Our TeamResidents
R5 Residents
Serena Wu, M.D. - R5 - FM/Psych. Chief Resident
Undergraduate: UC Berkley
Medical School: Drexel University
Special Areas of Interest:
Biography: I worked with the homeless and HIV + population for a number of years before medical school. I was an HIV counselor and health educator and had a passionate interest in improving health care access and funding for low income populations. While in med school, I became involved in the small but growing Asian population in Philadelphia, which was primarily uninsured. I organized a free clinic in Chinatown, and was heavily involved in trying to overcome both financial and social barriers to giving care. Coming to the dual FM/Psych residency at UC Davis was one of the best decisions I ever made; it's really given me the opportunity to address health disparities at not only the primary care level, but also the psychosocial needs of an economically disadvantaged population.
Hobbies: I'm a bookaholic, my favorite way to spend an afternoon is browsing a used bookstore, and I love camping/backpacking. There are great camping opportunities in the Sacramento area!!!
R4 Residents
Jessica Porter, M.D. - R4 - FM/OB Chief Resident
Undergraduate: Chico State
Medical School: University of California, Davis
Special Areas of Interest: Rural medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, global health
Biography: I grew up in rural northeastern California, in a little town called Greenville. My interest in medicine stems from the relationships I developed with individuals and the community throughout my childhood. I hope to return to practice in a rural mountain community after residency. I attended college at Chico State, but spent two years at other institutions on exchanges - one at UMass Amherst and one in Santiago, Chile. For medical school I came to UC Davis and am thrilled to be continuing here with the FP/OB program.
Hobbies: Running, playing frisbee, traveling, hiking and cycling.
Swati Rao, M.D. - R4 - FM/Psych Chief Resident
Undergraduate: Stanford University
Medical School: University of California, San Diego
Special Areas of Interest: Underserved medicine, cross cultural psychiatry, international health and development
Biography: In undergrad I studied anthropology and English, and mentored junior high girls on reproductive health and women's issues. While in medical school, I was one of the women's clinic managers for one of three student-run free clinics. At my site, we worked mostly with uninsured Spanish speaking patients, who helped me learn Spanish. I am extremely happy to be at UC Davis FM/Psych program (my top choice) where I will be able to incorporate psychiatry into primary care. During electives and after residency, I hope to work with underserved and immigrant populations and gain experience in international health. I am extremely interested in the way mental illnesses manifest and are understood in different cultural contexts and am excited about learning more about this by rotating through UC Davis' transcultural wellness center.
Hobbies: Reading nonfiction/literature/poetry, learning how to throw a frisbee while playing ultimate with fm residents, exploring Sacramento dining, board games, aspiring to be outdoorsy with my bike and tennis racket.
Lynn Yen, M.D. - R4 - FM/Psych
Undergraduate: UC San Diego
Medical School: State University of New York at Buffalo
Special Areas of Interest: Systems-based health care, correctional health, addiction medicine
Biography: Coming to Sacramento from rural and urban Buffalo feels like returning to a mid-western home - warm neighbors, lots of trees, and lively communities. My home program had life-long mentors, and I feel fortunate to be again at a program where prestigious mentors abound. I don't think there is any niche unfilled at our department. Despite our prominent research and administrative figures, it's been surprising to see the informal California-style interactions between faculty and residents. Residents take lead on the structure of didactics and rotations; faculty/staff remarkably continually adjust the program to meet the changing needs of the residents. While I am very happy in Sacramento, I'm also confident that I am acquiring skills that will be an asset to any future career setting.
Hobbies: Argentine tango, hiking, running, beer-tasting, and watching COPS.
R3 Residents
Carmen Butts, M.D. - R3
Undergraduate: Paine College, Augusta, GA
Medical School: Stanford University
Special Areas of Interest: Chronic disease management and dual diagnosis.
Biography: I am from Riverside which is located in southern California. I chose family medicine because I enjoy working with all aspects of the age spectrum. In my experience, family medicine is unique because no two physicians are alike; everyone has their unique skill sets and interests. Also, I am committed to working in an underserved environment and after completing a family medicine residency I am confident I will have the necessary skills to provide quality care. I plan to work at a low cost or free clinic in the LA area once I have graduated.
Hobbies: During my free time I like to crochet stuffed animals and blankets, needle point, oil painting and reading anything by Stephen King. I also enjoy listening to all types of music. My all-time favorite artists are Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Bob Dylan.
Cerrone Cohen, M.D. - R3 - FM/Psych
Undergraduate: Florida State University
Medical School: State University of South Carolina
Special Areas of Interest: Medical missions, international health, health disparities and underserved care, disaster medicine, faith and medicine.
