Richard Chiu, D.O.

Richard Chiu, D.O.
Undergraduate:  California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA
Medical School:  Touro University Nevada, Henderson NV

Something about yourself:  Hello!  I have been a resident of California for over 20 years, and am excited to be at Harbor-UCLA for pathology residency!  I am extremely enthusiastic about pathology as a career, and absolutely love the nature of its work.  I attended Caltech for undergraduate school where I majored in Chemistry, and then Stanford University for graduate school where I obtained two master’s degrees in Bioengineering and Epidemiology.  During my research career prior to medical school, I focused mostly on stem cell regenerative medicine and orthopedic-related studies, and had smaller opportunities to work in microbiology, virology, and biochemistry.  My family is originally from Taiwan, and I lived there between ages 7-12, studying Mandarin there as a child after being born in Iowa.  My family currently lives in Los Angeles County, only a 50 minute drive away, which makes coming to Harbor-UCLA particularly heart-warming and convenient!

Why I am interested in pathology:  I adore pathology chiefly because I am a very science-oriented person, and the nature of its work allows me to study and investigate diseases at their macroscopic, histological, cellular, and genetic levels.  It is the single specialty that energizes me to come to work every day, and my eyes automatically lit up whenever I see a pathology case!  I have been drawn to pathology since the first week of my very first pathology rotation in medical school – the work struck me as very unique and different from other clinical specialties.  I enjoyed hunting for the pathognomonic features that we all learned in medical school, and coming up with a mental picture of the underlying pathophysiologic process based on the visualized histological and immunochemical stain pattern.  Subsequently, I invested myself to pursue six more months of rotations in pathology.  The field also opens up a plethora of opportunities to engage in basic, clinical, and translational research, should one be more academically inclined.

My hobbies:  Current events, news, and politics, gym exercises, movies, writing, raising pets (hamsters and other cute animals)

What I like about Harbor:  Harbor-UCLA was my first choice for residency for two main reasons: first is that it is the institution closest to my home/family in L.A. (with its amazing sunny climate and bustling, energetic environment), and second is its top-notch quality of resident training afforded by the sheer volume and diversity of cases, and the attending pathologists with many years of experience.  I also had a wonderful impression of the program based on my interactions with the people during interview day, and could tell that the environment was very friendly and collaborative!

Areas of interest in pathology: Oncologic surgical pathology, and possibly hematopathology, cytopathology, or molecular pathology

Huynseok (Alex) Kim, M.D. 

Hyunseok (Alex) Kim, M.D.

Undergraduate

Korea National Sport University

Medical School

University of Santo Tomas

Something about yourself

I had a goal to live in the the United States someday. Though I didn’t know what to do for a living, I clearly had this weird goal about the place where I am going to live in the future engraved in mind.

I was just an ordinary boy that wanted to be a good son at home and  student at school before I met the movie, ‘Jerry Maguire’, which changed my life. The thoughts about the fascinating job and sport agent, captured and made me plunge into the world of physical education and sports in college.

When I failed and realized that I could no longer pursue the goal, I had done my best, living a day like living a week. However, I was able to get up and move forward instead of staying down whenever I failed. I had no time to waste and began exploring around since I had a goal carved firmly in mind. Even though I frequently get curious in several different things, I couldn’t find anything that sparked my interest. The more I yearned, the faster I became tired. I thought I needed some time to refresh myself to go further. This is the point that led me to the second chapter of my life.

As a healthy Korean man, I had to join the military, which is the obligation of a male citizen of Korea. I volunteered to join The Navy and, luckily, was chosen to serve as a medic to take care of patients by assisting military doctors. Through the duty as a medic, I was able to respark my dormant motivation toward a goal and dream. I ended up having a bold dream of becoming the U.S. physician, which literally ‘throw myself’ into the whole new world of medicine.

Even though it took me quite a long time to fill the huge gaps between physical education and medicine, all the time spent with my sweat and tears have made me grow to who I am today –  a physician in the United States.

There are so many things to be thankful for in my life, from my birth to the present life here in LA. I want to say thank to God, my family, friends, and the people that helped me along the way to where I am today. I am going to be the man that doesn’t take what I’ve got for granted, but does thank at all times in life.

Why are you interested in Pathology

When I was a medical student, I used to have this bias that Pathology is difficult and boring since there is few patient contact in the practice of Pathology. However, I got to know how stupid and ignorant I was about this beautiful field of medicine, Pathology.

