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Celebrate Resilience
Welcome to the 2025 Aspiring Black Physicians' Conference: Celebrate Resilience!
Physician Panel
Dr. Sahael Stapleton, MD: Colorectal Surgery
I grew up in Southern California, going to college at UCLA, before completing my medical education on the east coast at Johns Hopkins. From there, I completed an Internal Medicine residency at UCSF where I met my wife. This was followed by General Surgery residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital. I then completed a fellowship in Colon & Rectal Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota.After Many years away, my family and decided to move closer to home and are now happy to be back in the bay area. As part of my training, I also obtained a Master of Business Administration, and I hope to leverage that training to grow the Kaiser Permanente brand, and to advocate for underserved populations throughout our community.
Dr. Albert Stephen, MD: Internal Medicine/Hospital Based Medicine
​I completed my MD training at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica and did residencies in England and Texas. I practiced as a Hospitalist for several years in Texas and California.I enjoy working at Kaiser Permanente because of the ability to practice high-quality, evidence-based medicine for the benefit of the patient.My practice philosophy is to deliver compassionate, evidence-based medical care and to treat every patient as I would want my family treated. I don’t believe in using narcotic medications on a long-term basis. Chronic pain can be managed with multimodal therapy, including a proper diet, good sleep hygiene, regular exercise, and behavioral therapy.
Dr. Stacey Hunt, MD: Dermatology
I joined Kaiser Permanente in 2002, shortly after moving to the West Coast from Michigan. After practicing medicine for decades, I now understand how skin diseases are often an outward reflection of both physical and mental states. With the integrated approach to medicine at Kaiser Permanente, patients have easy access to excellent medical care as well as a wide variety of resources to help them to live a happy and healthy life and THRIVE. As an adolescent, I was intrigued by the human body and its physiology. This fascination, along with my innate compassion for others, provoked me to pursue a career in medicine. When I started medical school, I was considering other specialties. However, during the basic science phase of medical school, I was intrigued by immunology, which enabled me to understand the role of the immune system in the development of disease states.While doing my dermatology clerkship during my third year of medical school, I was exposed to how skin diseases could compromise lifestyle and quality of life. For me, dermatology was a natural choice because it was a specialty which allowed me to combine my interest in immunology and clinical medicine. In addition, it continues to be a challenging and dynamic specialty as the population ages and searches for their fountain of youth.I am a native of Detroit Michigan. I attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for both my undergraduate studies and medical school, graduating in 1989. I completed my residency in Dermatology at New York University Skin and Cancer Center in New York, New York. I am a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association, Sinkler-Miller Association, and National Medical Association.I choose the Permanente Medical Group because it allows me the opportunity to maintain balance in my family and personal life while practicing medicine. My hobbies include singing gospel music, hiking, and playing tennis. When not working, I enjoy traveling with my husband and my children.I look forward to getting to know you and taking care of your skin. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. I am personally committed to providing you with high quality care.
Dr. Tanisha Silas-Young, MD: OBGYN
I am originally from Vallejo, California, and I did most of my education in this area. I completed my undergraduate course work at UC Davis where I was a student athlete on the Track and Field team. I also graduated from the UC Davis School of Medicine. I then went to the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, Texas and completed my residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Parkland Memorial Hospital. This was a very busy county hospital with the highest obstetrical volume in the country and very solid gynecologic training due to exposure to complex pathology. I am happy to return to the Solano area to be closer to my family and to establish my practice with an excellent group of colleagues here at Kaiser Permanente.
Dr. Candace Jones, MD: Pediatrics
I am proud to say that I am a Sacramento native. After graduating from Hiram Johnson High School I attended UC Davis where I majored in Community Health. From there I ventured down to southern California where I worked as a public health researcher before starting medical school. I received an excellent education at the UCLA School of Medicine and after graduation I was delighted to have the opportunity to go to Children's Hospital Oakland. That is where I completed my residency training in pediatrics. I was exposed to children of all ages with a myriad of medical conditions.
