Cudjo Addo-Yobo DO

Hometown

Obosomase, Ghana (West Africa)

Personal Interests

On the road to becoming a physician, I’d like to say that I took the scenic route. Somewhere along the way, I picked up a number of hobbies. I love working out, playing video games, traveling, playing pretty much every sport with the exception of baseball (willing to learn though!) and I have been a long time practitioner of Shotokan Karate (I also teach it as well!!).

Why UIC EM?

I believe that there are many places I could have chosen that would have made me into a decent emergency physician. I also believe that where a physician trains will leave an indelible mark on what kind of person and physician an individual becomes. This is why when it came down to choosing where I wanted to complete my residency, I made that choice with full knowledge that I was leaving a part of my future, goals and dreams in the hands of those who would become my teachers and those who would become my closest allies, my co-residents.

After interviewing at UIC, I saw an uncanny mixture of individuals, both faculty and residents who truly cared for one another and had become a kind of family. Each and every one of the residents seemed to carry a welcoming nature. The education faculty seemed deeply and emotionally invested in being good educators and mentors. With an environment such as this one and in a city as eclectic as Chicago, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had found my new home and training grounds.

What are you looking forward to the most?

I am eager to see what the years of being a resident and beyond will hold. I have a lot of interests within and beyond the scope of medicine that I want to explore when I reach attending status. I want to start up medically related businesses and infrastructure in my home country of Ghana as well as possibly resuming the acting career I had before starting medical school. I’m curious to know how I’ll be able to meld these goals together. One way or the other, time will tell.

Fizza Ali MD

Hometown

Hicksville, NY

Personal Interests

Drinking lots of coffee, trying out new restaurants, traveling, learning to cook, being outside in the summer, and spending time with family.

Why UIC EM?

I remember thinking about how this was my favorite program by the end of interview season. Wanted to be at a program where everyone was considered family and clearly saw that on interview day. I was also very impressed by the social EM track here at UIC.

What are you looking forward to the most?

Looking forward to working with various patient populations in multiple hospitals throughout Chicago!

Todd Belok DO

Hometown

Ridgefield, CT

Personal Interests

Hiking, cycling, coffee roasting, any outdoor activities

Why UIC EM?

I was looking for a university program that still would prepare me to work in community and academic settings alike. I did an away rotation here as a medical student and loved the people, program, and the city of Chicago.

What are you looking forward to most?

Learning Emergency Medicine while exploring a new city!

Allen Chen MD

Hometown

Minocqua, WI

Personal Interests

Hiking, traveling, breweries, food, snowboarding, attempting to golf, fantasy football, watching sports, boating/other lake-related activities, more food.

Why UIC EM?

Because variety is the spice of life and UIC is spicyyyyy; i.e. there is amazing diversity in both the people and clinical exposure at various sites across Chicago. Also, even when meeting our attendings for the first time during interviews, their passion for mentorship was immediately obvious.

What are you looking forward to the most?

Of course, growing into a great EM doc but also building relationships with my co-residents. COVID-19 aside, I’d say we’re off to a pretty solid start!

Lauren Friend MD

Hometown

Felton, CA 

Personal Interests

Traveling, exploring new food places, cooking, and staying active.

Why UIC EM?

Amazing patient population and Social EM focus. Also Chicago is an awesome city!

What are you looking forward to most?

Working in the ED and spending time with my co-residents.

Adam Goodcoff DO

Hometown

Albany, NY

Personal Interests

Skiing, golfing, rock climbing, travel/street photography

Why UIC EM?

Easy. The people, the culture and the clinical experience.

What are you looking forward to most?

Growing as a clinician and leader while simultaneously strengthening my knowledge of Chicago breweries and food spots.

Alimul Islam MD

Hometown

Queens Village, NY; New Hyde Park, NY

Personal Interests

Playing/watching/reading/listening about sports (especially basketball), fitness, board games, traveling, eating out

Why UIC EM?

The clinical diversity among the different hospital sites and patient populations, the family atmosphere within the residency, and the emphasis on social EM.

What are you looking forward to most?

Finding my niche within emergency medicine and exploring Chicago!

Ryan Kilian MD

Hometown

River Falls, WI

Personal Interests

I love playing and watching basketball (because #ballislife) and other sports. Otherwise, I am either exploring the outdoors (fishing, kayaking, camping, etc.) or at a brewery trying all the new beers that I can find with my wife. We have 2 cats, Finn and Felix, who take up too much of our time while rudely stomping on us at 5AM.

Why UIC EM?

UIC offers the perfect mix of acuity, volume and public health research to provide the best foundation for a career in Emergency Medicine. The entire resident education team clearly loves to teach and will always have your back. It was an added bonus that all the residents are a very down to earth, social group who love to explore Chicago.

What are you looking forward to the most?

I’m definitely looking forward to making friends with all the amazing and fun residents and faculty here at UIC the most. It is clear they prioritize a family atmosphere which helps everyone through those long, grueling days.

Mahir Mameledzija MD

Hometown

Chicago, IL

Personal Interests

Playing soccer, spending time with family and friends, running outside, going to the dog park, playing and listening to music, watching: Money Heist, Peaky Blinders, This Is Us, EPL, MLS, college soccer and more!

Why UIC EM?

