Akron Children’s is proud to celebrate the exceptional physicians completing their pediatric residencies this year. Residency is a transformative time – full of challenge, growth and lifelong bonds. As they step into the next chapter of their careers, we asked a few of them to reflect on their favorite moments and share what lies ahead.
Dr. Fariha Mostafiz
Fariha Mostafiz, MD
Future Role: General Pediatrician at Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Massillon
For Dr. Fariha Mostafiz, the best part of residency was the camaraderie she found among her co-residents. “Although residency is full of long, demanding shifts, I could always draw strength from the individuals I had the privilege to work alongside,” she said. “We’ve gone from co-residents to a true family.”
Dr. Mostafiz credits her continuity clinic preceptor, Dr. Mark Evans, for showing her the importance of community in medicine. “He taught me how valuable it is to take a few moments with families to ask about something interesting going on in their lives outside the clinic,” she said.
Thanks to hands-on experience with both hospitalists and subspecialists, Dr. Mostafiz feels confident stepping into her new role. “Our attending physicians are always generous with their time and expertise,” she said. “No matter how busy we are or what time of day it is, they are always willing to answer any and all questions I have. Their guidance has prepared me to manage a wide variety of diseases now that I will be practicing on my own.”
Dr. Mostafiz will be staying in the Akron Children’s family as a general pediatrician in Massillon.
Dr. Margaret Massett
Margaret Massett, DO
Future Role: Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Fellow, New Jersey
Dr. Margaret Massett’s favorite part of residency has been learning and growing with her co-residents. “Residency can be really hard – the hours are long, you make a lot of sacrifices – but working with such compassionate, supportive co-residents has made it that much more enjoyable,” she said.
She credits two standout mentors for shaping her path: Dr. Lisa Eggleston in outpatient pediatrics and Dr. Osama El-Assal in the emergency room. “Dr. Eggleston modeled the kind of pediatrician I aspire to be, while Dr. El-Assal pushed me to be a better physician and scientist,” she said.
“Training at Akron Children’s provided the perfect balance of support and autonomy when it comes to learning how to practice medicine,” she said. “I truly feel prepared to care for sick children because of my training here.
“The physicians and APPs in hematology-oncology went out of their way to give me the best training and experience I could receive before moving on to fellowship, and I am forever grateful,” she added.
Now, she’s headed home to New Jersey to begin her fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology –closer to family and ready for the next stage of training.
Dr. Mimi Lamantia
Marie (Mimi) Lamantia, DO
Future Role: Primary Care Pediatrician, Cincinnati Children’s – Liberty Township
For Dr. Mimi Lamantia, the class of 2025 became family. “We realized early on that we grow more when we work together,” she said. “I’ve leaned on my co-residents not only during challenges at work, but in my personal life as well. The bond we’ve built is for life.”
She is especially grateful for the mentorship of Dr. Oanh Ho, who supported her growth in primary care pediatrics. “Dr. Ho empowered me to treat her patients as my own and gave me countless opportunities to grow,” she said. “She’s also been an incredible role model, an excellent communicator and diagnostician whose example I will forever emulate.”
Dr. Lamantia praised the hospital’s broad training experience, from common pediatric cases to complex and rare conditions. “Akron Children’s gave me the tools to dig deeper, think critically and lead with confidence,” she said. “I appreciated my time on the inpatient floors, where I learned from an incredible pediatric hospital medicine team.”
She’s excited to return to her hometown of Cincinnati and begin her career in primary care pediatrics. “After over a decade of training away from home, I’m thrilled to start this next chapter near my family and serve the community where I grew up,” she said.
Dr. Charles (Chip) Foust
Charles (Chip) Foust, DO
Future Role: Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow, Akron Children’s
Over the past three years, Dr. Foust said his growth as a physician has been shaped by the incredible relationships he’s built. “Everyone has been invested in my development,” he said. “No matter where I was in the hospital, there was always someone to learn from – or even just share a laugh with.”
He recalls fondly reconnecting with patients and families he’s treated over the years. “It’s always a highlight to see how they’re doing and catch up,” he said.
Dr. Foust credits multiple mentors with shaping his journey including Dr. Sarah Kline Krammes who has helped him from his days as a med student to matching into his dream fellowship. “She’s guided me through the ups and downs,” he said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”
He also praised Drs. Megan Evers and Ashley Galizio for their support. “Dr. Evers helped me build confidence and clinical skills, and I can’t wait to keep learning from her in fellowship. Dr. Galizio set the bar high in primary care and helped shape the pediatrician I am today,” he said.
With so much support – from research opportunities to daily mentorship – Dr. Foust feels ready to continue his journey. “I’m beyond excited to start my pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at Akron Children’s,” he said.
Congratulations to our graduating residents! We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and excited to witness the positive impact they will continue to make on the lives of children.
Below is a complete list of this year’s graduating class:
| Class of 2025 Pediatric Residency Graduates | |
| Kristina Assaf, DO | General Pediatrician
Location Pending |
| Emily Catchpole, MD | General Pediatrician
Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Warren Downtown |
| Mikala Daskalakis, DO | Pediatric Hospital Medicine
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center |
| Gabby Dyke, DO | Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI |
| Charles (Chip) Foust, DO | Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship
Akron Children’s |
| Waverly Hebert, DO | General Pediatrician
Kaiser Permanente Medicine, Oceanside, CA |
| Navya Kartha, DO | Pediatric Allergy Immunology Fellowship
Nationwide Children’s Hospital |
| Mimi (Marie) Lamantia Scuta, DO | General Pediatrician
Cincinnati Children’s |
| Jaclyn Locigno, DO | Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship
Akron Children’s |
| Eric Marasco, DO | Pediatric Chief Resident
Akron Children’s |
| Margaret Massett, DO | Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
The Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School/Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey |
| Abigail Mayfield, DO | Pediatric and Newborn Hospitalist
Akron Children’s |
| Fariha Mostafiz, MD | General Pediatrician
Akron Children’s Pediatrics, Massillon |
| Isaiah Noel, MD | Pediatric Chief Resident
Akron Children’s |
| Neeli Patel, DO | General Pediatrician
Columbus, OH |
| Ann Printy, DO | Pediatric Chief Resident
Akron Children’s |
| Katya Sracic, MD | Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship
Cincinnati Children’s |
| Alexandra St. Onge, DO | General Pediatrician
Child and Adolescent Center, Southgate, MI |
| Nadine Taher, DO | Child Neurology
Nationwide Children’s Hospital |
| Katherine Todd, DO | Hospitalist Medicine
St. Peters Hospital, Helena, MT |
| Erin Woeste, DO | Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
Medical University of South Carolina Charleston |
| 2025 Pediatric Residency Chief Residents | |
| Paige Daily, MD | Pediatric Sports Medicine Fellowship
Akron Children’s |
| Avi Rascoe, DO | Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship
Phoenix Children’s Hospital |
| Julia Russell, DO | General Pediatrician
Cincinnati Children’s |
