Hanford Family Medicine Residency program welcomes four new resident physicians

The residency program helps to address the Valley’s chronic shortage of physicians and receives hundreds of applications each interview season. Of the nearly 600 applications received for 2016, only four were selected to take part in the program.

 Dr. Nadia Dao

Dr. Dao grew up in an underserved community in Los Angeles County. Through volunteering, she recognized the need for providers and rural health care facilities for the underprivileged and wanted to make a difference. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, she earned her medical degree from Ross University in the Caribbean and completed clerical internships in New York, Florida, Illinois and California.

Dr. Dao also has a master’s degree in human services with a health care administration emphasis. She speaks English, Vietnamese and some Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, knitting, baking and outdoor activities. 

 Dr. Kelvis Gonzalez Gallardo    

Dr. Gonzalez Gallardo was born in Santa Clara, Cuba. He had a passion for science, but didn’t realize the impact he could have on lives until a group of physicians visited his high school one day. The passion and knowledge they had opened his eyes to the possibilities of making a difference. He attended medical school at the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences in Villa Clara, Cuba.

While preparing for his medical boards, Dr. Gonzalez Gallardo served as a certified nursing assistant in Albuquerque, N.M., and was a scholar for the University of California at Los Angeles International Medical Graduate Program, which places bilingual family physicians in rural and urban communities. In his free time, he enjoys technology, playing sports and reading. 

 Dr. Javier Hernandez

Dr. Hernandez was born in Oaxaca, Mexico. When he was 7 years old, his mother had an episode of amnesia. He said she woke up one day and couldn’t remember him. He was so impressed by the doctor’s ability to help her that he decided he wanted to become a doctor.

He began attending Universidad Autonoma Benito in Juarez de Oaxaca, but a year into medical school, came to the United States to help his family who was working in the fields picking fruit in Dinuba, Calif. Dr. Hernandez wanted to do more for his community, so he went back to Mexico to finish medical school and is happy to be returning as a physician. In his free time, he enjoys international cuisine, outdoor activities and salsa dancing.

Dr. Angelina Neria           

Dr. Neria was born in Los Angeles. Her father suffered a heart attack when she was in high school. She remembers the great care he received and how the doctors saved his life. This inspired her to become a doctor herself. She has a medical and master’s degrees from Loma Linda University.

Dr. Neria is happy to join her husband, Dr. Jerry Neria, who began the Hanford Family Medicine Residency program in January 2016. She is fluent in English and Spanish. In her free time, Dr. Neria enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, baking and jogging.

The Hanford Family Medicine Residency, 1122 N. Harris St., Suite 105, is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The office number is 559-537-0224.