MEET THE CLASS OF 2026!
Chai Arnold, MD - Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Pronouns: he/him/his
Hello everyone, welcome! My name is Chai. I was born and raised in the Coachella Valley, the desert part of Southern California. Growing up I was exposed to a lot of disparities when it came to health care, and this motivated my path to medicine. I attended Stanford University for undergrad, where I majored in Human Biology. Then I moved to Boston to try out the east coast for four years while I attended Harvard Medical School. While I love Boston, I am very happy to be back in Southern California of residency!
I chose Family Medicine because of the range of possibilities it offers for your career. It is one of the few specialties where you get true continuity with your patients, and lets you form connections with families across generations. You get to know and serve the communities you work in. And you get to go beyond primary care and develop additional skills in whatever interests you – obstetrics, procedures, health policy, whatever you want!
My interests outside of medicine include sports, hanging at the beach, watching cooking shows, and chilling with my fiancée and our two cats. I play soccer and follow a lot of the professional leagues in Europe as well (huge FC Barcelona fan). I also love trying new breweries, biking along the beach, and working out.
Interests: Sports Medicine, Community Health, Working with underserved populations
David Bales, MD - Medical School: Thomas Jefferson University
Pronouns: he/him/his
Hey all! My name is David, but I’ve gone by Davey my whole life. I was born and raised in Los Angeles in a neighborhood called Beverlywood not far at all from Santa Monica-UCLA. I went east for college at Wesleyan University in Connecticut where I studied Neuroscience and Psychology. After college, I made my way back to LA and spent a few years working in community health settings, primarily at an FQHC following a year of service through AmeriCorps. Medical school took me to Philadelphia where I attended Thomas Jefferson University and became involved in our student-run free clinic, JeffHOPE, and a community volunteer group, Mutual Aid Philly.
I chose to pursue Family Medicine because I’m passionate about health equity and advocating for improved access to quality care for vulnerable populations. I also really appreciate the privilege to hear patients’ stories and build meaningful, long-term relationships. I’m so excited to have ended up at UCLA, not just because I’m back home serving my community, but because of the opportunities to work with diverse patient populations in a variety of settings and the wonderful, supportive people!
In my free time, I love anything and everything sports-related, including basketball (I’m a die-hard LA Clippers fan), football, baseball, or my newest obsession, Formula 1. As much as I enjoy watching, I enjoy getting to play basketball, golf, tennis, or any other sport/game I can get my hands on even more. Though I don’t have much musical talent of my own, I also really enjoy discovering new music and going to live shows.
Interests: Community Medicine, Health Policy and Advocacy, Medical Education, Hospital Medicine
Paris Collier, MD - Medical School: Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hi there! My name is Paris Collier and I grew up in Reno, NV and the Bay Area. I attended the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) where I studied Spanish literature and language as well as biology. At UNR, I discovered my passion for teaching, and helped teach the introduction to biology course for 5 semesters.
After college, I moved to Las Vegas and attended medical school at Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. During medical school, I enjoyed serving a diverse population of patients. I fell in love with the idea of being able to care for people of all ages and from all backgrounds, thus I chose Family Medicine for my future career. I was looking for a program that would offer me both academic and community settings, a chance to continue my passion for teaching, the ability to grow as a bilingual provider, and the opportunity to care for the urban underserved. UCLA had all that to offer and so much more!
Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, baking (gluten free and vegan desserts), attending group fitness classes, and watching TV. One of my favorite shows, and its spinoffs, is Ru Paul's Drag Race.
Interests: urban underserved medicine, LGBTQIA+ health, gender-affirming care, family planning and reproductive health.
Hannah Cummins, MD, MPH - Medical School: University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine
Pronouns: She/Hers/Her
Hi! My name is Hannah, and I am originally from the Bay Area. I went to UC Berkeley for undergrad where I started as a biology major and discovered the exciting world of public health, promptly adding it as a second major. Fascinated by the intricacies of the microbial world and its impact on wellness, I stayed to earn an MPH in Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology.
Drawn to its parallel culture of advocacy and scientific curiosity, I went over to UCSF for medical school. There, I continued to conduct research and engage in teaching and mentorship. I moreover found fulfillment in serving diverse patient populations and communities at both a local and global level. I chose family medicine not only for the depth of longitudinal relationships but also as an intersection between my passions for primary prevention, infectious diseases, global health, and community medicine.
UCLA Family Medicine Residency made me feel at home from the beginning even in the remote setting. I was struck by its supportive culture, active commitment to the underserved, and opportunities to explore all my interests and train in a variety of practice environments. It is a profound privilege to learn with such incredible colleagues and mentors, and I hope to continually pay forward what I have received on this journey to get here.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy hiking (crossing off national parks from my bucket list), board games (growing my collection on a weekly basis), running, and watching all things Disney/Pixar/Marvel.