UIC fit the perfect image of what I looked for in a residency. The structure of the program provides a rigorous training environment that constantly pushes residents to the next level. Each of the sites pose their own unique strengths and challenges, preparing graduates to be ready to provide the best care for anyone who walks in the door.
Additionally, when I was a graduate student at UIC’s Business School, I constantly heard about UIC EM faculty working with the business school on disaster preparedness in Haiti. Ever since then, this example has stuck with me. It is just one of the many ways in which UIC EM refuses to work in silos, breaking down barriers and reaching beyond to find new and innovative ways to improve communities locally, nationally, and internationally. I wanted a residency with a strong academic reputation within the field of EM, and mentorship with faculty who are national leaders constantly working to make impacts in their respective fields.
Full circle, I truly felt that this program encompassed the intersection of excellent medicine, diversity, and humanity. These are the residents and faculty I would want taking care of my own family. Their generosity and respect was evident throughout my time as an M4 rotator. Simply put, I knew it would be an honor to become part of the UIC Browncoat family. I am beyond excited to embark on this journey with this marvelous group of residents and faculty.

What are you looking forward to the most?

I am really looking forward to building relationships with my cointerns, seniors, faculty, and leadership. Residency is difficult, and this program has the type of people I imagined being next to me in the trenches and supporting me. This provides the optimal platform for an incredibly supportive and enjoyable learning environment, helping me push towards my fullest potential as an EM physician.

Benino Navarro MD

Hometown

Globe, AZ

Personal Interests

My dogs, the outdoors, going to the newest trendy bar or restaurant, spending time with my partner.

Why UIC EM?

The true sense of family and support among all of the residents is phenomenal. The vast diversity in patient populations and experiences assures me I will finish with the skills to work anywhere and in any setting after residency.

What are you looking forward to the most?

Experiencing Chicago with new friends and growing even more as both a physician and a person.

Becky Raven MD

Hometown

Austin, TX

Personal Interests

Reading, baking, music, going out to eat

Why UIC EM?

I was ready to explore the world outside of Texas and knew that if I had to leave such an amazing place, the only city I’d be willing to do so for would be Chicago. On my interview day I felt like I clicked with so many people both on a personal and professional level and knew that UIC would be the perfect place to be challenged but supported as I grow through residency.

What are you looking forward to the most?

I’m most looking forward to joining the Browncoat family! I love meeting people and making friends and cannot wait to do that in the great city of Chicago. Also – Cubs games once they’re safe again.

Raji Reddy MD

Hometown

Lufkin, TX

Personal Interests

Photography, woodworking, climbing, hiking, traveling, advocacy, pottery, finding cozy live music, being outside, breweries, and eating at authentic regional restaurants

Why UIC EM?

I had the “warm fuzzies” during the entire interview experience. The people here at UIC EM are a combination of inspiring, approachable, and kind humans that are truly invested in your goals and growth as a resident. UIC EM doesn’t just talk about social medicine, we actively create, research, and implement interventions. Lastly this program exposes you to the multiple environments of practicing EM which prepares you to be a strong EM physician wherever your career takes you.

What are you looking forward to the most?

I am so excited to keep on building friendships and making fun memories with my coresidents! I also can’t wait to get to know the population of Chicago, so I can do my best to be an advocate for the city’s health needs. There is so much unique culture, history, and areas to explore in Chicago! I am so proud to call Chicago home.

Nico Silas DO

Hometown

Deerfield, IL

Personal Interests

Struggling to learn Spanish, travel, learning about foreign cultures, soccer, hanging out with friends, video games, and sleeping.

Why UIC EM?

I did an away rotation at UIC and quickly knew that UIC would be my #1 choice. For me, the main selling points were: The awesome comradery of the residents and faculty, exposure to multiple diverse training sites, global health track, international opportunities, and ultrasound and international medicine fellowships offered at UIC.

What are you looking forward to the most?

New friends and being more involved in patient care.

Ray Urban MD

Hometown

Prospect Heights, IL

Personal Interests

I like playing and watching sports, video games, movies, audiobooks, exploring restaurants and breweries, and having a good time.

Why UIC EM?

UIC is in the business of producing well-rounded residents who are ready to work wherever life takes them as attendings and that is what drew me so strongly to this residency. With its diverse patient populations, locations, medical systems, and faculty, I know UIC will get me ready to thrive after these short three years.

What are you looking forward to the most?

I look forward to contributing to the UIC EM residency and working with the great faculty and residents who are a part of the UIC family. I also specifically look forward to ultrasound and simulations.

Samir Yassin MD

Hometown

Khartoum, Sudan. Manama, Bahrain. Seattle, WA.

Personal Interests

Playing soccer, watching soccer (Arsenal FC <3), football (Seahawks), all things Wazzu (GoCougs), travel, hiking, music, dancing the night away, and of course eating all the tacos!

Why UIC EM?

DIVERSITY! In hospitals, patients, pathology, attendings, residents, personalities, backgrounds, & future interests… all making one incredible BrownCoat family! IT’S A BEAUTY!

What are you looking forward to the most?

Becoming a badass ER doc while exploring potential fellowship opportunities. Helping people & touching lives. But really… exploring Chicago and what this city has to offer… easily my favorite city since I moved to the US!