Medical Student Panel
Kayla Hall MS1
Kayla Hall is an MS1 who attends UC Davis School of Medicine. Originally from Sacramento, California, she did her undergrad at Pepperdine University, where she majored in Sports Medicine. She also did the Pre-Health Post-baccalaureate program at UC Davis. Kayla is currently involved as Co-Admin of the Imani Clinic and a Community Engagement Officer for the class of 2028
Sonia Chinedu
Hometown: San Jacinto, CA
Specialty Interest: Cardiothoracic surgery, OB/Gyn
Sonia is a first-year medical student with a passion for addressing healthcare disparities and advancing diversity in medicine. Through her involvement with the Student National Medical Association and various leadership roles, she is committed to advocacy, mentorship, and community outreach. She aspires to become a skilled physician who prioritizes patient-centered care while balancing family, self-care, and professional growth. With a dedication to serving underserved communities, she aims to bridge gaps in healthcare access and mentorship, ensuring equitable high-quality care for all. When she's not pursuing her interests in medicine, she can be found at the gym or on a tennis court.
Brenda Akwekor Teiko
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Specialty Interest: Internal Medicine
Brenda is a second-year medical student interested in Internal Medicine. She graduated from UC Davis in 2019 with a degree in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. Since starting medical school Brenda has been involved in public health research, working as a teaching assistant for undergraduate gross anatomy, and volunteering at a student-run clinic. As a strong believer in advocacy and education, Brenda is passionate about working with younger generations, and looks forward to incorporating these values into her career and sharing her experiences on this panel.
James Aboagye
Hometown: Rialto/San Bernardino
Specialty Interest: Psychiatry or Family Medicine
Hailing from Rialto, California, James Aboagye has emerged as a beacon of tenacity and achievement on his journey from UCLA alum to second year medical student at UC Davis. Growing up in Rialto instilled in him a sense of community and purpose, values that have permeated his academic and professional pursuits. As a proud UCLA alum, along his pre-med journey James navigated the challenges of a non-traditional student, overcoming obstacles with resilience and learning through reflecting in his post grad endeavors and beyond. James's narrative takes a unique turn with a transformative 10-year gap before entering medical school. During this period, he honed his skills, embraced diverse experiences, and faced the rigors of multiple MCATs and application cycles. Rather than succumbing to the challenges, James viewed each hurdle as an opportunity for growth. Now, as a second-year medical student at UC Davis, he brings the wisdom of his journey to the forefront, embodying the spirit of Rialto and proving that a steadfast commitment to one's goals can lead to remarkable achievements in the field of medicine.
Masani Coley
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Specialty interest: Obstetrics & Gynecology (OBGYN)
Masani is a rising fourth year medical student at UC Davis School of Medicine in the Academic Research Careers for Medical Doctors (ARC-MD) program. She is currently completing her research year studying abortion care and lactation outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease seeking to breastfeed. She developed a strong passion for reproductive healthcare early on and has gained clinical volunteer experience in women’s health during her undergraduate years, as well as through student-run clinics in medical school. Additionally, she is passionate about mentorship and has actively participated in programs like Avenue M and the UCD Postbacc Mentorship Student Interest Group.
Aseem Kelly
Hometown: Moreno Valley, CA
Specialty Interest: Anesthesiology
I came to med school after a 7 year career as a high school math teacher and a 3 year stint in data analytics. During med school, I have served as a president for SNMA and have worked on a number of equity initiatives that affect med students here at UCDSOM. In my spare time I play tennis, write music, and am excitedly awaiting a new baby girl due in the summer!
Luncheon
: Physicians in Attendance
Dr. Cristopher Smith
Dr. Smith obtained his medical degree at UC Davis School of Medicine. Relocating to Los Angeles for internal medicine training. Completing internship internal medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, College of Medicine and residency internal medicine, Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Smith retired after 30 years with the California Department of Corrections in 2020. Spending the last 17 years as a medical administrator in charge of medical services and primary care clinicians. Dr. Smith has been a volunteer internal medicine faculty at the UCD School of Medicine since 1987.
