Meet the Palliative Care Team
Members of the Palliative Care team include:
Physician
A medical doctor who received advanced training and certification in assessing, diagnosis and treating pain and symptoms associated with serious illness. This physician coordinates with other specialists involved in your care.
Nurse Practitioner
An advanced practice registered nurse overseen by the Palliative Care physician in assessing, diagnosing and treating serious illnesses. This provider also coordinates with other specialists involved in your care.
Social Services
A licensed clinical social worker who assists in assessing, diagnosis and treating the psychosocial/emotional needs of the patients and their families. This provider is also available for basic resource referrals to community services, in addition to, offering psychotherapy sessions in the clinic.
Chaplain
A spiritual counselor can be available upon request to offer additional support when coping with serious illness.
Your Care Team
Ujjwala Dheeriya, MD - Physician, Medical Director
Sites:
Clinic
Board Certifications:
Hospice and Palliative Care
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine with Focus on Hospital Medicine
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Smith College
Doctor of Medicine, University of Virginia
Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Baystate Medical Center
Interest in Palliative Care:
I am dedicated to optimizing quality of life for my patients through building compassionate relationships with them and their family.
Hobbies:
I raise service dogs and enjoy cooking, listening to audiobooks, attending concerts with my husband and spending time with my two sons.
Henry Kaing, DO
Sites:
Inpatient
Board Certifications:
Internal Medicine
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Education:
Bachelor of Science, University of California Los Angeles
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro University California
Residency in Internal Medicine, University of California Irvine
Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, University of California Los Angeles
Interest in Palliative Care:
My interest in palliative care stems from my desire to provide holistic, person-centered care. I work alongside the interdisciplinary team to support and guide patients and families during their experience with serious illness.
Hobbies:
Hiking, photography, spending time with my wife and labradoodle Bailey.
Tiffany Hsu, MD
Sites:
Inpatient
Board Certifications:
Internal Medicine
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in English, Brown University
Doctor of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Residency in Internal Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, University of California Los Angeles
Interest in Palliative Care:
I am passionate about caring for patients and their families with compassion and clear communication at critical times in their lives. I am committed to collaborating with other providers as a team to align treatment with patients’ values and to deliver effective and empathetic care.
Hobbies:
Running, reading, cooking (and eating), and playing trivia.
Samuel Nam, MD, MBA
Sites:
Community-Based
Board Certifications:
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Hospice Medical Director Certification (HMDCB)
Education:
Bachelor of Science, University of California San Diego
Master of Business Administration, Pepperdine University
Doctor of Medicine, Ross University School of Medicine
Internship in Internal Medicine, University of Oklahoma
Residency in Internal Medicine, LAC+USC Medical Center
Fellowship in Geriatric Medicine, University of California Los Angeles
Fellowship in Palliative Care, San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine
Interest in Palliative Care:
I am committed to providing compassionate, individualized care that focuses on whole-person support, guiding patients through their journey and enhancing their quality of life.
Hobbies:
I enjoy meditation, traveling, and DIY projects.
Monica Chowdary, MD
Sites:
Inpatient
Board Certifications:
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Emergency Medicine
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, University of California Berkeley
Doctor of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine
Residency in Emergency Medicine, Dartmouth Health
Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, University of California Los Angeles
Interest in Palliative Care:
Drawing on my experience in emergency medicine, I pursued palliative care to help patients and families navigate life’s hardest moments, ensuring care truly reflects what matters most to them.
Hobbies:
Refining my home barista skills, watching basketball, practicing my golf swing, listening to audiobooks, hiking, and traveling.
Lisa Muller, NP
Sites:
Community-Based
Certifications:
Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN)
Family Nurse Practitioner (CA Board of Registered Nursing)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
Pain Management (PMGT-BC)
Education:
Associate of Science in Nursing, Golden West College
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Phoenix
Master of Science in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner, University of Phoenix
Doctor of Nursing Practice and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, University of Massachusetts Global
Interest in Palliative Care:
I am passionate about providing compassionate, patient-centered care that supports comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families.
Hobbies:
Gardening, reading, riding my stationary bike, and enjoying the beauty of nature, especially by the ocean, with my grandchildren and family.
Other Languages Spoken:
Spanish
Jungok Ha, NP
Site:
Clinic
Certifications:
Adult Nurse Practitioner (CA Board of Registered Nursing and ANCC)
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Kyungpook National University
Master of Science in Nursing, George Mason University
Interest in Palliative Care:
Palliative care treats each patient as a whole person. Team work (providers, social workers, nurses, chaplains) enables us to support patients with serious illness physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially.
Hobbies:
Running, hiking, soap making, and raising butterflies.
Other Languages Spoken:
Korean
Danielle Cosgrove, RN
Sites:
Inpatient
Certifications:
Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN)
Education:
Associates of Science in Nursing, Harbor Community College
Interest in Palliative Care:
I chose to work in Palliative Care because it is an honor to provide guidance, comfort and support to patients and their families dealing with serious illness.
