norton Community Hospital in Norton, Virginia.

Graduate Medical Education Administratrive Representatives

Institutional Administrative Representatives

Camelia Chirculescu, MD – Norton IM Residency Designated Institution Officer

Camelia Chirculescu, MD
Designated Institutional Officer (DIO)

Herbert Ladley, MD – Norton IM Residency Associate Designated Institution Officer

Herbert Ladley, MD
Associate Designated Institutional Officer

Amanda Hall, Institutional Coordinator

Amanda Hall
Graduate Medical Education (GME)
Institutional Coordinator

Nakeeshi Sykes – System Graduate Medical Education Coordinator

Nakeeshi Sykes
System Graduate Medical Education (GME) Coordinator

Heather Crum – Corporate Student Coordinator

Heather Crum
Corporate Student Coordinator

Internal Medicine Residency Administrative Representatives

Donovan Mabe, MD – Norton Internal Medicine Program Director

Donovan Mabe, MD
Internal Medicine Program Director

Andrew Sparkman, DO – Associate Program Director

Andrew Sparkman, DO
Associate Program Director

Stephanie Cox, C-TAGME

Stephanie Cox, C-TAGME
Medical Education Manager

Carla Thompson – Medical Education Specialist

Carla Thompson
Medical Education Specialist

Current residents

PGY-3

Rafi Iftekhar, MD – Norton IM Resident

Rafi Iftekhar, MD
Chief Resident

Vaishnavi Kulkarni, MD – Norton IM Resident

Vaishnavi Kulkarni, MD
Chief Resident

Johum Haque, MD – Norton IM Resident

Johum Haque, MD

Faizan Khan, MD – Norton IM Resident

Faizan Khan, MD

Asfand Khattak, MD – Norton IM Resident

Asfand Khattak, MD

Smit Paghdar, MD – Norton IM Resident

Smit Paghdar, MD

Supriya Peshin, MD – Norton IM Resident

Supriya Peshin, MD

Bilal Rahimuddin, MD – Norton IM Resident

Bilal Rahimuddin, MD

Mishell Siles Borda, MD – Norton IM Resident

Mishell Siles Borda, MD

PGY-2

Najnin Akter, MD – Norton IM Resident

Najnin Akter, MD

Hunter Myers, MD – Norton IM Resident

Hunter Myers, MD

Raymond Paria, MD – Norton IM Resident

Raymond Paria, MD

Ramsha Sohail, MD – Norton IM Resident

Ramsha Sohail, MD

Sanjaya Upadhyaya, MD – Norton IM Resident

Sanjaya Upadhyaya, MD

PGY-1

Kazi Akhter, MD – Norton IM Resident

Kazi Akhter, MD

Christover Berneau, DO – Norton IM Resident

Christopher Berneau, DO

Ahmad Elkhouly, MD – Norton IM Resident

Ahmad Elkhouly, MD

Asha Haque, MD – Norton IM Resident

Asha Haque, MD

Andrew Shenouda, MD – Norton IM Resident

Andrew Shenouda, MD

Twinkle Trehan, MD – Norton IM Resident

Twinkle Trehan, MD

Fnu Vishal, MD – Norton IM Resident

Fnu Vishal, MD

Fnu Anum, MD – Norton IM Resident

Fnu Anum, MD

Sanchita Kanakannavar, MD – Norton IM Resident

Sanchita Kanakannavar, MD

Jaimin Kapadia, DO – Norton IM Resident

Jaimin Kapadia, DO

Mohammad Shahid, MD – Norton IM Resident

Mohammad Shahid, MD

Tamanna Taznin, MD – Norton IM Resident

Tamanna Taznin, MD

Testimonials from our residents

Norton Community Internal Medicine Residency can help prepare you for whichever path you choose.

The majority of the residents who graduate from our program become hospitalists; however, we have had several residents successfully enter fellowships, including cardiology, hospice and palliative care, infectious disease, nephrology and more.

“I chose Norton Community Hospital because it felt like joining a true family—supportive, close-knit, and invested in each resident’s growth. The program offers excellent autonomy with strong faculty guidance, allowing me to grow into a confident physician. Most importantly, our patients are incredibly kind and appreciative, making every day meaningful and rewarding.” – Rafi Iftekhar, MD

“AI believe NCH Internal Medicine residency is a great program because its small size allows for close one-on-one time with attendings. The program also gives enough autonomy to build confidence, so I will be comfortable practicing independently as an attending.” – Hunter Myers, MD

Vaishnavi Kulkarni, MD – Norton IM Resident

“My experience at Norton Community Hospital has been defined by the strong camaraderie among residents, which creates a uniquely supportive and collaborative learning environment. The small, close-knit nature of the program fosters teamwork and trust, allowing us to learn and grow together.”

“The balance between autonomy and supervision has given me the confidence to make independent decisions while knowing guidance is always available. Working closely with my peers has shaped me not only as a physician but also as a leader and mentor. I am grateful to have trained in a program where resident support and growth are at the heart of the experience.” – Vaishnavi Kulkarni, MD

“From the very moment I came to Norton, I felt the warm and welcoming smiles by both the program and the community. I expected some adjustment in moving to a new place, but I instead felt an immediate sense of belonging that assured me that I was in the right place, and that Norton’s Internal Medicine Residency Program would provide me the best training possible. The program has provided me with an ideal balance of early autonomy and strong mentorship where, even within my first few months, I have had the opportunity to take ownership of patient care, perform hands-on procedures, and expose myself to a range of complex cases in both inpatient and ICU settings. Likewise, the faculty and senior residents have committed to creating a welcoming environment surrounded by strong didactics and academic discussions. My questions and curiosity are actively encouraged and rewarded.” – Fariah Asha Haque, MD