Class of 2028
Andrew T. King
Hometown: South Hadley, MA
Undergrad: University of Maine, Sociology and Political Science
Why Rush: Every Medical school will impart knowledge about science and medicine, but RUSH goes above and beyond to create exceptionally well-rounded physicians. This includes emphasis on advocacy, communication, and leadership. These values can be seen in everything that RUSH does including their exceptional commitment to the community in which the school resides.
Why Family Med: A family medicine doctor can care for a patient from the time that they are born to the time that they die. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of the patient's life circumstances, including lifestyle factors that could affect their health on a deeper level, and the type of physician-patient relationship that serves the patient best.
Hobbies: weight lifting, cycling, and jigsaw puzzles
Fun Fact: I spent 10 months volunteering with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps and traveled the country performing community service with a team of other dedicated individuals in areas with the greatest need.
Kristina C. Olsen
Hometown: DeKalb, IL
Undergraduate School and Major: Trinity International University, Biology
Why RUSH: Throughout the application process, I was struck by how RUSH stood out as a school that not only talks about service but truly embodies it. I realized I wanted to be part of a community that is actively invested in bettering the lives of those around them, no matter the background, and RUSH was exactly what I was looking for!
Why Family Medicine: AmeriCorps experience in two different states and contexts has helped me to deeply appreciate the breadth of opportunity that family medicine has to offer, from providing those first screenings for refugee patients arriving in Rogers Park to front-line work treating syphilis in rural South Dakota. The family medicine physicians I’ve met along the way have been insightful advocates who are passionate about giving their patients the best care possible, and I’m excited at the prospect of a future career working alongside like-minded individuals.
Hobbies: Writing competitions, hiking, and trying new recipes
Fun Fact: I once took a graduate class with a (retired!) peer whom I later found out was the second woman in Wisconsin to become a surgeon.
Emily Weiser
Hometown: New York, NY
Undergrad school and major: Cornell University, Development Sociology
Why RUSH: With my background in Development Sociology and Health Equity, my lens on medicine has been focused highly on acknowledging and addressing the entire context of a patient’s health when treating acute or chronic illness. I am humbled by the opportunity to be part of a community that seeks out long-lasting solutions to issues of health equity through advocacy and leadership in their community. In speaking with faculty and students, I was impressed by their sincere commitment to serving patients with comprehensive and compassionate care. I am eager to learn from and collaborate with all members of the RUSH community!
Why Family Medicine: As an AmeriCorps member at a family medicine clinic in an underserved and non-English speaking community, my understanding of the reach and responsibility of family medicine physicians was broadened. I was inspired by the incorporation of community-based programming into the medical facility, and the knowledge that physicians had of their community. I admire how family medicine physicians have the unique opportunity to practice longitudinal and preventive medicine. With the realization that care could extend much beyond the exam room, by addressing all aspects of a patient’s life, I felt determined to be part of this important sector within medicine.
Hobbies: long walks, board & card games (specifically Scrabble, Monopoly Deal and Hearts), and reading
Fun fact: I have walked from Massachusetts to Maine, along the New Hampshire coastline!
Class of 2027
Katharine Jeffreys
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Undergraduate School and Major: University of Chicago, Psychology
Why RUSH: It was my priority to attend a medical school with a genuine dedication to its surrounding community. RUSH has fulfilled this mission for years and continuously works to improve its relationship with people and organizations on the West Side. Additionally, as a woman of color who intends to practice in a diverse community, I am continuously impressed with RUSH’s devotion to DEI. Their faculty, student body, and curriculum reflect RUSH’s goals to diversify the field of medicine.
Why Family Medicine: After college, I served as a research assistant on a study examining the effects of stress on pregnancy outcomes in low-income African-American mothers. I had the privilege of supporting women from their first trimester of pregnancy until their infants were nine months old. The experience of supporting both mom and baby in their health journey was incredible. I enjoyed establishing long-term relationships with my participants. Family medicine is the only specialty that allows you to care for the whole family over their lifespan! Additionally, I am passionate about pursuing community-based medicine and family medicine physicians are trained to be pillars of their community.
Hobbies: Running, live theater, film, and music!
Fun Fact: I was the host of a gun violence prevention podcast called “Unloading: Community Solutions for Gun Violence”
Nick Lehrhoff
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate School and Major: Loyola Marymount University, Health and Human Sciences
Why Rush: RUSH stood out to me because of its commitment to service and understanding of the surrounding community’s needs, especially through primary care. Its dedication to addressing health equity and systemic barriers was evident through the application process and has continued to be an emphasis during my first 2 years of classes.
