Health Careers Institute - IL

Audrey La Valle – Student Dentist, Class of 2028

Hi everyone! My name is Audrey La Valle, and I just finished my first year of dental school at Midwestern University’s College of Dental Medicine-Illinois. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and moved back here after graduating from Indiana University in Bloomington in 2024. I have a bachelor of science in biology and a minor in psychology. I enjoy staying active, traveling, reading, and trying new food. My passions in life include connecting with others and overcoming challenges, and a career in dentistry offers me the opportunity to do both of these things daily. I have already learned so much during my time at Midwestern and I'm very excited to meet you all and share my experiences!

Clare Mielczarek – Student Doctor, Class of 2028

Hi everyone! My name is Clare, and I’m a rising second-year medical student at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University. I grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a bachelor of science in neuroscience. As an undergraduate, I worked as a research assistant for three years in a lab investigating the pathology of Alzheimer’s Disease. During my gap year, I worked as a medical assistant at a dermatology clinic. My medical interests lie in pediatrics because I love working with kids and value the opportunity to positively shape their future from an early age.

Outside of school, I love to bake, read, go on walks, and roam TJ Maxx. My advice for anyone interested in healthcare is to trust yourself. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s – it’s yours for a reason. Be kind to yourself, learn from the bumps in the road, lean on your support systems, and keep pushing forward. You’re exactly where you need to be. I’m looking forward to meeting you all this summer!

Daniel Reuben – Student Doctor, Class of 2026

Hey friends, my name is Daniel Reuben and I am just now entering my fourth and final year here at CCOM! I'm from St. Louis, Missouri and went to the University of Missouri (Mizzou) for my undergrad in biochemistry. I didn't actually know I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare until the end of my freshman year of college. Up until that time, I had started working as a personal trainer and youth strength & conditioning coach at a local gym, thinking I wanted to go into higher-level coaching. As I started training more adult clients, I noticed that most of them were motivated to exercise not because of any strength or weight-related goals, but because they were simply trying to manage various chronic medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and they had been inspired by their physicians to do so. This is what got me to shift gears and eventually apply to medical school, and now I'm excited to be applying for a residency in Family Medicine this fall! 

My particular interests are in sports medicine, obesity/weight management and OMM, so please feel free to ask questions about any of those areas! I'm also a huge hockey fan and (kind of) play guitar in my free time. One piece of advice I wish I had early on: As a pre-healthcare student, you will likely be told to do very specific majors, extracurriculars, research positions, jobs, etc... Just do the things that excite you most, explore the areas you're genuinely passionate about, and if you're meant to be in the profession of your choice, these things will get you there.

Dwit Shah – Student Doctor, Class of 2028

Hello! My name is Dwit, and I am a rising second-year medical student at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. I’m originally from New Jersey and earned my undergraduate degree in biological sciences with a minor in entrepreneurship from Rutgers University. I also hold a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences from Rutgers.

Throughout undergrad and my gap years, I gained diverse healthcare experience, working as an ambulance driver with a First Aid and Rescue Squad, a phlebotomist, a clinical care technician in the ICU, and a medical scribe in the emergency room.
When I’m not in the library cramming for an exam, you can find me cooking, watching anime, or exploring Chicago’s neighborhoods. I also love solo traveling—so far, I’ve been to Slovenia and Vietnam, and I’m currently planning a trip to Ecuador. My biggest piece of advice? Failure is inevitable, but what matters most is how you recover and keep pushing forward!

Elizabeth Herr – Student Doctor, Class of 2028

Hi! My name is Lizzy Herr, and I am currently finishing my first year of medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. I am from Western Springs, IL, and I graduated from the University of Dayton in 2024! Outside of school, I love to cook, do yoga, and spend time outside. I am interested in pediatrics and internal medicine, and I am super passionate about health equity and mentorship in medicine. I’m so excited to work with you all this summer, and I can’t wait to meet you!

Hanna Derbyshire – Student Optometrist, Class of 2028

Hi everyone! My name is Hanna, and I'll be starting my second year of Optometry School this September at Midwestern’s Chicago College of Optometry. I’m originally from Southern Ontario, Canada, and I graduated from the University of Waterloo in May 2024 with a bachelor’s in biomedical science and a minor in medical physiology. 

My passion for medicine has been growing for years, and it all started in high school when I did a placement at my local Optometrist’s Office. I’ve now worked at that same office for seven years. I hope to specialize in pediatrics and vision therapy, both during my studies and throughout my future career. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing volleyball, and going to the gym. I feel it is important to remember that everyone’s path in medicine is unique, and that’s completely okay. Be yourself, stay open-minded, and you never know what might spark your interest along the way. I’m excited to meet you all this summer!

Jonathan “Jay Pee” Parker – Student Dentist, Class of 2028

Hey! My name is Jonathan Parker, but I go by Jay Pee. I'm from St. Louis, MO, and I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa. I also pursued post-bachelor courses at Texas Southern University. Before attending dental school at CDMI, I worked as a dental assistant, which provided valuable experience in the field.

In my free time, I love traveling, spending time with friends and family, and watching YouTube. I'm passionate about art, learning about different cultures, and fashion. Sports have always been an important part of my life; they've taught me resilience and discipline. 
My advice is to never believe your doubts and never doubt your beliefs! Second chances are rare, so make the most of every opportunity! 

Kelly McGowen - Student Doctor, Class of 2027

Hello everyone! My name is Kelly McGowen, and I am a second-year medical student here at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. I am from Wheaton, IL, and I graduated from DePaul University in November 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences with a concentration in medicine and health. I took one gap year before starting medical school, and I spent that time working as an endoscopy technician for a gastroenterology procedure center.

