Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Maya Smolarek, MD, is a board-certified adult psychiatrist at Adelpha Psychiatric Group in Pasadena and Oakland, California.
Dr. Smolarek graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UC Berkeley with a degree in Religious Studies. Although she pursued medical training to enter end-of-life care, she could not escape the allure of focusing on internal experience, meaning, and personal narrative in the specialty of Psychiatry.
Dr. Smolarek graduated from UCLA medical school with a leadership award and induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society for her merits in compassionate care. During Psychiatry Residency at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, she and a colleague co-founded the Women in Psychiatry group to further the education of trainees on issues related to women. She developed curricula for medical students and residents on sexual harassment during training and delivered talks on the subject at two national conventions. She served as Volunteer Clinical Faculty member at UCLA , teaching in the Interpersonal Therapy Clinic.
Dr. Smolarek is experienced in treating the gamut of mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. She has specialty training in reproductive psychiatry (pertaining to menstrual, menopausal, and peripartum issues), geriatric psychiatry, PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, and bipolar disorder. She brings a background study of mysticism and Buddhism to her psychodynamic psychotherapy. Her holistic approach to care also includes an interest in affect-oriented and somatic therapy. LGBTQ+ affirming.
Dr. Sangha specializes is a Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care specialist at Touro University Medical Group.
He attended St. George's University, West Indies, Grenanda. From there he completed his internship at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, NY before going into his neurology residency program at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. Dr. Sangha continued his education and attended a Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care fellowship program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Sangha is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the United Council of Neurologic Specialties Neurocritical Care and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Vascular Neurology and Neurology.
His special interests include traumatic brain injury (TBI), intracranial atherosclerosis, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and nutrition and lifestyle modification.
Dr. Sangha holds professional memberships with the American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association.
Philosophy of Care:
In the realm of medicine, my practice is a sacred journey, a quest into the heart of humanity. My philosophy of care is an unyielding marriage of compassion and relentless intellectual pursuit. I see each patient, not as a case, but as a fascinating tapestry of stories interwoven with physiology and psychology.
I strive to view every person holistically, acknowledging the intricate interplay of mind and body, emotion and ailment, environment and gene. I am perpetually curious, yearning to discover, to delve beneath the surface, to truly understand and address the root causes of distress.
My passion for neurology is not only confined to the scientific rigor it demands, but it also lies in the unique personal narratives that each neuron carries. I listen with empathy, eager to understand each patient in their entirety, their experiences, fears, hopes and dreams.
In the face of adversity, I commit to being a pillar of strength, of reassurance. My mission is to illuminate the path to recovery, ensuring that each patient feels seen, heard and valued. This is my calling, my duty, my unwavering promise: to provide care that's a blend of science and compassion, to preserve dignity, and to foster healing and resilience.
Dr. Sangha provides inpatient care at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Stockton, CA.
Richard B. Riemer, DO, is a specialist in neurology at Touro University Medical Group. Dr. Riemer treats all neurologic conditions with an emphasis on neuromusculoskeletal and spine disorders.
Dr. Riemer earned his Doctor of Medicine from the AT Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri. He then completed his internship at Tucson General Hospital in Arizona and his residency at the University of California Davis in Sacramento.
Dr. Riemer is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
At Touro University Medical Group, Dr. Riemer performs a wide variety of neuromusculoskeletal and spine procedures. He takes a special interest in performing EMGs and other nerve conduction studies.
Dr. Riemer has been endowed with numerous awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Educator of the Year (UC Davis Neurology), Physician of the Year (Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeon), and Volunteer Faculty (UC Davis).
Outside of the office, his interests include swimming, ice hockey, reading, and cooking.
Stephanie Dong, M.D., is an adult psychiatrist at Touro University Medical Group in Stockton, CA with a strong commitment to patient care and medical education.
Dr. Dong earned her Doctor of Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She then completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry at the Los Angeles Count + University of Southern California Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. During her senior year of residency, she was selected to serve as the Chief Resident of Inpatient Psychiatry.
Dr. Dong is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She also maintains professional membership with the Amerian Psychiatric Association.
