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Medical Sta Ocers 2024 – 2026Dignity Health – California Hospital Medical Center’s Medical Sta Ocers serve as a liaison between the Medical Sta and Hospital Administration and assist with complying with The Joint Commission standards, Medical Sta bylaws, rules and regulations, and state and federal regulations. See page for a special Q&A with Christina McAlpin, Chief of Sta.Christina McAlpin, MDChief of StaffPeiman Arghavanifard, MDVice Chief of StaffSanaz Hassemi, MDSecretaryMedical DialogueKEEPING PHYSICIANS ABREAST OF THE LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION AT DIGNITY HEALTH – CALIFORNIA HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTERSUMMER 2024California Hospital Named Best in Downtown, Again!We are proud to announce that California Hospital Medical Center has been voted Best Hospital in the “Best of Downtown ” special edition of Downtown News! This marks our second consecutive year receiving this esteemed honor. This award is a testament to the excellence, compassion, and dedication that our physicians and employees demonstrate to each and every patient. It acknowledges your commitment to serving Los Angeles with humankindness, and the work you do outside our hospital walls to help improve the health of our communities. Thank you for your commitment to serving our diverse community for more than years.WINNERBEST OF DOWNTOWN2024
2 California Hospital Medical Dialogue Spotlight continued from page 2Awards and AccoladesMission and Values Employee of the MonthEach month, California Hospital recognizes an exceptional caregiver who represents our Mission and Values in remarkable ways. Congratulations to Marinelle Camilon, DO, who was honored earlier this year. Her nomination reads: “Dr. Camillon consistently goes above and beyond for our ministry. She creates humankindness moments for all of the patients and families she cares for – advocating for family meetings and the usage of interpreter services, and rounding with our nursing caregivers. In addition, Dr. Camillon uses her clinical expertise and leadership for the greater good of our California Hospital ministry. Most recently she participated in our “Let’s Talk Health” series with Community Benets, and actively shaped patient education materials with Patient Experience. In short, she exemplies our CommonSpirit Health mission, vision, and values every day.”MEC Member Spotlight – Christina McAlpin, MDIn each issue of Medical Dialogue, we feature a Medical Executive Committee member so our physicians can get to know them better. We begin with Christina McAlpin, MD, Chief of Sta.What inspired you to enter the medical field?I was inspired to enter the medical eld after watching my older brother who at that time was a well established and very busy pediatric surgeon. I was impressed with how his work changed so many lives; it aected so many families and people. I wanted to have that same kind of eect on others.Why did you choose your specialty?It was very dicult to choose otolaryngology as a specialty. I came into medicine planning to be a pediatric surgeon like my brother, but decided that I wanted to also treat adults. Then I began having a lot of problems with my own tonsils, and that made me more interested in looking into other specialties, like ear, nose and throat. In college. I had severe dysphonia and had to see a laryngologist for about two years for my voice problems. That pretty much solidied my decision.What are you most proud of as a physician?I think the number of people that I have helped over the years is the whole point of doing this for a living. I’m also grateful to set a good example for others as one of the rst females to open doors in my eld. (According to PLOS One, from 2005 to 2015, the percent of women otolaryngology residents increased from 25% to 36%, although a gender gap still exists.)What do you like to do in your spare time?I love drinking tea and learning about tea customs when I travel. I launched an online tea store called “Veronica’s International Palace of Tea” where people can share the same experiences I’ve had. If you had all the time in the world to learn a new skill, what would it be and why?I would like to learn to play the piano. My mom tried to get me to learn as a child and I had no interest. Now I really wish I could play. Who are your role models?My mother and my brother are my main role models. I also had a deep respect for Shirley Chisholm.What song would you say best sums you up?I would choose “I’m Every Woman”, originally sung by Chaka Khan and later by Whitney Houston. It pretty much sums me up.
