Our Departments and Divisions

The Department of Anesthesiology is an outstanding academic and clinical team of physicians, CRNAs, and researchers. We support a tertiary/quaternary care medical center that is a Level I Comprehensive Stroke Center, Chest Pain Center, and Level I Trauma Center for injured children and adults. Our large and diverse patient population is designated underserved, with complex medical comorbidities. We care for individuals undergoing impressively sophisticated procedures in many parts of our practice, as well as a range of more straightforward patients and procedures.

Our department has over 60 attending physicians, more than 60 residents, and nine fellows. Members of our faculty have subspecialty training in critical care, pediatric, cardiothoracic, transplant, pain management, regional, neurologic, and obstetric anesthesia. We are nationally renowned for academic and clinical excellence.

Chair: Richard Applegate, MD 

Divisions

• Pediatric Anesthesiology
  Division Head: Elizabeth Ghazal-Wagner, MD 

The Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery is comprised of a team of experts dedicated to improving patient health. With decades of clinical experience, our surgeons are leaders in the surgical treatment of all types of diseases of the chest. We use the most advanced equipment and latest surgical techniques, including minimally invasive surgery and robotic-assisted thoracic surgery, to achieve the best possible outcomes. Our surgeons — supported by cardiologists, nurse practitioners, and other specialists — perform both simple and complex cardiothoracic procedures on adults, children, and newborns.

Chair: Joshua Chung, MD

The Department of Dermatology offers medical, surgical, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatology services. Our clinics can help manage a broad range of conditions, from the most common to the rare and complex. Special services include phototherapy, patch testing, and Mohs surgery.

Chair: Harry Dao, MD

The Department of Emergency Medicine is one of our region’s two Level I trauma centers. We provide San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, and Mono counties with the most advanced trauma care available for children and adults, including rapid intervention for acute strokes and heart attacks as a designated Comprehensive Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center.

Chair: Lance Brown, MD

Divisions

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  Division Head: Lance Brown, MD

In the Department of Family Medicine, our physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are devoted to caring for patients at every stage of life. We value the benefits of maintaining continuity of care over time with shared decision making with patients.

Chair: Daniel Reichert, MD

Divisions

• Geriatric Medicine
  Division Head: Wessam Labib, MD 
• Palliative Care
  Division Head: Gina Mohr, MD

The Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics provides advanced, 24/7 care for women through every stage of life. Our services span the full spectrum of women’s health, including the latest gynecologic treatments, family-centered maternity care, cutting-edge cancer therapies, advanced urogynecology procedures, and advanced fertility services.

We offer innovative options not widely available elsewhere, such as robotic-assisted surgery for complex gynecologic conditions — including deep infiltrating endometriosis resection and laparoscopic abdominal cerclage — pelvic floor reconstruction, and genome-guided cancer therapies.

We care for patients throughout our region and beyond, often managing complex cases other facilities are unable to treat. Our area’s only dedicated obstetrical emergency department, operating 24/7 at Loma Linda University Medical Center, works seamlessly with one of California’s largest Level IV NICUs to provide exceptional, accessible care to mothers and newborns.

Our department is nationally recognized for quality and safety, with awards from the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, the Leapfrog Group, and U.S. News & World Report. Clinical research and education form the foundation of our academic mission, anchored by our 36-resident training program, our Gynecologic Oncology fellowship, and a new Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship launching in 2026.

Our faculty practice across multiple locations — including our main campus, Rancho Cucamonga outpatient clinic, and the San Bernardino SACHS clinic — and represent all major subspecialties in women's health.

We proudly recruit and support faculty across all divisions — including Academic Generalists, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Gynecologic Oncology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and Urogynecology — as well as advanced practice providers. At Loma Linda University Health, we are committed to clinical excellence, innovation, education, and compassionate service to our community.

