MATCH DAY 2025!

On behalf of our chairman, Dr. William Levine MD, it is our greatest pleasure to welcome our newly matched residents:  Al, Bobby, Chris, Emily, PK, and Maya, as the newest members of the Columbia Orthopedic family! Alex Dash also joins the 2030 class upon completing his research year. Chris Dambrosia will join us as the next 6-Year Research Track resident, becoming the first member of the Class of 2031.

We're very proud of our exceptional match!

Learn more about them below.

Robert “Bobby” Cecere

Medical School: Weill Cornell Medicine
Undergrad: Yale University

Raised in Glastonbury, CT, Bobby Cecere’s path to orthopedic surgery has been shaped by resilience, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for shared success. A Division I pitcher at Yale, he overcame a fractured patella and torn UCL—transformative challenges that taught him to lead and support his teammates in new ways. These lessons in adaptability and mentorship would later translate seamlessly into his clinical career. Bobby’s early involvement with Special Olympics Unified Sports instilled in him the values of humility and community, shaping the way he approaches both patient care and teamwork. At Yale, he earned a degree in Molecular Biology, balancing the demands of rigorous academics with athletics. At Weill Cornell, his exceptional skill and work ethic earned him the prestigious “Golden Femur” pin for surgical excellence—an honor rarely awarded to students—along with high praise from faculty across his rotations. Despite not having dedicated research time, Bobby has authored 11 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to three poster presentations, demonstrating a commitment to academic inquiry alongside clinical excellence. He is known for his strong hand skills, natural leadership, and ability to foster team cohesion, with mentors calling him a “can’t-miss” applicant and future leader in orthopedics. Beyond medicine, Bobby brings people together through his love of sports and food, often hosting pasta or sushi-making nights with friends. His combination of grit, generosity, and surgical precision makes him a standout addition to our class.

Alexander “ Alex” Dash, MD

Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Undergraduate: Macalester College, Bachelor of Arts
Current: 6-Year Research Track

Dr. Alex Dash joins the residency program from the six-year track after a successful year under the mentorship of Dr. Steve Thomopoulos. During this time, Alex focused his research on hip and knee reconstruction while continuing his work on metabolic bone disease. In collaboration with his mentor, Dr. Nana Sarpong, Alex helped conceptualize, develop, and launch an innovative prospective study investigating the social, economic, and patient-specific factors contributing to worse outcomes after total knee arthroplasty. This work has earned grants from the J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society and the Orthopaedic Scientific Research Foundation. Beyond this, Alex has been actively involved in multiple research projects analyzing outcomes following total joint arthroplasty. He has also played a role in various aspects of the $39 million NOVA Joint Research Project. Additionally, he has mentored and trained medical students and research coordinators, fostering their understanding of orthopedic research—a commitment he will continue as he transitions into clinical training. Alex’s journey to orthopedic surgery has been shaped by personal loss, professional revelation, and a profound desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Drawn to the field not only for its technical challenges but also for its ability to restore mobility, vitality, and joy to patients, he remains deeply committed to this mission. His accomplishments before joining the residency program include:Receiving the TL1 Scholar Award as part of an NIH grant through the PORTAL program, selection as a 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Student Cohort Member; and earning a Medical Student Summer Research Fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Alioune “Al” Diane

Medical School: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Undergrad: Stevens Institute of Technology Bachelor of Engineering

Al Diane’s journey to orthopedic surgery has been defined by resilience, personal experience with musculoskeletal injury, and a deep commitment to healing and education. The son of Senegalese immigrants, he grew up balancing academics, athletics, and work while helping in his parents’ restaurant. His introduction to orthopedics came at 14 when he witnessed his father suffer a complex talar fracture—an experience that revealed to him not just the science of orthopedics, but its profound human impact in providing reassurance, precision, and hope. A former collegiate basketball player and biomedical engineering graduate from Stevens Institute of Technology, Al found the perfect intersection of biomechanics and teamwork in orthopedic surgery. A knee injury in college redirected his passion from competition to advocacy and injury prevention. He dedicated himself to coaching youth athletes in Senegal and working with sports safety programs to promote safe training practices in under-resourced communities. Al’s commitment to orthopedics extends beyond patient care to academic and research contributions. He has authored seven peer-reviewed publications, presented seven posters, and delivered seven oral presentations, including research on implant prediction, surgical outcomes, and clinical optimization. An AOA inductee and former president of the Orthopedic Interest Group, he also helped establish an OR shadowing program to enhance early exposure for preclinical students. Known for his humility, drive, and magnetic team energy, Al enjoys traveling, playing and watching sports, and board games, and spending time with his mini Goldendoodle and family. He brings not only a sharp intellect and technical skill but also a deeply personal calling to restore mobility and confidence to his patients.

