Meet Our Residents

Dr. Michael Romero Chung comes from a mixed Jamaican/Honduran background. He is a first-generation American born raised in Houston, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry Sciences from Texas A&M University. He then completed his DO/MBA at Kansas City University. Michael is excited to join the team and apply an understanding of medicine and business to build a better environment for underserved populations to receive excellent healthcare.

Hobbies: Michael sees himself as a serial hobbyist. He enjoys learning new things and loves being active by playing soccer and rock climbing. Michael loves to cook and loves putting together a nice dinner party.

Dr. Leila Elysée-Mitton was born and raised in Montreal, Québec. She is a former Respiratory Therapist who earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. She then completed her medical education at Saint James School of Medicine in Anguilla. Leila’s professional interests include women’s health, preventive medicine and global health.

Hobbies: Leila enjoys cooking, traveling, listening to podcasts and urban gardening.

Dr. Michael Garcia Alicea was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology. He then completed his medical education from University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts medical school. Michael is an advocate of mental health.

Hobbies: Michael has a collection of modern board games, loves the beach, exploring new spaces and trying new culinary experiences.

Dr. Alejandro Gonzalez is a first generation Mexican American and the first in his family to attend a University. He was raised in Chicago’s “La Villita/Little Village” neighborhood and is from the Town of Cicero, Illinois. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry Sciences from Loyola University, Chicago. Alejandro graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago where he completed research in Orthopedics and Hispanic patient communication.

Hobbies: Alejandro enjoys volunteering at St. Francis of Assisi parish and provides medical coverage for the yearly Chicago Marathon. Alejandro enjoys traveling with his wife, weight training, Brazilian Jiujitsu, painting and charcoal drawing.

Dr. Mariangeline Gonzalez was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is the first physician in her family. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Universidad of Puerto Rico. She then completed her medical degree at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara Facultad de Medicina, Guadalajara, MX. Prior to joining the Rush-Esperanza FMR, she did clinical research in chemotherapy for breast and pancreatic cancer at the University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus and volunteered in the hospital and community clinics in her town.

Hobbies: As a former ballerina Mariangeline loves to dance, she also enjoys running outdoors, learning about new cultures, traveling, and exploring her surroundings.

Dr. Valerie Torres Matias was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, where she also played varsity soccer as goalkeeper. As part of the Binary Program (BS/MD), she then completed her medical degree at the Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Valerie’s medical interests within family medicine include women’s health, sports medicine, preventive care, and health inequities involving underrepresented minorities. Valerie chose to be part of the first class of the Rush Esperanza Family Medicine Residency Program because she wants to become a competent, culturally attentive family medicine physician while advocating for the communities in the Southwest side of Chicago.

Hobbies: In her spare time, Valerie enjoy playing video games with her fiancée, watching soccer matches, and playing with her dog and her three cats.

Dr. Daniel Albarran was born and raised in Puerto Rico from a rural farm background. Dr. Albarran received his Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Biology Sciences at the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez campus, and he completed his medical education at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts. Dr. Daniel Albarran is excited start his training at the Rush-Esperanza Family Medicine program with a densely Latinx community and give back quality healthcare to underserved communities.

Hobbies: Daniel loves to cook, play board games, basketball, and exercise. He considers himself a foodie, when he can he loves to explore different restaurants and coffee shops.

Dr. Elsa Garcia was born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador and is the first physician in her family. Dr. Elsa Garcia received her Doctor in Medicine and Surgery degree from the Universidad Catolica de Santiago de Guayaquil. Completed her residency in Pediatric Family Medicine from Pontificia Universidad Catolica in Chile. Dr. Elsa Garcia feels fortunate to have worked in two countries before moving to the U.S. Her professional interest are to provide high quality care to people. She is a promoter of a good and healthy lifestyle for her patients, with a strong focus on prevention. 

Hobbies: Elsa’s favorite hobby is spending time with her husband and children. She is a passionate traveler and enjoys being in contact with other cultures. She also loves cycling, walking, and cooking for friends and family.

