2025-2026 Surgery Intern Class

UC Davis Health Hospital at Sacramento, California

The General Surgical Residency Training Program at UC Davis provides residents with unparalleled clinical and operative experiences; robust didactic, simulation and conference curricula; a team approach to career development, mentorship and opportunities to apply for an optional year of research or career development time. For more than 50 years, we have been committed to training “thinking doctors” versus “cookbook doctors” and take great pride in the success of our graduates.

CATEGORICAL RESIDENTS

 Shania Bennett, M.D.

Shania Bennett, M.D.

Undergraduate School: San Diego State University
Medical School: University of California, Davis
Interests: Trauma, Plastics, Vascular, Stem Cell Therapies, Genetics
Hobbies: Hiking, Backpacking, SCUBA diving, Traveling, Snowboarding
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis Health is the hospital I dreamed of working for ever since I was a little girl who 
sat in the waiting room for many hours to hear how surgery went after family and friends
of mine had been medi-flighted to UCDH. I have always dreamed of when I would be
able to provide families and their loved ones life saving medical care, giving back like
those who had given to me. 

 Christopher Clinker, M.D.

Christopher Clinker, M.D.

Undergraduate School: University of Utah 
Medical School: University of Utah School of Medicine 
Interests: Research, Pediatrics, Trauma
Hobbies: I spend time outdoors gardening, running, climbing, and powerlifting, and I’ve
developed a love for skiing and snowboarding, including a memorable wilderness
medicine course in the French Alps. I also enjoy riding motorcycles, sewing, and tackling
woodworking and DIY projects around the house.
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis offers the strong clinical training and academic mentorship I’m seeking in
pediatric surgery. Its commitment to underserved communities aligns with my work on
Navajo reservations and my passion for equitable care. With my background in pediatric
trauma research, I’m excited to contribute to a program that values both surgical
excellence and meaningful service.

 Hannah Davis, D.O.

Hannah Davis, D.O.

Undergraduate School: Oklahoma State University 
Medical School: Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: CRS, MIS
Hobbies: Sewing, airbrushing book edges, playing piano, blasting Taylor Swift 
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis was the complete package: academic excellence, mentoring attendings, and
caring residents. I felt as though everyone on the team was invested in my success, and I
wanted to be a part of that!

 XiaoXiao Gao, M.D.

XiaoXiao Gao, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UCLA
Medical School: University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine
Interests: Surgical Education, Pediatrics, Healthcare Administration, Quality Improvement
Hobbies: Playing badminton, collecting watches, watching
movies, and tackling home improvement projects.
Why UC Davis Health: 
I was impressed by the phenomenal training and diverse clinical exposure at UC Davis.
The deciding factor, though, was the strong sense of community; I felt immediately at
home with the people during my second look. Being close to family and friends adds a
wonderful personal dimension to this outstanding professional opportunity.

Phoebe Lim, M.D.

Phoebe Lim, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UC Davis
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Interests: Research, Surgical Oncology
Hobbies: Music, knitting, taking care of my chinchilla!
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis really feels like home, especially after working here in my gap years and
spending my college years here. I also loved the community and it felt like the perfect
place to be supported throughout my training. 

Alexandru Nica, M.D.

Alexandru Nica, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Northwestern University 
Medical School: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine 
Interests: Transplant, Research, ML Applications In Healthcare
Hobbies: Running, Powerlifting, Basketball, Chess 
Why UC Davis Health: 
I chose UC Davis for its ideal balance of high-volume trauma and strong exposure to the
subspecialties I plan to pursue. Even more important, I felt an instant connection with both
the residents and faculty.

Brandon Shin, M.D.

Brandon Shin, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Andrews University
Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Interests: Research Interests: Social Vulnerability, Equitable
Cancer Outcomes, Epigenetics; Life Interests: Being a kinder and
more thoughtful person daily
Hobbies: Surfing, playing cello, and reading memoirs
Why UC Davis Health: 
Approachable residents and attendings, engagement with public policy, and investment
in thoughtful resident career guidance.

Samantha Wakerlin, M.D.

Samantha Wakerlin, M.D.

