Class of 2029
Cain Buckler
Hometown: Glendale, CA
Undergrad: San Francisco State University, Environmental Science
Why Rush? At my core I want to be a doctor to help make excellent and patient centered healthcare more accessible to communities that need it most. Rush has long been a staple in the West Side of Chicago doing just that since1843 as one of Chicago’s first healthcare institutions. I’m proud to be a part of its history and its commitment to improving the health of the west side of Chicago through the integration of outstanding patient care, education, research, and community partnerships.
Why Family Medicine? I am drawn to Family Medicine because it aligns deeply with my passion for preventative care, continuity of care, and addressing the broader social determinants of health. Family Medicine offers a unique opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients, focus on prevention, and care for people across all ages and backgrounds. As a person that loves to learn, the idea of a broad scope and wide diversity of patients is very appealing. I am also really passionate about community health, and I have worked with a couple FMPs in my premed journey that have been community oriented and worked with community leaders on public health and health policy. Family Medicine is a field where I hope to bring together my diverse experiences, commitment to equity, passion for learning, and desire to empower communities to live healthier lives.
Hobbies: Riding my electric unicycle, playing fetch with my dog Darwin, playing pokemon go with my wife, FOOD, long hikes and spending all day inside watching movies and playing videogames.
Fun Facts: People always assume I inherited my father’s nose but that’s not entirely true. When looking at old family photos I found my Dad and I had very different noses when we were kids, but we both somehow managed to break them by running into things as adolescents that we now have the same looking nose. Perhaps it may be more accurate to say I inherited my father’s clumsiness?
Emily H. Mohler
Hometown: West Hartford, CT
Undergrad: University of Connecticut - Biology and English
Why Rush: I was drawn to Rush because of its commitment to service and to uplifting its surrounding communities. As medical students, it is essential that we understand healthcare goes beyond the exam or classroom, and Rush makes sure health equity and social justice are at the forefront of our learning experience.
Why Family Med: Working in a community health center upon graduating college, I collaborated directly with family medicine physicians and nurse practitioners to promote preventative health and advocate for accessible, comprehensive care. I am excited for a future career in which I have the opportunity to be a part of a patient’s health over decades, witnessing expected and unexpected medical challenges and being a trusted member of their healthcare team, dedicated to addressing said changes with compassionate and informed care.
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, playing card and board games
Fun Fact: I had never been to Chicago before coming to Rush's first look day!
Abigail Pettineo
Hometown: Elmhurst, IL
Undergrad: University of Illinois Chicago, Bachelor of Science in Molecular, Cellular, and Organismal Biology and Minor in Sociology
Why Rush: I was drawn to Rush for several reasons. First of all, I value the curriculum as it fosters a holistic view of medicine by focusing on making a well-rounded physician through six key roles (advocate, communicator, leader, practitioner, professional, scholar). This framework not only trains a doctor to provide accurate diagnoses and treatment plans but also to lead the healthcare team and best treat their patients through communication skills and advocacy. Additionally, Rush’s focus on community service allows students to engage with underserved populations through clinical treatment, outreach programs, and more. Lastly, as an involved student, I was eager to join the many organizations Rush offers to grow as a leader and future physician.
Why Family Medicine: Family Medicine combines all of my medical interests into one specialty. Through my clinical and service experiences, I have gained a passion for providing ongoing, personalized care to all ages. As a family physician, I am eager to treat the whole person, addressing all aspects of health. This includes physical wellness, emotional needs, and providing care sensitive to a patient’s social determinants of health. Family physicians are deeply in tune with their patient population and have a dynamic understanding of a broad range of healthcare needs. This requires lifelong learning and collaboration with members of the healthcare team to provide excellent care, both aspects I am drawn to. I am excited to build relationships with my patients, the community, and the medical team to provide specialized care for each individual.
Hobbies: I love dancing (especially ballet, but all styles), playing cello, and doing crafts. I enjoy biking around to find pretty gardens and parks to paint and relax in. Spending time with my family, friends, and pets is great!
