Stanford SDN 2023

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Class of 2023

College: UC Berkeley

Medical School: Boston University

Areas of Interest: Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health, Women’s Health/OB, Pediatrics, Advocacy

I was born in Virginia but raised mostly along the west coast from Los Angeles all the way up to Seattle. 

During college, I started volunteering regularly at a shelter for homeless women, something that I continued to do during medical school. That became a springboard to pursuing medicine, as it seemed like a very natural way to continue to work with marginalized individuals and communities, so I jumped in and haven’t looked back since. My interests include issues facing the homeless community and the interaction between social issues like immigration and housing with medical issues like mental health, addiction, and chronic disease. Now that I am (somehow) officially a doctor, one of my main goals is to learn how to use my voice and social standing to advocate more loudly and publicly for people that have been disadvantaged and marginalized.

Family medicine really struck me not only for its awesome breadth and versatility, but also for its culture of thinking about people as people and not merely deconstructed organ systems or lists of problems to check off. I’m thrilled to pursue my training at O’Connor and continue growing alongside all the amazing people here!

Fun Fact: I have a totally healthy obsession with redwood trees.

College: UC Berkeley

Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Women’s Health, Reproductive Justice, Community Medicine, Medical Education

I am a Bay Area native, born nearby at Stanford Hospital. I went to UC Berkeley for college (Go Bears!) and studied Integrative Biology and Linguistics. After college, I moved to Washington, DC, to do research in a microbiology lab at the NIH and then attend medical school. While in DC, I saw health policy up close and had the chance to advocate for patients and legislation on Capitol Hill. I was also involved in Georgetown’s Medical-Legal partnership, where I saw firsthand how social and economic factors lead to health inequities. All of these experiences drew me to the comprehensive approach of Family Medicine, in which doctors build long-term relationships with patients and advocate for their communities. 

After doing a sub-internship here, I knew Stanford-O’Connor would be a perfect fit. I was impressed by the closeness of the residents and faculty, as well as their dedication to serving the community at the county hospital and FQHC across the street. I am thrilled to be back to train in and serve the community that I grew up in!

In my free time, I like going for hikes in the redwoods, cycling, cooking, and all things DIY. 

Fun Fact: I worked on a farm in France during the summer before medical school. 

Grace Firestone, MD
she/her

College: University of Delaware

Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, PA)

Areas of Interest: Health Inequity and Social Justice, Health Literacy and Patient Education, Advocacy, Mental Health

To the person reading this - I hope you and your family have stayed well through this unique and challenging time! A near-death experience at 18 years old has shaped much of my perspective, medical and otherwise. Two days after my high school graduation, I went into Sudden Cardiac Arrest at home - my brother performed CPR, my mom called 911, and, after spending ten days in the ICU, my prognosis and brain function were…well, no one really knew. Nine years later, the opportunity to practice medicine at O’Connor - with perhaps the most compassionate, supportive(!), and academically excellent staff I’ve ever met -  is something I could have never dreamed of. I am grateful to the program every day for allowing me to learn from and serve this active, incredibly diverse community. 

My experience reminds me that every patient has a story much deeper than we will ever know - and that they will likely leave the hospital with a scar that extends beyond the immediate nature of theirillness. Patients are more than their medical records, and as Family Medicine physicians, we have the remarkable privilege of learning the details spoken carefully and complexly between those lines. 

Fun Fact: I will always be up for sports or activities with you - I was the captain of my soccer team in college, but love any kind of physical challenge! 

College: UC Davis

Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Areas of interest: Sports Medicine, POCUS, Procedural Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Osteopathic Manual Medicine

I was born in the Bay Area, and grew up in Granite Bay, CA. Growing up, I had always been drawn toward science and knew that I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. I stayed pretty close to home for undergrad, where I studied biological sciences at UC Davis. During my junior and senior years of college, I was able to help take care of Aggie athletes through an Athletic Training internship, which sparked my interest in sports medicine. Having lived my entire life in Northern California up until that point, I was excited for the opportunity to travel to the Midwest for medical school. During my clinical years, I realized that I wanted to be as well rounded as possible, and equipped to care for patients of any age or walk of life in any setting whether it be in an outpatient clinic, inpatient ward, or high school sideline. Naturally, I gravitated toward Family Medicine. While I am incredibly grateful for the experiences I had in the Midwest and the wonderful people I met along the way, California was beckoning me back home for residency. After completing a sub-internship at Stanford-O’Connor, I knew that I had found the right fit for me- a place where I would constantly be challenged and receive top-notch, broad spectrum training while also having numerous opportunities to pursue my own personal interests in an incredibly supportive environment with caring, knowledgeable faculty and amazing residents. I truly could not be more thrilled to be back home in Northern California, and to be a part of the Stanford-O’Connor family! 

