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Hometown: Nigeria

Undergraduate:  University of Michigan

Medical School: Northwestern University

I chose MacNeal for various reasons...
MacNeal has a strong FM residency with a great reputation and lots of experience. In addition, while interviewing, I was looking for a place that would place value on my personal life as well as on my training. I am so glad to be at MacNeal because they do just that. Though the schedule can be busy, there is a lot of effort put into making sure there are opportunities for social activities and personal time. For example, monthly social outings with your peers, annual resident retreat, having certain number of weekends off during particular rotations, free lunches etc.  Basically at MacNeal they care about you...and your training.
I was also looking for a place where I would be comfortable enough to ask questions and learn from my peers and other physicians.  At MacNeal the learning environment is great.  The physicians are very approachable and there is a supportive and caring environment which really encourages learning, and makes residency a lot less painful than it could be.  I am very happy with my decision.

Email: aashaye@macneal.com

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Hometown: Chicago, IL

Undergraduate:  University of Illinois- Champaign

Medical School: University of Pittsburgh 

When looking for a residency program, I knew that I wanted to return to my hometown of Chicago for training.  I explored several programs in the city and found that MacNeal was the best fit for me.  As a virtually unopposed program, MacNeal provides its residents with excellent training in all core areas of Family Medicine.  The program serves a diverse patient population in a community setting.  Its faculty, specialists, and ancillary staff are professional, supportive, and approachable.  MacNeal offers the balance that is needed during residency training: it is great to be part of a group of residents who work hard and are still happy!  In my spare time, I enjoy catching up with friends and family, visiting museums, and exploring new restaurants throughout the city. 

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Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Undergraduate:  Pomona College

Medical School: University of Chicago

I looked at various programs throughout the Chicago area and felt that MacNeal was the best residency program for me.  An important component of my search was finding a program where residents felt that they would feel confident and competent after three years of training to practice on their own as an attending physician.  Each resident that I spoke with conveyed this to me.  Also, I greatly enjoy working in an atmosphere with such friendly and caring attendings, fellow residents, and staff.  Being so close to Chicago has allowed me to stay in close contact with friends, enjoying new restaurants and theatre, and playing racquetball.

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Hometown: Deerfield, IL

Undergraduate: University of Illinois- Chicago

Medical School: University of Illinois

When I initially was deciding on family medicine residency programs, I was very impressed by the outstanding reputation of MacNeal, the strength of the curriculum, and the supportive environment created by the faculty.  Several months later, this continues to hold true.  MacNeal has a rich tradition of being a well-balanced program of multiple strengths with a diverse patient population.  Due to the unopposed structure of the program, family physicians have a wide array of experiences and are well respected in the hospital, making it an environment conducive to working and learning.  The faculty, specialists and nurses recognize that our primary roles as residents are to learn.  Not only have I felt challenged during this year, but supported along the way as well by faculty and my fellow residents alike.  I’ve heard many times that selecting a residency is all about finding the “right fit”, and without any doubt, I can say that I have found mine.  My other interests include cooking, playing tennis, watching sappy romantic comedies (as well as other movies), and spending time with family and friends.

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John Katana

Hometown: Traverse City, MI

Undergraduate: Wheaton College

Medical School: Loyola University

I am enthusiastic about being a resident at MacNeal.  The program is challenging but not overwhelming, the patients are diverse, the faculty are committed to teaching, and the hospital is conveniently located on the Metra BNSF commuter rail line ten miles from downtown Chicago.  There is a strong sense of camaraderie among the residents.  My interests include adolescent health, obesity, behavioral health, and international/underserved medicine.  I plan to work in an inner-city clinic after I finish residency.

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Hometown:  Daytona Beach. FL

Undergraduate:  University of Chicago

Medical School: University of Illinois

Though I grew up in Florida, I moved to Chicago to attend college.  Chicago is a wonderful city with such diversity and character; it is not surprising MacNeal reflects these qualities.  I feel I have learned so much already and the support from fellow residents, staff and faculty is overwhelming.  In my spare time, I love watching sports and the Food Network, hanging out with friends and enjoying the city.

