OUR Residents
Class of 2027
Khuzeman Abbasi, MD
PGY-1
Dr. Khuzeman Abbasi received his medical degree from the Medical University of the Americas in 2020. After graduating, he worked at Rutgers University as a research coordinator in population health studies. He moved on to work at Vanderbilt University as a research fellow conducting studies on POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) patients, where he also received an award from the American Heart Association for his abstract on cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. He then decided to expand on his clinical experience and worked as a Critical Care Pre-Residency Fellow at the University of New Mexico within the Department of Emergency Medicine. His passion and interests reside in mental health awareness, addiction medicine, research in Islamic psychology, and addressing stigmas within minority communities. His hobbies include spending time with his family and nature.
Sana Augustine, MD
PGY-1
Dr. Sana Augustine comes to the program from her hometown of Hyderabad, Pakistan, via Wisconsin. She attended Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences in Pakistan. Since childhood she dreamed of becoming a physician. She has always been passionate about Family Medicine particularly. She was drawn to MDEC because of her interaction with the faculty and staff during the interview season. Being a new program, MDEC has established itself as a welcoming and supportive environment. In addition, the program is perceptive and adaptive to the needs of their residents and Family Medicine physicians. Her career goal is to practice both inpatient and outpatient Family Medicine in rural community. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and cooking. She is extremely thrilled to be a part of MDEC family medicine residency team.
Madison Kajder, MD
PGY-1
Dr. Madison Kajder says she is thrilled to be part of the Medicos de El Centro Family Medicine Program’s inaugural class. She grew up in Albuquerque and went to the University of New Mexico for both her undergraduate education and for medical school. She was lucky enough to do her family medicine rotation at the El Centro Family Health Clinic during medical school. She thoroughly enjoyed working within an FQHC whose staff clearly exemplified their mission of providing compassionate, holistic, patient-driven care to the underserved rural community of Espanola. As a primary care physician, she prioritizes building longitudinal relationships with patients and using shared decision making to best support patients’ healthcare needs. Her medical interests include reproductive health and addiction medicine. Outside of medicine she likes to play video and board games, sew clothes, and enjoys doing all the outdoor activities New Mexico has to offer.
Aye Kyaw, MD
PGY-1
Dr. Aye Kyaw grew up in Myanmar, (formerly Burma) in southeast Asia. Her family migrated to Malaysia for her father’s career and for education for the children in her family. She received her medical degree from Kursk State Medical University in Russia. She recalls being inspired by her dad, a physician in general surgery and later as an OB/GYN and she had the opportunity to work as an assistant and took part in ambulatory outpatient care and various procedures. She was awarded the Outstanding Foreign Medical Graduate upon her graduation from Kursk State Medical University. She went back to Malaysia and worked as a medical officer at an ambulatory outpatient clinic for 3 years before coming to the United States to pursue her passion in Family Medicine. She worked at La Clinical del Pueblo at Tierra Amarilla for 7 years and had the opportunity to take part in long term management of chronic diseases, direct patient care, and various emergencies. Dr. Kyaw’s medical interests include full spectrum care including chronic metabolic disease management, high acuity emergencies and point of care procedures, substance use disorders, and interdisciplinary care. Dr. Kyaw enjoys New Mexico’s green chile and her personal interests include spending time with family and friends at church and in the community, traveling, cooking and tending to her plants.
Class of 2028
Shawqi Al-Helfi, MD
Incoming
Dr. Shawqi Al-Helfi received his bachelor’s degree in medicine from Al-Nahrain University College of Medicine and was subsequently a general practitioner in both urban and suburban areas. He actively participated in ambulatory clinic settings during various crises which has contributed to his understanding of the need to make a difference in the lives of others.
He received his master’s degree from Baghdad University College of Medicine while doing a research project on Translational Medicine to treat entrapment neuropathies, during which he worked in diverse roles to explore new horizons and pushing boundaries to achieve meaningful results. This included integrating applied neuroscience like using magnetic stimulation to enhance physical rehabilitation of stroke patients and performing intraspinal radiofrequency stimulation in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. This expanded his interest about the role of neuroplasticity in the treatment of chronic health problems like mental illness, addiction, obstetric complications, sleep, and age related problems. This was a step in his journey that contributed to a holistic care approach among the collective efforts of medical specialties in an environment where everyone’s contributions are recognized and valued. His perspective about medical care also includes understanding heath and sickness according to quantum mechanics theory.
In his free time, Dr. Al-Helfi enjoys cooking, fixing broken instruments, and spending time in nature. He is excited about the future with endless possibilities that lie ahead and he wants to explore the potential to help people by embracing the saying: “Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.”
Aimee Tiodoung Timnou Epse Djokam, MD
Incoming
Dr. Aimee Djokam is honored to join the MDEC Family Medicine team of residents and has a deep commitment to health equity, research, and patient-centered care. Her training started at the Université des Montagnes in Cameroon where she earned her medical degree. She previously completed an Internal Medicine Residency at University of Yaoundé, Cameroon, and later completed a Fellowship in Preventative Medicine at Erasmus Hospital in Belgium. Her goal is to care about her patients and the family as a whole, and that’s why she seeks a second specialty training – to serve every person in the family and to practice preventative medicine.
She is passionate about research and has authored 11 publications and contributed to over 20 research projects in the past. She looks forward to contributing further to medical literature in the future. She is bilingual in English and French and hopes to connect meaningfully with diverse patient populations.
Dr. Djokam states, “Remember every patient is unique, and healing begins with seeing the person, not just the disease”. Her goal is to meet each patient with empathy and provide care that truly fits their needs.
Olga Pudovka Gross, MD
Incoming
Dr. Olga Gross completed medical school in Bulgaria with a full scholarship, graduating as the fourth most academically successful student in her class. Upon moving to the United States, she also obtained a master’s degree in public health, an associate degree in nursing, and a Master of Science in Nursing.
Dr. Gross has comprehensive experience providing medical and public health services over the years, including her work as a board-certified nurse practitioner. Dr. Gross is passionate about serving underserved populations and providing high-quality care to all patients. Her dedication to family medicine is evident in her commitment to ongoing education and she has contributed to multiple publications in the medical field. Her passion for family medicine is complemented by her interest in emergency medicine, where she thrives in high-pressure situations and enjoys the challenge of making quick, critical decisions to save lives. She speaks fluent Bulgarian, Russian, Ukrainian, English, as well as professional working Spanish.
Sumeyra Baskoy, MD
Incoming
Dr. Sumeyra Baskoy is a Family Medicine resident at Medicos de El Centro. She has a heart for advocacy, storytelling, and building stronger, healthier communities. Originally trained abroad, she brings a rich mix of global experience and a deep commitment to compassionate, inclusive care. Over the past few years, she’s written about refugee physicians, mental health, and the challenges faced by women in medicine — using her voice to spark conversations and drive change. Whether she’s caring for patients or writing to raise awareness, Dr. Baskoy believes in the power of empathy, listening, and lifting others. Her creative side keeps her grounded, and she believes that a bit of curiosity and a sense of community spirit can go a long way, both in life and in healthcare.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Baskoy loves painting and finds joy in building and fixing things around the house. One of her dream DIY projects is to one day build an earthbag house, combining her love for creativity and sustainability.