Residents at Harbor-UCLA

Where They Studied, What They Like, and More

Class of 2025

Aslam Akhtar

Aslam Akhtar, MD, PhD

  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Irvine
  • Graduate Schools: University of California, Irvine & Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  • Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Favorite LA spot: Biking the Strand
  • Hobbies: Construction, gardening, rooting for the Raiders
  • Next Adventure: Living (and hunting) in woods of the Pacific Northwest for a week
Elizabeth Avakoff

Elizabeth Avakoff, DO, MPH

  • Hometown: Foster City, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
  • Graduate School: Boston University School of Public Health
  • Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Crescent Bay Point Park
  • Hobbies: Exploring the outdoors, hitting the gym, trying a new food spot or brewery, cooking, traveling
  • Next Adventure: Grand Canyon
John Bosco

John Bosco, MD, MPH

  • Hometown: Yorktown Heights, New York
  • Undergraduate: Boston University
  • Graduate School: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
  • Medical School: New York Medical College
  • Favorite LA spot: Beach Path
  • Hobbies: Playing music, rock climbing, scuba diving, surfing, tennis, rollerblading
  • Next Adventure: Cenotes-Tulum, Mexico
Matthew Casarico

Matthew Casarico, MD

  • Hometown: St. Augustine, Florida
  • Undergraduate: Florida State University
  • Medical School: Florida State University College of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Manhattan Beach Pier
  • Hobbies: Surfing, guitar/music production, hiking, chilling with my dog
  • Next Adventure: Huntington Gardens
Melody Fang, MD

Melody Fang, MD

  • Hometown: Fremont, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Irvine
  • Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
  • Favorite LA spot: Disneyland (yes I know, technically Anaheim)
  • Hobbies: Playing basketball, watching sports (mainly football and basketball), sunbathing at the beach, hiking
  • Next Adventure: Yosemite or Zion
Natalie Hernandez, MD, MPH

Natalie Hernandez, MD, MPH

  • Hometown: Tucson, Arizona; San Francisco, California; Washington DC
  • Undergraduate: Stanford University
  • Graduate School: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
  • Medical School: University of California, San Francisco
  • Favorite LA spot: Redondo Beach at sunset
  • Hobbies: Dancing, soccer, petting dogs (wish I had one!), arts and crafts (lately cross-stitching)
  • Next Adventure: Would love to travel somewhere tropical with delicious food
Lyolya Hovhannisyan, MD, MSc

Lyolya Hovhannisyan, MD, MSc

  • Hometown: Yerevan, Armenia/Glendale, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Graduate School: University of California, San Francisco
  • Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Sunset at the beach
  • Hobbies: Rollerblading, etymology, hiking/camping, hammocking, music & arts
  • Next Adventure: Hop to Banff/Patagonia/Mount Ararat
Dan Im, MD

Dan Im, MD

  • Hometown: South Korea/Gardena, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Ohshima, all the restaurants in Koreatown, Palos Verdes
  • Hobbies: Netflix, exploring restaurants and leaving Yelp reviews, road trips, photography
  • Next Adventure: Food trip to Japan or Mexico!
Aaron Katrikh, MD

Aaron Katrikh, MD

  • Hometown: West Hollywood, California
  • Undergraduate: Johns Hopkins University
  • Medical School: Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center
  • Favorite LA spot: The beach with my co-residents
  • Hobbies: Music production and DJing, Hiking, Travel, Swimming
  • Next Adventure: Any National Park

Kenneth Lee, MD

  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California
  • Undergraduate: Northwestern University
  • Medical School: Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: TNT Aloha Café
  • Hobbies: Running, snowboarding, basketball (UCLA, Lakers), golf (I am terrible and despite my best efforts, am not improving), photography, hanging out with my family and our dog Andie
  • Next Adventure: The motherland (Korea!)
Nicholas Macaluso, MD

Nicholas Macaluso, MD

  • Hometown: Merrick, New York
  • Undergraduate: Tufts University
  • Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  • Favorite LA spot: I’m happiest when going for a long run on the Ballona Creek Bike Path!
  • Hobbies: I’m a runner, I’m always checking out different beaches, and I love trying new (vegetarian) foods! Also enjoy goin to the movies and chilling out at home, usually watching Survivor
  • Next Adventure: Hope to make it back to Italy to explore Florence!
Bradley McIntyre, MD