It is absolutely unique in that it is in conjunction with many other specialities in medicine. The pathologists interpret every type of test results in practice, which can be a solid basis for clinicians to take a good care of patients. Thus, there is no time to be bored! Though it can be difficult sometimes but once you love it, you will learn it. I would like to say it is fun and productive enough for me to feel that I am involved deeply in the patient care which needs much attention armed with a vast amount of medical knowledge.I find this meaningful and worthwhile as a physician.

Your hobbies

To appreciate dramas and pop music videos alone!

What you like about Harbor

First, I love my team and the friendly vibes that it makes as one team in medical practice. Thank you, all!

Second, I love the weather here in LA County that is nice and cozy year round.

Third, I love the fact that Harbor is a county hospital that connects me to the underserved patient population. I have always wanted to channel my life into something meaningful in life while I pursue my career. I believe that practicing medicine at Harbor as a pathologist is the way I can start envisioning about it.

Areas of interest in Pathology

I am open to every specialty in Pathology and geared up for exploring each one of them!

Hehua (Hannah) Huang, M.D.

Hehua (Hannah) Huang, M.D.

Medical School: Sun Yat-Sen University (MD)

Graduate School: Peking Union Medical College (MS)

About me:  Prior to entering pathology, I was trained as an internal medicine physician in China and studied pharmacokinetics and analytical chemistry (mass spectrometry) in graduate school.  After that, I took a few years off to raise my three children.  I was attracted to the breadth and depth of knowledge that pathologists have.  My exposure to patient-oriented and research-based health care further motivated me to continue my training in the United States and pursue a residency in pathology. Now, as a pathology resident at Harbor-UCLA, I really enjoy coming to work every day.

Why are you interested in Pathology:  As a pathologist, I see all kinds of challenging cases every day, which is really exciting for me.  Pathologists work with tissue specimens and blood samples, which provide a valuable opportunity for research to understand diseases at a molecular level.  I enjoy the diagnostic aspect of medicine, and the role it plays to enhance patient care.

Your hobbies:  In my spare time, I enjoy biking, music, photography, and spending time with my family.

What you like about Harbor:  Harbor-UCLA a very well-rounded institution with a lot of exposure to both bread-and-butter and complex cases.  Raising children here in Southern L.A. is very appealing – the weather here is the best that I have experienced after living in seven other cities in two countries.  Most importantly, the incredible attendings and amazing co-residents create an atmosphere of warmth, growth and support, which make Harbor-UCLA a great place to work at.

Areas of Interest in Pathology:  Surgical path, cytopathology, hemopathology, blood bank………

Sara Salehiazar, M.D.

Chief Resident

Medical school: Kermanshah University of Medical Science, Iran

Something about yourself: I was born and raised in Iran, and I graduated from medical school in Iran.  After medical school I practiced medicine in an underserved area, which was an excellent experience for me!  Then I moved to the United States to pursue pathology as my specialty.  During my free time, I like to spend time with my family and friends, explore different restaurants, draw and paint, play board games, and jog.

Why are you interested in pathology: My first interaction with pathology was during ground rounds and tumor boards in medical school.  Pathology interacts with other fields and it is not limited to only one field.  During my final year of medical school, I started to read “The Emperor of all maladies” which was an important factor for my interest in pathology.  Also, the correlation of medical science and clinical science in pathology makes it a pure field of medicine!  Pathologists are involved in every stage of patient care, from screening, diagnosing, treatment, and follow-up!  Finally, pathologists see patients under the microscope, which I believe is a positive ability!!

Why Harbor-UCLA: After my interview with the faculty and residents I was sure that Harbor-UCLA is the place I wanted to complete my residency.  Harbor-UCLA fosters a friendly and professional atmosphere.  The faculty are supportive and charming, and the program has a remarkable education with many years of experience.  Harbor- UCLA serves a very diverse patient population providing plenty of challenging and unique cases to learn from during residency.  Also, Harbor-UCLA is close to my family and friends and it is close to beautiful beaches with fantastic weather!

Area of interest in pathology: Surgical Pathology, Breast/GYN Pathology

David Fernandez-Hazoury, MD

Medical School: Universidad Iberoamericana (Dominican Republic)

Something about yourself: Greetings! I am a US-IMG, raised in Orlando, FL. Shortly after graduating high school, I joined a combined undergraduate and medical school program in my mother’s home country, Dominican Republic. I went to medical school with the intention of becoming a pathologist, and it is truly a dream that I am closer to accomplishing my objective.

