Pediatric Residency Program

Our Residents

PGY-3 Residents

Michael Aguinaldo, MD, is a 2002 graduate of Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara and the Fifth Pathway Program of New York Medical College 2004. He received his bachelor of science (Psychology/Biology) in 1996 from the University of California, Riverside. Dr. Aguinaldo has served as a co-investigator at the Diabetes Treatment Center where he coordinated research recruitment, screening, data collection and analysis of database. He has also supervised the AIDS Walk L.A. and Multiple Sclerosis Walk and directed recruitment and fundraising activities as a member of A3M (Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches). Dr. Aguinaldo also enjoys coaching underprivileged children as a part of the Junior Lakers program. He is fluent in Spanish and lists body boarding, snowboarding, mountain biking and basketball among his favorite things.

Chioma Kalu, MD, is a 1998 graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria. Dr. Kalu did her post doctoral training in the Pediatric Residency Program at Martin Luther King Harbor Medical Center from 2005 to 2007. Dr. Kalu was a medical officer for the National Youth Service Corporation, where she provided presentations on healthcare as well as free immunizations. She also served as the house officer where she provided management and organization of free prenatal health clinic and educational programs at the Eko Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos. Dr. Kalu speaks Ibo and Spanish, and enjoys reading, music, sports and traveling.

Ana "Virginia" Kato, MD, is a 1993 graduate of Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas de Pernambuco Brazil. She has also served past pediatric training at the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil in Pediatrics/Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine between 1994-1999. Previous to beginning training in the US, Dr. Kato has assisted teachers at the Brentwood Science Magnet School and at Nora Sterry Elementary School. She has also served as Medical Assistant at the MOA True Health Center in Los Angeles and as a Program Coordinator for NACC, a Support Center for Children with Cancer, promoting recreational activities such as arts/crafts, music and performing acts for children with cancer. Dr. Kato is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish and enjoys Yoga, Ikebana and reading.

Nghia Truong, MD, is a 2005 graduate of St. George’s University. Dr. Truong received his bachelor of science (Biochemistry and Psychobiology) from UCLA in 1999. Dr. Truong has provided outside aid as a volunteer and trainer at various Saint George’s Health Fairs. He also served as Cofounder and Executive for the Asian Pacific Islander Association, which encouraged cultural awareness and diversity. Dr. Truong acted as an Escort and Clerk at Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena as well as an Emergency Medical Technician with American Response and as a Medical Assistant at the Los Angeles Community Hospital. Academically, Dr. Truong served as Treasurer/Recorder for the Alpha Chi Sigma National Chemistry Fraternity and Project Director and Tutor for Immigrant Literacy Development. Dr. Truong is fluent in Chiu Chow and Vietnamese and enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, cooking, music, sports, collecting stamps, coins and sports trading cards.

PGY-2 Residents

Diana Zagalskaya, MD, received her medical degree from the National Medical University, Kiev, Ukraine in 1991. She served as a resident in Pediatric Endocrinology at the National Medical University from 1992 to 1993, and a one-year residency of Pediatrics at the same institution between 1991 and 1992. She has spent time in the U.S. observing at St. Vincent Medical Center since her arrival here. Her hobbies include reading, music, walking, cooking and family. Dr. Zagalskaya is fluent in Russian and Ukrainian.

Lilit Baltaian, MD, received her medical degree from the Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia in 1991. Following graduation, she participated in a three year Pediatric Residency Training at the Yerevan State Medical University. She served as a physician at the Republican Hospital in Yerevan from 1992 to 1995, during which time she volunteered to provide children in underserved areas physical examinations. Her hobbies include art, science, music and literature. Dr. Baltaian speaks Russian, Armenian and Spanish.

