About Contra Costa Health » Work with CCH » Family Medicine Residency Program » Our People
Family Medicine Residency Faculty
Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program has over 50 faculty members who are directly involved with resident teaching, representing many disciplines throughout the residency program.
- Each service has "registrars" - most are Family Medicine Physicians with additional training and experience, whether OB, pediatrics, intensive care or surgery
- Our registrar system allows for teaching always through the eyes of a Family Medicine Physician
- Simultaneously, the resident gets "expert" knowledge through the eyes of the "specialist"
- Our faculty is culturally diverse
Program Director, Associate Program Directors and Core Faculty
Leah Romito, MD (she/her)
Program Director
Clinical Focus Area: Primary Care
Residency: Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Although I grew up in sunny Southern California, for a change of scenery I moved to the East Coast for college, a Masters degree, and ultimately medical school at Boston University. After working in various underserved communities in Boston and training at a hospital that champions Exceptional Care Without Exception, I was looking for a family medicine program to reflect that mission. When I rotated at Contra Costa as a medical student, I knew I found my place and my people. I stayed on as faculty after I graduated in 2014 and in addition to outpatient clinic, educating residents has become a passion of mine. Outside of CCRMC, my husband, three kids, dog and I love to go on hikes and play in the water (while the cat gets to rule to roost at home!).
Ne (Melissa) Ferguson, MD (she/her)
Associate Program Director
Clinical Focus Area: Inpatient Medicine, Point of Care Ultrasound
Residency: Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency
Medical School: Loyola Stritch School of Medicine
I grew up in Southern California and came back to the West Coast for residency at Contra Costa (by way of Indiana, Washington DC, Chile, Peru, New York City and Chicago). Here, I found like-minded individuals passionate about providing excellent care for underserved communities and have stayed ever since. I primarily work with residents as an inpatient registrar. Finding a good work environment is always about being surrounded by those that challenge and inspire you. I'm lucky to feel that way on a consistent basis at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC). Outside of work, my husband and I (a fellow CCRMC alum) try to get outside as much as possible with our two boys and experience the diverse cuisine, music and neighborhoods the Bay Area has to offer.
Michel Sam, MD, MS, MS (he/him)
Associate Program Director
Clinical Focus: Primary Care
Residency: Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program
Medical School: UCSF School of Medicine, Joint Medical Program
Before pursuing a medical career, I spent several years designing prosthetic feet for landmine survivors in low-income countries. I then graduated from the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program in 2008 and came to CCRMC for residency to pursue my lifelong commitment to social justice and working with the underserved. I have loved working here ever since and currently provide care to a very diverse family medicine panel at West County Health Center. I am proud to lead the ambulatory side of our program where I can teach like-minded residents who are dedicated to working in low-resource settings. Outside of work I treasure spending time with my beautiful family (both our children were born in our hospital), as well as surfing, windsurfing, and snowboarding.
Angela Tambunting Echiverri, MD, MPH (she/they)
Core Faculty: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Antiracism (IDEA) Lead, Community Health
Clinical Focus: Primary Care
Residency: UCSF Family & Community Medicine Residency Program at San Francisco General Hospital
Medical School: UCSF School of Medicine, PRIME-Urban Underserved
Since 2015, I have worked as a family medicine physician at North Richmond Center for Health and in 2019 was recruited in the inaugural role of Core Faculty leading diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism (DEIA) along with a focus on community engagement and strengthening health career pathways. Prior to medical school and beyond, I have grounded my work in urban under-resourced communities in various capacities including pediatric literacy programming at the Venice Family Clinic, African American health disparities research at Charles Drew University and policy and advocacy on health workforce diversity at The Greenlining Institute. I completed my MPH at Johns Hopkins in social behavioral sciences, graduated from the UCSF School of Medicine's PRIME Urban Underserved, trained in Family and Community Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital and was a 2018 Health Equity Fellow at George Washington University. I enjoy exploring Bay Area neighborhoods and local arts and food scenes; eating ice cream; disrupting racism and advocating for equity, justice, and diversity; supporting local artists and bookstores; and spending quality time with my partner and our son at the library, museum and park.
