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Emergency Medicine Residency Program

 

Welcome New and Prospective Residents

On behalf of the Department of Emergency Medicine here at Desert Regional Medical Center, welcome to our site. It is with much anticipation that we welcome our new residents and look forward to growing a strong teaching program committed to resident education. We realize that a residency program ultimately becomes woven into the fabric of a candidate’s life and sets the foundation for the rest of their career. The aim here is to give our residents an experience that will form this foundation and provide all of the tools they will need going forward.

We are a family of independently-driven, collectively strong, compassionate individuals who build each other up and catch each other when we fall. We train clinically excellent, resilient emergency physicians who can handle anything, anywhere, anytime. We seek coachable individuals who are adaptable, reliable, hardworking, thrive on challenge, and who focus not on what they can take, but what they can give. We find grit, enthusiasm, humility and dedication to be of the utmost importance. We work hard, play hard. Together we are DRMC emergency medicine.

We are an ACGME approved, three year teaching site servicing the Coachella Valley. The program will accept ten residents per year. It is our goal to provide exceptional medical care, education and an environment that fosters personal growth in our residents.

Thank you for your interest in our program, please contact us with any questions.

Sincerely,
Joel Stillings, D.O.

joel-stillings-smJoel Stillings, D.O.

Program Director
Desert Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency

Current Positions:

  • Emergency Medical Services Director/Attending Physician
  • Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, CA
  • Attending Physician, Saint Bernardine Medical Center, San Bernardino, CA

Board Certification: Emergency Medicine

Residency: Emergency Medicine, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, CA

Medical Degree: D.O., Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, CA

Faculty Appointments:

  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, University of Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA

Applications

The Department of Emergency Medicine participates exclusively with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and can be found on the Electronic Residency Application Service. You may apply through the dean's office at your medical school, or through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.

Interviews

Scheduled in October through December, on Wednesdays and Thursdays and are offered to applicants who have submitted an application through ERAS. (Applications sent by fax or email will not be reviewed.)

The interview day starts at 9:00 a.m. and concludes by 2:00 p.m. The itinerary includes:

  • Weekly didactic lectures
  • Interviews with four faculty including program leadership
  • Tour of DRMC
  • Lunch with the residents and faculty

Information for International Medical Graduates (IMGs)

  • DRMC training programs are competitive and do not meet the hard to fill criteria required for Visa (Temporary TN work status, temporary H-1B and J-1) sponsorship.
  • Passing scores on the first attempt of USMLE steps 1 and 2 are required.
  • Applicants should have graduated from medical school within five years and must meet the accreditation requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for licensure.
  • ECFMG certification is not required at the time your application is submitted but is required to start residency.

Emergency Medicine Curriculum

The curriculum for Desert Regional Medical Center has been designed to meet ACGME accreditation standards and utilize the clinical strengths of the hospital faculty to produce quality trained physicians.  The hospital has elected to use 13, four-week arrangement for rotations.

PGY-1
Anesthesiology/OphthalmologyOne (1) Block
Emergency MedicineSix (6) Blocks
Internal MedicineOne (1) Block
SICUOne (1) Block
MICUOne (1) Block
Orthopedic SurgeryOne (1) Block
PediatricsOne (1) Block
EM/UltrasoundOne (1) Block
  
PGY-2
Emergency MedicineEight (8) Blocks
EM/UltrasoundOne Half (.5) Block
Female Reproductive MedicineOne (1) Block
MICUOne (1) Block
SelectiveOne (1) Block
Trauma/TICUOne (1) Block
  
PGY-3
Administration/Related ActivitiesOne (1) Block
Emergency MedicineEight and One Half (8.5) Blocks
Emergency Medical ServicesOne (1) Block
Pediatric Emergency MedicineOne and One Half (1.5) Blocks
PICUOne (1) Block
SelectiveOne (1) Block
  

Didactic Curriculum

The didactic curriculum is delivered through a combination of conferences, seminars, journal clubs, case studies, grand rounds, mortality and morbidity conferences. Four-hour sessions with two hours devoted to didactic lecture, one hour devoted to skills, and one hour are devoted to reading assignments, mortality and morbidity review, and case presentations that occurs weekly. Journal club, educational activities, and written exams occur on a monthly basis. Oral board simulation occurs on a quarterly basis. The in-service exam occurs on a yearly basis. Residents are expected to maintain active certification in ACLS, BLS, ATLS, and PALS.

