PGY-5
Tiffany Choe, DO
Hometown: Beaverton, OR
Undergraduate: Whitman College
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
Residency: University of Arizona
Hobbies: Crocheting and collecting pig-themed items
Why USC/LAG: I was drawn to the diverse patient population across the different hospitals and the open-minded, collaborative culture of the program.
Plans after Fellowship: I hope to return to the Pacific Northwest but am open to exploring opportunities in Los Angeles.
Fun Fact: I used to dragon boat on the Willamette River, where early mornings, synchronized paddling, and the steady beat of drums keep our team in perfect rhythm.
Camille Hebert, MD, MPH, IBCLC
Hometown: Van Alstyne, TX
Undergraduate: Baylor University
Medical School: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Residency: Finally escaped Texas and moved to the Big Apple! Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Kravis Children's Hospital
Hobbies: Rock climbing, yoga, hiking, crochet, scuba diving
Why USC/LAG: The most important thing to me when I was looking for a fellowship was a supportive family feel where I would be respected and valued both as a colleague and as a human, and I absolutely found that here. It was palpable during my interview how much everyone truly enjoyed each other.
Plans after Fellowship: Be a neonatologist hehe. Further details TBD
Fun Fact: Lived in Hawaii between residency and fellowship!
Gillian Saldanha, MD
Hometown: Berkeley, CA
Undergraduate: UCLA
Medical School: Temple University
Residency: UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland
Hobbies: running, swimming, watercolor painting, playing the piano, going to museums
Why USC/LAGMC: I loved working at a safety net hospital in residency and was drawn to the patient population we serve here in LA. I appreciate that we rotate through a variety of NICU settings, including a Level III and Level IV NICU. Everyone seemed very supportive and friendly during my interview day, which has turned out to be true!
Plans after Fellowship: Still deciding
Fun Fact: I own 2 bonsai trees (which have survived 1 year so far!)
Narin, Thanaputkaiporn, MD
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Undergraduate: Khon Kaen, Thailand
Medical School: Khon Kaen University
Residency: Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Hobbies: Hiking, singing, and playing the piano
Why USC/LAGMC: I am drawn to USC/LAC’s NICU fellowship because of its diverse patient population, high-acuity cases, and strong commitment to serving under-resourced communities. The people here—both the attendings and the fellows—are incredibly supportive, inspiring, and dedicated to teaching, which creates an ideal environment for learning and growth. The program’s emphasis on hands-on training, multidisciplinary collaboration, and research aligns perfectly with my goal of becoming a well-rounded neonatologist.
Plans after Fellowship: Return to Thailand to help improve newborn care and develop sustainable NICU systems in underserved areas
Fun Fact: I have traveled to Japan more than 10 times!
Rayna Tian, MD
Hometown: Arcadia, CA
Undergraduate: UCLA
Medical School: Stony Brook University
Residency: Children’s National
Hobbies: Enjoying good food with friends and family, hanging out with my cat, playing video games, and attending concerts!
Why USC/LAG: I love being exposed to the complex surgical pathologies at a large academic level IV while also getting to learn bread and butter neonatology at a level III NICU. Further, the faculty are all so warm and welcoming, and they all seem genuinely invested in helping us learn and become great neonatologists! Lastly, I really wanted to come back home to sunny LA being on the east coast for medical school and residency!
Plans after Fellowship: Unsure
Fun Fact: I am technically a near-professional pianist and can play any melody by ear!
Sarah Westbrook, MD
Hometown: Hemet, CA
Undergraduate: Mills College
Medical School: Creighton University SOM
Residency: University of Iowa
Hobbies: Gardening and hiking/backpacking
Why USC/LAG: I was attracted by the curriculum on ECHO/hemodynamics and opportunities for fellows to get hands-on with ultrasound technology in the LAG NICU. I was also drawn tot he ECMO exposure provided at CHLA.
Plans after Fellowship: Academic Neonatology
Fun Fact: I spend 6 weeks in Namibia working to protect desert elephants for my undergraduate thesis project