Bianca Bustamente, DO
she/her

College: San Francisco State University

Medical School:  University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Areas of Interest: Integrative Medicine, Underserved Populations, Preventative Care

My low-income minority upbringing in the San Fernando Valley rooted my passion for working with underserved and Latino communities. I began to foster this interest in working with underserved populations during my undergraduate kinesiology studies at San Francisco State University through volunteer work both locally at Clinic by the Bay and abroad through the MEDLIFE organization where I participated in providing care to underserved populations in Peru. I taught weekly free exercise classes for our local community and provided nutrition education to my university colleagues. My undergraduate experiences and background in kinesiology allowed me to focus on exercise science and nutrition and taught me the importance of preventative care. 

In medical school, I became the president of UNECOM’s Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) Chapter and was able to lead events and lectures that educated our future physicians about providing culturally competent care to Latino communities. My experience as a first generation college graduate highlighted the importance of mentorship on the path to higher education. I am grateful for the opportunity to become a mentor to underrepresented students like myself across the U.S. in partnership with LMSA National Organization. Additionally, I had the honor of being selected as an AHEC Care for the Underserved Pathway Scholar and obtained invaluable experience working with local underserved Lobstermen communities in Maine, and educated local elementary and high school students about preventative care and leading a healthy lifestyle. As a member of Sigma Sigma Phi National Osteopathic Medicine Honors Fraternity, I connected and volunteered locally making a positive impact within our surrounding community during the COVID pandemic. I was nominated by my peers for my volunteer work and dedication to the underserved community and was honored to be inducted into the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Gold Humanism Honor Society.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my husband and puppy and family, being outdoors enjoying the California weather, going to the beach, trying new restaurants, planning adventures to new places, and practicing yoga.

Fun Fact: I spent my younger years chasing the snow from Southern California to Oregon, and even spent a season as a snowboard instructor.

Puneet Gill, DO
she/her

College:  Duquesne University

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Areas of Interest:  FM-OB, Full Spectrum Primary Care, Health Equity, Immigrant & Underserved Communities 

As the daughter of Punjabi immigrants, I witnessed firsthand how barriers to quality care can impact the health of successive generations. Raised in Buffalo, NY (Go Bills!), I pursued my undergraduate education in Pittsburgh before moving to New York City for medical school. Throughout my medical education, I committed to helping uninsured immigrant families gain equal access to community resources and overcome language barriers. I contributed to our Asylum Clinic, where I provided medical evaluations for those seeking asylum in the United States. I also served as President of Physicians for Human Rights, advocating for the rights and welfare of marginalized populations across the globe, amplifying the voices of those unable to be heard. My passion for women's health emerged from conducting research and advocating for reproductive rights in New York City.  

I chose O’Connor because of its robust curriculum as an unopposed program, passion for health equity, and devotion to community service. 

Fun Fact: I love to dance! I’ve spent the last 9 years as a competitive Bhangra dancer, competing at various competitions across the nation, as well as on tour with Diljit Dosanjh!  

Ritwik “Ritz” Keshav, MD/MPH/MS
he/him/él

College:  Cornell University

Medical School:  University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Phoenix

Areas of Interest: Aerospace Medicine, Refugee Health, Psychoplastogens, Integrative Medicine, Rural Health, Healthcare in Low-Resource Settings, Medical Device Development

I was born in India and grew up in various cities across Canada and Simi Valley, CA.  I took the scenic route to medicine, filled with many side-quests including teaching, hitchhiking across New Zealand, starting a band, and working in the biotech industry.  I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up until my best friend had a devastating accident.  Being part of his healing journey revealed to me how medicine involves curiosity and ingenuity along with a full spectrum of emotion – how it intersected art and science, and embodied the human experience.  After witnessing this, I knew I could see myself doing nothing else.

I was drawn to family medicine because it emphasizes prevention and holistic care while keeping in mind the specifics of diseases and their treatments.  It seemed like the focal point of all medicine and enabled me to nurture a diverse set of interests.  During medical school, I deepened my interest in aerospace medicine by beginning working for MedAire and helping establish the Aerospace Medicine Interest Group.  For my MPH internship, I worked closely with an FQHC to develop a staff and patient educational curriculum for refugee healthcare.  I also spent two months on the Gila River Indian Community reservation, observing how healthcare is delivered in a rural, low-resource setting with substantial health disparities.

I chose this program because I was inspired by the kindness, community, and vision I experienced during my interview.  Speaking with different members of its ecosystem, I felt safe to be myself and knew it would be the perfect place to grow as a budding physician.

My hobbies include ceramics, music, hiking, camping, hanging out with my dog Goose, yoga, cooking, and gardening.

Fun Fact: I operate a home ceramics studio and teach hand building, wheel throwing, and kiln firing.

Eva Leung, MD
she/her

College:  UC San Diego

Medical School:  Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Women's Health, Preventative Medicine, Integrative Medicine

I was born and raised in San Francisco, California. My role as a translator for my immigrant parents made me realize how difficult it is to navigate the healthcare system. From my parents' experiences and meeting patients in different clinical settings, I realized the importance of PCPs and their role in bridging the health literacy gap. As a family physician, I will be my patients' go-to person for their medical needs. I am excited to join the O'Connor family and start caring for our diverse patient population.

