Evan Abbey, MD
2025-2027
Interests: Surgical Oncology, Quality Improvement, Health Services
Mentors: Sanjay Mohanty, Samantha Hendren, Jennifer Waljee
Dr. Abbey is a general surgery resident at Indiana University and a current SOQIC postdoctoral research fellow. He is from southern West Virginia and obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Bluefield University in Virginia prior to attending medical school at West Virginia University. His interests include surgical outcomes in surgical oncology, as well as health services and quality improvement, with a specific interest in healthcare delivery and outcomes for patients living in rural areas.
Interests: Surgical Oncology, Quality Improvement, Health Services
Mentors: Sanjay Mohanty, Samantha Hendren, Jennifer Waljee
Dr. Abbey is a general surgery resident at Indiana University and a current SOQIC postdoctoral research fellow. He is from southern West Virginia and obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Bluefield University in Virginia prior to attending medical school at West Virginia University. His interests include surgical outcomes in surgical oncology, as well as health services and quality improvement, with a specific interest in healthcare delivery and outcomes for patients living in rural areas.
Kellie Brue, MD
2025-2027
Interests: Surgical Oncology outcomes, Surgical Education, Quality Improvement
Mentors: Cary Schlick, Yue-Yung Hu, Karl Bilimoria
Dr. Brue is a general surgery resident at the Loyola University Medical Center. She grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in English and Creative Writing at the University of Chicago. She then obtained a Master’s in Biomedical Science at Mississippi College. She worked in basic science labs during graduate school and for one year before medical school. She returned home and completed medical school at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She then went back to Chicago for surgery residency. She sought out the Indiana University SOQIC fellowship because it fosters mentorship in her clinical and research interests. She is a T32 surgical oncology outcomes and SENT fellow in the SOQIC program.
Interests: Surgical Oncology outcomes, Surgical Education, Quality Improvement
Mentors: Cary Schlick, Yue-Yung Hu, Karl Bilimoria
Dr. Brue is a general surgery resident at the Loyola University Medical Center. She grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in English and Creative Writing at the University of Chicago. She then obtained a Master’s in Biomedical Science at Mississippi College. She worked in basic science labs during graduate school and for one year before medical school. She returned home and completed medical school at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She then went back to Chicago for surgery residency. She sought out the Indiana University SOQIC fellowship because it fosters mentorship in her clinical and research interests. She is a T32 surgical oncology outcomes and SENT fellow in the SOQIC program.
Sarah Huber, MD
2024-2026
Interests: Surgical Outcomes and Quality Research
Mentors: Rachel Patzer, Katie Ross-Driscoll, Jonathan Fridell
Dr. Huber is a general surgery resident at Indiana University School of Medicine and a T32 surgical health services fellow with SOQIC. Her research interest lies with abdominal transplant outcomes and inequities in surgical care. Though originally from the Chicago area, she grew up in Zionsville, Indiana. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from Indiana University in Bloomington. Prior to medical school she worked as an EMT in Indianapolis for two years. Following this she obtained her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. She intends to pursue a fellowship in Abdominal Transplant Surgery following completion of residency.
Interests: Surgical Outcomes and Quality Research
Mentors: Rachel Patzer, Katie Ross-Driscoll, Jonathan Fridell
Dr. Huber is a general surgery resident at Indiana University School of Medicine and a T32 surgical health services fellow with SOQIC. Her research interest lies with abdominal transplant outcomes and inequities in surgical care. Though originally from the Chicago area, she grew up in Zionsville, Indiana. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from Indiana University in Bloomington. Prior to medical school she worked as an EMT in Indianapolis for two years. Following this she obtained her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. She intends to pursue a fellowship in Abdominal Transplant Surgery following completion of residency.