3 California Hospital Medical Dialogue Welcome New Physicians to California Hospital Medical CenterAnesthesiologyOmar Qayum, MDJonathan T. Varghese, MDDiagnostic RadiologyReza Amerinasab, MDEmergency MedicineAslam A. Akhtar, MDRyan K. Farquhar, PA-CDavid A. Fowler, MDDan C. Im, MDStanton P. Jasicki, DOMichael P. Maruska, DOIgor Mashchenko, MD David L. Matlock, MDPauline T. Phung, DOChelsea Schmidt, DOSpencer D. Scobie-Gilpin, PA-C Jacqueline M. Simon, PA-CJamie L. Son, PA-CAnna Trtchounian, MDChristopher R. Vega, PA-CEndocrinology Diabetes & MetabolismThaer Othman, MDGeneral SurgeryGeorgette R Muhammad, PA-CGynecologyGregory N. Sacher, MDInternal MedicineLisa H. Abbou, MDNadia Z. Akhlaq, MDTushar Bajaj, MD Justin T. Hoang, DO Nishan S. Mangat, MDBrian D. Mikolasko, MD Tuan D. Nguyen, DO Ta’Shariah M. Robinson, PA-C Nancy T. Yamasaki, PA-C Medical OncologyArlene L. Yu, MDNeonatal/Perinatal MedicineDiana M. Caprau, MD NephrologyFarid Arman, MDCarl E. Schulze, MDMichael Shye, MDObstetrics & GynecologyJimmy S. Ellis, DOChasity D. Jennings-Nunez, MDJennifer W. Lewis, MDFrederica S. Lofquist, MDOphthalmologyYi Jiang, MDMarcos Lemor, MDOral/Maxillofacial SurgeryJames Habashy, DDSPlastic SurgeryThuy T. Le, MDPsychiatryDaniel E. Link, MDMatthew R. Paley, DOAdam F. Ruggle, MDBrian W. Wu, MDTeam Spotlight – Congrats Graduates and Welcome New ResidentsPlease join us in congratulating Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center’s Family Medicine Residency Program, Class of ! This class is nishing their residency training as accomplished and well-rounded doctors with upcoming pursuits in medicine. We’re so proud of them and know they will continue to accomplish great things!Graduating ClassDonya Farmand, MDSoomin Jung, MDSravya Patnala, MBBSHaris Rana, MDSimran Singh, DOCarly Soo, MD We Also Welcome Our New ResidentsSahra Akbari, MDMehron Deriss, MDIman Epuna, MDAdolfo Hernandez, MDLia Khachikyan, MD Shivani Patel, DOBilal Rajper, MDJason Zhang, DO
4 California Hospital Medical Dialogue Physicians in the NewsWe’d like to thank and recognize the following physician who was recently featured in the local media.Suman Radhakrishna, MD, Medical Committee Chair of Infectious Diseases, was featured on ABC Channel 7 News in a story focused on the rise in COVID cases.California Hospital Medical Center CHMC is featured in the Los Angeles Sentinel. The article in an article about CHMC’s recent recognition as an LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader in the Human Rights Campaign Foundations Healthcare Equality Index.Dr. John Nachazel Retires After 52 Years at California HospitalThe California Hospital family extends our deepest gratitude to Dr. John Nachazel, Medical Director, Pathology, for his years of exceptional leadership and dedication to CHMC. His compassion, humankindness, and commitment to excellence have profoundly impacted our patients, sta and the entire community. Dr. Nachazel’s remarkable contributions and steadfast dedication have set a standard of care and professionalism that will inspire us for years to come. His legacy will continue to be a guiding light as we strive to uphold the high standards he established. We wish him a happy and fullling retirement, knowing that his inuence will always be a part of our hospital’s history.Click or scan the QR code to watch a slideshow of Dr. Nachazel’s throughout the years as a medical professional.Physician Lecture Opportunity California Hospital helps the community live a healthy lifestyle through monthly zoom presentations, led by physicians as part of our Let’s Talk Health series. During a recent zoom presentation, Marinelle Camilon, MD, taught attendees about strategies to manage diabetes.If you are interested in presenting a - minute lecture, please contact Barbara Gonzalez at or via email at Barbara.Gonzalez@CommonSpirit.org. Zoom presentations are held on the third Wednesday of each month from – p.m.As a reminder, California Hospital’s Community Health Program oers free health screenings and educational programs. If you have patients who may be interested, please refer them to Barbara Gonzalez.
