Residents

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First Year

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

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

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

Nicholas McMillen, MD

Hometown: Lansing, MI
Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: The combination of the training, location and people.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Explore each neighborhood and walk along Lake Michigan
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a video game designer or sports journalist

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

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

Second Year

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

Third Year

Azfar Ali, DO

Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)
Hobbies / Interests: Archery, exercising, reading
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: I chose Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago due to my excellent virtual interview experiences, and to return to Chicago to be closer to friends and family. During virtual residency interviews, one aspect that truly separated Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago from the rest was the genuine warmth and kindness that characterized all my interactions with faculty and residents. I knew that Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago would be the best environment for me where I would have the exceptional resources, guidance and support I need to become the physician I have always wanted to be.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Exploring all the sites and great restaurants in the city!
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a historian or organic chemist

Whitney Basford, MD

Medical School: Florida State University College of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: The beach (preferably the Gulf Coast), trying new things and visiting new places, kayaking, painting, college football (Go Noles!) and spending time with my family
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: I love Chicago and the patient population.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Kayaking down the Chicago River
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a detective or a lawyer. I grew up wanting to do this and actually applied to the FBI college internship program before switching to medicine.

Melissa Boucher, DO

Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Hiking, jogging, reading, baking, movies/tv shows, bigfoot searching
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: This program stood out to me because it lined up with my interest in working with a diverse group of patients in a community setting. The added benefit of being in a great city and great location didn’t hurt either!
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Running on lakefront trail and playing arcade games at Replay
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: an archaeologist!

Artis Lewis, MD

Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
Hobbies / Interests: Tennis, HIIT training, baking, home architecture, intervarsity Christian fellowship
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: Everyone was so down to earth and had such a positive attitude at the wine and cheese meetup second look event. There, I became attracted to the diversity within the residency as well. However, more importantly, I was drawn to the diverse population that I would have the opportunity to serve. This includes a greater than 60% Spanish-speaking pediatric population, and a robust multi-level income young adult and geriatric population. I knew I had to seize this learning opportunity and I figured I'd have a lot of joyous moments working here!
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: National Geographic photojournalist! It would be incredible to travel the world and learn about the narratives of so many cultures firsthand.

Christopher Medrano, MD

Medical School: Stony Brook University School of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Reading, writing, tennis, reality TV, movies, stand-up comedy
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: It's rare to find an urban program that offers a patient panel truly representative of a major metropolitan population. We treat patients at a wide range of income levels and from every walk of life in this city.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Jury's still out, but Utopian Tailgate has a great rooftop!
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a health news correspondent (ABC News, call me!)

Taylor Leigh Munsch, MD

Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Cycling, walking with my dogs
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: I'm really interested in adolescent medicine, and I loved that this program had a high volume of pediatric patients.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Biking along the lakefront trail
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: a high school chemistry teacher

Nevil Parikh, MD

Medical School: Chicago Medical School
Hobbies / Interests: Dancing, playing basketball, photography and making skits
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: The people and the location! Both the residents and attendings are all very down to earth and easy to talk to. Chicago is also home to me, so it's nice to be able to explore the city while also going home and eating my mom's amazing Indian food.
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: Biking along Lake Shore Drive next to the lake or going to the different rooftop bars and enjoying the skyline
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: either a math professor or YouTuber

Sruthi Sathyakumar, MD

Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Hobbies / Interests: Find me binge rewatching The Office or Harry Potter always. I love to read and stay active!
Why Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago: I am really interested in underserved medicine and we have a diverse patient population. The city helps a lot, too!
Favorite Place or Activity in Chicago: I am always looking for the best rooftops with views of the city. I love to run by the river and discover all of the great food spots in Chicago.
If I Had Not Gone into Medicine, I Would Be: something in the world of public health/reproductive justice

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.