Outside of school, I love exploring the city of Chicago, traveling, trying new restaurants, roaming Target, and spending time with my family and dog. I am also very passionate about mental healthcare, education, and awareness. My advice to anyone interested in pursuing a career in healthcare is to believe in yourself, remain true to yourself, and trust the process. Every journey to becoming a healthcare professional looks different, so embrace the unique set of skills that you have! 

Linda Benson - Student Dentist, Class of 2028

Hello! My name is Linda Benson, and I'm a rising second-year student at the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois at Midwestern University. Originally from Rochester, New York, I have spent the last 12 years living in New York City before relocating to Illinois. I earned my undergraduate degree from New York University and my master’s in biomedical sciences from Rutgers University in 2024. Prior to pursuing my dental degree, I worked as a dental hygienist in a public health setting for several years. 

Outside of academics, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with loved ones. As I've navigated my own professional journey, I've come to realize that success is a marathon, not a sprint. My advice to anyone striving for excellence is to cultivate a mindset of adaptability and resilience. By embracing change, learning from setbacks, and drawing lessons from the experiences of others, you'll be well-equipped to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. 

Remember to seek help when needed, stay true to yourself, and believe in your abilities. As I always say, "Become your DREAM!" and remove the word "CAN'T" from your vocabulary - because with determination and perseverance, anything is possible!

Naomi Rajesh – Student Doctor, Class of 2028

Hello! My name is Naomi Rajesh, and I am entering my second year of medical school. I graduated from UIC in 2023 with a bachelor of science in integrated health studies and went on to complete my master’s in Biomedical Sciences at Midwestern in 2024.

During my undergraduate years, I gained valuable experience working as an ancillary receptionist for Duly Medical Group and as an EMT with Medex Chicago. I have also been involved in research, working with the Fraidenburg Lab at the UIC College of Medicine and currently contributing to the Sundaresan Lab at Midwestern.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the importance of balance. My biggest advice is to never lose sight of the things that bring you joy and keep you healthy. For me, that means making time for my passions—dance and cooking—while staying committed to my studies. It’s easy to get caught up in academics, but nurturing your interests helps you be the best version of yourself, both personally and professionally.

Nina Lozovnoy – Student Dentist, Class of 2028

Hi everyone! My name is Nina Lozovnoy and I am a rising second-year dental and master of public health (M.P.H.) student here at Midwestern. I am originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and I could not be more excited to be back in Illinois after finishing up my undergraduate studies at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in South Florida. I graduated in May 2024 with a bachelor of science in public health along with minors in business, pre-health, experiential leadership, and honors transdisciplinary studies. While at NSU, I not only deepened my passion for dentistry through various pre-professional and internship experiences but also discovered a newfound love for public health advocacy and community outreach. This combination of interests led me to pursue both of these at the graduate level, and I am so grateful that Midwestern grants me the unique opportunity to synthesize the two over my four years of study. 

Outside of my professional interests, you can find me traveling the world with my family, experimenting with new baking recipes, reading a good book, or teaching dance at my local dance studio. I truly believe in embracing all of your passions, no matter how different they are, so I encourage you all to take chances and explore anything that piques your interest—you never know what you might discover along the way! I cannot wait to connect with you all this summer!!

Riya Patel - Student Optometrist, Class of 2028

Hi! My name is Riya Patel, and I am in my first year of optometry school in the CCO program here at Midwestern! I graduated from Purdue University in 2024 with a B.S. in biology and a minor in Spanish. I grew up in Northern Indiana and have moved to Chicago recently and absolutely love this year! I have always known I wanted to be in the medical field but didn’t know completely what I wanted to do within the field until I shadowed my optometrist a few years ago and fell in love with the career.

I have always wanted to help people, as cheesy as that sounds, and give back to the community but also continue to learn in my career, and that is what optometry has given me! Outside of medicine, I love anything to do with nature, including long walks, hiking on scenic trails, and traveling, and I love spending time with friends and family. My best advice is to always be open to new things and experiences, you never know what you will like until you try it, and that ended up being the case for me! I’m excited to be working with our program’s participants this year and sharing my experiences with you all! Can’t wait to meet you all!

Ryan Incrocci – Student Dentist, Class of 2028

Hi, my name is Ryan Incrocci and I am a first-year dental student at CDMI. I am very familiar with Midwestern University – prior to joining the dental program I worked on campus in research. While working I also completed a master’s degree at Northeastern Illinois University.

As a non-traditional student I want the students to know that as long as they remain focused on working towards their goals, they will achieve great things! Life will throw you curve balls, but what’s important is to learn how to handle changes and adapt in a positive way. I’m excited to be joining and meeting you all this summer!

Sana Ahmed - Student Pharmacist, Class of 2025

Hello everyone! My name is Sana Ahmed, and I am currently a P3 student set to graduate this May 2025. I am from Plainfield, IL, and I completed two years of pre-pharmacy coursework at Lewis University in Romeoville before coming to Midwestern. My passion for healthcare started when I was in high school, but I wasn't certain which profession I wanted to narrow my focus on. Pharmacy was something I was not very familiar with, but I gained access to the field through the Dual Acceptance Program (DAP) program at Midwestern. Pharmacy is an incredibly vast field with numerous career paths, and even now, as a P3 student, I am still discovering new opportunities!

Outside of schoolwork and rotations, I love exploring Chicago and trying new coffee spots with my friends! I also enjoy cooking and baking, and I've recently gotten back into reading for fun. For those considering a path in healthcare, my advice is to have faith in yourself. Your journey is unique to you, so try not to measure it against someone else’s. You all have unique talents and ideas that you bring to the table. I would also tell you to be open to every opportunity for growth and learning that comes your way!  I can’t wait to meet all of you this summer!