Alumni

CLASS OF 2024

Patali Cheruku, MD

Hometown: San Angelo, TX
Undergrad: Texas A&M University
Med School: University of Texas Health at San Antonio
Previous Life: Hematology researcher.
Professional Interests: Critical care.
Hobbies: Travel, photography, scuba diving, knitting.

Courtney Chinn, MD

Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Undergrad: Santa Clara University
Med School: California Northstate University
Previous Life: Wellness guide at Philadelphia Runner.
Professional Interests: A little bit of this, a little bit of that … critical care is cool too!
Hobbies: Running, swimming, baking, playing with the best puppy in the world.

Jason Herfindahl, MD

Hometown: Mt. Shasta, CA
Undergrad: Oregon Tech
Med School: Oregon Health and Science University
Previous Life: Infantryman, roofer, plumber, painter, EMT, x-ray tech, golf bum.
Professional Interests: Rural and wilderness, community emergency medicine.
Hobbies: All things football (go Niners!), cooking (especially BBQ), gardening, golf, whatever my kids are into – currently Minecraft.

Hillary Judnarine, MD

Hometown: Charleston, SC
Undergrad: Florida State University, Tallahassee
Med School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Previous Life: ED scribe manager, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist.
Professional Interests: Trauma and critical care.
Hobbies: Traveling and exploring new places, hiking and being outdoors, video games, game nights, anything involving the beach!

Katherine Ku, DO

Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Undergrad: Whitman College
Med School: Touro University
Previous Lives: Peace Corps, neuro research.
Professional Interests: International emergency medicine, disaster medicine, community-based research, becoming a well-rounded empathetic doctor.
Hobbies: Being outside, listening to music, spending time with family and friends, road trips.

Ethan Luong, MD

Hometown: San Jose, CA
Undergrad: University of California, Irvine
Med School: California Northstate University
Previous Life: Student.
Professional Interests: Interested in becoming an emergency medicine Jedi, one with the force, knowledge and adaptable to any situation, anywhere. I  hope to teach residents someday.
Hobbies: Learning! Learning to do all sorts of useful or interesting skills. Games, building PCs, cooking, baking bread, sports (ultimate Frisbee, running, beginning rock climbing), video editing, photography, Japanese culture, and hanging out with my wife.

David Maksimovich, DO

Hometown: Antelope, CA
Undergrad: University of California, Davis
Medical School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Previous Lives: EMT, ED Tech.
Professional Interests: To become a well-rounded community EM physician, wilderness medicine, medical education.
Hobbies: Trail running, hiking, mountain biking, going on adventures with my wife and family.

Emily O’Donnell, MD

Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Undergrad: University of British Columbia
Med School: Medical University of the Americas
Previous Life: Sales and marketing, yacht club managing, and once I was a back-up dancer in a Bollywood music video!
Professional Interests: Women’s health, wilderness medicine, preventative medicine, medical anthropology.
Hobbies: Yoga, fishing and boating, hiking, adventuring, indulging in delicious food and wine.

Patrick Terrassa, MD

Hometown: Grass Valley, CA
Undergrad: University of California, Davis
Med School: University of California, Davis
Previous Life: EMS, Navy Corpsman for five years and currently in the Army Reserves.
Professional Interests: Critical care, EMS, wilderness medicine.
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and kids, camping/backpacking, fishing, running and exercising, and I love sampling the local breweries.

Tai Wong, MD

Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Undergrad: University of California, Santa Cruz
Med School: St. George’s University
Previous Life: Medical assistant.
Professional Interests: Ultrasound.
Hobbies: Weightlifting, swimming, table tennis, hiking, home renovations, video games.

CLASS OF 2023

George Idehen, MD

Post Residency: Homestead Hospital-Miami, FL
Hometown: Sherman Oaks, CA
Undergrad: University of California, Merced
Medical School: American University of Antigua
Previous lives: ER scribe, College basketball player, Uber driver
Hobbies: Cooking, working out, wine tasting, playing basketball, fantasy football, spending time with family, performing ER procedures, traveling to new cities. 
Professional Goals: Becoming a well-rounded EM physician, being a master code runner, working with underserved populations in the inner city, advancing the enrollment of minorities into medical school, trauma, simulation training.

Preston Jones, Jr., MD

Post Residency: Holmes Regional Medical Center-Palm Beach, FL
Hometown: Orlando, Fl
Undergrad: University of Central Florida
Medical School: American University of Antigua
Previous lives: Previously an outdoorsman with a bad golfing habit.
Hobbies: Golfing, Fishing, Hiking, Boating
Professional Goals: Interested in Intensive Care fellowship.

Emanuel Lopez-Perez, MD

Post Residency: St Joseph’s Medical Center, Santa Rosa Memorial, Kaiser Santa Rosa
Hometown: Oaxaca, Mexico
Undergrad: Sonoma State University
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Previous lives: Worked as a community worker with at risk youth. With goals of teaching life skills, gang prevention and anger management. Worked as a foreman for a landscaping company.
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and two children. Finding ways to stay fit and get outdoors. Trying to improve my golf game. Exploring local food and beverages.
Professional goals: To become an excellent and compassionate Emergency Medicine physician while serving the underserved.

