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Faculty

M. Christina Tolentino, D.O.

M. Christina Tolentino, D.O.

Program Director

Dr. Tolentino is a native of Southern California and received her BS from UC Riverside and Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Western University Health Sciences. She completed a Master’s 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 was the Associate Program Director for 4 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.

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.

Alvarez

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 UCLA 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 and became faculty member in 2017, with 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 active within the community as the Team Physician for San Dimas High School and Claremont High school.


Snezana Begovic, M.D.

Snezana Begovic, M.D.

Director of Women's Health

Dr. Begovic immigrated to the USA from Serbia where she obtained her medical degree from Belgrade University. She did a Post-Doctoral fellowship in Perinatal Biology at Loma Linda Medical School and her residency in Family Medicine followed by a Fellowship in Obstetrics at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. She stayed as 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

BlockerDr

Associate Program Director, Director of Behavioral Health

Dr. Blocker received his MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University and his PhD in Medical Family Therapy from East Carolina University. He came to Pomona Valley in 2017 following a fellowship in Advanced Specialization in Medical Family Therapy at St. Mary’s Family Medicine Residency in Grand Junction, CO. His areas of interest include the development of integrated behavioral healthcare, social determinants of health, and resident well-being. In addition to teaching behavioral medicine and seeing patients, he co-runs the intern support group and PGY2/3 Balint Group. When he is not working, he is spending time with his wife, running, or doing CrossFit.


Allan D. Cabral, M.D.

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, completed his family medicine residency at PVHMC in 2012, where he served as chief resident for 2 years. He joined the faculty in 2013 and is actively involved in residency committees and projects, and teaches practice management. Dr. Cabral is developing his practice at the Family Health Center.


William Casas, M.D.

William Casas

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 full spectrum of Family Medicine. He does inpatient and outpatient care.


Jesse J. Cheung, M.D.

Teaching has always been a passion of mine, following in the footsteps of my mother and many family members. My original plan was to pursue an academic career in biomedical research, but I could not give up direct patient care as a perfect opportunity to be a teacher and mentor to my patients. My primary care physician was trained in family medicine and was the best role model that I could ask for, as he was able to practice full-spectrum family medicine and was very active in community leadership and healthcare advocacy. Going into medical school, I was certain that I wanted to practice medicine in this holistic fashion – care of the whole patient, physical, mental, and social health and their families. Family medicine was an easy choice when selecting a specialty. I grew up in inland southern California and wanted to serve my community. The UCLA-affiliated PVHMC family medicine residency program was a natural fit for me – a combination of a super-supportive group of people with the right mix of an academic and community setting with full-spectrum family medicine training. I loved our residency so much that I decided to stay as core faculty, as the director of research for the residency program.


Douglas Chiriboga, M.D.

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

The profession of being a doctor was a dream of mine since I was in my teens. As physicians, we get the chance to take care of others in their wellness and their sickness, a privilege I honor and cherish. Growing up in Cairo, Egypt I attending Ain Shams University for Medical School. I also obtained a Master’s degree in Managing Health and Social Care from Ain Shams University. My residency was completed at Heritage Valley Health System, Beaver, Pennsylvania. I choose PVHMC because it offers family physicians the opportunity to practice the full spectrum of family medicine and have an area of focus to excel at, which I was looking for. After my fellowship in high risk obstetrics, I was searching for a place where I can continue to work with a world class level obstetrics care team-- PVHMC obstetrics team was the answer. The family medicine residency team is diverse, organized, professional and exceptionally attentive. On my downtime, I am probably working on a project in the house. I am willing to join a racquetball game at any time. I enjoy swimming, cooking, bicycling, traveling and spending time with family and friends (I claim to do the best barbecue!). I am fluent in English, Arabic and trying my best to learn Spanish.


Tiffany Endo, D.O.

Tiffany Endo

Faculty Physician

Dr. Tiffany Endo was born in Vietnam and grew up in Alhambra, CA. She attended UC Irvine for her Undergraduate and completed her Medical School at Western University of Health Sciences Dr. Endo graduated from residency program in 2000 and was in private practice for 17 years and has been 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.


Jeffrey Ijadi, M.D.

Ijadi

Director of Sports Medicine Program

Dr. Ijadi is a native of Southern California, received his BS and Minor in Education from UCLA and Medical degree from AUC School of Medicine. Dr. Ijadi is a graduate from the Family Medicine Residency Program at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. After completing his residency in 2014, he went on and completed a fellowship in sports medicine at Maine-Dartmouth/ Evergreen Sports Medicine Program. Dr. Ijadi is board certified in family and sports medicine and now 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, Mt San Antonio College, Cal Poly Pomona College, Life Pacific College) and is the medical director/head team physician for the AC Clippers pro-basketball team of Ontario.