Danielle Brum, MD, received her medical degree from the Escola Superior de Ciencias da Santa Casa de Misericordia de Vitoria, Brazil, in 1997. Dr. Brum served two years of Pediatric Nephrology Residency at the Instituto da Crianca – FMUSP, Sao Paulo, Brazil between 2000 and 2003. This training was preceded by two years of Pediatric Residency at the Casa de Saude Santa Marcelina, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Dr. Brum has devoted time to the “adopt one child” in the SOS Children’s Program in Brazil, interned in the ICU at Sao Lucas Hospital in 1996, and interned on the Medicine Ward of the Hospital Santa Casa de Misericordia de Vitoria. Dr. Brum enjoys watching movies, reading, traveling and photography. She speaks Portuguese and Spanish.

Chynara Kyshtobaeva, MD, (Dr. K), received her medical degree from Kyrgyz State Medical Institute, Kyrgyzstan in 1988. Before attaining this degree, she earned her R.N. from Kyrgyz Kara-Balta Nursing School in the Kyrgyz Republic, USSR. Dr. K completed two years of residency in Pediatrics at the Kyrgyz State Research Institute of Obstetrics and Pediatrics at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan ending in 1991, and a one year internship in Pediatrics at the same institution till 1989. She enjoys hiking and dancing. Dr. K speaks fluent Russian.

Alma Muñoz, MD, received her medical degree from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California in Tijuana, Mexico in 2003. As part of her training, she practiced for one year as an attending physician to an underserved community in El Citavaro Health center in Sonora, Mexico in 2002. She served a one-year Otolaryngology residency at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social Puebla in Mexico in 2004, prior to moving to the U.S. She has spent time as a translator and teacher for weight management programs for children at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles before starting her residency at WMMC. Her hobbies are cooking and photography. Dr. Muñoz is fluent in Spanish.

PGY-1 Residents

Teri Klein, DO, is a 2007 graduate of the Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. Dr. Klein received her BA (Communications) from California State University, Northridge in 1986. Prior to joining White Memorial, Dr. Klein performed sports physicals at multiple high schools through the Huntington Beach Community Clinic. She also assisted low income individuals at the City of Montclair Medical Clinic. Dr. Klein also provided medical education through the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians by attending health fairs, community outreach programs and meetings on current topics and events. She was also a participant of the Junior League of Los Angeles where she volunteered in community outreach projects such as Helping with Health Fairs, Caring for Babies with Aids and Painting Out Graffiti. Dr. Klein enjoys reading, gardening, traveling, friends, family and cooking.

Faize Patricia Mustafa, MD, is a 1998 graduate from the Universidad El Bosque, Colombia. Dr. Mustafa received her post doctoral training in pediatrics at the Universidad El Bosque from 1999 to 2002. Prior to joining White Memorial, she served as a Health Promoters’ coordinator for the California Endowment Initiative as well as for the Healthy Eating, Activity Community from 2006 to 2007. She also taught in HELP for children dealing with obesity at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Dr. Mustafa was a health educator for Queen of the Valley Hospital. She speaks Spanish and enjoys reading, crafts, gardening tulips, family and children.

Maija Steenari, MD, is a 2006 graduate from the University of Helsinki, Finland. Prior to joining White Memorial, Dr. Steenari was the league leader for LaLeche League International where she was able to exercise her planning, leading, managing and communication skills. She also studied breastfeeding related medical problems. She was a board member for the Breastfeeding Support Association in Vantaa, Finland, where she planned education and training, and was one of the three lecturers in breastfeeding basics during fall 2005. Dr. Steenari speaks Finnish, Swedish, and some French, and enjoys running, Nordic walking, ballet, acrylic painting and knitting.

Modar Sukkarieh, MD, is a 2002 graduate from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.  In 1998 he received his BS (Biology) from the American University of Beirut. Before joining White Memorial, he provided care to the medically deprived dwellers of refugee camps through the American University Outreach Clinic Program. Dr. Sukkarieh was an HIV educator for LEMSIC-SCORA where he gave lectures on HIV awareness and safe sex practices to high school students. He also participated in fundraising for programs that support shelters for Los Angeles homeless children through the Los Angeles Homeless Association. Dr. Sukkarieh speaks German and Arabic and enjoys research, Olympic archery, swimming, traveling and psychology.