Residents
John Asenjo, DO — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: Second Year
Medical School:
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine-New York
Hometown:
Bronx, New York
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
I chose Adventist Health Tulare because it is an area where the need for
young, quality primary care Physicians is great.
Hobbies:
Reading, volunteering in church/local community, writing poetry, traveling,
fitness, boxing, playing futbol, Vegan/plant-based cooking, permaculture/farming,
above all spending time with my wife Marjan & 10-month-old daughter Avelyna.
Joel Asunto, MD — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: Second Year
Medical School:
Saba University School of Medicine
Hometown:
Isabel, Leyte, Philippines
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
I like the diverse community in Tulare and the opportunity to give back
and making a difference in the lives of others.
Hobbies:
Photography, music, movies, hiking/walking, & spending time with my family.
Shiveta Cherwoo, MD — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: Second Year
Medical School:
Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, India
Hometown:
Jammu/India
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
I felt a lot of satisfaction by serving the underserved patient population
in Tulare county. The love that patients blessed me here with is indescribable.
Their love made me stay in the area and seek further training to serve
them better.
Hobbies:
Dancing, Meditation, Traveling, Movies.
Joseph Maddela, MD — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: Second Year
Medical School:
American University of Integrative Sciences School of Medicine
Hometown:
Bakersfield, CA
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
I am thrilled to be serving in the Central Valley, my home community, throughout
residency and beyond. I love Tulare for its small-town feel and proximity
to my hometown of Bakersfield.
Hobbies:
During my free time, I enjoy working on cars and participating in autocross
or track days and watching stand-up comedy.
Melody Nameni, DO — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: Second Year
Medical School:
Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown:
Washington D.C. and Houston, TX
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
The wonderful weather, beautiful landscape, and proximity to just about
every type of outdoor activity and adventure drew me to the central valley.
The small-town feel, friendly citizens, and farmers markets were a great
advantage as I love fresh produce.
Hobbies:
Gardening, Playing the Violin, Horseback Riding, Hiking, and spoiling my dog.
Christopher Terzian, MD — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: Second Year
Medical School:
St. George’s University School of Medicine
Hometown:
Pasadena, California
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
Southern California is my home. However, I think my family and I might
have better opportunities in the central valley as I see its growth potential.
I feel comfortable moving here because it’s safer, and more affordable;
moreover, I sought a more rural setting for training because of the chances
it offers someone like me who wants to be able to see and learn more than
I might if I was in a metropolitan area of California. All in all, I’m
quite optimistic that I’ve made the right decision by moving my
young family to the central valley.
Hobbies:
I like to go on hikes with my wife and two sons, and my two favorite sports
are basketball and volleyball. I also love making my cultural Armenian
foods, eating multicultural foods, and listening to Armenian, Arabic,
and American music.
Shareefa Begum, MD — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: First Year
Medical School:
University/ Deccan College of Medical Sciences
Hometown:
Chicago, Illinois & Houston, Texas
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
I strongly believe that in a smaller town like Tulare, I would get to claim
the community as my own and build meaningful relationships inside and
outside of work. I feel that my knowledge of the population, knowing and
building a rapport with the people will make me an excellent physician.
Hobbies:
Everyone who knows me very well will say I have a green thumb when it comes
to gardening. I have a little garden in my backyard in Houston, TX. I
love spending time with my family/friends’ watching movies, cooking
authentic Hyderabadi cuisine, or organizing potlucks. My inquisitive personality
drives me to learn more about foreign languages and cultures like Spanish
and Arabic.
Mandeep Kaur, MD — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: First Year
Medical School:
American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Hometown:
Chandigarh (India); Bay Area (California)
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
I chose Tulare as it gives small town, friendly environment, opportunity
to help the underserved population, and still being close to home in Bay area.
Hobbies:
Traveling, meditation, embroidery, cooking, volunteering at Sikh Temple
or in the community, being outdoors, music, playing with my nephew, spending
time with my family.
Patrick Matian, DO — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: First Year
Medical School:
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Hometown:
San Jose, California
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
I came to the Central Valley for the second through fourth years of my
medical school education. I fell in love with the people here and making
a difference in the community. I also have a personal investment in the
central valley as my partner grew up in Ripon, CA, and being able to give
back to communities similar to hers is unmatched.
Hobbies:
I enjoy golfing, biking, cooking, hiking, soccer, and drone photography.
Otito Odiakosa, MD — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: First Year
Medical School:
University of Nigeria College of Medicine
Hometown:
Enugu, Nigeria
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
Central Valley is famous for its bountiful fruits and vegetable produce.
I love its beautiful weather, small-town feel, and family friendliness.
I lived in Southern California for the past few of years, and I am excited
for the opportunity to move here with my family.
Hobbies:
I enjoy singing and dancing to good music; Fun DIY projects: braiding,
beading; Cooking savory dishes; Personal development enthusiast (books,
podcasts, ted talks).
Yiuing Pinches, MD — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: First Year
Medical School:
University of Perpetual Help, DALTA, Jonelta Foundation School of Medicine
Hometown:
Monterrey Park, California & Honolulu, Hawaii
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
The breadbasket of California, a state near and dear to my heart, is abounding
with fresh dairy, quality meats, nuts and cheeses. The farmers and ranchers
that work hard to provide these delicious foods also need excellent care;
physicians that can empower their lives toward health equity to immigrant
and underserved populations through Family Medicine, to help build new
relationships, and give those in the Central Valley a resource they can
depend on.
Hobbies:
Cooking and innovating nutritious and delicious meals for other people
is one of my passions. I live to see their faces light up from each bite
with the knowledge that the food that they eat is going to heal, not harm
their bodies.
I revel in athletic competition. It brings me joy to achieve fitness together
with family through tennis matches, cycling, running and swimming races.
We’ve run 10Ks in Seal Beach and Barbados, biked 20 miles for the
farmer's market, and swam competitively for medical school.
Oliver Sabalboro, MD — Resident Physician
Post-graduate year: First Year
Medical School:
Our Lady of Fatima University College of Medicine
Hometown:
Loma Linda, CA, USA
Why did you choose Adventist Health Tulare?
I love the close proximity to many great national parks as I am able to
enjoy and appreciate nature much more. In addition, the quiet, pleasant
areas that the Central Valley offers along with the privilege of being
a part of a program with excellent leadership are major reasons why I
chose to train at Adventist Health Tulare.
Hobbies:
Participating in church, enjoying nature, cooking vegetarian cuisines,
reading and hanging out with family & friends.