Fun fact: My family has a lot of pets! This includes 4 dogs, 3 rabbits, 2 birds, 3 guinea pigs, and a hermit crab. We rescued 2 of our rabbits after they were abandoned outside in the winter. Our house always welcomes a furry friend!
Class of 2028
Andrew T. King
Hometown: South Hadley, MA
Undergrad: University of Maine, Sociology and Political Science
Why Rush: Every Medical school will impart knowledge about science and medicine, but RUSH goes above and beyond to create exceptionally well-rounded physicians. This includes emphasis on advocacy, communication, and leadership. These values can be seen in everything that RUSH does including their exceptional commitment to the community in which the school resides.
Why Family Med: A family medicine doctor can care for a patient from the time that they are born to the time that they die. This allows for a comprehensive understanding of the patient's life circumstances, including lifestyle factors that could affect their health on a deeper level, and the type of physician-patient relationship that serves the patient best.
Hobbies: weight lifting, cycling, and jigsaw puzzles
Fun Fact: I spent 10 months volunteering with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps and traveled the country performing community service with a team of other dedicated individuals in areas with the greatest need.
Kristina C. Olsen
Hometown: DeKalb, IL
Undergraduate School and Major: Trinity International University, Biology
Why RUSH: Throughout the application process, I was struck by how RUSH stood out as a school that not only talks about service but truly embodies it. I realized I wanted to be part of a community that is actively invested in bettering the lives of those around them, no matter the background, and RUSH was exactly what I was looking for!
Why Family Medicine: AmeriCorps experience in two different states and contexts has helped me to deeply appreciate the breadth of opportunity that family medicine has to offer, from providing those first screenings for refugee patients arriving in Rogers Park to front-line work treating syphilis in rural South Dakota. The family medicine physicians I’ve met along the way have been insightful advocates who are passionate about giving their patients the best care possible, and I’m excited at the prospect of a future career working alongside like-minded individuals.
Hobbies: Writing competitions, hiking, and trying new recipes
Fun Fact: I once took a graduate class with a (retired!) peer whom I later found out was the second woman in Wisconsin to become a surgeon.
Emily Weiser
Hometown: New York, NY
Undergrad school and major: Cornell University, Development Sociology
Why RUSH: With my background in Development Sociology and Health Equity, my lens on medicine has been focused highly on acknowledging and addressing the entire context of a patient’s health when treating acute or chronic illness. I am humbled by the opportunity to be part of a community that seeks out long-lasting solutions to issues of health equity through advocacy and leadership in their community. In speaking with faculty and students, I was impressed by their sincere commitment to serving patients with comprehensive and compassionate care. I am eager to learn from and collaborate with all members of the RUSH community!
Why Family Medicine: As an AmeriCorps member at a family medicine clinic in an underserved and non-English speaking community, my understanding of the reach and responsibility of family medicine physicians was broadened. I was inspired by the incorporation of community-based programming into the medical facility, and the knowledge that physicians had of their community. I admire how family medicine physicians have the unique opportunity to practice longitudinal and preventive medicine. With the realization that care could extend much beyond the exam room, by addressing all aspects of a patient’s life, I felt determined to be part of this important sector within medicine.
Hobbies: long walks, board & card games (specifically Scrabble, Monopoly Deal and Hearts), and reading
Fun fact: I have walked from Massachusetts to Maine, along the New Hampshire coastline!
Class of 2027
Katharine Jeffreys
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Undergraduate School and Major: University of Chicago, Psychology
Why RUSH: It was my priority to attend a medical school with a genuine dedication to its surrounding community. RUSH has fulfilled this mission for years and continuously works to improve its relationship with people and organizations on the West Side. Additionally, as a woman of color who intends to practice in a diverse community, I am continuously impressed with RUSH’s devotion to DEI. Their faculty, student body, and curriculum reflect RUSH’s goals to diversify the field of medicine.
