Current Residents & Alumni

PGY-1

Nihushi Bhardwaj, M.D

Alpharetta, GA
St. George’s University School of Medicine

Fun Fact: I read so many books in middle school that I (and a few of my friends) were published in the local newspaper.

Why I Chose Loyola: The location, the size and the people! Also, had an amazing interview day where I could see how much everyone truly enjoyed working with and learning from one another. 

Samita Charolia, D.O

San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX University of North Texas Health Science Center

Fun Fact: I have always been a foodie and love experiencing new cuisines. After living in Texas my whole life, I'm super stoked to move to Chicago and embark on new food adventures in the city!!

Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola for the opportunity to work with a diverse patient population, which truly excites me as it promises a rich, hands-on learning experience. I look forward to contributing to and growing within a community that values diversity, innovation, and compassionate care.

Ryan Curry, M.D

New Lenox, IL
St. George’s University School of Medicine

Fun Fact: I have traveled to 10 countries. My travels include playing Division III soccer in Trinidad and Tobago, studying abroad in Ecuador and Peru, and honeymooning in the Dominican Republic!

Why I Chose Loyola: Growing up in the area, Loyola has always been a prominent medical center. They are staffed with great educators- as I saw firsthand when my wife received her BSN through Loyola’s program. And while applying for residencies, Loyola's mission to treat the whole person aligned with my core reasons of becoming a physician.

Adya Dave, D.O

Creve Coeur, MO
Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fun Fact: I am occasionally funny

Why I Chose Loyola: The location, the smaller class size, and the way that my interview day was. Dr. Boyd, Dr. Tsien, and Tonya handled the technical difficulties with grace and a positive attitude!

Rangin Haji Rahman, M.D

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Saint James School of Medicine

Fun Fact:  I can average one season per day binge watching Netflix.  Suits has become a recent favorite of mine! 

Why I chose Loyola:  Everyone that I interacted with on my interview day was incredibly supportive and friendly! It was evident to me that the culture at Loyola would offer me the ideal environment to learn and grow into the pediatrician that I’ve always dreamed of becoming. Getting to live in Chicago is the cherry on top!

Samantha Houston, D.O.

Collettsville, NC

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) Carolinas 

Fun Fact: While volunteering at a charity auction, I brought home my second dog, Olive! Now Piper has a new sibling to play with, and my apartment is buzzing with twice the fun and excitement. 

Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola for my pediatric residency program because it offers an ideal location, a supportive program size, and a strong emphasis on teaching. Plus, the diverse and unique patient population provides an excellent variety of cases. These factors combined make Loyola the ideal place for my ever-continuing training. 

Nicole Rock, M.D

Fun Fact: I am a first generation college graduate. 

Why I Chose Loyola:

The mentorship, and faculty really care about you.

Zhoe Rub, M.D

Astoria, Oregon

Chicago Medical School - Rosalind Franklin University 

Fun Fact: I have a fraternal twin sister and a little brother. My sister is fifteen minutes older than me and somehow still lords it over me. My little brother is almost eight years younger than me and even though he is in college now I still call him my "baby" brother. 

Why I Chose Loyola: Initially, I was interested in Loyola due to the patient population, location, and class size. Later on, I confirmed that Loyola was the right fit for me on my interview day when I saw the deep sense of community that was apparent among all of the faculty and residents that I interacted with.

Noor Wadi, D.O 

Dallas, Texas

University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine 

Fun Fact: In my free time, I love exploring new recipes at home and checking out local restaurants and bakeries. 

Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola because it combines great training with a nurturing environment to help me become a well rounded Pediatrician. The program's commitment to pediatric care and supportive community resonated with my passion for making a difference in children's lives.

Joseph Willner, M.D

Tinley Park, IL

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

Fun Fact: I love to cook and try new recipes! My favorite activity right now is cooking and watching my infant son play with his food! 

Why I Chose Loyola: I wanted to be at a program that believed in helping heal people, not just their ailments. As a pediatrician, we have an opportunity to help bring healing to patients, families, and homes. It was important to me to be at a program that shared that philosophy. 

Internal Medicine/Pediatrics

Daniel Hecht, M.D

Why I Chose Loyola:  I used to ski race I was very impressed with both the residents and the Med/Peds department during my interview day. Dr. Derhammer, especially, was one of the program directors I was most excited to work with. He showed a genuine passion for the program and for each of the residents.

Madeline Keane, M.D

Fun Fact: I did a rotation in Kenya my 4th year of medical school... and got to go on a safari where I was 3 feet from a lion! 