John Muraski, MD, PhD

Post Residency: Adventist Health Lodi Memorial, Kaiser Manteca
Hometown: Los Angeles
Undergrad: California Lutheran University, BS Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Grad: University of California San Diego, PhD Biology, Cellular & Molecular Biology Emphasis
Medical School: St. George's University, MD
Previous lives: combat medic, ED/CCU/ICU tech, research scientist, CEO, consultant
Hobbies: hiking, weightlifting, running, snowboarding
Professional Goals: To be able to handle anything that comes through the door in a trauma center or community ED.
Website and key publications:

Kimberly Pham, DO

Post Residency: St Joseph’s Medical Center-EM Assistant Program Director
Hometown: Garden Grove
Undergrad: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences, COMP
Previous lives: Pretzel Sample Girl
Hobbies: Hiking, volleyball, exploring wineries and breweries, traveling, finding unique cafes for my caffeine fix and to do some light reading, game nights, charcuterie boards
Professional Goals: To become a compassionate, competent and efficient EM physician; interested in ultrasound, SIM, and medical education

Kristina Thomas, MD

Post Residency: US Fellowship-Beth Israel Harvard Boston, MA
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Undergrad: San Diego State University
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Previous lives: Athletic trainer
Hobbies: Running, hiking, spinning, swimming, reading, cooking, spending as much time outdoors as possible!
Professional Goals: To become a compassionate Emergency Physician who cares for my community, with plans to pursue fellowship training in EMS or addiction medicine.

Juliana Thong, DO

Post Residency: US Fellowship-St Joseph’s Medical Center
Hometown: Mukilteo, WA
Undergrad: Brigham Young University
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Previous lives: Graphic designer, ED tech, flower shop clerk
Hobbies: Watercolor painting, finding the most delicious food, hiking with friends, trail running, backpacking, snowboarding, pub trivia. But lately, trying to not catch COVID-19.
Professional Goals: International EM education, global health, serving the underserved

Christy Vong, MD

Post Residency: St Joseph’s Medical Center, Adventist Health Lodi Memorial
Hometown: Alhambra, CA
Undergrad: UCSD
Medical School: Chicago Medical School @ Rosalind Franklin University
Previous lives: ER Scribe, dog mom, previously somewhat in shape.
Hobbies: powerlifting, basketball (go Lakers!), attempt to pet every dog I see, cooking/eating new food, boba/bubble tea
Professional Goals: To be a component, skilled and compassionate ED physician. Become a patient and community advocate both in and outside a clinical setting. Interested in MedEd and want to be involved with learners at all different levels.

CLASS OF 2022

Jordan Baker, DO

Post Residency: Lodi Memorial, Kaiser Santa Rosa & Manteca Ambulance
Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine 
Hometown: Modesto, CA
Undergrad: San Jose State University
Previous lives: EMT-B, Dispatcher, ED scribe, Chemistry instructor and tutor, Bio-organic RA
Hobbies: Hiking, biking, trail running, weight training, games of all kinds, tasty things, travel
Professional Goals: To be an entrustable and balanced EM physician with interests in education, ultrasound, sepsis, and sports & wilderness medicine

Scott Bugsch, MD

Chief Resident

Post Residency: St Joseph’s Medical Center-EM Clerkship Director
Hometown: Palmdale, CA
Undergrad: University of California - Davis
Medical School: University of Queensland - Ochsner Clinical School
Previous lives: Lifeguard, Firefighter/EMT, Wildlife Biologist, Raptor Handler, Dog Walker, UberEats driver
Hobbies: Hiking, SCUBA diving, Swimming, Camping
Professional Goals: Become a competent ER doctor; interested in Wilderness Medicine, Critical Care, SIM, medical education.

Jason Darr, DO

Post Residency: St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Doctors Hospital Manteca, Regional Medical Center
Hometown: Corona, CA
Undergrad: California State University - Fullerton
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Weightlifting, EDM shows, snowboarding, video games, and exploring the world with my demon dog
Professional Goals: Help create, develop, and lead a renowned Emergency Medicine program

Kyle Hill, DO

Post Residency: Ultrasound Fellowship St. Joseph’s Medical Center-Stockton, CA
Hometown: Provo, UT
Undergrad: BYU
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine 
Previous lives: janitor, photographer, inflatable bounce house technician 
Hobbies: rock climbing, snowboarding, hiking, scuba diving, running, playing guitar, eating tasty food, engaging in pithy banter
Professional Goals: become a leader in the field of wilderness medicine

Justin Leach, DO

Post Residency: Banner Health-Phoenix, AZ
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Undergrad: University of Utah
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill
Previous lives: School Bus Driver
Hobbies: Hanging with the wife and kids, biking, hiking, be outdoors.
Professional Goals: Work hard, become good at what I do, and be in a position to give back.

