Testimonials
SIU Family Medicine Residency Program | Quincy
Class of 2025
Rachael Solomon, MD, MPH
“Completing my residency at SIU Quincy has been one of the most rewarding and formative experiences of my career. Over the past three years, I’ve grown not only as a physician, but as a leader, advocate, and lifelong learner. What stood out most was the program’s strong sense of community and dedication to patient-centered care. The faculty was approachable and genuinely invested in my growth. They offered an exceptional balance of autonomy and support, which allowed me to develop confidence in my clinical decision-making. I leave this program feeling grateful for the education, mentorship, and relationships I’ve gained here. SIU Quincy has shaped me into the kind of physician I always hoped to become.”
Celina Chapman, MD
"I chose SIU Quincy to be close to family, not knowing that I would instead gain a whole new one. From the very first day, the staff, faculty, and residents have been warm and welcoming. Over the past few years, I’ve learned so much from them: compassion, empathy, patience, teamwork, drive, humility, and a healthy dose of humor. This residency has left an indelible mark on my heart — a second home away from home.
I wouldn’t be the doctor I am today without this experience, and it is with a heavy heart that I leave this nest of mine, ready to face the world."
Alexandra Gauer, DO
"Having spent 5 years in Quincy and with the residency program as both a student and a resident, I can confidently say that there would not have been a better program for me personally. The faculty are very knowledgeable on a varied range of topics and truly care about you as both a person and as a new and learning physician. The location and patient population provides many opportunities to learn about rare and unique medical conditions, so you can be prepared for anything after graduation. I feel prepared to practice evidence-based medicine and continually learn as I go out into independent practice after residency, and I owe that preparedness to SIU Quincy Family Medicine."
Precious Ofodile, MD
"Reflecting on my time here in Quincy and residency thus far can be described by this quote from Blount, “Sometimes, the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn’t mean to take". Coming to Quincy for residency was fate and one that I would eternally cherish and be forever grateful for. From each resident striving to ensure our time in training is not only bearable but vibrant, to faculty who always encourage us to be true to ourselves and pursue excellence and all other staff members who work hard unrelentingly to make each day complete. We, candidly embody what it means to be a family, working cohesively not just in words, but through actions day in and day out. I believe our program and curriculum prepare residents adequately for practice be it in the inpatient, outpatient, long-term, or home-based care setting. We may not remember the days, but the memories will live on. Thank you SIU-Quincy for all the support and preparing me to provide exceptional care for my future patients."
Richard DeCurtis, MD
"Choosing a Family Medicine residency was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my medical career, and the experience has exceeded all my expectations. The program provides a perfect balance of rigorous clinical training and a compassionate, patient-centered approach. From day one, I was immersed in a supportive learning environment where attending physicians, residents, and staff foster a culture of collaboration and mentorship. What stands out the most is the strong sense of community within the program. The attendings are not only expert clinicians but also dedicated educators who take the time to nurture and challenge us in ways that build both confidence and competence. I feel privileged to be part of a program that not only prepares me for a successful career in family medicine but also supports my growth as a compassionate, well-rounded physician."
Class of 2024
Joshua Byrd, MD
"As I close in on my time as a resident at the SIU Quincy location I think about the expectations I had and the things relating to the program that I was told upon starting. I believe what I heard about the program and eventually witnessed firsthand was completely accurate. The teaching faculty are knowledgeable and friendly and truly desire for you to gain the medical knowledge and clinical experience to become the best physician possible. They also carefully decide upon the application of candidates each year that will help continue to promote an environment of camaraderie, pursuit of medical knowledge, and exude clinical competency. I would choose the SIU Quincy Family and Community Medicine residency program again for the fundamental steps to practicing medicine."
JT Renzi, MD
“When I think of the SIU Family Medicine Program I think of a big family. This program provides an amazing atmosphere to grow, not only as an amazing physician but also as an individual. This program offers a great learning environment full of teamwork and leadership. I have felt supported throughout these past few years and was able to grow into the physician I would have dreamed of becoming 10 years ago. If I had to do it all over again with everything I know now, I would not hesitate to choose this program again. I would like to give a big thank you to this program and everyone who has contributed to my path to becoming a Family Medicine Doctor.”
2023 video testimonials
Class of 2023
M. Adnan Khan, MD
Chief Resident 2022-2023
"I chose SIU Quincy Family Medicine Residency because of the people and their unconditional love for teaching and progressing the future of Primary Care. I truly feel prepared to excel at any position from OB to Hospital Medicine to Traditional Family Medicine Practice Model with all the tools I learned along my journey here in this program. I cannot emphasize how much I value them for helping me thrive to become a quality physician. Thank you for making me not only better but for allowing me to reach my full potential."
Katherine Hartstern, MD
"I chose to pursue Family Medicine because I wanted to learn about everything: every age, every gender, every background, and every body system. SIU Quincy Family Medicine residency delivered on its promise to teach evidence-based medicine while paying focus to each individual patient and their unique needs and barriers to achieving wellness. Our program provided opportunities to work in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with the young and old, the sick and healthy, the rich and poor, people from different races and cultures, from urban, suburban or rural communities, among the LGBT+ community, non-English speaking persons, and patients struggling with mental health, addiction or those in need of socioeconomic support. My SIU patients have been my teachers, and with the guidance of our faculty, I feel prepared to help anyone who walks through the door."
