Our Residents

Amina Ahmed, MD

What sparked your interest in Neurology 
I’m interested in Neurology because I find neuroanatomy really interesting and enjoy the thought process of diagnostic thinking that is so key in Neurology.

Why I chose Dartmouth
I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for residency because it felt like a program that would be a great fit for me – an academic hospital where I could get excellent training from caring and invested faculty and residents, and in a beautiful setting where I could unwind outside of the hospital.

A few personal interests or hobbies
In my free time I love to bake, do yoga, hike, and I love doing puzzles!

Gordon Matthewson, MD

What sparked your interest in Neurology
I’ve been interested in brains since at least high school. I majored in psychology in college but most enjoyed my neuroscience coursework, because it was a way of understanding human nature through biology. Like most organs, we take the brain for granted until parts of it aren’t working properly, and the complexity and diversity of issues that occur when it breaks are what drew me to neurology once I started to pursue medicine.

Why I chose Dartmouth 
I was drawn to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center’s atmosphere of bright, high-powered people in a collegial setting, set in the beautiful surroundings of the upper valley.

A few personal interests or hobbies
When I’m not at the hospital I enjoy getting outdoors on my bikes and snowboard, and rock climbing. I also make electronic music and DJ a bit.

Leland Nguyen, MD

What sparked your interest in Neurology 
When I first started medical school, I had no idea what field I wanted to go into. Neurology was my first rotation and then became the bar for what I compared every subsequent rotation to. After each rotation, I kept thinking to myself that I want to do Neurology over the rotation I was on. I enjoy the longitudinal aspect of care, anatomy, problem solving, and patient care. Neurology allows me to have the flexibility to work both in the hospital and outpatient settings.

Why I chose Dartmouth
No one is shocked to hear that neurology residency is a strenuous four years so one of the biggest things I was looking for in residency was a supportive environment to learn and grow. It was reassuring that Dartmouth would be the right spot for me after meeting my senior residents and talking with faculty. I went to school in Burlington, Vermont and really enjoyed my time there and wanted to finish my training at a similar institution. My experience thus far has been rewarding; I am able to enjoy the nature of New Hampshire outside while confident that Dartmouth will provide me with excellent training.

A few personal interests or hobbies 
Outside the hospital, I have been enjoying rock climbing, cooking, and playing board games. The area boasts an impressive amount of local outdoor spots with a local gym – The Notch, very close to the hospital. It’s always fun to have guests over for dinner and some board games!

Tomeh Tomeh, MD

What sparked your interest in Neurology
I’ve always been fascinated by the brain and the endless possibilities for discovery in neurology, especially imagining where the field will be in the next decade. I would love to be part of that journey.

Why I chose Dartmouth 
I chose the Neurology Program at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center because of its kind, supportive people and the wonderful area to live and settle down. The fact that so many who train here choose to stay speaks volumes.

A few personal interests or hobbies
Outside of medicine, I enjoy cooking and spending time with my wife while exploring the beautiful Upper Valley.

Edwin Vega Vargas, MD

What sparked your interest in Neurology
Growing up in Colombia, I was fascinated by anatomy books in my parents’ library—especially the complexity of the human nervous system. During medical school, a pivotal moment in the ICU when I couldn’t explain a patient’s cerebellar symptoms pushed me to dive deeper into neurology. Since then, I’ve pursued the field through clinical care, teaching, and research, both in Colombia and the U.S., and I remain passionate about understanding and treating neurological disease.

Why I chose Dartmouth 
I was drawn to Dartmouth for its strong clinical and academic training, as well as its welcoming, collaborative culture. The program’s emphasis on research, diverse patient population, and supportive environment make it an ideal place to grow as a neurologist.

A few personal interests or hobbies
In my free time, I’m training for bodybuilding and hope to compete in the future. I also enjoy boxing and kickboxing for both fitness and focus. When time allows, I like playing Xbox—though I’ve had to cut back since residency and studying took over!

Ron S. Abraham, DO

Medical school 
DO Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2024

Undergraduate education 
BS University of Connecticut (Molecular & Cell Biology), 2020

Karen E. Beaty, MD

Medical school
MD St. George’s University School of Medicine, 2024

Undergraduate education
BS The Ohio State University (Neuroscience), 2019

Katrina P. Binkley, MD

Medical school
MD University of Queensland School of Medicine, 2023

Undergraduate education
BA Georgia Institute of Technology (Biology), 2018

What sparked your interest in Neurology
I am originally from Atlanta and was first drawn to neurology through my Neuroanatomy class at Georgia Tech. I pursued further neurology opportunities in the Cognitive Motor Control Lab there and continued to develop more fascination with neurology throughout undergrad and into medical school.

