Family and Community Care Current Residents

Millen Abselab, MD (she/her)

Millen was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in northern Virginia. Prior to pursuing a career in medicine, she received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and English from Dartmouth College.

Millen also earned the college’s Sociological Imagination Award for her promotion of social justice. She used her Dartmouth degree to become a high school English teacher.

Through her teaching experiences, she learned how health inequity impacts education and transitioned into a career in medicine. She completed her post-baccalaureate pre-medical education at the University of Maryland and then graduated from the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine. Her interests in family medicine include reproductive health, preventive care and behavioral health. She is passionate about advocating for her patients and providing holistic, compassionate care. 

Outside of medicine, she enjoys caring for her two rabbits—Aphrodite and Circe— practicing her French, swimming, hiking, traveling with her husband and watching anime and international dramas. She’s ecstatic to be back in New Hampshire, explore Keene and be a part of Cheshire’s team.

Bradley Firchow, MD (he/him)

Bradley grew up in Kentucky and West Virginia, where the hills of Appalachia shaped not just his sense of place, but his understanding of what communities need to thrive. That awareness set him on a path to Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, where he studied biopsychology and public health. 

As a civic engagement scholar, he found his way to an internship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he later supported the national public health agency's COVID-19 response. From there, a desire to bring a spirit of partnership directly to relationships with patients led him to medical school at the University of Kentucky, where he trained in the Rural Physician Leadership Program and co-founded the CATS Clinic, a student-run clinic in Morehead, Kentucky, that offers free healthcare to residents who might not otherwise have access.

Within family medicine, Bradley is drawn to rural health, mental health and building lasting connections with patients that promote health through every stage of life.

He is thrilled to be joining Cheshire's rural-health-focused residency and to become part of Dartmouth Health's community of researchers and advocates who are working to improve the health of local residents. 

Outside of the clinic, Bradley is a writer and multidisciplinary artist whose work—spanning painting, pottery and basket weaving—grows from a deep sense of the connection between people and land. An avid outdoorsman, he cannot wait to explore the Monadnock Region with his husband Dylan and their Jack Russell terrier, Dixon.

Sara Honarparvaran, MD (she/her)

Sara grew up in Shiraz, Iran, the city of gardens and poetry. She earned her medical degree from Fasa University of Medical Sciences, completing a seven-year program that included a full internship year.

After graduation, she served as the sole physician at a rural health center, caring for nearly 5,000 residents, an experience that deepened her commitment to underserved communities. She later completed two years of advanced clinical training in sports medicine at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran.

After moving to the United States, Sara continued caring for patients through telemedicine and gained valuable experience in primary care clinics in Lowell, Massachusetts. She is drawn to family medicine because she enjoys getting to know people, helping patients feel heard and building meaningful relationships through continuity of care.

Outside of medicine, Sara enjoys all things food, such as cooking international dishes, exploring new cuisines and sharing meals with her husband and friends. She is thrilled to be a part of Cheshire’s team and looks forward to serving the Greater Monadnock Region.

Amanda Nattress, MD (she/her)

Amanda grew up in Winooski, Vt., and attended the University of Vermont, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, with minors in nutrition and food studies and pharmacology. 

During her time at UVM, she co-founded the Leadership and Social Change Residential Learning Community, supporting students committed to civic engagement and service in the Burlington area. Throughout college, Amanda worked as a pharmacy technician, licensed nurse assistant and emergency medicine scribe—experiences that inspired her to further pursue a career in medicine. 

She went on to the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine, where she was selected for the coveted Albert Schweitzer Fellowship program. As a fellow, she developed “Spartans Advance,” a program helping high school students transition into adulthood through career exploration, education planning and community connections. During this time, Amanda also welcomed two children. These experiences shaped her philosophy of care: communication, community and continuity.

Outside of medicine, Amanda enjoys spending time with her family, baking, gardening and exploring the outdoors. She is excited to be part of the Cheshire team and serve the Greater Monadnock Region.

Eliza (Brooke) Winter-Potter, DO (she/her)

Brooke grew up in the small town of Marathon, New York, where she developed an early appreciation for close-knit communities and the importance of service. 

During her undergraduate education at Unity College, where she studied adventure therapy, she completed a 50-day leadership semester in Utah with Outward Bound—a global nonprofit educational organization that builds leadership skills through wilderness expeditions—a formative experience that led her to work for Outward Bound in the Boston Harbor after graduation. She later worked with adults with developmental disabilities in Maine and Colorado, experiences that became the catalyst for her pursuit of medicine.

She completed a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program at Northeastern University in Boston. Her research during this time included work at Northeastern University’s Center for Cognitive and Brain Health—where she assisted with cognitive assessments, EEG studies and physiologic testing—and research at Boston University Medical Center, focused on the early identification of developmental disabilities and autism in children. She also participated in pediatric neurology and seizure detection research in collaboration with Boston Children’s Hospital.

She earned her medical degree at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Colorado. During medical school, she participated in the Academic Medicine and Leadership track, which focused on physician leadership development. 

