Class of 2027

Gerald Durkan, M.D. (He/Him/His)
Internship: Walter Reed NMC
MD: Thomas Jefferson University
Undergrad: University of Colorado; Biochemistry, Biological
Sciences

I grew up in Hawaii and studied biochemistry at the University of Colorado. I pursued a career in medicine because I am passionate about helping others and am fascinated with the science behind human health.

I graduated medical school from Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia, and I was grateful for the opportunity to train in such a diverse community. Following graduation I worked with the US Navy, where I had the opportunity to practice medicine all over the world. When I was stationed in San Diego, I knew the opportunities for surfing, rock climbing, hiking, and aviation would make it an easy choice to establish my long term home here when I returned to civilian life, and I am excited to continue my training here at UCSD!

 

Alexandra Grossman-Moon, M.D. , M.S.W. (She/Her/Hers)
MD: University of Michigan 
MSW: University of Southern California
Undergrad: Yale University; Psychology

Hi everyone! I’m Ally, and I’m originally from Germantown, MD. I went to Yale for undergrad, where I majored in psychology and played on the varsity soccer team, then pursued an MSW at USC with the goal of becoming a child and adolescent mental health therapist.

Client encounters and family healthcare experiences inspired me to continue my education, so I attended a one-year post-bac program to fulfill my pre-med requirements andmatriculated to the University of Michigan for medical school. At Michigan, I was part of a group that helped revamp the medical student mental health program, was the medical student liaison to the Michigan Medicine Wellness Office, and a peer support advocate.

As a Family Medicine physician, I will have the privilege of being able to advocate for my patients and gain insight into how the environments they live and work in influence their well-being and overall health. At UCSD, I’ll be able to explore a wide range of interests that drew me to Family Medicine, including primary care behavioral health,sports medicine, hospice/palliative care, addiction medicine, adolescent medicine, and medical education, while also working alongside such compassionate and incredible people!

Outside of medicine, I love spending time with my dog, Rory, husband, family, and friends, exploring new restaurants, watching as much soccer and other sports as possible, hanging out at the beach, and enjoying the California sunshine!

Medha Gudavalli, M.D. (She/Her/Hers)
MD: University of Colorado
Undergrad: Duke University; Public Policy, Pre-Med,
Spanish

Hey there! I am thrilled and so grateful to be joining the San Diego community! I am originally from Colorado, and found my calling in medicine through a mix of public policy and advocating for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

Before diving into medical school at the University of Colorado, I was knee-deep in advocacy work, realizing the huge need for healthcare that's trauma-informed, inclusive, and centered around patients' needs.

To me, family medicine is all about building strong relationships with patients and advocating for well-being, both in and out of the clinic. I'm super passionate about serving diverse communities, and I'm stoked about building a Spanish-speaking patient panel to make sure everyone feels heard and understood. My goal? To bring an anti-oppression, community-focused approach to everything I do. I hope to build expertise in outpatient gynecologic care, pre and postnatal care, adolescent medicine, and general primary care.

Outside of work, you'll find me crocheting while listening to a good audiobook, Latin-dancing, or practicing yoga!

James May, M.D. (He/Him/His)
Internship: NMC Portsmouth
MD: Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
Undergrad: University of Portland; Biology

 In my free time I love making fancy cocktails with my wife, playing outside with our two kids, gardening and caring for our fruit trees, cooking, watching my favorite soccer team, running, hiking, and home improvement projects. I was born and raised in Seattle but I am loving calling San Diego our hometown.

Amira Otmane, M.D. (She/Her/Hers)
MD: University of Colorado 
Undergrad: University of Denver; Biochemistry

Hello! I am so excited to be joining the UCSD FM team. I am a first generation Algerian-American and though I grew up in Colorado, I really love San Diego and can't wait to experience all it has to offer- particularly the beach and the amazing food from around the world.

Within medicine, my interests include Palliative, Lifestyle, and Integrative Medicine as well as Medical Education. At the heart of my love of FM, though, is the amazing honor that is getting to really know your patients and being part of their story. This is what I am most excited for!

