Resident Physician Profiles

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences

"Hola hola, my name is Josh! I grew up about 30 minutes from the US-Mexico border in the agricultural town of Westmorland, CA. I studied biochemistry and music at UC Riverside where my interest in medicine was confirmed while working with indigenous, migrant, and refugee families in rural Mexico. I went on to earn a master's degree in Medical Sciences and attend medical school at WesternU in Pomona, CA. Santa Maria's "caring-with-a-heart" spirit reminded me so much of home during my medical school rotation that I had to return. Here, I am grateful for the opportunity to explore my passions in rural health & street medicine, refugee & migrant well-being, international medical missions, trauma-informed care, maternal & child medicine, & OMM! As I balance my passions in medicine, I love to spend time with my family, dance to Zumba, learn languages, and travel!"

Medical School: CA Health Sciences University

Hi, my name is Mia Nurit Hirsh! I was born and raised in beautiful Southern California. I completed my undergraduate studies at UCLA and, after several years working in clinical neuropsychiatric research at the UCLA Semel Institute, I decided to pursue my dream of providing exceptional quality, full-scope primary care as a community-oriented physician. That dream took me to Oakland, CA where I completed my premedical coursework and then to the CA Central Valley, where I completed medical school. As a California girl through-and-through, I feel exceptionally privileged to have the opportunity to complete my residency training here on the CA Central Coast serving my community, here at home. 

Medical School: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

HI! My name is Scott Lirgg, and I’m thrilled to be a resident at Marian Regional Medical Center. I grew up in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where I spent my entire life. I attended the University of Arkansas for my undergrad, majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Psychology. During my time there, I had the honor of serving as the head Drum Major of the Razorback Marching Band, performing in front of millions of fans every week on national television and in major SEC stadiums. After college, I continued my journey in Fayetteville and earned my medical degree from UAMS NW. During that time I was working with the largest Marshallese community in the United States; this has deepened my appreciation for serving underserved populations, and I’m excited to bring this perspective to my work here in Santa Maria. My upbringing in a vibrant SEC college town ignited my passion for sports, which has driven my career in medicine, and I’m eager to pursue a fellowship in sports medicine after completing my residency. In my free time, I enjoy running and Obstacle Course Racing. I took second at the US Trail Championships in 2021 and represented Team USA at the OCR World Championships in London in 2018. I’m excited to call Santa Maria my new home and look forward to contributing to, and learning from, this wonderful community.

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences in Oregon

Hi! My name is Sarah and I grew up in the Seattle area and attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences in Oregon. I am excited to be able to stay on the West Coast for residency and to escape some of the rainy days. I was lucky enough to rotate at Marian during medical school and really enjoyed the area and people here! My interests in medicine include sports medicine, lifestyle medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine, and primary care. Outside of medicine I enjoy hiking, soccer, going to the gym, and playing pickleball. Looking forward to exploring all that the Central Coast has to offer and being a part of the Marian family!

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Hello! My name is Bari (pronounced like the fruit), and I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I spent a lot of time on the Central Coast growing up either visiting family in San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz or watching my dad hang-glide in Santa Barbara. I went to Whitman College for my undergraduate education and then ultimately moved to Virginia for medical school. I loved my time on the East Coast, but am excited to return to my home state for my residency training. I always thought that if I were to move back to California, it would be to the beautiful Central Coast! What I love about family medicine is the variety and ability to form long-term relationships with my patients. I want to support my patients through their unique health journeys and to help coordinate their care. My specific career interests include rural medicine, adolescent health, and nutrition/preventative medicine. Outside of medicine, I love baking bread, tennis, crossword puzzles, board games, and reality TV.

Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hello! My name is Madison and I was born and raised in Anaheim, California. I moved to northern California to attend UC Berkeley for college and then Des Moines University in Iowa for medical school. I could not be more excited to call Santa Maria my new home and explore the central coast with my husband! While I was a student, I was lucky enough to spend one month here and fell in love with the people and everything this program has to offer. My passion for family medicine stems from my overall desire to develop strong relationships with my patients and be one of their strongest resources and advocates when it comes to their health. In addition to preventative medicine and general primary care, I am also interested in integrative medicine, pediatrics, and rheumatologic disease. In my free time I love baking, crocheting, exercising and spending time with family. I look forward to having the opportunity to serve this community and learn all that I can from my fellow residents, faculty, and patients.

Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Hi, my name is Angela Lee! My parents immigrated from South Korea in the 90s and I was born and raised in Cupertino, up in the Bay Area. After graduating from USC, I spent a couple gap years teaching second grade in my hometown. This time away from medicine was foundational in integrating education with families from various backgrounds and developing an appreciation for the greater community. In 2019, I moved out to Virginia for medical school and am glad to be back on the West Coast!  The majority of my rotations took place within an agricultural and underserved population, which aligned with my passion to serve the underserved and pursue family medicine. Now, I look forward to being in Santa Maria among purpose-driven faculty, staff, and fellow co-residents during these upcoming years.

Medical School: A.T. Still University of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona 

Hey there! My name is Cassidy, and I am so happy to return home to train as a Family Doctor for our community. I was raised here, attending both Righetti High School and Allan Hancock College. Starting as a teenager, I worked for the City of Santa Maria in the Parks and Recs Department. My studies took me all over the state and country. I finished my undergraduate education at Cal Poly SLO, earned a master’s degree in public policy from UC Riverside, and spent the first year of medical school in Arizona before finishing the other three in Oregon. I believe that my role as a physician is to work with patients on an individual and community level to nourish health in order to enable the flourishing of human life. My medical interests include community medicine, lifestyle medicine, underserved medicine, palliative care, and of course, primary care. Outside of medicine, I enjoy weight lifting, hiking, reading, cooking and eating. I look forward to working with patients from wherever they are on their health journey.

