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More About Our Residents
Chief Residents (PGY 5)
Kanika Chawla, MD
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Hometown: Delhi, India
Medical School: St. Louis University School of Medicine
Why SIU? I chose SIU program because of the rapport I saw between the residents as a group and with the attendings. As a trainee, it was not only important to go to a program where I would get a robust surgical education but also where I would be a part of a close-knit group working towards a common goal of becoming and educating skilled and safe surgeons.
Email: kchawla22@siumed.edu
Mary "Cat" Brandt, MD
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Hometown: Bloomington, IL
Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Why SIU? I chose SIU because as a medical student here I could walk into the doctor's lounge and be invited to sit down with the residents and attendings to go over everything from basic anatomy to the nuances of various operative plans. I felt like a part of the team from day one. SIU has been my home for over four years now and I'm glad to be here for another five.
Email: mbrandt71@siumed.edu
Megan Welborn, DO
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Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
Medical School: Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Why SIU? I chose SIU because of the program's excellence in leadership and education, culture of teamwork and family, and the opportunity to train with surgeons who share my passion for global surgery.
Email: mwelborn93@siumed.edu
Sean O'Malley, MD
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Hometown: Clinton, IA
Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Why SIU? I chose to train at SIU because of the program's nationally known reputation for surgical leadership and education. The staff and residents create a friendly, patient-centered learning environment with the perfect blend of academic and community surgical training.
Email: somalley58@siumed.edu
Residents (PGY 4)
Alison Embalabala, MD
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Hometown: Athens, IL
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Why SIU? I felt that the faculty were very approachable and committed to resident education. I also like how supportive the residents were of each other and felt that it is an excellent environment to learn.
Email: aembalabala81@siumed.edu
Calvin Korba, MD
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Hometown: Washington, MO
Medical School: University of Missouri - Kansas City
Why SIU? The residents and faculty are so welcoming. SIU has excellent surgical education.
Email: ckorba67@siumed.edu
Wendy Lim, MD
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Hometown: Grand Forks, ND
Medical School: University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Why SIU? Everyone was very welcoming during the interview and I wanted to stay in the Midwest.
Email: wlim78@siumed.edu
Bryan Mistretta, DO
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Hometown: Commack, NY
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences (College of Osteopathic Medicine)
Why SIU? I rotated at SIU as a medical student and fell in love with the program and facilities. There was a strong sense of family between the residents and the faculty was clearly invested in the success of the residents. I knew it would be a great place to train.
Email: bmistretta57@siumed.edu
Residents (PGY 3)
Ize Anumah, MD
![Ize Anumah](/sites/default/files/styles/uncropped_200/public/2021-08/Anumah%2C%20Ize%20MD.jpg?itok=by-b8a7H)
Hometown: Kogi, Nigeria
Medical School: All Saints University School of Medicine, Dominica
Why SIU? I wanted a program where I would not only train to become a great surgeon but would also be part of close knit community and it was evident that SIU could offer that.
Krista Bonney, MD
![Krista Bonney](/sites/default/files/styles/uncropped_200/public/2021-08/Bonney%2C%20Krista.jpg?itok=Lz2WWyWA)
Hometown: Fletcher, NC
Medical School: East Tennessee State University – Quillen College of Medicine – Johnson City, TN
Why SIU? I was impressed with the evident camaraderie within this program and their focus on resident education. I was excited about the opportunities SIU has to rotate in a rural setting, and their attention to technical skills with an in depth, ongoing skills lab.