Emergency Medicine Program Faculty

  • Joel Stillings, DO
    Program Director
  • Michelle Mouri, DO
    Assistant Program Director
  • Ryan Roten, DO
    Assistant Program Director

Babak Khazaeni, MD

Medical Director/Chairman
Desert Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency

Current Position: Medical Director/Chairman, Desert Regional Medical Center

Board Certification: Emergency Medicine

Residency: University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI

Medical Degree: MD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Faculty Appointments:

  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, University of Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA

Core Faculty

Jacqueline Le, MD

Assistant Medical Director/Core Faculty
Desert Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency

Current Position:  Assistant Medical Director/Core Faculty – Emergency Medicine Residency Desert Regional Medical Center

Board Certification: Emergency Medicine

Residency: Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA

Medical Degree: MD, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL

Faculty Appointments:  

  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, University of Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA

Michelle Mouri, DO

Assistant Program Director/Core Faculty
Desert Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency

Current Position:

  • Assistant Program Director/Core Faculty
  • Core Faculty – Emergency Medicine Residency Desert Regional Medical Center

Board Certification: Emergency Medicine

Residency: Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, CA

Medical Degree: DO, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Vallejo, CA

Faculty Appointments:  Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA

Ryan Roten, DO

Assistant Program Director/Core Faculty
Desert Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency

Current Position:

  • Assistant Program Director/Core Faculty
  • Core Faculty – Emergency Medicine Residency Desert Regional Medical Center

Board Certification: Emergency Medicine

Residency: Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, CA

Medical Degree: DO, Western University of Health Science, Pomona, CA

Faculty Appointments:

  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, University of Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA

Jeff Baker, DO

Clerkship/Director/Core Faculty
Desert Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency

Current Position:

  • Clerkship Director/Core Faculty
  • Core Faculty – Emergency Medicine Residency Desert Regional Medical Center

Board Certification: Emergency Medicine

Medical Degree: DO, Western University of Health Science, Pomona, CA

Residency: MLK Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Faculty Appointments:

  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, University of Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA

Grant Nelson, MD

Ultrasound Director/Core Faculty
Desert Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency

Current Position:

  • Core Faculty – Emergency Medicine Residency Desert Regional Medical Center
  • Ultrasound Director/Core Faculty – Emergency Medicine Residency Desert Regional Medical Center

Board Certification: Emergency Medicine

Residency:

  • Emergency Medicine, John Hospital & Medical Center, Detroit, MI
  • Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship, Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center/St. John Hospital & Medical Center, Detroit, MI

Medical Degree: MD, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI

Suneil Agrawal, MD

Core Faculty
Desert Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency

Current Position: Core Faculty – Emergency Medicine Residency Desert Regional Medical Center

Board Certification: Emergency Medicine

Residency:

  • Emergency Medicine, University of California, Fresno – Community Regional Medical Center

Medical Degree: MD, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA

Andrew Givner, MD

Core Faculty
Desert Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency

Current Position: Core Faculty – Emergency Medicine Residency Desert Regional Medical Center

Board Certification: Emergency Medicine

Residency:

  • Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children’s Hospital

Medical Degree: MD, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA

Micah Wittler, DO

Core Faculty
Desert Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency

Current Position:

  • Core Faculty – Emergency Medicine Residency Desert Regional Medical Center

Board Certification: Emergency Medicine

Residency: Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Colton, CA

Medical Degree: DO, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA

Faculty Appointments: 

  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, University of Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA

Non-Core Faculty

  • Brian Anderson, MD (Emergency Medicine)
  • Nnameaka Diribe, DO (Emergency Medicine)
  • Eugene Hu, MD (Emergency Medicine)
  • Asim Iqbal, DO (Emergency Medicine)
  • Heng Lee, DO (Emergency Medicine)
  • Jonathan Nichol, DO (Emergency Medicine)
  • Eric Ory, MD (Emergency Medicine)
  • Sonia Reyes, MD (Emergency Medicine)
  • Albert Wang, DO (Emergency Medicine)

First Year Residents

Mary Armbruster, DO

Hometown: Boulder, CO

Hobbies: Working out, being outside, cooking, spending time with my twin nieces!  

