Class of 2017
Sean Andrews, DO - Resident Physician
2017 Graduation Class
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Why did you select Kaweah Health’s residency program? Kaweah Health’s residency program was my first choice for a number of reasons. It’s a 3-year program at a community hospital with very few residents and a large number of ED visits per year. This results in plenty of procedural experience and the attendings are motivated to teach. Kaweah is exceptionally professional and supportive of their residents. If you rotate or join our program you will definitely notice the difference. In addition, the town of Visalia is amazing with friendly people, small town feel, nice cafés, and beautiful mountains nearby. I’m from Los Angeles County so the lack of traffic was a huge plus!
Why did you choose your specialty? I chose emergency medicine because you are never bored! It’s a huge challenge where you get to meet lots of interesting people and I can save someone’s life with critical life-saving decisions and/or procedures.
What are your hobbies? I’ve been surfing most of my life. I like to keep up with world events, backpack and go hunting, as well.
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? I will be the only one moving to Visalia.
David Denson, MD - Resident Physician
2017 Graduation Class
Hometown: Ogden, Utah
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Why did you select Kaweah Health’s residency program? I felt I would get optimal patient exposure, with plenty of opportunities for procedures. I also wanted to be a part of a new, growing program, both to see how a residency works from the grown-up and to help shape the program. Current residents seemed happy and well-trained. Living in beautiful Visalia, California.
Why did you choose your specialty? I chose the field of Emergency Medicine because of the fast pace and variety of patients. I enjoy the challenge of discovering and diagnosing new problems. There is never a dull moment in the emergency department.
What are your hobbies? I enjoy just about any activity outdoors. I am an avid snowboarder, wakeboarder, and camper. I also enjoy cycling and hiking. I like most movies and books, especially sci/fi and fantasy. I like cooking and baking when time permits.
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? I will be moving to Visalia by myself.
Tam Le, MD - Resident Physician
2017 Graduation Class
Hometown: Cypress, California
Medical School: Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
Why did you select Kaweah Health’s residency program? So many factors drew me to this program. Geography? Check. Receptive and encouraging faculty? Check. Being a part of building something special? Check. Training in what I love in the state I love? Check. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Why did you choose your specialty? I fell in love with the idea of emergency medicine before medical school, as an EMT. Aside from projectile vomiting and spurting blood, the idea of commanding the front lines of health care captivated me. As a third and fourth year medical student, actually experiencing the procedures, environment, and people of the ER, sealed my fate. This is the perfect profession for me. Plus, George Clooney was kind of awesome on ER.
What are your hobbies? Enjoying any activity in the fresh, crisp air of mother nature. Daydreaming about it while indoors. This includes, but is not limited to, camping, hiking, beach-ing, snowboarding, zip lining, cave spelunking, and rock climbing. Getting lost in a book/movie/TV show. Getting lost, in general. Eating. Anything and everything. I will try anything once. Breweries and wineries. Exercising vigorously to supplement the previous 3 hobbies. Concerts of any kind. Spending the following days recovering from hearing loss. Basically, living life to its fullest, without regret. Okay, maybe some regret.
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? The love and kindred spirits of all my friends and family.
Erik Miguel, DO - Chief Resident Physician
2017 Graduation Class
Hometown: St. George, Utah
Medical School: A.T. Still University - School of Osteopathic Medicine Arizona
Why did you select Kaweah Health’s residency program? Kaweah Health had everything I wanted in a residency program: a high volume/high acuity ER, lots of procedures, great trauma experience, happy residents, and a program director that is super excited about her program! Not to mention it's a 3-year program in sunny California!
Why did you choose your specialty? I love the excitement of being in the ER and the variety of patients you get to help! I like the fast pace and the procedures and, come on, everyone's seen the ER shows on TV... working in the ER is awesome!
What are your hobbies? Running, snowboarding, wakeboarding, surfing, rock climbing, hiking, fishing, and playing with my two kids!
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? My beautiful wife and my kids.
Annie Slife, DO - Resident Physician
2017 Graduation Class
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Why did you select Kaweah Health’s residency program? As the second class, we have an amazing opportunity to lay a strong foundation for what I know will become an incredible residency program in one of the most beautiful areas of the country!
Why did you choose your specialty? I have been drawn to Emergency Medicine since before medical school. It allows me to be in the front lines of America's health and gives me the skills I need to make a real and measurable difference when someone is in need.
What are your hobbies? I enjoy long-distance cycling, crossfit, cooking, camping, and hiking!
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? My amazing husband, Derek, and our incredible 11-year-old daughter, Eislynn.
Kunal Sukhija, MD - Chief Resident Physician
2017 Graduation Class
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Medical School: UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Why did you select Kaweah Health’s residency program? The decision was an easy one. Kaweah Health's Emergency Department offers unopposed training, incredibly varied pathology, and the opportunity to help patients from all walks of life. During my interview, I was extremely impressed by the first intern class -- the knowledge and experience they accrued in less than a year's worth of training put them ahead of many senior level residents that I met elsewhere.
Why did you choose your specialty? Emergency Medicine, simply put, is the best specialty. We are on the front lines fighting all types of illness in a time, resource, and information-limited environment. It's fast, intense, and incredibly rewarding to be able to help patients at such a critical time in their lives. I also believe that EM is perfectly poised to usher in a new era of heatlhcare as the nation continues to evolve under the new Affordable Care Act.
What are your hobbies? Road tripping, watching Cohen brothers' movies, social justice, Lakers' basketball, dabbling in all forms of exercise, drinking large volumes of coffee, healthcare legislation, eating breakfast for every meal, minor and major home repair, developing healthcare-related technologies, traveling and learning about different cultures, and my newest hobby: exploring Visalia and its nearby natural wonders.
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? My wife and our extremely talented but ultimately lazy cat Popsicle.