We are staffed by a team of health care practitioners, many of whom have board certifications and specialize in preventive care and wellness. That is one of the many things that sets Friends of Family Health Center apart from other facilities.
Pediatrics | Family Practice and Internal Medicine | Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN)
Behavioral Health | Family and General Dentistry | Chiropractic
Primary Specialties
Pediatrics Medical (Board Member)
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish, and Hindi
Physician Bio
“Being able to serve children is a dream come true for me. My true satisfaction comes from my passion of not just treating children, but also from educating families on preventing illnesses and staying safe and healthy.” Dr. Bhatt gained much experience while managing her own clinic in Mumbai, India. She previously worked as a Pediatric Urgent Care Physician with Kaiser Permanente group before settling into Primary Care.
Education
Primary Specialties
Pediatrics Medical (Board Member)
Languages Spoken
English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, and Spanish
Physician Bio
Dr. Farah is a true believer in giving back to her community and is honored to serve children and families of La Habra and the surrounding areas. Dr. Farah has a passion for treating children and educating families on preventing illnesses and staying healthy and active. Dr. Farah speaks English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu and Spanish.
Education
Primary Specialties
Pediatrics Medical (Board Member)
Languages Spoken
English
Physician Bio
Dr. Jason Park is a dedicated pediatrician at our La Habra location. He previously served at Kaiser Permanente in Anaheim where he worked as a pediatric hospitalist. He received his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine after earning a Master of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of California, San Diego, where he also graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology.
Dr. Park's medical journey includes rigorous training as a Pediatric Resident at Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center. His clinical expertise spans managing inpatient care, providing emergency room consultations, and overseeing newborn nursery rounds. Dr. Park is passionate about medical education, regularly mentoring and supervising residents and medical students.
Dr. Park is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Outside of medicine, Dr. Park enjoys spending time with family including his two cats, and exploring new campgrounds in Southern California. His commitment to patient care, education, and research underscores his dedication to advancing pediatric healthcare and improving patient outcomes.
Primary Specialty
Pediatric (Board Certified)
Languages Spoken
English and Thai
Physician Bio
Dr. Ch'ng is a Board Certified Pediatric Physician who obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree from Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand. She completed her Pediatric Residency Training at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Dr. Ch'ng has a passion for treating children; her mission is to provide excellent quality care for every patient. Her interest outside her profession is hiking.
Primary Specialty
Pediatrics Medical
Languages Spoken
Spanish and English
Physician Bio
Dr. Camila Garcia Paz is our newest Pediatrician to the La Habra and Pico Rivera clinic locations. She was born in Lima, Peru and grew up in Downey, California.
She received her medical degree at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine and completed her Pediatric training at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. Her clinical interests include newborn care, speech delay, developmental delay, autism spectrum disorders, and immigrant health. She speaks fluent Spanish and English.
Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, travelling, playing tennis, and reading historical fiction and true crime.
Primary Specialties
Pediatrics Medical
Languages Spoken
English, Mandarin
Physician Bio
Vivian Shi is a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in primary care. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with an MSN degree. She values empathy, detail, and working with a patient-centered approach. She also has a son (doggie) named Mango.
Primary Specialties
Family Medicine (Board Certified)
Languages Spoken
English and Spanish (conversational)
Physician Bio
Dr. LaCaze is a Board Certified Family Medicine practitioner who obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. She completed her Family Medicine Residency at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. Dr. LaCaze also graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science, Biological Science and earned her Master of Public Health Epidemiology Concentration (MPH) from the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Dr. LaCaze's medical journey is to provide care to the underserved and vulnerable population.
Education
Primary Specialties
Family & Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish (conversational), Tagalog (conversational)
Physician Bio
Dr. Andrade joined Friends of Family Health Center in 2019. She was soon after appointed Director of Medical Services for her outstanding dedication to the clinic. In 2020, she was appointed Director of QA/QI in addition to her Medical Director duties. In 2022 and 2023, Dr. Andrade was pivotal in leading and facilitating providers and staff through our conversion to the Epic electronic medical record system. She was later appointed Director of Clinical Informatics, for her advanced knowledge of the Electronic Health Record system and reporting.