Bradley McIntyre, MD

  • Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Undergraduate: Ohio State University
  • Medical School: Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center
  • Favorite LA spot: Dave’s Hot Chicken- any location
  • Hobbies: Biking, visiting national parks, musicals, fancy restaurants/dive bars
  • Next Adventure: Hiking/camping Mt. Rainier National Park
Niresh Perera, MD

Niresh Perera, MD

  • Hometown: Northridge, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Riverside
  • Medical School: University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Reseda Point & Mulholland Drive Views
  • Hobbies: Beach, Hiking, Volleyball, Smash Bros., Pokémon, Breweries, Friendship
  • Next Adventure: Would love to travel to Hawaii or Japan
Karen Tate, MD

Karen Tate, MD

  • Hometown: Torrance, California
  • Undergraduate: California Lutheran University
  • Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Any beach!
  • Hobbies: Running, spending time outside, going on adventures with my son and husband.
  • Next Adventure: Disneyland!
Joyce Wahba, MD

Joyce Wahba, MD

  • Hometown: Cupertino, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
  • Medical School: University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Hermosa Beach Volleyball Courts
  • Hobbies: Volleyball, hiking, low budget traveling, trying new foods, basically anything that involves friendship
  • Next Adventure: Southeast Asia is next on the bucket list!
Joshua Wasmund, MD

Joshua Wasmund, MD

  • Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
  • Undergraduate: University of Memphis
  • Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Option 1
  • Hobbies: Hiking, Dog stuff, Dungeon’s and Dragons (and any table-top nerdy game with friends), running, climbing
  • Next Adventure: Backpacking full Smoky Mountain portion of the AT

Class of 2026

Lisa Bell, MD

Lisa Bell, MD

  • Hometown: Torrance, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Davis
  • Medical School: University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Portuguese Bend Reserve for hiking!
  • Hobbies: Hiking, Biking, Camping, Working out, pretty much anything with exercise + nature is good with me 🙂
  • Next Adventure: Trekking in Patagonia! but also probably some other hiking trips with my co-residents before then 🙂
  • EM Interests: Global Health, Quality Improvement
Tiffany Fan, MD

Tiffany Fan, MD

  • Hometown: Pasadena, CA
  • Undergraduate: University of Southern California
  • Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Favorite LA spot: PV Cliffs overlooking the Portuguese Bend at sunset
  • Hobbies: Exploring LA’s music scene (especially house/techno), acrylic pour painting, collecting vinyl records, picnics at the beach, lounging & overcaffeinating at coffee shops
  • EM Interests: Social EM, med ed, advocacy, ultrasound
  • Next Adventure: Hoping to meet my extended family in Sao Paulo, Brazil!
Cesar S. Fortuna, MD

Cesar S. Fortuna, MD

  • Hometown: San Bernardino, CA
  • Undergraduate: California State University, San Bernardino
  • Medical School: University of California, Riverside
  • Favorite LA spot: Chilling out on Venice beach
  • Hobbies: Going to breweries, hanging with friends, rewatching the Office and HIMYM
  • EM Interests: Ultrasound, Social EM, Critical care
  • Next Adventure: Going to New Orleans for a bachelor party!
Fernando S. Gonzalez, MD

Fernando S. Gonzalez, MD

  • Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: Albert Einstein COM
  • Favorite LA spot: El Rey Theater or Redondo Beach
  • Hobbies: all things sports (basketball, spikeball, tennis, ping pong, snowboarding mostly), music (Spotify rabbit holes, mixing, shows), bothering my cat
  • EM Interests: Ultrasound
  • Next Adventure: Wherever the music is good
Haydar Ibrahim, MD

Haydar Ibrahim, MD

  • Hometown: Erbil, Iraq
  • Undergraduate: University of Colorado, Denver
  • Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Dayglow for the best coffee!
  • Hobbies: Photography, cooking, travel, soccer, basketball, watching anime
  • EM Interests: Social EM, global health
  • Next Adventure: Going to South Korea and Japan!
Bhavya Kumar, MD

