General Surgery Residency: Residents

My full name is Dr. Norair Adjamian, however most people know me as Noro. I was born in Yerevan, Armenia and moved to Glendale, California at the age of 3. Though I am a proud Armenian, I consider myself a true Southern Californian. I completed by Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at the University of California, Riverside before setting off to the Midwest to complete my medical degree at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. My journey to becoming a physician has taken me to various parts of the nation and exposed me to the vast cultural diversity within our own country. My curiosity in cultural diversity is a large part of my desire to help people through the medical arts. I enjoy traveling, the outdoors, tasty food, good music, painting, cycling, and most sports. As a Virgo and surgical resident I am very attentive to detail, serious when seriousness is called for, but definitely know how to have a good laugh. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to continue my medical training at Community Memorial Hospital and practice my passion in my home state.

Dr. Mattie Arseneaux grew up in Newburgh, IN. She graduated from ATSU- Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine prior to moving out to the west coast to complete her internship year in Corvallis, OR.  During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and pets. She also enjoys watching and going to sporting events especially swimming, baseball, football and hockey. She also enjoys reading, knitting, spending time outside and hiking. She is very excited to start her general surgery training in Ventura, CA. She looks forward to exploring more of the west coast in her free time.

Dr. Richa Asija was born and raised in Toronto – she is a proud Canadian!  She moved to Los Angeles with her family at the age of 13 and went to the University of Southern California to earn her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience with a minor in business entrepreneurship.  After completing her master’s degree, she graduated from Western University of Health Sciences.  Her surgical interests include trauma, cardio-thoracic surgery, and surgical oncology.  Outside of medicine, she loves to dance, travel and spend time with her family.  She is excited to stay in California for her surgical residency in Ventura and is looking forward to being a part of the CMHS family.

Dr. Muhammed Bilal grew up in Houston, Texas. He earned his undergraduate degree from University of Houston with a major in Biology and minor in Psychology. He received his medical degree from William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Muhammed initially chose to pursue a path in Family Medicine, but he found that his true passion was General Surgery. His hobbies include clay target shooting, hiking, traveling, and Muay Thai.

Dr. Zoe Birnbaum is a Southern California native, born and raised in Los Angeles. She attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience. She returned to Los Angeles for two years to pursue clinical research in plastic surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, before beginning her medical education at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Medicine of the Pacific. Outside of medicine, Zoe is an avid runner and enjoys surfing, cooking, spending time with nearby family, friends, her fiancé, Josh, and their golden retriever puppy, Koa. Zoe is both thrilled and honored to join the community at CMH.

Dr. Jonathan Chino was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. He attended the University of Southern California for his undergraduate studies, and obtained a degree in neuroscience. After spending a year working as a medical and billing assistant in a vascular surgery clinic, he attended the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. His lifelong goal of becoming a surgeon has further narrowed into an interest in Advanced Laparoscopic and Robotic surgery. Outside of the hospital, he enjoys playing any and all sports, reading, video games, and spending time outdoors.

Dr. Chrysanthy Ha was born and raised in Southern California. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles with a major in Biochemistry and minor in French. As a first generation American whose parents were refugees, she cultivated her interest in global medicine with a Master of Public Health at the University of Southern California. She developed her passion for surgery while earning her Medical Degree at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. Chrysanthy has served as the Battalion Surgeon for 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines and been forward-deployed in the Eastern Pacific as the Senior Medical Officer onboard USS Green Bay. In her free time, she enjoys playing Catan, weightlifting, eating ice cream, and exploring coffee shops. She is elated to continue her training and education with the CMHS General Surgery team.

Dr. Nicole Hanson was born and raised in the central valley of California. She completed her undergraduate studies at California State University, Long Beach, where she graduated with a B.S in Biochemistry. She attended medical school at Touro University Nevada where she found her passion for surgery. Her current surgical interests include trauma/critical care and surgical oncology. As a surgical resident, Nicole strives to be an advocate for her patients and foster leadership skills. In her free time she enjoys playing games, walking her dog, watching any episode of Law and Order SVU, and trying out new restaurants. Nicole is eager and grateful to begin her surgical training and serve the community of Ventura.

Dr. Julie Eun Kim was born in Busan, South Korea and moved to California with her family when she was 10 years old.  She then attended high school in Chandler, Arizona and graduated from University of Arizona with BS in Physiology and BA in Marketing. She went on to complete her Masters in Biological Sciences followed by her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine degree at Touro College in NYC.  During her various global medicine mission trips, she found her true passion in surgery. She hopes to combine her passions of healing others and traveling to provide healthcare to the underserved populations of the world. During her spare time, she enjoys working out, traveling, watching movies and documentaries, going on food adventures, reading, and learning new languages. She is grateful and excited to return to her home state to train as a general surgeon.

