MEET OUR SECOND YEAR RESIDENTS
Phallaraingsey Chhay, MD - Medical School: University of California, Davis School of Medicine
Greetings everyone! I’m Raingsey. I’m originally from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I immigrated to the US when I was 5 years old and grew up in Oakland, CA. I went to UC Santa Barbara for undergrad where I majored in Microbiology. Go Gauchos! I took 2 gap years to work at a local FQHC, Asian Health Services as a medical assistant where I really got to cultivate my passion for caring for the underserved population, outreach work, preventative medicine, and mentorship. At UC Davis School of Medicine, I was further able to explore my passions through my work at Paul Hom Asian clinic, as Co-Director of the diabetes and nutrition committee and the Hmong outreach clinic HLUB. Given what I am passionate about, Family Medicine was the most obvious choice. In joining the UCLA FM family, I hope to continue to develop into the best primary care provider I can be.
Outside of medicine, I am a huge Disney (love Encanto and Tangled) and soccer fan (I follow Real Madrid). In my free time, I enjoy running, cooking, and watching Netflix. Favorite shows include British bake off, Selling Sunset, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, and Avatar the Last Airbender.
Interests: Community Medicine, Urban Underserved Medicine, Health Advocacy, Preventative Medicine, Mentorship
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Amanda d’Almeida, MD, MPH - Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Hi everyone and welcome! I bopped around a bit growing up. I was born in Portland, Oregon, then moved to Germany, then the Bay Area and ended up in Coupeville on Whidbey Island, Washington, a town of 1800 people. My passion for primary care came from growing up in a rural community.
I attended undergrad at Carleton College in Minnesota, where I played soccer and majored in chemistry. I attended medical school at Tulane in New Orleans, because of their mission to treat underserved populations. I chose to pursue an MPH concurrently with my MD because I’m passionate about social medicine and structural issues that contribute to the health of communities. During med school, my partner and I started an educational health platform called Medicine Explained, mostly creating TikToks (luckily for everyone, no dancing is involved) and a podcast called “The Nuance”. Through this work, I also had the opportunity to work with Food Fix, a group advocating for changes in nutrition and agricultural policy on Capitol Hill.
I chose family medicine because it embodies many of the things important to me: diversity, holistic thinking, and an interdisciplinary approach to health. I want to continue working on policy and advocacy that address the social determinants of health in the communities I serve. I’ve been especially passionate about the intersection of human and planetary health. I feel so lucky to be part of the UCLA family medicine program, who highlight the care of vulnerable and underserved populations.
Outside of medicine I love to run, play soccer, basketball, spike ball, hiking, skiing, anything outdoors. I love to read and listen to podcasts. Most recently, I’ve been listening to and reading books about climate change, environmental justice, and ecology. Also, my partner and I couples matched and we are both excited to be living in Santa Monica and hopefully learn how to surf!
Interests: Lifestyle Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Preventative Medicine, Women's Health, Health Policy and Advocacy, Underserved Medicine, Climate Change, Policy, Social Determinants of Health, Education, Social Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Daniel Gehlbach, MD, MPH - Medical School: University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
Hi, Everyone! My name is Daniel. I grew up in Corona, CA and went to UC San Diego where I studied bioengineering for undergrad. While in San Diego, I spent a lot of time downtown with people experiencing homelessness and also across the border in Tijuana, Mexico with underserved communities, which led to a career change from engineering to medicine. On this new journey, I found myself at San Diego State University for an MPH and then UC Riverside for medical school.
While in medical school, I continued to learn about health inequities, especially in Inland Southern California. My interests and commitment to helping underserved populations continued to grow, and I especially became passionate about helping expand the field of Street Medicine. This is why I am thrilled to join the UCLA Family Medicine Residency program. LA is home to the largest unhoused population in the US and I look forward to working with UCLA’s incredible faculty, residents, staff, and services to help make a difference.
Outside of medicine, you can find me doing anything active and outdoors. I enjoy going to the gym, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, surfing, and playing spikeball. Soccer is my favorite sport to play, and basketball and football are my go-to sports to watch. I also love anything Marvel and exploring good food with my partner!
