PGY3 Residents
Anu Adediji, MD - Resident Physician
Medical School
Obafemi Awolowo University
Hometown
Lagos Nigeria
Why did you choose FM?
A choice to go into Family Medicine was greatly influenced by my family physician. I love the opportunity for continued care that Family Medicine provides.
Why Kaweah Health?
I like the community feel of the program. The location guarantees an opportunity to cater to a diverse group of patients and medical conditions.
Hobbies
Spending time with friends and family. Traveling.
What is the most important advice you have for patients?
Similar symptoms occur for different diseases. Searching your diagnosis on the internet before seeing your physician only gets you worried. If something does not feel right, talk to your physician.
Armando Cervantes, MD - Resident Physician
Medical School
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Hometown
San Jose, CA
Why did you choose FM?
As the medical field further fragments through specialization, Family Medicine continues to promote continuity of care. The bond we are able to foster between patient and provider extends beyond the office visit - we get the opportunity to be a friend, an advisor, and advocate.
Why Kaweah Health?
Kaweah Health felt most like home - everyone I met during interview day made me feel welcomed and wanted.
Hobbies
Playing cards with my parents.
What is the most important advice you have for patients?
See your primary care doctor regularly.
Ivana Choudhury, DO - Resident Physician
Medical School
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (Middletown Campus)
Hometown
New Hyde Park, New York
Why did you choose FM?
I wanted to be as involved in my patients’ care as I can be, and Family Medicine allows me to do that.
Why Kaweah Health?
What I loved the most about Kaweah Health is its dedication to the surrounding community. As a physician, I believe that there are several components that play into one’s health, including physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. To see a program have such strong ties to its community spoke to me since that’s how involved I want to be as someone’s physician.
Hobbies
Singing, painting and swimming.
What is the most important advice you have for patients?
My goal is to make sure you’re comfortable with me being your physician, so please ask anything you need to ensure you’re getting the best advice regarding your health care.
Mark Said, MD - Resident Physician
Medical School
Ross University School of Medicine
Hometown
Visalia, CA
Why did you choose FM?
During medical school and clerkships, I have seen the importance of family medicine and all its aspects: from providing preventative screening, to diagnosing patients and developing appropriate treatment plans for them, to building lasting relationships with my patients.
Why Kaweah Health?
The Kaweah Health Family Medicine Program stands out considerably and possesses all the qualities that are important for me in a residency. I found that many of the strengths of the program - a familial environment, diverse patient pathology, and balance between autonomy and resident support align with the training I hope to attain throughout residency. Furthermore, growing up in Visalia and having done multiple away rotations at Kaweah Health, I easily saw myself as a happy resident here by seeing firsthand how genuinely caring and invested the staff are in each individual resident.
Hobbies
Cycling, playing soccer, hiking, watching shows and reading news.
What is the most important advice you have for patients?
Healthy life-style and self-care are key elements for disease prevention.
Reshma Shiwdin, DO - Resident Physician
Medical School
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown
Edison, New Jersey
Why did you choose FM?
I chose Family Medicine as my specialty because I really enjoy the broad spectrum of knowledge and practice that comes with the specialty- to be able to treat and help patients from infants to the elderly. Also, I really like the continuity of care and the connection formed with patients as you treat them throughout their lives and hopefully the lives of their children.
Why Kaweah Health?
I chose this residency program because of their mission statement to help the underserved and migrant population of central California. I also really enjoyed interview day and everyone I met during the time there. It felt like home and I felt like I could be myself and thrive in this environment.
Hobbies
I enjoy cooking, surfing, yoga, hiking/almost any outdoorsy activity and always curious to try something new and learn a new skill.
What is the most important advice you have for patients?
Be honest and ask questions! Both are so important in the physician-patient relationship. We are here for you, to help educate, give advice and to help you be the healthiest you can be!
Roxanne Talamayan-Pascua, MD - Resident Physician
Medical School
University of California, Irvine
Hometown
Los Angeles, CA
Why did you choose FM?
Our biggest impact occurs when we listen to the person in the setting of their context. Family Medicine focuses on the entire person and treats them with their social situation in mind, and this means we can help to make long-lasting changes with an eye towards preventive care.
Why Kaweah Health?
The patient population they serve is the one I’ve wanted to serve, and it’s in the setting of a new FQHC. I also I felt like I really connected with the residents and faculty in the program. They are such a friendly and welcoming group.
Hobbies
I love being outdoors with my husband and two daughters, and we’ve already been to the three national parks that are close by multiple times! I’ve picked up Lettering and Bullet Journaling as ways to reflect and meditate.
What is the most important advice you have for patients?
Long-term change happens in small increments. If you want/need to change something, keep track of the small changes you make using a log or journal because it is motivating to see your progress. We can forget what we’ve done towards our goal, and that can lead to feeling uninspired, so put in the time to track it and see how far you’ve gone. Be kind to yourself because it does take time to make lasting changes.
Cate Whitlach, MD - Resident Physician
Medical School
American University of Antigua
Hometown
Tehachapi, CA
Why did you choose FM?
I love the kind of medicine that allows you to make connections and establish rapport with patients - and not just when they’re sick but also when they’re healthy and doing well. For me, Family Medicine sets that tone and environment. And it’s a bonus to be able to do that with individuals regardless of their age.
Why Kaweah Health?
I spent a few months in Visalia doing core rotations for my school w/ Kaweah Health and really loved the area. Then when I got the chance to learn more about the Family Medicine program, I was further drawn in by the people and the program’s commitment to the community.
Hobbies
Buying books to read, starting those books, trying to remember to finish said books; confidently answering questions wrong while watching Jeopardy
What is the most important advice you have for patients?
If you don’t understand something, anything - ask a question. Whether it’s what a certain medication does, what test results mean, what your medical condition means or what it does to your body, and so on...ask. If the answer you get doesn’t make sense to you - say that and ask more questions.
