Dr. Abe received his medical degree from the George Washington University in Washington, DC. He completed his internship and residency at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in Bronx, New York. In addition to fluent English and Japanese, his language skills also include Spanish. His professional interests include preventive health, especially by way of reducing the risks of chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and coronary artery disease. He believes that in order to maintain good health, it is essential to develop healthy lifestyle and dietary habits. He hopes to provide comprehensive medical care to his patients with compassion and humanism.

Dr. Ando received her Medical Doctorate from the Cebu Institute of Medicine in Cebu City, Philippines. She then went on to complete a rotating internship at St. Mary Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia and a General Practice Residency at Roger Memorial Hospital in Washington D.C. Dr. Ando also had a private practice here in the High Desert from 1982 to 1997.

Dr. Bakir is an experienced Family Practice Physician that prides herself on caring for her patients as part of her own family. Dr. Bakir treats patients of all ages from pediatrics to adults. She is a kind, compassionate and caring person that delivers high quality care to all patients seen.

Dr. Brown earned his Medical Doctorate from the University of Texas, San Antonio. He completed his internship and residency at Children's Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio.

Dr. Brown is the former Chief of Pediatrics at St. Mary Medical Center.

Dr. Ziad El-Hajjaoui attended medical school in Syria. He later served as postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to his association with HDPC, Dr. El-Hajjaoui was on staff at McKeesport Hospital in McKeesport, PA and LAC-USC Medical Center in Los Angeles. He has a special interest in cardiology. Dr. El-Hajjaoui resides with his family here in the High Desert.

Dr. El-Hajjaoui graduated with honors from the Ala Shams University Faculty of Medicine in Cairo, Egypt. He received his surgical training at Kuwait University Hospital. During the Gulf War, Dr. El-Hajjaoui volunteered as a surgeon at Mowasat Hospital in Kuwait. He was also a research associate at Loma Linda University and finished his training in Internal Medicine at USC-LAC Medical Center. Dr. El-Hajjaoui resides with his family here in the High Desert.

Martha Garcia graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. She is a Certified Physician Assistant and holds a special interest in women's health and geriatrics. Martha is also fluent in both English and Spanish.

Trained and Board Certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Gevorkian enjoys treating patients from infants to geriatrics. His kind demeanor and disposition are quickly earning him a large and varied patient mix. Dr. Gevorkian attended medical school at St. George’s School of Medicine, in Grenada, West Indies. He then completed his internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin EauClaire Family Medicine Residency Program.

Dr. Gutierrez received his Medical Doctorate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. He completed a Family Practice residency at Warren Community Hospital in New Jersey where he also served on the medical staff.

Dr. Gutierrez has been associated with the medical group since 1992 and served as an Executive Board Member of the Utilization Review Committee.

Dr. Izadi received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree from the University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, MO. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Loma Linda University. Dr. Izadi joined Cigna health plan as a staff physician and later became Chief of Staff. He is currently a member of the American Osteopathic Association and College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Dr. Izadi enjoys outdoor activities, music, sports, reading and travel.

Bachelors Degree: UCSD La Jolla, Ca.

Physician Assistant Program: Charles R. Drew Medical School Cal State Dominguez Hills 1978- 1979

Trained and certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Lopa  attended medical school at Dhaka Medical College in Bangladesh.  She performed her residency and Internship at King Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.  She is also an affiliate of the American Academy of Family Physicians.  She especially enjoys providing preventive care and treatment to adolescents, adults and the elderly and has a special interest in women’s health.  On her free time she enjoys music, traveling, exploring new places, new ideas and reading new journals.  Dr. Lopa is fluent in English and Bengali.

Physician Assistant Luna is Board Certified in Family Practice.  He performed his medical schooling at Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where he also performed his internship.  He speaks some Spanish and especially enjoys treating and advising his patients on urgent medical matters.  When not hard at work, he enjoys dirt bike riding and camping.

Ms. Ong-Veloso earned a Masters Degree with a specialty in Family Nurse Practice from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

Her clinical training was completed at Gardena Cigna Health Ambulatory Care Center. She also has clinical experience in an Intensive Care Unit.

Dr. Pham received her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College after completing her undergraduate work at UC Davis in California. She then completed her internship and residency in Family Practice at Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley, California. Dr. Pham is personable with her patients; taking the time to listen and answer questions.

Teresa Podgorski is a Certified Physician Assistant, who completed the Physicians Assistant Program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She completed her clinical training at Martin Luther King / Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles as well as Arrowhead-Westside Community Family Health Center in San Bernardino. Teresa Podgorski figured among the top 91 percentile Nationwide, on the NCCPA re-certification boards.

Joseph Rodriguez obtained his medical degree from the University of Iowa – Roy Carver College of Medicine and performed his residency and internship at Siouxland Medical Education Foundation, in Sioux City, IA. He is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians and is fluent in both English & Spanish. In his personal time, he enjoys “playing a round of golf”.

Dr. Rosales attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Ca. He served his internship and residency in Family Medicine at Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley, Ca.

Dr. Rosales has a great sense of humor and enjoys treating patients from older children to seniors. Dr. Rosales is married and enjoys spending time with his wife. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Ann received her AA in Nursing, with honors, from Glendale Community College. She then went on to receive her BSN and MSN from the University of Phoenix. Ann has over 20 years of extensive experience in the nursing field and is a long time resident of the High Desert.

Dr. Seleem received his medical degree from Cairo University Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt. He completed a Pediatric Residency and a Fellowship in Endocrinology at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn New York. Dr. Seleem is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has hospital privileges at all the local hospitals.

Colleen 'Rustee' Snyder earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Bethany College in West Virginia and her Master’s degree in nursing from Pace University in Pleasantville, New York.  She has been in practice for 30 years with the last 15 focusing on pediatrics.

Rustee’s friendly demeanor makes her easy to talk with and facilitates her relationship with her patients.  She speaks some Spanish and practices in both the Victorville and Hesperia offices.

She’s been living in the desert for 25 years and has a very understanding husband and 2 sons.  Her outside activities include quilting, scrapbooking, shopping, and traveling.

Born in New Jersey, Dr. Strodtbeck has lived in California for 20 years. She is a proven and compassionate caregiver as well as a good listener. She believes in treating and getting to know the whole patient. Dr. Strodtbeck’s specialty is Internal Medicine and has over 20 years of experience treating and caring for patients in the clinical setting.
In her spare time the doctor enjoys camping, hiking and loves to travel. Dr. Strodtbeck also enjoys spending time quilting and is looking forward to caring for you and your family here at High Desert Primary Care.

Diane has lived in San Bernardino County for over 33 years making Big Bear Lake her home. Her career in the medical field began 15 years prior as a Medical Assistant and through many years of hard work and determination she has progressed to the level of Physicians Assistant. Diane brings with her to High Desert Primary Care Medical Group not only a passion and dedication for her patients but also for the medical profession as a whole.

Education: Riverside County Regional Medical Center; Riverside Community College- Physician Assistant Program

Certifications: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Affiliations: California Academy of Physician Assistants; American Academy of Physician Assistants

Jeremy Winderweedle, PA-C was born and raised in Southern California and has been a resident of Apple Valley since 1997. He graduated from UC Irvine in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. He then went on to graduate from Western University of Health Sciences with a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies in 2002. Since graduating Jeremy has worked in the High Desert doing primary care, cardiothoracic surgery and providing Urgent Care for High Desert Primary Care for the past year.