Education / Graduate Medical Education / Prospective Residents / Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency Program / Program Highlights / Residency Leadership

Residency Leadership

Welcome to the University of Rochester OB/GYN residency program site! We are so excited that you have come to learn more about us. Over the last 60 years, we have developed a clinically strong, academically sound and socially-minded program. We hope that our website can begin to provide you with an inside look at our program. We look forward to answering any additional questions you may have during your interview day.

Our program aims to position graduates for success in either private practice or in an academic environment including subspecialty training. We have the breadth and depth of clinical and research experience to support you in achieving your future goals. We train our residents to advocate for and incorporate evidence-based medicine.

Rochester offers big-city culture combined with small-city charm. Cost of living is quite affordable and traffic is minimal. There are many options for nearby outdoor activities including hiking, boating and skiing. Rochester has been ranked highly for quality of life. And yet, there are persistent disparities present in our city. Our residents and faculty strive to address these disparities through provision of equitable healthcare as well as local, state and national advocacy.

We care for our residents deeply and are committed to maintaining an inclusive, supportive and open environment to promote learning and confidence. Our residents graduate confident in their skills and prepared for practice. Our graduates have pursued rewarding careers in private practice, academic medicine, research and fellowships in virtually all subspecialties. We can’t wait to meet you!

Courtney Olson-Chen, MD, MSCI

Residency Program Director
She/Her/Hers
Web Profile

Area of Expertise/Training: Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Years at UR: Since 2010

Proudest Moment at UR: Training future leaders in OB/GYN.

My Hobbies, Family, Obsessions: Keeping up with my kids. I enjoy spending time outdoors- biking in the summer and skiing in the winter. Playing the piano helps me de-stress after a long day. My daughter and I like to experiment with vegan baking. Obsessed with all things ice cream!

Favorite Spot in Rochester: My neighborhood

Favorite Thing to do in Rochester: Living here is easy and fun. We have access to a lot of big-city amenities like outstanding museums, good food and beautiful parks. There is always something new to try. I’m originally from a small town, and Rochester still has a small town feel. Every time I go to Wegmans, I run into someone I know!

Kristen Burhans, M.D.

Associate Program Director
She/Her/Hers

Area of Expertise/Training: Generalist, Simulation and Experiential Learning

Years at UR: Since 2011

Proudest Moment at UR: Becoming APD

My Hobbies, Family, Obsessions: I grew up sailing and as an intern I bought a sailboat, the Sea Section. Throughout my summers here in Rochester, I’ve enjoyed getting friends out on the water to enjoy a relaxing sail or the occasional regatta (full disclosure – my Dad is the racer, but I make a decent first mate).

Favorite Spot in Rochester: I love enjoying the surrounding waterways – Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, the Erie Canal or the Genesee River.

Favorite Thing to do in Rochester: There are lots of fun things to do outside in Rochester, having 4 seasons really is a perk! I love sailing and kayaking in the summer, skiing in the winter and playing tennis year-round at a local club. Rochester is also a great, affordable place to raise a family – we regularly visit many of the local parks, walk along the canal, or enjoy the Seneca Park Zoo, Strong Museum of Play, and Seabreeze Amusement Park.

Elizabeth Willman, MD

Associate Program Director for Highland Hospital
She/Her/Hers
Web Profile

Area of Expertise/Training: Generalist

Years at UR: Since 2017

Proudest Moments at UR: Graduating OB/GYN residency

My Hobbies, Family, Obsessions: I am married with two little girls and mostly spend my free time chasing them around. I do have a (not so) secret Harry Potter obsession.

Favorite Spot in Rochester: Erie Canal

Favorite Thing to do in Rochester: When the weather is nice, I like bringing my kids anywhere outside- to the park, to the zoo, or just going for walks in our neighborhood.

Stefanie Hollenbach, MD, PhD

Associate Program Director for Resident Research and Scholarly Activity
She/Her
Web Profile

Area of Expertise/Training: Maternal Fetal Medicine, Biomedical Engineering

Years at UR: Since 2013

Proudest Moments at UR: Any time I help someone find the joy in scientific discoveries!

My Hobbies, Family, Obsessions: Our three kiddos, two dogs, and two cats keep me and my husband on our toes! When we aren't spending time doing all the amazing things there are to do with kids in Rochester, we keep busy with DIY renovations on our nearly 200-year-old farmhouse. My husband once gave me a battery-powered glue gun as a Valentines Day gift—basically the best gift I've ever received—because I love all things crafty.

