Third Year Fellows
Piotr Babinski, MD
Residency: Loyola University Chicago
About me: RUSH is an amazing institution to train at because of its clinical excellence and dedication to high quality care. But most importantly, I chose RUSH because of the community and camaraderie that is present within the department that makes it a fun and engaging place to train.
My clinical interests are pulmonary hypertension and critical care ultrasonography. Outside of work I love camping, hiking, and gardening!
Sarah Bjork, MD
Residency: New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
About me: RUSH easily became my top choice for fellowship training due to its combination of high-quality research driven patient care and reputation for excellence in medicine. During my interview it became apparent that the program is supportive and encouraging of its fellows to become well-rounded Pulmonary Critical Care Physicians while exposing them to complex pathology and clinical scenarios in a large academic setting.
My clinical interests include interstitial lung diseases, cystic fibrosis and long-term effects of post-ICU syndrome.
Outside of work I spend most of my time trying out new recipes in the kitchen, going to yoga classes and exploring museums.
Deepanjali Jain, MD
Residency: Temple University
I chose Rush because of the camaraderie and diversity I witnessed during my interview day. Although it was over zoom, it was clear that everyone I met respected and enjoyed the company of their colleagues. Medicine, and especially PCCM, has been a taxing field over the last few years and I wanted to find a home somewhere where people still felt joy in their work.
My clinical interests are broad and I’m hoping to spend the next three years finding my niche!
Outside of work, I love hiking, kayaking and devouring the latest crime show, podcast or book. I’m so excited to explore Chicago’s vegetarian food scene.
William Thinnes, MD
Residency: RUSH University
About me: After spending three years at RUSH for my Internal Medicine Residency, I chose to stay at RUSH for fellowship because of the people. The welcoming nature of the Pulmonary and Critical Care department combined with their clinical expertise made RUSH the perfect place to train for fellowship.
My research interests include family communication in the ICU and medical education.
Outside of work, I love to spend time with my wife and our dog and play basketball and golf.
Second Year Fellows
Uba Chinyere Udeh, MD
Residency: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Harrisburg
I am excited about my upcoming training at Rush. I was drawn to Rush due to the exceptional support and collegial atmosphere I witnessed during my interview. The institution’s commitment to delivering excellent clinical training, along with numerous research and educational prospects, greatly appealed to me.
My primary interests include ILD and pulmonary hypertension, as well as quality improvement and medical education.
When I am not working, I thoroughly enjoy hiking, cooking, and shipping. I can’t waint to explore the vibrant city of Chicago during my time there.
Manuel Hache Marliere, MD
Residency: Jacobi Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine
I chose Rush because of the complex care training that fellows receive and the opportunity to provide care to an underserved and diverse community. During my interviews, I was impressed by the positive attitude and camaraderie of the fellows, and I knew I wanted to be a part of a place where people were excited to come to work.
My clinical interests include mechanical ventilation, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and medical education. My research interests include ARDS, Obstructive disease, and end-of-life care.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our miniature schnauzer, Baguette. I also enjoy running and exploring new coffee shops.
Emmy Mai, MD
Residency: University of Cincinnati
Rush University is clearly a fantastic program that I am excited to train at. Their core values aligned with mine- training clinically strong fellows, high quality patient care, diversity in staff and pathologies. In addition, I felt that the faculty I met, even virtually, were welcoming, friendly, and intelligent. My interests in pulmonology include pulmonary hypertension and COPD/asthma, but I am open to exploring more niches! Outside of the hospital, I like running, hiking, reading, and binge-watching TV.
Guillermo Asmar Vargas, MD
Residency: TriHealth Good Samaritan Hospital
During my Internal Medicine Residency, I had the opportunity to do a 1-month rotation at RUSH University Medical Center. I experienced firsthand the broad exposure to both pulmonary medicine and critical care that the fellowship program offered. But more importantly, I enjoyed working with the fellows and attendings who welcomed me as one of their own, and I felt like an integral part of the team. Additionally, the family-oriented and camaraderie environment at RUSH played an essential role in my decision to train here. Because of these reasons, I chose RUSH as my top choice for fellowship training.
My clinical interest in Pulmonary & Critical Care includes pulmonary hypertension, interventional pulmonology, POCUS, and palliative care in the ICU.
Outside of medicine, I like spending time with my family exploring new places (especially new restaurants), traveling, and playing video games with my friends from the Dominican Republic.
First Year Fellows
Sidra Salman, MD
Residency: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside-West
I chose Rush University's Pulmonary-Critical Care fellowship due to the diverse clinical opportunities and patient population, emphasis on medical education, and supportive faculty and fellows. I have a particular interest in medical education and interventional procedures. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring new restaurants in Chicago, baking, piano, and spending time with my little Maltipoo Dobby.
Jesse Kelso, MD
Residency: University of Chicago (NorthShore)
I chose Rush because I knew at the end of fellowship I would be as well trained as anyone in the country. I hope to be a game changer in ICU literature and efficiency, and I know it will be the great teaching of the physicians at Rush that will get me there. In my free time I like exercising and will agree to do any activity any time that involves moving. Looking forward to the next few years!
Francis Cocjin, MD
Residency: Loyola University Medical Center
I chose Rush for its reputation of delivering exceptional patient care and fostering a strong sense of community among its trainees. Even during the virtual interview process, I felt the camaraderie that my friends who trained here prior always raved about. My career interests include medical education (particularly at the medical student level) and pulmonary hypertension. Beyond medicine, I enjoy playing board games, rock climbing, and exploring Chicago's diverse culinary scene with my partner.
Arianne Wenk, MD
Residency: University of Illinois Chicago
I’m excited to start fellowship in Pulmonary Critical Care at Rush University to learn from both the excellent faculty and diverse patient population. I completed medical school at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and then completed a dual residency in Internal Medicine-Emergency Medicine at University of Illinois Chicago. Currently I am intrigued by pulmonary hypertension but am interested to dive deeper into the world of pulmonary medicine and explore more areas. I am also passionate about post ICU syndrome and ways to prevent delirium in the ICU. Outside of my medical pursuits, I find joy in spending time with my dog, Cannoli, indulging in a good book, exploring new destinations through travel, and expressing my creativity through crocheting and more.