Undergraduate School: University of Colorado, Boulder / University College Cork
Medical School: University College Cork
Interests: Surgical oncology, breast cancer research, clinical trials
Hobbies: Hiking in the High Sierra, skiing all winter, painting/creating art, swimming in
most bodies of water, stargazing, being outdoors and active, board games, homemade
guacamole, anything to do with horses
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis fosters a program where paying it forward is the standard, not the exception. I
wanted to train at a program that celebrated collective success and community alongside
its robust clinical and academic excellence. I feel lucky to be mentored and trained by top
tier faculty and senior residents, while also learning how to become the best version of
myself in the process. Plus, talk about being in the heart of Northern California! UC Davis
simply has it all.

James Waters, M.D.

James Waters, M.D.

Undergraduate School: The College of New Jersey
Medical School: Cooper Medical School of Rowan University 
Interests: Surgical Oncology, Research, Health Policy
Hobbies: I love playing any sports, including surfing and
snowboarding. I also love to read and play acoustic guitar.
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis has everything. It gives extensive training in every surgical specialty and
provides ample opportunities in research and academics through the university. Plus, its
situated in a perfect location where I can explore everything Northern California has to
offer.

PRELIMINARY RESIDENTS

 Husni Abdul-Rahman, M.D.

Husni Abdul-Rahman, M.D.

Undergraduate School: California Northstate University
Medical School: California Northstate University
Interests: Education, Trauma
Hobbies: Soccer, working out, and exploring new foods. 
Why UC Davis Health: 
The privilege of giving back to the very community that has fostered my growth and
shaped me into the person I am. 

Heba Basha, M.D.

Heba Basha, M.D.

Undergraduate School: University of Michigan - Dearborn
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Interests: Health equity in surgical and reproductive care, Language-concordant care
and health literacy in surgical settings, Culturally responsive surgical education and
training, Access to and outcomes of peripartum surgical interventions, Community
engaged research in immigrant and refugee health, Gender equity and mentorship in
surgical education
Hobbies: Cooking, baking, hiking in my new beautiful backyard of Northern California,
and hanging out with my husband and kitty Maru!
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis is my top choice for surgical training, primarily because of its unwavering
mission, exceptional residency culture, and diverse patient base. The patient population
instantly connected with me, reflecting the communities of southeastern Michigan where
I grew up. UC Davis's dedication to health equity and its high-volume care for
underserved communities of color are vital to my growth as a physician. Clinically
excellent, the program also offers a remarkably welcoming environment. My interactions
with faculty, co-interns, and residents confirmed their genuine investment in my
professional and personal development. I am truly privileged to begin my training
journey at UC Davis!

Megan Blount, D.O.

Megan Blount, D.O.

Undergraduate School: U. Wisconsin - Madison
Medical School: Rocky Vista University COM - Colorado
Interests: Orthopedic Surgery
Hobbies: Skiing, Hiking, Golfing, Brewery Scouting
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis is a premiere training center that sees a robust case volume with varying
degrees of complexity, which I believe will make my education second to none. UC
Davis also had the added benefit of allowing my husband, a non-medical military
member, and I to be located in the same area.

Trung Nguyen Dang, D.O.

Trung Nguyen Dang, D.O.

Undergraduate School: UC Davis
Medical School: California Health Sciences University (CHSU)
Interests: Research, Vascular
Hobbies: Cinephile, Reading, Hiking
Why UC Davis Health: 
As a former Aggie, I'm glad to be able to return. I believe I will learn a lot from my time at
UCD. There is also a high population of Vietnamese in the area, and I believe that I will
be able to contribute to helping the population.

Sare Demirel, D.O.

Sare Demirel, D.O.

Undergraduate School: UC Davis
Medical School: CHSU COM
Interests: Obstetrics, Gynecology and Surgery, Education, Research
Hobbies: Having coffee/tea with people, watching movies,
reading, crocheting, going on walks, listening to podcasts on
YouTube
Why UC Davis Health: 
Many reasons! The friendly and welcoming culture, location, proximity to my husband's
residency program, incredible training opportunities, excellence in research, surgery,
and more. It's an honor to be here. Also, I was a volunteer at UCDMC during my
undergrad years at UC Davis, and I loved the hospital. It's so great to be back!

