First Year Residents

Medical School: Baqai Medical University

Waqas grew up in Pakistan and completed his medical education at Baqai Medical University. He worked as a primary care physician in underserved areas for a few years. After moving to the United States, he completed his post-doctorate at the University of California, Davis, and his research fellowship at California State University, Sacramento. His research interest motivated him to work as a sub-investigator in clinical trials. In his free time, he likes to teach research to medical students and volunteer at refugee camps to provide appropriate medical education and access. He also volunteers at Napa State Hospital California where he gets to interact with patients with mental health disparities. Outside the medical realm, he likes to spend time with his wife, daughters, and pet birds: Pikachu, Grumpy, and I-hop. He loves animals of allsorts, cars and also enjoys camping and cooking on the weekends.

Medical School: John A. Burns School of Medicine

Bianca was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i, and earned her B.S in Biology at the University of Hawai’i in Manoa. Following graduation, she worked for the Center on Disability Studies, a non-profit that focused on addressing the needs of disabled individuals including work, finances, and education. To further cultivate her passion in medicine and her community, she worked for the Hawai’i State Rural Health Association. The program engaged with neighboring islands to provide legislative support and telehealth to healthcare providers. She then completed her medical training at the John A. Burns School of Medicine where she realized the importance of delivering culturally sensitive care to a diverse community is essential in supporting the health of family units. Her interests include preventive medicine, community medicine, women’s health, and procedures. During her free time, she enjoys dancing hula, running, paddling, playing with her dogs, karaoke, and starting new activities such as pilates, cycling and pickleball. She is very excited for this new chapter at Methodist and to be on the West Coast.

Medical School: California Northstate University College of Medicine

Alexis grew up in San Ramon, CA prior to attending UC Davis, where she majored in Genetics and Genomics. After graduating, she spent a year and a half working as both a medical scribe and a professional horseback rider and trainer. She ultimately followed her passion for medicine and pursued her medical training at California Northstate University College of Medicine, where she fell in love with Sacramento and all it has to offer. She is passionate about community and preventive medicine and is looking forward to continuing her training at Methodist. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at Front Street Animal shelter, knitting, crocheting, napping, thrift shopping, and staring at her houseplants in hopes that they grow.

Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine- Phoenix

Erik grew up in sunny Southern California where he developed a lifelong curiosity about the natural world. He studied Plant Biology at UC Davis and then worked as a biologist in the Sacramento area, focusing on seed biology and plant diseases. Erik's interest in health then led him to apply to medical school. At the University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, he was involved in health humanities, wellness programs, and culinary medicine, which further developed his desire for a comprehensive approach to patient care. Erik loves getting to know his patients well and guiding them through different health stages. Outside of medicine, Erik finds enjoyment in live music, dancing, exploring art and design, and trying new recipes in the kitchen. Most importantly, he loves spending time outdoors with his husband and their cats, Stormy and Rainbow.

Medical School: University of California, Davis, School of Medicine

Cassandra was born and raised in Modesto, CA. Cassandra went to undergrad at UC Berkeley and fell in love with biology and human reproduction. After college, Cassandra co-facilitated a “Mommies-to-be” class, volunteered as a doula for underserved mothers at a non-profit organization, and worked in admitting at the Women and Children’s Center at a local hospital. Cassandra attended UC Davis SOM where she found herself working to improve the lives and well-being of underrepresented communities including those in the LGBTQ+ community, survivors of sexual harm, and patients who suffered from addiction, while continuing to advocate for reproductive and women’s health. All of which, Cassandra is excited to continue pursuing within the Family Medicine program at Dignity Health.

Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine

Stazia grew up in Aurora, Illinois, and attended college at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she completed her bachelor's degree in Neuroscience. She spent two gap years as a lab manager researching Alzheimer's Disease before starting medical school at the UIC College of Medicine. During her clinical rotations, Stazia discovered her passion for family medicine when she encountered significant social determinants of health affecting one of her patients. Her medical interests include providing care to underserved urban areas, LGBTQIA+ healthcare, HIV care, and street medicine. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, cooking new recipes, and drawing (currently learning how to tattoo)!

Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Max grew up in Ames, Iowa and completed his degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. He returned to Iowa for medical school at the University of Iowa, where he developed his interests in family medicine and global health. During medical school, Max worked with local physicians in Ecuador to improve his Spanish and provide healthcare and education to a population with low health literacy and access. As an immigrant himself, Max is passionate about working with immigrant populations and patients with language barriers. He hopes to use his Spanish and Mandarin skills to serve the Sacramento community. In his free time, Max enjoys hiking in the mountains, picnics on the beach, weightlifting, skiing, and exploring new cultures.

Medical School: Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Jeff grew up in suburban Englewood Cliffs, NJ. He attended Duke University, studying behavioral science. He became involved in the local community, volunteering as an advocate for victims of domestic violence. Jeff graduated with a degree in Psychology and spent a year working in rural North Carolina as a medical scribe at a community clinic. He returned to New Jersey to attend Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, pursuing his passion for family medicine and palliative medicine. He is excited to be in Sacramento and looks forward to the excellent full-spectrum training he will receive. In his free time, Jeff enjoys playing guitar, board games, video games, and taking care of his goofy Labrador, Lupa.

Medical School: Burrell of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University

Camille grew up in Morgan Hill, CA. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Seattle University. Then worked as an Emergency Department medical scribe before attending medical school in New Mexico where she earned a D.O. from Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. During her 3rd year of med school, she found her passion for rural Family Medicine as she rotated in the rural Four Corners Region, working with Navajo, Zuni, and the general rural and underserved populations there. Outside of medicine Camille loves to garden, cook, bake, crochet (recently finished her first cardigan), hike and travel. She describes herself as a fair-weather hiker, enjoying a nice 3-5 mile loop on a sunny day with a cool breeze. After making it through 4 years of med school together, she and her now husband were excited to couples match in the Sacramento area and return home to California.

Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Karli grew up in Folsom, Ca. She graduated from the University of California Davis with a BA in International Relations. Before beginning medical school at Loma Linda University, Karli enjoyed working in Sacramento as outreach coordinator for Wind Youth Services. She is particularly interested in relationship driven, patient centered medicine and is excited to be coming home to serve the Sacramento community. Outside of the hospital, Karli enjoys reading with a nice cappuccino or getting out on her mountain bike.