Patty Hennigan, PhD (she/her)
Core Faculty: Behavioral Medicine & Wellness
Clinical Focus: Pain and Wellness Groups
Psychology Internship: Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
Graduate School: California School of Professional Psychology
Born and raised in Virginia, I came to Contra Costa as a psychology intern in 1993 and ended my internship year thinking it would be my dream job to work here someday. After working with Berkeley Primary Care and the Berkeley Mobile Crisis and Homeless Outreach Teams, I was thrilled to return to Contra Costa in 2001. I love working with the underserved and with such talented and dedicated Family Medicine faculty and residents. My clinical interests are in community and health psychology, integrative medicine, and motivational interviewing. I specialize in working with chronic pain patients. I love teaching residents Behavioral Medicine and supporting their well-being and growth throughout residency. Outside of work, I enjoy time with my husband and son, friends, reading, travel, and cheering on the Warriors and Giants.
Skender Najibi, MD (he/him)
Core Faculty: Longitudinal and Specialty Ambulatory Education
Clinical Focus: Primary Care, Chronic Pain
Residency: Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program
Medical School: Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine
After completing medical school in Portland Oregon at OHSU, I moved back to my home state of California where I completed residency at the CCFMRP in 2021. Shortly after graduating, I started my full-time outpatient practice at my continuity clinic from residency, the West County Health Center. In January of 2022, I was appointed as the chronic pain consultant for West County and now see patients in my own chronic pain clinics while supporting my colleagues in this new role. I joined the core faculty in June of 2022 because of my interest in teaching and resident education, to support and contribute to the outpatient residency curriculum, and to build a framework for continuity mentorship for residents in the outpatient teaching experience.
Angela Rodgers, MD, FAAFP (she/her)
Clinical Focus: Emergency Medicine
Residency: Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program, Chief Resident
Medical School: UC Davis School of Medicine, Transforming Education and Community Health for Medical Students (TEACH-MS)
Advocacy, education, and wellness are passions of mine. As a first-generation college and professional school graduate, I am the proud product of incredible preparatory programs such as Upward Bound, the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS), and the Medical Student Preparatory Education Program (MSPEP). As a woman of color from a community historically underrepresented in medicine, I value serving and advocating for those from vulnerable communities. I joined the core faculty in the summer of 2022 and love being a part of this amazing team. After completing the UCSF Faculty Development Fellowship and the inaugural AAFP Leading Physician Well-being (LPW) Program, I spend my time engaged in educating both clinical and well-being related topics. When I am not on shift, I love exercising, sleeping, and spending time with my partner and our 2 cats (sisters Coco and Chai).
Residency Leadership Group (RLG)
Karen Alingog, MD (she/her)
Residency Faculty: Geriatric and Ortho Course Supervisor, Preceptor
Clinical Focus Area: Family Medicine Clinic
I developed a passion for service while growing up in the Philippines and eventually found my calling through completion of my medical training at UCLA medical school in 2005 followed by Family Medicine residency at CCRMC in 2008. Since then, I have enjoyed various roles in the residency program from preceptor, advisor, ambulatory core group co-chair, assistant program director, course supervisor, UCSF faculty development fellow and RLG member. Currently I’m a RLG member, geriatric and orthopedic rotations supervisor, preceptor at PHC, and an advisor. Outside of medicine, I love spending time with family & friends, especially with my two young children. After a 17-year hiatus from dancing, I’m grateful to have found a supportive studio where I dance three times per week and perform twice a year.
Lilian Chan, MD (she/her)
Residency Faculty: Course Supervisor Ambulatory Pediatrics and Family Reproductive Health
Clinical Focus Area: Labor & Delivery, Reproductive Health, Addiction Medicine
I came to medicine after a few years of working in special education and my time in the Peace Corps. My upbringing, which involved immigrating from Burma, instilled in me the values of sacrifice and resilience, while also exposing me to the richness of diverse cultures, a tapestry I encounter and enjoy daily in my work with underserved patients. I received my training in the Pacific Northwest at the University of Washington and Swedish Cherry Hill, where my enthusiasm grew for obstetrics, reproductive health, and addiction medicine. Coming to work at Contra Costa County allowed me to combine the areas that I felt most passionate about (delivering babies, working with patients with addiction issues, and providing abortions) with an incredibly diverse patient population — all close to where I and my partner met and grew up, and where our parents live. During my eight years here, my role has evolved to become even more meaningful through teaching residents. I now serve as a reproductive health lead for the residency. In my leisure time, I enjoy staying active and spending quality moments with my husband, son, and our beloved dog. Whether it's camping, hiking, witnessing California's stunning sunsets, or bonding over cooking and bike rides, I cherish the joys of family and the great outdoors.
