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PGY 3 Class
Truc-Vi Duong, MD
Why did you select Kaweah Delta’s residency program? After my interview with Kaweah Delta, I left impressed by the staff’s
commitment to providing culturally competent care to the under-served
population in Central California. I was also amazed by the amount of effort
that this residency program puts into its residents’ personal growth
and development. Kaweah Delta’s faculty is well diverse. The residents
are collegial and have a good work-life balance.
Why did you choose your specialty? I enjoy the complexity and challenges of psychiatry. In addition, I like
to spend time to talk to my patients and to get to know them on a more
personal level. Mental health and physical health are closely correlated,
however, lack of knowledge and stigmas about mental health often lead
to delay in seeking professional help. As a psychiatrist, I hope to use
my expertise to educate my patients, and to diminish barriers from accessing
mental health care among vulnerable populations.
What are your hobbies? I like to play ukulele, sing, and listen to music. I enjoy taking my dog
for walks, and spending time with family and friends.
What is something about you most people do not know? One of my future goals is to open a café with rescued dogs running around.
I’d like to create a welcoming and relaxing environment for those
who need some puppy time. I also want to teach my customers how to make
Vietnamese coffee in different methods.
Kristine Hwang, MD
Why did you select Kaweah Delta’s residency program? To serve central valley especially Visalia, Orosi, Lindsay, and Porterville.
The program was the best fit for not just my career goals but also for
my family.
Why did you choose your specialty? I became a doctor because I wanted to help relieve suffering but I chose
psychiatry because I felt it embodies this desire perfectly. Psychiatry
enables me to not only deal with my patients’ problems on the surface.
It also allows me to connect with them on a deeper level.
What are your hobbies? Cooking, Baking, Gardening, Boxing
What is something about you most people do not know? I’m pretty good at video games and can speak conversational Japanese.
Rachna Kumar, MD
Why did you select Kaweah Delta’s residency program? As a student who rotated through this hospital, I was able to get an amazing
clinical education from the wonderful doctors at Kaweah Delta. I was given
invaluable clinical opportunities with hands-on responsibilities in every
field. Because of my experience here as a medical student, I see a lot
of potential for learning and growth here as a resident. I am thrilled
to be able to work with attendings and residents who are all so friendly
and willing to impart their knowledge! I enjoy working with the patients
in this community, and I feel that I can truly make a difference in my
patients’ lives here in the Central Valley.
Why did you choose your specialty? To me, psychiatry is one of the only aspects of medicine where I can lead
my patients to a happier and more fulfilling life. For many people, quality
of life is determined by their mental health more than their physical
health. I enjoy psychiatry, and I feel that there is a lot of progress
yet to be made in this field in terms of both research and clinical practice
standardization. I am excited to learn about the enigma that is the human
brain and be a part of the future of psychiatry!
What are your hobbies? My hobbies include watching game shows with my boyfriend, playing with
my dog Toby, watching Bollywood movies with my family, cooking, dancing,
hiking, discovering new music, reading mystery novels, and making my home
cozy! I’ve also been itching to start gardening!
What is something about you most people do not know? Most people don’t know that I am a painter! Since high school, I
have completed over thirty large oil paintings, and I first learned from
an eighty year old Catholic nun, Sister Josepha Rose. I spent many hours
at her convent learning not only oil painting but her patient ways and
her timeless wisdom.
Gerardo Perez, DO
Why did you select Kaweah Delta’s residency program? The kind residents, knowledgeable PD and faculty, and the diverse patient
population were the main reasons for choosing this robust program.
What are your hobbies? I enjoy ecotourism and attempt to completely immerse myself in new places
by interacting with the locals, learning the language, exploring the environment,
and most importantly eating the food. I also enjoy photography, audio
books, teaching, and hiking.
Arul Sangani, MD
Why did you select Kaweah Delta’s residency program? I completed the majority of my clerkships as a medical student at Kaweah
Delta. I was immediately impressed with the Psychiatry program and felt
that I was making a positive difference in patient’s lives even
as a medical student. I have also established a vast network of friends
and colleagues at Kaweah Delta and throughout the Central Valley.
Why did you choose your specialty? As human beings, we are a species of a sophisticated nature with intelligence,
thoughts, emotions, and ideas; complex qualities that make us pioneers
of the earth, but at the same time make us vulnerable to mental suffering.
As I have learned, no one is immune to illness of the mind. I plan to
use my education, personal experiences, and clinical training to be an
advocate for mental illness awareness, prevention, and treatment. I simply
hope to impact lives in a positive and meaningful way in the best way
I know how.
What are your hobbies? I enjoy playing sports (football, soccer, basketball), watching movies,
traveling, and writing.
What is something about you most people do not know? When I was thirteen, I scored a 133 on the Stanford-Binet IQ test and was
on ESPN as a National Spelling Bee Finalist.
Steven Siragusa, DO
Why did you select Kaweah Delta’s residency program? After rotating at the program, it was clear that the residents and faculty
were committed to clinical learning and community outreach. Attendings
were professional and committed to providing residents and students with
a rich educational experience.
Why did you choose your specialty? Psychiatry aligned well with my personality and lifestyle. I greatly enjoy
teaching and facilitating meaningful, lasting conversations with others.
Nothing is more rewarding than assisting others in finding themselves
in, often, their most difficult times.
What are your hobbies? Vinyl record collector, on-line gamer, amateur ramen chef
What is something about you most people do not know? I was lucky to have played a baseball game in Yankee Stadium when I was
a teenager.
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