Fun Fact: I'm a secret adrenaline junkie! Skydiving after a medical school exam? Check! I wouldn't do it again but highly recommend it!

Jonathan Lu, MD
he/him

College:  Princeton University

Medical School: Stanford University School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Full-spectrum Family Medicine, Reproductive Health, Abortion Care, LGBTQ+ Care, Point-of-care Ultrasound, Health Equity, Clinical Informatics

I grew up in Fremont, California, which is a predominantly Asian tech suburb of the San Francisco Bay Area. I am one of the 50% of medical students who come from the top income quintile, a long-standing inequity in medicine which needs to change. In college, I got very involved in student climate organizing in New Jersey and began to see how environmental justice interacts with health inequities and structural racism. Through that, I met a med student who told me that Family Medicine was all about addressing people’s health both inside and outside the clinic. 

In med school, I found that some of my most empathetic and structurally competent mentors happened to all be family doctors. I also volunteered as a vaccines coordinator with the Pacific Free Clinic, co-led a health careers outreach program to East Palo Alto Academy high school students, supported a community-centered Telehealth deployment at Roots Community Health Center, and helped to integrate climate change into our medical school curriculum. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this community and advocacy work was recognized and valued by my FM mentors and at Family Medicine conferences. On clerkships I really liked most of my rotations, but especially the holistic and culturally humble care I saw from my family medicine preceptors, who were ready for any patient to walk in the door.

I chose O’Connor for its unopposed, full-spectrum clinical training including Inpatient Medicine, OB, and abortion care, as well as for the privilege of caring for an underserved patient population. 

Fun Fact: I wanted to be a comic book artist as a kid. Some day….

Shahkira “Aliah” Mehkri, MD
she/her

College: Portland State University

Medical School: Oregon Health and Science University

Areas of Interest: Immigrant & Refugee Health, Reproductive Health, POCUS

I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and at the age of 4, my family moved to Portland, Oregon, escaping the cold! As the eldest daughter of immigrant parents, my upbringing was shaped by diverse cultural influences. My mother’s family, of mixed Pakistani and Thai heritage, sought refuge in the United States from the Laotian war in the 1980s. Meanwhile, my father’s family migrated to Canada from India in the 1970s. My family’s rich history exposed me to various healthcare beliefs and practices, fostering an appreciation for different perspectives and the importance of culturally sensitive care. Like many immigrant families, we faced challenges accessing health insurance, which made accessibility to healthcare a significant concern. These experiences ignited my interest in medicine and serving underserved communities.

I stumbled into family medicine when I was assigned to this specialty as a medical scribe. I was struck by the dedication these providers had when it came to caring for their patients comprehensively, while also considering barriers to their healthcare. As I journeyed through medical school, I involved myself in community-based health initiatives, such as participating in the annual Health Care Equity Fair in downtown Portland to provide free healthcare services to the community. I also helped organize intercultural educational events such as institution-wide Ramadan Iftar dinners to bridge communities and promote cultural understanding. Throughout my endeavors, I consistently saw how involved family medicine providers were in community building. I came to realize that I did not want to miss out on taking part in caring for any aspect of my patients’ health, be it their mind, body, or social conditions. This realization solidified my decision that family medicine was the right path for me. I feel so fortunate to be part of the Santa Clara Valley Family Medicine Residency, where I can become the full-spectrum family medicine physician I aspire to be!

Fun fact: When I traveled to Japan with my friends, we took a ninja training course. After completing it, we proudly stood alongside a 3- and 4-year-old who also finished the course that same day. As a reward, we were served curry and rice shaped as ninja stars!

Pooja Polamarasetti, MD
she/her

College: University of Michigan

Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Preventive Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Nutritional/Obesity Medicine, Reproductive Health & Justice, Adolescent Medicine, Medical Education

I grew up in a suburb of Detroit, MI, and chose to stay close to home during undergrad and med school. As the first doctor in my family, I've leaned heavily on both informal guidance and structured mentorship to successfully navigate my medical training journey. These experiences have shaped my interests in mentorship and teaching–whether for other students or for members of the wider community. This passion brought me to family medicine. I thoroughly enjoy outpatient medicine as a vehicle for education and mentoring my patients through making health decisions inside and outside of the clinic. Looking back, my initial encounters with family medicine were while improving medical literacy in my own family and community.

During my time in college, I studied gender and health and got involved in work surrounding reproductive justice and broadening access to abortion services. In medical school, I helped organize free health fairs and workshops, volunteered with domestic violence survivors, and completed an externship in family planning with the Medical Students for Choice. Aside from reproductive health, I also have special interests in behavioral/addiction medicine, obesity medicine, and policy and population health. I look forward to having the ability to care for my patients through the different stages of their lives when they may require any of the above services and more. I am excited to get the full-spectrum training that this program is known for. Most of all, I’m grateful to be able to learn the art of medicine from the incredible patients right here in San Jose.

Fun Fact: I make it a point to take public transportation in every city I visit. I haven’t been to Europe yet, so that’s definitely on the bucket list!

