Resident Physician Profiles

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

"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: Touro University California

Hi, I'm Kayleigh Kresse and I feel honored to care for patients here in the beautiful Central Coast. I have a strong interest in underserved medicine and reducing barriers to healthcare access. I'm from Tucson, AZ, and I earned my medical degree at Touro University California. Prior to medical school, I did scientific research in diagnostics and pancreatic cancer genetics. I also have a Master’s degree in Human Rights Practice from the University of Arizona, which informs my commitment to health equity and advocacy for marginalized communities. Outside of medicine, I am a coffee enthusiast and enjoy spending time with my wife and dog. Occasionally, I'll hit some golf balls at the range, as I used to play golf competitively. I look forward to meeting you at the Family Medicine Center! 

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: Western University of Health Sciences

Hello! My name is Phillip. I was born in Los Angeles and raised throughout Southern California, with a few formative years spent in Dallas, Texas. I completed my undergraduate education at UC Santa Barbara, where I first fell in love with the beautiful Central Coast. I’m grateful to be back in this community for my residency training at Marian.

As a resident physician, I’m committed to providing the best care possible for my patients and building meaningful, lasting relationships within the Marian community. I’m especially interested in developing focused skills in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and sports medicine, which I hope will allow me to offer more personalized, hands-on care in the future. 

Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time outdoors, staying active, listening to rock music, playing guitar, training in mixed martial arts, and playing golf.

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences

Hi, I’m David! I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and my path to medicine has been anything but linear. I served as an Army infantryman before eventually finding my way to medical school in the Pacific Northwest. Along the way, I’ve been shaped by experiences in combat, loss, healing, and a deep commitment to serving others with compassion and grit. I was drawn to Marian for the supportive, mission-driven community and the opportunity to practice full-spectrum family medicine in a setting that values connection and service. My interests include mental health, osteopathic medicine, preventative medicine and care for underserved populations. Outside the hospital, you’ll probably find me hiking in nature, throwing kettlebells around, or laughing at my own jokes (someone has to). I’m honored to be part of the Marian family and excited to grow alongside this incredible community.

Medical School: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine - California 

Hello! My name is Amit Grewal. I was raised in Santa Rosa, California, and completed my undergraduate studies at Sonoma State University before earning my medical degree from Touro University California in Vallejo. I’m thrilled to begin the next chapter of my journey here on the Central Coast of California, calling Marian my home for the coming years.

As a dedicated family medicine resident, I have a deep passion for sports medicine and comprehensive patient care. I am committed to helping patients achieve their best health through preventive care, injury management, and rehabilitation. My goal is to provide compassionate, personalized care while building strong, trusting relationships with my patients and their families. Outside of medicine, I stay active through boxing, weightlifting, outdoor adventures, travel, and racing cars on the track — pursuits that fuel my motivation and drive. I look forward to expanding my skills, making a positive impact throughout my residency, and most importantly, connecting meaningfully with those I care for.

Medical School: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine- California 

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences

Medical School: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Arizona

Hello/mabuhay! My name is Joanna Paula Manansala and I am extremely excited to be a part of the Marian Regional FM Residency Program! I immigrated from the Philippines to Los Angeles at age 13. Growing up in Koreatown, I witnessed firsthand how healthcare disparities and social determinants of health shape communities. These experiences fueled my passion for medicine, public health, and social justice. I earned my B.S. in Psychobiology and Global Health at UCLA. During my post-bacc years, I served with AmeriCorps at an inner-city middle school in LA and worked as a medical scribe for an oncologist—roles that deepened my commitment to serving underserved populations. I completed my dual doctorate and master degree (DO/MPH) at ATSU-SOMA, where I spent my first year in Mesa, AZ and three years afterwards in Scranton, Pennsylvania (Yes, home of 'The Office'). My clinical interests lie in community & underserved medicine, women’s health, mentorship, and public health. I hope to continue serving the underserved through medicine and public health in the near future. My husband and I are thrilled to be back in California, exploring the beautiful Central Coast together. When I’m not at the clinic, I enjoy reading Asian fiction, cooking Korean, Japanese, and Filipino dishes, and playing with my cat, Phoebe.