Meet our Med-Peds Residents

Meet our 12 Internal Medicine-Pediatric residents! A wonderful mix of locals and out-of-towners, calling The Windy City home. Scroll down to learn a little bit of our resident’s past, present and future. Be sure to click on the their favorite spots to explore some of what Chicago has to offer!

Fourth-year residents (PGY-4)

Third-year residents (PGY-3)

Second-year residents (PGY-2)

First-year residents (PGY-1)

Forth-year residents (PGY-4)

Four people wearing masks stand looking at the camera

(Left to right) Hannah M. Duehren, Ashanta Brady, Emily Nehl & Scott Miller

Name	Background
Ashanta P. Brady, MD, PharmD She/Her	Medical School: Meharry Medical College Graduate/Professional School: Howard University College of Pharmacy Undergrad: University of Maryland, College Park Grew up in: Chicago, IL Professional interests: I hope to further explore a career in health disparities research, Pharmacoeconomics and Combined Adult and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Why Med-Peds: I chose Med-Peds because I love transition of care for all specialties! I am very excited to have the exposure of advanced training in general pediatrics and adult medicine. Fave Chicago spots: Running on the Lakefront Trail to Promontory Point, Crown Fountain in Millennium Park, and Water Tower Place on the Magnificent Mile
Hannah M. Duehren, MD She/Her	Medical School: University of Massachusetts Undergrad: University of Notre Dame Grew up in: Needham, MA Professional interests: I am particularly passionate about helping children and young adults with chronic illnesses and am interested in Health Equity and working in resource limited settings. I love inpatient medicine especially Critical Care, so am also considering a career as an Intensivist but overall a little undecided still. Why Med-Peds: I want to learn everything and be prepared to take care of anyone! I wanted a residency program that would give me the knowledge and skills to provide care in resource limited settings for all ages. I love Rush because everyone is humble, fun, compassionate about patient care and enthusiastic about learning. Fave Chicago spots: Biking the Lakefront Trail, restaurants in the West Loop!, Playing spike ball and hanging in all the nice parks!
Scott M. Miller, MD He/Him	Medical School: Rush Medical College Undergrad: University of Minnesota Grew up in: Rosemount, MN Professional interests: I plan to be a Hospitalist with a dash of global health as well. I am currently in the global health track. Why Med-Peds: I wanted to see patients of all ages, and Med-Peds people were my people! Fave Chicago spots: Running along the Lakefront Trail, Seeing an opera at the Lyric or seeing a show at a theater in the Loop, Eating all the delicious food.
Emily R. Nehl, MD She/Her	Medical School: University at Buffalo Undergrad: Duquesne University Grew up in: Buffalo, NY Professional interests: Primary Care in a Med Peds clinic, Hospital Medicine and Medical Education Why Med-Peds: Med-Peds training will prepare me to take care of anyone and gives me a broad range of career opportunities. I chose Rush because of the good vibes, down to earth people and friendly, teaching focused atmosphere. Fave Chicago spots: A show at Second City, Walking my roommate’s dog, Colby, along the lakefront, Taking care of the herb garden on my deck

Third-year residents (PGY-3)

People stand, smiling, looking at camera

(Left to right) Jennifer Marsidi, Benjamin Traisman, Brinda Ryali, and Elizabeth Hayes.

Name	Background
Elizabeth Hayes, MD She/Her	Medical School: Howard University Undergrad: Howard University Grew up in: Charlotte, NC Professional interests: Undecided, but considering dual fellowships! Why Med-Peds: Being able to treat people of all ages and being trained by/working with great people! Fave Chicago spots: Enjoying the Riverwalk with my dog and using the Divvy bikes to explore the city!
Jennifer Marsidi, DO She/Her	Medical School: University of New England Graduate, Nursing: Seattle University Graduate, Education: Tufts University Undergrad: Tufts University Grew up in: Everett, WA Professional interests: Adult Pulm/Critical Care, Adult or Pediatric Cardiology. Why Med-Peds: I always felt that learning both adult and pediatric medicine would make me a better doctor for whichever side I end up specializing in—or allow me to do a combined fellowship. Also, Med-Peds folks are my kind of wacky! Fave Chicago spots: I have enjoyed taking family bike rides on the North Branch Trail up to the Botanic Gardens and rides on the Des Plaines River Trail to Hartigan’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Evanston!
Brinda Ryali, MD She/Her	Medical School: Western Michigan University Undergrad: University of California, San Diego Grew up in: Fremont, CA Professional interests: I’m interested in global and Public Health, Medical Education, and Women’s Health. I am in the health equity track and hope to pursue a career addressing health care disparities within the Primary Care setting. Why Med-Peds: My favorite thing about Med-Peds is that as a group, everyone is very advocacy oriented and they are some of the fiercest patient advocates I’ve met throughout the hospital! Fave Chicago spots: Reading a book along Riverwalk, boating on the river, playing basketball at skinner park, and exploring the never-ending food scene (some favorites include Aba and Lula Cafe).
Benjamin Traisman, DO He/Him	Medical School: Touro College, New York Undergrad: Emory University, Atlanta Grew up in: Chicago and Evanston, IL Professional interests: Following residency I plan to pursue a fellowship in Cardiology or Critical Care. Rush allows for so many opportunities to experience both these realms of practice in residency both as a clinician and researcher. Why Med-Peds: Med-Peds is incredibly fun and fulfilling. I have managed a vast array of pathophysiology already just in the first months of my intern year. It is clinically rewarding seeing a 53 year old for chest pain and a 5 year old for a school physical all within the same afternoon on the outpatient side and managing an adult with multiple comorbidities from childhood on the inpatient side. There’s truly never a dull moment. Fave Chicago spots: Any one of the excellent beaches, our beaches are underrated! The architecture tour on the river, Chicago has some of the most beautiful architecture in the world. If it happens to be winter, going to a Bulls/Blackhawks game at the UC is a ton of fun. It truly is the “Madhouse on Madison.”