Daniel Gaynor, M.D.

Daniel Gaynor, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Portland State University
Medical School: Oregon Health and Science University
Interests: Surgical education, cardiothoracic surgery, trauma, palliative care
Hobbies: Cooking, record collecting, visual art, live music, traveling, spending time
with family
Why UC Davis Health: 
strong reputation in clinical training and academic surgery, supportive culture

Sean Kim, M.D.

Sean Kim, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UC San Diego
Medical School: Keck School of Medicine of USC
Interests: Education, Healthcare Disparities, Trauma
Hobbies: I love cooking, water sports, listening to live music, and exploring other countries!
Why UC Davis Health: 
I'm excited to start my career at UC Davis because of its reputation for excellent clinical
training and commitment to caring for underserved populations. I also love that I get to
stay close to family and friends in the area!

Andrea Ott, M.D.

Andrea Ott, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Wheaton College
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Interests: Human-first patient care and improving communication
and understanding for patients navigating our healthcare system.
Hobbies: Outdoor activities (bonus if I can bring my dog, Olly!), projects, growing things,
art, cooking, exploring.
Why UC Davis Health: 
I noticed the intentionality at UC Davis right away and felt that I would be both
challenged and supported here, as needed for optimal growth. When you add the
vibrancy of Sacramento and its location close to Lake Tahoe, the mountains, San
Francisco, the redwoods, Yosemite, etc—it can’t be beat! 

Nina Putnam, M.D.

Nina Putnam, M.D.

Undergraduate School: University of Colorado, Boulder
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Interests: Plastics, education
Hobbies: Snowboarding, Pilates, videography
Why UC Davis Health: 
Breadth of learning opportunities during training


MILITARY PRELIMINARY RESIDENTS

 Jonica Carlton, D.O.

Jonica Carlton, D.O.

Undergraduate School: Columbus State University
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, South GA
Interests: Surgery and Psychiatry
Hobbies: Painting, art, crafts, movie watching
Why UC Davis Health: 
Fortunate enough to military match into one of the largest teaching hospitals in the US!

Jean Kalima, M.D.

Jean Kalima, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Wright State University 
Medical School: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Interests: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pediatric Surgery 
Hobbies: Outside of the hospital, I enjoy cooking, baking, going on long walks, playing
soccer, and spending time with family and friends.
Why UC Davis Health: 
I am drawn to the program’s strong clinical training, academic rigor, and commitment to
patient-centered care. UC Davis offers a high-volume, high-acuity surgical experience
across a wide range of specialties. I am particularly inspired by the department’s
dedication to mentorship, diversity, and professional development, as well as its
structured opportunities for research and academic growth. The program’s supportive
environment and consistent success in fellowship placement make it an ideal place to
begin my surgical career.

Bright Mills, M.D.

Bright Mills, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Thomas Edison State University
Medical School: Uniformed Services University
Interests: Education
Hobbies: Watching Jeopardy
Why UC Davis Health: 
Air Force Assigned

Rozalyn Morauske, M.D.

Rozalyn Morauske, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Boise State University 
Medical School: Loma Linda University
Interests: I honestly just want to see different surgeries to help me learn more about
the body and how tech interacts with it so I can be a part of continuing to improve how
we treat
Hobbies: Reading/audiobook (fantasy and some sci-fi), camping, art, skiing and other
outdoors activities
Why UC Davis Health: 
Excellent training, more trees, closer to home, civilian and military training nicely mixed,
burn training, good trauma training

Audry Neville, D.O.

Audry Neville, D.O.

Undergraduate School: Sonoma State University
Medical School: Kansas City University
Interests: Trauma surgery, colorectal surgery and ionizing radiation research
Hobbies: Soccer, hiking with my golden retriever Gus, snowboarding and trips to SF!
Why UC Davis Health: 
Eclectic group of residents, level I trauma center, high volume of surgeries and amazing
faculty dedicated to cultivating the well-rounded surgeons.

Breanna Nichols, D.O.

