TUC's The Current

Nkiruka “Niki” Anudokem, a 2024 graduate of TUC's Joint Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies/Master of Public Health program, shares how empathy among her student peers and professors on campus helped her to complete her dual master's degree program after her mother died.

Dr. Jennifer Himmel, a 2002 graduate of TUC's College of Osteopathic Medicine, and TUC Alumni Board President discusses life as an Emergency Medicine Physician during the height of the Covid-10 pandemic as well as the importance of women serving in health care professions. She practices in the Tidewater area of southeast Virginia.

Dr. Maricel Dela Cruz, a Bay Area native who is a 2012 dual Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/Master of Public Health graduate of TUC and practices in Solano County, shares her thoughts about the need to continue to add diversity among practitioners in the medical profession, as well as the importance of collaboration across specialties, and ongoing mentorship.

Dr. Kevin Carrasco is a 2013 dual PharmD-Master of Public Health graduate of the College of Pharmacy and College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California. He serves as an Emergency Department Pharmacist at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He describes a career arc that was strongly influenced by associations he made in the profession while still a student and early in his career, and encourages Pharmacy students to strive for their best at every turn because you never know when the impression you leave on others will pay dividends for you in the future.

Dr. Hugh Ngo is a 2013 dual PharmD-Master of Public Health graduate of the College of Pharmacy and the College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California. He serves in Toronto as the Senior Medical Science Liaison in HIV with the Medical Affairs Department at Gilead Sciences Canada. He discusses the varied career paths for those who hold PharmD degrees as well as MPH degrees, and strategies for professional development through mentorship and networking.

Dr. Karis Clarke, Assistant Dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences, Director of the Graduate School of Education, and a Professor for the GSOE program celebrates those who teach our children – as well as those who teach adults of all ages in various settings – during Teacher Appreciation Week. A series of GSOE alums share what motivates them as teachers, as well as their passion for the profession.

Lisa Marie Smith holds two Master's Degrees in Education from Touro University California, one completed in 2016 and another in 2019 through the Graduate School of Education. She is a special education teacher in the St. Helena Unified School District, where she has served for 15 years. Smith co-owns a pair of businesses in Calistoga with her husband – and is not afraid to clown around when the time is right.

Natalie DuMont, who in 2020 earned her multiple-subject teaching credential at Touro University California, was raised with an appreciation of nature and later in life used that appreciation to support a career in environmental stewardship. Now she's teaching kindergartners in Vallejo, sharing with them her love of nature and the environment.

Dr. Robyn Young, a 2012 graduate of Touro University California's College of Osteopathic Medicine who practices in the Orlando, Florida, area, shares her experiences while at Touro – to include a particularly challenging time academically – and how those experiences helped to shape her into the physician she is today.

Victoria “Tory” Gaba, who obtained her Teaching Credential through Touro University California's Graduate School of Education before completed her Master's in Education degree at Touro in 2016, knew early on that her “first love” was childhood education. But it was years before she taught in a public-school classroom. She worked along the way in the hospitality sector and in high-end retail before becoming a credentialed teacher and leader with Montessori Schools. She made the jump to public schools and is a kindergarten teacher in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, leveraging her private-sector and Montessori experience for the benefit of her young charges.

Ashley Cumpas, a 2016 graduate of Touro University California's Independent Master's in Public Health program, shares her experiences while at Touro and during her career with Solano County Public Health. She also shares the trials she and her peers shared during the Covid-19 pandemic and how her experiences during the pandemic taught her skills that make her a better public health professional.

Brenda Mitchell, a 2015 alumna of the Graduate School of Education's Master's program, had a 15-year career in the financial sector before she transitioned to teaching – a career that spans generations within her family. She discusses her family and career history, the traits necessary for a successful teaching career, and her roles as an Assistant Professor in the GSOE program and as a Clinical Coach Coordinator in the College of Education and Health Sciences.

Eric Worden, a 2022 graduate of Touro University California's Graduate School of Education, had a 20-year career in advertising before making the move to a teaching career. But that was always the plan. He leveraged the connections he made with his cohort of experienced classroom teachers – as well as his professors – while at Touro University California to build a network of informal mentors who helped him make a successful career transition.

Dr. Joy Moverley, a 2012 graduate of Touro University California's Joint MSPAS/MPH program and current director of the program, joins the podcast to share her Touro journey.

Dr. Clipper Young is a 2013 graduate of Touro University California's College of Pharmacy and a member of the faculty in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. In this podcast, he discusses how and why he became involved with the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and the future he sees for Touro's various community-focused programs that seek to improve the overall health of residents across Solano County.

Dr. Clipper Young is a 2013 graduate of Touro University California's College of Pharmacy and a member of the faculty in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. In this podcast, he discusses how he came to Touro, his experiences as a student, and how time with his family as a child led him to specialize in diabetes research, treatment and prevention.

Dr. Fatima Sadat, a 2016 graduate of Touro University California's College of Pharmacy PharmD program, shares how going above and beyond, networking at Touro, and building a stellar, professional reputation set her up for success in her pharmacy career.

Dr. Camilo Pardo, a 2018 graduate of Touro University California's Master of Science in Medical Health Sciences program and a 2022 graduate of TUC's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, joins the podcast to share his journey prior to coming to Touro, while at TUC and during his residency in New York.

Dr. Camilo Pardo, a 2018 graduate of Touro University California's Master of Science in Medical Health Sciences program and a 2022 graduate of TUC's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, joins the podcast to share his journey prior to coming to Touro, while at TUC and during his residency in New York.

Dr. Joy Moverley, a 2012 graduate of Touro University California's Joint MSPAS/MPH program and current director of the program, joins the podcast to share her Touro journey.

Dr. Tami Hendriksz, a 2006 graduate of TUC's College of Osteopathic Medicine, current Dean of the College and Interim Chief Academic Officer for the University, joins the podcast to share her Touro journey.

Dr. Eryn Whitaker, PharmD Class of 2009, shares what it was like as a founding student in Touro University California's College of Pharmacy, discusses her career path and lays out a strategy anyone can use to evaluate how they are progressing in their chosen profession. 

Touro School of Nursing alum and current Family Nurse Practitioner student Jeanette Blanks discusses how the FNP path opened doors for her to follow her passion of community service.Music: AShamaluevmusic.com 

TUC PA alum Capt. Keith Jackson discusses his journey through military service, becoming a PA and working with active duty and veteran members of the military. 

College of Pharmacy alum Dr. Hafasa Mojaddidi discusses her work in a clinical setting treating patients in a primary care setting for different chronic conditions.

TUC alum and Associate Professor Dr. Victor Nuno discusses how integrative medicine is just one tool at a clinician's disposal for treating patients both young and old. 

Dr. Ankila Chandran recounts the experiences that brought her to Osteopathic Medicine and what being part of the first TUCOM class was like.Music: AShamaluevmusic.com

Joint MSPAS/MPH grad Veronica Padilla uses her knowledge of Spanish and Hispanic/Latino culture to connect in a meaningful way with her patients.

TUC GSOE alum Ed Santopadre has served a number of roles in the Vacaville Unified School District over the years. In the Fall of 2023, he will take on his biggest role yet, that as Superintendent. Listen as he discusses the virtues of teaching and the future of learning.

MSMHS alums and second-year student-doctors Dylan Loquist and Jori Enfield discuss how the Medical Health Science program helped prepare them for the rigors and challenges of entering medical school. 

COP alum Dr. Tatiana Ouabo discusses her career in pharmacy at an Indian Health Services clinic in Hoopa. With limited available medical services, Dr. Ouabo does more than just manage prescriptions for the clinic's patients. Music by: AShamaluevmusic.com

COP alum, faculty, and infectious disease researcher Dr. Monica Donnelley discusses her path into pharmacy and where she sees the profession heading in the coming years. 

COM alum and Assistant Professor Dr. Stacia Sloane discusses how she turned a series of stumbling blocks into stepping stones during medical school and through her residency. 

MSPAS graduate and current faculty member Darcie Larimore-Arenas talks about the ever-changing nature of the PA profession, from the classroom to the clinic, and how TUC works to stay on the leading edge of the industry.Music: AShamaluevmusic.com

Principal Kenneth Bonner discusses how educators are evolving their ideas of learning and leadership to help students thrive in an ever-changing society. 

