DEFY THE LIMITS
OF CLINICAL EXCELLENCE
A three-year emergency medicine residency at Southern California's premier Level I Trauma Center. 110,000+ patients. Unmatched training. Extraordinary people.
110K+
Patients Yearly
Level I
Trauma Center
542
Licensed Beds
2022
ACEP Wellness Center of Excellence
Where Clinical Mastery
Meets Human Resilience
The Emergency Medicine Residency at Riverside Community Hospital offers a unique three-year program at an academic center with high patient volume and acuity — all within a supportive, collegial environment in Southern California's Inland Empire.
20,000+
Pediatric visits annually
Level I Trauma Center
Highest level of surgical care for trauma patients with 24/7 coverage.
Comprehensive Stroke Center
Thrombectomy-capable stroke center with rapid response protocols.
STEMI Center
Dedicated STEMI receiving center with catheterization lab on-site.
Robust Pediatric Training
Partnerships with Children's Hospital of Orange County, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, and Riverside University Health System.
ACEP Wellness Award
Only department in the nation to receive the ACEP Wellness Center of Excellence Award in 2022.
Medical School Affiliations
Our faculty hold academic appointments with UC Riverside and California University of Science and Medicine.
"Our mission is to develop the next generation of physicians and physician leaders. Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life."
— RCH EM RESIDENCY MISSION
450+
Medical student rotations hosted yearly
Your Three-Year Journey
A thoughtfully structured curriculum that takes you from foundational skills to independent practice — with progressive responsibility at every stage.
Foundation Year
PGY-1
Build the core skills of emergency medicine through high-volume patient care and foundational rotations.
Mentors Who Invest in You
Our faculty bring decades of teaching experience and a genuine commitment to your growth — with specialty interests spanning the full breadth of emergency medicine.
Daniel Ng, MD
Program Director
Med School: Loma Linda University
Residency: Alameda Health System – Highland Hospital
Interests: Medical Education, Financial Literacy for Physicians, Physician Wellness
Curtis Knight, MD
Associate Program Director
Med School: Loma Linda University
Residency: Georgetown University Hospital / Washington Hospital Center
Interests: Austere environment medical care, Medical education, ED critical care, Aeromedicine
Allison Woodall, MD
Assistant Program Director
Med School: University of Toledo College of Medicine
Residency: University of Kentucky
Interests: Women in Medicine
Steven Kim, MD
Chairman, Emergency Medicine / Associate DIO
Med School: Loma Linda University
Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center
Interests: Leadership, Professionalism, ED operations and flow, Airway management, Emergency orthopedics, Global health, Wellness
Jason An, MD, FACEP
Designated Institutional Official
Med School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center
Interests: Medical Education, Wellness, Leadership, Mentoring, Psychology and Medicine
Samuel Zidovetzki, MD, MPH
Assistant Program Director
Med School: University of Southern California
Residency: University of Wisconsin
Interests: Global Health and Residency Education
Eva Tovar Hirashima, MD, MPH
Ultrasound Division Director
Med School: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Residency: Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency
Interests: Border health, CLAS, FOAMed, EMS
Tommy Kim, MD, FAAP, FACEP
Pediatric EM Director & Research Director
Med School: Loma Linda University
Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center
Interests: Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Research
John Costumbrado, MD, MPH, FACEP
Medical Student Clerkship Director
Med School: University of California – Riverside
Residency: Riverside Community Hospital / UC Riverside
Interests: Medical education, Simulation, ED procedures
Core Faculty
Barbara Blasko, MD
Med School: SUNY Stony Brook
Residency: UC Irvine
Interests: Resident Wellness, Informatics, Telemedicine, Women in Medicine
Eddie Magee, MD, MPH
Med School: UC San Diego
Residency: Alameda Health System – Highland Hospital
Interests: Patient Health Literacy, Patient Experience, Resident Wellness, Financial Literacy, Community Youth Outreach
Lucas Friedman, MD, M.Ed.
