The LAGMC/USC Pediatric Chief Resident Year
Annually, a group of Pediatric and Medicine+Pediatric residents are selected to serve as LAGMC/USC Pediatric Chief Residents. The chief resident year is an additional year in a leadership role dedicated to working with the residents, medical students, inpatient faculty, and residency administration to improve the program, resident education, and resident well-being.
This leadership position carries a broad range of responsibilities. The chief residents are given the important responsibility of teaching trainees in various capacities, including at the bedside, as part of the core curriculum, as well as at morning report for the inpatient wards teams every morning. Clinically, the chief residents help supervise the care provided in the inpatient wards, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and pediatric procedural sedation.
Chiefs serve as advocates and liaisons between the house staff, faculty, and administration. They serve as members of many hospital administrative committees.
Chief residents often go on to competitive and successful careers (primary care and subspecialty) with leadership positions.
Chief Residents (2024-2025)
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Joshua Marrs, M.D.
Hometown: Norman, OK
Undergrad: Rice UniversityMedical School: University of Oklahoma
Why LA General/USC: The patient population at LAG was the first thing that really drew me to this program. I knew I wanted to give back to and serve an underserved community. During my interview, I really enjoyed the interactions I had with residents and faculty and their passion and excitement about this program and the population they serve is what really sealed it for me.
Future Plans: Rheumatology fellowship
Why you decided to be a chief: I've loved my time here and wanted to give back and contribute to the continual improvement of our program. I enjoy teaching and this role has allowed me to provide more teaching, improve my teaching skills, and get more inpatient exposure. Being able to spend more time with our faculty, residents, and medical students has also been a huge plus of being chief.
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Bianca Patel, D.O.
Hometown: Carlsbad, CA
Undergrad: UCLA
Medical School: A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Why LA General/USC: I wanted to work with an underserved population and believed in the program's mission statement. I was impressed by the unique services that they offered, such as the Breathmobile program and ACT clinic. Everyone at LAGMC+USC is so kind, welcoming, supportive, and dedicated to providing the best patient care. I truly couldn't think of a better place to train.
Future Plans: Fellowship in allergy and immunology or hospitalist.
Why you decided to be a chief: I really enjoyed being a resident at this program and was excited to stay on for another year to work with the current residents, attendings, and patient population. I've really enjoyed the inpatient exposure and educating residents and medical students. -
Neha Reddy, D.O.
Hometown: San Ramon, CA
Undergrad: Saint Louis University
Medical School: Touro University Nevada
Why LA General/USC: I picked LA General first and foremost for the people I get to work alongside, including both residents and faculty. LAGMC is also a safety net hospital and we serve a population that often doesn't have access to care which can make some days tough, but fulfilling.
Future Plans: Hospitalist
Why you decided to be a chief: I love working with our current faculty and population so staying on for another year was an easy decision. Chief year has been a great opportunity for more inpatient exposure and it's been fun getting to provide education to our residents and medical students.
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Outside of my subspecialty training, the chief resident year was the year I grew the most as a physician as well as a human. I had so much fun with my co-chief residents learning how to take care of sick children and learning how to be a leader/teacher/mentor. I will always be thankful for that year of important training that set me up for success as a fellow and attending.
Daniel Im, M.D.
Former Pediatric chief resident
LAC+USC Pediatrics residency program graduate -
It's true that having "Chief Resident" on one's resume is helpful, and it is a respected accomplishment. You can think of it as your first job after residency, but in the cozy safety of your "home," where you have many attendings to ask questions of, to learn from. It was a fun and happy year! The year really honed my management/decision-making skills, and it helped so much to feel even more confident in the "outside world" thereafter. As you know, after residency, we have to now figure out what to do with each patient on our own, and after chief year, I felt even more ready to do just that. It was an honor to be able to work an extra year and more closely under our attendings. I'll always be grateful.
Shelly Canlas, M.D.
Former Pediatric chief resident
LAC+USC Medicine + Pediatrics residency program graduate -
I have so many memories of chiefs teaching morning report that made me excited about pediatrics and later teaching myself. I’m the educator I’m today because of those role models and my time as chief! Also, I can say when I applied for jobs some of the places preferentially hired ex-chiefs.
Jackie Vargas, M.D.
Former Pediatric chief resident
LAC+USC Medicine + Pediatrics residency program graduate -
I’m came out the other end a better doctor. Whenever people ask me about my experience, I only talk about learning how to take care of sick, vulnerable children. The amount of clinical work as learning, justifies dealing with the administrative responsibilities.
Pruthul Patel, M.D.
Former Pediatric chief resident
LAC+USC Medicine + Pediatrics residency program graduate -
It was one of the best years for many reasons and it set me up for great job opportunities. I was asked to be a site director based on my chief year experience which led to my current director job which is balanced and sustainable which is quite hard to find in hospital medicine. All of my co-chiefs ended up in leadership roles as well. I can’t believe how many times I use a skill I learned or developed during chief year. It continues to be helpful.
Brittany Middleton, M.D.
Former Pediatric chief resident
LAC+USC Pediatrics residency program graduate -
Many lessons from that year that I keep with me today, both in medicine and with people.
Aslam Khan, D.O.
Former Pediatric chief resident
LAC+USC Pediatrics residency program graduate