Current Residents

Laura Wolgamott, M.D.

PGY Year: 7
Undergraduate: Denison University
Medical School: Wright State University
Clinical Interest: Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine
Why you chose MUSC: During my interview at MUSC, I felt that the group was really close-knit and that there was clearly a good environment to learn and gain experience from.
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: I enjoy many outdoor activities such as Hiking, Backpacking, Climbing, Running/Walking with my dog Kirb. I also enjoy Yoga and HIIT when I can't hit the trails/get outdoors. 

Jeffrey Wessell, D.O.

PGY Year: 7
Undergraduate: Boston University
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University
Clinical Interest: Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine, Tumor
Why you chose MUSC: The interaction between residents and attendings caught my attention as it was an outlier in terms of great teamwork and camraderie. Charleston also has plenty to do so you can decompress when you have time off.
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: I enjoy working out and following football. Otherwise my free time is spent with my two dogs and my wife. 

Zachary Hubbard, M.D., MPH

PGY Year: 6
Undergraduate: Auburn University
Medical School: University of Miami
Clinical Interest: Endovascular, peripheral nerve, spine
Why you chose MUSC: During my sub-I at MUSC I really respected the strong clinical skills that were present. The residents tackled a busy service with ease and displayed a great amount of competence. The relationship between the faculty and residents was truly special.
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: Running, playing Tennis. Exploring the food scene in Charleston. Battery Soccer games. 

Orgest Lajthia, M.D.

PGY Year: 6
Undergraduate: George Mason University
Medical School: Georgetown University
Clinical Interest:
Why you chose MUSC:
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: 

Aimee Weber, M.D.

PGY Year: 5
Undergraduate: Williams College
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Clinical Interest: Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, connectomics, addiction and brain circuitry, machine brain interface
Why you chose MUSC: Seven years is not short and the people were a big draw. Attendings have diverse clinical and research interests, while being approachable, available and down to earth. Residents have a team mentality and typically foster a supportive/receptive environment. Oh and Charleston!
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: Spending time with family and friends, soaking every moment up in my spare time. Golf, sporting clays, diving, lifting, kayaking, alpine skiing, travelling and trying to take advantage of the activities and experiences Charleston and the Low Country have to offer. 

Arun Gunasekaran, M.D.

PGY Year: 5
Undergraduate: Louisiana State University
Medical School: University of Arkansas
Clinical Interest: Skull base and Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery
Why you chose MUSC: Great team and high volume clinical exposure
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: Playing Tennis, Road Biking, Hiking 

Timothy Webb, M.D.

PGY Year: 4
Undergraduate: Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Clinical Interest: General neurosurgery with special interest in functional and cerebrovascular neurosurgery. 
Why you chose MUSC: Primary goal in choosing residency was a place where I would graduate as a highly skilled technical neurosurgeon with good clinical accumen. MUSC met that goal, but further impressed me with the dynamic of the resident team as highly cohesive group.
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: I enjoy working outside a good bit, usually building something in my backyard. Big fan of podcasts and reading, particularly as it relates to history. My wife and I have several pets that we enjoy hanging out with. I also like to hike, kayak, travel, sample good cigars and whiskey, play my saxophone. Of course, the best times are often hanging out with others within the resident cohort and their friends/sig others. 

Brian Saway, M.D.

PGY Year: 4
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina
Medical School: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Clinical Interest: Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine
Why you chose MUSC: It was important for me to find a program that had a diverse case load, that was able to open doors for future career opportunities, and created an environment that allowed for me to reach my maximum potential as a neurosurgeon in training. MUSC clearly met all the criteria regarding case load and renowned faculty, similar to other programs, but what set it apart was the strong interest in resident well being that led to systemic changes within the program. At MUSC we work hard to treat our patients, but the program also recognizes that if the residents are not mentally well, then their maximum potential is not being met. For these reasons, I chose MUSC.
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: I enjoy surfing at Folly Beach, playing guitar with friends, playing soccer on the competitive MUSC intramural soccer team, and exploring the amazing Charleston cuisine.  

Matheus Pereira, M.D.

PGY Year: 3
Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego
Medical School: University of California, San Francisco
Clinical Interest: Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine, Tumor
Why you chose MUSC: Wonderful faculty and department, high clinical volume, vast research opportunities and support, and awesome resident team.
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: All things related to sports such as soccer, football, basketball, baseball, MMA, exercise/running, beach volleyball, snowboarding. Music, playing guitar and drums, traveling. Faith.

Matthew Triano, M.D.

PGY Year: 3
Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania
Medical School: Georgetown University
Clinical Interest: Functional neurosurgery, machine brain interface, complex spine
Why you chose MUSC: Camaraderie, high operative volume, emphasis on wellness, excellent research opportunities
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: Traveling, language learning, cooking. Attending concerts, DJing. Weightlifting, hiking, biking 

Joshua Lucas, M.D.

PGY Year: 2
Undergraduate: Muhlenberg College
Medical School: Drexel University 
Clinical Interest: Endovascular, Open Vascular/Skull Base
Why you chose MUSC: I realized early on that I wanted more from a neurosurgery residency than just clinical excellence. For me, enjoying the people that I would be spending the next 7 years of my life with was equally as important as clinical excellence. MUSC stood out to me in both of these realms. Not only does MUSC offer outstanding clinical training, but the camaraderie among the residents and attendings assured me that this program was the perfect fit for me.
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: Going to the beach, riding my bike, surfing, playing video games

Ricardo Domingo Cabreja, M.D.

PGY Year: 2
Undergraduate: Iberoamerican University (UNIBE)
Medical School: Iberoamerican University (UNIBE)
Clinical Interest: Skull Base, Hybrid Endovascular and Open Vascular Surgery
Why you chose MUSC: Beyond academic excellence and clinical proficiency, I was especially drawn by the valuable mentorship, resident autonomy, and most importantly the companionship and affinity between residents. 
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: Weight lifting, playing soccer, surfing, fencing, watching sports, traveling, and exploring different culinary scene!

Aaron Miller, D.O.

PGY Year: 1
Undergraduate: Gordon College
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinical Interest: General Neurosurgery
Why you chose MUSC: When I rotated as a medical student at MUSC I was able to see what an incredible team this program had built. All the residents, staff, APP's and attendings worked together extremely well to handle a busy clinical service. The resident and APP cohort was always looking for ways to support each other. This teamwork mentality combined with an excellent operative experience, not to mention the beautiful city of Charleston, made MUSC my top choice. 
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: Hiking, biking, weightlifting, and enjoying the beautiful beaches.

Coulter Small, M.D.

PGY Year: 1
Undergraduate: University of Central Florida
Medical School: University of Florida College of Medicine
Clinical Interest: Neurosurgical Oncology, Cerebrovascular, and Complex Spine 
Why you chose MUSC: Clinically, MUSC has representation of every neurosurgical sub-specialty by phenomenal faculty who genuinely care about resident wellness and development in a high-volume center.  However, more importantly, I noticed great cohesion among the residents through the way they supported each other. 
Special Interest or what you enjoy to do outside of the hospital: Weightlifting, surfing, reading classic American literature, listening to country music, and working on anything with an engine.