Estela Hernandez, MD (she/her)
Residency Faculty: Recruitment Co-Chair
Clinical Focus Area: Emergency Medicine
I attended UC Davis School of Medicine, did a sub-I in medicine here (at what was then Merrithew Hospital), fell in love with this place and the patients and continue to feel at home. I completed my residency in 2001 here and joined the Emergency Department full time while still doing my clinic and monthly shifts in Labor and Delivery. After much deliberation, I now only work in the ED where I continue to enjoy working for and with our underserved patients. I love the hands-on learning, speaking Spanish with my patients and teaching residents. My other passion is working with the residency program to recruit and retain a more diverse resident cohort. I love spending time with family and friends, especially my two young kids, Cristian and Camila. I also enjoy dancing, cooking, and running with my German Shepard, Lulu.
Kaitlin HollandBerry, MD (she/they)
Residency Faculty: Advisor
Clinical Focus Area: Inpatient Medicine
I am an Oakland born queer family medicine trained femme who works as a hospitalist at CCRMC. I hope to empower disenfranchised populations facing medical challenges while helping residents thrive during this learning process. My family spends a lot of time on very slow walks and at the farmer's market in Martinez.
Neil Jayasekera, MD (he/him)
Residency Faculty: Global Health Fellowship Co-Chair and Advisor
Clinical Focus Area: Emergency Medicine, Point of Care Ultrasound
Upon graduating from residency at Contra Costa in 1997, I practiced full spectrum Family Medicine including OB. I currently work full time in our emergency department. My leadership positions, scholarly work and conference presentations mainly focus on point of care ultrasound (POCUS) and global health. In 2010, I founded the Contra Costa/UCSF Global Health Fellowship and Contra Costa Point of Care Ultrasound Program. I have been a lead faculty advisor for our global health track since its inception in 2009. I am a co-author of book chapters and manuscripts pertaining to global health and POCUS development in post graduate medical education. I am the principal author and editor of the AAFP Point of Care Ultrasound curriculum guidelines (2016) and co-author of the STFM Family Medicine Global Health Fellowship competency guidelines (2017). I have been the lead presenter for multiple POCUS workshops at AAFP, CAFP, STFM, and FM residencies nationally and abroad, teaching over 1000 FM educators and residents this valuable clinical skill. Other activities at Contra Costa include being a member of the residency leadership group (RLG), code blue/critical care committee, ethics committee, physician union and director of the hospital sepsis program, 2008-2023. I have worked as a disaster medical provider for FEMA and other medical relief groups, responding to fires, hurricanes, an earthquake, and a tsunami. Other medical experience includes being the expedition doctor for the Juneau Icefield Research Program, a ship’s physician for the California Maritime Academy, a locums physician for Indian Health Service and a clinician/educator in India, Kenya, South Sudan, Haiti, Sri Lanka and Malawi. I love teaching our residents, medical students, and global health trackers/fellows principles of emergency medicine, global health, procedures and POCUS. To date, at Contra Costa, I have taught over 400 residents and medical students and 40 global health fellows. I am grateful for being a small part of our learners’ journeys as I am inspired by the quote “teach one, help many.” I relax and find solace in any activity that gets me into nature, especially with my family.
Geena, Jester, MD (she/her)
Residency Faculty: Hospital Medicine Course Supervisor, Resident Advisor; Department of Hospital Medicine Assistant Chair
Clinical Focus Area: Inpatient Medicine
I came to CCRMC to do my sub-internship because I wanted to see what vigorous inpatient family medicine training looked like, and I felt an instant fit with the mission and the people here. I was lucky enough to match at our program and completed my training in 2014. Since then I have stayed on to work as a hospitalist, which allows me to work closely with the residents during business hours as well as evenings/nights/weekends/holidays. I balance my work life with the help of my husband, a blues musician, and by gardening, working out, volunteering locally, and getting out to enjoy nature when I can!
