Class of 2023
Surya Manickam, MD
Hometown: Bellingham, MA
Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley
Medical School: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Residency: New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of Columbia University
Hobbies: Basketball, working out, swing dancing, podcasts, mediation, exploring everything LA
Why LAC+USC: Opportunity to work at the primary safety net hospitals of LA, unique cardiac experience, ultrasound and Echo curriculum, opportunity to work at 4 different types of NICUs
Plans after Fellowship: Would love to carry a focus in neonatal palliative care and parent mental health
Fun Fact: For better or worse, I have the signature dance move known as “The Surya”
Jasmine Massoumi, DO
Hometown: South Pasadena, CA
Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego
Medical School: Touro University California
Residency: LAC+USC Medical Center
Hobbies: hiking, drawing, playing with my pup lily, thrifting, trying new boba shops and eating froyo
Why LAC+USC: I enjoyed my three-year residency at LAC+USC and wanted to continue training here for fellowship because of the diverse patient population and the passionate individuals who shared the mission of providing quality care to the underserved population of LA County. I also was drawn to the program's wide range of experiences at different sites and robust education, especially in hemodynamics and POCUS.
Plans after Fellowship: Not sure yet, keeping an open mind! But I hope to continue to work with the underserved population of Southern California.
Fun Fact: When I was 11 I memorized almost all ~300 dog breeds to convince my parents to get me a dog… it didn’t work. Fortunately I am now am the proud co-parent to a scruffy pup named Lily who provides the best post-call snuggles!
Erin Myers, MD
Hometown: Clarksville, Tennessee
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Residency: University of California-Irvine/Children’s Hospital of Orange County
Hobbies: Reading, Running, Scuba Diving, Skiing
Why LAC+USC: I appreciate the focus on hemodynamics and ECMO, with not only clinical opportunities but a robust curriculum in these areas
Plans after Fellowship: We shall see! I am open to a multitude of opportunities
Fun Fact: In training I have been trying to read/listen to 15 books a year. So far I have been on a 3/3 streak!
Priyanka Patel, MD
Hometown: Upland, CA
Undergraduate: UC San Diego
Medical School: UC San Diego
Residency: UC San Diego-Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego
Hobbies: Hiking, running, cooking
Why LAC+USC: Dedicated teachers, exposure to ultrasound, and wide breadth of clinical experiences and research opportunities in multiple NICU settings
Plans after Fellowship: TBD
Fun Fact: The Antarctic blue wale is the largest animal on the planet and can reach up to 30 meters in length!
Natalie Smith, MD
Hometown: Denver, CO
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Residency: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Hobbies: Hiking, going to the beach, attempting to eat at a fraction of all the amazing restaurants in Los Angeles, visiting National Parks, skiing, visiting California vineyards
Why LAC+USC: I really liked the commitment to underserved and vulnerable populations at LA General Hospital, which is highly evident in the culture from the administration to each individual employee. I also like the highly specialized care at CHLA. Most of all, I felt like all the fellows and attendings were very supportive of each other and part of a big family.
Plans after Fellowship: Academic Neonatology
Fun Fact: I was named Natalie because it means "born on Christmas," although I was born four days after (close enough!)
Katie Tedesco, MD
Hometown: Gig Harbor, WA (in my picture!)
Undergraduate: Boston College
Medical School: Albany Medical College
Residency: USC/LAC+USC Medical Center
Hobbies: Paddle boarding, hiking, reading, baking, hanging out with my dog Bailey
Why LAC+USC: I fell in love with neonatology in the LAC+USC NICU, and am so lucky to be able to continue caring for the most vulnerable patients in LA’s primary safety-net hospital. I also love the exposure to multiple different types of NICUs, the research opportunities, and the commitment of the faculty to our education.
Plans after Fellowship: I’m excited to explore what working in a community, level 3, and level 4 NICU looks like during my fellowship, and seeing which environment works best for me!
Fun Fact: I am an advanced open water certified SCUBA diver!