(Madera, CA) – Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program, Affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine, announced its newest residency class Friday, March 19, on national Match Day, when medical students around the country find out where they will train for at least the next three years.
“We are happy to welcome our new class to Valley Children’s at a critical time,” says Dr. Jolie Limon, Valley Children’s Vice President of Academic Affairs and Designated Institutional Officer. “We look forward to training these young physicians to deliver safe and high quality clinical care, while also being mindful of health equity.”
This year’s residency students make up the fifth graduating class from Valley Children’s residency program. Nine of them are from California, with three from the Central Valley. Members of the Class of 2024 are:
- Mariah Allen, MD, Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport: From Kansas City, MO
- Kavitha Arulmozhi, MD, California Northstate University College of Medicine: From Fremont, CA
- Maria Barajas-McGahan, MD, University of California Davis School of Medicine: From Reedley, CA
- Bhavishya Devireddy, DO, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in California: From Cupertino, CA
- Adriana Etcheverry, DO, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine: From San Fernando Valley, CA
- Christopher Galley, MD, Loma Linda University School of Medicine: From Rialto, CA
- Nicholas Garza, MD, University of California Davis School of Medicine: From Fresno, CA
- Jessica Harrison, DO, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University: From Studio City, CA
- Danielle Jones, MD, University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine: From Las Vegas
- Marcie Nakatsuchi, MD, University of California Davis School of Medicine: From Visalia, CA
- Shefali Patel, MD, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine: From Cleveland, OH
- Paola Rodriguez, MD, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine: From Bayamon, Puerto Rico
- Lynnia Tuckfield, MD, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University: From San Jose, CA
The process leading up to Match Day includes interviews with a panel of Valley Children’s representatives, including pediatric specialists, nurses, social workers and pharmacists. These interviews took place virtually and happened over several months. This year, the Valley Children’s Residency Program interviewed 153 candidates from around the country.
“We are dedicated to training exceptional pediatricians to be advocates for children and the community,” says Dr. Vini Vijayan, Valley Children's Pediatric Residency Program Director. “This year, we matched with 13 bright and passionate physicians. These physicians join the Valley Children’s family and our mission to bring the best care to the children of the Central Valley.”
In addition to Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program, Valley Children’s Pharmacy Residency Program matched with four pharmacists, all from California. Members of this incoming class are:
- Felicia Gary, PharmD, Touro University California: From Citrus Heights, CA
- Christina Liao, PharmD, University of California San Francisco: From San Francisco
- Ariana Mohayaee, PharmD, University of Southern California: From Clovis, CA
- William Ng, PharmD, Touro University California: From San Francisco
Valley Children’s Pharmacy Residency Program also welcomed their postgraduate year-two pharmacy fellow:
- Drew Dieckmann, PharmD, St. Louis College of Pharmacy: From DeWitt, IA
“Since 1999, Valley Children’s has been training pharmacists to provide specialized care to pediatric patients in this region,” says Pharmacy Residency Director Wenee Lopez, PharmD. “Our postgraduate residency program in pharmacy provides these pharmacists hands-on experience with pediatric pharmacotherapy, helping them become successful independent clinical pharmacists. We are excited to welcome this next group of residents.”
Match Day processes are similar among several health professions, including medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry and others. The Match uses algorithms to provide a systematic approach for fair residency placements.