Program Leadership

Gopal Yadavalli, MD Program Director @DrYadavalli	I was born in Wisconsin and spent my formative years in Colorado and Pennsylvania. After completing my undergraduate studies at Penn State University, I attended medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. I subsequently did my residency, chief residency, and Infectious Diseases fellowship at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. Following my training, I continued in academia as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and Associate Program Director in Internal Medicine. After sixteen years in Cleveland, I made the move to Boston in 2011 to take on my current role as Program Director of the BU Internal Medicine Residency Program. Along with resident education, my passion lies in HIV care, global health, and medical humanities. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter, exploring New England to its fullest, getting engrossed in new literature (Life of Pi and The Kite Runner are a couple of my favorites), attempting to play tenor saxophone, and cheering on the Cleveland Indians (even now living in a city as passionate about their sports teams as Boston). You could also say I’m somewhat of a music enthusiast and can catch me in my office listening to anything from John Coltrane to Metallica, depending on the day of the week.
Sheilah Bernard, MD Associate Program Director	I left the winters of Chicago to attend Duke University for undergraduate. I spent a year in multiple sclerosis research then went to Boston where I worked in Cardiology research for 2 years before returning to Chicago to attend medical school. I was a resident at Tufts then came to University Hospital/Boston City Hospital to complete Cardiology Fellowship. I have remained on staff since then as a Clinician-Educator and director of the BMC Ambulatory Cardiology Practice. I enjoy attending in the CCU and General Cardiology services, and consult on both campuses. In addition to my BMC practice, I also have ambulatory practices in South Boston Community Health Center and Dorchester House Multi-Service Center. My husband and I have raised two sons, the older a second year medical student, and the younger a rising senior at Harvard. I grew up on ACC basketball and have enjoyed Boston professional and college sports (yes, I was a soccer mom…). In spare time, I play golf (I’ve had a hole-in-one!) and belong to a book club to read non-medical literature! I’ve stayed at BMC since 1984 because of the patient diversity and shared camaraderie in providing exceptional care without exception. I’ve recently stepped into an APD role after many years of teaching to help mold the next generation of physicians.
Craig Noronha, MD Associate Program Director	I was born and raised in Rochester, New York but have been living in Boston since coming to college here. I did my undergraduate and medical school training at Boston University. I completed my training as an internal medicine resident in the primary care track followed by a year as a chief resident also at Boston University. I stayed on as a faculty member of Section of General Internal Medicine. My academic interests include perioperative medicine and ambulatory based medical education. Obviously I have spent most of my educational years and working years here at Boston University for good reason. It is exciting and fun to work with a group of students, trainees, and peers who share my passion for learning, teaching, scholarly work, and most importantly caring for a diverse group of underserved patients. When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, and supporting my Buffalo Bills.
Catherine Rich, MD Associate Program Director	After growing up in the South End of Boston, I happily returned to my roots in 1998 to complete my medical training at the BU School of Medicine and in BMC’s Primary Care Training Program. Since 2005, I have been on the faculty of the Section of General Internal Medicine and have practiced primary care at the BU Medical Group. I am honored to be part of the faculty which includes so many wonderful clinicians committed to BMC’s mission. My scholarly interests have focused on resident education and curriculum development especially in the areas of communications, medical ethics and ambulatory education. I derive great enjoyment and inspiration from working with residents in the clinics and in our teaching venues. A little know fact about me is that I have an undergraduate degree in Comparative Religion, an interest that led me to complete a Medical Ethics fellowship in 2007 at Harvard Medical School’s Division of Social Medicine. As Program Director for the Primary Care Training Program and Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency, I am delighted to work with our talented and committed house staff, our fabulous Chief Residents and my terrific colleagues in the Program Office and in the Department of Medicine.
Rachel Simmons, MD Associate Program Director	I am originally from the Midwest and received my undergraduate degree from Purdue University. I attended medical school at Johns Hopkins and moved to Boston in 2004 to begin Internal Medicine Residency Training at the Massachusetts General Hospital. I was a Chief Resident and completed an Infectious Diseases Fellowship at MGH as well. I was thrilled to join Boston Medical Center in 2012 as an Associate Program Director and an Infectious Diseases clinician. My professional interests include how to best evaluate residents, medical education, and HIV clinical care. In 2012, my husband and I also welcomed our first child and spend much of our free time playing with him. Exploring national parks (the Grand Canyon is my favorite thus far), hiking, international travel, reading fiction and literature, searching Boston bakeries for the best loaf of bread (Iggy’s is amazing), and growing tomatoes are my favorite pastimes.
Ashish Upadhyay, MD Associate Program Director	I was born and brought up in Kathmandu, Nepal. After completing undergraduate medical education from Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine in Nepal, I came to the United States in 2003 to attend Internal Medicine Residency at Tufts University’s St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center Program. I then moved to Boston University for Nephrology Fellowship. Concurrently, I also completed a year of research fellowship at the Framingham Heart Study evaluating vascular risk factors in kidney disease. Following this, I joined Tufts Medical Center as faculty where my scholarly focus was in performing and directing evidence review for a number of international kidney disease clinical practice guidelines. I am thrilled to be back at BU as Associate Program Director starting in February 2012. I admire the camaraderie in our residency program, deeply respect the hospital’s sense of mission, and enjoy the diversity of our patient population. In addition to my role in the residency program, I am actively involved in both inpatient and outpatient nephrology practice, and continue with research activities as a member of the Framingham Heart Study’s Renal Workgroup. Outside of work, I enjoy playing with my two children, listening to music, reading about history and contemporary politics, and watching football.
