General Practitioners

• Rheumatology
  A 2017 graduate of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program at Daemen College, Sarah was awarded a Presidential Scholarship, was on the Dean’s List all semesters and graduated summa cum laude. Sarah is a nationally certified and New York State licensed physician assistant. She has work experience in rheumatology as well as clinical experience in family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, dermatology and otolaryngology.
• Pediatric Care
  Courtney Hurley is a graduate of the Bachelor of Science/Master of Science program in Physician Assistant Studies at D’Youville College where she distinguished herself on the Dean’s List and as president of the Student Physician Assistant Association. Her clinical experience has included internal medicine, family medicine, primary care, pediatrics, vascular surgery, orthopaedics, OB/GYN, emergency medicine, psychiatry, geriatrics and dermatology. Ms. Hurley holds certifications in acute cardiac life support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and has trained in both infection control and in the Identification of child abuse and maltreatment.
• Primary Care
  Routine check-ups and general wellness begin with primary care. When it comes to everyday health, your primary care physician (PCP) is your main resource and the person you’ll see most often for regular check-ups. PCP’s at Southgate Medical Group are there to partner with and educate you along your health care journey.
• Family Practice
  Karaga, a partner at Southgate Medical Group, is a board-certified physician specializing in family medicine. He is a graduate of the Lake Erie College of Medicine where he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Karaga served his internship and residency at Sisters of Charity Hospital where he distinguished himself as chief resident of the Family Medicine Department. Dr. Karaga is a member of the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.
• Emergency Care
  Sarah is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Daemen College, where she earned numerous academic awards each year leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in 2019 followed by a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2020. She has previous work experience in Rochester, NY as both a Physician Assistant in the emergency room and as a Pharmacy Technician. Prior to that she worked at Southgate Medical Group as a receptionist. Along the way, Sarah also worked as a research intern at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, an academic tutor, and active community volunteer. Sarah is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the WNY Physician Assistant Association.
• Flu Shots
• Immunizations

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  A managing partner of the Southgate Medical Group since its inception in 2003, Dr. Snyder specializes in clinical pharmacology and geriatrics as well as hospice and palliative care medicine. He is also an internist at BLT Medical Group, LLP and medical director for Home Care, Long-Term Care and Palliative Care with the Catholic Health System. He is clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University at Buffalo (UB) and is board certified in internal medicine as well as hospice and palliative care medicine.
• Gastroenterology
  Varavenkataraman has been a member and partner physician of the Southgate Medical Group (SMG) since 2003. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and earned his medical degree at the Stanley Medical College in Madras, India. Dr. Varavenkataraman did his internal medicine residency at the Nassau County Medical Center in East Meadow, NY where he also served as attending physician in the Division of Emergency Medicine. He is licensed in the state of New York. Dr. Varavenkataraman formerly held a research position in gastroenterology at the University of California, worked as the house officer in internal medicine at San Mateo County General Hospital, and served as internist at three other Western New York medical groups before joining SMG.
• Colon Cancer

Psychiatrists

• Mental Health
  Lianna M. Carroll is a certified physician assistant who completed her Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Daemen College, where she earned honors on the Dean’s List and as a Presidential Scholarship recipient. She has work experience from the Emergency Department at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, as well as clinical experience in internal and family medicine, women’s health, mental health and gastroenterology. Lianna is a member of the New York State Society of Physician Assistants and the Western New York Physician Assistant Association.
• Psychiatry
  Megan Morano received a Bachelor of Health Science from Daemen College, where she appeared on the Dean’s List each semester. She also earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Daemen. Her clinical experience includes dermatology, pediatric and adolescent medicine, OB/GYN, emergency medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, plastic surgery, and family medicine—a discipline about which she is especially passionate. Ms. Morano is also certified in advanced cardiovascular life support and New York State Department of Health mandatory infection control training. She is a member of the Western New York Physician Assistant Association.
• Behavioral Health
  Jordan Fanara earned her Bachelor/Master of Science degree as a Physician Assistant in 2023 at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she was continually on the Dean’s list.  While at RIT, she was an active member and committee chairperson for the Health Science and Technology Student Association. Jordan has clinical experience in Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, Behavioral Health, Women’s Health and more.

