Meet Our Team
Leadership and Core Faculty
Magdalen Edmunds MD, Clinical Preceptor
My academic interests are:
Teaching and mentorship, community medicine, working on systems change, working in interdisciplinary teams, group visits, health equity, and exploring how systemic racism and implicit bias impact the quality and equity of patient care.
What keeps me well:
Spending time with family, running, weekend wellness, exploring the outdoors
Favorite spot in Richmond (briefly explain why):
My friend's backyard garden oasis
Training and Fellowships:
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and MPH in community oriented primary care; Completed Emerging Leaders Fellowship through STFM; Primary Care and Psychiatry Fellowship (University of California, Irvine); Family and Community Medicine Residency at University of California, San Francisco
Magdalen Edmunds, MD Designated Institutional Officer
Brent Sugimoto MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP, FMRP PD
My academic interests are:
HIV treatment & prevention, Trauma-informed Family Medicine
What keeps me well:
Running, ukulele, and creating with my sourdough starter
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
Anywhere there are tacos (esp. Tacos El Tucan, El Garage)
SF Bay Trail from Hoffman Marsh to Meekler Slough
Training and Fellowships:
Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency Program (2013)
MD, UC Berkeley-UC San Francisco Joint Medical Program (2008/2010)
MPH, UC Berkeley School of Public Health (2001)
Brent Sugimoto, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP Program Director
Thomas McBride MD, Core Faculty, Clinical Lead, and Musculoskeletal Curriculum Director
My academic interests are:
Quality Improvement; Diversity and Equity in Post-Graduate Medical Education
What keeps me well:
Chasing after my small daughter
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
Rich City Rides - A great bike shop around the corner from our clinic that supports training and cycling for Richmond youth. Check it out!
Annie's Annuals - A mecca for Bay Area gardeners, and great spot to tap into your inner gardening-geek.
Training and Fellowships:
Pace University Masters in Teaching; Mount Sinai Medical School; University of California, San Francisco Family and Community Medicine Residency; University of California San Francisco Faculty Development Fellowship
Thomas McBride, MD Associate Program Director
Serena Wu MD, Behavioral Health Curriculum Director, and Student Learning Opportunities Lead
My academic interests are:
Interplay between mental health and physical health, mental health delivery in the homeless population
What keeps me well:
Hanging out at a winery with my two dogs, discovering good food in unexpected places, traveling with friends and family
Favorite spot in Richmond (briefly explain why):
Anaviv's Table - community food, music, drink!
Training and Fellowships:
Drexel Medical School, Philadelphia; University of California, Davis Family Medicine and Psychiatric Residency
Serena Wu, MD Core Faculty
Rebecca Citron MD, Core Faculty, Didactics Lead, Curriculum Co-Director for Community Medicine
My academic interests are:
Community Medicine, medical education, women's health, mental health
What keeps me well:
Hiking with my dog, spoiling my cats, baking, eating, traveling with my husband
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
Costco, I go almost every week
Training and Fellowships:
University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine
University of California, Los Angeles Family Medicine Residency
Kaiser Oakland Community Medicine and Health Disparities Fellowship
Rebecca Citron, MD Core Faculty
David Pichardo-Gomez MD
My academic interests are:
Lifestyle medicine, preventative medicine, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), group medical visits, patient empowerment, diabetes
What keeps me well:
Exercise, cooking, dancing (merengue, bachata, salsa), hiking and exploring the great outdoors, trying out all the delicious food to be found in the bay area, spending time with my partner and my cat.
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
Looking forward to having one in the near future as I get to know my new community! 🙂
Training and Fellowships:
David Pichardo-Gomez, MD Core Faculty
Curriculum Directors
Michael Goldrich MD, Geriatrics Curriculum Director
My academic interests are:
Care for older adults in the community and nursing homes. Personalized patient care for complex patients. Collaborative care.
What keeps me well:
Eating vegetables and other good food from Berkeley Bowl
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
Biking the Bay Trail going from Richmond to Emeryville, stopping at Anh Restaurant for some outdoor dining and views of the bay.
Training and Fellowships:
University of California, San Francisco Geriatrics Fellowship and Medical School
Scripps Mercy Hospital Internal Medicine
Michael Goldrich, MD Geriatrics, Nursing Home Care
Ana Coutinho MD
My academic interests are:
Full-scope outpatient primary care, with a focus on reproductive health care, people-with-uterus health care, and procedures; simultaneously, systems redesign focusing on the experience of belonging and engagement in the workplace and quality improvement.
What keeps me well:
An amazing collection of friends and travelling to beautiful places on this planet.
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
The harbor for its kayaking and Point Pinole for restful walking and bird spotting.
