Faculty
M. Christina Tolentino, D.O.
Program Director
Dr. Tolentino is a native of Southern California and received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Riverside, and her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences. She completed a Master of Science in Medical Science from Drexel University. After completing her residency in 2010, where she served as chief resident, she joined the faculty group practicing full-spectrum Family Medicine. Dr. Tolentino has a special interest in Women's Health and medical education. She currently practices at PVHC-Claremont and teaches in the resident clinic and the inpatient service. Before being promoted to Program Director in 2019, she served as Associate Program Director for four years. She completed the National Institute for Program Director Development fellowship. She lives in Fontana with her husband and son; is a self-proclaimed foodie and loves finding new places to eat. Other personal interests include travel and movies.
Ryan Agena, D.O.
Faculty Physician
Dr. Agena is a native of Hawaii and is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego. He received his medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences and completed his residency at PVHMC in 2008, where he served as chief resident. He joined the faculty after graduation and practices in Chino. Dr. Agena participates in our Sports Medicine Program.
Victor Alvarez, M.D.
Faculty Physician
Dr. Alvarez was born and raised in Jalisco, Mexico. He received his medical degree from the University of Guadalajara and completed his Orthopedic Surgery residency training at La Salle University in Mexico City in 2008. After practicing as a Board-Certified specialist, he decided to move to the U.S., where he graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles International Medical Graduate program in 2014. He finished his Family Medicine Residency Training at PVHMC, where he received the STFM Resident Teacher Award. He joined Premier Family Medicine Associates in 2017 and became a faculty member, maintaining an active outpatient practice in Claremont. He delivers broad-spectrum care, including non-surgical orthopedics, office procedures, Pediatrics, Women’s health, and Obstetric care. Dr. Alvarez is actively involved in the community, serving as the Team Physician for San Dimas High School and Claremont High School.
Snezana Begovic, M.D.
Director of Women's Health
Dr. Begovic immigrated to the USA from Serbia, where she obtained her medical degree from the University of Belgrade. She completed a Postdoctoral fellowship in Perinatal Biology at Loma Linda Medical School, followed by a residency in Family Medicine and a Fellowship in Obstetrics at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. She remained on the faculty until joining our residency in August 2006. Dr. Begovic's special interests include women's health, obstetrics, and medical research.
Dan Blocker, PhD, LMFT (he/him/his)
Associate Program Director / Director of Behavioral Health
Dr. Blocker received his Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University and his Ph.D. in Medical Family Therapy from East Carolina University. He completed fellowships in Advanced Specialization in Medical Family Therapy through the University of Colorado and in Family Medicine Faculty Development through UCSF.
He currently oversees the behavioral health curriculum, resident well-being efforts, and support groups, as well as the integration of behavioral health into the PVHC–Pomona clinic site.
Dr. Blocker lives in Rancho Cucamonga with his wife and their puppy. He is a fan of Marvel and Star Wars and enjoys running, cycling, and CrossFit.
Allan D. Cabral, M.D.
Medical Director of Residency Practice
Dr. Cabral is a native of the Philippines. He received his medical degree from the University of the Philippines in Manila. He completed his family medicine residency at PVHMC in 2012, during which he served as chief resident for two years. He joined the faculty in 2013 and is actively involved in residency committees and projects, as well as teaching practice management. Dr. Cabral is developing his practice at the Family Health Center.
William Casas, M.D.
Faculty Physician
Dr. Casas was born and raised in Colombia. He received his medical degree from the Juan N. Corpas School of Medicine in Bogota. He completed his Family Medicine Residency at PVHMC in 2016, where he served as chief resident. He joined the faculty after graduation and practices in La Verne. Dr. Casas enjoys practicing the full spectrum of Family Medicine. He does inpatient and outpatient care.
Jesse J. Cheung, M.D.
Director of Research
Teaching has always been a passion of Dr. Cheung, following in the footsteps of his mother and many family members. Although his original plan was to pursue an academic career in biomedical research, he could not give up direct patient care, as it provided the perfect opportunity to teach and mentor patients. His primary care physician, a family medicine specialist, served as an influential role model who practiced full-spectrum family medicine and was actively involved in community leadership and healthcare advocacy.
