Team

Physicians

Matthew Brigger, M.D., M.P.H., Division Chief; Director, Aerodigestive Clinic; Professor of Surgery, UC San Diego

Daniela S. Carvalho, M.D., M.M.M., Medical Director of Surgical Services; Director, Hearing Program; and Clinical Professor of Surgery, UC San Diego

  Tzyynong (Tina) Friesen, M.D., Director, ENT Resident Training Program, Associate Physician, UC San Diego

Wen Jiang, M.D., Director, Pediatric Thyroid Clinic and Co-Director, Speech and Voice Clinic; Clinical Professor of Surgery, UC San Diego

Elina Kari, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, UC San Diego

Shelby C. Leuin, M.D, FACS, Chief of Staff Elect; Program Director, Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship; Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery, UC San Diego

Anthony E. Magit, M.D., Associate Chief Medical Officer, Rady Children’s Hospital; Director, Human Research Protections Program, UC San Diego; Clinical Professor of Surgery, UC San Diego

  Vijay A. Patel, M.D.

  Jeremy Yang, M.D., Associate Professor, UC San Diego

Physician Assistants

Megan Buse, PA-C
Megan is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, and joined our team in May 2022. She completed her undergraduate studies in Health Science at the University of Kentucky. After graduating, she immediately began earning her master’s degree in physician assistant studies at South College in Knoxville, Tenn. It was there that she met her fiancée, who is also a physician assistant and originally from San Diego. Megan moved to San Diego after graduation and was excited to begin her career practicing pediatric otolaryngology. She had previously volunteered at children’s hospitals in Cincinnati and Lexington, and developed a passion for the ear, nose and throat field through her studies and clinical rotations. In her free time, Megan likes to travel, try new restaurants and spend time with her family, friends and dog.

Sallie Cataldo, PA-C
Sallie’s journey with Rady Children’s Hospital started when she was an ear, nose and throat patient at just 2 years old. She needed two sets of ear tubes; her ears have been great ever since. Sallie completed her undergraduate studies in biology at Gonzaga University. After graduating, she began working at Rady Children’s as a volunteer in the Warren Family Surgical Center. There, she would check patients in for their surgical procedures and assist families through the entire process, from pre-op to discharge. It was during this time that Sallie developed a passion for serving this community and knew it was where she wanted to start her career as a healthcare provider. Sallie has a Master of Physician Assistant Practice from the Keck School of Medicine of USC.  In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family and friends, practice yoga, cook and travel.

Virginia Floco, PA-C
Virginia joined our team in 2017 after working in otolaryngology at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego and Sharp Rees Stealy Medical Group for 10 years. She has expanded her position with our team by assisting in our multidisciplinary Aerodigestive Clinic, working to further develop our program.  After earning her physician assistant degree at Pace University in New York City in 2006, Virginia earned a master’s degree in human nutrition at the University of New Haven. In 2008, she was offered a physician assistant position in head and neck surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital, where she cared for patients with complex conditions.  In her spare time, Virginia enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, friends and family. She loves to cook and explore new places.

Anita Lazar, PA-C
Anita has worked in pediatric otolaryngology for the past four years and joined our team in 2018, coming from Texas. She attended the University of North Texas Health Science, where she received her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies. She started her PA career in family medicine ,which is where her passion for working with pediatric patients developed. Anita also has a passion for medical missions. Over the years, she has been on medical mission trips to Central America and the Middle East. In her free time, Anita enjoys exploring all the beauty of Southern California, exercising, hiking, going to the beach and spending time with family and friends.

Kristina McCauley, PA-C
Kristina joined our team in 2018 and quickly fell in love with pediatric otolaryngology. No stranger to Rady Children’s Hospital, she started her journey here as a surgical physician assistant in cardiovascular surgery, where she was able to develop many of her clinical and surgical skills as a practitioner and first assistant in the operating room. After four years in this role, she accepted a position with ENT.  Kristina graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies. She completed one year of clinical field training with a focus in surgery. After completing her program, Kristina was able to move back home to San Diego, and she started her first position as an Urgent Care PA for Sharp Community Medical Group. It was here that she realized her passion for working with pediatric patients. Born and raised in this beautiful city, Kristina enjoys the beach and ocean more than just about anything. In her free time, she enjoys surfing, sailing, exercising, baking and spending time or traveling with her husband, family and friends.