Greetings from the program leadership

room inside childrens hospital

Thank you for your interest in the Pediatric Residency Program at Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge! For over 40 years, our program has been committed to training well-rounded pediatricians, whether they enter a career in primary care or a pediatric subspecialty. The key to our success is a rich curriculum which is delivered in a friendly and nurturing environment.

We take great pride in our dedication to resident education. Our program is known for being receptive to feedback, for innovation in curriculum development and for mentorship provided by faculty and senior residents. The faculty members at Advocate Children's Hospital are exceptional in their respective areas and have trained at world- renowned programs. Our residents, in turn, go on to outstanding fellowships and primary care positions throughout the country.

front desk view from childrens hospital

Advocate Children's Hospital – Park Ridge is located in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, Illinois, close to the city, the airport and a wide variety of unique neighborhoods. We serve as a regional referral and trauma center for the entire northwest segment of Illinois as well as Southern Wisconsin, providing the highest-quality care for children with both common and rare pediatric illnesses, establishing a firm foundation for our robust academic program.

As a pediatric residency program, we are committed to preparing residents to become outstanding pediatricians who will continually challenge themselves to be critical thinkers, compassionate advocates for children and skillful healers. We believe in resident ownership of patients with graduated autonomy toward independent practice. We aim to recruit residents and faculty with a broad range of interests both within and beyond medicine. Our goal is to foster a well-rounded program that supports their ability to lead balanced lives, recognizing that mindfulness, resilience, and wellness are essential components of a fulfilling career.

We look forward to meeting you! Feel free to contact us at the email addresses below if you have any questions. We wish you the best of luck with the recruitment process!

Sincerely,

Dr. Joanna Lewis

Program Director

Joanna Lewis, MD

Title:
Program Director
Additional Information:

Medical School: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science - The Chicago Medical School
Residency and Chief Residency: Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Contact: joanna.lewis@aah.org

Svetlana Kravtchenko, MD

Title:
Associate Program Director
Additional Information:

Medical School: Medical University Varna, Bulgaria
Residency: Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge
Contact: svetlana.kravtchenko@aah.org

Kathryn Weedon, MD

Title:
Associate Program Director
Additional Information:

Medical School: Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
Residency: Advocate Children’s Hospital - Park Ridge
Fellowship: Lurie Children's Hospital - Infectious Diseases
Contact: kathryn.weedon@aah.org

Nekaiya Jacobs, MD

Title:
Associate Program Director
Additional Information:

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Residency: Southern Illinois University
Fellowship: University of Florida, Pediatric Critical Care
Contact: nekaiya.jacobs@aah.org

Heidi Greening, DO

Title:
Associate Program Director
Additional Information:

Medical School: Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Advocate Children's Hospital - Park Ridge
Contact: heidi.greening@aah.org

Akansha Hanna, MD

Title:
Associate Program Director
Additional Information:

Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago
Residency: Advocate Children's Hospital- Park Ridge
Contact: akansha.hanna@aah.org

Frank Belmonte, DO, MPH

Title:
Chief Medical Officer, Chair of Pediatrics
Additional Information:

Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Advocate Children's Hospital – Park Ridge
Fellowship: University of Illinois at Chicago - General Academic Pediatrics
Contact: frank.belmonte@aah.org

Michael Cappello, DO

Title:
Vice Chairman
Additional Information:

Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Advocate Children's Hospital – Park Ridge
Fellowship: Advocate Children's Hospital – Park Ridge - Neonatology
Contact: michael.cappello@aah.org