Current Residents
Chief Resident & PGY-5

Matthew Chia, M.D.
- Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine

Currently conducting research funded by T-32 grant
7/1/2016-Present
Why did you choose Northwestern?
Our program has incredible vascular history, starting with Drs. Bergan and Yao to the present day. Our attendings carry on this legacy by being carefully focused on the training of our residents and fellows, ensuring that we learn the critical thinking and operative skills needed to practice at the highest level of vascular surgery. Responsibility, excellence, and warmth are characteristics of our vascular family that comes from top down, and I'm truly glad to be here.
What is your vascular area of interest?
My current interests are in studying long-term outcomes of Type A and B aortic dissection, as well as studying internal outcomes as they relate to contrast-induced nephropathy. I also plan to investigate residency wellness and training paradigms, hoping to understand and improve how we are trained in the 0+5 integrated vascular surgery model.
What is the best part of your training program?
Our people are what make the difference. From our outstanding APN, radiology, and OR staff, to the other residents and fellows in the program, each and every member of our vascular family makes our division stand out. I can't say enough about how much they have helped me take care of patients, saved me from my mistakes, and taught me how to be a better resident. Finally, our attendings set the standard high for both the care we provide and how we do it, leading by example and shaping us in the same vein.
Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.
Vascular surgery training is undoubtedly no walk in the park, but it's all made doable by being with people who are pushing you and rooting for you. We're all part of the same team, and being on service is like being at home. It's a face-paced, unpredictable service that will frequently push you to the limit, but it's home base, playing for the home team.
PGY-4

Andres Guerra, M.D
Learn More
7/1/2017-Present
Review his scholarly activity
Why did you choose Northwestern?
Great sense of community in addition to a Vascular team with unrelenting work-ethic and desire to keep improving.
What is your vascular area of interest?
PAD, AAA/TAA, TOS, Carotid/Vertebral (I know, too many...)
What is the best part of your training program?
My co-residents.
Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.
Open door policy. Everyone and anyone is willing to help, be it within the training program or in personal life matters.
PGY-3 - Research Year

Calvin Chao, M.D.
- Medical School: University of Massachusetts

7/1/2019-Present
Review his scholarly activity.
Why did you choose Northwestern?
I initially gravitated towards Northwestern for its academic reputation, coupled with robust clinical volume and complexity. I had the opportunity to rotate at NMH as a visiting student and witnessed firsthand the high degree of excellence demonstrated across the division. From basic science to complex aortic reconstruction, the program is complete in its offerings. My experience as a resident has only validated my initial impression.
What is your vascular area of interest?
My specific interests are still developing but include peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease, and aortic pathology.
What is the best part of your training program?
The highlight of the program is undoubtedly the resident cohort. Both the integrated vascular residents and greater surgery residency community are phenomenal.
Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.
The program is incredibly close-knit with superb guidance from the faculty. Resident education remains a priority with numerous opportunities for academic development. As evidenced by the three-pronged T32 program, mentorship is tailored to specific resident career goals.
Resident life in Chicago is incredible with an endless number of activities outside of the hospital. There are frequent resident outings to local bars or to sample one of many excellent restaurants in the city.

Eric Pillado, M.D.
- Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

7/1/2018-Present
Review his scholarly activity
Why did you choose Northwestern?
I wanted a place that had a strong research program in addition to a wide array of vascular disease processes. Northwestern's location in a diverse city and the academic resources of the university allow me the opportunity to explore more research and career interests. Finally, the initial interactions with the vascular faculty and staff were nothing more than warm and inviting, which was a priority in my training. Through my interactions with all of them, their passion for their careers and teaching is apparent.
What is your vascular area of interest?
Peripheral arterial disease, AAA (too early to know)
What is the best part of your training program?
The camaraderie among the Division of Vascular Surgery is incredible. I truly feel supported and there is such a strong interest in teaching.
Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.
From my experience, Northwestern has done nothing more than place resident education at the forefront. From the beginning, I felt well supported by my cointerns to attendings. Resident life in Chicago is amazing! From the outdoor activities to the incredible food scene (but also gotta hit the gym), there is a lot to do when you're not in the hospital!
PGY-3

Margaret Reilly, M.D.
- Medical School: The University of Toledo College of Medicine

