FIRST YEAR RESIDENTS
Joseeline Herrera King, MD
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Victorville, CA
Undergrad: USC
Medical School: UCSD
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Why LAGMC/USC?: I really resonated with the mission of LAGMC to provide exceptional care to any and all patients that walk through the door. I could see that the Med-Peds program led with compassion and respect for all human lives and I wanted to be a part of this wonder group of people.
Plans for after residency: Undecided but I’m interested in transitions of care, hospital medicine, Peds GI or Endo.
Fizza Mahmood, MD
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Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Undergrad: Emory University
Medical School: University of Alabama in Birmingham
Why LAGMC/USC?: I knew I wanted to train somewhere focused on working with underserved populations with strong ties to the community - and this program perfectly encapsulated that! I remember connecting with the residents on interview day and instantly feeling like I had found a community of people so passionate about their patients and the work. And like everyone always says, its all about the people!
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Plans after residency: I am leaning toward primary care but open to dual hospitalist! I'm really interested in and passionate about global health work so hopefully something that has that built in.
Nicole Muehleisen, MD
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown:
Undergrad: Johns Hopkins
Medical School: Mt Sinai
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Why LAGMC/USC?: I knew I wanted to continue training somewhere that prioritized the community around it. The Med-Peds residents also seemed particularly close and supportive, and even from the interview, I could tell that the resident's perspectives were important to the program. Also, LA - a diverse and exciting place to be!
Plans after residency: Thinking primary care vs combined ID, also considering global health programs.
Uma Ramaratnam, MD
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hometown: Saratoga, CA
Undergrad: UCLA
Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Why LAGMC/USC?: The USC/LA General Med-Peds program stood out to me because it captured everything I hoped to find in a residency—a strong commitment to underserved communities (with curriculum-integrated community outreach), diverse clinical experiences (from bread-and-butter to medically complex patients), and a warm, collaborative culture that fosters learning and growth. And of course, the amazing people! Ever since being here, I can 100% say this program truly walks the walk, and I’m so glad to be a part of it.
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Plans for after residency: Maybe dual hospitalist!
Sayali Shelke, MD
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Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Katy, Texas
Undergrad: Texas A&M University
Medical School: Texas A&M University College of Medicine
Why LAGMC/USC?: The LAGMC/USC Med Peds program is one of the first programs that made me want to go into Med Peds in the first place! The program's focus on serving underserved patients is a core mission that aligns with my own goals. When I met the faculty and residents on interview day, and at the second look, I just knew this was the program for me and that this would be my new future family.
Plans for after residency: I really want to work with people with disabilities, so probably primary care for now, but love GI and ID so considering some kind of combined fellowships in those!
Sam Vassar, MD
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Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Undergrad: Utah State University
Medical School: University of South Dakota
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Why LAGMC/USC?: This program hit the sweet spot for me in terms of the training I want to get, the type of people I get to work with, and the place I want to do it. There's an emphasis on community outreach and being solutions-oriented in addressing care gaps for medically underserved people in the area (whether they're foster youth, Spanish-speakers, or unhoused). My interview and second-look days really blew me away and made me feel like these are my people and this is the place.
Plans for after residency: I am still deciding; I love different things about both in- and outpatient work so I'll see which stands the test of repetition! Definitely interested in transition care for medically complex kiddos.