Endocrinologist

• Endocrinology
  Since completing a Fellowship specializing in Endocrinology at the University at Buffalo in 2005, Dr. Wnek has been taking care of patients throughout Western New York. Prior to that, she was a magna cum laude graduate of Canisius College, obtained her Medical degree at the State University of New York Health Science Center in Syracuse, NY, and completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University. She is certified by the New York State Board of Medicine and both the American Boards of Internal Medicine and Internal Medicine/Endocrinology. In addition, she has done clinical research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and other prominent research institutions.

Radiologist

• Ultrasound
  Brownell is a Western New York native who graduated from Ross University School of Medicine and earned his Master of Science degree at Canisius College, specializing in Health and Human Performance. He completed his residency with the University at Buffalo in the Department of Family Medicine before specializing in sports medicine. With his background in family and sports medicine, Dr. Brownell has a passion to return patients of all ages back to their active lifestyles. Brownell is currently the team physician for the UB Bulls Division-1 Men’s and Woman’s Basketball teams, and Rochester American’s Hockey team. He has a focus in ultrasound guided musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment.
• X-Rays

Surgeons

• General Surgery
• Orthopedics
  Edward Tojek earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy at the University at Buffalo. He is a New York State licensed physical therapist with wide clinical experience in the fields of education, home care, orthopedics, rehabilitation and therapeutic massage.
• Bunions
• Vascular Surgery
• Otolaryngology

Plastic Surgeons

• Botox
  Dr. Barnes, a partner at Southgate Medical Group since 2018, has also been on the board of directors of Catholic Medical Partners since 2017, where she additionally serves on the executive board. Dr. Barnes is committed to women’s health issues and has a particular interest in wellness and antiaging.  She is certified in the use of Botox, Dysport and dermal fillers and is the medical director of the Southgate Skin Center.
• Plastic Surgery

Dermatologists

• Skin Cancer
• Dermatology

Physical Therapists

• Sports Medicine
  Whether you’re a high school athlete, a current or former college athlete, or just a regular in your Thursday night pick-up league, no one wants to be sidelined by a sports-related injury. Our sports medicine practice treats injuries caused by repetitive use and overuse with a focus on preventative measures to keep you injury free moving forward.
• Physical Therapy
  Lauren Fuest is a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Natural Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs at Daemen College. Her proficiency, compassion and treatment skills in working with adults, children and seniors in orthopedic and sub-acute rehab settings have earned wide respect from both patients and clinicians. Ms. Fuest is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.
• Heel Pain
• Geriatrics
• Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy

Podiatrists

• General Podiatry
  Southgate Medical Group offers a range of podiatry services, from non-invasive corrective procedures to surgery and physical therapy, to promoting healthy foot health among diabetic patients.
• Bunions Problems
  Evaluation and treatment of common foot disorders, such as sprains and fractures, bunions or hammertoes, dislocations, dermatological conditions, or ulcers
• Diabetic Foot Care
• Hammertoes
  Reconstructive foot surgery for conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, flat-foot deformities or heel pain. All surgeries are done in an out-patient setting.
• Heel Pain
• Podiatric Deformities
• Podiatric Surgery
  Hassenfratz earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Canisius College and is a graduate of the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine where he was awarded the Dr. Marvin W. Shapiro Operative Podiatry Award for outstanding proficiency in podiatric surgery. He completed his residency/fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic with special training in foot fractures/dislocations and diabetic foot pathology and reconstruction. Dr. Hassenfratz has been in private practice since 2002 and is affiliated with St. Joseph Hospital, Mercy Hospital and the Center for Ambulatory Surgery. Dr Hassenfratz is certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.