Pediatrics Los Angeles Medical Center - Residents
Chief Resident
Jocelyn Ha, MD
Jocelyn Ha, MD
Hometown
Fremont, CA
Undergraduate School
University of California, Irvine
Medical School
University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics, Medical Education
How I Thrive
I thrive by spending time with family, catching up with old friends, meeting new friends, trying different restaurants/happy hour, and hanging out with my puppy Benji.
Favorite Childhood Cartoon: The Fairly OddParents
Favorite Recess Activity: Does snack time count?
Community Medicine Fellow
Julia Devito, MD
Julia Devito, MD
Medical School
University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
Residency Training
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
PGY-1
Serenitie Buyse, DO
Serenitie Buyse, DO
Hometown
San Diego, CA
Medical School
University of Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinical Interests
Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Oncology, and Pediatric Neurology
How I Thrive
Outside the hospital, I thrive through singing, dancing, and staying active—whether through yoga, meditation, or a good workout. I find deep joy in surrounding myself with kind-hearted, inspiring people.
The ocean is my happy place and a constant source of peace. My creative outlets include singing, classical guitar, dancing, interior design, and even stand-up comedy—each a way to express joy and connect with others.
Allen Chen, MD
Allen Chen, MD
Hometown
Monterey Park, CA
Medical School
University of Southern California, Keck SOM
Clinical Interests
Hospital Medicine, Palliative
How I Thrive
Volunteering at The Painted Turtle!
My ideal day is sitting by a lake
Hobbies: Napping, running, staring at the sky, going to state parks, watching Korean dramas, listening to 2000s music
Lucre’ce Estropia, DO
Lucre’ce Estropia, DO
Hometown
Teaneck, NJ
Medical School
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinical Interests
Primary Care, NICU, Adolescent Medicine
How I Thrive
My simple pleasures include grabbing an overpriced coffee with a breakfast burrito and checking out new flea markets (or scouring fb marketplace for vintage finds)! I also love hanging out with my Shiba Inu, Ghost, and exhausting my AMC A-list reservations for the week.
Hobbies: antique shopping/thrifting, going to concerts/festivals, film photography, rug tufting, watching Studio Ghibli films
Jaeden Heesch, DO
Jaeden Heesch, DO
Hometown
Thousand Oaks, CA
Medical School
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinical Interests
Primary Care, Developmental and Behavioral Peds
How I Thrive
being outdoors/spending time in the sunshine, long walks, surrounding myself with friends and family
Hobbies: going to the beach, reading, traveling, dancing
Courtney Koenig, MD
Courtney Koenig, MD
Hometown
Carmichael, CA
Medical School
California University of Science and Medicine SOM
Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics
How I Thrive
I recharge by hanging out at home with a good book or TV show to binge. I also love taking care of my many plants and doing DIY projects.
Hobbies: baking, arts and crafts, reading, going to the gym, travel, and going on walks with my dog.
Renee Lawrence, DO
Renee Lawrence, DO
Hometown
Irvine, CA
Medical School
Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine, Mental Health
How I Thrive
Spending time with friends and family, spending time outdoors, curling up with a good book, and enjoying the quiet.
Hobbies: I love to get outside and enjoy the sunny California weather, whether that’s going for a hike, going to the beach, or just walking. I also enjoy watching sports, baking, and reading.
Saranya Madan, MD
Saranya Madan, MD
Hometown
New York, NY
Medical School
Wayne State University School of Medicine
How I Thrive
Spending quality time with family and friends, going to the movies, and eating good food
Born in New York, raised in New Jersey, educated in Philadelphia and Detroit, love and now proudly serve in California
Hobbies: Traveling, watching reality TV, creating art and embroidery, practicing yoga, and meditating
My-Trang (Lisa) Tran, DO
My-Trang (Lisa) Tran, DO
Hometown
Fountain Valley, CA
Medical School
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
How I Thrive
I thrive by spending time with my friends, family, and elderly Rottweiler Chihuahua, Princess. I recharge by going on outdoor walks and exploring new places, especially restaurants, coffee houses, and boba tea shops!
I am a huge foodie but an amateur chef. I also love to drink coffee and boba milk tea.
Hobbies: Pickleball, Running, Hiking, Traveling, Watching Movies/TV Shows, Playing Video/Board Games
PGY-2
Tyler DePalma-Shields, MD
Tyler DePalma-Shields, MD
Hometown
Manhattan Beach, CA
Medical School
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Clinical Interests
Hospital Medicine, PICU, ID
How I Thrive
Appreciating the little things in life! I recharge by spending time in nature (hiking, surfing, sitting and watching clouds), reading and writing poetry, hanging out with friends, and playing video games (current obsession is OSRS).
Writing poetry, playing video games (MMORPGs mainly), hiking, surfing, checking out new restaurants, open mic nights
Victoria Hodsdon, DO
Victoria Hodsdon, DO
Hometown
Bay Area and Colorado
Medical School
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Clinical Interests
Primary Care, NICU, Adolescent Medicine
How I Thrive
Being outside in the sunshine, especially at the beach, really recharges my spirits, as well as spending time with my friends and family. Having my support system close to me always helps me thrive.
Board Games, Dungeons and Dragons. I’m a plant mom and love being around the ocean in any way.
