Current Residents in the Neurology Residency Program

Harjus Birk, M.D.

Bio coming soon!

Daniel Lee, M.D.

Hometown: Chesterfield, Virginia

College: University of South Carolina

Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville

Bio: I grew up in Chesterfield, Virginia outside of Richmond before moving to Columbia, South Carolina for undergraduate studies. I ended up majoring in biology with a minor in neuroscience. I conducted research at the medical school during that time investigating the underlying neurochemical pathways involved in PTSD. Following undergraduate, I attended USC Greenville for medical school where I continued my love and passion for neuroscience. It was there that I met my beautiful wife before moving to Mobile for residency.

What do you like about Mobile: Being a coastal city, Mobile has the opportunity for trips to beautiful, local beaches. Additionally, the downtown area has many opportunities for fun, which include Mardi Gras, monthly Art Walks and more.

What do you like about your residency: There are a variety of opportunities for professional, scholarly, and personal development. Faculty and residents are tight-knit and support each other to achieve their goals.

Hobbies: Ping pong, video games, reading, fishing, card games

Fun fact: I studied abroad in Japan for 6 months and stayed with a family who didn't speak English.

Daniel F. Isaza Pierotti, M.D.

Hometown: Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia

College: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana de Cali Escuela de Medicina (Basic sciences). 

Medical School: Universidad Del Valle Escuela de Medicina (Clinical clerkships).

Bio: I lived most of my life in my hometown, Cali. After high school spent 6 months improving my English skills in Calgary, AB. Started med school upon returning back to Colombia. After graduating med school, I spent 4 years between clinical research and clinical practice. I have also lived in Miami, Washington DC, Boston, Bogotá and Buga (Colombia). Although interested in stroke and neurointervention, I’m opened to other possibilities in Neurology. 

What do you like about Mobile: it’s a calm place without big city traffic and distractions. 

What do you like about your residency: it’s an academic medical center and comprehensive stroke center, research is encouraged, residents have teaching opportunities, and everyone you have contact with is very nice. 

Hobbies: stargazing, outdoor activities, cooking, sports, concerts. 

Fun fact: I share the same DOB with my 10-years older brother. 

Career prior to residency: Obtained master’s degree in clinical service operations (MCSO) from Harvard Medical School. This is a clinical leadership training program in operations management to optimize efficiency and improve patient experience. My capstone project consisted in developing a plan for optimizing stroke care at an underserved rural hospital in Colombia. 

Ashley Nguyen, M.D.

Hometown: Mobile, Alabama 

College: Spring Hill College 

Medical School: University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine  

Bio: My family emigrated from Vietnam and started from the ground up. I am the first female in my family to pursue higher education and the first person in the family to have a career in medicine. Thus, education is extremely important to me, and my team at work is like my second family! I have been in Mobile, Alabama, for most of my life, and I look forward to giving back to the community that has helped me come this far. I currently have an interest in neurocritical care and pain medicine.  

What do you like about Mobile: Mobile is a town where you can meet and know everyone. I appreciate the Southern hospitality, the close-knit community, and the affordable lifestyle. I also enjoy having my family and friends close to me. 

What do you like about your residency: One of the things I appreciate most about our program is that it makes every member feel valued and appreciated. The support that I have received from my mentors and peers is unparalleled. The program always places our education, well-being, and interests first. The staff, chairs, and directors go to great lengths to ensure our voices and concerns are heard and addressed. The attendings are eager to teach, and co-residents are easy to get along with. Every department member is unique and frequently introduces the group to new hobbies. There is never a dull moment with USA Health’s Neurology Residency Program, and the learning never stops!  

Hobbies: Travel, international cuisines, shopping, kickboxing, paintballing, spending time with family/friends.  

Fun fact: Due to a traumatic experience as a child, I used to fear dogs. To overcome that fear, I got a Corgi puppy. Her name is Sushi, and she is a very plump and friendly pup.  

Career prior to residency: I worked several jobs during college and medical school, including as a nail technician, translator at an insurance company, lab technician, and a private tutor.  

Richard Sliva, M.D.

Hometown: Pensacola, Florida 

College: University of Florida at Gainesville  

Medical School: University of Kansas Medical Center 

Bio: I have lived in the South my entire life until going to medical school in Kansas (where my mother’s family is from). Neurology to me is the most interesting field of medicine, a kind of puzzle where the specific pattern and order of symptoms reveals the underlying pathology. It is also a field very much in flux, with new treatments and discoveries revolutionizing it every year. 

What do you like about Mobile: I love being close to the beach and my family. There’s also a surprisingly large number of good restaurants. 

What do you like about your residency: There is a real sense of camaraderie among the residents, and there is also a wide variety of subspecialists among the attendings who provide context to various aspects of neurology. 

Hobbies: I enjoy playing video games and watching anime. 

Fun fact: I’m rather good at draft formats in Magic the Gathering, maintaining a 65% win rate in most sets. 

