St. Louis Family Medicine Residents
The Saint Louis University School of Medicine's Family and Community Medicine program has residents from various medical schools and specialties.
Class of 2027
Thomas Cassimatis, M.D.
Ohio State University College of Medicine
Cassimatis is from Saint Peters, Missouri. He earned a B.S. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in biological sciences. He completed post-baccalaureate clinical research with the National Institutes for Health studying the effects of drugs, diets and diseases on metabolism. Cassimatis received his M.D. from Ohio State University College of Medicine. During medical school he served on the executive board of Healthy LifeStars working to teach healthful eating and exercise habits to groups of elementary aged children. Cassimatis is a lifelong swimmer, triathlete and loves the outdoors. He has summited ten of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks.
Galen Hoft, D.O.
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hoft is from St. Louis. He earned a B.S. in Secondary Language Arts Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a pre-medicine post-baccalaureate degree from Washington University. He earned his M.P.H. from the Washington University in St. Louis in 2022. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso from 2014 to 2016. He received his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has a strong interest in serving traditionally marginalized communities and in addiction medicine and harm reduction strategies.
Farhan Hussain, M.D.
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Hussain is from California. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California at San Diego in physiology and neuroscience where he was the commissioner of school spirit. He completed his M.D. from Saint Louis University School of Medicine where he has been deeply involved in clinical research. During his medical school career, he rotated at the Family Care Health Center where he exhibited a particular interest in improving health literacy. Outside of medicine, Hussain enjoys volleyball, pickleball, basketball, tennis and skateboarding. He is also a competitively ranked video gamer.
Joseph Mooney, M.D.
University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine
Mooney is from Missouri and has lived in many communities throughout the state. He completed his B.A. from Loyola University Chicago in Spanish language and literature. He worked as a bilingual educator for kindergarten and first grade students at Saint Louis Language Immersion School for five years before completing his pre-medical studies at Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. He completed his M.D at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine in 2023. He spent the 2023-24 academic year in a pathology residency at the University of Nebraska where he realized he was meant for family medicine all along. Outside of medicine, Mooney has an interest in urban farming and a love of music and singing.
Belainesh ‘Bella’ Nigeda, D.O.
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Nigeda is from Chicago, Illinois. She completed her B.S. in biological sciences from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and an M.P.H. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She received her D.O. from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine where she was involved with the Student National Medical Association and was vice-president of the Student Government Association. Nigeda is the principal investigator on a mixed methods research study exploring the experiences of Black birthing patients who used a doula during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has an ongoing interest in addressing inequities in maternal and infant health.
Maura Walsh, M.D.
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Walsh is from Arlington Heights, Illinois. She earned a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame where she majored in neuroscience and behavior and minored in poverty studies and Latino studies. She received her M.D from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine where she is a Gold Humanism Society Member and a member of the Community and Global Health Honors Program. Walsh completed extensive volunteerism with the Quinn Community Center in Maywood, Illinois, during medical school. She also did impactful work reflecting on vocation, wellness, emotional intelligence and mindfulness with her peers and colleagues. She has experience working in an FQHC with a migrant farmworker population and speaks Spanish.
Class of 2026
Robert Besancenez, M.D.
Ross University School of Medicine
Robert is from St. Louis. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis. Robert received his Doctor of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine. His hobbies include short-track speed skating, exercise and physical fitness, automotive electronics, piano and guitar, and international travel.
Ishak Hossain, M.D.
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.
Ishak is from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology: Global Health, with a minor in biology at Washington University in St. Louis. Ishak received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Outside of medicine, he enjoys playing soccer and refereeing, and playing competitive chess.
Lexi Kremer-Callahan, M.D.
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Lexi grew up in Mattoon, Illinois. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. Lexi received her Doctor of Medicine from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Outside of medicine, Lexi’s interests include trivia, cooking, crocheting, running, gardening, sewing, hiking, ATV-riding, attending concerts and fantasy sports.
Gretchen Landgraf, D.O.
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Gretchen grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and St. Louis. She earned a Bachelor of
Science in Nutrition/Dietetics at Saint Louis University and a Post-Baccalaureate
Pre-Medical
Certificate from Washington University. Gretchen received her Doctor of Osteopathic
Medicine from Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She enjoys yoga,
tennis, water skiing, playing board games, going to concerts with friends and volunteering
in the Kansas City community
Ashna Mahadev, M.D.
University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine
Ashna grew up in O’Fallon, Missouri. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine, and a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation at Washington University in St. Louis. Ashna received her Doctor of Medicine from University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine. Outside of medicine, she enjoys scuba diving, training therapy dogs, travel focused on culture, history, and local architecture, and she’s working towards her private pilot’s license.
Tyeler Rayburn, M.D.
University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Tyeler grew up in Brantley, Alabama. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Troy University in Troy, AL. Tyeler received his Doctor of Medicine from University of South Alabama College of Medicine. His hobbies include reading, weightlifting, paddleboarding, cycling, swimming, and traveling.
