Thank You, Mujahid Hussain, MD

January 27, 2021 | 2 min. to read

Pulmonologist Mujahid M. Hussain, MD, is a model of compassion and calm, even under the pressure of countless hours he spends caring for COVID-19 patients, say his fellow clinical team members.

Dr. Hussain, of Regional Medical Group, has been the primary pulmonologist seeing COVID-19 patients at Kishwaukee Hospital throughout the pandemic. That means he has been on call most days per month and facing a heavy schedule of inpatients when rounding, all the while still making time for outpatient appointments, says Carolyn Leist, director of operations for the offices in Sycamore that include Dr. Hussain’s practice.
 
In addition, Dr. Hussain has been a leader in the daily multidisciplinary COVID-19 rounds, during which the cases of all patients admitted with COVID-19 are reviewed by a collaborative team of the specialists, nurses and allied health professionals involved in their care. Since the start of the pandemic, Kishwaukee has admitted more than 700 patients with COVID-19. Valley West Hospital, where Dr. Hussain also rounds, has admitted upwards of 90 COVID-19 patients.
 
“The latest surge has been overwhelming, but we have taken good care of these challenging patients,” Dr. Hussain says. “All the nurses, respiratory therapists and other members of the care team have done extraordinary work, and they all deserve lots of appreciation.”
 
Dr. Hussain has been in practice for 25 years. After graduating from Kakatiya Medical College in India, Dr. Hussain completed residency and fellowship training at Cook County Health and Hospitals System.
 
He became a physician because of his passion for helping others. He was drawn to Northwestern Medicine in 2019 by its Patients First mission. “Patients First means everything to me,” he says. “I treat patients like my own family.” He adds, “Since I joined Kishwaukee, I feel at home, and my practice is well-supported by wonderful and talented staff.” He refers to the pulmonology office team of Samantha Schultz, RN, Medical Assistant Kerry Makoben, and Patient Services Representative Elle Durovey as “my backbone.”
 
“Our mortality rate for COVID-19 patients is very low,” says Corinne Haviley, vice president and chief nurse executive for both Kishwaukee and Valley West. “The vast majority of these patients are able to go home and continue their lives. This is a testament to the great care we are able to provide to our community.”
 
“We are extremely grateful to Dr. Hussain and all of the physicians and clinical staff who have cared for our patients with COVID-19,” says Michael Kulisz, DO, chief medical officer for the hospitals. “Their work has been extraordinary and true evidence of our Patients First mission.”
 
Thank you to Dr. Hussain and to the Kishwaukee and Valley West teams, our Heroes for Better.