Brian Johnson, MD (he/him)
Residency Faculty: Preceptor, Advisor
Clinical Focus Area: Inpatient & Ambulatory Care
I joined CCRMC in 2010 and have held Core Faculty, Associate Program Director and Program Director roles. My educational passions include faculty development as well as didactic and direct clinical teaching. I am the happiest when working with residents one-on-one. Outside of CCRMC, I engage with an active meditation practice, love open water swimming and hanging out making tasty food with my wife, kid and friends.
Scott Karpowicz, MD (he/him)
Educational Site Lead - Martinez
Clinical Focus Area: Family Medicine Clinic
After growing up in the Richmond district of San Francisco, I headed east for college at Brown and medical school at Georgetown. Itching to get back to the Golden State, I trained at the Sutter Santa Rosa residency program and joined CCRMC in 2015, based at the Martinez Health Center. I love the environment of teaching, learning and idealism here—it constantly inspires me to continue to evolve into a better physician and healer. I am passionate about primary care, the importance of the therapeutic relationship, and the transformative power of family medicine for our health care system and society. When not in clinic, I enjoy cooking from the garden for friends and family, mindfulness meditation and exploring the world.
Sarah McNeil, MD (she/her)
Residency Faculty: Preceptor, Advisor
Clinical Focus Area: Women’s Health, Reproductive Justice, Academic Medicine
I came to Contra Costa FM residency from the east coast for the strong OB and abortion training. I always wanted to work in the public sector and was lucky to get a job here after residency over 10 years ago. Outside of my Contra Costa work, I am the TEACH (abortion training) fellowship Director and Planned Parenthood contractor. Beyond work, I love hiking in the Berkeley hills, enjoying California weather, and eating at the 1000s of amazing local restaurants.
Jackie Mostow, MD (she/her)
Residency Faculty: Elective Coordinator
Clinical Focus Area: Family Medicine Clinic, Reproductive Health (Abortion Care & Non-operative Deliveries)
Hi! My journey begins in Ohio, where I grew up and went to medical school. I feel extremely fortunate to have come to CA to train at Contra Costa, and so far have stuck around for the amazing patients, colleagues, and communities. Clinically I love reproductive health work, harm reduction + addiction medicine, gender-affirming care, and working to improve system-level issues. Outside of work, I love farmers markets (find me @ the artichokes), hiking, swimming in the ocean, traveling, and spending time with family + friends.
Franca Niameh, PsyD, MS (she/her)
Residency Faculty: Behavioral Medicine
Clinical Focus Area: Behavioral Health, Wellness, Ambulatory
Licensed with the California Board of psychology, I have a wide spectrum of responsibilities in education, administration, consultation, and supervision. I have served as a faculty member for Wright Institute Integrated Heath Psychology training program, training and supervising psychology graduate students in behavioral medicine as well as supporting both students and staff to proactively pursue and commit to issues of diversity and inclusion. I have served as an adjunct faculty for John Kenedy University in Pleasant Hill California, and a clinical psychologist in private practice. Driven by my commitment to train educators, physicians and leaders to value fairness, inclusion, the recovery model, and health equity, I joined the Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program. I enjoy bio-psychosocial-spiritual diverse work, helping residents, my patients, and others to find meaning, purpose, and joy.
Mana Pirnia, MD (she/her)
Course Supervisor - Family Medicine Clinic
Clinical Focus Area: Family Medicine Clinic
I come to CCRMC by way of Southern California, where I attended osteopathic medical school and studied public health. I fell in love with Contra Costa's full spectrum family medicine training during my internal medicine sub-I in 2013, graduated from the residency program in 2016, and have stayed on since to practice family medicine in a variety of settings and continue to work with our amazing residents both as a clinic preceptor and family medicine course facilitator. I am perpetually impressed with the compassion, focus and energy each class brings to our community. Outside of work, I can be found at my pottery wheel in my shed, in the garden, or on one of our amazing Bay Area trails.