Why Family Medicine: Family Medicine aligns with my desire to meet patients where they are and help them across all stages of life. I believe this desire stems from a range of jobs and experiences before coming to RUSH, including volunteering at a large safety-net hospital and a small community ER, working on public health research and administering COVID vaccines, working as an EMT, and then as a medical assistant. While these roles may seem scattered, they broadened my understanding of health and the patients I want to serve.
Hobbies: Woodworking, cooking, playing guitar
Fun Fact: I have a 3-year streak on Duolingo for practicing Spanish every day. I’m still working to become conversationally fluent!
Class of 2026
Jennifer Castillo
Hometown: Park City, IL
Undergraduate School and Major: The University of Illinois at Chicago, Biological Sciences
Why RUSH? As a physician, I want to aid in increasing access to healthcare and advocate for change that will increase patients’ quality of life. RUSH has continuously demonstrated these same values and goals. Choosing RUSH will allow me to continue to uphold these values, while learning how to make the best impact as a physician from faculty and students.
Why Family Medicine? Due to family medicine’s wide scope of practice, it provides a unique opportunity to treat patients over the course of their lifetime. This facilitates the development of long term relationships with patients, which is what draws me to the specialty. Practicing family medicine will also allow me to help patients prevent illnesses and the progression of illness.
Hobbies: Spending time at the beach, going to the gym, and taking tennis lessons.
Fun fact: My favorite season is the summer!
Andrew Mohama
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD / Minneapolis, MN
Why RUSH? From day one of interviewing with RUSH to now being a medical student, RUSH never had to prove that they cared about the community—it was exceedingly evident in everything RUSH does. As a Syrian-American, I feel welcomed and uplifted here. I feel honored and proud to be part of such a diverse class and team of faculty and physicians who come from all walks of life.
I also genuinely believe in the mission and vision at RUSH, and I feel encouraged to always push our theory of change into practice—in the classroom, the patient room, and the community at large. RUSH is a place that not only allows us to care for patients when they enter our doors but helps empower the responsibility to remove barriers to health care access through service and public health advocacy, among many other acts. I believe physicians and health workers must use their position to advocate for policies, partnerships, and initiatives that allow accessibility and just systems to exist, and RUSH is a place where this is both encouraged and actively carried out. This work is longitudinal—it may take an entire lifetime and more to accomplish. But to me, this is exactly what RUSH is concerned with and why I believe in our shared vision for a better future for all.
Why Family Medicine? While this question truly calls for a long, deep-dive conversation (perhaps over a specialty roast coffee or a long bike ride), I will do my best to give the short version of why I am currently interested in family medicine. With an academic background in biology and philosophy, many of my interests lie at the intersection of science and intellect, research and narrative. Each patient has a story, and I believe primary care physicians have the opportunity to create a loving space that allows patients to achieve a sense of self-empowerment about their life stories. I believe that storytelling can help us live better, more connected lives. And at the heart of family medicine seems to be a powerful bearing of witness to these diverse and infinitely powerful stories.
A patient’s journey may involve problems that cannot be fixed; however, I believe physicians do not only fix. And oftentimes, family medicine is not concerned with a quick fix. Rather, it is the consistent building of trust and relationships with patients, along with recurrent professional medical guidance, that can allow a path towards better health and well-being. A primary care career will allow me to bear witness and provide a partnership with patients during the healing process. It will also allow me to integrate other areas of interest into my work, such as hospice and palliative care.
Beyond the patient room, family medicine doctors are exceptionally equipped to be advocates in policy and public health work. I am compelled to pursue a career that allows me to participate in advocacy through unique mediums of policy work, writing, speaking, and leadership roles, among many other avenues. Family medicine intersects many of my curiosities into one career, and I am thrilled to explore this interest further through FMLP to see if it is the right choice for me!
Hobbies: ultra-endurance cycling, gravel and mountain biking, running, rock climbing, hiking, camping, and basically all things outdoors! I play guitar, enjoy podcasts, and am a lover of sharing stories and intentional conversation.
Fun Fact: I biked across the United States in 2017! This catapulted my love for cycling and the various parts of life that intersect with the bike. I am an outspoken activist for inclusivity in the cycling world, because firmly believe that biking is for everyone and can connect a myriad of diverse communities and people together. There is nothing quite like riding a bike.
