Residents

Hobbies / Interests: I enjoy decorative DIY, watching Netflix and Hulu drama shows, reading, and spending time with my husband.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago because of the positive and supportive culture and environment that I was able to feel in the interview and other interactions. Also because of the multicultural patient population as well as their residents and overall staff.

Hobbies / Interests: I love traveling, animals, trying new foods, and exploring other cultures. I enjoy watching a good film, tv show, or spending time with friends and family. Also, I am newly into rollerblading. My specific medical interests are varied but include Global Health, Preventive Medicine, Medical Education, and Women’s Health.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I completed most of my clinical rotations here and fell in love with the Chicagoland area. The friendly and approachable faculty, staff, and current residents made it an easy decision for me. I knew right away that this program was the right fit for me. I wanted an unopposed program with a robust curriculum that would provide me the opportunity to develop myself into a well-rounded and competent physician. Lastly, I was drawn to the program because of how much of an emphasis the program had with celebrating diversity and providing full-spectrum healthcare to not only underserved individuals, but to communities at large.

Hobbies / Interests: I love spending time with my family and friends! I also love reading, cooking, being creative, Bollywood nights and live music. I am passionate about preventive medicine.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago because it is a safety net hospital which serves Chicago’s underserved and vulnerable populations. It promises a good learning experience as the program is very diverse in terms of the patient population, the residents and has a very passionate faculty. It being an unopposed family medicine residency program was a cherry on top.

Hobbies / Interests: In my spare time, I really enjoy traveling, food blogging, hiking, fashion, photography, and mentorship. My medical interests include working with underserved populations as well as maternal and women's health.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago because of the program's commitment to serving medically underserved and marginalized communities and tackling the multi-faceted health issues faced by these populations. I appreciate the diversity that this program provides, not just with its patient population but with its residents and faculty. This program provides an environment for continued growth, learning, and development. I love that Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago is very OB-focused, which ties into my interest in maternal and women's health. In addition, by being unopposed, the program will allow us to see and learn from patients of all ages and varying pathologies.

Hobbies / Interests: Binge-watching TV shows, trying new restaurants, playing tennis, running, spending time with family and friends, enjoying Chicago summers sitting by the lake, and in the gruesome winters, going for walks as it snows. My medical interests include preventive medicine and geriatrics.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I love Chicago and knew I wanted to come home after medical school. Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago specifically? The diversity. Growing up in a Polish family and studying Spanish in undergrad, I always enjoyed learning about other languages and cultures, and this program truly sees it all. There is also a huge focus on helping underserved communities, which was something that was important to me as well when choosing a program.

Hobbies / Interests: Connecting with people, meditation, live music, watching films, watercolor painting, traveling, reading books and drinking tea.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I really wanted to receive my residency training in an environment that wholeheartedly is dedicated to underserved care, and it felt like Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago would provide that space. On my interview day, I felt like I would be supported in my career goals by faculty and co-residents by furthering my skills and knowledge in community health, behavioral health, narrative medicine and addiction medicine while serving a diverse patient population.

Hobbies / Interests: I love reading web novels and writing stories with a spin on traditional tropes. I have had variable success in gardening. My accomplishments until now are tomatoes and bell peppers. Sadly, I haven’t been able to grow watermelons, passion fruit, and various fruit trees. I like to watch tv shows and movies while enjoying crunchy caramel popcorn.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose Ascension because it is a program that centers on the underserved population, unopposed, with ample opportunity for a broad education. During the interview I felt at ease and welcomed. The program is committed to resident wellness and the residents had positive things to say about the program, the attendings, and the faculty.

Hobbies / Interests: I have an array of diverse interests! I have a passion for literature, mostly fiction novels and poems, which offers a gateway to different worlds and perspectives. However I am trying to grow my interest in biographies, self-help and informative texts. Initially, I pursued dancing for fitness reasons, but it has quickly become an interest of mine. Additionally, I love to travel and experience new things. I can easily be persuaded to hike up a mountain or eat something new. Otherwise, if I’m not napping, I enjoy playing board games with my family and friends.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: It was clear to me that Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago offers strong clinical training, has experienced faculty, emphasizes continuity of care, and fosters an engaging learning environment. But more importantly, the program not only has top-notch clinical training but also a warm and supportive community. The faculty and preceptors genuinely care about the residents' growth and success. The emphasis on continuity of care allows for meaningful patient relationships, making the residency experience truly rewarding. Overall, this is not just a training program, but a family that nurtures and supports each resident throughout their journey.

