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Sherri L. Orezzoli, MD

Now Sherri DeHaas, MD

Class of 2002

"Have I told you how much I love snow?"

Biography

My name is Sherri Orezzoli. I was born in New York but was reared in Peru, South America until the age of fifteen. I learned Spanish before I learned English. I generally considered myself a "latin" girl. I moved to Virginia when I was fifteen and lived there until I was seventeen. At that age, I went out on my own and started working as a travel agent. I did that for many years, but I always harbored the hope of some day going to school and becoming a doctor. 

When I was twenty-six I finally decided to quit my job, rent my house and go to college. I got a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Miami, and later an MD from the same school. By then, I knew that I was not really a Miami kind of girl, and I looked for a residency opportunity in the North. I longed for snow, and change of seasons, and mountains and lakes. I found a great residency program in Altoona. I thought it might be a bit of culture shock, this Miami latin girl in the middle of Pennsylvania, but it has been a wonderful two years. I have made many friends in and out of the residency, and recently I have become involved with a large group of young professional latin Americans who live in the surrounding area. 

I now enjoy the benefits of beautiful surroundings, four season weather, low crime and a nice pace of life, as well as having friends who are cosmopolitan and educated (and, of course, very nice people in general). I can't wait for winter so I can start skiing again, and I can't wait for Fall so I can go to the Fall Foliage Festival in Bedford and spend insane amounts of money on crafts that I really don't need. I am so happy in Altoona that I am looking for a practice opportunity right at this hospital, because I would like to stay around here. I hope to settle down right in Altoona and stay here for many years to come.

Dr. Orezzoli is now married, has changed her name to DeHaas and has moved to Altoona to join the AFP faculty.  She now has even more pets (see picture below).  She is still (and always) looking forward to snow and skiing.

Facts

Undergraduate           University of Miami
Medical School            University of Miami School of Medicine

Areas of interest 

Women's Health

After hours interests

Skiing, hiking, biking, sewing, and reading