Our program embraces whole person care. As a resident, you’ll find caring leadership ready to support you in achieving your goals. 

Improving population health and wellness drives everything we do. Our residents have passion for lifestyle and compassion for the communities they serve.

Program Leadership

Karen R. Studer, MD, MBA, MPH

Karen R. Studer, MD, MBA, MPH

Program Director, Department Chair

Dr. Studer has been the program director since July 2019. She is board certified in public health and preventive medicine, obesity medicine, integrative medicine and lifestyle medicine. She also teaches for the MPH in Population Medicine at the School of Public Health and works clinically at our local FQHC. She is passionate about teaching and helping residents find their career path. She became Chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine in July 2024.

Faculty

Silvia Caswell, DO, MPH

Silvia Caswell, DO, MPH

Associate Program Director
Lori Wilber, MD, MPH

Lori Wilber, MD, MPH

Associate Program Director
Christina Metzler Miller, MD, MPH, FAAFP

Christina Metzler Miller, MD, MPH, FAAFP

Associate Program Director
Jennifer Chevinsky, MD, MPH

Jennifer Chevinsky, MD, MPH

Peter Bastian, MD, MPH

Peter Bastian, MD, MPH

Gerald A. Cox, II, MD, MPH, DABOM, DABLM

Gerald A. Cox, II, MD, MPH, DABOM, DABLM

Allan Darnell, MD, MPH

Allan Darnell, MD, MPH

Alexander Thomas, MD, MPH

Alexander Thomas, MD, MPH

Chief Resident

Laura Krance, DO

Laura Krance, DO

Laura Krance, DO, is this year's Preventive Medicine/Public Health chief resident at Loma Linda University Health. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Bioinformatics from Loyola University Chicago before obtaining her osteopathic medical degree from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Krance completed her internship year in Pediatrics at Loma Linda University Medical Center and spent time working in Applied Behavioral Analysis before joining the preventive medicine residency. Her professional interests include public health, lifestyle medicine, obesity medicine, and pediatrics. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and playing the piano.

PGY-3

Name Graduate School
Berite Shuku, MD Jimma University College of Public Health and Medical Sciences
Laura Krance, MD Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Michaela Ramirez, MD TX - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Med School
Gagandeep Anand, MD International American University College of Medicine

PGY-2

Name Graduate School
Allison Depas, MD University of California, Los Angeles
Margarita Maksimova, MD Loma Linda University 
Ryan Holas, MD Loma Linda University 
Brooklynne Palmer, MD, MPH University of Texas Southwestern
Monica Yamagata, MD Loma Linda University 

Plus One Fellowship Track

Name Graduate School
Adwoa Wiafe, MD Loma Linda University
Ronald Harmon, MD, MPH Loma Linda University
Cesia Garrido, MD Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras
Kelsea Sandefur, DO A.T. Still University

Alumni

First job placement after residency

Name Post-Placement
Alexander Thomas, MD, MPH (2024) Faculty, Loma Linda University Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Preventive Medicine 
Arshely Fleuristal, MD, MPH (2024) Attending Physician, Lee Health Florida
Katherine Au, DO, MPH (2024) Attending Physician, Sutter Health
Brian Yadegari, MD, MPH (2024) Los Angeles County Public Health Department
Katelyn Winter, MD, MPH (2024) Attending Physician, Loma Linda University Department of Preventive Medicine 
Gerald Cox, MD, MPH (2023) Obesity Medicine, Kaiser Permanente-Riverside, CA
Alice Jean, MD MPH (2023) Indian Health Service, Oklahoma
Kimberly Conley, MD, MPH (2022) Aegis Treatment Centers, CA
Daniel Angerbauer, MD, MPH (2022) University of Miami Miller, School of Medicine
Elisha Webster, MD, MPH (2021) Assistant Professor, Emory University
Robert West, MD, MPH (2021) Occupational Medicine Attending, Washington DC
Rafik Saleh, MD, MPH (2021) Kaiser Obesity Medicine Physician, Fontana, CA
Ryan Herring, MD, MPH (2021) Lifestyle Medical, Riverside, CA
David Yoon, MD, MPH (2020) Faculty, Loma Linda University Department of Preventive Medicine
Jennifer Chevinsky, MD, MPH 2019) Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the CDC National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion for two years; currently serves as Health Deputy of Riverside County Health Department.
Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, & Obesity
Adley Dason, MD, MPH (2019) Assistant Program Director Addiction Medicine Fellowship at LLU
Peter Bastian, MD, MPH (2019) Faculty, Loma Linda University Department of Preventive Medicine; currently serves as the Medical Director for the Center of Health Promotion at LLUH
Leah Humann, MD, MPH (2019) Faculty, Loma Linda University, Department of Preventive Medicine
Rasika Thondukolam, MD, MPH (2018) Occupational Medicine fellowship
Leith States, MD, MPH (2015) Chief Medical Officer, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department Health and Human Services