Fun Fact: I love the outdoors and thoroughly enjoy various activities including sports, cycling, hiking, hunting, and fishing. 

College: UCLA

Medical School: Tulane University

Areas of Interest: Preventive Medicine, Community Medicine, Sports Medicine, Public Health

I grew up in San Rafael, about an hour away from San Jose, juggling a combination of music and sports - baseball, trombone, volleyball and bass guitar!  I attended UCLA (Go Bruins!) to study Physiological Science.  My favorite part of UCLA was FISH (Fellowship for International Service and Health), a group that traveled to Mexico every other weekend to establish a bare bones free clinic in an open-air market. With FISH, I found my love for the community of Maclovio Rojas, and my passions for developing relationships with patients and public health.

I had the privilege of working towards my Masters in Public Health during medical school with a concentration in Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences. The skills I learned during that training helped me recognize the multitude of bio-psychosocial factors that affect our patients outside of our exam rooms, and taught me methods to affect change on larger, community levels. I believe prevention and sports medicine go hand in hand with these principles as we help our patients and our community become healthier.

I was so excited to join the OCH team because the residents and faculty stood out as such a genuinely kind and supportive group. It was clear that the training was rigorous, but the environment of shared success and teaching presented a culture that was inviting, rather than intimidating. Every resident I spoke with talked excitedly about how they cared and went the extra mile for their patients. I left my interview day convinced that these were my people and I wanted to learn from them.

Fun Fact: I really love staying active and when I’m not working, you can likely find me weightlifting, running, or both with my fiancé. Sometimes our dog, Buster, joins us for runs, but he is less interested in cardio. I also love hiking, catching up on Netflix (likely the Office again), reading, and baking.

College: Cornell University

Medical School: Georgetown University

Areas of Interest: Addiction Medicine, Public Health, Health equity, Homeless Medicine

I grew up in Baltimore and ended up going to med school in nearby DC. When I started at Georgetown, I was drawn to primary care but really had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. Serving as a leader at our school’s student-run free-clinic, I found my passion for community medicine and began to appreciate how dramatically social, economic, and legal factors impact the health of individuals and their community. I learned more as I helped develop a Narcan distribution program with other students, a project that fostered my interest in addiction medicine. These experiences helped draw me to Family Medicine’s broad scope and commitment to caring for the entire community. As a member of the NHSC, I look forward to entering a career in community medicine dedicated to improving health equity when I graduate from residency.

I chose Stanford-O’Connor for the faculty and resident support, the fantastic teaching, and the dedication to serving the local San Jose community at our county hospital and FQHC continuity-clinic across the street. And while this is a little bit farther from Baltimore than my med school in DC was, I am so lucky to have couples matched with Tara Filsuf (family medicine really is all about family, see above!) and to have her family and my sister close by in the Bay Area. 

Fun fact: Things have really been uphill for me since I lost the election for president of my high school’s chess club and coasted to victory unopposed as the vice-president.

College: University of Michigan

Medical School: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Areas of Interest: Underserved populations, Women's Health

I'm from Michigan where I grew up and went to college. After graduation I moved to the Bay Area to serve with Americorps in East Palo Alto. I then moved to Mexico for a school year to teach, improve my Spanish, and eat great food. In medical school at Rutgers I spent most of my time working at our student-run free clinic which was staffed by family medicine physicians. I developed a love for developing strong relationships with patients and working with underserved populations which led me to pursue FM. I was fortunate enough to complete a sub-I at O'Connor where I was blown away by how kind and supportive residents and faculty were. After a month here I knew it was where I wanted to grow and develop as a physician. 

Fun Fact: I'm trying to learn Greek so that I can talk with my S.O's extended family. Καλώς ήλθατε στο O'Connor! 

