Dr. Cheng has been practicing medicine since 2002. She earned her B.A. from Northwestern University, and her M.D. from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Chicago and subsequently served as chief resident for the Transitional Year Residency program at MacNeal Hospital, an academic affiliate of the University of Chicago. Prior to joining the Center for Partnership Medicine, Dr. Cheng practiced at MacNeal Physicians Group, where she most recently served as medical director of the Riverside Internal Medicine practice site. She was also active in teaching and precepting medical students and residents from MacNeal, the University of Chicago, and Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. Dr. Cheng is dedicated to helping patients achieve their best health, emphasizing a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, with special attention to mental and emotional wellness. Her special interests include integrative medicine, stress management, and patient education. Dr. Cheng is board certified in internal medicine and a member of the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Derman has been practicing internal medicine since 1988. He earned his B.S. at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he graduated cum laude, and his M.D. from the University of Illinois, Chicago campus. He completed his internal medicine residency at Northwestern University where he was chief resident and a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the Medical Honor Society. Dr. Derman is President of Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group, a primary care multi-specialty group of 65 physicians which he founded in 1993. He also holds the title of Vice President of Operations for Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Derman is board certified in internal medicine. His special interests include preventive medicine and nutrition. He is the Medical Director of the Center for Partnership Medicine™.

Dr. Elliott has been practicing internal medicine since 1994. She earned her B.S. at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, graduating with high honors and with distinction. She received her M.D. at Rush Medical College, where she was awarded the Janet M.Glasgow Award of the American Medical Women’s Association, presented to the female student graduating first in class. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Chicago. Prior to coming to Northwestern, Dr. Elliott practiced at the University of Chicago for 10 years where she most recently held the title of Associate Professor of Medicine. She has been a consultant since 2002 to ABC World News Medical Coverage. She is now an internist with Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group and the Center for Partnership Medicine™. She is board certified in internal medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. Her special interests include preventive health, motivation, exercise and women’s health. Dr. Elliott is the Associate Medical Director of the Center for Partnership Medicine™.

Dr. Orelind has been practicing internal medicine since 1995. He earned his B.S. in Biology at the University of Illinois, and his M.D. at Rush Medical College. He completed his residency training at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center where he was Chief Resident. He has been an internist with Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group since 1998 and with the Center for Partnership Medicine™ at Northwestern Memorial Hospital since its opening in September, 2005. Dr. Orelind has been an instructor at Northwestern Medical School since 1998. He has taught courses on the patient-physician relationship, on ethics and values in medicine and on numerous clinical topics. He currently works as a volunteer attending physician at the Community Health Clinic in Chicago.

Gregory C. Vachon, MD has recently joined the medical staff at the Center for Partnership Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Vachon received his medical degree from the Sate University of New York at Stony Brook and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Rochester. He is board certified in internal medicine and has been practicing since 1994.

Before joining the staff at Northwestern, Dr. Vachon was Medical Director of the Austin Health Center of Cook County, where he was also an attending physician. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Rush Medical College.

Dr. Vachon is an outstanding clinician who has made the physician-patient relationship paramount in his practice. He has developed curricula and taught courses for residents to increase their skills in working with patients. He has also published articles on clinical reasoning and motivational interviewing. He is passionate about our mission of helping patients achieve improved health, vitality and productivity.

Gretchen Peyton received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from The University of Dayton in 2004. Gretchen then completed post graduate coursework and a professional dietetic internship with Loyola University. Prior to joining the team at the Center for Partnership Medicine, she worked at Loyola University Medical Center as a Clinical Dietitian where she provided nutrition consultation to patients with cancer, diabetes and cardiac disease. Gretchen is a Registered Dietitian (RD), a Licensed Dietitian and Nutritionist (LDN), and a Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian (CNSD). She is also a certified specialist in adult weight management. Ms. Peyton is a frequently requested speaker in health and wellness for both corporate and community clients. She continues to be a nutrition resource for media outlets and has worked with FOX news Chicago, SELF magazine and the Chicago Tribune. Gretchen is also a published author, and has co-authored a textbook chapter in The Interface of Neurology and Internal Medicine.

Melissa Paolino received both her B.S. and her Masters of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Indiana University, where she was on the Dean's list and was also Special Projects Chair. She interned at the Scripps Cardiac Treatment Center, where she evaluated patients in the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, creating customized exercise prescriptions and working with patients on an ongoing basis. She then joined Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she supervised and interpreted nuclear and cardiopulmonary stress tests. She is also currently part of Northwestern's Wellness Institute team, assessing fitness and identifying appropriate physical activity, exercise, and behavioral interventions for a wide variety of clients. She has been instrumental in creating educational materials for patients. Melissa is also an Exercise Specialist certified by the American College of Sports Medicine. She enjoys helping clients set goals for exercise, and has a particular interest in sports training, perinatal fitness, and weight management. She herself is an avid runner.

Katie Miller is the Senior Practice Manager of the Center for Partnership Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Katie began her career at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in 1999. Prior to joining the Center, she managed Computed Tomography, a 24 hour diagnostic imaging department that supports inpatient, outpatient and emergency services provided at the Feinberg Pavilion and Prentice Women’s Hospital. In that role she developed operating and capital budgets, led a staff of 60 and was responsible for 108,000 annual CT procedures. In addition, Katie developed and implemented a new workflow model that enhanced staff productivity and measurably improved the patient experience. Katie is a graduate of Miami University (Ohio) and is currently pursuing her MBA in Health Care Management at Loyola University Chicago. She enjoys golf and tennis and most recently has begun training for a triathlon.