Family Medicine Los Angeles Medical Center - Residents
Community Medicine Fellow/Junior Faculty
Jonathan Gutierrez, DO
Jonathan Gutierrez, DO
Medical School
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
PGY-1
Shalini Agrawal, DO
Shalini Agrawal, DO
Medical School
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Thomas Bird, MD
Thomas Bird, MD
Medical School
Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia
Barbara Bolivar, MD
Barbara Bolivar, MD
Medical School
Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Pedro Castellanos, MD
Pedro Castellanos, MD
Medical School
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Enrique Cazares-Navarro, MD
Enrique Cazares-Navarro, MD
Medical School
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Annette Gomez, MD
Annette Gomez, MD
Medical School
Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
How I Thrive
I like to spend time with my wife and family
Why Kaiser?
I liked the blend of inpatient and outpatient as well as the opportunity to work with other residents in a big teaching hospital
Fun Fact:
I went to undergrad, medical school and now residency here in LA. So if you need any LA recs let me know!
Thuy Nguyen, DO
Thuy Nguyen, DO
Medical School
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
How I Thrive
Eating and out new foods, exploring LA’s INCREDIBLE food scene, spending quality time with my family and friends, spending time in cute coffee shops, taking solo walks with my headphones in, and exploring little pockets of LA!
Why Kaiser?
The people! My co-residents, mentors, and faculty are incredibly supportive and are an absolute pleasure to work and hang out with! I genuinely feel so looked after and supported, and the learning environment cultivated by the program is absolutely wonderful!
Fun Fact:
I was born in Vietnam, and immigrated to the U.S. with my family when I was 5, I’ve gone skydiving three times, and can play the theme song of Titanic on the piano with my eyes closed!
Judith Soto-Lopez, MD
Judith Soto-Lopez, MD
Medical School
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
How I Thrive
My perfect Saturday involves walking to a local coffee shop or farmers market and grabbing a latte, matcha, or smoothie and a Crossaint. Ice cream is also my favorite “treat myself” prize.
Why Kaiser?
The interview highlighted multiple strengths, from the academics to our community medicine rotation - a favorite of mine to date. I love working in various community clinics helping the underserved neighboring communities in my hometown. My co-residents and faculty have been amazing as well, truly supporting me and helping me grow as an intern.
Fun Fact:
I caught a Dodgers baseball at their away game at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Kevin Tan, MD
Kevin Tan, MD
Medical School
University of Illinois College of Medicine
How I Thrive
Weightlifting, video games (most recently Helldivers 2, Return of the Obra Dinn, Dota, Tactical Breach Wizards, and Old School Runescape), biking, writing
Why Kaiser?
Proximity to populations I wanted to work with, namely Spanish-speakers and Burmese-speakers; Sports Medicine experiences; Kaiser as a system putting an emphasis on Primary Care; Proximity to friends and family
Fun Fact:
I once ate a hot dog, a slice of pizza, and a chicken bake at the Costco food court all in one sitting.
PGY-2
Nelly Amini, MD
Nelly Amini, MD
Medical School
Eastern Virginia Medical School
How I Thrive
Spending quality time with my husband Jake and our fur baby Bella! We love to explore LA and find beautiful scenery or delicious eats (sometimes both at the same time!)
Why Kaiser?
I was drawn to the amazing relationships the residents seemed to have with one another, and that they were genuinely all friends as well as colleagues. That paired with the fact that I'd have the chance to train at a busy academic hospital that would give me exposure to lots of different patient populations and specialties was a huge appeal to build my foundation as a primary care provider.
Fun Fact:
Before my career in medicine, I had a small business baking pies.
Kaycee Ching, MD
Kaycee Ching, MD
Medical School
Wayne State University School of Medicine
How I Thrive
Trying new food spots in the city, catching up with friends/family
Why Kaiser?
I'm from the LA area and always was interested in joining the Kaiser family. I knew that KPLA would prepare me well for anywhere and any path I chose for the future. Plus, I felt like I found my people!
Fun Fact:
I played basketball for 16 years
Nina Fukuma, MD
Nina Fukuma, MD
Medical School
Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
How I Thrive
On my days off, you can find me camping, exploring the national parks, surfing, hosting beach bonfires, researching places to explore for my next vacation, and going to hot yoga. I also love having my fair share of "no bones" days and rotting in bed to binge a good book, some netflix, a crochet project, and take out food from all the delicious restaurants we have in LA.
Why Kaiser?
I chose Kaiser LA because I was instantly drawn to the community of residents and faculty I met on my interview day. It was so evident that this program was a true family, both inside and outside of the hospital, and that this was a safe place to learn, make mistakes, grow, and lean on each other during the ups and downs of residency. I was also drawn to the strong inpatient training and the complexity of patients we could care for in a tertiary center.
Fun Fact:
I was born and raised in Orange County and have spent the past 9 years in Los Angeles for undergrad, medical school, and now residency. I am a SoCal girlie at heart and love spending time outside, soaking up all the great weather and activities that SoCal has to offer. I recently picked up hot yoga and it’s a goal of mine to become certified as a teacher before residency ends!