Interests: Street Medicine, Underserved Populations, Public Health, Health Equity, Community Medicine
Pronouns: He/His/Him
Connor Gehris, MD - Medical School: California Northstate University College of Medicine
Hey, everybody! My name is Connor and I'm originally from Huntington Beach, CA. I went to UCLA for undergrad where I studied Psychobiology and Conservation Biology (believe it or not, I almost became a marine ecologist). Thankfully, I decided medicine was a better fit for me and, after taking a year off to travel and work as an ocean lifeguard, I moved up to Sacramento, CA to attend medical school. There, I fell in love with caring for a diverse, underserved community and had the privilege of advocating for patients in our state's capital. This intersection is what initially drew me to family medicine, but the wide scope of practice and fun family medicine culture is what made my decision stick. I'm very grateful to train at UCLA, a program that shares these same values and serves an incredibly vibrant community. Here, I hope to grow as both a physician and an advocate as I gain mastery of medical sciences and practice authentic human connection. I can't wait to develop long term relationships with my patients!
Outside of medicine, I love to be outside. Most commonly in my free time you'll find me surfing. When winter hits, I hope to be hitting the slopes on my skis. I also love to learn new things (especially those that aren't medical) like languages and history. Despite my complete lack of musical talent, I love discovering and listening to new music, especially if it's live! Can't wait to meet you!
Interests in medicine: Underserved Care, Health Policy, Global Health, Inpatient Medicine, Integrative Medicine
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Alan Grusky, MD - Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Hi! My name is Alan. I am lucky enough to have been born and raised in West Los Angeles, only a stone’s throw from our very own UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. I stayed home and went to UCLA for college, before finally leaving the nest and attending Vanderbilt for medical school. During my time at Vanderbilt, I found that the specialty of Family Medicine resonated with me the most. I chose Family Medicine because I truly enjoyed the diversity of patients I was able to care for, the holistic philosophy of patient care, the privilege of continuity of care, and the ability to pursue many of my various passions within medicine.
I am grateful to be at the UCLA Family Medicine program due to the opportunity to provide medical care to the underserved within the community and city that I grew up in, the chance to train and learn in diverse training environments, and most importantly, to be around and learn from a super supportive group of faculty, staff, and residents.
Outside of medicine, I am a huge sports fan—both playing and watching. I enjoy playing pick-up basketball, tennis, soccer, and Spikeball. I’m also a big foodie, and enjoy cooking ambitious recipes, hosting/attending dinner parties, and trying out new restaurants in LA!
Interests in medicine: Sports Medicine, Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine, Behavioral Health, Community Medicine
Pronouns: He/Him/His
I made the easy decision to come to UCLA, as it was clear that there was a strong sense of community between the residents and faculty, which I believed would translate well into feeling heard and valued within the program. With UCLA having such a huge and well-resourced network I was confident that my training would be robust and that I would feel well prepared to confidently serve all types of patients. Another thing that drew me to the program was the strong ties that the program had with their community. It was clear how passionate and committed the program was to serving the various demographics that made up the surrounding communities, and I felt that I would benefit from the exposure and experiences that this would bring.
Socializing, shopping and eating basically sums up what I like to do in my free time. Brunching and buying new clothes is definitely my idea of a great day. I also love dancing and listening to Afrobeats like the true Naija girl that I am, and I enjoy catching up with my friends and family who are scattered all over the globe!
Interests: Women's Health, Street Medicine, Geriatrics, Palliative Care, Underrepresented Medicine, Population Health
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Kapua Kaimana Meyer, MD - Boston University School of Medicine
Aloha kakou! My name is Kapua Kaimana Meyer and I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Kaneohe, Hawaii on the island of Oahu.
I moved to California after graduating from high school and went to UC Irvine for undergrad where I majored in Biological Sciences. While at UCI, I worked part-time in an ecology and evolutionary biology lab as well as in a pediatrician’s office, allowing me to explore both research and clinical medicine. After graduating, I stayed in Irvine and worked full-time for a biotechnology company focusing on treatments for GBM, melanoma, and ovarian cancer.
After eight gap years, I attended Boston University for medical school. Throughout my first year, I explored my interest in addiction medicine and discovered a need to raise awareness about addiction in the BUSM community. Due to this need, I started a group that facilitates educated discussions about substance use disorder. The Addiction Education Collaboration is now a central location for addiction information at Boston University School of Medicine and is an important part of preparing preclinical students to provide non-stigmatizing and equitable care. My interest in addiction medicine also led me to further explore how intimately related housing insecurity is to social determinants of health, and how often addiction is intertwined with these factors. While in medical school, I spent two years working with housing insecure patients through the Homeless Health Immersion Experience. This program provided me the space to hone my interviewing skills as well as the opportunity to help patients navigate barriers to care by connecting them to available resources and creating safety contingencies.