Abdullah Uddin Syed, M.D.

Hometown: Fontana, California 

College: University of California, Riverside 

Medical School: University of California, Riverside School of Medicine 

Bio: I was born one of 4 boys (my mom wanted a girl) and grew up in Southern California. I got my degree in neuroscience from UC Riverside and also identity med school there. I’m known for my sense of humor and always knowing how to have a good time. 

What do you like about Mobile: The coast and the Southern charm.  

What do you like about your residency: Seeing a diverse range of pathologies, oftentimes farther advanced than most other institutions will see. My co-residents are amazing as well! 

Hobbies: Video games, stand-up comedy, axe throwing. 

Fun fact: I have 3 brothers, all with my same first name (Syed), so I go by Abdullah! 

Ashlea Hendrickson, M.D. 

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia 

College: Oakwood University, Huntsville, Alabama 

Graduate school: Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California 

Bio: Born and raised in the South, but as a first-gen American, I’m very-much connected to my Caribbean heritage. I have a small and very naughty dog named Langston Hughes (yes, he’s named after the jazz poet/activist, and yes, I’m pretty sure the REAL LH would have been offended by this fact). I LOVE the arts! All of them. Fine arts, street art, living room art? Everything. I enjoy long walks--at the mall, and spending time with my boyfriend, friends and family. Concerning Neurology, I’m CURRENTLY interested in sleep medicine, movement disorders and neuromuscular diseases. 

What do you like about Mobile: As a certified foodie, I love trying out the multiple cuisines offered in the area.  Mobile is actually somewhat of a hidden gem, and I’ve been IMPRESSED with many of the restaurants I’ve visited. (If you want recommendations, hit me up!)   

What do you like about your residency: I love my fellow co-residents who make work bearable. I also appreciate the attendings who are down to earth and very approachable.   

Hobbies: Listening to audiobooks (all genres but my faves are fantasy and mystery and historical fiction); just about anything involving hands-on arts/crafts; enjoying the good-ole IN-doors. (This is not a typo.) 

Fun fact: I’ve been a YELP-elite for the past four years and have eaten at/visited tons of great spots (for free) in return for an honest review. Call me a novice, totally un-credentialed -food critic. Also pretty proud and bewildered by my “Blues Clues doodles” video which randomly went viral on TikTok with over 3 million views.   

Zura Katsitadze, M.D.

Hometown: Tbilisi, Georgia  

Medical School: Tbilisi State Medical University  

Bio: I grew up in Tbilisi, Georgia. While in medical school, I worked as a teaching assistant in a peer mentorship program for first-year students. Before starting residency, I briefly worked at a genomics lab for a project studying mitochondrial diseases manifesting in pediatric populations. 

What do you like about Mobile: Mobile is a beautiful city that is easy to navigate and the proximity to the beach  

What do you like about your residency: This program offers a great learning environment with a wide variety of pathology and high volume, coupled with exceptional camaraderie and connections between residents and faculty. 

Hobbies: Reading and writing, archery  

Fun fact: I can fall asleep within three seconds of putting my head on a pillow. 

Luis Purisaca Neira, M.D.

Hometown: Chiclayo, Peru 

College: Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo 

Medical School: Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo 

Bio: I was born and raised in northern Peru, and I have enjoyed ceviche for as long as I can remember. I became the first doctor in my entire family and completed my rural service for one year in a village far from my city. After that, I decided to begin my journey toward residency in the U.S. And here we are. 

What do you like about Mobile: It's a place close to the beaches, which makes me feel at home. The city has pleasant celebrations, and you can drive around calmly without much traffic. 

What do you like about your residency: The program is managed entirely by the residents under the supervision of the attending, which gives us direct and comprehensive exposure to multiple neurological pathologies. The work environment is very good, and all its members have excellent interaction 

Hobbies: Music, camping, cooking 

Fun fact: My hometown is known as the 'City of Friendship' due to the warmth and friendliness of its people. If you visit Peru, you definitely have to take a walk through Chiclayo. 

Colin Shone, M.D.

Hometown: Kingsport, Tennessee 

College: East Tennessee State University 

Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center 

Bio: I was born and raised in the hills of East Tennessee. I completed my undergraduate studies at East Tennessee University with a degree in biology and a minor in finance. I took a break from school and worked as an operator at a local chemical plant and at a free medical clinic before going to medical school at the University of Tennessee, where I found I enjoyed EMGs and decided to pursue neurology. 

What do you like about Mobile: Being able to run, play disc golf, and go to the beach 

What do you like about your residency: I like being able to be hands on with EMGs and reading EEGs. 

Hobbies: Team sports (soccer, Ultimate Frisbee), reading, running 

Fun fact: My parents come from southern Africa and though I have never lived there, I have picked up a little bit of an accent from them. 

Career prior to residency (if applicable): Operator at a chemical plant, office manager at a free medical clinic 

Kyler Smith, M.D.