7/1/2020-Present
Why did you choose Northwestern?
I initially was interested in Northwestern because of the amazing reputation, location, and combined training program with both residents and fellows. Doing a sub-internship here confirmed what I hoped for - excellent exposure to a variety of vascular pathologies with incredible support for trainees.
What is your vascular area of interest?
My interests are still developing, but I am interested in cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, and the influence of social determinants of health on patient outcomes.
What is the best part of your training program?
I constantly feel supported - by other surgery trainees, our awesome APNs, our attendings, and Jenna our coordinator! Everyone takes a personal interest in our success. The training environment is wonderful and the resources are abundant.
Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.
The welcoming atmosphere is immediately evident. Everyone works as a team. Senior trainees take the time to educate and advocate for junior residents. From co-interns to attendings to OR support staff, it is clear that people enjoy coming to work. However, just as importantly, there is an emphasis on resident wellness. The Department of Surgery has a holistic view of surgical trainees - that it is important to develop academically, technically, and personally.
PGY-2

Lara Lopes, M.D.
- Medical School: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Faculdade de Medicina, Brazil

7/1/2021-Present
PGY-1

Deena El-Gabri, M.D.
- Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Recent Graduate

Courtney Furlough, M.D.
- Medical School: University of Texas Medical School at Houston

Currently conducting research funded by T-32 grant
7/1/2015-Present
Review her scholarly activity
Why did you choose Northwestern?
I came to Northwestern for several reasons. I had the opportunity to do a visiting student rotation here and experience the program firsthand. I really connected with the residents and was able to see the training environment. I felt confident that I would receive outstanding training here.
What is your vascular area of interest?
My vascular area of interest is thoracic aortic disease.
What is the best part of your training program?
The best part of this training program are the residents and staff. They truly make this experience worth it; we really come together and treat each other like a family.
Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.
The overall program atmosphere is consistent with the whole department of surgery--collegial is the best word to describe us. I feel like we enjoy working together and have the unifying mindset of doing what it takes to get the work done. No one is too big for any one task.

Katherine Hekman, M.D.
- Medical School: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

7/1/2014-Present
Review her scholarly activity
Why did you choose Northwestern?
It’s a fantastic program with a robust training paradigm in an amazing city.
What is your vascular area of interest?
Hard to choose – probably carotid disease and PAD, as well as tissue engineering therapy for PAD.
What is the best part of your training program?
The people!
Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.
The Northwestern vascular program is a family – we take care of each other and help each other to be our best selves, academically and clinically. When we do have time outside of the hospital, Chicago is an awesome place to spend it, dining on world class food and enjoying art, culture and outdoor activities. There is something for everyone.

Neel Mansukhani, M.D.
- Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine

7/1/2012-6/30/2019
Review his scholarly activity
Why did you choose Northwestern?
I chose Northwestern primarily for the historically excellent and well-known vascular surgery training program. As I enter my last of seven years as a trainee here, I have become even more confident that it was the right program for me. Northwestern offers a large volume of broad clinical experience, through which it demands clinical and academic excellence. The accomplished faculty leading us inspire collegial relationships throughout our division and the entire hospital. Furthermore, NMH is located at the heart of a fantastic city.
What is your vascular area of interest?
I am interested in practicing the breadth of clinical vascular surgery from complex aortic reconstruction, to lower extremity PAD, cerebrovascular disease, venous and lymphatic disease, vascular medicine and critical care. I am interested in the development and implementation of novel technology for the care of vascular patients in collaboration with basic and translational scientists. In addition to my vascular pursuits, I plan to optimize health care systems to maximize efficiency for the care of complex patients.
What is the best part of your training program?
The best part of the NMH Vascular surgery training program is the people. The closely-working faculty, trainees, nurses and OR staff form a tight-knit group that work well together and promote continual growth of our knowledge base and skill set. As a team, we work tirelessly and enthusiastically, while being fully committed to providing excellent care to our patients.
Define the atmosphere of the program and resident life.
Given the intimate size of the program, individuals are encouraged to form strong relationships amongst all members of the vascular division – both as mentors and mentees. The talented and enthusiastic residents and fellows are committed to their training and growth, which is reflected in their ability to excel in both patient care and academic pursuits. Everyone works well together, which promotes a pleasant environment for our development as vascular surgeons.

Michael Nooromid, M.D.
- Medical School: New York College of Medicine

7/1/2013-6/30/2020
Review his scholarly activity