Obstetrics Gynecology Los Angeles Medical Center - Residents
1st Year Class

Anne Evangeline Altman-Merino, MD

Anne Evangeline Altman-Merino, MD
Medical School
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Clarice Hopman, MD

Clarice Hopman, MD
Medical School
University of Illinois College of Medicine

Kendall Kruszewski, MD

Kendall Kruszewski, MD
Medical School
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Rachel Mendoza, MD

Rachel Mendoza, MD
Medical School
University of Arizona College of Medicine

Alexis Rodriguez, MD

Alexis Rodriguez, MD
Medical School
University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
2nd Year Class

Sara Ahmad, MD

Sara Ahmad, MD
Undergraduate School
University of California, Los Angeles, Irvine Valley College
Medical School
Drexel University College of Medicine

Emily Gharabegi, MD

Emily Gharabegi, MD
Undergraduate School
University Missouri- Kansas City
Medical School
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

Michelle Nguyen, MD

Michelle Nguyen, MD
Undergraduate School
Boston University
Medical School
Tufts University School of Medicine

Lee Ann Serrano, MD

Lee Ann Serrano, MD
Undergraduate School
Boston University
Medical School
Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine

Ismet Uner, MD

Ismet Uner, MD
Undergraduate School
Wellesley College
Medical School
Medical College of Wisconsin
3rd Year Class

Kathleen Dinh, MD

Kathleen Dinh, MD
Undergraduate School
University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine - Flint
Clinical Interests
community medicine and health disparities especially among our patients in LA county, abortion services in low-resourced communities, gynecologic surgery.
How I Thrive
spending free time with my partner and our mini-Aussie, visiting my friends, going to music shows, reading, pottery classes, spending as much time outdoors in the sun by going on walks or hikes/to the park!

Athena Hsu, MD

Athena Hsu, MD
Undergraduate School
University of California, San Diego
Medical School
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
Residency Training
Other: Surgery Preliminary at The Brooklyn Hospital Center
Clinical Interests
Reproductive rights and family planning, healthcare equity, gynecologic surgery
How I Thrive
I thrive by spending time with nearby friends and family, including my co-residents. I love exploring restaurants and bars around the area - Los Angeles has so much to offer outside my perpetually empty fridge!

Hillary Kroll, MD

Hillary Kroll, MD
Undergraduate School
Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Medical School
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Clinical Interests
Maternal mental health, MFM
How I Thrive
Cycling on my peloton, running, snuggling with my puppy

Nonda Mester, MD

Nonda Mester, MD
Undergraduate School
Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA
Medical School
Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
Clinical Interests
I am most interested in full-spectrum OB/GYN generalist practice, reproductive justice and advocacy, and trauma-informed care
How I Thrive
I thrive by working out, cooking, meditating, spending time with my husband and dog (Spike!), and eating burritos at the beach as much as possible

Natasha Raj-Derouin MD, MS

Natasha Raj-Derouin MD, MS
Undergraduate School
University of Southern California
Graduate School
Master of Science-Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, University of Southern California
Medical School
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Clinical Interests
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Reproductive Justice, LGBTQIA+ health
How I Thrive
Spending time with my husband, family (my mom also works at Kaiser LAMC!) and friends. Interior design - I like to “rentervate” aka renovate my apartment in a renter-friendly fashion. Food - I love going out to new restaurants and especially finding interesting fusion foods like Indian-Italian!
4th Year Class

Belle Ngo, MD

Belle Ngo, MD
Undergraduate School
University of Washington
Medical School
University of Washington
Clinical Interests
Reproductive justice, advocacy, and substance use disorders in pregnancy
How I Thrive
Nature walks, crocheting, trying new coffee shops and pasta, and hanging out with my dog

William Sanders, MD

William Sanders, MD
Undergraduate School
University of Colorado, Boulder
Medical School
Quinnipiac University
Clinical Interests
Full spectrum of obstetric and gynecologic care, Academic Medicine
How I Thrive
I enjoy hiking, going to the beach, traveling, trying new breweries, and spending time with my friends and family.

Isabella Silvestre, MD

Isabella Silvestre, MD
Undergraduate School
Willamette University
Medical School
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Clinical Interests
Family Planning and Reproductive Justice, Patient Education and Advocacy
How I Thrive
I thrive by spending time with friends and family. Although originally from Northern California, I enjoy all that Los Angeles has to offer, including hiking, beach days, and the incredible food.