Prashanth“PK” Kumar

Medical School: Columbia University Vagelos School of Physicians and Surgeons
Undergrad: Harvard University

Originally from Georgia, PK’s passion for restoring mobility was shaped by summers spent working on his family’s farm in rural India, where he saw firsthand how musculoskeletal injuries could impact livelihoods. That hands-on experience continues to fuel his commitment to helping patients regain function with empathy and precision. PK earned his degree in Applied Mathematics from Harvard, where he was also a member of the men’s varsity tennis team. There, he developed a passion for problem-solving, teamwork, and mentorship—skills that now define his approach to medicine. At Columbia, he has authored 20 peer-reviewed publications, delivered three oral presentations, and contributed to one poster presentation, with award-winning research spanning oncology, biomechanics, and predictive modeling. His achievements include the NIH Summer Research Fellowship, the Whipple Memorial Prize, and third place at Columbia’s Student Research Day. Beyond research, PK helped lead Columbia’s Admissions Dean Search Committee, co-founded a free MCAT prep platform accessed by over 100,000 students, and serves as Co-President of the Free Weight Club. An avid chess competitor, potter, and ice cream maker, he brings curiosity, warmth, and a team-first spirit to everything he does.

Emily Ferreri

Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Undergraduate: Saint Michael’s College, Bachelor of Science

Emily Ferreri, a native of Hyde Park, NY, brings a powerful blend of academic excellence, athletic discipline, and research achievement to orthopedic surgery. A valedictorian and NCAA Division II Academic All-American at Saint Michael’s College, she carried her tradition of excellence to Einstein, where she earned AOA honors and Distinction in Research. Emily has made significant contributions to the field, authoring 10 peer-reviewed publications, 12 posters, and 10 oral presentations across pediatric orthopedics, spine bioengineering, and health disparities. Her work has been published in top journals, including Nature Communications and Immunity, and she has earned numerous awards and fellowships, such as the Outstanding Women’s Fund, the Global Health Fellowship, and the Gertie F. Marx Scholarship. Beyond research, Emily is a dedicated leader, serving as President of Socially Responsible Surgery, where she organized national panels on healthcare inequities. Known for her strong clinical skills, she is frequently praised for performing at a resident level in both the OR and clinic. Outside of medicine, Emily is an Adirondack 46er and enjoys running, skiing, paddleboarding, and spending time with her Corgi, Marlin. With her intellect, humility, and passion for patient care, she is a rising leader in orthopedic surgery.

Maya Moore

Medical School: University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine
Undergrad: University of Pennsylvania, Bachelor of Arts

Originally from Silver Spring, MD, Maya Moore brings a dynamic blend of clinical skill, public health leadership, and a personal passion for musculoskeletal care to orthopedic surgery. A former competitive gymnast, her interest in orthopedics was sparked early by her own experiences with injury and recovery—instilling a lifelong commitment to improving musculoskeletal health. Maya is a dual MD/MPH candidate with a strong focus on health equity. She developed a patient navigation program for orthopedic trauma patients, addressing social determinants of health by providing screening, support services, and follow-up care. Her research aligns with this mission, with four peer-reviewed publications, five poster presentations, and six oral presentations, supported by grants from the NIH KIIMERA Program, Nth Dimensions, and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Maya has held multiple leadership roles, serving as President of the Student National Medical Association, Vice President of the Orthopaedic Surgery Interest Group, and Founder of Own the Bone, a public health initiative at University of Miami. She is also a founding member of the Female Orthopedists of Miami Mentorship Organization, working to expand access and visibility for women in the field. Beyond medicine, Maya enjoys reformer Pilates, thrifting, and spontaneous travel through Central and South America. She brings empathy, discipline, and purpose to every patient interaction—driven not only to treat injuries but also to build systems that promote recovery, accessibility, and long-term wellness.

Christopher "Chris" Dambrosia, PhD

Medical School: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons
PhD: University of California San Diego, PhD
Graduate School: Columba University, MS
Undergrad: Princeton University

A native New Yorker, Chris Dambrosia brings a unique blend of innovation, endurance, and creativity to orthopedic surgery. With a PhD in Computer Science from UC San Diego, his research has focused on machine learning and surgical robotics, including neurophysiology, intraoperative performance, and dynamic digital modeling of the knee. He has authored nine peer-reviewed journal articles, two poster presentations, and one book chapter, earning prestigious research grants such as the NIH-NHLBI T35, Columbia’s Dean’s Research Fellowship, and a Graduate Research Fellowship from UCSD’s Cognitive Robotics Lab. Before medical school, Chris spent five years in finance at Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong before pivoting to healthcare, where he aims to leverage technology to improve patient outcomes. His dedication to both excellence and compassionate care is reflected in his inductions into AOA and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. An elite endurance athlete, Chris is a 10-time Ironman Triathlon competitor and three-time World Championship qualifier. A former varsity swimmer at Princeton and seasoned alpine mountaineer, he also serves as a wilderness medicine instructor, bringing leadership and resilience to high-pressure environments. Beyond medicine and athletics, Chris is a lifelong musician and member of the Physicians & Surgeons Musicians Guild. He continues to play piano—a practice he credits with teaching patience, discipline, and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship. Whether innovating in the lab, pushing physical limits, or connecting with patients in the clinic, Chris approaches every challenge with humility, purpose, and a profound respect for the human experience. His rare and compelling perspective—grounded in intellectual rigor, global experience, and a passion for movement in all its forms—makes him a standout in orthopedic surgery.