Ashley Porteus, DO (she/her)
Residency Faculty: Course Supervisor for General Surgery
Clinical Focus Area: Inpatient Medicine, Palliative Care, Wound Care
I grew up in Portland, OR and never thought I would leave the Northwest. However, life doesn't always go according to plans and I ended up moving to Southern California for medical school. This decision changed my life forever as I met my husband in medical school and together we pursued our passion of working with the underserved by going to residency here at CCRMC. After graduating from residency I joined the Department of Hospital Medicine and am also the course supervisor for the General Surgery Rotation. I love our hospital culture, the interdisciplinary comradery, and working together to provide compassionate care to a vulnerable patient population. Our registrar system is one of a kind and allows tailored learning to meet the needs of a changing medical culture. When I'm not at work, my husband (also a Hospitalist at CCRMC) and I enjoy traveling, getting outdoors and hanging out with our 3 crazy toddlers!
Emma Richardson, MD (she/her)
Residency Faculty: West County Site Lead, Preceptor, Advisor
Clinical Focus Area: Clinical Informatics, Ambulatory
After moving from Chicago to the bay area for residency training, I got a sense for what family medicine looks like in a system with dedicated teachers, collaborative specialists, and incredible colleagues and patients. I started working as a primary care doctor at West County Health Center after graduating in 2022, and I now have the privilege of working more closely with our amazing residents as the West County Site Lead. I love developing relationships with patients over time, teaching our impressive residents in clinic, and trying to make the system work better through my role in clinical informatics. Outside of work, you can find me hiking with my pup Mushroom, wandering around farmer’s markets, reading books, and woodworking.
Shakir Saud, MD, MS (he/him)
Residency Faculty: Preceptor, Advisor
Clinical Focus Area: Inpatient Medicine
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I obtained my undergraduate and master’s degree at The City College of NY, while working as a Paramedic. I went on to complete a Cancer Prevention Fellowship at the National Institute of Health prior to obtaining my Medical Degree at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. I went on to complete my Residency at the Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency in 2018 followed by a Chief Year.
Currently, I am a full time Hospitalist at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and part time provider within the detention health system. My commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and social justice within health care is rooted in personal lived experience. During residency, I co-chaired the Resident Diversity Council (RDC) and am a current member of CCRMC's Unity of Black Health Professionals in Excellence, Advocacy and Mentorship (UBEAM) organization, on several DEI steering committees and a member of the Residency Leadership Group (RLG). My professional interests include Healthy Equity, POCUS and procedural care, graduate medical education, and evidence-based medicine.
Trisha Schimek, MD, MSPH, DipABLM (she/her)
Residency Faculty: Educational Site Lead Pittsburg Health Center
Clinical Focus Area: Family Medicine Clinic, Global Health, Transgender medicine, Maternal and Child Health, Lifestyle Medicine
I pursued a career in medicine to provide high quality care to historically underserved populations. I love working at CCRMC with colleagues and residents with a similar mission. It's an honor to work in a residency that creates compassionate, well-rounded physicians that are equipped to care for a diverse population. I was born and raised in Minnesota and hold onto the Midwest values of caring for our neighbors and community. My educational path has brought me to many amazing locations! I went to Tulane in New Orleans for college and my MPH in Tropical Medicine, then to Philadelphia to attend Jefferson Medical College, and finally to University of Wisconsin, Madison, to complete my Family Medicine Residency. I pursued my passion of global health and did the UCSF HEAL Global Health Fellowship where I worked in rural Chiapas, Mexico with Compañeros en Salud and later in Indian Health Service in Shiprock, NM. My interests outside of medicine include spending time and traveling with my husband and 2 young kids, reading, salsa dancing, searching and creating new recipes, and anything that will take me outdoors: hiking, biking, camping, and running.
Alan Siegel, MD (he/him)
Residency Faculty: Preceptor Retreat Lead
Clinical Focus Area: Family Medicine Clinic
I have been at Contra Costa since 1999 after training at University of Virginia. I have been involved with resident education and teaching, faculty development, and med staff education. Presently, I am a Lead Preceptor, helping to oversee outpatient resident education and our UCSF medical student program. I also lead our Art of Health and Healing program, bringing the arts into our healthcare system. When not at work, I help keep up with my amazing toddler. I've also have been leading a band as the guitarist over the last 5 years.
Angela M. Tran, MD (she/her)
Residency Faculty: OB Rotation Supervisor
Clinical Focus Area: OB/GYN, Resident Education
I went to Virginia Commonwealth University for college and medical school. I completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mount Sinai Beth Israel and Mount Sinai West in 2018 in New York City before moving to California and joining the OB/GYN Department at CCRMC. I love being a general OB/GYN while working with and teaching residents.
