Our Residents

Nana Adenu-Mensah, MD

Medical school 
MD: Yale University School of Medicine, 2026

Undergraduate education
BS: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, (Human Biology) 2017

Why I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
I knew I wanted to train at Dartmouth after my sub-internship here. I experienced the department’s apprenticeship model firsthand and was struck by how deeply invested the faculty were in resident education.

I was impressed by the residents’ competence and technical skills for their respective years. The opportunities for hands-on learning in the clinic, operating room, and research are truly exceptional. Dartmouth Neurosurgery is a special place because of the people here. There’s a palpable culture of kindness and collective excellence that draw me in.

The natural beauty of the Upper Valley is hard to beat. There’s a quiet, restorative quality to this place, and I feel so fortunate to spend these important years of training here.

Interests outside of the hospital
I love cooking and trying interesting recipes, watercolor painting, and exploring new places with my family. I’ll usually wind down with a good novel or take a long walk.

Carlos Alcocer-Burdett, MD

Medical school
MD: Weill Cornell Medicine, 2025

Undergraduate education
BA: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, (Biology) 2019

Why I Chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
I chose Dartmouth Neurosurgery for its strong sense of community and commitment to resident education. I felt that the small, intimate nature of the residency program created an environment that prioritized team building and mentorship. The residents, faculty, APPs, and administrative staff are well-integrated and act as a strong cohesive unit. Everyone is committed to supporting each other’s unique ambitions for neurosurgery and program leadership is particularly motivated to providing the resources and flexibility to pursue these aspirations.

Interests outside of the hospital
I enjoy watching and playing soccer which was a passion of mine growing up. I also love studying card magic and visiting the Magic Castle, which is a private clubhouse for magicians housed in a Victorian style mansion in Hollywood, California.

Isaac Stafstrom, MD

Medical school
MD: University of Washington, 2024

Undergraduate education
Deep Springs College, Dyer, NV, 2013
B.S. Montana State University, Bozeman, MT (Animal Science) 2017

Why I Chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
I was drawn to Dartmouth for the opportunity to serve diverse patient populations spread across a large, mostly rural catchment area; the strong legacy of academic and innovative contributions; and the beautiful landscapes of the Upper Valley. With its collaborative culture, tight-knit community, and the opportunity to work longitudinally with mentors through the apprenticeship model, I knew Dartmouth would provide excellent training in a setting where I could thrive professionally, academically, and personally.

Interests outside of the hospital
I enjoy woodworking and building, biking, cross-country skiing, baking, cooking meals with friends, and playing several instruments, mostly the banjo.

Zabiullah “Zabi” Bajouri, MD

Medical school
MD: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, 2023

Undergraduate education:
BS: University of California, Davis, Davis, California (Biological Sciences, Managerial Economics), 2016

Why I Chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
I chose the neurosurgery program at Dartmouth for multiple reasons. It provides excellent surgical training with early and often operative involvement. Additionally, as someone passionate about mentorship and education, I resonated with Dartmouth’s apprenticeship model which allows you to take full ownership of multiple aspects of patient care while receiving dedicated mentorship from an enthusiastic and diverse faculty. Additionally, collaborations with Dartmouth College and its associated graduate programs allow for endless opportunities for research, academics, and medical innovation. Finally, Dartmouth is in a unique location, close to many ski-resorts, rivers, lakes, hikes, amazing drives, and east coast cities—while also being not too far from where my family started life in America (Connecticut).

Interests outside of the hospital
Anything fitness (the gym, basketball, frisbee, tennis, volleyball, cycling), making espresso and pour-over coffee, reading, hiking, cars, and being incredibly late to watching hit shows and movies.

Evalina Bond, MD

Medical school
MD: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 2021

Undergraduate education
BS: Brown University, Providence, RI (Neuroscience) 2016

Why I Chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock’s neurosurgery program for its apprenticeship training structure in which you can build close mentoring relationships with the attending or attendings you are paired with on your rotations, its culture of emphasis on education, collegiality, and empathy for its patients, staff, and residents, and for its location in possibly the most beautiful area of the country.

Interests outside of the hospital
Art, writing, volleyball, hiking, sailing

Kelsey P. Kinsman, MD

Co-Chief Resident

Medical School
MD: Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 2021

Undergraduate Education
BS: Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI (Biology), 2016 and BA: Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI (Chemistry), 2016

Why I Chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
There are several reasons why I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for my residency training. Of course, there is the longstanding tradition of innovation and a rich academic atmosphere to enjoy here. But more importantly to me were the people that work here – they are kind, compassionate, collegial, and approachable. In this program I not only discovered a wonderful place to learn and live, but I found another family. I believe it’s these intangible qualities that make Dartmouth such a unique and amazing place to be a resident. Additionally, this region of NH is an absolutely unbelievable place to work and to live – you really can’t beat walking to your car at the end of a long shift and being able to look out over the mountains and smell the evergreen trees that surround the medical center.

Interests outside of the hospital
My greatest treasure in my life is my family. I’ve been lucky so far to be able to remain in the Northeast close to them (lifetime New Englander over here), and I really enjoy spending any time I can with them. My husband and I enjoy the outdoors and go boating, fishing, hiking, and kayaking as often as we can. I am an avid animal-lover (especially dogs and horses), so the family dogs including our husky, Loki, are always involved in whatever we do. Having also rode horses competitively from the age of 10 through college, I still enjoy the occasional trail ride when I get the chance as well. Some additional things I love to do include interior design, furniture restoration, and gardening!

Caleb Stewart, MD

Co-Chief Resident

Medical school
MD: University of Queensland School of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia

Undergraduate education
BS, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL (Biology) 2013

Why I Chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Tradition at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center runs deep. It is affiliated with one of the oldest medical schools and has one of the earliest neurosurgical training programs in the country. Renowned physicians such as Drs. Nathan Smith, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Stuart Kauffman have passed through the Dartmouth system, spearheading both historic and contemporary conceptual paradigms. Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center has also spawned organizational and device paradigms, including the first multispecialty ICU, clinical X-ray, and frameless stereotaxy. This rich tradition is upheld by a dedicated faculty covering all neurosurgical subspecialties, providing residents with the requisite variety for original work.

Interests outside of the hospital
Family, outdoors, sport, reading