Midwest Regional Elections: Voting Now Open

Midwest Regional Election: Cast Your Vote for Leadership Positions

Thank you for participating in the Midwest Regional election process. We invite you to cast your vote for the positions of President-Elect, Secretary/Treasurer-Elect, Membership Chair-Elect, and DEI Chair-Elect. Review the slate of candidates below, and then cast your vote using the link provided.

Deadline to Vote: Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Voting is reserved for SGIM members only.

President-Elect

Andrew Young, MD
Dr. Andy Young, a native of northeast Ohio, attended medical school at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OUHCOM). He performed his residency training in Internal Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and later served as an Ambulatory Chief Resident. He started his career there as a Primary Care Physician before moving to Indianapolis in 2023.

At the Indiana University School of Medicine, he directs a resident clinic of Internal Medicine and Transitional Year residents. He is enthusiastic about primary care and is committed to inspiring and mentoring residents, encouraging them to consider primary care as a rewarding career path. He believes SGIM Midwest plays a unique role in connecting clinicians and educators across institutions, sparking collaboration, and celebrating the work that defines generalism. As President, he hopes to continue advancing this spirit of inclusion and inspiration by supporting members, amplifying primary care voices, and empowering the next generation of internists to lead with empathy, integrity, and community.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Young enjoys quality time with his family, often spotted jogging around Indianapolis with his four young children in tow, pushing them along in a running stroller.

Personal Statement:
I am deeply committed to strengthening primary care and the community of general internists who sustain it. SGIM Midwest has been central to my growth as an educator, mentor, and leader, and I’m eager to give back by serving as President. My goal is to broaden our reach across the region by connecting clinicians, educators, and trainees who share a passion for patient-centered care. I want to continue creating spaces where members feel valued, inspired, and supported in their work. Together, we can ensure that general internal medicine remains strong, visible, and vital for the future of healthcare.

Secretary/Treasurer-Elect

Rasika Karnik, MD
Rasika Karnik, M.D., is an Internal Medicine physician and educator dedicated to compassionate and evidence-based patient care. As an Assistant Professor at The University of Chicago, she leads the Post Covid Recovery Clinic, guiding patients through complex challenges. Additionally, she serves as physician lead for the Health Data Science Institute’s Innovation Intake Committee, which triages and vets external and internal solutions to improve health care delivery and involves working with a multidisciplinary team. Her passion for general internal medicine is reflected in her years of clinical teaching, residency program leadership, and curriculum development for trainees at UT Southwestern, St. Louis University and the University of Chicago.

Dr. Karnik’s collaborative approach bridges disciplines and regions, with national partnerships in Long Covid research, clinical guidelines, and educational endeavors. These experiences, internal and external to direct medical care, have improved her organizational skills and provides her with a unique viewpoint that she believes can further the mission of SGIM.

Personal Statement:
With broad experience in multiple academic medicine centers, organizational leadership, and committee service, I am excited to contribute as Secretary/Treasurer for SGIM. My leadership roles—from Associate Program Director to Medical Director—demonstrate my commitment to collaboration and operational excellence. Through my extensive work with national Long Covid initiatives, I have developed connections with colleagues and organizations across the country, allowing me to serve as an effective liaison and resource for regional SGIM members. I look forward to advancing transparency, supporting the organization of regional meetings, and strengthening engagement and communication within our community

Membership Chair-Elect

Paul Kunnath, MD
Dr. Paul Kunnath is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine at Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Medicine. He holds several key educational leadership roles, serving as the Associate Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program, Director of the Primary Care Track, and Director of Clinical Interviewing. A product of Midwest institutions, Dr. Kunnath earned his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and his Doctor of Medicine from Saint Louis University, where he also completed his internal medicine residency and served as Chief Medical Resident.

Dr. Kunnath has been an active and engaged member of the Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) since 2017. His commitment to the organization is highlighted by his leadership within the Midwest region, where he has served as Chair of the Midwest Region Vignette Review Committee and Chair of the Midwest Regional Poster Review Committee. Nationally, he is a member of the SGIM Ethics Committee. He is also a frequent contributor to SGIM’s academic discourse, having presented at numerous national and regional meetings on topics such as high-value care and medical education.

Beyond his extensive involvement with SGIM, Dr. Kunnath has a proven track record of leadership. He currently chairs the Missouri ACP Poster Committee and the SLU Hospital Citizenship Peer Review Committee. His experience directing educational tracks , developing curricula , and mentoring numerous residents and medical students who have matched at prestigious institutions demonstrates his dedication to fostering the next generation of general internists.

With his deep roots in the region, established leadership within Midwest SGIM, and passion for academic medicine, Dr. Kunnath is well-suited for the role of Membership Chair. He is eager to apply his experience to further strengthen the SGIM community by engaging current members and welcoming new colleagues to the organization.

Personal Statement:
I am honored to be considered for the role of Membership Chair-Elect for the Midwest SGIM region. SGIM has been a deeply supportive academic home for me as a clinician educator, offering a space where I can connect meaningfully with colleagues, share challenges, and celebrate successes. The regional meetings have been especially valuable for fostering these connections and for engaging in thoughtful conversations around our shared interests and struggles.

In my roles as Associate Program Director for our Internal Medicine Residency and Director of the Primary Care Track, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring trainees as they pursue a career in General Internal Medicine. These experiences give me insight into how SGIM can be a powerful resource for students, residents and early career faculty who are looking for a community to form their professional identity.

As Membership Chair-Elect, I would be enthusiastic about leading outreach efforts to engage new members, especially among students and residents. I believe this role offers a unique opportunity to help others benefit from SGIM’s vibrant community and resources, just as I have.

DEI Chair-Elect

Allison Reinhardt, MD
Dr. Allison Reinhardt is an Instructor of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic. She attended Duke University School of Medicine prior to residency training in Internal Medicine at Mayo where she was honored with the Attitude, Commitment, and Excellence award as a PGY-2. Dr. Reinhardt enjoys jigsaw puzzles, Pilates, and Legos.

Personal Statement:
I was blessed to have a roommate in medical school who was also a first-generation college student. I am white and grew up on a farm in rural Wisconsin and my roommate, now Dr. Sabrena Myers, was a Jamaican immigrant who hailed from the Bronx. Both of us had profoundly benefitted from pipeline programs that introduced us to the medical field and provided research opportunities. Together, we founded Duke’s chapter of FGLIMed (First-Generation and Low-Income in Medicine) with a goal of creating community and connecting first-gen medical students with first-gen faculty mentors. I am passionate about recruiting trainees from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds and highlighting the unique strengths they bring to primary care.