Mayara Slosek, MD she/her

College: Centro Universitário Atenas

Medical School: Centro Universitário Atenas, Brazil

Areas of Interest: Functional Medicine, Nutrition, Longevity, Promoting Patient Education

I am a first-generation doctor who grew up in Brazil, where I learned to value the warmth of human connection and community. What drew me to Family Medicine is its broad scope and emphasis on whole-patient care. I love forming meaningful, long-term relationships with my patients and working together as a team to support their health and well-being. Outside of medicine, I enjoy working out, cooking healthy recipes, going to the beach, spending time outdoors, exploring new places, and traveling. I also love movie nights and quality time with family and friends.

Fun Fact: I moved from coast to coast twice in one year — once with my husband and the second time with our baby, who was just six weeks old! 

Cecilia Zhou, MD she/her

College: Haverford College

Medical School: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Women's Health & Reproductive Justice, Preventative Medicine, FGLI & URiM advocacy

I was born in China and immigrated with my mom to San Francisco when I was six years old. In 5th grade, I was introduced to programs for first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students, which gave me the resources to attend independent middle school, high school, and eventually college in the Philadelphia area. Through these experiences, I recognized the educational disparities in our communities and realized the positive impact that I want to make on educational equality in addition to pursuing medicine. In medical school, I had opportunities to be an advocate for and mentor underrepresented in medicine (URiM) students by co-hosting the “Med Legs” podcast and mentoring in the Penn Access Summer Scholars (PASS) Program. 

I chose Family Medicine to become a physician who can administer care to all. I want the breadth of knowledge to care for patients through different stages of life and develop meaningful relationships with them. Santa Clara Valley Family Medicine Residency is my dream residency program! This program has strong training in full-spectrum FM with robust women’s health and obstetrics. The faculty are committed to teaching, and the program is truly invested in residents' well-being. It is so special to train at a community safety-net hospital that has support from a large academic center. I'm excited to be back in the Bay Area caring for this patient population and learning the needs of this community.

Outside of medicine, I like playing badminton, running, watching K-dramas, thrifting, and trying local foods.

Fun Fact: I immigrated from China to the US on my birthday! Because of the time difference, my birthday lasted for two days, and I got double presents.

Neha Balachandran, MD
she/her

College: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Medical School:  Medical College of Georgia

Areas of Interest: OB/Women’s Health, Street Medicine, LGBTQIA+, Public Health/Advocacy

I am a proud child of Indian immigrants, born and raised around Atlanta, Georgia. And while I will always be a Southern girl at heart, I felt it was time to broaden my horizons – and what better place to do that than the beautiful West coast?

Community engagement has always been central to who I am, from teaching English after school to volunteering at food banks. This continued in college, as I got involved in more medical related experiences. My time at the Birmingham Crisis Center and Community of Hope free clinic were where I discovered my love for public health, and my first job at the Jefferson County Department of Health helped me realize the profound impact physicians could have outside the hospital.

I had found my calling for serving underserved populations, and when there wasn’t a clear avenue to pursue this interest in medical school, I helped create one, by founding the first street medicine clinic at our regional campus in Savannah, Georgia. I wanted more students to get exposure to opportunities like this, so I spent time as a student consultant for the school, working to integrate more public health into the curriculum and collaborate with FQHCs to be our clinical sites.

All of these experiences led me to family medicine, a field that blends advocacy, community, and true full-spectrum care. I am so excited to train at Santa Clara Valley Family Medicine Residency., where I will be surrounded by people who share my passions and can help shape me into the physician I aspire to become. I could go on for hours about why this is the best specialty, but I just love that I get the chance to be someone’s medical “sherpa,” helping patients navigate the healthcare landscape and advocate on their behalf.

On my days off, you can find me reading, crocheting, attempting to bake sourdough, or going to a yoga or pilates class.

Fun Fact: I have been an extra in movies/TV shows and most notably, a Delta flight ad! I’ve gotten to meet lots of actors on set, including Clint Eastwood, Lana Condor, and Cole Sprouse.

Tiffany Chen, MD
she/her

College:  University of Michigan

Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis

Areas of Interest:   Immigrant & Refugee Health, FMOB, Pediatrics, Women’s Health & Reproductive Justice, Medical Education

I was born and raised in Michigan and am the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants. Growing up, being an “unofficial” interpreter for my parents and witnessing the immigrant healthcare experience became a driving force for me to pursue medicine and health equity.

In college, I studied Spanish and Neuroscience. A lot of my experiences centered on education, including being a 3rd grade Spanish teacher! During my gap years, I worked as a medical assistant at a Federally Qualified Health Center. It was here that my love for FM really bloomed as I witnessed the unique, longitudinal relationships and impact that FM docs can have for underserved communities. 

In med school, my experiences continued to center on education and advocacy, including mentoring URiM students, being a medical interpreter at health screenings, and my favorite…helping to charter our school’s chapter of “Knitted Knockers” (crocheted/knit breast prosthesis). My path to FM was honestly challenging given that there wasn’t an FM department at my school. Pursuing this field is a love letter to my family and my community, and a commitment to take care of and advocate for patients across all walks of life. The Santa Clara Valley Family Medicine stood out to me immediately when I met Dr. Yu at the AAFP national conference. The dedication to teaching, resident well-being, and to underserved communities was really apparent, blending a strong academic program with full-spectrum training. In the faculty and residents, I saw myself represented in ways I have never been before, and I feel so lucky to be a part of this community. I am so excited to take care of the diverse communities of South Bay! 