Brooke’s professional interests include rural medicine, women’s health, behavioral health, preventive medicine and public health. During medical school, she completed an internship with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, where she further explored the intersection of medicine, prevention and community health initiatives.

Outside of medicine, Brooke enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, John, and their two sons, Oliver and Emerson. She also enjoys gardening, sewing and exploring New England. She is excited to complete her residency training in the Greater Monadnock Region and build long-term relationships with patients.

Kat Zeven, MD (she/they)

Kat grew up on the South Shore of Massachusetts, but has called Providence, Rhode Island, her home for the past 11 years. She received her bachelor’s in geology and biology from Brown University. 

After college, Kat obtained her wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification from the National Outdoor Leadership School and worked in emergency medicine. Kat then went on to attend the Brown University’s Warren Alpert School of Medicine. Her interests within family medicine include rural and wilderness medicine, gender affirming care and ultrasound technology. 

Outside of medicine, Kat enjoys hiking, foraging and extremely amateur birding. She also enjoys fostering kittens, video games and hanging out with their very spoiled cat Cleo.

Shea Bellino, MD (she/her)

Shea grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Prior to college, she spent one year abroad in Belgium, where she learned to speak French. She earned her undergraduate degree in international development and Middle East studies from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. She decided to pivot to a career in medicine after realizing the importance human health plays in fostering happy, strong communities. She then moved to the Green Mountain State where she spent several years working a medical assistant before going on to earn her medical degree from the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine. During medical school, she completed an Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, working on improving language access in health care for recently resettled refugees. She graduated from medical school with distinction as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Shea's interests within family medicine include migrant health, rural health, pediatrics, peripartum care, minor procedures and point-of-care ultrasound. 

Outside of medicine, Shea enjoys being outdoors with her husband and her dog. Shea is thrilled to be joining the new, innovative, rural health-focused family medicine residency program at Cheshire. Furthermore, she cannot wait to explore the beautiful Monadnock Region.

Vinh Le, MD (he/him)

Vinh was born in Lewiston, Maine, and grew up in southeastern Pennsylvania. After receiving his degree in biomedical science from Messiah University, he enrolled at the University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine. There, he was elected student body president, awarded the Robert Larner, MD '42 Student Award and inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society for excellence in compassionate clinical care.

During his medical training, Vinh conducted research on cognitive impairment risk in individuals with atrial fibrillation and relevant effects from circulating biomarkers and racial disparities in healthcare — work he later presented as a Viridis Montis Challenge finalist and the American Heart Association's EPI|Lifestyle conference. He also collaborated with fellow student leaders to support underrepresented students in medicine and direct a nationwide project compiling service opportunities organized by 115 medical schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vinh is passionate about making patients feel heard, advancing health equity and fostering a genuinely empathetic environment of relationship-based care. Within family medicine, his interests include behavioral health, addiction medicine and medical humanities. 

Outside of work, he enjoys playing piano and composing music, going on hikes, working on his historical fiction novel and spending quality time with his wife Laura and their family and friends.

Douglas Lischke, DO (he/him)

Douglas grew up a short drive from Keene in the small town of Hillsborough. After high school, he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Vermont. Following graduation, he worked for several years in business and technology for Apple in California and New Hampshire. 

Resolved to find a more fulfilling path, Douglas completed the University of Vermont's post-baccalaureate pre-medical program to pursue a career in medicine. He then earned his medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Maine. Prior to medical school, Douglas worked as a medical assistant in New Hampshire and Vermont, where he developed a passion for family medicine in rural and underserved areas. 

He is excited to put down roots in his home state and continue his medical training in Keene. He and his wife have been renovating and restoring their old colonial home in the Monadnock Region, and are looking forward to their next project. In his free time, Douglas enjoys exploring the outdoors, travel and good food with family and friends.

Grace Marrinan, MD (she/her)

Grace grew up sharing time between Connecticut and Vermont, as well as a short stay on a dairy farm with family in Ireland. After studying psychology at Princeton University, passions for education and for child development led her to work as both a researcher for early identification of autism and as a preschool teacher. From this work, her belief in the importance of primary care took root, and she decided to go back to school to pursue medical education. She then went on to a premedical post-baccalaureate program at Mills College in California and medical school at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland. Her time in medical school deepened her desire to work in primary care, where longitudinal relationships can grow between doctors and patients. 

Outside of medicine, Grace enjoys hiking, baking, reading and spending time with her 6 year-old tabby cat Monty. She is excited to have returned to New England, looks forward to exploring Keene and the surrounding areas and is thrilled to be joining the family medicine team at Cheshire.

Trevor Read, DO (he/him)

Trevor is an avid hiker, mediocre biker, amateur runner and recent ski convert who grew up in Colorado. He first experienced New England while earning his degree in exercise science from Becker College in Massachusetts, where he played baseball. He completed medical school at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale. His passion for family medicine stems from a love for holistic medicine and the longitudinal patient relationships that are established from it. He has a love for sports medicine, which comes from growing up playing multiple sports and participating in all types of outdoor recreation. He and his wife, two boys and two dogs are eager to explore the Cheshire County community.