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada 

College: University of Nevada, Las Vegas 

Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno

Bio: I was born and raised in Las Vegas. I spent two years serving as a missionary in Ecuador, where I developed a love of languages and ended up pursuing a degree in French at UNLV. My wife and I met and married in Las Vegas and now have two wonderful kids. We’re happy to be in Alabama close to family and the water.

What do you like about Mobile: I love how often it rains here.

What do you like about your residency: Neurology is a fascinating field with endless opportunities for a forever student like me. This program is full of remarkable people with whom I enjoy working.

Hobbies: Language learning, piano, running, any sport that uses a paddle or racket

Fun fact: I have jumped out of an airplane (before I had kids). 

Gustavo Chiriboga, M.D. 

Hometown: Quito, Ecuador 

College: Universidad Internacional del Ecuador (UIDE) 

Medical School: Universidad Internacional del Ecuador (UIDE) 

Bio: I grew up in Quito for most of my life. I spent most of my time with my grandparents because both of my parents worked a ton at the hospital. My grandpa loved going fishing and up to the Andes, and with my grandma, I spent most of my school afternoons at home cooking. My grandpa got diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease while I was going through medical school, and those years really changed my perspective on life. I am interested in neuropalliative care, but since I am just starting my journey, I want to explore other possibilities. You never know when life might change your perspective. 

What do you like about Mobile: I love driving around town and seeing a lot of vegetation. I don’t like concrete jungles, I feel they are devoid of life. Also as someone who likes to play Magic in person, the community at Mobile is great.  

What do you like about your residency: The people. After working as an intern in Quito, I realized the most important part for me is being somewhere where you feel it truly is a team. Somewhere where you know people have your back and where you can voice your inputs, doubts or questions without fear. I appreciate the fact that the staff are always welcoming and support each other.  

Hobbies: Video games, board games, miniature painting, Magic the Gathering, watching anime, volleyball 

Favorite quote: “Don’t forget. Belief in yourself. Not in the you who believes in me. Not the me who believes in you. Believe in the you who believes in yourself.” - Kamina

Madison Hostetler, D.O. 

Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tennessee 

College: University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) 

Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Bio: I grew up in Middle Tennessee before moving to Alabama for undergrad. I loved it so much I stayed in Tuscaloosa during my gap year before medical school. I attended LMU – DCOM and did my clinical years in Memphis, TN. It was then that I grew my love for neurology before returning to Alabama for residency. I am currently interested in neurohospitalist medicine and dementia, but I am excited to learn about all areas of neurology! 

What do you like about Mobile: Proximity to beach and the people 

What do you like about your residency: Diversity of pathology, attendings who love to teach, and great coworkers  

Hobbies: Reading, cooking, board games and travel 

Fun fact: My bucket list is to see all seven wonders, one down, six to go! 

P. Sebastian Martinez Lozada, M.D. 

Hometown: Latacunga, Ecuador 

Medical School: Universidad Internacional del Ecuador 

Bio: I was born and raised in a small city in the Ecuadorian highlands called Latacunga. After finishing high school, I moved to Quito to attend medical school. I always felt a strong connection to the neurosciences and became a teaching assistant in neuroanatomy—an experience that confirmed neurology was the specialty I wanted to pursue. After graduation, I returned to my hometown, where I worked in clinical practice for three years. I’m excited to begin this new chapter in Mobile, Alabama. Currently, I’m particularly interested in neurocritical care or stroke—but we’ll see what the future holds! 

What do you like about Mobile: I love how green and close to nature it is. Growing up in a small city, that’s exactly what I was looking for. 

What do you like about your residency: It’s a very supportive and friendly program, which makes the transition into residency much smoother. You truly feel appreciated here. It’s also a growing program that offers every opportunity to become an excellent neurologist. 

Hobbies: Watching Formula 1 and top-tier football (especially the Champions League), tennis, and trying new food 

Fun fact: I grew up in a city at the foot of Cotopaxi, one of the world’s highest active volcanoes. 

Rutvik Savaliya, M.D. 

Hometown: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India 

Medical School: G.C.S. Medical College, Ahmedabad, India 

Bio: I’ve lived in Ahmedabad all my life up until finished medical school. My love for neurology grew during high school, and I represented India at the International Brain Bee. 

What do you like about your residency: The entire team feels like one big family. 

Hobbies: Stargazing, soccer and books 

Fun fact: I have read The Lord of the Rings trilogy in its entirety 47 times. 

Yulong H. Stokes, M.D. 

Hometown: Dickson, Tennessee 

College: University of South Alabama 

Medical School: University of South Alabama Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine 

Bio: I was born in Fuzhou, China and moved to the U.S. when I was 2. I have spent most of my life in the Southeast. 

What do you like about Mobile: Proximity to the beaches. 

What do you like about your residency: The people! Our cohort is so close and hangs out all the time. I love being able to approach our faculty basically any time of day as well.  

Hobbies: Crocheting, running, board and video games 

Fun fact: I have had nine different hair colors. My favorite was rose gold.