Benjamin Jiao, DO, PGY-5, Administration Chief

Hometown: Gurnee, IL

Medical School: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Personal Interests: Houseplants, gardening, cooking

Radiology Interests: Breast, MSK

Program Highlight: Our casual reading room setup fosters a supportive atmosphere among residents.

Future Plans: The University of Chicago Breast Imaging Fellowship

Myles Mowery, DO, PGY-5, Education Chief

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

Medical School: Kansas City University

Personal Interests: Concerts, guitar, music production, running, checking out cool dive bars

Radiology Interests: Neuro, Emergency/trauma

Program Highlight: The culture second to none; an incredible amount of collegiality is felt at this program between the residents and the attendings. I was also very impressed with the level of graduated responsibility/independence bestowed upon senior residents at this program; anyone graduating from here will be well-trained, capable, and well-prepared to enter the job market with a diverse and comprehensive skill set.

Future Plans: The University of Chicago Neuroradiology Fellowship

Samuel Patterson, MD, PGY-5

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine

Personal Interests: Hiking, bee-keeping

Radiology Interests: Breast, Physics, AI

Program Highlight: Plenty of opportunities for hands-on experiences with procedures and patient interaction.

Future Plans: Private practice

Zaki Zaheer, DO, PGY-5

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Medical School: Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Being outdoors, rock-climbing, video games, reading and writing

Radiology Interests: Body, Mammo

Program Highlight: The culture of the program is infectious in the best way possible. There is a genuine friendship between us all that makes going to work such an enjoyable experience. Additionally, the top-notch education and numerous resources we have access to set us up for success.

Future Plans: UCSF Body Imaging Fellowship

Teju Kapa, DO, PGY-4

Hometown: Peoria, IL

Medical School: Des Moines University

Personal Interests: Reading, traveling, dance, and running

Radiology Interests: Still exploring!

Program Highlight: Genuine camaraderie and program leadership’s responsiveness to resident input.

Austin Patrick, DO, PGY-4

Hometown: Gloucester, VA

Medical School: Cambell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Soccer (and fantasy premier league), strategy games and horror films

Radiology Interests: Neuroradiology, medical education

Program Highlight: Our intern year is exceptional; there are many opportunities to be hands-on and gain procedural experience during both on and off-service rotations.

Kevin Pugh, DO, PGY-4

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Medical School: Kansas City University

Personal Interests: Golf, movies, traveling, playing the piano

Radiology Interests: Neuroradiology

Program Highlight: Everyone in the program is super helpful and kind. Also, the buddy months toward the end of first year are great for getting early radiology exposure.

Smrithi Valsaraj, MD, PGY-4

Hometown: Pinehurst, NC

Medical School: East Carolina Univeristy - Brody School of Medicine

Personal Interests: Painting, dancing and watching reality TV shows

Radiology Interests: Body and Breast

Program Highlight: The program fosters a highly welcoming environment. You feel like you are part of a family! Also, the mentors here truly support and advocate for their residents.

Ritesh Kashyap, DO, PGY-3

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Medical School: Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Cooking, running, hiking, and houseplants

Radiology Interests: IR and MSK

Program Highlight: Definitely the program culture. Everyone is ready and willing to help you with any questions you have.

Cecile Swift, DO, PGY-3

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Medical School: Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Baking, hiking, and traveling

Radiology Interests: Mammo, Body, and IR

Program Highlight: Buddy months during intern year significantly prepares you for R1 year.

Tyler Dillon, DO, PGY-3

Hometown: Manhattan, KS

Medical School: A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing golf and anything related to Kansas State University Athletics

Radiology Interests: Undecided

Program Highlight: The positive culture within the program and the early exposure to radiology during intern year.

Nicholas Anderson, DO, PGY-3

Hometown: Wilmington, IL

Medical School: Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Learning- reading, podcasts, blogs, online courses; staying active- running, cycling, hiking, climbing; teaching and mentoring.

Radiology Interests: Undecided

Program Highlight: The people and the culture!

Annamarie Durante, DO, PGY-2

Hometown: Norridge, IL

Medical School: Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Reading, cooking, and traveling

Radiology Interests: Undecided

Program Highlight: Everyone is incredibly welcoming and nice. This program offers great mentorship and opportunities for residents to thrive.

Filip Jelenak, DO, PGY-2

Hometown: Springfield, VA

Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Soccer especially Chelsea FC, golf, video games, travel, spending time with friends and family.

Radiology Interests: IR, Body, Breast

Program Highlight: The great group of residents and faculty and the categorical intern year. Early hands-on experience with procedures. Supportive atmosphere with lots of opportunities for mentorship.

Brandon O’Connor, DO, PGY-2

Hometown: Austin, TX

Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Traveling, basketball, Python programming, trading card games, and football

Radiology Interests: IR, Breast, Medical Education

Program Highlight: Other than our culture, our Transitional Year. We get a lot of autonomy on various services and some of the services try to help you learn the radiology relevant to that specialty.

Stefi Ticsa, DO, PGY-2

Hometown: Clearwater, FL

Medical School: Nova Southeastern University Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Learning new languages, ice cream, hiking, running, pilates

Radiology Interests: Body, Breast

Program Highlight: Early exposure to reading a wide range of studies and the transitional year.

Andrew Asencio, DO, PGY-1

Hometown: Beavercreek, OH

Medical School: Midwestern University - Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Anything outdoors, fitness, reading (mostly sci-fi and fantasy), video games

Radiology Interests: Musculoskeletal, medical education

Program Highlight: Great faculty, great residents, great opportunities, and early exposure to radiology during your categorical intern year.

Moatasim Baig, DO, PGY-1

Hometown: Hanover Park, IL

Medical School: A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Car enthusiast, road trips, cycling, weight lifting, exploring new burger joints

Radiology Interests: Body, Emergency/Trauma

Program Highlight: The friendly and personable faculty and residents across all specialties that you get to work with during your transitional year and beyond.

Carrie Ford, DO, PGY-1

Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA

Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University - DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Travel, gardening, sewing, all types of nonfiction books, currently trying to find space to learn carpentry as I love making things

Radiology Interests: Neuroradiology

Program Highlight: The people and autonomy. I really like that it feels like a big family and everyone helps each other throughout the day or shares interesting cases as they arise. Even with the teamwork aspect, our program produces competent radiologist who are comfortable working independently upon graduation. I think that speaks to the quality of training.

Alec Kersteff, DO, PGY-1

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Medical School: Marian University - Wood College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Interests: Playing golf, doing yard work, hanging out with my family, nightly walks with my wife and our two aussiedoodles, and the Cincinnati Bengals (WHODEY)

Radiology Interests: IR, ER, Neuro

Program Highlight: I really respect the leadership within the program and the environment that has been built in response. Everyone is beyond welcoming and you can truly feel it. Also, buddy months are a huge plus!