PGY-2
Mylaun Blackwell, MD Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Undergraduate School: Augustana College Medical School: American University of Antigua Career Plan: Hospitalist or Cardiology Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and friends, looking at movies, solving puzzles, and trying new restaurants with my husband Why did you choose ACMC? I chose ACMC because Christ serves the community I grew up in and I want to be a part of that. The program values physician and resident wellness and diversity. Furthermore, I love that the program has the resources of a university hospital and the supportive/ family vibe of a community hospital. I feel that this hospital will prepare me for any avenue I chose to pursue because of its reputation as a teaching hospital and its diverse pathology. |
Katelyn Dugan, DO Hometown: Evansville, Indianna Undergraduate School: University of Evansville Medical School: Kansas City University Career Plan: most likely hospital medicine Hobbies/interests: hot yoga, reading fiction, camping & hiking with my husband Why did you choose ACMC? I was really impressed with the hospital's pathology. I knew that training in this area would expose me to diverse patient backgrounds & broaden my medical knowledge. |
Samee Farooqi, DO Hometown: Darien Illinois Undergraduate School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Medical School: Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Career Plan: Gastroenterology or Hospitalist Hobbies/Interests: Pizza making, basketball, photography, home DIY projects Why did you choose ACMC? Rotating here as a medical student I saw how amazing the culture is amongst the residents and really loved how much autonomy they get in taking care of patients. On top of that, the teaching and diverse pathology at this program is incredible. |
Katelyn Garza, DO Hometown: Aurora, Illinois Undergraduate School: Bellarmine University Medical School: Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medical School Career Plan: Cardiology or Hospitalist Hobbies/Interests: Running, Biking, spending time with family and friends, I am an animal lover especially dogs Why did you choose ACMC? I grew up in the Chicagoland area and have seen the growth that Advocate Christ has had over the years and know I will be exposed to not only a diverse patient population, but also unique pathologies. ACMC stood out to me during residency interviews by how welcoming and kind everyone in the program is. This residency helps each resident flourish and become the most compassionate and knowledgeable physician. It offers opportunity for research and has a great fellowship match rate. I know ACMC was the right choice for where I want to train. |
Anjali Gundeti, DO Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Undergraduate School: University of Michigan Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Career Plan: Overall open to anything, but considering Allergy fellowship Hobbies/Interests: crossword puzzles, trying new restaurants & coffee shops, cooking, & reality TV Why did you choose ACMC? I rotated at ACMC during medical school and loved it! It was a supportive environment to learn and grow in as a student, and I wanted to continue training here as a resident. |
Allison Isabelli, DO
Hometown: Elburn, Illinois Undergraduate School: Vanderbilt University Medical School: Midwestern University- CCOM Career Plan: I’m not sure just yet but thinking about fellowships in Heme/Onc or Endocrinology! Hobbies/Interests: I’ve been a dancer my whole life so I love trying to find new classes to take in the area! I’m also trying to get better at rock climbing and have lately been very invested in convincing my fiancé that we need a dog! Why did you choose ACMC? I thoroughly enjoyed my rotations at Christ during my fourth year! Right from the start, it was evident that the residents not only offered unwavering support to one another but also genuinely loved collaborating as a team. I recognized that choosing ACMC would not only grant me the opportunity to work with a diverse patient population and encounter various pathologies, but it would also provide me with co-residents who are committed to my growth as a physician and ready to provide support and a laugh on challenging days! |
Daniel Jabr, DO Hometown: Willow Springs, Illinois Undergraduate School: Loyola University Chicago Medical School: Midwestern University- CCOM Career Plan: Undecided Hobbies/Interests: Tennis, basketball, trying to make omurice Why did you choose ACMC? I chose ACMC because of the great pathology in Cardiology, and the unmatched critical care experience. It is also near home and Chicago! I did a 4 week rotation here during medical school and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The residents and attendings were great, and I knew I wanted to come here for residency after that experience. |
Wilvens Jacques, MD