Dr. Ashley Lim was born and raised in Southern California. She obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Davis, majoring in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. She attended the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, where she discovered her passion for surgery. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing violin, golfing, reading, and watching anime. Ashley is very excited to continue her medical training at CMHS in such a supportive and inspiring environment while serving the Ventura community and being close to her family.

Dr. Janelle Lopez was born in Queens, NY and raised in Chula Vista, CA. She earned her B.S. in Athletic Training, Sports Medicine from Quinnipiac University and went on to attend Midwestern University, Arizona College of Medicine where she earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. She takes pride in having played Division 1 Soccer and Lacrosse during her undergrad, and then channeling that passion into starting a Nonprofit Girls Lacrosse Team. The focus, practice, and passion that Janelle found in sports is something she sees paralleled in her love for General Surgery. She is very proud of her Mexican-Filipino heritage and embraces diversity in all aspects of her continuing medical education and career. When not finishing the latest installment of Assassins Creed, she enjoys, hiking, cooking, and playing her ukulele and guitar. She is excited to return to California and honored to be a part of the CMHS team!

Dr. Diego A. Monasterio Oliver was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, born to a Spanish father from the Basque Country in northern Spain and a Puerto Rican mother with Italian and Spanish descent. He completed his undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University. Initially studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, he decided to switch and pursue a career medicine and attended medical school at Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico. During medical school he was a member, and eventual leader, of a musical fraternity which goes back to the Middle Ages in Spain, Tuna of Ponce Health Sciences University. Being the son of a general surgeon and the nephew of an orthopedic surgeon, he has always been interested in the field and now has finally made it! He enjoys working out, outdoor activities like obstacle course races and spearfishing, and the occasional video game binge. Dr. Monasterio is excited for the opportunity to become a part of the CMHS family, and looks forward to the years to come and what the future will bring.

Dr. Shreyash Pradhan was born in Kathmandu, Nepal and grew up in Denver, Colorado. He attended the University of Colorado Boulder where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Integrative Physiology. After working in a gastroenterology clinic for two years, he attended Rocky Vista University for his medical education where he was part of the Global Medicine Honors Track. Additionally, he was an Anatomy Fellow where he helped design and implement anatomy curriculum for junior medical students. Outside of medicine Shreyash enjoys golfing, skiing, photography, spending time with family and friends, and is excited to explore all that California has to offer. He is thrilled and honored to join the CMHS community.

Dr. Shireen Sachdeva was born and raised in Orange County, California.  After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, Riverside, she went on to acquire a master’s degree in anatomy at Lincoln Memorial University.  While studying and teaching anatomy, she found her passion for surgery, an interest which continued to grow in medical school.  She graduated with Sigma Sigma Phi honors from LMU-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine.  As part of a family where missions outreach is important, Shireen had the privilege of traveling and serving on medical mission teams.  She hopes to continue this work upon completing residency.  Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she has a deep love for the outdoors, especially the ocean and sea-life.  She is a PADI certified scuba diver and 1st degree black belt in US Taekwondo.  As the granddaughter of a professional artist, she has been raised to appreciate and enjoy the arts.  Dr. Sachdeva is truly humbled and blessed to join the General Surgery team at Community Memorial Health System.

Dr. Masoud Chopan was born and raised in Oroville, California and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California at Davis, where he graduated with a B.S. in neurobiology. After graduation he worked at his father’s private medical practice as a medical assistant for one year and then matriculated and attended Touro University Nevada in Las Vegas. In his free time, he likes to be around his family and friends, be outdoors, and watch sports. As a first year resident, his surgical interests are broad and his most important goal is becoming a true patient advocate and quality team leader.

Dr. Yuchen You was born in Dalian, China. He moved to Arcadia, California with his family when he was 11 years old. He obtained his B.A in Biology from the University of California, Riverside, which is followed by his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona.  He decided to dedicate his life to surgery because he has a great appreciation for the beauty of the human anatomy and a desire to build deep and meaningful connections with his patients. During his free time, he enjoys drawing, painting, and hiking. He also enjoys playing basketball, working out, and spending time with friends and family. Yuchen feels very privileged to begin his surgical training at CMHS and to serve the Ventura community.