First-Year Residents and Transitional Year Program
Waleed Chaudhry, DO
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Undergraduate: Delaware County Community College, Media, PA
Dr. Waleed Chaudhry is a Family Medicine Resident at Independence Health System- Clarion Hospital. He began his PGY 1 position in July of 2024. Dr. Chaudhry is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his undergraduate degree from Delaware County Community College.
Mira Jain, MD
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC
Undergraduate: Howard University, Washington, DC
Dr. Mira Jain the Family Medicine Residency Program at Independence Health – Clarion Hospital due to the fact it is an unopposed program with a small and intimate setting, which allows for personalized and focused training. Her decision to pursue a career in Medicine was influenced by her early recognition of areas within healthcare that needed improvement, particularly around accessibility and affordability. She is passionate about the contributing to these advancements and improving patient care.
Dr. Jain is exploring her career options, with a keen interest in primary care. Her advice to prospective residents is to find a program that aligns with their preferences in terms of size, patient population, and location. She emphasizes the importance of considering these factors to thrive in residency.
Outside of her medical career, Dr. Jain enjoys visiting the city and exploring new areas whenever the opportunity arises.
Rameena Elizabeth Manuel, MD
Medical School: St. George’s School of Medicine, True Blue, Grenada
Undergraduate: University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
When it came time to choose a residency, it was important for me to choose a program with extensive inpatient and outpatient training. Clarion Family Medicine Residency was a great fit for me because it offers several rotations at affiliated hospitals including Butler Memorial Hospital and UPMC Children’s Hospital. The program also has various outpatient rotations including Primary Care, Geriatrics and OB/GYN where residents develop skills to meet the unique needs of their patients. Overall, the program is geared towards creating well-rounded Physicians who excel in their respective fields of practice.
Meeting the Program Director Dr. Ashley Kunselman gave me the assurance that I would be supported in my career. The attendings are great teachers, always accessible, and willing to help in any capacity which I find to be one of the program’s biggest strengths. The residents support and care for one another. The program fosters an environment which encourages residents to grow and develop into confident physicians who practice at the highest standard. I am happy to be at Clarion and excited for my future career in Medicine.
I chose Family Medicine because I enjoy providing longitudinal, preventative, and holistic care for my patients. I get to see patients of all ages and backgrounds, work with them to improve their health and quality of life and build long-term relationships. This specialty fuels continuous learning with Physicians treating a wide range of medical conditions. As a Family Medicine Physician, I have the flexibility to pursue areas of interest including Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine, Pain Medicine, Addiction Medicine, Hospital Medicine, and OB/GYN. I currently enjoy inpatient and outpatient medicine and would be happy with a career in either field.
In my free time I like to read, paint, travel, bike, attend Spin and Zumba classes, visit different restaurants, and hang out with family and friends.
Fun Fact: I speak three languages fluently.
Jonathan Zimmerman, MD
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine, Miramar, FL
Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Dr. Jonathan Zimmerman is a Family Medicine Resident at Independence Health System- Clarion Hospital. He began his PGY 1 position in July of 2024. Dr. Zimmerman is a graduate of Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
Elaine (Jiaxin) Bai, DO
Medical School: Midwestern University AZCOM, Glendale, Arizona
Undergraduate: McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Elain Bai chose her residency program because of its friendly and supportive environment and its close-knit group. The program’s smaller size offers a great deal of autonomy, with inters supporting one another and senior physicians always available to help.
Elaine’s interest in medicine began in high school after shadowing a family friend. The compassionate way her mentor treated patients inspired her to pursue a medical career.
Her advice for medical students is to prioritize fit and proximity to a strong support system over the prestige of a program. She emphasizes that residency can be challenging, and having the right support is essential.
In her free time, Elaine has been training for a marathon and hopes to complete one in 2025. She also enjoys visiting farmers’ markets and has a passion for desserts.
Jonathan Beaton, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), Erie, PA
Undergraduate: Canisius University, Buffalo, NY
Dr. Jon Beaton chose Independence Heath System – Clarion Hospital for his residency due to the welcoming program culture, which was evident during his interview. He advises medical students to speak with current residents and ask plenty of questions when considering programs, as these conversations can provide valuable insight.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Beaton enjoys coin collecting. A fun fact about him is that he once achieved a hole-in-one on a par 4.
Bianca Zahra Khatibshahidi, D.O.
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA
Undergraduate: University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI
Dr. Bianca Zahra Khatibshahidi was drawn to the excellent training opportunities, and, chose to continue her medical journey at Independence Health System - Clarion Hospital. Her career goal is to become an exceptional psychiatrist, dedicated to providing compassionate and effective care for her patients.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Khatibshahidi enjoys a variety of hobbies, including playing with planners, participating in theatre, volunteering, and playing tennis.
Krishan Kaushal Sharma, DO
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, Fl
Undergraduate: Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA
Krishan was drawn to Independence Health System – Clarion Hospital for its supportive, small program environment and strong record for Transitional Year placement. Krishan values the opportunity to develop comprehensive understanding of the body and hone practical skills to care for patients across diverse situations.
With particular interest in Internal Medicine with a focus on Cardiology, Krishan is passionate about building a career that combines research, patient care, and continuous learning. His advice to medical students entering residency programs is to recognize the role they play in driving their own success and making their experience rewarding for both themselves and their colleagues.
Outside of medicine, Krishan enjoys researching mathematics, playing video games, cooking and taking scenic drives. Fun fact: he prefers cold weather and finds winter to be his favorite season.