Current Residents
Family Medicine Residency Program
| Name | Facility | Medical School |
| FIRST YEAR | ||
| Maureen Cahill, M.D. | Davis | University of California, Davis |
| Alisha Dyer, D.O. | Sacramento | Touro University |
| Mikaela Holly, M.D. | Sacramento | University of California, San Diego |
| Cecilia Romo, M.D. | Sacramento | Georgetown University |
| Lisa Sprowl, M.D. | Sacramento | Rosalind Franklin University / Chicago Medical School |
| Erin Nagy Tomlinson, M.D. | Davis | Case Western Reserve School of Medicine |
| Eryn Xavier, M.D. | Sacramento | University of Nevada School of Medicine |
| Name | Facility | Medical School |
| SECOND YEAR | ||
| Ninad Athale, M.D. | Sacramento | University of California, San Diego |
| Nicole Calvillo, M.D. | Davis | University of California, Davis |
| Michael Molina, M.D. | Sacramento | Stanford University |
| Flora Rafii, M.D. | Sacramento | University of California, Davis |
| Mollie Sands, M.D. | Davis | University of California, Davis |
| Name | Facility | Medical School |
| THIRD YEAR | ||
| Laura Applebaum , M.D. | Sacramento | University of Pennsylvania |
| Jennifer Clary , M.D. | Davis | University of California, Davis |
| Erin Deane, M.D. | Sacramento | University of California, San Diego |
| Shelley Eder, M.D. | Sacramento | University of California, Davis |
| Raymundo Ortega, M.D. | Sacramento | University of California, Davis |
| Robert Martinez , M.D. | Sacramento | University of Cincinnati |
| Mark Moeller, M.D. | Davis | University of California, Davis |
| Click here to read all of the bios |
Maureen Cahill, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I graduated from UC Davis in 2002 and then graduated from UC Davis School of Medicine in 2009. I love the Central Valley for its diversity, both in ethnic backgrounds as well as the mix of patients from metropolitan areas or rural farming areas. Having grown up among the redwoods in Humboldt County, improving access to care for the rural underserved is a particular interest of mine. I am honored to be joining the Sutter family, a group that is dedicated to educating and supporting one another, and I look forward to learning from each and every person I can: doctors, nurses, and of course patients! Outside of medicine, I love to spend time with my husband, my toddler, and my geriatric dog, and to indulge my marine-biology-loving-tendencies by visiting aquariums. |
Alisha Dyer, D.O. | top | |
![]() | I was raised in Santa Rosa, California. After earning my undergraduate degree in Human Biology at Michigan State University, I returned to California and worked for the California Army National Guard Medical Detachment and volunteered at a local hospital. After witnessing some of the inequalities in patient care, I entered medical school with the goal of providing quality healthcare to the underserved. I received my medical degree from Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine. My interest in family medicine developed during my first year of medical school after I participated in a Preceptorship Program, where I found family medicine to be challenging, fun, and rewarding. I am a committed advocate for family medicine and I have been honored to serve as the Intern Liaison for the California Academy of Family Physicians. Sutter is the perfect residency for me because it has supportive residents and faculty, excellent training, a diverse patient population, and room for me to develop my medical interests. In my spare time I enjoy volunteering in the community, attending to my temperamental Bougainvillea and exploring Sacramento/Northern California Region with my husband and friends. |
Mikaela Holly, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I was born and raised in Davis, and after being away for many years, it is good to be home in Northern California. After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Exercise Biology, I spent two years doing research at the NIH in Washington, DC. I returned to California for medical school to attend UC San Diego. My interests in medicine include sports and wilderness medicine, pediatrics and preventive medicine. Outside of medicine I enjoy skiing, camping, running, rock climbing, cooking and cheering for the Kings, Giants and 49ers. |
Cecilia Romo, M.D. | top | |
![]() | From the capital of the nation to the capital of the state and my hometown, I hope to continue to work in health policy and health advocacy. I also hope to help decrease disparities in our healthcare system by serving primarily those who do not have access to healthcare. I will make good use of my fluency in Spanish as well. In my spare time I like to spend time with my family (especially my nine nieces and nephews), run, travel cook, bake, hot yoga, spinning, boating, snowboarding, wakeboarding and sleeping. |
Lisa Sprowl, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I grew up in Sunnyvale, CA, which is near San Jose, and earned my BS in Biological Sciences from UC Davis. I left California to go to medical school at Chicago Medical School (Rosalind Franklin). During medical school, I was actively involved in the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) and organizations where I spent time in classrooms teaching children about drugs or HIV/AIDS. It is the continuity of care, variety, and focus on prevention that drew me to Family Medicine. I was looking for a program that was unopposed, strong in OB and pediatrics, and I felt like I fit in well with the residents and faculty; I found all of those things at Sutter. I am ecstatic to be back in California (no more freezing cold Chicago winters) and especially back in the Sacramento area. In my free time, I enjoy doing kickboxing and step classes, trying new restaurants, and traveling. |