Breanna Nichols, D.O.

Undergraduate School: University of South Florida
Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic medicine
Interests: Exploring options and possibly surgical oncology
Hobbies: Rock climbing, hiking, dogs!
Why UC Davis Health: 
Great surgical experience with affiliation with air force. Excited for surrounding areas
like Tahoe

Carlson Teboh, M.D.

Carlson Teboh, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Georgetown University
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine
Interests: Medical Missions/Global Health, Education, Vascular
Hobbies: Traveling, Tennis, Coffee shop hopping, Playing keyboard solo or in a group,
Karaoke, Good Cinema, Ultimate Frisbee,
Why UC Davis Health: 
A prestigious, military-friendly program in a with world-class research and specialized
rotations, all while being in a versatile location (access to cities and nature)

Devra Asah, M.D.

Devra Asah, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UC Davis
Medical School: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Interests: Vascular, Underserved populations, Resident Education
Hobbies: Reading, Sleeping, Shopping, & Spending time with
family
Why UC Davis Health: 
Resident Support & Outstanding Faculty

La Niece Carpenter, M.D.

La Niece Carpenter, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine,
Philadelphia, PA
Interests: Trauma, Patient Advocacy, Student/Resident
Teaching
Hobbies: Drawing, reading, traveling, eating, outdoors
activities, sleeping
Why UC Davis Health: 
The people - learning environment and support network is
unmatched

Sylvia Cruz, M.D.

Sylvia Cruz, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Pasadena City College / University of
California, Irvine
Medical School: University of California, Davis
Interests: Surgical oncology, cancer immunology, natural killer
cells
Hobbies: Lifting, crime shows, sudoku, boba
Why UC Davis Health: 
The friendly and supportive community within the department
of surgery and the great camaraderie between specialties.

Samuel Gentle, M.D.

Samuel Gentle, M.D.

Undergraduate School: University of St. Thomas - Minnesota
Medical School: Uniformed Services University of the Health
Sciences
Interests: Trauma/Burns, critical care, research, global surgery
Hobbies: running, rock climbing, and camping. Volunteering
with Scouting America
Why UC Davis Health: 
Great military civilian partnership, good trauma/burn center, and
lots of research driven attendings.

Andrew Joseph, M.D.

Andrew Joseph, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Cornell College (Iowa)
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Interests: Peds or vascular, but who really knows
Hobbies: Anything outdoors, cooking, pretending I know how
to play the piano
Why UC Davis Health: 
I wanted to work at an institution where I would not only be
trained to become a great surgeon but also an amazing doctor.
The feeling and confidence you obtain when everyone you
work with loves what they do and are just as eager to teach
and encourage is priceless. 

Josef Mang, M.D.

Josef Mang, M.D.

Undergraduate School: George Mason University
Medical School: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
Interests: Surgical Oncology, Endocrine Surgery, Military
Medicine, Special Operations Surgery, Basic Science Research,
and Surgical Education
Hobbies: Reading Reformed Theology; Baseball (playing it,
watching it on TV, and attending live major league games);
Cinema - going to movie theaters and experiencing movies
when they first come out; Camping and Overlanding; Mashed
potato specialist  
Why UC Davis Health: 
The General Surgery residency program at UC Davis provides
the unique fusion of experiences of both an academic center
and community programs that is backed behind quality faculty
that will not only teach you to be a surgeon but will also push
you to be a better human being. 

Shivangi Parmar, M.D.

Shivangi Parmar, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Harvard College
Medical School: University of Miami
Interests: HPB, Critical Care, General Surgery
Hobbies: Exercise, reading, knitting, cats
Why UC Davis Health: 
Excellent trauma program, several research opportunities,
strong fellowship matches. 

Tamara Schroeder, M.D.

Tamara Schroeder, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UC Davis
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Interests: Health disparities, global surgery and surgical oncology
Hobbies: Vegetable gardening, cooking, hot yoga. Meeting,
and having a good laugh with people from all walks of life 
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis has been a home to me since undergrad. It was the
first place I ever saw myself as a surgeon, and every day, I see
it more and more. The whole institution is a big family, where
every trainee's growth, development and success is a priority.
UC Davis has a beautiful culture with really nice people that
work very well together and everyone works very hard to
ensure that patients receive the best care possible. 