I like science, and I am very passionate about using knowledge to lessen the suffering of people. After learning of pathology in elementary school and looking through a microscope for the first time, I decided I wanted my job to be looking through microscopes to decipher microscopic findings. Although I deeply enjoy clinical medicine and the satisfaction of patient interaction, I am content that as a pathologist I play a crucial role in multi-specialty approach to patient care.

Why are you interested in Pathology? I am intensely curious about how disease develops and affects the body, and I am keen to develop skills to accurately and timely diagnose patients to improve patient outcome. Pathology allows me to investigate disease and disease mechanisms on a cellular level, and this is what I find most fascinating.

Your hobbies? I like to be outside, fish, run, go to the gym, and hang out with family and friends.

What you like about Harbor: Without doubt, Harbor was the friendliest and most competent program that interviewed me. I am humbled and privileged to have been selected for residency here at Harbor-UCLA. The attendings are experts in their field and they are dedicated educators. The atmosphere of our program inspires excellence and comradery.

Areas of Interest in Pathology: I am interested in surgical pathology and forensics.

Joshua Lee, MD

Undergraduate: UCLA

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University

Something about yourself 

I was born and raised in southern California. My interest in pathology began when I took a pathology elective in medical school.

Why are you interested in Pathology?

I really like the diagnostic aspects of medicine. Being able to give patients the answers to their illnesses is really gratifying for me.

Your hobbies?

Swimming, basketball, traveling

What you like about Harbor:

I really like the collegial atmosphere and complex pathology cases that Harbor has to offer.

Areas of Interest in Pathology:

Currently open to all fields in pathology

Chika Iguh, MD

Undergraduate: The University of Texas at Austin

Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine

Something about yourself:

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and I am of Nigerian descent. I have been interested in the study of science and disease since middle school, and this curiosity led me to study Microbiology and Infectious Disease in college, to consider medicine as a career towards the end of undergraduate school at UT Austin, and to ultimately decide upon it at the beginning of my masters program at Columbia University.  I am so thankful for this journey — a challenging one — and I am excited for what is to come in the near future, especially in the field of pathology.

Why are you interested in Pathology?

I was first exposed to the field of Pathology in graduate school, where I was fortunate to engage in cancer biomarker research in a clinical pathology lab. I knew for sure I wanted to pursue this field after rotating in several anatomic and clinical pathology electives while in medical school. I was particularly attracted to how pure this field is as it relates to the study of disease in addition to how well it integrates with virtually all fields of medicine. Pathology is the foundation of medicine!

Your hobbies?

My favorite hobbies are topline songwriting (creating vocal melodies and harmonies to lay on top of instrumentals) and singing. I’ve also taken up hiking since moving to LA.

What you like about Harbor:

I love the diversity, the social atmosphere, and the departmental and GME support. The weather here is perfect; it encourages me to actually go outside and exercise. I also love knowing that I’m serving a very large diverse and medically-underserved population; this is something that was very important to me when ranking residency programs. Considering all of this among many others, Harbor-UCLA was ideal, and I look forward to the rest of my residency here!

Areas of Interest in Pathology:

Currently I’m interested in general surgical pathology, GI pathology, and cytopathology; but I’m keeping an open mind as a new resident, as interests may evolve with more exposure.

Amani Minja, MD

Medical School: CHINA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

Something about yourself : I am originally from Tanzania, a country in East Africa. My home town Arusha, Tanzania which is close to Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Serengeti National Park among others has given me an appreciation for nature and wildlife. I was always interested in Medicine and after high school, I was fortunate to be awarded a scholarship to pursue my medical education in China, hence I am fluent in Mandarin. I also completed post graduate training in China and immigrated to the United States with my family in 2016.

Why are you interested in Pathology? I have always found the study of disease to be captivating and intellectually stimulating. The more I immerse into pathology the more I become fascinated with morphology, architectural details, the microscope and really how pathology pieces everything together to render an accurate diagnosis which ultimately impacts patient care.

Your hobbies? Playing soccer, listening to country music, spending time with my family

What you like about Harbor: Training here gives me the opportunity to provide care to a diverse patient population including the underserved population. This brings a great sense of joy and satisfaction. The interview experience was a memorable one and the goals of the program align with my interests.

Areas of Interest in Pathology: I am open to learning everything there is to pathology, however, I have special interests in Molecular Pathology, Surgical pathology, and Pediatric Pathology.