College: UC Davis 

Medical School: UC Davis 

Areas of Interest: Addiction Medicine, Trauma Informed Care, Urban and Immigrant Health Disparities, Women’s Reproductive Health & Reproductive Justice, Family Planning, Mentorship

I was born and spent my childhood jumping around several different parts of Los Angeles county. My grandparents and parents immigrated from Korea and found work as janitors, painting and cleaning houses, and working at an auto body shop. I lived in a predominantly Korean and Mexican community. My community was so robust in diversity that the first time I remember meeting a white American person was in 4th grade. 

Living as a part of a non-English speaking urban multicultural immigrant community laden with poverty, domestic violence, childhood neglect, crime, drugs, deep cultural expectations, and threats to deportation made me aware of what makes even simple life tasks so difficult for my community. 

Naturally, I found fulfillment in working as an advocate for domestic violence and sexual assault victims throughout college and was privileged enough to speak at the White House in 2014. Finding ways to keep advocacy as part of my career, I worked at the Imani student-run clinic that served the uninsured black community in Oak Park, Sacramento. Though I loved my experience there, I wasn’t sure that being a physician was even possible or what I had to do to get there. It wasn’t until I was accepted into a scholarship program, that I had the resources and the guidance I needed to pursue medicine!  

In medical school, I continued to explore my love for women’s health and discovered the life-changing and incredible roles that (especially) family medicine doctors have. We have the continuity to truly practice through the lens of harm reduction and trauma-informed care. 

I chose this program because of the population we serve, integrated panel with supportive faculty who are truly passionate about what they do, and the “unopposed” experiences that bring both challenge and growth.  

Fun fact: Niche likes- my air fryer, thrifting, consignment stores, my grandpa's plants. Basic (ph> 9) likes: fluffy dogs, pilates, hiking, being outdoors.

Class of 2024

Class of 2024

Roxana Cabrera, MD
she/her

College: UC Davis

Medical School:  UC Davis

Areas of Interest: Rural Medicine, Sports Medicine, Latinx Communities

I grew up in Kings Beach, CA, located in North Lake Tahoe (my favorite place on this planet). Having grown up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants, I witnessed how little our health system supports our immigrant communities. My dream of becoming a physician stemmed from my desire to be able to provide patients with the care I wish my family had received. I went to UC Davis for undergrad (Go Ags!). During my time at UCD, I volunteered at Clínica Tepati, a student-run clinic that serves the uninsured/undocumented Latinx community of Sacramento. I went to UCD for medical school where I continued my work with Clínica Tepati and was in the Rural PRIME track. I completed many of my core 3rd year clerkships in rural communities throughout Northern California, which is when my love for rural family medicine evolved. 

I chose O'Connor because I wanted to go to a program where I would be able to utilize my Spanish skills and serve a community similar to the one that inspired me to go into medicine. 

Fun Fact: When I was 9 years old, my mom forced me into an art competition. I ended up winning the contest, but I cried the entire time I made it. Despite the trauma, I still love painting/drawing.

Up Next ~ Despite our residency interviews being completely virtual, Stanford-O’Connor FMRP really does know how to pick an awesome group of interns! Up next, we have the incredible Queen of Mardi Gras with a beautiful mane of curly hair, dedicated cat mom, lover of R&B, and modern artist, Dr. Adhira Divagaran!

Adhira Divagaran, MD
she/her

College:  Tulane University

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine

Areas of Interest:  Street Medicine, Women's Health, Narrative Medicine, Sleep Medicine

Hello! I'm Adhira. I grew up all over the United States and a little bit in India, but for the last 8 years have been extremely lucky to call New Orleans home - until now, of course. I was a Studio Art and Cell and Molecular Biology double major in undergrad, and stayed on at Tulane to pursue my dream of practicing medicine. During medical school, there were several experiences that added perspective and depth to my trajectory, some notable ones being joining the International Street Medicine Institute and aiding our friends who sleep outside, co-founding the Homeless Consult Service at University Medical Center, presenting at conferences at home and abroad, being managing editor for the school magazine, and of course, living for and learning from my patients every single day.

I fell in love with Family Medicine during my 3rd year medical school rotation and re-affirmed that decision through my sub-I doing rural Family Med. To me, the breadth of knowledge and variety of practice can't be beat. I also think we have the incredible privilege of forming some of the strongest doctor-patient relationships out there. I was fortunate to be accepted for a sub-I at O'Connor, but unfortunate enough to have it fall through due to a global pandemic. Regardless, the faculty and residents at this program made me feel accepted and welcomed, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my training here. I truly live for my community, and I am excited to be a new Californian serving the diverse and resilient community of San Jose.