Biography: I am one of the few residents from the east coast in the program, but I'm glad I made the move out west to UC Davis. I grew up in the small town of Aiken, SC before heading even further south to Florida where I received my BS in Exercise Science from Florida State University. It's also where I met my wife, who has so patiently followed me all over the map on my crazy journey through medicine. After college I returned to my home state where I attended medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in the beautiful city of Charleston. It's here where I first became involved in underserved care and health disparities. I spent much of my time as a student serving on the executive board of a student-run clinic for the uninsured. During medical school, I also became involved in short term medical missions, working in rural clinics in both Uganda and Romania during my summers. In the future, I look forward to using my combined family training to continue to care for underserved populations.
Hobbies: Running, movies, reading, cooking, FSU football.
Molly Davis, M.D. - R3
Undergraduate: UC Santa Barbara
Medical School: Jefferson Medical College
Special Areas of Interest: All aspects of Family and Community Medicine, particularly preventative medicine
Biography: I grew up in Southern California and traveled the west coast as a competitive equestrian and went to UC Santa Barbara, which is still one of my favorite places to visit, when time allows. I continued on to Jefferson Medical College from there. Thought I was going to do OB, but realized how much I enjoyed the concept of developing a relationship with a patient over time, and after completing rotations in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, realized how much I appreciated the idea of a more diverse patient population.
Hobbies: Finding new and challenging recipes for monthly dinner parties with friends, searching for new delicious restaurants all over Sacramento for when we feel like letting someone else do the cooking, and seeking out live music whenever possible.
J Kevin Deitchman, M.D. - R3
Undergraduate: UC Berkeley
Medical School: UC Davis
Special Areas of Interest: Pain Management
Biography: I am a graduate of the UC Davis School of Medicine and I feel very lucky to be able to stay here for residency too. The FM program at UC Davis is great, and with the hospital is amazing. I am a native Californian and a Cal Berkeley graduate. Before medical school I worked in a research lab that studied alcohol abuse using mice (yes, I got them drunk). During medical school I had two children, Sophia and Adeline. I was scared starting intern year that I'd never be able to see them, but I find that the FM program has a good mix of busy months and months with enough free time to keep up with my family. Right now I expect to get a nice little clinic job someday giving me enough free time to enjoy my family - I plan for at least 2 more kids!!
Hobbies: In my free time I am mostly playing with my kids, sometimes make it to the gym, sometimes a little wine tasting or trying out some of the restaurants in Sac (which are surprisingly good).
Katherine Gardner, M.D., M.B.A - R3 - Chief Resident
Undergraduate: UC San Diego
Medical School: UC Irvine
Special Areas of Interest: Access to health care, health disparities, health policy, health care administration.
Biography: I was born and grew up in Pasadena, California with a younger sister. I stayed in Southern California for college and went to UC San Diego where I discovered a passion and love for medicine, almost by chance, through a job as a research assistant at the UCSD Medical Center. I went on to medical school at UC Irvine where I became very interested in the factors outside of biology and physiology that influence health. Because of this growing interest in access, disparities and policy, I got an MBA from UCI before graduating and moving up to Sacramento for residency. I am so happy to be a part of the family medicine team at UC Davis and it has been a wonderful experience. I am looking forward to see what residency brings and the experiences that are to come.
Hobbies: Reading, watching movies, hiking, learning languages, spending time with friends and family.
Noe Gutierrez, M.D. - R3
Undergraduate: Stanford University
Medical School: UC Davis
Special Areas of Interest: Primary Care, working with medically underserved populations, community advocacy, health informatics
Biography: A Sacramento-area native from a rural town, I chose Family Medicine because I believe in the mission of primary care. I originally received my B.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University, after which I returned to my home town and became involved in teaching and community advocacy. I subsequently moved to Chicago, where I prepared for medical school and ultimately moved back to California to attend UC Davis School of Medicine. I am committed to serve in the Sacramento area, to give back to the community that has provided so many opportunities for me. My wife is also finishing her medical training, and we are both going through the adventures of parenting a toddler while in residency.
Hobbies: Spending time with family, outdoors (hiking, camping, national parks), travel.
Raynald Im, M.D. - R3
Undergraduate: Andrews University
Medical School: Loma Linda University
Special Areas of Interest: Preventative Health, Rural Medicine
Biography: I come from Washington State, where I worked in IT and did youth missions. Medicine is my second career. I did my undergraduate work at Andrews University, then medical school at Loma Linda University. My joys in life are my wife and my 3-year old yorkie
Hobbies: Salt Water Fish Aquarium, R/C Scale Helicopters, Computer Programming, Photography, Hiking, Scuba Diving, Fishing
Tony Lai, M.D. - R3 - Chief Resident
Undergraduate: UC Davis
Medical School: Drexel University
Special Areas of Interest: Sports Medicine, Health Policy, Community Medicine
Biography: I was originally born in Taiwan and moved here to CA when I was 6 years old. I was raised locally in nearby Davis and attended UC Davis for undergrad. After college, I worked as a research associate in geology for a few years, working on climate change and carbon cycling. I moved to the East Coast for medical school and had the opportunity to explore Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Washington DC. It was a great experience but I am glad to be back on the West Coast with warmer weather and milder winters. I’m an avid snowboarder who loves to go up to Tahoe whenever there is time. Otherwise, you’ll find me at the gym, playing basketball, or watching movies in my spare time.
