Kristofer Cherepuschak, MD

Kristofer Cherepuschak, MD

I was born and raised in Alberta, Canada.  I went on to receive my a Bachelor’s degree in Biology there as well.  During this time I was torn between a career in medicine and one in environmental sciences.  During my college summers I would work at a summer camp where I came to realize that I wanted a career in service to others.  Medicine became an obvious choice and Loma Linda University was the right fit for medical school.  Keeping with the same mindset, Loma Linda eventually became the place that I knew I wanted to continue my training at.

Outside of medicine my interests include anything that can be done outside.  This again makes southern California the perfect place to continue my training. I have special interests in endurance sports such as cycling and running which also led to an interest in lifestyle medicine as well. 

I was drawn to Family Medicine as it allows you to work with patients early on and partner with them to make the changes needed to prevent and modify disease.  However, the biggest draw will always be the opportunity for lasting relationships with patients.

Esther Chu, MD

Esther Chu, MD

Born and raised in the Bay Area, I desired to explore the other half of California. I attended UC Irvine and received an undergraduate degree in Neurobiology. In undergrad I dove into various interests in research and clinical care. My mission trip to Honduras helped me see the benefits of addressing the needs of the whole person. The following year I began my medical training at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Through my medical studies I found that I loved the versatility of a Family Medicine doctor and their ability to address any concerns that a patient may have. Loma Linda Family Medicine Residency stood out to me for their mission to care for the whole person, Global medicine interests, and serving the underserved. In my free time I love to hang with friends, play sports, watch movies, and take on creative projects.

Monica Gupta, DO

Monica Gupta, DO

I grew up in Southern California and attended UC Irvine, where I studied Business Economics and French. I worked in finance for a short while before discovering my passion for medicine through public health research and clinical volunteering. My training in narrative medicine, integrative medicine, and whole-person care supported my interest in family medicine and the unique opportunity it affords to build impactful relationships with patients. I attended medical school at Western University, where I further explored preventive and lifestyle medicine including healthful food and exercise. I am excited to learn how to promote these principles among diverse patient populations at Loma Linda University. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, writing poetry, art, and spending time with loved ones.

Ronald Harmon, MD

Ronald Harmon, MD

2 Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

I consider myself an earthen vessel. Made with dirt, cobbled together from my experiences growing up in Queens, NY. Formed into mud with the sweat and tears of immigrant parents from Guyana, South America. Molded by family, friends, education, and the hand of the Holy Spirit. I am an Andrews University graduate, a Loma Linda graduate twice over (once for my MD and another for my MPH), a brother to one sister, and a cousin/nephew to a lot of people. My prayer is to show others the love of God, however that looks and to whomever He points me. I am in Family Medicine to make relationships that heal and have a passion for empowering others. I feel particularly called to help others change their lifestyles in ways that hopefully keep them out of the hospital: a truly terrible place to be for both patients and doctors.

Matthew Im, MD

Matthew Im, MD

I was born in Tamuning, Guam but was raised in San Diego, California where I enjoyed the perfect Southern California weather and sunny beaches. I ventured out to Chattanooga, Tennessee to study Biology at Southern Adventist University. During my time at Loma Linda University for Medical School, my clinical rotations furthered my passion for taking care of all patients regardless of age, gender or specialty. I am excited about continuing my medical education here at Loma Linda University, especially with the opportunities in lifestyle medicine, community education, global health integration, and providing care to the underserved. Things I enjoy include photography, music, traveling, basketball, making coffee, and exercising.

Luke Kang, MD

Luke Kang, MD

A Korean-American born and raised in Muskegon, MI, I attended Andrews University, where I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. I grew up wondering what I could do to serve God’s purpose in my life, and the career of healthcare and Christ’s healing ministry kept appearing before me leading me to medicine. Learning how I could help others through their own health fascinated me, and I grew to understand that this profession was where I wanted to be. I attended Loma Linda University for medical school where I also received my Masters in Bioethics. Being involved with our school’s Family Medicine Interest Group and Street Medicine program, I grew the desire to serve the underserved through the whole person care emphasized in this specialty. Loma Linda’s Family Medicine program has continually shown me the opportunities in becoming a holistic physician equipped to provide needed healthcare to the medically underserved for which I am excited to take part. 

I enjoy full spectrum Family Medicine and the thought of being able to assist anyone of any age. I also enjoy connecting with others outside of the clinic setting over food. I enjoy any outdoor activities such as hiking, tennis, walking with my wife, etc.

Clare Moore, DO

Clare Moore, DO

I was born and raised in Northern California with a large extended Italian family filled with laughter and good food.  My parents inspired me to pursue medicine at a young age. They were my physician role models, taking care of patients of all ages and backgrounds. I attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara, and got my B.S. in General Biology. I fell in love with Southern California, its people and good weather. In my free time during college, I volunteered at hospitals and served meals to the homeless. I received my degree in Osteopathic Medicine through Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. During my time at both WesternU and Westmont College, I enjoyed serving on student government and making decisions to benefit my classmates. During my time in medical school, I found my passion to be in Family Medicine, caring for the young and old with a holistic mindset. At Loma Linda, I look forward to caring for underserved minority groups. Besides medicine, I love spending time with family and friends, hosting game nights, and traveling around the world.

