PGY1 Resident Bios

Languages: Bengali 

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, then moved to San Diego to attend college at University California San Diego as a nanoengineering student. It was only after college that I found the drive to enter medical school, and several years later, graduated from California Health Sciences University at Clovis, CA. I have a strong commitment to education and mentoring, and I am working to develop the skills needed to provide impactful, equitable care to underserved populations, including my own Bangladeshi community. For fun, I like watching/playing basketball (go Lakers!), rock climbing, and playing video/board games with friends. I am excited to continue my medical career back in Southern California!

I was born in San Diego but was raised in Murrieta. From early on in my undergraduate studies, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to helping others. I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason, and now, the opportunity to practice in my hometown feels especially meaningful—allowing me to give back to the community that helped shape me. I chose family medicine because it offers the chance to provide longitudinal, whole-person care while building lasting relationships with patients. My clinical interests include full-spectrum medicine, lifestyle medicine, global health, and women’s health. Outside of medicine, I enjoy traveling to the Philippines to visit its beautiful beaches, snowboarding in the winter, and caring for my growing collection of houseplants.

Languages: Tagalog 

I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and am the first in my family to become a physician. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I also earned a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Chapman University. I completed my medical training at Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine. I look forward to continuing my Family Medicine training in Southern California and using both my medical and therapy background to provide compassionate, holistic care. My professional interests include mental health and mentorship. Outside of medicine, I enjoy watching anime, attending musical concerts, traveling, and playing video games.

Languages: Arabic 

As a happy native to sunny California, I was raised by Coptic immigrant parents who taught me to keep life simple: love God and love people. Medicine has become one of my favorite ways to live that out. I studied biology and dance at UC Riverside (yes, I still love to keep active!) and stayed for med school, where I focused on health leadership, community engagement, HRT research, and one of my deepest passions - humanitarian service in Africa and the Middle East via Unheard Cries Charity. I’m especially passionate about women’s health, preventative care, and functional medicine. When I’m not in the hospital, you can usually find me enjoying nature, singing at church, exploring the world, or curled up with a good book.

Languages: Aramaic 

I was born and raised in San Diego, CA, where I completed my undergraduate studies in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from UC San Diego and later earned my medical degree at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. 

I was drawn to Family Medicine for its emphasis on whole-person care and the privilege of helping patients and their families across all stages of life. I am especially passionate about preventative medicine, chronic disease management, and mentoring aspiring physicians through teaching and clinical guidance. 

I am honored to continue my training at Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta, where I look forward to serving in an environment that values compassion, integrity, and service. Outside of medicine, I love spending time with my family, traveling, reading, and playing pickleball.

Languages: Vietnamese 

My name is Van-Dai Ly, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Family Medicine resident at Loma Linda University Medical Center–Murrieta! I grew up in a small town on the outskirts of Saigon, Vietnam, where healthcare was often a privilege, not a promise. That reality shaped my awareness of health disparities early on and planted the seed for my desire to serve communities facing systemic barriers to care. Moving to the U.S. by myself at 17 years old to pursue a better education taught me how to adapt quickly and advocate for myself, and now I use that perspective to walk with my patients through complex medical decisions and life challenges—and to speak up for those whose voices often go unheard. My journey to earning both a Medical Doctor degree and a Master’s in Bioethics shaped how I approach every patient—with clinical excellence, empathy, and attention to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. I’m excited to not only care for my patients, but to be fully present with them—to listen closely, act with intention, and show up consistently when it matters most. 

When I’m not working, I get my adrenaline fix by pushing my limits—skydiving, hiking, and chasing new challenges. I would love to summit Half Dome and take on Angel’s Landing one day (just don’t take me on a roller coaster, please—I know my limits). These experiences not only make me feel alive but also sharpen the physical prowess and mental grit I bring to medicine.

Languages: Farsi 

I was born and raised in Shiraz, a beautiful city in the southwest of Iran, where I also attended medical school. With a background in community medicine, I developed a deep passion for serving diverse populations. After immigrating to the United States, I chose to pursue a specialty in Family Medicine to fulfill my commitment to caring for patients across all stages of life. My clinical interests include geriatrics, preventive medicine, and complementary medicine. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my lovely family and taking in the scenic beauty of our neighborhood. I’m also passionate about hiking, watching series, and needlework.

Languages: Romanian, Spanish 

While I grew up for most of my life in Southern California, I am also a first generation Romanian-American and a dual US-Canadian citizen! Before applying to medical school, I was studying microbiology at UC Santa Barbara (Go Gauchos!). After learning about the huge impact that lifestyle modifications can have on our health, and making some changes of my own, I saw that medicine was the way forward for me. Even though I enjoyed my five years in Virginia for my master’s and MD, I knew I had to come back to the golden state and am thrilled to be at LLUMC-Murrieta! I’m excited to help patients of all ages treat, manage, and hopefully reverse chronic conditions with lifestyle modifications. I focus heavily on meeting patients where they’re at to find what works best for them. In my off time, I enjoy bouldering, biking, singing, cooking tasty plant-based recipes, and spending time with my wife and our two cats!

Languages: Spanish 

Originally from the south bay area, I ventured to southern California to the University of Redlands for my undergraduate degree in biochemistry. Afterward, I began my career as a high school science teacher, where I developed a strong interest in education, and a deep appreciation for chemistry and biology. Over time, I felt a growing desire to make a more direct impact on individuals and their well-being, which led me to pursue a career in medicine. After completing medical school, I am now working towards providing primary care to individuals within the Temecula Valley. My background in education continues to shape my approach to patient care—emphasizing collaboration and empowering patients to take an active role in their health. If not in the hospital or clinic, you will find me at the gym, trying to cook new meals, or talking with local vintners on their wine production techniques.

Languages: Farsi, Spanish 

Born in Toronto and raised in San Diego, I studied chemistry at UC Berkeley before spending two gap years scribing in emergency departments and researching point-of-care testing for Neglected Tropical Diseases at the nonprofit DDTD. Do you want to talk about worms with me? I then attended medical school at UMass Chan in Worcester. I am thrilled to be back in California continuing my training at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Murrieta. I’m passionate about making healthcare accessible to all, with interests in comprehensive women’s health, multimodal pain management, procedural medicine, LGBTQ+ care, and the thoughtful integration of AI into clinical practice. Hobbies include travel, movies, and swimming in the ocean.

Languages: Spanish, Vietnamese 

I was born and raised in Southern California and completed my undergraduate studies at UCLA, where I discovered a passion for serving underserved communities through my work with organizations like Bruin Shelter. I went on to attend Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, where I deepened this commitment through experiences such as the National Medical Fellowship Primary Care Leadership Program and Street Medicine Oakland. I’m excited to return to California to continue my training in full-spectrum family medicine and serve the communities that shaped my early life. My professional interests include health equity, community-based care, and addressing social determinants of health. Outside of medicine, I enjoy cooking, reading, playing pickleball, and spending time with my cat, family, and friends.

Languages: German 

I was born and raised in northwestern Germany. After high school and a year of social service I studied medicine at the University of Hamburg before completing a postdoctoral fellowship and serving as an assistant project scientist in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of California, San Diego. 

My passion for clinical medicine led me to work with patients experiencing complex chronic pain in the Inland Empire, a Transitional Year Residency Program in the San Fernando Valley, and now Family Medicine here at Loma Linda. My professional interests include lifestyle, addiction, and pain medicine. I strive to be an ally to my patients and to build long-lasting, supportive relationships. 

Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our dogs. I also love bodysurfing, cooking, yoga, and meditation.