Hobbies: Traveling, Basketball, Snowboarding, Hiking, Biking, Tennis, Cooking.
Melvin Lopez, M.D. - R3
Undergraduate: UC Davis
Medical School: San Juan Bautista
Special Areas of Interest: Reproductive health, underserved populations, rural health, academic medicine.
Biography: I was born in Guatemala and raised through childhood there. My teen years I lived in Los Angeles. While in high school I had an opportunity to visit UC Davis and fell in love with Northern California. I attended UCD for undergrad where I had an eye-opening experience with the medical field via my volunteer work at Clinica Tepati, a student-run free clinic, which convinced me that primary care was my field of choice. I wanted to do more, so I joined the Peace Corps soon after graduation. Via Peace Corps, I worked as a health educator in a remote village of Honduras and I loved the work and impact I had in my host community and surrounding ones. I knew I wanted to return to Northern California so I took a managing position at the Davis Community Clinic. After an amazing 3 years, I went to San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Puerto Rico. Its mission is community service so I could not have been in a better place, besides enjoying the great scenery of the Enchanted Island. My interaction with family physicians throughout the years has guided my thinking and my work with underserved communities has shaped my attitude in such a way that I knew I wanted do family medicine and to come back to the Sacramento area. Along the way I've become a husband and a proud daddy to two beautiful daughters and Sacramento is now my home.
Hobbies: Guitar, running, playing with my daughters, maintaining my yard, handy-man at home (taking apart appliances and learn how they work and try to fix them)
James Moore, M.D. - R3 - Chief Resident
Undergraduate: Michigan State University
Medical School: Howard University
Special Areas of Interest: Improving access to health care and underserved medicine
Biography: After graduating from high school I joined the Navy and trained as a mechanic on a nuclear submarine. Six years after joining the Navy I was discharged and started my undergraduate education at Michigan State University where I earned my Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I then attended Howard University for medical school and became passionate about serving in medically underserved areas.
Hobbies: Movies, Sports, Video games
Frederick Oh, M.D. - R3
Undergraduate: Rice University, Houston, TX
Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth
Special Areas of Interest: International medicine, other areas TBD.
Biography: I was born in Albuquerque but have also lived in Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Flushing/NYC, Houston, Richmond, and Seoul. I was an English/biology major at Rice University and went to music school as an aspiring concert solo violinist. Medical school was one of the toughest and rewarding chapters of my life, and I am lucky that I developed some of the best friends during those four years. My joining the UCD Family Medicine residency has been a huge blessing.
Hobbies: International travel, camping/hiking, breaking fear of heights (hang-gliding, rock climbing, parasailing), cooking/eating, concertizing, concert-going, did I mention… sleeping.
Ryan Spielvogel, M.D. - R3 - FM/OB
Undergraduate: UC Berkeley
Medical School: UC Davis
Special Areas of Interest: I am very interested in maternity care, family planning and full spectrum Family Practice.
Biography: I grew up in New York and North Carolina before coming out to California for college at UC Berkeley and staying for medical school and residency at UC Davis.
Hobbies: When not at work, I like rock climbing, biking, and gardening and playing Soccer and Frisbee with friends.
Sophia Tedeschi, M.D. - R3 - FM/Psych
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Medical School: Rush Medical College
Special Areas of Interest: With combined residency, I hope to better apply an integrated approach to treatment of the whole body regardless of age. Someday I wish to pursue international medicine, especially the links between nutrition and disease.
Biography: A native of Northern California, I am grateful to be back after ten years away. I graduated from Cornell University then took time off to work and travel the world. I then moved to Chicago for medical school at Rush. While there, I volunteered with a variety of groups from free clinics and after school programs in Latino communities to rehabilitation programs for homeless men. As a medical student, I was fortunate enough to attend the annual combined conference held at my school and meet faculty and residents and was impressed by the support of individual interests, clinically and in the community.
Hobbies: I am a year round bicycle commuter and enjoy exploring the outdoors as well as gardening.
Baotran Vo, M.D. - R3
Undergraduate: UCLA
Medical School: UCSF
Special Areas of Interest: Global Health, tutoring/mentoring students to pursue higher education, underserved communities, women’s health, Asian-American / immigrant populations.
Biography: I immigrated to California from Vietnam in 1995 and was raised in Southern California until moving to San Francisco for medical school. At UCSF, I participated in many extracurricular community service activities, along with epidemiology clinical research. I extended medical school for 1 year to also do research in global health, working on altitude sickness in the Himalayas in Nepal, as well as HIV and antenatal care in Kenya. I hope to continue research and giving back to the community during and after residency.