Fun Fact: My life peaked when I met Jane Goodall and handed her a handmade screen-print; she has been my idol for years and one of the biggest reasons why I fell in love with the natural sciences as a kid.

Up Next ~ The queen of maxi dresses, purveyor of ripe mangoes, the kindest, most genuine person you will ever have the pleasure of meeting, Judy Fitzpatrick.

Judith Fitzpatrick, MD
she/her

College: Tufts University

Medical School:  University of California, San Francisco

Areas of Interest: Preventive Medicine, Health Tech, Primary Care Innovation, Patient Education, Mental Health, Reproductive Health

I am from a big, tight-knit family in New Jersey. Growing up with an older brother with severe cerebral palsy, I understand the value of compassionate, patient-centered primary care that integrates a patient's diverse needs. I studied International Relations and Public Health as an undergraduate at Tufts University and interned at Partners in Health and with the Health and Human Rights Journal at the Harvard School of Public Health. After graduating from college, I moved across the country to work as an AmeriCorps service member at the Women's Community Clinic, a free clinic in San Francisco. I worked as a clinic coordinator and health educator and also provided weekly street outreach services to our community members experiencing homelessness and marginal housing. While I was not pre-med as an undergrad, I knew from the first day of doing this work that I wanted to become a doctor.

The quality of care delivered at the Women's Community Clinic encouraged me to explore ways to operationalize patient-centeredness in reproductive health care delivery on a larger scale. I transitioned to a clinical research position with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Person-Centered Reproductive Health Program directed by Dr. Christine Dehlendorf, a family physician. The group seeks to improve patients’ family planning experiences through interventions that prioritize their individual needs and preferences. I developed and evaluated a web-based decision support tool designed to enhance the quality of contraceptive counseling and give patients a voice in their care. I continued this work while in medical school at UCSF, with a focus on connecting adolescents with the education and resources they need to participate in their health care experience.

I could not be more thrilled to be pursuing my training at Stanford-O'Connor. I was immediately drawn to the program's commitment to provide outstanding, full-spectrum family medicine to the underserved, and to the program's supportive community of residents and faculty that teach each other and work to become better family doctors every day.

Fun Fact: During college, I was lucky enough to study abroad in Santiago, Chile, as well as in the French Alps in a priory built in the eleventh century!

Up Next ~ The one and only Monica Gillie - you may find the pair of us exploring creeks and hiding from mountain lions in the Santa Cruz mountains while wearing matching sun hats!

College:  University of Washington

Medical School:  University of Queensland

Areas of Interest: Women's Health/OB, Rural Medicine, Global Health, Health Policy and Domestic Violence Advocacy

I'm a Washington State native and lived in Seattle during my undergraduate years at UW (~Go Dawgs!~), where I studied biology and global health. I discovered my love for medicine during both my six-month study abroad in Brisbane, Australia, and my pre-med internship focusing on integrative and rural medicine in Northern India. In just one short month working in India with my mentor, a still-practicing 102-year-old Family Medicine doctor, I fostered a passion for FM. It was here I developed an interest in the intersection of Eastern and Western medicine and set my sights on medical school. After graduation from UW, I taught an MCAT prep course and worked as a scribe in a cardiology clinic in Seattle, but I missed the Land Down Under (dun-dah) and moved back across the Pacific to Brisbane to begin medical school. I especially enjoyed the month I spent in Beaudesert, Queensland, training in rural medicine and camping with wallabies. My last two years of medical school were at the Ochsner Clinical School in the Big Easy, Louisiana, where, in addition to teaching reproductive health at underserved high schools, I fell in love with the amazing people, live music, and shrimp po'boys.

I chose the Stanford-O'Connor FM residency because the patients, residents, faculty, and training offer a program where I am encouraged to cultivate my varied interests in medicine. I am excited to now call San Jose my home and continue learning how to best serve a diverse community, both locally and globally.

Fun Fact: I once won a loaf of Franz bread from a coupon inside another loaf of Franz bread, and inside the new Franz loaf, there was another coupon for a free loaf of Franz bread, which (not kidding) won another loaf of Franz bread...and I haven't eaten Franz bread since.