Ryann Shor, M.D.

Ryann Shor, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Carleton College
Medical School: University of Washington
Interests: Burn Surgery
Hobbies: Too many! Being outside, spending time with my
family, reading, knitting, cooking, snuggling with my dogs
Why UC Davis Health: 
The people, supportive training environment, and Burn Center.

Rachel Cowan, M.D.

Rachel Cowan, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Rutgers University
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Interests: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Hobbies: Dog lover, beach life, traveling to tropical destinations,
gardening, tennis, skiing and snowboarding, live music and
dancing, Mexican cuisine, spending quality time with loved ones.
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis stands out to me for its strong operative training,
supportive culture, and dedication to developing highly skilled,
confident, and well-rounded surgeons. The faculty are deeply
invested in teaching and mentorship, and the diverse patient
population provides the kind of broad clinical exposure that
prepares us to practice anywhere and care for all types of
patients. 

Katrina Hauck, D.O.

Katrina Hauck, D.O.

Undergraduate School: Temple university
Medical School: Burrell college of osteopathic medicine
Interests: General surgery, palliative medicine 
Hobbies: Everyone knows I like rock climbing, but I also enjoy
mountain biking and trail running. Anything that gets me outside
in the mountains.
Why UC Davis Health: 
The resident culture is very unique. UC Davis residents are
supportive of each other and a strong community.

Shelby Kunz, M.D.

Shelby Kunz, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Medical School: UC Irvine
Interests: Technology in Medicine/Surgery, Trauma and Critical
Care
Hobbies: Volleyball, hiking, and getting margaritas with my co
residents
Why UC Davis Health: 
The people and the opportunities!

Omolola Olaleye, M.D.

Omolola Olaleye, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Georgia State University
Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Interests: I’m still an undifferentiated stem cell! Exploring the
amazing options UCDavis has as I go through various rotations.
Hobbies: I like reading, finding new coffee shops (for matcha of
course), exploring museums, watching TV, and hanging out with
my co-residents!
Why UC Davis Health: 
I chose UCDavis because I believed it was a program with a
strong emphasis on developing general surgeons that could go
into the community or fellowship. The  program’s commitment to
resident success via diverse patient population and training sites
results in residents that are competent in managing complex
inpatient and surgical cases. 

Matthew Reyes, M.D.

Matthew Reyes, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Texas A&M University
Medical School: UT Health Long SOM
Interests: Engineering, resident education
Hobbies: Music, dancing, screen time on my phone, cooking,
pickleball, volleyball
Why UC Davis Health: 
The residents! 

Gabriella Sehres, M.D.

Gabriella Sehres, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Florida State University (Go Noles!)
Medical School: Florida State University COM (Noles x2)
Interests: Pediatric Surgery, Vascular, Trauma, Education
Hobbies: Drinking hazy IPAs with my pups & fiancé,
snowboarding, hiking/camping, volleyball, outdoor workouts
Why UC Davis Health: 
The people. The diversity. The opportunity to continue my training
in an academic center. Bonus points for ideal location for outdoor
hobbies! 

Terrance Smith, D.O.

Terrance Smith, D.O.

Undergraduate School: Wittenberg University
Medical School: VCOM - Carolinas
Interests: General Surgery
Hobbies: Snowboarding, hiking, lifting, spoiling my dog
Why UC Davis Health: 
It is a great training program that is paired with the Air Force.

Eric Tran, M.D.

Eric Tran, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UCLA
Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Interests: Surgical oncology, colorectal surgery, general surgery
Hobbies: Cooking, hiking, traveling
Why UC Davis Health: 
I chose UC Davis for the strong training and exposure to the
various major general surgery subspecialties, which are well
represented across the board. We also get the chance to rotate at
various sites across Sacramento, giving exposure to various
practice patterns outside of academic medicine. Finally, the
residency has a positive and supportive culture where people
look out for each other. Sacramento is a great place to live with
lots to eat and do just a short drive away.

Diego Anaya, M.D.