Dr. Dong also serves as Assistant Program Director for the St. Joseph's Medical Center Psychiatry Residency Program in Stockton, CA. She has an immense passion for working with and mentoring resident physicians throughout their training.
Dr. Dong has extensive experience treating a wide array of psychiatric disorders in the outpatient setting, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, and psychosis. She also has a special interest in women's mental health. She is known for her patient-centric approach, taking the time to understand her patients, provide education regarding their diagnoses and treatment options, and empower them to make informed decisions about their mental health. Her treatment philosophy encompasses biological, psychological, and social considerations, reflecting her holistic approach to mental health care.
Outside of the office, Dr. Dong enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, cooking and water coloring.
Christine Skotzko, MD, is a member of Touro University Medical Group and provides Consult & Liasion Services at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Dr. Skotzko earned her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, New York. She then completed her internship at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Facility
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Skotzko then went on to complete her residency at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital.
At Touro University Medical Group, Dr. Skotzko takes a patient-centered approach to care, with a healthy respect for patient autonomy. She treats depression and anxiety associated with acute and chronic medical conditions and highly complex medical illnesses with psychiatric symptoms. She has an acute interest in population health, which aims to expand the impact of scarce psychiatric providers through collaborative and integrated medical care.
Dr. Skotzko is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She also maintains professional memberships with the American Psychiatric Association, the American Association of Emergency Psychiatry, the Association of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, and the Association of Physician Leaders.
Outside of the office, her hobbies include spending time with family, kayaking, hiking, and traveling.
Dr. Skotzko does not currently provide outpatient services but instead provides consultative services at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Lawrence Suess, DO, is an integral part of the team at Touro University Medical Group providing Child & Adolescent Psychiatry services.
Dr. Suess is a diplomate and fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists (ACNOP). He has been in private practice for 30 years and recently joined Touro University as a Professor in Child Psychiatry. His responsibilities include teaching students and residents along with administrative roles. He is an AOA Health Policy Fellow with expertise in the economics of mental health delivery of care.
Central to his practice is the interrelatedness children have to their families, making successful treatment family centered. Consequently, education and collaboration are critical to making patients and their families develop attitudes and lifestyles that promote mental health while effectively addressing mental illness.
Dr. Suess earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. He then completed his internship and residency at Texas Tech Health Science Center in El Paso. He went on to complete his fellowship training at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
Outside of the office, Dr. Suess is passionate about cooking and traveling.
Stephanie Dong, M.D., is an adult psychiatrist at Touro University Medical Group in Stockton, CA with a strong commitment to patient care and medical education.
Dr. Dong earned her Doctor of Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She then completed her residency in Adult Psychiatry at the Los Angeles Count + University of Southern California Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. During her senior year of residency, she was selected to serve as the Chief Resident of Inpatient Psychiatry.
Dr. Dong is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She also maintains professional membership with the Amerian Psychiatric Association.
Dr. Dong also serves as Assistant Program Director for the St. Joseph's Medical Center Psychiatry Residency Program in Stockton, CA. She has an immense passion for working with and mentoring resident physicians throughout their training.
Dr. Dong has extensive experience treating a wide array of psychiatric disorders in the outpatient setting, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, and psychosis. She also has a special interest in women's mental health. She is known for her patient-centric approach, taking the time to understand her patients, provide education regarding their diagnoses and treatment options, and empower them to make informed decisions about their mental health. Her treatment philosophy encompasses biological, psychological, and social considerations, reflecting her holistic approach to mental health care.
Outside of the office, Dr. Dong enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, cooking and water coloring.
Dr. Sangha specializes is a Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care specialist at Touro University Medical Group.
He attended St. George's University, West Indies, Grenanda. From there he completed his internship at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, NY before going into his neurology residency program at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. Dr. Sangha continued his education and attended a Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care fellowship program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Sangha is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the United Council of Neurologic Specialties Neurocritical Care and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Vascular Neurology and Neurology.
His special interests include traumatic brain injury (TBI), intracranial atherosclerosis, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and nutrition and lifestyle modification.
Dr. Sangha holds professional memberships with the American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association.
