Meet Our General Surgery Residents

PGY-5

Sakshi Dhar, MD

Dr. Dhar grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She majored in Philosophy at Saint Louis University, completed her Masters in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University, and earned her MD at the University of Missouri - Columbia. Post-graduation, she matched into general surgery at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, KS where she completed through PGY-2 of general surgery residency before accepting a T32 Surgical Oncology research fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. During her time at WashU, she also earned a Masters in Population Health Sciences, where she deepened her expertise in population health and clinical outcomes research. Dr. Dhar joined Nazareth Hospital’s General Surgery residency as a PGY-3 in 2022 during its inaugural year.

Dr. Dhar is interested in pursuing a career in vascular surgery. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys spending time with her infant daughter and husband, reading, and watching other people cook.

Dimitrios Xourafas, MD

Dimitrios received his medical degree from the University of Rome “La Sapienza.” He is currently completing surgery residency at Trinity healthcare system-Nazareth hospital. His prior surgical training includes Brigham and Women’s Hospital and New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. He holds a master’s in public health from Harvard University and a master’s in business administration for Cornell University. His clinical and research interests focus on surgical oncology. In his free time. he enjoys high-intensity interval training and long-distance running.

PGY-4

Ahmed Almazrou, MD

Ahmed received his medical degree from King Saud University and Master of Science from Cornell University. Prior to starting his junior surgical residency training at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, Ahmed completed a surgical outcomes research fellowship at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. He has published several articles and obtained a number of research grants. He enjoys exploring local cafes and watching soccer games in his free time.

Ahmed Mostafa, MD

My name is Ahmed Mostafa right after finishing medical school in Egypt I started my journey to the U.S. Along the way I’ve met and studied under some of the kindest people I have grown lucky to call my mentors. I’ve had the privilege of being exposed to several cities, hospitals, each with physicians unique in their teaching but all compassionate in their care. In my spare time I like to read and watch comedies. I’m always looking for a new squash player in the team.

PGY-3

Rami Mustafa, MD

I studied medicine in Egypt, finished my surgery residency, and earned a master’s degree in Trauma, I was incredibly fortunate to receive the PhD scholarship Award as dual supervision between Menoufia University and Case Western Reserve in Cleveland. Also, I’ve finished a clinical research fellowship at the University Hospitals of Cleveland, after that, I did my internship year at UH of Cleveland/CWRU, and continued my second year at Jefferson Health in Abington, Pa. Now I’m truly delighted to continue general surgery training at Trinity Health/Nazareth Hospital one of the biggest health systems in the country among fantastic staff and peers. I love cooking, spending time with my family, cycling, and traveling, also a PlayStation addict

PGY-2

Julianne Pilla, MD

Born in Southern N.J. I attended Ursinus College in Pa., where I majored in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Spanish. At Ursinus, I played NCAA Field Hockey and studied abroad in Bonaire, Netherland Antilles focusing on Marine Biology. After undergrad, I taught English in Madrid, Spain for one year before attending Medical School at Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Puerto Rico. I commissioned as an officer in the medical corps as a recipient of the U.S. Air Force Health Profession scholarship program. I then completed a year of surgical internship at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento before attending USAF Flight Surgeon training. I spent three years serving overseas in Okinawa, Japan as the 67th Fighter Squadron Flight Doc, where I met my fiancé, who is a fighter pilot in the Air Force. I recently became a certified yoga instructor. I love hiking and snowboarding and treating my loved ones to homemade gnocchi.

Shashank Thyarala, MD

I was born in India and grew up in Galway, Ireland. I stayed in my hometown and went to med school at NUI Galway. I became interested in surgery towards the latter stages of med school. It has become my passion and I look forward to a rewarding career in surgery.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy football, I’m a big Arsenal fan. I also enjoy cooking, watching TV shows, and video games. I try my best to make time for family and friends.

Moving from Ireland to the States has been a big change! I look forward to exploring Philadelphia and the Northeast and seeing what the area has to offer!

Tanner J. Wright, MD

I began my medical journey studying exercise science at Brigham Young University. In the middle of my undergraduate education, I spent two years in Antofagasta, Chile and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Immersed in Latin culture, my passion for assisting underserved Hispanic populations ignited, leading me to volunteer as a Spanish medical interpreter. It was during this time that I also crossed paths with my wonderful wife. Following my graduation from BYU in 2018, I pursued medical school at Washington State University, followed by a general surgery intern year at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. We now have three kids ages 3 years, 2 years, and 4 months. I enjoy weightlifting, wakeboarding, snowboarding, pickleball, ping-pong, and corn hole. I’ve been drawn to surgery ever since I took a high school anatomy class. In general surgery, I love that we see a wide variety of disease processes, procedures, and patient populations. The surgery we perform is often lifesaving and can significantly improve quality of life. I am so excited to be at Nazareth Hospital to serve a diverse population and be a part of the historic and vibrant city of Philadelphia.

PGY-1

George Chapa, DO

I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio where I spent a lot of time riding four wheelers and dirt bikes growing up. Once I graduated high school, I moved down to South Florida where I was the first person in my family to go to college. I attended Florida Gulf Coast University where I majored in Biology, minored in Chemistry, and participated in Organic Chemistry research creating resveratrol analogues using a novel synthetic pathway to be used for research on mesenchymal stem cells. After undergrad, I worked as a medical assistant for a year in a very busy Orthopedics office until I started medical school at Nova Southeastern University KPCOM in Fort Lauderdale. I then completed a General Surgery intern year at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. I was very happy to have matched at Nazareth Hospital, allowing me to live much closer to my parents and 6 siblings than I have in the past decade. In my free time I like turning wrenches on my cars, woodworking, weightlifting, snowboarding, and traveling.

Eric Luo, MD

A native of Tampa, Florida, I attended medical school at the University of South Florida. I have always had an interested in surgery, eventually deciding on general surgery once I finally started my medical education. I’m really excited to spend my next five years with wonderful attendings and residents here in Philadelphia! Outside the hospital, I love playing/watching tennis, reading about history, meal prepping, and exercising.

PGY-1 Prelim

Sanjana Pratti, DO

When I was 13, I moved from South India to Orlando, Florida. The big move was an exciting change and I stayed in my city for undergrad at University of Central Florida. I moved to Mississippi for medical school at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine and had the amazing opportunity to finish 3rd and 4th year of medical school in Queens, N.Y. I am excited have the opportunity to train here at Nazareth and make amazing friends before I go to my Radiation Oncology residency at Jefferson. Other than that, I enjoy exploring my new city, kayaking, bouldering, cooking, and new restaurants! I am looking forward to an amazing time in Philly with all my new friends.

Devika Soin, DO

Bio to come