Class of 2026 — St Joseph's Emergency Residency

Saketh Akula, MD

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA

Undergraduate: UC Santa Cruz

Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Previous Lives: Maintenance Specialist & EMT

Professional Interests: Take every step and opportunity to become the best Emergency Medicine physician I can be for my patients. Tha tis the obvious. My long term goals are to have an impact in some way or manner to better the community I work in and cultivate a better professional relationship between the emergency department and the public.

Hobbies: I love cooking, roadtripping, travelling, basketball, tennis, and football. More importantly, I attempt at creating new moments and experiences to keep life exciting and fulfilled with my family and friends.

Micah Bondoc, MD

Hometown: Sacramento, CA

Undergraduate: University of California, Irvine

Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine

Previous Lives: Sales associate, hair salon receptionist, doordasher

Professional Interests: Critical care and Ultrasound, advocating for IMG’s

Hobbies: Powerlifting, trying new foods and creating foodie mukbangs that no one will ever see, EDM/hiphop concerts, binge-watching Neflix & reality shows, smashburger connoisseur, comedy shows, making new memories with loved ones

Cindy Nguyen, MD

Hometown: Garden Grove, CA

Undergraduate: UCLA

Medical School: California University of Science and Medicine

Previous Lives: boba barista

Professional Interests: pain, sports, ultrasound

Hobbies: video games, board games, trivia, piano, tennis, music festivals, food, horror

Arash Farzan, MD

Hometown: San Jose, CA

Undergraduate: San Francisco State University

Medical School: RUSM

Previous Lives: I worked as an ED technician and phlebotomist for three years prior to starting medical school

Professional Interests: I am eager to engage in research and quality improvement projects that focus on optimizing patient outcomes and advancing the field of emergency medicine. My interests extend to the incorporation of new technologies and innovative approaches to enhance patient care, streamline processes, and facilitate interdepartmental collaboration within the emergency department. I am committed to continually expanding my medical knowledge and skills through continued education and professional development, with the ultimate goal of being a highly competent and compassionate emergency medicine physician.

Hobbies: I love working out, hiking, snowboarding, playing & watching soccer

Bahare Kazemi, MD

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

Undergrad: University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine

Previous Lives: Before I started medical school I was a scribe at a really busy trauma center on the Las Vegas strip (I have many stories that I always LOVE to share). I spent a lot of time in the community and killed my personal goal of being able to cook and bake amazing tasting/looking foods.

Hobbies: When I’m not in the hospital, you will probably find me in the kitchen with a new recipe, out with my friends at the best spots in town or playing with my goofy goldendoodle Meeko. Cannot wait to start my new journey here in California.

Ashley Sherfey, DO

Hometown: Concord, CA

Undergraduate: Sonoma State University

Medical School: Touro University California

Previous Lives: ED scribe, full-time Mom

Professional Interests: Procedures, SIM, Ultrasound

Hobbies: Spending time with my family & dog, anything with my daughter, hiking

Alexander Chen, DO

Hometown: Cupertino, CA

Undergraduate: University of the Pacific

Medical School: Touro University, CA

Previous Lives: Air Force Cadet, Pharmacy Technician, Professional Scribbler

Professional Interests: Critical Care, POCUS, Human factors in healthcare

Hobbies: TV, video games, often simultaneously

Sarah Glenister, MD

Hometown: Fremont, CA

Undergraduate: Sonoma State University

Medical School: American University of Antigua

Hobbies: In my free time, I try to be outside as much as possible; whether it’s running, cycling, hiking,skiing, or mushroom foraging. I enjoy reading any and all books, word puzzles, coffee, and video games.