Emergency Medicine Residency Alumni

Overview about our Program's Alumni

While we graduated our first class only recently, the name "Loyola" is not new to emergency medicine. Our recent graduates are spread throughout the country in a variety of different practice settings, including fellowship positions and community shops. Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine graduates are present at a large number of residencies, fellowships, academic institutions and community groups throughout the country as well, with many holding department and residency leadership positions.

Our emergency medicine faculty are also immensely involved in the teaching of our medical students and our alumni network is present and growing. These individuals care about the Loyola name and remember the dedication of our EM faculty as well as the help they were given to advance their careers.

Please do not think that as a graduate from our Emergency Medicine Residency program that you will be entering into the world of emergency medicine without a large family of graduates looking to support you.

The map below shows a sample of the graduates of the last 10 years, who practice as emergency medicine physicians. It shows their current position, and shows if they are in leadership positions – e.g. Chief Resident, Assistant or Associate Program Director, etc.

Class of 2026:

Braxton Ehnert, DO

Hometown: Des Plaines, IL

Medical School: Midwestern University

Undergrad & Major: Bradley University, Health Science

Academic Interests:Social EM, Ultrasound

Personal Interests: Videogames, Chicago sports, exercising, coffee, and dark chocolate

Favorite thing about Loyola: How supportive and kind every single person is

Favorite thing about EM: The variety of cases and patients we get to see and care for

Favorite thing about Chicago: The places that sell me coffee 

Future Plans: I plan on working in the community after graduating, most likely in the Chicago area

Email: braxton.ehnert@luhs.org

Logan Hill, MD

Hometown: Chicago, IL 

Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University

Undergrad & Major: Wheaton College (IL), Biology

Academic Interests: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Wilderness Medicine, Medical Education 

Personal Interests: Running with my dog, eating my way through Chicago with my wife, hockey (Colorado Avalanche), Oldschool Runescape

Favorite thing about Loyola: The incredible support and investment at every level of the program

Favorite thing about EM: Meaningful interactions with patients and the teamwork involved in patient care

Favorite thing about Chicago: The view of the city from Lake Shore Trail

Email: logan.hill@luhs.org

Amnjot Hothi, DO

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio 

Med school: Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Undergrad and Major: Miami University, Biology 

Academic interests: Critical Care, Ultrasound, and Sports Medicine  

Personal interests: Chicago sports (Bears, Bulls, Cubs, and Blackhawks), playing basketball or basically any sport, working out, spending time with family and friends, trying new food and exploring the city 

Favorite thing about Loyola: Strong leadership, family like atmosphere, academic environment. The genuine support is everywhere. You feel like everyone has your back from the moment you step into the building.  

Favorite thing about Chicago: You can’t beat the food and sports scene in the city! There’s always something to do from the beach, the views, and any live event you can think of.  

Future Plans: TBD but I will be enjoying life!  

Email: amnjot.hothi001@luhs.org

Sidrah Khan, DO

Hometown: Goose Creek, SC

Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Undergrad & Major: University of South Carolina, Bachelor of Science in Psychology 

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Global & Community Health

Hobbies: I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family (most of all my adorable niece and nephew). You can usually catch us playing board games, trying new restaurants, hitting up aquariums, or doing an escape room. Also, I love spending time outdoors; living in Idaho was a unique experience and my friends and I took every opportunity to hike, kayak, visit hot springs, or snowboard down Bogus Basin and Grand Targhee. 

Interests: Social EM, Global Health, Ultrasound 

Email: sidrah.khan001@luhs.org

Joseph Werner, MD

Hometown: Tinley Park, IL 

Medical School: Loyola Stritch School of Medicine 

Undergrad & Major: Loyola University Chicago; Biological Sciences 

Academic Interests: Sports Medicine, Event Medicine 

Personal Interests: All Chicago sports teams, sports cards, golf, concerts, going to the movies, and trying new restaurants 

Future Plans: Undecided, possibly sports medicine fellowship 

Email: joseph.werner@luhs.org

Katarina Werst, DO

Hometown: Fort Collins, CO 

Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Undergrad & Major: Colorado State University: Accounting 

Academic Interests: Healthcare Administration, Critical Care, Social EM 

Personal Interests: Playing Rec-League Volleyball and Softball, exploring new restaurants, embroidery, and playing with Bob, my crazy cat  

Favorite Thing about Loyola: The truly incredibly support I have received from residents and faculty alike. Everyone is deeply invested in your growth and education as a physician, as well as your personal goals and well-being as a person outside of medicine too! 

Favorite Thing about EM: You take care of everyone: adults, children’s, obstetrics, geriatrics, and trauma! You must know how to manage everything!  

Favorite Thing about Chicago: The diversity of people, food, and experiences! There is always a new experience or restaurant to try, and even though Chicago is the biggest city I have ever lived in, all the people are incredibly kind and welcoming.  

Future Plans: Pay off my student loans! I am considering a fellowship depending on how my interests evolve during residency.  