Outside of the hospital, you can catch me at the tennis & pickleball courts, crocheting my next project, watercoloring, or hosting a game night. 

Fun Fact: I worked as a florist at a flower truck during M4 year! My retirement dream is to open a combination floral, stationary, crochet/knitting, & boba cafe.

Thu Dam, MD
she/her

College: Brown University

Medical School:  University of California, San Francisco 

Areas of Interest: Immigrant/Refugee Health, Global Health, Community Medicine, Pain Medicine, Wilderness Medicine, Palliative Care, Social Determinants of Health, Behavioral Health, Procedures

My family left Vietnam as refugees after the Vietnam War and found their new home right here in San Jose, California, where I was born and raised. I grew up surrounded by rich Vietnamese culture (San Jose has the largest Vietnamese diaspora population outside of Vietnam!) and the most phenomenal food. However, growing up in a low-income immigrant community also meant bearing witness to my family's limited access to care and poor health outcomes in a system that wasn’t built for them. 

I discovered the vocabulary to better understand health disparities when I moved to the East Coast and attended Brown University. It was during those chilly winters in Rhode Island when I learned about the social determinants of health and how multifaceted “health” really is. I joined a student group called Connect for Health, which showed me the joys of directly advocating for patients and its impact on their families. I had the chance to visit Vietnam for the first time through a study abroad program, and I was so enamored by the country’s vibrant energy and warm community that I spent a gap year in Ho Chi Minh City working in the public health space on tuberculosis screening and treatment. I returned to California and moved to San Francisco for medical school at UCSF (when I was promptly reminded that California truly does have the best weather!). 

I knew I had found the right people in family medicine when I realized that health justice is built into our practice. As a crier and someone who really feels Big Feelings, I finally felt safe in a community that values holding space for the profound emotions involved in caring for others through all the stages of their lives. Coming to this program means coming home, and I can’t think of anything more meaningful than to learn from and serve my own community alongside those who know that the humanity of our patients always comes first. 

Outside of medicine, I like playing small versions of sports (e.g. pickleball, spikeball), feeling in awe by nature, and nurturing life in all forms by taking care of animals and doting on house plants.  

Fun fact: I have nearly no sense of smell and almost failed a chem test in college where we had to use our sense of smell to identify chemical compounds. Luckily, I had a lab partner with a keen nose!

Ryan Ferdowsian, MD
he/him

College:  Pitzer College

Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Disability Medicine, Community Health Initiatives, Emergency Medicine, POCUS,
Medical Education

I grew up in Palo Alto, California, alongside my brother. In our single-parent household, I witnessed
firsthand the challenges my mother faced as she navigated life in the U.S. with limited support. Her
experience navigating the healthcare system as an immigrant sparked my drive to reduce barriers
to care for patients like her.

In college, I developed longitudinal relationships with underserved elementary and middle school
students by tutoring them in math and trumpet performance. I also served as Co-President of the Claremont Colleges Emergency Medical Services Club, where I supported fellow students in obtaining their EMT licenses. That experience led me to co-found the campus’ Emergency Medical Services program, which connected student EMTs with on-campus emergencies to improve response times and community safety.

In medical school, I was able to combine my passion for serving vulnerable populations and community initiatives by co-founding Stritch’s Special Olympics chapter. Together, we provided over 300 pre-participation sports physicals for athletes experiencing disabilities and played inclusive basketball and pickleball games at in-house sporting events.

Outside of medicine, you can find me on the soccer pitch, the pickleball court, or with my friends playing music!

I chose Santa Clara Valley Family Medicine Residency because of the warmth and camaraderie I felt from residents, faculty, and staff during my interview and second look days. Just as meaningfully, this program brings me back to the community that raised me—allowing me to give back as a physician and serve the very people who inspired me then and continue to inspire me today.

Fun Fact: I road-tripped home from Chicago—with a good friend—and listened to “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” 500 times!

Maria Ji, DO
she/her

College:  University of California, Berkeley

Medical School:  Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Areas of Interest: Preventative Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), Mentorship, Health Education

Growing up in the Bay Area as a daughter of Chinese immigrants, I was raised with a rich blend of traditions and languages that developed my empathy and respect for cultural diversity. These early influences inspired my commitment to serve diverse communities, leading me to pursue medicine.

While studying psychology at UC Berkeley, I was dedicated to enhancing community well-being by promoting health education, disease prevention, and psychosocial health. I continued this work as a medical student at Des Moines University, where I served disadvantaged populations with a focus on preventive care and community health. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the social determinants of health and the importance of cultural humility.

Family medicine holds a special place in my heart for its versatility and the opportunity to build lifelong relationships with patients across all age groups. While completing my sub-internship as a 4th-year medical student here, I was amazed by the comprehensive training opportunities, including dynamic inpatient service, diverse outpatient clinics, in-depth POCUS experiences, and a variety of procedures. I believe that the unique learner-centered curriculum, talented faculty, and abundant clinical resources will provide me with the most robust full-spectrum training. Ultimately, I strive to create healthier, more inclusive communities and transform the lives I serve, one patient at a time. 

Fun Fact: I enjoy tackling DIY projects. It's rewarding to solve problems hands-on and fix things myself. 