Hobbies / Interests: I love stories, whether through reading, watching series, or playing video games. I also love exploring and finding new places to ideally be able to travel and explore the world in the future. In medicine, I am interested in community health, immigrant health, and queer health issues, including gender-affirming care.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose this program for various reasons. The support network for residents is amazing and the faculty and staff engage in your interests. They want to make sure you meet all your personal, educational, and professional goals. I was also really drawn towards the diverse population in the city. Being able to learn and grow while providing healthcare and support to immigrants (like myself).

Hobbies / Interests: I like to spend my spare time exploring the world of music and improving my skills at playing the piano. I look forward to visiting Chicago’s music festivals and musical concerts with a live orchestra. I try to get outside as often as I can and love to spend sunny days walking around Lake Michigan, dining at new restaurants, local breweries, and playing board games on rainy days.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I felt all of the stars had aligned with me to join this program from the very beginning. The program is located in a beautiful, large metropolitan city where I dreamed of moving. Upon meeting the residents, faculty, and staff, I was impressed by how caring, friendly, and hard-working everyone is. I truly felt like they were people with whom I would not only enjoy working with, but I could also spend my free time over the next three years of residency with. Finding a program that provides a full spectrum of training, opportunities for procedures, and strong care for the underserved community were all of the things I was looking for in order to become a well-rounded physician who can provide care without limitations.

Hobbies / Interests: I appreciate quality time with family and friends, running, outdoors/working out in general, eating my way through Chicago's phenomenal cuisine (currently on the prowl for the best cheeseburger), documentaries and preventive medicine, as well as advocacy for marginalized individuals.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I admire the program's philosophy of caring for underserved communities through the practice of broad-scope medicine. Compounded by the warmth and friendliness shown by the faculty, the program is truly an ideal learning environment.

Hobbies / Interests: I find immense joy in traveling and immersing myself in new cultures. Hiking in nature allows me to reconnect with the beauty of the outdoors and stay active. Spending quality time with loved ones is invaluable to me. I also love listening to podcasts and exploring different perspectives. Lastly, I have a love for discovering new Mexican restaurants which indulges my taste buds in delightful culinary experiences.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago because of their commitment to serving the underserved in my community. Working with a diverse patient population allows me to make a meaningful impact and is incredibly rewarding. Additionally, the close relationship I have with my colleagues fosters a supportive and collaborative environment. Also, being part of an unopposed family medicine residency program provides an excellent learning environment for professional growth. These values align perfectly with my own, making Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago an ideal choice for me.

Hobbies / Interests: Spending time with family and friends, discovering new coffee shops, reading, photography, cooking, playing the violin, foreign films, practicing (and trying to not forget) my French and Italian. Medically? Community and women's health.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: As a Chicago native, my family and I have been patients of Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago. I experienced first-hand how the hospital goes above and beyond for patients, making me eager to be a part of the team and give back to my community. During the interview cycle, I was thrilled by the program's culture and the way I felt seen as an individual as opposed to simply another applicant.

Hobbies / Interests: I love anything Toronto sports — Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, Raptors (unfortunately), as well as calisthenics, nutrition, and wellness. I am passionate about men's mental health, wellness, and advocacy efforts to develop at-risk young boys from broken, fatherless homes into strong, compassionate, purposeful leaders dedicated to bettering the lives of those in their community.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I fell in love with the culture of learning, the development of good people and doctors, and the emphasis on strong community engagement to address the ever-present health disparities within Chicago's most vulnerable populations. From the top down, everyone identifies with the spirit of what a family physician is meant to be for their community, and it resonated strongly with me. The program's goals lined up beautifully with my own and I have found my home alongside my incredible co-residents, faculty, and hospital staff at Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago.

Hobbies / Interests: I enjoy visiting different breweries all over the city for tasteful beer (no IPAs!), watching law-drama and MARVEL movies, and trying all the different cuisines available across all the cultures that make up the Chicago community!
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: Joining a residency program whose centers care for their neighbors and community was crucial and a necessary part of the training I desired in becoming a family physician. Furthermore, this program values and seeks out residents of diverse backgrounds that reflect and mirror the community and patients we will ultimately serve when training in this Chicago neighborhood. As a bilingual Puerto Rican resident, I could not have found a better fit for me and the medical care I hope to deliver to all who entrust me with their health.

Hobbies / Interests: I love to travel and explore new cultures through food. I really enjoy going to concerts, trying different workout classes at the gym, spending quality time with my friends and family, and relaxing at the beach (or, in Chicago, by the lake). My medical interests include adolescent health and education as well as women's health.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: After attending college out of state and medical school in Poland, I had a goal of coming home to Chicago for residency. During my interview season, no group of people I talked to felt as much like a family as the faculty and residents at Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago. My decision to choose it as my #1 program was solidified after my "second look" tour with a senior resident; it was clear as we walked the halls of the hospital that residents here are truly valued for their work and build strong relationships with attendings in core faculty and specialists. The patient population is very diverse in the pathologies we treat, and it's evident that we as healthcare providers here are making an impact on the community.

