Stephen A. Mihalcik, MD, PhD
Education & Training
Undergraduate: University of Maryland, College Park
Medical Degree: Mayo Medical School
Internship & Residencies: Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Boston Children's Hospital, Boston Medical Center
Board Certification: American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology
Adil S. Akthar, MD
Adil S. Akthar, MD
Medical Director
West Region Research and Education
Northwestern Medical Group
Education & Training
Undergraduate: University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO
Medical Degree: University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO
Internship: NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL
Residency: University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Board Certification: American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology
Neal Andruska, MD, PhD
Education & Training
Undergraduate: Benedictine University, Lisle, IL
Medical Degree: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine at Urbana, Champaign, IL
Internship: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine at Urbana, Champaign, IL
Residency: Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Board Certification: American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology
Amishi Bajaj, MD
Education & Training
Undergraduate: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Medical Degree: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago Medical School, Chicago, IL
Internship: AMITA Health/St. Francis Hospital, Evanston, IL
Residency: McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Vinai Gondi, MD
Vinai Gondi, MD
West Region Radiation Oncology
Service Line Leader
Northwestern Medical Group
Education & Training
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Medical Degree: Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY
Internship: Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital, New York, NY
Residency: University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Board Certification: American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology
Nasiruddin Mohammed, MD, MBA
Education & Training
Undergraduate: University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Medical Degree: Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL
Internship & Residency: William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
Board Certification: American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology
Arpi D. Thukral, MD, MPH
Education & Training
Undergraduate: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Medical Degree: University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
Internship & Residency: University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA
Board Certification: American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology
Santosh Yajnik, MD
Education & Training
Undergraduate: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Medical Degree: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
Internship: Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, CA
Residency: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Board Certification: American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology
Lorena Botello, MSN, APRN/CNP, FNP-BC
Education & Training
Undergraduate: Aurora University School of Nursing, Aurora, IL
Master's Degree: Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
Certification: Family Nurse Practitioner
Angela Gryzbek, MSN, APRN/CNP, AOCNP, AGPCNP-BC
Education & Training
Undergraduate: Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Chicago, IL
Master's Degree: Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Maywood, IL
Certification: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Kelly Schaefer, MSN, APRN/CNP, NP-C, RNFA
Education & Training
Undergraduate: Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL; University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Master's Degree: Chamberlain University, Downers Grove, IL
Certification: Family Nurse Practitioner; Registered Nurse First Assist
The Team
The radiation oncologists, who provide clinical care at the Northwestern Medicine Proton Center, will plan the course of therapy, and conduct weekly check-ups to ensure your proton therapy treatment is on track. With specializations in brain, head and neck, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, prostate and pediatric cancers, you receive a treatment plan customized to you and your cancer.
They are experienced in the delivery of:
- 3-D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT)
- Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
- Gamma Knife radiosurgery (stereotactic radiosurgery)
- Stereotactic radiotherapy, TomoTherapy
- High dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy
- Low dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy
- Proton therapy
The physicians at the Northwestern Medicine Proton Center are among the most regarded thought leaders of their industry with experience and access to a variety of radiation oncology services. The physicians are invested in advancing the science of proton therapy.
To achieve a patient-centered model of care, we are proud to have three advanced practice providers (APPs) in our practice who support patients during their journey. Each of them has dedicated themselves to caring for our patients with cancers. These APPs demonstrate clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities which may include diagnosis and management of a wide range of health problems within various cancers and tumors.