OB/GYN Faculty - Tacoma Family Medicine Residency

Monica Abbi, MD, MSCP, dipABLM

Associate Program Director, Medical Director, OB Access Clinic and MultiCare ObGyn Associates

Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Medical School: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India
Residency: Wayne State University, Detroit
Clinical interests: Women’s Health

I was born and raised in India where I went to medical school in a university that focused on the urban underserved population along with the countless people coming in from the surrounding rural areas for medical care. With a strong desire to contribute to women’s health and well-being, I pursued an OB/GYN residency. I was working as OB/GYN faculty there when my life took an interesting turn and brought me to my new home, the United States of America!

Soon after I did my second OB/GYN residency in Detroit, I was drawn to the TFM residency and Rural Fellowship program. My work here enables me to pursue my passion for taking care of women, be a part of the teaching and training of future generations of physicians while continuing to grow both personally and professionally. I treasure the opportunity to share my clinical experiences from across the globe with the fellows and residents, for a diverse and broader perspective of both medicine and women’s healthcare and needs.

In my free time, I love hanging out with my family and my friends – both indoors and outdoors. I dabble in cooking and gardening. I enjoy traveling and music. And yes, I do enjoy Bollywood music and movies as well. Oh, and the game of cricket too!

AJ Enciso, MD

Languages: English, Tagalog, a little bit of French
Hometown: Quezon City, Philippines/ Rolla, Missouri
Medical School: University of Missouri Health Care
Residency: University of Missouri Health Care
Clinical interests: High risk obstetric care, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery

The two career pathways that my Sorting Hat vacillated between were medicine and education. I am fortunate enough to have found a position where I can do both here at TFM.

I carry a strong passion in providing the best possible care for every single one of our patients, especially those in a vulnerable position. This sentiment applies to both our patients today as well as the future patients that our graduates will encounter in the future.

When I am not in scrubs holding our trainees to high clinical standards, I like to spend time at home with my family (human and fur), dabble in creative endeavors such as photography, make a mess in the kitchen, and scroll social media for advice on how to be a good parent.

Christina Hitchcock, MD

Languages: English, some Spanish
Hometown: Gig Harbor, WA, but grew up in Van Nuys CA
Medical School: Chicago Medical School 1993
Residency: Transition Internship year then OB-GYN residency at Bakersfield CA as well as University of CA, Los Angeles, Associate Professor to University of WA
Military: US Navy, LT Commander. My son was born at Balboa Navy Medical Center in California
Clinical Interests: High risk obstetrics, gynecological surgery

I love being able to empower a patient with knowledge of her own health conditions. I love it when I see the little light bulb go off!

I have been here at MOGA since November of 2021. High Risk obstetrics is a passion of mine, as is gynecological surgery with the DaVinci robotic system for patients needing surgery. I am an Advanced Life Support Obstetrics Instructor as well. I enjoy providing the highest level of care to every individual. All women have the right to great healthcare.

A person can continue working at their job if they are feeling “complete.” MOGA has become my second family, with my son and mom my first. Our group has a good balance of teachers from experienced to recently graduated. We grow with knowledge together. We enjoy each other’s company and stories. The group’s strength is the long-term occupants, tight cohesion, friendly bonding, proactive thinkers and problem solvers. We all bring many traits to make us feel “more complete.” Many times, we have to think outside the box because each patient is not a textbook patient. We can all have busy nights on call and there is always someone to help pick you up if needed, because we all have been there.

When I am not working, I am enjoying the company of my son, a UW student in the College of Engineering. We like to go camping, boating, hiking, bicycle riding, exploring nature- even if it is on an exotic island surrounded by clear blue water or a mountain filled with various wildflowers and wildlife or have it blanketed in fresh snow. My Shih Tzus try to join us outside when possible. Here in Washington, I am blessed that we don’t have to travel far to be close to such stunning beauties of Mother Nature. I like to garden in the Spring and summer and can some goodness for later!

