Fourth Year
2025 Residency Class
Alirio J. deMeireles, MD, MBA
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School
Undergraduate: Yale University
Why did you choose Columbia Orthopedics?
During my sub-I, after a long OR day Dr. Levine took everyone on his team – including the med students, residents, nurses, techs, reps, and Environmental Service folks out to dinner at Coogan’s (RIP). I was told this was a normal thing for him to do – he just loves seeing everyone on his team spending time together. Joining a residency that was a “family” was important to me and seeing that sort of leadership and direction from the top made me realize how seriously the family culture was taken here. Couple that with a month getting to know an incredibly intelligent, fun, caring group of residents, and my mind was made up! On top of that all (though I suppose I’m a bit biased) we get the chance to live in the greatest city in the world!
What is your favorite bone?
Humerus
What's the best place you have traveled?
Berlin, Germany
Where are you from?
Long Island, NY
Favorite restaurant in NYC?
Who’s paying?! If me, a pie from Joes Pizza. If not, lets head to Le Coucou
Favorite activity outside of work?
I’m deeply passionate about breakfast foods and am devoted to finding the best BEC that NYC has to offer. Outside of that journey, I also enjoy exploring NYC, hanging with co-residents/friends, running/lifting, and learning more about wine.
Dream concert (even if band not together or alive)?
Tomorrowland
Best playlist for the OR?
Avicii Radio or 80s Rock Anthems
Favorite night float snack?
Salt and Vinegar Chips
Andrew J. Luzzi, MD
- Six-Year Research Track
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Why did you choose Columbia Orthopedics?
Many factors contributed to my decision to pursue orthopedic surgery residency at Columbia. Columbia Orthopedics is an exceptionally tight-knit and collaborative program, turning resident education and the delivery of healthcare into a team effort. The intimate nature of the program facilitates the development of trust between residents and attendings, which is crucial to the progressive increase in operative autonomy necessary for effective surgical training. Furthermore, the leadership at Columbia is unparalleled. Drs. Levine, Jobin, and Neuwirth are incredibly invested in the program and dedicate themselves to the continued improvement of resident education.
The opportunity to participate in a 6-year research track was also a strong draw to the program. While several programs offer this type of opportunity, I found numerous aspects of the research track offered by Columbia to be exceptionally alluring. As a participant in the 6-year research track, I spent the year prior to residency performing both basic science and clinical research. I believe that this arrangement, in contrast to one in which a research year is taken during residency, is ideal. This structure has enabled me to lay the groundwork for projects before starting residency, thereby maximizing the amount of time I have to do meaningful work, while allowing my surgical training to go uninterrupted. Additionally, I have had the privilege of being a mentee of Dr. Thomopoulos, an acclaimed scientist who is an expert in rotator cuff postnatal development, healing, biomechanics, and tissue engineering.
Lastly, of all of the positive aspects of Columbia Orthopedics I found the quality of people most significant. They are not only extremely capable, but also authentic and compassionate – the type of people who I would want as co-residents, teachers, and surgeons.
What is your favorite bone?
Scapula
What's the best place you have traveled?
Florence, Italy
Where are you from?
Litchfield, Connecticut
Favorite restaurant in NYC?
John’s
Favorite activity outside of work?
Exercising and reading
Dream concert (even if band not together or alive)?
Frank Sinatra
Best playlist for the OR?
Two Friends
Favorite night float snack?
Pizza
Gerard F. Marciano, MD
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Undergraduate: The College of New Jersey
Why did you choose Columbia Orthopedics?
I knew Columbia Orthopedics was the place for me after my sub-internship on the joints service as a rotating medical student. The words that resonated with me after my experience were collegiality, mentorship, and support. The collegial relationship between the residents was apparent at all of the resident conferences. The senior residents always took time to teach junior residents and help them improve. Outside of the hospital everyone in the program enjoyed spending time with each other at the many resident happy hours, BBQs, and other social events. Columbia also stresses faculty mentorship. In the OR, the faculty emphasize building the operative skills of the residents. Outside the OR, they encourage residents to pursue their own research ideas while helping them find a path towards their professional goals. Finally, the program really sets itself apart from others in the amount of support it gives residents. Columbia has world class facilities and can provide any opportunity a physician in training could desire. All of these qualities along with a program size that allows faculty to be deeply involved with every resident made me want to train at Columbia.