Dr. Adams Jacobs
Specialty: Family Medicine
35 year career with Sutter Medical Group, retired in 2022Past President Capitol Medical Society (CMS) and Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society (SSVMS)Past Medical Director Imani Clinic
Dr. Tariq Shaheed
Dr. Shaheed's medical training includes earning a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed an internship and a categorical three-year residency in Internal Medicine at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, CA. He further enhanced his expertise by pursuing a nephrology fellowship with the Kaiser Family Foundation, where he focused on addressing the high burden of kidney disease in the Central Valley of Northern California.
Dr. Jessica Chandler, DO
I decided to practice medicine after wanting to help a family member with epilepsy. I saw first-hand how his illness impacted his life and those around him. Although I did not pursue a career in neurology, I developed empathy, which is essential in the care I provide. I decided to practice at Kaiser Permanente because the leadership was supportive of my desire to focus on my area of specialty-gynecology. I believe every woman deserves a physician that is devoted to their gynecologic needs. This belief inspired me to pursue additional training following my Obstetrics and Gynecology residency in the areas of minimally invasive surgery. During my fellowship, I focused on robotic surgery, pelvic pain, endometriosis, and menopausal medicine.
Dr. Kimberly Davis
I am proud to be a member of such a quality department and medical group here at Kaiser Permanente and I hope that we can always provide high-quality of care and service to you.Your comments and suggestions are always welcome and I look forward to seeing you at your next appointment.
Dr. Fatimatou Bah
Dr. Tony Wills
I was born in Louisiana to a military family that moved around a bit during my early childhood. Eventually, we settled in Seaside, California on the Monterey Peninsula, which I feel is my childhood home. I completed my schooling there before heading to Stanford University in the Bay Area, where I had a wonderful education. After two years of working as an administration assistant and teaching music to children, I matriculated at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, where I spent four wonderful and exciting years learning about the art and science of medicine. I have always been fascinated by children and decided that I would make teaching them and keeping them healthy my life’s work. I was lucky to secure further pediatric training at Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, California. After three challenging years, I returned to the Sacramento area and started my work as a full-time pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente.My initial interaction with the Kaiser Permanente’s system began in medical school. I rotated in the pediatric, medicine, and orthopedics departments in both the North and South Valley areas. I was impressed with Kaiser Permanente's long-standing commitment to preventative medicine. Being one of the founding principles of my practice philosophy, I felt that Kaiser Permanente would be a perfect fit for me. Since beginning my career with this organization, I have been impressed with their commitment to educating their patients so that they may be better informed about how to take care of themselves and make good medical decisions for their families.
Dr. Sydney Orokunle
I have many years of experience working in family practice settings, specifically primary care in both Southern and Central Valley California. I chose a career in family medicine because I enjoy building meaningful relationships with my patients. I find my work incredibly rewarding because I have the opportunity to educate and empower my patients to take ownership of their health while equipping them with the necessary tools to lead healthy and productive lives.I am a strong advocate for preventative health care through routine health care screenings, routine checkups, education, and patient counseling. I am passionate about women's health, adolescent health, chronic disease management, and nutrition. I also enjoy serving in the community through various projects such as community health fairs, homeless outreach, and medical missions.
Dr. Dayna Parish
I am originally from Oklahoma however I moved to the bay area for my residency in pediatrics. I have always wanted to be a physician and I truly enjoy my working with children. I want your child to be happy and excited about coming to see the doctor. When it’s time for your little one’s check-up, “it's okay to giggle. This will only tickle a little.” - Doc McStuffins I am excited to join the San Leandro campus of Northern Kaiser Permanente. We are a group practice of pediatricians dedicated to the health and wellness of infants, children, and adolescents. We have appointments in the evening and on weekends for urgent issues’, because I understand that some illness may occur outside of official business hours. I believe that good health starts with proper nutrition and exercise as well as empowering families to make positive lifestyle choices. I promise to respect your family’s cultural beliefs and attitudes in addition to keeping your child’s best interest at heart. I understand that you have many options in choosing a pediatrician for your child and I look forward to working with you and your family.
Tips + Resources
Encouraging words and stories from Physicians unable to attend:
What drives you in medicine today?