PA alum and current TUC faculty member Josie Hunt describes the many different ways the PA program is evolving to ensure current and incoming students are as well-trained as possible. 

Drs. Brett London and May Lin of One Medical discuss the benefits of membership-based health services, as well as the freedom to bring Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) into their daily practice. Music by AShamaluevMusic.comLearn more about One Medical: https://www.onemedical.com/

Dr. Joshua Kravetz has spent his entire medical career working in emergency medicine. What are the joys, what are the challenges and what keeps this veteran physician going in one of the most difficult callings in medicine?Music: AShamaluevmusic.com

Kristin Middaugh comes to Touro University from Utah State University, bringing a wealth of experience and professionalism to the position. She is eager to start making the experience of TUC's wonderful alumni as positive as can be.Connect with here: kmiddaug@touro.eduMusic: AShamaluevmusic.com

National Student-Doctor of the Year Teekz Yenpasook talks about his path to becoming a doctor, overcoming numerous difficult challenges throughout the process, and his plans to help open the door for more future doctors. Music: Shamaluevmusic.com

COP graduate Dr. Denise Yeung discusses her involvement with the Touro CARES MVP effort, along with her path along the ever-changing pharmacy landscape, her journey as a student at Touro and how MVP volunteers help ease anxiety among the vax-hesitant.Music: AShamaluevmusic.com

MPH graduate Amy Vang works for the California Department of Social Service's program, CalFresh. At one time, she benefitted from the state nutrition program. Now, as a Touro grad, she's helping ensure vulnerable populations throughout the state don't have to go hungry.https://www.getcalfresh.org/Music: AShamaluevemusic.com

MPH graduate Devin Oates discusses how the State of Vermont is digitizing its health records to make it easier to share an analyze data in real time to help public health professionals have a clear and accurate picture of pending crises. Music: AShamaluevmusic.com

Dr. Brigitte Ouabo, host of the YouTube channel "The Rookie Pharmacist" explores the different avenues available to graduates of pharmacy school. Dr. Ouabo is also an inspiration for many as she overcame many obstacles in order to graduate from Touro University California.Rookie Pharmacist: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruEdnK-Ty-sqCqgsPVn30Q/videos?view=0&sort=pMusic: AShamaluevmusic.com

Visions in Education Vice Principal and alumni of TUC's GSOE program Beyonka Marshall shares her expertise as to why some parents choose to homeschool their children, dispels some misconceptions about homeschooling, and discusses why it's a good option for some students.Music: AShamaluevemusic.comLearn more: https://www.viedu.org/

Touro faculty member and College of Pharmacy alumni Dr. Clipper Young discusses what prediabetes is, why it's important to treat it and to manage Type II diabetes, and ways to screen to see if you have a prediabetic condition. Music: AShamaluevMusic.comLearn more at: http://tu.edu/mobec/Stay connected:Facebook: @DiabetesDREAMTeam Twitter: @DiabetesTUCA Instagram: @diabetestucaYouTube Playlist: TUC Mobile Diabetes Education 

MPH grads Alaina Star and Valentina Kelly discuss a grant-funded project, Solano Connex, which helps people in need of mental health services with clinics and providers in the area that are as close as a simple app away. Music: AShamaluevmusic.comFind out more: http://solanoconnex.tu.edu/

MSMHS grad and COM student Regina Woo tells how the community-focused student body maintained that sense of camaraderie and unity when COVID caused such disruptions to daily life.Music: AShamaluevmusic.com

Nursing grad and current FNP student Verna Sabio talks about the different ways she uses compassion, understanding and a sprinkling of facts and science to help ease the concerns of those who are still hesitant about getting a COVID vaccine. Music: AShamaluevmusic.com

MSMHS grad and current COM student Shalaya Yazdi, MPH, explains the struggles of keeping Touro's strong sense of campus community and commitment to the external community going during the pandemic.Website: http://tu.edu/mobec/zoomintowellness.htmlMusic: AShamaluevmusic.com

"The Jazzy Doc," Dr. Jasmine Singh recounts how she became involved in psychiatric medicine, the mental toll of COVID-19, and why and how it is important to seek mental health treatment for symptoms both large and small. Music: AShamaluevmusic.comConnected with Dr Singh: https://www.thejazzydoc.com/IG: thejazzydoc