Physicians and Staff

Michael Friedman, MD, FACS

Read Dr. Michael Friedman C.V.
Dr. Friedman is the medical director of the Advanced Center for Specialty Care and an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon, practicing in the Chicago area since 1977.

He is a professor and chairman of the Section of Head and Neck Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology and Bronchoesophagology at the Rush Medical College and is considered an expert on head and neck cancer, endoscopic sinus surgery, thyroid surgery, and sleep disorders.

As an academician, Dr. Friedman has been involved in training other surgeons, fellows, residents and medical students for the past 30 years. He has published more than 150 scientific articles and has co-authored 28 book chapters or textbooks in his specialty. He is editor-in-chief of Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, a scientific journal that presents the latest surgical techniques to the otolaryngologic community.

Dr. Friedman’s clinical philosophy is based on being thorough and precise. The Advanced Center for Specialty Care was created to offer patients the knowledge and experience of multiple specialists to provide opinions for complicated problems. The patient population includes patients from the Chicagoland area, patients referred from surrounding states and other parts of the country, and patients referred from outside the United States seeking evaluation and cutting-edge treatment. Dr. Friedman relies on detailed analyses of the problem, and thus, can often provide a solution without invasive surgical procedures.

Dr. Friedman is also a member of the Clinical Sleep Society and the American Sleep Disorders Association.

T.K. Venkatesan, MD, FACS

Read Dr. T.K. Venkatesan C.V.
Dr. Venkatesan joins us after completing his residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago.
Dr. Venkatesan completed his residency in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago. He has completed a fellowship in Rhinology and Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. In addition, he has trained extensively at prestigious institutions including the University of Illinois at Chicago, Beth Israel Medical Center and Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York. He has a special interest in sinus disease, sleep disorders and head and neck cancer. He has numerous scientific publications to his credit and has an academic appointment at Rush University.

Adam J. Levay, MD

Read Dr. Adam J. Levay C.V.
Dr. Adam J. LeVay graduated magna cum laude from Boston University and attended Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, NY where he was inducted into the AOA honor society. He completed his general surgery internship and otolaryngology residency at the Yale University School of Medicine where he served as chief resident from 2008-2009. He has published several pieces of original research and has contributed chapters to leading textbooks in the field. Dr. LeVay specializes in adult and pediatric otolaryngology and has special interest in head and neck oncologic surgery, otologic disease and the treatment of the dizzy patient.

Anil R. Shah, MD, FACS

Read Dr. Anil R. Shah C.V.
As a leading pioneer in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Anil Shah’s emphasis is on personal, boutique style care for each patient. He has worked with the masters of plastic surgery in New York city and Los Angeles, which has influenced his unique approach to face. As a clinical instructor at the University of Chicago, Dr. Shah is devoted to advancing the field and promoting the latest procedures and treatments in facial plastic surgery and rejuvenation. With over fifty publications in scientific literature and numerous citations in the media, Dr. Shah is a respected authority in both the science and beauty of the face and renowned in the academic, fashion, and entertainment worlds for his keen aesthetic.

Ayesha A. Siddiqi, MD

Read Ayesha A. Siddiqi C.V.
Dr. Siddiqi is a board-certified allergist and immunologist. She is also the section chief of allergy at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Siddiqi completed her residency in Pediatrics at Cook County Hospital and a fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, both in Chicago.
Dr. Siddiqi treats patients of all ages, from newborns to adults. She is an award-winning investigator and the author of several scientific papers. Her clinical interests are allergic rhinitis, asthma, urticaria and immune deficiency.
She currently sees patients by appointment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Advanced Center for Specialty Care, 3000 N. Halsted, #401, Chicago (Advocate Illinois Masonic campus).

Douglas A. Steinberg, Au. D., F-AA

Read Dr. Douglas A. Steinberg C.V.
Dr. Steinberg joined Advanced Center for Specialty Care in October 2009 after completing his Doctor of Audiology degree at Rush University in Chicago. During his training, Dr. Steinberg was awarded the Outstanding Student Clinician Award from Starkey Laboratories and was awarded the Outstanding Student Presenter Award from the Illinois Academy of Audiology.
Dr. Steinberg's areas of interest in audiology included hearing aids, auditory rehabilitation, and tinnitus evaluation and treatment. He has presented in state and national conventions in the areas of hearing aids and auditory rehabilitation. Dr.Steinberg is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and a member of the Illinois Academy of Audiology.

Gima Vergara, Au. D., F-AA

Read Dr. Gima Vergara. C.V.
Dr. Vergara has been in practice at the Advance Center for Specialty Care since November 2008. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Audiology from Illinois State University. She completed her Master of Arts and Doctor of Audiology degrees at the State University of new York at Buffalo.
Dr. Vergara’s current areas of interest are diagnostic audiology, vestibular audiology and tinnitus evaluation and treatment. She completed her fourth year Au.D. externship at Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center in buffalo New York where she provided diagnostic and hearing aid services to adult and pediatric populations. Dr. Vergara is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.

Top