Luan Nguyen, DO
he/him

College:  Univ of California, Davis

Medical School: Touro Univ College of Osteopathic Medicine

Areas of Interest: Sports Medicine, Preventative Medicine, Medical Educatoin, Immigrant Health

I grew up in the beautiful coastal city of Nha Trang, Vietnam, and immigrated to the United
States in 2010. My family initially settled in Stockton, California, before moving to Modesto for
my parents’ work. Like many immigrant families, we faced the challenges of navigating a complex and new healthcare system where language barriers and limited access made even basic care feel out of reach. These early experiences, combined with later work and volunteer efforts with similarly underserved communities, deepened my awareness of healthcare disparities and inspired my path toward medicine.

Family medicine drew me in for its focus on strong, long-term patient relationships, preventive
care, and community-centered advocacy. After spending the past 15 years in Northern California, I’m thrilled to begin my residency training at Santa Clara Valley Family Medicine Residency, where I can continue serving the diverse populations that shaped my journey while receiving full-spectrum training.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy working out, watching sports, making (and drinking) coffee, and catching up with friends and family over boba.

Fun Fact: I was born left-handed but had to switch to my right hand in school when I was still living in Vietnam. So, now I’m ambidextrous (I can even use chopsticks with both hands).

Robert Shi, MD
he/him

College: Stanford University

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Social Determinants of Health, Health Equity, Medical Education

I was born in San Francisco, CA, and spent most of my childhood growing up in the Bay Area.

As a Sociology major in college, I had opportunities to think about how an individual's social, economic, political, and built environment all contribute to their health and well-being. I completed a master's degree in Community Health and Prevention Research during which I learned more about the power of prevention in medicine and performed qualitative research centered around well-being among unhoused folks. I then found passion in medical education working full-time as researcher with the Goodman Surgical Education Center at Stanford in in-situ simulation research.

In medical school, I was drawn to primary care because of its emphasis on considering a patient holistically. I was most energized when I was talking with patients--really getting to know them and understanding them fully. Outside of clinical medicine, I also found joy in volunteer opportunities in my medical school's Chinatown neighborhood via mentoring and tutoring local public school students, demonstrating healthy cooking options at an afterschool program, and participating in organized street-cleaning efforts.

I chose Santa Clara Valley Family Medicine Residency in large part because of the warm and generous patient population as well as the talented, kind, and supportive residents and faculty!

Fun fact: My partner and I love making pour-over and espresso-based coffees at home. We like to try different single-origin coffee beans from around the world - maybe we'll open a coffee shop one day!

Laura Slattery, MD
she/her

College: United States Military Academy, West Point, NY. Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA.

Medical School: University of California Davis School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Trauma-informed Care, Safety net medicine, LGBTQ+ Medicine, Addiction Medicine

Growing up in LA as the fifth of six children, raised mostly by a single mom, money was an issue - as it is for so many of us. I wanted to be a doctor but couldn’t afford the first step - college. I got a scholarship to go to the United States Military Academy to play basketball and went with hopes of paying for both college and medical school through service in the Army. When I discovered that the service commitment was longer than I anticipated or wanted, I graduated and served 3+ years in the Medical Service Corps before making other plans for my life.

Deeply rooted in my religious tradition, social justice has always been a guiding value for me. For the next 25+ years, I participated in, and sometimes led, nonprofits and groups that stood with immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, and people experiencing homelessness. I advocated for and taught nonviolent methods and solutions to challenges we face personally, nationally, and internationally.

The rekindling of my desire to practice medicine came quite suddenly at this stage in my life. Over the past seven years of retaking prerequisites and attending medical school, that desire has stood the test of time. Every day, I am thrilled that I have the opportunity to continue to provide care for people in need (albeit in a different way), to satisfy my intellectual curiosity, to practice compassion, to engage in ethical decision-making, and to sometimes lead.

I am excited to join our full-spectrum Family Medicine residency team where I can work alongside colleagues as dedicated to their craft as they are to their communities.

Fun Fact: I have jumped out of airplanes and rappelled out of helicopters - but I still can’t seem to Escape Rooms without significant clues and support!!

Bryan Vuong, MD he/him

College: University of California, Berkeley

Medical School: UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Underserved Populations, Public Health, Health Policy & Advocacy, Immigrant Health, Preventive Medicine, Integrative Medicine

Growing up as a first-generation Vietnamese American in the East Bay with significant financial, social, language, and health challenges drives my commitment to caring for patients, especially those from vulnerable communities with compassion and cultural sensitivity. 

Attending medical school in Los Angeles gave me important experience working with patients from various cultures and speaking different languages and furthered my passion for advocacy. During this time, I worked alongside the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA) to care for AAPI communities and address anti-Asian hate during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

To complement my medical education, I completed a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy & Management and equipped myself with the skills to better understand, quantify, and address health disparities. I worked closely with UCLA’s Preventive Medicine department to bring health education outside the four walls of the clinics and hospitals and out into the community by starting a program called Healthy Neighbors/Vecinos Saludable. 

Ultimately, I was drawn to Family Medicine because of its breadth, the ability to work with all members of the family unit, and its unique position working at the intersection between prevention and intervention. I chose to work at O’Connor because of the supportive community of faculty and residents, the program’s dedication to equity and healing, and the diversity of San Jose. I am excited to grow with the O’Connor family over the next three years and serve the residents of San Jose!