Diego Anaya, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UC Davis
Medical School: UC Davis SOM
Interests: General Surgery
Hobbies: Reading, boxing, playing with dog, boxing, "social hour"
with friends.
Why UC Davis Health: 
All my friends where going here, family was near by. Solid
program. 

Carlos Cuenca, M.D.

Carlos Cuenca, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Boston College
Medical School: Rutgers NJMS Newark
Interests: Artificial intelligence in Healthcare, Business of
Healthcare
Hobbies: Running a dog daycare business (@CuencaBrothers) for
health professionals, Salsa Dancing, Strumming a guitar, video
games.
Why UC Davis Health: 
Faculty Interview felt the most genuine and conversational.

Jesse Fenton, M.D.

Jesse Fenton, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Vanderbilt
Medical School: University of Florida
Interests: Peds, Endocrine, Education
Hobbies: Pickleball, working out, guitar, pickleball
Why UC Davis Health: 
Great academic training, good community experience, prepares
you for any surgical career.

Ana Isabel Jacinto, M.D.

Ana Isabel Jacinto, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Pacific Union College
Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Interests: Eventually breast surgery. Like helping with surgical
education.
Hobbies: Eating, hanging out, going on walks.
Why UC Davis Health: 
Has both a community and academic feel to it. Nice area and we
have the ability to enjoy all of California. Co-residents are
amazing!

Sarah Maginnis, D.O.

Sarah Maginnis, D.O.

Undergraduate School: Smith College
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
Interests: Rural general surgery
Hobbies: Reading (for fun), hiking, paddle boarding, eating food,
spending time with my family and daughter.
Why UC Davis Health: 
Because of their partnership with Travis AFB. Travis/UCD were my
top choice for location, community within the program, and
attending/resident dynamic. This is a very supportive program in
a beautiful location. 

Sarah Mahdavi, M.D.

Sarah Mahdavi, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UC Davis
Medical School: UC Davis
Interests: Medical education, trauma
Hobbies: Exercising, wine tasting, and hanging out with my cats
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis has a very strong trauma program, and I had already
built my community here over the last several years.

Sneh Swaminathan, M.D.

Sneha Swaminathan, M.D.

Undergraduate School: University of Southern California
Medical School: Rutgers RWJMS
Interests: Trauma, MIS
Hobbies: Outside of work, I enjoy exploring new restaurants,
traveling, and spending time with my dog. I also love a good
weekend trip—whether it’s to the mountains, the coast, or
somewhere with great food and wine.
Why UC Davis Health: 
I chose UC Davis for its collaborative culture, diverse patient
population, and strong operative experience. Sacramento’s
location offers easy access to the outdoors and a great food
scene, and most importantly, the co-residents here make it a truly
supportive and fun place to train.

Yasamin Taghikhan, D.O.

Yasamin Taghikhan, D.O.

Undergraduate School: UC Davis
Medical School: Touro University- California
Interests: My interests include clinical outcomes research,
education and mentorship.  I am considering fellowship training
and I look forward to continued growth in both clinical and
academic domains.
Hobbies: Hiking, painting, board games, biking, hosting fondue
nights
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis stood out to me as a program where residents are
pushed to grow in a rigorous yet deeply supportive environment.
The culture is one of mutual respect, mentorship and teamwork;
qualities that foster both personal and professional growth.

Nicholas Antonino, D.O.

Nicholas Antonino, D.O.

Undergraduate School: St Francis College, Brooklyn
Medical School: NYCOM
Interests: General Surgery
Hobbies: Getting jacked and tan.
Why UC Davis Health: 
Military civilian partnership, trauma experience, awesome attendings. 

Alyssa Bellini, M.D.

Alyssa Bellini, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Lipscomb University
Medical School: Florida Atlantic University
Interests: I am applying for Trauma/Surgical ICU fellowship with a love
for emergency general surgery. I am passionate about team dynamics
and fostering a good work culture.
Hobbies: I enjoy reading, cooking, taking long walks, hanging out with
my partner and dog Polly.
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis had a great mix of strong academic departments and solid
general surgery training. This was a program that matched residents at
the top academic fellowships but still had residents going straight into
practice. 

