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!

Monica Gillie, MD
she/her

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!

Torsten Rotto, MD
he/him

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!

Mary Turocy, MD
she/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.

Bright Zhou, MD
they/him

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.

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.

Willa Chen, MD
they/them

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. :)

Beelet Dawood, MD
she/her

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.

Paola Lepe, MD
she/her

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!

Thu Nguyen, MD
she/her

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.

Cameron Niven, MD
she/her

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.

Julia Addams, MD
she/her

College:  University of Colorado at Boulder
Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Areas of Interest:  Trauma-informed Care, Reproductive Justice, Healthcare response to sex trafficking, Advocacy for survivors of intimate partner violence, LGBTQ+ Medicine, Patient Education and Empowerment, Addiction Medicine

Most aspiring doctors are (and should be) “planners.” I was no exception: I started out with my life’s itinerary neatly catalogued in an excel spreadsheet, divided in tabs by year, organized chronologically. But, like most people with big plans, nothing happened exactly the way I’d been expecting. For me, this was quite lucky.

Without exception, deviations in “the plan” have been humbling, peeling up whatever had been protecting me (multiple layers of privilege, in my case) and interrogating my soft spots (of which I have many) Almost always, this has been made possible due to someone else’s patience and generosity: the preschool teacher in Colombia who helped my dad and I make it through the hospital when we were down and completely lost, a stranger in a Chinese bank who helped me navigate that system, the mentor who knew when something was wrong well before I did, because she’d been there, too. All of these lessons have been difficult, and some have been bitter—but they were lessons, not tragedies, because someone spotted me, stopped, and helped me when I most needed it. This is all to say I’m a person up to my eyeballs in karmic debt—not just a lucky person, but a someone who will forever be trying to “pay it forward.” For this reason, I’m interested in the gaps of the system—or, more accurately, finding creative ways to bridge them.

Medicine has big gaps, large enough for whole people to fall through them. While in medical school in Wisconsin, I was selected to take part in the Training in Urban Medicine and Public Health (TRIUMPH) Program. There, I worked for two and a half years with a team of doctors, social workers, community workers, and survivors themselves in the Health Care Collaborative Against Sex Trafficking (HCAST). We asked two questions: 1) how can you tell if a patient is being trafficked? And 2) what do we do about it, when that is happening? Take a look at our work, and you’ll find flow charts and protocols and slide decks and educational videos that begin to answer those questions. I’m very proud of what we did: we made a plan where none existed before, and often plans do help. But—as we all know—sometimes things get messy, and real life might not stay put within an algorithm. And when that happens, what matters are the people who made the plan to begin with, and whether they care enough to come patch it up, meet the patient where they’re at, recognize the person for who they are, not just for what they have endured, and work with them to find a way to make things work. HCAST was like that.

People like that do exist in medicine—I’m thrilled to have found some more of them here at Stanford-O’Connor.

Fun Fact:  I’m the opposite of athletic (shoutout to everybody who always got picked last in gym class, I see you, I am you) but I get my exercise in (and skip the traffic and the gas prices) by commuting by bike as much as I can!

Nadia Anderson, DO
she/her

College: Campbell University

Medical School:  Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Areas of Interest: Integrative Medicine, Women’s Health, Trauma Informed Care, Global Health, Health Equity & Social Justice, Medical Anthropology

Raised within a multicultural family of immigrants in Miami, Florida, I discovered my interest in medicine and passion for serving vulnerable communities early on. I’ve had the privilege of serving communities in Jamaica, India, and Ghana through my involvement in medical outreach trips over the past 15 years. The healthcare disparities I witnessed in resource-limited environments motivated me to pursue a Master of Public Health degree (MPH) in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. After earning my MPH, I joined a global health fellowship with International Health Initiatives, Inc., where I worked collaboratively to develop and implement health promotion programs aimed at community capacity building in Ghana and Nepal. From 2020-2023, I served on the Board of Directors of the Student National Medical Association, where I led committees in planning two national conferences, reinitiating member involvement in international medical outreach trips, and leading a global health fellowship —all with the intent of supporting clinically excellent and culturally competent future physicians. My greatest passions lie at the intersection of community health strategic planning and educating medically underserved communities on holistic health practices. My partnership with the Girls LEAD Academy in Miami, FL, allowed me to develop and implement a 10-week wellness curriculum for economically disadvantaged youth girls. Outside of medicine, I enjoy practicing and sharing my love for yoga as a registered yoga and meditation teacher and learning about other cultures through travel.

