Current Residents
PGY4
Anita Arackal, MD
Hometown: Des Plaines, Illinois
Medical School: American University of Antigua, Antigua
Anita is interested in transfusion medicine, surgical pathology, neuropathology. Outside of UIC Anita enjoys hiking, trying new food in the city, and drawing. Why Anita chose UIC: “Everyone here was welcoming and very supportive. It’s also close to home and the city. We also have many hospitals near by in the IMD that it’s really easy to meet new people and build connections.”
Abdul Mohammed, MBBS
Hometown: Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Medical School: Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Abdul is interested in Clinical Informatics. Outside of UIC Abdul likes soccer, tennis and cricket.
Suhalika Sahni, MBBS
Hometown: Chandigarh, India
Medical School: Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India
Suhalika is interested in general surgical pathology. When not studying, Suhalika likes table tennis, listening to live bands and dancing. On why she chose UIC: “Great academic institute with excellent faculty.”
PGY3
Saul Turcios Escobar, MD
Co-Chief Resident
Hometown: San Miguel, El Salvador
Medical School: Dr. Jose Matias Delgado, El Salvador
Saul has interests in dermatopathology, breast pathology, bone and soft tissue. When Saul is not studying, he likes to go to the movie theater, try Chicago’s famous restaurants and hang out with friends. On why he chose UIC: “I currently have friends living in Chicago and heard good comments about the program along with the Chicago Pathology Society. On the day of my interview, the Program Director and faculty were very enthusiastic.”
Busra Bacik Goksu, MD
Co-Chief Resident
Hometown: Turkey
Medical School: Dokuz Eylul University, Konak, Turkey
Busra is interested in surgical pathology. When not at UIC, Busra loves singing, baking and spending time with her little one. On why she chose UIC: “The Pathology program offers a diverse and collegial learning environment. Faculty members are very friendly and dedicated to teaching.”
Michael Stone, DO
Hometown: Rockford, Illinois
Medical School: Midwestern University CCOM, Downers Grove, Illinois
Michael loves all aspects of Pathology and continues to explore all that it has to offer. Outside of UIC, Michael likes to hang out with friends. On why they chose UIC: “The residents and faculty.”
Ayesha Zaidi, MBBS
Hometown: Riyadh, Saudia Arabia
Medical School: Dow Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
Ayesha is interested in surgical pathology. Ayesha enjoys exploring new places and restaurants throughout Chicago, attending Broadway performances and spending time with family. Ayesha chose UIC because: “Work environment is very resident friendly and faculty members are very approachable. UIC Pathology is an academic center. The training period covers variety of subspecialities.”
PGY2
Yvonne Owusu Agyapong, MD
Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana
Medical School: Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
Yvonne has interests in surgical pathology. When Yvonne is not studying, she likes dancing, traveling, trying new restaurants and spending time with family. On why Yvonne chose UIC: “I chose because of the academic strength of the program, the sense of community, and camaraderie that exists among residents and faculty.”
Patrick Bladek, MD
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Medical School: Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
Patrick is interested in clinical pathology. On why he chose UIC: “I attended UIC as an undergraduate. The program has a track record of sending graduates to excellent fellowships.”
Jianhua Liu, MD
Hometown: China
Medical School: Zhengzhou University College of Medicine, China
Jianhua has interests in surgical pathology and hematopathology. Outside of UIC, Jianhua likes hiking, cooking and baking. On why she chose UIC: “I like the diverse and friendly working environment, passionate and approachable faculty, well organized training, extensive learning and research opportunities.”
Kyle Lockart, MD
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Medical School: University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
Kyle is interested in blood banking, medical microbiology, and hematopathology. Kyles is a coffee and tea enthusiast, podcast and movie buff, and enjoys cycling when not studying. Kyle chose UIC because: “Our program allows for individualized feedback and a more personal experience with the attendings. Senior residents and faculty are more than willing to assist you in a professional capacity and support in endeavors outside of the hospital as well.”
Gustavo Mendez, MD
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, Illinois
Gustavo has varied interests in blood banking, surgical pathology, informatics and hematopathology. Gustavo’s current hobbies are learning guitar, expanding his plant collection and going to a good Karaoke bar but his favorite activities include exploring Chicago and his neighborhood. On why he chose UIC: “This institution has offered a diverse learning environment with dedicated trainees, faculty, and a strong academic community.”
Su Yeon Yeon, MD
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Medical School: Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
Su Yeon is interested in molecular pathology, GI, and clinical informatics. Su Yeon enjoys crafting, drawing/painting, visiting museums and galleries. On why she chose UIC: “Great faculty members who are willing to teach. All the residents are friendly and the city itself is beautiful with lots of places to visit!.”
PGY1
Heidi Christian, MD
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago COM, Chicago, IL
Heidi has interests in hematopathology, neuropathology, and dermatopathology.
When Heidi is not studying, she likes drawing, painting, sewing, baking, hiking and museums.
On why she chose UIC: “I loved working with the attendings, residents, and fellows. The department is full of many friendly and knowledgeable individuals.”
Priyanka Gupta, MBBS
Hometown: Jammu, India
Medical School: Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences, Jammu, India
Priyanka is interested in surgical pathology (breast, GU/GYN), cytology, and molecular pathology.
When not at UIC Priyanka loves decorating, potting and planting, traveling, visiting beaches and watching Netflix.
On why she chose UIC: “UIC is a sound program that offers a variety of cases and a diverse patient population. Excellent and supportive faculty and staff plus great camaraderie amongst residents is a huge bonus.”
Juan Sigala Lozano, MD
Hometown: Maryland
Medical School: Trinity School of Medicine, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Juan is interested in molecular and genitourinary pathology.
Outside of UIC, Julian enjoys running, bouldering, drawing, playing guitar and hiking.
On why he chose UIC: “UIC is an amazing academic center located in a great city.”
Julian Tan, DO
Hometown: Darien, Illinois
Medical School: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine, Henderson, Nevada
Julian is interested in GI pathology, hematopathology and dermatopathology.
Julian enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing video games, along with trying new hot sauces and pizza places.
He chose UIC because: “Heard great things about the program during medical school and I liked the enthusiasm of the residents, faculty and Program Director during my interview day.”
Hiranmayi Vemaganti, MD
Hometown: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Medical School: Ross School of Medicine, Barbados
Heera has interests in breast pathology and neuropathology.
Outside of UIC, Heera enjoys Indian classical dance, playing the flute and eating spicy food.
On why she chose UIC: “Originally from the Midwest and dreamed of working in Chicago.”