Why Family Medicine: After college, I served as a research assistant on a study examining the effects of stress on pregnancy outcomes in low-income African-American mothers. I had the privilege of supporting women from their first trimester of pregnancy until their infants were nine months old. The experience of supporting both mom and baby in their health journey was incredible. I enjoyed establishing long-term relationships with my participants. Family medicine is the only specialty that allows you to care for the whole family over their lifespan! Additionally, I am passionate about pursuing community-based medicine and family medicine physicians are trained to be pillars of their community.
Hobbies: Running, live theater, film, and music!
Fun Fact: I was the host of a gun violence prevention podcast called “Unloading: Community Solutions for Gun Violence”
Nick Lehrhoff
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate School and Major: Loyola Marymount University, Health and Human Sciences
Why Rush: RUSH stood out to me because of its commitment to service and understanding of the surrounding community’s needs, especially through primary care. Its dedication to addressing health equity and systemic barriers was evident through the application process and has continued to be an emphasis during my first 2 years of classes.
Why Family Medicine: Family Medicine aligns with my desire to meet patients where they are and help them across all stages of life. I believe this desire stems from a range of jobs and experiences before coming to RUSH, including volunteering at a large safety-net hospital and a small community ER, working on public health research and administering COVID vaccines, working as an EMT, and then as a medical assistant. While these roles may seem scattered, they broadened my understanding of health and the patients I want to serve.
Hobbies: Woodworking, cooking, playing guitar
Fun Fact: I have a 3-year streak on Duolingo for practicing Spanish every day. I’m still working to become conversationally fluent!
Class of 2026
Jennifer Castillo
Hometown: Park City, IL
Undergraduate School and Major: The University of Illinois at Chicago, Biological Sciences
Why RUSH? As a physician, I want to aid in increasing access to healthcare and advocate for change that will increase patients’ quality of life. RUSH has continuously demonstrated these same values and goals. Choosing RUSH will allow me to continue to uphold these values, while learning how to make the best impact as a physician from faculty and students.
Why Family Medicine? Due to family medicine’s wide scope of practice, it provides a unique opportunity to treat patients over the course of their lifetime. This facilitates the development of long term relationships with patients, which is what draws me to the specialty. Practicing family medicine will also allow me to help patients prevent illnesses and the progression of illness.
Hobbies: Spending time at the beach, going to the gym, and taking tennis lessons.
Fun fact: My favorite season is the summer!
Stephany Valladares
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergrad: Northwestern University, Evanston
Why RUSH: As a Chicago native, I have witnessed health care delivery in the city and the health inequities that result from it due to the structural and economical barriers that people face in urban areas. RUSH serves a diverse subsect of the city, and I look forward to working with patients from the West Side and other marginalized areas of the city. Additionally, RUSH’s commitment to service indicated to me that I would be surrounded by likeminded individuals in medicine, with similar goals to advance and sustain communities.
Why Family Medicine: Family medicine’s longitudinal nature and holistic approach in patient care is the main reason why I chose to be a part of the program. Having the opportunity to learn from physicians who take patients’ various avenues of influence into consideration when treating their conditions is very valuable. This type of healthcare delivery is what not only changes individuals, but entire communities.
Hobbies: Medical interpretation at Community Health Clinic, yoga, biking on the 606, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, I am a big foodie!
Anjali Venkat
Hometown: Winston Salem, NC
Undergraduate School and Major University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Major: Biology and Religious Studies, Minor: Spanish
Why RUSH? I was drawn to RUSH for its commitment to serve and care for the city of Chicago. Every student and faculty member I spoke with truly found their special way to contribute to their community. The sense of comfort and belonging I immediately felt after my interview confirmed that RUSH was the place I would feel most at home and grow into the compassionate physician I hope to become.
Why Family Medicine? I am most drawn to family medicine for its unique opportunity to follow the entire health of a patient from cradle to grave, paying attention to the small and large changes that happen in patients’ daily lives. The field also provides a basis to build upon my interests in traditional healing practices to create a practice focused on preventative medicine and the improvement of my community’s overall quality of life.
