Family Medicine Residents

Jessie Guerrero, MD

Birthplace: Sun Valley, CA

Medical school: David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.

Education: University of California, Los Angeles, BS Psychobiology

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends. Working out at the gym and cross fit classes, hiking new trails, binge watching shows/movies and going to the beach.

Language(s) spoken: English and Spanish.

Personal Accomplishments: I made the hall of fame in high school for being a CIF Water polo champ. I ran 3 marathons in my life all of which have been the Los Angeles Marathon and I hope to qualify for the Boston Marathon one day. I have gone skydiving in Lompoc, CA jumping from 15,000 ft above and the view was breathtaking!

Amanda Nelson, MD

Birthplace: Miami, FL

Medical school: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA

Education: Emory University, BS Biology. Georgetown University, MS Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

Hobbies: Reformer Pilates, cooking, traveling, hiking, kayaking, watching TV shows, and exploring new restaurants.

Language(s) spoken: English and basic Spanish.

Personal Accomplishments: Received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama. Visited more than 30 international cities in 4 years. Received the excellence in Biochemistry Internship Award from Georgetown University.

Elenie Philippas, DO

Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA

Medical school: Western University of Health Science College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, CA.

Education: California State University, Northridge, BA Biology and Chemistry Minor.

Hobbies: Enjoy playing jigsaw puzzles, hiking, and baking.

Language(s) spoken: English and conversational Spanish.

Personal Accomplishments: First generation college graduate and first in my family to graduate medical school. I have lived in Los Angeles my entire life and I am honored to serve my community.

Brent Carlos Pino, DO

Birthplace: Redlands, CA

Medical school: Western University of Health Science College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, CA.

Education: California Baptist University BS in Biology. Western University of Health Science College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, MS in Medical Sciences.

Hobbies: Weightlifting, basketball, hiking, running, movies, and reading.

Language(s) spoken: English

Personal Accomplishments: First generation college graduate and medical school graduate. Lived in Southern California my whole life and am honored to serve its communities.

Chanmee Praise Seo, MD

Birthplace: Cerritos, CA

Medical school: University of Mississippi Medical Center

Education: University of California of San Diego, BA Mississippi College MS

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends. Playing with my dog Junior, cooking, playing guitar and watching moves. New hobby of sewing thanks to the COVID pandemic.

Language(s) spoken: English and Korean.

Personal Accomplishments: First in my family to become a medical doctor. I had the privilege of spending my college years traveling to Tijuana, Mexico, most Saturdays where I taught kids to speak, read, and write English. Self-taught sewing to make masks and surgical masks for friends and family during COVID.

Rachel Siemons, MD

Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA

Medical school: University of California of San Francisco (UCSF – UC Berkeley Joint Medical Program)

Education: Brown University, BA in Anthropology and Community Health. Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, Post-Bac Premedical Program. UC Berkeley School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA MS in Health & Medical Sciences

Hobbies: Dancing, watching and playing soccer, gardening, hiking, spending time in nature and at the beach, traveling and exploring other cultures, cuisines, and customs. Listening to podcasts while sitting in LA’s endless traffic.

Language(s) spoken: English and Spanish.

Personal Accomplishments: First physician in my family. Conducted research and advocacy around DACA as part of my master’s degree thesis project. Being a family caregiver.

Jenny Wu, DO

Birthplace: Monterey Park, CA

Medical school: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Mesa, AZ

Education: University of California, Los Angeles, BS in Biological Sciences

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, running, spin classes, listening to podcasts, following and watching sports.

Language(s) spoken: English and Mandarin.

Personal Accomplishments: First physician in my family and being able to return to Los Angeles to serve my hometown/community. Coached Girls on the Run throughout undergrad and medical school. I lived in Portland, OR for 3 years for medical school and I am proud that as a LA native, I survived and enjoyed the rain/gloom.

Cassandra De La Torre, DO

Birthplace: Santa Monica, California

Osteopathic medical school: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, Mesa, AZ

Education: University of California, Santa Cruz, B.S. Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology

Hobbies: Trip planning and traveling, spending time with family and loved ones, retail therapy, hot yoga, eating all the food my partner cooks, exploring new neighborhoods/restaurants and movie nights.

