Class of 2013

	David Barounis, M.D. Hometown: Chicago, IL Undergraduate: University of Illinois Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine; In medical school, David was involved with research activities (two peer reviewed publications and four poster presentations) and volunteer activities. He was the president/founder of the Student Outreach Association and a team leader with the hurricane Katrina relief team in the spring of 2006. Achievements and Awards: Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine (GHHS) Outside of Medicine: David still enjoys soccer along with running, hiking, biking, and camping -- �especially if I can bring my dog�.
	Paarul Chandra, M.D. Hometown: Born in Charleston, SC; Raised in Detroit, MI Undergraduate: University of Michigan; spent one summer volunteering in a rural hospital in Kenya. Medical School: University of Pittsburgh, where she volunteered extensively (free clinic, women�s shelter, Spanish translator, fundraiser, admissions committee, etc.) and was co-chair for the Global Health Interest Group. She was awarded a university enrichment scholarship and spent one summer volunteering at a hospital in Honduras. Between her third and fourth year of medical school, Paarul took a year off and was a volunteer worker at the Universidad del Valle Hospital emergency room in Cali, Columbia. Outside of Medicine: Paarul is fluent in Hindi and Spanish, and she enjoys dancing (salsa and tango), yoga, photography, running and cooking.
	Michelle Chastain, M.D. Hometown: Phoenix, AZ Undergraduate: Washington and Lee University; An outstanding student-athlete, Michelle still holds the varsity volleyball record for most kills in a season. Between college and medical school, she worked as an Intramural Research Training Associate for the NINDS sector of NIH, performing basic science research on demyelinating diseases. Her neuroscience honor thesis resulted in a peer reviewed publication. Medical School: Georgetown University; She worked as a gross anatomy TA, and volunteered extensively (President of Emergency Medicine Interest Group, medical school admissions committee, awards ceremony coordinator, student clinic, etc.). Academically, she is in the top group of her class and her test taking skills (USMLE) put her in the top 1% of the country. Outside of Medicine: Michelle lists her three favorite past times -- cook/eat (new recipes & restaurants), athletics (running & volleyball), and art house movies.
	Alissa Gottesman, M.D. Hometown: Detroit, MI Undergraduate: Michigan State University Life before Medical School: Between college and medical school, Alissa worked as an analyst and project manager for Accenture Global Services. Medical School: Wayne State University; During medical school, Alissa volunteered with Code Blue a group that focused on science and health education for children. She also volunteered at Covenant House for homeless and runaway youth. Alissa is an author of a 2007 article in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension on the relationship between chronic kidney disease and aldosterone levels. Achievements and Awards: Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine (GHHS) Outside of Medicine: Alissa has traveled extensively internationally. She loves music and can play piano, clarinet and percussion instruments.
	Tony Grippo, M.D. Hometown: Chicago, IL Undergraduate: Boston University Life before Medical School: Tony worked as a phlebotomist/lab assistant and completed his MS degree (physiology and biophysics) at Georgetown University. Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University; Tony worked as a histology teaching assistant and, and his volunteer activities included working with the Illinois Health Education Consortium, orientation advisor, an admissions committee member. Achievements and Awards: His test taking abilities (USMLE) put him in the top 10% of the country. Academically, Tony is in the top 25% of his class, and in 2008 was awarded the Jerome R. Share Scholarship for academic performance. Outside of Medicine: Tony enjoys golf, 16� softball, running, American history, and Chicago sports teams.
	Janna Hoffman, M.D. Hometown: Born in St. Louis, MO; Raised in Chicago, IL Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania; As an undergrad, Janna�s honors thesis examined the relationship of chronic sleep restriction to cognitive function. This work resulted two 2005 peer reviewed publications and an oral presentation at the meeting of Associated Professional Sleep Societies. Life before Medical School: Between undergraduate studies and medical school, she worked as the Coordinator of Research and Development at the Center for Simulation Technology at Evanston Northwestern Hospital. Medical School: Rush Medical College; During medical school Janna was the principal investigator studying patients� perception of speech and sound with cochlear and auditory brainstem implants. She also was an elected board member of the Rush Medical College Emergency Medicine Interest Group, volunteered at a residential shelter for women and was a Big Sib for a pediatric HIV patient. Achievements and Awards: This spring, Janna will graduate in the top 20% top of her class at Rush Medical College. Her test taking scores (USMLE) rank her in the top 1% of the nation. Outside of Medicine: Janna is an accomplished marathon runner, including the San Francisco Marathon. She is PADI certified for open water, enriched air and dry suit scuba diving. She is also a pianist.