David C. Taylor
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate School and Major: UC Berkeley, BA Sociology
Why RUSH? I am drawn to RUSH because the breadth of its mission statement stood out to me. RUSH is dedicated to deeply understanding the complex needs of residents in their service area. This commitment to the community is evident in many initiatives and mirrors my own desire to deeply engage with patients. In addition, I remain impressed by the genuine warmth as well as the accomplishments of my peers. The combination of a strong mission and engaged student body made RUSH a clear choice for me.
Why Family Medicine? I am interested in a career in Family Medicine because I recognize that Family Medicine is the backbone of the healthcare system. I appreciate that a well-trained family physician with institutional support can take care of the vast majority of a patient’s healthcare needs. Prior to medical school, I worked for many years in a free clinic providing care to underserved and LGBT communities. Through this experience, I learned firsthand many of the challenges my queer family faces, including “siloing” aspects of their sexual health from their doctor. Family medicine allows me the opportunity to create a space where patients of all backgrounds can discuss any concern.
Hobbies: Urban exploration, medical soap operas (Grey’s Anatomy anyone?), travel.
Anjali Venkat
Hometown: Winston Salem, NC
Undergraduate School and Major University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Major: Biology and Religious Studies, Minor: Spanish
Why RUSH? I was drawn to RUSH for its commitment to serve and care for the city of Chicago. Every student and faculty member I spoke with truly found their special way to contribute to their community. The sense of comfort and belonging I immediately felt after my interview confirmed that RUSH was the place I would feel most at home and grow into the compassionate physician I hope to become.
Why Family Medicine? I am most drawn to family medicine for its unique opportunity to follow the entire health of a patient from cradle to grave, paying attention to the small and large changes that happen in patients’ daily lives. The field also provides a basis to build upon my interests in traditional healing practices to create a practice focused on preventative medicine and the improvement of my community’s overall quality of life.
Hobbies: Cooking, yoga, biking, reading, going to concerts
Fun Fact: I just finished my yoga instructor certification this summer!
Class of 2025
Haley Bylina
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate School: Truman State University, Health Science (major) & Biology (minor)
Why RUSH? RUSH has been my dream school for as long as I could remember. It represents an institution dedicated to its patients, students and staff through innovation, outreach and quality healthcare. I am incredibly honored to be a part of a mission that has served my home (and family) for so many years.
Why Family Medicine? Family Medicine is at the intersection of my passion for public health and medicine. I aspire to invest in my patients to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare through the cognizance of public-health related influences and valued shared decision-making. This allows me to function as my patients’ advocate, liaison and ally.
Hobbies: Instant Pot cooking, Pinterest and spending time with family!
Fun Fact: Michelle Obama and I went to the same high school (not at the same time)!
Sarah Dynia
Hometown: Oak Lawn, IL
Undergraduate School and Major: Northwestern University, Major: Neuroscience and Psychology, Minor: Latin
Why RUSH? RUSH is a great fit for me for so many reasons! RUSH’s strong focus on community service and care for the city of Chicago aligned perfectly with my goals as an aspiring physician. I’ve been in and around Chicago my whole life and I’m excited to further learn about the city as a RUSH medical student! RUSH’s sense of community was also a big draw for me, and I am excited to be a part of it.
Why Family Medicine? I am interested in family medicine because of its unique ability to provide interdisciplinary, community-focused healthcare as well as build longitudinal relationships with patients. I hope to use family medicine to explore my interests across various patient backgrounds, work towards health equity and justice, and provide advocacy for my patients.
Hobbies: Gardening, exploring new restaurants, puzzles, cooking
Fun Fact: I’ve been on a billboard before!
Natali Smiley
Hometown: Izmir, Turkey
Undergrad School and Major: University of Washington, International Studies and Global Health
Why RUSH? Every member of the RUSH family takes their commitment to service seriously and chooses daily, to live for others.
Why Family Medicine? It’s been said before, but FM incorporates and celebrates the comprehensive person every patient is- and what a privilege it is to learn how to enter into the details of our patients’ lives and walk with them through it all.
Hobbies: hosting, cooking, pretending I can take care of plants, traveling, language-learning, dancing to 70s and 90s jams
Fun Fact: I have been inside and on top of the Pyramids of Giza.
Stephany Valladares
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergrad: Northwestern University, Evanston
Why RUSH: As a Chicago native, I have witnessed health care delivery in the city and the health inequities that result from it due to the structural and economical barriers that people face in urban areas. RUSH serves a diverse subsect of the city, and I look forward to working with patients from the West Side and other marginalized areas of the city. Additionally, RUSH’s commitment to service indicated to me that I would be surrounded by likeminded individuals in medicine, with similar goals to advance and sustain communities.