I chose Stanford-O’Connor because I felt confident I would receive the training and support needed to develop into the full-spectrum physician-healer and health equity advocate I aim to be. 

Fun Fact: During a student ambassador program, I was lucky enough stay in on an Aboriginal lodging site and snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef while in Australia.

Ha Eun “Christina” Cho, MD
she/her

College: Emory University

Medical School: Medical College of Georgia

Areas of Interest:  Immigrant/Refugee Health, Street Medicine, Public Health/Advocacy, Sports Medicine

I was born in South Korea, and immigrated to the United States when I was four. My family moved several times throughout my childhood, but we ultimately settled in Georgia. 

In high school, I attended a summer academy which empowered youth to engage in public discourse and confront issues of social justice in the context of inner-city Atlanta. Entering college, I was determined to find a vocational platform that would allow me to continue this work. Majoring in Biology and Sociology, with a concentration in Community Building and Social Change, I saw how many of my interests intersected within medicine. Following graduation, I trained in Mississippi and served as a Teach for America corps member at a Title I high school in South Carolina. As a science teacher, I gained unique insight into the impact of poverty on education and health. 

Becoming a family medicine physician for me is a way to return to the places and thoughts I’ve inhabited— to follow through with my commitment to social justice and contribute with an expertise that I believe adds value and dignity to my service to others. I believe that primary care providers, through their intimate access to patients’ lives, are ideally positioned to advocate for their community and mobilize others to do the same. 

Fun Fact: My husband and I got engaged before Match Day, married after graduation, and flew/drove out a few days later for Intern Orientation (woo-wee it’s been a whirlwind of a year)!

Quynh Duong, DO
she/her

College:

Medical School: Michigan State Univ College of Osteopathic Medicine

Areas of interest:

I grew up in the South of Vietnam and lived in Japan for a few years before coming to the US in my early 20s. While my upbringing in Vietnam exposed me to the socioeconomic determinants of health at an early age, being an immigrant opened my eyes to the silent struggles that many people face to keep a roof over their heads and put food on their tables. When I first arrived in the US, my goal was to pursue research in cardiac diseases to give meaning to the passing of my father to a heart attack. The scientific endeavor of developing a computational model of cardiac mitochondria that can capture the interplay of oxidative stress, calcium handling and cellular metabolism made me appreciate the integrative approach in solving biological problems. This realization naturally motivated me to become a family medicine physician. As the first point of contact for my patients, I will not only be able to coach my patients through their health journeys but also help them navigate the healthcare system.

Fun Fact: When I am not in the hospital or clinic, I can be found hiking or camping with my family. I also love to knit (and make my own clothes) and would love to get into regenerative agriculture one day. 

 Tony García, MD
he/him/él

College: The University of Texas at Austin

Medical School: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Areas of Interest: Gender-affirming Care, LGBTQ+ Health, Language Barriers in Health Care, Racial and Ethnic Disparities

My parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico at a young age and settled down in Houston, Texas, where I was born and raised. Growing up, I didn’t see many doctors who spoke Spanish or looked like me, so I hesitated about pursuing a medical career. During a shadowing experience in college, a Latino pediatrician talked with me about the health disparities experienced by people with limited English proficiency and the deficit of URM physicians in medicine. In light of my own upbringing, his call to action motivated me to volunteer as an interpreter at a charitable clinic. It was here that I first came to appreciate the positive impact that family doctors can have in their community.

Throughout medical school, the most rewarding experiences for me were those in the community, such as serving as a manager for a student-run clinic, volunteering as a medical interpreter, and working with local trans leaders to hold an event in observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance. I was also proud to be able to collaborate on projects exploring transgender youths’ experiences with health care, the need for transgender health content in medical education, and anti-transgender stigma within the medical field.