J. Hunter Jackson, MD

  • Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Undergraduate: Claremont McKenna College
  • Medical School: University of California, San Francisco
  • Favorite LA spot: Culver Steps
  • Hobbies: Running, reading, tennis, golf, wishing I had a dog, trying new restaurants, and traveling any chance I get
  • EM Interests: Administration, quality improvement, and social EM
  • Next Adventure: Japan? New Zealand? Burning Man?!
Bhavya Kumar, MD

Bhavya Kumar, MD

  • Hometown: Renton, WA
  • Undergraduate: University of Washington
  • Medical School: University of Washington SOM
  • Favorite LA spot: Redondo Beach at sunset with a scoop of Handel’s ice cream
  • Hobbies: Dancing, cooking, exploring new music and foods
  • EM Interests: Social EM, Critical Care
  • Next Adventure: Learning to find happiness in life’s little joys
Stephen Macaspac, MD

Stephen Macaspac, MD

  • Hometown: Kapolei, Hawaii
  • Undergraduate: University of Hawaii at Manoa
  • Medical School:University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Ali’i Fish Company
  • Hobbies: Piano, travel, reading, beach volleyball with my co-residents, trying new food, spending time with friends and family
  • EM Interests: MedEd, Critical care, Social EM
  • Next Adventure: Japan in cherry blossom season!
Maddie Mori, MD

Maddie Mori, MD

  • Hometown: Gilroy, CA
  • Undergraduate: Gordon College
  • Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona
  • Favorite LA spot: Mount Baldy
  • Hobbies: Ocean activities including kayaking, surfing, swimming; backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, gardening, reading and listening to music!
  • EM Interests: Wilderness Medicine
  • Next Adventure: Salmon fishing on the Columbia River!
Mai Riquier, MD

Mai Riquier, MD

  • Hometown: Longmeadow, MA
  • Undergraduate:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Medical School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Favorite LA spot: The beach!
  • Hobbies: music (I play violin!), eating good food, traveling, discovering new adventures with friends
  • EM Interests: Medical education, EMS
  • Next Adventure: Visiting the national parks that the west coast has to offer!
Jolene Nguyen-Cuu, MD

Jolene Nguyen-Cuu, MD

  • Hometown: Villa Park, CA
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: University of California, Riverside
  • Favorite LA spot: Staples Center
  • Hobbies: Snowboarding, traveling, event planning, yoga, board games, escape rooms
  • EM Interests: Social EM, Med Ed, Event Medicine
  • Next Adventure: Banff
Kylie Prentice, MD

Kylie Prentice, MD

  • Hometown: Redondo Beach, CA
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: University of California, Irvine
  • Favorite LA spot: El burrito jr. on PCH
  • Hobbies: Surfing, dogs, breweries, cookie dough, LA sports teams, hiking, reading, cheese
  • EM Interests: Social EM, ultrasound, sports med
  • Next Adventure: Hawaii
Aislinn McMillan, MD

Aislinn McMillan, MD

  • Hometown: Washington DC
  • Undergraduate: Northwestern University
  • Medical School: University of California, San Diego
  • Favorite LA spot: The beach!
  • Hobbies: Hiking and backpacking, paddle boarding, live music, traveling
  • EM Interests: International EM, Ultrasound, Wilderness
  • Next Adventure: Backpacking in Banff
Vivek Shah, MD

Vivek Shah, MD

  • Hometown: Chino, CA
  • Undergraduate: University of Southern California
  • Medical School:David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  • Favorite LA spot: Malibu Lagoon
  • Hobbies: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Weightlifting, Cooking, looking for that next great Taco spot, and getting lost in bookstores
  • EM Interests: Critical care, palliative care, and medical education
  • Next Adventure: Banff!
Lily Stokoe, MD

Lily Stokoe, MD

  • Hometown: Harrison, NY
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: SUNY Downstate
  • Favorite LA spot: The beach for runs and volleyball (always with lots and lots of sunscreen!!)
  • Hobbies: Volleyball, bar trivia, finding new drink/food spots, running, reading, and going to the movies
  • EM Interests: Med Ed and SIM
  • Next Adventure:Heading to England to visit family and catch a Newcastle United game!
Corey Young, MD

Corey Young, MD

  • Hometown: South Pasadena, CA
  • Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego
  • Medical School: California University of Science and Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Modan Artisanal Ramen
  • Hobbies: Rock climbing, Rubik’s cubes, volleyball, video games
  • EM Interests: Ultrasound, ultrasound, ultrasound, medical education
  • Next Adventure: Go lead climbing outdoors!

