Our Residents

Class of 2023

Samicchya Adhikari

Samicchya Adhikari, DO

Sami Adhikari was born in Kathmandu, Nepal and later in childhood moved to Rolling Meadows, IL. She earned her BS in Psychology at Loyola University Chicago. She then completed her MS in Biomedical Sciences at Kansas City University and subsequently completed her medical degree there as well. During medical school, she also concurrently completed an MBA in Healthcare Leadership through Kansas City University’s DO/MBA partnership program with Rockhurst University. Sami enjoys running, fitness, being outdoors, cooking and reading.
Ryan Meeder

Ryan Meeder, MD

Ryan Meeder was born in Palos Park, Illinois. He attended University of Miami, Coral Gables where he majored and earned a BS in both Marine Science and Biology. He went on to American University of the Caribbean, where he completed his medical degree. He enjoys traveling and tries to find time to take a trip with his college roommates every few years, their most recent escapades have taken them to Iceland and Japan.
Nicholas Rogers

Nicholas Rogers, DO

Nicholas Rogers was raised in Aurora, Illinois. He earned his BS in Biology from Olivet Nazarene University. After college, he worked in the flavor chemistry industry for 2 years. He then went back to school and earned his DO at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Illinois. Any of his free time is quickly filled up with his many hobbies including: gardening, hiking, muskellunge fishing, collecting retro video games, brewing beer and wine with his father and grandfather, contemplating the philosophical content of Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes, hanging out with his pet birds, and dancing with his fiancé Jamie.
Caleb Weiss, DO

Caleb Weiss, DO

Caleb is from Damiansville, Illinois. He completed his BA in Biology at Saint Louis University, and earned his DO from Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. During his free time, Caleb enjoys playing video games, binging both television shows and films, trying new restaurants, keeping up with Saint Louis sports, and attending trivia nights.

Class of 2024

Edwards

Elizabeth Edwards, MD

Elizabeth Edwards was born and spent a significant portion of her childhood growing up in Eastern Europe. She studied Psychology with a focus on neuroscience during her undergraduate time at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where she assisted in research investigating the functional and neurological signs of depression. During her time as a medical student at UICOM-Peoria, she participated in the Rural Student Physician Program where she completed a scholarly project mapping the availability of medication-assisted treatment and behavioral counseling services to pregnant women with substance use disorder as part of the statewide Illinois perinatal initiative. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time outdoors, getting to know the Peoria community, and finding the best salsa dancing in town.
Pilat

Dustin Pilat, DO

Dustin Pilat was raised in Glenview, IL. He attended Loyola University Chicago where he earned his BS in Biology with a minor in Psychology. He went on to earn his DO at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in Kirksville, MO. In his free time, Dustin enjoys video games, board games, virtual reality, biking, jet skiing, cooking with his fiancée Nicolette, and playing with his cat, Onyx.
Sebald

Abigail Sebald, MD

Abigail Sebald was born and raised in West Lafayette, Indiana. She earned her BS in health sciences at Purdue University. She went on to earn her MD at American University of the Caribbean. In her free time Abigail likes to play disc golf with her husband Dan, and their 3 kids. She also enjoys board games, hiking, and exploring new ice cream shops around Peoria.

Class of 2025

Famakinwa

Michelle Famakinwa, MD

Michelle Famakinwa was raised in Westchester Illinois. She attended The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she earned her BS in molecular and cellular biology. She went on to The University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria to complete her medical degree. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, fitness, and watching documentaries.
Kumor

Grace Kumor, MD

Grace Kumor was raised in Morris, Illinois. She earned her BS in Biology from Saint Mary’s College at Notre Dame, Indiana. She went on to earn her M.D. from Southern Illinois University. She enjoys taking walks, playing with her cats, Pepper and Quail, and playing video games.
Llamas

Alexis Llamas, MD

Alexis was born and raised in Chicago. She studied Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa. Alexis attended the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford. Alexis recently finished her Pediatric Residency Training at Advocate Children’s Hospital and entered our program with the goal of incorporating both practices into her career. Alexis enjoys being active in outdoor recreational activities such as skiing, softball, volleyball, tennis, and running 5K and 10K races. She also enjoys traveling and sets her sights on a new destination every year.
Pronga

Alexa Pronga, MD

Alexa grew up in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and was also a member of their Swimming and Diving Team. She went on to complete medical school at St. George’s University in Grenada. In her free time, she enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, swimming, weightlifting, playing with her Labrador Retrievers, and trying new restaurants.
Xu

Sara Xu, MD

Sara Xu was born in Houston, TX and grew up in Rochester, NY. She earned a BA in East Asian Studies at the University of Rochester and completed medical school at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. In her free time, Sara enjoys playing video games, reading sappy romances, learning to draw, listening to podcasts about the world, and finding new ways to entertain her rabbit.

Class of 2026

Arif

Rimsha Arif, MD

As a “third culture kid” Rimsha spent the majority of her life moving around the globe. Originally of Pakistani descent, she was born in St. Louis and raised primarily in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She then lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she attended Dalhousie University and studied Psychology. She completed her medical degree at Saba University School of Medicine. Her family’s “home” is currently Wichita. Rimsha enjoys traveling, reading romance novels, and spending time with friends and family. Having recently picked up an interest in skin care and fashion, Rimsha is always open to exchanging tips on the best skincare products and invites recommendations on where to find the perfect pair of chunky loafers.
Dela Cruz

Annie Dela Cruz, MD

Annie was born in Baltimore. She attended Ave Maria University in Florida and Marquette University in Wisconsin where she studied Psychology. Annie completed her medical training at the Indiana University School of Medicine. She enjoys singing, digital painting, video gaming, dog training, and wood/soapstone carving, and maintains wellness by riding her Peloton and practicing Yoga.
Hajeissa

Alaa Hajeissa, MD

Alaa is a Chicagoland native. He majored in Neuroscience at the University of Michigan and went on to attend the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. His academic interests include childhood addictive behaviors. In his free time, Alaa enjoys landscape photography, gardening, and taking a stroll in nature.
Manjunath

Vikas Manjunath, MD

Vikas was born and raised in Chicago. He studied Biology and Chemistry at the University of Miami. He returned to Illinois for medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Rockford. He enjoys competitive video gaming, playing the piano, and singing recreationally.

Contact Us

  • Jean Clore, PhD, Associate Program Director
  • 900 Main Street, Suite 720
  • Peoria, IL 61602
  • [email protected]

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