Going into medical school, Dr. Cheung was committed to practicing medicine in a holistic fashion—caring for the whole patient, including their physical, mental, and social health, as well as their families. Choosing family medicine was a natural decision. Having grown up in inland Southern California, he was determined to serve his community. The UCLA-affiliated PVHMC Family Medicine Residency Program was a natural fit, offering both academic and community settings with full-spectrum training in a supportive environment.
Dr. Cheung enjoyed the residency so much that he decided to remain as core faculty and now serves as Director of Research for the program.
Douglas Chiriboga, M.D.
Director of Community Medicine Track
Dr. Chiriboga is from East LA, is a graduate of Occidental College, and received his medical degree from UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. He did his internship at USC Presbyterian Hospital and his family medicine residency at White Memorial Medical Center. He joined the faculty in 1997 and has an active practice at the FHC. Dr. Chiriboga's special interests include Geriatrics and care for the underserved.
Mohamed Y. Elsharkawy, M.D.
Director of Maternal Child Health
Dr. Elsharkawy has dreamed of being a physician since his teenage years. He views medicine as both a privilege and a responsibility, providing the opportunity to care for patients in both wellness and sickness.
Growing up in Cairo, Egypt, Dr. Elsharkawy attended Ain Shams University, where he earned his medical degree and a master’s degree in Managing Health and Social Care. He completed his residency at Heritage Valley Health System in Beaver, Pennsylvania. Following a fellowship in high-risk obstetrics, he sought a program that allowed family physicians to practice the full spectrum of family medicine while developing areas of special expertise. The PVHMC Family Medicine Residency and its world-class obstetrics team proved to be the perfect fit.
Dr. Elsharkawy enjoys a wide range of activities outside of medicine, including swimming, cooking, bicycling, traveling, and racquetball. He also enjoys working on home projects, barbecuing, and spending time with family and friends. He is fluent in English and Arabic and is working toward fluency in Spanish.
Tiffany Endo, D.O.
Faculty Physician
Dr. Tiffany Endo was born in Vietnam and grew up in Alhambra, CA. She attended UC Irvine for her Undergraduate studies and completed her Medical School at Western University of Health Sciences. Dr. Endo graduated from the residency program in 2000 and has been in private practice for 17 years, as well as with the OB faculty group since graduation. Dr. Endo joined the residency group in 2017. She is fluent in Vietnamese and enjoys full-spectrum Family Medicine, including low-risk OB.
Millie Hathaway, DO
Jeffrey Ijadi, M.D.
Director of Sports Medicine Program
Dr. Ijadi is a native of Southern California, where he received his Bachelor of Science and Minor in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and his Medical degree from the AUC School of Medicine. Dr. Ijadi is a graduate of the Family Medicine Residency Program at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. After completing his residency in 2014, he went on to complete a fellowship in sports medicine at the Maine-Dartmouth/ Evergreen Sports Medicine Program. Dr. Ijadi is board-certified in both family medicine and sports medicine and currently serves as the medical director for the Sports Medicine Program at the PVHMC family residency program. Dr. Ijadi has a special interest in sports medicine and serves as the team physician for local colleges (Pomona Pitzer College, Mount San Antonio College, California Polytechnic University, Pomona, and Life Pacific College) and is the medical director/head team physician for the AC Clippers pro-basketball team of Ontario.
Tiffany Kilbas, D.O. (she/her/hers)
Faculty Physician
Dr. Kilbas is a native of Southern California. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at California State University, Los Angeles, and her Doctor of Osteopathy degree at Western University of Health Sciences. She completed her family medicine residency at PVHMC, where she later joined the faculty.
She currently teaches the outpatient medicine curriculum, oversees residents in both clinic and inpatient settings, and practices full-spectrum family medicine in Claremont, California. Her professional interests include hospital medicine, medical education, community medicine, and addiction medicine.
Christine Kwon, M.D.
Surya Lakhanpal, MD
Faculty Physician
Dr. Lakhanpal is a board-certified family physician who was drawn to the specialty for its diversity, offering work that is dynamic and meaningful every day. She prioritizes preventive care, empowering patients to understand their conditions and create both short- and long-term health plans. She is also passionate about caring for expectant mothers, from prenatal care through delivery. Dr. Lakhanpal is fellowship trained in obstetrics and practices full-spectrum family medicine.
In the Family Medicine Residency Program, she encourages new physicians to build fulfilling, long-term relationships with patients. She emphasizes the positive impact these relationships can have throughout a career in medicine.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Lakhanpal enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and spending time outdoors, as well as relaxing indoors with Netflix.