What is your favorite bone?
C1
What's the best place you have traveled?
Scotland was my favorite recent trip. Exploring the Scottish Highlands was an amazing experience.
Where are you from?
I grew up in central NJ near the beach and still spend a lot of time there in the summer.
Favorite restaurant in NYC?
La Bernardin
Favorite activity outside of work?
Spending time with my family and friends.
Dream concert (even if band not together or alive)?
Queen at Wembly Stadium
Best playlist for the OR?
Anything with the Beatles on it
Favorite night float snack?
Anything with sugar.
Kyle L. McCormick, MD
Medical School: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Undergraduate: Columbia University
Why did you choose Columbia Orthopedics?
I knew Columbia Orthopedics was the place for me after spending a month as a sub-I on the peds service. Columbia has a uniquely close and collegial group of residents. The residents that make up this program are the most intelligent, hard-working, and fun group of people I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with. Additionally, we have the opportunity to work with world-class faculty who have a strong commitment to teaching across the board. Finally, the faculty offers incredible mentorship and advocacy that is distinct to this program.
What is your favorite bone?
Tibia
What's the best place you have traveled?
Istanbul
Where are you from?
Ridgewood, NJ
Favorite restaurant in NYC?
Pisticci
Favorite activity outside of work?
Singing, watching scary movies, and hanging out with my dachshund, Watson
Dream concert (even if band not together or alive)?
Elton John
Best playlist for the OR?
80s rock or 2000s pop punk
Favorite night float snack?
Cheddar goldfish
Peter C. Noback, MD
Medical School: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Why did you choose Columbia Orthopedics?
The people and the culture they create at this program is unique from any other program at which I interviewed. Without a doubt, the camaraderie among the residents here is the best in the country, and the mentorship residents receive from the faculty is phenomenal. At NYOH, I felt like I would find a group of orthopedic surgeons that I would quickly learn to call family. I knew that an environment like that would be the ideal place for me to spend the next 5 years training in orthopedics.
What is your favorite bone?
Trapezium
What's the best place you have traveled?
Antarctica
Where are you from?
New Jersey
Favorite restaurant in NYC?
Pio Pio/Llama Inn
Favorite activity outside of work?
Scuba diving, skiing, sailing, carpentry, hiking, flying...too hard to choose one
Dream concert (even if band not together or alive)?
Cat Stevens
Best playlist for the OR?
Best of the 90’s
Favorite night float snack?
Milstein Pizza
Matthew E. Simhon, MD
Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Undergraduate: Northeastern University
Why did you choose Columbia Orthopedics?
My experience with Columbia Orthopedics first began after spending time in the department conducting research as a medical student. I saw first-hand how the innovate studies being performed at Columbia ultimately guide orthopedic management throughout the world. After discovering that Columbia Orthopedics was on the leading edge of orthopedic surgery in the realm of research, I wanted to explore the residency program further by rotating here as a Sub-I. During my rotation I was able to see just how amazing the residents and faculty were. The residents are extremely close and never fail to lend each other a hand. The attendings are also fantastic and very approachable. They are all incredibly invested in resident success. With their support, Columbia graduates go to the best fellowships in the country and become leaders in their fields. Another aspect that sets Columbia apart are the considerable resources that enhance resident education. From cutting edge bioskills equipment to frequent cadaver labs, there are always opportunities for residents to learn applied surgical anatomy and brush up on surgical skills. It also doesn’t hurt that Columbia Orthopedics is located in the greatest city on earth.
What is your favorite bone?
Humerus
What's the best place you have traveled?
Vietnam
Where are you from?
Long Island, NY
Favorite restaurant in NYC?
Karczma
Favorite activity outside of work?
Traveling/backpacking
Dream concert (even if band not together or alive)?
Metallica
Best playlist for the OR?
90’s rock anthems
Favorite night float snack?
Halvah