Miguel Rodriguez, MD

Miguel Rodriguez, MD

From a Colombian family, I was born in Chicago (Go Bears! / White Sox! / Bulls!) and raised in Mississippi (Go Bulldogs!). As a child, I wanted to be Patch Adams and dreamed of working globally with MSF. At the University of Chicago, I unlocked a passion for Anthropology, studied in Italy, and juggled in a circus club. My inspiration to be like Paul Farmer led to an MPH at the University of Illinois at Chicago focusing on epidemiology of infectious diseases, global health – completing projects in Haiti and Puerto Rico, and an oral history CBPR project promoting community leadership in La Villita. My MPH taught me to be an activist and I was co-president of Radical Public Health. Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx provided me with amazing training in Social Medicine and Tropical Medicine. Family Medicine was always the goal – the chance to be a community leader, advocating for better health, breaking down language and cultural barriers for immigrants, bringing a holistic and integrative approach to healing. In my free time I love to mentor underrepresented students, dance (ex-hip hop instructor), and do experimental vegetarian cooking. I am blessed to start this next chapter at Loma Linda, and excited to bring healing and advocacy to my patients.

Matthew Sturm, MD

Matthew Sturm, MD

I was born and raised in the green state of Washington. I grew up in a special needs family, and my disabled siblings taught me early in life that all people are intrinsically valuable. During high-school my family moved overseas to do mission work and I had the incredible opportunity to attend Rift Valley Academy in Kenya. There I met the love of my life, Hyeri, who I went on to marry after finishing college at Letourneau University in East Texas. We came to California for my medical training at Loma Linda and are so glad to be here for residency too! I love Loma Linda's diversity, patient population, emphasis on whole person care, and amount of resources available to patients. Some of my interests within family medicine are POCUS, tropical medicine, and obstetrics. My strength and support in life come from community, family, and faith in Jesus. One of my dreams is to help train family medicine residents in the developing world. Outside of medicine I enjoy gardening, getting to the beach (the outdoors in general), and keeping a saltwater aquarium.
Ian Walters, MD

Ian Walters, MD

I grew up as a missionary kid. I was born in Singapore then moved to Guam, Ethiopia, and Thailand before coming to the U.S. for college at Pacific Union College where I majored in Biology. Afterwards I was accepted to Loma Linda University where I completed my MD and took a little detour to get my MA in Bioethics. Medicine called to me because of my upbringing in the mission field as well as the intimate partnership that we are privileged to have with patients to guide them to healthier lives free of chronic disease. I was drawn to underserved communities like San Bernardino by my work with volunteer groups like United Feet and Parks and Streets Ministry. Outside of medicine, I love photography/videography, powerlifting, drawing, cooking, and hanging out with my friends. I am excited to see where this new chapter in my life brings me!

Adwoa Wiafe, MD

Adwoa Wiafe, MD

I was born in Gimbie, Ethiopia to Ghanaian and Zambian parents. When we moved to Loma Linda, we relied heavily on our community to help us stabilize. Since childhood I have been involved in my church and learned the importance of building relationships with others to create an environment for nurture and growth. Through the years I have enjoyed being able to mentor others, and establish deep friendships. Learning more about the chronic diseases that plague the western world has motivated me to pursue the kind of medicine that focuses on prevention and prioritizes longitudinal relationships with patients to support healing and promote healthy lifestyle change. I look forward to learning how to give back and serve my community as the family doctor that provides holistic care to my patients advocating for their physical, mental, and spiritual health. In my free time I enjoy music, spending time in nature, meaningful Bible study, and spending time with friends and family. 

Xinping Zhang, DO

Xinping Zhang, DO

I was born in Shenyang, China and immigrated to Walnut, California at the age of 9 without knowing a single word of English. As a stubborn 9-year old girl undergoing a mini identity crisis at the time, I refused to pick an English name. I have lived the next 20 years of life regretting this decision. I was lucky enough to stay in Southern California while attending college at UCLA, where I gained exposure to serving the homeless community of Los Angeles through various service organizations. My love for the underserved grew as I served on the homeless ministry at my church, Hillside LA, and took part in medical missions abroad in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. It was during this transformative time that God showed me the intersection of my faith and career path, and that my ultimate calling is to love and serve people through medicine. I eventually left California to attend medical school at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. After 4 long years away from family and friends, I am so happy to be back! I picked Family Medicine because of the opportunity to connect with patients long-term, as well as the practicality of the specialty. Other than medicine, I enjoy good coffee with friends, lifting heavy things, hiking, and hanging out with my husband and our dorky golden retriever, Ollie.