Health Professions Career Panel
October 22, 2026 | 4 – 6pm | Aztec Student Union: Templo Mayor
A rare opportunity to hear directly from eight accomplished healthcare professionals representing medicine, physician assistant practice, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, and veterinary medicine. Hear how they chose their professions, navigated their education and training, built careers that evolved over time, and discovered opportunities they may not have anticipated when they first entered healthcare.
Gain candid insight into the realities of their fields, the decisions that shaped their careers, and what they believe future health professionals should know before taking the next step. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions, learn from their firsthand experiences, and network directly with professionals across a variety of healthcare fields as you explore your own career path.
Whether you already know where you’re headed or are still deciding which profession is right for you, this is an opportunity to gain perspective, build meaningful connections, and discover the many directions a career in healthcare can take.
Dr. Kathryn Tringale, M.D., MAS
Title: Radiation Oncologist
Organization: UC San Diego Health
Kathryn Tringale, MD, MAS, is a radiation oncologist at UC San Diego who specializes in treating brain and spine cancers, leukemia, and lymphoma. She conducts clinical and translational research with a focus on advanced imaging to reduce toxicity of cancer treatment.
Dr. Ariana Feuvrier, M.D.
Title: Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine Physician
Organization: Ardeur Health
Ariana Feuvrier, MD is a board-certified Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine physician and founder of Ardeur Health, a private practice in San Diego. She was a pre-medical student at SDSU before attending the Medical University of South Carolina and completing her Internal Medicine residency at UC San Diego. She has worked across primary care, hospital medicine, medical education, and obesity medicine, with a career spanning both traditional clinical roles and entrepreneurship.
Paulina Perez-Curiel, PA-C
Title: Physician Assistant
Organization: Rady Children's Hospital
Paulina Perez-Curiel, PA-C specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rady Children's Hospital, where she cares for pediatric patients with acquired and congenital brain and spinal cord injuries resulting from various neurologic and traumatic conditions. She earned her undergraduate degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from SDSU and completed her physician assistant studies at Yale University.
Sandra Guzman Fineman, MPAS, PA-C
Title: Associate Vice President of the Center for Interprofessional Studies
Organization: Marhsall B. Ketchum University
Sandra Guzman Fineman, MPAS, PA-C, practiced primary care in Spanish-speaking communities for more than 20 years and became a founding faculty member of the School of PA Studies at Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU). She now serves as the Associate Vice President of the Center for Interprofessional Studies (CIPS) at MBKU, where she provides university-wide leadership for interprofessional education and collaborative practice across the University’s three health professions: Optometry, PA, and Pharmacy.
Dr. Steven A. Gold, DDS
Title: Coordinator of Digital Dentistry, Assistant Professor
Organization: Western University of Health Sciences
Dr. Steven Gold has over 30 years experience as a dentist in both full time practice and academics. He currently serves as assistant professor and Coordinator of Digital Dentistry at Western University of Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine in Pomona, California. He has been an invited speaker at major dental conferences both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Allen Chung, O.D.
Title: Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine Physician
Organization: Focal Optometry
Dr. Chung completed his Bachelor's Degree in Economics at UC San Diego, and then received his Doctorate of Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, California. Dr. Chung moved back to San Diego graduation and started a private practice Focal Optometry late 2019. Dr. Chung specializes in Myopia control, primary care optometry, and dry eye disease.
Dr. Patricia A. Conrad, DVM, Ph.D.
Title: Distinguished Professor Emerita
Organization: UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Patricia (Pat) Conrad is a Distinguished Professor Emerita at the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine. She looks forward to sharing with SDSU students her experience as a veterinarian and parasitologist to promote a collaborative ‘One Health’ approach that brings together veterinarians, physicians, scientists and environmental experts to tackle problems that impact animals, people and the environment in the USA and globally.
Dr. Justin Kinney, Pharm.D., M.A.
Title: Assistant Dean | Associate Professor | School of Pharmacy
Organization: Loma Linda University
Dr. Justin Kinney is a pharmacist dual specialized in Critical Care and Lifestyle Medicine. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy and completed two years of residency afterwards focusing on critical care and emergency medicine. Dr. Kinney is currently the Assistant Dean for Student Success and an Associate Professor at his alma mater with a clinical practice in the medical-ICU.