Dr. Carol Stewart, Associate Clinical Professor at UCLA, began her education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earning her BS in Biology, Summa Cum Laude in 1986. She completed her combined BS-MD degree program at Albany Medical College, receiving her Doctorate in Medicine, Cum Laude in 1988. She returned to her hometown for residency, completing her three years in Family Medicine at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica, NY in 1991. She stayed on as faculty there for the next nine years, ultimately serving as Program Director from January 1996 through her departure in early 2000.
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After two years as Medical Director of the South Central Family Health Center and an Assistant Professor at USC, she migrated across town to UCLA where she served as core faculty for UCLA’s Family Medicine Residency. She continues to practice full scope Family Medicine, including obstetrics, and enjoys teaching these skills to residents and students both at the bedside and through formal courses as a certified ALSO instructor (Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics). Dr. Stewart also holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
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Current Professional Activities/Committees
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David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Dept. of Family Medicine
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Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor 2009 - Present
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Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor, 2002 – 2009
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Skirball Hospice Medicine
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Associate Medical Director 2010 – 2014
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University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine
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Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine
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Medical Director of South Central Family Health Center 2000 - 2002
Carol Stewart, MD, FAAFP
Program Director
Dr. Tana Parker graduated from the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana, Cuba in 2011, and completed her Family Medicine residency training at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center. She was the track resident for the Medically Underserved track for two years, and during her time there Dr. Parker worked with the faculty to develop curriculum that provided extra training to the residents in the areas of health care disparities, serving the homeless, cultural competency, and understanding the complex health care system.
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She received the “Spirit of Family Medicine” award for her dedication to her patients in clinic, and was awarded five-star recognition for her service in the hospital.
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Dr. Parker is fluent in English and Spanish, and was awarded a certificate from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) for completing the Patient Centered Medical Home Curriculum.
Tana Parker, MD
Associate Program Director
Dr. Hector Arreaza was born and raised in Venezuela. He graduated cum laude from the Romulo Gallegos University Medical School in San Juan de los Morros. After graduating from medical school, he accepted a one-year position as a medical director in a rural clinic in Parapara, Guarico State, where he provided urgent, primary and emergency care. He left Venezuela for a two year mission in Salt Lake City, Utah. After completing his assignments, he decided to become a U.S. licensed family physician and moved to Salt Lake City where he volunteered as a medical interpreter in various primary care and urgent care settings serving uninsured and refugee populations. He worked as a Spanish translator and helped with the translation of several health-related manuals and websites. Further, he was featured on BYU TV as a medical consultant.
In 2013, Dr Arreaza graduated from the UCLA International Medical Graduate Program. He successfully completed a residency training at our own Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program, where he was selected as the first Chief Resident in our institution. He is eager to utilize his medical knowledge and language skills in underserved areas of California.
Hector Arreaza, MD
Associate Program Director
Dr. Verna Marquez is the first graduate of Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program (June 2018) to become one of their own Faculty Physicians. A local resident of Bakersfield, she served as a Chief Resident during her training, and was mainly in charge of their didactics and wellness activities. Her ultimate goal is to practice the full scope of Family Medicine including Obstetrics.
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She earned her MD degree at Far Eastern University-NRMF Institute of Medicine in the Philippines. In 2006 she became a Diplomate in the Philippine Board of Radiology and a Fellow in the Ultrasound Society of the Philippines before migrating to the United States. Dr. Marquez worked as a Registered Nurse for 8 years while waiting for her opportunity to be accepted in a residency program. At Adventist Health Bakersfield (formerly known as San Joaquin Community Hospital), she became a Charge nurse in Medical/Surgical/Pediatrics department and shift leader in the Burn Unit.
Verna Marquez, MD
Faculty
Dr. Jacqueline Uy graduated from the Loma Linda University of Medical Center as a chief resident in June 2016 after receiving her Doctor of Medicine degree from the College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila. In 2003, Dr. Uy received a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
Dr. Uy current holds a Master’s degree in Population Medicine from the School of Public Health, Loma Linda University Medical Center.
Dr. Uy is fluent in English, Tagalog and Visayan.
Jacqueline Uy, MPH, MD
Faculty
Dr. Wonderly is a Board Certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist. After graduating from UCLA with honors, she obtained a competitive slot in the US Air Force and earned her Medical Degree, training in Texas. She graduated in the top 10% of her medical school class and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society in 1996. She became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2003. She has won numerous teaching awards to include the Kern Medical Center Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty of the year in 2015, and is a published author in her field. She has a passion for teaching and enjoys humanitarian missions to Guatemala annually. She is currently serving as the Vice Chairman of section 3 in District IX of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Sally Wonderly, MD, FACOG
Faculty
Drs. Burket and Thoene have been working with CSV and the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Program since 2016. They have spent nearly 10 years working in various countries including Cameroon, Guatemala, Ghana, Kenya, Ecuador, Malawi, India and others. They are excited to be part of the Global Health Track at Rio Bravo and introducing residents, students and staff to opportunities of service in other parts of the world.
Jennifer Thoene, MD
Faculty
Dr. Schlaerth is a native of Pennsylvania. She graduated from Manhattan College and received her medical degree from the State University of New York, Buffalo. Dr. Schlaerth completed her pediatrics residency at LA Children's Hospital and an Infectious disease fellowship at LAC-USC Medical Center. She is board certified in pediatrics, pediatric infectious diseases, family medicine and has a Certificate Added Qualifications in Geriatrics. Dr. Schlaerth was an associate professor at Loma Linda and is an associate professor emeritus at USC. She has a special interest in research and has published in addiction medicine, child development and other areas.
Katherine Schlaerth, MD
Director of Pediatrics Curriculum
Dr. Steven Saito graduated medical school from the Univ. of Illinois College of Medicine. He then served in the US Navy. His first duty station was Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, and his subsequent tour was as a General Medical Officer at Marine Corp Air Station Yuma. He served those who serve, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He completed his residency training in 2020 and joined the Rio Bravo Faculty Team.
Steven Saito, MD
Faculty
