Class of 2028
Jonathan Aniciete
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Chicago
Medical School: Midwestern University (CCOM)
Why MacNeal? Proximity to home and workplace culture were non-negotiables for me, and MacNeal checked both of those boxes. Having been raised with sometimes overwhelmingly strong family values as a second-gen Filipino American, I tend to treat my patients and peers as extended family. While I rolled my eyes every time I heard residents emphasize the people as the reason they chose their programs during interview season, I couldn’t help but believe both the residents and faculty here. The fact that so many faculty members are also former residents speaks volumes to MacNeal’s legacy as the first FM program in Illinois. MacNeal having a sports medicine fellowship and osteopathic faculty were just the final cherries on top.
Interests in Medicine: Sports medicine, OMM, lifestyle medicine, faculty development
Interests Outside of Medicine: Video games, building Lego sets, stress eating/foodie, watching anime, lakeshore walks with my sassy mini Berne doodle Bailey, letting the Bears ruin my fall every year, going to concerts.
Obadah Asbahi
Hometown: Farmington Hills, MI
Undergrad: Oakland University
Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Why MacNeal: When looking for a residency program I knew I wanted a program that created well rounded physicians and had strong roots in their community. As one of the most established programs in the state, I knew there was the stability and history at MacNeal to invest in their residents which would help me become the best physician I can be. The culture was also very important to me and from my interview I could see that the faculty lead through compassion and kindness towards their residents and their patients. All my co-residents have also been great, and I feel so lucky I get to work with such talented people. I have been so happy with my decision to come to MacNeal and am grateful to be part of such a great program!
Interests outside of medicine: Basketball, watching TV and movies, reading, trying new restaurants, and exploring all that Chicago has to offer!
Cameron Braz
Hometown: Monson, MA
Undergraduate: Brandeis University
Medical School: Midwestern – Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why MacNeal: Chicago and its many communities have been nothing but welcoming and I have found a new home here. While interviewing with MacNeal, I felt that same essence of home among the FM faculty and residents. They care deeply about teaching and quality of care for their patients. MacNeal also has lots of opportunities for exploring various interests and feels like a perfect balance between academic and community medicine.
Interests in Medicine: Sports Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Academic Medicine
Interests Outside of Medicine: Weightlifting (my recompense from years as a swimmer), Going to the movies (Fantasy Oscars/Emmys draft anyone?), Walking/biking by the lake (TLC - we love to see it!), Being a foodie (I’ve lived in Boston, Philly, and been to NYC many times – all tea, all shade – Chicago is top tier!)
Pietro Gaspari
Hometown: Reading, Pennsylvania
Undergraduate: Franklin & Marshall College
Medical school: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Why MacNeal? A couple of reasons: I was drawn to MacNeal Hospital for its strong reputation in sports medicine and the success of its residents in pursuing fellowships. My partner and I couples matched and were excited to move to the Chicago area to explore the city and be closer to friends. I was also looking for a program with an unopposed structure that serves an underserved population, as I believe that combination offers the most meaningful training experience. Most importantly, the people at MacNeal, residents and attendings—were incredibly welcoming, and I knew I’d be joining a supportive community.
Interests outside of medicine: Playing any sport especially volleyball, basketball, and football, finding new activities and food scenes in the city, and watching Philadelphia sports teams
Justyna Kukulka-Hoffmeister
Hometown: Palos Park, IL
Undergraduate: Loyola University Chicago
Medical school: Rush Medical College
Why MacNeal? Its emphasis on underserved medicine, diverse patient population (including Polish-speaking patients), strong reputation as a family medicine program, central location in the Chicagoland area, and positive interactions between residents/faculty during interview day/second look!
Interests outside of medicine: reading, visiting art museums, playing tennis, baking, and spending time with family/friends!
Amy Luo
Hometown: Canton, MI
Undergraduate: University of Michigan
Medical school: Midwestern University CCOM
Why MacNeal? Loyola MacNeal offered me the ideal combination of working closely with patients in my community while benefiting from the resources of a large academic institution. I loved attending medical school in Chicago’s bustling medical hub and knew I wanted to continue my training here.
Interests outside of medicine: Equally important to me was having a vibrant life outside of work—sharing dinners with friends, running along the lake, exploring vintage shops in different neighborhoods, and staying close to many of my loved ones in the Midwest.
Ariana Madson
Hometown: Eau Claire, WI
Undergraduate: Marquette University
Medical school: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Why MacNeal?: I wanted to match at MacNeal because I knew that finding a program that exuded dedication to the surrounding community was important to me. Alongside that, I wanted an institution that truly valued resident education. MacNeal checked all those boxes and more. The faculty and residents during my interview day made me feel extremely welcome, and I am SO happy I ended up in the program!
Interests outside of medicine: Outside of medicine, I enjoy playing guitar, singing, and songwriting. I also enjoy working out in my free time as well as spending time with friends and family!
Karen Nava
Hometown: Cicero, IL
Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine - Chicago
Why MacNeal? I chose MacNeal because it serves the community where I grew up. Being able to train and serve in a place that feels like home, while caring for a population I deeply resonate with and am a part of, is both a personal and professional privilege.
Interests in medicine: Outpatient medicine, underserved community medicine, pediatrics, preventative medicine
Interests outside of medicine: Running, tennis, music/dancing, trying new restaurants, traveling
Kirtan Patel
Hometown: Clermont, FL
Undergraduate: University of South Florida
Medical School: University of South Florida
Why MacNeal? I chose MacNeal because of the supportive faculty and their long reputation of training well rounded Family Physicians.
Interests outside of medicine: Outside of medicine, I like to golf, go to the gym, read, and eat all the food that Chicago has to offer with my wife.
Joel Sacris
Hometown: Mount Prospect, IL
Undergraduate: Saint Louis University
Medical school: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Why MacNeal? I chose MacNeal because I was looking for a program with strong sports medicine exposure close to home that would help me grow into a well-rounded family medicine physician. Throughout my fourth year of medical school, I encountered MacNeal multiple times and was consistently impressed by the people I met. Now that I’m here, I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
On a professional level, I appreciate how MacNeal strikes a great balance between giving residents the independence to make their own medical decisions with providing the support and accessibility of extremely knowledgeable, compassionate faculty. On a personal level, I love the joyful and fun atmosphere fostered by everyone in the program. MacNeal is a place where I feel both challenged and supported, and I’m truly grateful to be part of this community.
Interests outside of medicine: Pickleball, tennis, golf, basketball, PC gaming, poker, cooking, baking, & film photography
Serena Zacharias
Hometown: Mequon, Wisconsin
Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame
Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin
Why MacNeal? MacNeal stood out to me because it is one of the oldest family medicine residency programs in the country, and it has a very well-established curriculum and reputation. During my interview, it was clear that the faculty were passionate about resident education and supportive of residents’ interests within family medicine. I appreciate that MacNeal is a community hospital, but we still have access to resources of a large academic institution by being affiliated with Loyola. I also love the proximity of MacNeal to Chicago and have enjoyed being able to explore the city on our days off.
Interests in medicine: women's health, preventative care, mental and behavioral health
Interests outside of medicine: crocheting, painting, spending time with my husband, reading