Why Family Medicine: Family medicine’s longitudinal nature and holistic approach in patient care is the main reason why I chose to be a part of the program. Having the opportunity to learn from physicians who take patients’ various avenues of influence into consideration when treating their conditions is very valuable. This type of healthcare delivery is what not only changes individuals, but entire communities.
Hobbies: Medical interpretation at Community Health Clinic, yoga, biking on the 606, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, I am a big foodie!
Our Graduates
Class of 2024
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
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Sheryl A. Cherian |
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Emma Klug |
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Marissa Pharel |
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Emily Wayland |
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Class of 2023
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
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Claire Bosworth |
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Tim Huang |
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Stephanie E. Moss |
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Emily (Lily) Peterson |
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Class of 2022
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
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Ellie Battino, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Obstetrics, reproductive health, community-based participatory research, and health at every size |
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Claire Brady, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Cris Chan, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Sports medicine, underserved populations, preventive medicine, medical education |
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Briyana Domjahn, MD, MPH |
Family Medicine |
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Women’s health, obstetrics, LGBTQ+ health, health equity, social justice, integrating public health and clinical medicine, community health |
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Adam Korte, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Addiction medicine, social justice, geriatric medicine |
Class of 2021
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
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Laura Hurley, MD, MPH |
Family Medicine |
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Behavioral health and women’s health |
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Leah Petrucelli, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Integrative medicine: acupuncture, herbal medicine, body work, food as medicine, health equity, learning OMT |
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Kavya Timmireddy, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Health equity work, care for the underserved (with specific focus on care for individuals with disabilities or are LGBTQIA identified), family planning, and behavioral health |
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John Walton, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Rebecca Wornhoff, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Community health, women’s health, and working with immigrant populations |
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Jennifer Camello, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Healthcare for vulnerable populations, climate change and health, and OB |
Class of 2020
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
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Josh Doppelt, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Kristen Hillgamyer, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Health equity, primary care innovation, sports medicine, behavioral health, addiction medicine |
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Dorjee Norbu, MD |
Family Medicine & Psychiatry (combined program) |
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Address the primary care as well as the mental health needs of our underserved communities |
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Jackie Hendrix, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Women’s health, preventive medicine, palliative care, adolescent medicine, Latinx health, and working with underserved communities |
Class of 2019
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
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Mallory Davis, MD |
Family Medicine Fellowship: Addiction Medicine |
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HIV medicine, addiction medicine, gender affirming care, reproductive health and justice, and community medicine |
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Emma Richardson, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Valerie Rock, MD, MPH |
Family Medicine |
Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center, Seattle, WA |
Geriatrics, women’s health, pediatrics, cross-cultural health |
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Katy Rooney, MD |
Family Medicine Fellowship: Addiction Medicine |
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Primary care, obstetrics, family planning, and managing substance use in pregnancy |
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Erick Skaff, MD |
Family Medicine |
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Class of 2018
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
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Zoe Gordon, MD, MPH |
Family Medicine |
Lynn Community Health Center, Lynn, MA |
Community healthcare |
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Ramya Kuchibhatla, MD |
Family Medicine |
Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Los Angeles, CA
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Urgent care |
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Sean McClellan, MD |
Family Medicine Fellowship: National Clinician Scholars Program |
Clinical Instructor, Family Medicine, UCSF |
Immigrant health Research interests: Understanding the distinct ways chronic conditions affects different populations with an emphasis on global health and disparities and a specific focus on Mexico and immigrant populations in the United States |
Class of 2017
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
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Kristen Anderson, MD |
Family Medicine |
UW Medicine, Valley Medical Center- Primary and Urgent Care Clinic, Renton, WA |
Managing chronic medical conditions, mental health, care of infants and children, and office-based procedures including skin biopsies, IUD and Nexplanon insertion and removal, and joint injections |
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Ed Elchico, MD |
Family Medicine |
International Community Health Services (ICHS), Seattle, WA |
Children’s medicine, teen medicine, pregnancy care, LGBTQ+ care, refugee and immigrant health, medication assisted treatment, mental health |
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Brian Stojak, MD |
Family Medicine |
Swedish Hospital, Chicago, IL |
Adolescent Health, Pediatric Care, Integrative Medicine, Adult Wellness Exams, LGBTQ+ Health |