Our Residents

Emma Banasiak grew up in Manhattan and is excited to be back in New York to train in Psychiatry at NYMC St Joseph’s Medical Center. Emma did a year of undergraduate at City College of New York before transferring to SUNY Stony Brook where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology.

Dr. Banasiak received her medical education from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine in New Jersey where she was able to rotate at various hospitals and work with a variety of patient populations. Throughout her time in medical school, Emma developed an interest in psychiatry, particularly child and adolescent psychiatry, LGBTQ+ healthcare, medical education, and advocacy. Having identified her interests, Emma was able to pursue research and leadership opportunities within these fields. She has published articles, presented research at conferences, and served in leadership roles both at her school and for national organizations.

Receiving such a wide variety of clinical exposure confirmed Emma’s desire to work with underserved populations and helped her discover her passion for advocacy as she believes that her role as a physician is not only to the patients in front of her but to advocate for whole populations on a larger scale.

Muhammet Celik graduated from medical school in Turkey in 2020 and is currently embarking on his journey as a Psychiatry Resident at NYMC at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center. Prior to his residency, Muhammet worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the West Haven VA Medical Center for a year, where he was involved in numerous psychiatry research projects and published several peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. His primary area of interest is addiction psychiatry, and he aspires to pursue an addiction psychiatry fellowship following the residency.

Apart from his professional pursuits, Muhammet embraces an active lifestyle and prioritizes regular workouts to maintain his physical and mental well-being. Additionally, he finds joy in exploring new destinations as travel enriches his perspective on different cultures. Muhammet is also an avid cinema enthusiast, appreciating the art of storytelling and the powerful emotions it can evoke.

Ryan Harrington is a New York native who grew up in Long Island. He graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Albany for undergrad and worked as a clinical laboratory technologist before attending SUNY Downstate College of Medicine.

At an early age, Ryan was exposed to the field of health care first through extensive dental work, then by a few broken bones from skateboarding. Luckily, he had great doctors who took the time to explain their procedures to him, even as a child, which sparked his interest in medicine. Through adolescence, he witnessed many of his friends experience mental health problems, especially substance use disorders, steering him more towards a career in psychiatry.

Ryan’s clinical interests include addiction psychiatry, psychotherapy, the role of psychedelics in treating mental illnesses, and the physiological basis (or lack thereof) for various psychological disorders. In his free time Ryan enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible, whether it’s hiking, biking, or going to the beach; he still even rides his skateboard whenever he gets the chance.

Padmini Shah grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and went to college in upstate New York, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. Her interest in medicine and mental health developed during this time after witnessing a close friend’s struggle with a mental health disorder and receiving proper treatment. This experience opened her eyes to the profound impact that psychiatrists can have on their patients’ lives.

After graduating, Padmini pursued a Master’s Degree in Pharmacology from Tulane University and spent a year as an AmeriCorps volunteer teaching high school students Algebra I in Kansas City. She then went on to attend medical school at Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Padmini’s clinical interests include child psychiatry and the use of technology to improve mental health care and patient outcomes. Her hope is to combine these passions to make a tangible difference in the lives of her patients.

Cindy Flores, a proud Costa Rican born in Flushing, New York, graduated from Queens College, CUNY with a degree in Neuroscience and Psychology. Her passion for mental health evolved during an Advanced Placement Psychology course in high school and was solidified through her work as a college research assistant studying the impact of maternal anxiety during pregnancy on infant outcomes. While participating in an addiction medicine internship at NYU Bellevue Hospital, Cindy was introduced to the physiological mechanisms and medical treatments available for substance use disorders, laying the groundwork for her interest in pursuing a career in Psychiatry.

At the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Cindy published several papers on substance-use treatment protocols during pregnancy and psychotherapeutic guidelines using visualization techniques for the treatment of sleep disorders and the attainment of lifestyle goals. Her clinical interests include addiction medicine and child psychiatry, with a primary focus on psychotherapy. In her free time, Cindy enjoys expressing her creativity through practices like nail-art and knitting, while dedicating time to her well-being through meditation. Additionally, she enjoys reading books on spirituality and exploring innovative exercise methods using virtual reality.

At NYMC at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, she looks forward to supporting patients in their journey towards achieving their highest potential, while advocating for destigmatized access to mental health care in underserved communities.

Alix Lherisson is a New York native born and raised in Brooklyn who is continuing his medical training as a Psychiatry Resident at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center. He graduated from Stony Brook University in Long Island with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science. Following a year working in a managed care plan organization, he attended St. George’s University in Grenada for the first half of his medical school education.

For the last two years of his medical education, Dr. Lherisson rotated in various hospitals in NYC for his clinical rotations. During this time, he discovered a profound interest in psychiatry, but also witnessed the dire need for mental health support and resources in diverse patient populations. This experience made him realize that there is a need for advocacy and newer approaches to improve patient outcomes.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Dr. Lherisson enjoys exploring new culinary experiences and immersing himself in different cultures. By seeking out these new experiences and constantly asking questions, he believes he fosters a better understanding and relatability with patients. He also enjoys watching basketball and football, and going to the movies.

