For many aspiring physicians, SGU success stories from California prove that medical school dreams can become reality. Today, aspiring physicians in California are considering St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine.
In fact, more medical students came from California than any other US state for the 2024-2025 academic year at SGU. The success stories don’t end at graduation—according to internal SGU data, in 2025, 10 percent of SGU graduates secured residency positions in California.
These grads are bringing their skills and global training back to the communities they call home.
SGU success stories from California: Practicing doctors and SGU alumni
Learn about four SGU graduates who are also:
- A family medicine doctor and first-generation American determined to serve her community,
- A physician tackling addiction in his home state,
- A psychiatrist advancing mental health care, and
- A surgeon using innovative technology to improve patient outcomes.
From family medicine to robotic surgery, SGU success stories from California show the diversity of paths open to SGU alumni.
Annie Le, MD ’18
For Annie Le, MD ’18, the path to becoming a physician was shaped by resilience from the very beginning. In the 1970s, her family fled Vietnam as the country edged toward war, eventually settling in a refugee community in San Diego, CA. She grew up in a single home with her entire extended family, facing poverty but gaining, as she puts it, “a lot of character and grit” that fueled her work ethic and determination.
Those early experiences also planted the seed for her future in medicine.
“Being from a refugee community, I witnessed inequality in healthcare firsthand,” says Dr. Le. “The cultural barriers took a negative toll on my family.”
Today, as a first-generation American physician, she’s committed to caring for underserved populations, as a family medicine practitioner in San Francisco, CA.
Her decision to attend SGU was inspired by a friend who had graduated from the University.
“I saw how successful she was going through it, and it was an opportunity to start sooner,” Dr. Le recalls.
“SGU was my opportunity to live in a different culture. Even though I went to UCLA and live in California where it’s diverse, SGU gave me a different level of diversity that allowed me to learn from people from different backgrounds from all over the world. It’s something that I really appreciated,” she says.
California SGU success stories, like Dr. Le’s, showcase graduates who return to make a difference in their hometowns.
Hrant Gevorgian, MD ’21
For Hrant Gevorgian, MD ’21, MPH, becoming a physician has meant returning to the state where his journey began. A California native, Dr. Gevorgian is now completing an addiction medicine fellowship at Loma Linda University Medical Center while working overnight shifts as an emergency medicine physician at two community hospitals in San Bernardino.
He thrives in the ER’s demanding environment, where every shift requires quick thinking and decisive action.
“My favorite aspect of being a doctor is the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of my patients,” he says. “Whether it’s providing essential medication or stabilizing a critically ill individual, knowing that I’ve positively impacted someone’s life is incredibly rewarding.”
His passion for both emergency and addiction medicine was shaped by experiences in Los Angeles, where he first shadowed at LA General and engaged in harm reduction work.
“Witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by individuals struggling with substance abuse, including barriers to treatment and pervasive stigma, led me to practice emergency and addiction medicine,” he explains. My aim is to combat stigma, implement harm reduction strategies, and establish treatment protocols within emergency settings to better serve individuals battling substance abuse”
Dr. Gevorgian is grateful for his time at SGU and preparing him to excel in these demanding fields.
“SGU well prepared me for my specialty and career, both academically and clinically,” he says. “The integrated basic sciences curriculum provided a solid foundation. Most importantly, the SGU alumni network and social capital I gained have been invaluable throughout my medical journey by connecting me with the right mentors and guiding me in the right direction.”
Dr. Gevorgian is one of many California-based SGU graduates highlighting a powerful trend: giving back to the very communities they once called home.
Hannah Nguyen, MD ’21
Since graduating from SGU, California native Hannah Nguyen, MD ’21, has built a career dedicated to improving mental health care to patients in need. As a child and adolescent psychiatry fellow at the University of Southern California, Dr. Nguyen has continued to further her training, while also contributing to medical research that directly impacts California communities.
“My favorite thing to hear my patients say to me is, ‘I’m doing a lot better,’” she shares. “I love being able to accurately diagnose, determine the best course of action, and find the treatment plan that makes people feel better.”
One of her proudest achievements was publishing research in the Journal of Osteopathic Family Physicians of California (JOFPCA). Her article, “Effects of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy,” addressed a timely issue in public health and underscored her commitment to raising awareness about risks of cannabis use.
Reflecting on her SGU experience, Dr. Nguyen praises the University for helping her discover her passion in psychiatry and landing a residency in psychiatry at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
“The school allowed me to learn the basic sciences and then advance to learning in practice in a clinical setting. I had the opportunity to find my specific passions in medicine, work towards my goal, and eventually match into my number one choice for residency,” she says
These SGU success stories from California, including Dr. Nguyen’s, highlight how graduates return to serve their home communities.
Andrea Pakula, MD ’07
Andrea Pakula, MD ’07, MPH, is redefining what’s possible in the operating room. As medical director of robotic surgery at Adventist Health Simi Valley Hospital, she stands at the forefront of a technological shift that’s transforming patient care. In 2024, she became one of the first surgeons in the country to use the da Vinci 5.
“The da Vinci 5 is the newest and most advanced generation of surgical robots which allows the surgeon more precision when operating,” she explains. “We are able to perform complex operations through only a few small incisions, which allows for much faster recovery and return to normal activity for patients without the need for pain medications.”
Her expertise with robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery has helped her hospital earn a Robotic Center of Excellence designation and has made her a sought-after speaker and educator, sharing best practices with surgical teams around the world. By blending cutting-edge technology with compassionate care, Dr. Pakula is achieving better outcomes for her patients and advancing the field. She credits SGU with laying the foundation for her success.
“The education I received at SGU allowed me to get into one of the best fellowships in the country (a surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN), and that drive has stayed with me to be able to excel in my career,” Dr. Pakula says.
Your path to joining these SGU success stories from California begins with applying to SGU School of Medicine.
Your path to practicing medicine in California begins here
Whether it’s tending to the needs of families, advancing addiction care, supporting mental health, or leading surgical innovation, these SGU graduates prove there are many ways to make an impact as a doctor. What unites them is how SGU prepared them to succeed.
If you’re ready to follow in their footsteps, your path to practicing medicine in California can begin at SGU School of Medicine. Not sure how to get started? Read our blog How to Apply to Medical School: A Pre-Med Student Resource Guide.