Dr. Andrade was raised in Whittier, California. She is a first-generation college graduate and the first physician in her family. During her undergraduate education, she studied Molecular and Cell Biology, as well as Psychology, at UC Berkeley. She then attended the University of Washington School of Medicine earning her Doctorate degree. Dr. Andrade went on to complete her residency in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. During her residency, she obtained additional training in obstetrics and maternal care, and was Chief Resident of her class.
Having personally experienced a childhood without access to medical or dental care, Dr. Andrade is dedicated to providing care in underserved communities. Dr. Andrade encourages her patients to play an active role in their health. She focuses on preventative care services to adults and the elderly, HIV preventative care (PrEP, PEP), prenatal care, and women’s health.
Dr. Andrade speaks conversational Spanish and Tagalog, providing culturally competent care to our diverse patient population. Dr. Andrade is married with two children. When not in the office, she spends her time with her family and enjoys concerts, comedy shows, plays, running, baking, and then running some more to eat what she bakes.
Primary Specialties
Family & Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken
English and Farsi
Physician Bio
Dr. Kavosh Rahimi, M.D., is a considerable and dedicated Internal Medicine physician certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with extensive experience in Primary Care, Internal Medicine over the past 25 years.
He is a graduate of Yale School of Medicine affiliated Internal Medicine Residency Training Program in Danbury Hospital. He has taught residents in Primary care track program in Danbury Hospital. He was a clinical assistant professor in the department of Medicine at the university of Vermont college of medicine.
Dr. Kavosh Rahimi is a considerate and dedicated internist serving the community of La Habra. Dr. Rahimi attended the Tehran University of Medical Sciences School of Medicine in Iran, where he received his medical degree. He then completed both his internship and residency in internal medicine at Danbury Hospital.
Dr. Rahimi is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Medical Association, and the Iranian American Medical Association. Dr. Rahimi welcomes patients who speak English, Farsi, Kurdish, and Turkish. His awareness of these different languages makes him accessible to patients from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Dr. Rahimi is sensitive to the uniqueness of each.
Dr. Rahimi is married with children and enjoys spending time with his family when he is not serving the community of La Habra.
Education
Primary Specialties
Family & Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken
English and Spanish
Physician Bio
A 30+ year resident of La Habra, Dr. Varallo is committed to serving his community, he advocates and promotes health education classes for patients and is involved in outreach programs such as fitness and diet for the elderly as well as children. When not at work, he can be found golfing, playing basketball, cooking, and camping. His areas of interest are Internal Medicine and Family Practice with expertise in management of diabetes and hypertension. He speaks English and Spanish.
Education
Primary Specialties
Family & Internal Medicine (Board Certified)
Languages Spoken
English and Farsi
Physician Bio
Dr. Rouhani has over 30 years of experience in primary care, he believes in preventive medicine and promotion of health. Dr. Rouhani believes that patients should actively be involved in decision making for their health and treatment and that healthcare should be changed from a business model to a service model. Currently residing in Orange County, he loves painting, calligraphy, enjoying the arts and classical music. Dr. Rouhani has two daughters, one who is a biomedical engineer and the other in medical school. He speaks English and Farsi fluently.
Education
Primary Specialty
Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken
English and Indonesian
Physician Bio
Dr. Nyoto is a dedicated and compassionate Primary Care Physician with a deep committment to patient-centered care. With a medical degree form University of Vermont College of Medicine and over 7 years of experience in Internal Medicine, Dr. Nyoto brings a wealth of knowledge and expetise to the practice.
Dr. Nyoto has a particular interest in preventive care, chronic disease treatment, and patient education, empowering individuals to take an active role in their health and well-being. Fluent in both English and Indonesian, Dr. Nyoto is committed to providing comprehensive care to a diverse patient population.
When not practicing medicine, Dr. Nyoto enjoys spending time with family, including a young son and a newborn, and pursuing reading, working out, meditation, and exploring the latest advancements in healthcare technology.
Dr. Nyoto is excited to join the Friends of Family team and looks forward to partnering with patients and their health journeys.
