Athletic Medicine

Danielle Colegrove began her role as UIC's Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Medicine on August 1, 2022.

In her role with the Flames, Colegrove is responsible for leading and administering comprehensive medical care for the department’s 300 student-athletes across its 18 varsity teams. In addition, she has direct athletic training responsibilities for the UIC men’s basketball program, while also serving as an integral member of the administrative leadership team.

Colegrove maintains active membership in several professional organizations, including: National Athletic Trainers Association, Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association, Illinois Athletic Trainers Association, and more.

Colegrove earned a Bachelor of Science from Ohio State University. She would go on to obtain a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Purdue University.
Bryan Yonka joined the Flames in 2013 as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for men's soccer. In 2018, he was promoted to Head Athletic Trainer.

Prior to UIC, Yonka served 13 years (2000-13) at Loyola as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for men's and women's volleyball, men's soccer, and men's and women's cross country. With the Ramblers, Yonka coordinated preseason physicals, daily injury prevention and rehabilitaion, provided immediate care of athletic injuries at both practices and games, designed and implemented specific therapeutic programs for the rehabilitation ofinjured athletes, and communicated with coaches, physicians, athletes, and parents regarding athlete health and wellness.

From 1998-2000, Yonka was the Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Northern Illinois, where he served as the primary athletic trainer for men's soccer and baseball and coordinated weekly orthopaedic surgical visits in the athletic training room.

Yonka graduated from Miami (Ohio) in 1997 with a Bachelor's degree in Health Education and Athletic Training, and in 2000, obtained his Master's degree in Education from Northern Illinois.
Patrick Donovan joined the UIC athletic staff in August of 2003 as an athletic trainer. While at UIC, Donovan has held multiple positions. He has been an outreach assistant athletic trainer, an assistant athletic trainer/rehabilitation coordinator, an associate athletic trainer/rehabilitation coordinator, and acted as the interim head athletic trainer.
He works with coaches, athletes, administration, and parents regarding injuries. Donovan is in charge of developing and implementing prevention and rehabilitation exercises for student-athletes. He is responsible for maintaining an inventory and budget database, supervising interns and coordinating insurance approvals for University of Illinois Campus Care Insurance. In addition, Donovan currently performs duties as Lab Instructor for Kinesiology 331.
From January 1999 to December 2000, Donovan worked as a student athletic trainer at UIC. During this time, Donovan worked primarily with the men's soccer and men's gymnastics team. He was responsible for the initial evaluation and treatment of injuries and designing and implementing rehabilitation protocol. He assisted in the organization of medical coverage for special events including the 2000 Windy City Gymnastic Invitational and the 2000 MCC Men's Soccer Tournament.
From 1996 to 2000, Donovan attended UIC and received his bachelor's degree in kinesiology in 2000. He went on to get his master's degree in applied kinesiology-sport and exercise science from Minnesota in 2003.
Dan Fifer joined the UIC athletic department in November 2021 as an assistant athletic trainer. In his role, Fifer works directly with the UIC baseball program.

Fifer joined the Flames after spending the past three seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks minor league system as an athletic trainer. Spending time in Missoula, Montana, Visalia, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona, Fifer provided injury assessment and developed plan of care for the Diamondbacks’ various minor league teams.

Prior to his time in professional baseball, Fifer spent the 2017-18 season as a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) at JoCo Fitness in Franklin, Indiana. Fifer also gained work experience at ATI Physical Therapy, with the Chicago Cubs and with the Indy Eleven (a professional soccer team).

Fifer graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, with a bachelor’s degree in biology and pre-physical therapy before earning his master’s degree in athletic training from Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana.
Lauren Stachura began her role as Assistant Athletic Trainer for Athletic Medicine in August of 2022.

In her role with the Flames, Stachura is responsible for leading and administering comprehensive medical care for the UIC women's soccer and men's and women's swimming & diving teams.

In her most recent position, she served as the Associate Athletic Trainer at Chicago State University. Providing coverage for Men's and Women's Soccer and Women's Basketball, with responsibility for strategic planning, scheduling, compliance, inventory management, and more. Stachura maintains active membership in several professional organizations, including; the National Athletic Trainers Association, Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association, Illinois Athletic Trainers Association, and more.

