Faculty

Dr. David Ahamba is the Medical Director and Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at ARMC. Dr. Ahamba brings a wealth of experience, having completed his residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, earned a Master of Public Health at the University of North Texas, and obtained his medical degree from Abia State University School of Medicine in Uturu, Nigeria. Previously, Dr. Ahamba served as the Assistant Chief Medical Officer at SAC Health in San Bernardino, California, where he oversaw ten medical directors across various departments, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics/Gynecology. His exceptional leadership in enhancing primary care services, patient satisfaction, quality improvement, and clinical protocol development has been well recognized. Additionally, he has fostered a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and professional growth among his staff. With a particular interest in tropical medicine and HIV care, Dr. Ahamba plans to advance these fields within the Arrowhead Regional Department of Family Medicine.

Dr. Deborah Small's career at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center began in 1998, where she has since progressed from a resident to an Attending Physician, Associate Program Director, and most recently, Program Director. Her medical expertise spans ICU management, ambulatory medicine, and obstetrics, with a focus on women's and children's health, including the development of the obstetrics curriculum for the residency program. In addition to her clinical and educational roles, Dr. Small is deeply involved in community service, advocating for at-risk pregnant teenagers through The Knotts Group Home and contributing to the Trauma Resource Institute as a founding board member. Her commitment to trauma therapy and mental health is further demonstrated by her volunteer work in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Dr. Small's dedication to patient-centered care, medical education, and community advocacy is unwavering. She aims to inspire future healthcare professionals through her leadership at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, striving for excellence in family medicine and setting a standard for compassionate, comprehensive care. Her multifaceted contributions reflect a career devoted to advancing health and education both locally and beyond. In her free time, she enjoys watching all sports (Go Eagles!), collecting designer handbags, and spending time with her family on the East Coast.

Dr. Nehal Gandhi grew up in the suburbs of Chicago; earned her Bachelor of Science in General Biology from the University of California, San Diego; and her Doctor of Medicine degree from St. George's University in Grenada. She completed her Family Medicine Residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in California, where she served as the Associate Chief Resident in her final year prior to joining the teaching faculty. Dr. Gandhi is a strong advocate for "full-scope" primary care – practicing preventative medicine, hospital medicine, critical care/ICU medicine, and minor procedures both in clinic and inpatient. She truly values her relationship she can build and maintain with each of her patients. Research has played a large role in her journey throughout medicine. Dr. Gandhi's research includes NIH-funded studies on Pelvic Floor Disorders, method development to analyze pharmacokinetic profiles of novel medications, and examining the association between ABO blood groups and respiratory failure and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. She now serves as the Chair of the Research Committee. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, baking, watching sports (Chicago teams, of course), and spending time with her family - her husband, doggie, and their baby boy.

Dr. Nehemiah Chang has dedicated the past seven years to the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Family Medicine Department. He is committed to continuing the department's tradition of delivering compassionate patient care and training future leaders within the family medicine residency program. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys hiking and biking, activities that reflect his passion for the outdoors.

Dr. Christina Sugirtharaj has been with Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Family Medicine for the past 5 years. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University. She went on to get her Masters of Public Health at Loma Linda University and her Doctor of Medicine from Ross University School of Medicine. She trained in Family Medicine at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where she was chief resident before joining on as faculty. She is a dedicated Family Medicine Physician whose passion for patient care is matched only by her commitment to innovation and education in medicine. Her teaching style emphasizes collaborative learning and hands-on experience, ensuring that her residents are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of healthcare.