Phelps Hospital Recognizes Inaugural Family Medicine Class

SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y. -- Three years and countless sleepless nights later, six newly certified primary care physicians from Phelps Memorial Hospital are ready to serve the Westchester community.

Graduates from the Phelps Memorial Hospital's inaugural Family Care Residency Program. Back row: Anesh Badiwala, MD, George Elkomos, MD, Jorge Espana, MD Sara Paul, MD, Batel Isenstein, MD, London Muse, MD
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

John Haffey

Content Partner: Phelps Memorial Hospital Center

“Three years ago, this select group arrived at Phelps from medical school to begin residency, sharing in our vision of a brand new program dedicated to training the best and brightest family medicine physicians,” said Program Director Dr. Shantie Harkisoon.

Many people are familiar with primary care physicians, and may in fact have a physician of their own, but don't fully understand exactly what the discipline of medicine entails. The two most well-known types of primary care are internal medicine and family medicine. The main difference between the two is that internal medicine physicians treat adults from late-adolescence to old age, whereas family medicine physicians treat patients from birth to old age.

Recognizing a need for primary care physicians, both locally and nationally, Phelps established the NYMC Phelps Family Medicine Residency Program in partnership with New York Medical College and Open Door Family Medical Centers.

“It is bittersweet to see them leave the program as they embark on a new journey" reflects Dr. Harkisoon, "but it is truly a gift that all six have planned to continue practicing medicine in Westchester County and New York,”

Dr. Anesh Badiwala, will become a member of Phelps Medical Associates, the hospital’s primary and specialty care medical group while Dr. Jorge M. Espana, has joined the staff of Open Door Family Medical Centers in Port Chester, and Dr. London Muse has accepted a teaching position on the faculty of the NYMC Phelps Family Medicine Residency Program.

Dr. Sara Marie Paul will complete fellowship training in obstetrics at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx. Dr. Batel Isenstein and Dr. George Elkomos have not finalized their plans but also intend to remain in the Westchester area.