Reason for Choosing DRMC: The weather (no snow!). The amazing people and the incredible training!

Photo of Mary Armbruster, DO
Caroline Baber, DO

Hometown: Portland, OR

Hobbies: Biking, snowboarding, climbing, backpacking

Reason for Choosing DRMC: The people! I love the community here. Plus the proximity to the desert, mountains, and ocean is great.

Photo of Caroline Baber, DO
Jacob Brown, DO

Hometown: Glide, OR

Hobbies: Climbing, yoga

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Great training site. Great people, and I love the area. 

Photo of Jacob Brown, DO
Summer Burke, DO

Hometown: Temecula,CA

Hobbies: Arts and crafts, anything from drawing and painting to resin casting and refinishing furniture. I also enjoy volleyball and hiking. 

Reason for Choosing DRMC: I chose DRMC for the people! There is such a positive culture here, and so many amazing activities to do together in the desert.

Photo of Summer Burke, DO
Richard Clifford, DO

Hometown: Waukesha, WI

Hobbies: Indoor plants, cooking, foreign languages, Tarot cards, video gamer, VR and reading

Reason for Choosing DRMC: The amazing residents!

Photo of Richard Clifford, DO
Taylor Dawson, DO

Hometown: Phoeniz,AZ

Hobbies: Spending time with my family (husband and 2 kids!), retail therapy, coffee connoisseur, bargain hunter, entry level pastry chef.

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Everyone was happy and welcoming, and I also wanted to stay in the desert!

Photo of Taylor Dawson, DO
Aaron Deatherage, DO

Hometown: Running Springs, CA

Hobbies: Swimming, reading, video games, raising the children

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Close to home.

Photo of Aaron Deatherage, DO
Megan Flanagan, DO

Hometown: Hickory Hills, IL

Hobbies: Hiking, anything outdoors (camping, skiing, surfing), reading, arts & crafts

Reason for Choosing DRMC: The kind supporting environment. Residents & staff seemed happy & passionate about what they do. Excellent training located in a beautiful city.

Photo of Megan Flanagan, DO
Karina Munoz, DO

Hometown: Cathedral City, CA

Hobbies: Spending time with my family, anything outdoors (skiing, hiking), sports, eating, puzzles, and reading

Reason for Choosing DRMC: My hometown

Photo of Karina Munoz, DO
JonAngelo Perry, DO

Hometown: Twain Harte, CA

Hobbies: Snowboarding, climbing, golfing, baseball, football, cooking, & guitar

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Residents here felt like a family. Great location, and now being a level 1 trauma center, I wanted the experience.

Photo of JonAngelo Perry, DO

Second Year Residents

Kirsten Cable, DO

Hometown: Camarillo, CA

Hobbies: hiking, snow skiing, traveling, going to the beach

Reason for Choosing DRMC: amazing residents, I was Lucky to rotate here, great hands on experience, tons of Procedures, close to my family, get to live in Palm Springs

Photo of Kirsten Cable, DO
Jason Cinti, DO

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Hobbies: Cycling, Swimming, Running, Triathlons, Hiking, Backpacking,

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Rotated as a medical student and Absolutely fell in love with the culture here!

Photo of Jason Cinti, DO
Abigail Anne Deleon, DO

Hometown: Tacoma, WA

Hobbies: playing tennis, hiking with my dog, spending time with family

Reason for Choosing DRMC: The residents were all competent, the program is designed for resident success and my family are nearby.