Up Next ~ Our Santa Clara local Marta Miguelena! You can find her performing Britney Spears on my karaoke machine or gallivanting in the sun with friends and family. Marta livens up any situation and is the first to show up for the people around her to provide empowerment and support.

Marta Miguelena, MD
she/her

College:  University of Southern California

Medical School:  UC Davis

Areas of Interest: Underserved Populations, Pediatrics, Women's Health, Integrative Medicine, Procedures

Daughter of immigrants, born and raised in the beautiful Bay Area, I completed my undergraduate degree and MPH at USC and went on to work at a healthcare consulting firm in San Francisco which provided payment review, recovery, and consulting services to hospitals. It was a combination of life events thrusting my family into the complicated, heartbreaking, and hopeful healthcare system, and my love for a good chart dig, that I asked myself, "Am I on my path?" Through this questioning and many hours volunteering in hospitals/clinics after hours, I found my true passion was medicine with the driving force of becoming the bilingual compassionate provider my family (and all individuals) deserve. I pursued a post-baccalaureate at Mills College and went on to study medicine at UC Davis. While at Davis I joined ACE-PC, a 3-year program aimed at training primary care providers through early clinical immersion. I've been team Family Medicine from day one and never looked back.

I could not be more excited to be back home for residency, surrounded by a wonderful and supportive group of physicians with the common goal of providing high-quality care to a community that I know and love.

Fun Fact: I spend way too much time thinking about my next meal and planning my next adventure. If you are ever craving a good boba or an overpriced meal to celebrate life's smallest wins, I am your girl.

Up Next ~ The one who loves the cold, but is warm as can be, my colleague Torsten Rotto!

College:  Stanford University

Medical School: Stanford University School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Preventative Medicine, Sports Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Medical Education

I was born and raised in Minnesota, but I have spent the last decade in the Bay Area. Football gave me the opportunity to attend Stanford as an undergrad, and I was thrilled to stay for medical school and now residency. I found my passion for Family Medicine late in medical school, and now I could not be happier to take care of patients of all ages from head to toe. 

I chose Stanford-O’Connor as it was where I discovered Family Medicine. The culture of collegiality, kindness, teaching, and full-spectrum care is incredibly welcoming. Since starting residency, I have been challenged with the optimal balance of support and autonomy to help push the boundaries of my ability to care for patients. 

My hobbies outside of medicine include playing guitar, cooking, hitting the weights, fishing, camping, and spending time with my fiancée, family, and friends. 

Fun Fact: I had shoulder-length hair in college

Up Next ~ I am honored to introduce my co-resident, Dr. Mary Turocy. The west coast lucked out by attracting this east coaster. Good luck finding someone as kind, capable, and resilient as her!

College: University of Pittsburgh

Medical School: University of California San Francisco

Areas of Interest: Underserved populations, reproductive health, adolescent health, LGBTQ+ health, palliative care, medical education

I grew up outside of Philadelphia and went to college in Pittsburgh, where lots of my family lives. After college, I worked as a clinical research coordinator for a project that studied how to improve healthcare for women with opioid use disorder. The project examined how to integrate buprenorphine therapy, Hepatitis C treatment, and mental health support into pregnancy care. I moved to San Francisco for medical school (my first time visiting California was for my interview!), and I quickly fell in love with the Bay Area. I chose family medicine because I believe everyone deserves access to high-quality, full-scope primary care, and I love taking care of people in all the phases and stages of life. I am excited to train at Stanford-O'Connor because the residents are dynamic and passionate about family medicine, the faculty is committed to excellent clinical care and education, and the program is based at a community safety-net hospital. In my free time, I love getting outside to hike, bike, camp, kayak, and swim. When I get home from work, I unwind by tending to the plants in my balcony garden and watching TV cooking competitions.

Fun fact: The best $100 I ever spent was buying an inflatable kayak and going kayaking on the San Francisco Bay every week during the COVID shutdown - especially when sea lions would come up right next to the kayak!

Up Next ~ Bright Zhou, social media maven and FM advocate extraordinaire! Their creative ideas and enthusiasm are unmatched, from coordinating our fiercest group photos to acquiring pronoun stickers for our badges and organizing mutual aid fundraising to #StopAAPIhate. Also, you should ask them about their iPhone 12 Pro Max.

