Matthew Collander: Matt was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina where he majored in Business. After college, Matt worked as an emergency room technician and also was a substitute elementary school teacher. This spring, Matt will graduate from Rush Medical School where he ranked in the top quintile of his class. Matt’s test taking abilities on the USMLE place him in the top 5% of the country. During medical school, Matt organized a BLS/CPR certification course for M1 and M2 students. He also volunteered at multiple free clinics in Chicago including one activity that provided on the street medical care for the homeless. Matt traveled to Ecuador to serve as a volunteer at Rodriquez Zambrano Hospital. Matt enjoys international travel, live music and major league baseball.
Linsey Erickson: Linsey was born and raised in Hastings, Minnesota. She received her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida in Liberal Studies. While in college, Linsey worked two jobs, competed on the University Rugby Team and graduated Magna Cum Laude. This spring, Linsey will graduate from Rosalind Franklin Medical School in the top 10% of her class. Based on her outstanding medical school performance, she was elected as a member of both AOA and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. In medical school, Linsey was the Emergency Medicine Interest Group Treasurer and Clinic Coordinator. She led a community service project called Playground Medicine, teaching elementary students about first aid. Linsey enjoys golf, travel and spending time with family.
Brian Fort: Brian was born in Peoria, Illinois. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago in Pre-Pharmacy/Pre-Med. During college, Brian competed on the varsity swim team and was an All American-All Academic Student Athlete. After College, Brian attended Purdue University Pharmacy School earning his PharmD. Brian is a Clinical Staff Pharmacist at the University of Chicago and has continued working in that role part-time during medical school. This spring, Brian will graduate from the University of Illinois Medical School. Brian’s test-taking skills on the USMLE place him in the top 1% of the nation. Brian is an elite endurance athlete and took a leave of absence during medical school to represent the USA at the ITU Triathlon World Championships in Australia. Brian enjoys snowboarding and cooking.
Richard Louis Hermann: Louis was born in Winfield, Illinois. In high school Louis earned the Eagle Scout Award. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago in Biology. During college and medical school, Louis worked as a phlebotomist at Edward Hospital in Naperville, IL. This spring, Louis will graduate from Rush Medical School in the top 10% of his class. His outstanding performance in medical school earned him election into AOA. Louis’ test taking skills on the USMLE rank him in the top 1% of the country. During medical school, Louis was very dedicated to underserved patients. He volunteered at 6 different free clinics in Chicago. Louis enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, playing trombone in the brass ensemble at his church and skiing.
Andrew Jakubowicz: Andy was born and raised in Crown Point, Indiana. He received his undergraduate degree at Miami of Ohio University in Chemistry/Psychology. Andy received his medical degree from Wright State University Medical School and graduated in the top quintile of his class. Andy’s performance on the USMLE places him in the top 1% of the nation. After medical school, Andy matched in Pediatrics at Rush University Medical Center. He will complete his Pediatric residency training this spring. During his Pediatric training, Andy had multiple poster and oral presentations of his research and had a peer-reviewed publication in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. He also won the Rush University Resident Teaching Award. Andy enjoys photography, travel and ethnic cuisine. His marathon time qualified him for Boston.
Brian Kessen: Brian was born in Milwaukee. He received his undergraduate degree at Andrews University in Biology. This spring, Brian will graduate from Loma Linda Medical School. Brian’s test taking skills on the USMLE place him in the top 1% of the nation. During medical school, Brian traveled to New Orleans to participate in Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. Brian has extensive experience as an EMT and firefighter prior to residency training. Brian enjoys surfing the great lakes, snowboarding and riding motorcycles with his wife.
Nicolas Kettaneh: Nick was born and raised in Chicago. He received his undergraduate degree at University of Illinois at Chicago in Biochemistry. During college, Nick served in the Army National Guard. As a Calvary Platoon Medic he served in Kirkuk, Iraq in 2004-05.This spring, Nick will graduate from Michigan State University Medical School. Nick’s test taking abilities on the USMLE place him in the top 1% of the nation. During medical school, Nick was a major contributor to multiple research projects. Nick enjoys running (placed 2nd in the Grand Rapids Marathon), snowboarding and spending time with his family and friends.
