Residents
Apoorva Bhandari
PGY1Biography: Dr. Bhandari holds a Doctor of Medicine degree from Queen’s University School of Medicine, a Master of Science from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Science from McGill University. Her research spans diverse projects, including vascular techniques for treatment of infrainguinal graft stenosis, pediatric vascular complications related to genetic disorders, altered cerebral hemodynamics, characteristics of stent grafts in endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, and quality improvement initiatives. Apoorva has earned recognition for her research through awards such as the Research Excellence Award at the Western McMaster Vascular Surgery Day in 2023 and the CSVS National Student Research Award in 2021. She has also been a recipient of grants and scholarships, including the W.G. Anglin Scholarship in Surgery for demonstrating an aptitude for surgery upon graduation. Apoorva has showcased her commitment to mentorship and education by actively participating in various leadership roles. She serves as a Surgery Mentorship Program Mentor at the University of Western Ontario, providing guidance to medical students. Additionally, as the Founder and former President of the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS) at Queen’s University, she has created opportunities for networking and mentorship for female-identifying medical students. Outside of her professional pursuits, Apoorva is passionate about Olympic weightlifting, cycling, pilates, reading, and travel.
Kelsey Ambrose
PGY2Biography: Dr. Ambrose completed her Doctor of Medicine at Western University, Windsor campus. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in her hometown at the University of Waterloo. Kelsey’s research interests include vascular trauma, critical care and resuscitation, prosthetic graft infections, and limb salvage. Kelsey is passionate about medical education and mentorship, anatomy, and learner wellness. She has organized and assisted in clinical skills and suturing workshops for medical students, and served as a Teaching Assistant in the cadaveric anatomy lab throughout her undergraduate years. She’s served as Student Support Team lead, Orientation Coordinator, and is the current representative for the Surgical Resident Wellness committee. Outside of medicine, Kelsey’s interests include baking, spending time at the lake, and hiking.
Rhiannon Tracey
PGY3Biography: Dr. Rhiannon Tracey completed her medical degree at Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2020. She has been a surgical resident at Western University since graduation and joined the Vascular Surgery residency program in July 2022. Dr. Tracey’s current research interests include quality improvement surrounding virtual consultation models, vascular injury treatment in the Pediatric population and negative pressure wound therapy in major amputations. She has won funding for her research which includes the McLachlin Research Grant from Western University. When not running around the hospital, she can usually be found hiking with her Bernese Mountain Dog or spending quality time with friends and family.
Ahmad Azizov
PGY3Biography: Dr. Azizov grew up in Azerbaijan for the first half of his life. He kick started his journey in the medical field with a solid foundation in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Guelph. Transitioning to the Michael DeGroote School of Medicine, he honed his skills and found a passion for Vascular Surgery. Alongside his medical pursuits, Ahmad enjoys cycling, photography, and various technological endeavors. This year he is pursuing more clinical research and open water diving. Favorite quote from a movie: “My name is Dr. Maximus Decimus Arterius, commander of the Operating Rooms of the North, General of the Covered Stents, loyal servant to the true vascular health, physician to a clogged artery, and healer to a sluggish vein. And I will have my circulation, in this procedure or the next!”
Shreya Jalali
PGY4Biography: Dr. Jalali completed her Bachelor of Arts & Science degree at McGill University while competing internationally on the McGill Debating Union. She was also a TA in the Systemic Human Anatomy course, which first sparked her interest in surgery. She followed this with a Master’s in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University, prior to completing medical school at the University of Ottawa. During that time, she held leadership roles on the board of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students and Chair of its 40th annual general meeting, the board of the Ontario Medical Students’ Association during a renegotiation of the provincial physician services agreement, and on the Royal College Specialty Committee during the inception and early implementation of competency by design. Her efforts were recognized with both local and provincial leadership awards. She was also a member of the uOttawa Womens’ squash team and her local league. Shreya is glad to be closer to home again during residency, and feels privileged to be training at Western. She is passionate about all elements of Vascular Surgery, with a growing interest in complex venous disease and advanced endovascular surgery. While not at work, Shreya can be found on a squash court, on her spin bike, traveling, catching up with friends and family, or simply curled up with a good book.
Shareef Alqahtani
PGY6Biography: Dr. Alqahtani grew up in Saudi Arabia and attended medical school at King Saud University in Riyadh. Following that, he completed a Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. Shareef then moved to Canada for General Surgery residency at Western University. He then decided to stay for a 5+2 Vascular Surgery Fellowship. Outside of the hospital, there is nothing Shareef appreciates more than spending time with his family and friends. In his free time, he plays soccer, squash, or video games.
Matthew Mah
PGY7Biography: Dr. Mah was born and raised in Alberta. He completed his Undergraduate studies at the University of Alberta followed by Medical School at the University of Calgary. He went on to complete his General Surgery Residency through the University of Calgary. Matt moved to London for a Vascular Surgery fellowship. He spends free time with his supportive wife, young children, and Australian shepherd.