Hobbies / Interests: I love cooking, and I am a big fan of wines; really enjoy visiting wineries! Perfect night: cooking dinner with my wife and going for a walk with our dog. I am interested in discovering my artistic-abstract skills, painting and writing. Hobbies: working out and hiking.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: First, our patient population. We provide care to a wide community of underserved people from the Chicago area. Second, our faculty is passionate and committed to teaching residents. Last, our family; there is an amazing vibe and support within the program that it feels just like “family.”

Hobbies / Interests: Spending time with my husband and senior cat (she just turned 15!), music (piano, soundtracks/scores), gaming (PC, Nintendo, board games), eating (bubble tea, dim sum), binge watching/reading series (Disney, anime/manga), and most importantly, sleeping.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I wanted to join a program that truly cares for underserved populations and Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago has lived up to that mission. The residency and the patient population are both very diverse, reflecting the city we live in. Having been born at Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago, I was very excited to return as a physician after all these years. Starting from interview day, the faculty and residents have been beyond supportive and genuinely care about your personal growth and well-being. The program has quickly become my second family and I look forward to growing with my class.

Hobbies / Interests: I value spending time with my loved ones — both human and canine. In my spare time you can find me tinkering around in the garage, including detailing cars. I love clinical research and have an interest in reducing health disparities.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I love that this is an unopposed residency program that allows us to see a wide range of pathologies. I also wanted to be in a highly diverse community and that is exactly what I get here. Lastly, as a California gal, I am both terrified and super-excited to experience the snow here in Chicago.

Hobbies / Interests: I enjoy doing puzzles like the New York Times crossword and Wordle, playing board games, watching Jeopardy, reading — particularly fiction and detective stories (I am currently reading Case Closed and The Hobbit), cooking fusion foods, and last but not least, spending time out in nature!
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose this program for several reasons. Our faculty, staff, and residents are truly some of the nicest people I have met! We provide healthcare to a diverse group of patients in both outpatient and inpatient settings. We also have excellent obstetric and women’s health training opportunities. Also, the Wicker Park area is a fun place to live — so many great restaurants and plenty of outdoor things to do!

Hobbies / Interests: Anything outdoors! Swimming, scuba diving, hiking, camping, traveling. Knitting, crochet, and gardening. Fostering fur babies. Women's health and preventive medicine.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose this program because I wanted to be in an unopposed family medicine program, work with a diverse patient population, and obtain a robust training in women's health. Additionally, I wanted to work with attendings and colleagues that are friendly and supportive and I truly felt a sense of family here.

Hobbies / Interests: Going to the gym, boxing, riding my bike around Chicago, going out to restaurants and fun spots.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose this program for its commitment to serving historically marginalized communities, as I did while in medical school in Mexico. Attending to the healthcare needs of these communities is very rewarding! The faculty and staff here are warm, welcoming, and very supportive of making sure that residents become competent family medicine physicians.

Hobbies / Interests: In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and pets. I also enjoy reading the Bible, shopping, hiking, yoga, engaging with nature, meditating, and sleeping. I'm particularly interested in community medicine and OB-GYN in underserved populations.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose this program because it's a community-based program, unopposed and it covers the full spectrum of family medicine. Its commitment to providing care to the underserved and uninsured population was something that really caught my attention. Also, because of the diverse patient population, faculty, staff, and residents. The faculty are supportive, friendly and truly care to continuously push us to become better physicians. They are committed to resident wellness. Its mission and clinical priorities are incredibly aligned with my own and I felt that I had found my people.

Hobbies / Interests: I’m interested in global health and working with underserved populations.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: There are so many things I enjoy about this program! It’s hard to ignore the diversity we see here daily, of people, cultures and even languages. Most of all, I love that this program cares about underserved populations and incorporates both community education and community service into our curriculum. When I interviewed here, I could tell that the residents were genuinely happy, that their opinions mattered, and that their voices were being heard. I also appreciate that resident wellness is a big focus here.

Hobbies / Interests: I love doing any activity outdoors, whether it is a round of golf, hiking, playing volleyball or going to concerts. I am an absolute foodie and am determined to try all the best restaurants and activities Chicago has to offer! (If you have any recommendations on where to start, feel free to let me know!)
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I really wanted to work with the diverse population and underserved community. Also, I wanted to be a part of a program that treated each other like family, which I felt came through during my interview with Ascension Illinois.

