Family Medicine Residency Program

Residents

The residents in training at the White Memorial Medical Center Family Medicine Residency Program have a strong motivation to learn family medicine while working with underserved multicultural populations in a community setting, and a commitment to lifelong professional education.

PGY-3 Residents

Mariela Garcia, MD, is a 2005 graduate of Charles R. Drew University. Dr. Garcia received her bachelor of arts (Chicano Studies) in 2000 from Pomona College. Dr. Garcia served as a Member of the Charles R. Drew Admissions Committee and NNLAMS/National Network of Latin American Medical Students. She also volunteered at the Hospital General de Tepehuanes during her vacations seeing patients from 15 communities in the county of Tepehuanes, Durango, Mexico. Further activities included Project Santa Claus and the Lennox Health Fair. She served as Chair, Minority Health Conference as well as participated in a six week elective in Cuba with the program Medical Education In Cooperation with Cuba (MEDICC), which included participation with a Family Medicine physician in the rural community of Pinar del Rio. She Co-Chaired the LMSA/Latino Medical Student Association and served as an organizer for the Garcia Leadership Conference. Dr. Garcia is fluent in Spanish and enjoys traveling, family, dancing and meeting new people.

Kiel Haugen, MD, is a 2005 graduate of the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. Dr. Haugen received her bachelor of arts (Human Development) from California State University, San Marcos in 2001. Prior to beginning her training at WMMC, Dr. Haugen provided volunteer services at the Escondido Community Healthy Center. Dr. Haugen speaks some Spanish and enjoys spinning and weaving, gardening and playing with her cats.

Christopher Hiromura, MD, is a 2005 graduate of the USC School of Medicine. He received his bachelor of science (Biology) from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1998. Prior to beginning training at WMMC, Dr. Hiromura reviewed, discussed and made decisions with school faculty regarding medical school candidates as the student representative to USCSOM. He served as Treasurer, SNMA/Student National Medical Assoc. & Coordinator, Tom Bradley Elementary Med School Program. Dr. Hiromura volunteered with Liga International and at the Oscar Romero Free Clinic. He mentored high school students to plan for college and future careers as a member of the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association and worked on Project Santa Claus while encouraging undergraduate minorities to pursue careers in medicine as a member of SNMA/Student National Medical Assoc. Dr. Hiromura is fluent in Spanish and counts basketball, tennis, squash, travel, reading, cooking and dancing among his favorite things.

Agustin Lara, MD, is a 2005 graduate of University of CA, San Francisco. Dr. Lara received his bachelor of arts (Psychology) from California State University, Northridge in 1995. Dr. Lara was the Founder/Teacher of a Spanish class for health care students. He also served as the Chair of the Latino Medical Student Association during its sponsorship of such events as the Dia de Los Muertos premedical conference and the annual high school recruitment day. He also worked with lawyers to provide pro bono legal assistance to Ventura County farmworkers as a worker for California Rural Legal Assistance. Dr. Lara is fluent in Spanish and enjoys painting, jogging, sports, reading and baseball.

Adriane Roxas, DO, is a 2005 graduate of the Western University of Health Sciences 2005. Dr. Roxas received her bachelor of science (Biology) from Saint Mary’s College of California in 1997. Dr. Roxas has served in the coordination of various athletic events during the Special Olympics of Southern California and was Co-chair of Santa’s Workshop. She helped coordinate activities at the Montclair Medical Clinic and volunteered with the Geriatrics Club, the New Light Christian Center Church, Pomona Community Health Action Team and the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California. Additionally, she volunteered her time with the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic. the Bay West Family Health Care, the American Red Cross, Stanford University Hospital and Children’s Hospital Oakland. Her hobbies include family, outdoor activities, bicycling, running, swimming, snorkeling, bowling, yoga and rollerblading.

Jannette Villalobos, MD, is a 2005 graduate of the USC School of Medicine. Dr. Villalobos received her bachelor of science (Biology) from University of California, Riverside in 2001. Dr. Villalobos has provided leadership as the Clinic Coordinator for PATH/People Assisting the Homeless, as a member of Chorda Tympani and Alhambra High School Mentorship Programs. She is also a member of LMSA/Latino Medical Student Association where she participated in Project Santa Claus, Bidding for a Better Tomorrow Auction, the Health Families Health Fair and volunteered at Tom Bradley Elementary School. She served as the Treasurer of AMWA/American Medical Women’s Association during which she participated in community service activities like Healthy Families Health Fair and Domestic Violence week. Dr. Villalobos is fluent in Spanish and enjoys reading, sports and a good conversation.

