Parastou Farhadian, MD, CPE, FAAFP

Program Director, Family Medicine Residency Training Program

Dr. Farhadian is the Founding Program Director of the newly established Family Medicine Residency Program at Mission Community Hospital in Panorama City, CA. She has joined the Mission Community Hospital with 12 years’ experience in Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Farhadian is a graduate of the California Healthcare Foundation(CHCF) Leadership Fellowship. She is also a Certified Physician Executive. She is currently a member of the CAFP Foundation Board of Trustees. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Andrea Ayala, MD

Core Faculty, Associate Program Director

Dr. Ayala is an Associate Program Director of MCH Family Medicine Residency Program. She received her medical degree from Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. She completed her residency training in Family Medicine at San Joaquin General Hospital in French Camp, CA.

Barbara Ackerman, BSN, RN, PhD.

Core Faculty, Associate Program Director, Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Ackerman earned a BSN from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and a PhD from California School of Professional Psychology – Fresno. She completed the Behavior Science/Family Systems Educator Fellowship with STFM in 2014 and the Leadership Fellowship with the California Health Care Foundation at UCSF in 2020. A teacher in Family Medicine since 2011, Dr. Ackerman enjoys her various roles as educator, clinician, administrator, and researcher. Her professional interests include serving the underserved and providing whole person (integrated) health care. Outside of work, she enjoys English mysteries and jazz.

Arash Afshar, DO

Core Faculty

Dr. Afshar serves as core faculty for the MCH Family Medicine Residency Program. He earned his medical degree from Touro University California and completed his Family Medicine residency at Riverside University Health System/UCR in Moreno Valley.

Jose Gonzalez-Correa, MD

Core Faculty

Dr. Gonzalez grew up in the San Fernando Valley, where he witnessed the challenges of accessing reliable healthcare. His education at SSOM and training in full scope family medicine at RUHS have equipped him to provide exceptional care. Dr. Gonzalez is excited to serve you and train the next generation of family physicians.

Lauren Joseph, MD

Core Faculty

Dr. Joseph grew up in West Virginia, completed her undergraduate training at Boston University, and received her medical degree from West Virginia University School of Medicine. She completed residency training in Family Medicine at Inova Fairfax Medical Center in Fairfax, Virginia, followed by an Obstetrics fellowship at CarePoint Health in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is passionate about women’s health and prenatal care. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and two cats.

James A. Michail, MD, CMD

Core Faculty, Geriatric Medicine

Dr. James Michail was raised in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. He has a special interest in the science of aging and advocating for rights of the older population. Dr. Michail also specializes in post-acute and long-term care medicine as a Certified Medical Director. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Gerontology from the Davis School of Gerontology. He then attained his MD degree from St. George’s University in Grenada. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in Brooklyn, NY, and his Geriatrics fellowship at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Michail is an avid tennis player and enjoys mountain biking. He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Arabic.

Robert Meyerson, MD

Faculty, Santo Nino Continuity Clinic

Dr. Meyerson grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, completed medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, and has been Family Medicine board certified since 1983. Over the past 35 years, he practiced Family Medicine at Austin Regional Clinic, Austin Texas. U.S. and International Health care disparity has led him to practice Family Medicine from urban Hartford, Connecticut to rural Nebraska, the Caribbean and South Pacific islands. Dr. Meyerson is excited to be training Family Medicine residents and anticipates learning as much as he teaches. When not wearing a stethoscope, Dr Meyerson loves enjoying time with his family, his three dogs, gardening and playing of tennis.

Hilda Quezada

Program Coordinator, Family Medicine Residency Training Program

Mrs. Quezada has work in the medical field since 1985, in private medical offices and hospitals as a Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, Research Coordinator, Institutional Review Board Coordinator, Medical Staff Coordinator and now Family Medicine Residency Program Coordinator at Mission Community Hospital. Outside of work she loves spending time with family, especially with her 4 grandchildren and her 3 dogs (Max, Gizmo and Lola). For excitement you will find Hilda on the back of a Harley-Davidson enjoying long rides with her husband, family, and friends.