Outside of medicine, I enjoy going on food adventures with my wife, playing Dungeons and Dragons, putting together botanical LEGO sets, and listening to video game music!

Fun Fact: I am actively working on improving my Spanish and Vietnamese. I have a 181 day streak on Duolingo!

Ubaid Ansari
he/him

College:  University of California, Davis
Medical School: California Northstate University College of Medicine
Areas of Interest:  Sports Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutritional Medicine, Pain Medicine

Growing up in Santa Clara, California as the eldest of four siblings, I was raised by my Indian immigrant parents in a culture where family and community were central to my everyday life. From a young age, I understood the importance of supporting others during their times of need and saw the strength that comes from belonging to a greater collective. This instilled in me a responsibility to care for those around me, which led me to pursue a career in medicine where I would always be lending that helping hand.

For my undergraduate education, I studied for two years at my local community college, Mission College, before transferring to the University of California, Davis, where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior after two years. Following my undergraduate education, I attended medical school at California Northstate University College of Medicine. As a medical student, I focused on improving access to healthcare for underserved populations through initiatives like volunteering at Shifa Clinic, a student-run community clinic in downtown Sacramento. Beyond direct patient care, I became involved in community outreach and advocacy through student interest groups, establishing the South Asian Medical Student Association to encourage health awareness and literacy among people of South Asian heritage. I also found ways to combine my lifelong passion for sports with my commitment to wellness by helping launch the Exercise is Medicine and Soccer student interest groups, encouraging future physicians to prioritize healthy habits in their own lives.

During my Family Medicine clerkship, I discovered a specialty where my passion and vision for patient care aligned most naturally and one that brought together the values that have guided me throughout my life. I was drawn to Family Medicine's emphasis on building lasting relationships, understanding patients within the context of their families and communities, and meeting people where they are. Ultimately, Family Medicine felt like home — a specialty grounded in compassion, advocacy, and service that reflected the physician I aspired to be. I was especially drawn to the Santa Clara Valley Healthcare Family Medicine Residency because of the program’s strong sense of community, supportive learning environment, and dedication to serving the diverse populations of San Jose and the greater Bay Area. Returning home to train in the community that helped shape me is incredibly meaningful, and I am excited to continue growing as a physician while caring for the patients and families of this beautiful region.

Outside of medicine, I like to stay active through playing soccer, basketball, and volleyball. I also enjoy challenging myself by lifting weights in the gym and find pleasure in taking long scenic walks. I love baking and consider chocolate chip cookies and banana bread to be my specialty desserts! At the end of a long day, you'll often find me unwinding with movies or TV shows. Picking my favorite movie is nearly impossible, but if I had to choose, I'd have to go with The Prestige.

Fun Fact: I am a huge animal lover and currently have three pet cats! Spending time with them is one of my favorite ways to relax outside of medicine.

Liza Becker, MD
she/her

College: Duke University

Medical School:  Drexel University College of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Addiction Medicine, Reproductive Justice, Sports Medicine, LGBTQ+ Health, Lifestyle Medicine

I grew up just outside of Philadelphia and attended medical school at Drexel University, where I developed a passion for Family Medicine through experiences in community-based care, advocacy, and research. I was drawn to Family Medicine because of its commitment to health equity and its unique ability to care for patients across all stages of life and in a wide range of settings.

During my undergraduate years, I had the opportunity to live in, learn from, and serve diverse communities ranging from Sunflower, Mississippi to Nairobi, Kenya, where I worked in education and maternal health research. These experiences reinforced my commitment to community-centered care and addressing health inequities.

During medical school, I worked with a harm reduction agency called Prevention Point Philadelphia, where I co-founded a free wound care clinic for people who use drugs. I also pursued research focused on racial disparities in access to medications for opioid use disorder and the effects of group prenatal care on parent and child health outcomes. Through Drexel's Women’s Health Scholars Program and advocacy work with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, I further developed a passion for caring for underserved communities.

I chose Santa Clara Valley Healthcare because of its outstanding residents and faculty, comprehensive full-spectrum Family Medicine training, and strong community hospital environment supported by a world-class academic institution.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy hiking and trying new food with my fiancé. When I'm not in the clinic, you can usually find me baking, reading a good book, lifting weights at the gym, or shooting hoops on a basketball court.

Fun Fact: I once rappelled down a 30-story skyscraper in center city Philadelphia.

Lam Bui, MD
she/her

College: University of California, San Diego

Medical School: A.T. Still University, Arizona

Areas of Interest: Public Health & Advocacy, Street Medicine, Women’s Health, Sports Medicine

As the eldest of three daughters born to Vietnamese immigrant parents, I have always valued the importance of community, resilience, and service. Although I was born in Wheaton, Illinois, I proudly consider myself a San Diegan, having been raised under the sunny skies of Southern California.

For many years, I taught students from 2nd through 8th grade at my local Catholic parish, an experience that allowed me to build meaningful relationships with immigrant and refugee families. I often served as a bridge between generations of Asian and Asian American communities, helping them navigate cultural and language barriers. Witnessing firsthand the challenges of healthcare access and limited health literacy inspired my commitment to serving underserved populations and greatly shaped my path into medicine.