Chair: Kevin Balli, MD 

Divisions

• Academic General Gynecology and Obstetrics 
  Division Head: Emerald Caruso, MD 
• Gynecologic Oncology
  Division Head: Yevgeniya Ioffe, MD 
• Maternal Fetal Medicine 
  Division Head: Ruofan Yao, MD 
• Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
  Division Head: Sam Siddighi, MD

In the Department of Internal Medicine, our highly trained physicians provide primary care and specialty care for almost every organ in the body. We care for and help co-manage patients with cardiac and pulmonary conditions, diabetes, chronic illnesses, geriatric patient care, and transplant and oncology patients. We provide preoperative assessments, gathering information and making connections from multiple data sets to identify solutions for optimal health outcomes.

Chair: Laren Tan, MD 

Divisions

• Allergy & Immunology
  Division Head: Luis F. Saca, MD 
• Cardiology
  Division Head: Antoine Sakr, MD 
• Discovery, Innovation & Regenerative Medicine
  Division Head: David J. Baylink, MD 
• Endocrinology
  Division Head: Kevin Codorniz, MD 
• Gastroenterology & Hepatology
  Division Head: Andrew C. Chang, MD 
• General Medicine: (Primary Care)
  Division Head: Pamela Lobo Moreno, MD 
• Hospitalists
  Division Head: Michael Matus, MD 
• Infectious Diseases
  Division Head: Jennifer Veltman, MD 
• Medical Oncology & Hematology
  Division Head: Hamid Mirshahidi, MD 
• Nephrology
  Division Head: Amir Abdi Pour, MD 
• Pulmonary, Critical Care & Hyperbaric Medicine
  Division Head: H. Bryant Nguyen, MD 
• Rheumatology
  Division Head: Christina Downey, MD

       *Independent cost center

The Department of Neurology is nationally recognized for providing comprehensive neurological care. Through our multidisciplinary expertise, we offer advanced diagnosis and treatment for neurological disorders. Our faculty are dedicated to delivering whole person care by working in close collaboration with specialists in neurosurgery, orthopedics, psychiatry, pediatric neurology, rehabilitation, and geriatrics to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. We are committed to advancing the field through innovative research, outstanding clinical training programs, and a deep focus on compassionate, patient-centered care.

We welcome neurologists across all subspecialties, as well as advanced practice providers, to join our vibrant academic community and shape the future of neurological care.

Chair: Travis Losey, MD

The Department of Neurosurgery provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment services for disorders of the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves. Our department provides services such as neurosurgical oncology, complex cranial, and skull base surgery. Our faculty provides a full array of spinal surgery, including complex spine. We also maintain and support a Level 4 epilepsy center, a Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, and a Level I Trauma Center.

Our experts are at the forefront of neurosurgical clinical care, research, and global academic endeavors. We use curated technology that is constantly evolving to provide the best possible options for our patients. Our patients benefit from our future-centric and strong mission-based approach.

Chair: Warren Boling, MD 

Divisions

• Brain Tumor Program & Skull Base Surgery 
• Cerebrovascular & Endovascular Surgery 
• Epilepsy Surgery 
• Movement Disorder Surgery 
• Pediatric Brain Neurosurgery 
• Spine & Nerve Surgery

The Department of Ophthalmology is the leading provider of eye care in our region. Our goal is to excel in the areas of patient care, physician education, and clinical research in ophthalmology. At the Loma Linda University Eye Institute, we provide whole person care using the latest technology and innovative surgical techniques.

Chair: Michael Rauser, MD

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery delivers comprehensive, expert care across the full spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions. Our team offers specialized treatments ranging from hand surgery and spine care to trauma management, joint replacement, and tumor removal. Faculty members are committed to providing personalized care plans tailored to each patient’s needs, with a focus on achieving the best possible outcomes. Depending on their subspecialty, orthopaedic surgeons and advanced practice providers practice in outpatient clinics, operating rooms, and inpatient care settings across our health system.

We are actively recruiting across all orthopaedic subspecialties, inviting surgeons and advanced practice providers (APPs) who are dedicated to excellence, innovation, and whole person care to join our vibrant, collaborative team.

Chair: Thomas Donaldson, MD 

In the Department of Otolaryngology, our specialists are experts in the entire spectrum of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery. Our team of 30 fellowship trained surgeons provide tertiary level care to the almost five million patients that call the Inland Empire home. We service seven local hospitals with 24/7, 365 days a year on-call and emergency services. We provide clinical care in Loma Linda, Redlands, Rancho Cucamonga, Murrieta, Riverside Community Hospital, Riverside County Health System, San Bernardino, SAC Health System, and The Veteran’s Hospital of Loma Linda. Our physicians lead multiple medical mission trips yearly to bring a message of healing and hope internationally.