Language(s) spoken: English, Intermediate Spanish

Personal Accomplishments: Getting into medical school and becoming a physician, making it back to Los Angeles after 11 years to work in my community and reunite with family, swimming in the Amazon with caimans and piranhas.

James A Kropac II, DO

Birthplace: Montebello, California

Osteopathic medical school: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine

Education: B.A. Biological Sciences - USC

Hobbies: Music, acting, storytelling, public health, sociology, politics, psychology, history, gardening, religions, classic science fiction, and spending time with my family

Language(s) spoken: English, Spanish

Personal Accomplishments: Starred in a feature length movie, played a live show at a dive bar in Queens, and I found and married my incredible wife

Brian Kun, DO

Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA

Osteopathic medical school: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, Mesa, AZ

Education: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, BS in Biological Sciences

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, playing and watching basketball, videogames, going to the gym, traveling, and trying new foods.

Language(s) spoken: English, Chinese, basic Spanish

Personal Accomplishments: First generation college graduate and first physician in the family. Tutored and provided mentorship to elementary and college students for many years. I am proud to continue my passion in helping the underserved in my hometown of Los Angeles.

Minette C. Lagman, DO

Birthplace: Quezon City, Philippines

Osteopathic medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Education: Mount St. Mary's University, Los Angeles, BS Biology

Hobbies: hiking, yoga, traveling, trying new restaurants, escape rooms

Language(s) spoken: English, Tagalog, Kapampangan (a Filipino dialect)

Personal Accomplishments: First in my family to graduate with a degree and become a physician in the United States, survived Michigan winters (read: weeks without sunlight) throughout medical school, and put my Japanese conversational skills to the test and survived/traveled to Japan-twice!

Alejandro Miranda, DO

Birthplace: San Diego, California

Osteopathic medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Education: University of California, Irvine: B.S. Biological Sciences, Minor in Philosophy Michigan State University College of Human Medicine: Master of Public Health

Hobbies: I enjoy long-distance running, going to the gym, hiking, going to the beach, reading, listening to new artists, and spending time with family and friends

Language(s) spoken: English, Spanish

Personal Accomplishments: I’ve completed a half-marathon. I’m the first in my family to attend college and pursue higher education. I was on "Let’s Make a Deal" with Wayne Brady and won the grand prize of the show.

Erik Moreno, DO

Birthplace: Garden Grove, CA.

Osteopathic medical school: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn, AL

Education: University of California, Irvine, BS Public Health Sciences

Hobbies: Hiking, trying new foods, powerlifting, and traveling.

Language(s) spoken: English, Spanish

Personal Accomplishments: First in family to graduate from a 4-year university and become a physician.

Elizabeth Sanchez, MD

Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA

Medical school: University of Illinois at Chicago

Education: Cleveland Chiropractic College, BS in Human Biology.

Hobbies: Yoga, Zumba, running, peloton bike rides and weightlifting. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, beach days, live music, comedy shows, trying out new restaurants with friends, group cooking and looking for new healthy dinner recipes. During my off time, I like to read about interesting topics in history, astrophysics, and anthropology. Last but not least, I love playing toddler games with my son and spending time with my husband.

Language(s) spoken: English and Spanish.

Personal Accomplishments: First member of my family to attend college and become a physician. Thrilled to be training in Los Angeles (hometown) where most of my family lives. Mentoring and advocating for physicians with ADHD. Recently featured on Tracy Otsuka’s podcast, “ADHD for Smart Ass Women.”

Rukia Yosuf, MD

Birthplace: Nashville, TN

Medical School: University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio

Education: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, BA Biological Sciences

Hobbies: Pokémon GO, skiing, facetiming my family, walks on the beach, adventures with my husband

Language(s) spoken: English, Spanish, Pashto

Personal Accomplishments: Have visited 43 countries. Best aunt in existence. Completed nursing school before medical school. I’ve been employed since middle school.

Ethan Youssefzadeh, DO

Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA

Osteopathic medical school: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, CA

Education: University of California, Los Angeles, BA Psychology

Hobbies: Spending time with loved ones. Basketball, swimming, hiking and traveling.

