Current Transitional Year Residents
Current Transitional Year Residents
Chengchong (CC) Ai, B.Med.; Shanghai Jiao Tong University, B.Med., 2015
- Where are you from?
- I am originally from Yunnan Province in southwestern China.
- What attracted you to Bassett Medical Center and Cooperstown?
- Friendly and supportive people, great environment. I really like the sense of community here, and I felt it would be a great place to learn, grow, and build a strong clinical foundation. Cooperstown is beautiful, surrounded by nature, and the sports center (Clark Sports Center) is wonderful.
- What are some hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of medicine?
- Swimming, playing tennis, cooking Chinese food, and spending time with friends.
Madison Alexander, M.D.; St. George’s University, B.S., 2021; St. George’s University, M.P.H., 2026; St. George’s University School of Medicine, M.D., 2026
- Where are you from?
- Carriacou, Grenada.
- What attracted you to Bassett Medical Center and Cooperstown?
- It reminds me of home. I love the scenery and closeness to nature.
- What are some hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of medicine?
- Hiking, working out at the gym, reading, and experiencing different cuisines.
Alan Finkelstein, M.D.; City University of New York Queens College, B.A., 2016; City University of New York Queens College, M.A., 2016; University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, M.D., Ph.D., 2026
- Where are you from?
- Queens, New York City.
- What attracted you to Bassett Medical Center and Cooperstown?
- I liked the opportunity for exposure to a variety of different specialties and procedural opportunities with a firm foundation in clinical reasoning and management to prepare myself for interventional radiology. Having spent nine years in Rochester, I was also happy to spend another year enjoying the beautiful opportunities in upstate and central New York while getting to know the Leatherstocking region.
- What are some hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of medicine?
- I enjoy playing guitar, reading, cooking, traveling, cycling, and exploring other areas of science.
Jonathan Herrera, M.D.; San Diego State University, B.S., 2017; Albany Medical College, M.D., 2026
- Where are you from?
- San Diego, California.
- What attracted you to Bassett Medical Center and Cooperstown?
- I was interested in the fact that Bassett operates in a more rural area and I wanted to learn more about how that type of setting affects the local population. The transitional year program also seemed to be well structured with a reasonable amount of support, variety, and autonomy. I enjoyed my interview here and found the faculty plus residents to be very kind, transparent, and knowledgeable.
- What are some hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of medicine?
- I enjoy weightlifting, watching movies (science fiction, action, philosophical), listening to music (hip hop and metal), podcasts, journaling, reading (non-fiction), and spending time with friends.
John Liu, M.D.; University of Minnesota, B.S.E., 2020; Creighton University School of Medicine, M.D., 2026
- Where are you from?
- Wisconsin.
- What attracted you to Bassett Medical Center and Cooperstown?
- I was drawn to Bassett for its strong collaborative culture and various learning opportunities. In addition, the faculty has been very supportive and always willing to teach.
- What are some hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of medicine?
- Traveling and weightlifting.
Daniel Ma, M.D.; University of Rochester, B.S., 2021; Albany Medical College, M.D., 2026
- Where are you from?
- I was born in China, but I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio.
- What attracted you to Bassett Medical Center and Cooperstown?
- I loved the community! Everyone knows each other and is very friendly.
- What are some hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of medicine?
- I love to play tennis, hike, and play video games.
Hayden Naizer, M.D.; University of Texas at Austin, B.S., 2021; University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, M.P.H., 2022; McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, M.D., 2026
- Where are you from?
- West Texas.
- What attracted you to Bassett Medical Center and Cooperstown?
- Being from Texas, I was excited at the idea of living in Upstate New York for a year to experience something entirely new. After interviewing, Cooperstown and Bassett was clearly a warm, friendly, and beautiful place to train before returning to Texas for my radiology residency.
- What are some hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of medicine?
- I love spending time doing 3D art and have been learning video game development in my spare time. If I’m not doing that, I love to read and cook!
Mrinal Sharma, M.D.; Wilfrid Laurier University, B.S., 2020; American University of Antigua College of Medicine, M.D., 2026
- Where are you from?
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- What attracted you to Bassett Medical Center and Cooperstown?
- I loved the small community feeling that I got at Bassett. The culture of inclusivity and the local small town ambiance are what drew me to the program.
- What are some hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of medicine?
- Hiking, painting, photograph, coffee connoisseur, reading fiction, and being the number one Marvel fan.
Charu Vyas, M.D.; Columbia University, B.A., 2020; Columbia University, M.B.A., 2026; Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, M.D., 2026
- Where are you from?
- New Jersey.
- What attracted you to Bassett Medical Center and Cooperstown?
- Luckily, I was already familiar with the program through its affiliation with my medical school and having completed my training in an urban environment, I knew spending time in a more rural practice setting would benefit my clinical training. Everyone I interacted with from the program on the interview trail was so warm and welcoming which has absolutely been true throughout my time as a resident. The program leadership also is supportive of the residents and works very hard to ensure you can accomplish your goals for the year, whether that be prioritizing electives that are important to you, or gaining exposure to a specialty of interest.
- What are some hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of medicine?
- I love traveling with my family and partner, and spending time with my dog, a four-year-old Husky who we just adopted this past February. Most recently, I had the chance to travel to Croatia and Bosnia during a vacation week!
2026 Transitional Year Graduates
Resident Boot Camp
Suture Lab