Interests: community medicine, global health, underserved communities, teaching/mentorship, infectious diseases
Blanca Hernandez, MD - Medical School: Texas Tech University HSC - El Paso Paul L Foster School of Medicine
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hi everyone! My name is Blanca, and I am from El Paso, Texas. I went to USC for my B.S. degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. After graduating from college, I moved back to El Paso. I worked at a children’s learning center and an after-school program for one year before attending medical school.
My pursuit in the field of family medicine was inspired by my experiences growing up and my time in college. I grew up along the US-Mexico border and witnessed how social and environmental factors like immigration status, socioeconomic status, transportation, or insurance status all impacted and prevented low income, communities of color from accessing healthcare. These observations coupled with my mom’s inability to access healthcare (e.g. being uninsured) inspired me to work with underinsured and underserved populations. During my time in Los Angeles, I continued to see how the social determinants of health heavily influenced individual’s health and lives. I’m happy to be back in LA and continue growing as part of the UCLA Family Medicine Residency Program. I chose this program for its perfect blend of community and academic medicine, and the opportunity to work in different health systems that cater to diverse patient populations with different needs. From day one, when I met the UCLA Family Medicine residents at the AAFP National conference, everyone was/has been so welcoming and supportive.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy keeping up with my shows on Netflix and Hulu. I like trying new places to eat, so I’m excited to try all the different cuisines that LA has to offer! I also love going to the beach. Lastly, I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend, family, and friends whether it be eating out, playing on the Nintendo Switch, watching TV, or sitting down and having a conversation.
Interests: Women’s Health, Underserved Populations, Outpatient Medicine, Broad Spectrum Family Medicine, Border Medicine, Procedures, Mentorship
Harrison Pineda Lam, MD - Medical School: University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Hi everyone! My name is Harrison. I’m originally from the East Bay Area. I went to UCLA for undergrad where I majored in Psychobiology and minored in Global Health. I then spent one year working as a Quality Improvement Analyst for the San Francisco Department of Public Health before attending UC Irvine for medical school.
My journey to family medicine started in college with FISH (Fellowship for International Service & Health), a UCLA student group that traveled to the US-Mexico border every two weeks to organize health education, screenings, and English lessons alongside community partners and non-profits within Tijuana. In FISH, I loved thinking about sustainability and health inequity within a broader social context. When I worked for the San Francisco Department of Public Health, I was inspired by family physicians who shared those values, uniquely positioned to drive social change through individualized patient care and community advocacy.
I’m so grateful to join the UCLA Family Medicine team! I love how this program combines the best aspects of community and academic medicine. I am excited to serve the diverse communities of Los Angeles and grow into the best physician I can be.
Outside of medicine, I also DJ and produce electronic music as “Lam The 4th” and have released music on SoundCloud and Spotify. I love playing pickup basketball, snowboarding, traveling, hiking, cooking, eating, and can’t wait to explore all the LA food scene has to offer!
Interests: Community Medicine, Public Health, Advocacy, Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine, Sports Medicine, Ultrasound
Reid McCabe, MD - Medical School: Tulane University, School of Medicine
Pronouns: He/him/his
Katherine Ruiz Soto, MD - Medical School:Universidad Central de Venezuela - Escuela Jose Maria Vargas
Pronouns: She/Hers/Her
Hi there! I'm Katherine. I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. I went to medical school at Universidad Central de Venezuela - Escuela Jose Maria Vargas. During medical school, I participated in numerous medical missions within indigenous and underserved communities (Maniapure Foundation and Fundaensalud). Those experiences taught me the importance of providing access to healthcare and preventive medicine.
I immigrated to the U.S. where I was accepted into the UCLA International Medical Graduate Program, this experience helped me to learn that addressing social determinants of health is very important for improving health outcomes and for reducing health disparities.
UCLA is a family with a strong focus on inclusion and diversity. I feel very welcome even with my accent and background. I am fortunate to work every day with wonderful people (residents, faculty, and staff).
I see myself in the future working to help the underserved, immigrants, and vulnerable populations in California.
Outside of Medicine, I enjoy any outdoor activities with my husband and friends. I love swimming, hiking, camping, traveling, going to the gym and Zumba.
Interests: Providing care to underserved communities with an emphasis on women’s health and preventive medicine. Obesity and Diabetes. Global health. Tropical medicine.
Secilia Salem, MD - Medical School: University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
Pronouns: She/Hers/Her
Hey everyone! My name is Secilia, and I’m originally from San Diego, CA. I was born and raised in San Diego and am a first-generation Iraqi-American. I went to UC San Diego for undergrad where I double-majored in Physiology & Neuroscience and Public Health. I took a year off to pursue research and volunteer at my local church before applying to medical school.