Stachura earned a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Western Michigan University. She would go on to obtain a Master of Counseling for College Student Personnel from Quincy University.
Sara Gilmartin joined the Flames staff in July 2023 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer. Gilmartin works with the UIC softball and swimming & diving programs.
Prior to UIC, Gilmartin was a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Indiana University where she served the Women’s Tennis program for two years.
Gilmartin graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, and in 2023 obtained a Master of Science in Kinesiology in the Post-professional Athletic Training Program at Indiana University.
Maura Kealy is in her first season as Assistant Athletic Trainer at UIC, having joined the Flames' staff in June 2024. She is the primary athletic trainer for the UIC volleyball program, and also shares similar duties for the Flames' cross country and track & field programs.

Kealy came to UIC following two years (2022-24) on the athletic training staff at the University of Illinois, where she worked with the Fighting Illini's cross country, track & field, women's soccer and cheer programs. She also served as an athletic trainer for the school's summer camps across a variety of sports.

Hailing from Evergreen Park, Ill., Kealy is a double degree recipient from Northern Illinois University, earning her bachelor's degree in athletic training in 2020 and her master's in kinesiology and physical education (sport and exercise psychology) in 2022.
Edson Cuiriz joined the UIC Athletic Training staff in June 2024 and serves as Assistant Athletic Trainer, supporting the Flames' women's basketball and women's tennis programs.

Cuiriz came to Chicago's College Team following two years (2022-24) in a similar role with the women's basketball and women's track & field squads at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., after a six-month stint as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Indiana University with the Hoosiers' baseball program.

Cuiriz earned two degrees from Indiana during his time in Bloomington, Ind., completing work on his bachelor's degree in athletic training in 2020 and his master's in kinesiology (with a specialization in athletic training) in 2022.
Dr. Mark R. Hutchinson practices in the Department of Orthopedics at UI Health. Dr. Hutchinson is the director of Sports Medicine, and he serves as the head team physician for UIC Athletics. He has nearly three decades of involvement with Team USA Athletics, and he was part of the official medical staff for Team USA at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, a role he will again take on at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Board Certification: Orthopedic Surgery with added certificate in Sports Medicine
Fellowship: Kentucky Sports Medicine
Residency: Michigan State University
Internship: Michigan State University
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Dr. Sujith Kochat is a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellow at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. He is passionate about helping athletes reach their full potential on and off the field, and getting them back to peak performance after illness or injury.
Dr. Kochat earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from The University of Texas at Austin and his Doctor of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his Family Medicine Residency at Advocate Christ Medical Center.
In addition to his clinical interests, Dr. Kochat enjoys working on cars, technology, and any other projects that allow him to work with his hands.
Dr. Joey Brutzkus is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician specializing in Primary Care Sports Medicine. He is passionate about using his skills in diagnostic and interventional ultrasound and orthobiologics to help athletes get back on the field and compete at the highest level.
Dr. Brutzkus earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rush University Medical Center and his fellowship in Sports Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Prior to attending medical school, Dr. Brutzkus worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Brutzkus is also involved in research and education. He has presented his work at national conferences and has published articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Brutzkus is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.
When he is not working, Dr. Brutzkus enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He is also an avid golfer and runner.
Dr. Ankur Verma is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician specializing in Sports Medicine.

Dr. Verma earned his medical degree from Michigan State University. He completed his residency at University of Chicago/Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and his fellowship from LSU Athletics/Baton Rouge General.

When he is not working, Dr. Verma enjoys learning about sports analytics.

G.R.I.T. (Growth, Resilience, Initiative, Tenacity) Performance Program is a proactive view of mental wellness and performance psychology. Student-student-athletes will grow mentally by learning to be resilient. Student-student-athletes will take the initiative to help themselves and others to seek mental help and resource to improve cognitive well-being and capacity. Student-student-athletes will take these tools into competition and everyday life to set themselves up for the wins and lessons that college athletics and life have to offer.

A student-student-athlete who has G.R.I.T. is considered to have courage and strength of character. A person with the gift of G.R.I.T. proceeds with passion and perseverance. This person will set goals and complete them in a matter that is exemplary. Flames will exhibit G.R.I.T. and will burn through the wick.

Learn more about UIC G.R.I.T. Mindset here.

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