BECAUSE
HEALTHCARE
IS A TEAM SPORT

All courses are taught for acute care SLPs, by acute care SLPs and are peer-reviewed by an interdisciplinary team of practicing physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals.

 
 

Dr. Cynthia Kim, MD

  • Dr. Cynthia Kim, MD is a triple board-certified physician in Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, and Internal Medicine with over 10 years of experience in acute care hospital settings. Her expertise is in managing patients with complex pulmonary disease and those requiring mechanical ventilation. She currently practices in downtown Los Angeles, where she is responsible for three Intensive Care Units and pulmonary care for a 320-bed hospital. Dr. Kim has served as a clinical instructor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a member of the American Thoracic Society, American College of Chest Physicians, and Society of Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Kim is also an accomplished researcher on the topics of post-obstructive pneumonia in lung cancer, integrating palliative care into critical care, hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

    Undergraduate Education: University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, PA; Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Biology; Honors; degree conferred 2004

    Medical Education: Drexel University College of Medicine; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Doctor of Medicine; degree conferred 2009

    Internship: Drexel University College of Medicine; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; 2009-2010

    Residency: Drexel University College of Medicine; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; 2010-2013; Chief Resident 2012-2013

    Fellowship: Temple University College of Medicine; Philadelphia, PA; Pulmonary and Critical Care; 2013-2016; Chief Fellow 2015-2016

Dr. Inna Husain, MD

  • Dr. Inna A. Husain, MD is currently Medical Director of Laryngology at Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana. She leads the first Voice, Airway, Swallow program in the region after transitioning away from her role as Associate Professor and Section Head of Laryngology at Rush University Medical Center. She continues to hold an appointment in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Rush. Dr. Husain has an interest in medical education formally as an Associate Residency Program Director, and currently with her social media pages on Instagram and TikTok. She is also an active member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and received their Honor Award In 2021. Originally from Texas, she completed her medical school at UT Southwestern before completing her Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency at Northwestern University. She then completed her laryngology fellowship from Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a Harvard teaching hospital. Her clinical and research interests include laryngopharyngeal reflux and idiopathic subglottic stenosis.

    Undergraduate Education: Rice University; Houston, TX; Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Biology; degree conferred 2005

    Medical Education: UT Southwestern at Dallas Medical Center; Dallas, TX; Doctor of Medicine; degree conferred 2009

    Residency: Northwestern Memorial Hospital; Chicago, IL; 2011-2014; Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

    Residency: UT Houston; Houston, TX; 2009-2011; Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

    Fellowship: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Boston, MA; 2014-2015; Laryngology

Dr. Antonio Liu, MD

  • Dr. Antonio Liu, MD is a board-certified Neurologist with over 20 years of experience. He currently practices in multiple acute care hospitals in Los Angeles, where he runs Comprehensive and Primary Stroke Center programs. Dr. Liu is an accomplished researcher in neurology, with over 50 publications.

    Medical Education: Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA; degree conferred in 1995

    Residency: University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA; 1996-1999

    Internship: Adventist Health White Memorial; Los Angeles, CA; 1995-1996

Dr. Jason Chu, MD

  • Dr. Jason Chu, MD is a board-certified Radiologist experienced in high-volume acute care hospital settings. He is well versed in general radiology, while providing focused expertise in abdominal imaging and body interventional procedures for patients with diverse pathology. Dr. Chu completed his residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University, where he offered radiological physics education for residents, and also was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society in recognition of his excellence in medical student teaching. He then completed his abdominal imaging fellowship at University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Chu has presented on the topics of imaging in facial trauma and interventional radiology placement of enteric tubes.

