Anesthesiology

Class of 2029 DAPM Resident Physician Profiles

A headshot of Mohamed Abdelrahim, MD

Mohamed Abdelrahim, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: Marquette University
  • Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Why you chose UCLA: I wanted a residency program that not only offered world-class training but also challenged me to grow as both a clinician and a person. What truly set UCLA apart from other programs, however, was its culture. Excellence here means skill paired with kindness, empathy, and respect. Training alongside leaders who genuinely care for their patients and colleagues inspires me to excel in all aspects of my work. Being part of a community that fosters unwavering commitment, deep reflection, and genuine compassion is exactly why I chose UCLA.
  • What you like to do in your free time: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, checking out new brunch spots, and being outdoors. Growing up in Wisconsin, just an hour from my favorite city, Chicago, I always appreciated living near the beautiful Lake Michigan. Choosing California, with its access to the coast, felt like a natural fit. I enjoy international travel, taking care of my Scottish Fold cat Luna, and watching my favorite teams—the Milwaukee Bucks and the Marquette Golden Eagles. I also like playing basketball, beach volleyball, and getting competitive at Topgolf. I’ll be picking up pickleball with my co-residents soon!
A headshot of Lexy Anderson, MD

Lexy Anderson, MD

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Undergraduate Institution: University of San Francisco
  • Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  • Why you chose UCLA: What drew me to UCLA was its distinctive culture of genuine support, where residents and faculty truly uplift one another. Exposure to a breadth of clinical experiences was important to me, but I also knew that what would shape my day-to-day was the people I’d be learning alongside. My co-residents have already made it easy to know that I made the right choice.
  • What you like to do in your free time: Weight training, playing pickleball, running, Yelp-ing (Elite Squad!), punch needling, and teaching my cats tricks 
A headshot of Andy Ascencio, MD

Andy Ascencio, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: UCLA
  • Medical School: University of Colorado
  • Why you chose UCLA: I chose UCLA for the exceptional learning opportunities, the great culture of the institution, the impression all of the residents left on me during my subinternship rotation, in which every resident displayed intelligence and kindness at the bedside. It is only a bonus that LA is considered home for me. Go bruins!
  • What you like to do in your free time: Hang out with my dogs, play basketball, hiking, board games, spikeball, F1, and social events with friends
A headshot of Cody Chavarria, MD

Cody Chavarria, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: California State University, Long Beach
  • Medical School: The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
  • Why you chose UCLA: UCLA offers everything I was seeking in a residency program: top-tier clinical training, supportive and knowledgeable faculty, extensive research opportunities, excellent fellowship and job prospects, and an ideal location near my family.
  • What you like to do in your free time: I enjoy being outdoors, exploring the world of coffee, listening to podcasts, and hanging out with my family, friends, and my dog, Teddy!
A headshot of Michelle Chiu, MD

Michelle Chiu, MD

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Undergraduate Institution: Johns Hopkins University
  • Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
  • Why you chose UCLA: I chose UCLA for its tight-knit team culture and its well-rounded clinical training. The staff here are some of the kindest, most intelligent people I have ever met. Also, the location in sunny Southern California is incredible!
  • What you like to do in your free time: In my free time, I love spending as much time as I can outdoors, playing tennis, running along the beach, and catching up on the latest NBA games (go Warriors!). I am also a huge foodie, and my goal is to try all the ice cream spots in the greater Los Angeles area - so far, Saffron and Rose is my winner!
A headshot of Brittany Chy, MD

Brittany Chy, MD

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Davis
  • Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson
  • Why you chose UCLA: I chose UCLA because the residents I spoke to exuded such clear happiness and pride in their program. They shared a genuine camaraderie that I feel so fortunate to have already begun building with my incredible co-residents. I wanted the best training possible in a location close to my support system, and UCLA was the perfect combination of everything important to me. Being able to have my best friends and family nearby in LA and Orange County make the hard work of residency well worth it, and I am thrilled for the next four years!
  • What you like to do in your free time: I love eating delicious food and chit chatting with friends, telling my plants to grow faster, rock climbing, and making ceramics!
A headshot of Abraham Correa-Medina, MD

