Class of 2023
Daniel Cho, MD
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
Medical School: Keck School of Medicine of USC
Residency: UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital
Hobbies: LA Dodgers, The Office reruns, video games, and changing my son’s diapers
Why LAC+USC: I chose this fellowship program because I thought it would provide the best clinical training. I had a good ‘gut feeling’ on interview day and felt welcomed by all the faculty and fellows I met.
Job after Fellowship: CHOC
Fun Fact: Recently became a new dad!
Fatima Eskandar-Afshari, DO, MA
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP)
Residency: Loyola University Chicago
Hobbies: floral design, calligraphy, hiking/working out/cycling, traveling, spending time with family and friends
Why LAC+USC: LAC+USC is the largest program in Southern California with great education and exposure to various clinical settings and a diverse patient population. Great experience on my interview day and enjoyed meeting all my co-fellows. We are a big family!
Job after Fellowship: Stanford University
Fun Fact: I worked as an art gallery director/manager after college for a year.
Sheema Gaffar, MD
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate: UC Berkeley
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Residency: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Why LAC+USC: big fellowship program that offers a wide variety of clinical and research experiences
Job after Fellowship: CHLA
Fun Fact: I was a math teacher in Compton before going to medical school!
Abigail Leathe, MD
Hometown: Eliot, ME
Undergraduate: Middlebury College
Medical School: Tulane University
Residency: NYP Columbia
Hobbies: Hiking, swimming, reading
Why LAC+USC: Research opportunities, diversity of clinical training sites, ability to train in a high acuity setting
Job after Fellowship: Private practice in Sacramento
Fun Fact: I love animals and like to volunteer at animal shelters and as a foster mom
Manas Tetarbe, DO
Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI
Undergraduate: University of Michigan
Medical School: Kansas City University
Residency: Saint Louis University
Hobbies: Watching/playing sports, traveling, hiking, exploring different cuisines
Why LAC+USC: I really enjoyed my interview day! While speaking with the attendings and fellows, it was very evident that the training environment at LAC+USC was built on a foundation of teamwork and collaboration. In addition, the ability to rotate through sites that include all the way from Level 4 surgical referral centers to more community-based NICUs was perfect to obtain a comprehensive education no matter what my future outlook ends up being.
Job after Fellowship: Memorial Care Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital Long Beach
Fun Fact: I absolutely love airplanes, so much so that if I had not gone into medicine, I would have probably become a pilot. I still plan on learning how to fly in the future!
Juan Horacio Velasquez, MD
Hometown: Coatepeque, Guatemala
Undergraduate: Colegio Suizo Americano, Guatemala
Medical School: Universidad Francisco Marroquin, Guatemala
Residency: Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Bronx, NY
Hobbies: I enjoy playing tennis, soccer, watching sports.
Why LAC+USC: I took into account multiple factors while creating my fellowship rank-list and ultimately deciding for LAC+USC. 1. During my interview day, I appreciated the friendliness and collaboration amongst the NICU team. 2. The faculty is very committed to practicing evidence-based medicine, optimizing patient outcomes, and teaching the next generation of neonatologists. 3. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is state-of-the-art level IV NICU that provides care to a high volume of patients with various pathologies and diverse populations. Furthermore, fellows also cover two full level III NICUs (LAC+USC Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital), exposed to complex cases and the bread and butter of Neonatology; we also have the opportunity to perform multiple medical procedures. 4. On a more personal note, my wife and I are pleased to live in Los Angeles; we love the city, the weather, it feels like home, and its closer to our home countries.
Jobs after Fellowship: Mississippi
Fun Fact: I like everything related to aviation. I learned how to fly small airplanes, and now I truly enjoyed doing it every time I have the opportunity when visiting Guatemala.