Training and Fellowships:
McGill University
The John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
University of Vermont College of Medicine
Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency
Ana Coutinho, MD Quality Improvement
Kanwal Merchant MD, Pediatrics Outpatient Curriculum Director
My academic interests are:
Improving Pediatrics Curriculum for Family Medicine Trainees
What keeps me well:
Hiking, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
La Flor de Jalisco (taco truck with amazing food!)
Training and Fellowships:
New York University Medical School, Washington Children's National Hospital Pediatric Residency
Kanwal Merchant, MD Outpatient, Inpatient, and ER Pediatrics
Emily Hunter-Adamson MD
My academic interests are:
Teen care, LGBT care, office-based procedures, education.
What keeps me well:
Gardening, learning to surf, sprint triathlons, hanging out with my wife and our mischievous dog.
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
Richmond Plunge - I started swimming there while training for a tri and it is such a cool historic pool.
Training and Fellowships:
Emily Hunter-Adamson, MD Electives
Daphne Miller MD, Integrative Medicine Curriculum Director
My academic interests are:
Structural medicine; Food system transformation; Group Medical Visits; Translational research and narrative medicine
What keeps me well:
Growing food; laughing with friends and family; writing; trail running; cycling to work
Favorite spot in Richmond (briefly explain why):
The Urban Tilth orchard on the Greenway because it's where food, trees, community, and bikes all come together.
Training and Fellowships:
Harvard Medical School; University of California, San Francisco Family and Community Medicine Residency; University of California San Francisco Health Systems Research Fellowship; University of Arizona Fellowship in Integrative Medicine
Daphne Miller, MD Integrative Medicine
Rebecca McEntee MD, OB/Gyn Curriculum Director, Women’s Health
My academic interests are:
Women's health; Integrative medicine; Structural medicine
What keeps me well:
My family, my friends, reading, the outdoors, exercise, cooking delicious foods, trying new recipes, and (just a bit of) online streaming services
Favorite spot in Richmond:
Dirt World because my family loves to ride bikes, be outside and get dirty!
Training and Fellowships:
Rush Medical College; University of California, San Francisco Family and Community Medicine Residency; University of California San Francisco Faculty Development Fellowship
Rebecca McEntee, MD Gynecology and Obstetrics
Justin Chin DO
My academic interests are:
Medical education, preventative medicine, social determinants of health, and the role that culture plays in healthcare.
What keeps me well:
Boardgame nights with friends and global traveling
Favorite spot in Richmond (briefly explain why):
Unity Park and Greenway because it is a blend of urban environments with natural life.
Training and Fellowships:
DO, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine; MsMEd, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Justin Chin, DO
Clinical Preceptors
Brian Beachler MD
My academic interests are:
Access to Care and Health Workforce.
What keeps me well:
Hiking around Wildcat Canyon and meals with loved ones.
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
The corner of Clinton and San Pablo for Tacos El Tucan and the Factory Bar.
Training and Fellowships:
Brian Beachler, MD Clinical Preceptor
Barbara Benzwi, MD
My academic interests are:
What keeps me well:
Yoga, meditation, hiking, singing with my chorus, and my dog.
Training and Fellowships:
BA UC Berkeley; MD George Washington; FM Residency at Georgetown/Providence; OB Teaching Fellowship at SFGH; Psychiatry in primary care mini-fellowship via UC Davis
Barbara Benzwi, MD Clinical Preceptor
Liz Casey, DO Clinical Preceptor
My academic interests are:
What keeps me well:
Running the numerous Richmond trails with my border collie dog and playing soccer in local leagues.
Favorite spot in Richmond:
McBryde Café for caramel pecan pancakes. Stop n Go Market for tacos and paletas and a friendly conversation with Luis. WildCat Canyon Regional Park for a walk in the cool green canyon or to get to the top of a hill for a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Training and Fellowships:
Liz Casey, DO Clinical Preceptor
Kimberly Ceci MD, Clinical Preceptor
My academic interests are:
Community Medicine, Public Health, Health Equity, Maternal/Child Health and Outpatient Procedures
What keeps me well:
Family time, volunteering at my children’s school, gardening, finding creative outlets, playing piano, exploring near and far for new experiences, playing soccer
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline for bay hikes, Wildcat Canyon/Tilden Park for a local nature escape, getting a gardener’s fix at Annie’s Annuals, Starbread Bakery for delicious Señorita Bread
Training and Fellowships:
St. George’s University, School of Medicine
Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
University of New Mexico, Family and Community Medicine Residency
Kimberly Ceci, MD Clinical Preceptor
Julia Marino, MD Clinical Preceptor
My academic interests are:
What keeps me well:
Time spent outdoors with my family and friends, eating good food!
Favorite spot in Richmond:
Point San Pablo Harbor is a fun hidden gem of a concert venue.