    Undergraduate Education: University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA; Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering; Magna Cum Laude; degree conferred 2007

    Medical Education: Ross University School of Medicine; Miramar, FL; Doctor of Medicine; High Honors; degree conferred 2014

    Internship: Flushing Hospital Medical Center; Queens, NY; Outstanding PGY-1 Resident of the Year; 2014-2015

    Residency: SUNY Upstate Medical University; Syracuse, NY; Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society; 2015-2019

    Fellowship: University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco, CA; 2019-2020

Dr. Ardavan Mashhadian, DO

  • Dr. Ardavan Mashhadian, DO is a board-certified internal medicine and nephrology physician specializing in chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, kidney stones, and management of patients on dialysis. He has 11 years of experience, including training and post-training, in the acute care setting at a hospital with a large trauma and stroke center. Patients with chronic kidney disease face many medical challenges as well as emotional and social stressors. Dr. Mashhadian’s mission is to understand patients' complex needs and provide them with emotionally fulfilling care. He prides himself in his kindness towards his patients.

    Undergraduate Education: University of California, Los Angeles, 2004-2006. Bachelor of Science.

    Medical Education: Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, 2006-2010.

    Internship: Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California, 2010-2011. Medical Intern.

    Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California, 2011-2013. Medical Resident.

    Fellowship: Loma Linda University Medical Center,  Loma Linda, California, 2013-2015. Fellow.

Dr. Olivier Urayeneza, MD

  • Dr. Olivier Urayeneza, MD is a Trauma and General Surgeon with over 12 years of experience in trauma, critical care, and acute care surgery. He currently practices in Los Angeles and is affiliated with California Hospital Medical Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital. Dr. Urayeneza works collaboratively with members of the interdisciplinary team in the critical care setting, where he delivers high-quality care to a complex and diverse patient population. He has special interest in global health and global surgery.

    Undergraduate Education: Western Michigan University; Kalamazoo, MI; Bachelor of Science; degree conferred 2004

    Medical Education: Loma Linda University Medical Center; Loma Linda, CA; Doctor of Medicine; degree conferred 2009

    Internship: Bassett Medical Center; Cooperstown, NY; 2009-2014; general surgery

Michelle Estrada, RN

  • Michelle Estrada RN, BSN, is an intensive care nurse at a greater Los Angeles stroke and trauma center. She was first exposed to patient care through eight years as a nursing aide prior to becoming a licensed nurse. In her 10 years of RN experience, she has participated in patient safety projects and policy and procedure review. Michelle practices in the intensive care unit, critical care unit, surgical intensive care unit, and trauma intensive care unit. She also has been directly involved in the mentorship of numerous student and new graduate nurses through preceptorship. As a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, she has grown in her practice through evidence-based education and strives to apply her knowledge and inquisitiveness with an intellectually curious eye.

    Undergraduate Education: Santa Monica City College; Santa Monica, CA; Associate Degree; degree conferred 2011

    Undergraduate Education: Western Governors University; Bachelor of Science in Nursing; degree conferred 2018

Danielle Whithorne, RDN

  • Danielle Whithorne, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist currently practicing in the clinical setting at California Hospital Medical Center in downtown Los Angeles. She has five years of clinical nutrition experience providing medical nutrition therapy to various populations including the adult and neonatal critically ill, obstetrics, adult and pediatric weight management, malnutrition, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Danielle is passionate about helping her patients heal through personalized medical nutrition therapy, nutrition support and nutrition education, especially in the critical care setting.

    Undergraduate Education: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; San Luis Obispo, CA; Bachelor of Science in Nutrition; 2012

    Internship: Nutrition Ink; Banning, CA

Eden Berhe, PT, DPT

  • Eden Berhe, PT, DPT is a licensed physical therapist with a Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. She has 5 years of experience in the acute care setting, where she currently practices in a large trauma and stroke center. She works with a variety of patients with orthopedic, cardiac, neurologic, metabolic, post-operative, and trauma related pathologies with varying levels of complexity (such as those with severe cognitive deficits, tracheostomy and ventilator support, psychological disorders, and poor social support). She regularly treats patients in the ICU, Telemetry, Medical/Surgical units, as well as in Labor & Delivery/Post-Partum and Same-Day Surgery. Eden is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and a Credentialed Clinical Instructor since 2017. She has a passion for serving others and is a strong advocate for her patients. She enjoys working in a collaborative environment with other members of the interdisciplinary team.