Philosophy of Care:
In the realm of medicine, my practice is a sacred journey, a quest into the heart of humanity. My philosophy of care is an unyielding marriage of compassion and relentless intellectual pursuit. I see each patient, not as a case, but as a fascinating tapestry of stories interwoven with physiology and psychology.
I strive to view every person holistically, acknowledging the intricate interplay of mind and body, emotion and ailment, environment and gene. I am perpetually curious, yearning to discover, to delve beneath the surface, to truly understand and address the root causes of distress.
My passion for neurology is not only confined to the scientific rigor it demands, but it also lies in the unique personal narratives that each neuron carries. I listen with empathy, eager to understand each patient in their entirety, their experiences, fears, hopes and dreams.
In the face of adversity, I commit to being a pillar of strength, of reassurance. My mission is to illuminate the path to recovery, ensuring that each patient feels seen, heard and valued. This is my calling, my duty, my unwavering promise: to provide care that's a blend of science and compassion, to preserve dignity, and to foster healing and resilience.
Dr. Sangha provides inpatient care at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Stockton, CA.
Dr. Barbara Huynh, DO is a board-certified psychiatrist with 15+ years of experience helping adults improve their mental health and daily functioning. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences (COMP) and completed her psychiatry training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She also holds a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles (cum laude).
Dr. Huynh practices with a warm, patient-centered style that balances evidence-based medicine with genuine connection. She listens closely, explains options clearly, and builds treatment plans that fit each patient’s goals and comfort level. Her care often combines expert medication management with supportive psychotherapy, when appropriate.
Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, adult ADHD, trauma/PTSD, panic disorder, personality disorders, and women’s mental health. Patients often appreciate her compassionate, judgment-free approach and her focus on practical progress—better sleep, steadier mood, improved concentration, healthier relationships, and more confidence in day-to-day life.
Dr. Huynh is committed to creating a safe space where patients feel respected and supported. Telehealth visits may be available to make care more accessible and consistent.
Dr. Debbie Chang, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist with 8+ years of experience providing personalized, evidence-based mental health care. She earned her MD from Creighton University School of Medicine in 2016 and a B.S. in Biology from UCLA. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).
Dr. Chang combines clinical excellence with genuine compassion. She listens carefully, helps patients feel comfortable discussing personal obstacles, and builds a clear treatment plan focused on practical next steps. Her research background supports an evidence-based approach and comprehensive treatment planning tailored to each patient’s needs and goals.
She treats adults with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, trauma/PTSD, ADHD/ADD, and schizophrenia. Dr. Chang’s multilingual care is an important part of her practice—she is fluent in English and Mandarin and conversational in Spanish—so patients feel heard and understood. Telehealth is available, making it easier to stay consistent with care.
Dr. Ellen A. Machikawa, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist with 20+ years of experience helping adults manage complex mental health concerns. She provides evidence-based, personalized care in a safe, judgment-free environment. Dr. Machikawa combines expert medication management with supportive psychotherapy to support meaningful, practical progress.
She has extensive training in geriatric psychiatry, mood disorders, and complex psychiatric conditions. Her clinical focus includes depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD/trauma, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, ADHD, and geriatric mental health. She offers flexible and responsive care, including same-day appointments, telehealth sessions, and direct phone consultations when needed. She also uses AI note-taking support so she can focus her full attention on patients during visits.
Dr. Machikawa’s approach centers on listening closely, asking thoughtful questions, and building a treatment plan that fits each patient’s needs and goals.
Dr. Surender Punia, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist (ABPN) and Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (FAPA) with over two decades of clinical, academic, and leadership experience in psychiatry. He has held several leadership roles, including Medical Director positions at Adventist Health Vallejo and Fremont Hospital, as well as Senior Psychiatrist at Napa State. Dr. Punia completed his psychiatry residency at Creighton University University of Nebraska and has contributed extensively to psychiatric education, research, and teaching, including medical student instruction and psychopharmacology lectures. His clinical expertise includes acute psychiatry, psychopharmacology, and complex behavioral health care across inpatient and forensic settings. Dr. Punia has authored peer-reviewed publications, presented at national meetings, and remains committed to delivering evidence-based, compassionate psychiatric care while advancing high-quality behavioral health service.
