Division of Hospital Medicine
At the Division of Hospital Medicine at City of Hope in Duarte, California, we view our part of the cancer patient's journey as a great privilege and responsibility. Hospitalists are physicians who focus on caring for patients admitted to the hospital. Hospitalists inform the primary physician of the inpatient admission, coordinate care and ensure a safe transition out of the hospital.
Our Duarte team comprises 18 faculty members and advanced practice providers from the Evaluation and Treatment Center and the hospitalist and nocturnist groups. This unique structure allows us to transition our patients from admission through treatment to discharge seamlessly.
We strive to be a leading hospitalist program for inpatients. Our mission is to provide patient-centered care through clear communication, empathy for patients, family members and staff, and collaboration with members of subspecialty teams.
Our Hospital Medicine Team

Hayder Alzubaidi, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Medicine at City of Hope in Los Angeles.

Cornelia Banciu-Odell, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, at City of Hope in Southern California.

For Augen Batou, D.O., being a hospitalist enables him to serve himself by serving others. The son of a pharmacist, he has had a passion for medicine since he was young.

Maria Olivia Ortiz Castillo, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hospital Medicine.

Catherine Chan, D.O., is a an assistant clinical professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine at City of Hope.

Michael Dittmar, M.D., specializes in internal medicine, considering every organ system from head to toe. He is a natural team leader — preferring to serve as primary physician for his patients, he keeps communication at the crux of his clinical practice.

Thao Do, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Medicine and a nocturnist, who is committed to ensuring that patients are treated with respect and thoughtfulness and that they receive the multidisciplinary care they deserve during overnight hospital stays.

Kourosh Golestany, M.D., is an associate clinical professor, Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine.

Ravindra Kumar Guruswamy, M.D., M.P.H., is a urologic surgeon specializing in bladder cancer and surgical treatment.

Niroshan Kirupananthan, M.D., considers the opportunity to help improve his patients’ quality of life to be the most satisfying part of his work as a physician.

Pritiben Patel, M.D., M.B.A., is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Medicine at City of Hope.

Mohammad Sadi, M.D., is a nocturnist in the Department of Medicine at City of Hope.

Kristen Shields, D.O., is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Medicine at City of Hope.

Dr. Siddiqui is an assistant clinical professor of medicine in the Department of Medicine.

Jay Varughese, M.D., clinical professor and Chief, Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine.

Jeff Wade, M.D., is a hospitalist and associate clinical professor in the Department of Medicine.

Monique White-Dominguez, D.O., a hospitalist and associate clinical professor in the Department of Medicine.