Maria Akiki, MD

Medical School: Holy Spirit University of Kaslik
Residency: University of Connecticut

Maria grew up in Lebanon and earned her medical degree from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK). She completed a preliminary year in internal medicine at the American University of Beirut before moving to the United States to complete her internal medicine residency at the University of Connecticut. During residency, she participated in global health experiences in Uganda and the Dominican Republic, where she cared for patients in resource-limited settings and further developed her interest in infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship. Outside of medicine, she enjoys traveling, going on road trips, exploring new restaurants, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Sarah Fortna, MD

Medical School: University of Buffalo
Residency: Indiana University

Sarah grew up in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, before moving to upstate NY to attend Cornell University and study Microbiology and Global Health. She then earned an MSc in Control of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, before attending medical school at the University at Buffalo and completing residency at Indiana University. Outside of medicine, she enjoys walking her golden retriever Leonid, traveling, singing, and rooting for the Buffalo Bills.

Amanda Ward, MD

Medical School: University of Virginia
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital

Amanda grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland and started working at a lab at the NIH while in high school. She studied biochemistry at the University of Maryland-College Park for undergrad. She then completed her MD/PhD at the University of Virginia where she studied how enveloped viruses enter cells and establish infections. After this, she moved to Boston for residency in Internal Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She is excited to be coming back to Maryland for fellowship. Outside of medicine, Amanda enjoys hiking, ballroom dancing, and playing boardgames with her husband, friends, and family.

Cole White, DO

Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency & Chief Residency: OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital

Cole grew up in Shelby, Ohio. He started his journey through higher education at the University of Toledo, where he studied biology as an undergraduate student before completing his Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Bioinformatics, Proteomics, and Genomics. He then earned his D.O. degree from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. After medical school, he attended OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, for his internal medicine residency and chief residency training. Outside of medicine, Cole enjoys watching sports, trying new coffee shops and restaurants, and traveling with his family.