Erin Nagy Tomlinson, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I grew up and attended school in Cleveland Ohio where I studied biomedical engineering. I found I was more interested in technology's application to patient care, so I found my way to medical school at Case Western Reserve University. In addition to learning how to apply medical technology (like the electronic medical record), I was exposed to family medicine and the power of communication with patients. I am proud to have been awarded the Betty Jean Frattianne award for compassionate care of patients, volunteer service, and sensitivity to the needs of the poor, the elderly and the handicapped. I married my classmate and together we moved to California to be closer to thrilling outdoor activities. We enjoy playing with our cats, cooking with fresh ingredients from the farmers' markets, and playing getting out into the wilderness. I am happy to be at Sutter because my co-residents are very supportive, understanding, and fun. |
Eryn Xavier, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I grew up in Reno, NV and received my bachelor's degree from the University of San Diego in biology with minors in chemistry and Spanish. I attended medical school at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, spending my first two years in Reno and the second two in Las Vegas. My husband and I love being in Sacramento close to all of our family in Northern California and Northern Nevada. We enjoy traveling, boating, skiing, hiking and spending time with our family and friends. My interests in family medicine include women's health, pediatrics and public health. I feel very fortunate to be in a residency program that offers exposure to such wide variety of conditions in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. The administration, faculty and other residents have been wonderful to work with and I am very excited to see what the next few years will bring. |
Ninad Athale, M.D. | top | |
![]() | Even though I claim to be a native Californian – born in San Diego – I grew up and spent most of my life in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. I graduated from the University of Virginia and majored in English Literature and Chemistry. I moved back to San Diego and worked for two years at the VA Medical Center before completing medical school at UC San Diego. My interests in medicine include addiction medicine and working with underserved populations. After learning American Sign Language at UC San Diego, I am excited to work with the Deaf community in Sacramento as well. Outside of medicine, I enjoy rafting on the river, cooking, playing the piano, and watching my hometown football team, the Washington Redskins, during Sundays in the fall. |
Nicole Calvillo, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I was born and raised in the Central Valley and graduated from Fresno State (go Bulldogs!) with a degree in Biology. From there I attended medical school at UC Davis, and had such a great time in Sacramento that I decided to extend my stay. Family medicine appeals to me because of the wide range of patients and diseases, and the Sutter program offers exceptional training combined with a close-knit, supportive atmosphere. Now my husband and I live in Davis and enjoy playing with our obnoxious Jack Russell puppy and watching the Dodgers beat the Giants every chance they get! |
Michael Molina, M.D. | top | |
![]() | Mike Molina considers himself a native of Northern California with Vacaville as his hometown. He received a B.A. and Master of Public Health from the University of California, Davis. He received an M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine. He values the patient physician relationship as the core to delivering primary to increasingly diverse communities. In his free time, he mentors young people pursuing careers in medicine and volunteers at Clinica Tepati, a student-run free clinic serving uninsured residents of Sacramento. |
Flora Rafii, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I received my B.A. in molecular and cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley and graduated from the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine. I am particularly drawn to community work with those on the margin of society and was co-director of the Willow's Project, a homeless screening clinic. I recognize that beyond the tools of natural technology there is healing power in personal relationships. It is exciting to be part of a residency program which offers incredible clinical training in one of the most diverse cities in the nation. On the week-end, I enjoy a relaxing brunch in downtown Sacramento and short trips to Napa or Tahoe. |
Mollie Sands, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I grew up in San Diego, and I received my undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from Tulane University, and my MD at UC Davis, where I also received my MPH. Now I am honored and excited to be a part of the Sutter community as a family medicine resident, because I feel like I am challenged academically every day, but in an atmosphere where I feel truly supported. I eventually would like to somehow tie in my public health background with my career in medicine. I am also interested in international medicine and hope to do at least some short-term medical missions trips again in the future. Outside of medicine, I absolutely love traveling around the world, which is how I use up most of my vacation time. I also enjoy snowboarding, biking, shopping, reading, dancing, playing piano, hanging out with family and friends, and playing whiffle ball with my roommates. |
Laura Applebaum, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in social psychology. I went to medical school in my hometown of Philadelphia, PA, and received my MD from the University of Pennsylvania. In medical school, I became interested in global health and spent a month working in a clinic in Guatemala. I love that Sutter provides me with opportunities to pursue my interest in working with underserved populations through clinic, electives and international opportunities. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter, cooking, reading, hiking, and playing with my cats. |
Jennifer Clary, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I was born and raised in Northern California in the town of Petaluma where my parents still live and I am able to visit often. I attended U.C. Davis where I received my B.S. in Human Development. Before applying to medical school, I worked in the Division of Pain Medicine at the U.C. Davis Medical Center as a research assistant. I then returned to school and attended U.C. Davis School of Medicine where I found my perfect fit in Family Medicine. I love that I am able to care for all aspects of the entire family! My husband and I are enjoying building our lives here in the Sacramento area and plan on staying to raise our family here after residency. When I find free time, I enjoy running, yoga, gardening and spending time with family and friends. |
Erin Deane, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I grew up in both rural Minnesota and the Sacramento area, and earned my BS in Chemistry at CSU Sacramento. After working as a chemist for a year, I attended UC San Diego School of Medicine. My husband and I are so excited to be back in Sacramento and love living here! We are avid hikers, rafters, cyclists, and travelers and can always find something fun to do here. Downtown Sacramento has the perfect mix of urban restaurants/entertainment and available parking! I love the educationally challenging and supportive environment at Sutter and thrive on the strong clinical responsibility we hold during patient care in our training. I also especially enjoy our large pediatric population exposure. |
Shelley Eder , M.D. | top | |
![]() | I was born in Brawley, CA (in the desert east of San Diego) and was raised in San Diego, CA. After graduating with my B.S. in Psychology from UC Davis, I returned to San Diego where I worked at Planned Parenthood for two years as a Reproductive Health Assistant. My husband got a job as a middle school teacher here in Sacramento, so we returned to UC Davis for medical school. This was perfect for me as I was able to continue my work at the Imani Clinic (a student-run clinic in Oakpark), which I had been a part of since my undergraduate years. My main interests in medicine are women's health and working with the medically underserved. I am thoroughly enjoying being a part of the Sutter family, as everyone is super-supportive and friendly, which creates a wonderful atmosphere for learning. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our friends and family, and our cat, as well as hiking, camping, playing tennis, and going dancing! |
Raymundo Ortega, M.D. | top | |
![]() | Originally from the Bay Area I grew up in Sacramento and attended undergraduate college at U.C Davis where I also received my M.D. My clinical interests include pediatrics, women’s health, sports medicine and outpatient procedures. With so many interests it was no surprise that I required most of my fourth year to decide on a specialty. A fourth year elective at the Sutter program helped me to solidify my interest in family medicine and I feel very fortunate to now be a part of this very encouraging, supportive and passionate family. I believe that the diversity of interests among the Sutter residents and staff truly reflects the program's well balanced and flexible curriculum. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife camping and skiing in Lake Tahoe, wine tasting in Napa Valley, relaxing on the coastal beaches of Northern CA and of course visiting the city of San Francisco...Go Giants! |
Robert Martinez, M.D. | top | |
![]() | I was raised in Northern California in the Bay Area and the Central Valley. I completed my undergrad at UC Davis, then worked in various fields afterwards including the biotech industry, gene mapping with the Human Genome Project at Stanford, and primer design and virus detection for the animal laboratory at UC Davis. I completed my medical training at The University of Cincinnati (Go Bearcats!), where my wife and I had our two children. I chose family medicine because of my interest in preventative care and interest in primary care to underserved communities - not to mention interests in OB, pediatrics, and mental health. When I'm not working, I like to spend my time with my wife and little ones, and, if possible, mountain biking, baseball, running, martial arts, and anything else where I'm not confined inside a building. |
Mark Moeller, M.D. | top | |
![]() | After graduating from Dartmouth College with a B.S. in English Literature, I spent the next several years in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco working with software and Internet business start-up companies. Ultimately, I decided to change career paths and refocus my time on helping others through medicine. I received my medical degree from UC Davis in 2007. Family medicine was the best choice for me because of the size and breadth of intellectual and interpersonal challenges unique to that specialty. Although the training in this program is rigorous, the culture is supportive and there is a healthy appreciation for work-life balance. When not working I enjoy lots of reading, hiking, swimming, and great silly playtime with my wife and kids. |



















