Six Physicians Graduate from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset’s Family Medicine Residency Program

SOMERVILLE, NJ, July 8, 2024 – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, recently celebrated the graduation of six physicians from its Family Medicine Residency Program. A designated teaching hospital of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the hospital’s three-year Family Medicine Residency Program was established in 1975. Its 21 residents work under the supervision of attending physicians to provide care to its hospitalized patients and to outpatients at the hospital’s Somerset Family Practice Center. Members of the Class of 2024 include:

• Dubem Anumba, MD, of Piscataway, who is a graduate of Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Anumba will join an outpatient and urgent care family practice in New Jersey.
• Aysha Azam, DO, of Somerville, who is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Azam will join the faculty at Somerset Family Practice at RWJUH Somerset. Dr. Azam received the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Resident Teacher of the Year award in recognition of demonstrated interest, ability and commitment to family medicine education.
• Melanie Bernardes, MD, MS of Scotch Plains, who is a graduate of Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Bernardes will join RWJUH in New Brunswick as a hospitalist. Dr. Bernardes was awarded the Barbara G. Franzblau, L.C.S.W. Award in recognition of her outstanding behavioral health knowledge, judgment and skills, and a dedication to caring and compassionate patient care.
• Tajwar Taher, MD, of Freehold, who is a graduate of the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine. Dr. Taher will join a family medicine practice in Oregon. Dr. Taher received the Carl F. Meier, MD Award, named for the founder of the RWJUH Somerset Family Medicine Residency, as the resident who exemplifies the qualities of a family physician through service to the specialty, peers and community.
• Sanna Mohammad, MD, of Somerville, who is a graduate of St. Georges School of Medicine. Dr. Mohammad will join an outpatient practice in Florida.
• Tyra White, MD, MA of Somerville, who is a graduate of St. Georges School of Medicine. Dr. White will join an outpatient practice in New Jersey. Dr. White received the Clinical Excellence Award in recognition of her outstanding clinical knowledge, judgment and skill and dedication to caring and compassionate patient care.

Dr. Bernardes and Dr. Taher were both recognized for their contribution to the residency as chief residents and for their leadership, perseverance and dedication to excellence.
The graduating class also presented its Teacher of the Year Award to Zhanna Ivanov, MD in recognition of her dedication to the education and training of family physicians. For more information on RWJUH Somerset’s Family Medicine Residency Program, please visit www.rwjbh.org/somerset. 

 About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital SomersetLocated in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is a nationally accredited, 339-bed regional hospital providing comprehensive emergency, medical/surgical, behavioral health and rehabilitative services to central New Jersey residents. As a designated teaching hospital of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the hospital maintains a family medicine residency program with 21 residents. RWJUH Somerset has earned significant national recognition for clinical quality and patient safety including the prestigious Magnet® Award for Nursing Excellence. 

As the first hospital in New Jersey to offer primary health care services for the LGBTQIA community, RWJUH Somerset has been honored as a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign.The Steeplechase Cancer Center at RWJUH Somerset has been designated as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. RWJBarnabas Health and RWJUH Somerset in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - bring a world class team of researchers and specialists to fight alongside you, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials.

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