Hobbies: Hiking, bicycling, rock-climbing, camping. Did a quarter marathon a few years ago and hope for longer ones in the future. Watch ABC TV and movies (action, Chinese martial arts and romantic comedies).
R2 Residents
Justin Altschuler, M.D. - R2
Undergraduate: Dartmouth College
Medical School: UC San Francisco
Special Areas of Interest: Underserved populations and clinical research.
Biography: I was born in California in the Bay Area, and lived there most of my life.
Hobbies: Being with my family, cooking, and spending time with friends.
Gabriel Belsky, D.O. - R2
Undergraduate: Bates College, Maine
Medical School: Michigan State University
Special Areas of Interest: Humanistic primary care, underserved medicine
Biography: I was born and raised in Connecticut and graduated from Bates College with a degree in psychology. I realized the importance of caring for those in need through a variety of experiences including participating in a medical trip to the Dominican Republic and volunteering at migrant worker clinics. Meeting my wife while skiing in Lake Tahoe marked the beginning of my journey to the west coast. My aspirations brought me first to Michigan to pursue a primary care focused medical education and now to sunny Sacramento. I feel fortunate and humbled to advocate for my patients, as I strive to provide whole-person oriented care. I am excited to embark on my career as a family physician at a place with so many opportunities and great people.
Hobbies: Anything outdoors, skiing, sailing, biking, running, lacrosse.
Vona Britz-Diener, M.D. - R2
Undergraduate: Humboldt State University
Medical School: UC San Francisco
Special Areas of Interest: Pediatric HIV, Women’s Health and Obstetrics, Neonatal care, Integrative Medicine
Biography: I grew up in the beautiful wine country near Cape Town, South Africa. After moving to the US when I was nineteen, I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology at Humboldt State University in Northern California while enjoying the redwood forests and Pacific Coastline. As an undergrad, I dabbled in basic science research, helped run a local needle exchange site, participated in community advocacy around HIV/AIDS and sexual health, and worked on improving science education for school-aged children. After a year off, I went to medical school at the University of California in San Francisco. There I focused on helping reduce and repurpose medical supply 'waste' and continued my work on topics such as HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence and science and health education in schools, and was lucky to spend a month back in South Africa taking care of children with HIV. I am excited about this next step in the journey and about the full spectrum training I will receive at UC Davis Medical Center!
Hobbies: Growing food, tending to my chickens, swimming in the ocean or rivers, hiking, playing with my dog, drawing, watching bad reality TV.
Rebecca Cantone, M.D. - R2
Undergraduate: University of Illinois
Medical School: Northwestern University
Special Areas of Interest: HIV, Academics/Teaching, Underserved Medicine
Biography: After 25 years in Illinois, I figured it was time I moved out of state and explore what the rest of the country had to offer. I deliberated career choices throughout all of 3rd and 4th year of medical school and was thrilled with my final decision of family medicine. Following far too many coast-to-coast interviews, I chose UC Davis because of it's wonderful and friendly residents, chances to be passionate about teaching and medicine, and the great things I had heard from recent graduates. By week 1, I knew I made the right choice and have loved every moment of our sometimes crazy schedule. I have learned so much already and enjoy each day's adventure, from intern year to practicing in the future!
Hobbies: I am a music fanatic, and love playing my piano, guitar, flute, or singing to unwind. I'm always up for a concert as well. Running and playing tennis in the beautiful weather of Sacramento have also recently topped my list, along with the resident weekly frisbee matches! But honestly, after a long day or week, I very much enjoy a good movie, TV, or eating with my co-interns!
Mollie Charon, M.D. - R2
Undergraduate: University of Maryland
Medical School: Northwestern University
Special Areas of Interest: Social theory, health disparities, provider wellness
Biography: I grew up in the Appalachians of West Virginia, and made my way to a small liberal arts college where I majored in Sociology/Anthropology. After college, I entered molecular biology/virology HIV drug resistance research fellowship, and discovered that for me, medicine is the perfect intersection of my primary passions: science and social justice. I love the intersection of hand, mind, and health, which led me to family medicine via surgery residency, with a new interest in the nuances of health care provider wellness.
Hobbies: Exploring California, trying new things, museums, outdoor activities, swimming, reading poetry, cooking, trying new restaurants, and having slug days.
Paul Dagenais, M.D. - R2 - FM/Sports Med.
Undergraduate: UC Davis
Medical School: Saint Louis University
Special Areas of Interest: Sports Medicine
Biography: I grew up in Foster City California and spent most of my time playing sports. I went to UC Davis where I played 2 years of varsity soccer. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I still enjoy playing soccer competitively. I worked for 2 years at a small pharmaceutical company helping to develop inhalable insulin prior to going to medical school. I left California to go to medical school in St. Louis and although I enjoyed my time there I am really happy to be back in California for Residency. I chose family medicine because it allowed me to combine the 2 most important things in my life: Family and Sports.
