Office of Student Affairs
Beth Sonntag, MAdEd
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs
bsonntag@luc.edu
(708) 216-8140
Dean Sonntag counsel’s students regarding development of their academic programs and competitive profiles for residency application.
Common reasons to contact Dean Sonntag:
- Advise students regarding career planning, residency and ERAS application process
- Counsel students regarding personal well-being, academic progress and USMLE performance outcomes
- Approve M4 externship applications, advise students on M3 and M4 schedule planning
- Contact regarding emergent absences
Viviana Martinez, MEd
Assistant Director, Student Affairs
vimartinez@luc.edu
(708) 216-3220
Viviana serves as the primary contact and advisor for all first (M1) and second (M2) medical students. Viviana is responsible in implementing programs and services that support student progress, career planning, and well-being for the M1 and M2.
Common reasons to contact Viviana:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) Review
- Request an Excused Absence
- Academic Policy Questions
- Careers in Medicine
- Summer Opportunities
Haydeé R. Nauert, MSF
Administrative Director, Student Affairs
hnauert@luc.edu
(708) 216-3220
Haydee is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation management of the Office of Student Affairs.
Common reasons to contact Haydee:
- Assist students to obtain partial funding for presentation of research projects at professional conferences
- Assist students regarding M4 electives requiring affiliation agreements
JoAnne Kremske
Administrative Secretary, Student Affairs
jkremske@luc.edu
(708) 216-8140
Supports Associate Dean Mendez, Assistant Dean Sonntag, and Administrative Director Nauert. JoAnne schedules all meetings for the OSA Deans and Director Nauert, assist with the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) letters, and documents pertinent to Match Day and Graduation.
Common reasons to contact JoAnne:
- To schedule appointments with a Dean
- Answer general inquiries germane to Student Affairs
Office of Registrar
Mary Van Houten, MBA
Director, Office of Registration & Records
mavanhouten@luc.edu
(708) 216-3222
Mary, along with her staff, are “keeper of the records.” She receives the student records of incoming students from Admissions and updates and adds to the records throughout the medical student’s career until graduation.
Common reasons to contact Mary:
- Questions regarding your student file, grades and evaluations
- Enrollment in courses and clerkships both required and elective
- Academic calendar
- Degree requirements, transcripts, diplomas, licensure
- Graduation
Julie Steinecker
Assistant Director, Registration & Records
jsteinecker@luc.edu
(708) 216-3222
Julie assists students with registration and scheduling, particularly for third and fourth year required clerkships and electives. She also assists course directors and coordinators with grading and other course registration issues.
Common reasons to contact Julie:
- Questions about graduation requirements
- Scheduling issues
- Help with clerkship sequencing
- Questions regarding electives
- VSAS
Rosemary (Rose) Calcagno
Registration Specialist, Registration & Records
rcalcag@luc.edu
(708) 216-3222
Rose is responsible for processing away rotation applications through VSAS and Non-VSAS as well as assist with processing grades from the away rotations. She also works with visiting students from US and international medical schools that would like to complete a rotation here.
You are welcome to contact Rose with any questions regarding the below:
- Away Rotations
- Good Standing Letter Request
- Pager Issues
- Transcript Form Request
- Verification of Enrollment
- Visiting Students
Office of Admissions
Sunny Nakae, MSW, PhD
Assistant Dean for Admissions, Recruitment and Student Life
Assistant Professor of Medical Education
snakae@luc.edu
(708) 216-5325 or (708) 216-3229
Dr. Nakae oversees the office of admissions and recruitment, student compliance, student wellness, and the office of student life. Dr. Nakae also writes and conducts research for the Department of Medical Education.
Common reasons to contact Dean Nakae:
- Recruitment and Admissions
- DACA student questions
- Parking issues & compliance
- Blood Borne Pathogens & Exposures
- Student surveys (MSQ, Y2Q, GQ, etc.)
- Student Wellness Advisory Group (SWAG)
- Castlebranch compliance questions (Drug testing, mask fitting, immunizations, background checks)
Darrell Nabers, M.Sc.
Director, Office of Admissions
dnabers@luc.edu
(708) 216-5326
Darrell serves as the primary recruitment and committee administrator for all members of the committee on admissions. He manages the office of admissions and aids the office of student life.
Common reasons to contact Darrell:
- Recruitment of prospective students or providing advocacy for candidates
- Direction of admissions process and procedures
- Information about serving on committees associated with the Committee on Admissions
- Second Look
Catherine Jardien, MA
Admissions Counselor, Office of Admissions
cjardien@luc.edu
(708) 216-3872
Catherine works with prospective students who are interested in applying to Stritch and the admissions committees. She coordinates medical school interview days for applicants, schedules training sessions for members of the admissions committees, and travels to recruit students.
Common reasons to contact Catherine:
- If you are interested in joining an admissions committee
- Would like to serve as a student host or tour guide
- Have questions about Stritch admissions
Whitney Kieca, MLD
Admissions Counselor, Office of Admissions
wkieca@luc.edu
(708) 216-3240
Whitney works with prospective students who are interested in applying to Stritch by assisting with application review. She’s also is involved with coordinating Stritch’s admissions committees, including Recruitment and Outreach and interview, and assists in coordination of the interview process, school group visits and new student recruitment.
Common reasons to contact Whitney:
- If you are interested in joining an admissions committee
- Would like to serve as a student host or tour guide
- Have questions about Stritch admissions
Office of Student Life
Alia Poulos, MA
Student Life Coordinator, Office of Student Life
apoulos2@luc.edu
(708) 216-5426
Alia oversees student events, activities, and organizations.
Common reasons to contact Alia:
- Student Event Planning & Coordination
- Medical Student Union & Student Organizations
- Student Organization Fundraising
- Student Wellness
- ASPIRE summer programs
- Safe Space Training
Office of Financial Aid
Tammy Patterson, MBA, MPA
Associate Director, Financial Aid
ssomfinaid@luc.edu
(708) 216-3227
Tammy advises all first through fourth year medical students regarding all aspects of student financial aid. She also conducts financial aid presentations through the academic year and meets with all first year medical students for their mandatory individual budget planning session.
Tammy is glad to answer any questions regarding:
- Federal & Private Loans
- Institutional Loans & Scholarships
- Financing Options
- Loan Repayment
- Leave of Absence
- Budgeting
Lupe Zarco, MAOL
Assistant Director, Financial Aid
ssomfinaid@luc.edu
(708) 216-3227
Lupe advises all first through fourth year medical students and Accelerated Bachelor of Science Nursing (ABSN) students. She also conducts financial literacy presentations and programs.
Lupe is available to answer any questions regarding:
- Federal & Private Loans
- Financing Options
- Financial Literacy
- Military Options
- FAFSA Completion
- Budgeting
Office of Bursar
Laura Zaucha
Assistant Bursar, Office of Bursar
lzaucha@luc.edu
(708) 216-3228
Laura is responsible for the billing of tuition and fees, collecting payments, processing refunds and administration of Loyola’s Student Health Insurance plan.
Common reasons to contact Laura:
- Questions regarding bills and payment
- Student Health Insurance