JMP Student, JMP 1

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hometown: Lancaster, PA

Undergrad: Dartmouth College

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Running in the Presidio, views of the Golden Gate Bridge and water, proximity to salt and straw

Interests: XXXXX

My favorite activity outside of work is: YYYY

I chose the JMP because: shared values and interests with residents; amazing culture of teaching and mentorship; positive, kind, friendly culture in general; investment in resident well-being; and I love the Bay Area!

Research & Community Interests: Likely academic gen peds, probably primary care. Maybe adolescent medicine

Ask me about: PLUS, bike commuting, moving from the east coast/ not being from the Bay, having a non-medicine partner, taking a "non-traditional" path to medicine

Audrey DaSilva MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Pleasant Hill, CA

Undergrad: CSU Sacramento

Medical School: UCSF

I currently live in: Mission Bay

My favorite neighborhood spot is:

Interests: Emergency medicine, hospital medicine, primary care, addiction medicine, palliative care

My favorite activity outside of work is: Spending time with my husband and toddler

I chose UCSF for residency because: Wonderful mentors I met during medical school and proximity to family.

Plans after residency: Undecided!

Ask me about: Parenting during residency, being a non-traditional applicant

Alexander Hartman MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: He/Him

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Irmo, SC

Undergrad: UofSC

Medical School: UofSC Greenville

I currently live in: Inner Sunset

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Twin Peaks, Tank Hill, Mt Sutro

Interests: Neonatology, advocacy, medical law and policy, but also industrial music and gardening.

My favorite activity outside of work is: Hiking on MT Sutro, taking in views from Twin Peaks, climbing bolders and digging on beaches with my kid.

I chose UCSF for residency because: Academic center with a dual focus on social justice and cutting edge medical science.

Plans after residency: Fellowship

Ask me about: Living in SF with a kid (5YO) and nonworking spouse (it's doable!). Living in UCSF housing - we're at Aldea San Miguel, I represent residents on the universities Housing Committee.

Alyssa Levine MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Berkeley, CA

Undergrad: Williams College

Medical School: Emory

I currently live in: Bernal Heights

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Bernal Heights Park

Interests: Adolescent medicine, reproductive health, heme/onc, palliative care, cycling, swimming, baking

My favorite activity outside of work is: Cycling

I chose UCSF for residency because: This residency program has created a culture that is constantly informed by a growth mindset. In just the few months I've been a part of this community, I have been struck by the rapid and always evolving responses to new challenges we face together. It is a program that "walks the talk" when it comes to wellness and advocacy. Every program talks about these things, but these are not buzzwords at UCSF. It's not just about a committee or a retreat - these things are consistently and intentionally woven into the way we learn and the way we care for patients.

Plans after residency:

Ask me about: bike commuting

Wilson Mourad MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: he/him/his

Pathway/track: PLUS

Hometown: Maracaibo, Venezuela & Weston, FL

Undergrad: NYU

Medical School: FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

I currently live in: The Castro,Mission Bay

My favorite neighborhood spot is:

Interests: I enjoy cooking but I enjoy eating more. I love watching movies and TV (my favorite art form). Some of my interested include nutrition, relationships with food, and LGBTQIA+ rights and wellbeing.

My favorite activity outside of work is: Sleeping, exploring on foot, traveling (when that was a thing), exercising

I chose UCSF for residency because: I am amazed by the commitment UCSF has to fighting for diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as the self-awareness our program has of our privilege as physicians. Social justice runs through the veins of this program, and I continue to be inspired and learn from my co-residents and leadership. I chose UCSF for the PLUS program. It blew me away on my interview day for the unparalleled opportunity that it offers me.

Plans after residency: Undecided

Ask me about: Long-distance relationships, moving cross-country, PLUS

Anya Platt MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Berkeley, CA

Undergrad: UCLA

Medical School: Jefferson Medical School

I currently live in: Berkeley!

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Berkeley! Fave spot = Indian Rock

Interests: Doodling, eating gummy vitamins, rock climbing (womp @ covid), giggling w/friends, doodling, heme/onc, bioethics

My favorite activity outside of work is: NYT crosswords duh

I chose UCSF for residency because: I love the Bay Area, I love the queer culture, I love the warmth/openness/fierceness/passion/communication of the residents and faculty, and I get to be near my family!