Dedicated to education, we currently train 20 resident physicians and three advanced surgical fellows to help bring sustainability to our profession. We strive daily to bring the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to our community through excellent patient care.

Chair: Alfred Simental, MD, MBA

Divisions

• Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Ear, Nose, Throat Care
  • Pediatric Hearing Center
  • Pediatric Airway Care
• Head & Neck Cancer Care 
  • Thyroid and Parathyroid Center
  • Salivary Gland Center
  • Skull Base Tumor Center
• Sinus Center
• Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Care
  • Facial Nerve Center
  • Skin Cancer Center
  • Facial Cosmetic Surgery
• Voice and Swallowing Center
  • Laryngology
  • Airway Surgery
  • Professional Voice Therapy
  • Advanced Swallowing Therapy
• Otology & Neurotology
  • Audiology
  • Cochlear Implant and Rehabilitation
  • Vestibular Care
  • Eustachian Tube Health
• Snoring and Sleep Medicine Surgery
• General Ear, Nose, Throat Care

The Department of Pathology and Human Anatomy plays a critical role in advancing patient care through expert diagnostic services, research, and education. Our faculty includes board-certified pathologists and subspecialists who collaborate closely with clinicians across the health system to deliver precise and timely diagnoses that guide patient treatment. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, we are deeply committed to training the next generation of pathologists through our residency program while continually pursuing research that drives innovation in laboratory medicine and pathology.

We are seeking dedicated pathologists and advanced practice providers who share our passion for whole person care, academic growth, and service within an academically rich and collaborative environment.

Chair: Paul Herrmann, MD 

The Department of Pediatrics supports the state-of-the-art Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, recognized as a Best Children's Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. Our pediatric specialists provide high-quality, compassionate care for each baby, child, teenager, and mother who seeks our help for routine or chronic and complex care.

Chair: Francis Chan, MD

Divisions

• Pediatric Allergy & Immunology 
  Division Head: Biswas Joshi, MD  
• Pediatric Cardiology 
  Division Head: Micheal Kuhn, MD  
• Pediatric Critical Care 
  Division Head: Merrick Lopez, MD  
• Pediatric Endocrinology 
  Division Head: Sena Cantas Orsdemir, MD  
• Pediatric Forensics
  Division Head: Amy Young-Snodgrass, MD
• Pediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology 
  Division Head: Kalyan Parashette, MBBS  
• Pediatric General Inpatient (LL) 
  Division Head: Chad Vercio, MD  
• General Pediatrics (Primary Care) 
  Division Head: Chad Vercio, MD  
• Pediatric Genetics 
  Division Head: Robin Clark, MD  
• Pediatric Hospitalists (WMMC) 
  Division Head: Chad Vercio, MD  
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  Division Head: Alvaro E. Galvis, MD  
• Pediatric Medical Oncology & Hematology 
  Division Head: Albert Kheradpour, MD  
• Pediatric Neonatology (NICU) 
  Division Head: Lily Martorell-Bendezu, MD  
• Pediatric Nephrology 
  Division Head: Arwa Nada, MBBCH  
• Pediatric Neurology 
  Division Head: Joshua Loeb, MD  
• Pediatric Psychology 
  Division Head: Mary-Catherin Freier, PhD 
• Pediatric Rheumatology 
  Division Head: Wendy De La Pena, MD

For over 40 years, our physicians in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation have been providing care for physical, social, and emotional needs after injury or disease. Our interdisciplinary team may include professionals such as neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, urologists, and nonphysician healthcare professionals, such as neuropsychologists, physical therapists, speech therapists, and social workers. We provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary spine and pain management, including neuromodulation and spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain conditions, as well as robotic/technology-assisted neurorehabilitation.