PGY-2 Residents

Luis Ontiveros, M.D., received his B.S. in Biology in 2001 from the University of California, Los Angeles. He graduated from the UCLA/Drew Medical Education Program with his M.D. in 2006. His volunteer activities include being the statewide mentorship coordinator for the Latino Medical Student Association, participating in the UCLA Health Fairs and serving as a tutor for the same organization as well as for the UCLA Academic Advancement Program for Minorities. His hobbies include working out, family, paintball shooting and playing the accordion. Dr. Ontiveros speaks Spanish.

Sophia Tan Truong, M.D., received her B.S. in Psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1997. She completed medical school at Saint George’s University in Grenada in 2005. Dr. Truong volunteered at the WMMC Health Fair in 2005, the SGU Health Fair in 2002 and at the Buddhist Tzu-Chi Free Clinic from 2001 to 2006. She also served as an International Advisor at UCLA in 1997. Her hobbies include hiking, basketball, cooking, drawing and music. She is conversational in Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) and Spanish.

Mario Vera, M.D., received his B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology in 2001 from the California State University, Northridge. He earned his medical school degree from the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine in 2006. His volunteer experiences include being an instructor for the UCI School of Medicine/Latino Health Access Promotoras Program, a counselor for the UCI School of Medicine CampMed Program, and the Co-Chair and a Pre Medical Conference Coordinator for the Latino Medical Student Association at UC Irvine. His hobbies include volunteering and snowboarding. Dr. Vera is fluent in Spanish.

Alma Lopez, M.D., received her B.S. in Physiological Sciences in 2001 from the University of California, Los Angeles. She received her M.D. degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in 2006. Her volunteer activities have included being the Vaccination Student Chief for the UCLA Student Run Homeless Clinics in 2005, Senior Advisor to the UCLA Family Medicine Interest Group in 2005, Senior Advisor and Co-Chair for the Latino Medical Student Association, UCLA Chapter as well as participating in the Biannual Lennox Health Fair. Dr. Lopez is fluent in Spanish.

Paulino Equihua, M.D., received his B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1999 and his M.S. in Biology from California State University, Los Angeles in 2003. He received his M.D. in 2006 from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in 2006. He volunteered as the senior Co-Advisor to the UCLA Family Medicine Interest Group in 2003 and as Co-Director and Volunteer for the Latino Student Health Project at UCLA between 1996 and 1998. His hobbies include basketball, baseball, traveling and watching the movies. Dr. Equihua is fluent in Spanish.

Rana Azimi, M.D., received her B.S. from University of California, Los Angeles in Physiological Science in 2001. Her M.D. followed in 2006 from UCLA/Drew Medical Education Program. She served as a Coordinator for the Lennox Health Fair in 2004, a member of the Chicano Medical Student Association, a volunteer for the Lennox Health Fairs Santa Claus, Allied Health and Careers Opportunity and PROVE programs. Dr. Azimi enjoys interior decorating, dancing, yoga and family. She speaks Farsi fluently as well as medical Spanish.

Maria Abundis-Barrera, M.D., received her B.A. in 2001 in Psychology from the California State University, Northridge. Upon graduation, she entered the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and received her M.D. in 2006. Her volunteer experiences include being the coordinator for Our Lady of Peace Health Ministry, a speaker for the UCLA Premedical Enrichment Program, a coordinator for the Justice and Peace Committee, a volunteer for the Lennox and Our Lady of Peace Health Fairs as well as coordinating the Chicano Latino Graduation Committee. Her hobbies include singing and organizing events. Dr. Abundis-Barrera speaks Spanish fluently.

PGY-1 Residents

Aneka Braxton, MD, is a 2007 graduate from University of California, Los Angeles/Drew Medical Education Program. She received her BS (Biochemistry) in 2000 from University of California, Los Angeles. Some of her past community work experience includes participating in the evaluation and treatment of homeless patients through the Weingart Center Free Clinic. Dr. Braxton was the spokesperson at the Charles R. Drew Saturday Science Academy. She enjoys time with family and computer games.

William Farris Jr., MD, is a 1998 graduate of the Chicago Medical School. Dr. Farris completed his BS (Biology) in 1980 from Morehouse College. Before joining White Memorial, Dr. Farris served as a General Biology tutor. He enjoys baseball, tennis and cycling.

