The program directors are invested in the success of each of the residents, and are dedicated to helping the residents achieve their specific career goals while fostering an optimal learning environment for becoming well-rounded diagnosticians. 

The residents at LLU Pathology exhibit a broad diversity of backgrounds and interests, but share common interests in supporting each other, maintaining a collaborative and collegial atmosphere, and becoming competent, independent pathologists.

Leadership

Justin Kerstetter, MD

Justin Kerstetter, MD

Program Director

Associate Professor, Department of Pathology and Human Anatomy & Dermatology

Program Director, Department of Pathology

Laura Denham, MD

Laura Denham, MD

Associate Program Director

Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Human Anatomy

Associate Program Director, Department of Pathology 

Chief Resident

Priscilla Soria, MD

Priscilla Soria, MD

Medical School: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara SOM, Mexico

Why Choose Loma Linda: For the mission statement, amazing attendings, collaborative learning environment, diversity of cases, and the ability to provide medical care to underserved communities.

Fellowship Interests: Forensic pathology  

Hobbies: I like to watch films, discover new music, collect vinyl records, try new foods, spend time with family/ friends, go to church, and go on Sunday long runs. 

PGY-1's

Edwina Choung, MD

Edwina Choung, MD

Medical School: Loma Linda University

Why Choose Loma Linda: The sense of community at this program is unmatched. 

Fellowship Interests: Currently open to anything, but I have particular interests in blood banking/transfusion medicine, breast pathology, and cytology

Hobbies: I love creating things-- painting/drawing, baking, knitting, DIY-ing, etc.

Nicholas Chun, MD

Nicholas Chun, MD

Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Brian Ferguson, MD

Brian Ferguson, MD

Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Why Choose Loma Linda: The culture of the program is very supportive and everyone is extremely friendly. The program directors and the attendings are committed to providing the best resident experience possible and really care about us. 

Fellowship Interests: I am still exploring what all of the specialties have to offer! I haven't made up my mind on a fellowship yet.

Hobbies: I spend a lot of time hiking, camping, and backpacking. I also like watching/playing hockey, board games, and fantasy books.

Temitope Idowu, MD

Temitope Idowu, MD

Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Why Choose Loma Linda: I chose Loma Linda because of the institution's commitment to whole person care. Additionally, the atmosphere in the Pathology department is warm and jovial. The faculty and laboratory staff are immensely supportive and committed to residents' professional growth.  

Fellowship Interests: I'm currently an open book. Although, I am leaning more towards surgical pathology.

Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants and revisiting old favorites, all to the detriment of my bank account. I also like playing racket sports, especially pickleball, table tennis, and badminton.

Chanel Lee, MD

Chanel Lee, MD

Medical School: Loma Linda University, School of Medicine

Why Choose Loma Linda: The faculty and residents at LLU are kind, knowledgeable, adaptable, and genuinely invested in your learning and well-being.

Fellowship Interests: Not sure! Exploring and enjoying everything so far though.

Hobbies: Reading, drawing, gaming, hiking, and watching movies.

 

Iris Lee, MD

Iris Lee, MD

Medical school: Loma Linda University School of Medicine 

Why Choose Loma Linda: I chose LLUHEC for my residency because I had a great experience while rotating through the pathology department here as a medical student, I love the sunny weather (mostly), and many of my friends/family are in SoCal so I have a great support system here.

Fellowship Interests: I’m currently unsure of what specialty I want to pursue for fellowship 

Hobbies: My recreational hobbies include traveling, yoga, and hiking

Jamie Rigney, MD

Jamie Rigney, MD

Medical School: graduated from St. George University, Grenada 

Why Choose Loma Linda: I chose Loma Linda because, of all the programs I interviewed with, the PDs, Staff, and Residents seemed like the kindest (and happiest) people I talked to. It was more about the people and environment than anything else.

Fellowship Interests: heme path, pediatric path, cytology, or possibly forensics!

Hobbies:  I used to play guitar (and ukulele), and sing a lot with my very musical husband. We still regularly travel and favorite place we've visited to date; Brussels. Second favorite is probably Vancouver. New goals for traveling in the future is to hit all the National Parks across the US.

Graham Seigler, MD

Graham Seigler, MD

Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine

Why Choose Loma Linda: I chose Loma Linda because I love the community that Loma Linda has built and I believe in its mission for Christ-centered healthcare.

Fellowship Interests:  I am interested in pursuing a forensics fellowship.

Hobbies:  My recreational hobbies include running, mountain biking, dirt biking, snowboarding, camping, and gaming.

PGY-2's

Madeline Feeney, DO, MPH

Madeline Feeney, DO, MPH

Medical School:  Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Bradenton

Why Choose Loma Linda: everyone was friendly and welcoming despite the craziness of a virtual interview day. staying in southern California was also a priority

Fellowship Interests: Forensic pathology 

Hobbies: I enjoy spending weekends in San Diego

Chelsea Huang, MD

Chelsea Huang, MD

Medical School: Peking University Health Science Center

Why Choose Loma Linda: I chose Loma Linda because of the supportive, diverse, and family-friendly atmosphere.

Fellowship Interests: Dermatopathology

Hobbies: I enjoy playing with my two poodles, eating aesthetically pleasing food, cooking and baking for my family, and traveling with my husband.

Ansel Nam, MD

Ansel Nam, MD

Medical School: Loma Linda University

Why Choose Loma Linda: I was impressed by the culture and comradery of the residents, attendings, and department as a whole.

Fellowship Interests: Forensic Pathology

Hobbies: Bouldering, electric guitar, animation, napping, video games, board games, card games.

Dan Xu, MD

Dan Xu, MD

Medical School: MB degree from Fourth Military Medical University in China and MD degree from People's Liberation Army Postgraduate Medical School in China. 

Why Choose Loma Linda: My connection to Loma Linda runs deep, making it feel like my hometown. I have cherished 14 wonderful years here, which is the longest I have ever resided in one place. I hold a genuine love for the city and find its workplace environment truly remarkable. What sets Loma Linda apart is not only the exceptional people I have encountered, who are undeniably the kindest group I have ever met, but also the institution's unwavering focus on health and wellness. It aligns perfectly with my values and aspirations. 

Fellowship Interests: I have a strong interest in several specialties, including neuropathology, surgical pathology, hematopathology, and transfusion medicine, among others. 

Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy engaging in various activities. I find fulfillment in teaching math and science to kids, taking leisurely walks with our beloved dog Goldie, working out at our esteemed university gym facility, and starting each morning with a cup of finest premium Longjing tea. 

 

PGY-3's

Yasaman Jaladat, MD, PhD

Yasaman Jaladat, MD, PhD

Medical School: Shahid Beheshty University of Medical Sciences & Case Western Reserve University

Fellowship Interests: Molecular, Heme

Why Choose Loma Linda: Great place to make me the "whole man"

Hobbies: Traveling, Hiking & Camping, Gardening

Dylan Purkiss, DO

Dylan Purkiss, DO

Medical school: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nevada

Why Choose Loma Linda:  I am a Southern California native, I felt that the faculty here was very supportive and would help me succeed.

Fellowship Interests:. Hematopathology

Hobbies:  Basketball, video games, D&D, parenthood

 

Andrea Shields, MD

Andrea Shields, MD

Medical School:  Loma Linda University, School of Medicine

Why Choose Loma Linda: The supportive and friendly faculty who are exceptional teachers and overall superb human beings

Fellowship Interests: Hematopathology, blood bank/transfusion medicine, general surgical pathology

Hobbies: Painting/drawing/art, hiking, museums, playing the switch with my husband and playing with my cats

Priscilla Soria, MD

Priscilla Soria, MD

Medical School: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara SOM, Mexico

Why Choose Loma Linda: For the mission statement, amazing attendings, collaborative learning environment, diversity of cases, and the ability to provide medical care to underserved communities.

Fellowship Interests: Forensic pathology  

Hobbies: I like to watch films, discover new music, collect vinyl records, try new foods, spend time with family/ friends, go to church, and go on Sunday long runs. 

PGY-4's

Iqbal Ahmed, MD

Iqbal Ahmed, MD

Medical School: Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, India

Why Choose Loma Linda: I chose Loma Linda because the environment here is loving, inviting and diverse. Most importantly, the faculty here is invested in residents' success both professionally and personally.

Fellowship Interests: Gastrointestinal pathology, surgical pathology

Hobbies: I enjoy playing cricket and soccer. I also enjoy cooking and spending time with my family and friends.

Shehla Aman, MD

Shehla Aman, MD

Medical School: Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, Pakistan

Why Choose Loma Linda: Balanced program and wonderful people

Fellowship Interests: Cytopathology 

Hobbies: Watching anime series and movies with my kids and reading. 

Jessica Hudson, MD

Jessica Hudson, MD

Medical School: Ross University 

Why Choose Loma Linda: I chose LL because of the genuineness and approachability of the faculty, especially our program directors 

Fellowship Interests: Microbiology and transfusion medicine 

Hobbies: Line dancing and singing with my husband, reading fantasy novels, watching baking shows and party planning  

 

Pathology Assistants

Meghan L. Dorrell, MHS

Bonnie L. Rohweller, MHS

Natalie Martinez, MHS

Nicholas Jammal, MHS

Taylor Ann Grueter, MHS

 

For more information about our pathology assistant program and faculty, please visit their website.

Alumni

Recent Loma Linda pathology graduates have gone on to secure fellowships at: 

  • UCLA Molecular Fellowship
  • MD Anderson Dermatopathology
  • UC Davis GI fellowship/Cytopathology 
  • City of Hope Hematopathology
  • UCSF Transfusion Fellowship
  • USC Cytopathology 
  • Loma Linda/San Bernardino Coroner's Forensic Pathology
  • Stanford Medical Microbiology