Current and Past Residents

Niel Andrews, MD

Hometown: Hillsborough, NC
Medical School: University of North Carolina
Professional Interests: Interventional pain, sports and MSK, regenerative medicine, prosthetics and orthotics, TBI and SCI.
Personal Interests: Lifting, organized and recreational sports, film and music, salsa dancing and Mandarin Chinese.

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
CR offers the most well-rounded training in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation medicine in the southeast, and I'm a North Carolina native who wants to train within and serve my community

Megan Kennelly, MD

Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Medical School: University of Cincinnati
Professional Interests: Inpatient rehabilitation, pediatrics, adaptive sports.
Personal Interests: Trying to expand my interests now that I have some free time again. Things I’m trying are hiking, kayaking, reading and hope to get back into travelling soon!

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
Carolina’s Rehab was at the top of my list and not just because it’s where I grew up. I wanted a residency program that valued each individual resident and functioned as a community rather than a department. The faculty, administration and residents are fantastic with a supportive environment that is hard to match. The fact that it is in Charlotte and close to home-cooked meals, mountains, beaches and lakes is just another added bonus!

Ryan Mathern, MD

Hometown: Moorestown, NJ
Medical School: Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Professional Interests: Sports medicine, prosthetics and adaptive technologies, and musculoskeletal medicine.
Personal Interests: Anything outdoors, exploring new places, Philly sports, Penn State and spending time with family, our dog and chickens.

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
Simply put, Carolinas Rehab felt like home on interview day. The well-rounded foundation and the incredible support from faculty and co-residents makes the program stand out. I was looking for the best program in the Southeast and believe I found it here in Charlotte.

Alicia McClintock, MD

Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Medical School: East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine
Professional Interests: Serving veterans or active duty service members likely through MSK or O&P. Military flight surgery.
Personal Interests: Weightlifting, road biking, hiking, hanging out with dogs, traveling, playing games and cheering on the Tennessee Vols.

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
The quality of the program is excellent, the schedule and the program are well balanced, fun and different pre-interview night with the residents (catered bowling), fit in well with the residents, proximity to home and the mountains, military friendly and I love the south :)

Zachary McKinney, MD

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Medical School: University of Cincinnati
Professional Interests: Pain, sports and spine.
Personal Interests: Woodworking, hiking, camping, exercise, cooking, and reading.

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
At Carolinas Rehab, I will have a diverse training experience with access to faculty with expertise in many fields. During my interview, the staff and faculty were very welcoming and the residents were very close-knit. Charlotte is also a great place for residents to live with its abundance of outdoor activities, food and drink options, and professional sporting teams.

Mackenzie Gillund, DO

Hometown: Blue Grass, IA
Medical School: AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, MO
Professional Interests: TBI, pediatrics, adaptive sports 
Personal Interests: Hiking, ice cream, craft beer, golf, Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs  

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation? 
I rotated here as a medical student and the culture and family-like feeling was undeniable. The residents and faculty all seem happy and close knit even outside of work. The hospital itself has a large variety of cases as well as heavy exposure to the classic cases. And of course, Charlotte as a city itself has its own list of huge perks!

Andrew John, MD

Hometown: Diamond Bar, CA
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine, IN
Professional Interests: Global health, medical education, integrative medicine, adaptive sports, regenerative medicine  
Personal Interests: Travelling (18 countries, 29 states so far), cultural studies, boba, kombucha, tea, Olympic weightlifting and hiking  

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation? 
The diverse clinical settings, plentiful resources, and impressive faculty were all huge draws, but CR particularly stood out with its collaborative and supportive environment, notably with faculty who care deeply about empowering me to develop into the best physiatrist I can become, rather than just another "cookie cutter" doctor. Moreover, I was especially drawn to the authentic camaraderie of the residents and the community-life feel of the department. Plus, I had also been told that, as someone who likes city life while also loving the outdoors, I would love Charlotte, and North Carolina in general. 

Morgan Moore, MD

Hometown: Savannah, GA
Medical School:  University of School of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC
Professional Interests: Neurorehabilitation, cancer rehabilitation, integrative medicine, complementary and alternative medicine  
Personal Interests: Latin dancing, reading fiction, travelling, enjoying the outdoors, spending time with family  

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation? 
I rotated at Carolinas Rehabilitation as a medical student and I was impressed with how much each physiatrist I worked with cared about each and every patient. I was struck by the close-knit family feel of the department and how much everyone cared for each other. I also appreciated the endless opportunities available at CR and the program’s flexibility with helping each resident attain their individual goals, whether it be fellowship, general practice, or academic medicine. Also very important to me were the different ways our program serves the people of Charlotte. 