Alexa Hughes, MD
2024-2026
Interests: Surgical oncology, Artificial Intelligence, Surgical Outcomes and Quality Research, Medical Education
Mentors: Ryan Ellis, Michael G. House, Karl Bilimoria
Dr. Hughes is a current SOQIC fellow at Indiana University. Her research focuses on the utilization of artificial intelligence, health services and clinical outcomes research in the field of surgical oncology, and medical education. She grew up in New Jersey and moved to Pennsylvania for college and medical school. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry at Penn State University and then went on to earn her MD, and Masters of Adult Education at the Penn State College of Medicine. After completion of medical school, she stated her general surgery residency at Indiana University. During her dedicated professional development time she is working to obtain a master's in clinical research through the Indiana University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. She plans to incorporate these interests and educational experiences into a future career as a surgical oncologist and surgeon scientist.
Interests: Surgical oncology, Artificial Intelligence, Surgical Outcomes and Quality Research, Medical Education
Mentors: Ryan Ellis, Michael G. House, Karl Bilimoria
Dr. Hughes is a current SOQIC fellow at Indiana University. Her research focuses on the utilization of artificial intelligence, health services and clinical outcomes research in the field of surgical oncology, and medical education. She grew up in New Jersey and moved to Pennsylvania for college and medical school. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry at Penn State University and then went on to earn her MD, and Masters of Adult Education at the Penn State College of Medicine. After completion of medical school, she stated her general surgery residency at Indiana University. During her dedicated professional development time she is working to obtain a master's in clinical research through the Indiana University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. She plans to incorporate these interests and educational experiences into a future career as a surgical oncologist and surgeon scientist.
Dhruv Patel, MD
2025-2027
Mentors: Ryan Ellis, Anthony Yang, Max Schmidt
Interests: Gastrointestinal Oncology, Benign and Malignant Diseases of the Liver and Pancreas, Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Health Services and Outcomes Research
Dr. Patel grew up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. He is a general surgery resident at the University of North Carolina. He joins the SOQIC with a passion for clinical outcomes research in surgical oncology and hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery. He looks forward to the mentorship provided by SOQIC, the formal instruction from the Masters of Science in Clinical Research program by the Indiana University Graduate School, and the opportunity to work with the ACS Cancer Programs. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching basketball/football, and trying new restaurants/cafes.
Mentors: Ryan Ellis, Anthony Yang, Max Schmidt
Interests: Gastrointestinal Oncology, Benign and Malignant Diseases of the Liver and Pancreas, Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Health Services and Outcomes Research
Dr. Patel grew up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. He is a general surgery resident at the University of North Carolina. He joins the SOQIC with a passion for clinical outcomes research in surgical oncology and hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery. He looks forward to the mentorship provided by SOQIC, the formal instruction from the Masters of Science in Clinical Research program by the Indiana University Graduate School, and the opportunity to work with the ACS Cancer Programs. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching basketball/football, and trying new restaurants/cafes.
Tara Zielke, MD
2025-2027
Interests: Advanced Care Planning, Geriatric Patient Outcomes, Health Care Disparities
Mentors: Andrew Gonzalez, Corey Kalbaugh, Raghunandan Motaganahalli, Karl Bilimoria
Dr. Zielke is a SOQIC research fellow and integrated vascular surgery resident at Indiana University. She attended Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin where she studied Biology, Biochemistry, Psychology, and Music. She worked in hospice and for the World Trade Center Health program prior to obtaining her medical degree from Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. She will be pursuing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research through the Indiana University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. She will also be working on the vascular surgery SECOND trial data studies. She aspires to become a dedicated clinical research investigator with a passion for investigating advanced care planning prior to surgical intervention, geriatric patient outcomes, and health care disparities including her work with Street Medicine.
Interests: Advanced Care Planning, Geriatric Patient Outcomes, Health Care Disparities
Mentors: Andrew Gonzalez, Corey Kalbaugh, Raghunandan Motaganahalli, Karl Bilimoria
Dr. Zielke is a SOQIC research fellow and integrated vascular surgery resident at Indiana University. She attended Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin where she studied Biology, Biochemistry, Psychology, and Music. She worked in hospice and for the World Trade Center Health program prior to obtaining her medical degree from Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. She will be pursuing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research through the Indiana University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. She will also be working on the vascular surgery SECOND trial data studies. She aspires to become a dedicated clinical research investigator with a passion for investigating advanced care planning prior to surgical intervention, geriatric patient outcomes, and health care disparities including her work with Street Medicine.