Med School: University of Arizona
Residency: University of Arizona (EM/Peds)
Interests: Ultrasound, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Medical Education
Matt Underwood, MD
Med School: Loma Linda University
Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center
Interests: Quality and Peer Review, Medical education, Sports medicine, Wellness
Michael Kang, MD
Med School: Chicago Medical School
Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center
Interests: Resident Education, Trauma, ED critical care / resuscitation, ED procedures
Stephen Patterson, MD
Med School: University of California – Irvine
Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center
Interests: Tactical medicine, EMS, Aeromedicine, Resuscitation
Sassan Ghassemzadeh, MD
Med School: University of Illinois at Chicago
Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center
Interests: Resident Education, Wellness
Ultrasound Faculty
Clinical Faculty
The People Who Make
Riverside Home
Residency is more than a training program — it's the people beside you on every shift. Meet the residents who make our program what it is, in their own words.
Clarisa Marie Bloemhof, MD
Buena Park, CA
Stress my husband out instead
Running, pilates, scuba diving, dirt bike riding, asking my husband to book us a vacation
“I never considered EM until my MS3 rotation at RCH. The attendings were incredible teachers, the residents still had a sparkle in their eyes, and the sheer volume and diversity of pathology, procedures, and trauma was everything I was looking for. There's no place I'd rather train at than the program that made me fall in love with this specialty.”
Alex Nelson, MD
Redlands, CA
Explore vegan restaurants!
Trail running, rock climbing, paragliding, skiing
“I heard great things about it from 2nd year resident Coleman! I appreciate the high volume, diverse patient population, and supportive leadership.”
Abhijnyna Gowder, MD
Agoura Hills, CA
Dinner with friends
Traveling, dancing, finding new coffee/matcha shops, cooking, binging TV shows, Taco Bell
“Everyone was so welcoming and kind when I rotated and I felt like I could see myself learning and growing here. I also really appreciated how much the program emphasizes resident wellness and creating a supportive environment inside and outside of the hospital.”
Jonathan Cummings, MD
Culver City, CA
Playing with my lovely doggie, Athena :)
Pottery on the wheel, guitar, pumping iron :)
“The people are so kind and fun to be around! My learning, but more importantly my wellness, are taken very seriously by all the Staff, and I am honored to do my residency here.”
Rheem Fawaz, MD
Riverside, CA
A good gym session/sunset walk or watching TV with a crisp Pepsi Zero
Gym, baking, painting, traveling, reality TV
“Not only did RCH have everything I was looking for on paper (high volume, level 1 trauma center, 3 year curriculum, and close to home), but my sub-internship experience truly cemented my interest! Everyone I met was incredibly welcoming, and it was easy to see the genuine friendships and support throughout the department. The emphasis on wellness was an added bonus, making RCH the place where I knew I would be happy as a resident.”
Victor Chang, MD
Walnut, CA
Eat and then eat some more!
Weightlifting, basketball, being outdoors, petting my dog, fantasy football, music festivals, UCLA athletics
“I loved my sub-I here and felt that it would be an excellent choice for my training. There are endless learning opportunities, high acuity, and the location is close to home. The culture amongst the attendings, residents, and the rest of the ER staff stood out as an environment I would excel in and sealed the deal!”
Lanzel Patawaran, MD
Temecula, CA
Watching trashy reality TV with a sweet treat
Reformer pilates, trying new restaurants, checking out coffee and matcha shops, traveling, collecting Smiskis
“I worked at RCH as an ED scribe before medical school, so I already knew how supportive and collaborative the environment was. It felt like the right place to train, and I'm excited to be back!”
Graysen Pitcher, MD
Logan, Utah
Jump in the ocean!
Mountain biking, surfing, snowboarding, running
“My interview at RCH gave me such a great impression of the program! High volume, high acuity, with faculty that are dedicated to helping residents become the best doctors possible. All of the residents I met really seemed to love their experience. Being in SoCal is a big plus as well!”
David Donehue, MD
Pittsburgh, PA
Sleep, have a sweet treat, or complain about extremely mundane unrelated things to my friends
Hiking, swimming, running, photography, spending time with friends, reading
“It is incredibly busy, has robust faculty, extremely supportive, relatively young, and is a place I feel that anyone interested in EM can thrive. The faculty very clearly try to cultivate an environment that genuinely supports our individual life goals.”