Why I chose Dartmouth
I was most drawn to the people at Dartmouth - I felt like the residents truly enjoyed each other as friends more than coworkers.

A few personal interests or hobbies
I have enjoyed exploring New Hampshire and New England as a new transplant to the area, especially spending time outside and getting super fresh food from local farms to make yummy dishes.

William W. Carroll, MD

Medical school
MD Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 2024

Undergraduate education
BS Tufts University (Cognitive & Brain Science Studies), 2013

What sparked your interest in Neurology 
I first became interested in neurology when studying retroactive interference as an undergraduate. As a medical student, I vacillated between internal medicine and neurology until I completed my neurology sub-internship, and then there was no looking back! I just couldn’t imagine a life where I wasn’t responsible for my patients’ neurological well-being.

Why I chose Dartmouth
I actually went to Geisel as a medical student, and wanted to stay at Dartmouth because of the knowledgeable faculty, breadth of exposure to neurologically and medically complex patients, and collegial culture where everyone has each other’s back, and people celebrate their colleagues’ successes.

A few personal interests or hobbies
When I’m not at the hospital I can be found with my wife, Alicia, climbing, cooking, reading, or watching old, bad, Italian horror movies.

Mohamad K. Hamze, MD

Medical school
MD University of Vermont College of Medicine, 2024

Undergraduate education
BS Tufts University (Biology), 2019

What sparked your interest in Neurology
I can place the start of my interest in Neurology to my time in undergrad, during my work in the Neuroendocrine Unit at MGH helping perform fMRI as part of a study of children and adolescents with avoidant and restrictive food intake disorders. This was the spark of my interest in both neuroimaging and in cognitive testing; much of my subsequent exposure to neurology in medical school was through our institution’s adult Memory Clinic and helped solidify my interest in cognitive/behavioral neurology.

Why I chose Dartmouth 
What eventually drew me to Dartmouth’s Neurology Residency Program was, first and foremost, the exceptionally welcoming and personable faculty and residents that I met on my interview day, as well as the extensive subspecialty representation in the department and – of course – the location. Living and working in this region means I can sign out at the hospital and be at the trailhead, ski lift, or climbing gym within the hour.

A few personal interests or hobbies
In addition to hiking and skiing, I love taking every opportunity to play pickup soccer or pickleball with my coresidents, cooking with my wife, or hanging out with our cat Lucille.

Mackenzie E. Bell, DO

Medical school
DO Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2023

Undergraduate education
BS Florida State University (Psychology), 2018

Anjali A. Chacko, MD

My pronouns are
They/Them

Medical school
MD Eastern Virginia Medical School, 2023

Undergraduate education
BS University of Illinois at Chicago (Neuroscience), 2018

What sparked your interest in Neurology
I was really interested in the brain and how it worked, so neurology seemed like a natural fit! I liked how flexible and vast the field was, and all of the new therapies coming out for everything from migraines to ALS made it feel like it was an exciting field to go into.

Why I chose Dartmouth
I really liked how friendly the residents were and how well everyone seemed to get along, and the beautiful landscapes are a welcome bonus!

A few personal interests or hobbies
When I’m not in the hospital, I’m usually cooking, watching anime with my fiancé, or reading/writing!

Megan A. Coghlan, MD

Medical school
MD University of Louisville School of Medicine, 2023

Graduate education
MPH Tulane University (Community Health), 2023

Undergraduate education
BA Indiana University (Biochemistry), 2018

What sparked your interest in Neurology
I love neurology because it allows me to care for the part of the body that makes us who we are. The brain and nervous system shape how we move, communicate, experience the world, and connect with others. These abilities are fundamental to our identity, and protecting them means so much to me.

Why I chose Dartmouth
I chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for its peaceful, beautiful setting and the kind, thoughtful people who work here. The smaller, close-knit community makes it easy to get to know everyone on a personal level, and there is such great opportunity to explore our own interests and shape our own paths here. Coming from Indiana, I’ve loved experiencing New England life—the trails, rivers, and seasons all make it such a special place to live.

A few personal interests or hobbies
Outside of medicine, I love spending time outdoors—walking the local trails, exploring the farmer’s market, and picking up treats at King Arthur. I also really value the friendships I’ve built here, which make life outside of work feel full and meaningful.

Matthew C. Hanna, MD

Medical school
MD University of Vermont College of Medicine, 2023

Graduate education
MA University of Michigan Ann Arbor (Arabic Studies), 2014

Undergraduate education
BA University of Michigan Ann Arbor (Arabic & Islamic Studies, History), 2011

What sparked your interest in Neurology 
I recall feeling intrigued by my interactions with individuals living within a memory care unit and witnessing the detrimental effects of varying neurodegenerative processes on their cognitive functioning. I wanted to learn what I could regarding dementia and thus began my initial foray into neurology. This, of course, then opened the doors to learning about a wide array of fascinating neurological topics from temporal lobe epilepsy to high-grade gliomas and contributed to my decision to enter the field of neurology.

