Meet Our Medical and Office Staff

With over 30 years experience and a co-founder of RNA, Dr. Sweeney is Board Certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Notre Dame, Indiana. He completed his Fellowship at University of Minnesota and his Residency and Internship at University of Illinois, Chicago and received his Medical Degree from University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Sweeney is a member of the RNA Managing Board and the author of several publications on Nephrology and Hypertension. In addition, he is the Medical Director of the Davita Dixon and Churchview Dialysis Units and is on staff at 10 area hospitals.

As a co-founder of RNA with over 30 years experience, Dr. Stim is Board Certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. He received his Bachelor of Science degree at Union College in Schenectady, NY.  He completed his Fellowship, Residency and Internship at University of Illinois, Chicago and received his Medical Degree from University of Illinois, Chicago. Dr. Stim is a member of the RNA Managing Board and has been Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at U of I College of Medicine in Rockford for over 20 years. In addition, he is Medical Director for Davita Dixon Home Hemodialysis and Davita Roxbury units and is on staff at 10 area hospitals.

An RNA co-founder, Dr. Sankaran is Board Certified in Nephrology and offers over 25 years experience. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Illinois, Urbana and completed his Residency and Internship at Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago and his Fellowship at Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago. He received his Medical Degree from U of I College of Medicine in Rockford where he is a Professor of Clinical Medicine at UIC College of Medicine, Rockford Campus and was recently awarded the Aureus Award as a Clinical Instructor.

RNA President and member of the Managing Board, Dr. Robertson joined RNA in 2005 and is Board Certified in Nephrology. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois Benedectine College in Lisle, IL. and completed his Residency and Fellowship at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. He received his Medical Degree from University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL. where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. In addition, he is Medical Director at Davita Machesney Park Unit and is on staff at 12 area hospitals.

Dr. Ahmad joined the RNA staff in 2008 and is Board Certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. He received his Medical Degree from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan, completed his residency at Mount Vernon Hospital in Mount Vernon, NY and completed his Fellowship at Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. Dr. Ahmad is the Medical Director of the Davita Belvidere Hemodialysis Unit. In addition, he is on staff at 10 area hospitals.

Dr. Niemiec joined the RNA staff in 2008 and is Board Certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. She received her Medical Degree from Collegium Medicum Jagiellonski University in Krakow, Poland on a full academic scholarship. She completed her Residency at St. Joseph Hospital Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. and her Fellowship at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, IA. In addition, she is a Clinical Instructor at U of I College of Medicine in Rockford and Medical Director of Davita Stonecrest and Beloit Dialysis Units. Dr. Niemiec is on staff at 10 area hospitals.

Dr. Pavithran joined the RNA staff in 2011 and is Board Certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. She received her Medical Degree from Medical College Trivandrum in Kerala, India. She completed her Residency at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA and her Fellowship at University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. Dr. Pavithran is a Clinical Instructor at U of I College of Medicine in Rockford and Medical Director of the Davita Timber Creek, Crimson Ridge and Sycamore Dialysis Units. In addition, she is on staff at 10 area hospitals.

Dr. Murdakes joined the RNA staff in 2013 and is Board Certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL. and her Medical Degree from Rush College of Medicine in Chicago where she also completed her Residency and Fellowship. She is a Clinical Instructor at U of I College of Medicine in Rockford and Medical Director of Davita Forest City and Whiteside Hemodialysis Units. Dr. Murdakes is on staff at 10 area hospitals.

Dr. Ahmed joined the RNA staff in August of 2016 and is Board Certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine. He received his Medical Degree from Deccan College of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, India 2003.  He completed his Residency at Harbor Hospital in Baltimore, MD and his Fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA.

Dr. Ahmed was also Assistant Professor of Medicine at Loyola University in Maywood, IL. Dr. Ahmed has advanced training in Interventional Nephrology.  He is the Medical Director at DaVita Crimson Ridge PD, DaVita Edgewater Hemodialysis Units. In addition, he is on staff at 10 area hospitals.