Why I Chose Loyola: I immediately could sense a culture of caring about the patient as a whole person, placing humanism at the forefront of their medical care, from everyone I spoke with at Loyola on interview day. I wanted to learn how to practice medicine like that and knew I would have great clinical and research opportunities here in a friendly and inspiring environment, all while getting to return to the amazing city that is Chicago! 

Morgan Lyttle, M.D

Abigail Pont, M.D

Oak Park, IL

Chicago Medical School - Rosalind Franklin University 

Fun Fact: I can sing "Row Row Row Your Boat" backwards because a friend told me trying to would get songs out of my head. But I got too many songs stuck in my head so now I can sing it backwards. 

Why I Chose Loyola: I choose Loyola for so many reasons, one of which is that this is where my Dad did his pediatrics residency way back when, but also because of the welcoming community that I saw during my interview. I could tell both during the social and the interview that the residents liked being around each other and liked the attendings that they were working with. And it doesn't hurt to get to stay close to home and Chicago.

PGY-2 Residents

Danny Baghdan, D.O.

Burr Ridge, IL
New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine in Arkansas

Fun Fact: I love baking deserts, and have made things like Cheesecake, Brazillian Truffles, and macaroons.

Why I Chose Loyola: Wonderful experience in undergrad and masters program.

Jenna Colwell, D.O.

Chandler, Arizona
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

Fun Fact: I love roller coasters!

Why I Chose Loyola: My interview day with Loyola was fun and relaxed. I had a lot of great conversations and the entire program seemed so welcoming. I knew I wanted a residency program that supported its residents and had a family feel. Loyola checked those boxes. Plus, I was excited about the opportunity to move to Chicago!

Barbara (Basia) Folga, M.D.

Niles, IL
Poznan University of Medical Sciences Center for Medical Education in English

Fun Fact: I was stung by a bee 3 times in one day when I was 6. I was at a friend's birthday and all the kids decided to, out of curiosity, disrupt a bees nest. We all got stung multiple times.

Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola because I loved the interactions I had on interview day. I could tell that the residents and faculty were passionate about the program. Plus I love Loyola in general - I went to Loyola Academy for high school and Loyola University Chicago for both my undergraduate and graduate studies so it is nice to be back again!

Nour Khatib, M.D.

Willowbrook, IL
Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Fun Fact: I taught my cat to walk on a leash!

Why I Chose Loyola: The diverse patient population and opportunity to get involved in the community, all while training close to home. On interview day, the welcoming environment was evident even virtually.

Rebecca Lewis, M.D.

Danville IL
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Fun Fact: I met Jamie Lynn Spears at Universal Studios riding Dr. Doom’s Fearfall

Why I Chose Loyola: During my interview I could tell how much passion the faculty had for teaching and how much the residents genuinely enjoyed working with one another! Oh and Liz…

Zhiyuan (Kevin) Li, D.O.

Denver, Colorado
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fun Fact: When I was 6 years old, I fractured my collar bone going down a water slide.

Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola because of my interactions with people on Interview day. It was clear to me that the community here is incredibly supportive and I wanted to be a part of it!

Elizabeth Murphy, D.O.

Western Springs, IL
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

Fun Fact: My family lived abroad in Sligo, Ireland when I was in 6th and 7th grade. The west coast of Ireland is actually home to some of the best surf beaches in Europe, so my brother and I spent our summers surfing the cold waves of the North Atlantic!

Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola so I could continue to advocate for and work with kids in the west Chicago suburbs. This program has a strong emphasis on community engagement while providing resources to patients that need it most! Getting to work with a family of such diverse, motivated, and talented residents and faculty has been icing on the cake!

Ibironke Otusile, M.D.

Queens, NY
St. George's University School of Medicine

Fun Fact: I starred in an off-Broadway production when I was twelve years old, as a favor for an old elementary school teacher.

Why I Chose Loyola: The patient population, class size and location!

Sheanda Thambyrajah, M.D.

Toronto, Canada
Poznan University of Medical Sciences Center for Medical Education in English

Fun Fact: I broke my thumb when I was a kid attempting to do a one-handed handstand.

Why I Chose Loyola: Loved the atmosphere of warm, friendly community.

Ranu Verma, D.O.

Laporte, IN
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fun Fact: I love doing Bollywood dancing and even learned classical Indian dance called kathak when I was younger.

Why I Chose Loyola: I wanted to train at a program that would provide a great learning experience via a diverse patient population and a supportive environment. On interview day, I instantly felt the residents and faculty were very welcoming and would help me become a great pediatrician one day and being located in Chicago suburbs, I knew diversity would be a core part of my training!

Internal Medicine/Pediatrics

Gulnihal Akbulut, D.O.

Chicago, IL
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

Fun Fact: My first job was as a ride operator at Navy Pier!

Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola because of its legacy of excellence, amazing people, diverse patient population, proximity to Chicago, and opportunities for service!

Emily Dobrzynski, D.O.

Justice, IL
Des Moines University

Fun Fact: I love concerts, live music, playing music, all of it!

Why I Chose Loyola: To make a long story short, Loyola feels like home to me. I felt the hospital had an excellent blend of community and university strengths, and the programs have a reputation for training incredible physicians. I am so relieved to be surrounded by good people at work, and to have my wonderful family close by too.

Katelyn Ferguson, M.D.

Cincinnati, OH
University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Fun Fact: I love cooking and baking and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops. I have especially enjoyed getting to explore new places with new friends in the Chicagoland area over the last few weeks!

Why I Chose Loyola: From interview day, I could tell that Loyola embodied exactly what I was searching for in a residency program - a family atmosphere, a welcoming environment, a place I knew I could comfortably learn and grow while being pushed and inspired by my colleagues to become a more compassionate physician focused on comprehensive, patient-centered care.

Samuel Lubur, M.D.

Mundelein, IL
Loyola Stritch School of Medicine

Fun Fact: I once won tickets off the radio to see The Rolling Stones and, unexpectedly, got to see Taylor Swift perform as a featured vocalist during one of their songs.

Why I Chose Loyola: As a Stritch graduate, I knew that both the Medicine and Pediatrics programs have strong, dedicated teaching faculty who provide excellent guidance and training. That, combined with our unique patient population and our location close to Chicago made Loyola a great fit for my residency training.

PGY-3 Residents

Ana Aguilar, D.O.

Loveland, OH
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fun Fact: I got Lyme disease while working in upstate New York one summer. I do not recommend it!

Why I Chose Loyola: Diversity! Diversity is so important to me and I was delighted to see how diverse Loyola is. Not only do I get to work with incredible physicians with different cultural backgrounds, but I also get to work with many Hispanic patients which is something that I am very passionate about.

Tonye Burutolu, D.O.

Dearborn, MI
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fun Fact: I used to do ballroom dancing! My fave dances were the rumba and Argentine tango.

Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola because they promote and fully support community, service, diversity, and compassion. This was most evident by their highly-regarded reputation as evidenced by the positive testimonies of patients, faculty, and past/current residents. This is truly a place to grow and thrive!

Corrinna Karpenko, M.D.

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Poznan University of Medical Sciences Center for Medical Education in English, Poland

Fun Fact: I'm a huge Coldplay fan and got to see them live in Vancouver!

Why I Chose Loyola: I love that this program has a family feel and exposure to so many subspecialties paired with endless opportunities to grow as a physician. On interview day, I had such great interactions with the faculty and residents and felt everyone was genuinely happy and cared for one another. I knew that training at Loyola would allow me to see and treat a diverse patient population, which is all I could want in my residency experience. Loyola was a perfect fit for me and I was beyond thrilled when I found out on Match Day that I was going to be a resident here!

Elizabeth Kehl, D.O.

Mahomet, IL
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fun Fact: I have a miniature dachshund named Daisy.

Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola because I knew I’d get a great residency experience. The people are incredible, the pathology is vast, and the academics are unmatched. I’m so grateful to be here!

Jasper Kuhn, M.D.

Plano, TX
UT Health Sciences Center in Houston - McGovern Medical School

Fun Fact: I'm an avid volleyball enthusiast despite my being vertically challenged.

Why I Chose Loyola: Aside from couples matching with my spouse who was a medical student in the Chicago area, I wanted to be a part of a program that gave residents more opportunities to lead in decision making and be hands on in the care of our patients.

Adam Lewis, M.D.

Highland Park, IL
Chicago Medical School - Rosalind Franklin University

Fun Fact: Before starting medical school I played guitar in a rock band, toured the US, and released five albums.

Why I Chose Loyola: Loyola approaches patient care from a humanistic perspective -- committed to treating illness while supporting the individual. For me, this is the environment to thrive in academically, professionally and personally. A compassionate home to grow into the physician I hope to be.

Cheyney McWilliams, M.D.

South Bend, IN
Indiana University School of Medicine

Fun Fact: I can juggle!

Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola, because from my interview day and on onward it seemed like everyone was a family and that they truly cared and supported one another. It was great to see that my impression was right when I started.

Sana Moqeet, D.O.

Chicago, IL
Midwestern University

Fun Fact: My little brother and I have the same birthday but he is 4 years younger than me!

Why I Chose Loyola: The people are so welcoming, friendly, and very helpful.

Ashley Saleem, D.O.

Plymouth, MI
University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fun Fact: My s.o. is also a Loyola resident!