Henna Bhatti, MD
Chief Resident 2022-2023
"I could not have asked for a better residency experience. My three years here at SIU Quincy provided me with the tools I need to pursue a career in outpatient or inpatient medicine with full confidence in my abilities as a physician."
Hossain Mesbah, MD
"I can’t thank everyone at SIU-Quincy enough for all the care and attention they put into training their residents. Through my time in the program, I gained the skills and competencies needed to continue my journey as a physician and transition into independent practice with confidence."
Past testimonials
Nicolai Zhidkov, MD
“Initially I chose to train at SIU Quincy due to the fact that it was unopposed. During my training, I learned far more than I thought I would. I worked with amazing people both at the clinic and in the hospital and felt that I had support 100% of the time. I also got very attached to Quincy. I will say that I did have an adjustment phase. However, now that I am finished with the program I hate the fact that I am leaving this great town and the hospital. P.S. You won’t find another coordinator like we have at this program, it’s a bonus for the program!”
Ben Bukey, DO
“My experience at SIU has been great for the following reasons: You are treated and feel like family. We take care of one another. You are encouraged and have the means to pursue your own path and explore various practice options. Extra-curricular activities such as moonlighting are highly encouraged. Faculty are wonderful with an open-door policy that holds true to its name. It is a small program that focuses and cares about the growth and well-being of the residents and faculty. It’s a hidden gem.”
John Vu, MD
“I recommend SIU Quincy for multiple reasons. Going through the program, I have had excellent exposure that progresses medical knowledge. Being an unopposed program allows for in-depth one-on-one learning opportunities. In addition, there was great support from the hospital system and community.”
Herman Leung, DO
"For me, there is no regret when I chose to come to Quincy for my residency training. I loved the one-on-one interaction with my preceptors, as this is the only residency program in the area. However, it is the friendships and connections I have formed with the staff at SIU-Quincy and the community that has been the most important to me. This is why I didn't hesitate to join SIU-Quincy and practice in the city I have grown to love."
Kathryn Demitruk, MD
“Southern Illinois University Quincy Family Medicine was a wonderful choice for residency for me because I really wanted an unopposed residency program that strongly emphasized a sense of family and community not just with patients but among coworkers as well. I believe everyone in the program, especially the attending physicians and my co-residents became an extension of my family while I was there. Having the opportunity to work with attending physicians who care strongly about your intellectual and personal growth as a physician is imperative to becoming the best and most well-rounded physician you can be. SIU Quincy gave that to me, and for that, I will be forever grateful.”
Tanner Eiben, DO
“Completing my residency at SIU Center for Family Medicine in Quincy was a transformational journey in the most positive aspects. The patients, staff, faculty and community all play an integral part in resident support and education and do a great job at it. Great communication, community attendings, faculty attendings, an unopposed program and many opportunities in the area are all great attributes and a great way to shape the resident education into what I wanted it to be. In fact, I will be staying after graduation to complete the Sports Medicine Fellowship, also in Quincy. Overall, I highly recommend this program, especially if candidates are looking for a great education and a touch of rural medicine in an area with a lot of resources.”
Surya Polavarapu, MD
“SIU Quincy Family Medicine program has a strong foundation in education and teaching. Our conferences, lectures, and simulation labs provide an excellent structure for learning and solidify what we experience on the floors. All the attendings are extremely knowledgeable, compassionate physicians who strike the perfect balance of being supportive but also allowing the residents to have autonomy with patient care. They are also excellent teachers with a true passion for didactics. I also truly appreciated the flexibility of the rotations and the wide variety of specialties you can experience. The program does an excellent job of creating a family-oriented, supportive atmosphere and an excellent work-life balance. Thanks to our incredible attendings, support staff and my wonderful fellow residents, this is truly an incredible place to train and grow as a physician.”
Andrew Milian, MD
“The reason I would choose SIU Quincy to do my family medicine residency is that it is unopposed with a wonderful faculty willing to adapt and change to my learning needs. The program director is always open to new ideas and is extremely innovative when it comes to the residents’ medical education. SIU Quincy from the beginning wanted me to find what I enjoy in medicine and they provided me the resources and confidence to pursue my goals. The community attendings were welcoming when I approached them with my desire to gain a diverse procedural experience, without having to compete with other residency specialties. There is a family atmosphere that always picked me up when I was feeling burned out or if I had a bad experience. The faculty were quick to help guide me through all of my experiences, good or bad. At the end of my residency I can safely say I would pick SIU Quincy again for my medical training and I look forward to returning to teach future residents.”
Elizabeth Shaffer, MD
“I would choose SIU Quincy because of its unopposed program and the ability to tailor the program to your specific needs.”
Logan Warner, DO
“Faculty are very helpful and caring. Great training. Good inpatient experience. Unopposed residency.”