Why I chose Dartmouth
I chose Dartmouth because of the welcoming faculty I met on interview day, the diverse clinical opportunities available, the strong bonds shared between the different resident cohorts, and the incredible natural environment found within the Upper Valley.

A few personal interests or hobbies
I like to explore historic sites, as well as state and national parks. I also enjoy learning Arabic, as well as watching baseball. 

Antoine Younes, MD

Medical school
MD University of Balamand, 2021

Undergraduate education
BS University of Balamand (Biology), 2017

What sparked your interest in Neurology
Hello everyone! I am Antoine but people call me Tony (feel free to call me both!) I was born and raised in Lebanon, where my early experiences with medicine and patient care sparked my passion for neurology. I was drawn to the field by its unique blend of intellectual challenge and its profound impact on patients’ lives, particularly in restoring function and dignity.

Why I chose Dartmouth
I chose the Neurology Residency Program at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for its strong academic foundation, diverse clinical exposure, and emphasis on mentorship and collaboration. I was also inspired by the program’s supportive environment, which I believe will nurture both my professional and personal growth.

A few personal interests or hobbies 
Outside of medicine, I enjoy watching movies and series, playing soccer and playing the guitar. Fun fact about me (don’t tell anyone..), I have a black belt in Taekwondo.

Sophia L. Ahmad, DO

Medical School
DO New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine 2022

Graduate Education
MPH The Dartmouth Institute 2018

Undergraduate Education
BS New York Institute of Technology (Life Sciences) 2017

What sparked your interest in Neurology 
I loved the neurophysiology and how much you can glean a diagnosis simply from performing a meticulous neurological examination. Neurological disease can be devastating, but neurology is an evolving field with cures to things that we used to believe were incurable. There’s always something new to learn in neurology!

Why I choose Dartmouth 
I chose Dartmouth because it was the perfect place to do a busy training in a peaceful place. The quality of life at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center is amazing and the cases that we have the opportunity to see range from bread and butter to multiple zebra cases as well. As a PGY-4, I believe that my training has allowed me to practice as a comprehensive neurologist anywhere I go.

A few personal interests or hobbies  
Avid plant enthusiast and playing cozy video games!

Maxwell R. Blazon, DO

Medical School
DO University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine 2022

Graduate Education
MS University of New Hampshire 2018

Undergraduate Education
BS University of Connecticut (Physiology and Neuro Biology) 2016

What sparked your interest in neurology
I had been interested in neurosciences as long as I can remember, and I pursued undergraduate and graduate research in neurophysiology, but ultimately decided I wanted to see patients and treat neurological diseases.

Why I chose Dartmouth
I chose Dartmouth since I am a New Hampshire native and I had an excellent experience here during a Sub-I my 4th year of medical school.

A few personal interests or hobbies
My personal interests are weight training and trading card games.

Julianne M. Flowers, MD

Medical School
MD Wayne State University School of Medicine 2022

Undergraduate Education
BS UMass Amherst (Biochemistry) 2016

What sparked your interest in Neurology
My interest in neurology started in my third year of medical school when I rotated with an incredibly knowledgeable neurologist on his consult service. I loved how we could localize a neurological problem with a detailed exam and also get involved in procedures to make diagnoses and provide treatments.

Why I chose Dartmouth
I chose Dartmouth because I was thoroughly impressed with how welcoming and friendly the faculty and residents were. I’ve come to appreciate how important that first impression was that led me to our program. I know that no matter how tough the day gets, I can always lean on my fellow residents for support and a relaxing hang-out after work.

A few personal interests or hobbies
I love walking nature trails throughout the area and spending time with my new labernese, Murphy.

Nishel Y. Kothari, MBBS

Medical School/Undergraduate Education combined
MBBS Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College 2021

Kiana Moussavi, MD

Medical School
MD University of Queensland School of Medicine 2021

Undergraduate Education
BA California Polytechnic State University (Landscape Architecture) 2011

What sparked your interest in Neurology
I was drawn to neurology because it feels like detective work mixed with a little bit of magic—there’s nothing quite like localizing a symptom to a specific pathway and then seeing the MRI prove you right (or humble you).

Why I chose Dartmouth
I chose Dartmouth because of the close-knit community, strong teaching, and the chance to train in a place where residents genuinely support each other.

A few personal interests or hobbies
Outside of the hospital, you can usually find me watching anything true crime (I like to think it sharpens my diagnostic instincts) or chasing after my crazy dog, Koko—who ensures I never get too comfortable sitting still for long.