Chief Medical Residents (2022-23)

Lainey Flatow-Trujillo, MD
Chief Medical Resident 2022-23
Hometown: Clovis, NM
College: University of New Mexico
Medical School: University of New Mexico

I grew up in New Mexico and lived there all the way through medical school. I moved to San Diego for residency and could not be happier with the program, training and city! My professional interests include medical education, underserved medicine and hospital medicine. For fun I enjoy walking down to La Jolla Cove with my husband and dog to see the seals, reading sci-fi, or enjoying one of San Diego’s many outdoor dining options.

Aaron Lee, DO, MS
VA Chief Resident in Quality and Patient Safety 2022-23
Hometown: San Jose, CA
College: University of California, San Diego
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences-COMP

I grew up a Bay Area kid but spent college and grad school at UCSD, mixed with some time in biotech. After an incredible experience as an Acting Intern at UCSD I just knew I had to come to UCSD for residency! You just can’t find a better mix of great clinical experiences and absolutely incredible educators and peers. Professionally, I am passionate about medical education and patient experience projects, and am pursuing a career as an academic oncologist. Outside of the hospital, you’ll find me at the local climbing gym, playing disc sports (disc golf and Ultimate Frisbee), attempting to diet my two very fat orange tabby cats, and playing board games at breweries throughout San Diego!

Erin Roberts, MD

Chief Medical Resident 2022-23
Hometown: Templeton, CA
College: University of California, Berkeley
Medical School: University of Hawaii (JABSOM)

I hail from a small town called Templeton on the Central Coast of California. For undergrad, I moved to the Bay Area to attend Cal (Go Bears!), where I studied public health. Then, I moved even further west to Honolulu, Hawaii, where I attended medical school. I returned to California for residency to join the UCSD Family! My professional interests are medical education and all things pulm/crit. In my free time, it has been a joy to explore San Diego's breweries and beaches as well as trips to the zoo and wine nights with friends!

Christine Sonners, MD

Chief Medical Resident 2022-23
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
College: University of Washington
Medical School: University of Washington

I was born and brewed in the Pacific Northwest, growing up in southwest Washington. Then made my way up to Seattle for undergrad (go Dawgs!) and then went to the eastern part of the state for UW Medical school in Spokane. This is also where I met my amazing husband who I have had the joy of going through medical training with. I had the awesome opportunity to participate in the WWAMI track and live all over the Washington, Wyoming, Montana region exploring the many beautiful mountains and forests while learning medicine. My husband and I were lucky enough to couples match at UCSD and start living sunny beach lives here in San Diego. I’m interested in outpatient longitudinal medicine, integrative medicine, and really just general internal medicine! Outside of the hospital I love to run, cycle, sing karaoke, learn ukulele, improve my yoga practice, eat Wayfarer with my husband, and spend time in nature.

Alex Song, MD
Chief Medical Resident 2022-23
Hometown: Fremont, CA
College: University of California, Berkeley
Medical School: Case Western Reserve University

I grew up in the Bay Area, went to UC Berkeley for undergrad, and worked for two years in biotech, before I moved to Cleveland for medical school at Case Western. I was happy to return to California for residency at UCSD; the last three years here were a blur, but I am grateful for the amazing mentors and friends that I met and am excited to stay for another year. My professional goals are still evolving, but I have interests in Hospital Medicine and Heme/Onc. Outside of work, I enjoy medical trivia, Fantasy Baseball, rooting for the A’s (please stay…) and Warriors (yay!), and struggling at tennis and golf.

Alex Sykes, MD
VA Chief Resident in Quality and Patient Safety 2022-23
Hometown: Houston, TX
College: Texas A&M University
Medical School: Texas A&M Univresity College of Medicine

I am from the great state of Texas where I went to college at Texas A&M (whoop!) and majored in Spanish. I stayed for medical school but an away rotation in the MICU at UCSD had me SOLD that this would be the best program, and I haven’t been disappointed. I am constantly blown away by the camaraderie, leadership support as well as their personal interest in my career path. I have felt grateful for and proud of the strong clinician that UCSD has made me. Ultimately, I plan to pursue a career in cardiology with focus in preventive cardiology. Outside of the hospital, you will see me doing any number of awesome SD activities outside: Stand-Up-Paddleboarding, surfing, hiking, camping nearby or running with my husband Steven. This city has a ton to offer but my favorite part is the incredible people.

Alex Tong, MD, PhD

Chief Medical Resident 2022-23

Hometown: Dallas, TX

College: Rhodes College

Medical School: Case Western Reserve University

I grew up in Dallas, Texas then headed to the Mid-South for undergrad in Memphis, Tennessee and worked at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, sparking an interest in bench-to-bedside cancer research. Embracing the snow and a world class orchestra, I ventured northward to Cleveland for the Medical Scientist Training Program at Case Western Reserve University, where I met my amazing wife who is a neonatologist. We were so excited to come to SoCal and join the family at UCSD, falling in love with the warm culture, incredible people, fascinating patients and nurturing program leaders. I plan to pursue a career in hematology/oncology and deeply appreciate how our program is so supportive of resident research and mentorship. Outside of medicine, I enjoy visiting the San Diego Zoo/Safari Park, playing violin, reading sci-fi novels, seeking out new boba life and new restaurants, and chasing after my kids on the nearby gorgeous beaches.