Current Residents
Class of 2027
Chrissa Karagiannis, DO (she/her)
Medical School: Touro University
Dr. Karagiannis grew up in the Bay Area, staying until she went to undergrad at UC Santa Cruz, earning a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She remained in Santa Cruz after graduation, volunteering and then working at the Santa Cruz AIDS Project as a health educator and case manager. Here, she learned about the harm reduction philosophy and grew her interest in advocating for the underserved and improving healthcare access and equity.
She went to medical school at Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she continued her advocacy efforts and discovered a new love in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM). She volunteered locally at the Solano County Opioid Coalition and later nationally as Chair of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association's Overdose Prevention Task Force. She also conducted research on stigma reduction through interprofessional education. Her passion for OMM led her to spending an extra year as an undergraduate OMM teaching fellow, deepening her growth as an osteopathic physician (DO).
She chose Family Medicine because she deeply values the relationships she’s able to build with patients. She is committed to bringing equitable access to care for all individuals, in order to help patients live their most healthful and fulfilled life. Her interests include substance use, addiction, OMM, advocacy, research and medical education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, doing Pilates, and spending time with loved ones.
Stanislava Matejin, MD (she/her)
Medical School: University of Novi Sad Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Matejin graduated from the University of Novi Sad Faculty of Medicine in Serbia. Her professional career began as a primary care physician before she relocated to the U.S., settling in Houston, TX. She has gained extensive clinical and research experience in the fields of family care, infectious disease, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, and pathology. She has authored numerous publications, including first-authored papers, and has been involved in various research projects. She earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with honors from the University of Texas Health Science School of Public Health. At the beginning of 2023, she made the exciting decision to move to beautiful Northern California, where she intends to remain and contribute to this vibrant community.
She enjoys multitasking and taking on new challenges. She is fluent in English and Serbian, and she has intermediate proficiency in Spanish. Known for her caring and warm personality, she is enthusiastic about sharing her passion and positive energy to help others and work towards a healthier, more equitable future for everyone. Her areas of interest are maternity care and emergent medicine, and she has a passion for performing various office procedures. She is also excited to learn more about community and integrative medicine, among other areas.
Beyond medicine, she is deeply enthusiastic about horses, yoga, hiking, and travel, which continue to inspire her. She has authored a book titled “A suitcase full of dreams.” One of its messages is the belief that “Our worth is measured by the amount of sacrifice we are willing to make in order to achieve our dreams.”
Daniel Bishop, DO (he/him)
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
Dr. Bishop attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences- COMP Northwest. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biopsychology at UC Santa Barbara. Before attending medical school, he worked as a Critical Care EMT at Royal Ambulance in Santa Clara County, California. During this time, he volunteered for a program called Housing for Health in his hometown of Santa Cruz. He continued his community service with underserved populations while in medical school volunteering with a youth program called Jackson Street serving as a mentor for underprivileged youth. These experiences guided his career path to advocate for his patients and train in a setting that emphasized working with underserved communities. His clinical interests include Addiction Medicine, Mental Health, and OMM. Outside of his professional life, he is married and met his wife at Harbor High School in Santa Cruz. He and his wife enjoy surfing, fishing, and working on classic cars together.
Dara Lopes, MD (she/her)
Medical School: St. Georges University
Dr. Lopes was born in Hawaii and spent much of her youth in Brazil. She was exposed to diverse cultures at a young age which sparked her desire to explore and comprehend the world at a deeper level.
She pursued her bachelor’s degree in Cell & Molecular Biology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, but found herself diving deep into language studies and became fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese.
After completing her undergraduate degree, she embarked on an eight-year global adventure that ignited her passion for Global Medicine. This led her to pursue her Doctorate in Medicine at St. George’s University. During this transformative period, she embraced a holistic lifestyle, prioritizing the integration of mind, body, and soul. She aims to incorporate this approach into her medical practice by focusing on Functional & Integrative Medicine. Her strong belief in a biopsychosocial model of healthcare is what ultimately led her to pursue a career in Family Medicine.
