Current Fellows

Medical School: University of Illinois
Adult Psychiatry Residency Training: University of Iowa

Dr. Ascencio attended undergraduate and medical school at The University of Illinois. She went on to complete three years of general psychiatry training at The University of Iowa. While in residency, she served as the Chief Resident of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Through this role, she was involved in mentoring underrepresented medical students interested in psychiatry. She also served as a wellness committee representative, quality improvement scholar, and an intern for The Joint Commission. Her professional interests include early psychosis, neurodevelopmental disorders, and decreasing mental health stigma in marginalized communities. During her free time, she enjoys pilates classes, exploring new restaurants, and traveling.
 
Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

"Lurie Children’s was an easy choice for me! I chose Lurie for its robust clinical experiences at a top-ranked children's hospital close to home. Chicago is truly the best city. Its diversity, culture, and incredible food scene are second to none. I am confident that I will receive exceptional training that will set me up for success in the future."

Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Adult Psychiatry Residency Training: Atrium Health/Carolinas Medical Center

Dr. Hazim attended medical school at the Medical College of Georgia and completed her residency training at Atrium Health/Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. During residency, she developed a passion for advocacy and served on the North Carolina Psychiatric Association (NCPA) Executive Council. Through this, she participated in Advocacy Days, speaking directly with legislators to advocate for various mental health initiatives in the state of North Carolina. She was also involved in resident and medical school education through serving on the Resident Education Committee and teaching psychiatry didactics to 3rd year medical students. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, making homemade pasta, traveling, and exploring new restaurants!

Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

"I chose to train at Lurie Children’s for its comprehensive and robust training experience. As a nationally ranked children’s hospital, it offers a variety of complex cases for learning and renowned faculty to learn from. The program offers such a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient experiences, which allows me to explore my specific interests. I was particularly drawn to its multidisciplinary approach, where collaboration with other specialties enhances care for medically complex cases and working alongside psychology and social work colleagues and trainees enriches the learning environment. I feel confident that the program will equip me to be a well-rounded child psychiatrist!"

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine
Adult Psychiatry Residency Training: Northwestern University

Dr. Hish completed medical school at Duke University and psychiatry residency at Northwestern University. He has prior experience as a pediatrics resident, paramedic, and EMT. He has published research on early life determinants of mental health problems, burnout and depression in graduate students, and methods of effective medical education. He has clinical interests in adolescent depression and anxiety, life transitions, and psychodynamic therapy.

Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

"I felt it was important to train in a large, culturally diverse metropolitan area where I could gain experience with patients from many different backgrounds, at a robust academic institution where I could continue scholarly work and become an excellent clinician. I trained at Northwestern for residency and loved the people here and the city, so when I applied to fellowship, Lurie was an easy choice!"

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Medicine
Adult Psychiatry Residency Training: Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. Kawamleh completed his Psychiatry Residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He was class representative in his second year of residency, helped co-author chapters in two different textbooks, and enjoyed his favorite clinic, the Clinic for International Trauma Survivors. Yaman completed his Undergraduate degree in Biology and the humanities at Valparaiso University, and went on to attend Boston University for his Master's of Science in Management Studies. He attended medical school at New York Institute of Technology College of Medicine. Yaman loves to travel internationally and is an avid soccer fan. He enjoys weightlifting, playing basketball and pickleball, and collecting sneakers. He has extensive experience working with refugee populations that he would like to carry on with him at Lurie Children’s.

Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

"I grew up in the Chicagoland area and am thrilled to be home close to friends and family once more. Chicago is one of the best large cities in the world, with great livability, food, diversity, and beauty. I chose to train at Lurie Children’s Hospital due to the desire to work with some of the most accomplished Child Psychiatrists in the field. Our supervising doctors are great mentors, as they invest significantly into our education and ensure that every patient we see is a learning experience. Lurie Children’s Hospital offers extensive resources and the best care for our patients, modeling what high quality medical care should look like. Our care is always family centered which is key to a child’s healing process. I am excited to graduate as a confident and proficient child and adolescent psychiatrist here in my hometown at Lurie Children’s."

Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Adult Psychiatry Residency Training: UNC-Chapel Hill

Dr. Livas joins us from the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill, where she completed three years of training in general psychiatry. Her clinical interests include consult-liaison psychiatry, neurodevelopmental disorders and psychiatric illness in medically ill children. These interests were fortified through work in the UNC Psycho-Oncology Brain Tumor clinic, the Psychosomatic Medicine clinic and the Adult Developmental Disorders clinic. Since medical school at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Dr Livas has been interested in medical education. In residency, she developed and taught a board review course for medical students and completed the UNC Academy of Educators TARHEEL Medical Education Program. She has a strong interest in psychodynamic and play therapy and was awarded the Thomas J Pearsall, Jr Fellowship through the Psychoanalytic Institute of the Carolinas while in residency. Dr Livas is a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She presented original research studying misinformation regarding autism spectrum disorders on TikTok at the 70th annual national meeting, and currently serves as a trainee member of the HIV and Other Pandemic Issues Committee. In her free time, Dr Livas enjoys making ceramic art, reading, and spending time with her cat. 

Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

"Due to my interest in Consult-Liaison psychiatry, it was important to me to train in a nationally renowned children’s hospital. Working at Lurie Children’s gives me the opportunity to care for a diverse and medically complex population of children, while learning from prominent experts in the field. The program prioritizes our learning as trainees and the affiliation to Northwestern University allows for me to continue to work with medical students, which is one of my favorite parts of my job. Finally, Chicago rocks and I am so excited to explore the city."

Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Adult Psychiatry Residency Training: Emory University

Kathleen Loughran completed three years of general adult psychiatry at Emory University before deciding to join Lurie Children’s and Northwestern as a Child and Adolescent fellow. While in residency, she graduated from the Core Program at Emory University’s Psychoanalytic Institute. She also held numerous leadership roles, such as Wellness Chair, Social Chair, and Alumni Chair. She maintains interests in various modalities of psychotherapy, eating disorders, and trauma and stress related disorders. Prior to residency, she completed her MD at Drexel University College of Medicine and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Penn State’s honors college with a degree in art history.

Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

"I chose Lurie Children’s because I knew I wanted a fellowship program housed within a children’s hospital with exposure to multiple training experiences, such as outpatient longitudinal clinics, consult liaison, inpatient services, and IOP/PHP."

Medical School: University of Mississippi
Residency: Community Health Network, Indianapolis

Dr. Patel joins us from Community Health Network in Indianapolis, where she completed three years of training in general psychiatry prior to her fellowship training. In residency, she served as the third-year chief resident. Dr. Patel attended medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and completed her undergraduate education at Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied anthropology and biology.  In her free time, Dr. Patel enjoys cooking, exploring new restaurants, travelling, and marathoning a good comedy (Friends!).

Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

"I chose to train at Lurie Children’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program because of the robust clinical experience I would receive through the diverse patient population and psychopathology seen, while receiving support and training through renowned faculty. Furthermore, Lurie Children’s is a nationally ranked children’s hospital and provides exceptional, multidisciplinary care for its patients. Along with the educational experience, I was drawn to the bustling city of Chicago with endless opportunities to explore any interest, and the hospital being in the heart of downtown is an added perk!"

Medical School: St. George’s University
Residency: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University/ Kings County Hospital

Dr. De La Torre attended St. George’s University and joins us from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University/ Kings County Hospital Center where she completed her Psychiatry residency and served as a chief resident. A native of Chicago, Dr. De La Torre completed her undergraduate education at DePaul University where she studied psychology, with a concentration in human development, and did neuroscience research. In residency, she Co-Led the development of a Pilot mentorship program connecting resident physicians with middle/high school/early college students of under-represented minorities from Central Brooklyn for individual and group mentorship. She also facilitated the development and implementation of six, two-hour college preparation and mental health dialogue virtual workshops. She has two publications, four poster presentations and is fluent in Spanish. Her interests include serious mental illness, early psychosis, trauma, early childhood development, psychodynamic psychotherapy. In her free time, Dr. De La Torre enjoys freelance photography, salsa dancing, traveling, watching documentaries and watching live music concerts at small venues.

Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

"As a Chicago native, I am grateful that Lurie brought me back home after spending 8 years away for medical and psychiatric training. I chose to train at Lurie Children’s because of its focus on providing a high-quality learning environment for trainee's professional development, rich clinical diversity under the mentorship of some of the most prominent experts in our field and exposure to a multidisciplinary, evidenced based & family systems approach to treatment. When exploring programs, I got the sense that, central to Lurie’s professional culture, was a strong sense of teamwork, warmth and support. Being here in person has confirmed this and I couldn’t be happier! Amid the national shortage of child and adolescent mental health providers, I feel a great sense of dedication and privilege to contribute to raising awareness, easing the stigma attached to mental illness and playing a role in a child’s healing process. After all, they are our future and the greatest investment we can make."