Hometown: Gonaïves, Haiti Undergraduate School: Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra Medical School: Universidad Católica Nordestana Career Plan: undecided, but most likely fellowship Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my family, playing basketball, biking with my two boys, traveling, watching action movies, analyzing and talking about politics with my friends, exploring new languages and cultures. Why did you choose ACMC? I chose ACMC because, during my interview season, I looked over the social media pages and felt a powerful sense of community and collegiality among the residents. I am a community and diversity-oriented person, so ACMC fell like home to me because the program is diverse, from attendings to residents. ACMC became my first choice after one of the associate program directors asked me, "If you want me to go behind the scene and fight for you, what is not in your CV would you want me to tell them? Oh my God, she stole my heart. Finally, the Chicago land is very rich in pathologies and human resources from people from all over the world, providing residents the opportunity to expose and learn to become world-class physicians. |
Ernst Junior Joachim, MD Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Lynn, Massachusetts Undergraduate School: Bridgewater State University Medical School: University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS)-St Kitts Career Plan: Gastroenterology or Nephrology Hobbies/Interests: Learning about cultures and languages, spending time with family and friends, driving and road trips, dancing, swimming, archery, and traveling Why did you choose ACMC? I chose ACMC because during my interview I felt “at home”. I was laughing and felt like I am family. With the diverse patient population and pathology at Christ, I am in the best environment to grow professionally and at the end of my program, I am confident to say I will be prepared for any career path. |
Laura Mallinger, DO Hometown: Osage, Iowa Undergraduate School: University of Iowa Medical School: Des Moines University Career Plan: Undecided Hobbies/Interests: My hobby is trying new hobbies. I also like walks, reading, old stuff, and road trips. Why did you choose ACMC? I chose Christ for many reasons - I was looking for a friendly program at a large, busy teaching hospital where I would see everything and be challenged everyday. Christ serves a diverse patient population with a wide variety of interesting pathology and high acuity. I was completely sold after my interview day, and knew Christ was the perfect program for me. I’m grateful to be here! |
Kristjana Mitrollari, DO Hometown: Korce, Albania Undergraduate School: Loyola University Chicago Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Career Plan: Endocrinology or Hospitalist Hobbies/Interests: Astrology, hiking, baking, and reading Why did you choose ACMC? I really wanted to train in a diverse, supportive environment during residency, and I found that at ACMC when I rotated as a medical student. The faculty are always willing to take the time to teach, the residents are supportive of one another, and the pathology at Christ is unmatched. |
Rachel Morris, DO
Hometown: Oak Lawn, Illinois Undergraduate School: Purdue University Medical School: Midwestern University (AZCOM) Career Plan: Maybe Cardiology, but open to exploring all of the other specialties and career plans that internal medicine residency offers me! Hobbies/Interests: Playing with my dog and new 6 week old kitten. Running/working out. Trying out new recipes. Currently, decorating and putting my new home together! Why did you choose ACMC? It feels so full circle to be a resident at ACMC, as I was born here, grew up in Oak Lawn, and spent many years as a Christ volunteer. I am so excited and honored to be able to give back to the community I grew up in. I also get to be surrounded by my entire support system of friends and family who still reside in the area. Even as a child with dreams of becoming a doctor, I would picture myself as a physician at Christ, and it blows my mind that I am here now! Also, my mom was a NCCU nurse here for a very long time, so it feels cool to kind of follow in her footsteps and be able to talk with her about the happenings at Christ and how it has changed/advanced since she worked here! |
Toluwanimi Oludiran-Ayodade, MD Hometown: Oyo State, Nigeria Undergraduate School: Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria Medical School: All Saints University College of Medicine, St Vincent and the Grenadines Career Plan: Hospitalist Hobbies/Interests: Reading books, fun activities with family and friends Why did you choose ACMC? I knew that the diverse pathology and patient population that I would be exposed to in the program would help me become an excellent and versatile physician. The strong sense of community and camaraderie every time I interacted with the program was also alluring. |
Krishna Shah, MD Hometown: Boyds, Maryland Undergraduate School: University of Maryland Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University Career Plan: Gastroenterology but also keeping my mind open! Hobbies/Interests: I love exploring Chicago, eating at new restaurants and trying new cuisines! Why did you choose ACMC? Although I never rotated at ACMC, I only ever heard great things about the residents and faculty. Everyone is super nice, welcoming and helpful! We get to see a really wide range of pathology and get robust clinical training. Also, I heard we have some of the coolest residents. |