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Hometown:  Northville, MI

Undergraduate: University of Michigan- Ann Arbor

Medical School: Loyola University

I chose to do my residency training at MacNeal because I was impressed with the enthusiasm and friendliness of the residents and faculty, the reputation of the program, the well-rounded curriculum with an unopposed structure, and the size of each intern class.  Also, with the hospital being so close to the city, I can live in the city and take advantage of all it has to offer, yet still have a simple ride to work.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling, cheering on U of M and my Detroit sports teams, biking along Lake Michigan, and watching some reality TV with my roommate. :-)

Hometown:  Chicago, IL

Undergraduate:  Loyola University

Medical School: Des Moines University

I chose to go to MacNeal because of its long-standing reputation for being a highly regarded FM program.  The fact that it is an unopposed program in a large community hospital was also appealing to me.  I wanted the personal attention as well as the opportunity for adequate first-hand learning experiences that MacNeal offered.  I especially felt that the Pediatric component of this program was stronger than those at other programs based in community hospitals.  MacNeal's location was also ideal for me, since I live in the city.  But most of all, I felt like MacNeal was the best fit for me because of the people -- from the personable, supportive, and knowledgeable attendings, to the friendly staff and the tight-knit group of residents -- they have all created an environment where I can get the most out of my training years.

During my free time, I like running or biking along the lakefront, playing football, volleyball, and soccer, watching Scrubs and The Office, playing the guitar and the drums... and of course, having fun with the other interns, whether it's going out to eat, going out dancing, or just plain hanging out! 

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Hometown:  Charleston, SC

Undergraduate:  University of Colorado- Boulder

Medical School: CCOM

My decision to come to MacNeal was an easy one after I did a sub-internship during 4^th year.  I especially liked the fact that the residents were so friendly and helpful and they seemed happy to come to work everyday.  Now that I am an intern, I still feel that everyone is very supportive and it is a great environment to learn in because the faculty are committed to teaching and are very approachable.  We are really fortunate too, because we have excellent consultants who are also very willing to teach and help us when we see them on the floors.  I am interested in all aspects of Family Medicine and particularly like helping the underserved and geriatric population. 

In my spare time I like to visit with friends, travel, run, be in the great outdoors, and spoil my two nephews.       

Hometown:  Troy, MI

Undergraduate:  University of Michigan

Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Born and bred in Michigan I knew residency would be a perfect time for a change of scenery.  Being so close to home and such an amazing city I knew I wanted to be in Chicago.  In my search of programs and by fate I suppose, I found out about unopposed programs, including MacNeal, which was the best thing that ever happened to me.  I did a senior elective at MacNeal and absolutely fell in love with it.  Everyone from the hospital and clinic ancillary staff, to the residents and attendings were so friendly, welcoming and supportive that I instantly felt at home.  The virtually unopposed nature of MacNeal’s family medicine program sealed the deal for me. As an intern being a part of, and as a senior running the various services you are truly challenged, and I believe trained to be a strong, well-rounded family physician. 

In my spare time I love spending time with my family and friends, exploring Chicago, shopping, reading and watching the University of Michigan Wolverines…GO BLUE!!!

Hometown:  Pittsburgh, PA

Undergraduate:  University of Pittsburgh

Medical School: CCOM

I grew up in Pittsburgh and moved to the Chicagoland area for medical school.  After 4 years, I was feeling kind of homesick and was thinking of moving back to Pittsburgh for residency.  However, my interest in international health and working with a diverse population made me consider staying in Chicago.  I interviewed at programs in both Pittsburgh and Chicago, and MacNeal was the one program where I felt most at home.  The staff, faculty, and residents were very warm, friendly, open, and inviting.  I knew early on in my interview that this is where I belong.  I am glad they felt the same way too. I am very happy here.

Hometown:  Burbank, IL

Undergraduate:  St. Xavier University

Medical School: CCOM

I have spent all of my life in the Second City so it was natural for me to want to stay here.  I chose MacNeal after spending a month here doing an outpatient elective and had a great experience.  The people were friendly and MacNeal had opportunities to explore my interests. I wanted to focus on women's health and it seemed like this was one of the program's strengths. I have been very happy here and look forward to the next two years!