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medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed her residency at Lutheran General

found a high number of black women in a South Side Chicago neighborhood suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress ... symptoms and how you can get help:   Are Chicago women at risk? A recent study by Northwestern Medicine ... that PTSD is prevalent among black women in the Chicago neighborhood of Oakland. Twenty-nine percent of

Dr. Mathew received her medical degree from the Medical College of Trivandrum, Karala, India and completed her residency in pediatrics at Christ Hospital Medical Center. A veteran pediatrician Dr. Mathew's philosophy of care is to provide comprehensive health care for children in need. Dr. Mathew is fluent in Malayalam and Hindi.

Dr. Wesley Harmston received his medical degree from Midwestern University and completed his residency at Resurrection Medical Center. Dr. Harmston is board-certified through the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. He is a member of the Illinois Osteopathic Association, the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Dr. Harmston believes in providing considerate care and thoughtful interactions with all his patients. His approach to care involves listening empathetically to all patients and taking their concerns and questions seriously. He is also great at thoroughly explaining medical issues related to Osteopathic and sports medicine to his patients. Dr. Harmston is drawn to community health because he values creating strong relationships with his patients in the community. Dr. Harmston is fluent in Italian. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and White Sox baseball.

Dr. Pilvi Innola received her medical degree from the University of Tampere in Tampere, Finland, and completed her residency at Mount Sinai Hospital. She is licensed by the American Board of Family Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Innola believes in empowering patients to become experts in their own health through education and support. She is drawn to ACCESS because she wanted to continue serving the same communities in which she started through her residency program. Dr. Innola is fluent in Finnish. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music and creating crafts.

Meredith Magulak received her Master of Science in Nursing from Yale School of Nursing. She is credentialed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Meredith believes that all families deserve access to quality health care. Her approach to care involves working with families and children to help make the medical decisions that lead to healthy lifestyles. In her free time, Meredith enjoys traveling, reading, and cooking with family and friends. She speaks French and served as a Peace Corps health volunteer in Togo, West Africa.

Sharif Alhamed completed the Physician Assistant program at Rosalind Franklin University. He is licensed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Sharif is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants. Sharif speaks fluent Spanish and enjoys working in community health care, which he believes should be accessible to all. When he is not working, Sharif enjoys cooking and spending time with family.

Sara Meyer earned her master's degree in physician assistant studies from Southern Illinois University and completed her clinical training in Mattoon, Illinois at Sarah Bush Lincoln. She is licensed in the state of Illinois and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Associates. Sara provides high-quality, compassionate, and accessible care to her community. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, cooking, and art. 

Hannah Cutts (she/her pronouns) is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner who received her degree from Yale School of Nursing. She is credentialed by the American Midwifery Certification Board and is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives. Hannah believes health care is a human right and that all people should have access to high-quality, sensitive, and inclusive care. She believes patients are the experts of their own bodies and practices body positive education that empowers individuals to make their own choices. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys biking, baking, and spending time with her family.

Raynel Zaitona earned her Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Midwestern University and is licensed through the National Commission on Certification of Physicians Assistants. Raynel is also a member of the Illinois Academy of Physicians Assistants. Community care is important to Raynel, and she has a passion for closing the care gaps in underserved communities. She strives to provide high quality, patient-centered care to all of her patients and works to maintain positive relationships that allow her patients’ voices to be heard. Outside of work, Raynel enjoys staying active through Pilates, traveling, and cooking.

Shweta Chawla earned her medical degree at the American University of the Caribbean and completed her residency at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Pennsylvania. She also holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University. Dr. Chawla is Board-certified through the American Board of Pediatrics and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her philosophy of care is to provide quality, compassionate, and preventive care to the patient while listening to the patient and their family. She chooses to work in a community health center to provide compassionate, understanding care within the ACCESS community. When not at work, Dr. Chawla can be found trying new experiences and dancing. She is fluent in Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi.

Carolina Figueroa completed her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice at the Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine. She is licensed through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Carolina is a former ACCESS patient, and after completing her clinical rotation at an ACCESS health center, she knew she wanted to work in a community health center. She believes in providing quality, patient-centered care that respects cultural and socioeconomic differences. Carolina loves coffee and enjoys weightlifting and boxing in her free time. She is fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Nivruthi Vangala received her medical degree from American University of the Caribbean and completed her residency at Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics in Los Angeles. She is licensed in both California and Illinois and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Vangala is committed to providing up to date, evidence based care for her patients. Outside of work, Dr. Vangala enjoys yoga, hiking and spending time with her family.

Erine Neely earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice at Rosalind Franklin University.  She is credentialed through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a current member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. After a clinical rotation at ACCESS, she discovered her passion for community health care and wanted to continue to positively impact the lives of her patients. Erin values providing individualized care with a focus on shared decision making and patient empowerment. When not at work, Erin can be found cooking, reading, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. She is fluent in Spanish. 

Christina Govas earned her medical degree at the Saint James School of Medicine and completed her residency at Southern Illinois University. She is a Board-certified physician through the American Academy of Family Physicians and is a member of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians. Dr Govas’ passion for patient advocacy goes far beyond the health center – she has partnered with community leaders to prevent the closure of hospitals in medically underserved neighborhoods. In her work, she uses a team-based and holistic approach to care that empowers patients to reach their goals. As a doctor, she leverages her knowledge and expertise to create a personalized health plan that matches a patient’s lifestyle and health goals. Outside of work, Dr. Govas enjoys travelling, cooking, and yoga. She is fluent in Greek.