Residents

Class of 2022

Michael Ascuitto, MD

Louisiana State University

Michael Ascuitto, MD, is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Rhodes Collage in Memphis, Tennessee, where he got his degree in Chemistry and Physics. He participated in the collegiate track team, but more importantly, the frisbee golf team. Michael received his doctorate degree from Louisiana State University. He enjoys catering to his pets Dolce, Aspen, and Bixby.

Jeffry Benjamin, MD

American University of Antigua College of Medicine

Jeffry Benjamin, MD, is a native of Dallas, Texas. He completed his undergraduate degree at Austin College in Sherman, Texas where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Business Administration. He also attended graduate school at The University of Texas at Dallas where he obtained his Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Finance. He received his medical degree at the American University of Antigua College of Medicine. Other than medicine he enjoys traveling, fitness and is an avid dog lover and self-proclaimed foodie. He can appreciate a night out exploring the city as well as a night in with a good Netflix binge.

Katie Cooper, MD

Mississippi College

Katie Cooper, MD, is a native of Mississippi and graduate of William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Mississippi before attending Mississippi College, where she received a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. She is interested in practicing broad-spectrum family medicine. Katie enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and being with her friends and family in her spare time.

Ben Ozburn, MD

The American University of the Caribbean

Benjamin Ozbun, MD, is a native of Glen Alan, Mississippi. He received a bachelor of science in nursing from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, and spent fifteen years in nursing before deciding to return to medical school. His medical degree was earned at The American University of the Caribbean. Ben is married and has two wonderful children. In his spare time he enjoys playing golf, watching sports, and spending time with his family. He is a die-hard Chicago Cubs and Mississippi State football fan.

Pratik Patel, DO

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

Pratik Patel, MD, is a native of Waco, Texas. He attended University of Texas at Austin where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology and went on to receive his doctorate degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. He enjoys traveling, playing and watching sports (especially football), cheering for his Texas Longhorns, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Devin Petrone, MD

St. Matthews University School of Medicine

Devin Petrone, MD, is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She attended College of Charleston in South Carolina where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Devin received her doctorate degree from St. Matthews University School of Medicine. She enjoys volunteer work, photography, scuba diving, and traveling.

Julissa Plancencio, MD

American International School of Medicine

Julissa Placencio, MD is a native of the Bronx, New York. She attended Concordia College where she received her undergraduate degree in biology. Julissa received her doctorate degree from American International School of Medicine. She enjoys playing sports, cooking, sudoku, and community service.

Nathan Sugarman, MD

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

Nathan Sugarman, MD, is a native of Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of California, Irvine where he earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Biology. Nathan received his doctorate degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. He enjoys traveling, learning about exotic animals, working on cars, playing video games, and spending time with family.

Class of 2021

Ubaid Abbasi, MD

Saba University School of Medicine

Ubaid Abbasi, MD, was born in Oghi, Pakistan. At the age of 7, he moved to the United States. Raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Abbasi attended McNeese State University where he obtained his undergraduate degree in Biological Science. He furthered his education on the island of Saba, where he earned his doctorate degree from Saba University School of Medicine. Throughout his years of education he’s enjoyed participating in outdoor activities, spending time with family and friends, basketball, and reading.

Mohammad “Moe” Bashir, MD

St. George’s University School of Medicine

Mohammad “Moe” Bashir, MD, was born in San Bernardino, CA and raised in Chicago, IL. He received his bachelor’s degree in Biology at Loyola University of Chicago and received his medical degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine with honors. Outside of medicine he enjoys spending time with his friends and family, golfing, soccer, basketball, watching movies, and the causal Netflix binge.

Michael Dougherty, MD

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

Michael Dougherty, MD, was born in St. Charles, Illinois. He attended Florida State University where he received his undergraduate degree in Biology. Michael received his doctorate degree from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. His hobbies include being over competitive in sports and watching college football.

Samuel Grimmer, MD

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

Samuel Grimmer, MD, was born and raised in Dallas, TX. He met his wife in college and graduated from Texas Christian University with a BS in Neuroscience. After working as a scribe in the Emergency Department for a number of years, Samuel attended and graduated from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. He recently saw the birth of his first child prior to starting residency here at Baton Rouge General. He enjoys golf, working out, and spending time with his family.