Dr. Thomas Duncan (Trauma Medical Director, Ventura County Medical Center):
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The opportunity to provide evidence-based medicine to improve the quality of care provided to sometimes unfortunate patients.
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The ability to spread the mantra of preventive care to decrease the number of preventable injuries and diseases that we see.
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The fortune to teach and properly instruct the up-and-coming generation.
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To serve as a role model for AAs aspiring to pursue medicine as a career.
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The opportunity to make change happen at the advocacy level and be a voice for those without one.
Dr. Stan Patterson (Chief Medical Information Officer, HCA, Family Medicine Physician):
My love always present love for science and my desire to help people in any way I can is what drives me the most. My motivation is, and has always been, the same as when I first made a conscious decision to pursue a career in medicine. The satisfaction I get when I can be a part of someone's life, contributing in some way to their overall general physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being is a true gift that I am fortunate to experience every day I see patients. Knowing that I have something, even small, to contribute to those who struggle to find quality health care from someone who care, no matter the circumstances, brings me joy. I want to be a doctor, who my patients can build trust in, and who looks like them and reflects their values and culture, or deeply respects the values and culture of those I serve. It matters to me because I didn't have that growing up.
Why did you pursue this field of practice?
Dr. Thomas Duncan (Trauma Medical Director, Ventura County Medical Center):
As a child/teenager, I was always curious about how objects (radios, model toy cars, etc.) worked and found myself dismantling them to determine how they functioned. As such, my zeal was to work in a field of medicine involving technical skills if/when I became a physician.
Dr. Stan Patterson (Chief Medical Information Officer, HCA, Family Medicine Physician):
Medicine chose me. I was nine years old and through the dedication of my teachers at my school in South Central LA, I got to think about what I wanted from life, beyond grade school. Having my mom serve as a major mentor in my life, showed me what I could accomplish as she demonstrated her strength, perseverance, resolve, dedication, patience, and grace to her 3 sons every day, despite having to do it all as a single parent. She never told us what we should do in life as a career, but she supported and encouraged us regardless of our resources and never let us feel like we were "less than," or "less deserving." This helped us seek other mentors with a similar message and sustained me as I navigated life's path towards my ultimate goal. Family Medicine fulfilled all the things I never knew I needed in a career. I love my work every day and have never felt a moment of regret.
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What do you enjoy most?
Dr. Thomas Duncan (Trauma Medical Director, Ventura County Medical Center):
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Seeing a medical student or resident blossom from their infancy stage to a full blown physician capable of managing all works of medicine in their specialty with confidence.
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Patients/families showing gratitude for the healing and/or change in demeanor from pain to near-absent physical ailment after an operation or intervention.
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Audience at conferences display joy when a process that could change their community, city, or state click.
Dr. Stan Patterson (Chief Medical Information Officer, HCA, Family Medicine Physician):
I enjoy the ability to forge relationships with the people I get to meet and see every day. Whether it involves seeing patients, teaching residents and medical students, or working with other clinical professionals in my current role as Chief Medical Information Officer, I cherish the opportunity to impact another person in as positive a way as I can. It means more to me to make that impact on those who have experience less opportunity in their lives. Mentorship molded me and I hope to pay it forward.
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What are/have been your greatest challenges?
Dr. Thomas Duncan (Trauma Medical Director, Ventura County Medical Center):
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Dealing with administrative bureaucracy.
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Handling state and federal mandates that do not add up to optimum outcomes.
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Wearing multiple hats in order to be at the table to be part of important decisions that affect under-represented communikties.
Dr. Stan Patterson (Chief Medical Information Officer, HCA, Family Medicine Physician):
My greatest challenges have been balancing with desire of what I want to do and what I think we should do for those who have less health care access and less resources, in general, with what I am able to do with the resources I have. It literally takes a village of like-minded, common-goal oriented individuals to pool what we have to do more. That's always been a bigger hill to climb than I ever anticipated. I have become used to doing more with less...It's the story of my life, but there are always so many circumstances where our patients and our youth deserve so much more than we can give. It's frustrating to see the effect of what happens when we can't do enough and how it impacts those who would have benefitted. I hope we can continually think of ways to constructively overcome those challenges.
