Class of 2019
Dennis Espejo, DO: Fellow at GW in Ultrasound
I chose Family Medicine because I wanted to have the medical knowledge and procedural skills to address a variety of medical issues. I chose Unity because of their strong reputation of providing medical care to medically underserved communities. I chose Washington DC because it is the central hub of policy making and I feel there are many opportunities for me to make a difference in the public health arena especially with the homeless population. In my spare time I enjoy going on road trips, camping, playing golf and riding roller coasters.
Rachel Gougian, DO: Working at Unity Health Care
I chose family medicine because it is the field most dedicated to taking care of the entire person. I am interested in taking care of adults with chronic diseases, women's health and contraception, preventive care, and mental health - I didn't want to limit myself in any one specialty. Outside of medicine, I love traveling, languages, books, live music and yoga.
Tiffany Garrett, DO: Working at Unity Health Care
I was drawn to the TWC-Washington DC Residency program because it served my community. With over 5 generations of family members in the Metropolitan area, this is considered home. Growing up in an underserved community in the state of MD, I am personally familiar with the deficits in primary care. This program identifies health barriers, facilitates community support, and provides genuine healthcare to the underserved. I have deeply rooted responsibilities to my community. This residency allows me to fulfill those responsibilities by providing quality and comprehensive healthcare. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Hannah Herman, DO (Chief Resident): Working at Unity Health Care
I chose Family Medicine because of the opportunity it provides to see the patient as a whole person in mind, body and spirit. I always wanted to provide quality care to underserved populations, particularly urban and immigrant populations. Residency at Unity is giving me the opportunities I need to become an effective advocate for my patients in both the office and in the community. I enjoy preventive care, particularly women's health and family planning counseling. Outside of medicine, I enjoy being active outside with running and hiking, spending time with my husband and adopted pup Willow, cooking and traveling.
Nickia D. King, DO: Working at Unity Health Care
I chose Unity because DC is my second home. Coming from the Midwest to DC for undergrad, I've developed a strong bond and love for the people and the city. I wanted to return to DC because it mirrored my hometown and ultimately gave me the strength to strive for greatness. Unity's mission to unselfishly serve aligns with my passion to be an advocate for my patients and for medicine. Outside of work, I'm a big foodie and I love trying new brunch spots and restaurants. I also enjoy live music and will check out bands, art shows, festivals and art shows.
Estevan Rivas, DO: Working at Unity Health Care
I came to Unity because of the opportunity to work with underserved/underinsured urban, immigrant populations. I wanted to do family medicine because I believe that primary/preventative care is the way to go and I want to be an outpatient primary care physician. Unity provides an amazing training environment that will give me the the tools to provide high quality evidence based medicine care to my patients. My interests include: eating out with my friends (many of which are co-residents), traveling, and exploring new places in DC!
Jean Shiraki, DO (Chief Resident): Working at FQHC in San Diego, CA
Training at Unity Health Care in Washington, DC was my first choice because I wanted to work with diverse, urban communities. I have a strong interest in health policy, particularly in health care disparities and social determinants of health. My future goal is to take what I learn from "on the ground" experiences and to produce meaningful policies for underserved communities. In my spare time, I enjoy discovering new cities and restaurants, the beach (particularly in my home state Hawaii), and trying out new recipes