Hobbies: I really enjoy playing soccer and basketball. During the winter I hope to be able to make it up to Tahoe for some snowboarding. Other than sports I like to work on home projects. Most recent project was tiling my bathroom floor.
Rachel Hagert, M.D. - R2 - FM/OB
Undergraduate: Calvin College, Michigan
Medical School: Michigan State University
Special Areas of Interest: Women's Health, International Health, Preventative Medicine
Biography: Originally from Wisconsin, I received my bachelor's degree in history from Calvin College in Michigan and spent a year as a nurse's aide prior to going to medical school at Michigan State University. I have spent time in Yemen and Uganda working with medical students, teaching medical English, volunteering in clinics, and studying sustainable development. In Michigan I tutored ESL kids in underserved public elementary schools. I'm absolutely thrilled to have matched into the FP/OB program here in Sacramento. It's the program of my dreams, and not only that, but there are countless adventures to be found only hours away!
Hobbies: Travel, backpacking, running, biking, swimming, cooking, dancing, anything outdoors, anything adventurous.
Tin Nguyen, M.D. - R2
Undergraduate: University of the Pacific
Medical School: University of Wisconsin
Special Areas of Interest: Medical Education, Academic Family Medicine, LGBT Health
Biography: I originally am from Stockton, CA where I also went to college at Pacific. After graduation, I did an Americorps year with City Year New York, a non-profit whose mission is to promote civic engagement and education in New York City. I ultimately attended the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, WI. I ultimately love Family Medicine because of the breadth of patients, diseases and procedures encountered. Everybody has a story to tell, and as a family physician, I feel privileged that I can help guide patients to reach their personal and medical goals.
Hobbies: Fixed-gear cycling, Cooking and Cuisine
Anjali Rao, M.D. - R2 - FM/Leadership
Undergraduate: University of Illinois
Medical School: Wright State University
Special Areas of Interest: Health Policy, Patient Centered Medical Home
Biography: I’m originally from Chicago Illinois, attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Masters of Medical Sciences at Loyola University of Chicago, and got a dual degree MD/MPH at Wright State University in Dayton Ohio.
Hobbies: Reading, cooking, spending time with family and friends.
Celeste Reinking, M.D. - R2 - FM/Leadership
Undergraduate: Columbia University
Medical School: UC San Francisco
Special Areas of Interest: Healthcare for the underserved, health care policy
Biography: After growing up in Mexico City and Los Angeles, I attended college in New York where I was a philosophy major. I worked in the non-profit field, provided legal services for homeless families, and worked in schizophrenia research for several years prior to attending medical school in San Francisco. My interests include care for the underserved and health care reform, and I am working on a project looking into the feasibility of a community health clinic in the Sacramento River Delta. I speak fluent Spanish and enjoy taking care of Spanish-speaking patients. In my spare time, I enjoy being in nature, hiking, reading novels, and spending time with my husband.
Hobbies: I like to read novels (lately historical and sci-fi), go for hikes, and occasionally go swimming in the American River.
Sabrina Silva-McKenzie, M.D. - R2 - FM/Psych
Undergraduate: UC Davis
Medical School: UC Davis
Special Areas of Interest: Medically underserved, adolescent health, geriatric health
Biography: I was born and raised in Stockton, CA. I attended undergrad, med school, and now residency at UC Davis, so I have come to view the institution as a home and its members as my family. I have focused my volunteerism working with the medically underserved in Sacramento, working primarily with the homeless and Latino populations. During undergrad and medical school, I took two medical mission trips to Nicaragua, working in rural villages. I married my husband and had my first child while in medical school, and I am grateful to be able to integrate and appreciate both professional and family life. I am drawn to family medicine and psychiatry through my value in whole person care, and I am a believer in the strong connection of the mind and body. I hope to eventually provide primary medical care to the severely mentally ill as well as provide mental health services and support for those individuals in the family medicine community.
Hobbies: Walking, knitting, embroidery, baking, watching movies and television with my husband, going to the park with my son
Adrian Tabares, M.D. - R2
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin
Medical School: University of Wisconsin
Special Areas of Interest: Preventive medicine, Sports medicine, Wilderness Medicine, Clinical Procedures, In-Patient Medicine and working with underserved populations.
Biography: After having spent the majority of my life in the cold and snowy state of Wisconsin, I decided it was time for a change. Living in Sacramento, I feel spoiled by the warm and sunny weather. I’ve taken advantage of our central location and take frequent trips to Tahoe, the Bay Area and Napa Valley. I enjoy Family Medicine because it allows me to see a wide spectrum of age groups and diseases. It’s so rewarding to take care of multiple generations in the same family. After residency, I plan on pursuing a fellowship in Sports Medicine. Ultimately, I would like to combine all of my interests into my future practice, but have not committed to any particular location.
Hobbies: I enjoy anything that allows me to break a sweat; including running, weight-lifting, biking, rock climbing and dancing. I love the outdoors and will always find an excuse to go hiking, kayaking and swimming. I also enjoy travel and in my down time, I like reading, sketching, cooking, and playing shuffle board.
