Current Residents

Matthew Chen, MD

HOMETOWN: South Pasadena, CA

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: Johns Hopkins University

MEDICAL SCHOOL: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine

ABOUT ME: I grew up in Southern California, and I initially became interested in Emergency Medicine by volunteering at various hospitals. I’ve been all over the country for my education, with K-12 in the west, college in the east, and medical school in rural Mississippi. During my free time, I enjoy running, biking, going to the gym, and playing the piano.

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: In medical school, as President of Red Cross Club, I organized blood drives on university campus. We had great turnouts, and I am very glad that I was able to contribute to a good cause.

WHY EISENHOWER HEALTH: Being from Southern California, I like the location of Eisenhower Health, and I have been wanting to return home for residency. I also rotated at Eisenhower Health, and I had a great time and got to know a lot of the attending physicians and other residents.

Robert Collins, MD

HOMETOWN: San Jose, CA

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: University of California, Merced

MEDICAL SCHOOL: Ross University School of Medicine

ABOUT ME: I was born and raised in San Jose and spent much of my academic journey in the Central Valley. Before medical school, I worked at a Bay Area urgent care, starting as a medical assistant and eventually becoming Director of Operations. After gaining experience in healthcare administration, I pursued my M.D. at Ross University, spending two years in Barbados and completing clinical rotations across California.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy weightlifting, running, woodworking, refurbishing vintage weights, and exploring the outdoors with my fiancée and our German Shepherd, Buddy. My favorite activities include hiking, backpacking, car camping, and running half marathons, with plans to complete a full marathon soon.

Looking ahead, I hope to grow into a well-rounded emergency medicine physician while continuing to explore the outdoors and build a life centered on family, service, and adventure.

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: I earned my B.S. in Human Biology from UC Merced and my M.D. from Ross University, where I was named to the Dean’s List throughout basic sciences. I’ve co-authored several case reports presented at conferences and enjoyed mentoring prospective medical students through Q&A sessions. As the first physician in my family, I hope to inspire others in my family and community to pursue this wonderful profession!

WHY EISENHOWER HEALTH: After completing several clinical rotations at Eisenhower, I quickly realized that this program would challenge me to grow while providing the mentorship and resources to thrive. I knew that the high ED volume and diverse patient population would expose me to a broad range of pathology. I also appreciated the program’s culture, which emphasizes procedural training, resident wellness, and strong community involvement. The faculty’s commitment to both the program and resident experience was clear, and I saw firsthand how this positively impacted the residents. As a bonus, Eisenhower is located in a beautiful part of California, with easy access to major cities and the natural spaces I love to explore.

Grace Garcia, MD

HOMETOWN: Van Nuys CA

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: University of Miami

MEDICAL SCHOOL: Saint Louis University

ABOUT ME: I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, where my family still lives today. I am proud to be Mexican American and grew up speaking Spanish at home. After high school, I moved to Miami to earn my undergraduate degree. I then took a gap year working as and ED scribe in Maui, which is where I first fell in love with Emergency Medicine. My next move was to the midwest, where I pursued my medical degree in Saint Louis. In my free time I like to work out, hike, go to the beach, and watch reality TV with my cat.

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: I am a first-generation college graduate and the first physician in my family.

WHY EISENHOWER HEALTH: I felt that Eisenhower was a place where I could learn to be a well-rounded EM doc while feeling supported by the people around me. As a huge bonus, I get to enjoy the Southern California sun and live close to my family.

Jonathan Kwok, MD

HOMETOWN: Huntington Beach, CA

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: UC San Diego

MEDICAL SCHOOL: American University Of The Caribbean

ABOUT ME: I love playing basketball, volleyball, and I’m working on my lifelong goal of dunking. In addition to my sports passion, I enjoy researching and testing basketball and running shoes to find the perfect one. Off the court, I’m an avid listener of K-pop and have binged over 45 K-dramas along with 200 anime series.

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: I had the opportunity to do a global health elective at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This was a unique experience, as it allowed me to practice medicine in the country where my parents grew up. Rotating in Vietnam was also a humbling experience, as I witnessed firsthand the challenges of providing care in a resource-limited setting. It deepened my appreciation for the resilience of both patients and healthcare providers and reinforced my commitment to compassionate, adaptable patient care.