Rochell Santana completed her undergraduate studies at Stony Brook University in Long Island, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She then obtained her Medical Degree at the American University of Antigua College of Medicine, where she developed a keen interest in psychiatry.

During her medical education, Rochell completed her core clinical rotations through the Graduate Certificate Clinical Core Clerkship Program at Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami. This experience solidified her passion for psychiatry, prompting her to pursue her elective rotations in this specialty in New York.

Her dedication to the field and her diverse clinical experiences have prepared her for her residency at NYMC St. Joseph’s Medical Center, where she is eager to continue her professional growth and contribute to the mental health community.

Marium Sarder, a proud native of Queens, New York, is fascinated by the complex world of psychiatric pathology. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Psychology from the Dean Scholar program at Baruch College, she worked as a college adjunct lecturer and research lab assistant. This experience paved the way for her studies at West Virginia University School of Medicine, where she deepened her passion for psychiatry.

Marium is particularly interested in the interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors that impact mental health. Having seen the effects of mental health care disparities among marginalized racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic patient populations, she is committed to emphasizing patient advocacy in her clinical practice.

Outside of her clinical and academic work, Marium is a collector of cookbooks and self-proclaimed serial hobbyist. Currently, she’s knee-deep in dough, trying to master the art of bagel-making. Because who needs sleep when there’s a perfect bagel to be baked, right?

Brian Berko is a Jersey boy who earned his medical degree from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. He graduated from Yeshiva University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. He developed an interest in Psychiatry in college while participating in various research opportunities geared towards alleviating anxiety and depression in students of higher education.

After a rigorous and thorough Psychiatric education in Brooklyn, Brian is glad to continue his training at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center. He is excited to give back to the community and enrich his education with the vast opportunities on offer. Brian participates in Psychiatric research in the clinic and digital sphere, working on innovative AI tools and nonpharmacological interventions. He hopes to continue conducting research alongside his clinical practice.

Brian is excited to continue his education in Psychiatry and to focus his attention on the mental health needs of the NY population. Outside of work, he enjoys studying chess, playing Flag-football in Central Park, and hanging out with his niece and nephew.

Yevgeniy Busarov was born in Odesa, Ukraine, and later moved to New York City, where he completed his undergraduate studies in Biology at Hunter College, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He earned his medical degree from Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. During his clinical training, Yevgeniy rotated through a variety of hospitals across New York City, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, gaining a broad and diverse range of clinical experience. His interest in psychiatry was sparked during his third-year clerkships, where he witnessed the profound impact psychiatric care can have on patients’ lives.

Yevgeniy’s clinical interests include child and adolescent psychiatry as well as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). He is passionate about community outreach and is the founder of an organization that hosts science events for elementary school children, aiming to spark early interest in the sciences. He has also volunteered at a free clinic, providing care to underserved populations.

Fluent in English, Russian, and Ukrainian, and proficient in Spanish, Yevgeniy places a strong emphasis on cultural competence in patient care. Outside of medicine, he enjoys traveling, practicing martial arts, and playing the piano.

Eugene Kim completed his Bachelor’s in Neuroscience and his MD at Northwestern University. Originally from New York, he is excited to be back home and continue his medical training as a Psychiatry Resident at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center.

Eugene’s clinical interests include improving early intervention in psychiatric care and first-episode psychosis. Having seen the frustrations of finding psychiatric care too little and too late, he is especially passionate about advancing early detection, expanding equitable access to care, and providing compassionate, patient-centered treatment.

Outside of medicine, Eugene loves to play volleyball and stay active with new hobbies. He also enjoys discovering cozy cafes, making matcha lattes, and catching up with friends over good food.

Dr. Essa Sayegh was born and raised in New York. He completed his undergraduate studies at the State University of New York at Purchase and completed medical school in 2025. In addition to his medical degree, Dr. Sayegh pursued an extensive academic trajectory, earning multiple master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology, Healthcare Administration, Science in Management, and Public Health.

Throughout his medical and graduate studies, Dr. Sayegh developed a profound understanding of the critical shortage of mental health care providers and the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders. His academic interests further expanded into exploring the intersection of social media and its impact on public mental well-being, as well as the intricate interplay between social, environmental, and biological factors that influence mental health.

At the graduate level, Dr. Sayegh contributed as a co-researcher on two studies investigating the mental health implications of social media. These studies examined the relationship between media exposure and the development of depression and anxiety, contributing potential insights into the broader conversation on mental health in the digital age. Driven by this awareness, Dr. Sayegh is committed to addressing the rising demand for mental health services. His professional goal is to improve access to quality mental health care and contribute to the development of effective strategies that ensure timely and adequate care within the communities he serves.