Chief Residents
Chief Residents provide leadership and support to residents in the combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency program. They serve as mentors and advocates for the residents and set a positive tone for the program.
2022-2023 Chief Residents
Libby Rourke
I'm from Ozark, Missouri and went to University of Missouri - Columbia for both undergrad and medical school. I was lucky to get to work with some great Med-Peds attendings and residents early in med school and it was a great fit. The people I met and the mix of adult and pediatric medicine, particularly in primary care, along with the equal training time on both sides had me sold on Med-Peds.
When I began looking into IU for residency, it was clear that they had everything I wanted: large patient volume, wide variety of acuity on both IM and Peds, a well-established Med-Peds presence at the academic health center, and a huge Med-Peds graduate base both locally and elsewhere. Being the largest and one of the oldest Med-Peds programs in the country is such an advantage for our residents - the opportunities for mentorship and professional support within the Med-Peds community here is one of the top reasons I'd recommend the program to others matching this year. The community on the personal side among our residents is the other driving reason to look at IU. Our large program is like a big quirky family, and the size means that even if multiple people in my class are on call or busy on any given night, it's still easy to get a group together to hang out.
After graduation I'll be pursuing a career in combined primary care potentially with some pediatric hospital medicine mixed in. As chief residents this year, Ishani and I are excited to support our residents as they grow both personally and professionally at IU and to have a bigger part in shaping the educational experience for our program this year!
Ishani Shah
Born and raised in metro-Detroit, I went to the University of Michigan for undergrad and Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine for medical school. I never imagined that I would one day end up in Indianapolis, but once I came to IU for my interview, it was settled for me. The program had everything I had been looking for – from an educational standpoint, this included strong categorical training on both sides with a wide range of clinical acuity and pathology, a diverse patient population, a commitment to resident education, as well as the opportunity to explore a career in global health (I am thrilled to say that through our AMPATH program, I had the opportunity to live and work in Kenya for 6 weeks)! Being the largest Med-Peds residency program in the country, we also have a huge Med-Peds presence on campus – which means that the support and mentorship from your co-residents, fellows, and attendings is endless. Whatever your career aspirations may be – we can help you achieve it! Personally, I look forward to pursuing a career in academic medicine as a Med-Peds Hospitalist, with some global health work sprinkled in.
The most valuable asset of our program, however, is the people here. From the moment my interview day started, I was greeted by the warmth of the IU Med-Peds family. I have so much admiration and appreciation for my colleagues, and I know that I have formed bonds that will last a lifetime. Whether it is getting through a tough night shift together, attending one of our Med-Peds social parties, bouldering after work, or gathering for ‘The Bachelor’ & wine nights, the memories are endless. As chiefs this year, Libby and I look forward to continually shaping and improving our residency program, helping our residents achieve their full potential while contributing to the family-like atmosphere. We invite you to come learn more about our program and why we think IU is so special!