Athletic Medicine

Danielle Colegrove, opens in new tab 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, opens in new tab 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, opens in new tab 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.

Maura Kealy is in her third season at UIC and first as Associate Athletic Trainer after two years as Assistant Athletic Trainer. She 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.

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.

Lyndsey Gough joined the Flames staff in June 2025 as an Assistant Athletic Trainer. Gough works with the UIC softball, women’s golf, and dive programs. Prior to UIC, Gough was an assistant athletic trainer at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Arizona, where she worked with 9 teams and over 200 student athletes for 4 years. Gough graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, and in 2024 obtained a Master of Science in Exercise Science from Concordia University St. Paul.

Alex Garcia is in her first year as assistant athletic trainer at UIC, joining the Flames Family in July 2026. Garcia currently works with the UIC women's soccer and swimming & diving programs, while providing support with other operational aspects of the Flames sports medicine unit.

Garcia is a 2026 graduate of Marquette University, where she worked as a student athletic trainer with several of the Golden Eagles' athletic programs.

Dr. Mark R. Hutchinson, opens in new tab 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 past three Summer Olympics (2016 - Rio de Janeiro, 2020 - Tokyo, 2024 - 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. 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.

Specialty: Sports Medicine/Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Education:

Undergrad: Michigan State university
Medical School: Michigan State university College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University of Chicago/Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital
Fellowship: OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital Primary Care Sports Medicine
Dr. Kurjan is a member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and American Academy for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He has a special interest in ultrasound guided procedures, regenerative medicine, and rehabilitation from injuries

Interest in Collegiate Sports Medicine:

Soccer, Cross Country, Track and Field

Outside of clinical work, Dr. Kurjan is an avid runner participating in and volunteering for the Chicago Marathon amongst other races, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Specialty: Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
Education:

Undergrad – Georgia Tech
Medical School – Medical College of Georgia
Residency – Case Western Reserve University / University Hospitals Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
Fellowship – Stanford University Orthopaedic Sports Medicine & Shoulder Surgery Fellowship

Interest in Collegiate Sports Medicine:

Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball

Dr. Yazdan Raji is an orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon in the Department of Orthopaedics at UI Health. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech and earned his Medical Degree from the Medical College of Georgia. His postgraduate training includes an orthopaedic surgery residency at University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve University and a visiting rotation in shoulder surgery at Foundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma in Madrid, Spain. He completed his fellowship in orthopaedic sports medicine and shoulder surgery at Stanford University.

Dr. Raji has extensive experience as a team physician, having worked with the Oakland Athletics, San Jose Earthquakes, and Stanford University Football and Men’s Basketball teams. He currently serves as a team physician for UIC Flames Athletics, where he is dedicated to providing comprehensive care, including injury prevention, rehabilitation, and surgical treatment. Dr. Raji is passionate about offering personalized care to UIC athletes, ensuring they receive the highest level of support both on and off the field, helping them perform at their best.

Specialty: PM&R – Sports Medicine
Education:

Undergrad: Michigan State University
Medical School: Oakland University
Residency: University of Michigan
Sports Medicine Fellowship: Stanford University

Interest in Collegiate Sports Medicine:

injury prevention and management, sports performance, female athlete care

Dr. Sara Dykowski practices in the Department of Orthopaedics at UI Health. Dr. Dykowski’s sports medicine practice includes non-surgical management of a wide range of sport and musculoskeletal injuries. Prior to UIC, Dr. Dykowski provided team coverage for Stanford University's Men's Football, Women's Volleyball, Women's Softball, Women's Beach Volleyball, Women's Lacrosse, as well as Men and Women's XC, Track & Field, and Swimming & Diving teams, in addition to Division 2 Menlo College, and local high schools. She is an active member of the American Medical College of Sports Medicine Emerging Physician Leaders Program and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.

Specialty: PM&R - Specializing in Sports Medicine
Education:

Undergrad: Tulane University
Medical School: A.T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Rush University Medical Center
Sports Medicine Fellowship: University of Illinois Chicago

Interest in Collegiate Sports Medicine:

My interest in collegiate sports medicine stems from the unique opportunity to manage high-level athletes while also considering academic demands, mental health, and long-term wellness. I appreciate the continuity of care and longitudinal relationships that are possible in this setting—following an athlete through a full season or career and having a meaningful impact on their performance, health, and future. I enjoy working in a team environment and collaborating closely with athletic trainers, strength and conditioning staff, physical therapists, coaches, and fellow healthcare providers. My academic interests include diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal ultrasound, injury prevention and biomechanics, regenerative medicine, and concussion.