WHY EISENHOWER HEALTH: I was initially drawn to Eisenhower while searching for a way to return to Southern California for residency. However, after rotating there, I knew it was where I wanted to be. Growing up with four siblings, I’ve always valued camaraderie and teamwork, which is why I enjoy team sports like basketball and volleyball. That same sense of camaraderie was evident not just among the residents but also with the attendings and staff. I especially appreciated working with attendings who were committed to providing the best possible learning experience, making my time at Eisenhower both enriching and rewarding.

Rebekah Mounger, MD

HOMETOWN: Gig Harbor, WA

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: University of Washington

MEDICAL SCHOOL: Midwestern University-Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

ABOUT ME: I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and spent my childhood sailing, skiing, and hiking. Emergency Medicine excites me because of the fast-paced nature of the field. I enjoy working alongside patients during hectic situations and providing a steady, consistent presence. After attending medical school in Arizona, I grew to love the desert landscape and am excited to move to the Coachella Valley. Outside of medicine, I enjoy watching Washington Husky football games, spending time with my family, and playing the New York Times word games.

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: Prior to medical school, I spent several years coordinating international surgical trips and supporting health programs in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. My love for public and global health led me to pursue my Master of Public Health during medical school.

WHY EISENHOWER HEALTH: I did a sub-internship here and really enjoyed the variety and complexity each day presented. During my rotation, I was impressed by the caliber of care patients received. I felt like all the staff enjoyed working together and were on the same team during challenging situations. Additionally, my husband has family in Rancho Mirage, making me feel even more at home in this program.

Jennifer Phung, MD

HOMETOWN: Houston, TX

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: University of Houston

MEDICAL SCHOOL: American University of Antigua College of Medicine

ABOUT ME: Born and raised in Houston, TX! Always on the lookout for my next adventure—whether that’s traveling, being a foodie, hanging out at Disney, or hunting for the perfect cup of coffee (amateur connoisseur in the making). When I’m not indulging in good food, you can usually find me attempting to go for a run, hike, or lifting heavy things just to put them back down. Also begging my dog to Bella to love me. I’m also a certified sneakerhead, a devoted New Girl re-watcher, and a firm believer that there’s always room for ice cream!

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: Mentoring incoming students and helping them adjust to the demands of medical training while adjusting to life on the island during medical school. Through this role, I provided guidance on study strategies, clinical skills, and work-life balance, fostering a supportive learning environment.

WHY EISENHOWER HEALTH: I had the opportunity to rotate at Eisenhower Health, and it immediately felt like the right fit. The combination of strong clinical training, a supportive faculty, and a diverse patient population made for an incredible learning experience. I was drawn to the culture of collaboration and the emphasis on both education and patient-centered care. The faculty were genuinely invested in teaching, and the residents had a strong sense of camaraderie. I know this is the kind of environment where I would thrive and continue to grow into the best emergency physician I can be!

Haley Pollock, MD

HOMETOWN: Orange, CA

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: California State University – Fullerton

MEDICAL SCHOOL: Trinity School of Medicine

ABOUT ME: Hi everyone! My name is Haley Pollock and I am so excited to be joining the Eisenhower family! A little about me: I love traveling, I’m currently at about 25 countries in the world, with my goal to reach 80 someday! I love music, specifically EDM, which I love to attend music festivals and shows around the US and world. I have two amazing animals, Blue a Golden Retriever, and Luna, a calico cat! I am very close with my family, and have an amazing group of friends I surround myself with. One last fun fact, I am the only person in my family that has attended medical school and become a physician, truly honored to have made it this far!

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: I created an online newsletter titled: Trinity Times Newsletter, that I would update weekly as the Director of Communications in my Student Government Association. I was really proud of this 🙂

WHY EISENHOWER HEALTH: I was lucky enough to do a Sub-I here during my 4th year of medical school, and I truly fell in love with everyone and Eisenhower itself. The feeling of family was something I thought about daily during my rotation, and every day after. I pictured myself here for residency, and I am beyond thrilled that dream became a reality!