Priyanka Tulshian, MD (she/her)
Residency Faculty: Educational Lead for Evidence Based Medicine and Scholarship, Resident Advisor
Clinical Focus Area: Inpatient Medicine, Academic Medicine
I moved from the east coast to CCRMC for the global health fellowship and fell in love with the patients, the physicians, and the community here. I like to encourage residents and faculty alike to engage in research and scholarship to showcase all the innovation and contributions that our team makes towards improving the health of our patients. I enjoy spending time with friends and family during my off time.
Sergio Urcuyo, MD (he/him)
Residency Faculty: Resident Advisor; Hospital Medical Director
Clinical Focus Area: Inpatient Medicine, ICU
The path leading me here was a bit circuitous. I studied business economics and accounting before working as a business and technology consultant. Then a case of appendicitis and a sense that I was meant for something more meaningful pulled me into medicine. I spent much of medical school intending on becoming a surgeon of some sort, but ultimately, I was drawn to the broad scope and close interpersonal connections that Family Medicine fosters. And then I found CCRMC, which is where I found so many others who feel like I do: that everyone deserves excellent healthcare. Here, I learned how to take care of patients in many different arenas, and I learned that some training and a can-do attitude gets you a long way in this field. I stayed on after residency to teach on the inpatient services where I enjoy working with residents and honing my hospital and critical care skills. In my spare time I enjoy running, skiing, music, and spending time with my friends and family.
Jim Walls, MD (he/him)
Residency Faculty: Rotation Supervisor for Redwood and Manzanita
Clinical Focus Area: Family Medicine Clinic, Minor Procedures
Prior to pursuing a career in medicine, I spent my first four years after college working in R&D for a consumer product company. I grew disillusioned with the corporate world and wanted to do something more meaningful. I initially thought I wanted to do Emergency Medicine, but after ER and FQHC experience, I saw how much of a difference continuity can make and how lack of access to quality primary care led to preventable acute care visits. For residency, CCRMC was my #1 choice because I was looking for an unopposed program that would provide rigorous, broad-spectrum training, which would prepare me to provide quality primary care for underserved patients. And CCRMC did not disappoint. But it's the people at CCRMC that really make this place special and that is the reason why I stayed on after finishing my residency training in 2014. I am a husband, a father, a PCP at the West County Health Center, a rotation supervisor for the residency program, and a preceptor. I have a specialized interest in clinical procedures.
Lauren Wondolowski, MD (she/her)
Residency Faculty: OB Clerkship Lead, Resident Advisor
Clinical Focus Area: Family Medicine Clinic, Women's Health, L&D
As a Contra Costa County native, it is a privilege to work in the county where I was raised. I spent several years away for college (New Hampshire) and medical school (Ohio), and when I decided to pursue family medicine training Contra Costa was a natural fit. Not only did I find excellent, unopposed, full-spectrum clinical training, but I also joined a group a dedicated and compassionate people focused on providing care to under-resourced communities. When I graduated in 2015, I was thrilled to join the medical staff and faculty. Currently, about half of my time is spent in family medicine clinic with my continuity panel in Pittsburg and half in the Ob/Gyn department working in inpatient and outpatient settings. I work with our inspiring residents across all areas of my work, and this remains the most rewarding part of my job. Outside of work, I spend time with my husband and our baby boy, black lab, and extended families.
Clinical Faculty
Aneela Ahmed, MD (she/her)
Psychiatry
I am a Geriatric Psychiatrist at CCRMC, the place I love. I graduated from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan and completed my Psychiatry residency and Geriatric Psychiatry fellowship at a renowned geriatrics program at UTSW in Dallas, Texas in 1999. I started my career at CCRMC in August 1999, thinking I would move to another job in CA soon thereafter. But almost 15 years later, I am still at CCRMC. I have great passion to serve the elderly in Contra Costa County. I love my job. What also keeps me so interested in CCRMC is the Family Practice Residency program. I am very lucky to work with dedicated, motivated, intelligent, empathic residents. Every day, I learn something from them. I enjoy teaching and interacting with residents - having fun, seeing patients with them and igniting a passion to care for the elderly. I am very lucky to be part of this strong residency program. In my fifteen years here, I have seen many residents bloom into extraordinary faculty members.