Photo of Abigail Anne Deleon, DO
Paula Gomez, DO

Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA

Hobbies: Cooking, hiking with my dog and husband, watching crime documentaries

Reasons for Choosing DRMC: I rotated here as a medical student and loved the atmosphere that the residents and attendings created. Also, amazing location close to so many activities and also close to family!

Photo of Paula Gomez, DO
Anna Kosmalska, DO

Hometown: Los Gatos, CA

Hobbies: Anything outdoors, hiking, backpacking, sports, travel, camping, photography, spending time with friends

Reason for Choosing DRMC: The people and the training!

Photo of Anna Kosmalska, DO
Dustin Marinelli, DO

Hometown: Anaheim Hills, CA

Hobbies: Golfing, hiking, watching sports

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Great student rotation

Photo of Dustin Marinelli, DO
Vickie Penghsiung, DO

Hometown: Portland, OR

Hobbies: Traveling, hanging out with my doggo, snowboarding, plant hoarding, Netflixing, napping, knitting

Reason for Choosing DRMC: The wonderful people!

Photo of Vickie Penghsiung, DO
Osher Shefer, MD

Hometown: Oak Park, CA

Hobbies: Drawing, Painting, Scary movies, Sci-fi books, Camping, Traveling

Reason for Choosing DRMC: The incredible residents and attendings!!

Photo of Osher Shefer, MD
Bradley Steuble, DO

Hometown: Jackson, CA

Hobbies: Golf, all forms of exercise, watching/playing sports, Going out with friends, playing with my dog

Reasons for Choosing DRMC: location in Southern California, The people/culture and a busy high acuity trauma center

Photo of Bradley Steuble, DO
Bryn Walsh, DO

Hometown: Portland, OR

Hobbies: collecting houseplants, reading, hiking,

Reason for Choosing DRMC: the people, the training, and the location

Photo of Bryn Walsh, DO

Third Year Residents

Brooke Atkinson, DO

Hometown: Anaheim Hills, CA

Hobbies: Climbing, trail running, backpacking and surfing

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Rotated as a 3rd year medical student and loved it. Amazing attending, residents and staff.

Photo of Brooke Atkinson, DO
Sean Creegan, DO

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Hobbies: Writing and climbing

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Due to the great team in the Emergency Department

Photo of Sean Creegan, DO
Eshaan Daas, MD

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Hobbies: Love playing and watching sports, trying new foods and board games

Reason for Choosing DRMC: I really liked the culture

Photo of Eshaan Daas, MD
Nathan Escorial, MD

Hometown: Reno, NV

Hobbies: working out, basketball, swimming, kayaking, chess, snowboarding, golf

Reason for Choosing DRMC: The culture of the people, and great weather

Photo of Nathan Escorial, MD
Kyleigh Gaylord, DO

Hometown: Chandler, AZ

Hobbies: Cooking, baking, running and reading

Reason for Choosing DRMC: For the amazing training with great people!

Photo of Kyleigh Gaylord, DO
Omair Ilyas, DO

Hometown: Fountain Valley, CA

Hobbies: Anything outside

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Best interview I had, and close to ocean

Photo of Omair Ilyas, DO
Krysten NewComer, DO

Hometown: Orange County, CA

Hobbies: Hiking, running, beach days, calligraphy

Reason for Choosing DRMC: #1 the people! The residents and attendings were amazing on my away rotation, high level trauma, and close to family.

Photo of Krysten NewComer, DO
Maureen Petersen, DO

Hometown: Bouman, MT

Hobbies: skiing, running, hiking, camping & reading

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Residents, location and reputation

Photo of Maureen Petersen, DO
Sage Rivard, DO

Hometown: Palm Springs, CA

Hobbies: Running, gaming, weight lifting

Reason for Choosing DRMC: My hometown, and awesome sub-intern experience

Photo of Sage Rivard, DO
James Whall, MD

Hometown: Cupertino, CA

Hobbies: backpacking and boardgames

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Great Emergency Medicine culture

Photo of James Whall, MD