José Choca Community
Physician House Advising Faculty
Dr. Bernice Man
Dr. Bernice Man is a general internist and faculty member in the Division of Academic Internal Medicine. She has been at UIC since 2008 and has spent much of her career devoted to serving urban vulnerable populations. Most recently, she completed a masters degree in clinical translational science at the UIC School of Public Health. She is originally from New York City and still considers herself a New Yorker. It was quite a surprise to her friends, family and even herself when she moved to the west coast for medical school and residency. Although the first year was rough, it was one of her best life decisions. What inspired her to go into medicine (30!) years ago is still what inspires her work today. It’s the patients. She’s thrilled to be a house advisor and feels this is the perfect trifecta in her work as a physician, researcher and advisor. Her 3 daughters are her greatest accomplishments, 2 are in college, and the other 1 is in high school. She enjoys the outdoors, cooking and running with her dog.
Dr. Erin Hickey
Dr. Erin Hickey is an Internal Medicine and Pediatric (Med-Peds) trained doctor in the division of Academic Internal Medicine. She is from Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to Chicago for college, came back for residency, and joined UIC after residency for a medical education fellowship. She is very excited to stay at UIC after joining as faculty in 2021. Her medical interests are in the primary care of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, medical education for trainees at all levels, and the treatment of opiate use disorder. Outside of medicine, she enjoys all activities outdoors, especially those she can share with her dog Cooper, and spending as much time as possible with family and friends. She is committed to the well-being and advancement of medical students and is delighted to join the PHA family!
José Choca, MD (1959-1994) 
Dr. José Ignacio Choca was born in 1959 in Havana, Cuba. His family, including 5 siblings, migrated to the US when Choca was still an infant. After earning his bachelor’s degree at Johns Hopkins University, Choca received his MD/PhD from the University of Illinois College Of Medicine. He took great pride in his work to help minority medical students continue in school. In addition, he tutored international medical graduates for medical board exams. Choca’s advocacy for the primacy of teaching in universities was reflected in his 1992 letter to the Chicago Tribune, wherein he took issue with the bias toward research over teaching in government sponsorship and university culture.
His passion for research on sensory pathways and teaching continued despite learning he was HIV+ in 1991. He died of complications of AIDS in 1994 at the age of 35.
Achievements
Dr. Choca was a 3-time winner of the Golden Apple Award at the University of Illinois in his 5 years on faculty. This award is based on students‘ election of a teacher that exemplifies the highest standards in education.
1994- Dr. Choca was posthumously awarded the Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA)Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award from AAMC. This highly prestigious award is given to only one of 4 faculty in the nation annually.