Class of 2026

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Eduardo Amaya, MD

Medical School: USC Keck SOM
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I enjoy Emergency Medicine because it provides me with the opportunity to manage a diverse range of patients and pathologies that walk through the door. I enjoy the high acuity, procedures, and teamwork of the specialty.

Sergio Arreguin, MD

Medical School: Rush Medical College
Hometown: Cicero, IL
Why Kaweah Health?
Diverse patient population, supportive program, high-acuity environment, great location
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
Emergency medicine has great opportunities to work with underserved communities, as well as work with a variety of pathologies that makes each day unique.

A. Yemi Bankole, MD

Medical School: University of Illinois
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
The undifferentiated patient, patient populations, pathology and procedures.

John Betz, DO

Medical School: AT Still University
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
Why Kaweah Health?
The culture of the program and how welcoming the residents and faculty are. I am also very excited about the diversity and acuity of the patient population that the hospital serves.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
My first job in medicine was as a tech in the emergency department and I was hooked. Prior to medical school, I worked for over a decade as a street medic and as an emergency medical provider in Antarctica. Emergency medicine has always been my home.

Brooke Bloomfield, DO

Medical School: A.T. Still University
Hometown: Viola, IL
Why Kaweah Health?
I had a chance to spend time in California’s Central Valley during medical school and was familiar with the need for health care providers in the area. I knew this would be a great place to learn and serve the community.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I love that every day in emergency medicine is different. You never know what you will face each shift and need to be ready to think on your feet.

Sonia Dave, MD

Medical School: St. George's University
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, CA
Why Kaweah Health?: 10 minutes into my interview, I knew I would gain an incredible family here. Seeing the amount of support given while getting to work with a patient population I love makes me feel at home.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
EM chose me. I knew it was the perfect fit when I realized how much I loved working traumas in the ED overnight. And also, that I didn’t have a circadian rhythm.

Julia Heaton, MD

Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Why Kaweah Health?
Kaweah Delta is a stone’s throw from my childhood home- a great chance to reconnect with family and friends.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I wanted to continue procedural medicine, but in a world with less hours and down to earth people. I wanted to always have a story from my work day. After 2 years General Surgery and 1 year of a Hand and Plastic Surgery, Emergency Medicine will be a wonderful challenge and chance to learn!

Shadi Kiaei, DO

Medical School: Kansas City University
Hometown: Saskatoon, SK (Canada)
Why Kaweah Health?
The program's location in the heart of California's Central Valley provides a unique opportunity to serve a diverse population with a wide range of medical needs. I am eager to gain experience working in a busy urban emergency department, and I believe that the Kaweah Delta Health program will provide the ideal environment for me to grow as a physician and serve my community.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
Emergency medicine is a dynamic and challenging specialty that requires a unique combination of skills and knowledge. I chose to pursue a career in emergency medicine because I am passionate about providing immediate medical care to patients in their most vulnerable moments. In the emergency department, every day brings new challenges and opportunities to make a difference in someone's life.

I also appreciate the collaborative nature of emergency medicine. Working in a high-pressure environment requires a team-based approach to patient care, and I value the opportunity to work alongside other medical professionals to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Tyler Kirkland, MD

Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Hometown: Floor Mound, TX
Why Kaweah Health?
I got a really good vibe during my interview and after talking to some of the residents felt like there was a good sense of camaraderie between the residents and attendings. I was also really attracted to the close proximity of national parks, skiing, the beach, and everything else California has to offer.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I like the variety and unpredictability of the emergency department. I’m someone who is a quick thinker which I believe will serve me well as an emergency medicine physician.

Joshua Obamedo, MD

Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
Hometown: Newark / Union, NJ
Why Kaweah Health?
The welcoming culture of the EM PD, faculty, and staff. I knew I was wanted there and that’s a feeling like no other.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I chose EM because I feel at home in the chaos that is the ED. I love the exciting fast paced environment, the emphasis on procedures, and the diversity of both the patient population and the pathologies that work through the ED doors. The madness is a calming symphony that inspires me to rise to the occasion and challenges me to be the best physician I can for my patient.