In her spare time, she enjoys delving into topics like neuroplasticity, manifestation, self-development, and spirituality. Additionally, she finds joy in mastering headstands and cooking fresh, spicy food.
Farah Tiab, DO (she/her)
Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word
Dr. Tiab is a native of Northern California with roots in France and Algeria. She grew up with a personal and deeply transformative experience with healthcare, which coupled with her interest in human physiology, inspired her to become a physician. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. She is an elected member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society which recognizes physicians with exemplary interpersonal, clinical and leadership skills.
Prior to medical school, she worked in clinical dermatology which laid the groundwork for her passion for medical and cosmetic dermatology. She chose to pursue a career in Family Medicine because her medical interests have quite a wide range, and she also wants to be able to help people in all stages of their lives. Her other medical interests include preventive and lifestyle medicine, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), patient-centered care, and working with people to identify solutions to advance their health equity.
She chose the Morehouse School of Medicine Dominican Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program because of their commitment to building a resident-centered curriculum, the top-tier faculty mentors, and of course the prime location. She lives in Santa Cruz County with her husband, daughter and two senior dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys laughing with family and friends, exercise, sushi, and beach volleyball.
Francisco Arrieta, MD (he/him)
Medical School: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara Facultad de Medicina Guadalajara
Dr. Arrieta is from San Diego, CA. During his time as an undergrad, he worked various jobs in afterschool and educational programs that served inner city youth. After completing his bachelor degree at San Diego State University he went on to UAG in Guadalajara for medical school. During his time in Mexico, he volunteered in medical brigades that provided healthcare access to people in rural and impoverished towns.
He chose family medicine residency in Santa Cruz, CA because this program emphasizes community outreach, healthcare for the underserved, as well as resident wellness and work-life balance. As a member of the inaugural class of family medicine residents, he is excited to help develop a legacy of support and collaboration among the faculty and fellow residents.
His interests include pediatrics, adolescent medicine, and hospitalist/inpatient medicine. In his free time, he enjoys building gundam model kits, San Diego Padres baseball, and spending time with his family.
Chris Romo, MD (he/him)
Medical School: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara Facultad de Medicina Guadalajara
Dr. Romo grew up in Roseville and spent much of his life in the Sacramento Valley, which instilled in him a deep appreciation for the diverse communities of the region. His journey in healthcare began at California State University, Sacramento, where he pursued a degree in Psychology while balancing the demands of collegiate Cross Country and Track & Field. Following his undergraduate studies, he worked as a caregiver at a memory care facility, an experience that sparked his interest in patient care and inspired him to pursue medicine.
He embarked on a second degree in Chemistry at the University of Nevada, Reno. His academic pursuits ultimately led him to the Universidad de Autónoma de Guadalajara, School of Medicine in Mexico, where he nurtured his skills and passion for healthcare in a diverse and enriching environment.
Throughout his journey, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to the underserved. He dedicated his time to volunteering at Clinica Tepati, a Spanish-speaking nonprofit organization in Sacramento, providing essential healthcare services to uninsured individuals. Cognizant of the health disparities pervasive in marginalized communities, he is determined in his mission to deliver culturally competent and empathetic care to his patients. In addition, he believes in the importance of fostering these values in our next generation of health care professionals which Chris did through mentoring underrepresented students while at Tepati.
He is honored to continue his training and advocacy work at Morehouse School of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program at Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz. Beyond medicine, Chris finds enjoyment in cooking Mexican cuisine, immersing himself in outdoor activities, capturing moments through photography, and exploring the vibrant cultures of Latin America.
Jyotan Sahni, MD (she/her)
Medical School: Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences
Dr. Sahni was born and raised in a small town in the Himalayan foothills in India. After completing her med school from Himalayan Institute Of Medical Sciences, Dehradun and Post graduate diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology from D.Y Patil University, Pune, she worked in a government medical college and hospital in her home town as an obgyn. She has a Professional Diploma in Medicine for the Older Person from Royal College Of Physicians of Ireland and has worked as a house-physician with rehabilitation centers and nursing homes in NY. She is passionate about holistic medicine, caring for the vulnerable-Women’s health, the children, the elderly, the underserved and the marginalized population. She loves family medicine because of its holistic approach, and the everlasting bonds formed with the patients.
