Meet the Fellows

What drew you to this field

I am always impressed by the immense range of pathology, acuity of care, and patient populations that pediatric GI offers. I was always drawn to the O.R. during medical school, and the wide range of procedural opportunities available in this field helps to scratch that itch.

What are your clinical interests? How did you become interested in this area?

I am trying to go into fellowship with an open mind (I’m indecisive) but have always had a strong interest in advanced endoscopic procedures. I enjoy procedures and working with my hands, so gastroenterology was a natural fit.

What are your research interests

The first thing that comes to mind would be trying to bring a focus on equity of care and social determinants of health outcomes for our patients, but I also have interests in quality improvement and clinical research opportunities.

Why did you choose Lurie?

I made the trip up to Lurie for a GI rotation during medical school and was so impressed by the culture of the department, the faculty/fellows, and the hospital as a whole. That experience stuck with me through residency and pulled me back in! I also have some close connections to Chicago, so the city has always felt like home away from home.

What do you do for fun or to relax?

I spend most of my time relaxing with my significant other and our goofy boxer, Lucille. When we aren’t busy spoiling the pup, I enjoy exploring the city, trying to stay in shape, reading a good book, and being hyper invested in Virginia Tech sports (Go Hokies!)

What do you love most about Chicago?

Where do I start! The city has a vibrant atmosphere that is hard to beat. Each neighborhood has such a unique culture, and the opportunities for exploration and new experiences are endless. I’m also just a sucker for a good Saturday afternoon hot dog at Wrigley.  

What drew you to this field?

Since medical school back in Ecuador, I was always amazed at how the GI system works, and how it can impact the whole-body system. Since we did not have many doctors practicing pediatric gastroenterology in Ecuador, I decided to pursue an observership in Miami. During my observership, I fell in love with the field, and I learned how much I did not know about it, and mostly how much more I wanted to learn from it in the future.

What are your clinical interests? How did you become interested in this area? 

My clinical interests are Hepatology and advance procedures. I became interested in these areas during my residency in New York while I was exposed to a wide variety of patients having these pathologies.

What are your research interests?

I am interested in Hepatology and advanced procedures but have an open mind regarding other areas. During my first year as a fellow, I will have more exposure and I will have a better judgment about the topics and type of research that I would like to pursue.

Why did you choose Lurie?

I studied for my steps in Chicago and lived close to Lurie. I always dreamed about working here! Now, I have achieved this goal!

Lurie has a comprehensive GI program that will expose me to all the bread and butter of GI as well as rare diseases. During my interview, I was able to see the workflow and the fellows-attending working relationship at the hospital. I think that kind of work dynamic will help me to thrive during my fellowship!

What do you do for fun or to relax?

I like dancing and playing sports. I play soccer, tennis, and basketball. I enjoy Salsa and Reggaeton dancing. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family.

What do you love most about Chicago?

I think Chicago is one of the best cities in the US. I like that you can do everything from water sports or boating in the summer to skiing or snowboarding in the winter. Chicago’s architecture is amazing, and its food is excellent.

What drew you to this field?

The diversity of GI is what drew me to this field. There is inpatient and outpatient, high and low acuity, specialty care and primary care.  I also love procedures and using innovative technology to help children.
 
What are your clinical interests? How did you become interested in this area?

I am interested in interventional endoscopy, obesity, eosinophilic GI disease, inflammatory bowel disease, medical education, and bioethics. My interests in GI stem from my experiences as a medical student with exemplary mentors. The GI attendings were the best proceduralists, educators, advocates, and compassionate physicians I encountered, and I want to be just like them.

 
What are your research interests

I am interested in interventional endoscopy, eosinophilic GI disease, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Why did you choose Lurie?

Lurie’s strong reputation in the region for GI and liver, the size of the program, the high acuity and complexity of the patients, and the geographic location. 

 
What do you do for fun or to relax?

I enjoy relaxing with my family, running, exercising, and going out to eat.

 
What do you love most about Chicago?
The food is excellent! The summers are beautiful! There is always something to do and explore.

What drew you to this field?
I love the diversity of pathology in GI and understanding how all the different organs (including the hepatobiliary system) all function together and impact one another within the giant “fun slide” that is the GI system! And every day feels unique in this field because of the good mixture of inpatient, outpatient, and complex procedures that we frequently perform.

What are your clinical interests? How did you become interested in this area?
I’m very interested in inflammatory bowel disease and I’m also curious about advanced endoscopic procedures. IBD is fascinating to me because there is still so much we don’t know about it, the field is always advancing with newer therapies available, and I appreciate the opportunity to develop longitudinal relationships with these patients. Also, I want to learn more about diet and integrative medicine with the hopes to apply those tools/knowledge as adjuncts in IBD management.

What are your research interests?
I am interested in IBD, intestinal ultrasound, nutrition, and integrative medicine techniques.

Why did you choose Lurie?
I did a rotation at Lurie and absolutely fell in love with the hospital and everyone I met in the GI department (fellows and faculty) from the very beginning. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, the culture felt very inclusive, and the program leadership were clearly extremely supportive of their fellows’ wellness. Also, I wanted to be at a tertiary center that performed advanced GI therapies and diagnostics, had a strong liver transplant program, and had high volume and acuity of patients. And I grew up in the nearby suburbs so it was nice to be back in Illinois and get to live in the city!

What do you do for fun or to relax?
I love walking around the city (or scootering!) and exploring new cafes, restaurants, or fun activity spots. I like to read and often find a scenic spot outside (during the warmer months) to spend a few hours reading. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family.

What do you love most about Chicago?
I love how walkable, lively, and diverse the city is. Each neighborhood has its own vibe, there’s always something to do, the architecture is so cool, and I love being by the lake during the summer!