Tiffany Kilbas, D.O.


Christine Kwon, M.D.


Surya Lakhanpal, MD

Faculty PhysicianDr. Lakhanpal

I’m a good listener, both in what people are saying and what they’re struggling to say. Health is not a one-size-fits-all matter, so understanding how my patients are and where they’re coming from helps us jointly come up with better strategies to improve their health.”

Dr. Lakhanpal is a board-certified physician who was drawn to family medicine for its diversity, offering up work that’s interesting and different every day. Preventive care is a priority for her. She teaches patients how to help themselves and gives them the power to understand their conditions to create short and long term plans. She’s also passionate about caring for expectant mothers from prenatal care all the way through delivery. Dr. Lakhanpal is fellowship trained in Obstetrics and practices full spectrum family medicine.

When teaching in the Family Medicine Residency Program, Dr. Lakhanpal encourages new doctors to build fulfilling, long-term relationships with patients. From her own experience, she has seen the impact it can make. Personally, Dr. Lakhanpal likes to be outdoors hiking and rock climbing or indoors for a good Netflix binge.


Hanh Larson, D.O., CAQSM

Medical Director, Sports Medicine Clinic at PVHMC

Director of Sports Medicine Track

Dr. Larson completed her undergraduate education at UCLA and medical degree at Western University. She then went on to do residency and fellowship in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine at Kaiser Permanente Fontana. She is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine. She enjoys the full spectrum of Family Medicine, but also loves to practice Sports Medicine in order to get athletes of all types get back on their feet. On her free time, she is an avid ultra-marathoner and triathlete.


Curtis Lin, PhD.

Faculty

Faculty

Dr. Lin teaches community medicine, practice management, public health education and promotion and epidemiology. He completed his undergrad work at UC Berkeley and received his doctorate from the University of Texas School Of Public Health in Houston. Dr. Lin has worked in both private and academic sectors and has been actively involved in working with non-profit organizations on issues related to vulnerable populations. Dr. Lin joined our faculty in 2000.


Darlene McPherson, PhD, FNP

Darlene McPherson, Ph.D, FNP

Director of Operations

Dr. McPherson was born and raised in Southern California. She received her MS in Nursing and her Family Nurse Practitioner certificate from the 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.

James Meyers, D.O.

Director of Inpatient Medicine

Dr. Meyers was born in Anaheim and was raised in Chino, CA. He graduated from University of California, Irvine, and received his medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences. He completed his residency at PVHMC in 2015, where he served as chief resident. Dr. Meyers enjoys full spectrum family medicine care, including sports medicine, geriatrics, and in-patient medicine. Teaching residents is one of his main goals. He will be completing a fellowship in family medicine teaching by June 2016. On his days off, you can find him at the beach or doing something active. He enjoy sports and cheering on his fantasy football/baseball teams.


Gianna O’Hara, D.O.

Gisella Olivares, D.O.

Faculty Physician

Dr. O’Hara grew up in San Diego, California. She received her medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific and completed residency at the University of Arizona Tucson - Internal Medicine Residency Program in 2020 and completed a geriatric medicine fellowship at the University of Washington. She joined PVHMC to share her passion for the community, geriatric care and teaching. She feels very strongly about comprehensive individualized care that focuses on patient’s goals in a collaborative effort between patient, patient advocate and the healthcare system. Dr. O’Hara loves animals, being with family and friends, traveling, and playing bridge.


Erik Olsen, M.D.

Erik Olsen, M.D.

Chief Information Officer

Dr. Olsen grew up in Southern California, earning his B.S. 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 all-around care, so he does inpatient and outpatient care, delivers babies, does sports medicine, and teaches. He is also the 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.


Jose 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. Prior to 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 at 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.


Sula Safar, D.O.

Sula Safar, D.O.

Director of Procedural Medicine

Dr. Safar is a native of Southern California and received her undergraduate degree from Cal State Fullerton and her medical degree from Western University. After completing her residency at PVHMC in 2011, she joined the faculty group. Dr. Safar has a special interest in Outpatient procedures


M. Leticia Valadez, M.D.

M. Leticia Valadez, M.D.

Faculty Physician

Dr. Valadez grew up in Fullerton, California, received her BS from Stanford University, and her medical degree from UC 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 the underserved and community teaching.


Libia Wohlert, M.D.

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 following her graduation from 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 undergrad from UCLA and attended the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA for medical school and trained at 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 has instilled in me a consciousness of various perspectives and prepared me to relate to family medicines diverse patient population. In my spare time, I like being with my family and friends, cooking, relaxing and entertaining.

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