Current Residents
Benjamin Pope, MD
My name in Ben Pope, originally from Tempe, Arizona. I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Arizona State University, where I developed a deep interest in understanding the complexities of the human mind. During my studies, I worked as a preschool teacher at ASU’s on-campus preschool, supporting children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and other developmental disabilities. That experience solidified my passion for child and adolescent psychiatry, a field in which I plan to pursue fellowship training.
I attended the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson and am happy to now call Tucson home. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my partner, cooking, baking, and exploring new restaurants.
Marlene Gonzalez-Anguiano, MD
My name is Marlene Gonzalez-Anguiano, and I was raised in the small border town of Douglas, Arizona. After graduating from high school, I joined the Navy Reserve and earned an associate degree from Cochise College. I then transferred to the University of Arizona, where I began my path toward a career in medicine—ultimately completing both my bachelor’s degree and medical school there. I’ve lived in Tucson for the past eight years, and it has truly become my second home.
I chose El Rio Health to pursue my psychiatry training because I wanted to go to a program where I could continue working with underserved communities and give back to a community that is similar to the one that raised me. I’m thrilled to continue my training in Tucson, especially at a program that values community advocacy and fosters a supportive, inclusive environment.
Osama Mobayed, MD
My name is Osama Mobayed, a Syrian American raised in San Diego, CA. I studied Biology at UC Irvine and later worked as a tutor, supporting K–12 students, ACT/SAT prep, and teaching Arabic on weekends. I went on to attend A.T. Still University–Arizona for medical school, where I had the opportunity to rotate in Phoenix, New York, and Tucson.
Over the past year, Tucson has quickly become a second home. I’ve come to value its sense of community, family-owned businesses, and natural beauty. My decision to pursue psychiatry training at El Rio Health grew out of my rotation there, where I was struck by the genuine compassion shown not only to patients but also within the team itself.
My passion for serving the underserved began early, shaped by witnessing the humanitarian crises in the Middle East. El Rio has given me the opportunity to honor that calling in a community I admire and feel proud to serve.
Peter Somoza, MD
I’m originally from Phoenix, AZ, and completed my undergraduate, graduate, and medical education at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. Before medical school, I worked in behavioral health serving underserved patients, which gave me firsthand insight into the challenges of accessing equitable mental health care. These experiences strengthened my commitment to psychiatry and deepened my dedication to advancing health equity through compassionate, culturally responsive care.
During my audition rotation at El Rio, I was inspired by the program’s mission to serve underserved communities and support Tucson’s large Spanish-speaking population. I felt welcomed by the supportive leadership and faculty and found a strong alignment between El Rio’s mission and my own dedication to community service, advocacy, and expanding access to mental health care.