Nihushi Bhardwaj, M.D
Alpharetta, GA
St. George’s University School of Medicine
Fun Fact: I read so many books in middle school that I (and a few of my friends) were published in the local newspaper.
Why I Chose Loyola: The location, the size and the people! Also, had an amazing interview day where I could see how much everyone truly enjoyed working with and learning from one another.
Samita Charolia, D.O
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, TX University of North Texas Health Science Center
Fun Fact: I have always been a foodie and love experiencing new cuisines. After living in Texas my whole life, I'm super stoked to move to Chicago and embark on new food adventures in the city!!
Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola for the opportunity to work with a diverse patient population, which truly excites me as it promises a rich, hands-on learning experience. I look forward to contributing to and growing within a community that values diversity, innovation, and compassionate care.
Ryan Curry, M.D
New Lenox, IL
St. George’s University School of Medicine
Fun Fact: I have traveled to 10 countries. My travels include playing Division III soccer in Trinidad and Tobago, studying abroad in Ecuador and Peru, and honeymooning in the Dominican Republic!
Why I Chose Loyola: Growing up in the area, Loyola has always been a prominent medical center. They are staffed with great educators- as I saw firsthand when my wife received her BSN through Loyola’s program. And while applying for residencies, Loyola's mission to treat the whole person aligned with my core reasons of becoming a physician.
Adya Dave, D.O
Creve Coeur, MO
Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Fun Fact: I am occasionally funny
Why I Chose Loyola: The location, the smaller class size, and the way that my interview day was. Dr. Boyd, Dr. Tsien, and Tonya handled the technical difficulties with grace and a positive attitude!
Rangin Haji Rahman, M.D
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Saint James School of Medicine
Fun Fact: I can average one season per day binge watching Netflix. Suits has become a recent favorite of mine!
Why I chose Loyola: Everyone that I interacted with on my interview day was incredibly supportive and friendly! It was evident to me that the culture at Loyola would offer me the ideal environment to learn and grow into the pediatrician that I’ve always dreamed of becoming. Getting to live in Chicago is the cherry on top!
Samantha Houston, D.O.
Collettsville, NC
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) Carolinas
Fun Fact: While volunteering at a charity auction, I brought home my second dog, Olive! Now Piper has a new sibling to play with, and my apartment is buzzing with twice the fun and excitement.
Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola for my pediatric residency program because it offers an ideal location, a supportive program size, and a strong emphasis on teaching. Plus, the diverse and unique patient population provides an excellent variety of cases. These factors combined make Loyola the ideal place for my ever-continuing training.
Nicole Rock, M.D
Chicago, IL Loyola
Loyola Stritch School of Medicine
Fun Fact: I am a first generation college graduate.
Why I Chose Loyola:
The mentorship, and faculty really care about you.
Zhoe Rub, M.D
Astoria, Oregon
Chicago Medical School - Rosalind Franklin University
Fun Fact: I have a fraternal twin sister and a little brother. My sister is fifteen minutes older than me and somehow still lords it over me. My little brother is almost eight years younger than me and even though he is in college now I still call him my "baby" brother.
Why I Chose Loyola: Initially, I was interested in Loyola due to the patient population, location, and class size. Later on, I confirmed that Loyola was the right fit for me on my interview day when I saw the deep sense of community that was apparent among all of the faculty and residents that I interacted with.
Noor Wadi, D.O
Dallas, Texas
University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Fun Fact: In my free time, I love exploring new recipes at home and checking out local restaurants and bakeries.
Why I Chose Loyola: I chose Loyola because it combines great training with a nurturing environment to help me become a well rounded Pediatrician. The program's commitment to pediatric care and supportive community resonated with my passion for making a difference in children's lives.
Joseph Willner, M.D
Tinley Park, IL
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Fun Fact: I love to cook and try new recipes! My favorite activity right now is cooking and watching my infant son play with his food!
Why I Chose Loyola: I wanted to be at a program that believed in helping heal people, not just their ailments. As a pediatrician, we have an opportunity to help bring healing to patients, families, and homes. It was important to me to be at a program that shared that philosophy.
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
Daniel Hecht, M.D
Woodbridge, CT
Frank H. Netter SOM at Quinnipiac University
Fun Fact: I used to ski race
Why I Chose Loyola: I used to ski race I was very impressed with both the residents and the Med/Peds department during my interview day. Dr. Derhammer, especially, was one of the program directors I was most excited to work with. He showed a genuine passion for the program and for each of the residents.
Madeline Keane, M.D
St. Charles, IL
Burnett School of Medicine at TCU
Fun Fact: I did a rotation in Kenya my 4th year of medical school... and got to go on a safari where I was 3 feet from a lion!
Why I Chose Loyola: I immediately could sense a culture of caring about the patient as a whole person, placing humanism at the forefront of their medical care, from everyone I spoke with at Loyola on interview day. I wanted to learn how to practice medicine like that and knew I would have great clinical and research opportunities here in a friendly and inspiring environment, all while getting to return to the amazing city that is Chicago!
Morgan Lyttle, M.D
Abigail Pont, M.D
Oak Park, IL
Chicago Medical School - Rosalind Franklin University
Fun Fact: I can sing "Row Row Row Your Boat" backwards because a friend told me trying to would get songs out of my head. But I got too many songs stuck in my head so now I can sing it backwards.
Why I Chose Loyola: I choose Loyola for so many reasons, one of which is that this is where my Dad did his pediatrics residency way back when, but also because of the welcoming community that I saw during my interview. I could tell both during the social and the interview that the residents liked being around each other and liked the attendings that they were working with. And it doesn't hurt to get to stay close to home and Chicago.
