Meet our Fellows
Class of 2024
Michael J Manansala, MD“Training at Rush for Rheumatology has been a wonderful experience. Rush offers a diverse clinical experience by allowing the fellows to rotate at two very different hospital. Rush University Medical Center is a tertiary referral that cares for extremely complex and rare patient cases. Cook County Hospital is a safety net hospital and provides care to underserved patients, many of whom have lasting sequela from Rheumatologic disease. Additionally, the Rheumatology Department at Rush fosters a supportive and collegial learning environment. The priority on fellow’s learning is clear with structured didactics every week. There are a number of great attendings to work with that can accommodate any research interest. Lastly, Chicago is a world class city and a wonderful place to live in during fellowship and beyond.”
Medical School: Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Residency: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Matas Orentas, DO“The main reasons I chose Rush for my Rheumatology fellowship training were the collegial environment and the opportunity to rotate at two unique sites. All faculty in the department have an open-door policy. They are supportive of the fellows’ endeavors, both within the field of Rheumatology and in other interests in life. Days in the office are filled with excellent scheduled didactics, insightful spontaneous teaching pearls, and an amazing ancillary staff. We spend time outside the office together with events like holiday parties, wellness dinners, and fellow hang outs. Half of the training occurs at Rush University Medical Center and the other half is at Cook County Hospital. This provides the opportunity to manage tertiary referrals with complex medical histories at Rush, while also treating a safety net population at Cook County who often have not seen Rheumatology previously and have late-stage disease. This provides a breadth of training that will prepare me for wherever my career takes me. I am so thankful that I am doing my fellowship at Rush. The first eight months have flown by, but when I reflect, I realize how much I have learned already. I am excited to see what the rest of my fellowship has in store for me.”
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL
Residency: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Class of 2025
Ami Purohit, MDResidency: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
“I made the decision to pursue my Rheumatology training at Rush due to several compelling factors. Foremost among these is the caliber of the faculty members who possess a genuine commitment to our success. Their unwavering support fosters an environment conducive to continuous growth and community, as evidenced by our insightful didactic sessions as well as our frequent get-togethers. We are similarly supported by a wonderful and dedicated ancillary staff, who are integral to delivering comprehensive patient care. We also have the privilege of rotating at both Rush and Cook County Hospital. This experience exposes me to a diverse range of cases and patient demographics, thereby broadening my understanding of rheumatic diseases and their management. Training at both these hospitals surrounded by such a collaborative healthcare team affords me the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in my career as a rheumatologist.”
Residency: John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL