Emergency Medicine Residency Program Leadership

Program Director

Gregory Christiansen, DOGregory Christiansen, DO

Hometown: Aston, PA
Undergrad School: Delaware Valley University (College of Science & Agriculture)
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Albert Einstein Medical Center
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: The opportunity to make a difference for someone in their time of need.
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy doing anything that is fun, especially if I haven’t tried it before.

Assistant Program Director

Lindsay C MacConaghy, MDLindsay C MacConaghy, MD

Hometown: Baldwinsville, NY
Undergrad School: University of Connecticut 
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Residency: Alpert Warren School of Medicine – Brown Emergency Medicine
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: I love rising to the challenge of a busy shift as a member of an amazing team of hard-working people who take on this awesome job because we care about our patients, our community and each other. No two shifts are the same and there is so much to learn every day. But it all really comes down to the people we work with and the people we care for in some of the scariest and most important moments of their lives.
What do I like to do in my free time: Spend time with my husband, two young boys and my two dogs. We love to spend time outside and try new foods…. whether cooking or eating out.

Program Coordinator

Mariah HallMariah Hall, AS

Hometown: Athens, PA
Undergrad School: Corning CCC & SUNY Albany
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: Our incredible team! We consistently work together to accomplish our goals and enhance life in the residency. I enjoy putting together our wellness events and helping each resident as they grow and develop into confident physicians. 
What do I like to do in my free time: I spend most of my free time with pets. I am an artist and local mural painter. I enjoy swimming, kayaking, gardening, and DIY home projects. 

Core Faculty

Director of Simulation

Phillip Lunsford, MDPhillip Lunsford, MD

Hometown: Marietta, GA
Undergrad School: Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw, GA)
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine (Savannah, GA)
Residency: Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte, NC)
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: I like the unknown, the chaos, and the shiftwork.  I also hate insurance companies. 
What do I like to do in my free time: I mainly tote my kids around to sporting events which have taken us all the way to Texas, Florida, and everywhere in between.  I also enjoy home improvement projects, boating, hiking, and riding ATVs.

Director of Student Affairs

Zachary Dewar, MDZachary Dewar, MD

Hometown: Halifax, NS, Canada
Undergrad School: Dalhousie University
Medical School: Dalhousie University
Residency: Guthrie (FM & EM)
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: The complex mix of humanities, technical skills and knowledge base required to care for any patient, any time.
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy spending time with my wife and two little boys, spending time in the woods and volunteering in the community.

Director of EMS

Christopher Berry, MDChristopher Berry, MD

Undergrad School: Penn State University
Medical School: University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Residency: Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Fellowship: Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
 

 

Director of Research

Jon Rittenberger, MD, MSJon Rittenberger, MD, MS

Hometown: Blairsville, PA
Undergrad School: Penn State University 
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh
Residency: University of Pittsburgh
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: TThe ability to take care of people on the worst day of their lives is a unique privilege. As Emergency Physicians we see anyone, at any time, and at any phase of illness. Since we never know what may happen, Emergency Physicians must keep learning and evolving. That is one of the best parts of the job!
What do I like to do in my free time: Run/hike, spend time with family, and travel.

Director of Ultrasound

Jackie Jian, DOJackie Jian, DO, FPD-AEMUS

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Undergrad School: Fordham University
Medical School: NYIT – College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: SBH Health System, Bronx, NY                                                     
Fellowship: New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY (Emergency Ultrasound)
What drew me to Emergency Medicine: Variety of patients, the high acuity and the satisfaction of handling emergencies and resuscitative efforts.
What do I like to do in my free time: Videogames (I swear it helps with bedside ultrasound!), cooking, & working out.

Chiefs

GergelMichael Gergel, DO

Hometown: Shavertown, PA
Undergrad School: King's College
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
What do I like to do in my free time: Going to the gym, playing with my dogs, and skiing in the winter. I also enjoy watching some football, specifically Penn State or the Green Bay Packers.
 

ThomasKaitlyn Thomas, DO

Hometown: Horseheads, NY/Johnstown, PA
Undergrad School: Saint Vincent College
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
What drew me to Emergency Medicine:: Emergency Medicine provides critical access to healthcare to patients for underserved populations and allows for a significant intersection of medicine and health policy advocacy. I also enjoy being able to provide a sense of relief to patients when they are not in an acute emergency and providing assistance to those who are. The variety of intellectual and "hands-on" medicine was really intriguing to me and I felt like the environment suited me best.
What do I like to do in my free time: I enjoy spending time with friends - whether its enjoying a trivia night, finding the best chicken wings in town or hiking. I also enjoy reading, cooking, exercising, and watching the latest streaming show.