Primary Specialties
Family Medicine
Languages Spoken
English and Spanish
Jeanette Trejo is a board-certified Physician Assistant with over a decade of experience in primary care and an additional two years of focused practice in cardiology. She earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Practice in 2014 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Physiology, awarded in 2008.
Jeanette is known for her compassionate, patient-centered approach and her commitment to providing high-quality, culturally sensitive care. Fluent in Spanish and deeply engaged in community health, she has built a strong reputation for fostering trust and open communication with diverse patient populations.
Her clinical experience spans general medicine, chronic and acute pain management, cardiovascular health, and preventive care. Jeanette’s career includes roles at John Wesley Community Health Center, California Urgent Care, and Preciado Cardiology Inc., where she further honed her skills in both family and specialty medicine.
With a strong foundation in both interpersonal communication and clinical knowledge, Jeanette excels in delivering comprehensive care tailored to the individual needs of each patient. She is dedicated to integrity, open-minded dialogue, and long-term wellness for the communities she serves.
Primary Specialties
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish (Medical), and Farsi
Physician Bio
With over 40 years of experience, Dr. Arman’s career has been dedicated to improving women’s comprehensive health as it has a tremendous impact on mothers, children and families, as well as infertility treatments. Strengthening the preventative aspect of women’s health is his priority. Dr. Arman has expertise in prenatal care, labor/delivery and postpartum care. Also, he is well trained and has experience in treating patients with infertility, urinary tract disorders and Family Planning. Further, Dr. Arman concentrates on issues and complications relating to menopause and geriatric gynecology.
Education
With over 20 years of experience in women's healthcare, Kendra Purdom Ramirez is a dedicated and compassionate Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Rocky Mountain University and a Master of Science in Nursing from California State University, Long Beach. Kendra's extensive education also includes advanced training as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Her clinical foundation began with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Walla Walla University and an Associate of Science in Surgical Technology from Loma Linda University. She also completed pre-nursing coursework at La Sierra University and Mt. San Antonio College.
Kendra is committed to providing exceptional, patient-centered care, specializing in all aspects of women's health. Her passion for education and advocacy ensures that her patients receive the highest level of evidence-based care tailored to their unique needs.
Primary Specialties
Pediatrics Dental (Board Certified)
Languages Spoken
English and Korean
Awards
Physician Bio
Dr. Wang is an experienced, skilled, and trusted pediatric dentist, focused on providing excellent dental care for her patients. She understands not every patient has a positive dental experience, which is why Dr. Wang’s goal is to be as gentle as possible. She is proud to offer comprehensive and individualized oral health care to children, starting from infancy and leading up to adolescence. Practicing dentistry since 2002, she is currently the Dental Director at Friends of Family Health Center, and has been since 2009.
Dr. Wang’s Master’s Thesis allowed her the opportunity to develop a visual aid, used to educate parents of young children, in order to explain children’s dental treatment needs. Her discoveries displayed the use of this visual aid improved the understanding of dental care. They also significantly amplified treatment cooperation of the parents, as well as their children. Dr. Wang’s Master’s Thesis is published in the Pediatric Dentistry journal.
Dr. Wang lives in Fullerton with her husband, and they enjoy spending their time traveling together, discovering new places. They also particularly enjoy dining out, cooking, and spending time with their loved ones.
Dr. Wang is a part of the following professional memberships:
Education
Primary Specialties
General Dentistry
Physician Bio
Dr. Charlanne Holman attended Loma Linda University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in psycho-biology in 1988. She continued her education at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1992.
Dr. Holman is married and blessed with a son and daughter. The family enjoys swimming, off-roading in their Tahoe, taking walks with their dog, and spending time with extended family. She grew up in La Habra and spent her summers dental assisting in her father's Whittier dental practice. Being part of the La Habra community is a joy and feels like home.
During her time as a dental student at Loma Linda University, Dr. Holman was involved with missionary service to Mexico and received a certificate of recognition from the American Dental Association. She has volunteered dental services for the Assistance League and the Peace Corp. Dr. Holman is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and the San Gabriel Dental Society.
Dr. Holman goes by "Dr. C" at the Friends of Family Dental Clinic. Her goal is simply to treat every patient as she would treat a family member.
Primary Specialties
General Dentistry
Dentist Bio
Dr. Pham strives to give each patient the highest level of quality dental care in a comfortable, efficient and painless manner. It is essential to her that each patient in her care is treated with compassion and provided the individual attention he or she deserves.
Dr. Pham was born and raised in Los Angeles County and recently moved to Placentia. She and her husband enjoy spending their time traveling together, dining out, watching new movies, and spending time with their friends and family.
Professional Memberships
Education
Primary Specialty
Pediatrics Dental
Languages Spoken
English
Dentist Bio
Dr. Murakami built her experience with disadvantaged populations during her years of residency in the Bronx, New York and at Indian Health Service in Lawton, Oklahoma. She understands how to prioritize treatment to those with little to no options for dental care and likes to form a deep understanding of their lifestyle and history as individuals. She is proficient in all dental treatment needs and enjoys helping her patients with education and prevention in dental care. Dr. Murakami received her credentials at the esteemed University of California, Los Angeles. She became very involved in community service as one of the Clinic Chief Coordinators with The Children’s Dental Center of Greater Los Angeles and through her work with the Salvation Army. She has extensive experience in dental education and awareness and uses this in conjunction with the best dental treatment to provide well-rounded, wholesome care to her patients.
Primary Specialties
General Dentistry
Dentist Bio
Dr. Hu grew up in Nebraska and after completing a General Practice Residency program for advanced training, she moved to Southern California. Her practice philosophy is to provide each patient with honest and high quality dental care in as gentle a manner as possible. She has spent her career practing at Southern California community health centers and has many years of experience working with local communities.
Dr. Hu enjoys riding her motorcycle through canyon roads, playing video games, as well as travelling and exploring new places. If a travel destination is near a body of water, she'll try to go scuba diving and view the local water creatures.
Primary Specialty
General Dentistry and Orthodontics
Languages Spoken
English and Mandarin
Bio
Dr. Yawen Peng is a dedicated pediatric dentist committed to providing exceptional oral care for children. After earning a dental degree from Boston University, Dr. Peng further honed her expertise through a residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Columbia University- NY Presbyterian Medical Center.
To advance her knowledge in oral healthcare for children, Dr. Peng completed a postgraduate degree in pediatric dentistry at Tufts University and achieved a board-certification by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Peng specializes in preventive care, early orthodontics, and comprehensive dental treatments tailored to each child’s needs.
Dr. Peng holds a Master degree in Education from the University of the Pacific and served as a faculty at the pediatric dentistry residency programs in USC-CHLA and Loma Linda University.
Passionate about delivering high-quality, patient-centered care, she stays up to date with the latest advancements in dentistry to ensure the best outcomes for her patients.
Primary Specialties
Behavioral Health
Languages Spoken
English and Farsi
Physician Bio
Dr. Steve Rahimi, MD, is a Board Certified Psychiatry specialist. He attended and graduated from medical school in 1964, having over 40 years of experience. Dr. Rahimi has worked in hospitals, clinics and emergency rooms and specializes in adults and geriatrics. Dr. Rahimi has a passion for helping people and works with all mental health issues including but not limited to psychosis, manic disorders, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Rahimi is married and has 3 children who are all in the medical profession. His son is a liver transplant specialist out of Dallas, one of his daughters is a family practitioner and his youngest daughter is a pathologist at Northwestern Chicago. Dr. Rahimi enjoys traveling, sports and spending time with his family.
Physician Bio
Diane Myers, PA-C is a Board Certified Physician Assistant with over 30 years of experience combined working in the mental health field as a Psychologist and Physician Assistant. Her passion for mental health has made her a key provider at Friends of Family Health Center, providing psychiatric assessments and medication management to a wide array of the patient population. She received her Master of Science degree in Psychology from Central Missouri University and her Physician Assistant degree from Wichita State University. In 2015, she received an Employee of the Year Excellence Award for outstanding service to her clients. Originally from Kansas, Diane came to Sacramento in 2017 where she continued working in community mental health. Diane joined Friends of Family Behavioral Health thereafter, continuing to provide excellent and thorough care to her patients. Outside of practicing medicine, she enjoys photography and spending quality times with her dogs.
Primary Specialties
Behavioral Health
Languages Spoken
English and Farsi
Physician Bio
Dr. Neda Haghani is a highly accomplished professional, dual board-certified in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Massachusetts, complemented by an MBA, showcasing her commitment to advancing her expertise in both healthcare and business.
With a passion for patient well-being, Dr. Neda is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Her approach involves integrating evidence-based practices with patients' preferences, ensuring a personalized and effective healthcare experience. Driven by a belief in equality, she emphasizes that everyone, regardless of race, gender, or sexual preference, deserves optimal care.
Boasting over two decades of experience, Dr. Neda has worked in both acute and outpatient settings, honing her skills and contributing significantly to the field of healthcare. Beyond her clinical work, she has demonstrated her commitment to community service by volunteering in non-profit organizations, such as AccessOC, to serve the under-insured population during critical times of need.
In addition to her professional and philanthropic endeavors, Dr. Neda is a loving spouse and parent to two children. Her commitment to family life extends to shared activities such as traveling, baking, and enjoying local beaches together. This balance between professional excellence, community service, and personal fulfillment reflects Dr. Neda's holistic approach to life and well-being.
Primary Specialty
Behavioral Health
Languages Spoken
English and Tagalog
Dr. Ongcapin is a licensed psychologist with over 18 years of experience in community mental health. She has provided mental health services to adults, children, and adolescents. Prior to joining FOFHC, Dr. Ongcapin worked at ENKI Health and Research Systems, Inc. as a psychologist for the Cal Works mental health program and also has experience managing a Wellness Center for adults with chronic mental illness. Her specialty is in providing psychological services to adults so that they can remove mental barriers to employment. Dr. Ongcapin graduated from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University and has a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Multicultural Clinical Community Psychology. Her interest is in working with individuals diagnosed with anxiety and depressive mood disorders. Outside of practice, Dr. Ongcapin enjoys traveling and watching marine life.
Primary Specialty
Behavioral Health
Languages Spoken
English and Farsi
Dr. Jafari is a licensed counseling Psychologist (PSY-29184). He has over 15 years of experience providing psychological services to children, adults and couples. Dr. Jafari received his Bachelor of Arts from Saint Leo University. He continued to pursue his Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from National University and his Doctorate of Counseling Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology (Argosy University).
Dr. Jafari utilizes evidence-based approaches that are grounded in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Health Psychology to help individuals navigate through difficult life situations and to lead more satisfying lives. In addition to providing psychological assessments and psychotherapy, Dr. Jafari is an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Forensic Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Areas of expertise include treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, ADHD, PTSD, OCD, adjustment issues and issues regarding substance abuse, weight management, self-esteem, relationships, family problems, and cultural concerns.
Primary Specialty
Behavioral Health
Dr. Stewart is a licensed Psychologist with over 17+ years of experience providing mental health services to adults, children, and adolescents. Prior to joining Friends of Family, Dr. Stewart was employed at the Institute for Multicultural Counseling and Education Services performing psychotherapy with patients through I.M.C.E.S’s contract with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Dr. Stewart has years of experience in the foster care system working with children who have been removed from their homes by child protective services as well as conducted complaint investigations concerning child abuse allegations and/or regulatory and legal compliance issues. Dr. Stewart is a US Navy Veteran, Vietnam with National defense ribbon and is a Second Class Petty Officer (E-5); Honorable Discharge, with Good Conduct Medal.
During his free time, Dr. Stewart enjoys tending to his tropical fish aquariums.
Primary Specialty
Behavioral Health
Dr. Oleksiy Verezumskyy is a psychological associate specializing in trauma, depression, neurocognitive disorders, grief, and addiction recovery. He integrates Gestalt Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, offering a compassionate, client-centered approach. With a background in both clinical psychology and computer science, Dr. Verezumskyy brings analytical insight and humanistic care to his work.
He holds a Psy.D. from California Southern University and advanced degrees from Odessa National University and Zhytomyr Engineer and Technological University. His experience spans private practice in Ukraine, rehabilitation and social work in the U.S., and forensic psychological settings.