Fatima Shaukat, MD (she/her)

Fatima is a compassionate and driven international medical graduate, born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan. She earned her medical degree from Allama Iqbal Medical College, one of the top institutions in the country, before embarking on a journey to pursue her American dream in healthcare. Her path has been anything but ordinary, marked by resilience, growth and a deepening passion for patient care.

With hands-on experience in clinical, research and administrative roles across diverse healthcare settings, Fatima has developed a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. medical system. Her work has consistently centered on human connection, empathy and a desire to make care accessible and meaningful. These experiences have cemented her commitment to primary care, a field where she thrives by building long-term relationships with patients and supporting them through every stage of life.

Fatima is particularly recognized for her excellent communication skills, bedside manner and holistic approach to healthcare. She aims to continue serving communities with humility, clinical excellence and a genuine desire to make a difference.

Outside of medicine, Fatima is an avid cook and baker who finds joy in sharing meals with loved ones. She values quality time with family and believes that balance and warmth in her personal life contributes to more empathetic and effective care in professional practice.

Yousef Amr, MB BCh (he/him)

Yousef grew up in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. His passion for wanting to help people put him on a long journey that eventually led him to Keene, New Hampshire. Yousef received his medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI-MUB). He then moved to Jordan where he practiced medicine as a general physician. Wanting to take his career further to provide excellent patient-focused care, he is pursuing a residency in Family Medicine. In his free time, Yousef enjoys the outdoors, hiking, swimming, history, travel, and a good coffee brew.

Betsy Assoumou, MD, MBA (she/her)

Betsy was born in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, and grew up in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Her educational journey includes earning a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, a Master of Medical Science from the University of Vermont, and a Master of Accounting and Business Administration from the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Williams College and is a proud Eph! Before medical school, Betsy excelled as a certified public accountant, working in public and private accounting in and around Boston, MA. Her mother's experience with breast cancer ignited her passion for medicine and primary care, leading to a remarkable transition in her career. Coming to medicine through personal tragedy has fostered Betsy’s empathy and desire to connect with patients. In medical school, she was selected for induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society as an exemplar of compassionate patient care.

Read more about Betsy Assoumou, MD, MBA

Julie Burgett, MPS, MD (she/her)

Julie grew up on a dairy farm in the small rural community of Tully, New York. She studied at Cornell University for Animal Science and International Agriculture & Rural Development, after which she was a Peace Corps Environment and Sustainable Agriculture Volunteer in the southern highlands of Tanzania. Julie served as her family’s farm manager and helped transition her dad into retirement upon returning stateside. She completed her master’s in Global Development at Cornell University with her field work revolving around One Health principles in South Kivu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She worked as a care coordinator at Mount Sinai, navigating the many systems NYC has to offer. Her interest in Family Medicine stems from both these experiences and coming from a rural community where the need was great. Julie graduated from University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York State and is a captain in the Air Force. She is focused on cultivating relationships with patients while delivering evidence-based patient centered care. Julie enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures, all animals, dancing, hiking, music and gardening.

Abigail Huelsman, MD (she/her)

Abby grew up in Southwest Florida. She attended the University of Florida for undergrad, with a degree in microbiology and nutritional sciences. In college, she was very involved in music; playing piccolo in marching band (Go Gators!) and singing in the University Women’s Chorale. After college, she stayed in Gainesville, FL working as a medical scribe in endocrinology and participating in health disparities research with the UF Department of Psychology. She earned her medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine, graduating with distinction in the Patient Safety and Quality track. Her interests within family medicine include gender affirming care, reproductive health, obesity medicine, and quality improvement/patient safety. Originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Abby is excited to be back in New England with her partner and their two dogs, Lara and Forest. In her free time, Abby enjoys baking, board games, and spending time with her family. She looks forward to exploring the beautiful nature the Monadnock region has to offer.

Cassandra Papaleo, DO (she/her)

Cassie is a lover of nature and believes in the power of human connection – both support her journey in medicine. She is drawn to family medicine by her deep curiosity about people, commitment to health equity, and a desire to cultivate meaningful relationships in order to build healthier communities in all spaces – whether that be in the hospital, clinic, or neighborhood. 

She studied physics and biology at Ithaca College and attended medical school at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Maine. Prior to medical school, she worked at Boston Children’s Hospital in various pediatric research and public health advocacy initiatives. During this time, she concurrently taught yoga and meditation to patients and families. While in medical school, Cassie served as a wellness advocate for her classmates and a board member for the Student Physicians for Social Responsibility club. She also co-led research projects focused on death awareness and end of life care. 

Cassie is interested in the full breadth of rural family medicine of both inpatient and outpatient care, with particular interests in addiction medicine and osteopathic manipulative treatment. She is passionate about the intersection between health and social justice. Outside of medicine, Cassie finds joy moving outdoors – rock climbing, skiing, swimming, backpacking – and connecting with loved ones. She also enjoys dancing, cooking, and exploring mindful ways of being.