Health Science Alumni Spotlight

Annie Dao (’17) entered the University of Southern California Doctorate in Physical Therapy Program in 2017. She finds it challenging and fast paced, but very fun. She recommends that pre-PT students keep their anatomy knowledge fresh, take exercise physiology, and gain work experience as a PT aide if possible.

Megan Demots (’18) is living in her hometown of Portland, OR and is in her second year at the University of Southern California Doctor in Physical Therapy Hybrid Program. She is a student ambassador for the program and would be pleased to speak to any SMC students who are considering the program.

Alexis Standfield (’10) completed the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Sammuel Merritt University in 2015. She is currently a senior physical therapist at Kaiser Permanente.

Nolan Arieta (’01) received a Master’s in Science Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of the Pacific in 2003 and his Doctorate in Physical therapy from the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He currently is a Physical Therapist at the Alhambra Valley Physical Therapy Clinic, a family-owned business, where he is a mentor for current SMC students.

Danny Keller (’08 Kinesiology) received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of California San Francisco in 2014 and is currently Asistant Clinical Professor at the UCSF Medical Center.

Becca Matlon (’13 in Kinesiology) completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2017 at Elon Univeristy. She currently a Physical Therapist at Advance Phyiscal Therapy, Inc.

Heather Toma (’08 in Kinesiology) completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2014 at the University of Southern California. She is currently a Physical Therapist at Agile Physical Therapy in Palo Alto.

Jordan Raya (’10 in Kinesiology) completed his Doctor of Physical Thearpy degree in 2013 at the Universit of the Pacific. He is now a Physical Therapist at John Muir Health.  

Milani Kyaw (’17) conducted a research fellowhsip with the NIH Minority Health & Health Disparities International Research Program and the Public Health Research Institute of India in 2016. She prepared for her graduate studies by working as a Medical Scribe and as a Medical Assistant in an OB/GYN office. In 2020, she entered the Masters of Science in Nursing Program at Vanderbilt University.

Kalynn Schramm (’18) spent the last two years preparing for entry into a nursing program and working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in her hometown of San Diego. She will begin her Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree at San Diego City College in January 2021.

Alicia Stone (’18) spent two years working as a medical scribe at Allergy and Asthma Medical Group of the Bay Area. She will graduate from the College of Marin nursing program in May 2021 and was also accepted to Sonoma State's CNECM program where she will complete her BSN in May 2022. She recommends the program and describes it as fast paced, but well organized and efficient.   

Samantha Pastor (’18) entered Samuel Merritt’s ABSN program in Sacramento in 2019. She is competing her clinical training at UC Davis Medical Center where has enjoyed learning at such an advanced learning facility. She particularly loved rotations in the NICU, and in the labor and delivery unit.

Kristen Barcenas (’18) is working as an Infant Hearing Screening Specialist and preparing applications to attend an Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing program in 2020.

Kyla Cole (’18) is currently working as a Certified Nursing Assistant to gain experience in preparation for nursing school.

Noor Kanan (’19) graduated from Saint Mary’s as a Health Science major and went on to work as a medical assistant and physical therapy aide to gain patient care experience for graduate school. She will be attending Dominican University of California this fall for Physician Assistant program.

Angeline Tang (’13 in Biology) worked as a Staff Research Associate and Medical Assistant at the University of San Francisco Medical Center before entering the Pace University Physician Assistant Program in 2018.

Jackie Tan (’18) has gained work experience in the medical field over the past two years as a Medical Assistant with Forward and Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology to prepare for her studies as a Physician Assistant.

Shivani Patel (’18) has gained work experience in the medical field over the past two years as a Medical Assistant at the Turner Eye Institute and with El Camino G.I. Medical Associates and Shaheen Vascular to prepare for her studies as a Physician Assistant.

Hannah Liserra (’17) is in the process of gaining work experience at Cal Sports and Orthopedics as a medical scribe to prepare for her studies as a Physician Assistant.

Tegan Stuart (’19) was accepted to the MPH Program in Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University. She works as a Freelance Illustrator as well as a Community Outreach Intern with the Leukemia & Lymphma Society.

While at St Mary’s, Rachel Alvarez (’14), worked as a Peer Advocate and participated in the Future Public Health Leaders Program at the University of Michigan, a CDC-sponsored summer internship. After graduation, she worked as Health Educator and Community Engagement Coordinator at the Sacramento Native American Health Center position. Rachel recently graduated from the University of San Francisco with her MPH and plans to become a Certified Health Education Specialist.

Marissa Ramirez ('16) graduated last May with my MPH from Claremont Graduate University with a double concentration in health promotion, education, and evaluation & applied biostatistics and epidemiology. I’m currently working as a Health Program Analyst I with LA County for COVID outbreak management. 

Fabiola Zaragoza (’19) entered the UC Berkeley Doctor of Optometry Program in 2021.

Brittany Lopes (’19) was accepted to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at the Kaiser School of Allied Health Sciences and is thrilled to be starting in June 2020.

Lorenzo Luna (’16) was a Leadership Counselor with the Peer Health Exchange while at St Mary’s. He went on to complete the Community Regional Medical Center Sonography Program in 2018 where he specialized in the adult cardiac tract and pediatric sonography. He is currently a Cardiac Sonographer with the Pediatric Echo tea at Community Medical Centers in Fresno.

Jada Walker (’18) is in her second year of the PhD program in Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin where she has had a great experience thus far and looks forward to developing into an effective research scientist. See her full story here. 

Ryan Henry (’19) entered the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Touro University California in 2019 and is currently an Intern Pharmacist at CVS Pharmacy in Walnut Creek.

Franchesca Soe (’17) entered the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy at University of the Pacific in 2018 and is currently an Intern Pharmacists at Lucky Pharmacy in Stockton.

Kristina McGinley (’09) completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery at University of California San Francisco in 2014.  She is currently an Associate Dentist at Bradburn Dentistry in Clayton.

Nathalie Lambrecht (’14) completed the UC Davis Pre-medical Surgical Internship in 2014 and went on to earn her Doctor of Philosophy in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan in 2016 where she researched the linkages between household livestock ownership and anemia among young Ghanaian children.

Jessica Imbrie (’17) worked as a Seasonal Wetland Ecology Technician for Colorado State University in remote parts of Alaska following graduation. She went on to work as a Natural Resources Specialist for AKS Engineering and Forestry in Oregon and is considering graduate studies in Ecology.

Kimberly Delen-Briones (’17) was accepted to the Palmer college of Chiropractic in San Jose and expects to complete her degree in 2020.

Valerie Moore (’16) is a Chemistry Teacher at Golden Valley High in her hometown of Merced, where she is working toward her Master’s Degree in Education. She is also the Assistant Coach for Track and Cross Country and loves it.