Medical School: University of New England, Portland, Maine
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin

Dr. Fiorillo attended medical school at the University of New England in Portland, Maine, and completed his general psychiatry residency training at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. While in residency, Dr. Fiorillo participated in research involving excited delirium. He has been published in Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, and was honored to present an oral paper at the annual Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (ACLP) conference in November 2022. Additionally, Dr. Fiorillo has previously enjoyed instructing medicine residents in the management of agitated and suicidal patients. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring the Chicago restaurant scene, playing and watching sports, and going on walks with his wife and dogs.

Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

"Lurie Children’s is a nationally renowned academic medical center located in the heart of downtown Chicago. As a fellow, I am exposed to diverse and often complicated psychopathology, and also have the unique ability to learn directly from experts in the field. In fact, many of our attendings have been involved in the seminal studies. Additionally, the program offers a wide range of practice settings and specialty clinics, which will allow me to develop into a confident and well-rounded child psychiatrist. However, and perhaps most importantly, the CAP fellowship fosters a sense of collaboration and inclusivity. In my first year, I have consistently felt well-supported by attendings, co-fellows, and the support staff. It is truly an honor and a pleasure to train here!"

Medical School: Washington University, St. Louis
Residency: University of Iowa

Dr. Nulty attended undergraduate and medical school at Washington University in St Louis and completed residency at the University of Iowa. During his residency, he spent time serving on the policy committee, the wellness committee, and the resident liaison committee. His professional interests include depression in adolescents, ethics, and the intersection of religious beliefs and mental health. In his free time, Dr. Nulty enjoys playing drums, writing poetry, reading, and spending time with his wife and daughter.  

Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

"I chose Lurie Children's for the academic rigor, the bustling city feel, and the range of clinical experiences… and it doesn’t hurt that just outside the hospital doors there is a thriving culinary and music scene, all set against a backdrop of Midwestern hospitality! The education for budding child psychiatrists is second to none, with readily approachable experts who lead the didactics and supervise the clinical experiences."

Medical School: Boston University SOM
Residency: Northwestern University

Dr. Vilus joins us from Northwestern University after completing his fourth year of general psychiatry residency training. Prior to residency, he matriculated through Boston University School of Medicine through the Early Medical School Selection Program which has a focus of promoting underrepresented minorities into medical school. Throughout his career, he has shown a focus on volunteering and mentorship, as he has provided clothes and food to the homeless population in Boston through the Outreach Van Project, and starting a program to garner interest in the STEM field in High school freshman. During residency, he has been involved in Northwestern McGaw Underrepresented Residents & Fellows Forum (NMURFF) which has a focus on service, leadership, and career development. He served as Chief Resident of Recruitment for his residency program, and has developed an interest in mental health in disadvantaged communities, particularly the African-American community, and is working on a research project looking at stigma of mental health in the community and developing interventions to lower stigma. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, playing with his hyperactive dog, Cairo, running, and playing the guitar.  

Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

“Having trained at Northwestern, I was able to work closely with the Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists at Lurie and was immediately drawn to the warm and inviting environment the attendings and fellows had created. Being a part of a family is very important to me, and Lurie gave me that impression from my first rotation with them, despite it being in the middle of the pandemic. I also wished to train in an urban environment, where I would get a exposed to various pathologies, get a robust education, and learn from various providers with different styles to get a well-rounded training experience. Chicago has been my home for decades, and Lurie continued to feel like home, so it was an easy decision.”

Medical School: St. Louis University SOM
Residency: University of Iowa

Dr. Vyas attended St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed residency at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. She attended St. Louis University for undergrad where she studied biology and received the St. Louis University Vice Presidential Merit Scholarship.  She has pursued research experiences previously and has published in Molecular Case Studies.  During her free time, she enjoys making candles, photography, biking, reading non-fiction books and meditation. 

Why did you choose to train at Lurie Children’s?

“There were so many reasons I chose Lurie Children's. I wanted to return home to Chicago after being away for over 10 years. I felt that this program would provide me with a highly educational and supportive environment. I also knew that training in a large children's hospital in Chicago would provide me with the clinical experience that I was looking for and allow me to work with a diverse population.”