Residents

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First Year

Ted Agbemaple, MD

Hometown: Springfield, IL
Medical School: SIU School of Medicine
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: I got a great vibe from everyone here on my second look and during my interview. I could tell that this was a really supportive community and a tight- knit program
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Exploring the restaurants my girlfriend and I find on TikTok
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: A PGA Tour Pro

Vishnu Kaverimanian, MD

Hometown: Aurora, IL
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: I loved the atmosphere of the program and the wealth of educational opportunities available to me. Also, can't forget the beautiful scenery by the lake shore!
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Exploring the restaurants around the city.
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: I Would Be: Studying Dinosaurs! !

Liem Le, MD

Hometown: Edgewood, KY
Medical School: University of Louisville
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: The amazing location of the program on the lakefront in beautiful Lincoln Park immediately drew me in. However, the residents,the culture, and the emphasis on wellness and teambuilding are what made me want to rank the program.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Biking or running up and down the Lakefront
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: In Information Technology

Erin Martinez, MD

Hometown: Gurnee, IL
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: Ascension St. Joseph has everything I was looking for in a residency program — a community hospital feel in an urban setting, a welcoming close-knit group of residents and faculty, and a dedication to serving a diverse patient population and making a positive impact on our community. The hospital being right along the lakefront and close to my family was the cherry on top!
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: I have been loving going on morning walks around new neighborhoods and seeing all the beautiful architecture and art.
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: An event planner!

Zuolin (Joey) Ouyang, MD

Hometown: China/Irvine, CA
Medical School: Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: When I had a rotation here, the residents and faculty are very supportive. They were all ready to teach and didn't mind my many questions. There are some OMM practitioners in the program and that was also important to me. Lastly the view from the hospital is amazing, and there is also a beautiful chapel on the 11th floor, where I can have some quiet time :)
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Going to Chinatown to eat at Taipei Cafe then go to Mario's Italian Lemonade to get some dessert
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: A cook or a YouTuber

Travis Tembrock, MD

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: The people! From the meet-and-greets to the interview day to the first look event, everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming. It was very evident that the program here at St. Joseph's truly cared about the wellbeing and success of each resident. The hospital and clinic also serve a diverse patient population all within a well-rounded curriculum which was exactly what I was looking for in a program.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Running, biking, or rollerblading along the lakeshore.
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a morning TV show host

Year Two

Akshita Taneja, DO

Hometown: Fremont, CA
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: I love how welcoming and helpful everyone is! No matter how hectic clinic or inpatient gets, everyone (especially the seniors) is here to help and answer questions/concerns. I also love how we all try to hang out as much as possible with our crazy schedules.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Exploring all the amazing bars, foods and doing all the touristy things!
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: either an elementary school or middle school teacher

Rocky Li, DO

Hometown: China/Canada
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: On my interview day, I was blown away by how the program checks my boxes — located in a large city, close-knit community among the residents and faculty dedicated to improving education within the program. I never thought I would live in Chicago but I’m so glad I made the leap.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Driving south on Lake Shore Drive into downtown
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a visa worker at a consulate

Yupadee Kittimedh, DO

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Medical School: Kansas City University - Joplin
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: What I like about this program is the camaraderie; everyone is willing to help each other out.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Discover new restaurants to eat at
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a rock star

Nicole Wojcik, DO

Hometown: Plainfield, IL
Medical School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: My favorite part of the program is the location — so close to my family/friends and always something to do in Chicago in my free time!
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Anything on the water — Riverwalk restaurants, beach volleyball, walks on the lakefront trail!
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a writer of cookbooks

Michelle Lin, MD

Hometown: San Francisco
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: People and location were both important to me and I'm lucky to have gotten the best with both.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Run/walk/bike by the lake
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a teacher or wedding planner

Year Three

Justin Andrada, DO

Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM)
Hobbies / Interests: Traveling, playing soccer, golfing, beaching, fishing, trying new restaurants, and watching The Office on repeat
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: Even though interview days can be stressful, I felt very comfortable talking with the faculty and residents. Everyone was so welcoming and the vibe felt right. Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago has a community hospital feel, but still offers the ability to learn from a diverse Chicago patient population. Lastly, there isn't any hospital in Chicago that has a better view of Lake Michigan.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Slowly eating my way through all the best Chicago restaurants
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a mechanical or electrical engineer

Michael Chen, DO

Medical School: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Volleyball, working out, watching college basketball/volleyball, Netflix
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: I chose Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago because of the patient population at the hospital and the clinic! Both faculty and the residents are very supportive of my post-residency interests in LGBTQ and preventative medicine. Lastly, Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago has the best view of the lake!
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Playing volleyball at the beach in the summer and trying different restaurants around the city!
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a meteorologist

Zehra Khan, MD

Medical School: University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Music, museums, Bollywood, spending time with my huge family in the area, art, and dancing
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: When I interviewed and attended the socials, I gathered a general sense that the faculty and residents had a strong vision of the type of family medicine physician they wanted their residents to aspire towards. FM doctors played a vital role in the area I grew up in, and I wanted a program that truly believed in the FM physician's potential to make an impact in their community. Additionally, what sealed the deal was that I felt the faculty and residents alike were very friendly, approachable, and I could tell they had fun together. I knew Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago would be a place where I would be well-supported.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Going for runs along the lakeshore, trying different cuisines, and lots of museums — Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, Chicago Art Institute are amazing!
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: some type of teacher or social worker

Yasiel Lacalle, MD

Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: My hobbies include fitness, experimenting in the kitchen, biking and playing with my dog, Beau.
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: Diverse patient population, wellness-centered curriculum and, last but not least, the people. I was immediately drawn to both the faculty and residents in the program.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Trying out new restaurants, re-trying favorite ones, biking along the lakeshore, walking around and exploring the city.
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a pilot

Matthew Lang, MD

Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Woodworking, running, hiking, cooking
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: The location of the hospital was a huge draw for me. I love how the hospital is right near the lake, but also in a very urban and populated area. I love being able to walk to work and having a very quick commute. I also like that the hospital and clinic both serve people from all backgrounds and how the residents and faculty were very welcoming and relaxed when I was interviewing.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Walking with my two dogs and my wife on the lakefront trail.
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: an architect or engineer

Anjali Mannava, DO

Medical School: Kansas City University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Dancing, playing tennis, watching scary movies and any documentary imaginable. Walking my dog on new trails and finding the best non-deep dish pizza in the city!
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: The interview and social events made a huge impact on my decision. The residents and faculty were very welcoming and friendly. You could tell everyone was close and valued resident wellness. The location is also a big plus — what other program can say they get to watch sunrises on the lake during night shift?
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Sushi Rotary restaurant in Lakeview — super-unique and easy on the wallet!
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a crime podcaster

Alumni

Our residents have gone all over the country and practiced all kinds of medicine. In the last several years, we have had residents match into fellowships in sports medicine, addiction medicine, geriatrics and maternal child health. Graduates have careers as hospitalists, academic faculty, urgent care, consulting, hospital administration, integrative medicine, traditional inpatient and outpatient practice, and outpatient medicine, in addition to doing medical mission work. As Ascension Illinois grows, they look to partner and recruit residents as they graduate to be part of the Ascension Illinois family beyond their three years.