Curtis Lin, PhD.
Faculty
Dr. Lin teaches community medicine, practice management, public health education and promotion, and epidemiology. He completed his undergrad work at the University of California, Berkeley, and received his doctorate from the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston. Dr. Lin has worked in both the private and academic sectors and has been actively involved in collaborating with non-profit organizations on issues related to vulnerable populations. Dr. Lin joined our faculty in 2000.
Darlene McPherson, PhD, FNP
Director of Operations
Dr. McPherson was born and raised in Southern California. She received her Master of Science in Nursing and her Family Nurse Practitioner certificate from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She received her doctorate in nursing from the University of San Diego. Her research interest is in childhood obesity in Mexican-American preschoolers. Dr. McPherson has a primary care practice in the Family Health Center and has had an administrative role in the residency program since 1997.
James Meyers, D.O. (he/him)
Faculty Physician
Dr. Meyers was born in Anaheim and raised in Chino, California. He attended the University of California, Irvine, after graduating from Diamond Ranch High School in Pomona. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Western University of Health Sciences and completed his residency at PVHMC in 2015, where he served as chief resident. He later completed a fellowship in Family Medicine Teaching at UCSF.
Dr. Meyers enjoys full-spectrum family medicine with particular interests in teaching, geriatrics, sports medicine, and hospital medicine. He values taking responsibility for his patients to ensure they receive thorough and compassionate care.
He has deep roots in the Inland Valley, calling Chino, Pomona, La Verne, Ontario, and Claremont home. He chose PVHMC because it allows him to care for the community where he grew up.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Meyers enjoys spending time with his wife and children, relaxing at the beach, and connecting with family and friends. He is also a fan of fantasy football and Disney, with Rafiki from The Lion King as his favorite character.
Erik Olsen, M.D.
Chief Information Officer
Dr. Olsen grew up in Southern California, earning his Bachelor of Science at Concordia University in Irvine and his M.S. in Biochemistry from UC Riverside. He went to Toledo, OH, to get his medical degree at the Medical College of Ohio. He then returned to California and completed his residency in family medicine at PVHMC, where he was chief resident before joining the faculty after graduation in 2007. Dr. Olsen has a special interest in comprehensive care, providing both inpatient and outpatient services, delivering babies, specializing in sports medicine, and teaching. He is also the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the faculty group and coordinates support for the outpatient electronic health record. He has been the Team Physician for Damien High School since 2007 and has recently joined the medical team for the Ontario Reign.
José Ramos, M.D.
Associate Program Director and Director of Community Medicine
Dr José Ramos is the son of activist parents who modeled the importance of fighting against racial, housing, education and immigrant injustice. Before entering the field of medicine, he created health education television content that included anti-tobacco campaigns and programming focused on reducing childhood obesity in communities of color.
He obtained his undergraduate degree in Physiological Sciences from the
University of California, Los Angeles, and his Medical Degree from the
Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.
He completed his Family Medicine training at the USC-Dignity Health FMRP,
where he served as Chief Resident. He was honored to be a founding faculty
member of the Charles R. Drew University FMRP before joining the Pomona
Valley Hospital Medical Center FMRP in 2019.
As an academic family physician, Dr Ramos is helping reshape residency training by focusing on the intersection between population health, physician leadership and social justice. He was chosen to be an Emerging Leaders Fellow by the Society for Teachers in Family Medicine and sits on the Board of Directors for Physicians for Social Responsibility. He is dedicated to marginalized communities of color, mentoring pipeline students, advocating for Latin American refugees, fighting for environmental justice, and championing policy reform, including Medicare for All.
He is blessed to be married to the love of his life and father to an energetic
toddler son. Together with their
German Shepherd puppy, they enjoy spending free time going on adventures
and creating new family memories.
Elaine Roh, M.D. (she/her/hers)
Faculty Physician
Dr. Roh grew up in Orange County, California. She earned her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Aging, with a second major in Biological Sciences, from the University of Southern California. She received her medical degree from the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine and completed her residency at PVHMC.