I am honored to be training at the Santa Clara Valley Healthcare Family Medicine Residency and to contribute to initiatives that emphasize patient advocacy and equitable healthcare. In a constantly evolving healthcare landscape, I loved hearing from the faculty and their passion about protecting patient rights and promoting health education.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy exploring new restaurants and adding to my ever-growing collection of Yelp reviews, tackling escape rooms (currently on a 30-win streak), and spending time immersed in board games and Dungeons & Dragons campaigns.

Fun Fact: I love playing poker! I played regularly during college and was often told I had a great poker face. While my skills may be a little rusty these days, I still enjoy the occasional game.

Becky Correa, MD
she/her

College: Amherst College

Medical School: Keck of Medicine of USC

Areas of interest: Addiction Medicine, Reproductive Justice, Community Health, Health Equity & Social Justice

I spent a large chunk of my childhood divided between two places. Born and raised in the flatlands of northwest Indiana, I spent my summers working on an olive ranch with my grandparents in the vast desert of southern Texas, where the rest of my extended family resides. My midwestern upbringing gifted me a love for long drives, deep dish, and DQ Blizzards, while my Tejano roots provided me a deep sense of identity and community (as well as a love for breakfast tacos, and again DQ Blizzards). Growing up across these two environments also gave me an early exposure to the stark dichotomy in health outcomes between my affluent Indiana suburb and the rural Mexican border town my family is from. That dichotomy instilled in me a passion for advocacy and public health, and ignited my journey toward becoming a physician. As I got older and watched my family age into chronic conditions, navigating a complex healthcare system without connections to that world, and having to advocate for themselves , I found myself falling in love with family medicine, and I haven't turned back.

Family medicine, for me, has always been a way to integrate into communities and help patients find agency in their own health and lives. I want to help patients make choices that reflect their own values and continue to grow as their bodies change; not as shells of who they were, but as fuller versions of themselves. I chose SCVHC because I knew I would be well prepared here to practice the full spectrum of family medicine required to support patients in that way. I am excited to begin my training and grateful to be surrounded by such like-minded, compassionate people.

Fun Fact: I love long road trips! I have driven up the pacific and across the southwest. I’ve even visited Roswell on one of my trips (sadly no alien sightings!)

Kevin Garcia, MD
he/him

College: Williams College

Medical School: Harvard Medical School

Areas of Interest: Population Health, Procedural Medicine, Adolescent Medicine, OB/Women’s Health, Sports Medicine

I grew up in Colorado as the son of two Mexican immigrants. My first experiences with medicine involved watching my parents decide whether seeking medical care was worth the financial burden, language barriers, and stigma they often encountered. Seeing those challenges first hand made me aware from an early age that healthcare is not equally accessible to everyone, and I knew I wanted to find a way to make a difference in communities like my own.

That desire became more concrete during college, when I participated in the ARCHES program at Georgetown University and shadowed a family physician who seamlessly blended science, community, and cultural understanding. Later, working as a Certified Nurse Assistant during the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the power of compassion, language, and human connection in caring for patients. Together, these experiences led me to family medicine, where I found a specialty that combines broad medical knowledge with meaningful relationships and the opportunity to care for patients across every stage of life.

Growing up, I was fortunate to be supported by programs such as SOS Outreach, the Youth Foundation, and the Taft Conlin Scholarship. These experiences greatly influenced my life and instilled in me a passion for mentorship, youth development, and empowering others. I hope to carry that same spirit throughout my career and to pay forward the support that helped shape my own journey.

I am excited to train at the Santa Clara Valley Healthcare Family Medicine Residency Program alongside residents and faculty who are incredibly tenacious, kind, and attentive. I look forward to growing into a family physician who listens deeply and helps patients navigate the healthcare system with trust and dignity.

Outside of medicine, I love spending time with family and friends and being outdoors in the sunshine. Whether I am running, strength training, hiking, or cooking, I am happiest when I am active and sharing experiences with the people I care about.

Fun Fact: I was studying abroad in Beijing when the COVID-19 pandemic first began.

Mary Jabari, MD
she/her

College: University of California, San Diego

Medical School: California Northstate University College of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Prenatal Care, Preventive Medicine, Immigrant and Refugee Health, LGBTQ+ Medicine

At any gathering, I find myself drawn to the person standing on the edge of the room, the one who came alone or hasn’t quite found their footing yet. Connecting with people has always come naturally to me, so when it came time to choose a residency, I was looking for that same quality in the people around me. That’s what drew me to the Santa Clara Valley. Even before I matched here, I could see how genuinely the residents supported one another. I’ve always believed you learn best in a place where people build each other up instead of keeping score.

I immigrated from Iran to San Diego in seventh grade, old enough to understand what it meant to leave one life behind and begin another. Not long after we arrived, I lost my father. Those experiences taught me how overwhelming it can feel to navigate unfamiliar systems and how much a compassionate, steady presence can change someone’s experience. They are also why I believe the best care begins with understanding the person sitting in front of you.

After several years in research, I realized what I loved most wasn’t working at the bench but connecting with people. Family medicine became the place where everything I care about came together. I’m especially interested in women’s health, prenatal care, preventive medicine, and building long-term relationships with patients and their families. Working with underserved communities reinforced my commitment to caring for immigrants and other communities that are too often overlooked, while making health education practical, accessible, and meaningful. What I love most about family medicine is the opportunity to build lasting relationships and care for people through every stage of life.