Outside of medicine, I enjoy the outdoors and sharing a meal (both eating and cooking) with friends and family. I also really love fashion and find that its a great way to express myself. Finally, discussions
surrounding identity, emotion, and the human experience also fill my cup and keep me in awe of how each of us is so unique while also sharing the same fundamental humanity!

Dennis Roth, M.D. (He/Him/His)
MD: UC San Diego
Undergrad: UC Berkeley; Integrative Biology

 Hello! I was born and raised in San Diego and I am so excited for the opportunity to train in my hometown!

My clinical interests include primary care, sports medicine, and palliative care. Outside of the hospital and clinic I enjoy playing  basketball with friends, running on the local trails, and cooking new recipes with my wife!

Alice Shen, M.D., M.P.H. (She/Her/Hers)
MD: UC San Diego
MPH: UC San Diego
Undergrad: Georgia Institute of Technology; Computer Engineering

I grew up in Athens, Georgia, and attended college at Georgia Tech. I was previously an engineer working in software startups in the SF Bay Area before making a big career change to medicine!

I have called many places home at different points in time, but I'm very fortunate to have finally settled down in San Diego for medical school and now residency! My professional interests include using applied informatics to tackle challenges in public health, as well as integrative and lifestyle medicine approaches to primary care.

When I'm not working, my hobbies are playing video games, gardening and spending time with my two cats.

Connie (Jiaxin) Yin, M.D. (She/Her/Hers)
MD: University of Cincinnati 
Undergrad: The Ohio State University; Health and Rehailitation Sciences

 Hello! As a lifelong midwesterner, I’m so excited to experience the west coast life and complete my residency training at UCSD!

I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and went to THE Ohio State University for undergrad. I then spent two years working in biotech/pharmaceuticals and traveling before attending medical school at the University of Cincinnati. My clinical interests are ever-changing, but currently they include women’s health, sports medicine, geriatrics, and palliative care.

Outside of medicine, I love spending time in the sun, going on aimless long walks, staying active, hanging out with family and friends, eating, sleeping, and booking flights!

 

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Kimberly Younger, M.D.  (She/Her/Hers)
MD: University of Kansas 
Undergrad: CSU Long Beach; Biomedical and Clinical Engineering

Hello, I’m Kimberly (or Kim)! As a proud Southern Californian, I'm thrilled to be heading back to my roots and joining the fantastic team of family medicine residents and physicians at UCSD.

I grew up in Orange County, specifically around Huntington Beach and Westminster. As the child of a Vietnamese immigrant, I spent many childhood weekends in the bustling, vibrant streets of Little Saigon. This sparked my deep appreciation for immigrant and nonnative English-speaking communities of all backgrounds. I didn't stray far for college, attending Long Beach State, where I studied Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. After college, I worked as an engineer for 2 years prior to moving to Kansas City and attending the University of Kansas for medical school.

Medical Interests: My goals in medicine revolve much less on the "what" I am doing and much more on the "who" I am doing it for. My personal experiences have shown me some of the challenges many face in accessing healthcare, particularly in communities that are underserved or have avoided healthcare due to fear of or history of discrimination. As a family physician, my aim is to confidently say a resounding “Yes” to as many things as I can regarding what I can do to treat and help my patients. I am so excited to be able to learn these skills here at UCSD. My specific interests include but are not limited to: community medicine, immigrant/refugee health, non-native English-speaking communities, LGBTQIA+ health, gender affirming care, women’s health, reproductive justice, integrative medicine, and palliative medicine.

Outside of medicine: I love immersing myself in the community and seeing what wonders cities have to offer. I like to explore new places, attend events and local festivals, and eat delicious food at fun restaurants with spectacular views (catch me on any rooftop that will have me). Traveling both within the U.S. and abroad fills me with joy. In my spare time, you might find me singing, reading, or cooking! I cherish times I get to host friends for a night of home-cooked food and board/video games. Finally, I have three dogs that take up lots of space in my home and my heart.