Access to providers improves with the arrival of 12 new residents in Hanford and Tulare

CENTRAL VALLEY – Community members in Hanford, Tulare and surrounding areas now have access to more providers with the addition of 12 new residents. The residents, who have medical degrees, are receiving their training with Adventist Health Family Medicine Residency programs in Hanford and Tulare.

On June 1, the residents and their family members took part in a White Coat Ceremony, which signifies their entrance into the medical profession.

On July 1, the Hanford residents began caring for patients at Adventist Health Medical Office – Hanford Family Medicine Residency (1025 N. Douty St./Harris Building, Ste. 110) and Adventist Health Hanford medical center (115 Mall Drive). The Tulare residents began caring for patients at Adventist Health Medical Office – Tulare (2059 N. Hillman St.) and Adventist Health Tulare medical center (869 N. Cherry St).

“Many of our residents grew up in communities where access to care wasn’t easily accessible and are dedicated to making sure our Central Valley communities have the resources needed to live healthier lives,” says Dr. Joseph Greco, Tulare Residency Program director.

“I’m thrilled to begin collaborating with the residents, so we can focus on and address the conditions that are prevalent in our rural communities, including diabetes, hypertension and obesity,” says Dr. Jyothi Patri, Hanford Residency Program director.

About our Hanford residents

Harkomal Kaur, MD - Attended University of California, Los Angeles for undergraduate studies, then medical school at Ross University School of Medicine. Though she grew up in India, she considers the Central Valley her hometown, since her family lives here. As a child, living in India, she remembers having to travel far to receive vaccinations. She’s now committed to serving rural communities in the Central Valley. She’s fluent in English, Hindi and Punjabi.

Tahmores Matin, MD – Attended University of California, Riverside for undergraduate studies, then medical school at Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. He completed an internship at New York Medical College Interfaith Hospital. His mom is an Intensive Care Unit nurse, so he spent most of his free time in hospitals, which is where his love for medicine began. He also witnessed the impact a doctor could have, when his father suffered a heart attack and needed multiple bypasses and stents. He wants to have an impact by providing care to rural areas. He’s fluent in English, Farsi and Spanish.

Lina Mazin Mohammed, MD – Grew up in Baghdad, Iraq and earned her medical degree from University of Sharjah. She moved to the United States and volunteered at free clinics to help uninsured families. Her mentor in medicine was her grandmother who she would accompany to a private clinic in an underserved area of Iraq. She became inspired by her grandmother’s passion for community healthcare. She’s now excited to work in a diverse population in need of healthcare services. She is fluent in English and Arabic.

Youstina Morkos, MD – Earned a medical degree from Sohag University, Faculty of Medicine and completed an internship at Sohag University Hospital. She grew up in a small city in upper Egypt called Sohag, where there was limited resources and poor access to healthcare. This is what sparked her desire to help people with their physical and mental sufferings, regardless of socioeconomic status. She looks forward to the exposure to different cultures in the Central Valley. She’s fluent in English and Arabic.

Umer Rashid, MD – Earned a medical degree from Sargodha Medical College in Pakistan and completed an internship at Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan. He worked as a clinical research coordinator at Fresno Clinical Research Center for two years with a primary focus on NASH, a hidden epidemic. He completed clinical observerships at various clinics and hospitals in the Central Valley. His family immigrated to the Central Valley four years ago and now he calls it home. He’s fluent in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.

Khaing Win, MD – Earned a medical degree from University of Medicine 2 in Yangon, Myanmar and completed an internship at Thingangyun Sanpya Hospital in Yangon, where she was raised. Since childhood, she was inspired and impressed by the noble profession of a doctor, which she saw in action when accompanying her grandfather to his medical visits. She became committed to pursuing the profession after developing facial nerve palsy at the age of 16. She is fluent in English, Burmese and Mandarin.

About our Tulare residents

John Asenjo, DO – Attended Advent Health University for undergraduate studies and completed a medical degree at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York. He also served as a U.S. Army Captain. He says growing up in the inner city with little access to healthcare opened his eyes to the need for quality healthcare and education. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Joel Asunto, MD – Attended University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philippines and earned a medical degree from Saba University School of Medicine. In addition, he completed internships at Brookdale University Hospital, Interfaith Medical Center, Wyckoff Medical Center and Kingsbrook Jewish Hospital in New York; Manatee Memorial Hospital in Florida; and Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Maryland as well as a postbaccalaureate at New York University. He grew up in the Philippines. He’s fluent in English and Tagalog.

Shiveta Cherwoo, MD – Attended Acharya Shri Chandler College of Medical Sciences and Hospital in India and completed an internship and residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in India. Due to terrorism in her home state of Kashmir, she lived in relief camps for three years. As a young girl during these times, she witnessed the heroic efforts of medical doctors who assisted refugees in fighting diseases and epidemics acquired in the camps. She said their labor of love inspired her to become a doctor. She arrived in the Central Valley as a locum physician and decided to stay in the area to seek further training that would allow her to better serve the community. She is fluent in English, Hindi and Punjabi.

Joseph Maddela, MD – Earned a Bachelor’s in Biology from University of San Diego and medical degree from American University of Integrative Sciences School of Medicine. He then completed an internship in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics group at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation in La Jolla, Calif. He was raised in Bakersfield and moved to San Diego. Much of his childhood was spent in and out of clinics since his father was a family practitioner and would check on his patients before taking him to school. He knew he wanted a career that was focused on building strong relationships and found that in family medicine.

Melody Nameni, DO – Attended Houston Baptist University and earned a medical degree from Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. She grew up in Washington D.C. and Houston, Texas. Drawn to medicine at an early age, she has thrived to become a physician to prevent diseases from paralyzing people’s dreams. She is fluent in English and Farsi.

Christopher Terzian, MD – Attended California State University, Los Angeles and earned a medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. He decided to pursue a career in medicine, after seeing a loved one benefit from excellent care by a particular physician. He’s fluent in English and Armenian.

More information on the Adventist Health Family Medicine Residency Program is available at this link: https://www.adventisthealth.org/about-central-valley/residency-programs/