Faculty
Message from the Program Director
Thank you for your interest in Eisenhower Health’s Fellowship Program in Infectious Diseases. We are extremely proud of our new program and are excited for you to learn more about the exceptional training opportunities we provide. We take great pride in being able to provide clinical training in a variety of patient care settings, with faculty who are committed to excellence in patient care, bedside teaching, and research mentorship. Above all, we are committed to having a responsive group of faculty who are invested in training the next generation of clinicians and researchers in the field of Infectious Diseases. In addition, continuing your training in the beautiful Coachella Valley will give you an opportunity to experience desert living at it finest. Nestled between the mesmerizing San Jacinto Mountains and Joshua Tree National Park, the Coachella Valley is like no other place on earth. Living in the desert offers a quality of life that enhances your educational experiences. We thank you again for considering our program at Eisenhower Health. I believe that it offers an opportunity to advance one’s skill set and grow, combined with a pleasant working environment and an outstanding place to live and explore. I look forward to talking with you personally.
Ann Stapleton, MD
Professional Details
Primary Specialties: Internal Medicine*, Infectious Disease*, HIV Medicine
Languages: English, French
Years in Practice: 34 years
Years on Staff: 8 years
Professional Education
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
Internship: University of California-San Francisco
Residency: University of California-San Francisco
Fellowship: University of Washington School of Medicine
Board Certification
American Board of Internal Medicine
American Board of IM/Infectious Diseases
*Board Certified Specialty
Additional Faculty
Massoud G. Dezfuli, DO
Massoud G. Dezfuli, DO
Massoud Dezfuli, DO, MS, Board Certified in Infectious Disease, and is an Osteopathic Infection Disease specialist. Dr. Dezfuli is the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Director, Infectious Disease preventions Director, and was Section Chief of Infectious Disease at Eisenhower Medical Center from 2002 to 2004.
Dr. Dezfuli served his residency at Los Angeles County Hospital + University of Southern California Medical Center (LAC+USC), where he also completed a fellowship in Infectious Disease. Dr. Dezfuli then practiced Emergency Ambulatory medicine at LAC+USC before working in Primary Care. Since 1998, Dr. Dezfuli has maintained a solo practice, covering Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine and Hospitalist Medicine.
Dr. Dezfuli is a member of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Academy of General Physicians and the American College of Physicians.
Professional Details
Specialties: Infectious Disease*
Languages: English, Farsi
Yrs in Practice: 26
Yrs on Staff: 22
Professional Education Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
Internship: Los Angeles County Univ. of So. Cal Medical Center
Residency: Los Angeles County Univ. of So. Cal Medical Center
Fellowship: Los Angeles County Univ. of So. Cal Medical Center
Board Certification Authority: American Board of IM/Infectious Diseases
*Board Certified Specialty
Cyril Gaultier, MD
Professional Details
Primary Specialty: Infectious Disease / HIV Medicine
Languages: English, French, Spanish
Years Practicing: 31 years
Years on Staff: 3 years
Professional Education
Medical School: UCLA School of Medicine
Internship: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – GME
Residency: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – GME
Fellowship: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center – GME
*Board Certified Specialty
Xolani P. Mdluli, MD
Subspecialty Education Coordinator
Infectious Disease
Internal Medicine
Xolani P. Mdluli, MD
Professional Details
Primary Specialty: Infectious Disease*/Internal Medicine
Years in Practice: 12 years
Years on Staff: 11 years
Languages: English
Professional Education
Professional Education Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Internship: Jersey City Medical Center
Residency: Jersey City Medical Center
Fellowship: Loyola University Medical Center
Board Certification:
American Board of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases
*Board Certified Specialty
Vallari Patel, MD
Vallari Patel, MD
Board Certified in Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases, Vallari Patel, MD, received her medical degree from Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine. She attended the residency program in Internal Medicine at Harlem Hospital Center and completed her fellowship in Infectious Disease at Tulane University Hospital & Clinics.
“I was very sick as a child and through that experience gained a great appreciation for physicians and medicine. By the 7th grade I had determined I would pursue a career in medicine and the sciences,” states Dr. Patel.
It was while in her residency program that Dr. Patel was drawn to the specialty of infectious disease. “Infectious Disease captured my attention and most interested me because it can affect any and all parts of the body,” Dr. Patel states. “I knew I wanted to specialize in an area that encompassed the whole body system.”
“When treating an infectious disease, patients are often anxious and are seeking information. When approaching a patient after my assessment, I explain to the patient what I think is occurring and what I think we should do to treat the problem. But I am very mindful that the patient is part of the decision making; I put myself in the patient’s place – what would I expect? As a physician you have to see both sides.” states Dr. Patel.
Professional Details
Specialties: Infectious Disease*
Languages: English, Gujarati, Hindi
Yrs in Practice: 12
Yrs on Staff: 8
Professional Education
Medical School: NHL Municipal Med Coll, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine
Internship: Aria Health
Residency: Harlem Hospital Center
Fellowship: Tulane University Hospital & Clinics
*Board Certified Specialty