Training and Fellowships:
Julia Marino, MD Clinical Preceptor
Jason Reinking MD, Clinical Preceptor
My academic interests are:
Best practices for equitable high quality health care delivery for marginalized populations, health care for persons experiencing homelessness, addiction medicine, mental health care delivery in primary care, point of care ultrasound.
What keeps me well:
Swimming running biking (in that order), all things outdoors, time with my family
Training and Fellowships:
Loyola Stritch School of Medicine
Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency
Contra Costa Global Health Fellowship
University of California, Davis Psychiatry Fellowship for Primary Care Providers
Jason Reinking, MD Clinical Preceptor
Angelina Shigeura MD, Clinical Preceptor
My academic interests are:
Women's health, prenatal care, procedures
What keeps me well:
Spending time with family, hiking and traveling
Training and Fellowships:
Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine; Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Angelina Shigeura, MD Clinical Preceptor
Bronwyn Sing, DO Clinical Preceptor
My academic interests are:
What keeps me well:
Being outside and hiking around the Bay Area- there are so many beautiful spots. Spending time with my husband and chasing after our daughter! I enjoy cooking, yoga, and lately, I’m trying to grow more in our little garden.
Favorite spot in Richmond:
Annie Annuals (SO many plants!), Wildcat Canyon- gorgeous views, especially when the wildflowers are out.
Training and Fellowships:
Bronwyn Sing, DO Clinical Preceptor
Nathan Stern MD, Clinical Preceptor
Academic Interests
Healthcare in marginalized communities, preservation of dignity, contraception
What keeps me well:
Swimming in the ocean and eating seafood.
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
Hard to choose just one, so I'll pick 2. Keller beach because it's a great spot to swim in the bay if you're into crazy stuff like that. Rosie the Riveter Museum because I like learning about how the history of Richmond/USA/healthcare (including racism and sexism) has shaped our current community. It's also in a beautiful spot.
Training and Fellowships:
University of Michigan Medical School; University of California, San Francisco Family and Community Medicine Residency; Primary Care Transformation Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco Center for Excellence in Primary Care
Dr. Nathan Stern Clinical Preceptor
Sara Woolf MD, Clinical Preceptor
My academic interests are:
Immigrant and Refugee Health. Women's Health
What keeps me well:
Spending time with family and friends in nature, swimming in lakes, singing
Training and Fellowships:
University of California, San Francisco Medical School; University of California, San Francisco Family and Community Medicine Residency Program, Contra Costa County / University of California, San Francisco Global Health Fellowship
Sara Woolf, MD Clinical Preceptor
Wellness Leads
Samali "Sami" Lubega Wellness and Co-Balint Lead
My academic interests are:
What keeps me well:
Time with my family, yoga, sleep, and any activity in the sunshine.
Favorite Spot in Richmond:
Wildcat Canyon Park -beautiful open space with easy access to nature, endless hiking, and amazing sunset views of the bay.
Training and Fellowships:
Sami Lubega, MD Wellness and Co-Balint Lead
Program Staff
Brisa Carranza Clinic Manager
Brisa has worked in the Richmond community since August 2005. At LifeLong, she has had leadership roles as Center Manager of the LifeLong Brookside Richmond Health Center, the LifeLong Pinole and Rodeo Health Center, and the Lifelong William Jenkins Health Center. Brisa possesses a deep understanding of the obstacles that our patients face day to day. She is a true believer that every member of the community can provide insight as to how we can best provide health care services tailored to individual needs. As Clinic Manager for the Family Medicine Residency Program, Brisa continues to mentor and train incoming health care professionals to ensure that our vulnerable populations can access high quality health care services. She is thrilled that the residency program is increasing access to services that improve the lives and well-being of our patients.
Brisa Carranza Clinic Manager
Brittany Cash-White Program Manager
My academic interests are:
Health Equity
What keeps me well:
Baking, reading, watching documentaries, exploring trends in health and technology, spending time with my nephew, witty memes, and traveling with friends
Favorite spot in Richmond (briefly explain why):
Point Richmond and Marina Bay - history, restaurants and recreation
Training and Fellowships:
Tuskegee University
Brittany Cash-White Senior Program Manager
Mercedes Tawiah
My academic interests are:
Medicine - Sickle Cell
What keeps me well:
Watching Korean dramas, Bollywood movies and spending time with my friends.
Favorite Spot in Richmond
Huong Tra
Training and Fellowships:
Studied Human Biology at UC Merced and earned Master's at UC San Diego with a focus on healthcare leadership.
Mercedes Tawaih Program Coordinator
Bethany Hendrickson Project Manager
My academic interests are:
What keeps me well:
Chasing around my two young kids, being outside in nature, making others laugh, travel and good food.
Favorite spot in Richmond:
Point Molate is a hidden gem in Richmond. There’s a beach, a great restaurant with live music, outdoor art, boats and goats!
Training and Fellowships: