Devoted to Quality Care in the San Gabriel Valley
Largely funded by grants secured through Emanate Health Foundation, the Family Medicine Residency Program celebrated its inaugural graduating class in 2020, which included Drs. Garcia-Ayala, Omoko and Pearson.
“I liked that the Family Medicine Residency Program was just starting, and there was a lot of enthusiasm to create something new that focused on both education and community service. I was impressed with the faculty and supporting specialist attending physicians from day one.” – James Pearson, MD, East Valley Community Health Center
Despite coming from vastly different backgrounds, each of the 2020 graduates of the Emanate Health Family Medicine Residency Program who stayed within the Emanate Health family shares a common goal — to help disadvantaged patients overcome obstacles to quality health care.
LUIS GARCIA-AYALA, MD
Emanate Health Family Medicine
Having begun his career working in an impoverished community in Mexico, Luis Garcia-Ayala, MD, came to Emanate Health knowing that serving a disadvantaged community means providing more than standard health care.
“This population needs a physician who is really engaged, who can understand and connect with them to provide a high quality of care,” Dr. Garcia explained. “[Given my background,] I can really understand the patient and their culture.”
At times, doing whatever it takes means helping patients find resources in support of maintaining their health. Thankfully, Emanate Health is able to provide leading-edge diagnostics and treatment because of donor support, resulting in exceptional care for patients. “The technology there [where I practiced in Mexico] isn’t the same as what we can offer here,” Dr. Garcia noted.
BENEDICTA OMOKO, MD
East Valley Community Health Center
Originally from Nigeria, Benedicta Omoko, MD, has witnessed the inequalities in health care that exist across the world, which helped prepare her for her current role.
“Growing up in a society with challenges to accessing adequate health care, I find fulfillment in advocating for the less privileged and narrowing health care disparities,” Dr. Omoko explained.
She is grateful for being part of the Emanate Health Family Medicine Residency Program. “Being in the pioneer class, with the challenges that came with it, my peers and I became creative, resilient and compassionate doctors,” she reflected. “We drew strength from each other, which created a bond that we share to this day.”
JAMES PEARSON, MD
East Valley Community Health Center
James Pearson, MD, grew up in Davis, a rural farming community in Northern California. He was Emanate Health’s first Chief Resident. When asked about his motivation to build the Emanate Health Family Medicine Residency Program, Dr. Pearson explained, “I liked that it was just starting, and there was a lot of enthusiasm to create something new that focused on both education and community service. I was impressed with the faculty and supporting specialist attending physicians from day one.”
Since graduation, Dr. Pearson has returned to support incoming residents by serving as a clinical attending in the program. Through this role, he hopes to pass along the wisdom imparted on him during his residency.
Drs. Garcia-Ayala, Omoko and Pearson are the first graduates who remained within the Emanate Health family, and we are grateful for their devotion to serving the San Gabriel Valley.