1st Year Residents/Interns

Hometown: Rowland Heights, CA

Medical School: Touro University Nevada

I chose family medicine because I love adding to my fund of medical knowledge, as well as general knowledge. When patients come with questions, I enjoy being able to answer them and researching the questions I don’t know the answer to is just as rewarding. My mom is a pharmacist and I saw how she could provide guidance for our family and friends about everyday medications and difficult medical decisions. She inspired me to pursue medicine so I could help my friends and family just as she did with a broader scope of practice. I am very interested in Women’s Health and I hope to be the expert amongst primary care physicians for all things related to gynecology, female preventative care, and gender-affirming care. I also plan to perform osteopathic manipulation as an adjunct to my treatment of neuromusculoskeletal problems. During my free time, I enjoy painting silly things, cooking for my friends and family, and learning new drink recipes.

Hometown: Bay Area, CA

Medical School: Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine 

I see family medicine as a “choose your own adventure” specialty. I’m passionate about advocacy, and plan to focus on women’s health. I shadowed a fertility specialist. I saw firsthand how the doctor brought reassurance and hope to these struggling women and was in awe of this unique provider-patient relationship. While research had been the initial lens through which I approached women’s health, the impact this doctor had on her patients inspired me to pursue family medicine to be an advocate for patients in all aspects of their healthcare. I plan on applying to an OB fellowship so I can practice full spectrum care in women’s health. During my free time, I love to crochet! I can crochet anything from a bouquet of flowers to stuffed animals.

Hometown: San Fernando Valley, CA

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

I was drawn to Family Medicine because of its emphasis on longitudinal, comprehensive care and its deep connection to the community. It aligns with my mission to advocate for families by promoting preventive medicine, managing chronic diseases, and applying public health principles to meet the unique needs of my patients—empowering them to lead healthier, more successful lives. During my time at UCLA, I majored in biochemistry and developed a strong interest in the biological underpinnings of disease. After graduating, I worked as a lab manager in a metabolic syndrome research lab, where I gained insight into the molecular and systemic complexities of chronic illnesses. This interest deepened during my postbaccalaureate fellowship at the NIH, where I worked in the Medical Genetics Branch as part of the Undiagnosed Diseases Program. There, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by patients and families navigating rare and complex conditions. These experiences shaped my desire to pursue medicine—not only to understand disease on a scientific level, but to serve as a compassionate advocate for patients searching for answers. My ultimate goal is to become a physician leader where I will provide quality continuous care, develop life-long trusting relationships with my patients, advance knowledge in diagnostic and preventative practices, and make a strong impact in those I serve. In my free time, I enjoy staying active through hiking, practicing yoga, and visiting the batting cages. I also value spending quality time with my family and friends.

Hometown: Diamond Bar, CA

Medical School: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians And Surgeons

Growing up, I watched my family navigate the healthcare system with limited resources and little guidance. My own experiences with my healthcare provider when I was a teen inspired me to pursue medicine so that I could also provide support and compassionate care to patients in my community. I love the flexibility of the field and the ability of the provider to really focus on what they’re interested in. I have a strong interest in mental health and working in the community and I feel that family medicine will be the best training for my goals. I’m open to what practicing family medicine will look like for me! I’d like to be involved in patient advocacy and mentorship, however that may manifest itself. In my free time, I like to go camping, hiking, play board games and video games, and annoy my cat, Watson.

Hometown: Baghdad, Iraq

Medical School: Western University COMP

I grew up in a country shaped by war, where access to healthcare wasn’t something you could take for granted. Losing a loved one in a place where care was hard to come by, made me realize early on how deeply health impacts every part of life. Seeing how hard it was for families to get even basic medical care — long waits, long travel, or sometimes no care at all — opened my eyes early on to how much good medicine can do, and how deeply people just want to feel heard, safe, and cared for. Those experiences stayed with me and are what first sparked my interest in medicine and caring for underserved communities. I chose Family Medicine because it aligns with the values that brought me into medicine in the first place—relationship-building, continuity of care, and a holistic approach to patients' lives. I’m passionate about working with underserved populations, immigrant and refugee health, and community engagement. I also enjoy procedural work and integrating lifestyle and preventive care into clinical practice. As a future Family Medicine physician, I plan to practice full-scope care in a community-based setting, possibly with global health or mobile outreach involvement. I hope to continue mentoring and advocating for patients and trainees from underrepresented backgrounds. Outside of medicine, I love being active — hiking, playing tennis, skateboarding with my dog, or chasing sunsets by the beach. I’m a foodie who enjoys discovering local coffee shops and experimenting in the kitchen. I love hosting friends for food and game nights and love spending quality time with family.

Hometown: Shreveport, LA

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine & Tulane University School of Public Health

I’ve always thought that the core of being a physician is the privilege to create a space for patients where they can speak to us about anything, no matter how vulnerable, and to help them navigate that space. Family medicine, the specialty where patients really can talk to us about anything, just felt like the epitome of that concept. I also just love talking to patients, establishing continuity, and hopefully doing my best to bring the most equitable care to my patients, regardless of socioeconomic status or background. My most meaningful experience in medicine was having the opportunity to help lead a student-run, free, specialty clinic during my time in medical school. It was really eye-opening to see how much these underserved patients needed this extra care. That was the start of my passion to serve undeserved communities in medicine and to pursue an MD-MPH as well. In the future, hope to continue working with underserved populations with a focus in preventative and integrative medicine. I’m a big fan of playing piano, some video games, anime, working out, and dressing up a lil every now and then!

Hometown: Northridge, CA

Medical School: St. George University School of Medicine (MD) & University of Southern California (MS in Global Medicine)

Growing up, I watched my mom and aunt excel in their dental  and medical careers while gracefully balancing the demands of  family life. Their unwavering dedication, compassion for their patients, and ability to succeed in such challenging roles left a lasting impression on me and deeply inspired my decision to pursue a career in medicine. I want to build long-term relationships with my patients, working together to support their health and well-being as they move through different stages of life. In the future, I plan to remain working in the Los Angeles area,  giving back to the communities that have shaped me by supporting women, advocating for children, and providing care in  inpatient settings. In my free time I enjoy being a gym rat, watching trash TV, eating my way through LA, and collecting passport stamps like they’re Pokémon. 

Hometown: La Puente, CA

Medical School: California Northstate University

Working in a family medicine clinic in my hometown for six years prior to medical school inspired me to become a physician as I saw the need for more physicians in my community. I am excited to be in Los Angeles and continue serving the community that shaped my aspirations. In medical school, I volunteered with an organization that delivers primary care services to the encampments of people experiencing homelessness. I found primary care rewarding for the longitudinal relationships and rapport with patients. This established my interest in family medicine as I realized it as the intersection of health, community and advocacy. I value building strong interpersonal relationships with patients and meeting them where they are to educate them about health. I hope to return to my hometown to establish my own practice. I like to crochet stuffed animals that I give a way as gifts, spend time at home with my cats, and explore new places.