Patricia To, M.D., Ph.D. - R2
Undergraduate: UC Davis
Medical School: UC Davis
Special Areas of Interest: Research
Biography: I received my BS in Genetics from UC Davis where I was named the Division of Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student of the Year and earned the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research. I went on to complete my MD/PhD at UC Davis, earning a PhD in Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology with my dissertation titled, "Effects of Oxyglobin Versus Hespan and Shed Blood Resuscitation on the Microcirculation in a Canine Hemorrhagic Shock Model: Correlation with Systemic Function and Oxygenation." I am a co-author in multiple peer-reviewed publications. After completing mystudies, I went on to work as a scientific curator at a Silicon Valley startup before returning to my true calling in Family Medicine.
Hobbies: Crochet (especially amigurumi), sewing, tennis, cooking, collecting corgis.
Aparna Vemuri, M.D. - R2
Undergraduate: University of Illinois
Medical School: University of Illinois
Special Areas of Interest:
Biography: I spent life from kindergarten through medical school in and around the suburbs of Chicago. Loved it, but was SO ready for a change. Sacramento has been great! Honestly, I haven't been able to spend THAT much time outside of residency, however, it is certainly nice to have great weather to enjoy short trips to Tahoe and just get outside when I have free time.
Hobbies: Outside of work, I love raising my brussels sprout and onion plants, skyping with my nieces, and deciding how to enjoy my food calories most without having to upgrade my scrub pant size...
Emily White VanGompel, M.D. - R2 - FM/Leadership
Undergraduate: Northwestern University
Medical School: University of Illinois
Special Areas of Interest: Public health, particularly community-based participatory research; women's health, natural childbirth, doulas, and midwives; and health systems reform, including the patient-centered medical home and group visits for chronic disease patients.
Biography: I was born and spent most of my life in the Chicago suburbs, attended Northwestern University for undergrad, and the University of Illinois at Chicago for medical school. I completed a 5-year joint degree program to get my MD and MPH together, and did my public health master's work in group visits for diabetes patients and their relation to the patient-centered medical home. I am a proud aunt of 7 nieces and nephews - going on 8 - and have been married to my scientist husband for 6 years.
Hobbies: Cooking, especially baking, historical fiction and fantasy novels, hiking, biking, and watching Bones and PBS.
R1 Residents
Julie Allen, M.D. - R1
Undergraduate: UC Santa Barbara
Medical School: Rochester University of Medicine & Dentistry
Special Areas of Interest: Women’s Health, Obstetrics
Biography: I am a 4th generation Californian, born and raised in the Bay Area until high school, where I went to a fantastic Tech Arts private school. I benefitted from a well-founded public education, where I was inspired by my 4th – 8th grade music teacher to pursue a degree in flute performance in college. After a personal medical experience and losing hearing in my left ear, I was inspired to pursue a career in medicine; largely because of the compassionate care I received as a patient. Falling in love with women’s health in med school, I chose to go into OB/Gyn, but after a year realized I was meant to be a family physician. I was able to work in urgent care for a year before joining the FM program, and loved the gift of time I had to spend with my husband (a Urology resident) and then 2-year old son. The ability to provide comprehensive continuity care in an incredibly supportive training program is an empowering feeling, and I have never felt happier to be a doctor.
Hobbies: Flute, singing, swimming, Jazzercize, good food, FAMILY
Ava Asher, M.D. - R1
Undergraduate: University of Oregon Clark Honors College
Medical School: New York Medical College
Special Areas of Interest: International health, public health and health policy, patient advocacy, sports medicine
Biography: I'm an Oregonian by birth but of Midwest and East Coast extraction, so I enjoy a sassy conversation with genial companions especially while on a mountain trail or over an IPA. I spent the last six years reacquainting with my family along the Eastern Seaboard while completing post-bac research in DC and medical school in New York, with the intention to slowly cycle back to Portland after a handful of additional academic and clinical stints afield. I'm perennially involved in health policy education and activism, and my past travel and volunteer experiences -- in the US, South Africa, Angola, Guatemala, Mexico, etc, -- are part of a pattern of international health work that I'll be engaged with throughout life. Now I have the good fortune to be here in Sacramento at UC Davis, where we have a harmoniously diverse population from which to gain comfort with variation, commitment to community engagement and health policy work, and thoughtful, approachable mentors as well as savvy educators.
Hobbies: The three things I daydream about every day in my micro-moments of downtime include: where will my next run or bike ride be? Which bar will my co-interns and I spend our next free evening together? Which coffee shop should I choose to study in next? If you give me a free weekend, I will fill it with wine country excursions, brewery tours, bike escapades, backpacking, ultimate frisbee, and/or trampoline gatherings. Nothing is ruled out.