Hobbies: Cooking, yoga, biking, reading, going to concerts
Fun Fact: I just finished my yoga instructor certification this summer!
Michelle Ho
Hometown: Brooklyn Park, MN
Undergrad: UW-Madison
Why Family Med: I majored in Community and Nonprofit and have always had a vision of giving back to the community so family medicine is the perfect fit for me!
Hobbies: I like reading, keeping up with the latest movies and shows, and exploring Chicago!
Jordan Weinstein
Hometown: Phoenix, Az
Undergrad: Arizona State University, Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Why Rush: So I actually used to work with a couple students back in AZ who ended up going to
Rush a few years ahead of me and they always had such good things to say when I talked to
them! When I started applying and doing my research, I found that the mission of Rush and commitment to service really resonated with my interests and desire for medical training. It was a no brainer when I got the acceptance!
Why Family Med: Prior to starting 3rd year, I actually was not really considering doing FM. But I quite enjoyed my family medicine rotation early in the year, which I believe is where the seed was planted. I had been dabbling in anesthesia the first few years of med school, but found it wasn’t really for me during my surgery rotation. Then around December I shadowed a primary care sports medicine physician and it finally clicked that this is what I wanted to do! I also like many aspects of medicine, which is why I think FM is a good fit for me to exercise all sorts of intellectual interests. Ultimately my end goal is to try and open my own practice doing hybrid family medicine/sports medicine.
Hobbies: Some of my hobbies include playing and watching sports, working out, traveling, camping, snowboarding, reading (fantasy fiction!!), playing video games and cooking. My last big travel trip was going to China this past holiday which was an incredible experience.
Fun Facts: I have a very cute, tiny cat named Nala who I rescued from the streets 8 years ago when she was only 8 weeks old! I also built my own gaming PC a few years ago and am planning on building another one once I start residency.
Joshua Wilson
Hometown: Gurnee, IL
Undergraduate School: North Carolina State University, Major: Human Biology
Why RUSH: I was drawn to Rush for their emphasis and clear commitment to serving the community. Immediately on interview day, you could feel the passion that everyone spoke with, and that welcoming feeling was something I wanted to be apart of. I knew I wanted to return to Illinois for medical school, and I knew I made the right choice with the right institution.
Why Family Medicine: The ability to provide comprehensive care and see relationships develop over time with patients is a wonderful opportunity afforded through family medicine. I aspire to provide my patients quality, longitudinal care in accordance with their changing values throughout life. For many, their relationship with a family medicine physician is the only continued interaction they receive with a provider; I think it's a honor to be in that position for someone seeking help.
Our Graduates
Class of 2025
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haley Bylina | |||
| Sarah Dynia | |||
| Natali Smiley |
Class of 2024
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheryl A. Cherian | |||
| Emma Klug | |||
| Marissa Pharel | |||
| Emily Wayland |
Class of 2023
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claire Bosworth | |||
| Tim Huang | |||
| Stephanie E. Moss | |||
| Emily (Lily) Peterson |
Class of 2022
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellie Battino, MD | Family Medicine Natividad Medical Center, Monterey CA | Obstetrics, reproductive health, community-based participatory research, and health at every size | |
| Claire Brady, MD | Family Medicine University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL | ||
| Cris Chan, MD | Family Medicine Stanford Health Care, San Jose, CA | Sports medicine, underserved populations, preventive medicine, medical education | |
| Briyana Domjahn, MD, MPH | Family Medicine Advocate Illinois Masonic, Chicago IL | Women’s health, obstetrics, LGBTQ+ health, health equity, social justice, integrating public health and clinical medicine, community health | |