I chose Stanford-O’Connor because the residents and faculty see the value in cultivating a diverse medical landscape with more multilingual, multicultural, and multifaceted physicians. It’s a great privilege to learn from our patients alongside such vibrant and kindhearted people!

Fun Fact:  I have spent the last 10 years perfecting my recipe for blueberry cheesecake—it’s my claim to fame!

Crystal Lin, MD
she/her

College: University of California, Los Angeles 

Medical School: Stanford University

Areas of Interest: Public Health, Epidemiology, Community and Global Health, Medical Education 

I’ve lived almost my entire life in warm and sunny California, arguably the best place on Earth. I grew up in Torrance and went to UCLA for undergrad, where I majored in molecular biology and minored in public health. Much of my extracurricular time in undergrad was spent on community and public health projects, such as running a free student-led clinic, teaching health education to cute kiddos, or organizing community health fairs. I loved my public health projects so much that after graduation I decided to move to England to pursue a Masters in Global Health. Since I wanted to work at the intersection of medicine and public health, family medicine was always the specialty for me! I love being able to care for those at all ages and stages of life, at the level of the individual, family, and community.  

I went to Stanford for medical school and couldn’t be happier to stay in the area for residency. I did my sub-I here and was instantly drawn to the incredibly kind and brilliant residents and faculty. Seems I’ll be in California for life! 

Outside of medicine, I like living a slower, cozier life. I like taking naps, caring for my plants, baking, drinking tea, crocheting and petting animals.  

Fun fact: I took a two month patisserie course at Leith’s School of Food and Wine 

Kavia Khosla, MD
she/her

College: Brown University

Medical School: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Areas of Interest: Chronic Pain Management, Sexual Wellness and Pleasure, Neurodivergence, Nutritional Medicine, Health at Every Size, Social Entrepreneurship, Medical Service Dog Training

I’m from Chicago, and can confirm even locals love deep dish (well at least this local)! I grew up mixed between the suburbs, with a lot of Indian community and in the city, where I went to school for the most part and made most of my friends. The “two divided worlds” experience was very real for me, and got me thinking about the structures of cities/spaces and how that affects our health, community, and interpersonal relationships. I studied Urban Studies and Public Health at Brown University, including participating in a Social Ventures fellowship which still informs the way I approach advocacy.

I actually started my residency in OBGyn and then decided to switch into Family Medicine because I am obsessed with being people’s primary doctor! I also believe strongly in joy in the workplace, which is very aligned with Family Medicine and has been my experience here at Stanford O’Connor.

Fun Fact: I was a leash baby.

Yuan Zhang, MD
she/her

College: Stanford University

Medical School:  Stanford University School of Medicine 

Areas of Interest: Preventative Medicine, POCUS, Procedures, Women's Health, Medical Education

Born and raised in Beijing, China, I came to the US to attend college 10 years ago. During my undergraduate years at Stanford, I majored in biology and minored in medical anthropology, and enjoyed reading ethnography and Foucault as much as making beating cardiomyocytes in a dish. When not in class or lab, I devoted most of my free time volunteering at a student-run free clinic and served in my favorite role as a Mandarin interpreter for several years. 

In medical school, I entered each clerkship with an open mind and was thrilled to find family medicine, a specialty that until recently had been non-existent in the healthcare system I grew up in. The emphasis on disease screening and prevention in family medicine resonates with me, and the broad scope of practice inspires and humbles me. More importantly, family medicine allows me and urges me to build meaningful and long-lasting relationships with patients and their families, which I have found to be the most rewarding aspect of clinical medicine. 

After calling the Bay Area home my entire adult life and thoroughly enjoying my Sub-I at O'Connor, I am thrilled to stay for residency training. On my days off, you can find me braving 3-foot baby waves on a beginner surfboard in Santa Cruz. 

Fun fact:  I sailed with 37 shipmates from Tahiti to Hawaii over 35 days aboard a 134-foot brigantine in college. I will probably be searching for another fun fact to replace this one in the years to come.