Medical School: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine CA

Hi! I was born in Ohio and moved to California in 2005. I attended UC Davis for college and then Touro University in Vallejo for medical school. While I have spent the last 18 years in the SF Bay Area/Sacramento, I am truly excited to call the Central Coast my new (and hopefully forever) home. I absolutely love family medicine and I can’t wait to partner with my patients at Marian. I have special interests in pediatrics, women’s health, and diabetes management. I am a mother to two young boys as well as a very fluffy cat. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking and cooking! I am excited to be here and can’t wait to meet you!

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences

Hi! My name is Janu! I grew up in Bakersfield (Central Valley) then moved to SoCal for college and medical school. I’m so excited to live on the central coast and explore this beautiful part of California! The residents in this program helped me find my passion for Family Medicine and I’m so grateful to be joining the Marian family. I look forward to growing in my osteopathic skills and integrative medicine knowledge during my time here. In my free time, I love spending time with family and my dog, walking on the beach, getting a good workout (my current obsession is OrangeTheory), and baking vegan goodies! 

Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Hello! My name is Michael. I was born in San Diego, CA, but I grew up in Davis, CA. I attended Pennsylvania State University, where I studied Neuroscience. Later, I pursued my medical education at NSU KPCOM in Florida. While I have a keen interest in Diabetes, Psychiatric Disorders, and Dermatology, I ultimately chose Family Medicine as my specialty because it allows me to address various aspects of healthcare that I am passionate about. During my journey, I discovered that Marian's Family Medicine Program was the perfect fit for my training. The compassionate and supportive environment here made it clear that this was where I wanted to develop my skills. I am enthusiastic about absorbing as much knowledge as possible during my time here, as it will enable me to provide the best care for my patients in the future. In my leisure time, I find joy in playing with my cat, exploring my culinary skills through cooking, capturing moments through photography, hitting the slopes for snowboarding, and spending quality time with my loved ones, including my family and friends.

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences

Hello! I'm Nader, I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia and moved to California in 2009. I graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Neuroscience and Physiology, and afterwards attended osteopathic medical school at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona.I knew early on that Marian Regional Medical Center would be a perfect place for me to complete my residency training because of how welcoming and genuinely caring the people here are. I believe strongly in the healing power of kindness, gratitude, and awe; and deeply cherish my contemplative practices and osteopathic training. I chose to go into Family Medicine because it encompasses my love for building long-term relationships, partnering with patients in improving wellness through lifestyle and prevention of illness, and performing osteopathic hands-on treatment. Outside of the clinic/hospital, I enjoy nourishing practices like mindfulness meditation, yoga, and time in nature; as well as board games with friends, video games, and sailing. I sincerely wish you peace, joy, and wellness on your journey!

Medical School: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hello, everyone! My name is Henry. I'm originally from Los Angeles, CA and I'm excited to move and work in the central coast (SoCal to SLOCal!). My goal as a family physician is to optimize my patient's overall wellbeing by addressing the mental and physical health of my patients. Other professional interests of mine are the musculoskeletal system and sports medicine. My hope is that patients will feel comfortable asking questions about their health and become motivated to get well and/or stay well. In my spare time I enjoy playing basketball and weight training, cooking, and hiking. Thank you for welcoming me to the family at Marian Regional Medical Center and the community that we serve!

Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hello there! My name is Lien. Originally from Los Angeles (specifically the San Gabriel Valley, famed for its delicious Asian food), I attended Mount Holyoke College in western Massachusetts for undergrad and Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Iowa for medical school. I am excited to start this next chapter of my life on the beautiful Central Coast with my incredibly welcoming and supportive residency family. My interests within Family Medicine are Community Medicine and Integrative Medicine. I want to be a true resource for my patients and help them live their best lives. I am a mother to both a two-legged and four-legged baby. I love spending time outdoors, hiking, horseback riding, kickboxing, reading, and watercolor painting. 

Medical School: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hi there! I am Harsh Ilapakurthi and I appreciate you reading my bio. I was born in India and moved to the US when I was too young to remember. My home base is Rancho Cucamonga, CA, but I left to attend undergrad and medical school in Illinois and Indiana, respectively. After graduating from Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, I knew I wanted to come back to California for residency. Marian Regional Medical Center was the perfect choice and I am beyond grateful to be able to call this place home. I chose Family Medicine because of its emphasis on continuity, preventative care and patient advocacy. Outside of medicine, I love exploring new places, trying new food joints, playing chess, and video games, over-analyzing movies and watching basketball. 

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hello there! My name is Caroline and I was born and raised in the Bay Area. I went to UC Berkeley for undergrad and medical school at LECOM in Pennsylvania. I am thrilled to be back on the west coast and especially the beautiful Central Coast. I was drawn to this amazing program for its tight knit residency class and warm, encouraging faculty. I am grateful for the opportunity to join this team and excited to start my career in family medicine here. I am particularly interested in women’s health and underserved medicine. Some of my hobbies include cooking, exploring new cities, singing karaoke, rock climbing and spending time with friends/family and my dog.

Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine-Middletown

Hi, my name is Brian! I was born in Boynton Beach, FL, spent my formative years in Chicago, IL and grew up in Carlsbad, CA where my family relocated. I studied Business Economics at UC Irvine before attending medical school at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown, NY. I am excited to return to sunny California and call the Central Coast my new home. During my undergrad, I did mixed martial arts which taught me discipline and how to take care of my body and health. This was one of the big reasons why I chose Family Medicine. It is a privilege to provide holistic care and create lifetime relationships with patients from birth to death. In my free time, I like to watch carpentry and restoration videos, enjoy all outdoor activities, and spend quality time with my family and friends. I look forward to a new and exciting adventure here in the Central Coast with my Marian family!