Plans after residency: Heme/Onc fellowship

Ask me about: Relocating from the east coast, having a puppy during residency, couples matching, the best Berkeley produce spots, the best tomatoes, the best way to eat dates (read: frozen, w/peanut butter)

Kelly Walters MD MPH, PGY 1

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota

Undergrad: Wellesley College

Medical School: Chicago Medical School

I currently live in: NOPA

My favorite neighborhood spot is: NOPA; Easy access to the panhandle and golden gate park!

Interests: Public health, camping, skiing, climbing

My favorite activity outside of work is: Camping & napping

I chose UCSF for residency because: A bigger academic program with a commitment to social justice, in a beautiful part of the country

Plans after residency: Maybe hospitalist or PEM

Ask me about: Masters in Public Health, couples matching, moving/living away from home

Sabreen Aulakh MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Undergrad: UC Davis

Medical School: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine

I currently live in: Mission Bay

My favorite neighborhood spot is: The Boba Shop

Interests: Global health, advocacy, serving vulnerable populations

My favorite activity outside of work is: Spending time with my 4 furry siblings, trying new foods, baking cupcakes, and watching a lot of TV

I chose UCSF for residency because: I loved the residents and faculty I met during my away rotation. Everyone was so incredibly friendly and welcoming, and I loved the warm and laidback culture. I wanted to work with the families that use ZSFG as their primary source of healthcare, and I wanted to train at a program that values community service and prioritizes caring for vulnerable populations beyond just their medical needs. I also valued the commitment to diversity and social justice while caring for children with complex medical conditions.

Plans after residency: Fellowship, but I have not narrowed my list down yet

Ask me about: anything! I can help find the right people to answer questions I may not know the answer to.

Matthew Decker MD PhD, PGY 1

Pronouns: He/him/his

Pathway/track: Physician Scientist

Hometown: Red Wing, MN

Undergrad: Stanford

Medical School: Columbia

I currently live in: San Bruno

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Sweeney Ridge Trail

Interests: Reading, hiking, podcasts, cooking/baking (mostly as a means to eating), Minnesota sports teams, and my unending quest to find the best taqueria in SF

My favorite activity outside of work is: Hiking the coastal trails on the Peninsula

I chose UCSF for residency because: UCSF’s residency program has a unique combination of strengths: high level specialty care, a focus on serving the routine medical needs of the SF community, excellent research, and a strong commitment to social justice both within the department and in our work with patients. It blends the best aspects of a tertiary academic medical center and a community hospital. It also didn't hurt that the Bay Area is a great place to live.

Plans after residency: Fellowship (tentatively heme/onc)

Ask me about: Moving to the Bay Area, having a non-medical partner in residency, the pediatric research track, and the Timberwolves' playoff chances in 2021 (spoilers: they aren't great)

Clare Howard MD PhD, PGY 1

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Pathway/track: Physician Scientist

Hometown: Newton, MA

Undergrad: Amherst College

Medical School: Columbia

I currently live in: Mission Bay

My favorite neighborhood spot is:

Interests: Plants, baking, going to museums, eating

My favorite activity outside of work is: pre covid was going to art galleries, now maybe cooking!

I chose UCSF for residency because: A chance to live on the west coast, and an amazing NICU!

Plans after residency: NICU Fellowship

Ask me about: Coming from the East Coast, physician scientist track

Talia Mahony MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

Undergrad: Stanford

Medical School: UCSF

I currently live in: Potrero Hill

My favorite neighborhood spot is:

Interests: Hiking, running, camping, snuggling with my dog

My favorite activity outside of work is: Trail runs in the redwood forest

I chose UCSF for residency because: Diverse patients and clinical experiences, kind, welcoming and passionate faculty and residents, fantastic Bay Area location!

