Family Medicine Residents

3rd Year Residents

Evelyn Escobedo, MD

Birthplace: Monterey Park, CA
Medical school: PRIME-LA, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
Education: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, BS Biology & Spanish.
Hobbies: Spending time with my loved ones, enjoying good food, biking, mentorship, community outreach, getting to meet new people, finding great new music.
Language(s) spoken: English and Spanish.
Personal accomplishments: Having the privilege of providing care for my patients as a Resident Physician in the city that I love. Ran three marathons, two of them in Los Angeles. Recipient of the Social Justice Entrepreneurship Award at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

Janel Garcia, MD

Birthplace: Riverside, CA
Medical school: University of California, Riverside School of Medicine in Riverside, CA.
Education: University of California, Riverside, BS Biochemistry.
Hobbies: Spending time with family, friends, and my miniature schnauzer, Sully. Cooking, baking, and watching NBA basketball.
Language(s) spoken: English and basic Spanish.
Personal accomplishments: Played softball for 10 years. I’m the first in my family to become a physician. Had the privilege of serving underserved communities, throughout undergrad and medical school.

Betty Wanjiku Njenga Mandela, MD

Birthplace: Nairobi, Kenya
Medical school: University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA.
Education: University of California, Berkeley, BA Economics.
Hobbies: Taking walks, short hikes, biking, going to Home Depot’s outdoor section, babysitting my friends’ kids.
Language(s) spoken: English and Swahili.
Personal accomplishments: I traveled to Uganda alone on an impromptu trip, I felt very adventurous. In high school, I ran track and field and was proud to represent my school. I enjoy finding curators, museums, historical sites and monuments.

Daniel Joongoo Lee, DO

Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Medical school: Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ..
Education: University of California, Irvine, BS, University of California, Los Angeles, MPH.
Hobbies: Anything outdoors (jogging, hiking, kayaking, skiing), photography, playing with my daughter, and playing the ukulele.
Language(s) spoken: English and Korean.
Personal accomplishments: I’ve known my wife for 18 years, dated for 9, and married for 4 years; and going strong. I can still make her laugh. Became a father, as a 2nd year medical student and somehow passed all my classes, the board and matched into my first choice residency. My daughter’s first word was “dada”.

Kaval Lodhie, DO

Birthplace: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Medical school: Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, AZ.
Education: University of California, Irvine, BS Public Health and New York University, MPH.
Hobbies: Lakers Basketball, baking, skiing, concerts and sporting events, traveling and yoga.
Language(s) spoken: English, Urdu, Medical and conversational Spanish.
Personal accomplishments: Ran three 10k races, in the Hollywood Hills, Huntington Beach Pier and Disneyland. Learned to finally ski at the age of 28. Survived living in downtown Manhattan for 2 years where I received my MPH from NYU and worked on implementing a diabetes education program in the South Bronx.

Emily Macias, MD

Birthplace: Portland, Oregon
Medical school: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
Education: Oregon State University, BA Spanish.
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, drinking coffee in coffee shops, cooking with my husband, traveling internationally, gardening, knitting, baking, running, and experiencing Latin American cultures.
Language(s) spoken: English, Spanish and some Russian.
Personal accomplishments: Being the first person in my family to become a physician. Volunteering as a Young Life leader during the time I took off between college and medical school; an experience that allowed me to mentor a group of young women during their 7th to 11th grade years in school. Getting into running as a young adult and then completing multiple half-marathons and one full marathon.

Jocelyn Nugroho Esparza, DO

Birthplace: Pasadena, CA
Medical school: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, CA.
Education: University of California, San Diego, BS Biochemistry and Cell Biology.
Hobbies: Playing with my dog, cooking, baking, sewing, running, and drawing.
Language(s) spoken: English, Indonesian, and basic Spanish.
Personal accomplishments: Won first place and Best in Show at the LA County Fair for graphic design in my division and age group in 2008. Helped bring to attention the need for and helped develop curriculum regarding caring for patients who have experienced sexual violence and assault. I can fold a fitted sheet!

Diana Brisa Sanchez Gomez, MD

Birthplace: Mexico City
Medical school: Autonomous University of Guadalajara Faculty of Medicine, Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico.
Education: University of California, Los Angeles, BS Neuroscience. Harvard University Extension School, ALM Biology.
Hobbies: Krav Maga self-defense training, collecting gemstones, making jewelry for friends and family, cooking, spending time with friends, family and my beagle.
Language(s) spoken: English and Spanish.
Personal accomplishments: Being the first-generation immigrant and the first in my family to become a physician. Also encouraging my youngest sister to pursue medicine as a career. I was mentioned in The New York Times Magazine articled called “Darwin’s Junk Yard” and contributed to scientific publications while working as a research associate at Harvard University. Provided medical care in rural and remote indigenous areas in Mexico as well as to immigrant families seeking asylum in the U.S.

2nd Year 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.

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.”

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.

1st Year Residents