Kandria Ledesma, MD

Post Residency: Ultrasound Fellowship Northshore University/Long Island Jewish
Hometown: Toms River, NJ
Undergrad: Monmouth University
Medical School: American University of Antigua
Previous lives: ED scribe, violinist, volleyball player
Hobbies: Running long distances without music, yoga, taking care of my plants, and animals!
Professional Goals: Becoming a competent and well rounded ED physician and using these skills to assist in medical missions trips with special interests in ultrasound, critical care, academia, and international EM.

Federica Sarti, DO

Chief Resident

Post Residency: St. Joseph’s Medical Center & Sutter Delta Medical Center
Hometown: Santarcangelo di Romagna (Italy)
Undergrad: Universita' di Bologna (Italy)
Medical School: Touro University California COM
Previous lives: research scientist, full-time mom
Hobbies: drinking espressos, time with my family, spinning and scouting
Professional Goals: serve the underserved. Pursue ultrasound or SIM training

Michelle Wong, DO

Post Residency: Adventist Health Lodi Memorial-Lodi, CA
Hometown: South San Francisco, CA
Undergrad: University of California, Santa Barbara
Medical School: Des Moines University
Previous lives: Scribe/Scribe Trainer
Hobbies: Traveling, going to musicals, attending sporting events, enjoying the California sun, shopping, napping
Professional Goals: Become an emergency physician who is prepared to handle anything that comes into the emergency department.

Yoyoung (Yorick) Yang, DO

Chief Resident

Post Residency: Critical Care Fellowship-Medstar Washington Hospital Center
Hometown: Millbrae, CA
Undergrad: UC Irvine
Medical School: Touro University California
Previous lives: Scribe, tutor, bum
Hobbies: Hiking, camping, chillin’
Professional Goals: Wilderness medicine, keeping cool under pressure

CLASS OF 2021

Christine Ren, MD

Hometown: Seattle, WA
Undergrad: University of Washington
Medical School: Texas A&M University College of Medicine
Previous Lives: EMT, Dance instructor
Hobbies: Hiking/backpacking, reading, spending time with my dog children
Professional Goals: Become a good EM physician, teach future docs
Post Residency: Shock Trauma Fellowship, Maryland

David Somers, MD

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Undergrad: Campbell University 
Medical School: Louisiana State University Health Science Center-New Orleans
Previous Lives: Student of the world 
Hobbies: SEC football!!!, Scuba diving, 70.3 Ironmans, long walks on the beach
Professional Goals: Dive medicine
Post Residency: EM Attending, Northwest Florida

Keona Childs, MD

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergrad: Northwestern University 
Medical School: Howard University
Previous Lives: Research coordinator, Mentorship
Hobbies: Sleeping, movies, spas, reading, cooking, music
Professional Goals:  To be a compassionate physician providing quality care in underserved communities and work towards promoting health through education, service, as well as interdisciplinary approaches
Post Residency: EM Attending, Northern California - Central Valley, EM Attending, Wisconsin

Pia Galindo, DO

Hometown: San Francisco Bay Area (South Bay)
Undergrad: University of San Francisco
Medical School: Touro University – California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Being active, yoga, snow boarding, running, spending time with dogs
Professional goals: Take care of the underserved in a community hospital
Post Residency: EM Attending, Northern California- Central Valley

Hardeep Hunjan, DO

Hometown: West Nyack, NY
Undergrad: Cornell University
Medical School: Touro University – California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Previous Lives: Americorps Member, DJ
Hobbies: Fantasy Football, Sports, Music, Traveling, Spontaneous dance off battles with strangers
Professional Goals: Become an excellent ED physician serving underserved communities in US and abroad. Become an international DJ as known as DJ Trauma
Post Residency: EM Attending, Northern California- Central Valley

Samuel Kaplan, MD

Hometown: Thousand Oaks, CA
Undergrad: UC Berkeley - Bioengineering
Medical School: UC Irvine
Previous Lives: Cognitive modeling researcher, ED scribe
Hobbies: Tennis, hiking, drone flying, traveling, going to stand-up comedy shows, finding the best Pad See Ew in town
Professional Goals: Become a well-rounded community ED doc, clinical instructor, and entrepreneur
Post Residency: EM Attending, Northern California- Central Valley

Brendan Leach, DO

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Undergrad: BYU
Medical School: Touro University – California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Previous Lives: Chemical Product Specialist
Hobbies: BBQ, hiking, biking, reading, going on adventures with the wife and kids
Professional Goals: Ultrasound, rural medicine, education
Post Residency: Ultrasound Fellowship, Arizona

Matthew Nottingham, MD

Hometown: Norfolk, VA
Undergrad: Old Dominion University
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Previous Lives: EMT, Nursing assistant, Rock climbing instructor
Hobbies: Climbing, biking, working on my car, attempting to fix things around the house
Professional Goals: Learning more about Emergency Medicine from the people of Stockton for now, otherwise taking it one step at a time.
Post Residency: EM Attending, Virginia

 

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