Southland Rheumatology Center Ltd.

Dr Nayak has been a practicing as a Board certified Rheumatologist in Chicago Suburbs since 1997. Dr Nayak enjoys caring for her patients and believes in the importance of open communication and patient education. She is dedicated to working closely with each patient, to formulate an individualized treatment plan which integrates medication with nutrition and physical therapy to reduce pain, improve mobility and treat the underlying disease process. She received her combined BSc in Biomedical sciences with Summa Cum Laude and M.D. through a 7 year combined program at City University of New York/ State University of New York. She completed her internal medicine residency at Montefiore Medical Center affiliated with Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY. She completed her Rheumatology fellowship at McGill University, Montreal. She remained as a research associate at McGill University and collaborated in Lupus epidemiology research studies, which have been published in Journal of Rheumatology and Lupus. Dr Nayak remains an active community speaker & volunteer and has served on the Leadership Board of Arthritis Foundation, Chicago Chapter. She is a Fellow member of the American College of Rheumatology.

Kelly Caruso PA-C received her Master of Medical Science degree from Midwestern University in 2006 and Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in chemistry from Northern Illinois University in 2003. Prior to joining Southland Rheumatology Center in 2018, she practiced Internal Medicine for 11 years. She enjoys being able to develop relationships with patients, while treating a variety of rheumatic diseases and autoimmune conditions. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is a member of Association of Rheumatology Professionals and a member of American Academy of Physicians Assistants AAPA.

Jill Cryder FNP-BC earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at University of St. Francis in 2008 and is a Masters prepared Board Certified Nurse Practitioner credentialed through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She graduated with honors from Olivet Nazarene University as a family nurse practitioner. Prior to joining Southland Rheumatology Center in 2017, she had experience in a variety of nursing disciplines including outpatient pain management. She enjoys working closely with patients to educate them while managing a variety of rheumatic diseases and autoimmune conditions. She is a member of Association of Rheumatology Professionals.