Christina Grace Solomon, MD

Christina Grace Solomon, MD
Undergraduate School
Vanderbilt University
Medical School
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Clinical Interests
I’m interested in learning how to cultivate my skills as a generalist who provides full-spectrum care for our patients. I want to be able to apply skills I learn here in low-resource settings following my residency training
How I Thrive
I try to make the most of my time in Los Angeles. Coming from rural New Hampshire, I enjoy being in a city again where there is so much to do. I like to go to concerts with my co-residents or just enjoy a meal together. I also like hiking and going to the beach

Margaret Adamma Spearman, MD

Margaret Adamma Spearman, MD
Undergraduate School
Stanford University
Medical School
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Clinical Interests
I am planning on practicing as a general OBGYN physician. I am interested in helping to decrease heath disparities that affect black and brown women as well as Family Planning, including ensuring access to affordable and safe abortions
How I Thrive
The way I thrive outside of residency is by spending time with friends, cooking, wine tasting and being at the beach
Where our residents go:
Last 5 years (N=25)
Kaiser Permanente | Fellowship | Private Practice |
11 (44%) | 9 (36%) | 5 (25%) |
So. CA – Los Angeles | MFM-UCSF | Planned Parenthood Los Angeles |
So, CA – Fontana | Complex FP-U Pennsylvania | Nebraska Regional West, NB |
So, CA – South Bay | Pelvic Surgery -Seattle Swedish | Little Company of Mary, CA |
So. CA – Woodland Hills | REI-U Oklahoma | Geisinger System, PA |
So. CA – Antelope Valley | FPMRS-USC | |
No. CA – Redwood City | MFM-UCI | |
No. CA – San Rafael | Gyn Onc-MDAnderson | |
No. CA – San Leandro | MIS- | |
No. CA – Sacramento | OB Palliative-Scripps/UCSD | |
KP – Oregon | ||
KP – Washington |
Where are our recent graduates now?
2022
Adrian Hernandez Lopez MD – Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship, University of CA San Francisco
Sameera Mokkarala MD MPH – Complex Family Planning Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania
Amelia Poquette, MD MPH – Associate, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles
Kristopher Waring MD – Locum Tenens
Hannah Wirth MD MS – Pelvic Surgery Fellowship, Seattle Swedish Medical Center
2021
Kate Bowman MD – Associate, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento
Amanda Gittelman – Associate, Kaiser Permanente Portland
Jennifer Hall – Associate, Kaiser Permanente Fontana
Ashley Kim – Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship, University of Oklahoma
Vivian Yu – Associate, Kaiser Permanente Seattle
2020
Dani Ashak, MD-Ob/Gyn Generalist, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA
Sabrina Avakian,MD Associate, Kaiser Woodland Hills
Vivian Chu, MD-Associate, Kaiser Redwood City
Christy Evans, MD-Private Practice, Providence Hospital, Torrance, CA
Atieh Novin, MD-Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship, USC
2019
Dina Echevarria, MD – Planned Parenthood Los Angeles
Amanda Gibson, MD – Private Practice, West Regional OBGYN, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Shila Manandhar, MD – Associate, Kaiser Permanente, San Rafael, CA
Austin Merrill, DO – Associate, Kaiser Permanente Bakersfield
Rebecca Post, MD – Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship, University of California Irvine
2018
Monica Avila, MD – Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas
Rohan Hattiangadi, MD – Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship, Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA
Mabel Mora, MD – Associate, Kaiser Permanente Fontana
Nathan Riley, MD – OBGYN Palliative Fellowship, UCSD-Scripps, San Diego, CA
Mike Zhang, MD – Associate, Kaiser Permanente, San Leandro, CA
2017
Karen Hong, MD – Associate, Kaiser Permanente, San Leandro, CA
Amy Jones, DO – Full time per diem, Kaiser Permanente, South Bay
Carrie Li, MD – Associate, Kaiser Permanente Fontana
Nicki Feinberg, MD – Associate, Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles
Saba Saadat, MD – Associate, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles
2016
Evelyn Denebeim, MD: Private Practice, Torrance, CA
Julio Espinosa, MD: Private Practice, Long Beach, CA
Jennifer Lee, MD: Full time per diem, Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles
Aki Niihara, MD: Associate, Kaiser Permanente San Leandro
2015
Andrew Chon, MD: Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship, University of Southern California
Amy Lindgren, MD, PhD: Private Practice, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
Krystle Ziebell, MD: Associate, Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills
Lee Christianson, MD: Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship, Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, Portland, OR
Veronica Grijalva, MD: Associate, Kaiser West Los Angeles
2014
Becky Lim, MD: Associate, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles
Dana Steenhard, MD: Associate, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles
Hasti Poya, MD: Associate, Kaiser Permanente Fontana
Yekaterina Bakhta, MD: Full time Per Diem, Kaiser Permanente Downey
Kristin Livingston, MD: Private Practice, Arizona