I am so incredibly excited and grateful to be part of the UCLA Family Medicine family! I absolutely loved my interview day and could feel how collaborative and supportive the faculty and residents are. I was also looking for an academic residency program that would provide the opportunity to work with a diverse patient population including urban underserved communities, so UCLA was the perfect fit! I chose family medicine because of the preventative medicine aspects, forming long-lasting relationships with patients, and the opportunities to advocate for underserved communities.
In my free time, I enjoy doing Polynesian dancing, playing ukulele, going to the beach, hanging out with friends, and reading.
Interests: Addiction Medicine, Community Medicine, Mentoring, Street Medicine, Underserved Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Ernesto Ricardo Ojeda, MD - Medical School: Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Holguín
I was born in Holguín city in Cuba. Holguín is a charming city in eastern Cuba with beautiful beaches and friendly people. I try to travel to my hometown to recharge my batteries with the Caribbean sun.
During my medical education Family and Community Medicine played an important role. The Cuban model of healthcare has as its pillar the Prevention and Promotion of health. The decision to become a Family Medicine Physician came naturally to me. The idea of providing care to an individual patient, their family and advocating for them at a community level is extremely rewarding.
My first experience as a physician was in Cuba and then I was sent to Merida, Venezuela. I’m still in love with Merida and I would love to visit one day.
After that assignment I decided to migrate to the US. First, I settled in Louisville KY where I made a lot of friends and met my now wife.
In Louisville my passion for medicine reignited working as an interpreter for uninsured patients. This experience gave me a comprehensive perspective of our healthcare system and its gaps. A physician who pioneered on that clinic made sure that I didn’t forget what my calling in life was and now I’m honored to call him my friend and my mentor.
In 2021, I was accepted into the into the UCLA IMG Program, where I prepared for U.S. residency training. I couldn’t praise this program enough. I will be forever grateful for their role on my path to become a licensed physician.
The UCLA Family Medicine Residency Program represents a dream come true. In our program we get to experience academic and community settings, while serving a diverse population. The culture can’t be match anywhere else, since interview day I felt a strong connection with likeminded people who are passionate to serve with excellence and compassion.
Outside of medicine: I enjoy Road Trips, Hiking and discovering new spots along the California coast to visit and unwind. I always like a good movie, TV series or book. I love dogs so I hope to add a new member to my family soon.
Interests: Underserved Medicine, Global Health, Border Medicine, Hospital Medicine
Pronouns He/Him/His
Samantha Patella, MD, MPH – Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Hi, all! I’m Sami, and I’m so excited to be back in California! I grew up in Massachusetts and came out here for undergrad to study Psychology at Pepperdine University. After 3 years in Malibu and 1 in Buenos Aires, I headed back to Mass for med school at BU and an MPH at Harvard Chan. At BU, I took electives on immigrant and refugee health, participated in research with the Pediatric Neurology, Infectious Disease, and ENT departments, and also traveled to Costa Rica for a month – I love a little bit of everything. During my MPH practicum, I worked with a group (Adolescent Health Champions) that trains young women in India to be leaders by providing them with education about their physical and mental health.
I decided on Family Medicine because it offers the widest array of pathology, the ability to do procedures, a holistic perspective of health, and a connection between individual health and the community. I chose UCLA because it checked all the boxes I was looking for: a diverse patient population, a combination of strong academic and community medicine, and I got the sense that the program really valued the residents’ wellbeing. I’m so thankful to be here!
Outside of medicine, I love going to concerts, playing volleyball, hiking, traveling, and eating.
Interests: Global Health, Immigrant/Refugee Health, Procedures, Social Determinants of Health
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Alexander Soto, MD, MPH - Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine - PRIME
Hello, everyone! My name is Alex. I was born in West Covina, CA. I am the second oldest of four. My parents immigrated from Mexico at a young to expose me to the opportunities that have led me to where I am today. I have lived in SoCal my whole life and I enjoy being active. There was a time in my childhood where I was playing sports year-round as part of a formal league (football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and track). I loved it.