I had the privilege of staying in southern California for medical school and attended UC Riverside School of Medicine which initiated my love for primary care. Within the field of Family Medicine, I am particularly interested in lifestyle medicine, functional medicine, preventative health, and procedures. I am also very interested in research and had the opportunity of working on a clinical trial for a novel medication using bacteriotherapy for the treatment of eczema! I sought out a program that would enhance my training by working with a diverse patient population and healthcare systems, all while providing the most advanced medical care and research. UCLA’s program was the perfect fit for me!
Outside of medicine, I spend a lot of time with my husband and family, weight lifting, practicing yoga, cooking, traveling and walking on the beach.
Interests: Lifestyle medicine, functional medicine, preventative health, precision medicine, dermatologic conditions, procedures
Patrick Samones, MD - Medical School: UC Riverside
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Hi everyone! My name is Patrick! I'm originally from the Inland Empire and spent the last 8 years at UC Riverside before I finally had a change of scenery after medical school.
I was a biology major at UCR and found my passion while volunteering at health-related service organizations for underserved healthcare, community medicine, and the impact that physicians can have as advocates for underresourced communities. I took that passion and held leadership at free clinics, community-led health literacy clubs, and advocated for increased health access alongside my school administration. I also wanted stay close to home as I was only 3 freeway exits from my childhood home to my med school!
I was drawn to UCLA-FM for its mission as a hybrid academic-community model. As someone who is interested in teaching, leading, and ushering in the next generations of physicians, UCLA-FM represented an important next chapter in my life to grow and challenge myself outside of my comfort zone.
Some of my hobbies include Pokemon, K-POP, weight-lifting, tea-brewing, writing, drawing, and being an absolute fiend for hot new spots to try food, no matter the cost or diet. 🙂
Interests: Community medicine, academic medicine, sports medicine
Savreen Saran - Medical School: Pennsylvania State University
Hi Everyone! My name is Savreen. I am originally from the Bay Area where I was born and raised. I went to UC Berkeley for undergrad where I majored in Anthropology. It was an amazing four years where I learned so much about different cultures through sociocultural anthropology, the health system through medical anthropology, and even got to do an archaeology dig in Megiddo, Israel! After graduating college, I went out to the east coast to attend Penn State for medical school. It was cool to experience real seasonal weather, but my heart was always in California, so I am very excited to be back here for residency!
I am Sikh-Punjabi, daughter of immigrant parents, and first-generation college student. If my background does not make it obvious, diversity, equity, and inclusion are really important to me. I chose Family Medicine because this field embodies advocacy for those marginalized and underrepresented. Folks of vastly different and varied lived experiences are confronted with their physical needs within a primary care clinic, and I have the privilege to serve them.
I chose UCLA Family Medicine because their mission aligns with mine. This program serves a diverse population and promotes DEI work to help better advocate for the community we serve. It is also the perfect mix of academic and community. I can help advance research for topics I care about with the wonderful support of the department while also putting it to practice in the clinic!
Outside of medicine, I enjoy running, traveling, thrift shopping, finding cute coffee shops, and binging TV shows. I will also never say no to going out to eat or trying out a new brewery!
Interests: DEI, advocacy, underserved care, community medicine, palliative care, teaching/mentorship
Christopher Whitlock, MD - Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School
Pronouns: He/him/his
Hello! My name is Christopher. I’m originally from Atlanta, GA, and I studied biochemistry and economics at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). During my two gap years between graduating college and starting medical school, I worked as a medical assistant, volunteered with an organization dedicated to helping refugees settle in Atlanta, and discovered my passion for oat milk lattes while working as a barista in Washington, D.C.
I felt drawn to Family Medicine even during my early days as a medical assistant when I experienced firsthand how fulfilling longitudinal patient care can be. After starting medical school at the University of Michigan, I decided to pursue Family Medicine because of my desire to build meaningful, long-lasting relationships with patients while providing holistic, comprehensive care for individuals and families across generations.
Aside from obvious perks like Santa Monica’s beautiful weather and world-famous beaches, UCLA’s Family Medicine program felt like the perfect fit for me because it offers incredible diversity in both patient population and training environments, a close-knit community of residents and faculty, and all the resources of a large university health system. It has been such an honor and a privilege to join this amazing team!
Outside of work, you will find me spending quality time with my fiancée and miniature poodle puppy, supporting any of my favorite sports teams (especially the Atlanta Braves and UGA football), sipping coffee while discovering new music, playing tennis or pickleball, or continuing my search for the best burrito in Los Angeles.
Interests: Community Medicine, Health Equity, Sports Medicine, LGBTQ+ Health, Gender-Affirming Care, Adolescent Health, Immigrant/Refugee Health