Robert Theiss, MD

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA
Professional Interests: Interventional Musculoskeletal Medicine, Global Health/Underserved Medicine, Healthcare Administration  
Personal Interests: Pittsburgh sports, fishing and outdoors activities, attending concerts and traveling with my girlfriend and familyng  

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation? 
I felt as though it was the perfect 'fit' (cliche, I know) given the welcoming nature and cohesiveness of residents in the program, strong MSK and ultrasound training, Quality Curriculum, opportunities for community involvement, and getting to experience it all at a distinguished academic center in an awesome city like Charlotte! 

Andrew Viscusi, MD

Hometown: Bensalem, PA
Medical School: Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine, IN
Professional Interests:  Professional Interest: Neurorehabilitation, Spasticity Management, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Chronic Pain  
Personal Interests:  I enjoy spending time with my wife, Jenna, and hanging out with our dog Niko! I am interested in many different physical activities. I ran track in college but after graduation became interested in parkour and calisthenics. My other interests include outdoor activities like snowboarding and hiking.  

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation? 
CMC was my favorite program from interview day. I was thrilled to find out they selected me. There is a unique friendly and collegial atmosphere here. The residents are motivated and supportive of each other. Faculty are committed to getting residents to reach their full potential. The volume and complexity of clinical cases allows residents to enter well prepared into any area of PM&R. I went to UNC Charlotte for undergrad and could not be happier to be back in the area again. There are numerous breweries and restaurants to explore. Charlotte has many outdoor activities to offer as it has a white water center and is in close proximity to the mountains in Asheville. 

Christopher Cappello, MD

Hometown: Millersville, MD 
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine 
Professional Interests: Neurorehabilitation, adaptive sports, academic medicine.
Personal Interests: basketball, tennis, hiking, breweries, watching sports, and some new hobbies from the pandemic - disc golf and chess.

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
This is a well-rounded program that will prepare me for any career path I choose to pursue. There are great opportunities to get involved with adaptive sports. I sensed a strong, positive culture amongst faculty and residents during the interview process. And of course, Charlotte was a very appealing destination!

Keshav Godha, MD

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Medical School:  Florida Atlantic University College of Medicine
Professional Interests:   Interventional spine, musculoskeletal medicine, regenerative medicine, integrative medicine, and orthotics and prosthetics.
Personal Interests:  Travelling and exploring other cultures (particularly through food!), cooking, yoga/meditation, weightlifting, basketball.

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
I was initially drawn to the close-knit family environment at Carolinas Rehabilitation - from the residents to the staff, attendings, and administration - everyone strived to cultivate a warm, inclusive culture. On top of this, I felt that with other aspects of the program, such as the diverse faculty/patient population, innovative facilities (i.e., the newly developed rehabilitation building), and the flexibility of the program to help each resident attain their individual goals, I would be empowered to be the best physiatrist I could become. Also, in terms of the location, Charlotte balances the benefits of a city while being so close to nature!

Jessica Edenfield Kurtz, MD

Hometown:   Greenville, SC
Medical School:  University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville
Professional Interests: Musculoskeletal medicine, Integrative medicine and Oncology Rehabilitation
Personal Interests: Weather permitting, I love working in the yard and planting seasonal gardens! I also enjoy painting, playing volleybal, and going to the park with dog Yogi

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
On paper I chose Carolinas Rehab because of the expansive patient population they serve and the ample opportunities to spend time in each of the subspecialties during training. However, it was a no brainer that Carolinas Rehab was the perfect fit for me after my interview day felt more like conversations with friends rather than faculty. It is very clear how supportive the faculty are and how much they encourage residents to pursue their passions whether that be personally or professionally. Also grew up not far from Charlotte and thought it would be a great place to start my next chapter!

Jason Petusevsky, DO

Hometown:   Coral Springs, FL
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Professional Interests: Interventional spine, neuro prosthetics, regenerative medicine, health and wellness, nutrition, exercise physiology
Personal Interests: Tennis, skiing, hiking, travelling, pickleball, exploring new restaurants, cooking, concerts, being outdoors.