Iman Shull, DO

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
Hometown: Loveland, Ohio
Why Kaweah Health?
Good fit
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I like solving acute problems and working with my hands

Shenaya Thomas, MD

Medical School: St. George's University
Hometown: Houston, TX
Why Kaweah Health?
I chose Kaweah Health because I felt that I would be supported by the faculty and leadership. I also believe that I will have a lot of hands-on experience at Kaweah, due to its large patient population.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I chose Emergency Medicine because I appreciate acute care and look forward to treating a variety of illnesses and working with all patient populations.

Class of 2027

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Delaney Aguilar, DO

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
Hometown: Pollock Pines, CA

Nathania Baptiste, MD

Medical School: St George University
Hometown: St Petersburg, FL
Why Kaweah Health?
I felt very welcomed by the EM program at Kaweah and was very impressed with the clinical experience they had to offer.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I love the fast paced constantly changing environment of the ER . The amazing things you get to see and having the opportunity to help patients feel better in their worst moments.

Justine Barrett, DO

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
Hometown: Pinon Hills, CA
Why Kaweah Health?
I was really impressed by the friendly and supportive atmosphere of the program, as well as the diverse patient population, volume, and the sense of family among the staff. It just felt like the perfect fit for me! I knew that by choosing this program, I would get the support and experience I need to become a top-notch emergency medicine physician.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
While on rotations, I loved the pace and unpredictability of the emergency department. I wanted a hands-on specialty with variety and found it in the ED, where I felt at home and part of a tight-knit team.

Toni Davis, DO

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences - COMP
Hometown: Fontana, CA
Why Kaweah Health?
While considering residencies, I had three things at the top of my list: a strong sense of community, engagement with underserved areas (both inside and outside of the hospital), and robust DEI implemented into the program – I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Kaweah superseded my expectations in all aspects! Plus, the incredible residents, faculty, and staff all being genuinely kind and committed to my growth and learning was an added bonus!
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
It’s the first specialty that truly felt like home. It’s the continual and active application of medical knowledge, the spectrum of procedures and diagnoses seen, all while simultaneously giving me a chance to care for a variety of people and forms of disease.

Andrea Farias Gonzalez, DO

Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Hometown: San Marcos, CA and Monterrey, Mexico
Why Kaweah Health?
I chose Kaweah Health because I wanted to train at a high-volume, relatively unopposed, community hospital close to home and Kaweah Health checked those boxes for me. Kaweah Health stood out to me during the interview season because I saw genuine passion for teaching and commitment to the community from faculty and residents. Additionally, the program exudes good vibes and I truly felt that this is a place where I would excel and get excellent training.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I enjoyed many different aspects of each of my medical school rotations but when it came time to pick, I struggled because I didn't connect with one particular field. It wasn't until my first shift in the ER that I fell in love because emergency medicine truly incorporated all of the elements I loved from my previous rotations, making it the perfect fit for me. I love working with an awesome team of providers, seeing everyone including kids and pregnant patients, doing lots of procedures, and practicing a wide breadth of medicine.

Brendan Finnell, MD

Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Laura Gutierrez-Rivera, DO

Medical School: California Health Sciences University College of Medicine (CHSU-COM)
Hometown: Tulare, CA
Why Kaweah Health?
I was born at Kaweah and I was fortunate enough to scribe at Kaweah during my undergrad years before medical school. I love this population; it's my home. Kaweah is a diamond in the rough for training, and it was an easy decision to choose Kaweah when I decided to pursue Emergency Medicine.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I chose Emergency Medicine because it is the only specialty where you get the honor and privilege to treat people from all backgrounds irrespective of their insurance, gender identity, nationality, immigration status, or political view. I also love working with my hands and there are plenty of opportunities to perform procedures in the ER.

Dominique Harris, MD

Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Hometown:Los Angeles, CA
Why Kaweah Health? I felt immediately welcomed during my interview. My journey thus far has taught me that going where you are valued and supported is the most important factor above all.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I have a keen appreciation for acute stabilization and a fast-paced environment. Emergency Medicine provides a balance of medical management and procedures, while also giving me the opportunity to care for individuals in their critical time of need.