As a family medicine physician, she intends to work very closely with the local communities advocating prevention, healthy lifestyle choices and bringing the best of care to them. She wants to keep educating and updating herself and intends to do research in parallel. In the past she has done translational research at Mayo Clinic, MN as well as has taught medical assistants in NY and medical students in India. She has been a volunteer with the Red Cross and local EMS. In her free time, she loves spending time with her son and dog. She also enjoys biking, swimming, camping and watching movies.
Class of 2028
Devan Rottman, MD (she/her)
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Dr. Devan Rottman (she/her) attended medical school at Tulane University School of Medicine and earned her undergraduate degree from NYU, where she studied Environmental Science, Theatre, and Chemistry. Before medical school, she worked as an EMT with Royal Ambulance and participated in clinical and research programs at Stanford and NYU. She has been involved in global health efforts in El Salvador and Peru, providing care in underserved, rural communities. She trekked into mountain communities in El Salvador to support a local doctor to provide resources to rural patients only accessible by foot. Her clinical interests include family medicine, prenatal & women's care, and global health. Outside of medicine, she is a certified Divemaster and enjoys SCUBA diving. She recently trekked the Skyline Trail in Jasper Canada, scaling a ridgeline with winds up to 65 mph. She loves to surf around the Santa Cruz coast before her outpatient rotations and feels grateful to be at this residency supporting the Santa Cruz community.
Drew Richard, MD (he/him)
Medical School: California University of Science and Medicine - School of Medicine
Dr. Drew Richard grew up in a small rural community outside of Rochester, New York, which is where he attained his undergraduate degree in biology. Drew worked for Allergan Pharmaceuticals and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UC Irvine on pharmaceutical safety trials when he first moved to California. There he developed a training regimen for volunteer COPE Health Scholars in Orange, California, before developing community services from LA to San Bernardino. Drew is one of the founders of Vi Corporation, a non-profit in Southern California that organizes and delivers volunteers to needed community service agencies. Drew has a passion for helping underserved communities and is actively building connections towards this end here in Santa Cruz. Outside of community service, Drew enjoys surfing and taking in the Santa Cruz scenery!
Alejandra Villagomez, MD (she/her)
Medical School: University of California, Davis, School of Medicine
Dr. Villagomez was born and raised in Healdsburg, a small town in Sonoma County. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household and in a family of ten, she developed a deep appreciation for her Mexican heritage and a strong sense of community and care. She attended UC Davis for both her undergraduate studies and medical school, with a post-baccalaureate program at UC Irvine in between. Before starting medical school, she worked as a medical scribe in an emergency department and as an ophthalmic technician in Petaluma, CA. During undergrad, she studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico, where she discovered a passion for rural medicine. As an undergrad and med student, she volunteered at Clínica Tepati, a student-run clinic in Sacramento dedicated to serving underserved communities. "Tepati," the Nahuatl word for "healer," continues to inspire her approach to medicine. Dr. Villagomez takes a holistic view of patient care, aiming to uncover the root causes of illness rather than simply treating symptoms.
Her clinical interests include wilderness and rural medicine, preventive care, OB/GYN (with potential plans for fellowship), POCUS, Latine health, and healthcare advocacy. She is particularly passionate about addressing health disparities and promoting social justice in medicine. Outside of work, Dr. Villagomez enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two young sons. Whether hiking, camping, walking by the ocean, or chasing sunsets, they love connecting with nature. You might even catch her mountain biking or surfing one day soon—trying to keep up with her adventurous boys.
Anthony Yeh, DO (he/they)
Medical School: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California
Dr. Yeh studied medicine at Touro University California, where he earned a dual D.O./M.P.H. degree. He completed his undergraduate studies in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at UC Davis. Before medical school, he worked as a medical scribe in his hometown at MayView Community Health Center, an experience that deepened his commitment to patient-centered and community-based care. During medical school, he completed a Predoctoral Fellowship in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, which refined his hands on skills and allowed him to teach and mentor fellow students. Growing up in Mountain View and spending much of his life in Northern California inspired his dedication to advancing health equity and serving local communities. His clinical interests include Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Mental Health, LGBTQ+ Health, and Community Health. Outside of medicine, Dr. Yeh enjoys long walks to the beach with his wife, hiking, reading, outrigger canoe, and baking. Since moving to Santa Cruz, he has also taken up surfing.