Hobbies / Interests: For the past several years, I have been passionate about pickleball. It's such a fun and social game! When I'm not working or playing pickleball, I enjoy reading about investing and spending time with friends and family, especially if it's over a delicious meal.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: The amazing and accomplished faculty! I was so incredibly impressed reading through the faculty's accomplishments and experience, and I was even more impressed after spending time with them during the interview process. I am excited to work in a nonprofit hospital whose aim is to provide care to all of those in need!

Hobbies / Interests: Music, fitness, going on long walks, trying new recipes/foods, movies, exploring new places
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I love the Chicago/Chicagoland area. I knew I wanted to serve the people here and give back to the communities that helped me become who I am today. During my interview at Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago, I felt a sense of camaraderie with everyone I came across. Additionally, Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago's comprehensive curriculum and experienced faculty will help mold me to become the best physician possible.

Hobbies / Interests: I love spending time with family and friends, traveling, running, live music, karaoke, dancing, true crime, Bob Ross paint nights and reading on the beach!
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: The sense of community and diversity! I love that we are all from such diverse backgrounds and connect on a unique level. We are all excited be on this journey and come together to meet the needs of the community. All the faculty and co-residents are passionate, caring individuals committed to supporting each other however they can. I love how much this feels like home and I am so incredibly grateful to be training alongside such an amazing group of people in such a beautiful place!

Hobbies / Interests: Basketball (Go Lakers!), traveling, spinning, live music, trying new restaurants and recipes. Medical interests? Women's health.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago for its dedication to serving underserved communities, the diversity (not only in terms of patient population but among the residents as well) and full spectrum curriculum, all found in one of my favorite cities in the world.

Hobbies / Interests: Being outdoors (hiking/camping), poetry, reading sci-fi and fantasy, singing, cooking, riding my bike, working out
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose this program for its broad scope of practice and focus on underserved communities.

Hobbies / Interests: Too many to list! A few include reading, backpacking, hiking, bicycling, science, art history, nature, ethnic cuisine, and spending time with friends and family.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: For the faculty, specifically their breadth of experience and interest in teaching. Everyone I met seemed friendly, welcoming, enthusiastic about the program and interested in getting to know me as a person. I also felt I would be able to gain a well-rounded education in family medicine and be able to work with a diverse patient population.

Hobbies / Interests: I am an outdoor enthusiast and enjoy traveling and hiking with my partner and our dog. We have traveled all over Europe and Canada. When I am not reading medical literature, I like 19th-century detective stories. Agatha Christie is one of my favorite authors. I like running, exercising and I am also a Zumba fan. Bucket list: learn Spanish; take a road trip through America from coast to coast, go horseback riding.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I have chosen Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago for the opportunity to practice community-based medicine working with a diverse and vulnerable patient population. The highlights of the program that stood out to me were its strong obstetrics training experience and incorporating behavioral health in patient settings.

Hobbies / Interests: Cooking, travelling, exploring Chicago and trying its many incredible restaurants, spending time with family and friends
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: Having completed my clinical rotations in Chicago, I fell in love with the city and its people. Ascension Illinois shares my passion for serving the community's diverse population. The program appealed to my interests in providing holistic and empathetic healthcare, especially to the underserved. I chose this program because the faculty is very approachable and genuinely cares about quality medical education.

Hobbies / Interests: Spending time with my partner, friends and loved ones; attempting to care for indoor plants (it's a work in progress); sustainability; exploring new local businesses and restaurants; advocacy work
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: It was important to me that I matched with a program filled with people who are committed to building an intentional and inclusive institution devoted to serving the marginalized and underserved. During my interview, I saw that the faculty and staff at Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago were incredibly invested in the residents' education and interests and were dedicated to producing humble, service-oriented community leaders and advocates.

Hobbies / Interests: I love spending time outdoors, including the beach, hiking, surfing, golf, etc. I enjoy reading when I have the time and spending time with friends and family.
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I chose Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago because of the emphasis they put on resident wellness, along with talking to residents and seeing how much they enjoyed their hospital. The location and the fact that it is a community hospital also helped with the decision.

Hobbies / Interests: Preventive medicine, hiking and outdoor activities, working out, food blogging, architectural history, live music
Why Ascension Saint Mary - Chicago: I fell in love with this program's commitment to serving the underserved holistically and the diversity of the patient population in Chicago. Behavioral health, particularly with patients seeking assistance with substance use disorder, is a personal passion of mine. I was extremely inspired by the strength of the program's behavioral health components, such as the Medication-Assisted Therapy program.