Chair: Justin Hata, MD

Vice Chair: Samuel Lee, MD, MSc

Divisions

• Neuropsychology* 
  Division Head: Travis Fogel, PhD  
• Pain Management
  Division Head: Justin Hata, MD 
• Pediatric Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 
  Division Head: Thaddeus E. Wilson, MD

       *Independent cost center

Our expert plastic surgeons in the Department of Plastic Surgery provide world-class, comprehensive care for our aesthetic and reconstructive surgery patients. We are national leaders in cosmetic surgery, breast reconstruction, skin substitutes, wound healing, complex microsurgery, and facial trauma. We frequently treat patients from all over the U.S. and around the world. Our broad base of clinical and research expertise helps us operate on the most complex problems while achieving outstanding results.

Chair: Subhas Gupta, MD, PhD

Divisions 

• Breast Reconstruction
  Division Head: Hahns Kim, MD
• Cosmetic and Aesthetic Surgery
  Division Head: Subhas Gupta, MD PhD
• Craniofacial Surgery
  Division Head: Mark Martin, MD
• Hand Surgery
  Division Head: Stephanie Holzmer, MD
• Pediatric Plastic Surgery
  Division Head: Andrea Ray, MD

Our Department of Preventive Medicine consists of General Preventive Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Occupational Medicine, and Addiction Medicine services.

At the Center for Health Promotion, our preventive, lifestyle, and obesity medicine clinicians are committed to preventing, treating, and reversing chronic disease. Our experts promote the health and well-being of our patients, communities, and corporate wellness partners. Other unique programs include Executive Health, Health 180 (our Intensive Therapeutic Lifestyle Change Program for chronic disease remission or reversal), and our travel clinic.

At the hospital, we are the only program in the region to offer inpatient lifestyle medicine and inpatient addiction medicine services.

At our Occupational Medicine clinic, we ensure that employees from around the Inland Empire receive whole person care to get them back to work quickly and safely. Our nationally recognized team of experts utilize best practices in return-to-work protocols and therapies.

Our Addiction Medicine team services the Behavioral Medical Center, SAC Health, and the main hospital, offering caring and empathic evidence-based treatment of substance use disorders.

Chair: Karen R. Studer, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM

Our Department of Psychiatry provides whole-person care grounded in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. We embrace the values of excellence, compassion, and justice while we deliver innovative, evidence-based care tailored for our regional population.

Our services include extensive inpatient beds, a robust ecosystem of partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and specialized care for addiction, ADHD, personality disorders, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and medically complex patients. We also offer electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and outpatient care across multiple locations, including partnerships with our Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

We offer abundant opportunities to engage with trainees at all levels, including psychiatry residents, child psychiatry fellows, addiction fellows, medical students, clinician trainees, and psychologists. Through compassionate care and a commitment to excellence, we are making a positive impact on the individuals and communities we serve. We invite you to be part of this meaningful work.

Chair: Ara Anspikian, MD

Our Department of Radiation Medicine offers advanced, research-based radiation treatment, along with personal, compassionate, whole person care. Our proton therapy center was the first hospital-based treatment center in the world to offer the therapy and has been a leader in proton therapy research and treatment for over 30 years.

Chair: Jerry Slater, MD

The Department of Radiology is dedicated to combining clinical excellence, compassionate patient care, leading technology, and patient-centered research to advance the future of imaging medicine. Our faculty includes board-certified physicians, subspecialists, physicists, technologists, and support personnel, who together perform over 550,000 radiologic examinations each year. With a strong commitment to education, we foster the development of future radiology leaders through our residency and fellowship programs, all while continuously enhancing patient outcomes through innovation and collaboration.

We are seeking radiologists across all subspecialties, as well as advanced practice providers. We want to work with individuals who share our passion for whole person care, academic inquiry, and the pursuit of excellence in a diverse and dynamic academic medical center.

Chair: J. Paul Jacobson, MD 

Our Department of Surgery is committed to enabling surgical faculty and trainees to reach their highest professional and academic potential while exemplifying Loma Linda University Health’s motto, “To make man whole.” Our vision is to create global surgical leaders in whole person care, education, and research. Our strategy is to be recognized by 2030 as a leader in high-value, technologically advanced, whole person surgical care in the Inland Empire and globally.