Abraham 'Abe' Correa-Medina, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: American University
  • Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
  • Why you chose UCLA: I choose UCLA for their strong clinical training, diverse patient population, vibrant city life, amazing food options, and proximity to family in Mexico.
  • What you like to do in your free time: In my free time, you will find me hiking with my dog (Trunks), eating at new restaurants, or on a plane to a foreign country! 
A headshot of Christopher DeVita, MD

Christopher DeVita, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: Emerson College and Columbia University
  • Medical School: Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai
  • Why you chose UCLA: Benefits, weather, culture, and to live under the same roof as my partner!
  • What you like to do in your free time: Play with my dogs, go to the beach, hike!
A headshot of Brian Gao, MD

Brian Gao, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington
  • Medical School: California Northstate University College of Medicine
  • Why you chose UCLA: I chose UCLA for the world-class training and research opportunities backed by the most supportive team of faculty and residents. Ever since I completed my sub-internship at UCLA, I knew I would be happiest in an environment where everyone builds each other up and pushes one another to be their best. The case complexity and diversity in the cultural melting pot of LA is truly second-to-none, and I am confident I will be able to handle any case after residency. Moreover, UCLA offers early sub-specialty exposure and unique leadership pathways that appeal to my aspirations in fellowship and academia. Lastly, LA's location is unparalleled, with short drives to stunning beaches, mouth-watering food scenes, and bustling entertainment venues. I really love it here and am so grateful for the privilege to train at UCLA!
  • What you like to do in your free time: Spending quality time with my beloved co-residents, working out at the gym, playing tennis, recording violin covers, hitting the beach, exploring new neighborhoods, consuming as much food as possible, cooking meat, binge-watching anime and Netflix shows, building cosplay for conventions, playing PC games and board games, and living life to the fullest!
A headshot of Ethan Han, MD

Ethan Han, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: Brown University
  • Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  • Why you chose UCLA: Strength of clinical training, excellent mentorship, proximity to family, unbeatable weather and food
  • What you like to do in your free time: Fishing, kayaking, other ocean activities, cooking
A headshot of Rachel Kim, MD

Rachel Kim, MD

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Undergraduate Institution: The Pennsylvania State University
  • Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
  • Why you chose UCLA: By the end of my sub-internship at UCLA, I knew I wanted to train amongst leaders, trailblazers, and people who continually inspire me to be an excellent physician, learner, and empathetic human. I was overjoyed and grateful to come back home to LA and my family after being on the east coast for 7 years!
  • What you like to do in your free time: Creating Youtube videos, going to concerts and the beach, hiking, watching old movies, knitting, eating yummy food
A headshot of Colin Kirsch, MD

Colin Kirsch, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: Creighton University
  • Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine - Phoenix
  • Why you chose UCLA: I chose UCLA because of its outstanding clinical training, supportive and inspiring faculty, and the strong sense of camaraderie among residents that was evident when I did my Sub-I rotation. Los Angeles offers an exciting lifestyle with endless things to explore, beautiful weather year-round, and amazing food.
  • What you like to do in your free time: Playing basketball, hiking, pickleball, videogames, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with my friends and co-residents!
A headshot of Jenna Kupa, MD

Jenna Kupa, MD

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Undergraduate Institution: Tufts University
  • Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
  • Why you chose UCLA: I wanted to come home to California for residency, and after completing an away rotation at UCLA, I knew I found my residency program. The residents, faculty, and staff were warm and kind, incredibly smart, and the type of people I would want to be friends with. I left every day feeling inspired. Plus, the proximity to the beach and mountains, as well as amazing food is an added bonus.
  • What you like to do in your free time: I love to be outside! I am a long distance runner, triathlete, and hiker. I also like to cook and try new restaurants/cafes.
A headshot of Ashley Lok, MD

Ashley Lok, MD

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Undergraduate Institution: UCLA
  • Medical School: University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
  • Why you chose UCLA: Having attended UCLA for undergrad, I was always really excited about the idea of returning for residency and giving back to the communities that gave me much fulfillment during my undergraduate career. During my sub-I, I felt like UCLA truly had the perfect blend of clinical excellence, academic rigor, and strong sense of community. Working alongside world-renowned faculty, I experienced immense growth in my clinical acumen and technical skills in just a short amount of time. Most importantly, the warmth and camaraderie among the residents left a lasting impression, and I knew that this program would be the perfect family to grow within during my residency training.
  • What you like to do in your free time: I love exploring different art forms, hanging out with my dog Mochi, and am a proud matcha latte and Korean skincare enthusiast! I also am a huge crime show buff and enjoy concerts and traveling. 
A headshot of Catherine Lowe, MD