Class of 2027

Arjan Abar, MD, MBA

Arjan Abar, MD, MBA

  • Hometown:  Chicago, Illinois
  • Undergraduate: University of Michigan
  • Medical School: Harvard Medical School
  • Favorite LA spot: Marugame Udon in Sawtelle
  • Hobbies: Finding LA’s best breakfast burrito, Super Smash Bros, Basketball, English Premier League, Bonsai, Cooking with my family/friends
  • EM Interests: Global Health, Operations Management
  • Next Adventure: Japan!

Brooke Clemmensen, MD

  • Hometown: Reno, Nevada
  • Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame
  • Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: I am new to LA and am excited to pick up all beach-related activities!
  • Hobbies: All things outdoors, arts & crafts, reading, gardening, learning Spanish
  • EM Interests: Social EM, Informatics
  • Next Adventure: Backcountry skiing in the Eastern Sierra
Veronica Gonzalez, MD

Veronica Gonzalez, MD

  • Hometown: Gardena, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: Charles Drew University/UCLA
  • Favorite LA spot: Bar Flores, Paradise Bowl, Walking at Hermosa Beach Pier
  • Hobbies: Going to happy hour with friends, crocheting accessories and stuffed animals, going to concerts, hanging out with my family
  • EM Interests: Ultrasound, Social EM, MedEd
  • Next Adventure: Going on a Europe trip with my sisters!
Aileen Guillen, MD

Aileen Guillen, MD

  • Hometown: Cerritos, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Santa Barbara
  • Medical School: University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Any of the beaches at sunset!
  • Hobbies: Hiking, Snowboarding, Scuba diving, Skating, Traveling, Coffee, and Tacos
  • EM Interests: Social EM, Ultrasound, Global Health
  • Next Adventure: Italy in the fall
Erika Hollywood, DO

Erika Hollywood, DO

  • Hometown: Vista, California
  • Undergraduate: Oregon State University
  • Medical School: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Arizona
  • Favorite LA spot: Hollywood Hills of course 😉
  • Hobbies: Surfing, Yoga, Soccer, Rollerblading, Playing outside, Going to live music, Puzzles, Traveling
  • EM Interests: Sports Medicine, Pain Management, Critical Care, Social EM
  • Next Adventure: Sayulita, Mexico
Cynthia Luo, MD

Cynthia Luo, MD

  • Hometown: Cos Cob, Connecticut
  • Undergraduate: Harvard University
  • Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  • Favorite LA spot: Griffith Park, Koreatown for naengmyeon
  • Hobbies: Cooking/baking for friends and family, Hiking and being in nature, Thrifting, Singing, Used bookstores
  • EM Interests: Women’s Health, International EM, Palliative Care, Education
  • Next Adventure: West Coast national parks! (Sequoia, Yosemite, Mount Rainier)

Meg Maeda, MD

  • Hometown: Torrance, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego
  • Medical School: University of California, Davis School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Rocketship Park at sunset
  • Hobbies: Traveling, Hiking, Skydiving, Aquascaping my betta fish tank
  • EM Interests: Social EM, EMS, Ultrasound
  • Next Adventure: Kyushu and Shikoku, Japan!
Brendan McIntyre, MD, MBA

Brendan McIntyre, MD, MBA

  • Hometown: Syracuse, New York
  • Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis
  • Graduate School: University of California, San Diego Rady School of Management
  • Medical School: University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Malibu
  • Hobbies: CrossFit, Running, Skiing, Surfing, National parks, House music, Dancing, Dog owner
  • EM Interests: Health equity, Medical education, Medical technology, Administration
  • Next Adventure: CDMX
Holly Mulinder, MD, MPH

Holly Mulinder, MD, MPH

  • Hometown: London, England
  • Undergraduate: Southern Methodist University
  • Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
  • Favorite LA spot: Our rooftop – especially at sunset
  • Hobbies: Yoga – personal practice & teaching, Pilates, Reading, Traveling, Music, Chasing sunsets, House plants, Spending time with nature
  • EM Interests: Social EM, Global Health
  • Next Adventure: Off to Bali for yoga and surfing
Devika Nadkarni, MD

