Class of 2019
Dallas Beaird, MD
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Why did you select Kaweah Health's residency program? I loved the friendly attitude of the residents and attendings. I couldn't wait to move back to California.
Why did you choose your specialty? I love the mix of variety and excitement the Emergency Dept provides. An EM doc is well rounded and can take on any challenge.
What are your hobbies? Disc golf, cycling, bird watching and camping.
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? My girlfriend
David Fujihara, DO
Hometown: Clovis, CA
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 is a fantastic residency program with great autonomy, a large census, diverse pathology, and an underserved population that has excellent teaching and didactics. I was really impressed by the faculty and pathology and am very excited to be a part of the program.
Why did you choose your specialty? I chose emergency medicine because I enjoy the emergent management of disease processes, the mixture of procedures and critical care, giving patients reassurance, and helping patients and their families work through new diagnoses.
What are your hobbies? Basketball, golf, mountain biking, skiing, reading, working out.
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? My wife, Rachel, my 16-month-old daughter, Olivet, and another baby girl on the way!
Christopher Goodwill, MD
Hometown: Orange County, CA
Medical School: University of Nevada School of Medicine
Why did you select Kaweah Health's residency program? I wanted to train in a high acuity, high volume ED where I had the opportunity to get proficient with procedures, get great trauma experience, and work with awesome faculty and residents.
Why did you choose your specialty? I enjoy the fast-paced, intense, team-driven environment that the emergency room provides. I enjoy thinking on my feet to solve complex problems and providing at times lifesaving care to patients. I feel honored to have this responsibility.
What are your hobbies? Triathlons, hiking, mountain biking, camping, surfing, snowboarding, fishing and all sports-related activities
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? My wife and two young kids.
Michael Johnson, DO
Hometown: Pleasanton, CA
Medical School: Touro University - California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why did you select Kaweah Health's residency program? I did an audition rotation during my 4th year and absolutely loved the experience. The staff and residents were all amazing and I knew that I would get top tier training here at Kaweah Health.
Why did you choose your specialty? I chose emergency medicine because I couldn't see myself doing anything else while enjoying every second of it.
What are your hobbies? Playing basketball, hiking, running, weight training, and traveling to new places to eat amazing food.
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? My wife, Marisa, and our corgi, Kina.
Norlan Maltez, MD
Hometown: Fontana, CA
Medical School: University of Nevada School of Medicine
Why did you select Kaweah Health's residency program? I had heard great things about Kaweah Health and decided to complete a sub-internship here during medical school. During that time, I discovered Kaweah Health's commitment to providing compassionate care, serving the community, and pursuing excellence in medicine. Everyone I interacted with during that time - whether medical or support staff - demonstrated enthusiasm and pride in the organization and its mission. I knew then that the heart of this program was aligned with my own and that I would fit in well here.
Why did you choose your specialty? An Emergency Room visit represents at best a bad day, at worst a day of tragedy. I simply want to help make that day a little easier on my patients and their families if I can. As an Emergency Physician, I can help decrease suffering, place my patient on the path which maximizes the opportunity for recovery, and support the emotional well-being of my patients and their loved ones. I also feel that the abilities and skills I have developed over the years as a paramedic will be put to good use in my chosen specialty.
What are your hobbies? Aviation, technology and finance.
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? My wife and children.
Elizabeth Nguyen, MD
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Why did you select Kaweah Health's residency program? Patient population, location and faculty. I wanted to be able to provide for the medically underserved while being close to family. It was an additional bonus that Kaweah Health is a 3-year program in an area with a low cost of living. On the interview trail, I was won over by the enthusiasm and passion of the faculty - they shared similar beliefs on our roles as physicians and understood the things that I felt to be the most important in life.
Why did you choose your specialty? Every day brings something new and exciting. I enjoy seeing a variety of patients, diagnosing the undifferentiated patient, and being able to handle almost any situation.
What are your hobbies? Hanging out with friends, exploring new restaurants, geocaching
Christopher Schaefer, DO
Hometown: Palmdale, CA
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Why did you select Kaweah Health's residency program? California's Central Valley is a fantastic place to learn the practice of Emergency Medicine. Visalia is an urban island in the middle of acres and acres of agriculture. As the only hospital in town, Kaweah Health has a huge catchment area and is a great mix of community hospital resources with a county-sized census and array of pathology.
Why did you choose your specialty? I chose Emergency Medicine because I wanted to be a sort of jack-of-all trades. Emergency Physicians are often the first point of contact for patients, and the idea of being able to figure out what is going on with anyone who walks in through the door was very appealing to me. It's a great mix of the medical and surgical aspects to medicine, and I love getting my hands dirty!
What are your hobbies? To sort of break the mold of the outdoorsy, adventurist archetype of an ER doc, I am more of a homebody. I have an extensive collection of musical instruments from all over the world, and I attempt to play all of them, some better than others. Having just bought our first home together, my wife and I will soon be developing new hobbies of home renovation!
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? My wife, Kristen.
Caroline Schrodt, MD
Hometown: Bakersfield, CA
Medical School: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
Why did you select Kaweah Health's residency program? I chose KD because it's a new program with lots of energy and excitement from the hospital, community, program director and faculty. Still largely unopposed. Also, LOCATION!
Why did you choose your specialty? Love the diversity of patient problems and patient ages. In the emergency department, I have the opportunity to practice a little in every specialty.
What are your hobbies? Yoga, running, cycling, swimming, hiking, gardening, wine, food
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? My husband, Robert, and Australian Kelpie, Hazel.
Brian Tanner, MD
Hometown: Los Alamitos, CA
Medical School: University of California, Davis, School of Medicine
Why did you select Kaweah Health's residency program? I was really impressed by the confidence the residents have in their training. All the residents and faculty seemed like very knowledgeable and fun people to be around. The surrounding area is full of great outdoor activities, and the cost of living is low!
Why did you choose your specialty? I love the variety and acuity that is Emergency Medicine. I believe that EM is the best way for a physician to maximize their utility to the community, and it's just really, really fun.
What are your hobbies? Hiking, backpacking, gardening, traveling, guitar
Dries Van Dyk, DO
Hometown: Visalia, CA
Medical School: Touro University - Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why did you select Kaweah Health's residency program? I was born and raised in Visalia. This is my home. I was thrilled to learn that Kaweah Health had opened an Emergency Medicine residency and dreamed that I would be able to return to continue my training as a physician. It is an amazing opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape me into the person that I am today. Not to mention the excellent faculty and the available learning opportunities provided at this growing location in the central valley.
Why did you choose your specialty? Emergency medicine is one of the most exciting fields of medicine. There is always something interesting to do. The variety of patients isn't seen in any other field of medicine. There are parts of critical care, orthopedics, pediatrics, OB/GYN and many more. We are also a safety net for the community. When you need us, we are there for you every day of the year.
What are your hobbies? Dodger baseball, USC football, ultimate frisbee, trying to cook the world's most perfect brisket
Who will be moving to Visalia with you? My beautiful wife, soon to be son, and our two dogs.
