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Faculty
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.
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 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.
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
Pronouns: he/him/his
Title: Associate Program Director/Director of Behavioral Health
Medical School: East Carolina University
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 has completed fellowships in Advanced Specialization in Medical Family Therapy through the University of Colorado and Family Medicine Faculty Development through UCSF. He currently oversees the behavioral health curriculum, resident well-being efforts and support groups, and the integration of behavioral health into the PVHC-Pomona clinic site. He is a huge Marvel/Star Wars fan and enjoys running, cycling, and CrossFit. He lives in Rancho Cucamonga with his wife and their puppy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
She/her/hers
Title: Faculty Physician
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
I am a Southern California native. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at CSULA and my medical degree at Western University of Health Sciences. On completion of my family medicine training at PVHMC, I joined the program as faculty, where I teach the outpatient medicine curriculum, oversee residents in the clinic and in the inpatient setting as well as practice full spectrum medicine in Claremont, CA. My interests include hospital medicine, medical education, community and addiction medicine.
Christine Kwon, M.D.
Surya Lakhanpal, MD
Faculty Physician
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.
Curtis Lin, PhD.
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
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.
Pronouns: He/Him
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences.
Dr. Meyers was born in Anaheim and was raised in Chino, CA. He graduated high school from Diamond Ranch in Pomona and went to the University of California, Irvine. He completed his residency at PVHMC in 2015, where he served as chief resident. Dr. Meyers enjoys full spectrum family medicine. He completed a fellowship in family medicine teaching at UCSF. On his days off, you can find him at the beach and enjoying time with his kids and wife.
- Place(s) you call home: Chino, Pomona, La Verne, Ontario, Claremont.
- Why are you at PVHMC? This is my home and community.
- What area of focus do you have in the program: Teaching, geriatrics, sports medicine, and hospital medicine.
- Things that matter to you: Taking responsibility for my patients to ensure they receive proper evaluation and care.
- Things you enjoy doing: Being with Family and Friends.
- One random fact about you: Addicted to Fantasy Football.
- Favorite Disney character: Rafiki from Lion King.
- What is the best advice you’ve received? “No. Look Harder…” -Rafiki.
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.
She/Her/Hers
Title: Faculty Physician
Medical School: UC Riverside School of Medicine
- Place(s) I call home: Orange County, California
- Educational background: University of Southern California - Human Development and Aging, Biological Sciences
- Why I am at PVHMC: I completed my residency here at PVHMC and loved the faculty, staff, and community I worked with and the training that I received. I wanted to come back to continue providing care, help educate medical trainees, and give back to the community and individuals that gave me so much during my training.
- My area of focus in the program: Geriatric medicine
- Things that matter to me: For patient care - Providing up to date, evidence based medical care with the incorporation of patient’s goals and preferences. For the residency – Helping residents feel supported while receiving a strong residency training experience. Personally – Maintaining good physical and mental health, staying physically active, and spending time with family and friends.
- Things I enjoy doing: Fitness classes, catching up with friends at a coffee shop/café, Disneyland (finally became a Magic Key Holder in 2022!)
- One random fact about me: I’m usually the one who will ask to take the group photos
- My Hogwarts house: Ravenclaw (Based on the wizarding world quiz, but based on another quiz in the past I thought I was always a Hufflepuff).
- Something I would like to accomplish in the future: Growing as a geriatrician and sharing my passion and knowledge in geriatric medicine to medical trainees.
- The best advice I’ve received: Albert Einstein’s quote - “Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work...”
Sula Safar, D.O.
She/Hers
Title: Director of Procedural Medicine
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
- Place(s) you call home- Born in the Middle East but stayed in Southern California since I was a young child
- Educational background- BS from Cal State Fullerton and graduated in 2004, Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Western University Health Sciences graduated in 2008, Family Medicine residency at PVHMC graduated in 2011
- Why are you at PVHMC- I have a long history with PVHMC. I started off as a high school volunteer at PVHMC ER for about 2 years, performed my inpatient medical school rotation at PVHMC, and then stayed on as an attending at PVHMC Family Medicine program. I have always loved the staff at PVHMC and care for my community.
- What area of focus do you have in the program- I am the Director of Procedural Medicine. This includes gynecological procedures, dermatological procedures, MSK injections, and POCUS
- Things that matter to you- My family, my Faith, and my community matter to me. Exercise has been important for my mental and physical health as well.
- Things you enjoy doing- I enjoy running, yoga, hiking, and organizing.
- One random fact about you- I have been an extra in movies.
- Your Hogwarts house or do you prefer another fandom - I am a Marvel and DC fan.
- Is there anything you would like to accomplish in the future that you have not already- A POCUS curriculum
- What is the best advice you’ve received- "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" Khalil Gibrain.
Tung Chu, D.O.
Michael Okazaki, D.O.
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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.
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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