PGY 5 Chief Residents

Beth Amundsen, MD

Medical School: Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine
Research: Washington Hospital Center, Department of Burn Surgery
Email: Beth.M.Amundsen@medstar.net

• What are some of your greatest accomplishments during residency?
  • During my research year I attended several conferences and had poster as well as oral presentations. I was a finalist in MedStar Research Competition in 2011.
• What would you like to share with the younger generation?
  • Make good friends. They are the ones that will be there for you and help you out.
• If you happen to escape the hospital for a few hours what would we find you doing?
  • I love my kickboxing class... I addition to that, I like to spend time outdoors and take short road trips whenever it's possible.

Kamel Brakta, MD
**Co-Chief Administrative Resident

Undergraduate Studies: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport
Email: Kamel.brakta@medstar.net

I have an interest in practicing general surgery for the diversity that it will bring my future practice. I enjoy vascular surgery the most and I have learned a great depth of knowledge here at WHC. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer and unwinding in the city.

• What lessons have you learned during your residency?
  • Self reliance
  • Maintaining order
• What are some of your greatest accomplishments during residency?
  • Maintaining balance and keeping sane.
• What would you like to share with the younger generation?
  • Get the job done.
  • Everything else is second. Everyone is your friend (so don't be difficult).

Kristopher Hamwi, MD
**Co-Chief Administrative Resident

Undergraduate Studies: Denison University, Granville, Ohio
Medical School: Northeastern Ohio University School of Medicine
Research: Massachusetts General Hospital, Dept of Trauma and Critical Care
Email: Kristopher.B.Hamwi@medstar.net

• What are some of your greatest accomplishments during residency?
  • Winning Resident Research Day and getting special recognition from Dr. Ricotta. Also, being 3F "Resident of the Month" for 8 consecutive months (they actually just forgot to take down my photo).
• What would you like to share with the younger generation?
  • Be bold. Some of the most intimidating personalities at the hospital have proven to be the physicians that I respect and want to emulate the most. Study the habits of everyone you work with. Not just their surgical technique but their bed-side manner, teaching style, interactions with colleges and staff and their decision making algorithms. Decide what kind of surgeon, leader and role model you want to be and imitate those behaviors demonstrated by the staff. Remember that everyone you encounter has some aspect that they do better than anyone else at the hospital. When you find it you will appreciate that relationship much more.

Seema Mittal, MD

Undergraduate Studies: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Graduate School: UC Berkeley, California; MPH in Epidemiology/Biostatistics
Medical School: UC Irvine, California
Email: Seema.Mittal@medstar.net

My future career interests are undecided, but I am considering trauma, vascular, surgical oncology, general, minimally invasive or hepatobiliary surgery.

• What lessons have you learned during your residency?
  • Instructive lesson: Hearsay cannot be trusted. Verify everything.
• What are some of your greatest accomplishments during residency?
  • Getting married
• What would you like to share with the younger generation?
  • See instructive lesson above.
  • Have respect for the hierarchy. It'll go a long way.

Elizabeth O'Leary, MD

Undergraduate Studies: College of St. Benedict/St. John's University
Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School
Email: Elizabeth.Ann.O'Leary@medstar.net

• What lessons have you learned during your residency?
  • Always carry a scalpel in your pocket when at the WHC. You never know when there will be an emergency airway (cricothyroidotomy).
  • Eat when you can as you never know when you will have time.
  • Take time to laugh and talk with your patients, as sometimes they are your best teachers.
• What would you like to share with the younger generation?
  • We learn how to multitask, how to truly serve, diagnose and treat the sickest of the sick patients, how to manage basic and complex medical issues, how to keep calm, think clearly and act appropriately under emergency situations. We learn how to be a complete medicine doctor as well as a general surgeon who knows how to operate.