Maryam Khan, DO

Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Pleasanton, California
Why Kaweah Health?
I felt a sense of community and support during the interview process with the faculty and residents. I knew residency is going to be tough wherever I end up, so I wanted to be in a program that values building strong networks while in residency and beyond.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
Emergency Medicine is everything I imagined I would be doing as a physician. The acute pathology, the procedures, the shift work and even a fair bit of psych. I can't see myself doing anything else!

Jacqualine Ng, DO

Medical School: New York Institute of Technology COM
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Why Kaweah Health?
The residents and faculty are so passionate about this program and this population!
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I love the unpredictability of working in the Emergency Department, and that it represents a safe space for anyone who comes through our doors.

Karrin Rutledge, MD

Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Why Kaweah Health?
The patient population and supportive, friendly faculty members
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I enjoy high-acuity healthcare settings, not knowing what each day will bring, and being able to help people during difficult situations.

Andrea Torres Perez, DO

Medical School: California Health Sciences University
Hometown: Oakland, CA
Why Kaweah Health?
After finishing medical school in the Central Valley, I wanted to continue to serve the patient population of the Valley, and Kaweah, with its solid EM residency program, sealed the deal for me.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
Emergency Medicine is the only place in medicine where you can see anyone, regardless of social status, immigration status, or medical insurance. Coming from an underrepresented minority in medicine, I wanted to serve my community as an ER doctor and be the jack of all trades. Not only that, EM fits with my personality.

Jacqueline Yeager, DO

Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Mountain Top, PA
Why Kaweah Health?
A great group of welcoming people. With the high acuity and plentiful procedures at Kaweah, I felt like this program produces competent attending physicians who can work anywhere. Also super excited to move to California and explore all its natural beauty!
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
The variety, the acuity, getting to be on the front lines of medicine. Emergency medicine is the only specialty in which I've felt that sense of "Oh, this why I went to medical school." Also, it might come in handy on an airplane someday.

Class of 2028

Kayla Baker

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
Why Kaweah Health? I selected Kaweah Health for residency because the hospital provides excellent training, the faculty and residents were so welcoming when I visited, and the area is close to national parks!
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I love working in the emergency department. It's fast paced, there are often hands on procedures, and you get to see so many different complaints! I also really appreciate getting to be there for patients who are having a bad day, and try to make it at least a little bit better!

Daniel Hasen

Medical School: Kansas City University
Why Kaweah Health?
I had a fantastic experience rotating at Kaweah as a medical student and felt a strong sense of camaraderie within the program and supportive faculty. I also saw a variety of high acuity cases and got to do many procedures and knew that I would get excellent training here. Being close to home was also a huge plus.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I wanted to serve my community in a hands-on role where I can make an immediate impact on people’s lives. I enjoy the fast-paced environment of the ED, exposure to a wide range of pathologies, and balance of both medical management and procedures. I also respect the humbling nature of the field - you never know what will come through the doors, so you must always be ready.

Darrell Homes

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Why Kaweah Health?
I really liked the program and I love that it is next to the mountains.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I am interested in global health and crit care medicine, EM was the way to go!

Amelia Huynh

Medical School: Pacific Northwest University

Why Kaweah Health?
I was honestly blown away by the warmth and kindness of the attendings and residents during my rotation. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and made me feel part of the Kaweah family. Between the high-volume patients, wide range of pathology, close-knit environment, culturally diverse and underserved communities, it met everything I was looking for in a program.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
No two shifts are alike - that’s the fun part! I have the privilege of being there for patients and provide the best possible care during the most sensitive time of their lives. Emergency medicine just stood out; it’s creative, fast-paced, full of procedural opportunities, and a field where I felt I could make the biggest difference.

Bobbie Lance

Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University
Why Kaweah Health?
I did a rotation at Kaweah and I loved my experience. Everyone was so friendly and I felt included as a team member from day one.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
My mom had an esophageal rupture when I was 9 and I've been motivated to help other patients/families in similar situations since then. I also enjoy a little bit of everything and the emergency room can go from simple complaints to complex ones in a matter of seconds.

