(Madera, California) – Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program, Affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine, announced its newest residency class Friday, March 18, on National Match Day, when medical students around the country find out where they will train for at least the next three years.
“Improving clinical outcomes for kids, promoting best practices in medicine and ensuring equitable access to care are key components of our residency program,” says Dr. Jolie Limon, Valley Children’s vice president of academic affairs and designated institutional officer. “Match Day is always a special moment for our teams. Helping these 13 exceptional doctors become pediatric specialists is a privilege, and the skills they learn will benefit children in the region for decades to come.”
This year’s residency students make up the sixth graduating class from Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program. Nine are from California.
The members of the Class of 2025 are:
- Christine Barros Veguilla, MD, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine; from San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Dupinderjit Bhangal, MD, Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba; from Dinuba, CA
- Natalie Choy, MD, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University; from Providence, RI
- Alexandra Drury, MD, Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine; from Kirkland, WA
- Sean Fraser, MD, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine; from Davis, CA
- Garrick Hayashi, MD, Creighton University School of Medicine; from Honolulu
- Claire Jaramishian, DO, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine – California; from Fresno, CA
- Shivani Kamal, DO, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona; from Los Altos, CA
- Jorvic Justin Ramos, DO, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine – California; from Lathrop, CA
- Rajvee Sanghavi, DO, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University; from Walnut, CA
- Pranita Shenoy, MD, Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine; from Sunnyvale, CA
- Puneet Sran, MD, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine; from Kerman, CA
- Sharon Trinh, DO, Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine; from Monterey Park, CA
“Our training focuses on developing providers who embody the values important to every Valley Children’s team member, which include compassionate care, integrity and innovation,” says Valley Children's Pediatric Residency Program Director Dr. Vini Vijayan. “Match Day is one of the most memorable days of these residents’ young careers and we look forward to welcoming them to our campus this summer.”
The residency matching process begins during an applicant’s final year of medical school, when they apply to residency programs of their choice. More than 150 candidates interviewed at Valley Children’s, meeting with a panel of representatives, including pediatric specialists, nurses, social workers and pharmacists. The Match uses algorithms to provide a systematic approach for fair residency placements. Match Day processes are similar among several health professions, including medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry and others.
In addition to Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program, Valley Children’s Pharmacy Residency Program matched with four pharmacists. The members of this incoming class are:
- Rasna Atwal, PharmD, California Northstate University; from Clovis, CA
- Chara Aueyong, PharmD, University of Southern California; from Los Angeles
- Claire Federe, PharmD, Creighton University; from New Orleans
- Jonathan Truong, PharmD, University of Colorado-Skaggs; from Irvine, CA
Valley Children’s Pharmacy Residency Program also welcomed their postgraduate year-two pharmacy fellow:
- William Ng, PharmD, Touro University – California, Class of 2021; from San Francisco
“Since 1999, Valley Children’s has been training pharmacists to provide specialized pharmaceutical care to kids,” says Valley Children’s Pharmacy Residency Director Dr. Wenee Lopez. “Our postgraduate residency program provides a hands-on approach with daily clinical activities on rotations focused on quality and patient safety specific to pediatric populations. Residents tend to work where they train, and we hope this leads to many of them staying right here to serve families throughout Central California.”
Valley Children’s will officially welcome the residents during the annual White Coat Ceremony, when they will receive their traditional lab coats. That will take place at Valley Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, June 22.