Current PGY-2 General Surgery Residents

Breauna Franklin

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Breauna Franklin earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Chemistry from Clemson University, where she was a recipient of the prestigious National Scholars Program Scholarship. She then pursued her MD at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Passionate about healthcare advocacy and improving access to care, she received the Eastern Vascular Society DEI Grant to co-found and lead a vascular foot clinic for unhoused individuals and she also volunteers as a medical evaluator for asylum seekers. She has conducted research on vascular health and justice-involved youth, presenting at national conferences and earning recognition for her work. Breauna was a Fulbright semi- finalist for an English Teaching Assistant Program in Colombia. A dedicated mentor, she tutors medical students and serves as a surgery clerkship mentor.

In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, dancing, and training her cat.

Leigh Friedman, MEng

Drexel University College of Medicine

Leigh Friedman is a graduate of Lehigh University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Biosystems Engineering, and foreign language. There, she was co-captain of Lehigh’s Division I Women’s Tennis Team. She went on to complete a Master of Engineering at Lehigh before pursuing her Doctor of Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine. Leigh has extensive research experience, including her work at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in craniofacial surgery and gynecomastia research.

She also previously completed a T35 research fellowship here at BIDMC under the mentorship of Drs. Logerfo and Pradhan. She has multiple presentations, publications, and several awards as output from her work. Leigh is also an officer in the United States Navy, having received the highly competitive Navy Health Professions Scholarship. She has also served in several teaching assistant and peer mentorship roles and she has completed the Leadership Academy and Women’s Health Education Program.

Her interests include Pilates, personal styling, and exploring diverse culinary experiences, which she documents through writing and photography.

Jorge Luis Gomez Mayorga

Universidad de Los Andes Facultad de Medicina (Colombia)

Jorge Luis Gomez Mayorga earned his MD from Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia and is a postdoctoral research fellow at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where he has worked with Dr. Ben James and with the vascular surgery group. His research has yielded multiple awards from the Society of Surgical Oncology as well as from the Harvard Surgery Research Day, over the last several years, for studies relating to financial toxicity in cancer patients and vascular surgery outcomes. In addition, he has many high impact publications and presentations. He previously worked as a general practitioner specializing in gastrointestinal and peritoneal surface malignancies in Colombia. Passionate about medical education and global health, he continues to volunteer as a medical interpreter and patient advocate.

In his free time, Jorge enjoys photography, rowing, and exploring new methods in medical education and healthcare innovation.

Eunice Odusanya

Howard University College of Medicine

Eunice Odusanya earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Howard University before pursuing her MD at Howard University College of Medicine, where she is AOA. She has conducted impactful studies on kidney transplantation outcomes, healthcare disparities, and cancer screening accessibility. Eunice has been recognized with multiple awards, including honors from the National Medical Association and Orthopedic Women of Howard, and she is a recipient of the HUCM Trustee Scholarship for scholastic excellence and of the Suman Swarup Scholarship for exemplification of Howard’s mission and values. Eunice has also served in leadership roles at Howard, including Vice President of Research for the Surgery Interest Society and Coordinator for the Youth Science Enrichment Program, mentoring students interested in medicine. She volunteers at Howard University’s free medical clinic and the Howard University Cancer Center, working to improve access to care for underserved populations.

In her free time, she enjoys Afrobeat dancing, photography, cooking, and playing the guitar.

Dakota Perez

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Dakota Perez earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Western Carolina University before pursuing her MD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There, she founded and led the Vascular Surgery Interest Group and served as a student representative on the UNC School of Medicine Admissions Committee and the Committee for Professional Education, advocating for diversity and ethical standards in medical training. She previously worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Medical Assistant. She has extensive experience in clinical and translational research, contributing to studies on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation outcomes and professionalism in medical education. She is also committed to community service, volunteering with the Crisis Text Line and tutoring at-risk youth to improve literacy skills.

In her free time, Dakota enjoys playing the flute, reading, and solving puzzles like Sudoku and crosswords.

Alisa Pugacheva

The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Alisa Pugacheva earned her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and in East Asian studies from Brown University and later pursued a Master of Public Health at Harvard while completing her MD at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. As an undergraduate, she received multiple awards in support of her language study and travel relating to her work in East Asian studies. She has a strong research background in cardiac and neurosurgery, contributing to studies on heart and lung transplant equity, language equity in healthcare, neurosurgical outcomes, and healthcare policy, which work has led to many presentations and publications . Alisa has also worked with the Brown Human Rights Asylum Clinic, drafting medical affidavits for asylum seekers. She co-led the MEETS program, which is a mentorship program that introduces high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to surgical careers.

In her free time, Alisa enjoys digital painting, gaming, and growing her herb garden.

Asia Smith

Howard University College of Medicine

Asia Smith earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Biochemistry from Amherst College before pursuing her MD at Howard University College of Medicine. She has received multiple scholarships at Howard in recognition of her scholastic excellence and awards for her research on intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome in pediatric surgical patients. She is dedicated to health equity and advocacy, serving as a crisis counselor for LGBTQ+ youth with The Trevor Project and as a leader in the Medical Student Pride Alliance. She has served as the Community Service Chair for the Howard chapter of the Association of Women Surgeons. Asia also mentors aspiring medical students through outreach programs and volunteers in community service initiatives supporting underrepresented groups.

In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, long-distance running, and designing crochet and knitwear.

Rhea Verma

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Rhea Verma earned her Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan before pursuing her MD at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She has conducted research on pediatric tracheostomy outcomes, artificial intelligence in medicine, and gender disparities in surgical training. These efforts have yielded multiple honors and awards, as well as grant funding. She also received funding for international volunteer work through SNEHA in India. She is interested in medical device development, contributing to the approval and first operative use of a novel radiofrequency ablation device. Rhea has mentored students, launched LGBTQ+ mentorship programs, and worked to improve curriculum design through service on the review committee for the Clinical Medical Curriculum at Northwestern. She additionally worked as a Training Scientist on the SECOND Trial with BIDMC alumna, Dr. Yue-Yung Hu.

In her free time, Rhea enjoys competing in triathlons, designing clay jewelry, and embroidery and crochet.