Devika Nadkarni, MD

  • Hometown: Bangalore, India
  • Undergraduate: Boston University
  • Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  • Favorite LA spot: Any and all piers along the beach! Also bloom and plume coffee by Echo Park
  • Hobbies: Yoga, Lifting, Cooking, Reading
  • EM Interests: Social EM, Street Medicine, Global Health, Women’s Health
  • Next Adventure: Italy!
Gilbert Nalula, MD

Gilbert Nalula, MD

  • Hometown: Ifugao, Philippines & Elk Grove, CA
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
  • Medical School: University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Howlin’ Rays then Kansha Creamery for dessert
  • Hobbies: Fitness, Travel, Finding local food spots wherever I go
  • EM Interests: Global Health, Social EM, Ultrasound
  • Next Adventure: Cebu & Palawan in the Philippines!
Heather Ngai, MS, MD

Heather Ngai, MS, MD

  • Hometown: Burlingame, California
  • Undergraduate: Tufts University
  • Graduate School: Touro University California
  • Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Paseo Miramar Trail, Found Oyster for a splurge meal
  • Hobbies: Hiking, Pilates, Discovering new restaurants, Traveling
  • EM Interests: Social EM, Ultrasound
  • Next Adventure: Morocco!
Priya Rajan, MD

Priya Rajan, MD

  • Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot:Palos Verdes beach cliffs at sunset!
  • Hobbies: Making and drinking copious amounts of coffee, Reading, Sleeping, Wordle-ing, Swimming, Hiking, Peloton-ing, Yoga-ing, Watching sunrises/sets around the world
  • EM Interests: Medical Education, Social EM, EMS
  • Next Adventure: Budapest, Prague, & Vienna!
Sahar Rammaha, DO

Sahar Rammaha, DO

  • Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
  • Undergraduate: Oakland University
  • Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Malibu beach and any of the little hiking trails! Coffee shops (check out chitchat coffee)
  • Hobbies: Hiking, Gym, Biking, Doing my nails, Hanging with friends, Watching trash reality TV (i.e, Selling Sunset, 90 Day Fiancé, Love Island, etc.)
  • EM Interests: Social EM, EMS, Disaster Medicine
  • Next Adventure: My sister’s wedding in October!
Sofia Salahpour, MD, MPH

Sofia Salahpour, MD, MPH

  • Hometown: Dominical, Costa Rica & Sacramento, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
  • Graduate School: Keck School of Medicine of USC
  • Medical School: California University of Science and Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: The beach!
  • Hobbies: Soccer, Beach, Music, Travel, Tacos
  • EM Interests: Social EM, Global Health, Health Policy & Advocacy
  • Next Adventure: Cliff jumping in Cyprus & Turkey

Class of 2028

Kendra Arriaga-Castellanos, MD

Kendra Arriaga-Castellanos, MD

  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Favorite LA spot: Black Market Flea in South LA, Stormburger in Inglewood, Crossroads thrift in Culver City, any and all beaches
  • Hobbies: Gym girly, yoga, pilates, futbol, hiking, thrifting, exploring coffee shops, singing when I don’t know the lyrics
  • EM Interests: Global Health, Social EM
  • Next Adventure: 2026 World Cup
Josh Chronis, MD

Josh Chronis, MD

  • Hometown: Lancaster, California
  • Undergraduate: Brigham Young University
  • Medical School: Wayne State School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: I’m always finding new spots but currently it’s Abalone Cove in Palos Verdes
  • Hobbies: Skateboarding, surfing, snorkeling, hiking, snowboarding or whatever else gets me outside
  • EM Interests: Wilderness med
  • Next Adventure: Currently planning a Southeast Asia trip!
Aya Ghoneum, MD, MPH

Aya Ghoneum, MD, MPH

  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Koreatown
  • Hobbies: Thrifting, surfing (but actually wiping out), swimming, trying new coffee shops, traveling, movies and of course eating
  • EM Interests: Disaster Medicine and Social EM!
  • Next Adventure: Japan to visit family 🙂
Diana Guijarro Gaete, MD

