Dr. Karina Melgar

u201CI get the most satisfaction when I connect with a patient and weu2019re able to smile together.u201DrnrnInfluenced by her family, Ana Karina Melgar, MD, chose a career in family medicine, believing it would allow her to have the greatest impact on her community-at-large. As a primary care physician, she enjoys establishing long-term relationships with her patients. She sees her role as a caregiver and health advocate, helping to educate and empower her patients so theyu2019re able to make decisions that will improve their health.rnrnDr. Melgar was born in El Salvador and migrated to the United States as a child. She is fluent in both Spanish and English. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she taught kindergarten in Los Angeles for five years before deciding to return to school to pursue medicine. In 2011, she completed her medical degree at UC Davis School of Medicine, and soon followed with a residency at Long Beach Memorial Family Medicine and a community medicine fellowship at Kaiser Permanente Orange County.rnrnDr. Melgaru2019s passion for what she does is carried through in her volunteer work. Her strong desire to provide care for the underserved as well as to mentor students has prompted her to volunteer at the Lestonnac Free Clinic in Orange, act as medical advisor at the student run free clinic, An Lanh Clinic, in Garden Grove, and mentor students from UCI and Western University.rnrnIn her spare time, Dr. Melgar enjoys spending time with her very large, extended family, her dog or out and about exploring the city she loves and currently calls home, Long Beach. She enjoys running, spinning, yoga, soccer, snowboarding and dancing.