FELLOWS

Infectious Diseases is tough so surrounding yourself with a good support system is key. Infectious Diseases training at UIC will provide you exposure to great diversity of pathology with the mentorship and support from outstanding faculty. The education experience you will receive at UIC is unparalleled due to the patient population and the faculty that UIC attracts.

Arzina Aziz Ali
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Medical School: The Aga Khan University
Residency: Indiana University School of Medicine
Interests: My current interests within ID include antimicrobial stewardship and medical education. I am excited to explore other areas during my fellowship training such as immunocompromised ID and HIV care.  Outside of medicine, I enjoy going for walks, binge-watching Netflix, dancing, spending time with friends, family, and playing with dogs (I dearly miss my dog back home).

Sam Peterson
Hometown: Racine, Wisconsin
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: A native of Racine, Wisconsin, went to UW-Madison for her undergraduate before moving to Chicago to attend medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Despite being a Green Bay Packers fan, she stayed in the Chicagoland area to complete her Family Medicine Residency at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. During this time, she worked on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, inspiring her to complete an additional Internal Medicine Residency at Olympia Fields to ultimately pursue a career in Infectious Diseases. Her clinical interests include antimicrobial resistance and stewardship, osteopathic manipulation therapy, and clinical education. Outside of the hospital, Sam can most likely be found biking on Lakeshore path, running through Humboldt Park, at a local noise rock show, or enjoying a new restaurant.

Taine Ramirez Diaz
Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Medical School: Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE)
Residency: The Wright Center for GME
Interests: I am interested in HIV primary care, management of immunocompromised patients such as transplant patients and Hematology Oncology patients. Outside of work I absolutely love trying different cuisines, Chicago has an amazing and diverse food scene that I love to explore on the weekends. Being from an Island, I really appreciate feeling close to the water with the lake and beaches close by!

Samantha Chirunomula
Hometown: Monroe, CT
Medical School: University of Connecticut
Residency: Ventura County Medical Center (Family Medicine); Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Internal Medicine)
Interests: I originally came to UIC in 2021 as an addiction medicine fellow and stayed on for a few more years to complete my ID fellowship! My clinical interests include acute and chronic infections that affect people with substance use disorders as well as street medicine. I have a background in family medicine and I hope to ultimately provide integrated full-spectrum primary care that includes management of substance use disorders and chronic infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C. Outside of medicine I enjoy exploring the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, cooking/baking, visiting museums, and eating at as many Chicago restaurants as possible!

Gul Karagoz
Hometown: Erzincan, Türkiye
Medical School: Atatürk Üniversitesi
Residency: Dr Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital
Interests: I am filled with excitement to be an ID fellow UIC. My interests in ID include a specific focus on transplant infections and HIV. My dedication lies in understanding and treating complex health issues that can profoundly impact people’s lives. I am drawn to serving vulnerable individuals and demonstrating compassion in my work. Outside of medicine, I find joy in cooking and using it as a way to express my creativity. Skiing and hiking are my favorite activities, which I enjoy sharing with my husband, daughter, and son, creating moments and strengthening family bonds.

Graduates from our program have pursued successful careers in academics, as clinician educators, and as private practice physicians. Our philosophy is to train the next generation of infectious diseases physicians, helping trainees reach excellence in any ID career of their choice.

Some of our graduates include:

Academics:

• Rabeeya Sabzwari, MD (2011); Associate Professor, Loyola University
• Gail Reid, MD, MS-CTS (2008); ID Fellowship Program Director, Loyola University
• Stockton Mayer, DO (2014); Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, UIC
• Alfredo Mena Lora, MD (2015); ID Fellowship Program Director, UIC
• Scott Borgetti, MD (2019); Associated ID Fellowship Program Director, UIC
• Katie Kaplar, DO (2020); North Shore Hospital System, Evanston, IL
• Tracy Cable, MD (2021); University of Cincinnati
• Steven Fisher, MD, MPH (2023); Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, UIC
• Ryan Knodle, MD (2023); Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, UIC

Private Practice:

• Sheila Barry, MD, PhD (2016); Metro ID Consultants, Chicago suburbs
• Phil Clapham, MD, MPH (2020); Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis, IN
• Marla Krukowski (2020); Franciscan Health,
• Naman Jhaveri (2020); Trinity Health, Plymouth, MI
• Ben Ladner, MD (2022); Swedish Hospital, Seattle, WA
• Senate Amusu, MD (2022): Hattiesburg Clinic, Hattiesburg, MS
• Taha Ali, MD, MPH (2023); Northwest Suburban Medical Associates, Arlington Heights, IL

Public Health:

• Jennifer Layden, MD, PhD (2011); Acting Director for the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology, CDC; former Chief Medical Officer IDPH