Vijay Bhandari, MD (he/him)
Internal Medicine
I went to the UC-Berkeley/UCSF Joint Medical Program, then did my residency in Internal Medicine at UCSF, where I graduated in 2008. I've been at CCRMC ever since, and I can't imagine working anywhere else! What drew me to CCRMC was the incredible sense of warmth and comradery, the vulnerable yet resilient patients we serve, and my passion for teaching. Ever since my involvement with Teach For America (Corps year '97), I knew I wanted teaching to be at the core of my job as a physician, and I love how our extraordinary residents keep me on my toes. I work in the hospitalist group at CCRMC, Internal Medicine clinic at the Concord Health Center, and Endocrinology clinic at the Pittsburgh Health Center. Outside of work, I love going on adventures with my wife, Melanie, and our 2 children, Thomas and Sage.
Stu Forman, MD (he/him)
Family Medicine
Clinical Focus Area: ICU, Gastroenterology
Stuart Forman graduated from the CCRMC Family Medicine Residency in 1993 and never left. Before his daughter was born he did everything from C-sections to debriding gunshot wounds, but he's settled down since and now is the Medical Director of the ICU. He also is a part time Gastroenterology Registrar doing full spectrum GI procedures and is a Family Medicine Surgery Registrar. His special interests are procedural medicine, including ultrasound, and critical care medicine. He is the founder of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Group on Hospital Medicine and Procedural Training, and has published two articles on procedural training in Family Medicine residencies in the Family Medicine Journal. A geek in every sense of the word, he is an avid amateur astronomer and he knows his way around a 20-sided die.
Kim Haglund, MD (she/her)
Family Medicine
Clinical Focus Area: Inpatient Medicine, Inpatient Informatics, Wound Care
I went to University of Michigan for medical school and have been at CCRMC since starting as a resident in 2001. After graduation and doing full-spectrum Family Practice and inpatient Family Medicine Surgery Service for 8 years, I gave up my family practice clinic to take on my half-time Inpatient Informatics role in February 2013. In that role, I focus on tweaking ccLink, our electronic health record (Epic-based), so that review of patient information and workflows for hospital staff are as streamlined as possible. I still do a lot of inpatient clinical work with the Department of Hospital Medicine and have a special interest in wound care. Outside of work, I spend lot of time hiking with my dog, paddling on the Russian River, and perfecting my favorite recipes.
Jaime Pehling, MD (he/him)
Family Medicine
Clinical Focus Area: Family Medicine Clinic, HIV Medicine
Jamie Pehling graduated from the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program in 2003 and was a resident at CCRMC from 2003 to 2006. Since then he has practiced family and HIV medicine at Richmond Health Center, which is now the West County Health Center. He serves on the Residency Leadership Group Selection Committee and the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committees. His interests include health informatics, science fiction, and sustainable living.
Lisa Rodelo, MD (she/her)
Family Medicine
Clinical Focus Area: OB, Women's Health
Hi! I graduated this residency program in 2013 and then joined the OB/GYN department afterwards, where I really enjoy teaching the residents and fostering a sense of pride and joy in their work with pregnant and laboring women. I also work in Addiction Medicine, and have developed an interest in working with moms who struggle with substance use disorders. Finally, I also enjoy rounding on the inpatient medicine service every so often to keep up my hospitalist skills. My favorite job, however, is being a mama to an energetic toddler and a wife to an extremely supportive and loving husband.
Ashley Tyrrel, MD (she/her)
Pediatrics
I was raised in Redwood City, CA by a pair of loving hippies. In college, I volunteered with various programs working with high-risk children and at community clinics before graduating from UC Davis with a degree in cell and molecular biology and cultural anthropology. I then worked as a counselor in a group home with young boys who suffered from severe psychological and mental conditions resulting in them being too dangerous to live at home with their families. I also worked abroad, providing healthcare with an emphasis on childhood illness treatment and prevention in a wide range of rural and underserved communities around the world. In 2008, I attended Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia and after graduation, came back to California and completed my pediatric residency at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland. I have worked at CCRMC at a pediatric hospitalist since my graduation. At home, I have a wonderful husband Jonathan and two awesome kids, David and Lauren. I like to read, be active, travel, and play sports.