Plans after residency:

Ask me about: the best dog parks and bakeriesin SF, having a partner not in medicine, outdoor activities in the Bay Area

Sang Nguyen MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: He, him, his

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Sai Gon (Vietnam) and La Puente (California)

Undergrad: University of California, Riverside

Medical School: University of California, Riverside - School of Medicine

I currently live in: Dogpatch

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Chinatown Dim Sum , Delores Park, Fisherman's Wharf

Interests: Love to cook, paint, and doing origami! Explore new dishes, meeting new people with different cultures, having tea-talk about life or anything. Traveling to see the world.

My favorite activity outside of work is: Going to China Town with my co-interns for Dim Sum. Hiking in different trails in areas around SF. Going to beach and just lying down to listen to the ocean wave.

I chose UCSF for residency because: The PEOPLE. I really love my co-interns because we care about how to make this world better and how to take care our patients the best we can. I have received a lot of teaching and guidance from faculties and mentors. I hope you will come here to know that everyone cares about you. We hope to provide the most comfortable environment to learn and for you to be the best physician you can be. You will receive a lot of support from faculties to develop personally and professional. We are like a family that we will always be there with you when you experience tough time in residency. So, choose us and you will not regret with your decision.

Plans after residency: PICU, or Hematology-Oncology, or maybe NICU

Ask me about: Anything. I am also a good listener, so I can listen and give you any advice. If I don't know the answer, I will find the answer for you.

Radhika Rajan MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: she/hers

Pathway/track: PLUS

Hometown: Queens, NY/Gainesville, FL

Undergrad: Brown

Medical School: Brown

I currently live in: Dogpatch

My favorite neighborhood spot is:

Interests: Anti-racism, reproductive justice, LGBT healthcare/gender care, reading, writing, abolition

My favorite activity outside of work is: Hiking + Yoga

I chose UCSF for residency because: The biggest factor was community! The residents, faculty and staff are all so warm and welcoming. Great teaching in a supportive learning environment. A clear commitment to diversity and equity, and an opportunity to integrate social justice work into residency through PLUS. A good balance of exposure to complex patient pathology and sub-specialty care at Mission Bay, and bread and butter pediatrics at SF General and other clinial sites. SF is a great city, with lots of easy access to the outdoors!

Plans after residency: Undecided for now! Probably primary care or endocrinology.

Ask me about: PLUS, anti-racism/health equity work, what I'm reading/watching/listening to right now, east-to-west coast transition

Rebecca Webb MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Morgan Hill, CA

Undergrad: UC Berkeley

Medical School: Boston University

I currently live in: Cole Valley

My favorite neighborhood spot is: The Panhandle

Interests: Implementation science focused on mitigating adverse social determinants of health, analysis of the impact of policy on pediatric urban health inequities and disparities, effects of structural racism and toxic stress on fetal and neonatal development, health services research, child welfare/poverty, legislative advocacy, teen pregnancy and perinatal care, firearm injury & prevention.

My favorite activity outside of work is: Long distance running with my pup!

I chose UCSF for residency because: The Bay is my home and UCSF was the institution and program that best demonstrated a commitment to social justice, activism, and addressing health inequities.

Plans after residency: Likely fellowship in a critical/acute care subspecialty

Ask me about: Cross country moves, having a dog in residency, living in the Bay Area

Cheryl Cheah MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Chandler, Arizona

Undergrad: University of Arizona

Medical School: Oakland University

I currently live in: Mission Bay

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Embarcadero

Interests: Exploring SF restaurants and bakeries (once they fully reopen...), hiking, running, swimming, cooking, baking, traveling

My favorite activity outside of work is: Exploring California, especially the lakes and beaches!

I chose UCSF for residency because: The people and the program! I felt very welcomed during my away rotation, with many pleasant interactions with residents, fellows and faculty! They were all what I expected "peds people" to be - bubbly and passionate. As someone who seeks work-life balance, I liked that the people I met looked happy, and that the program leadership prioritizes resident wellness. Oh and SF is definitely a huge plus!

Plans after residency: Still figuring this out...but I like working with babies!

Ask me about: UCSF housing (Tidelands!), moving to SF and starting intern year during a pandemic, being new to California, or really anything!

