Allergy/Immunology Fellowship at LAGMC

Program Director
Breck Nichols, M.D.
Email: brnichols@dhs.lacounty.gov


Program Coordinator
Adriana Cassani
Email: cassani@med.usc.edu

Major Goals of Training Program
The USC/LAGMC Medical Center Allergy and Immunology Training Program is a combined adult and pediatric training program. The two-year training program is based in the Department of Pediatrics but provides a mix of adult and pediatric patient populations in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. The overall goal of the program is to provide comprehensive training for physicians in clinical allergy and immunology. As part of the program, residents are expected to participate in basic or clinical research projects.

Trainees Accepted Each Year
2 fellows every 2 years (odd year cycles)

Duration of Fellowship
2 years

Application Deadline
Please refer to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) website for fellowship match information in regards to the fellowship timeline, application deadlines and additional important dates.

Joint Residency (Fellowship) Availability
No

Electives for Residents and Students
Yes

Our Team

Kenny Yat-Choi Kwong, M.D.

Undergraduate: Occidental College
Medical School: New York Medical College
Residency: University of California, Irvine (Pediatrics)
Fellowship:  Los Angeles General Medical Center and University of Southern California (1994-1997)
What does working at LAGMC/USC mean to you? I've been in the County system since 1997. 

Ask me about... Paddle boarding and surfing 

Division Chief, Allergy and Immunology

Breck Nichols, M.D., M.P.H.

Hometown: San Bernardino, California
Undergrad: UC Berkeley
Medical School: Tulane University
Residency: Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, LAC+USC Medical Center, Medicine chief resident
Fellowship: Allergy Immunology, LAC+USC Medical Center
What does working at LAC+USC mean to you? As a medical student I was really impressed with LAC+USC’s strong emphasis in serving and advocating for disadvantaged patients. I was also very impressed with the incredible range and depth of pathology and level of dedication to teaching. This emphasis on advocacy and education really resonated with me it provides me with many opportunities to make a positive difference in people’s lives. I feel happiest when I feel I am making a positive difference in people’s lives. I think this is a big reason why I truly enjoy working here at LAC+USC because provides many opportunities to make a positive difference and it is a joy to work with people who also have this mindset because it seems to lead to a very supportive environment to work in, teach residents and medical students, and care for patients.

Allergy/Immunology Fellowship Program Director

Associate Program Director, Allergy and Immunology; Education Director, Allergy and Immunology Resident Elective

Paulina Tran, DO

Hometown: Chelmsford, MA 
Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley 
Medical School: Touro University, California  
Residency: Los Angeles General Medical Center and University of Southern California 
Fellowship: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and The University of Pennsylvania 
What does working at LAGMC/USC mean to you? Los Angeles General Medical Center holds a very special place in my heart, as I completed my residency there. It is incredibly meaningful to care for our patient population here. I immediately jumped on the opportunity to return home after fellowship and join the work family who inspired my journey into Allergy and Immunology. As I step into the role of Associate Program Director, I am excited to mentor future Allergists and Immunologists. 

Ask me about... Hot dog dogs (Dachshunds) 

Allergy-Immunology Attending; Academic Director, Allergy & Immunology Medical Student Elective

Sharon Eshet, MD MPH

Hometown: Charlotte, NC 
Undergraduate: North Carolina State University 
Medical School: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Residency: Pediatric, Levine Children's Hospital, Charlotte, NC  
Fellowship:  Los Angeles General Medical Center and University of Southern California 
What does working at LAGMC/USC mean to you? During fellowship I developed a deep sense of fmaily with the faculty and staff that made working with the underserved even more meaningful. The Chief of the department was an incredible mentor to me . I am excited to impart this amazing mentorship on future fellows as faculty.

Ask me about...Southern Accents and good eats 

Current Fellows: 

Jessica Sworzyn MD 

Hometown: Moorepark, CA

Undergraduate: UC Berkeley

Medical School: University of Arizona, Tuscon 
Residency: Los Angeles General Medical Center and University of Southern California

What does working at LAGMC/USC mean to you?  Strong sense of community. Caring for culturally diverse patients. 

Ask me about...Local Los Angeles Activities 

Susan Wang, MD 

Hometown: Long Island, NY

Undergraduate: Stony Brooke University 

Medical School: Stony Brooke University 

Residency: Children's National Medical Center, Washington DC

What does working at LAMGC/USC mean to you? It is very rewarding providing the highest quality care for advanced pathologies in a medically underserved patient population. It has been incredible to work and learn from our amazing attendings and nursing staff. I appreciate the continuity of care that we have here as well. 

Joke: How to best mitigate Cat Allergens? (*No cats were harmed in this photo. Cat voluntarily climbed in)