Alexa Johnson, MD
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Go ride my horse Tiny or go for a run!
Running, horseback riding, mountain biking, backcountry skiing
“I loved the family feel and the hands on learning I experienced on my Sub-I here and the amazing mentors that are here at RCH!”
Alexandria Campbell, MD
Arcata, CA
Eating a home cooked meal and re-watching The Office
Swimming, cooking, traveling, hiking, card games, escape rooms, Korean BBQ
“I had the privilege to work with residents and attending physicians from RCH throughout medical school. Their dedication to teaching, mentorship, and serving the community always stood out to me and strongly aligned with my own values. Furthermore, I wanted to train at a program where I could be confident to work anywhere and I am certain that the exceptional education and training at RCH will empower me to do so!”
Sarra Larif, MD
Redlands, CA
Spending time outside or with my friends/family
Tennis, pickleball, piano, viola, video games
“I had that 'say yes to the dress' feeling on my first shift as a Sub-I. Everyone was so kind, welcoming, and created such a relaxing environment despite the overwhelming situation - I immediately felt that I was in the right place. RCH really felt unbeatable in patient volume, procedures, wellness, and vibes!”
Nicolas Sesno, MD
San Diego, CA
FaceTiming my nephews
Paddle boarding, diving, surfing, backpacking
“I chose RCH for its pathology, pace, and volume. For a program culture that prioritizes wellness and puts incredibly supportive co-residents, attendings, and leadership behind you, it's easy to choose a place that lets you perform at your best when the people around you genuinely have your back, even in the face of hardships outside of medicine.”
Want to meet more of us? Come rotate with us →
This Is Life at RCH
Real moments from real residents — the procedures, the pranks, the pizza runs, and the people who become your second family — pulled straight from our Instagram, always current.
The Calm Within
The Chaos
Emergency medicine is intense. We believe training should challenge you — not break you. That's why wellness isn't an afterthought here; it's woven into the fabric of the program.
Life in the Inland Empire
Year-Round Sunshine
300+ days of sunshine in the Inland Empire.
Outdoor Paradise
Hiking, climbing, and trails minutes away.
Beaches & Desert
Orange County beaches and Joshua Tree within an hour.
Food & Culture
Diverse dining and arts in downtown Riverside.
Easy Travel
ONT airport and LAX access for conferences and life.
Affordable Living
Lower cost of living than coastal SoCal.
Our Wellness Commitment
ACEP Wellness Center of Excellence — the only department in the nation recognized in 2022
Dedicated wellness curriculum and regular check-ins with faculty mentors
On-site gym, sleep rooms, showers, and a fully stocked resident lounge and kitchen
Fall and spring wellness retreats for each class
Confidential mental health resources and peer support program
Protected time for appointments, family, and life events
Salary & Benefits
Competitive, market-adjusted compensation plus a comprehensive benefits package — so you can focus on becoming the best emergency physician you can be.
Salary AY 26–27
Annual compensation by training year
| Year | Base | Meals | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGY-1 | $84,219 | $950 | $85,169 |
| PGY-2 | $86,757 | $950 | $87,707 |
| PGY-3 | $89,794 | $950 | $90,744 |
Comprehensive Benefits
401K Plan with Match
Market-adjusted salary to support cost of living
Flexible Healthcare Spending Account
4 weeks of paid time off
ACLS / BLS / ATLS / NRP / FCCS
EMRA / Cal-ACEP and ACEP Membership
6-month access to UWorld for Step 3
USMLE Step 3 Registration
California Medical License
DEA License
Orientation stipend of $1,000
M-Modal Real-Time Dictation Software
Fall / Spring Retreat
Meals and travel for away rotations
Cal-ACEP Conference (PGY-1)
ACEP Conference (PGY-3)
iPhone & Laptop
Free parking
READY FOR THE
FRONT LINE?
We participate in the NRMP Match. Apply through ResidencyCAS and join a program that will shape you into the emergency physician you're meant to be.
