Current Residents
On this page:
Class of 2025
Fatima Bensabeur, M.D.
Fatima Bensabeur earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Wright State University. Dr. Bensabeur is a neurology resident. Prior to joining the Clinical Neuroscience Institute, she earned a MS in Biology from William Paterson University. Dr. Bensabeur enjoys the beautiful hiking trails around the Dayton area, traveling and cooking.
Brandon Nidea, M.D.
Brandon Nidea, M.D., earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He received his Master of Science in Medical Physiology from Case Western Reserve University in 2017 and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign dual majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Spanish in 2015. His hobbies include videogames, anime, horror films, and following Chicago sports.
Anthony “Gage” Hall, D.O.
Gage Hull obtained his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, where he received the A.T. Still Memorial Medallion award for promoting the physician values of whole-person healthcare, volunteerism, and relieving the suffering of others. While in medical school, he spent time volunteering at the City Union Mission clinic. He also volunteered in the KCU community garden, where he helped grow vegetables that were donated to local food pantries. He enjoys hiking trails, cooking, martial arts, fantasy novels, and home brewing mead.
Sarah Sheldon, D.O.
Sarah Sheldon, D.O., earned her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2021. Prior to completing her medical degree, she earned her Bachelor of Science from Denison University in 2014 and Master of Science in Medical Physiology from Case Western Reserve University in 2017. She has worked as a research assistant on multiple studies related to neurology. She enjoys board games, exercising, and playing with her dog.
Class of 2026
Rebekah Israel, M.D.
Rebekah earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. Prior to earning her medical degree, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Asbury University in Wilmore, KY. Rebekah enjoys playing guitar and singing, reading, biking, jogging, and volunteering at her church developing and operating the Audio/Visual systems.
Nicholas Pekas, M.D.
Nicholas earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine. Prior to earning his medical degree, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Spanish. Nicholas has attained Kukkiwon and Tae-Kwan-Do Federation Certified Black Belt ranking in Tae-Kwon-Do, Hapkido, and Kumdo. He has played piano for 20 years, and enjoys reading/writing, tennis, and swimming.
Reha Rabbani, M.D. 
Reha earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University. Prior to earning her medical degree, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Combined Sciences from Youngstown State University. Reha enjoys photography, weightlifting, hiking, fashion, traveling, interior design, board games, reading, cooking/baking, exploring local restaurants and coffee shops, and antiquing.
Michael Tensmeyer, D.O.
Michael earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to earning his medical degree, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience at Brigham Young University. Michael enjoys distance running, biking, birdwatching, reading, playing piano, creative writing, and spending time with his kids.
Class of 2027
Geri Mitchell, M.D.
Geri earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Prior to completing her medical degree, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the Berea College in Kentucky in Biology. Geri’s hobbies include board games, Dungeons and Dragons, Reading, TV/Movies, along with spending time with her friends, family, and beloved cat.
Azhar Said, M.D.
Azhar Said (Alani) graduated from Al-Nahrain University - College of Medicine in Baghdad, Iraq, where he also finished his internship year. Since then, he has gained invaluable experience by working as a rural primary care physician and as a preliminary internal medicine resident during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, he moved to the US to embark on a new journey by rotating at various locations. He also volunteered as a research assistant with the Department of Neurology at Tufts Medical Center, helping in Phase III trials for multiple sclerosis medications and participating in building a research database for the Neurocritical Care Unit.
Before joining WSU, Azhar completed his first year of residency at New York Medical College/Metropolitan in Manhattan. He enjoys playing and watching soccer, working on cars, and running his small eBay store.
Soumi Santra, M.D.
Soumi earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science. Prior to completing her medical degree, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience at the University of Michigan. Soumi's hobbies include makeup artistry; she enjoys creating fun looks and learning new techniques. She also likes to explore new restaurants, spend quality time with friends, solve jigsaw puzzles, hike, and dance.
Sukhmani Singh, M.D.
Sukhmani earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. Prior to completing her medical degree, she earned her Bachelor of Science at Oakland University in Environmental Health. Sukhmani enjoys singing and playing harmonium and Dilruba, yoga & fitness, painting, beading jewelry, spirituality & meditation, visiting national parks, hiking, and traveling.
Class of 2028
Ehab Hassouna, M.D.
Ehab Hassouna earned his Doctor of Medicine from Wright State University. He received his Bachelor of Science from the Ohio State University. His hobbies include video games, exercise, playing music, cooking, gardening, and spending time with his wife and 2 cats.
John Kearfott, M.D.
John received his Doctor of Medicine from Wright State University, Boonshoft School of Medicine. As a medical student, he was a Wright Rural Medical Scholar. This program allows students to complete clinical rotations in rural West Central Ohio with the goal of bolstering physician recruitment in rural areas. Before attending medical school, John received his Master of Science in Anatomy from Wright State University. He also received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. John also worked as a certified ophthalmic assistant for several years, where he did direct patient care, insurance billing, computer management, and work as an optician. When not practicing medicine, John enjoys reading, traveling, learning about history, and trying new restaurants.
Maria LaBello, M.D.
Maria earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. Prior to completing her medical degree, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Premedicine at the University of Dayton. Maria's hobbies include baking/cooking, scrapbooking, exploring new foods and restaurants, spending time with friends and family, fashion, and puzzles.
Nicholas Rotsching, M.D.
Nick earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Dayton. He grew up in Cincinnati and is an avid Bengals fan. Prior to joining the Clinical Neuroscience Institute, he conducted clinical research with Dr. Terry and Dr. Cheng-Ching and participated in a global health trip to the Indian Himalayas. In his free time, Nick enjoys pursuing his interests in music by playing the piano and trumpet. He also tries to stay active by frequently playing sand volleyball, swimming, and, on occasion, surfing.