Laura Deering MD MPH, PGY 1

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Pathway/track: Neuro

Hometown: El Sobrante, CA

Undergrad: Whitman College

Medical School: Weill Cornell Medicine

I currently live in: Mission Bay

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Still figuring this out!

Interests: Dancing, baking, piano, cooking (especially soups), plants

My favorite activity outside of work is: Seeing the people I love

I chose UCSF for residency because: The people (wonderful, supportive, and knowledgeable), the program’s commitment to equity/social justice, and the bonus that I get to be near many of my loved ones who live in the Bay Area.

Plans after residency:

Ask me about: Neuro, being single in residency, east coast to west coast moves, or anything else

Sophia Karandashova MD PhD

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pathway/track: Physician Scientist

Hometown: Moscow, Russia

Undergrad: Oregon State University

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

I currently live in: Mission Bay

My favorite neighborhood spot is: SPARK Social SF

Interests: Reading, True Crime, Board Games, Skiing

My favorite activity outside of work is: Getting Dim Sum with my co-interns

I chose UCSF for residency because: The People!!!

Plans after residency: Fellowship - Pediatric Pulmonology

Ask me about: Moving across the country

Meron Meshesha MD MBA, PGY 1

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Oakland

Undergrad: UC Santa Barbara

Medical School: Michigan State University

I currently live in: Mission Bay

My favorite neighborhood spot is: I love plants and found a local black-owned shop, Roots SF! The owner is awesome :)

Interests: Live music, podcasts, hiking, social justice, dogs, plants and yoga!

My favorite activity outside of work is:

I chose UCSF for residency because: The focus on social justice and research opportunities. Most of all the amazing resident community and faculty support. Finally my support system is close by.

Plans after residency: Interested in many things from Heme/Onc, to Integrative Medicine.

Ask me about: Travel, great food options, diversity and anything else!

Thien (Billy) Nguyen MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: San Diego

Undergrad: UC San Diego

Medical School: UCLA

I currently live in: Mission Bay

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Embarcadero pathway by the water

Interests: Escape Room, cooking Japanese and Italian cuisines, reading non-fiction about economics and social science, watching plays, relaxing at a coffee shop, gay bars, and kayaking

My favorite activity outside of work is: Cooking with friends, Watching movies

I chose UCSF for residency because: I loved the sense of community and belonging here at UCSF. The residents were so open, friendly and easy to connect with.

Plans after residency: Heme/onc fellowship

Ask me about: Research, Book recommendations, bakeries and food around SF

Melinda Schneider MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: She/her

Pathway/track: Neuro

Hometown: Lafayette, CA

Undergrad: UC San Diego

Medical School: UC Irvine

I currently live in: Dogpatch

My favorite neighborhood spot is:

Interests: Dancing, performing arts, hiking, long walks, baking; academically - community health, trauma-informed care, childhood stress, medical humanities

My favorite activity outside of work is: Exploring the many parks in SF!

I chose UCSF for residency because: The wonderful faculty and the opportunity to learn from diverse patient populations in a variety of healthcare settings. The residents I met were so committed to their passions within medicine, and were welcoming and friendly!

Plans after residency:

Ask me about: The UCSF child neurology program, living in SF without a car

Justin Williams MD, PGY 1

Pronouns:

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Oakland, CA

Undergrad: Langston University, OK

Medical School: UCSF

I currently live in:

My favorite neighborhood spot is:

Interests:

My favorite activity outside of work is:

I chose UCSF for residency because:

Plans after residency:

Ask me about:

Carlos Damas MD, PGY 1

Pronouns:

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Undergrad: San Francisco State University

Medical School: Michigan State University

I currently live in:

My favorite neighborhood spot is:

Interests: My favorite hobby is lounging and playing with my Sphynx cat, Abigail. I enjoy trying new restaurants with friends and describe myself as an adventurous eater. My favorite past time is to go on walks while listening to music. I enjoy listening to audiobooks around the house. I love driving long distances and taking road trips to places I have never been to before. My interest vary from politics to current popular culture. I like to stay up to date with current television shows.

