Meet the Faculty

Dr. Maria Malave-Gomez M.D. Dr María Malavé was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, and takes great pride in her roots. She graduated from Universidad Central de Venezuela’s Luis Razetti School of Medicine. Seeking greater opportunities, Dr. Malavé moved to the United States, where she completed her Family Medicine residency training at the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program in Bakersfield, CA. Dr. Malavé enjoys performing medical procedures and values the broad spectrum of conditions managed in family medicine. She is also passionate about teaching and takes pride in educating both her patients and medical students. For fun, Dr. Malavé considers herself a foodie and enjoys exploring new flavors, especially with her sister and friends.

Dr. Mandeep Bath M.D. Dr. Mandeep Kaur Bath, MD is a core faculty member in the Family Medicine Residency Program at Kern Medical Center, where she is dedicated to training the next generation of compassionate and skilled primary care physicians. She earned her medical degree from Vitebsk State Medical University and completed her Family Medicine residency at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, where she developed a strong interest in comprehensive, community-focused care. Dr. Bath’s clinical interests include preventive medicine, chronic disease management, women’s health, and the care of underserved populations. She is passionate about integrating evidence-based medicine with patient-centered approaches. Prior to joining the faculty, she practiced as a family medicine physician in Bakersfield and Niagara Falls, where she provided comprehensive care to diverse patient populations. Inspired by mentors who emphasized the importance of teaching and service, Dr. Bath joined the residency program to support learners in both their clinical and professional development. She is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment and helping residents build the skills needed to care for diverse patient populations. Outside of medicine, Dr. Bath enjoys spending time with her family, which helps maintain balance and connection to the community she serves.

Dr. Thiagarajan Nandhagopal M.D. Dr. Raj (Dr.Nandhagopal) is a board-certified physician in pediatrics, pediatric hospital medicine, and obesity medicine. He currently serves as the Chair of Family Medicine at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. After completing his pediatric residency in India, he immigrated to the U.S., where he pursued fellowships and board certification in these fields. Currently, he is expanding his work in research to advance clinical care. Outside of his professional life, Dr. Raj loves spending time with his wife, Nandhini, and their two sons, Neeraj and Tharun. Together, they enjoy family time on the tennis court, as well as relaxing with their dog, Jeb. An avid pickleball player and indoor chess enthusiast, Dr. Raj brings his strategic thinking and love of learning both to his patients and his family, always balancing dedication to care with a joyful home life.

Dr. Santhi Kanuri M.D. Dr. Kanuri is a board-certified family physician who was born and raised in India, where she developed a strong passion for family medicine and a deep commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Inspired by the importance of building lasting relationships with patients and promoting well-being across all stages of life, she pursued a career dedicated to serving diverse communities. She completed her residency training at Kern Medical in Bakersfield, California, where she gained extensive experience in comprehensive family medicine. During her training, Dr. Kanuri cared for patients from a wide range of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, further strengthening her dedication to accessible and holistic healthcare. Dr. Kanuri is a strong advocate for preventive medicine, healthy living, and patient education. She believes in empowering individuals and families to take an active role in their health through lifestyle modifications, routine screenings, and wellness-focused care. Outside of work, Dr. Kanuri is married and a proud mother of two children. She enjoys playing pickleball, cooking, gardening, and traveling with her family. Her balanced approach to life and healthcare reflects her commitment to overall well-being, both personally and professionally.

Jose Jota M.D I’m a board-certified Family Medicine physician with over 25 years of experience, currently practicing at Kern Medical’s Columbus Family Medicine Clinic in Bakersfield, California. I completed my residency at the Genesys Family Medicine Program in Grand Blanc, Michigan, where I practiced for about 10 years before moving to Nova Scotia, Canada. There, I worked as a full-scope rural family physician, providing everything from outpatient and hospital care to emergency services and neonatal resuscitation. Rural medicine meant wearing many hats—often with long hours and 24-hour call—but it was incredibly rewarding. Along the way, I’ve also been involved in teaching and mentorship as a residency preceptor with Dalhousie University, and I worked as an International Medical Graduate Assessor in Nova Scotia, helping support access to primary care. I joined Kern Medical because I’m passionate about teaching and excited to help train the next generation of family physicians through its growing residency program. Outside of work, I enjoy getting outdoors—hiking, exploring national parks, swimming, and cycling. I used to compete in triathlons and completed an Ironman 70.3 at age 56.