Catherine Lowe, MD

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Undergraduate Institution: UCLA
  • Medical School: University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
  • Why you chose UCLA: I was lucky enough to do a sub-internship at UCLA, and immediately felt welcomed, supported, and included. I love the culture at UCLA, and can’t imagine a better place to do my training.
  • What you like to do in your free time: I love spending time with my fiancè and family. We love hiking and fostering dogs in our free time. We also love traveling. We went to Maine over the past year and fell in love with Acadia National Park!
A headshot of Frank Major, MD

Frank Major, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  • Medical School: Keck School of Medicine of USC
  • Why you chose UCLA: I chose UCLA for its perfect blend of clinical rigor, mentorship from leaders in the field, proximity to my family and the ocean, and the strong sense of camaraderie within the department.  I knew this was a place where I’d be challenged every day, all the while being surrounded by supportive, down-to-earth co-residents and faculty.
  • What you like to do in your free time: Surfing, snowboarding, backpacking (especially Big Sur, Channel Islands, Cascades), trail running, playing pick-up basketball and watching the NBA, cooking/grilling for family/friends, spending time in the sauna, and listening to podcasts
A headshot of Sarah Manz, MD

Sarah Manz, MD

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Undergraduate Institution: Kenyon College
  • Medical School: Harvard Medical School
  • Why you chose UCLA: UCLA had everything I was looking for in a residency program: a strong sense of camaraderie and community among residents, exceptional clinical training and education, a supportive and down-to-earth department, and an amazing location to live in!
  • What you like to do in your free time: Going to the beach, collecting houseplants, exploring coffee shops, traveling, audiobooks, and enjoying time with family, friends, and my fiancé!
A headshot of Reant Mapue, MD

Reant Mapue, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: UCLA
  • Medical School: Rush Medical College
  • Why you chose UCLA: I chose UCLA because it brings me back full circle—close to my roots, my family, and the community that shaped me. During my visiting subinternship, UCLA stood out to me for its academic excellence, diverse patient population, and the incredibly welcoming and supportive Anesthesia family here. It feels like both a return to home and a new beginning with a new family.
  • What you like to do in your free time: staying active (running, biking, lifting), making Spotify playlists, exploring new cafes and restaurants (on the hunt for the best pho/ramen spots), cooking Filipino dishes
A headshot of John Miggins, MD

John Miggins, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: University of Southern California
  • Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
  • Why you chose UCLA: I knew I wanted to return to Los Angeles, and between the overwhelming joy and contentment of every resident I spoke with, the high educational quality of the average case at Ronald Reagan, and the excellent preparation for Cardiac Anesthesiology fellowship, I knew there was no better place to spend these four year than at UCLA.
  • What you like to do in your free time: I love all things film and animation, from doing my own stop-motion to catching the latest mystery or thriller at AMC Century City. I still collect Lego, and I'm a huge fan of anything Lord of the Rings adjacent, from the Renaissance Festival to Dungeons and Dragons and everything in between.
A headshot of George Mina, MD

George Mina, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: UC Irvine
  • Medical School: UC Irvine
  • Why you chose UCLA: I chose UCLA for the incredible clinical training that exposes me to a wide range of cases and levels of complexity. I was drawn to this program  because there’s a real sense of support and camaraderie among the residents and faculty. Also, living in LA has been a huge bonus. There’s always something to do, the weather is amazing year-round, and it gives me the space to unwind and enjoy life outside the hospital.
  • What you like to do in your free time: Playing Pickle ball, Soccer and trying new food spots with friends.
A headshot of Neil Parikh, MD

