Current Residents

 

Aimee Weber, M.D.

PGY- 7
Undergraduate: Williams College
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina 
Clinical Interest: As a dedicated neurosurgical resident, I am deeply passionate about pursuing a career in general neurosurgery, where I can engage in a diverse array of procedures that encompass the full spectrum of neurosurgical care. My particular interest lies in degenerative spine conditions, where I aim to employ cutting-edge minimally invasive techniques to enhance patient outcomes and recovery times. I am excited about the evolving landscape of neurosurgery, especially the potential for innovative approaches that can minimize patient trauma while maximizing the effectiveness of surgical interventions. I am committed to mastering these approaches to provide the highest level of care and improve the quality of life for those I treat. 
Why you chose MUSC:  Seven years is not short, and the people were a big draw. Attendings have a wide range of 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 doing 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. 

Jeffrey WessellArun Gunasekaran, M.D.

PGY- 7
Undergraduate: Louisiana State University
Medical School: University of Arkansas
Clinical Interest: Spine
Why you chose MUSC: Great team and high-volume clinical exposure
Special Interest or what you enjoy doing outside of the hospital: Playing tennis, road biking, and hiking. 

Zachary HubbardBrian Saway, M.D.

PGY- 6
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina
Medical School: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Clinical Interest: Functional and Stereotactic Neurosurgery, Connectomics, Addiction and Brain Circuitry, Machine Brain Interface
Why you chose MUSC: It was important for me to find a program that had a wide-ranging 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 doing 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. 

Orgest LajthiaTimothy Webb, M.D.

PGY- 6
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 acumen. 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 doing 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.

Aimee Weber photoMatheus Pereira, M.D.

PGY- 5
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 doing 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.  

Arun Gunasekaran MDMatthew Triano, M.D.

PGY- 5
Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania
Medical School: Georgetown University
Clinical Interest: Vascular, Endovascular, and Spine
Why you chose MUSC: Camaraderie, high operative volume, emphasis on wellness, excellent research opportunities
Special Interest or what you enjoy doing outside of the hospital: Traveling, language learning, cooking, attending concerts, DJing, weightlifting, hiking, and biking. 

neurosurgery resident Tim WebbRicardo Domingo Cabreja, M.D.

PGY- 4
 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 doing outside of the hospital: Weightlifting, playing soccer, surfing, fencing, watching sports, traveling, and exploring different culinary scene! 

neurosurgery resident Brian SawayJoshua Lucas, M.D.

PGY- 4
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 doing outside of the hospital: Going to the beach, riding my bike, surfing, playing video games. 

Matheus Pereira, M.D.Aaron Miller, D.O.

PGY- 3
Undergraduate: Gordon College
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinical Interest: Pediatric Neurosurgery and 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 doing outside of the hospital: Hiking, biking, weightlifting, and enjoying the beautiful beaches.

Matthew Triano, M.D.Coulter Small, M.D.

PGY- 3
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 doing outside of the hospital: Weightlifting, surfing, reading classic American literature, listening to country music, and working on anything with an engine.

Joshua LucasRitchelli Quintao, M.D.

PGY- 2
Undergraduate: College of Charleston
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Clinical Interest: 
Why you chose MUSC:
Special Interest or what you enjoy doing outside of the hospital:

Ricardo Domingo CabrejaTyler Vasas, M.D.

PGY- 2
Undergraduate: The Citadel
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Clinical Interest: Pediatric Neurosurgery
Why you chose MUSC: The people, the department, the team. You won't find a tighter-knit group. From the nurses in the NSICU to the OR Staff, to Department of Neurosurgery Leadership, and everyone in between, MUSC is second to none.  I wanted a residency program that emphasized the importance of compassion and empathy as much as it does clinical, education and research excellence, and MUSC checked those boxes. 
Special Interest or what you enjoy doing outside of the hospital: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, my wife, our cats, and any dog. I also enjoy hiking, camping, woodworking, playing piano, weightlifting, and playing most sports. 

Emma Earl, M.D.

PGY- 1
Undergraduate: University of Washington
Medical School: University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine
Clinical Interest: Pediatric Neurosurgery, Global Neurosurgery, Health Equity, Medical Education
Why you chose MUSC: I chose MUSC because of the program’s welcoming and kind culture, where residents and faculty support one another as a team with a common goal. The breadth of clinical exposure, from complex spine and skull base cases to pediatric cases, combined with the technical skill and teaching excellence of the faculty, makes it an exceptional place to train. Additionally, having spent my entire life living in the Mountain West and Great Plains, I wanted the chance to experience a new part of the country, and Charleston—with its charm, culture, and coastal beauty—made the decision an easy one. 
Special Interest or what you enjoy doing outside of the hospital: Spending time outside with my dogs – camping, hiking, or going to the beach, baking, finding new coffee shops and hidden restaurants, wine tasting, and spin class!

Liliana Ladner, M.D.

PGY- 1
Undergraduate: Barnard College of Columbia University
Medical School: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Clinical Interest: Neurotrauma, Cerebrovascular/Skull Base, Spine
Why you chose MUSC: MUSC stood out for its breadth and volume of cases, research opportunities, and camaraderie among residents and faculty. I was excited to join a team committed to excellence, both in the O.R. and at the bedside.  
Special Interest or what you enjoy doing outside of the hospital: Being active and being outside—running, yoga, golf, skiing, biking, and climbing. I also enjoy spending time with my husband, friends, and family.