Shrestha Singh, DO Hometown: Naperville, Illinois Undergraduate School: Loyola University Chicago Medical School: Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Career Plan: Hospitalist, but open to fellowship Hobbies/Interests: Hospitalist, but open to fellowship Why did you choose ACMC? I chose this program because the patient population ACMC serves is exactly the type of population I have always envisioned myself working with. When I rotated here as a medical student, I progressed the most out of all my other rotations and felt at home. The diversity in the faculty and emphasis on teaching contributed to a broad range of perspectives that really enriched my training. I’m excited to continue my commitment to service and diversity by working within a program that shares my values and goals! |
Simren Singh, DO Hometown: Burr Ridge, Illinois Undergraduate School: Benedictine University Medical School: Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Career Plan: I enjoy internal medicine, but I am also interested in infectious disease and rheumatology. Hobbies/Interests: Playing piano, Tae kwon do, Sikh martial arts (gatka), photography, travelling, watching Disney movies, and making puns Why did you choose ACMC? I chose ACMC because of its close-knit community and academically challenging environment. As a medical student, I was able to rotate at ACMC and saw firsthand the camaraderie amidst residents and faculty. I was also constantly learning by seeing complex patient cases and attending engaging noon lectures, which just reaffirmed ACMC's commitment to making well-rounded physicians. Overall, it is a beautiful program, and I am thankful to be able to give back to the diverse community that enriched me in every way growing up. |
Omair Syed, DO Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Undergraduate School: University of Illinois at Chicago Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine Career Plan: Pulmonary/Critical Care, Cardiology, Hematology/Oncology Hobbies/Interests: Photography, Cooking, Chicago sports, Yemeni tea (shout out Qahwah house), working out, Faith/Islam Why did you choose ACMC? Unmatched camaraderie, enthusiastic faculty, wide array of pathology all while serving the great city and my hometown of Chicago. I was lucky enough to rotate here during medical school and experienced the culture firsthand. I was fascinated by the efforts the program made to ensure that everyone in the program was learning and growing in a comfortable manner. Grateful to be here and learn from some of the best in the field! |
Kendymill Taveras, MD Hometown: Miami, Florida & Bronx, New York Undergraduate School: Barry University Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine Career Plan: Primary care or Gastroenterology Hobbies/Interests: I love to spending time doing fun activities with my son and husband. I enjoy reading romance books, watching TeleNovelas and giving myself manicures. Why did you choose ACMC? I chose ACMC because I loved every bit of my interview process. The faculty made it very clear that they were genuinely interested in getting to know me as a person, and by the end of the interview I felt how they also saw each other as a family. Which that in of itself would convince any applicant to want to join the family. Although my interview process was amazing, it was not the only reason why I made it my first pick. I had a family member treated at ACMC during a critical condition and the doctors and staff never stopped showing encouragement and love towards my family. This inspired me to want to be part of this amazing community of care providers. |
Julia Tu, MD Hometown: Westmont, Illinois Undergraduate School: Michigan State University Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine Career Plan: Undecided Hobbies/Interests: drumline, piano, hot yoga, sport pole, rating coffee shops by their chocolate croissants Why did you choose ACMC? I feel so lucky to serve South Chicagoland in a hospital with such a welcoming, family culture. The program places competitive fellowships, yet doesn’t sacrifice wellbeing for the sake of success. |
Eyas Zorub, DO Hometown: Orland Park, Illinois Undergraduate School: Loyola University Chicago Medical School: Kansas City University Career Plan: Gastroenterology or Pulmonology/Critical Care Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, baking, exercising, playing guitar Why did you choose ACMC? When applying to residency, I wanted to train at a high-volume hospital that reflected the diversity of Chicago. After rotating here as a medical student, ACMC had all the qualities I looked for in my residency. The residents and staff are welcoming and dedicated to teaching, and the complex cases we see provide great learning experiences. Being a resident at ACMC gives me the training that will prepare me well for my career goals and serve the community I am from. |