Mira Henien, MD

Languages: English
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA
Residency: Inove Fairfax Medical Campus in Fairfax, VA
Clinical interests: I practice full scope obstetrics and gynecology, but my particular clinical interests include minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and reproductive medicine. I have a particular interest in management and work up of infertility as well as recurrent pregnancy loss. My clinical interest also includes adolescent gynecology, family planning, with a focus of equitable access to reproductive services.

I grew up outside of Philadelphia with a very large, very loud Egyptian family trying to mesh into their new world as immigrants. I found striking a balance between two different cultures challenging and naturally surrounded myself with people going through the same struggle. It gave me a unique opportunity to learn from people of all walks of life. Because of this, I began to prioritize similar opportunities in building my career.

I went on to school in Washington, DC and medical school back in Philly. I worked at Covenant House as well as The Eliza Shirley House as an advocacy coordinator through medical school. During training, I had the opportunity to care for many patients with extreme socioeconomic barriers to care. I subsequently worked as a laborist in the DC area, serving as a safety net provider for patients with no care or minimal prenatal care. These experiences gave me a deeper understanding of the profound inequities within our healthcare system, implicit biases, and beyond.

This foundation led me to work here in Tacoma! My background has instilled a strong passion for teaching, with a focus on providing access to the most vulnerable populations. The OB Access Clinic takes care of some of the most high-risk patients in the area with similar barriers to care. All the clinicians strive to provide the most empathetic, evidence-based care. I wanted to work in an environment that demonstrates this in leadership and works to educate the next generation of clinicians to bring this type of practice into their community.

Outside of medicine, I love to spend time with my husband Ayman and new baby Nico. I try and see family and friends as much as possible. I am overall a Philly girl at heart, so I’ll take any chance to go see the Eagles or any Philly sports team. I also love to travel, run, ski, do yoga, or just be lazy with my 2 cats.

Jenny Lambrecht, MD

Languages: English
Hometown: Sterling, CO
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, NE
Residency: Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, NE
Clinical interests:As an OBGYN, I am interested in providing full spectrum care. My training and clinical interests have led me to enjoy being involved in high-risk obstetrical care, menopausal medicine, and pelvic floor health. I am passionate about providing evidence-based, patient-centered care. I love advocating for patients in and outside the exam room to improve access to reproductive healthcare. As a faculty member, I value the time I spend teaching, mentoring, and learning with the next generation of OB providers.

Outside of the walls of the hospital, I enjoy spending time outdoors. On my time off, you’ll find me hiking and backpacking with my cute dog and partner. I like to quench my need for speed by cruising on my bicycle. Although I value any time I can get to travel far, experience delicious foods and creative cultures, I am also happy spending time working on jigsaw puzzles or playing board games with friends.

Esther Park-Hwang, MD

Languages: English, Korean
Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Residency: University of Illinois
Post Residency Education: Washington State University, MBA
Clinical Interests: Maternal health, High risk pregnancies, Abnormal uterine bleeding, Cervical pathology, PCOS, Menopause, Lifestyle medicine, Weight management, Health Equity/disparity, clinical research

Passion: I have always been passionate about teaching and sharing what I know with learners from all backgrounds whether they be patients, nurses, APPs, MAs, students, Residents, fellows and colleagues. Our time in medicine is short and there is much to share with each other from the experiences we all have practicing medicine.

Growing up, I watched my father provide primary care services to the Medicaid and Medicare population in an ethnic community. I understand the great need for healthcare access for these and other individuals with limited resources. This knowledge has been the source of energy and grit needed to start a nonprofit clinic with regular free clinics in our community. Health disparity is real and alleviating the disparity to provide equity in health care changes peoples’ lives now and in the future. Health education and resources are key element to start a movement to create healthy communities and a brighter future. It starts with one patient at a time and one community at a time.

The Tacoma Family Medicine Residency program offers exceptional experience and training in caring for patients from all walks of life and background. I am proud to be part of the TFM team for the last 25+ years of my career, working and learning with residents, fellows and colleagues.