Seven Fellowship Matches, One Exceptional Residency Program

Sierra View Medical Center’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) program is proud to celebrate the recent fellowship matches of seven of our outstanding Internal Medicine Residency Program residents. These matches span a variety of specialties, including cardiology, nephrology, infectious disease, and more. A fellowship match is a highly competitive process where physicians apply to programs that provide advanced, specialized training in their chosen fields. 

This year, all seven of our residents who applied not only secured fellowship positions but matched with one of their top-choice programs. This remarkable achievement reflects the quality of Sierra View’s Internal Medicine Residency Program and the dedication of our physicians, faculty, and staff to fostering excellence in medical education. 

Dr. Ashot Minasyan – Cardiology Fellowship at HCA in Florida 

Dr. Ashot Minasyan’s path to the Cardiology Fellowship at HCA in Florida highlights his dedication to advancing his medical career. His fascination with the heart began in his second year of medical school, inspired by its ability to function endlessly with minimal energy. After practicing cardiology in Armenia for two years, he moved to the United States to continue his medical career. 

At Sierra View Medical Center, Dr. Minasyan honed his skills by independently managing diverse medical cases, an experience he credits with shaping his abilities as a hospitalist. He acknowledges the unwavering support of Dr. Volkov, Dr. Paul (Program Director), and Dr. Obad (Associate Program Director), whose mentorship and guidance helped him grow as a physician. Dr. Reddy and Dr. Gupta provided hands-on learning opportunities in cardiology, further refining his expertise. He also credits his wife, Dr. Victoria Gevorgyan, a rheumatologist, for her unwavering support during his journey. 

Dr. Minasyan looks forward to advancing his skills in cardiology, with aspirations to specialize further in interventional cardiology and structural heart disease. 

Dr. Samantha Limvalencia – Critical Care Fellowship at UC Riverside 

Dr. Samantha Limvalencia, a second-generation immigrant and the first physician in her family, is passionate about helping critically ill patients recover in acute settings. Her journey into critical care began during her rotation in Sierra View Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit. “I never considered critical care medicine as a career until I rotated in the Intensive Care Unit at Sierra View,” she shared. “I had a positive experience working with the nurses, respiratory therapists, dieticians, and other support staff in what is a challenging field of medicine. The ICU team at Sierra View is truly special, and I am inspired by their dedication to their patients.” 

Now preparing for her Critical Care Fellowship at UC Riverside, Dr. Limvalencia looks forward to collaborating with her co-fellows, gaining procedural expertise, and expanding her knowledge of diverse pathologies to become a strong intensivist. She added, “I enjoy helping very sick patients in an acute setting and working them up to get better. I chose UC Riverside because of the program culture, patient volume, and that I get to stay in-state.” She credits Sierra View’s culture of support and camaraderie for preparing her for the challenges of critical care medicine. 

Dr. Carlos Goycochea – Nephrology Fellowship at Methodist in Texas ​

Dr. Carlos Goycochea’s passion for nephrology is rooted in the field’s vast pathology and the complexity of renal physiology. His decision to join the Nephrology Fellowship at Methodist in Dallas, Texas, was influenced by the hospital’s reputation for training exceptional nephrologists and the welcoming environment he experienced during his visit. “The moment I stepped into the hospital, I was treated like family,” he explained. 

At Sierra View Medical Center, Dr. Goycochea gained invaluable experience managing complex nephrology cases, an opportunity he credits as a driving force behind his choice to pursue the specialty. He also highlights the exceptional mentorship and training he received from Dr. Vemuri and Dr. Javed, which helped shape his clinical expertise and confidence. 

As he embarks on this next chapter, Dr. Goycochea looks forward to furthering his expertise while exploring all that Dallas has to offer. 

Dr. Akashdeep Khahera – Palliative Care Fellowship at UCSF Fresno 

Dr. Akashdeep Khahera has matched into the Palliative Care Fellowship at UCSF Fresno, where he will focus on improving quality of life for patients with chronic and debilitating conditions. “I empathize greatly with people that are suffering from chronic debilitating conditions,” he shared. “I want to help make them aware of the prognosis of their illness and the options available to them to improve their quality of life.”  

During his residency at Sierra View Medical Center, Dr. Khahera developed essential skills for palliative care, including having meaningful conversations with patients about their goals of care. He credits Sierra View for providing an environment that emphasized compassionate communication and highlighted the importance of raising awareness about hospice and palliative care in the community. 

Dr. Khahera is excited to join UCSF Fresno, where he will train alongside leaders in the field. He looks forward to remaining in the Central Valley and continuing to serve his community. 

Dr. Pauldeep Mann – Academic Medicine Fellowship at UCSF 

Dr. Pauldeep Mann has matched into the Academic Medicine Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco where he will prepare for a career in clinical research and medical education. “I wanted to further develop my skills in preparation for clinical research, while also improving my teaching abilities with the goal of training residents and medical students in the future,” he shared.

Dr. Mann is excited to practice at UCSF’s world-class academic center, participate in groundbreaking medical research, and embrace the opportunity to live in San Francisco. Reflecting on his time at Sierra View Medical Center, he said, “Sierra View has instilled in me the confidence and drive to become the best physician I can be. I’ve learned to make the most of every opportunity and to learn from the experiences of those around me.”

Dr. Suman Penta – Infectious Disease Fellowship at Rutgers in New Jersey ​

Dr. Suman Penta has matched into an Infectious Disease Fellowship at Rutgers in New Jersey, a program known for its excellence in training physicians to address a wide range of infectious diseases. With access to cutting-edge research and advanced clinical training, the program offers an ideal environment for Dr. Penta to further his career.

Dr. John Cabrera – Endocrinology Fellowship at UC Irvine 

Dr. John Cabrera graduated last June as part of Sierra View’s inaugural class of the Internal Medicine Residency Program. He has matched into the Endocrinology Fellowship at UC Irvine, a program renowned for its excellence in training physicians to specialize in hormonal and metabolic disorders. With a dynamic environment for advancing clinical expertise and engaging in cutting-edge research, the fellowship offers an ideal setting for Dr. Cabrera to further his career.  

Sierra View Medical Center is honored to play a pivotal role in the training and mentorship of these outstanding physicians. Their accomplishments reflect the dedication of our faculty, the rigorous clinical experiences, and the supportive environment provided by our residency program. We extend our best wishes as they embark on the next chapter of their medical careers!