In this section
National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Code:

Internal Medicine: 2445140C0

Accreditation Council for Graduate
Medical Education (ACGME)

ACGME code: 1400500017

ACGME Common Program Requirements

Meet Us

Our leadership team is committed to fostering an environment of growth, professionalism, and academic excellence.

 

Program Director

Nandini Gowda, MD

Nandini N. Gowda, MD, ABIM, ABOM, FACP

Dr. Gowda is a Program Director for Internal Medicine Residency program at SARH, and Associate Professor at Western U of health sciences and community faculty for UCR School of Medicine. Board-certified in internal and obesity medicine, she specializes in comprehensive primary care with mental health integration, women's health, and addiction medicine. As Program Director, she is dedicated to medical education, mentoring, and advancing health equity through clinical leadership, curriculum development, and community-based care.

 

Associate Program Director

Bilal R. Rayes, MD

Bilal R. Rayes, MD

Dr. Bilal R. Rayes is an Associate Program Director at SARH, who is highly accomplished, triple board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Hospice and Palliative Care. With more than two decades of clinical and leadership experience, he serves as Chief Medical Officer and Founder of Premier Hospitalist Group of California, Assistant Professor at at Western University of Health Sciences, and Medical Director of Palliative Care and High-Risk Clinics at San Antonio Regional Hospital in Upland, California.

Dr. Rayes is widely respected for his commitment to patient-centered care and his leadership in clinical innovation. He has designed and implemented evidence-based programs that improve patient outcomes in critical areas such as septic shock, stroke, STEMI, chest pain, severe aortic stenosis, and palliative care. His leadership in creating multidisciplinary care rounds in ICU, telemetry, and step-down units has significantly enhanced coordination and quality of care across departments.

As a dedicated medical educator, Dr. Rayes has held academic appointments at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine, Western University, and the University of Arizona. He currently serves as the Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at San Antonio Regional Hospital, where he mentors medical students, residents, and chief residents. He plays an active role in curriculum development, program leadership, and ACGME accreditation and compliance.

In his role as Physician Advisor and Chair of the Utilization Management Committee at San Antonio Regional Hospital, Dr. Rayes helps shape care delivery strategies and improve hospital performance. He oversees complex case reviews, supports discharge planning, and ensures compliance with payer requirements. His certification in Health Care Quality and Management reflects his expertise in system-based improvement and regulatory alignment.

Dr. Rayes completed his medical degree at Damascus University School of Medicine and his internal medicine residency at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He has served as principal investigator on multiple clinical trials focused on hypertension, diabetes, anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis. He also played a key role in developing outpatient programs for high-risk patients and transitional care.

Fluent in English and Arabic, with conversational skills in Spanish, Dr. Rayes is known for his ability to connect with patients from diverse backgrounds. He is deeply committed to compassionate care, medical excellence, and advancing healthcare through research, education, and leadership.

 

Program Coordinator

Eric D. Dickerson

Eric D. Dickerson

I currently serve as the inaugural Program Coordinator for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at San Antonio Regional Hospital (SARH), where I continue to support the training and development of future physicians. Hobbies include a passion for the arts and live music, with an affinity for film festivals, swimming, rainy weather, staying up to date on current events, the company of good friends, and laughter.

I was born and raised in Palm Springs, California, and was the first child born in the city of Palm Springs, CA in my birth year, narrowly missing being the first in the entire Coachella Valley, CA by just a few minutes. As the eldest of seven siblings and the only male, I learned leadership and responsibility from an early age.

My career in healthcare began at age 22, when I started working for a small, independent medical management and billing company as a credentialing specialist. This role sparked a lasting interest in the medical field and provided a strong foundation in healthcare administration. I later transitioned into clinical research, where I worked in a retinal clinic conducting Phase II–IV blinded and double-blinded randomized clinical trials. I also participated in a Phase IV government-contracted research project, gaining valuable experience in both private and public sector clinical operations.

Seeking to expand my understanding of hospital systems, I joined Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs as a temporary staff member in Business Development. Over the course of approximately 7–8 years, I advanced into several administrative roles, including Executive Assistant to the Chief Compliance Officer, and Administrative Assistant in the Quality and Risk Management departments. Eventually, I served as the Administrative Assistant for the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Internal Medicine Residency Program.

This experience led me to Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (WesternU-COMP) in Pomona, where I worked for 4.5 years as the Lead Rotations Coordinator.


