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Transitional Year Residency Program

 

We are pleased to announce the new upcoming Desert Regional Transitional Year Residency Program. Our mission is to provide broad based foundational training for highly competent, successful and resilient physicians who will acquire all the skills needed to transition into their respective advanced residencies, and ultimately become board-certified physicians that serve a diverse patient population in our community. Our broad based curriculum is designed to prepare our residents to be competitive applicants for advanced categorical residencies and have the opportunity to explore other interests including scholarships, education, advocacy or leadership.

We are located in the city of Palm Springs within the Coachella Valley, part of the Inland Empire of Southern California. Our diverse patient demographic, including the underserved and vulnerable populations, provides real-world insights and challenges. Our commitment to the community instills a desire to serve the local community. Here, our residents learn to practice medicine with compassion and cultural competence.

Our faculty’s unwavering commitment to education, coupled with their role as mentors and guides, empowers residents to confidently navigate intricate medical scenarios. Their dedication enriches our well-rounded curriculum, ensuring that each resident emerges as a skilled and compassionate physician. With training at a Level 1 trauma center and state-of-the-art outpatient facilities, our program provides an exceptional training opportunity, shaping future healthcare leaders who serve our community with integrity and excellence.


Joel TrambleyJoel F. Trambley, MD, PhD

Program Director
Desert Regional Medical Center Transitional Year Residency

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine
American Academy of HIV Medicine Specialist

Residency: Internal Medicine - University of California at San Francisco

Medical Degree: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia

 

 


Core Faculty:

  • Luis Vera, MD
  • Ryan Roten, DO
  • Srinivas Sirimalle, MD

Curriculum Overview

The DRMC Transitional Year residency program is a one-year program that provides outstanding training for residents by providing excellent patient care with compassion and leadership skills.

  • Family Medicine Center(FMC) - Two months
  • Inpatient Medicine - Two months
  • General Surgery - One month
  • Emergency Medicine - One month
  • Obstetrics - One month
  • Pediatric Outpatient Clinic - One month
  • Electives - Four months
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Noon Lectures

DRMC Transitional Year residents are required to attend noon conference every Tuesday and Thursday from 12pm-1:30pm. Topics are varied and evidence-based, covering the entire spectrum of medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, behavioral sciences and psychiatry.

 

Application Information

The program offers twelve new positions each year.

TBD

Minimum Requirements

Residency applicants must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and  2 Clinical Knowledge (CK).

COMLEX Level 1 and COMLEX Level 2 Clinical Exam.

Must be graduated from medical school within the last five years, except in specific circumstances.

Three letters of recommendation (LORs)

As soon as applicants are accepted into a residency program, they are required to apply for a Postgraduate Training License (PTL) from the Medical Board of California (MBC). Please visit the Medical Board of California website for further information.

International Applicants

All applicants must possess a valid work permit prior to the date the rank order is submitted to the matching program or prior to a position being offered. This can be met with United States citizenship or permanent residency. We do not sponsor H1 or J1 visas.

International medical school students are required to submit the following additional documentation:

  • ECFMG Standard Certification with valid date.
  • Score for examinations used to qualify for the ECFMG certificate.

A completed application includes ERAS common application form, a dean’s letter, transcript, USMLE transcript or Complex transcripts, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendations, preferably including one from a department of medicine chair (or designee).

Contact

Selina Garcia
Coordinator, Transitional Year Residency
[email protected]
Phone: 760-424-7497

Transitional Year Residency
555 E. Tachevah Drive, Suite 2E-204
Palm Springs, Ca 92262

Transitional Year Residents

Mir Abdolazimi, MD

Hometown: Las Vegas (current); Plymouth, MN; Tehran, Iran

Hobbies: Sports (almost all kind), Outdoor activities, studying/ reading (behavioral).

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Transitional year to lead me to Psychiatry PGY-2, Proximity to Las Vegas where my family still live. The program director's attitude and experience.

Photo of Mir Abdolazimi, MD
Ahmed Abuaisheh, MD

Hometown: Amman, Jordan.

Hobbies: Soccer, Chess

Reason for Choosing DRMC: To stay close to my family and because of the wonderful team you have at DRMC.

Photo of Ahmed Abuaisheh, MD
Ogbonnaya Akuma, MD, MBA

Hometown: Onicha-Igboeze, Onicha LGA, Ebony State, Nigeria.

Hobbies: Soccer.

Reason for Choosing DRMC: DRMC has the qualities that I look out for in training as a resident physician. DRMC is located in Palm Springs, which weather I like the serenity, and I like the collegiality among residents and support from faculty.

Photo of Ogbonnaya Akuma, MD, MBA
Amneh Alsaleh, MD

Hometown: Amman, Jordan

Hobbies: I enjoy swimming, dancing, adventures and learning different language on YouTube.

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Since the pandemic, I became a California girl and I knew I wanted to match close to home and specially SoCal. I also wanted to work in a non-toxic environment. Resident wellness was also  a priority for me and I appreciate how DRMC take cares of residents to the best of their abilities.

Photo of Amneh Alsaleh, MD
Nasihudeen Azizz, MD

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Hobbies: Hiking, Swimming, Traveling, Playing, Soccer.

Reason for Choosing DRMC: I know that, I would receive a great training over here, diverse patient population and gaining a great clinical experience.

Photo of Nasihudeen Azizz, MD
Gamal Gawad, MD

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Hobbies: Surfing, Snow Skiing, Gym powerlifting, Cooking, Football Television/ Film.

Reason for Choosing DRMC: My father has been living in Palm Springs for over a decade and I have been hoping to match here since before entering Medical School. DRMC has a very good reputation within the community.

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Rohini Gurumoorthy, MD

Hometown: Chennai, India

Hobbies: Playing Veena-Indian Classical Instrument Painting.

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Lovely people and place.

Photo of Rohini Gurumoorthy, MD
Rayan Harb, MD

Hometown: Santa Ana, CA

Hobbies: Basketball, Kayaking, Podcast, Plants.

Reason for Choosing DRMC: My PD believed in me ( Dr. Carlson ).

Photo of Rayan Harb, MD
Christina Kavka, MD

Hometown: Old Bridge, NJ

Hobbies: Indoor gardening, kayaking, baking, cycling, hiking.

Reason for Choosing DRMC: Welcoming faculty and staff the program provides a very family friendly atmosphere, wide clinical exposure, diverse community and perfect weather during the winter.

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Athira Penghat, MD

Hometown: Cupertino, CA

Hobbies: Painting / Arts & Crafts, Weightlifting, reality TV, Thrifting.

Reason for Choosing DRMC: To gain another year of clinical experience while re-applying for categorical residency positions.

Photo of Athira Penghat, MD
Surya Suresh, MD

Hometown: Kollam India

Hobbies: Traveling, Choreography

Reason for Choosing DRMC: I am excited about the prospect of contributing to patient care for underserved population. I am confident that the nurturing environment fostered under the leadership of Dr. Carlson will empower me and my peers to excel.

Photo of Surya Suresh, MD