Outside of medicine, you’ll usually find me hiking, snowboarding, dancing, experimenting in the kitchen, or taking care of a home that’s slowly turning into a greenhouse with more than 40 plants and counting.

Fun Fact: I once crossed three continents in a single day, traveling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, Tehran, Zurich, Los Angeles, then driving the last stretch to San Diego.

Serena Lee, MD
she/her

College: Vassar College

Medical School: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Integrative Medicine, Culturally-Relevant Care, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Health Systems Reform, Preventive Care, Health Equity, Addiction Medicine

I grew up in Simi Valley, CA as the first child to Korean American immigrants struggling to make a living, and as such, my early life was shaped by complex, sometimes painful family dynamics. This influenced my choice to major in Neuroscience and Behavior when I went to college. While the science was fascinating, it ultimately pointed me back to the deeply human, relational side of healing. During this time, I was also involved in public health and worked for a non-profit to improve healthcare access to a rural part of Haiti. Behavioral science and health equity became ongoing threads throughout my journey.

Returning to California for my gap years, I found a sense of home and belonging in the vibrant and diverse communities of Los Angeles. My time scribing for a local ED during the pandemic emphasized a need for healthcare reform as well as continuous, preventive and relationship-centered care, leading me to family medicine.

During medical school, I found joy advocating for family medicine and for finding creative and sustainable solutions to systemic issues in healthcare to my classmates. I chose my third year training to be exclusively at the safety-net hospital system in Cleveland, OH and learned to tackle patients' complex biopsychosocial needs. I also dealt with my own set of post-COVID health challenges and ended up benefiting from integrative medicine modalities in my own recovery. These experiences reinforced an understanding of the need for more holistic approaches to healing that I hope to provide through my practice of family medicine.

I also have to point to my faith as a driving force behind my commitment to providing compassionate, holistic, and restorative care to the community. My relationship with Jesus has been central to finding hope amidst the brokenness in this world and to serving others.

I chose the O'Connor community for my training because of the thoughtful culture of genuine patient-centered care and advocacy, full-spectrum training with opportunities to pursue my interests such as integrative medicine, and a focus on serving underserved communities. I am absolutely psyched to be here.

Outside of medicine, you can find me either jamming out to some sad boi karaoke, or poorly (but passionately!) playing soccer.

Fun fact: I love browsing stationery to the point that pretty much every time I go to Target I look at the journals section. I don’t even like writing that much.

Allen Partono, MD
he/him

College: University of California, Riverside
Graduate: University of California, Berkeley

Medical School: University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Immigrant/Refugee Health, Street Medicine, Public Health/Advocacy, Sports Medicine, POCUS, Procedures

I was born in Jakarta, Indonesia but was raised in the US. I spent half of my childhood living in Orange County, California and St. Augustine, Florida as my parents were adjusting to life in the United States.

While attending college in Riverside, I got involved with free clinics and health fairs that made me realize the systemic and structural disparities affecting low-income communities of color. On the way, I was introduced to the idea of using medicine as a means of advocacy by various medical students and physicians. Thus, I began working with various community groups to address many social issues that drive health disparities, including racism, immigration and food insecurity.

As I went through medical school, I continued to stay true to my reason for pursuing medicine by being involved with various different free clinics and serving as a mentor on various pipeline programs. I ended up in Family Medicine because I enjoyed almost all of my clerkships and wanted to utilize a little bit of each of them. Furthermore, I found that my interest in public health, patient relationships, and community advocacy was most consistent with the values of Family Medicine.

I chose Santa Clara Valley Healthcare for its unopposed, full-spectrum clinical training in a diverse community, which will prepare me to address all the needs of my patients. Additionally, I was drawn to the program's supportive culture and integration of community health, health policy, and justice in its curriculum.

Fun fact: I am a Balatro addict and have nearly completed Gold Stake on every deck!

Daisy Rodriguez, MD
she/her

College: Princeton University

Medical School:  Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Areas of Interest: Reproductive Health, Community Medicine, Health Equity, Medical Education, Immigrant Health

I am a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and was born and raised in East San Jose, CA. Growing up in a low-income, immigrant household, I witnessed firsthand the challenges of accessing health care. These experiences inspired my commitment to serving underserved communities, and I quickly realized that primary care was the ideal path to make a meaningful impact.

In college, I studied Molecular Biology and Global Health and Health Policy. However, it was a Medical Spanish course that truly solidified my interest in medicine. Learning about the health disparities affecting the Latinx community in the U.S., I saw my own family and community reflected in those experiences and began to envision how I could help address those barriers as a physician.

In medical school, I had the opportunity to build longitudinal relationships with patients through our student-run free clinic, where I served as both a student doctor and a medical interpreter. Our team functioned as our patients' primary care providers, helping them navigate complex chronic conditions and social needs. It was through these experiences that I fell in love with the breadth of family medicine and the privilege of caring for patients across all stages of life.

I chose Santa Clara Valley Family Medicine Residency because of its deep commitment to caring for underserved communities and its emphasis on full-spectrum family medicine. I am excited to return home to San Jose, care for the diverse community that shaped me, and continue growing into the kind of family physician I aspire to be.

Fun fact:  In middle school I won an art contest to design a mural for my school, and my mural design is still displayed there today!