Don Leo Reyes, MD

HOMETOWN: San Francisco, CA

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: San Francisco State University

MEDICAL SCHOOL: St. George’s University School of Medicine

ABOUT ME: I am a Filipino-American, born in Davao City, Philippines, and have made San Francisco, California my second home. Through resilience and perseverance, I have reached where I am today, guided by the unwavering support of my family and friends. Beyond my professional journey, I enjoy the simple things. I am a novice coffee enthusiast, continuously refining my roasting and brewing techniques to explore the rich flavor profiles of beans from around the world. Each day, I strive to craft the perfect cuppa. Additionally, I have a keen interest in medical memes, personal finance, and minimalism.

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: I trained as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and had the privilege of working in ambulances. The experience opened doors to further opportunities in a hospital setting as an Emergency Room Technician (ER Tech). My path to medicine had detours, but the early exposure to emergency care reinforced my passion for the field.

WHY EISENHOWER HEALTH: Having previously worked in an emergency department, my first impression of Eisenhower Emergency Department reminded me of my old stomping ground. Jam-packed ER that is supported by dedicated medical professionals. I immediately sensed that this department would be the ideal place to nurture my journey in emergency medicine. I was also impressed by the close-knit group of EM residents, whose camaraderie and teamwork culture stood out as one of the defining strengths of the program.

Derrick Austin Sy, MD

HOMETOWN: Diamond Bar, CA

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: University of California, Riverside

MEDICAL SCHOOL: Touro University Nevada

ABOUT ME: Hi y’all, my name is Derrick and I’m a 1st gen Filipino American born and raised in Southern California. I initially graduated UCR as an engineer but switched to medicine when I realized that the patient provider relationship was what I wanted in my career. I thought I was going to be Iron Man and help thousands of people across the world with my inventions, but I realized I’m more of a Spiderman. Your friendly neighborhood Spiderman helping one person at a time. Other than medicine, I enjoy spending time with friends and family whenever I can. Fun fact, I was a former competitive dancer in both high school and college and directed teams at both levels. I love to workout, play video games, watch anime, go to music festivals, play golf, and yap. I’m an amateur plant dad and just picked up meditation so fingers crossed I can keep it up.

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: I got my BS in Bioengineering at UCR, my MS in Medical Device Engineering at the Keck Graduate Institute in Claremont, and finally my DO at Touro University Nevada with multiple Dean’s Honor Lists.

WHY EISENHOWER HEALTH: I wanted to go to a program where I felt the residents were truly supported. During my interview I felt that supportive culture from the faculty and knew that if given the opportunity to train here I would be provided with a nurturing and healthy environment to hone my skills as an Emergency Medicine physician. The location is also great for me since I wanted to be closer to my family.

Arman Virabov, MD

HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL: University of California, Riverside

MEDICAL SCHOOL: St. George’s University, School of Medicine

ABOUT ME: I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I grew up knowing I wanted to become an emergency medicine doctor but really fell in love with the field when I worked as an ED scribe during college. Outside of medicine I love to spend my time outdoors, whether it be hiking, walking, or relaxing at the beach. In my free time I like to travel, try new coffee shops and restaurants, and spend time with family and friends.

ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT: Throughout medical school, I volunteered as the triage coordinator for a street clinic in Downtown Los Angeles and helped provide free medical care to the Skid Row community. Working closely with those experiencing homelessness deepened my understanding of how social and structural barriers impact health outcomes, and inspired me to pursue a Master of Public Health alongside my medical degree. For my practicum project, I created a directory of nearby clinics that accept uninsured and underinsured patients to help connect the community to long-term primary care and ensure proper follow-up. In recognition of my commitment to community service, I was nominated by my peers and inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

WHY EISENHOWER HEALTH: I knew I wanted to train at Eisenhower by the end of my first shift on my audition rotation. I rotated through both emergency medicine and EM ultrasound here and was impressed by the diverse pathology and high acuity patients I saw on each shift. All the attendings, residents, nurses, and staff I interacted with made me feel welcomed, included, and valued both inside and outside the hospital. Most importantly, everyone was approachable and created an environment to learn and succeed in as a resident. Eisenhower quickly became a home away from home for me, and I feel so fortunate to continue my training here!