Why I Chose Loyola: The patient population, class size and location!

Somi Singh, D.O.

Omaha, NE
Kansas City University

Fun Fact: In 4th grade I wrote poetry book called "Laugh Out Loud Poems" that can actually be checked out at my elementary school library! Still awaiting royalties for coining the term 'LOL.'

Why I Chose Loyola: The learning environment! Throughout my 4th year experience, Loyola was the one program that stood out as having a strong and safe learning environment! Not only are the attendings approachable and excited to teach, but the senior residents are incredible teachers as well and are an awesome support system!

Internal Medicine/Pediatrics

Sofia Ahmed, M.D.

Lombard, IL
University of Illinois, Chicago

Fun Fact: I love cooking, baking bread and desserts, board games or card games, puzzles, and reading.

What are your career plans? Right now I'm most interested in inpatient medicine and pediatrics and medical education but it's always changing.

What are you most looking forward to? I'm very excited to be a part of the Loyola MedPeds family and caring for our diverse and underserved population. I'm also looking forward to exploring new restaurants and hunting down the best fried chicken sandwich in Chicago.

Myoung Hyun (Brian) Choi, M.D.

South Korea
University of Illinois, Chicago

Fun Fact: I love finding new ways to make good coffee, playing sports, watching movies, and spending time with family.

What are your career plans? I am interested in pediatric cardiology with focus on adult congenital heart disease and transition.

What are you most looking forward to? I am incredibly grateful to be at Loyola and excited to learn and grow with my fellow colleagues while serving the diverse patient population in this area both young and old.

Olivia Nuelle, M.D.

Mt. Prospect, IL
University of Massachusetts

Fun Fact: I love food, trying new restaurants, recipes, etc. I also enjoy being outside, hanging with friends and family. With the recent move have been doing a lot of furniture refurbishing, which is lots of fun!

What are your career plans? Still discerning, but love that there are so many options and I’m excited to explore it all!

What are you most looking forward to? I’m so excited to be back close to family. I love Chicago and can’t wait to fully explore the food scene and hopefully see some fabulous concerts. I’m super excited to be a part of the Loyola family!

Daniel Whorf, M.D.

Chicago, IL
University of Illinois, Peoria

Fun Fact: Long distance running (especially along the lakefront and the 606), intramural softball at the park district, trivia nights, trying to learn the piano, travelling, finding a new neighborhood brewery, the Chicago White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bears, and my beloved Michigan Wolverines!

What are your career plans? Hospitalist medicine, infectious disease, critical care, adult congenital heart disease. Hopefully I'll narrow it down in the next four years!

What are you most looking forward to? I'm most excited to return home to serve and provide healthcare to the people of Chicago and the Chicagoland area who helped shape who I am today. The people at Loyola are so welcoming, and there is a genuine willingness to help one another learn with the understanding that it will benefit our patients as well us as providers. I'm hoping to find unique ways I can contribute to the Med-Peds family!

PGY-4 Residents

Internal Medicine/Pediatrics

Theodore (Ted) Deitz, MD

Alexandria, MN
Creighton University

Fun Fact: I'm allergic to cats.

Why I Chose Loyola: Everyone I met on interview day was so welcoming! I also thought it was very evident that the people were very happy with the program and embraced the 'family feel' into the culture. I could quickly tell that Loyola embodies the Jesuit traditions and caring for a patient in mind, body, and spirit.

Karolina Krawczyk, MD

Born/raised in Chicago, now live in northern burbs.
Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine

Fun Fact: I taught Medical Polish to Loyola med and graduate students.

Why I Chose Loyola: I studied at Loyola for undergrad and medical school; the people and mentors that I've met along the way have been phenomenal and truly make me enjoy coming to work each day. All of the Med-Peds faculty and residents are supportive of one another and genuinely kind people. Everyone has been very invested in my education. I am so grateful to become a resident here and an official "Loyola Lifer". Whether I choose to practice primary care, inpatient medicine or pursue an adult/transition of care fellowship, I feel like Loyola will solidly prepare me for whatever future career path I end up pursuing. I can also continue working with the local underserved populations and making a difference in Chicago's Polish community. We also have an awesome VA!

Abaigael (Abby) Madden, MD

Mokena, IL
Ohio State University

Fun Fact: I am also a dog walker!

Why I Chose Loyola: I loved all the people I met on interview day and really felt at home! I knew I would receive excellent training in a supportive community in an absolutely wonderful city.

Frank Woo, MD

Detroit, MI
University of Miami

Fun Fact: I can walk on my hands (sometimes)!

Why I Chose Loyola: Our intern class is amazing, and the people I met on interview day were so sincere and down to earth.