Email: Katarina.Werst001@luhs.org

Class of 2025

Kelsey Bacidore, MD

Hometown: Bartlett, IL

Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University

Residency Notes:
●    STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Sports Medicine
Fellowship: Sports Medicine Fellowship, Ascension Resurrection

Vincent Fu, MD

Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine

Residency Notes:
●    STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Administration
Current Position: St Joseph Hospital (IES Healthcare), Denver, CO

Riley J. Liptak, DO, EMT-P, FP-C

Hometown: Seattle, WA

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency Notes:
●    STEME/Specialty Track Selection: EMS
Fellowship: EMS Fellowship, University of Cincinnati

Obinna (Obi) Onyeukwu, MD

Hometown: Chicago, IL (UPTOWN)

Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine

Residency Notes:
●    STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Administration
Fellowship: Administrative Fellowship, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO

Crystal Pun, MD

Hometown: Arcadia, CA

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences

Residency Notes:
●    STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Administration
Current Position: MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, IL

Phillip Williams, MD

Hometown: Montpelier, VT (the only state capital without a McDonald's)

Medical School: Chicago Medical School at RFUMS

Residency Notes:
●    STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Medical Education
Current Position: St Mary Medical Center, Hobart, IN
 

Class of 2024:

Dania Abu-Jubara, DO

Hometown: Orlando, FL / Cleveland, OH

Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Administration

Fellowship: Administrative Fellowship, University of Florida Gainesville 

Current Position: As above 

Email: Dania.Abu-Jubara@luhs.org

Chantel Hilliard, MD

Hometown: Chicago, IL (Southside)

Medical School: Loyola Stritch School of Medicine

Current Position: Faculty, Emergency Medicine Attending, Loyola University Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine

Email: Chantel.Hilliard@luhs.org 

 

Christian Kaschak, DO

Hometown: York, PA

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine- Erie

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Sports Medicine

Fellowship: Sports Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine 

Current Position: As above 

Email: Christian.Kaschak@luhs.org

Brent Olson, DO

Hometown: South Beloit, IL

Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency Notes:

• Positions: Chief Resident
• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: EMS

Fellowship: EMS Fellowship, University of Chicago 

Current Position: As above 

Email: Brent.Olson@luhs.org 

Priya Patel, MD

Hometown: Brookfield, WI

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Residency Notes:

• Positions: Chief Resident
• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Medical Education

Fellowship: Simulation Fellowship, Loyola University Medical Center 

Current Position: As above 

Email: Priya.Patel@luhs.org 

Sallyan Rusnak, MD

Hometown: Glencoe, IL

Medical School: Chicago Medical School, RFUMS

• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Global & Community Health

Fellowship: Anesthesia Critical Care Fellowship, Northwestern Feinberg School of

Medicine 

Current Position: As above 

Email: Sallyan.Rusnak@luhs.org

Class of 2023:

Tallib Karaze, DO

Hometown: Columbus, OH

Medical School: Ohio University- Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency Notes:

• Positions: Chief Resident
• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Medical Education

Fellowship: Simulation Fellow at Loyola University Medical Center

Current Position: As above

Yana Klein, DO

Hometown: Denver, CO

Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences

Residency Notes:

• Positions: Chief Resident
• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Sports Medicine

Fellowship: Sports Medicine Fellowship, University of Colorado

Current Position: As above

Pallavi (Tanya) Mukherji, DO

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Medical School: Des Moines University and College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Global & Community Health

Fellowship: n/a

Current Position: Faculty, Emergency Medicine Attending, Loyola University Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine

Jun Soo (Dan) Park, MD

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Sports Medicine

Fellowship: Anesthesia Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Current Position: As above

Andrew (Drew) Reiter, MD

Hometown: Columbus, OH

Medical School: San Juan Bautista SM/Loyola University Chicago SSOM

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Ultrasound

Fellowship: Ultrasound Fellowship, UI Health, Chicago

Current Position: As above

Cassandra (Cassie) Ward, DO

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Undergrad & Major: Loyola University Chicago: Biology

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty TrackSelection: EMS

Fellowship: n/a

Current Position: Faculty, Emergency Medicine Attending, Loyola University Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine

Class of 2022:

Jeffrey Heiferman

Medical School:

Residency Notes:

• Positions: Chief Resident
• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Medical Education

Fellowship: Simulation, Loyola University Medical Center

Current Position: Faculty, Emergency Medicine Attending, Loyola University Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Director of Simulation, Loyola Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Bailee Jacobsen

Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine - Midwestern University

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty TrackSelection: Global & Community Health

Fellowship: Addiction Medicine Fellowship, Stanford

Current Position: As above

Josue Portillo

Medical School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Ultrasound

Fellowship: Critical Care Medicine Fellowship, University of Nevada Las Vegas

Current Position: As above

Shannon Sparrow

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Global & Community Health

Fellowship: Anesthesia Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) at Emory University

Current Position: As above

Travis Wassermann

Medical School: Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Administration

Fellowship: n/a

Current Position: Emergency Medicine Attending, Sierra Emergency Medicine, Sonora, CA.

Andrea Yun

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine

Residency Notes:

• STEME/Specialty Track Selection: Global & Community Health

Fellowship: n/a

Current Position: Emergency Medicine Attending, Silver Cross Hospital, New Lenox, IL.