Meet our Residents
Meet the residents of the RUSH Copley Family Medicine Residency Program.
Alexis Acernese, MD
Alexis Acernese, MD, is a proud Floridian. She attended the University of Central Florida where she received her bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Health Science. She completed her medical degree at St. Matthew’s University. Acernese is interested in pursuing a fellowship in sports medicine. Outside of medicine, she is passionate about fitness and strength training, especially spin and HIIT classes. She also enjoys discovering new places and being outdoors. Acernese loves to cook, try new recipes, and host events. In Fall, you will catch her watching college football. Go Knights!
Hiba Mohiuddin, MD
Hiba Mohiuddin, MD, is a native of Naperville. She was born in Chicago and raised in the southwest suburbs. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Economics at The University of Illinois at Chicago and completed her medical degree at Ross University School of Medicine. Her medical interests include preventive medicine, women’s health, and inpatient care. In her free time, Mohiuddin enjoys painting, crafting, baking, completing jigsaw puzzles and game nights with family and friends.
Joseph Rojas, MD
Joseph Rojas, MD, was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. He received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Loyola University Chicago and he completed his medical degree at St. George’s University. His passions include traveling, music production, yoga, rock climbing, and aerial droning. His medical interests include addiction medicine, preventative care and sports medicine.
Jessica Audet, MD
Jessica Audet, MD, was born and raised in the province of Quebec, Canada, and also had the opportunity to move to France for 4 years in her teens. She is fluent in French and is learning Spanish. She received her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Sport Sciences from the University of Montreal and her doctorate in medicine from Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba. Audet initially started her medical career as a resident in General Surgery, but quickly realized she needed more contact with the population she was treating and wanted an integrated patient care practice. Her interest in family medicine is strong and oriented toward patient care and sports medicine. She believes a patient needs to be heard and be treated adequately and with dignity. Outside of medicine, she enjoys cooking, crafts, arts, and all kinds of sports. Being a sports aficionado, she has completed multiple triathlons and marathons.
Zaid A. Hussain, MD
Zaid A. Hussain, MD, was born in India and grew up in New York City. He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from The College of Staten Island- CUNY and earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Hussain is interested in academic family medicine, adolescent medicine, preventative medicine, and sports medicine. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, trying new foods, and following sports, especially the Yankees, Islanders, Lakers, Jets, and Giants!
Elizabeth Imperial, MD
Elizabeth Imperial, MD, is from Oxnard, California. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned her medical degree from American University of the Caribbean. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys trying new foods, reading, and indoor rock climbing.
Kush Patel, DO, MPH
Kush Patel, DO, MPH, is from the suburbs of Chicago. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Thereafter, he went on to receive an MPH from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health and a medical degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM). His interests in family medicine include obesity medicine and preventative care. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching sports such as basketball and football with his friends and he is a huge fan of Lebron James and the Chicago Bulls. When he’s not working, he likes to explore Chicago’s different neighborhoods. He is always looking for new restaurants to try, especially pizza places. He also loves to spend time with his friends and family, especially his younger sister.
William Velasquez, MD
William Velasquez, MD, grew up near Tampa, Florida. He received his bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida and his medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean. His medical interests include HIV medicine and gender affirming care. In his spare time, you can find him staying active, watching a movie, or traveling.
Tayvin Viratyosin, MD
Tayvin Viratyosin, MD, is originally from Minnesota. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. In his free time, Dr. Viratyosin enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with family and friends.
Monisha Gudavalli, MD
Monisha Gudavalli, MD, was born and primarily raised in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. She also briefly lived in Plano, TX and Cedar Rapids, IA during her childhood. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Physiology with a minor in Spanish at the University of Iowa and completed her medical degree at Ross University School of Medicine. Her medical interests include a mix of academic family medicine, lifestyle medicine, adolescent medicine, and inpatient medicine. Outside of medicine, she enjoys running, cooking, trying new restaurants, traveling, and watching football, baseball, and hockey.
Lauren Cordes, DO
Lauren Cordes, DO, is from Des Moines, Iowa where she completed her bachelor’s in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She completed her medical degree and Masters of Anatomy at Des Moines University. Her interests in medicine include OB care, reproductive health, and mental health. She is an avid music lover and in her free time can be found at her local record shop, attending a concert, or listening to music at home with her husband and daughter. She also enjoys cooking, reading, exploring museums, and streaming the newest k-dramas.
Elizabeth Yucknut, MD, MS
Elizabeth Yucknut, MD, MS, was born in Danbury, Connecticut. She moved to Deerfield, Illinois when she was a teenager, and her family still lives in the north suburbs of Chicago. She attended Washington University in St. Louis for undergraduate studies, where she majored in Anthropology and Biology and played on the women’s basketball team. Afterwards, she received a Master’s degree in Applied Health Behavior Research at Washington University in St. Louis. She earned her medical degree from St. George’s University. She is excited to be back in the greater Chicagoland area. Her interests within family medicine include academic and lifestyle medicine. In her free time, you can find her at a CrossFit gym or spending time with her family, especially her two young nephews.