Porshad Elie, MD
Porshad Elie, MD
Hometown
Los Angeles, CA
Medical School
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Clinical Interests
GI, primary care, and breastfeeding medicine
How I Thrive
going to concerts, spending time outside with family and friends
crochet, reading fiction, random arts & crafts
Justine Kim, MD
Justine Kim, MD
Hometown
Los Angeles, CA
Medical School
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Clinical Interests
Allergy and immunology
How I Thrive
I love doing watercolor typography, and running after a long day
watercolor typography, running, hiking
Chelsea Maduike, MD
Chelsea Maduike, MD
Hometown
Santa Clarita, CA
Medical School
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
Clinical Interests
General pediatrics, mental health, Community medicine/Public health/Advocacy, Medical education
How I Thrive
Spending time with friends and family, dancing, and listening to music brings me the most joy! I recharge by going on walks, journaling, reading books, and watching tv/movies
going to museums, dancing, watching sports, baking
Aashna Mehta, DO
Aashna Mehta, DO
Hometown
Fremont, CA
Medical School
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics/Outpatient Medicine, Adolescent Medicine
How I Thrive
Spending quality time with my family and friends. After a long week, I like to enjoy a delicious meal, and curl up on the couch to watch a movie.
Trying new (vegetarian-friendly) restaurants, hiking, relaxing at the beach, and traveling the world.
Amanda Nguyen, MD
Amanda Nguyen, MD
Hometown
Westminster, CA
Medical School
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
Clinical Interests
Primary Care
How I Thrive
Immersing myself in nature, spending time with family and friends, cuddling animals
Watching sports, hiking, exploring new food hotspots, cooking, petting dogs (and cats if they will let me!)
Brandon Young, DO
Brandon Young, DO
Hometown
Chino Hills, CA
Medical School
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
How I Thrive
Basketball, Disney, & Family/Friends (sometimes multiple at the same time!)
Playing basketball, Watching NBA, Spending my money at Disneyland, Board game nights, Eating sushi, Spending quality time with family, Making creative/silly videos
PGY-3
Hannah Bang, DO
Hannah Bang, DO
Hometown
Tualatin, Oregon
Undergraduate School
University of Oregon
Medical School
Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine
How I Thrive
Coffee and crosswords, hiking and camping, reading on the beach, and cooking with my husband
About Me: Favorite Childhood Cartoon: Power Puff Girls
Reid Burch, MD
Reid Burch, MD
Hometown
San Francisco, CA
Undergraduate School
University of Denver
Medical School
Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
Clinical Interests
Cardiology, PICU
How I Thrive
Spending time with friends and family, golfing in the summer, skiing in the winter
About Me: Favorite Childhood Cartoon: Rocket Power
Caroline Cao, MD
Caroline Cao, MD
Hometown
Huntington Beach, CA
Undergraduate School
University of California, Irvine
Medical School
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics or Community Medicine
How I Thrive
I destress by meal prepping, talking to friends/family after long days, treating myself to iced coffee, and spending time with my Frenchie Mabel.
Favorite Childhood Cartoon: Scooby Doo
Ameera Farooqi, MD
Ameera Farooqi, MD
Hometown
Fairfax, VA
Undergraduate School
University of Virginia
Medical School
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Clinical Interests
General Peds, Developmental Peds, Nursery
How I Thrive
I enjoy watching horror movies, traveling, trying new cuisines, and spending time with friends and family!
Favorite Childhood Cartoon: SpongeBob SquarePants
Brandon Ng, MD
Brandon Ng, MD
Hometown
Walnut, California
Undergraduate School
Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute
Medical School
Albany Medical College
Clinical Interests
Figuring it out!
How I Thrive
Reviewing local restaurants, soaking in a hot tub, board games, taste-testing or double-fisting boba from two different shops.
About Me: Favorite Childhood Cartoon: Code Lyoko
Dalina Phung, MD
Dalina Phung, MD
Hometown
Amersfoort, the Netherlands
Undergraduate School
University of Washington, Seattle
Medical School
University of Washington School of Medicine
Clinical Interests
General Peds, Immigrant/Refugee Health, Nephrology
How I Thrive
Traveling, hiking, tennis, golf, snowboarding, spending time with family/friends ... and good food (:
About Me: Favorite Childhood Cartoon: Pokemon
Evan Veneziano, DO
Evan Veneziano, DO
Hometown
Exton, PA
Undergraduate School
Penn State
Medical School
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Clinical Interests
Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine, PICU
How I Thrive
Caffeine and the pursuit to be the best doctor I can be for my patients
About me: I love to hike, play video games, cook, and just generally have a good time!
Favorite childhood cartoon: Spongebob Squarepants
Joshua Yoo, MD
Joshua Yoo, MD
Hometown
Irvine, CA
Undergraduate School
Northwestern University
Medical School
Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine
Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics, Developmental Pediatrics
How I Thrive
Eating, drinking coffee, sleeping, watching movies
Favorite Childhood Cartoon: Digimon Adventure
Where are our recent graduates now?
After successful completion of the required 36 months of training in pediatrics, graduates over the past 30 years have either remained with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (40 percent), entered subspecialty training (22 percent overall; 35 percent in the last five years), or embarked on a wide variety of other professional endeavors (e.g. hospital pediatrics, academics, medical administration, and working with the underserved population).