Hobbies:
I enjoy gardening, baking and exercise.
Felipe Sarmiento, RN
Sites:
Community-Based
Education:
Bachelor of Science, University of San Carlos
Interest in Palliative Care:
What drew me to palliative care is the ability to have honest conversations about life, fears, hopes and legacy with patients. Not only do I provide a strong bond with my patients, but I personally learn from them as well.
Hobbies:
I love fishing (mostly inshore fishing)—a great alternative to meditation.
Other Languages Spoken: Bisaya
Sherry Rafters, RN – Outpatient Palliative Care Manager
Sites:
Clinic
Certifications:
Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN)
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Azusa Pacific University
Interest in Palliative Care:
With a background in oncology, I’ve cared for patients with serious illness for over 20 years and have been very inspired by the patients I’ve met. I believe that Palliative Care is the very essence of nursing and I love caring for the whole person and providing support for patients and families. I work with an amazing team, and it is very rewarding to see our patients find relief from distressing symptoms and find meaning and hope in the face of serious illness.
Hobbies:
Quilting, embroidery, scrolling through Pinterest for new ideas, traveling, and experiencing new foods and restaurants.
Ann Chae, LCSW, ACHP-SW
Sites:
Clinic
Certifications:
Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW)
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, University of California, Santa Barbara
Master of Social Work, University of Southern California
Interest in Palliative Care:
I have experienced firsthand the struggle of a family member suffering from a serious illness. Palliative care was never offered to us and we had to navigate next steps alone. It was a very difficult process and I wish we had experts helping us with next steps and educating us with the disease process. The second reason I have an interest in Palliative Care is that I have always found it rewarding to be able to help patients with serious illnesses develop goals of care and lead these difficult conversations. I see Palliative Care as a road map for someone with a serious illness. This roadmap would provide family with tools, support and education to increase quality of life and decrease stress on the family.
Hobbies:
Traveling, cooking and spending time with my family.
Other Languages Spoken:
Korean
Kelie Tabangay, LCSW – Inpatient Palliative Care Manager
Sites:
Inpatient
Certifications:
Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker – Certified (APHSW-C)
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, University of California, Berkeley
Master of Social Work, University of Michigan
-
Interest in Palliative Care:
I am passionate about supporting patients and their family as they go through their journey of living with serious illness. I know the value Palliative Care can provide and want to make sure we help as many patients as we can.
Hobbies:
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, trying new foods, binge watching "Friends."
Stephanie Rojas, LCSW
Sites:
Community-Based
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, California State University Long Beach
Master of Social Work, San Diego State University
-
Interest in Palliative Care:
-
I am passionate about supporting patients and families with their goals as they navigate through serious illness, be it assisting with community resources, providing counseling or goals of care discussions.
I was raised in the South Bay and worked in Home Health for Torrance Memorial for over 10 years. I enjoy bringing my experience to my role as a palliative social worker.
Hobbies:
Watching movies, cooking and eating, hiking, and trips to state and national parks.
Other Languages Spoken:
Proficient in Spanish
Airah Lobrio - Medical Assistant
Sites:
Clinic
Certifications:
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA)
Interest in Palliative Care:
I have experienced how heartbreaking it is to have someone in my family struggling with a serious illness and not getting enough help or guidance. I wanted to be part of Palliative Care to help assist patients and their families on my own way be like a bridge connecting them to the right people that will help them with what they need, to make sure that they are aware that there’s an extra support for them and that they are not alone in this journey.
Hobbies:
Singing, traveling, volleyball, and trying out new food places.
Other Languages Spoken:
Tagalog
Patricia Valenzuela - Medical Assistant
Site:
Clinic
Interest in Palliative Care:
I never pictured myself working with Cancer Patients and now I can’t see myself not working in this field. I love talking to the patients and being able to make them smile and laugh. If I am able to make a tiny difference in my patients’ day, then I know I have done my job.
Other Languages Spoken:
Spanish
Taylor Swaine - Medical Assistant
Site:
Clinic
Certifications:
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCCT)
Interest in Palliative Care:
I chose Palliative Care because I wanted my daily tasks to have a direct, meaningful impact on a patient's comfort and peace of mind. As a Medical Assistant, I find my greatest fulfillment in the immediate relief I can provide—whether that’s efficiently managing a patient's rooming to minimize their fatigue or ensuring their concerns reach the provider without delay. Knowing that my attention to detail directly translates to a smoother, less stressful day for someone facing a serious illness is what makes this work feel essential. For me, I find my purpose not just in the work I perform, but in the tangible comfort it provides, seeing firsthand how dedicated support can transform a patient’s experience.
Hobbies:
Pickleball, video games, and traveling.
