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Our Team
Our staff is dedicated to helping you
feel better through a personalized approach.
Meet Our Team
With over 30 years of experience, our doctors at Infectious Disease Consultants of Northern Illinois provide a personalized approach committed to giving our patients the best possible care. When you book an appointment with the Infectious Disease Consultants, you know you are in great hands.
DR. TAHA
President & CEO
Dr. Rami Taha has been board certified for over 20 years, graduating from Al-Kindi Hospital in December 1995. When he arrived in the United States he continued his education in New Jersey to become American Board Certified in Internal Medicine, specializing in Infectious Disease with a particular interest in Wound Care. In 2006, Dr. Taha opened Infectious Disease Consultants of Northern Illinois in Gurnee and later moving the practice to Libertyville where our office currently resides.
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He has earned the following Certifications:
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National Alliance of Wound Care & Ostomy
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American Board of Infectious Disease
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American Board of Internal Medicine
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ACLS and BLS Certification
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ECFMG Certification
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TOEFL
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Clinical Service Examination (USMLE 2)
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Test of Spoken English (TSE)
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Basic Medical Science Examination (USMLE 1)
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License of the Iraqi Medical Association
DR. NJOKU
Practitioner
Dr. Emmanuel Njoku received his Medical Degree from the University of Benin in Nigeria in 2002. He did his Internship with Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital and completed that program in 2003. In 2007 he arrived in the United States and completed his residency at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Internal Medicine. Dr. Njoku joined Infectious Disease Consultants of Northern Illinois in 2013.
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He is Board Certified with the following:
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American Board of Internal Medicine
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Infectious Disease Board Certification.
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American Academy of HIV Medicine Board Certification.
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INNA HOFFMAN, APN.
Advanced Practitioner Nurse
Inna Hoffman, APN received her Master’s Degree in Advanced Practicing Nursing from Chamberlain University of Nursing in 2017 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2010. Inna joined Infectious Disease Consultants of Northern Illinois in 2017, providing subspecialty-level consultative and direct care to a wide array of adult patients with complex medical problems confirmed or suspected to be caused or complicated by infections. Inna consults and treats patients that are inpatients at Advocate Condell Medical Center and also travels to area Nursing Homes to provide care to in-patients.
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Inna has earned the following licenses and certificates:
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Family Advanced Practice Nurse
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BLS/EKG
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NIH Stroke Scale Training and Certification
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She is also a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
CLAIRE ANASTOS
Advanced Practitioner Nurse
Claire Anastos, APN received her Bachelors in Nursing in May 2014 from Unversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and her Masters in Nursing from Chamberlain University in October of 2020. Claire joined Infectious Disease Consultants of Northern Illinois in 2023. She provides specialty care to a wide array of adult patients with complex medical problems either confirmed or suspected to be caused or complicated by infections. Claire consults and treats patients that are inpatients at Advocate Condell Medical Center .
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Claire has earned the following Licenses and Memberships:
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Family Nurse Practitioner
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American Academy of Nurse
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RN, ACLS, BLS, TNS, PALS
Amanda Zimmermann, APN.
Advanced Practitioner Nurse
Amanda Zimmermann, APN received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of St. Francis. An undergraduate degree was obtained at Northern Illinois University with an emphasis in Spanish. She studied International in Madrid, Spain where an intensive conversation/composition course in Spanish was completed. Amanda joined Infectious Disease Consultants of Northern Illinois in 2019. Amanda provides specialty care to a wide array of adult patients with complex medical problems either confirmed or suspected to be caused or complicated by infections. Amanda consults and treats patients that are inpatients at Advocate Condell Medical Center and treats patients in our office.
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Amanda has earned the following Licenses and Memberships:
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Registered Nurse (RN int eh State of Illinois
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Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association
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Basic Life Support (BLS) American Heart Association
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National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Certification
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Member of the American Association of Nurse (AANP)
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Coordinator of the Medical Emergency Response Team at Joy Lutheran Church, Gurnee
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Member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
KAREN BRAUNLING
Practice Manager
Karen joined Infectious Disease Consultants of Northern Illinois in 2020 during the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Karen’s previous experience was in Corporate Executive Administrative, supporting Executive Level Physicians in Pharmaceuticals, specifically in Research and Development. Later, she managed Funeral Home Operations which included people management, budget management, accounts receivable and payable, payroll, and other tasks as requested. Today, Karen is the Practice Manager overseeing all aspects of the daily operations. She also was instrumental in the buildout of the IDC Medi Spa that features Cosmetic Botox, Recreational Oxegyn Therapy, and SkinMedica Products.
IFFAT KARIM
Billing Manager
Iffat joined Infectious Disease Consultants of Northern Illinois in 2009. Her background is in Civil Engineering. She currently manages patient billing issues and works closely with various insurance carriers to resolve coding issues that delay insurance payments. She collaborates with our third party biller and the Practice Manager to collectively report and resolve issues.
SAMANTHA BECK
Receptionist
Samantha joined our team in 2021 as a receptionist to provide support to our team and patients. One of Samantha's key responsibilities is to ensure that all patients insurance has been verified to avoid billing errors. Samantha also takes care of our Social Media. She has proven to be an invaluable resource for the patient and the Practice.
KAILEY KUHFUSS
Medical Assistant
Our recent team member, Kailey joined us in 2021 to help our providers with wound care. Now she works directly with patients to obtain key patient information ensuring that the patient medical records are properly updated and that all relevant information is included in the patient's chart at the time of their visit.
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