OSIG Faculty Advisor
Program Director for UIH Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
Vice Head of Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Alfonso Mejia, M.D., M.P.H.
Board Certification: Orthopaedic Surgery/Hand Surgery
Fellowship: Kleinert Hand and Microsurgery, Louisville, KY
Residency: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago
Internship: University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Meet Our Board
Empowering a Community of Leaders
Alondra Diaz
President
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Jared Rubin | M2
Vice President
[He/Him]
​I am originally from Los Angeles, California. I graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience, where I worked alongside athletic trainers to help football players with injury prevention and recovery. I currently serve as the Vice President of the Orthopaedic Surgery Interest Group, in addition to conducting orthopaedic research, furthering my pursuit of becoming an orthopaedic surgeon.
Deepa Dhillon | M2
Treasurer/Secretary
[She/Hers]
I graduated from UIC in 2022 from the Honors College and GPPA Medical Scholars Program. My interest in ortho started in high school after participating in the Perry Initiative Outreach Program and in classes like Sports Medicine. Since then, I've continued to explore the field through shadowing and OSIG!
Benjamin Johnson | M3
Clinical Involvement Chair
[He/Him]
Prior to medical school I was a collegiate baseball player at Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho where I majored in Biochemistry and Biology. My interest in orthopaedics came after an injury I sustained just prior to starting my collegiate career and the relationship I formed with an orthopaedic surgeon during my recovery. I am currently interested in Shoulder / Elbow.
Rana Ahmad | M2
Research Chair
[He/Him]Â
I received a B.S. degree in Engineering Physics from Cornell University. Since then, I have gained additional experiences in software engineering. My main interests within orthopedics consist of spine, biomechanics, and social determinants of health.
Salvador Gonzalez Ayala | Research Year
Social Media Chair
[He/Him]
I am currently between my M3 and M4 years, doing a one-year research fellowship with Dr. Nikhil Verma and Dr. Jorge Chahla in the Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush department of Orhtopaedic Sports Medicine. I am interested in orthopaedic sports medicine, hand/ upper extremity, and pediatrics.
Arian Karimi | M4
Community Outreach Chair
[He/Him]
BHSc, McMaster University
Previous research experience in geriatric research with a focus on rehabilitation outcomes. Current interests are assessing radiographic findings in patients with THA and spinal fusion history and whether they correlate with post-surgical outcomes such as dislocations, infections, etc.
Tia Clay | M3
Marketing Chair
[She/Hers]
I received my bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Florida International University as a full scholarship D1 student-athlete and participated in the UIC Urban Health Post-baccalaureate Admission Program. Dedicated to serving others, I am actively involved in the New Life Volunteer Society and the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers. On campus, I serve as the secretary to the 2025 Class Board and am an anatomy peer educator for M1s. I am interested in pursuing Sports Medicine.
Nicole Chang | M1
Web Designer Chair
[She/Hers]
Prior to medical school, I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2022 and spent a gap year working as a medical assistant in Los Angeles. My interest in orthopaedics stems from a previous shadowing experience where I got to see various orthopedic surgeries. I am excited to gain more experience and insight through OSIG during my time at UICOM!