James Maletich: Jim was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago. While in high school he earned the Eagle Scout award. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois in Mechanical Engineering. During and after college, Jim volunteered as an EMT. Jim worked professionally as an industrial engineer. While an engineer, he was the youngest winner of the Award for Excellence in Reliability Engineering at Lyondell Chemical Co. This spring, Jim will graduate from Rush Medical College in the uppermost 15% of his class. Jim’s performance in medical school earned him election to AOA. His test taking skills on the USMLE place him scored in the top 1% of the nation. During medical school, Jim was involved with research on Epiretinal Membrane Surgery. He presented his research at the American Society of Retinal Specialists Academic Assembly. He also traveled to Ecuador as a student volunteer at Hospital Zambrano. Jim has competed in the Chicago Marathon as well as numerous triathlons.
James McKean: Jim was born and raised in the Chicagoland area. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois in Molecular and Cellular Biology. This spring, Jim will graduate from the University of Illinois Medical School ranked in the top 15% of his class. Because of his outstanding performance in medical school, Jim was elected a member of both AOA and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. His test taking skills on the USMLE place him in the top 1% of the nation. During medical school, Jim mentored high school students participating in the Urban Future Leaders of the World (UFLOW). He also volunteered at the Student Run Free Clinic in Chicago and worked at a North Avenue Beach Bar and Grill. Jim uses his free time to bike, spend time with family, and volunteer as a wrestling coach.
Margaret Putman: Maggie was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. She was an elite Irish Dancer while in high school and college winning numerous national and international awards. She ranked #5 at the 2005 World Championships of Irish Dancing. She received her undergraduate degree at Marquette University in Biomedical Sciences. This spring, Maggie will graduate from West Virginia Osteopathic Medical College ranked in the top 3% of her class. Based on her outstanding medical school performance, Maggie was elected a member of SSP. Her test taking abilities on the COMLEX exam place her in the top 2% of the nation. In medical school, Maggie earned the TOUCH Award multiple times. This award is given to students who completed more than 50 hours of volunteer community activities during a given year. She continues to teach Irish Dance and has coached a World Champion Team in 2009. True to her Southside roots, Maggie is an avid White Sox fan.
Stephan Walchuk: Steve was born and raised in Chicago. He grew up in a family in which virtually every male was a member of either the Chicago Police or Fire Departments. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame in Pre-Professional Studies/ Psychology. He also competed on the varsity track and field team and was a top-10 ranked high jumper in the Big East Conference. This spring, Steve will graduate from the University of Illinois Medical School. Steve’s test-taking skills on the USMLE place him in the top 7% of the nation. During medical school Steve contributed as an author on cosmetic reconstruction surgery research. He presented his work at the Midwest Association for Plastic Surgeons Scientific Assembly. Steve has also been very involved in volunteer work as President of Vision Mission (providing eye care for underserved youth) and a Board Member of the St. Tarcissus Alumni Association which works to raise money for a financially challenged elementary school and church. Steve enjoys wilderness trips and (as a true Chicagoan) 16 inch softball. .
Adam Wise: Adam was born in Milwaukee. He received his undergraduate degree at Rutgers University in Evolutionary Anthropology. While at Rutgers, Adam spent 6 weeks in Kenya participating in archeological excavations and assisting with wildlife studies. Adam also developed an independent research project investigating regions of the human genome associated with schizophrenia. This spring, Adam will graduate from the R.W. Johnson Medical School. During medical school, Adam was on the board of directors for the Health Outreach Project. In this role, Adam provided hands on care to patients as well acting as the Quality Control and Infrastructure Manager. He administered the medical informatics and the lab for this busy clinic. His test taking abilities on the USMLE place him in the top 4% of the nation. He has studied medical Spanish in Ecuador. Adam still enjoys playing his guitar and traveling as much as he can.