(Madera, CA) – Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program, Affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine, announced its newest residency class Friday, March 15, on national Match Day, when medical students around the country find out where they will train for at least the next three years. Twelve of the 13 are from California.
“Match Day is a celebration where graduates find out where the next step of their medical journey will take place and the residency program recognizes new doctors who will be joining our team,” says Dr. Jolie Limon, Valley Children’s Chief of Pediatrics and Executive Director, Medical Education. “It is truly our privilege as Valley Children’s doctors, nurses and team members to work with this remarkable group of new physicians and future pediatricians as they begin the next phase in their education.”
Over the last several months, a panel of Valley Children’s representatives, including pediatric specialists, nurses, social workers and pharmacists, interviewed 140 candidates from around the country.
“As the only healthcare network in the Central Valley dedicated exclusively to caring for children, we serve a large and diverse patient population,” says Dr. Karla Au Yeung, Valley Children's Pediatric Residency Program Director. “This, in addition to a highly engaged faculty and innovative curriculum, creates a superb educational environment where our residents have ample opportunity to experience rotations that cater to their individual interests including primary care, advocacy, medical education, leadership and quality improvement.”
This year’s residency students make up the third graduating class from Valley Children’s residency program. The members of the 2022 class are:
- Rhobe Brager, DO, Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
- From San Jose, CA, is interested in primary health for teens
- Pritha Dewanjee, DO, Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
- From Carlsbad, CA, hopes to advocate for transgender healthcare
- Anahita Emamian, MD, American University of the Caribbean
- From Rancho Palos Verde, CA, hopes to advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, teen pregnancy prevention and sex education and mental health, while also interested in medical mission trips
- Rafael Gonzalez, MD, University of California Davis School of Medicine
- From Santa Cruz, CA, a co-founder of The Doctor’s Academy and has a goal to promote Latinos in medicine
- Isaac Horowitz, DO, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
- From Tehachapi, CA, is interested in education and teaching
- Michelle Nguyen, DO, Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
- From Long Beach, CA, hopes to advocate for homeless outreach and health and cardiac screenings
- Michelle Perez, MD, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
- From Sacramento, CA, wants to work to fill gaps in healthcare disparities and advocate for food distribution
- Joshua Roose, DO, Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
- From Fontana, CA, hopes to advocate for against domestic violence and for homeless outreach
- Aura Santi, MD, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
- From Huntington Beach, CA, is a founding member of Latino Medical Student Association and has an interest in medical missions and international volunteer work
- Adriana Sosa, DO, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
- From Carmichael, CA, hopes to work to serve underserved health clinics and underserved senior citizens
- Jeff Timberman, DO, Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
- From Shingle Springs, CA, served as the director of a student-run free clinic and is interested in international volunteerism
- Karen Wong, MD, University of Central Florida College of Medicine
- From San Mateo, CA, hopes to advocate for free clinics and is interested in child life, art therapy and equine therapy
- Rachel Yan, MD, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
- From Dallas, TX, interested in research in cardiology and immunology
“We are dedicated to training exceptional pediatricians to be tireless advocates for children,” says Dr. Limon. “We are thrilled for the newest 13 residents joining our family here at Valley Children’s.”
In addition to Valley Children’s affiliation with Stanford University School of Medicine, the pediatric residency program also features partnerships with hospitals and medical groups throughout the area. Valley Children’s residents will have the opportunity for rotations at partner locations – including Kaiser Permanente and Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno – and local pediatricians’ offices.
Valley Children’s residency program is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The ACGME is a nonprofit council that oversees graduate medical training programs in hospitals throughout the country. Match Day selections are coordinated by the National Residency Match Program, a private, non-profit organization established in 1952 at the request of medical students to provide an orderly and fair method for residency placements.
Learn more about Valley Children's Pediatric Residency Program at valleychildrens.org/pediatricresidency.