Core Faculty Members

 

 

Ahmed Al-Waisi, MD

Ahmed Al-Waisi, MD

Dr. Ahmed Al-Waisi, MD is a board-certified internal medicine physician dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care. With over 15 years of clinical experience across the United States and internationally, Dr. Al-Waisi brings a well-rounded perspective to both inpatient and outpatient medicine. He currently practices as a hospitalist at St. Bernardine Medical Center and San Antonio Regional Hospital in Southern California.

Dr. Al-Waisi completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center and his Internship at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, both in Brooklyn, New York. He earned his medical degree (M.B.Ch.B.) from Baghdad University, Al-Kindy College of Medicine.

Dr. Al-Waisi is skilled in acute and chronic disease management, complex inpatient care, discharge planning, and interdisciplinary coordination. His prior roles have also included urgent care, outpatient primary care, clinical research, and leadership positions in public health initiatives.

Fluent in English and Arabic, Dr. Al-Waisi values clear communication and cultural sensitivity in his practice. He is ACLS and BLS certified and licensed to practice in California.

 

Sara Khan, MD

Sara Khan, MD

Chief Population Health Officer | Hospitalist 

Dr. Sara Khan grew up in Karachi, Pakistan and obtained her medical degree from Ziauddin Medical University before completing her residency at Wright State in Ohio . She is a highly skilled Chief Population Health Officer and Hospitalist based in the Inland empire, CA, with extensive experience in Internal Medicine and healthcare administration. With a strong background in both clinical practice and leadership, she brings valuable insights into the complexities of healthcare delivery.

In her current role, Dr. Khan designs and oversees population health programs aimed at improving health outcomes, collaborating with community stakeholders to address the unique needs of diverse populations. She has a proven history of driving quality improvement initiatives and fostering partnerships with healthcare providers and public health agencies, all with a focus on community well-being and equitable healthcare access.

Throughout her career, Dr. Khan has demonstrated a strong commitment to innovative healthcare solutions and collaborative environments, managing multidisciplinary teams to promote effective and efficient care delivery. Her leadership is characterized by a clear focus on improving patient outcomes, reducing hospital stay durations, and enhancing overall patient experience. Dr. Khan's dedication to the advancement of healthcare quality makes her a key advocate for transformative health programs that benefit local communities.

 

Azhar Majeed, MD

Azhar Majeed, MD, MBA, FACP

Dr. Azhar Majeed is a highly accomplished physician and healthcare leader with over two decades of experience in internal medicine, hospital medicine, and medical administration. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and a Fellow of the Society of Hospital Medicine (FHM), reflecting his dedication to clinical excellence and the advancement of hospital medicine.

Dr. Majeed earned his Medical Doctorate from Ross University School of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine residency at University of Illinois’ affiliate Mercy Hospital & Medical Center in Chicago. To complement his clinical expertise with business acumen, he obtained an MBA from the University of Tennessee’s Physician Executive MBA Program, equipping him with the skills to lead in today’s complex healthcare environment.

Currently, Dr. Majeed practices Internal Medicine at Inland Internists Medical Group and as a Hospitalist at United Hospitalist Group in Southern California, where he has been instrumental in optimizing patient care, implementing clinical policies, and mentoring the next generation of physicians. His leadership roles have included Chief of Staff and Chair of the Department of Medicine at area hospitals, as well as program committee positions with both the Society of Hospital Medicine and the American College of Physicians.

Passionate about medical informatics and health systems improvement, Dr. Majeed continues to integrate clinical excellence with operational efficiency, enhancing both patient outcomes and the delivery of hospital-based care.

 

Timothy Wu, MD

Timothy Wu, MD

Timothy Y. Wu, M.D. specializes in internal medicine and has been with Inland Physicians Medical Group since 2021. Previously, he carried out his residency at UIC/Advocate Christ Internal Medicine. He received his undergraduate degree at Harvard University and his medical degree at the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine.

Dr. Wu was a 1st author in a peer reviewed article in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. He also presented several poster presentations in regional conferences, as well as a grand rounds presentation at USC. In his free time, he likes to help Montclair and other communities, and he was a medical volunteer for the Chicago Marathon during his residency.

Throughout his education and medical career, he has received various awards, and is involved in a number of task forces and committees. In 2019, he was Intern of the Year and in 2020, he was Resident of the Year. In his residency, he developed and implemented various protocols for the hospital during the covid pandemic. He served as an integral member of the Convalescent Plasma Task Force, the Covid Research Consortium Team, as well as the General Medical Floor Committee Team. For the last three years, he also has been a member of the Program Evaluation Committee, which identifies areas of improvement of medical curriculum.

Dr. Wu is excited to be a part of the caring physician team at Inland Physicians Medical Group. His focus is particularly on preventive care.