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.