Class of 2025
Jonathan Charlu, M.D.
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Jonathan is from San Jose, California. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of California-Santa Barbara, and a Master of Science in Physiology at Georgetown University. Jonathan received his Doctor of Medicine from Saint Louis University School of Medicine. His hobbies include cooking, basketball and hiking.
Taylor Flowerday, M.D.
University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine
Taylor is from Kansas City, Missouri. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. Taylor received her Doctor of Medicine from University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine. Outside of medicine, Taylor enjoys DIY home renovations, party planning, babysitting, crafting, dogs and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dakarai Moton, D.O.
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dakarai grew up in Reserve, Louisiana; Baytown, Texas; and Memphis, Tennessee. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry at Dillard University, and a Master of Biomedical Sciences at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dakarai received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a Master of Business Administration from Jackson State University. Outside of medicine, Dakarai’s interests include running trails, playing tennis, non-fiction reads, abstract art, coffee and tea beverages, yoga, classical opera, foreign languages/culture and traveling the world.
Adaoma Ngari, M.D.
Meharry Medical College
Adaoma is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge. Adaoma received her Doctor of Medicine from Meharry Medical College. She enjoys Medical Mentions (social media platform for sharing medical information), plant care, Bible-studying, journaling, painting, taking walks and exploring nature trails, watching TV series, watching self-improvement YouTube videos and podcasts, and spending time with friends and family.
Matthew Schneider, D.O.
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matthew grew up in St. Louis. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Matthew received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Outside of medicine, Matthew enjoys playing soccer, pickleball, softball, basketball, board games, casino games, card games, video games and reading fantasy fiction novels.
Jiti Manoja Uppugunduri, D.O.
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Manoja grew up in St. Louis and Chicago. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Investigative and Medical Sciences at Saint Louis University. Manoja received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She speaks a limited amount of Creole and is advanced in speaking Telugu. Her hobbies include watching true crime shows and documentaries, photography, and freestyle poetry and narrative writing.
Class of 2024
Kemdi Egekeze, M.D.
Undergraduate: Saint Louis University, B.S. in Investigative Medical Sciences
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Kemdi grew up in Houston and Lake in the Hills, Illinois. He earned a Bachelor of Medical Sciences in Investigative Medical Sciences at Saint Louis University and a Master of Health Science in Medicine at Meharry Medical College. Kemdi received his Doctorate of Medicine from Meharry Medical College. His hobbies include playing basketball, writing poetry, playing the guitar, studying/discussing the Bible, going to parks and bodies of water to experience nature, performing sketch comedy skits on social media, being an avid moviegoer, video games and family time.
Chyleigh Harmon, M.D.
Undergraduate: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, B.S. in Chemistry
Medical School: Saint Louis University
Chyleigh is from Syracuse, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received her Doctorate of Medicine from Saint Louis University. She participated in the SLU Summer Research Fellowship for Medical Students in 2017. Outside of medicine, Chyleigh enjoys spending time with her nieces, cats and dogs, being a doula and birth worker, hula hooping, knitting and cross-stitching, digital photography, alpine skiing, and musical theater.
Meghan Hernandez, D.O.
Undergraduate: MacMurray College, B.S. in biology and chemistry
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
Meghan grew up in St. Louis. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry at MacMurray College and received her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. Outside of medicine, Meghan's interests include basketball, football, reading books by various authors, traveling, dogs, family, baking, running and hiking.
Sravya Motheramgari, D.O.
Undergraduate: University of Michigan, B.S. in biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Sravya is from Canton, Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Basic Medical Sciences at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She received her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Sravya enjoys watching true crime media, boxing, cooking new vegetarian meals and bothering her cat.
Victoria Phillips, M.D.
Undergraduate: Xavier University of Louisiana, B.S. in chemistry (with Honors)
Medical School: Saint Louis University
Victoria grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (with honors) at Xavier University and received her Doctorate of Medicine from Saint Louis University. Victoria received several scholarships/awards, including the AAFP Family Leads Scholarship and the Mound City Physicians Foundation Scholarship. She was a study abroad scholar at Xavier University of Louisiana's Confucius Institute. Outside of medicine, Victoria enjoys graphic-design work for her T-shirt company, traveling with her cat, Milo, watching Spike Lee films and eating local cuisines.
Kerri Raleigh, M.D.
Undergraduate: Drury University, B.A. in biology and chemistry
Medical School: Saint Louis University
Kerri is from Springfield, Missouri. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Chemistry at Drury University and received her Doctorate of Medicine from Saint Louis University. She speaks a fair amount of Spanish and Formosan and native Chinese. Kerri is a pianist with classical training, with a preference for Romantic-era composers. She is also a violist and participated in a community orchestra throughout college. She enjoys swimming for exercise reading biographies, has traveled to 20 countries and loves experiencing new places and cultures.