Meet Our Residents

Name	About
Image Katherine (Katie) Riordan, MD PGY-1	Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ Neighborhood: Wicker Park Clinical Interest: Pediatrics, spine, trauma Why Rush? High volume center that serves a diverse patient population with robust training that emphasizes clinical and operative excellence. Also, the strong resident culture that promotes camaraderie and mentorship. Hobbies: Running, reading, walking my dog, vegan baking Medical School: The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
Image Erica Sais, MD PGY-1	Hometown: Long Island, NY Neighborhood: West Loop Clinical Interest: Spine, Pediatrics Why Rush? I wanted a program in a big city with great operative experience and diverse patient population. Hobbies: Walking by the lake, going to Notre Dame football games, reading, and watching bad reality TV
Image Kazuki Sakakura, MD PGY-1	Hometown: Suzuka, Japan Neighborhood: Pilsen Clinical Interest: Functional Neurosurgery Why Rush? The friendly environment, the strong sense of resident autonomy, and the many research opportunities. Hobbies: Tennis, soccer, hiking, watching NFL, traveling, gardening, neuroimaging (Freesurfer, MRtrix, Fieldtrip, etc.), learning history Medical School: University of Tsukuba, JapanA
Keshav Goel, MD PGY-2	Hometown: Ottawa, Canada Neighborhood: West Loop Clinical Interest: Spine, Spine Deformity Why Rush? The wonderful and dedicated people here made it an easy choice. But also, the vast operative experience and dedicated teaching all in one of the best cities in North America, make Rush feel like home. Hobbies: Hockey, Badminton, Basketball, Football, Skiing, Avid World Traveler Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Image Manhal Siddiqi, MD PGY-2	Hometown: Buffalo, NY Neighborhood: West Loop Clinical Interest: Cerebrovascular, Endovascular, Neuro-oncology Why Rush? Clinical powerhouse in terms of volume and variety of cases, incredible operative and clinical training, and especially how close all the residents and faculty are. I was drawn to the camaraderie among the team and the mentorship opportunities available, all while having the opportunity to live in Chicago! Hobbies: Cake decorating, henna, a foodie at heart, forever Buffalo Bills fan Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Image Hershel Cannon, MD PGY-3	Hometown: Miami Beach, FL Neighborhood: River North Clinical Interest: Neuro-Oncology, Cerebrovascular, Skull Base, Spine, Spine-Oncology Why Rush? Strong clinical program that emphasizes operative competency and technical expertise. Abundance of volume with comprehensive subspecialty exposure. Reputation for genuine camaraderie amongst residents and faculty. Unique rotating sites with robust clinical/patient diversity. Strong mentorship from leaders in the field. Opportunity to train in one of the nation’s greatest cities. Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Image J. Roberto Varela, MD PGY-3	Hometown: McHenry, IL and Mexico City Neighborhood: West Loop Clinical Interest: Functional, Neuro-Oncology, General neurosurgery Why Rush? Seeing firsthand how talented the residents are, both in the operating room and in their medical management, really stood out. This wouldn’t be possible without the excellent mentorship provided by the Rush neurosurgery faculty. Lastly, everyone knows that Chicago is the greatest city in the world! Hobbies: Exploring Chicago, tennis, traveling, Formula 1 Medical School: Rush Medical College
Image Vitor Salviato Nespoli, MD PGY-3	Hometown: Vitoria, Brazil Neighborhood: Medical District Clinical Interest: Spine, Endovascular Neurosurgery, Skull-Base, Neuro-oncology Why Rush? I chose Rush Neurosurgery for its top-tier reputation, supportive environment, and dedicated faculty. Additionally, Chicago is a great city. Hobbies: Running, playing tennis, travelling. Medical School: Federal University Espirito Santo, Brazil
Image Dominick Richards, MD PGY-4	Hometown: Zion, IL Neighborhood: Noble Square Clinical Interest: Neuro-Oncology, Epilepsy, Cortical mapping, General Spine Why Rush? Strong emphasis on graduated clinical and operative autonomy, access to state of the art facilities, and a prevailing culture of ownership. Hobbies: Soccer, the English Premier League, cooking, coffee Medical School: Rush Medical College
Image Elsa Olson, MD PGY-4	Hometown: Barrington, IL Neighborhood: River West Clinical Interest: Open/endovascular, Skull base Why Rush? The people. Unmatched clinical environment full of people who work hard and love the labor. Hobbies: Blackhawks games, live music of any kind, trying new bars/restaurants Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria
Image Lucinda Chiu, MD PGY-5	Hometown: Needham, MA Neighborhood: West Loop Clinical Interest: Skull base, Neurotrauma, Global Neurosurgery Why Rush? I chose Rush for the collegiality amongst residents and attendings, the commitment to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, and the competency we acquire within the wide breadth of neurosurgical subspecialties. Hobbies: Anything outdoors! Backpacking and running along the Lakefront. A close second is culinary exploration: kombucha brewing, food photography, or eating my way through West Loop. Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Image Nathan Pertsch, MD PGY-5	Hometown: Hillsborough, CA Neighborhood: South Loop Clinical Interest: Undecided Why Rush? Rush stands out as strong clinically-oriented program in a world-class highly efficient healthcare system. The faculty and my co-residents are extremely impressive, both with many diverse career interests and life perspectives. The culture here is of hard work and camaraderie, with an emphasis from the top down on personal growth and career development. Hobbies: Woodworking, beer brewing, statistics, and enjoying Chicago. Medical School: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Image Ryan Kelly, MD PGY-6	Hometown: Clarendon Hills, IL (40 mins west of Chicago) Neighborhood: West Loop Clinical Interest: Spine Oncology Why Rush? Besides being close to home and in a great city, the program offers unparalleled case volume and autonomy in the OR. Also, the residents all get along with each other and want to hang out outside of the hospital. Hobbies: Running, backpacking, traveling, cooking Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Image Jacob Mazza, MD PGY-6	Hometown: Marlton, NJ Neighborhood: Lincoln Park Clinical Interest: General neurosurgery; adult degenerative spine Why Rush? Work hard play hard mentality; great resident camaraderie Hobbies: Reading, soccer, roller blading Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Image Daniel Wolfson, MD PGY-6	Hometown: Marietta, Georgia Neighborhood: Near West Side Clinical Interest: General Neurosurgery Why Rush? Busy, well-rounded clinical training in one of America's greatest cities marked by resident camaraderie and enveloped with faculty support. Hobbies: Fencing, classic film, piano, modern fiction, Napoleonic history Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Image John Paul Kolcun, MD PGY-7	Hometown: Jacksonville, FL Neighborhood: River West Clinical Interest: Spine deformity, neurotrauma/spine trauma/SCI Why Rush? Great city, great clinical experience, great faculty. Residency structure allows you to create a fairly personalized experience based on clinical/research interests. Hobbies: Exercising, making music, cooking, Co-host of The Neurosurgery Podcast v Medical School: University of Miami LM Miller School of Medicine
Image Bradley Kolb, MD PGY-7	Hometown: Plymouth, MI Neighborhood: Wicker Park Clinical Interest: Complex spine Why Rush? Strong training across the full spectrum of modern neurosurgery, excellent resident culture, amazing city. Hobbies: Statistical computing, bicycles, collecting books and records Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine