Current Residents
Rachel Bernardo, DO (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Rachel Bernardo joins Northwestern enthusiastic to work alongside our supportive team of residents, faculty, attendings and staff. She is ready to learn the full spectrum of Family Medicine. To encourage growth in her community, Rachel started a mentorship program giving medical students the opportunity to provide support and inspiration to undergraduate students wanting to pursue medicine. Rachel also served as a subcommittee member on the Touro University Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, educating students, faculty and staff on matters of diversity and social justice. Rachel’s passion for justice and teaching will enable her to empower patients with the knowledge and confidence to make their own healthcare decisions. Rachel’s hobbies include traveling, cooking, hiking and trying new things, especially food!
Megha Gangadhar, MD (she, her, hers)
Medical School: University of Toledo college Of Medicine
Megha Gangadhar joins Northwestern ready to help patients navigate through the incredibly complex medical system and to become a Family Physician who will provide compassionate care for her patients. Megha is a student author of several peer reviewed published articles, one of which was a study on student wellness and coping during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Megha’s many volunteer experience’s include tutoring residents of the Juvenile Detention Center on various health science topics and provided office visits and health screenings to patients of the Community Care Center in Toledo, OH, a free, student-run community healthcare clinic committed to reducing health disparities. Megha’s hobbies include Bollywood dance, crocheting hats, playing the clarinet and making lattes.
Nahae Kim, MD, MPH (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Nahae Kim joins Northwestern ready to build trusting relationships with patients and empower them to advocate for themselves throughout the healthcare system. Her lifelong goals include expanding access to primary care and supporting sustainable systemic changes within medicine and medical education. Nahae founded Rosalind Franklin University’s Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion student committee, working with other students and faculty to advocate for curricular reform, faculty development, and equity research. She is also a working group member for the AAMC’s strategic action plan, project 1.1, engaging with selected professionals to curate low and no cost antiracist educational resources. Nahae’s hobbies include reading, bullet journaling, and tarot card reading.
Maribel Munoz, MD
Medical School: Rush Medical College of Rush University
Maribel Munoz joins Northwestern dedicated to serving underserved communities. Maribel is from an underrepresented community in Chicago and is determined to fill the gap in patient representation and make healthcare accessible to those who feel restricted due to a language barrier or legal status. Maribel‘s many research, work and volunteer experiences include mentorship of students interested in pursuing a career in medicine, medical interpreter for a student run clinic, and community COVID education sessions. Maribel looks forward to a career that will help her fulfill her goals within medicine of increasing health equity within the community she will serve upon graduation. Maribel’s hobbies include outdoor activities such as hiking, watching the Chicago Bulls, Bears and Cubs, travel and interior design.
Estelle Irene Rousseau, MD
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Estelle Rousseau joins Northwestern eager for the opportunity to form lifelong relationships with her patients and colleagues. She brings with her the innate ability to understand the gravity of what a Family Physician does and values the relationships that are formed from birth to death. Estelle’s many work and volunteer experiences include being a volunteer at the Navari Student Outreach Center where she provided free primary care to members within her community. She was a mentor for junior medical students and peer tutor for young men transitioning out of incarceration. Estelle is looking forward to the opportunity to connect with her patient’s and make them feel at home in an exam room. Estelle’s hobbies include singing, murder mysteries and recreational sports.
Paarul Sinha, MD (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Paarul Sinha joins Northwestern with a commitment to practicing holistic patient care, conducting innovative research that can shape preventative medicine, and understanding the larger impact of Family Medicine within our communities. Paarul served as president of a large student-led nonprofit in college, during which she organized novel and exciting ways to facilitate effective teamwork that furthered sustainable global health initiatives in Haiti. She was the founder of the Rosalind Franklin University chapter of Physicians for Human Rights and spearheaded events to advocate for local as well as national public health issues. Paarul is eager to begin residency dedicated to learning and using empathy and effective communication to care for her patients. In her spare time, Paarul enjoys spending time with family and her dog Noori, painting, digital art, cooking and hot yoga.
Sandra Spychalska, MD
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Sandra Spychalska joins Northwestern ready to build long term relationships with her patients so that she can be a source of support and provide solutions for language and cultural barriers to healthcare. From an early age, Sandra was instilled with a dedication to and empathy for others not of privilege, which fuels her passion for the underserved and underinsured. Sandra volunteered at several clinics that provide free medical care in Chicago during her time in medical school. She served as a Polish translator and as a patient educator, providing needed information about proper nutrition, exercise, and diabetes. Sandra looks forward to building meaningful relationships with her patients from birth to end-of-life as a full spectrum Family Physician. Sandra’s hobbies include cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Keven Stonewall, MD (he, him, his)
Medical School: Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University of Chicago
Keven Stonewall joins Northwestern ready to fulfill his life mission of addressing low health literacy and healthcare disparities and to utilize his medical training to empower underserved communities. Keven is the recipient of several honors and awards one of which is the American Academy of Family Physician’s Family Medicine Leads Scholarship and the Doximity Telehealth Fellowship. Among many of Keven’s work and volunteer experiences, he is a health advocate for Culture, Cuts, and Care, a grassroots initiative he started to raise health literacy and awareness in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods. Keven serves as a mentor to disadvantaged high school students to pursue a career in healthcare. Keven’s hobbies include baseball, basketball, gardening, and time spent with family.
Nithin Charlly, MD (he, him, his)
Medical School: University of Wisconsin- Madison
Nithin Charlly joins Northwestern with a commitment to serve underserved populations. Nithin is keenly aware of the need to address the interplay between health status and broader social determinants of health. Nithin hopes to bridge the intersection between public health and social justice through his dedication to family medicine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nithin created a short series of photographs and interviews to capture the sentiments of healthcare workers during the pandemic, examining how healthcare workers responded to the increasing demands of their jobs as professionals and as people. He also created a photo series documenting the influence of social justice on minority health by photographing and interviewing artists of color in Madison, WI. These projects can be viewed at www.nithincharllyphoto.com. During medical school, Nithin received Honors in Research, the Shapiro Summer Research Fellowship and the Foundations Scholarship from the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians. Nithin's hobbies include photography, bhangra (type of folk dance), electric violin, cooking and travel.
Kelsey McAfee, MD (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Northwestern University
Kelsey McAfee joins Northwestern committed to prioritizing compassion, empathy and trust with her patients. Kelsey is excited for the opportunity to advocate for her patients and advance diversity, equity and inclusion within Family Medicine and the community she will serve. Kelsey was a member of the Committee for Justice and Equity, established at Feinberg in the summer of 2020 as the Black Lives Matter movement pushed nationally for anti-racist action. Kelsey and a group of medical students raised over $11,000 to support minority communities in Chicago. One outcome of the work of the community engagement committee is the inclusion of community engagement in the academic promotion criteria at Northwestern University. Kelsey’s hobbies include painting, hiking, playing flute, board games and swimming.
Francesca Meade (formerly Prospero), MD (she, her, hers)
Medical School: University of Iowa
Francesca Meade is excited to join Northwestern and to continue her education in family medicine. She is eager to embrace the opportunity to see a broad spectrum of medical conditions and to understand the holistic care of patients in a continuity relationship. Francesca’s many volunteer experiences include being a Give Back Mentor where she supported mentees in goalsetting and college preparation throughout 3 years of high school as part of a program that provides full college scholarships to motivated students that have faced adversities. She was the Advocacy Chair at McCowen Learning Community, Iowa City, IA, where she identified and advocated for medical students’ needs and concerns and participated in leadership training. Francesca’s hobbies include cheerleading, physical fitness, cooking, baking and family game nights of monopoly, hearts and rummy.
Bryanna Paunovich, MD (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Rush University
Bryanna Paunovich is excited to join Northwestern and understands the immense privilege and challenges that come along with being a family physician. Bryanna deeply values the human connection and the simplicity of asking someone how they are doing because it is powerful to let another person know you care for them both physically and mentally. Among many of Bryanna’s work, research, and volunteer experiences, she was an elected member of the Special Committee on Rush Medical College Environment where she ensured the safe, productive, and positive learning environment for medical students. As a Student Council Leader, she led supportive initiatives and advocated for fellow medical students. Bryanna will bring exceptional professionalism, compassion, and leadership to the field of family medicine and our program. Bryanna’s hobbies include spending time with her husband and son, travel, animal rescue, infertility advocacy, and spending time on water.
Cassandra Smith, DO (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Cassandra Smith joins Northwestern eager to continue her education in our collaborative environment where she can apply her foundation of medical knowledge to comprehensive patient-centered care. Cassandra grew up in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and plans to works in an HPSA and address residential needs of providing longitudinal healthcare as well as community wellness, advancement, and equality. Cassandra is the recipient of the United States Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Award. She received the Midwestern University Office of Student Services Outstanding Leadership and Service Recognition. Cassandra’s hobbies include advocacy work, baking and cooking, hiking and travel where she hopes to set foot on every continent.
Jacqueline Story-Remer, MD (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Jacqueline Story-Remer is excited to join Northwestern and is eager to serve our community as a family physician. She hopes to advocate for her patients by building strong longitudinal relationships that promote mental and physical health. Jacqueline strives to care for patients beyond treatment of disease by investing in their holistic wellbeing, empathizing with their barriers, cultivating healthcare literacy, and putting kindness and compassion above all. Jacqueline is passionate about women’s health and reproductive advocacy, and served as president of Medical Students for Choice in her medical school chapter. Her many work and volunteer experiences include mentoring junior medical students, researching advances in traumatic brain injury and Parkinson’s Disease, and volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jacqueline’s hobbies include community outreach, travel, hiking, and water activities.
Ashley Watson, MD, MPH (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Ashley Watson is excited to join Northwestern with a desire to learn through our extensive inpatient training as well as in our continuity clinic at Erie HealthReach Waukegan where she can provide quality, patient centered care to the underserved community. Ashley has a strong desire to serve vulnerable populations, as evidenced by her work with undomiciled patients during her time at Meharry Medical College. She is engaged in the vocation of medicine and will continue to brighten the world of her patients during residency training and beyond. Ashley’s many work and volunteer experiences include being Vice President of the Family Medicine Interest Group at Meharry where she encouraged, collaborated with other and promoted the specialty of Family Medicine. Ashley’s hobbies include traveling, reading, puzzles and spending time with family and 2 dogs.
KaHoua Yang, MD (she, her, hers)
Medical School: University of Wisconsin- Madison
KaHoua Yang joins Northwestern dedicated to the field of family medicine. She joins our program where she will continue to nurture her passion for working with underserved communities and strengthen her competency in being a community-responsive physician. KaHoua grew up as a Hmong refugee in central Wisconsin, taught science in an underfunded Chicago public high school, and ran for a volunteer EMS in a small rural community; all unique lessons about the social determinants of health. These experiences have shaped her interest in medicine, influenced her medical school experiences which guided her to family medicine. KaHoua’s hobbies include hiking, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and her dog.
Pablo da Silva, MD, MPH (he, him, his)
Medical School: Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University of Chicago
Pablo da Silva joins Northwestern with an excitement for family medicine and the broad level of expertise afforded by the field. He became a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society during his undergraduate studies from which he graduated Summa Cum Laude. In medical school he served as a course evaluator to improve the academic curriculum, cofounded the history of medicine group, and received the selective Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, through which he devised a pipeline program to increase access of underprivileged community college students to medical careers. He completed an MPH with a concentration in Global Health Equity and investigated the association between intimate partner violence and HIV prevalence in Zimbabwean women. Pablo is passionate about living a life dedicated to public service and desires to practice medicine in underserved areas to bring much needed humanitarian aid. He sees family medicine as an ideal platform to achieve this goal. Pablo volunteered with the Red Cross, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Feed My Starving Children and Greater Chicago Food Depository. In his free time, he enjoys learning languages, playing classical guitar, meditation, exercising and spending time with family and friends.
Lena Dennison, MD (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Lena Dennison joins Northwestern excited for the opportunity to learn and grow within the field of family medicine and to serve as educator, counselor, motivator, resource and ally to patients and families within the community Lena will serve. One of many volunteer opportunities Lena participated in was with a team of physicians and medical students who provided medical care to homeless individuals at a shelter in Pontiac, MI and on street medicine runs within the community. Lena is excited for the collaborative nature of caring for patients within the learning environment Northwestern provides. Lena’s hobbies include gardening, making wheel-thrown pottery and spending time outdoors.
Caitlin Mink, MD (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Caitlin Mink comes to Northwestern from Saint Louis University School of Medicine and is enthusiastic about beginning her journey as a Family Medicine physician. She is an active member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, American Indian Science and Engineering Society, and SNMA. Caitlin was honored to be selected as the fourth year Family Medicine student chief, where she worked closely with the course director to revise the third-year curriculum to include implicit bias training. Caitlin is dedicated to not only leading discussions regarding inequities in healthcare and their appreciable impact on health outcomes, but also making sure that all patients feel welcome, safe, empowered, and heard. Upon graduation, Caitlin received the Rodney M. Coe Distinction in Community Service for her commitment to serving the community in various ways, including volunteer doula work, free health fairs, and organizing clothing drives for the unhoused population. Additionally, she received the Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion award through her work in the local public-school system. Outside of medicine, Caitlin enjoys eating popcorn for breakfast, thrift shopping, creative writing, and has fostered 14 dogs.
Roxana Moraga, MD (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Roxana Moraga’s passion for family medicine developed from its values rooted in humanity, empathy and patient advocacy. Roxana joins Northwestern excited to take full ownership of the profession of family physician and fulfill her dedication to academic medicine and community service, especially working with the underserved and marginalized within the community. Roxana’s many volunteer experiences include serving as President of the Latino Medical Student Association and as one of the founding members of the Marginalized Student Network, where Roxana worked hard to ensure URM students are represented across the various curriculum committees at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. In addition, Roxana completed advocacy work as a member of the Medical Legal Partnership, where she was able to connect vulnerable patients to free legal resources within the community. Roxana’s motivation for serving the underserved stems from a strong commitment to her faith. Her hobbies include gouache painting, hiking, biking, reading and board games.
Jason Ng, MD (he, him, his)
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Jason Ng joins Northwestern with a passion for family medicine and to develop, not only into a skilled clinician, but to teach, motivate and advocate for patients and develop long-term relationships with them. Among many of Jason’s research, work and volunteer experiences is with Hope for the First Nations in Northern MN as a Hope Camp Counselor. Jason partnered with leaders to host Hope Camp, a week-long summer camp for youth. Jason has a long-term goal to work with First Nations communities to provide needed medical care where patients often travel a great distance. Jason is a husband and father of two beautiful children. Jason’s hobbies include cooking, home improvement projects, soft ball and bicycling.
Janet Nwaukoni, DO (she, her, hers)
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Janet Nwaukoni joins Northwestern passionate about family medicine and ready to achieve her goals in advocating and breaking down barriers to necessary healthcare worldwide. Janet is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society and the recipient of several scholarships, one of which is from The Forum of Executive Women whose mission it is to achieve equitable representation in leadership and influence in the workplace and beyond. Janet’s driving mantra “it only takes one second to educate,” propels her passion about creating an autonomous space that gives patients the opportunity to participate in their care and is excited to learn, listen, treat, equip and advocate for patients so they are empowered to take control of their health. Janet’s many volunteer experiences include serving as Diversity Research and International Affairs Co-Chair of the Student National Medical Association, field testing with the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, and conducting international research on the APOL1 genotype in women of African ancestry. Janet has also created a small business, Bless Up, sending encouraging boxes to those embracing and persevering through life’s obstacles. Janet’s hobbies include singing, cardio-kickboxing, creating designs on her Cricut Maker and travel.
Jay Patel, DO (he, him, his)
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Jay Patel is excited to join Northwestern and the opportunity to build lasting relationships with patients and influence the trajectory of their lives by preventing illness and treating disease. Jay is the recipient of the Osteopathic Medicine General Scholarship, presented to students selected for academic merit and dedication to osteopathic medicine. Jay is certain family medicine will provide the versatile skills needed to interact within the community on a personal level. His goals are to improve access to care for diverse patient populations and provide education and motivation to patients. Jay’s hobbies include playing board games, travel, hiking, team sports, meditation and prayer.
John Walton, MD (he, him, his)
Medical School: Rush Medical College of Rush University
John Walton joins Northwestern dedicated to the field of family medicine. In the Department of Family Medicine at Rush University, John helped initiate new policies, guidelines, and innovative education tools focused on addressing racial bias and injustices in healthcare. John’s volunteer experiences include Family Medicine Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Black Men in White Coats. John served as Co-President of Interprofessional Minority Students Association and Vice President, Community Engagement Chair and Member of the Student National Medical Association. Each experience and service solidifying John’s passion for advocacy of minorities in medicine, serving diverse populations and patients experiencing healthcare disparities. John is the recipient of the Clarissa D. Haffner Family Practice Endowed Scholarship Award, given to students who demonstrate a commitment to leadership within the field of family medicine. John was also awarded the Dean's Summer Research Fellowship Alumni Association Scholar Award. John’s hobbies include mentorship, teaching, ice hockey, travel, cooking, working out and sports in general.