College:  Stanford University

Medical School:  Stanford University School of Medicine

Areas of Interest:  Addiction Medicine, LGBTQ+ Health, Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration, Radical Wellbeing

Hi everyone, I'm Bright (they/him). I was born in Tennessee, but have lived in the Bay Area for most of my adult life. In college and medical school, I was heavily involved with learning from and organizing Asian-American, immigrant, and historically marginalized communities. As an archaeology major, I was fortunate to be able to work locally and abroad in Turkey and Mauritius where I was fascinated by how history and culture were entangled into a community's health. In medical school, I fell in love with the way Family Physicians were similarly embedded within their surroundings, tasked with carrying on their community's stories in the pursuit of health justice for all. To hone this storytelling, I've worked as a medical interpreter in our student-run free clinics, as an actor advocating for mental health in immigrant communities through theatrical vignettes, and as a community organizer creating increased mental health access for medical students and residents. I was excited to continue on at O'Connor for residency after seeing how deeply the program was invested in our residents' physical, emotional, spiritual, and professional well-being. My advice to future applicants is to similarly choose a program where you will not only develop broad skillsets needed to become a fantastic family physician, but also one where you are empowered to grow into the centered and well-balanced person both you and your patients deserve.

Outside of residency, I enjoy exploring San Jose, watching drag shows, drinking boba, playing music with friends, and making s'mores.

Fun Fact: My favorite ice cream flavor is pistachio, but my favorite soft serve flavor is matcha.

Back to the top ~ Literal Ice Queen Doctora Cabrera-Brown, who is a fierce advocate, medical interpreter, and stunning graphic designer ~ I'm excited to work alongside someone who is as committed to community and immigrant health as she is.

Class of 2025

Class of 2025

Maricristal (Cris) Chan, MD
she/her

College: San Francisco State University

Medical School: Rush Medical College 

Areas of Interest: Sports Medicine, Underserved Populations, Preventive Medicine, Medical Education

I was born and raised in San Francisco, CA by Filipino immigrant parents. My dream to become a physician has been with me for as long as I can remember and helped carry me through the life challenges that I faced. 

I fell in love with family medicine during my gap years while working for a remote scribing company (bonus fun fact: it was with this company that I spent a year living in India and the Dominican Republic). It was everything about family medicine - Learning your patients, and building relationships with them. Being there from “womb to tomb” and all the experiences in between with the training to provide full spectrum care and the freedom to pursue specific interests aligns with how I see myself practicing medicine. 

There was an undeniable feeling I had when it came to Stanford-O’Connor. On top of checking the boxes of what I was looking for in a program and being close to home, the vibes from the faculty and residents truly resonated with me. IYKYK.

Fun Fact: I went to the same middle school as my parents, which is right next door to the high school where they were high school sweethearts.

College:  Duke University

Medical School: University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Areas of Interest:  Behavioral medicine, reproductive health, LGBTQ+ health, medical education, public health, global health, POCUS, procedural medicine

A southerner born and raised, I have found my way out of North Carolina for the first time and into the Bay Area, where I am loving the sun, the cultural diversity, and the boba! My interest in science and medicine started early on, as dinnertime conversations were frequently filled with discussion of these topics thanks to my acupuncturist dad, toxicology researcher mom, and now orthopedic surgeon brother. In college, I studied evolutionary anthropology and biology and first dipped my toes into the medical field by becoming an EMT with Duke EMS. In medical school, I fell in love with family medicine during my third year rotation when I realized that despite the long hours and working with patients in challenging medical and social situations, I came home energized because the connections I made left me fulfilled with meaning and purpose. I could see myself doing family medicine both inpatient and outpatient for the rest of my life - and now I can starting here at O'Connor! 

 I am so excited to go through residency with my co-interns. As an aside, I got married at our residency's 2022 graduation, and my co-interns held an impromptu ceremony for my partner and me in the corner. Between Thu getting ordained online on the spot, me having to borrow one of Thu's many rings, Beelet being the ringbearer, Paola handing me sunflowers from a random table, Katrina enthusiastically filming the ceremony, Cris pulling in Dr. Chern to be the photographer, and Rachel catching the bouquet (with Cameron there in spirit!), I already feel a very special bond with my class.

 Outside of medicine, l enjoy hiking with my partner and my husky Luna, having gong fu tea ceremonies, and playing video games (mainly Genshin Impact).

Fun Fact: I have hypermobility in several of my joints, allowing for some fun party tricks like being able to lick my elbow! If you've never seen a sulcus sign, hit me up for a great physical exam finding. :)

College: University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC)

Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Underserved Populations, Geriatrics, Rural Medicine, Women’s Reproductive Health & Reproductive Justice, Trauma Informed Care, Global Health, Advocacy.

I was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq to an Assyrian-Chaldean family. Living in a warzone and then living in the US as an asylee, showed me that an individual’s health is intertwined with the way that their community functions, their access to resources, and the infrastructure for the delivery of quality health care that is available to them. During my time at Georgetown School of Medicine, I volunteered at Hoya Clinic, a student-driven clinic that provides health care to Washington, DC underserved and shelter-insecure populations. I also worked with Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) advocating for survivors of human rights abuses.

I could not be more excited to be pursuing my training at Stanford-O'Connor. I was drawn to the program's commitment in providing full-spectrum family medicine to the underserved, and to the program's supportive community.

Fun Fact: I have gone skydiving multiple times, yet I am still afraid of heights!

Rachel Gottlieb, MD
she/her

College:  Boston College

Medical School: Tufts School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Correctional Medicine, Behavioral Health/Substance Use Disorder Care, Health Policy & Advocacy, Adolescent Medicine, Medical Education

I grew up in the suburbs of Massachusetts, where the Boston Marathon starts. I moved up to the 21st mile mark when I went to Boston College for Biology undergrad. Throughout college, I did service trips to New Orleans to rebuild homes and community buildings even 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. The stark racial and economic disparities in New Orleans woke me up to structural inequities all around and inspired me to be a physician for social change. At Tufts, I got involved with the Phoenix Project, which facilitates health discussions with people experiencing incarceration. I also led quality improvement with the Tufts free clinic Sharewood Project to promote timely care for the local immigrant and uninsured community. I pursued an MPH concurrently with my MD, and I spent an extra year embedding myself in governmental agencies around drug pricing, health insurance, and local public health. My greatest passion area in health policy is aligning regulations and policies to evidence-based practice, particularly to address the needs of marginalized urban communities and those with SUD. Now this East Coast girl is ready to start her new adventure as a West Coast resident!

I chose O'Connor because I knew they would train and nurture me to be the full-spectrum, community-oriented physician-advocate I aspire to be. I also love the overflowing passion and compassion from fellow residents and faculty, which inspire me daily. When I'm not being blown away by my co-resi's in the hospital/clinic, I am baking themed desserts, doting on my cat Yoda, or exploring the AMAZING natural beauty.

Fun Fact: My pandemic hobby was learning to make puff pastries. Give me 24 hours, and I could bake you a mean pain au chocolat, kouign-amann, or napoleon tart from scratch.

College:  UCLA

Medical School:  Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Areas of Interest: Health equity,Reproductive Health, Mentorship, Medical Education, Latinx Communities

I grew up in Cudahy, CA located in Southeast Los Angeles. I am the daughter of two very loving parents from Jalisco, Mexico and I am one of six children. Being around loved ones and a large crowd has been the place where my heart naturally gravitates too. My journey to medicine has been non-linear and one I cherish. I worked for 6 years before entering medical school. I went to UCLA for undergrad and studied Neuroscience with a minor in Spanish. During those six years, I found my passion for community medicine, mentorship, and working with uninsured, underinsured communities. I went to MSU CHM for medical school and my journey there not only solidified my love for Family medicine but taught me the importance of not only increasing diversity in health care, but nurturing the environment to promote equitable success for all.

I chose O’Connor because I wanted to be part of a community where I felt I could further expand and nurture my interests, care for a diverse community, and grow as a healer in all ways.

Fun Fact: … more like funny story!I grew like 2-3 inches in one summer during high school and my knees took a bit to get adjusted. I was known to randomly fall as my knees would give up on me. For sure a year full of embarrassing moments, ya’ll. Biggest tip, don’t grow that much in such little time. Do not recommend!

College:  San Jose State University

Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Women's Health, Reproductive Justice, Health Tech, In-office procedures, Immigrant Health Disparity, Trauma Informed Care, Mentorship

I was born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam. My first trip abroad was a one-way ticket to San Jose, California when I was eighteen to attend San Jose State University (Go Spartan!!) for college. I have called the Bay Area home ever since. I experienced the difficulty of navigating the American healthcare system as an immigrant: language barrier, complications around preventive/emergency services, and insurance coverage. I remember forgoing various vaccinations & treatments as my one-meal-a-day budget could not afford the medical bill. This is not a unique experience to me but is shared by many immigrants and their family. Additionally, as a family medicine physician, I have the privilege to provide a safe and accessible space for my patients so that they can seek help to overcome the social stigma in some cultures regarding sexual education, domestic abuse, and mental health related issues. These topics are rarely discussed in an Asian American household which often lead to generational trauma.

