Peter Lai, MD, serves as the Medical Director of Community Hospice & Health Services. Dr. Lai practiced interventional cardiology at Sutter Gould Medical Foundation for more than 30 years before joining Community Hospice & Health Services on September 1, 2021. He earned his medical degree from the National University of Singapore, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Mayo Clinic, and a Cardiology fellowship at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Lai is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Interventional Cardiology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (FSCAI). He is also a member of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Dr. Lai’s decision to focus on hospice care is deeply personal. After decades in cardiology, he witnessed the compassion and support his father received while in hospice care in New Jersey, where he passed away at age 106. This experience inspired Dr. Lai to dedicate himself to supporting patients and families at life’s most vulnerable moments.

He approaches care guided by the principle, “To cure sometimes, to relieve often, and to comfort always.” In hospice care, where curative treatment is no longer the goal, he focuses on relieving difficult symptoms. This helps patients and their families experience greater comfort, clarity. He also believes that earlier hospice involvement can make a meaningful difference. It helps patients and families, maximize both time and quality of care.

Nahera Adams, MD, is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine with eight years of clinical experience. He completed his medical education at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara and New York Medical College.

Dr. Adams takes a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to care. He emphasizes clear communication, respects patient choices, and carefully manages all aspects of a patient’s health. His goal is to ensure that patients and families feel informed, supported, and truly heard throughout every step of their care journey.

For Dr. Adams, hospice medicine is a calling rooted in presence and compassion. He believes that comfort, dignity, and a sense of peace are essential at every stage of life. In hospice care, he focuses on creating space for patients and families to be together, providing compassionate and respectful support that allows them to make the most of their time, share meaningful moments, and experience care that truly honors their values.

Miguel Hernandez, MD, is an Associate Medical Director and a board-certified physician specializing in Family Medicine with 26 years of clinical experience. He earned his medical degree from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Hernandez was drawn to hospice medicine by a commitment to compassionate care and presence during life’s final stage. He prioritizes truly listening to patients and families, creating trust and meaningful connections, and ensuring that each individual’s wishes guide every aspect of their care.

In his leadership role, Dr. Hernandez brings decades of clinical experience and a steady, empathetic presence to the hospice team. He focuses on helping patients and their loved ones feel supported, secure, and able to spend meaningful time together, while receiving care that honors their values and priorities.

Andrew Ho, MD, is an Associate Medical Director and a board-certified physician specializing in Internal Medicine and Palliative Care with 21 years of clinical experience. He is fluent in Spanish and earned his medical degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara and New York Medical College.

His experience managing complex hospital cases deepened his commitment to compassionate, patient-centered end-of-life care. Dr. Ho greatly values the meaningful impact Community Hospice & Health Services has in supporting patients and families throughout the valley.

Dr. Ho understands that every patient and family has a unique story. He prioritizes compassionate listening and open communication to truly understand what matters most to each individual. By providing thoughtful guidance and personalized support, he helps families find comfort and confidence as they navigate the hospice journey together.

Tabish Jalal, MD, Internist, is board-certified in Internal Medicine with over 20 years of clinical experience. She earned her medical degree from the University of Karachi / Sindh Medical College and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Jalal has personal experiences with Community Hospice & Health Services, making hospice and palliative care especially meaningful to her. She is fluent in Urdu, allowing her to communicate effectively with Urdu-speaking patients and families while providing culturally sensitive care.

Her approach to patient care emphasizes compassion, clear communication, and respect for individual patient goals. She ensures patients feel supported and heard throughout their care journey.

Sithu Lin, MD, is an Associate Medical Director and a board-certified physician specializing in Nephrology with 17 years of clinical experience. He earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine in Yangon, Myanmar.

Dr. Lin takes a patient-centered approach to hospice care, focusing on comfort, dignity, and care shaped to each individual. He ensures that every care plan reflects the patient’s values, wishes, and priorities, providing support that is compassionate, attentive, and responsive to what matters most to patients and their families.

In his role as Associate Medical Director, Dr. Lin combines clinical expertise with empathetic leadership, working closely with the interdisciplinary hospice team to provide high-quality, personalized care. His goal is to help patients and their loved ones share meaningful time, knowing that their unique needs are at the heart of every decision.

Bao Nguyen, MD, is a board-certified physician specializing in Family Medicine with 21 years of clinical experience. He earned his medical degree from St. George’s University.

Dr. Nguyen takes a holistic approach to care, grounded in empathy and a deep respect for each person he serves. He sees patients as whole individuals, not defined by their illness, and tailors his care to honor their unique needs, values, and life circumstances.

For Dr. Nguyen, hospice medicine is a calling to support patients and families during life’s most vulnerable moments. He focuses on providing compassionate care that fosters comfort, dignity, and meaningful connection, allowing patients and their loved ones to share quality time while receiving care that truly honors their values.

Thong Nguyen, MD, is an Associate Medical Director, hospitalist, and board-certified physician specializing in Internal Medicine with 26 years of clinical experience. Raised in the Central Valley, Dr. Nguyen completed his residency training at San Joaquin General Hospital in Stockton. He also served as chief resident in 1998. Since then, he has dedicated his career to serving the Modesto community as a primary care doctor and hospitalist at Memorial Medical Center and Doctors Medical Center. From 2003 to 2005, he served as medical director of the Sutter Gould hospitalist program, further contributing to local healthcare leadership.

Dr. Nguyen earned his medical degree from the State University of New York Health Science Center in Brooklyn. He chose hospice medicine out of a deep commitment to comfort-focused care and supporting patients and families through life’s most sensitive moments. He is passionate about educating the community on the value of hospice care and helping families understand how it can enrich their time together.

His approach to care is grounded in honesty, respect, and connection. Dr. Nguyen works to ensure patients and their families feel supported, informed, and empowered, allowing them to focus on what truly matters: sharing meaningful, quality time while receiving compassionate, individualized care.

Aidan Vuong, DO, is a board-certified physician specializing in Family Medicine and serves as Associate Medical Director at Community Hospice & Health Services. He earned his medical degree from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).

For Dr. Vuong, hospice medicine is about helping patients and families find peace, clarity, and connection during one of life’s most profound transitions. He believes every patient’s journey is unique, and he works to tailor care in ways that reflect each person’s story and priorities. His focus is on providing guidance, reassurance, and comfort so families feel supported and confident in every step of the process.

Guided by the principle, “Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always,” Dr. Vuong collaborates closely with the interdisciplinary team to create meaningful moments for patients and their loved ones, ensuring care honors their values while maximizing the quality of time they share.