5 California Hospital Medical Dialogue Foundation Events – Join Us!The California Hospital Medical Center Foundation invites you to join us for two upcoming events. With your support, the funds raised translate into lifesaving, compassionate care for our most vulnerable patients. Support California Hospital Champions for Children Dinner Thursday, September , | – p.m.Jonathan Club of proceeds will benet Hope Street Margolis Family Center at CHMC.Purchase tickets or sponsorships today at HopeStreetFamilyCenter.org/ChampionsforChildren.33rd Annual La Grande Affaire (black-tie gala) Saturday, October , | p.m. – p.m.JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live of proceeds will benet the newly established Health Equity Fund.Purchase tickets or sponsorships today at SupportCaliforniaHospital.org/La-Grande-Aaire.Make a Dierence with the Health Equity FundSuman Radhakrishna, MD Medical Committee Chair of Infectious DiseasesAs our new patient tower nears completion, the Foundation would like to show our appreciation for the work and dedication of our employees and physicians who are helping to make this possible. To show gratitude for our donors’ generosity, those who make a one-time contribution of or more to the Health Equity Fund will be recognized with a personalized tile placed in a garden walkway outside of the new patient tower.“As an infectious disease doctor, I’ve witnessed the profound impact of health care inequalities and infectious disease threats on vulnerable communities,” says Suman Radhakrishna, MD Medical Committee Chair of Infectious Diseases. “Giving back isn’t just a choice; it’s a responsibility that transcends the boundaries of our medical expertise. In extending our knowledge and compassion to those in need, we not only heal and provide hope, but also fortify the resilience of the communities we care for. The Health Equity Fund will help us achieve our mission of more just and equitable health care, creating a healthier community for all.”The California Hospital Medical Center Foundation is grateful for donors’ generosity. Learn more about how you can pledge to receive a personalized donor tile at SupportCaliforniaHospital.org/Personalized-Donor-Tiles.Reminder: Video Recording PolicyAt Dignity Health, we prioritize patient privacy and condentiality. As a reminder, all video recording at our facilities must rst be approved by hospital administration to ensure we adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA Rule as well as our internal policies on videotaping within the hospital. HIPAA states that health care providers, including hospitals and doctors’ oces, may only allow lm crews access to their facilities if they obtain written authorization from patients. Authorizations must also be signed by visitors and employees being recorded. Thank you for respecting the privacy rights of others and maintaining a safe environment. You can read CommonSpirit Health’s Photography, Video- and Audio-Recording Policy by clicking or scanning the QR code.Obtaining ApprovalRequests to record video must be approved by both Armando Iniguez, Corporate Responsibility Ocer, at -, and by Christina Zicklin, CA Region Director of External Communications, at -.
6 California Hospital Medical Dialogue CALL FOR ARTICLES: We encourage members of the California Hospital Medical Center Medical Sta to submit information or articles for publication each quarter. We welcome your input! Please send them to Tracie.CheesemanGipson@commonspirit.orgEditorial TeamChristina ZicklinEditorial DirectorTracie GipsonEditorDebi Siljander, MDChief Medical OcerTeresa BoyceInterim Director, Medical Sta AdministrationSylvia BaptistaMarket Development RepresentativeElectric Vehicle Charging Station ConversionTo ensure that we are able to meet the long-term needs of physicians and team members who use electric vehicles, we are transitioning to a pay-for-use model with our electric vehicle charging stations and installing new charging stations at select locations. This change will enable us to maintain the highest service standards, increase the uptime of charging stations, and reinforce our sustainability eorts at CommonSpirit Health.The conversion began with pilot sites in May . The new charging stations will begin to be installed later this summer. Pricing will vary based on local rates. Drivers will be required to download the ChargePoint App, which will help them locate available charging stations and manage payments.For support, drivers should continue to call the ChargePoint support line at -. Access to dedicated / customer support will resolve any issues quickly, enhancing the overall user experience. Please contact your local facility leader if you have additional questions about your local charging stations. We are excited about the positive impact this change will have on our community and the environment, and we appreciate your support and cooperation as we make this transition.To use the charging stations, please download the ChargePoint App.Apple AndroidTop CDI Query Response Achievers High physician response rates help accurately reect patient severity of illness and intensity of service. We thank the following physicians for their diligence and commitment to California Hospital. Criteria for Top Clinical Documentation Improvement CDI Query Response Achievers: Only physicians with three or more queries and an answer rate of – are included. Below are the top achievers for April, May and June. Congratulations on a job well done!Sheri Abudu, MD, Internal MedicinePeiman Arghavanifard, MD, Internal MedicineMarinelle Camilon, DO, Family MedicineHector Castillo, MD, Family MedicineSi Chen, MD, Internal MedicineEdvin Dilanchiyan, MD, Internal MedicineDaniel Drake, MD, Internal MedicineJonathan Ghiam, DO, Family MedicineCharles Guidry, DO, General SurgerySanaz Hashemi, MD, Family MedicineRichard Hernandez, MD, Family MedicineGudata Hinika, MD, General Surgery Lianne Ho, MD, Internal Medicine Bryan Hubbard, MD, General SurgeryFred Javdan, MD, Internal MedicineReginald Jones, MD, General SurgeryArdavan Mashhadian, DO, Internal Medicine Minas Melidonian, MD, Internal Medicine Michael Nguyen, DO, Internal MedicineJoseph Nussbaum, MD, Infectious DiseaseJames Roe, MD, Internal Medicine Siranuysh Salmastyan, MD, Internal MedicineJuan Silva, MD, Internal MedicineJustine Young, DO, Internal MedicineAnna Zvansky, DO, Family Medicine