Resident and Graduate spotlights from the VCU Internal Medicine Residency Program
Spotlight
On our residents
Resident: Michael Andrews, MD (Pronouns: He/Him)
Class of 2026
PGY 3
Hometown: Midlothian, Virginia
Undergraduate: Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!)
Medical school: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Career Interests:
Gastroenterology – interested in general gastroenterology but hoping to explore advanced endoscopy more
What I like about our program:
The genuine comradery among residents and the support from our chiefs, APDs, and PD to make positive changes based on resident feedback
A piece of my life story that is significant to my journey:
Special shoutout to my wife who has supported me from the very beginning when I first set out to become a physician after shadowing in high school to now as I apply to fellowship
Favorite restaurant in Richmond:
Too many to choose from but LUNCH. | SUPPER! Also, my personal ranking for best bagels are Nate’s Bagels > Sunday Bagel > Baltik’s Bagel.
Favorite book or TV show:
Criminal Minds
Where can you find me outside of the hospital:
Walking or jogging around the Museum District, the Fan, and/or Carytown with my wife or traveling on vacation!
Resident: Eric Batista, DO
Class of 2026
PGY 3
Hometown: Revere, Massachusetts
Undergrad: Emmanuel College
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Career Interests/Future Plans
Undecided
What I Like About Our Program
My Co-interns and residents are very fun and supportive. There have been a lot of events to get to know each other and explore the city.
Favorite restaurant in Richmond
Taste or Jack Brown’s
Favorite TV/book series
Community (TV show) and Harry Potter (book)
If not in the hospital, where are you/what are you doing?
At home playing Video games or catching up on TV/movies.
Fun Fact
When not at home, I love going to Trivia and escape rooms (22/24 escapes)
Jon Stewart, PGY3 and rising chief, says
“I had the privilege of working with Eric on his first inpatient rotation as an intern. Eric’s personality is contagious and he made our team fun to be a part of. He clearly is passionate about providing the best care for his patients. I’m looking forward to taking down The Covenant with him over Xbox in the coming weeks.”
Matt Russell, PGY1, says
“You won’t find a more hilarious or genuine person than Eric. If you’re having a tough day, there’s no one that can lift your spirits faster. I know whatever rotation he is on, the team room must be full of laughter and morale is at an all time high with Eric around. The patients and residents of VCU are lucky to have him, I know I am! Also, not many people can make a stethoscope hip holder look so cool (peep his Instagram)”
Maya Williams, PGY1, says
“Eric is one of the first friends I made here at VCU - he is one hilarious guy and so much fun to be around! Eric is one of those people that instantly makes you feel relaxed and like I can be my true self around him without any judgment. I always look for him in a crowd because I know if Eric is there, it is going to be a good time!”
Resident: Caroline Benz, DO (Pronouns: She/Her)
Class of 2026
PGY 3
Hometown: Vicenza, Italy
Undergraduate: Marymount University
Medical school: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Career Interests: Hospitalist
What I like about our program: Every attending I’ve worked with has been incredibly knowledgeable and excited to work with residents. Also, the 2+2 schedule makes things so much more manageable.
A piece of my life story that is significant to my journey: I’m a first-generation doctor/healthcare professional so I had to figure out a lot of things on my own. I am very proud and happy to have made it here.
Favorite restaurant in Richmond: Lolita's - try the octopus
Favorite TV show: Mozart in the Jungle
Where can you find me outside of the hospital: If I'm not in the hospital I'm probably in Carytown or the Fan admiring the neighborhoods with some boba tea.
Resident: Emmanuel Katsigiannakis, DO (Pronouns: He/Him)
Class of 2027
PGY 2
Hometown: Rockville, Maryland
Undergraduate: University of Maryland at College Park. Go Terps!
Medical school: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Virginia Campus
Career Interests: Open to all internal medicine specialties as of right now! I think that I would like a specialty that has a fair share of outpatient clinic work as well as a good amount of inpatient care.
What I like about our program: Everyone is supportive and will hear you out if you voice any sort of concerns. There is so much to learn from our patients and all of our team members! The seniors are always helpful with answering any questions newer residents have!
A piece of my life story that is significant to my journey: Living with my grandparents in Jacksonville, North Carolina during my summer breaks as a younger kid. Also, visiting my family in Greece!
Favorite restaurant in Richmond: Pearly's
Favorite book or TV show: The Office
Where can you find me outside of the hospital: Grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants here in Richmond or grabbing a drink at one of the many breweries here. Try out Legends brewing for a great view of the city.
Resident: Lyna Lam, DO (Pronouns: she/her)
Class of 2026
PGY 3
Hometown: Leesburg, VA
Undergraduate: New Jersey Institute of Technology
Medical school: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interests:
Allergy/Immunology (chronic urticaria, allergic rhinitis, asthma, drug allergy)
What I like about our program:
I could write a novel about what I like about this program, but I will try to keep it short. My favorite thing is our leadership and faculty. Our leadership makes it very clear about how much they care about the quality of our training and championing our wellness through action—not just words. The amount of productive changes that this program has undergone in the short time I have been here is truly commendable and should not be overlooked. Who wouldn’t want to be part of a program that gets better every year? My second favorite thing is our 2+2 schedule. When researching prospective residency programs, the schedule should be one of the most important things you consider as it’s ultimately what dictates your day-to-day. Residency will be hard wherever you go, but our 2+2 schedule lends us appreciable work-life balance. You can do anything for 2 weeks!
A piece of my life story that is significant to my journey:
My allergist, who I’ve been seeing since I was 3 years old, is one of the most incredible physicians I know, and he was the one who inspired me to go into medicine (as well as specifically allergy). It should come as no surprise that he trained right here at VCU for both internal medicine and allergy/immunology!
Favorite restaurant in Richmond:
My Noodle & Bar, The Mantu, Zorch Pizza, Ugly Dumpling, Brecotea, Scoop
Favorite book or TV show:
Book – Crying in H Mart; TV shows – any Taylor Tomlinson Netflix special, Schitt’s Creek, Brooklyn 99
Where can you find me outside of the hospital:
On the pickleball court, at a comedy show, or exploring Richmond’s eclectic food scene