Diana Guijarro Gaete, MD

  • Hometown: Quito, Ecuador & Downey, California
  • Undergraduate: San Diego State University
  • Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Art District
  • Hobbies: Dancing (especially Latin music), huge soccer fan of Real Madrid and Ecuador national team , yoga, hiking, beach, gym, traveling, happy hour, exploring new restaurants, reality TV
  • EM Interests: Diversity in medicine, social EM, ultrasound, global health, pediatrics
  • Next Adventure: Skydiving
Sarah Haider, MD

Sarah Haider, MD

  • Hometown: St Louis, Missouri
  • Undergraduate: St. Louis University
  • Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Ranchos Palos Verdes Trails
  • Hobbies: Attempting to surf, snowboarding, trail-running, camping, backpacking, chaotic traveling, watching horror films, thrifting, cooking without a recipe
  • EM Interests: Social EM, EMS/Disaster Medicine, Narrative Medicine
  • Next Adventure: Backpacking in South America
Marlekah Hudspeth, MD

Marlekah Hudspeth, MD

  • Hometown: Gardena, California
  • Undergraduate: Tuskegee University
  • Medical School: University of California, Riverside
  • Favorite LA spot: Monty’s Good Burger
  • Hobbies: Skating, reading, running, reality TV
  • EM Interests: Pediatric EM
  • Next Adventure: Puerto Rico for the new year!
Chetiwe Kapila, MD

Chetiwe Kapila, MD

  • Hometown: Yuba City, California
  • Undergraduate: Pacific Union College
  • Medical School: Loma Linda School of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: Love being so close to all the beaches here!
  • Hobbies: Concerts, audiobooks, trying new foods, traveling
  • EM Interests: Global Health, Social EM
  • Next Adventure: Peru!
Lauren Lopez, MD

Lauren Lopez, MD

  • Hometown: Chino Hills, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Riverside
  • Medical School: University of California, Riverside
  • Favorite LA spot: Griffith Observatory
  • Hobbies: Traveling, thrifting, running, roller blading, adopting as many plants as my apartment allows, finding the best matcha latte in Southern California
  • EM Interests: Pediatrics and Ultrasound
  • Next Adventure: Tijuana for some food and fun!
Breeanna Messner, MD

Breeanna Messner, MD

  • Hometown: Coupeville, Washington
  • Undergraduate: San Diego State University
  • Medical School: Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: The beach! and the Marvin Braude trail
  • Hobbies: Spending time outside, running, hiking, yoga, sharing my hobbies with friends and having them share their hobbies with me!
  • EM Interests: Social EM, prehospital medicine, wilderness medicine
  • Next Adventure: Portugal is next on the list!
Vivek N. Shah, MD

Vivek N. Shah, MD

  • Hometown: East Rockaway, New York
  • Undergraduate: Washington University in St. Louis
  • Medical School: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
  • Favorite LA spot: Laguna Beach
  • Hobbies: Photography, Weightlifting, Cooking, Music
  • EM Interests: Geriatrics, Social EM, Addiction Medicine
  • Next Adventure: A trip to Mexico City!
Melissa Sheber, MD, MS

Melissa Sheber, MD, MS

  • Hometown: Norwalk, Iowa
  • Undergraduate: Iowa State University
  • Graduate School: Iowa State University
  • Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
  • Favorite LA spot: I am new to LA but have been loving all the beach time so far!
  • Hobbies: Exploring new food places with my wife, spending time with our pets, Crossfit, rock climbing, hiking, biking, camping, making bagels
  • EM Interests: MedEd, Social EM, Critical Care
  • Next Adventure: Exploring all the hikes and places to camp nearby!
Karla Tlatelpa, MD, MPH

Karla Tlatelpa, MD, MPH

  • Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico & Fremont, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
  • Graduate School: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Favorite LA spot: Any hike with an ocean view
  • Hobbies: Dancing with friends, happy hours, drinking iced coffee while window shopping, forcing my husband to leave the house, cuddling my dog
  • EM Interests: Social EM
  • Next Adventure: Día de Los Muertos in Oaxaca
Colin Wang, MD

Colin Wang, MD

  • Hometown: Millbrae, California
  • Undergraduate: University of California, Davis
  • Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles
  • Favorite LA spot: Any one of the beautiful concert and sports venues in LA
  • Hobbies: Adding new restaurants on my Beli account, concerts/festivals, NBA basketball (Warriors and UCLA), and a good game night.
  • EM Interests: Harm reduction, medical education, and sports medicine
  • Next Adventure: Australia and Southeast Asia
Justine Wang, MD