Language(s) spoken: English, Farsi, Hebrew

Personal Accomplishments: First generational physician in my family and grateful to be able to practice medicine in Los Angeles, my beloved hometown. Got married during my first month of medical school and we were recently blessed with a beautiful baby boy. Spent 4 years working as a high school teacher and school counselor and have since founded several non-profit organizations to help teens and adolescence in nearby communities.

Kristen Austin, MD

Birthplace: Pasadena, California

Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Education: University of California Irvine BS Developmental and Cell Biology

Hobbies: Singing, hiking, caring for houseplants, going to concerts and comedy shows.

Language(s) spoken: English and Tagalog

Personal Accomplishments: I was the female lead single for a rock band that performed at the annual Pediatric Aids Benefit Concert at Drexel University College of Medicine for 4 years. I sang the National Anthem at my medical school commencement. I have saved many plants from dying, including fiddle leaf figs, ficus tineke and Manjula pothos.

Jacob Bodden, MD

Birthplace: Brownsville, Texas

Medical school: University of Texas Health Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX

Education: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, BS Biology; Minor in Biochemistry, Psychology

Hobbies: Cooking, singing and dancing in the shower (without falling) thrifting, and raising my 2 houseplants.

Language(s) spoken: English.

Personal Accomplishments: Learned how to keep plants alive. First in my family to earn a graduate degree. Successfully moved across the country.

Gregory Chisholm, MD

Birthplace: San Diego, California

Medical school: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA

Education: Occidental College, BA Biochemistry

Hobbies: Backpacking, chess and tea tastings

Language(s) spoken: English, Chinese

Personal Accomplishments: Performed a vocal concert at Carnegie Hall. Former manager of Occidental Glee Club and Omons’ Docapella. Survived a 40 ft. fall of a cliff and only broke a tiny foot bone (sesamoid).

John Davilmar, MD

Birthplace: Queens, NY

Medical school: Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA

Education: Southern Adventist University, Collegedale, TN, BS Biology-Research

Hobbies: Hiking, basketball and traveling.

Language(s) spoken: English, French, Haitian Creole, Spanish

Personal Accomplishments: YouTube video content creator. I’ve been to 25 states and 5 national parks.

Daniel Del Barrio-Amil, DO

Birthplace: Quezon City, Philippines

Osteopathic medical school: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, CA.

Education: University of California, Irvine, BS Neurology

Hobbies: cooking, espresso brewing, PC building, rock climbing and hiking.

Language(s) spoken: English.

Personal Accomplishments: I was lucky enough to hike up Half Dome in Yosemite and Angels Landing in Zion before permits were required. I was also fortunate to have hiked to the top of Mount Fuji and complete the Ring Road drive in Iceland. I can also make a basic latte.

Oswaldo Escobar, DO

Birthplace: Los Angeles, California

Osteopathic medical school: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, CA.

Education: California State University, Los Angeles, CA, BS Microbiology

Western University of Health Sciences, MS Medical Sciences

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, hiking, gardening, playing the bass guitar, video games and drinking coffee.

Language(s) spoken: English, Spanish

Personal Accomplishments: First generation college graduate and medical school graduate. Published research from undergraduate work. I self-cultivated my own garden of fruits.

Nathaniel Gleason, MD

Birthplace: Fountain, Valley, CA

Medical school: University of California, Riverside School of Medicine

Education: University of California, Riverside, MS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and BS Biochemistry

Hobbies: Hiking, running, swimming, skateboarding to Trader Joes, traveling to new places, playing table tennis, reading scripture, spending time with friends and family and my dog Gracie.

Language(s) spoken: English.

Personal Accomplishments: Completed half triathlon with 5,000 feet elevation climb. Traveled to 4 continents (outside of North America). I can do a backflip.

Nathanael Morales, MD

Birthplace: Fontana, CA.

Medical school: University of California Irvine

Education: University of La Verne, La Verne, CA, BS Biology and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, MPH Urban Health Disparities

Hobbies: Running, video gaming, reading sci-fi novels, hanging out w/my dog Petey, listening to podcasts (comedy, cultural commentary, history)

Language(s) spoken: English, Spanish

Personal Accomplishments: Donated over 5 feet of hair to Locks of Love. Ran the LA Marathon 4 times in high school. Played saxophone & bongos for my church band.