Lynh McCloskey

Medical School: University of California, Davis
Why Kaweah Health?
The residents and attending are supportive and actually spend time together outside of work.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
Mentally stimulating with a tons of procedures.

Ashley Saavedra

Medical School: California Health Sciences University
Why Kaweah Health?
I loved the family like atmosphere that I experienced while rotating at Kaweah Health as a fourth year medical student. I also liked the level of acuity and variety that their ED experiences. 
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I want to serve patients from all walks of life and also be able to deliver care and comfort to them on, what may possibly be, one of their worst days. 

Israel Sanchez Neri

Medical School: Western University Health Sciences
Why Kaweah Health?
The great reputation of this program precedes it. Multiple students and residents (even program directors!) have praised this program and its training. Also, the location is very close to forests and trees which I want more of in my life (I grew up in a desert).
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
Emergency medicine has been my interest since I was a teenager. Undergrad showed me how much I enjoyed learning the deep sciences and pushed me to be a doctor. Emergency medicine allows me to apply all the intricacies of medicine to patients that need immediate and life-threatening care. This specialty also allows me to continue learning and applying concepts from a wide field of specialties, contributing to my desire for life-long learning.

Ty Saylors

Medical School
Touro University Nevada
Why Kaweah Health?
The program and the people are one of a kind, the opportunity to learn in an environment that gives you an exceptional experience in many vastly different cases, the proximity to the Sequoias with opportunities in Wilderness Medicine, a small town feel with a great community of people, and a great housing market!
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
As I began medical school, I realized that my ability to maintain my composure in the face of adversity made me well-suited to the culture of the emergency department. Being able to come in every day not knowing what to expect can be daunting, but it's an exciting experience you can't get anywhere else. I also love working closely with my patients and that is crucial to a well-functioning ER.

Alexa Twet

Medical School: California Health Sciences University
Why Kaweah Health?
I chose the Kaweah Emergency Medicine program because it offers a unique opportunity to work with a broad and diverse patient population, enabling me to broaden my clinical skills and make a meaningful impact on the community. Throughout my rotation, I felt that the program’s supportive and engaged faculty created an environment where I could grow both personally and professionally. Additionally, its proximity to my family allows me to maintain a strong support network while pursuing my career goals.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I chose emergency medicine because I am drawn to the fast-paced, dynamic nature of the specialty, where every day presents new challenges and opportunities to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives. The ability to rapidly assess, stabilize, and treat a wide range of conditions, often in high-pressure situations, excites me and aligns with my passion for hands-on, impactful care.

Charles Vaughn

Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences

Why Kaweah Health?
I chose Kaweah Health’s Emergency Medicine Residency because of its unique blend of high-acuity training in a community-focused, rural setting.  I was blown away during my EM rotation at Kaweah. It was an incredible experience, and I couldn't be more excited at the prospect of staying for residency. The department has an amazing atmosphere—faculty, residents, and staff are passionate about teaching.  There is a strong sense of camaraderie and a family-like atmosphere that I loved and knew I wanted for my EM training. The location, being near the Sequoias and Yosemite provides an incredible balance between rigorous training and access to the outdoors. From the beautiful surrounding areas of Sequoias or to the Central Coast, you can spend the day at the ocean or head up into the mountains and camp.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
I chose Emergency Medicine for its fast-paced, team-driven environment and the opportunity to help patients in their most vulnerable moments. We get to care for an incredibly diverse and often critically ill patient population. I love the variety of cases, the procedures that allow me to get my hands dirty, and knowing that each shift brings new challenges and excitement.

Elodia Zavala

Medical School: AT Still University
Why Kaweah Health?
The diverse and tight-knit patient population along with my desire to serve my community have a firm grasp on me that keeps me tied to the Central Valley. I know that Kaweah would allow me to establish meaningful connections with my patients and help me solidify the skills needed to provide quality care.
Why did you choose Emergency Medicine?
Emergency medicine allows me to use problem-solving skills and utilizing diagnostic tools to reach an informed decision all the while engaging with a diverse range of patients and pathologies.