My favorite activity outside of work is:

I chose UCSF for residency because:

Plans after residency:

Ask me about:

Alejandra Gonzalez MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Los Angeles

Undergrad: UC Santa Barbara

Medical School: UC Davis

I currently live in: Mission Bay

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Golden Gate Park

Interests: Outdoors, hiking, biking, climbing, pets, restaurants

My favorite activity outside of work is: Outdoor stuff: Hiking, floating down the river

I chose UCSF for residency because: I got great vibes from everyone here at all times during the interview process. I felt supported even before I arrived. I felt that whatever my goals may be during residency there would be people who were not only likeminded but willing to help facilitate my endeavors. I knew being here would allow me to grow as a physician and person.

Plans after residency: PEM

Ask me about: QI research, PEM or my pets.

Morgan Kelly MD MPH, PGY 1

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Pathway/track: PLUS

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Undergrad: Harvard

Medical School: UCSF

I currently live in: Inner Sunset

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Lands End

Interests: Running, camping, anything involving animals, baking/ eating baked goods (but mostly eating baked goods)

My favorite activity outside of work is: Running/ racing in local events

I chose UCSF for residency because: Because after working with the UCSF residents and faculty as a medical student, I couldn't imagine training in any other place. The culture and diversity of the UCSF community set an impossibly high bar for other programs.

Plans after residency: Still figuring that out!

Ask me about: My time working at a patisserie

Olivia Molineaux MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: San Francisco

Undergrad: Bard College

Medical School: Columbia

I currently live in: The Mission

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Balmy Alley (so many murals!)

Interests: Art (making and appreciating), hiking, biking, cooking.

My favorite activity outside of work is: Hiking (Marin, Oakland, South Bay...)

I chose UCSF for residency because: I immediately felt comfortable around the residents I met when I visited and felt the educational environment was a wonderful combination of supportive and the exciting kind of challenging. I love that we automatically work in very different kinds of hospitals (Mission Bay, SFGH, and Kaiser...)and work with a range of communities around the city. I love that this program acknowledges the importance of focusing on patient advocacy and supporting patients from underserved communities. And, of course, it's my hometown and I was so excited to get to return AND be a part of a fantastic program!

Plans after residency: Not sure yet, but I'm on the Primary Care Track if you want to talk about it!

Ask me about: Primary Care Track, hiking/biking, where to eat in the City

Daniel Pique MD PhD, PGY 1

Pronouns:

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Augusta, GA

Undergrad: University of Georgia, Athens

Medical School: Albert Einstein

I currently live in:

My favorite neighborhood spot is:

Interests: I enjoy playing squash, running, and weightlifting.

My favorite activity outside of work is:

I chose UCSF for residency because:

Plans after residency:

Ask me about:

Sonja Swenson MD, PGY 1

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Pathway/track: Categorical

Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

Undergrad: Stanford

Medical School: UCSF

I currently live in: Dogpatch

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Piccino, Neighbor Bakehouse, walking along the Bay to the farmer's market at the Ferry Building

Interests: Hiking, traveling, rheumatology, infectious diseases, primary care

My favorite activity outside of work is: Hiking along the coast and through the Redwood forests in Marin County

I chose UCSF for residency because: Excellent clinical training, supportive mentors, strong sense of community within UCSF as well as commitment to service to our patients and their communities

Plans after residency: undecided

Ask me about: Staying at UCSF for med school + residency, being a mom/having a baby during intern year, breastfeeding/pumping during intern year

Tiana Woolridge MD MPH, PGY 1

Pronouns: she/her

Pathway/track: PLUS

Hometown: Los Angeles

Undergrad: Princeton

Medical School: UCSF

I currently live in: Mission Bay

My favorite neighborhood spot is: Mission Creek

Interests: Reading, creative writing, basketball & volleyball, meditation, mental health & wellness

My favorite activity outside of work is: Volleyball!

I chose UCSF for residency because: Incredible faculty; advocacy-oriented program; desire to stay in California (best weather & so many fun things to do!)

Plans after residency: Not sure yet!

Ask me about: Community outreach, mentorship & pipeline programs; school health; pediatric mental health & wellness