Our Residents

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

Stephanie A. Ihezie, MD

Medical School
MD: McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 2020

Undergraduate Education
BS: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (Brain and Cognitive Sciences), 2015

Why I Chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
For the program specifically and the environment in general. The decision was simple. Growing up, I lived in various countries and through school I’ve studied in different states throughout the country. Without a doubt what made each place memorable was not just the knowledge gained but also the people I was around. Here at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, I found collegial people in the cohesive resident cohort. Faculty mentorship is strong and intentional. There are also comprehensive opportunities, both academic and clinical, with active encouragement and guidance to take advantage of it all. Together, these qualities foster excellent training that will push me to discover new strengths and prepare me to mold my neurosurgical career into my choosing. The program is further bolstered by the serene setting of an idyllic New England city, which I believe creates a conducive environment for training.

Interests outside of the hospital
My main hobby for as long as I can remember has been theater—performing and, more recently, spectating. I started with a local skit back in elementary school and went on to minor in Theater Arts in college and from there have performed in community plays. I’ve also used theater as a tool to address certain topics in healthcare such as the opioid epidemic. Around the start of medical school, I developed a penchant for cooking and furniture assembly (though I don’t build furniture every day!). In my opinion, eating is an experience; it’s not just about sustenance but really the flavors and emotions of a dish. Because of this I experiment with cooking different types of cuisine or mimicking meals from my favorite restaurants, but most often my go-to preparations are Nigerian. Lastly, when I can get a group together, I still enjoy playing volleyball!

Kelsey P. Kinsman, MD

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

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

Caitlin A. Payne, MD

Medical School
MD: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine – Upper Peninsula (Marquette), 2019

Undergraduate Education
BA: Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI (Biomedical sciences), 2014

Why I Chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
A multitude of reasons – the location with a great patient population to care for and learn from, the rural setting which I grew up in, the intimacy of a small program, the opportunities to work with collaborators at Dartmouth College and to teach students, and of course, and most importantly because of the staff and residents I met during my interview. I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in a small town with a patient population similar to those in New Hampshire. I completed the Rural Physician Program, with certification in leadership in rural medicine as well as Outdoor Emergency Care and National Ski Patrol training, which I saw as a great opportunity to help people in the Upper Valley. The hospital I trained in was a tertiary care facility like DHMC, and I can’t say enough good about the learning opportunities in such a setting – when people come to these places, they really need your help…and that is so humbling.

Interests outside of the hospital
Prior to medical school, I was a musician. Although I am not classically trained, I play the guitar, sing, and have recorded an album. I have not played a show in quite a sometime, but music will always be a love and release for me. I have a dachshund-golden retriever mix named Poppy, whom I consider a human child, so I would list her as a high priority on my interest list. My husband and I enjoy all things outdoors from kayaking to hiking to sailing. And, how could I forget to mention, he plays hockey for a living, so sports are a common topic of conversation in our home…even though I would never declare myself knowledgeable about the happenings of the sports world. Lastly, I have four sisters, each of whom I talk to nearly every day. Making sure we share in our good times and bad from miles apart will always be important to me.

Julio D. Montejo, Jr., MD, MHS

Chief Resident

Medical School
MD, MHS: Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 2018

Undergraduate Education
BA: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (Mathematics), 2010

Why I Chose Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
The people, the environment, and the opportunities. The Upper Valley is a wonderful area to raise kids. I have a six-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter.

Interests outside of the hospital
Family, soccer, and music.