Tyler Carcamo, M.D.

Tyler Carcamo, M.D.

Undergraduate School: California State University, Bakersfield
Medical School: UC Davis SOM
Interests: Trauma/ACS
Hobbies: Basketball, wine, and just being outside!
Why UC Davis Health: 
The culture here is unmatched. The people from the custodian to the
Attending, Davis is truly a place for collaboration and is at the forefront
of patient care.

Kathleen Doyle, M.D.

Kathleen Doyle, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Washington University
Medical School: Emory
Interests: Pediatric surgery 
Hobbies: Running hiking biking skiing anything with my dog.
Why UC Davis Health: 
Diverse training environment and Northern California.

Rachel Ekaireb, M.D.

Rachel Ekaireb, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Pomona College
Medical School: UCSF
Interests: Health Policy, Surgical Palliative Care
Hobbies: Hiking/Backpacking, Swimming, Baking
Why UC Davis Health: 
Strong well rounded program with excellent leadership, truly support
each residents individual career goals.

Jessica Guzman, M.D.

Jessica Guzman, M.D.

Undergraduate School: University of Pennsylvania
Medical School: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of
Medicine
Interests: General surgery
Hobbies: Camping
Why UC Davis Health: 
Great broad education, graduating residents matched into competitive
fellowships and go straight into practice, and good culture.

Daisy Manzo, M.D.

Daisy Manzo, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UC Davis
Medical School: UC Davis
Interests: Surgical Education & Trauma
Hobbies: Reading historical fiction, trying new cuisines, hot pilates,
home improvement projects.
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis has always felt like home to me. I have a deep-rooted sense
of community here, surrounded by mentors and friends who have
become family over time. The culture here is one of genuine support
where I not only feel wanted but truly encouraged to succeed. 

Julia Riccardi, M.D.

Julia Riccardi, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Rutgers University
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Interests: Thoracic surgery, global surgery, and patient reported
outcomes.
Hobbies: Soccer, running, travel, and spending time with family and
friends. 
Why UC Davis Health: 
Incredible group of people that create a supportive environment where
you feel comfortable to learn and grow. Combined with the excellent
balance of high, complex clinical volume and academic opportunities. 

Priya Suri, M.D.

Priya Suri, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: University of Wisconsin-Madison School of medicine
and Public Health
Interests: Health policy, Advocacy, Minimally Invasive Surgery
Hobbies: Dance
Why UC Davis Health: 
I wanted a wide breadth of experience with a program that was going to
support me and train alongside a cohort of friends. The socially
responsible surgery group is a program I was extremely excited about.

Leah Timbang, M.D.

Leah Timbang, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UC Berkeley
Medical School: UC Davis
Interests: Education, global health, MIS, robotics, policy/access to care
Hobbies: Yoga, gardening, anthropomorphizing my dog, traveling with
my partner, competitively playing overcooked.
Why UC Davis Health: 
For the people.

Alexis Woods, M.D.

Alexis Woods, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UC Berkeley
Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Interests: Colorectal surgery, health equity, LGBTQ+ health, gender
equity in medicine, quality improvement
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, travel, swimming, crafting, spending time with
my family, yoga
Why UC Davis Health: 
The residents are awesome and the culture is very collegial, great
breadth of exposure to and training in a variety of sub-specialties,
working with underserved populations as the county hospital, large
residency class, women in leadership positions, family friendly program,
Sacramento is an easy place to live.

Tiffany Cheng, M.D.

Tiffany Cheng, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UCLA
Medical School: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
Interests: Colorectal surgery
Hobbies: Traveling, gardening, reading, hiking, eating 
Why UC Davis Health: 
The people are amazing, kind and care about you as a human and a
budding surgeon. 

Amy Jones, M.D.

Amy Jones, M.D.