	Brad Kutka, M.D. Hometown: Chicago, IL Undergraduate: University of Illinois Life before Medical School: Between college and medical school, Brad was an ED tech at Lutheran General Hospital, where he also volunteered as a member of the HazMat Team. Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine; while at UIC, Brad worked in the medical school library, was a member of the student council, and was Vice President of the Student Outreach Association. Brad also conducted ED research on ABEM certification within the VA Hospital system as well as research on the ED consultation process. Achievements and Awards: Brad received honors in 80% of his clinical rotations and in 2008, he received the Chancellors Student Service Award. Outside of Medicine: Brad enjoys running, biking, swimming, triathlons, football, baseball, softball, movies, music and dancing.
	Robert McDermott, M.D. Hometown: Born in Baltimore, MD; Raised in Montana Undergraduate: Carleton College in Minnesota; graduated magna cum laude. While in college he received a National Merit Scholarship for all four years of his studies. He competed in intercollegiate water polo. Robbie got his first taste of emergency medicine as a patient care technician in the Billings Clinic Emergency Department in Montana. Medical School: Georgetown University; During medical school, Robbie volunteered at the HOYA free clinic both as a clinician and as a clinic coordinator. He tutored junior medical students and was an Anatomy Teaching Assistant. Robbie traveled to Ecuador this year to further develop his Spanish speaking skills. Achievements and Awards: Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Outside of Medicine: Robbie has a passion for downhill skiing. He loves water polo, watching professional soccer and cooking.
	Pikul Patel, M.D. Hometown: Born in Chicago, IL; Raised in Racine, WI Undergraduate: University of Illinois; As an undergraduate, Pikul was a James Scholar and earned his degree in Molecular and Integrative Physiology. While studying at U of I, Pikul co-founded the American Red Cross Club and served as club treasurer and president. He has extensive experience as an EMT working for 6 years at multiple ambulance companies in Wisconsin Life before Medical School: Pikul went on to earn a Masters Degree in Applied Physiology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin Achievements and Awards: During medical school Pikul was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Society. He currently serves as that chapter�s Vice President. He was chosen by peers and mentors for the Rosalind Franklin Professionalism Award. This award is given to only two students each year for being an outstanding example of altruism and professionalism. As an M-3, Pikul was elected Class President. Outside of Medicine: Pikul loves extreme sports and has gone skydiving, bungee jumping, cliff jumping and zip lining. He cooks a mean Indian/Chinese fusion.
	Beau Willison, M.D. Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK Undergraduate: Rice University in Houston, TX; graduated cum laude and was an ultimate frisbee intramural champion. Life before Medical School: In the year between college and medical school, Beau studied Spanish and Mexican culture at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in Taxco, volunteered at an orphanage in Taxco, Mexico, and later worked at Keystone Ski Resort in Colorado. Medical School: University of Texas at San Antonio; While in medical school, Beau worked as a physiology department teaching assistant, and was a member of the Admissions Committee, Hurricane Katrina Evacuee Shelter at Kelly Air Force Base, and involved in numerous research activities (trauma, neurosurgery, ENT). After medical school, Beau completed one year of general surgery residency at the University of Texas-San Antonio. Beau is currently completing a one year fellowship in Houston, Texas at the Center for Clinical Studies, which is involved in various dermatology research endeavors. This has led to Beau co-authoring five book chapters, two oral presentations, two poster presentations and one peer reviewed publication. Achievements and Awards: Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) and the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) Outside of Medicine: Beau continues to enjoy ultimate frisbee along with rock climbing, snow and water skiing, surfing, hiking, camping, soccer, yoga and salsa dancing.
	Jennifer Woodward, M.D. Hometown: Topeka, KS Undergraduate: University of Kansas; While an undergraduate, was an Emory University summer research assistant studying Simian Immunodeficiency Virus. She was also a CDC summer research assistant investigating RSV. Finally, she spent one summer gathering West Nile Virus surveillance data for the Kansas Department of Health and the CDC. Life before Medical School: In 2006, Jennifer received her MPH degree from the University of Texas School of Public Health where she was a research assistant on the West Nile project in the Houston area and spent time back at the CDC working with the Special Pathogens Branch on viral hemorrhagic fevers (Ebola, Nipah, etc.). While obtaining her masters degree, Jennifer was President of the Student Epidemic Intelligent Society and worked as a research assistant at the Center for Biosecurity and Public Health Preparation in Houston. Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City; In 2007, she had two peer reviewed publications in Emerging Infectious Disease. She conducted a research correlating lactate levels with mortality. She made a platform presentation of her research �Serum Lactate in Age as Predictors of Mortality in Emergency Department Patients� at the AAEM Scientific Assembly in February, 2010. Outside of Medicine: Jennifer enjoys running, mountain biking, skiing, music/concerts, cooking/grilling, and college basketball & football.