Clinical Operations & Administration Fellows

Jonathan Chuko, MD

Originally from Michigan, Jon graduated with a double major in economics and biomolecular sciences and a minor in business at the University of Michigan. He then went on to graduate with honors from medical school at UIC as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha. Jon completed his emergency medicine residency at the University of Cincinnati, serving as the Resident Assistant Medical Director for two years, heavily involved in projects surrounding observation medicine, psychiatric transfers, quality improvement, airway quality assurance, and patient experience. Currently, as a fellow, he is keen on pursuing projects related to emergency department throughput, quality improvement, and innovation while concurrently obtaining an MBA at the Kellogg School of Management. 

Lexi Sughroue, MD

Originally from northern Illinois, Lexi graduated Summa Cum Laude with a double major in Biochemistry and Spanish, as well as a minor in Health & Society, from Beloit College. She then went on to graduate from Creighton University School of Medicine after which she completed residency at the University of Florida-Jacksonville where she served as chief resident. During residency, she was heavily involved in hospital administration and Emergency Department operations, leading and participating in initiatives addressing quality management, ED throughput, patient experience and satisfaction, workplace violence, staff scheduling, and trauma center development. Lexi was the recipient of the Intern of the Year award, as well as a hospital-wide award in resident advocacy. As a fellow, she plans to focus on projects related to streamlining emergency department protocols, improving patient safety, ensuring physician wellness, and enhancing overall clinical operations.

Kumar Gandhi, MD, MPH

Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Kumar earned a bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of California, Riverside and subsequently served as a patient educator in the AmeriCorps program. He attended medical school at the University of California, Los Angeles Dual Degree PRIME program and completed a Masters in Public Health with a focus in Health Policy and Management from the UCLA School of Public Health. Kumar completed his emergency medicine training at Northwestern University. Throughout residency, Kumar focused on throughput and innovation and led the development and implementation of multiple accelerated diagnostic pathways to help shift care from the Emergency Department to the outpatient setting. Kumar graduated with his Master's in Business Administration through the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in the Spring of 2021. Upon graduation, Dr. Gandhi will join the Kaiser Permanente medical group to become an emergency physician in the Los Angeles area.

Luke Neill, MD

Originally from the Adirondack Region of New York, Luke earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Vermont. He attended medical school at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed his emergency medicine residency training at Northwestern University. Throughout residency, Luke has been active in hospital administration, clinical operations, research, and quality improvement. During residency, Luke was selected to participate in the Academy for Quality and Safety Improvement (AQSI) where he worked to identify and then improve upon delays in antibiotic redosing in cases of severe sepsis and septic shock.  Active in research, Luke was the lead author on a study exploring patients rationale for retaining unused opioid pills, the findings of which were presented at the 2017 American College of Emergency Physicians Scientific Assembly.  As co-director of the Administration College, Luke helped to institute a longitudinal curriculum for residents interested in departmental leadership and operations.  Luke also served as a resident member of Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Clinical Classification and Evaluation Committee, dedicated to reviewing and classifying all patient safety events and devising systems-level solutions. Luke is currently pursuing his Master’s in Business Administration through the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Upon fellowship completion, Luke will be an emergency physician at Northwestern Medicine, where he will help lead a Hospital at Home initiative through CMS.  Luke has also been named the VP of Clinical Affairs for Cardiosense, a medical technology company focusing on remote monitoring technology.

Emily Wessling, MD