Program Information

Name: Deborah Richards, MS
Position: Residency Coordinator, Internal Medicine Residency Program
Organization: Department of Medicine

Recruiting Chiefs

Hayley Barker, MD

Hometown: Benton Harbor, MI

Medical School: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine

Academic Interests: Pulmonary/Critical Care, POCUS, Medical Education.

What I love about Jefferson: I love Jefferson because of how quickly it has come to feel like home.  The community that has been cultivated by our residents, fellows, attendings, and others on the patient care team is one built on uplifting and encouraging others.  I am consistently challenged and inspired by my co-residents who have quickly become lifelong friends.

Favorite things to do in Philly:  Philly is the first big city I have ever lived in and it's been so easy to fall in love with it!  It's a city that is rich in history, personality, and excitement.  Some of my favorite things to do are to attend concerts with co-residents and friends at one of Philly's many music venues or try new restaurants from a wide variety of cuisines.  I love going on walks early on weekend mornings and watching as the city begins to wake up, grabbing coffee at a local cafe or going down to the riverfront.  No matter what you enjoy in your free time, you'll be sure to find it in Philly.

Susanna Betti, MD

Hometown: Tenafly, NJ

Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Academic Interests:
Pulmonary/Critical Care, Hospital Medicine

What I love about Jefferson:
 It has been an absolute joy to spend the last few years in residency at Jefferson with the best co-residents. The support system you get here is unmatched, both from faculty mentors, and co-residents.  As a training institution, Jefferson lets me work closely with top specialists in every field and get a wide range of clinical training in a diverse population.  As a program, Jefferson has some of the most compassionate, hardworking, intelligent, and fun co-residents who have all pushed me to grow every day.  Residency is undeniably hard, but the time spent here is worth it.

Favorite things to do in Philly: I love visiting my friends throughout the city so that I can get to explore all the different neighborhoods in the area!  When the weather is particularly nice, my fiance and I enjoy walking along Boathouse Row and the pathway along the Schuylkill RIver.  There is always something to do in the city, from countless outdoor exhibits in parks to indoor art activities perfect for a night out.  I also love walking over to Rittenhouse Square for some coffee and shopping, and spending time trying out new restaurants.

Michael DiMarino, MD

Hometown: Moorestown, NJ

Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Academic Interests: Gastroenterology, Medical Education.

What I love about Jefferson: The camaraderie is unmatched.  Our life is busy and can be challenging at times, but we do it together and always support each other.  Your co-residents become your new family.  

Favorite things to do in Philly: Philadelphia truly offers the best of all worlds.  It's in a prime location - just an hour from both the beach and the Poconos, two hours from NYC, and home to an international airport that makes travel easy and accessible.  Within the city itself, there's something for everyone: incredible food (arguably the best in the country), vibrant arts and culture, and endless opportunities for exploration.  The city is highly walkable, and Jefferson's campus is right in the heart of it all.  And of course, the sports culture here is unmatched - there's no place with more passionate fans. Go Birds!

Edwin Perez, MD

Hometown: Miami (Hialeah), FL

Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Academic Interests: Pulmonary/Critical Care, Medical Education, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Medicine

What I love about Jefferson: What I love most about Jefferson is the incredible sense of camaraderie among my co-residents.  From the very beginning of intern year, there was always someone around on the floors or in the lounge who was willing to answer questions, help with procedures, or have a laugh. Despite the stresses that come with residency, I more often than not have a smile on my face thanks to the fun atmosphere we like to keep at Jeff.  Oh, and given our awesome location in the heart of Philly, it's nice to be able to take a nice walk for coffee or a hoagie on a weekend/call day just to keep the vibes up!

Favorite things to do in Philly: My wife and I are both orignally from Miami and first moved to Philly for medical school.  We definitely missed the hot sun during the winter months but can now say Philly is our second home.  As a suburban boy who drove everywhere, I've grown to love how walkable Philly is.  There are always awesome coffee shops, bars, or restaurants within walking distance.  The food scene is spectacular, everyone loves dogs, and there are some passionate sports fans here. What is there not to love about Philly!