Stacee Horwitz, MD
Stacee Horwitz, MD
Medical School
University of Colorado School of Medicine
How I Thrive
Being with my family. I have a little toddler named Liam (I promise, you’ll see him around. He is the tiny human always shouting “no”). I also love working out (I’m part of a run club) and eating at yummy restaurants.
Why Kaiser?
It sounds cheesy, but everything about my interview with KPLA just felt “right.” I easily connected with the residents and faculty. I loved how the hospital is a tertiary center and the diversity within the patient population. The attendings at this program are all so passionate about teaching, and it’s impossible to go to work without learning something new everyday :)
Fun Fact:
I am Israeli! During my vacations, you’ll find me vacationing at the Mediterranean Sea, eating hummus and occasionally riding a camel.
Nick Hu, MD
Nick Hu, MD
Medical School
Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
Debbie Meskin, DO
Debbie Meskin, DO
Medical School
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
How I Thrive
Working out, swimming, vacations/day trips whenever possible, hanging out with my partner Evan, and of course my amazing dog Jackson, who is a CHLA therapy dog!
Why Kaiser?
The residents and faculty made me feel at home, the excellent Sports Medicine training, the opportunities to do procedures, and to work hand in hand with other specialties!
Fun Fact:
I was born in South Africa, but grew up on the East Coast. My partner and I couples matched, he is one of the KPLA pediatric residents!
Justin So, MD
Justin So, MD
Medical School
University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine
Melody Wang, MD
Melody Wang, MD
Medical School
Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
How I Thrive
Eating a bowl of ramen while drinking a hot cup of tea, cuddling my dog, and trying something new
Why Kaiser?
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the residents interact with each other even on a virtual social! It was clear to me that they were very close and supportive of each other, which was something that was important to me.
Fun Fact:
I was born in Taiwan and love trying to convince people to visit
Cody Webb, MD
Cody Webb, MD
Medical School
University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
How I Thrive
Spending my free time hiking, playing basketball, playing D&D
Why Kaiser?
Supportive staff and residents. Large institution with many residency programs. A lot of fellowship opportunities here and nearby.
PGY-3
Lara Nicole Garcia, MD
Lara Nicole Garcia, MD
Medical School
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
How I Thrive
Real talk: Couldn’t have gotten through PGY-3 without my mama and our nanny.
Why Kaiser?
I wanted a program with a geriatrics track and associated fellowship! And I loved that we work with other programs in the hospital since my husband (internal medicine) and I couples matched at KP LAMC.
Justin Hui, MD
Justin Hui, MD
Medical School
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
How I Thrive
Writing, gaming, cooking, and being at home.
Why Kaiser?
Great family medicine attendings. Easy to get timely advice from specialists. Collegial environment reduces the stress of working and learning.
Fun Fact:
Author of two fiction books in the Tales of the Axis series. Check them out on Amazon and Spotify!
Kevin Luu, MD
Kevin Luu, MD
Medical School
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
How I Thrive
I enjoy finding good food spots, baking, and playing sports - most recently volleyball.
Why Kaiser?
KP LAMC FM residents work closely with residents of all specialties and have a collaborative relationship with all specialties in the hospital. FM attendings have a wide range of interests ranging from a focus on Sports, urgent care, point of care ultrasound, weight management, prenatal care, etc providing residents with endless opportunities for mentorship and to pursue their own personal interests.
Fun Fact:
I have spent time living in 4 different states: Virginia, Missouri, Wisconsin, and California.
Kathy Nguyen, DO
Kathy Nguyen, DO
Medical School
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
How I Thrive
On gallons of boba tea and vent sessions.
Why Kaiser?
The residents, attendings, and our amazing staff are the reasons I chose this program. They are my support system during this journey. Residency is a trying time and I couldn’t have gotten this far without my residency family :)
Fun Fact:
I’m SoCal born and raised. I never left and don’t plan to leave haha.
Sairan Rangel, MD
Sairan Rangel, MD
Medical School
University of Washington School of Medicine
Jacqueline Sandoval, DO
Jacqueline Sandoval, DO
Medical School
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
How I Thrive
Exercise whether it is kickboxing, Muay Thai, the gym or hiking. Also exploring new places and food.
Why Kaiser?
When I was a sub-intern, I noticed that they residents got along with each other and was able to experience many of the different departments that FM rotated in. And now I know that Kaiser LA prepares you to do whatever you want to do in the future in family medicine. The program location is also great because it’s near my home.
Fun Fact:
I hiked Angel’s Landing at Zion National Park in Utah but I have a phobia of heights.
Vida Seyedkazemi, DO
Vida Seyedkazemi, DO
Medical School
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Amanda Torres, MD
Amanda Torres, MD
Medical School
New York Medical College
Jennifer Tran, MD
Jennifer Tran, MD
Medical School
Central Michigan University College of Medicine