Justine Wang, MD

  • Hometown: Macungie, Pennsylvania
  • Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh
  • Medical School: University of Pennsylvania
  • Favorite LA spot: Palos Verdes Coastline Trail to look for dolphins
  • Hobbies: Sunset walks by ocean, hiking, stargazing, tennis, watching college basketball, finding the best boba spots
  • EM Interests: Ultrasound, medical education
  • Next Adventure: Solo travel to Japan
Danni Yang, MD, MPH

Danni Yang, MD, MPH

  • Hometown: Beijing, China
  • Undergraduate: University of Texas at Dallas
  • Graduate School: UT Houston School of Public Health
  • Medical School: UT Houston – McGovern Medical School
  • Favorite LA spot: Still new to LA but I love Palos Verdes so far and can’t wait to explore more!
  • Hobbies: Travel, beach volleyball, reading, hiking, pickleball, and exploring new places with friends!
  • EM Interests: Medical education, Admin, Women’s health
  • Next Adventure: Traveling – hopefully internationally!
Luke Yeager, MD

Luke Yeager, MD

  • Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • Undergraduate: University of Colorado Boulder
  • Medical School: Rush Medical College
  • Favorite LA spot: Anywhere where the waves are good, followed by a breakfast burrito at Phannys
  • Hobbies: I’ve been embracing LA surf culture down here, otherwise enjoy most outdoor activities including scuba diving, flyfishing, skiing, mountaineering, and running. I also love walking Redondo Beach with my wife and dog, board games, video games, or finding new food spots with friends. Oh, and rooting on the Packers.
  • EM Interests: Out of hospital medicine, whether that is EMS or Wilderness Medicine I am unsure
  • Next Adventure: Mt Rainier or ski descent of some Ecuadorian volcanoes

Class of 2029

Maximiliano Abundez Toledo

  • Hometown: Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
  • Undergraduate: UC Riverside
  • Medical School: UCLA DGSOM
  • Favorite LA spot: Bavel
  • Hobbies: Cooking, running, biking, snowboarding
  • EM Interests: Sports medicine, EMS
  • Next Adventure: New Years in Miami

Adam Alyafaie

  • Hometown: Fresno, CA
  • Undergraduate: UCLA
  • Medical School: UCSF
  • Favorite LA spot: Chimmelier
  • Hobbies: Cats, traveling, fishing, spending time with family and friends, eating sweets, video games, and anime
  • EM Interests: Crit care and addiction medicine
  • Next Adventure: China

Amad Amedy

  • Hometown: Nashville, TN
  • Undergraduate: Wesleyan University
  • Medical School: Vanderbilt University
  • Favorite LA spot: Any cheap taco truck
  • Hobbies: Playing soccer/pickleball/anything outdoors, trying new restaurants, seeing friends, watching football
  • EM Interests: Med Ed, Ultrasound, Global Health, Social EM
  • Next Adventure: Mexico and Guatemala

David Bronstein

  • Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA
  • Undergraduate: UC Davis
  • Medical School: George Washington University
  • Favorite LA spot: Bavel
  • Hobbies: Desserts in any form but especially pastries, house music and going to concerts and festivals, practicing hot yoga, reading The Atlantic, listening to TBOY podcast (look it up and thank me later), perfecting my hummus recipe
  • EM Interests: Critical care, social EM, health policy
  • Next Adventure: Mexico City!

Lizeth Carrillo

  • Hometown: San Pedro, CA
  • Undergraduate: UCLA
  • Medical School: UCLA DGSOM
  • Favorite LA spot: Any and all rooftop brunches
  • Hobbies: Dog park with Luna, taco tour with GC
  • EM Interests: Addiction medicine, ultrasound, medical education
  • Next Adventure: Puerto Vallarta with my co-interns

Leonardo Garcia Heglund

  • Hometown: Born in Bogota, raised in Houston
  • Undergraduate: Harvard
  • Medical School: UCSF
  • Favorite LA spot: 
  • Hobbies: Hiking, rollerblading, cooking, gaming
  • EM Interests: Immigrant Health, Abolition Medicine, Health Justice
  • Next Adventure:

Shimran Kumar

  • Hometown: Discovery Bay, CA
  • Undergraduate: UCLA (go bruins!)
  • Medical School: Vanderbilt University
  • Favorite LA spot: Anywhere with nature or artsy that I can spend the day
  • Hobbies: Beach walks with an audiobook, arts & cracts, exploring local or traveling far
  • EM Interests: Pediatrics, global health, social EM, ultrasound
  • Next Adventure: Thailand?!