| Adam Korte, MD | Family Medicine Advocate Illinois Masonic, Chicago IL | Addiction medicine, social justice, geriatric medicine |
Class of 2021
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Hurley, MD, MPH | Family Medicine Allina Health, St Paul MN | Behavioral health and women’s health | |
| Leah Petrucelli, MD | Family Medicine Advocate Illinois Masonic, Chicago IL | Integrative medicine: acupuncture, herbal medicine, body work, food as medicine, health equity, learning OMT | |
| Kavya Timmireddy, MD | Family Medicine Strong Memorial, Rochester NY | Health equity work, care for the underserved (with specific focus on care for individuals with disabilities or are LGBTQIA identified), family planning, and behavioral health | |
| John Walton, MD | Family Medicine Northwestern McGaw, Lake Forest IL | ||
| Rebecca Wornhoff, MD | Family Medicine Boston University Medical Center, Boston MA | Community health, women’s health, and working with immigrant populations | |
| Jennifer Camello, MD | Family Medicine University of Colorado, Aurora CO | Healthcare for vulnerable populations, climate change and health, and OB |
Class of 2020
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Doppelt, MD | Family Medicine Swedish-Cherry Hill, Seattle WA | ||
| Kristen Hillgamyer, MD | Family Medicine University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL | Health equity, primary care innovation, sports medicine, behavioral health, addiction medicine | |
| Dorjee Norbu, MD | Family Medicine & Psychiatry (combined program) University of Cincinnati and Christ Hospital, Cincinnati OH | Address the primary care as well as the mental health needs of our underserved communities | |
| Jackie Hendrix, MD | Family Medicine UW Valley Family, Seattle WA | Women’s health, preventive medicine, palliative care, adolescent medicine, Latinx health, and working with underserved communities |
Class of 2019
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mallory Davis, MD | Family Medicine Fellowship: Addiction Medicine | HIV medicine, addiction medicine, gender affirming care, reproductive health and justice, and community medicine | |
| Emma Richardson, MD | Family Medicine Contra Costa Regional Medical and Health Center, San Francisco CA | ||
| Valerie Rock, MD, MPH | Family Medicine Swedish Medical Center- First Hill, Seattle WA | Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center, Seattle, WA | Geriatrics, women’s health, pediatrics, cross-cultural health |
| Katy Rooney, MD | Family Medicine Fellowship: Addiction Medicine | Primary care, obstetrics, family planning, and managing substance use in pregnancy | |
| Erick Skaff, MD | Family Medicine West Suburban, Oak Park IL |
Class of 2018
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoe Gordon, MD, MPH | Family Medicine Lawrence Family Health Canter, Lawrence MA | Lynn Community Health Center, Lynn, MA | Community healthcare |
| Ramya Kuchibhatla, MD | Family Medicine Kaiser Permanente Orange County Medical Center, Los Angeles CA | Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Los Angeles, CA
| Urgent care |
| Sean McClellan, MD | Family Medicine Fellowship: National Clinician Scholars Program | Clinical Instructor, Family Medicine, UCSF | Immigrant health Research interests: Understanding the distinct ways chronic conditions affects different populations with an emphasis on global health and disparities and a specific focus on Mexico and immigrant populations in the United States |
Class of 2017
| Name | Residency/Fellowship | Current Practice | Clinical Interests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristen Anderson, MD | Family Medicine UW Valley, Seattle WA | UW Medicine, Valley Medical Center- Primary and Urgent Care Clinic, Renton, WA | Managing chronic medical conditions, mental health, care of infants and children, and office-based procedures including skin biopsies, IUD and Nexplanon insertion and removal, and joint injections |
| Ed Elchico, MD | Family Medicine Swedish Medical Center, Seattle WA | International Community Health Services (ICHS), Seattle, WA | Children’s medicine, teen medicine, pregnancy care, LGBTQ+ care, refugee and immigrant health, medication assisted treatment, mental health |
| Brian Stojak, MD | Family Medicine Advocate Illinois Masonic, Chicago IL | Swedish Hospital, Chicago, IL | Adolescent Health, Pediatric Care, Integrative Medicine, Adult Wellness Exams, LGBTQ+ Health |