Nathan Hensler, DO

University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

Nathan Hensler, DO, was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He attended Robert Morris University where he received his undergraduate degree in Environmental Science - Pre-Medicine. Nathan received his doctorate degree from University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, and watching anything sports including his beloved Steelers and Pirates! He is really excited to get to know Louisiana and all that it has to offer.

Ellin Hossain, MD

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

Ellin Hossain, MD is from Boca Raton, FL. She attended Florida Atlantic University where she received her undergraduate degree in Biology. Ellin received her doctorate degree from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. Her hobbies include spending time with her cats, learning new languages, traveling, and watching movies.

Christopher Leiker, MD

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

Christopher Leiker, MD, hails from Manhattan, Kansas. The little apple. He attended the University of South Florida where he received his undergraduate degree in Microbiology. He received his medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean. His hobbies include wood working, hiking, scuba diving, and volleyball.

Lauren Tillery, MD

LSU New Orleans School of Medicine

Lauren Tillery, MD, was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She attended the University of Pennsylvania where she received her undergraduate degree in Biological Basis of Behavior. Lauren received a master’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from Tulane University. She received her doctorate degree from LSU New Orleans School of Medicine. Her hobbies include reading novels and spending time with friends and family. Lauren is very excited to be home.

Class of 2020

Cassandra Barnes, MD

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

Cassandra Barnes, MD, attended the University of Tampa where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and received her doctorate degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. She was also a collegiate athlete, a four-year starter for the University of Tampa softball team. She is a native of Kennesaw, GA, and enjoys traveling, fishing, kayaking, playing and watching sports, DIY projects and photography.

Rachel Brady, DO

William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Rachel Brady, DO, attended Louisiana Tech University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and received her doctorate degree from William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a native of Baton Rouge, LA. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, bicycling, watching LSU baseball and spending time with her nephews.

Patrick Cudahy, MD

Ross University School of Medicine

Patrick Cudahy, MD, received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a chemistry minor from California Lutheran University and received his medical degree from Ross University with high honors. Before medical school, Patrick took a year off to teach English to underprivileged kids in Malaysia and is still fluent in Malay. He is a native of Port Orchard, Washington, and since moving to Baton Rouge, Patrick has enjoyed playing volleyball and basketball, attending happy hour with his fellow residents and getting to know the local culture. During college he was featured on the Price is Right and won the showcase showdown.

Jeremy Knott, MD

Ross University School of Medicine

Jeremy Knott, MD, attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and received his doctorate degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He is a native of Forest Hill, LA, and enjoys spending time with family, fishing, and reading.

Vineeth Kumar, MD

St. George’s University School of Medicine

Vineeth Kumar, MD, attended Austin College where he received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and was also a collegiate athlete and three year player for the Austin College Men’s Division III basketball team. He received his doctorate degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine, completed his clinical rotations in Brooklyn and eventually made his return back to the South. He is a native of Dallas, Texas, and enjoys playing basketball, football and Madden and NBA 2K, traveling and anything related to the Dallas Cowboys.

Ben Levron, MD

St. George’s University School of Medicine

Ben Levron, MD, received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Nicholls State University and received his doctorate degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. He is a native of Thibodaux, Louisiana and enjoys taking in the local culture of Baton Rouge, traveling, politics and cooking.

Lui Mancera, MD

University of Texas Health Science Center

Luciano "Lui" Mancera, MD, received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Texas A&M International University and attended the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where he received his doctorate degree. A native of Laredo, Texas, he enjoys cooking, traveling, weightlifting and spending time with his friends, family and pet Lab-Schnauzer. He chose Baton Rouge General’s Family Medicine Residency Program after being captivated by the fine southern Louisiana hospitality and cuisine, the strong sports medicine opportunities with LSU and Southern University and the unique, synergistic relationship between the Family Medicine and Internal Medicine residencies.

Robert Sudduth, DO

William Carey University

Robert Sudduth, DO, received his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi and received both his master’s degree in Biomedical Science and his doctorate degree from William Carey University. He was born in Athens, GA and was raised in Gulfport, MS. He enjoys working out, fishing, golfing, fantasy football, spending time with family and friends and most importantly, attending New Orleans Saints football games.