Laurie Dubois Administrative Director	I have lived in Boston now for over 10 years, though I am still a Mainer at heart (Go Blackbears!). After graduating from the University of Maine with a degree in Business Management, I moved to Albany, Georgia for a year where I worked as a Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity. I then decided to return to New England where I began my career with Boston University. Prior to transitioning into my current role as Administrative Director of Medical Education, I spent five years working as the Education Program Manager in Geriatrics. I love working in the field of medical education and consider myself fortunate to work with such a passionate group of colleagues who share my dedication to the mission of Boston Medical Center. I love to travel, explore Boston, and run marathons.
Katie Armstrong Program Coordinator	I grew up on the seacoast of New Hampshire, an hour north of Boston and minutes away from the ocean. I moved down to Boston in 2004 to attend Northeastern University, where I studied journalism and sociology. In 2008, I was bit with the “travel bug” and had the opportunity of a lifetime to live in Cape Town, South Africa for half a year, working at a boutique public relations firm and exploring beautiful places throughout the southern half of Africa. I have been at Boston Medical Center since 2009, and I have been taken by the social mission of our hospital — and our program — ever since. I love working with our residents and watching their development as physicians and leaders throughout their training. Outside of work, my interests include photography, live music, sports of all kinds (March Madness is my favorite time of year and I am newly obsessed with Fantasy Football), trying my hand at cooking new cuisines and pretending to be a wine connoisseur.
Jaclyn Brogna Program Coordinator	I grew up and still live in Quincy, about 15 minutes south of Boston. I moved to Salem in 2003 for two years and attended Salem State College, then returned back to Quincy and finished my degree in Business Administration at Eastern Nazarene College. I have been at Boston Medical Center since 2011. I love working with the residents and watching their development during their training. I also enjoy meeting new people during our recruitment season. Outside of work I love to travel and go to places I have never been. I also enjoy trying new restaurants, being outside – whether it’s at the beach in the summer or skiing in the winter – and, of course, watching the Boston sports teams – especially the Celtics.
Scot Morrison Program Coordinator	I was born in Sacramento, California, but was raised in Plano, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. I moved to the Northeast to attend college at Salem State University, where I played soccer and studied Elementary Education. I now live in Ipswich with my lovely wife Courtney and our four beautiful children: Aynsley, Bryn, Fynlee and Lane. Prior to coming to BMC in 2010, I worked for 11 years with Southwest Airlines, doing everything from loading cargo and deicing aircraft to managing the Manchester, New Hampshire station. As part of my job as a coordinator here, I enjoy getting to know our residents and helping them through their years of training. Outside of work, I have played every sport known to man including redneck sports — Washers or Ladder Ball anyone? I also enjoy running, smoking BBQ, cooking, playing soccer and softball, fishing and most importantly, spending time with my family.
Sandra Ordonez Program Coordinator	I was born in Bogota, Colombia. I was an only child until I was 10, when my handsome brother was born. I played basketball during my grammar and high school years, which some find surprising since I am only 5’1. I have been a fan of the Boston Celtics for as long as I can remember and never imagined I would live in their town. I graduated as an Industrial Engineer during the time that my country was having issues with drugs and the civil war which made finding a job impossible. In 1986, I moved to USA, first arriving in Queens, NY and then on to Boston, MA. For the past 26 years I have worked all types of jobs, from doing fruit displays to cleaning offices in the evenings. I have been working with non-profits for the past 15 years. Working in this environment and knowing that what I do helps others is very satisfying. My last job before BMC was at BIDMC, where I learned everything possible about the Internal Medicine and Primary Care Residency Program. At 25, I gave birth to my beautiful daughter Cindy, and through her years as a Pop Warner cheerleader, I became a football fan – and of course a Patriots fan. I love sports and one of my hobbies is watching them, as well as traveling, reading, learning from every culture as much as I can. I enjoy almost everything in life. My latest joy is being a grandmother. My granddaughter, Melanie, has given me some of the best times of my life. My role model is my amazing mother, who until today at 71 is the best mother a girl can have.
Inez Hudlow Senior Administrative Coordinator	I grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts (yes – “Lynn, Lynn, the city of Sin, you never come out the way you went in”), which is just north of Boston. After I got married in 2001, I moved to Columbus, Ohio with my husband, where he was working at the time, only to move back to Massachusetts a year later. I have two daughters, Isabelle, who is 8 years old and Gabrielle, who is 5. Throughout my working life, I never thought I’d be working in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at such a well-known hospital like BMC. I’m glad to have gotten the opportunity, as there is so much to learn from the doctors and residents that come through our office on a daily basis. Outside of work, my interests include spending time with my family, shopping, sports, and planning our next family vacation.