The Team
Claudia 'Poody' Wisman, RN (Operations Manager)
Poody founded Pediatric Research of Charlottesville in 2007 as a one-woman operation! Since then, she has facilitated over 100 studies all while helping a string of aspiring medical providers gain experience in a clinical setting. She attended the University of Virginia School of Nursing and worked at UVA hospital for 10 years. In her free time, Poody enjoys caring for a number of chickens, ducks, rabbits, and dogs.
Paul Wisman Jr., M.D., FAAP (Principal Investigator)
Dr. Wisman attended the University of Virginia as an undergraduate, the Darden school of business, UVA School of Medicine, and completed his residency at the University of Virginia Department of Pediatrics (wahoowa). In addition to serving as our primary investigator, he has been a physician at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville for 26 years. In his free time, Dr. Wisman is an avid gardener and a devoted patron of UVA athletic events.
Jack Wisman (Coordinator)
Jack graduated from the University of Virginia in 2009 with a degree in Economics. After working in Richmond as a Mortgage Loan Originator for 13 years, he decided to change careers with a renewed focus on Healthcare. In his free time he likes to attend UVA sporting events, swim, and play golf.
Catherine Hansa (Coordinator)
Catherine graduated from Vassar College in 2023 with a dual degree in International Studies and Russian Studies. After studying abroad in Russia during the invasion of Ukraine, she decided to step away from foreign affairs, and found passion in medicine while interning for a pediatric surgical fund. Catherine completed the University of Virginia’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program in 2025, and will soon start applying to medical school. In her free time, she loves to dance and listen to Europop.
KaTia Whindleton (Coordinator)
KaTia graduated from Howard University in 2025 earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. She has participated in programs at the University of Virginia including the Summer Opportunities in Academic Research (SOAR) Program and the Summer Medical Leadership Program (SMLP). She has approximately five years of experience working with children and was eager for the opportunity to integrate her passion for pediatric care with medicine/research through her role at Pediatric Research of Charlottesville. KaTia aspires to pursue a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology with a specialty in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. She enjoys reading, spending time with family, and playing volleyball in her free time.
Cheryll Caalim (Coordinator)
Cheryll graduated in 2024 from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Global Studies Public Health with Distinction. She is applying to medical school in hopes of working in the pediatric or surgical field. Throughout college, she focused heavily on spreading awareness on race-related and intersectional issues amongst the AAPI community. Her passion for mentoring others to cultivate self-awareness among underrepresented populations aligns with her love for medicine - particularly her aspiration to become a trusting, knowledgeable, and culturally competent provider for patients. Since college, she has worked substantially in the medical field as a certified nurse assistant, medical assistant, and medical scribe across many specialties to further her medical aptitude. In her free time, she likes to do crafts, eat, and nap.
Lucy Friedman (Coordinator)
Lucy graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University in 2025, where she double-majored in Biology & Society and Anthropology. At Cornell, she conducted social psychology research and served as a peer mentor and program trainer with Empathy, Assistance, and Referral Service (EARS). Her honors thesis, Psychodynamics vs. Psychopharmacology: Rethinking the Mental Health Crisis in University Settings, used ethnographic interviews and fieldwork to explore students' perspectives on mental healthcare. Lucy is passionate about women's and mental health, as well as expanding access to patient-centered care. She plans to apply to medical school during the next application cycle and hopes to pursue a career in reproductive endocrinology. In addition to her current role, she volunteers at the Blue Ridge Free Clinic, supporting underserved members of the community. Outside of work, Lucy enjoys hiking, exploring new coffee shops, and spending time with her two large Newfoundland dogs, Woody and Lincoln.
Bradley Rotondi (Coordinator)
Brad graduated in 2019 from the United States Military Academy with a B.S. in Law and Spanish. After graduation, he spent five years stationed in Hawaii working as an Artillery Officer in the Army. In the past few years he spent his time sailing from Hawaii to New Caledonia, volunteering as an EMT in Colombia, and shadowing various physicians in Charlottesville. Brad completed the University of Virginia’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program in 2026 and is currently applying to medical school.