Favorite Spot in Rochester: Currently the Y- because we get a fabulous workout while the kids have a blast in the childcare center's three-story play structure. Turns out when the kids have that much fun, they will make sure you never miss a workout.

Favorite Thing to do in Rochester: There are so many things to do in Rochester in every season, particularly with little kids, that there is never a dull moment! Spring is our favorite time to visit the zoo then there are festivals throughout the summer, farm adventures in the fall, and museums to explore in the winter (and all the winter snow activities of course)!

Amy Keller

Residency Program Manager
She/Her/Hers

Years at UR: Since 1991 (Since 2000 in OB/GYN)

Proudest Moment at UR: Becoming the Residency Program Manager. I love my job, I love working with residents! They are what makes me want to come to work everyday.

My Hobbies, Family, Obsessions: I love spending time with my husband and our two children. They keep us busy with marching band and football. I also enjoying reading and being outside. We spend a lot of our time swimming, four wheeling, snowmobiling, and cruising in our 67 Chevelle. LOVE the local chocolate shops, Hedonist, Stever’s, and Oliver’s.

Favorite Spot in Rochester: Seneca Park Zoo

Favorite Thing to do in Rochester: Going to see the Rochester Red Wings play baseball. It’s a great place to watch Minor League Baseball not to mention how great the ballpark food is! It’s a great evening or afternoon out for the family.

Keisha Bell, Ph.D.

Faculty Psychologist/Communication Coach
She/Hers
Web Profile

Area of Expertise/Training: Health Psychology/Women’s Behavioral Health/Patient-and-Family Centered Communication; Post-doctoral training in Women’s Health at URMC

Years at UR: Since 2018

Proudest Moment at UR: Establishing the Physician Communication Coaching Program in the department of OB/GYN and increasing patient accessibility to behavioral health services at Highland Women’s Health.

My Hobbies, Family, Obsessions: I love spending time with loved ones and I enjoy DIY projects, crafts, music.

Favorite Spot in Rochester: My neighborhood (Brighton).

Favorite Thing to do in Rochester: Exploring new restaurants, the arts, and going to parks.

Kyan Lynch, M.D., M.A.

Education Specialist
He/Him/His
Web Profile

Area of Expertise/Training: Medical Education, Medical Humanities, and Bioethics

Years at UR: Since 2016

Proudest Moment at UR: Whenever a student, resident, fellow, or faculty member reaches out to me for help with their studies or a project.

My Hobbies, Family, Obsessions: I am lucky to have a wonderful wife and a dog who is the center of our universe. We love to go out for walks all together, either just around the neighborhood or in one of Rochester’s beautiful parks. I also love to read, both fiction and nonfiction, and am mildly obsessed with books featuring a reimagined Sherlock Holmes.

Favorite Spot in Rochester: It’s hard to pick just one! The Strong Museum of Play is definitely high on my list. It’s a great place to bring the little ones in my life, and it always inspires me to play more often.

Favorite Thing to do in Rochester: When I think of Rochester, I think of community. My best memories in Rochester involve gathering at restaurants, museums, festivals, kitchen tables, or backyards with friends.

Danielle Gary, MEd

Assistant Education Specialist
She/Her/Hers

Area of Expertise/Training: Training & Development, Teaching & Learning, Social & Emotional Wellness.

Years at UR: Just arrived in 2022!

Proudest Moment at UR: Joining this team has been an absolute honor! I’m inspired by my colleagues every single day, and I’m so excited about our current projects in development.

My Hobbies, Family, Obsessions: I love spending time with my husband and our son, exploring our new city and the surrounding communities! I’m also a big fan of sci-fi, yoga, rowing, hiking and being out in nature. My current obsession is learning about all of the best-kept secret spots in Rochester!

Favorite Spot in Rochester: My patio with a hot cup of coffee, the river, parks and trails and definitely Ontario Beach Park… After spending the last 16 years in Central TX, any place where I can witness the glorious beauty of the changing seasons is where I want to be.

Favorite Thing to do in Rochester: I am so excited for the Lilac Festival!

Monica Brown

Administrative Coordinator
She/Her/Hers

Years at UR: Since 2013

Proudest Moment at UR: Watching people I trained grow and become successful in their position

My Hobbies, Family, Obsessions: With 3 kids, a dog and a Husband, I am usually busy, in a good way. I love spending time with the Family I created, learning and growing together every day. Obsessed with chocolate and true crime tv/podcast.

Favorite Spot in Rochester: My HOME! As a homebody, there is no place I’d rather be.

Favorite Thing to do in Rochester: Going to the Public Market or watching my kids play at a park.