Chair: Sharon Lum, MD, MBA 

Divisions

• Acute Care Surgery 

  Our Level I Trauma Center provides the highest level of surgical care for traumatic injuries. We offer separate emergency departments for adults and kids, with four adult trauma bays and two pediatric trauma bays. All our specialists work together as a team to give patients the best possible experience, and we connect our patients and families to helpful resources for support after discharge.
  
  Division Head: Kaushik Mukherjee, MD, MBA, MSCI  

• Colon and Rectal Surgery 

  We are a national and international leader in minimally invasive and robotic surgery with expertise in advanced robotic colorectal surgery and rectal cancer treatment. Our team provides comprehensive management for colorectal disorders and cancers with treatments addressing anatomic and functional conditions of the colon, rectum, and pelvic organs. Our world-renowned experts deliver outstanding care and support to our patients.
  
  Division Head: David Row, MD  

• General and Minimally Invasive Surgery

  We perform complex robotic surgeries, including bariatric, foregut, ventral and inguinal hernia procedures, as well as gallbladder surgery. We also perform complex abdominal wall hernia surgery, including robotic, open, and laparoscopic approaches. We also offer natural orifice surgery with endoluminal suturing techniques that require no incisions. Our bariatric program has achieved the highest level of accreditation through the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) as a comprehensive bariatric center, and we are a Blue Center of Distinction for bariatric surgery.

  Interim Division Head: Sharon, Lum, MD, MBA

• Pediatric Surgery 

  We are the only full-service pediatric surgical practice in our region. We participate in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for Pediatrics, a significant investment in patient safety and healthcare quality. We are also a Level I American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Verified program, in addition to having a neonatal and pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program.
  
  Division Head: Donald Moores, MD  

• Surgical Oncology 

  We are the only comprehensive cancer center in our region. We are a Commission on Cancer accredited cancer program and a tertiary and quaternary referral center. Our physicians treat complex and challenging neoplasms, integrating clinical research and state-of-the-art care customized to individual patients’ needs. Our researchers have revolutionized cancer care in several areas, benefiting hundreds of thousands of patients. Innovation, research, and compassionate care — with an emphasis on whole person care that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient — have earned us recognition as a leader in the field of cancer care.
  
  Division Head: Aaron C. Saunders, MD, MAS 

• Transplant Surgery

  We are the only comprehensive abdominal organ transplant center in the region performing liver (adult), kidney (adult and pediatric), and pancreas (adult) transplantation. Overall, we have performed close to 5,000 kidney, 1,500 liver, and 500 pancreas transplants. We are the regional leader in liver transplants for adults and offer exceptional hepatology care for liver-related diseases such as cirrhosis management, liver malignancies, and chronic liver diseases. Our kidney and pancreas transplant program is one of the largest and busiest in the region.

  Division Head: Michael de Vera, MD, FACS

• Vascular Surgery 

  We perform a wide range of complex and open endovascular procedures to treat all types of vascular diseases using state-of-the-art technologies. Our vascular surgeons draw on the expertise and assistance of many other specialists to create comprehensive, individualized treatment plans. They provide the highest level of surgical care for patients with conditions affecting the entire peripheral vascular system.
  
  Division Head: Ghaleb A. Darwazeh, MD, RPVI

Our Department of Urology is the largest, most comprehensive urology department in our region. We promote whole person care with a team-oriented approach to deliver cutting-edge, best-practice, individualized care. Our surgeons have expertise in urologic cancer surgery, robotic and minimally invasive surgery, complex stone treatment, urologic reconstruction, urogynecology, bladder function, and male health, fertility, and sexual function. We emphasize collaboration through multidisciplinary tumor boards and case conferences, helping us create the ideal treatment plans for unique and complex patients. Our experienced nurse practitioners expand access in our outpatient offices and help expedite movement of our patients through the continuum of care.

We are committed to providing the best in patient care, excellence in education for our residents and students, and an unmatched professional environment of creative inquiry and research — driven by our purpose to live the ministry of Jesus Christ as we heal, teach, innovate, and discover.

Chair: Herbert Ruckle, MD

Divisions

• Pediatric Urology 
  Division Head: David Chamberlin, MD