The Residents
PGY-2
Our Inaugural Intern Class of Neurology Residents
Sisi Chen, MD
Hometown: Yantai, China
Medical School: Binzhou Medical College
Hobbies: Lego, baking, going fishing with my family, playing badminton
Fun Fact: If I were not a doctor, I would be a zoo keeper.
Why Neurology/ECU Health: The biggest drawing factor for me to choose ECU Health is the faculty’s enthusiasm for both practicing medicine and medical education. I believe this supportive environment will provide me with strong clinical experience while allowing me to make meaningful impacts in delivering healthcare for our community – not only during residency, but for many years to come.
Arash Hosseini, DO
Hometown: Lumberton, NC
Medical School: Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Playing and watching sports, exercise, traveling, trying new restaurants/cuisines, spending time with family & friends
Fun Fact: I was Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006
Why Neurology/ECU Health: I’ve always been fascinated by the brain- to me, it feels like the final frontier in medicine. There’s so much we still don’t know and the chance to be part of that discovery is what drew me to neurology. I chose ECU Health because it felt like the perfect fit for me. It offers strong academic training and exposure to a wide variety of neurological conditions, while at the same time maintaining a genuine sense of community. The people here are supportive and truly invested in our growth and for me that was exactly the kind of environment I was looking for.
Georgios Sioutas, MD
Hometown: Xanthi, Greece
Medical School: Demokritos University of Thrace Department of Medicine
Hobbies: Video games, escape rooms, epic fantasy and horror movies, trivia nights, music, hiking, and traveling.
Fun Fact: I love etymology and finding Greek roots in English words – The brain’s gyri and the food gyros both come from a Greek word for ‘turn’ or ‘circle.’
Why Neurology/ECU Health: I have always been fascinated by the brain, an organ trying to understand itself. Neurology perfectly combines problem-solving, meaningful patient relationships, lifelong learning, and opportunities for impactful research. ECU’s program impressed me for its collaborative culture, where faculty genuinely invest in residents’ growth. The high volume and variety of cases, particularly stroke, provide robust training and research opportunities while serving a diverse community in a welcoming city. This rigorous and supportive environment, focused on resident development, feels like the right place for me to grow and contribute.
PGY-1
Shounak Lahiri, DO
Hometown: Ames, IA
Medical School: Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Fishing, Woodworking, Hiking, Kayaking, Sports
Fun Fact: I can pack a car trunk with Tetris-like precision to maximize every square inch of space.
Why Neurology/ECU Health: As a long-time North Carolina resident, my goal has always been to train in a program that serves the people of this state. Through my clinical experiences across eastern North Carolina, I developed a deep appreciation for the patients and communities in the region and knew I wanted to continue serving them. ECU Health stood out to me because it pairs that meaningful community mission with strong clinical training. It truly feels like the ideal place to train and give back to the communities that mean so much to me.
Pedro Duarte, MD
Hometown: Fortaleza, Brazil
Medical School: Universidade Federal do Ceará (Brazil)
Hobbies: I enjoy playing volleyball, tennis, and running. I also spend time playing strategy board games, attending trivia nights, and doing karaoke. I like cooking, traveling, exploring different cuisines, listening to live music, and watching sci-fi movies.
Fun Fact: One fun fact about me is that I’ve been a groomsman eight times now.
Why Neurology/ECU Health: To me, the brain is extremely fascinating! It’s very intriguing to study an organ that serves as both our central command center and the very source of our thoughts, rationality, and deepest emotions. I’m really passionate about untangling its complexities, understanding its pathologies, and directly impacting the lives of people battling neurological conditions. It’s also an incredibly exciting time to be in this field, as modern treatments are completely changing the game for patient prognoses and bringing real hope to families.
When looking for the right place to train, ECU Health truly stood out. I wanted a program where education, genuine connection, and mentorship aren’t just buzzwords, but core values lived out by mentors who are deeply committed to both the clinical development and well-being of their residents. Joining ECU Health means becoming part of a community that is actively building something special in neurology. In addition, with the diverse volume of cases here, I know I will receive the strong, well-rounded clinical training I need, and I will leave with the skill set necessary to become the neurologist I aspire to be.
Pravallika Venna, MD
Hometown: Hyderabad , India
Medical School: S.V.S Medical College
Hobbies: Strength training, boxing, running, reading books, podcasts, watching movies
Fun Fact: I believe no bad day can survive a scoop of ice cream!
Why Neurology/ECU Health: I was drawn to neurology because of the profound impact the brain has on every aspect of a person’s life and the opportunity to help patients regain their independence and improve their quality of life after neurological illness. I was especially drawn to ECU because of its mission to serve underserved communities and the opportunity to care for patients in North Carolina, where the burden of stroke is high. I also value ECU’s supportive, close-knit culture, where residents are encouraged to grow both as physicians and individuals.