Undergraduate School: University of Oregon
Medical School: OHSU
Interests: Trauma Critical Care, Health Policy, Public Health Advocacy,
Education
Hobbies: Travel, reading, puzzles, spending time with my husband and
dog (Daisy, a corgi/lab mix)
Why UC Davis Health: 
UC Davis provides well rounded and excellent surgical training in a
supportive environment. I chose UC Davis to be at a Level I Trauma
Center with high trauma volume, for the culture of the program and
hospital, the emphasis on Socially Responsible Surgery, and the support
of the program for my public health and policy interests/goals.  UC
Davis provides the support and flexibility to help you achieve your goals
while training you to become a technically skilled and safe surgeon.

Jeanine Justiniano, M.D.

Jeanine Justiniano, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Providence College
Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Interests: Global Surgery, Global Health
Hobbies: Traveling, playing instruments, learning new languages.
Why UC Davis Health: 
I chose UC Davis for their global surgery track.

Natalie Liu, M.D.

Natalie Liu, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UCLA
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
Interests: Endocrine Surgery, Research
Hobbies: Pets, Aquariums, Games, Reading, Cooking 
Why UC Davis Health: 
Close to family.

Maxwell Presser, M.D.

Maxwell Presser, M.D.

Undergraduate School: University of Pennsylvania
Medical School: University of Miami
Interests: Trauma surgery, injury and violence prevention.
Hobbies: Hanging out with my golden retriever, Bruce.
Why UC Davis Health: 
Busy trauma division.

Angela Sardo, M.D.

Angela Sardo, M.D.

Undergraduate School: CSU Sacramento
Medical School: UC Davis
Interests: Social justice and community organizing.
Hobbies: Food, food, and food; any time spent in good company;
backpacking/hiking.
Why UC Davis Health: 
Close to home and my family and friends, healthy and genuinely
supportive residency culture, and because Daisy Manzo told me to.

Christopher Seffren, M.D.

Christopher Seffren, M.D.

Undergraduate School: University of Arizona
Medical School: Loyola University of Chicago - Stritch School of Medicine
Interests: Colorectal surgery specifically quality of life related care and
rectal cancer outcomes research
Hobbies: Golfing, skiing, working out, spending time with my wife and
two dogs (Bear & Florence), traveling throughout beautiful California
locations and international travel when schedule allows, zucchini bread
muffin making (my only baking skill)
Why UC Davis Health: 
Beautiful area of our country, so many resources nearby, very collegial
program with supportive attendings and family style co-residents,
diverse rotations throughout northern california gives our residency a
varied perspective of surgery in both community, private, hybrid and
academic settings.

Cyrus Sholevar, M.D.

Cyrus Sholevar, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Muhlenberg College
Medical School: Thomas Jefferson University
Interests: Immunology research, surgical oncology
Hobbies: Jiu jitsu, parrots.
Why UC Davis Health: 
Research, fellowships.

Sarah Singh, M.D.

Sarah Singh, M.D.

Undergraduate School: Boston University
Medical School: Boston University
Interests: My interests include in surgical education, robotics,
cardiothoracic surgery.
Hobbies: Pickleball, hanging out with family/friends/dogs, traveling.
Why UC Davis Health: 
Best combination of the three things I was looking for: excellent surgical
training with graduates who come out comfortable going straight into
practice without fellowships, strong academic research opportunities to
support matching into any fellowship I’d be interested in, and the best
culture of any general surgery training program you could find. Bonus
points for it being where I’m from.

Daniel Strayve, D.O.

Daniel Strayve, D.O.

Undergraduate School: University of Texas
Medical School: Touro University California
Interests: Surgical Oncology, HPB Surgery, Surgical Innovation.
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, soccer, guitar.
Why UC Davis Health: 
I choose UC Davis for the quality of training and a culture of excellence.
The leadership is very invested in resident education and training, and
the residents are very supportive of each other.

Patrick Sur, M.D.

Patrick Sur, M.D.

Undergraduate School: UC Santa Barbara
Medical School: UC Riverside
Interests: Global Surgery, Abdominal Transplant
Hobbies: Hanging out with my family (and soon to be son!), playing
frisbee with my dog, binge watching TV, sleeping.
Why UC Davis Health: 
My wife (couple's matched), faculty with interest in Global Surgery,
culture among residents, relative cost of living, various different rotation
sites (UC Davis, Kaiser, Shriner's, etc.)