Languages Spoken
English and Spanish
Therapist Bio
Mar Moreno-Araiza is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience working as a mental health clinician for children and families with trauma and other mental health disorders influenced by environmental stressors and adverse childhood experiences. Prior to working at Friends of Family Health Center, Mar worked as a Wraparound Clinician treating and advocating for families involved in probation and/or the Department of Children and Family Services. Mar has gathered experience treating families with a holistic approach for the purpose of increasing their well-being. Her interest is empowering individuals find their own strengths and abilities to create healthy lives. Mar graduated from University of California, Irvine with a Sociology Degree and obtained her Master’s in Social Work at California State University, Fullerton. Outside her practice, Mar enjoys spending time with her family and engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking and soccer.
Languages Spoken
English and Spanish
Primary Specialty
Behavioral Health
Therapist Bio
Margaret Dueñez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years experience in community mental health serving the under-insured and under-served populations. She graduated from Cal-State University, Long Beach with a Masters Degree in Social Work and a minor in Gerontology. Her earliest social work experience was in providing services for children and families living in the Los Angeles Skid Row area. She has provided mental health services to children, adults, and adolescents. Prior to joining Friends of Family Health Center, Mrs. Dueñez worked at East Valley Community Health Center as a Behavioral Health Director. She also has experience working as a medical social worker for the County of Los Angeles. She has a private practice in the City of Covina and her specialty is in working with individuals with anxiety and depressive mood disorders. Outside of practice, Mrs. Dueñez enjoys gardening, arts and crafts, reading, and weekend get-a-ways.
Languages Spoken
English and Spanish
Primary Specialty
Chiropractic and Sports Medicine
Bio
Dr. Edgar Rodriguez ("Dr. ERod") is a highly respected chiropractor and sports medicine expert who champions a movement-based philosophy rooted in optimizing health and performance through functional movement. He is the owner of Movement Cures Los Angeles and serves as the Supervising Clinician for the Cal State LA and the Wellness Center inside the historic Los Angeles General Hospital, where he enhances the well-being of the student body.
Dr. ERod's approach emphasizes that movement is the foundation of health, blending cutting-edge techniques with practical strategies to help individuals improve mobility, reduce injury, and reach their full potential.
A former college athlete, Dr. Erod earned his Bachelor of Science in Movement and Sports Science from the University of La Verne in 2012. He went on to complete his Doctor of Chiropractic at the Southern California University of Heath Sciences, where he received the prestigious Lester McCoy Clinical Excellence Award. He later achieved the elite Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP) credential, the highest designation in throprachc sports medicine.
Dr. ERod has worked with elite athletes and organizations, including USA Track and Field, USA Wrestling, and the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, and has served at premier events like the AVP Tour and NCAA National Taekwondo Championship. He also shares his expertise as a clinical reasoning instructor at Southern California University of Health Sciences.
Passionate about community, Dr. ERod lives in Los Angeles with his daughter. He enjoys hiking, traveling, and coaching local sports teams, inspiring others to embrace movement as medicine
Languages Spoken
English and Spanish
Primary Specialty
Chiropractic Medicine
Bio
Dr. Xavier A. Ortiz Ramirez is a chiropractor who was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. From a young age, he was interested in healing and volunteered for the Red Cross at 16, becoming an EMT and first aid instructor at 18. He then worked as a padamedic, flight paramedic, and college instructor in emergency response programs, building a wealth of experience in pre-hospital medicine and healthcare. Dr. Xavier pursued his undergraduate work in biology while working as a pre-hospital provider, with the goal of enrolling in medical school. In 2002, he enrolled in Xochicalco Medical School in Baja California, Mexico, where he obtained a diploma as a medical doctor with a minor in surgery in 2007.
As a chiropractor physician, Dr. Xavier specializes in drug-free pain management and offers free community drug prevention education. He is currently employed as a Clinical Faculty at the SCU Health System Clinic in Whittier, California, focusing on drugless pain management and teaching SCU students how to become compassionate integrated doctors. Dr. Xavier has a diverse background and personality that makes him popular with patients, particularly in the Spanish-speaking community. When not treating patients, he enjoys outdoor sports and is an expert vegetarian chef.
Our mission is to provide access to affordable, quality medical, dental, and behavioral health care services to all residents of Southern California communities, especially the vulnerable populations.