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
Carolinas Rehabilitation offers a strong and customizable curriculum, great opportunities for research and a diverse patient population that pulls from a wide catchment area. I love the resident and staff culture and I love Charlotte, it truly feels like a home away from home.

Cynthia Pham, MD

Hometown:   Manhattan Beach, CA
Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Professional Interests: Chronic pain management, Complementary/Integrative Medicine, Neuroplasticity, Sports Rehabilitation.
Personal Interests: food and wine, travel, cooking, surfing, snowboarding and my dog.

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
Even though the pre-interview resident meeting was online, the moment we started chatting, I knew I had found my people. This program has a culture of equal parts support, belonging and success. I chose CR because I knew this was a place that would push me to my best personal and professional self. It was immediately evident that the care dedicated to teaching, mentoring, and fostering individual growth was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. 

Natalie Brush, MD

Hometown: Mount Dora, FL
Medical School: University of Central Florida School of Medicine 
Professional Interests: Inpatient rehabilitation, interventional pain, sports and MSK
Personal Interests: Lifting, cycling, rock climbing, travelling and trying new foods.

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
I chose Carolinas Rehabilitation because I wanted to be somewhere that provides well rounded training, has a family like environment and is in a fun city. 

Natalie Cignetti, MD

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine 
Professional Interests: MSK/Sports medicine, SCI, interventional pain, neuromuscular 
Personal Interests: Volleyball, pickleball, spikeball, arts/crafts, my dog ~Peanut, JMU football, Pittsburgh sports, buying things I don't need at Target and HomeGoods, exploring all the great restaurants, bars, and activities that Charlotte has to offer!

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
It was an easy decision! I was lucky enough to rotate at Carolins Rehab as a 4th year medical student, and I was immediately drawn to the people. The CR faculty and residents have built a supportive learning environment and genuinely warm and accepting culture. The curriculum is both well-rounded, but flexible, allowing residents to pursue their unique career interests. Other perks include our brand new (and beautiful) rehab hospital and living in Charlotte - which has so much to offer! 

Thomas Powell, DO

Hometown: Princeton, West Virginia
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine  
Professional Interests: Interventional pain, sports medicine, graduate medical education, pediatric rehab
Personal Interests: Lifting, running, video games, traveling, cruises, West Virginia sports, skiing, spending times with my family and our cats.

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
The interview with Carolinas rehab was the only program I truly felt at home. The residents and faculty provided a sense of camaraderie and wellness during my interview. I knew the importance of a positive working environment, as I was applying as a transitional year resident. The program is impressively progressive in terms of values, culture, and even facilities (who doesn’t want to work in a new and updated hospital?). CR also provides a robust education encompassing the entirety of PM&R to prepare me for bread-and-butter physiatry, or a possible fellowship. To top it all off, Charlotte is an incredibly diverse city with more activities, restaurants, breweries, parks, and sporting events than time in the day. I could not have been happier to match at CR!  

Emily Rothermel, MD

Hometown: Fleetwood, PA
Medical School: Temple University 
Professional Interests: Interventional spine, sports medicine, but keeping an open mind to new professional interests!  
Personal Interests:  Outside of work I enjoy tennis, hiking, board games (Trivial Pursuit, Risk) making charcuterie boards, international travel.

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
When I met my future co-residents and faculty at CR, I immediately felt like I was joining my new family. This is a program where I knew I could explore all of my professional interests to the fullest extent, with a curriculum that would give me a solid foundation in all aspects of rehabilitation medicine, and all while surrounded by supportive residents and mentors. What more could you ask for! 

Zachary Shumaker, MD

Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine 
Professional Interests: Interventional Spine Procedures, Cancer Rehabilitation, Adaptive Sports 
Personal Interests: Biking, Board Games, Drone flying, Camping, Hiking, Reading/Audiobooks

Why Carolinas Rehabilitation?
Carolinas Rehab left a strong impression on me right from the beginning. The comprehensive training, ample procedural opportunities, and promising prospects for fellowship and job placement immediately drew me to the program. However, what truly solidified my decision was the camaraderie between the residents and faculty, and the unwavering support extended to resident physicians. Furthermore, the added bonus of North Carolina being my wife's dream state to live in and the accessibility of weekend trips to the beach or the Smoky Mountains from Charlotte only served to enhance my enthusiasm for the program. I am immensely grateful and excited to begin my residency training at Carolinas Medical Center. 

Alumni