Adam Cheng, M.D. - R1
Undergraduate: UC Riverside
Medical School: UCLA
Special Areas of Interest: To be decided. I'd like to incorporate some principles of Eastern medicine into my practice.
Biography: I spent the entirety of my childhood in San Francisco and finally left home to attend school in Southern California to study chemical engineering. Through a whimsical decision to try a hospital volunteer program, I fell in love with medicine and decided to apply. During early medical school, I absolutely could not decide on what I wanted from my career. Finally, after changing my mind many times, I decided on Family Medicine. For me, family medicine is a perfect mix of a wide scope of practice with a variety of procedural skills and continuity of care. I am delighted to be back in Northern California for residency. Currently, I am enjoying Sacramento's natural attractions as well as its diverse patient population.
Hobbies: I love tennis. I also love basketball (both playing it, and watching the NBA. Go Warriors!). I've recently picked up bicycling and do plan on learning a new musical instrument in the coming three years.
Mary Clegg, M.D. - R1
Undergraduate: Indiana University
Medical School: Indiana University
Special Areas of Interest:
Biography: I’m a native of Indiana where I completed my undergraduate studies in mathematics, computer science, and gender studies, as well as my medical education. After college, I worked for several years as a software engineer before deciding to pursue a career in medicine. This decision was precipitated by a combination of personal experiences: a dear friend’s struggle with a terminal illness, a growing feeling that something was missing from my professional life, and a disconnection between my work and the needs of my community. As a medical student I helped at local health clinics, tutored homeless children, and served on the board of directors for an emergency kitchen, all of which reinforced my desire to go into community health service. My husband and I had a child during my first year of medical school, and I am honored to have this opportunity to balance doctoring and mothering--two roles that could each be all-consuming. I’m delighted to be part of the UC Davis Family Medicine Residency where I’m confident that I’ll receive a well-rounded training experience that is supportive and that emphasizes social conscience and cultural competency.
Hobbies: My family and I are thrilled to be in Sacramento for my residency and my husband’s postdoctoral fellowship in vision science at UC Davis. Together we enjoy daily bicycle commutes to our respective workplaces and preschool, an abundance of neighborhood parks and farmers’ markets, and the beautiful weather!
Annalyse Feldman, D.O. - R1
Undergraduate: UC Santa Barbara
Medical School: Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Special Areas of Interest: Women’s health, integrative medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine
Biography: I grew up in the East Bay Area and went to college at UC Santa Barbara. I then took several years off before deciding to make my way out to the Midwest to attend the first founding osteopathic medical school in Kirksville, Missouri. It was an amazing experience, and I am now happy to be back in my home state and just an hour from my family. I feel lucky to be a part of family medicine at UC Davis- it is a very supportive environment. My intern class is amazing- we have become close very quickly over various game nights, dance parties, and float trips down the American River. I am looking forward to the next few years with these wonderful people.
Hobbies: In my free time, I love to read non-medical books, play tennis with co-interns, try various zumba classes, and be outdoors as much as possible.
Matthew Gibson, M.D. - R1 - FM/Psych
Undergraduate: UC Davis
Medical School: Ohio State University
Special Areas of Interest: Healthcare for the underserved, women's health/perinatal mental health, public health / advocacy, holistic care.
Biography: I grew up in Sacramento, went to Ohio State for medical school and so now it is really great to be back in Sacramento for residency! I live in Elk Grove with my wife and two children. I'm so excited to be a part of the combined Family Medicine/Psychiatry program here, and am in the process of figuring out how I am going to use my combined training in practice. I have strong interests in helping the underserved, including working on changing the community/ policy/advocacy for the underserved, and I am also interested in women's health and particularly mental illness during pregnancy. The interaction between mind and body has always fascinated me and my goal is to truly provide holistic care to my patients.
Hobbies: Running, martial arts, puzzles, baking, camping/hiking when I can!
Andrea Gough-Goldman, M.D., M.P.H. - R1 - FM/Leadership
Undergraduate: Portland State University
Medical School: Oregon Health & Sciences University
Special Areas of Interest: Health promotion and preventive health, Racial and ethnic health disparities, Physician patient communication
Biography: As a native of Portland, Oregon I grew up with an appreciation for trees, rain, and a connection to nature which influenced me to do my undergraduate work in biology. Along the way I decided people were pretty fascinating too, in everything from our anatomy to our social interactions. In an attempt to learn something about health before I began studying disease, I completed a MPH in Health Promotion with emphasis on health behavior at Portland State University before attending medical school. I was naturally drawn to family medicine during medical school because its basic tenets recognize that a patient (and their health) exists within a greater context – not only the family, but also the larger community/environment. I’m excited to be at UC Davis and be part of the leadership track, where I am finding there is plenty of opportunity to advocate for my patients and address the social determinants of health. I’m also happy to finally be closer to my husband, who is at UC Berkeley working on a Master’s in Public Policy but will be joining me soon to call Sacramento home.
