Rita Akumuo

Pronouns: She/ Her/Hers
Hometown: Camden, NJ

About Dr. Akumuo:

Rita Akumuo is a PGY-3 in General Surgery at Temple University. She recently completed 2 years as a research fellow at Fox Chase Cancer Center under the guidance of Dr. Jeffrey Farma, MD FACS and Anthony Villano, MD. She is interested in an academic career in surgical oncology. Her research interests include both translational research and outcomes-based research. Her current research efforts are focused exploring outcomes of various complex oncologic diseases, including pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, and sarcoma. Rita’s other interests include improvement of access to care, surgical education, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. She currently sits as a member of the Program Evaluation Committee and as well as the resident co-Chair of the departmental DEI Committee. Outside of the residency, she serves as the professional board member(PBM) for the Student National Medical Association Region 8 and member of SSAT DEI committee.

Education:

• Undergraduate Institution: Syracuse University 
• Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine, 2016-2020

Fun Facts:

• Hobbies/Interests: Brunch, lifting/gym, filling various online shopping carts, Real housewives franchise enthusiast 
• Favorite restaurant in Philly: Anywhere brunch is served. Bonus points for bottomless mimosas
• Favorite Weekend Activity: Leg day, Target trips or sleeping.

Terry P. Gao

Preferred Name: Terry
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Cherry Hill, NJ

About Dr. Gao:

Dr. Gao is a PGY-3 resident at Temple University Hospital. She has just finished 2 years of research, during which time she obtained an MBA and focused her research on health systems. With a planned specialization in breast surgery and endocrine surgery, Terry hopes her unique perspective can bridge the gap between healthcare finance and patient care.

Education:

• Undergraduate Institution: Penn State 
• Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College
• Additional Degrees: MBA

Honors and Awards:

• Harwick Research Symposium, Top Presenter, 2024
• Metropolitan Philadelphia Chapter American College of Surgeons, Top Presenter, 2024
• Harwick Research Symposium, Top Presenter, 2023
• Owl Ribbon for Excellence in Teamwork, 2022
• The Women’s Board of TJUH, Finalist Grant Recipient, 2019
• American Heart Association EmPOWERED to Serve^TM Philadelphia, Grant Recipient, 2018
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Grand Hack Finalist , 2016

Fun Facts:

• Hobbies/Interests: Ballroom dancing, painting, sketching, making clothes, the beach
• Favorite restaurant in Philly: Too many great ones! Maybe Kayala, Tulip, and most omakases

Simran Kripalani 

Preferred Name: Simran 
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Edison, NJ

About Dr. Kripalani:

Dr. Kripalani is a PGY-3 General Surgery resident at Temple University Hospital. Prior to medical school, Simran was an EMT. She has performed research in colorectal surgery and surgical oncology, end-of-life and palliative care, and medical education. Simran is passionate about the humanities in medicine as well as combating healthcare disparities. She is interested in palliative care, emergency general surgery, and GI surgery.  

Education: 

• Undergraduate Institution: Villanova University (BS) 
• Medical School: Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (MD) 

Honors and Awards: 

• Distinction in Research, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University 
• Excellence in Service Award, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University 
• Gold Humanism Honor Society 

Fun Facts: 

• Hobbies/Interests: Acrylic painting, illustration, Singing Indian classical music, Puzzling, hot yoga
• Favorite restaurant in Philly: Xiandu & via locusta 
• I am a dog and cat mom!

Jaina Lane, MD

Preferred Name: Jay
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Raleigh, NC

About Dr. Lane:

Dr. Lane is a PGY-3 in General Surgery at Temple University. She is interested in pursuing a career in plastic surgery. Her other interests include medical education and diversifying the physician workforce. 

Education:

• Undergraduate Institution: Harvard University, 2014-2018 
• Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine, 2018-2022 

Fun Facts:

• Hobbies/Interests: movies, game nights, church
• Favorite restaurant in Philly: Osteria

Sarah Macy Lawler, MD

Preferred Name: Macy
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

About Dr. Lawler:

Dr. Lawler is a PGY-3 resident. While she is currently undecided as to her future surgical specialty, she is potentially interested in breast surgery and endocrine surgery. Prior to residency, she performed research in value-based approaches to care in both orthopedic and colorectal surgery. She is currently involved in research projects in endocrine surgery.

Education:

• Undergraduate Institution: Hamilton College 
• Medical School: Frank H. Netter, MD School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University 

Fun Facts:

• Hobbies/Interests: exploring Philly on long walks, trashy reality TV shows, reading fiction (when I have time!)
• Favorite restaurant in Philly: Talula's Garden, LMNO, PHS Pop Up Garden

Shina Patel, MD

Preferred Name: Shina
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Ardsley, NY

About Dr. Patel:

Shina Patel is a PGY-3 in General Surgery at Temple University. She is interested in specializing after residency but is undecided as she has interest in several fields. She is passionate about medical education and equity in access to surgical care.

Education:

• Undergraduate Institution & Medical School: The Sophie Davis Program at the CUNY School of Medicine, 2015-2022

Honors and Awards:

• Summa Cum Laude, The Sophie Davis Program in Biomedical Education

Fun Facts:

• Hobbies/Interests: Fencing, travelling, learning new languages
• Favorite restaurant in Philly: Kalaya

Maryclare Taylor

Preferred Name: Mary
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Las Vegas, New Mexico

About Dr. Taylor:

Dr. Taylor is a PGY-3 resident at Temple University Hospital. She is interested in disparities research pertaining to Surgical Oncology and hopes to pursue an oncology based fellowship.

Education:

• Undergraduate Institution: Loyola University Maryland
• Medical School: University of Maryland

Honors and Awards:

• David R. Gens, MD Shock Trauma Scholarship Recipient, 2020
• Daisy Award Recipient, Mercy Medical Center, 2018

Fun Facts:

• Hobbies/Interests: Skiing, Rec league soccer, Hiking, Kayaking, Reading, Watercolor Painting
• Favorite restaurant in Philly: Caribou Cafe