Brenda Marin-Rodriguez, MD, PhD (she/they)
Medical School: University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
Dr. Marín-Rodríguez (she/they) graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in June 2025 and is now a PGY-1 in Family Medicine at the Morehouse/Dignity Health Residency Program. She previously earned her PhD in Neuroscience from Harvard University, where her doctoral research focused on the neural circuits underlying parenting & infanticidal behavior. She completed her undergraduate studies in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior with High Honors, along with a minor in Dramatic Arts, at the University of California, Davis. During graduate/medical school, Dr. Marín-Rodríguez was deeply involved in leadership and mentorship. She co-founded and co-presided over the LMSA UPR-RCM chapter and served as National Conference Co-Chair for LMSA in 2023 and 2024. Her clinical and scientific interests include medical device innovation, neuroprosthetics, neuroscience & the sensory system, health equity and care for underserved communities. Outside of medicine & research, she is passionate about the visual/performance arts, baking and combat sports.
Cecilia Leng, DO (she/her)
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Leng was born and raised in Fremont, California. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology at Saint Mary's College of California then went on to receive a Masters in Biomedical Sciences at Geisinger Commonwealth. She received her DO/MBA from Kansas City University COM. Before medical school, she worked as a Medical Assistant for a primarily Chinese speaking primary care office in Brooklyn, New York, caring for the older immigrant population who had troubles accessing healthcare via language, transportation, cultural differences, and more. It was through this experience that she found her passion for medicine and wanting to make it accessible for those who may not be able to. Outside of her professional life, she spends time with her partner, two dogs, and her horse. In her off time, she enjoys horseback riding, hiking, cooking, fishing, traveling, keeping up with the houseplant and fishkeeping hobby, and playing video games.
Christian Bonilla, DO (he/him)
Medical School: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Dr. Bonilla attended medical school at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. He was raised in Selma, a small city in California’s Central Valley. He was born in Leon, Guanajuato Mexico and was the first in his family to go to college. He earned his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology-Exercise Science at California State University Fresno. Coming from a family of farmworkers he was inspired to pursue medicine after witnessing first hand the health care barriers and disparities that exist in underserved communities like the one he grew up in. Prior to attending medical school he worked as a scribe at his local emergency department in Visalia, CA and was a clinical research assistant at UCSF Fresno. He also served many years as a leader for a national mentorship organization, called MiMentor, providing resources and mentorship to students underrepresented in medicine. His passions for osteopathic medicine, community medicine and mentorship are what led him to ultimately choose Family Medicine. In practice his career goals include advocating for the underserved, vulnerable and marginalized populations. In his down time he enjoys exploring local coffee shops, playing soccer, hiking/camping, watching stand-up, and attending local NHL and MLS matches.
Elaine Phillips, MD (she/her)
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
Dr. Phillips grew up in Columbia, Missouri and attended the University of Missouri to earn her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. Before attending medical school, she enjoyed tutoring high school students in their ACT and SAT to meet their academic higher education goals. She then went on to obtain her medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She completed a preliminary year of General Surgery residency at Highland Hospital in Oakland. During this experience, she developed a passion for working with underserved communities and developed skills in acute trauma and procedural care. While she enjoyed the intensity of Oakland, she realized how impactful primary care is in preventing progression to further disease. She is passionate about integrative medicine, women's health and working with underserved communities. Outside of her professional life, she is married. Her and her husband enjoy cooking together, hiking and playing with her two cats. Additionally she enjoys riding and jumping horses, surfing, and learning Latin dance.
More About Our Family Medicine Residency Program
To discover more information about our program, meet our faculty and residents and learn how to apply, please visit any of the following pages:
