Residents PGY-1 Bios

Hello reader! My name is Joseph Chang, and I am excited to be starting my family medicine residency here at Loma Linda. I am the second son to South Korean immigrants, and the first person in my family to graduate medical school. While I was born in Sacramento, my family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina when I was a baby, which I consider home. I graduated from Southern Adventist University with a Bachelor’s in Biology and a minor in Computer Science, and received my MD from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. I chose to stay at Loma Linda because of the diverse patient population that we see, especially the underserved. I believe that Loma Linda acts as a refuge for many people in its greater area, providing healthcare to many that otherwise may not be able to have access. I am looking forward to contributing to this endeavor, and learning all I can to become a well-rounded, compassionate family physician. Family medicine stood out to me in particular because of its flexibility, allowing me to reach and form personal relationships with patients from all walks of life. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my dogs, playing video/board games, and training in martial arts.

Hello, my name is Kathryn, but most people know me as Kat. Although I now consider SoCal to be my home, I was born and raised on the other side of the country in beautiful Upstate NY. The seasons are what I miss the most about NY, but you truly can’t beat the diversity and food options here in SoCal!  From the start, I’ve seen God’s hand through my medical training here at Loma Linda for medical school and am excited to see what He will continue to do during my residency training here as well. ”being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.“ Philippians 1:6. I love that spirituality and whole person care as well as lifestyle medicine are practiced in the treatment of patients here at Loma Linda. These are major components I value in my own life as evidenced through my active involvement in my church community as well as enjoying anything active and outdoors - hiking, camping, skiing, playing floor hockey, pickleball, lifting weights, you name it! It’s also in the simple things such as sitting around a campfire with loved ones, looking up at the stars, enjoying great food especially with my husband that are important for wholeness and wellbeing. As a Native American from the Oneida Indian Nation of NY, I’ve come to value and appreciate cultural diversity and have a passion for giving back to my Native people whether near or far. I believe we are all God’s children who deserve the love and care Jesus showed and I pray that I can be used as a vessel for His glory.

I was born in Jamaica but was raised in Southern California. I spent most of my childhood in Apple Valley with my incredible parents and three amazing sisters. My father, a missionary, and my mother, a physician, traveled the world planting schools, churches, offering medical aid and supporting orphanages. Their dedication inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. I earned my bachelor's degree in biology at Point Loma Nazarene University and went on to attend medical school at A.T. Still University. Now, I am honored to be part of the Loma Linda Family Medicine program, returning to the Inland Empire. I am passionate about global health, serving the underserved, and addiction medicine. Beyond medicine, I find joy in mixed martial arts, getting lost in a good book, and spending time with friends and family. I'm grateful for all the doors God has opened in my life and excited for the future.

I have spent most of my life in Loma Linda except for my time at Southern Adventist University in Tennessee where I received a bachelor's degree in biology. I was super excited to come back home to Loma Linda for medical school and stay here for residency. I dreamed of being a doctor my whole life because as a kid it meant I could be like my dad, who was the person I looked up to the most. Through the years I admired his dedication to help others and the relationships he made with his patients. My decision was further solidified when I went on a medical mission trip to Peru in college. During medical school I learned more about how I want to incorporate whole person care into my practice and am grateful to train here to continue its mission to make man whole. During my free time I enjoy playing volleyball, tennis, pickleball, skiing, trying new foods, traveling, going to the beach and hanging out with my friends and family.

I am a Korean-American, born and raised in South Carolina. I went to Andrews University where I received my Bachelor's in Biology. Then, I applied to medical school at Loma Linda and loved the area so much I decided to stay here for residency! Besides medicine, I am passionate about staying active, watching sports, reptile husbandry, and teaching! Throughout my journey, I have relied on my faith as a Seventh-day Adventist and God's guidance to lead me to where I am today. I believe by upholding the values of my faith, I can make a positive impact on the lives of others. I'm excited to work with Loma Linda University, providing patient-centered whole person care and continuing the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:16-18

Aloha! As a proud daughter of immigrants, born and raised in Hawaii, I was taught to work hard, love your neighbor, and trust that God’s provisions are always more than enough. When I was in highschool, my grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In caring for her, I discovered my heart for the aging population and their families. After completing my undergraduate education at Chapman University, I moved home to work as a scribe. These experiences sparked my passion for building relationships with whole families and cultivating multigenerational unity. I am honored to be a graduate of the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York. It is my goal to incorporate the osteopathic philosophies and manipulative therapy in the care of my patients. Throughout this journey, God has been continuously faithful. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve and learn at Loma Linda with a faith-based perspective while prioritizing whole person care as I share in the overflow of God’s blessings.

In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, baking, and spending quality time with family and friends. You can often find me spreading the aloha spirit by cooking local foods and sharing island snacks.

2 Timothy 1:7

Having grown up in several European countries, I've developed a unique perspective on diverse cultures and lifestyles. This global upbringing inspired my passion for family medicine, where the diversity and close connection with patients resonate deeply with me. I pursued my medical education at LLU, where I learned from many excellent mentors and discovered my love for spiritual care. I'm dedicated to treating patients holistically, combining the best medical practices with lifestyle medicine approaches.

My commitment to health extends beyond my professional life. As a lover of personal fitness, I love running marathons and strength training, constantly pushing my limits and striving for peak performance. My dedication to a healthy plant-based diet underscores my belief in the importance of lifestyle choices in overall well-being. Additionally, I love traveling, which allows me to explore new cultures and cuisines, enriching my understanding of global health practices. With a keen interest in German cars, I find joy in both the journey and the destination, embracing the thrill of the road as a metaphor for my life's dynamic and multifaceted path.

My name is Verena, and I was born in Port Said, Egypt. My parents and I immigrated to the United States when I was four years old, settling in Diamond Bar, California, where I spent most of my childhood. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of California, Riverside (UCR), and subsequently earned my medical degree from Loma Linda University. Teaching has long been my passion; I began tutoring in high school and continued through my medical studies. My career aspiration in academic medicine is driven by a desire to educate and mentor future physicians. Growing up in an immigrant family has deepened my empathy for immigrant communities, shaped by firsthand experiences with cultural and language barriers, particularly through my church involvement. Outside of medicine, music brings me joy; I often sing and participate in church activities. I also cherish catching a beautiful sunset at the beach, where I can reflect on the verse “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10). As I embark on my family medicine residency, I am eager to integrate my background and passions into providing compassionate care.

I was born and raised in the small town of Temple City, CA. Making the move to sunny San Diego, I attended the University of California, San Diego where I graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry with an emphasis in Chemistry. During those years, I worked in both clinical and research positions that strengthened my passion to give back to underserved and marginalized communities. I then attended medical school at Midwestern University in Arizona where I spent my first two years of didactics in Arizona, but ultimately made the move back to San Diego where I finished my last two years of rotations. Growing up in the church, I learned the importance of service and humility. The decision to practice in Family Medicine stemmed from the realization that this specialty would allow me to develop long-term relationships with the community and appreciate how healthcare should be approached holistically. At Loma Linda, I am confident that the program will align with my goals of interweaving both physical health and spiritual health. Aside from my love for medicine, my hobbies include discovering new coffee and boba spots, basketball, volleyball, traveling, and collecting sneakers, trading cards, and watches!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18