01/15/13
Kevin Patel, MD and Kavitha Sivaraman, MD, both completing their second year of residency at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary this spring, will serve as Chief Residents for the 2013-14 year starting July 1, 2013.
Chief residents are selected for their ophthalmologic knowledge and mastery of clinical and surgical skills as well as for leadership ability and work ethic. The chiefs represent the residents on various department committees, organizing didactic lectures and wet lab sessions. They also mentor the first year class. They are selected by the Department Chair, Vice Chair for Medical Education and Director of Resident Education, in consultation with the clinical faculty.
“I am thrilled and honored to be given the opportunity to serve as one of the Chief Residents for the upcoming year,” said Dr. Sivaraman. “I hope to help carry on the tradition of camaraderie and intellectual curiosity that distinguishes our residency program,” she continued.
Dr. Sivaraman, who plans to pursue a career in academic medicine, has not decided on a subspecialty yet but is leaning towards anterior segment. She earned her MD at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. She graduated summa cum laude with a BA in the Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Dr. Patel, who is also a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine with honors, after earning a BS summa cum laude in the Biological Sciences from UIC. He is interested in vitreoretinal disease as a subspecialty.
“I am excited and honored to serve as one of the Chief Residents for our program, “he said. “It is very humbling to be selected amongst such great candidates in our resident class. One of the Infirmary’s most distinguishing features is its dedication to resident teaching, and I hope to continue this tradition of education and academic excellence in the upcoming year,” he continued.
“Dr. Patel and Dr. Sivaraman exemplify the highest levels of ability, achievement and dedication. They are caring and thoughtful and will serve as wonderful ambassadors for the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary. I am looking forward to working with them in the upcoming year” said Dr. Rohit Varma, Department Chair.
Dr. William Mieler, Vice Chair for Medical Education, has known Dr. Patel and Dr. Sivaraman since they interviewed for the program. “Both Kevin and Kavitha are excellent choices for Chief Resident,” he said. “I look forward to working with them as they serve as intermediaries between the residents and the faculty.”
According to Co-Director of Resident Education Dr. Aisha Traish, “Dr. Patel and Dr. Sivaraman are conscientious and dedicated residents who will undoubtedly inspire the upcoming residency classes with their contagious enthusiasm for learning. We are incredibly fortunate as a department to recruit such energetic and thoughtful physicians who are committed to clinical excellence not only for themselves, but also for their peers.”
To learn more about all of the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary’s outstanding residents, click here.