Jenny Fraire-Chew, DO, is a 2007 graduate from the Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. Dr. Fraire-Chew received her BS (Applied Ecology) from University of California, Irvine in 1999. Before joining White Memorial, she served as a medical student representative for the Latino Medical Student Association, provided medical assistance and spiritual guidance to underprivileged people in Mexico through the Christian Medical and Dental Association. She completed a medical internship in Ob/Gyn at the Hospital Universitario Marque De Valdecilla in Northern Spain through the International Medicine Club. Dr. Fraire-Chew also served in Tecate, Mexico through the Walnut Humanitarian Coalition. She participated in bi-monthly health fairs at the University of California, Davis Medi-Corps. She speaks Spanish and enjoys swimming, hiking, running, camping, traveling, cooking and biking.

Homa Ghasemloei, MD, is a 2000 graduate of Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universitat, Germany. Dr. Ghasemloei completed her post doctoral education during 2005 to 2007 in a Family Medicine Residency at Martin Luther King Harbor Medical Center. Before joining White Memorial, Dr. Ghasemloei provided care at the Pars Medical Clinic, and became oriented with hospitals in the United States at Northridge Hospital. She speaks German and Farsi, and enjoys reading, swimming and photography.

Kyle Lee, DO, is a 2007 graduate of Touro University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. He attained his BS (Biology) from University of California, Los Angeles in 1997 and his MS (Biology) in 2002 from California State University, Los Angeles. Before joining White Memorial, he completed 205 hours of patient care at Queen of the Valley Hospital as a clinical care extender assisting nurses and doctors from the medical/telemetry floor for three months and in the emergency department for six months. He also shadowed first year residents and assisted in patient care at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. Dr. Lee speaks Taiwanese, Mandarin and basic Spanish. He enjoys tennis, biking, running, cooking, swimming, automotive/home repair, family and friends.

Gilberto Medina, MD, is a 2007 graduate of New York Medical College (NYMC). He received his BS (Physiological Science) from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2001. Before joining White Memorial, he provided free healthcare to the uninsured and undocumented adult population of East Harlem through the program Casita de la Salud. He participated in the NYMC Boricua Latino Health Organization to help recruit Latinos into higher education and promote awareness about issues related to Latino health. He mentored disadvantaged undergraduates at UCLA School of Medicine’s High School PREP. He planned educational and cultural shows for inner-city students, as wells as fairs and fundraisers through Semana de la Raza for. Dr. Medina was a co-coordinator for the Latino Student Health Project which helped increase access of health services and promote health education in medically underserved communities. Dr. Medina speaks Spanish and enjoys family, reading, movies and exercising.

Sandra Montes, MD, is a 2007 graduate of University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. She received her MS (Biology) in 2002 from the University of Hawaii, Hilo. Before joining White Memorial, Dr. Montes was the treasurer of the Latino Medical Student Association. She also taught first and sixth grade students in two different underserved areas about health and common diseases in the Latino community. Besides this, she taught fourth grade students health and science lessons through the Student National Medical Association. She was the treasurer for the Bidding for a Better Tomorrow/Project Santa. Dr. Montes speaks Spanish, and enjoys the outdoors, traveling, exercising and family.

Aide Rocio Perez, MD, is a 2007 graduate of the University of Illinois, College of Medicine. She received her BS (Psychobiology/Chicana Studies) from University of California, Los Angeles in 2001. Before joining White Memorial, Dr. Perez participated in the Illinois SEARCH Program, which consisted of a community assessment and patient cultural interviews. She was co-president of LaRaza Medical Student Association, where she helped organize the annual Med Day for 100 high school students to learn about the experience of being a medical student. She also volunteered at community health fairs. Dr. Perez volunteered as an interpreter and performed physical exams and presented to attending physicians while mentoring junior medical students at a student run free clinic. Dr. Perez speaks Spanish and enjoys cooking, running and family. 

Where are our graduates practicing? In what kind of practice?

To date, our program has graduated eighty-eight (88) physicians. Sixty five percent (65%) are practicing in health profession shortage areas and working with disadvantaged populations. Ninety-five percent (95%) are practicing in California including 36 who are working in the community of East Los Angeles. All our graduates practice family medicine, a number do Obstetrics.

The practice settings for our graduates include HMOs, community clinics, migrant health centers, group practices and academic/educational settings. All program graduates (100%) successfully passed the American Board of Family Medicine certification exam.