Hobbies: Road biking, yoga, backpacking, jewelry making, and all things food related (cooking, eating, appreciating).
Kelly Griffin, M.D. - R1
Undergraduate: University of Washington
Medical School: New York Medical College
Special Areas of Interest: Preventative Health, Women's Health, Complementary Medicine, Health Policy
Biography: I grew up a military kid and used to move every 3 years. My family finally settled in Olympia, WA where I attended high school. I studied at U.W. in Seattle where I received dual degrees in Biology and Spanish Studies. After undergrad I spent 1 year working for AmeriCorps at the Seattle American Red Cross where I helped to start up a youth program, taught First Aid/CPR, and disaster preparedness and response. I then spent a year in NC before attending medical school in a suburb of New York. I made some great friends there, but my husband and I wanted to come back to the West Coast. So far we are really enjoying Sacramento and exploring all the area has to offer including Tahoe and SF.
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, Cooking, Traveling, Language studies, Music, Hiking, Snowboarding, and playing with my dog.
Carly Grovhoug, M.D. - R1 - FM/OB
Undergraduate: UCLA
Medical School: Boston University
Special Areas of Interest: Women's health, community development, global health, Latino health.
Biography: Born and raised in the beautiful city of Sacramento, I am happy to be back home training in the FP/OB program. I studied biology and history during my undergraduate years, after which I spent several years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua. Working on rural women's health and youth development projects, I was turned on to both public health and the idea of applying to medical school. In Boston, primary care became my clear direction, and while my husband and I fell in love with New England seasons and history, we made the westward migration to warmer skies. My future here at UCD and beyond will likely continue to involve working with underserved Latino populations, obstetrics and community-based health interventions
Hobbies: Travel, being outside, playing and watching sports, live music, good food and wine
Jea-Hyoun Kim, M.D. - R1 - FM/Psych
Undergraduate: Stanford University
Medical School: SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Special Areas of Interest: International health, underserved medicine, cross-cultural psychiatry, faith and medicine
Biography: Originally from San Francisco, I moved to Los Angeles after college and worked as a Medicare counselor in LA County. I went to SUNY Downstate for medical school, because I was drawn by their mission to focus on the urban underserved in Brooklyn. During medical school, I traveled to Mozambique and then Haiti to explore international health opportunities. My trips to Haiti especially highlighted the need for primary care and mental health services in developing nations. After many snowy winters in New York, I am ecstatic about being back in California for the Family Medicine/Psychiatry program. I am excited about the opportunities to become involved in the community around UCD to address health care disparities. In addition, I am looking forward to more opportunities to practice medicine abroad.
Hobbies: Going to the beach, independent films, traveling, reading fiction.
Melissa Leedle, M.D. - R1
Undergraduate: Bryn Mawr College
Medical School: Jefferson Medical College
Special Areas of Interest: Health advocacy and improving overall health, women's health, geriatrics
Biography: I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin where my community and family taught me to work hard, laugh and serve others. I went to Bryn Mawr College where I competed in cross country and indoor and outdoor track (and qualified for NCAA DIII Nationals in the 3000 m steeplechase), majored in chemistry and volunteered in west Philadelphian schools as a tutor. After college I served in the Peace Corps in South Africa as a Schools and Community Resource Advisor. My work involved teacher training, library building and out-reach from the schools to the community. While there, I decided I wanted to have more skills to affect change on health an individual level and on a population level. I went to Jefferson Medical College where I continued to serve the community through volunteering. I worked in the student run homeless shelter, JeffHOPE and participated in the Vagina Monologues each year to raise funds for WOAR, Philadelphia's only rape counseling service. I am excited to be at UC Davis where I can hone my skills as a family physician and health advocate!
Hobbies: Knitting, crocheting, quilting, running, hiking, snowboarding
Bryan Nelson, M.D. - R1
Undergraduate: Saint Mary's College of California
Medical School: Creighton University
Special Areas of Interest:
Biography: I chose family practice because I don't think I'll ever get bored with it. The field is flexible, the patients are mostly interesting, you don't have to work in a hospital and there's not much call. Family physicians also typically have more patient centered political sensibilities. I chose Davis because I like the university setting. It's fun being surrounded by other residents as well as having access to leading experts in medicine. Plus, Sacramento is surprisingly young, active, and full of good food.
Hobbies: Cycling, eating, brewing, NY Times crossword attempting
Deborah Yang, M.D. - R1
Undergraduate: UC Berkeley
Medical School: UC Davis
Special Areas of Interest:
Biography: I grew up in Novato, a suburb of San Francisco. I studied molecular and cell biology in college and then worked as a caregiver companion for the elderly and persons with disabilities before deciding to go to medical school. A few of the reasons for my happiness here at UC Davis include the support of the Family and Community Medicine department, visits from family and friends, and “bike-ability” of Sacramento/the American River Trail.
Hobbies: I enjoy riding my bike, playing tennis, watching cooking shows, and folding hot laundry.