Dignity Health Merced | helloHealthy | Summer 2019

2 DignityHealth.org/Merced | Summer 2019 Dr. Gallardo, radiation oncologist Raised in Whittier, Dr. Gallardo completed his medical training and residency at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Before joining the Mercy UC Davis Cancer Center, he ran a private practice clinic near Visalia that specialized in brachytherapy (radioactive implant treatments) for prostate cancer. In Merced, he treats all types of cancer. What drew Dr. Gallardo to the Mercy UC Davis Cancer Center was the opportunity to join a very experienced, skilled team that uses the latest radiation therapy equipment and that works closely together with other specialists for the benefit of patients. “Mercy offers a comprehensive cancer center in the truest sense of the word,” he says. When he’s not seeing patients, Dr. Gallardo enjoys reading historical nonfiction and classic literature. (He’s currently reading Tolstoy’s epic War and Peace .) Travel, especially to Italy, is another passion for Dr. Gallardo. In many ways, being a cancer doctor is different from other specialties. “People are at a very uncertain time once they have been diagnosed,” Dr. Gallardo says. Being there to treat and support his patients is a role he approaches with genuine empathy. “I want my patients to know I do care,” he says. Nice to meet you! Give a warmwelcome to these newphysicians in our community David Gallardo, MD , has joined the Mercy UC Davis Cancer Center. Natasha Kyte, MD , is now practicing at Dignity Health Medical Group – Merced. Dr. Kyte, internal medicine doctor Even as a young girl growing up in the San Gabriel Valley, Dr. Kyte wanted to be a doctor. “I was a pretty precocious child,” she says. “And I wanted to get to know people.” As an internal medicine physician, or internist, getting to know her patients at the core of who they are and helping to restore them to whole-person health is what Dr. Kyte tries to do on a daily basis. Dr. Kyte earned her medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She completed her residency at Danbury Hospital (a community-based program) in Connecticut. Before joining Dignity Health, she worked as a primary care physician in Modesto. One of the things that attracted her to Dignity Health Medical Group – Merced is their faith-based mission. Dr. Kyte enjoys traveling and being active outdoors, including hiking. “It’s good to have those peaceful moments of solace where you can reflect,” she says. For Dr. Kyte, the doctor-patient relationship is a journey. “I try to learn about my patients and help them to maintain their health or achieve optimum health,” she says. “I want them to be empowered to take care of their health.” Learn more about all of our physicians at dignityhealth.org/ourdoctors .