March 18, 2023 - Madera, California – Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program, Affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine, announced its newest residency class on Friday, March 17, on National Match Day, when medical students around the country find out where they will train for at least the next three years.

This year’s residency students make up the seventh graduating class from Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program. Nine are from California. The members of the Class of 2026 are:

- Sayeh Akhavan, DO, MPH, AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona; from Fresno, CA

- Amitie Camilleri, MD, Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine; from Loxahatchee, FL

- Enjuli Chhaniara, DO, AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona; from Seattle

- Sara Horan, MD, Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport; from Shreveport, LA

- Madhuri Kasa, DO, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, California; from Bothell, WA

- David Leland, DO, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, California; from Oakland, CA

- Carol Nader, MD, California Northstate University College of Medicine; from Pacific Grove, CA

- Damnhien Nguyen, DO, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, California; from Huntington Beach, CA

- Hannah Pulido, MD, American University of the Caribbean; from Long Beach, CA

- Nihaal Shah, DO, AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona; from Irvine, CA

- Sama Tamer, MD, St. George’s University; from Corona, CA

- Edmund To, DO, AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona; from Sacramento, CA

- Kevin Tran, DO, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, California; from Valencia, CA

- Serafina Tulioc, MD, Ross University School of Medicine; from Petaluma, CA

The residency matching process begins during an applicant’s final year of medical school, when they apply to residency programs of their choice. Candidates interview with various Valley Children’s workforce members, including a panel of representatives, including pediatric specialists, nurses, social workers and pharmacists. The Match uses algorithms to provide a systematic approach for fair residency placements. Match Day processes are similar among several health professions, including medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry and others.

In addition to Valley Children’s Pediatric Residency Program, Valley Children’s Pharmacy Residency Program matched with four pharmacists. The members of this incoming class are:

- Noah Jacala, PharmD, University of the Pacific: Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy; from San Leandro, CA

- Cherie Kim, PharmD, University of the Pacific: Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy; from Cupertino, CA

- Anjali Patel, PharmD, University of the Pacific: Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy; from Diamond Bar, CA

- Floredic Muya, PharmD, Pacific University School of Pharmacy; from Hemet, CA

Valley Children’s Pharmacy Residency Program also welcomed their postgraduate year-two pharmacy fellow:

- Kimberly Tkach-Pelgrim, PharmD, University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy; from Oceanside, NY

Valley Children’s will officially welcome the residents during the annual White Coat Ceremony, when they will receive their traditional lab coats. That will take place at Valley Children’s Hospital on Friday, June 30.
Source: Valley Children's Healthcare, Madera, CA.