Second-year residents (PGY-2)

(Left to right) Jayla Bostic, Rong Hu, Crystal Juarez and Colin Flannelly.

Name	Background
Jayla Bostic, DO, MS She/Her	Medical School: Touro College, New York Undergrad: University of Florida Grew up in: Wellington, FL Professional interests: My career interests include Primary Care, Urban Medicine, and Medical Education. Why Med-Peds: I chose Med-Peds because I wanted the opportunity to work with patients from birth and onwards throughout their adulthood. I also liked that the targeted training of this specialty will enable me to not only work with healthy patients, but also provide me with the skills necessary to manage the long-term care of complex congenital and childhood diseases that can persist into adulthood for many. Additionally, I love that Med-Peds offers a multitude of opportunities post-residency, including going into Primary Care, pursuing fellowship, or serving as a Hospitalist. Fave Chicago spots: Football games at Soldier Field and shopping on Michigan Avenue.
Colin Flannelly, MD, MSc. He/Him	Medical School: University of Massachusetts Undergrad: The College of New Jersey Grew up in: Phillipsburg, NJ Professional interests: Health Policy, Economics, Equity, MedEd, EBM Why Med-Peds: Endless reasons! It’s the most pluripotent field with the ability to mix and match your future career and sidestep burnout. Plus, as always, THE PEOPLE! Fave Chicago spots: New to the area, but so far love Adams & Sons & Daughters for plants, Moneygun for cocktails, Humboldt park for runs, and Lottie’s for trivia nights.
Rong Hu, MD She/Her	Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine Undergrad: Washington University in St. Louis Grew up in: Chicago and Wilmette, IL Professional interests: I’m currently debating between Primary Care, Rheumatology, and Cardiology! Why Med-Peds: I love interacting with patients of all ages and being able to learn about diseases throughout the entire lifespan. Plus, everyone I’ve met within Med-Peds has been incredibly kind, bright, and supportive. Fave Chicago spots: Anywhere along Lake Michigan. I also love exploring Chicago suburbs for small town vibes and forest preserves. My favorite restaurants include La Chaparrita in Pilsen, Conte di Savoia in Little Italy, and Happy Lamb in Chinatown!
Crystal Juarez, MD She/Her	Medical School: Michigan State University Undergrad: Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College Grew up in: Grand Rapids, MI Professional interests: My interests include combined Hospitalist or working in a Med-Peds outpatient clinic. It would be awesome if I can do both! Why Med-Peds: I chose Med-Peds because I love that I can work with populations of all ages whether it’s a newborn to the elderly. I also love the variety and diversity of medical conditions that I get to work with from outpatient visits in clinic to working in the ICU. I plan on doing Global Health in the future so I need to gain the skills to work populations of all ages and under whatever circumstances and I feel like Med-Peds is the perfect specialty to prepare me for that. Fave Chicago spots: I haven’t explored too much yet but so far I love all the different outdoor seating areas with all the beautiful plants and flowers. There are plenty of spots like that down here. Also I love walking by the lakeshore and navy pier. There are so many beautiful spots here and I can’t wait to explore them!

First-year residents (PGY-1)

(Left to right) Sara Barajas, Hannah Silverman, Lena Eskin, Orrianne Morrison

Name	Background
Sara Barajas, MD She/Her	Medical School: Rush Medical College Undergrad: UC Berkeley Grew up in: Southern California Professional interests: Primary Care Why Med-Peds: I love the continuity of care that we can offer families regardless of age. Med-Peds also does really well to prepare you for complex patients of any age. Fave Chicago spots: Lincoln Park Colectivo Coffee on Saturdays (great for dog watching) and any Farmers Market!
Lena Eskin, MD She/Her	Medical School: Rush Medical College Undergrad: Cornell University Grew up in: Evanston, IL Professional interest: Combined med-peds primary care! Why Med-Peds: I want to have equally strong training in internal medicine and pediatrics so that I can serve both populations and help patients navigate the often-challenging transition in between, all while getting to work with some of the most compassionate, down-to-earth people in medicine. Fave Chicago spots: Anything having to do with the lakefront (running, picknicing, swimming), Lost Larson Bakery and The Garfield Park Conservatory!
Orrianne Morrison, MD She/Her	Medical School: Rush Medical College Undergrad: Spelman College Grew up in: Atlanta, Georgia Professional Interest: Transitions of Care, Sickle Cell Disease, Medical Education, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Why Med - Peds: I am passionate about caring for individuals across Fav Chicago Spots: Kizuki Ramen, District Brew Yard, Big Star Taco, Small Cheval, Garfield Park Conservatory, Harrrison Park, Off Color Brewery, Goose Island Brewhouse.
Hannah Silverman, MD She/Her	Medical School: Rush Medical College Undergrad: University of Michigan Grew up in:River Forest, IL Professional interest: Outpatient care for adults and children, complex care needs and transitions in care. Why Med-Peds: I think it is the biggest honor as a physician to be able to care for people of all ages and from all walks of life. Being trained in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, I can care for any human with any level of healthcare needs who walks though my clinic doors. Fave Chicago spots: Hugo’s Frog Bar, Third Rail Tavern, Red Hot Ranch, and any Saturday in any bar watching the Michigan Wolverines win.