Prior to moving to Michigan for medical school, I worked at Stanford The Bill Lane Center for the American West as their finance and program associate. I learned so much working with many talented artists, writers, social scientists as well as the engineers that helped built the American West (read California) culture and infrastructure. During medical school, I continued to explore my interest outside of medicine by working for a Health Venture Capital, Rock Health, as a fellow. I've gotten to sit in pitch meeting and learned how VC make decisions to invest in a start-up. I also maintain leadership position in 2 nonprofits that I am passionate about: VietHope - an educational nonprofit that supports Youth in Vietnam, and One Body Village - an organization that takes care of children in Southeast Asia who were trafficked. 

I chose Stanford O'Connor Family Medicine program so that I can care for the community that has raised me my whole adult life with its kind people, delicious authentic food from every culture and beautiful weather. I am reassured of my decision experiencing how much all my seniors and attendings are invested in our learning and growing as physicians and learners.

Fun Fact: I am a mommager (mom manager) for my Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Banh Mi's Instagram (shameless plug @banh.mi.thecorgi) so if you see me on the street yelling "Banh Mi", I probably am not hungry, just looking for my dawg.

College: Harvard University

Medical School: University of California, San Francisco

Areas of Interest: Improving healthcare access and administration, interdisciplinary care, food and movement as medicine

When people ask where I'm from, I tell them "all over the US!" I was born in Alabama and appreciate the amazing BBQ and soul food of the south. I lived in California, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts, before settling down in the Bay Area. When people ask why I wanted to be a doctor, I tell them "because I am a patient." As a college sophomore, I developed Crohn's Disease. Two years, twelve surgeries, and countless medications later, I was well again and wanted to use what I had learned as a patient to support other people on their journeys to health, using healing practices including and beyond just medications. Before medical school, I worked with patients at the Berkeley Free Clinic and Sutter Health's PACE program, and now I have the privilege of serving the patients at Indian Health Center.

I chose Stanford O'Connor because I wanted to join a group of doctors committed to providing excellent care and improving the healthcare system.

Fun fact: I attended a 2 room schoolhouse on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, for a year as a kid.

Katrina Perez-Vokt, MD
she/her/ella

College:  Duke University

Medical School:  Tufts University School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Maternal-Child Health, Women’s Health, Latinx Communities, Mentorship

I was born and raised right here in San Jose, California! I grew up in East Side San Jose in a community of Mexican American immigrants who helped shape my core values of compassion, generosity, and a fierce commitment to advocating for my community. For college I moved across the country to North Carolina where I studied Neuroscience at Duke University. After a brief gap year, I moved up to the Northeast to Boston where I completed medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine. As a California girl at heart, I am beyond excited to be able to train as a Family Medicine Physician at the Stanford-O’Connor program in my beloved hometown of San Jose. I look forward to utilizing my familiarity with the San Jose community and my Mexican-American cultural heritage to build strong, vital connections with my patients. Outside of medicine you can find me rollerblading, meeting friends for boba, and spending time with my family.

Fun Fact: I can figure skate! I was on a synchronized figure skating team growing up.

Recent Grads

Recent Grads

Class of 2022

Ghausia Ata, DO (Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine) - One Medical, Manhattan, NY

Brittany Drutman, DO (Western Univ of Health Sciences COMP) - UC San Diego, Rancho Bernardo

Amal Hassan, MD (Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science) - University Medical Partners (Stanford), Emeryville

Maanvi Mittal, DO (Western Univ of Health Sciences COMP) - UCSF Family Medicine Center, Lakeshore

Jennifer Ramos, MD (UC Davis) - Bay Area Community Health, Gilroy

Yoon Sung, MD (Drexel Univ) - Carbon Health Urgent Care, and opening a restaurant in Los Angeles

Aaron Suzuka, MD (Univ of Hawaii) - Stanford - O’Connor Hospital Sports Medicine Fellowship

Abby Wang, MD (UCSF) - Kaiser, Union City