What do you enjoy about your neurology training at Harbor so far?
“I am so glad I matched at Harbor UCLA for Neurology! I love that the faculty and residents are a tight knit group, often just a call or a text away if you have a question or need advice. The residents enjoy each other’s company, both in and out of work. I also enjoy the patient population, an underserved community in great need of specialty care. I really feel like I make a difference in each patient’s life at Harbor.”
Marissa Urbano, MD
Residency class of 2023
What do you enjoy about your neurology training at Harbor so far?
“I feel very blessed to be surrounded by ambitious and intelligent co-residents who continuously inspire me to do my best and make the most out of my training. I enjoy the collegial culture of our program and I appreciate the endless support that I receive from my colleagues in my professional and personal life.
It is a dream to be able to serve the community and live in the best city in the world, Los Angeles.”
Nina Long, DO
Residency class of 2024
What do you enjoy about your neurology training at Harbor so far?
“What I like about neurology training at Harbor so far is the support system. From the seniors to the faculty you always have someone that you can call or text for advice for any situation. You never feel alone which is huge when adapting to residency. I also enjoy my fellow residents and when we have time often hang out outside of the hospital.”
Howard Mufuka, DO
Class of 2025
What do you like to do on your days off?
“When I’m not in the hospital or on the couch binging TV shows, you can find me hanging out with my co-residents – enjoying a socially distanced beach day, bonding via “friendly” game nights, cooking for each other, or trying new restaurants/boba shops/ice cream parlors from Irvine to LA. Pre-COVID, we also enjoyed exercising together at the gym and doing miscellaneous activities around the area (highlights include escape rooms, concerts, museums, Magic Castle, karaoke, Disneyland).”
Keli Tahara, MD
Residency class of 2022
Fellowship class of 2023
What would you like to share with applicants about the program?
“One of the pros of the program is that the residents are very invested in the program. We give opinions and they are taken seriously and addressed, and we feel we are listened to.”
Robert Lee, DO
Residency class of 2022
Fellowship class of 2023
Looking back, how would you describe your neurology training experience at Harbor UCLA?
“The neurology training experience at Harbor was such a memorable time, surrounded by good friends. I enjoyed the collegiality, and the wealth of expertise shared among the attendings. I have had the privilege of training neurology medical students, residents, and fellows, and I think that the training at Harbor-UCLA top notch.”
Jose Carrillo, MD
Harbor Neurology Alumni, Class of 2009
Neuro-Oncology
John Wayne Cancer Institute
Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Neurotherapeutics
Considering you have worked in other neurology departments, what is unique about your time as faculty thus far at Harbor UCLA?
“I have worked at some of the biggest academic centers in the country in New York City and Baltimore with very large neurology faculties, and relocated to LA for my husband’s job. One thing I have truly loved about being here at Harbor-UCLA is the sense that you are doing something truly meaningful in patients’ lives. Our patients have limited resources and limited access to good medical care, and I think we provide that here. We have a caring and compassionate group of attendings and residents who genuinely want to be here to take care of patients in this underserved area. I also feel like there is a better mindfulness of one’s time outside of work. In New York, if you leave at or before 5:00 pm, you must be ill or the building must be on fire! But here, and in Southern California in general, there is a much more reasonable work-life balance, which improves our enjoyment of work and our camaraderie with one another.”
Kim Pargeon, MD
Epilepsy Specialist, Director of Outpatient Clinics