    Undergraduate Education: University of California, San Diego; San Diego, CA; Bachelor of Science; degree conferred 2007

    Graduate Education: University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA; Doctor of Physical Therapy; degree conferred 2016

    Clinical Affiliation: Keck Medical Center of US; Los Angeles, CA; 2015; specialization in acute care and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation

    Clinical Affiliation: Complete Balance Solutions; Laguna Hills, CA; 2015-2016; specialization in vestibular, neurologic, and balance disorders

    Clinical Affiliation: Knight Physical therapy; Garden Grove, CA; 2016; specialization in orthopedics

Sara Levy, OTR/L

  • Sara Levy, OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist who has worked in the acute care setting in downtown Los Angeles for six years. Sara also has experience working in skilled nursing facilities as well as home health therapy. Sara was drawn to the variety and complexity of cases treated in acute care. Every day is different and challenges her to think outside the box. She enjoys maximizing an individual’s self-care abilities in the first days following a deficit, and witnessing their initial milestones.

    Undergraduate Education: James Madison University; Harrisonburg, VA; Bachelor of Science; degree conferred 2006

    Graduate Education: University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA; Master of Science in Occupational Therapy; degree conferred 2011

    Fieldwork: Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA; Los Angeles, CA; 2011

    Fieldwork: Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; 2011

Booker Taylor, RRT

  • Booker Taylor, RRT is a Registered Respiratory Therapist currently practicing in the acute care setting in downtown Los Angeles. He has been in clinical practice as a Respiratory Therapist since 2014, developing specialization in the trauma population with tracheostomy and ventilator dependence. Booker demonstrates commitment to leadership and mentorship, often serving as Lead RT and training new Respiratory Therapists. He has extensive experience with critically ill patients and spends most clinical time in Critical Care, Surgical Intensive Care, and Trauma Intensive Care units.

    Undergraduate Education: Simi Valley Institute; Simi Valley, CA; Associate’s Degree; 2014

    Internship: Dignity Health; Oxnard, CA; 2012-2014

    Internship: Providence Holy Cross Medical Center; San Fernando, CA; 2012-2014

James Curtis, PhD, SLP, BCS-S

  • Dr. James Curtis, PhD, SLP, BCS-S is an Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and principal investigator of the Aerodigestive Innovations Research lab (AIR) within the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University.

    His mission is to improve the health and quality-of-life of people with voice, cough, and swallowing disorders through clinical innovation, scientific discovery, and multidisciplinary collaborations. His current lines of research include: (1) identifying mechanisms of voice, cough, and swallowing disorders in people with respiratory and neurologic disease; (2) testing the effects of respiratory-swallow coordination training and cough skill training on airway protective outcomes; and (3) developing novel and clinically feasible techniques for voice, cough, and swallowing assessments and treatments.

    Undergraduate Education: Michigan State University; East Lansing, MI; Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance + Pre-Medical Studies

    Graduate Education: New York University; New York, NY; Master of Science in Communication Sciences + Disorders

    Graduate Education: Columbia University; New York, NY; Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Sciences + Disorders

    Post-Graduate Clinical Fellowship: UCSF Voice + Swallowing Center; University of California San Francisco Medical Center; San Francisco, CA; 2013

    Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship: Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction; Columbia University; New York, NY; 2020-2022

Zeina Seikaly, MS, SLP

  • Zeina Seikaly, MS, SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in dysphagia and dystussia management in the critical care setting. 

    She received her Bachelor’s from the University of San Francisco and her Masters from Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed her Clinical Fellowship at the Upper Airway Dysfunction Laboratory at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she facilitated clinical research initiatives for individuals with movement disorders. She has coauthored several peer-reviewed publications and presentations at the local and national levels. Currently, Zeina works in the acute care setting in a designated stroke center and adult trauma level 1 hospital in downtown Los Angeles. 

    Undergraduate Education: University of San Francisco; San Francisco, CA

    Graduate Education: Teachers College, Columbia University; New York, NY; Master of Science in Communication Sciences + Disorders