Neil Parikh, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: UCLA
  • Medical School: USC
  • Why you chose UCLA: Completing an anesthesiology sub-internship at UCLA catalyzed my desire to pursue residency at UCLA as well. I loved the energy brought by the residents and attendings every day, both in terms of teaching and continuously reassessing how to improve the educational and overall experience within the Department of Anesthesiology. Even as a sub-i, I felt like my learning was prioritized, and UCLA offers top-tier clinical training that more than prepares you for post-residency practice. Finally, Southern California is not only home to my family and friends, but also it is a welcoming, warm, and vibrant region with much to enjoy.
  • What you like to do in your free time: In my free time, I enjoy a variety of activities. Among them, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and being outdoors (hiking, skiing, running, and playing racquet sports like tennis and pickleball). Also, I like to read, enjoy watching the newest TV shows, and indoor gardening. 
A headshot of Kyu Park, MD

Kyu Park, MD

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Undergraduate Institution: Washington University in St. Louis
  • Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
  • Why you chose UCLA: I was initially drawn to UCLA for its strong reputation in anesthesiology and felt confident that I would be well-prepared to handle any difficult clinical situation after residency. As I got to know the program, I felt that residents were supported at every level, from educational leadership to the friendships shared among co-residents, and I was extra inspired by the many women in leadership positions. Lastly, I believe that having a fulfilling life outside of medicine makes us better doctors, and I can’t imagine a better city to train in than Los Angeles. I’m so grateful for the year-round sunshine, endless things to do and see, and the chance to explore amazing restaurants.
  • What you like to do in your free time: Thrifting, exploring new restaurants and cuisines, listening to true crime podcasts, reading non-fiction, raising indoor plants, watching Korean dramas, (hopefully) running
A headshot of Theo Sher, MD

Theo Sher, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: UC Berkeley
  • Medical School: University of South Florida
  • Why you chose UCLA: I chose UCLA so that I could be close to family and train at one of the best institutions in the world in a great city.
  • What you like to do in your free time: In my free time, I like to hang out with my dog and do anything outdoors: snowboard, climb, camp, run, kayak, grow plants on my balcony, etc. I also love music and play 2-3 instruments.
A headshot of Abigail Song, MD

Abigail 'Abby' Song, MD

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Undergraduate Institution: University of Southern California
  • Medical School: Keck School of Medicine of USC
  • Why you chose UCLA: I was drawn to UCLA for its strong clinical training and fellowship preparation, but what sealed the deal was the unparalleled culture of community I felt in every interaction during my Sub-I. The camaraderie among leadership, attendings, residents, CRNAs, and periop staff was unmatched — everyone genuinely valued mentorship and teamwork at every level. I knew I’d be challenged clinically and supported personally, and that balance made it feel like home.
  • What you like to do in your free time: In my free time, I’m usually outside—hiking with my dog, rock climbing, snowboarding, or hammocking with a scenic view. I also love playing basketball, jamming out on the drums, catching stand-up comedy, and exploring aquariums whenever I get the chance.
A headshot of Viliami Tillage, MD

Viliami 'Vili' Tillage, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: University of Southern California
  • Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
  • Why you chose UCLA: I chose UCLA for its exceptional clinical training, esteemed reputation, and the strong culture of support and mentorship. The leadership and faculty are deeply invested in resident success, and it’s an honor to train at an institution so committed to excellence, with the goal of one day proudly calling myself a UCLA-trained anesthesiologist.
  • What you like to do in your free time: In my free time, you’ll typically find me at a local gym lifting weights, playing basketball, or hiking a new trail. I also enjoy a carefree morning paired with a hot Americano. Spending time with family and friends always helps keep me grounded.
A headshot of Brandon Williams, MD

Brandon Williams, MD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: UCLA
  • Medical School: UCLA
  • Why you chose UCLA: I chose UCLA because of its exceptional clinical training and supportive faculty that are passionate about mentorship. As a medical student, I was impressed by the diversity and complexity of cases that are performed on a daily basis. I knew that the training here would allow me to develop into a confident and well rounded anesthesiologist in the future. Plus, LA offers so much in the form of great weather and an abundance of things to do!
  • What you like to do in your free time: I enjoy watching/playing basketball, snowboarding, riding bikes on the beach, building legos, and having lazy days with my cat Sage.
A headshot of Daniel Xu, MD, PhD

Daniel Xu, MD, PhD

  • Pronouns: He/Him/His
  • Undergraduate Institution: Princeton
  • Medical School: Penn
  • Why you chose UCLA: II chose UCLA for the strong clinical training, abundant program support and opportunities for research, and to be closer to family in beautiful LA.
  • What you like to do in your free time: I like to play board games and read books.