I went to community college before graduating from the California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) with a degree in biochemistry. In undergrad, I coached football, tutored general chemistry, and was involved in many mentorships efforts for students underrepresented in medicine.
I went to medical school at UCLA and was part of the PRIME-LA (Program in Medical Education – Leadership and Advocacy) program. In medical school, I naturally gravitated towards primary care. After my first year, I completed the Primary Care Leadership Program (PCLP) where I worked at a Federally Qualified Health Center and implemented a referral process to help high risk pediatric patients dealing with obesity have better access to care. As part of PRIME, I also completed my MPH in Health Policy and Management at UCLA.
The opportunity to work with a diverse patient population, the ability to establish long-term relationships, and the focus on prevention is what led me to family medicine. I chose UCLA FM because of the supportive environment, training within different health systems, the balance of community and academic medicine, and the plethora of mentorship/teaching opportunities.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy working out (weightlifting, cycling, running, and basketball), reading and watching sports. I also enjoy spending time with my family.
Interests: Underserved Medicine, Preventative Medicine, Sports Medicine, Mentorship
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Amanda Tran, MD – Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Hi, everyone, and welcome! My name is Amanda, and I was born and raised in Orange County, California. Similar to many others in my hometown, I come from a family of Vietnamese refugees. I grew up witnessing health disparities in my family as well as my surrounding community. Looking back, I believe these events were an early influence on my interest in family medicine.
I attended college at UCLA, where I majored in Psychobiology and was heavily involved with organizations that provided free health services to low-income families. After graduating, I worked as a behavior therapist for children with autism spectrum disorder before finding my way back to UCLA for medical school.
Throughout medical school, I conducted autism spectrum disorder and social determinants of health research, volunteered at a free clinic for those experiencing homelessness, and served as the Minority Health Liaison for UCLA’s Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association. Altogether, these experiences solidified my desire to provide holistic care for undeserved communities as a family physician.
I love the breadth of family medicine and the privilege of caring for patients regardless of age, organ system, disease, or socioeconomic status. I am incredibly humbled and honored to be a part of the UCLA Family Medicine Residency Program, where I have the opportunity to work with diverse patient populations and explore my many interests within family medicine. I am also so grateful for and constantly inspired by my amazing co-residents and faculty.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking, and watching anything related to Marvel, Star Wars, Disney, or Pixar. I also love escape rooms, board games, fries, and all desserts (especially boba)!
Interests: Community Medicine, East-West Medicine, Pediatrics / Adolescent Medicine, Procedures
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Olivia Wu, MD, MPP - Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine - PRIME
Hi there! My name is Olivia, and I grew up in San Diego, California. For college, I moved (slightly) north to attend Stanford, where I majored in Human Biology and worked for a high school pipeline program (shout out to SMYSP c/o 2014 and 2016!). The connections I made here were so important to me, and I like to think that this experience was the foundation for me seeing medicine and healing from a social justice framework. I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to return to Southern California and attend UCLA for both medical school and my MPP degree as part of the PRIME Leadership and Advocacy program.
As the child of Chinese-Vietnamese immigrants, working alongside immigrant communities has always been particularly meaningful for me, and rotating through different clinical sites in medical school, I saw not only the incredible diversity of the Los Angeles community but also an extensive and ongoing history of inequity and structural barriers to health for many patients. Wanting to use my voice as an advocate, I organized with other students to create curricular threads on immigrant health (with emphasis on caring for undocumented patients) and structural racism. I also learned from fierce friends/Aunties/Uncles/PoPos/GongGongs in Los Angeles' Chinatown, volunteering with a grassroots organization fighting to resist gentrification and displacement.
I ultimately chose Family Medicine because I felt that it was a specialty with a culture of holistic, community-oriented care that recognizes that medicine is only a small fraction of what influences health. I'm grateful for the opportunity to stay at UCLA and continue growing here! And I'm grateful to stay in Los Angeles for at least another three years, because I did not nearly have enough time to experience all of the incredible food, live music, bike rides and beach runs, $6 lavender oat milk lattes, and perfect weather for a plant obsession that this city has to offer.
Interests in medicine: Health Equity and Justice, Anti-racism, Community Partnering and Organizing, Public Policy and Advocacy, Immigrant Health, Adolescent Health, Procedures, Palliative Care
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