Dr. Lizbeth García Rodríguez was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In her family, she is a first-generation physician. She studied at the University of Puerto Rico, received her Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, and pursued her medical career, completing her MD at UMHS in St. Kitts in 2022. Dr. Lyz is thrilled to join the Rush-Esperanza team, as she is committed and passionate about empowering this community with Lifestyle Medicine. Her goal is to create a safe, healthy, and equitable environment for the community. 

Hobbies: Lyz is all about the outdoor scenery, from hiking, running bicycles, and the beach to enjoying coffee and music at a city park. When it comes to indoor activities, which she loves too, she’s a board game nights enthusiast, and a foody. She also loves animals and on her free time she trains her dog for AKC competitions.

Dr. Laura Alejandra Gonzalez, originally from the South East Side of Chicago, expresses her Peruvian and Mexican background through her work in the community and abroad. As a dual Mexican Citizen, she received her Doctor of Medicine Degree from La Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Furthermore, Laura previously worked in a variety of healthcare fields including medical assistant, phlebotomy tech, EKG tech, and as a surgical first assist in multiple hospitals of the Midwest region. Currently, she is completing her Masters in Public Health with a focus on Family and Community Health at Purdue West Lafayette, Indiana. Like her father, Laura is the second generation to attend residency at a Rush Medical Center affiliated program. Laura is excited to begin working with the underserved and uninsured community, promoting preventative health and women’s health, and continuing her research for alternative methods in pain management. 

Hobbies: Laura enjoys a variety of activities like hiking, playing basketball, and painting. She likes to make a multitude of surgical scrub caps for friends and coworkers to wear that represents themselves. On her relaxing days, she enjoys cooking for her friends and family different cuisines based on recipes that she finds on Pinterest or taking a spa day. More importantly, she is a big fan of the Chicago Cubs and enjoys watching baseball with her friends and family at Wrigley Field. 

Dr. Aníbal E. Gonzalez Álvarez is from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico is a first-generation physician. Dr. Gonzalez Alvarez completed his bachelor’s in biology at the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus and his Medical education at Ponce Health Sciences University. DR. Gonzalez Alvarez has a passion for helping the underserved and ensuring each patient gets the time and quality care they deserve.

Hobbies: During his free time he enjoys playing video games, the bass, watching movies and spending time with his fiancé and 2 dogs.

Dr. Juan Carlos Rojas Jr. is the son of two Mexican immigrants. He was born in Chicago and hopes the city will be his lifelong home. He received a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and he completed his medical education at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Juan volunteered at Esperanza Health Centers as an undergraduate student, and he’s thrilled to return as a resident physician years later. He believes everyone, regardless of wealth or status, deserves excellent healthcare.

Hobbies: Juan loves playing and following sports, especially soccer and football. He also enjoys hosting carne asadas, playing video games, and visiting museums with his wife. 

Dr. Jairo Rosales Garcia was born in Durango, Mexico and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University. He then completed his medical education from the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford. He is excited to further his knowledge and involvement within medicine and the community with his new role in the Rush Esperanza Family.

Hobbies: Outside of the hospital you can find Jairo exercising on the dance floor, on a bike trail, or climbing a wall. He is an avid foodie and enjoys exploring restaurants or getting takeout to settle in with a good game and company.

Dr. Joaquin Zetina Huesca was born in Veracruz, Mexico. He moved to the United States at 11 and graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor’s in Medical Laboratory Sciences. During his undergraduate education, he was president of the Hispanic Area Council, a member of the university’s Ballet Folklorico, and the first Hispanic and undocumented Homecoming King at Weber State in 2016. He completed his medical education at the University of Utah School of Medicine with the help of God and his family. He is thrilled to join the Family Medicine residency team and apply his understanding of underserved communities and the issues affecting their access to healthcare to bridge the inequality gap.

Hobbies: Joaquin enjoys spending time with his family and staying active by playing soccer, swimming, and outdoor activities. He and his wife enjoy trying new foods from different cultures and meeting the people making them.