Inspired by the faculty, staff, and community she worked with during training, Dr. Roh chose to return to PVHMC to continue providing care, educating medical trainees, and giving back to the community that supported her. Her area of focus in the program is geriatric medicine. She is committed to providing evidence-based care that incorporates patients’ goals and preferences, while also helping residents feel supported and confident in their training.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Roh enjoys fitness classes, spending time with friends at coffee shops, and visiting Disneyland, where she became a Magic Key Holder in 2022. She is also often the one to volunteer as the group photographer. According to the official Wizarding World quiz, she is a proud Ravenclaw, though earlier results once placed her in Hufflepuff.
Dr. Roh hopes to continue growing as a geriatrician and sharing her passion for the field with future medical trainees. She values Albert Einstein’s words: “Genius is 1% talent and 99% hard work.”
Sula Safar, D.O. (she/hers)
Director of Procedural Medicine
Dr. Safar was born in the Middle East and has lived in Southern California since childhood. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Fullerton in 2004, and her Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Western University of Health Sciences in 2008. She completed her Family Medicine residency at PVHMC in 2011.
Her connection to PVHMC began early, when she volunteered in the Emergency Department as a high school student. She later returned for her inpatient medical school rotations, completed her residency training, and remained on as faculty. She values the supportive staff at PVHMC and is dedicated to caring for the community she calls home.
As Director of Procedural Medicine, Dr. Safar oversees gynecological and dermatological procedures, musculoskeletal injections, and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). She hopes further to expand the residency’s POCUS curriculum in the future.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Safar values her family, faith, and community. She enjoys running, yoga, hiking, and organizing, and sees exercise as vital to both mental and physical health. She is also a fan of Marvel and DC comics and once appeared as an extra in movies. One of her favorite guiding quotes comes from Khalil Gibran: “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”
Tung Chu, D.O. (he/him)
Faculty Physician
Dr. Chu was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States as a child, growing up in western Washington. He earned dual degrees in chemistry and biochemistry from the University of Washington and completed a master’s degree in medical physiology at Case Western Reserve University. He received his medical degree from Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his family medicine residency at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, graduating in 2024.
Inspired by the supportive environment at PVHMC during residency, Dr. Chu chose to stay on as a faculty physician to mentor residents and serve the community. His professional interests include community-based medicine, gender-affirming care, sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and treatment, and addiction medicine. He is committed to providing evidence-based health care and helping dismantle systemic barriers to health while preparing the next generation of physicians to deliver inclusive, patient-centered care.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Chu enjoys exploring new restaurants with his wife, traveling, and watching films together. He looks forward to continuing his growth as a physician and educator while supporting residents as they develop their own professional paths.
Michael Okazaki, D.O.
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Faculty Physician
Dr. Okazaki grew up in the Bay Area and now calls Southern California home. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Irvine, attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, and completed his residency training at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.
He chose to remain at PVHMC to give back to the community where he completed all of his medical training. His areas of focus in the program include both outpatient clinical medicine and inpatient care.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Okazaki enjoys reading, learning, exercising, and spending time with his family. He is also an avid Bay Area sports fan and rarely misses a chance to cheer for the Giants. A fun fact about him is that he played the tuba in high school.
He hopes to participate in a medical missions trip in the future and carries with him the advice that “frustrations are often a mismanagement of expectations.”
M. Leticia Valadez, M.D.
Faculty Physician
Dr. Valadez grew up in Fullerton, California, received her Bachelor of Science degree from Stanford University, and her medical degree from the University of California, Davis. She joined the faculty group in 2002 after completing her residency at PVHMC. Dr. Valadez helped develop the Women's Track and is dedicated to serving the underserved and teaching in the community.
Kim Vu, DO
Libia Wohlert, M.D.
Faculty Physician
Dr Wohlert emigrated from Venezuela, where she graduated from Universidad Centro-Occidental Lissandro Alvarado. She joined the medical group after graduating from the PVHMC family medicine program in 2008. Dr. Wohlert has a special interest in OB and women's health.
Feven Wolday, M.D.
Faculty Physician
Dr. Wolday received her undergraduate degree from the University of California,
Los Angeles (UCLA) and attended the David Geffen School of Medicine at
UCLA, where she trained in the Family Medicine Residency Program at Pomona
Valley Hospital Medical Center.
Dr. Wolday is a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and patient
advocate. I believe that my personal experience and background have instilled
in me a consciousness of various perspectives, preparing me to relate
to the diverse patient population in family medicine effectively. In my
free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, cooking,
relaxing, and entertaining.
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