1st Year Residents/Interns

Hometown: Silver Spring, MD

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

I was born and raised in Silver Spring, MD, just minutes from Washington, D.C. I attended the University of Maryland and received a bachelor's degree in Neurobiology and Physiology. After a gap year filled with traveling through Europe and taking the MCAT.  As a child of immigrants who is the first to graduate from college and the first to ever attend medical school, the journey to becoming a doctor has truly felt like a privilege. In addition, understanding the difficulties experienced by minorities when it comes to accessing quality healthcare has fueled my passion for emphasizing preventative medicine in these communities. As an Afghan- American woman, I am also passionate about increasing health literacy surrounding women’s health, supporting reproductive wellness. I fell in love with family medicine because it allows for a bond between patient and physician beyond just medical care; to understand a patient’s lifestyle, experience, socioeconomic status, and to be able to consider those factors when treating them, is to build a lasting relationship with wellness at its core.  My interests in family medicine include preventative medicine and lifestyle medicine.  Outside of medicine, I absolutely love traveling and buying a magnet for my fridge after every trip (31 and counting!).

Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

I was born and raised in Orange County California.  One of the most meaningful experiences was during my time volunteering at a clinic in Barbados. I had the opportunity to work alongside local healthcare professionals, providing medical care to underserved communities. Despite the limited resources available, we worked tirelessly to help our patients, and I was reminded of the privilege and responsibility that comes with being a healthcare provider.  I’m passionate about family medicine because I consider us to be uniquely positioned to not only treat illness but prevent it.  I hope to open my own private practice one day and serve my community.  In my free time I love to spend time with friends. My interests include backpacking, soccer, movies and reading.

Hometown:  Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

I was born and raised in LA county. I attended the University of Pittsburgh where I received a Bachelor of Science in French. During medical school, I volunteered in clinics in Barbados and Jamaica.  These experiences broadened my perspective of how vast the need for standard healthcare is and reignited my passion for serving vulnerable communities.  My interests in Family Medicine are in preventive medicine, global medicine, integrative medicine and confronting healthcare disparities.  I plan to stay in Los Angeles working with the underserved in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.  In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, and Orangetheory fitness.

Hometown:  Sylmar, CA

Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA/Charles Drew University of Medicine & Science

I was born and raised in Sylmar, a vibrant community nestled in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, I was shaped by the rich tapestry of cultures and the warmth of my Latino/Latina heritage. Witnessing firsthand the health disparities faced by my community ignited a passion within me to pursue a career in primary care. Practicing medicine in Los Angeles allows me to serve the community I hold dear, advocating for equitable healthcare and working tirelessly to improve the well-being of those around me.  Throughout medical school, I encountered patients from all walks of life, but the interactions that resonated most deeply were those where my cultural background intertwined with theirs. In these moments, I transcended the role of a doctor and became a bridge, connecting with patients on a personal level, understanding their unique experiences, and building trust that went beyond the confines of the exam room. This profound connection reinforced my belief in the power of cultural understanding in medicine.  My interests in family medicine are in Sports Medicine, Surgical OB, and Pain Medicine.  For the future, I plan to continue to practice in the Los Angeles area and provide healthcare to the underserved communities.  Indoor bouldering is a huge passion of mine, climbing about 3-4 times a week.  On top of helping keep physically active, it keeps me grounded and provides mental clarity.  I also enjoy going on walks, listening to music and standing in front of a fan on a hot summer day in Los Angeles.

Hometown: Thousand Oaks, CA

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

I was born in Armenia, and at the age of six, my family relocated to Moscow, Russia. When I was twelve, we moved to Los Angeles, California. I later graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology. Growing up in different countries and adapting to new cultures and languages from a young age has made me resilient. I am adept at adjusting to any situation and finding common ground with people from diverse backgrounds.  A meaningful experience for me was participating in street medicine, where I witnessed firsthand the disparities in healthcare and the challenges underserved communities face in accessing medical services. This experience taught me the crucial importance of reaching out to these communities in any possible way to improve their circumstances. Breaking down barriers and building trust is essential to open doors for these individuals to seek and continue receiving the medical help they need.  I chose family medicine because I want to care for a wide range of patients, from pediatric to geriatric. I find fulfillment in providing continuity of care and building lasting relationships with my patients. I aspire to treat entire families and take joy in witnessing the growth and development of children over the years.  I aspire to open my own practice to serve those in need within my community. My goal is to create a welcoming environment where patients receive comprehensive care regardless of their background or financial situation. By focusing on underserved populations, I hope to make a meaningful impact and improve health outcomes in my community. Additionally, I aim to collaborate with local organizations to provide education and resources that empower individuals to take charge of their health.  In my free time, I like to spend time with my family and friends, ski, play pickleball and tennis, and go on walks with my dog named Jasper.

Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

I was born and raised in Anaheim, California and have spent most of my life in Southern California. I attended California State University, Fullerton where I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology.  One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had throughout medical school include volunteering at a local community garden and working with the local community members to provide food and basic necessities to homeless individuals.  My interests in family medicine include Community Medicine, Women’s Health, and Healthcare Policy.  I plan to continue to work with underserved populations while addressing social determinants of health to improve healthcare outcomes.  During my free time I enjoy playing pickleball, watching basketball, and spending time with friends and family.

Hometown:  Glendale, CA

Medical School: St. George University School of Medicine

I was born in San Jose, CA but spent much of my life, including childhood,in Southern California which I am proud to call home.  I became a sexual assault counselor so that I could tackle social injustice/inequality in healthcare due to my experience working with the medically underserved at free clinics & strong sense of empathy. In an environment encompassing different forms of trauma, I learned the importance of fostering skills such as emotional maturity & empathetic communication that are crucial when building any form of relationship in the healthcare setting.  My interests in Family Medicine include academic medicine, inpatient & outpatient, & addressing social determinants of health in underserved communities.  My future plan includes giving back to the community of Southern California by dedicating my time towards the medically underserved as a healthcare provider.  During my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends & family, trying different coffee shops & restaurants, doing elliptical workouts, and listening to NBA podcasts. GO LAKERS!!

Hometown:  South Bend, IN

Medical School: Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

I was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (try saying that 5 times fast) to Chinese immigrants and moved to the US when I was 3 years old. I have lived in multiple states growing up with the majority of time spent in the Midwest. I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Biology at Indiana University. My parents are currently in Salinas, California.  One meaningful experience I had in medical school was presenting at a research conference about the long-term consequences of bariatric surgery in regards to osteoporosis as it was very eye-opening.  I love family medicine because it allows me to be an expert in multiple fields and work with people of all ages from babies to the elderly. I love being someone my patients can go to for any complaint, big or small. I am open to pursuing outpatient family medicine, with an interest in sports medicine.I enjoy hiking, checking out food spots, watching basketball (Go Lakers and Pacers!), anime, bouldering, and working out.