Melissa Lopez

  • Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA
  • Undergraduate: UC Berkeley (go bears)
  • Medical School: UCLA DGSOM
  • Favorite LA spot: LA Beach Bike Path
  • Hobbies: Running, gardening, crosswords, cooking, beach, reality TV
  • EM Interests: POCUS, disaster medicine, social EM
  • Next Adventure: Adopting a dog

Mikaela Mizuno

  • Hometown: Tracy, CA
  • Undergraduate: UCLA
  • Medical School: UC Riverside SOM
  • Favorite LA spot:
  • Hobbies: Running/walking at the beach, going out to eat, golf
  • EM Interests:
  • Next Adventure:

Paola Ortega

  • Hometown: Weston, FL
  • Undergraduate: Boston University
  • Medical School: Boston University
  • Favorite LA spot: Still TBD but for now Hermosa Pier
  • Hobbies: Baking, cooking, yoga, hanging out with friends, going to the beach/being in the ocean, any group sports, reading, drawing
  • EM Interests: Global health, disaster medicine, wilderness medicine? (I still have no idea)
  • Next Adventure: Japan? Colombia?

Anthony Robinson

  • Hometown: Valley Center, CA
  • Undergraduate: UCLA
  • Medical School: Boston University
  • Favorite LA spot: Hermosa beach
  • Hobbies: Beach, volleyball, surfing, snowboarding, backpacking, weightlifting, golf, pickleball, scuba diving, photography, singing covers, and eating burritos
  • EM Interests: Sports medicine, ultrasound
  • Next Adventure: El Salvador surf trip

Rachel Smith

  • Hometown: Danville, CA
  • Undergraduate: Northeastern
  • Medical School: Boston University
  • Favorite LA spot: Still exploring but tie between hiking in Santa Monica mountains or beach at sunset
  • Hobbies: Running, hiking, being outside, reading, podcast walks, comedy shows, hanging out with my friends (including my co-interns)
  • EM Interests: Social EM, EMS
  • Next Adventure: 

Cheyenne Tate

  • Hometown: Walnut, CA
  • Undergraduate: Loyola Marymount University
  • Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona
  • Favorite LA spot: My bed
  • Hobbies: Roller skating in roller rinks, hiking, playing with dogs, getting creative in painting my own nails, going to the beach
  • EM Interests: EMS, event medicine
  • Next Adventure: Florida and the Bahamas on a cruise!

Luigi Varilla

  • Hometown: Daly City, CA
  • Undergraduate: UCLA
  • Medical School: UCLA DGSOM
  • Favorite LA spot: Mogu Mogu in Sawtelle
  • Hobbies: Dancing, hiking, playing pickleball, going to concerts, playing video games, especially with my friends and family!
  • EM Interests: Social EM, ultrasound, MedEd
  • Next Adventure: Philippines

Priyanka Vemuru

  • Hometown: Perrysburg, OH
  • Undergraduate: 
  • Medical School: University of Cincinnati
  • Favorite LA spot:
  • Hobbies: Playing any and all sports w/ friends esp volleyball/pickleball/soccer, hyperfixating on a new craft/art style every 2 months, hiking and camping w/ the pup, audiobooks, thrifting, and live music
  • EM Interests:
  • Next Adventure:

Mai Vu

  • Hometown: Vietnam / Lake Elsinore, CA
  • Undergraduate: UCSD
  • Medical School: UCSF
  • Favorite LA spot: Eating my way through all the yummy Japanese food in Torrance
  • Hobbies: Wandering, thrifting, horror movies, grocery shopping, lover of all whimsical/weird/creepy knick knacks
  • EM Interests: Social EM, critical care
  • Next Adventure: Tokyo!