Welcoming Our New GME Internal Medicine Chief Residents
Sierra View Medical Center is proud to introduce the 2025 Chief Residents for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. As our third GME class enters its final year, we celebrate a new chapter of leadership and mentorship. Dr. Tiffani Barham, Dr. Sharanya Thiagarajan, and Dr. Kiran Wasiq have been selected to serve as this year’s Chief Residents. Each brings a unique background, strong sense of purpose, and a commitment to improving both the residency experience and the care we provide to our community.
Tiffani Barham, MD
A Southern California native, Dr. Tiffani Barham was born and raised in Orange County. She earned her undergraduate degree at UC San Diego before attending California Northstate University College of Medicine in Elk Grove.
Dr. Barham’s interest in medicine began with a love for biology and physiology, but her career path was truly shaped by her time working as a medical scribe during college. That hands-on experience with physicians helped solidify her decision to pursue medicine. She developed a passion for hospitalist medicine due to its team-based nature, variety of cases, and the opportunity to make meaningful progress in acute settings.
Dr. Barham chose Sierra View for residency to stay close to family and to train in a close-knit, community-based hospital. She felt that a smaller, more personal setting would offer stronger relationships, meaningful mentorship, and a well-rounded experience that aligns with her long-term goals as a future community physician.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to help shape this program for current and future residents in a way that would best serve our training,” said Dr. Barham. “Not only does this include brainstorming creative wellness ideas, but also ways to tackle workflow problems and provide a listening ear for my colleagues. Ultimately, I would like to leave a legacy of kindness and care.”
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Barham has a big heart for animals—especially cats—and dedicates her free time to caring for the stray cat population in Tulare County.
Sharanya Thiagarajan, MD
Dr. Sharanya Thiagarajan considers herself a true Californian, though her story spans across the country and around the world. Born and raised in Southern California, she spent part of her childhood in Mississippi and New York before settling in Porterville in sixth grade. She is a proud graduate of St. Anne’s School and Harmony Magnet Academy. She later earned her undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley before traveling to Grenada for medical school.
Before starting medical school, she had the opportunity to conduct research in Athens, Greece, studying the Mediterranean diet and its association with vascular dementia. While she found research rewarding, she realized her heart belonged in clinical medicine—where she could build meaningful relationships with patients and families. Her late grandfather’s journey inspired her belief in a more holistic, multifactorial approach to medicine—one that looks beyond symptoms to address the whole person.
Choosing Sierra View for residency was a full-circle moment for Dr. Thiagarajan. Porterville is home, and the opportunity to train alongside her mother—also a physician at Sierra View—has been incredibly special.
“As Chief Resident, my goal is to provide our community with a safe, supportive environment during what is often one of the most challenging and uncertain times in a person’s life. I also hope to foster a strong sense of camaraderie within our residency program, encouraging both community outreach and scholarly activities that will continue to elevate the quality of care we provide,” said Dr. Thiagarajan.
In addition to medicine, she enjoys traveling and finding new ways to connect her global experiences to her work in Porterville.
Kiran Wasiq, MD
Dr. Kiran Wasiq began her journey in Lahore, Pakistan, where she completed her foundational education at Kinnaird College for Women University. She went on to earn her medical degree from Shalamar Medical and Dental College, gaining clinical experience across a range of healthcare settings that reinforced her passion for patient-centered care and service.
Dr. Wasiq was inspired to pursue medicine by her father’s experience with leiomyosarcoma—a personal journey that continues to motivate her work today. She chose Sierra View Medical Center for its strong emphasis on hands-on training and its mission to serve the Central Valley community.
“As Chief Resident, I want to serve as a strong advocate for my peers, to bridge communication between residents and leadership, and to drive meaningful program growth,” said Dr. Wasiq. “I am deeply committed to support every member of our team, especially incoming residents by fostering a culture of collaboration, resilience, and lifelong learning. Through mentorship, open dialogue, and shared dedication, I aim to strengthen our residency community and elevate the standard of care we provide.”
As these new Chief Residents take on their leadership roles, Sierra View Medical Center looks forward to a year of continued growth, innovation, and collaboration within the Internal Medicine Residency Program. Congratulations to Dr. Barham, Dr. Thiagarajan, and Dr. Wasiq—your commitment to education, compassion, and excellence will inspire those around you.
