2012-2013 Emergency Medicine Residents

Incoming Residents

Sophia Johnson, DO
Alexander Kirkpatrick, DO
Benjamin Rhoades, DO
Shane Sergent, DO

Second Year

David Gnugnoli, DO
Dr. Gnugnoli attended Virginia Tech followed by the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where he graduated with honors as a member of Sigma Sigma Phi. "I have wanted to work at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center since I rotated as a third year medical student," he says. "Conemaugh is a unique insitution offering the experience of working at a Level 1 Trauma Center while being situated in a small town setting. In addition to the amazing medical opportunities, I was drawn to the family atmosphere of the EM residency program and the emphasis on Socratic learning. I felt these elements would not only enrich my educational experience but help make me the best emergency medicine physician and person I can be." Previously, Dr. Gnugnoli worked as an Environmental Engineer as well as a volunteer EMT-B with a fire company. Dr. Gnugnoli is also a self proclaimed sports fanatic and enjoys playing basketball, football and soccer.

Richard Lammers, DO
Dr. Lammers attended Boise State University followed by the School of Osteopathic Medicine Arizona at AT Still University. Dr. Lammers is excited to join the team at Conemaugh. "The dedicated attendings, cutting edge didactics and simulation lab, along with the busy Level I Trauma Center in a rural setting were all factors that made the Emergency Medicine Residency Program at Conemaugh my #1 choice," he says. In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Lammers enjoys rock climbing, running and winter sports.

Allison Schiller, DO
Dr. Allison Schiller, a Cary, NC native, attended North Carolina State University followed by Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. She received the LMU-DCOM Emergency Medicine Award and is a member of Sigma Sigma Phi. Prior to medical school, Dr. Schiller worked as a Paramedic for a large metropolitan area in Raleigh, NC. "I was looking for a program at a Level I Trauma Center with large patient volume and a focus on evidence-based medicine," she says. "I was also really attracted to the family atmosphere of the program." When she's not seeing patients, Dr. Schiller enjoys baking, especially for holidays.

Douglas Schiller, DO
Dr. Douglas Schiller is a native of Greenville, NC. He attended East Carolina University followed by Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. He received the LMU-DCOM Emergency Medicine Award and was named OMS-II Male Student of the Year in 2010. Prior to joining Conemaugh's team, Dr. Schiller was a Homeland Security Specialist and Paramedic in Raleigh, NC. "When looking for a residency, I had three criteria to fulfill," says Dr. Schiller. "Level I Trauma Center, large patient volume and a focus on evidence-based medicine in training sessions. Conemaugh offered all of those and impressed my wife and I during the interview with how close the residents and faulty are. In addition, the community is a wonderful place to raise a family." Outside of the medical field, Dr. Schiller enjoys basketball, woodworking and auto repair.

Amanda Ellis, DO

Third Year

Darin Adams, DO
Dr. Adams attended the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, followed by medical school at LECOM. Originally from Carrolltown, PA, Dr. Adams is Board Certified in Family Practice. He has worked at Conemaugh Miner's Medical Center and Fast Track at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center for 5 years. He was recognized as the Chief Resident in Family Practice. "I was familiar with the ER program and how the hospital worked with ER residents since the program started. I felt the ER program was very strong in spite of it being a new program," says Dr. Adams about joining Conemaugh Memorial. Some of Dr. Adams' hobbies include hunting, fly fishing and sports including football, baseball and hockey.

Kevin Martin, DO
Dr. Martin of Springfield, MO comes to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center with an interest in the facility as well as the community. "The first thing that attracted me to MMC was the desire to practice medicine at a premiere level one trauma center, and simultaneously not living in a major metropolitan area. The interview sealed the deal for me. I was completely impressed with everything - the setup of the didactics, the residents and attending, as well as the program in its entirety." Dr. Martin attended Truman State University followed by medical school at AT Still University, both located in Kirksville, MO. He worked for three years as an ER tech in Branson, MO. He is a member of Sigma Sigma Phi Osteopathic Honor Fraternity and spent one year as Vice President of AMA at ATSU. When he's not practicing medicine, Dr. Martin enjoy rock climbing and "anything else fun!"

Heather Pirinea, DO
Dr. Pirinea attended Siena College in Loudonville, NY followed by medical school at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) of New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, NY. Dr. Pirinea was attracted to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center for faculty and innovation. "The faculty is held in high regard by the staff," she says. "The community-based state-of-the-art Level I trauma center and innovative teaching methods attracted me to MMC."

Ben Wagner, DO 
Dr. Wagner, a graduate of Arizona State University, attended Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Florida. His rotation at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center made the decision for his residency an easy one. He explains, “As I rotated through MMC’s EM program I was impressed with how effective the didactic program was at engaging residents and faculty in productive learning discussions. Easy access to the comprehensive simulation and skills labs as well as regular test prep questions add to the strength of the Conemaugh program. Residents are genuinely upbeat, enthusiastic and proud of their program. The faculty and leadership at MMC seem committed to the success of this fast-growing program and it is easy to see this program quickly becoming a premier osteopathic EM residency. The facilities at MMC are first-class with a Level I trauma center to boot. The beauty of the surrounding countryside and the strong, family-oriented communities combine to make this an ideal place for a family.” Dr. Wagner begins his EM Residency in July 2011. 

Fourth Year

Joseph Hensley, DO
Dr. Hensley came to Memorial Medical Center from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine because Memorial Medical Center was an award winning hospital. The large volume of diverse patient population with blunt trauma will test his skills, molding him into the quality of emergency physician that he strives to become.

Robyn Kratenstein, DO
Dr. Kratenstein has a passion for Emergency Medicine that she pursued at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. She values the close interaction with the knowledgeable attending physicians and friendly faculty. Dr. Kratenstein enjoys running, ultimate frisbee and board games.

Dustin McRae, DO
Dr. Mcrae, a Florida State University graduate, attended Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine where he studied emergency medicine. Memorial Medical Center was the perfect blend of a large hospital with a family oriented community that made it easy to settle into. Dr. McRae added, "The security and unity of the community are important qualities for me to raise my family in."

Paulina Mendoza-Mancini, DO
Dr. Mendoza-Mancini attended the state University of New York at Binghamton which resides in her hometown. The pristine quality of the staff and their effectiveness in receiving excellence was what really attracted Dr. Mendoza-Mancini to Memorial Medical Center. Once she became apart of the family, she realized how the hospital was able to obtain this quality, by working together as one living organism.