PGY-4 Class
Samita Chandi, MD
MD: Wayne State University SOM
BS: University of Nevada
Where are you from? Where do you consider to be your hometown?
Santa Clarita, CA.
Why did you choose our program?
I chose UCLA/VA for the location, patient population, supportive faculty, and colleagues.
What are your psychiatry interests?
Interventional and Integrative Psychiatry, Emergency Psychiatry, and South Asian Mental Health.
What are your hobbies and favorite things to do in LA?
Trying new restaurants, Farmer's Markets, and I am hoping to pick up some water activities this year.
What's something on your bucket list?
Sky diving!
Linda Chou, MD
MD: UCSD School of Medicine
BS: UC Davis
Where are you from? Where do you consider to be your hometown?
The bay area, but I consider Taipei to be my hometown
Why did you choose our program?
I chose UCLA-GLA VA Psychiatry because of the location, the curriculum, the diversity of the program, and the friendly dynamic between the residents and the faculty.
What is your favorite part of this program (so far)?
My favorite part of this program so far has been how amazing our PDs have been with our feedbacks and how friendly everyone has been.
What are your psychiatry interests?
Geriatric,psychotherapy, and interventional psychiatry
What are your hobbies and favorite things to do in LA?
Hiking, music, arts, and grabbing a good meal/drinks, and playing board games with friends
What's something on your bucket list?
Hiking through all the countries that are on my travel list!
David Johnson, MD
MD: Howard University College of Medicine
BS: University of New York
Where are you from? Where do you consider to be your hometown?
I am from the east coast from a small town called Monroe New York. I definitely consider it to be my hometown despite not having gone back in over 2 years.
Why did you choose our program?
I chose the program because my wife and her family are all from the west coast and when I interviewed I got a very caring, nurturing, down to earth vibe from the program directors and residents.
What is your favorite part of this program (so far)?
The attendings. Getting to talk with them not just about patients but about their lives. They are a treasure chest of wisdom and knowledge and just getting to work alongside them every day reassures me that I chose the right field and made one of the best decisions of my life by applying to this program.
What are your psychiatry interests?
I’m open to all areas but am looking more towards addiction and sports psychiatry.
What are your hobbies and favorite things to do in LA?
Shoe stores and shopping. I love going to places like cool kicks, Cookies N kicks, and the grove. The stuff that I see out is so creative and new and its like being able to hold art in your hand.
Taco trucks are also a new found hobby of mine. I used to never trust food from a truck but after trying my first taco truck in LA I was hooked.
What movie do you never get tired of watching?
“Friday”
What's something on your bucket list?
Go sailing
Blair Kim, MD
MD: Loma Linda School of Medicine
BS: University of Southern California
Where are you from? Where do you consider to be your hometown?
Seoul, South Korea.
Why did you choose our program?
I appreciated this program because the faculty and residents foster a family-like atmosphere, while also providing residents with access to outstanding resources to become highly competent psychiatrists.
What is your favorite part of this program (so far)?
Without a doubt, it's the people! The faculty members are genuinely attentive and wholeheartedly committed to supporting the residents.
What are your psychiatry interests?
General psychiatrist; women's mental health.
What are your hobbies and favorite things to do in LA?
Experiment with various workout classes and explore cozy cafes.
What's something on your bucket list?
Explore all the stunning islands of Hawaii.
Jessica Membreno, MD, MBA
MD: UC Irvine SOM
MBA: UCI Paul Merage School of Business
BS: UC Irvine
Where are you from? Where do you consider to be your hometown?
Born and raised in South Central LA, lived in Irvine for a decade while completing college, post bacc, business school and medical school. My hometown is South Central LA, where my entire family still lives.
Why did you choose our program?
Veteran care has always been personal to me. My dad fought in the Salvadorian Civil War before immigrating to the US. My brother was in the US Army before joining UCLA PD. In medical school, I rotated through the Long Beach VA repeatedly which served to reinforce my interest. I chose this program because it's only minutes away from family, I would work along side my brother and I would be able to continue my veteran care training at an amazing institution!
What is your favorite part of this program (so far)?
My co-interns! I couldn't have asked for a more diverse, humble and incredibly inspiring group of colleagues and now friends. Residency has been a steep learning curve and having friends you can depend on, that really understand what you're going through, has been extremely helpful.
What are your psychiatry interests?
Mood Disorders, Psychotherapy, Psychedelic Psychotherapy, Adult Psychiatry
What are your hobbies and favorite things to do in LA?
Trying new places for brunch, Live music/concerts/festivals, Dancing
What movie do you never get tired of watching?
50 First Dates
What's something on your bucket list?
Skydiving in Dubai, Underwater restaurant in the Maldives
Gregory Tapia, MD, MPH
MD: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
MPH: University of Miami
BS: Florida International University
Where are you from? Where do you consider to be your hometown?
Miami, FL
Why did you choose our program?
Empathetic and responsive leadership, amazing faculty, VA and mental health training in a dynamic city, and access to resources for research mentorship
What is your favorite part of this program (so far)?
The supportive environment! Let’s face it…residency is challenging everywhere. But it’s way better in an environment where we have each others’ backs!
What are your psychiatry interests?
HIV psychiatry and mental health among sexual minorities
What are your hobbies and favorite things to do in LA?
Exploring LA’s delicious food scene and endless neighborhoods
