Board
Mission Statement
Golden Physicians Medical Group’s mission is to provide the best primary medical care, in a respectful and culturally sensitive manner and to improve the health and wellness of the diverse communities of San Diego County. Our goals are to provide the highest quality care in a cost-efficient way and to deliver exceptional customer service always with a human touch.
Vision Statement
Golden Physicians Medical Group’s vision is to positively change how health care is delivered by independent physicians to culturally diverse communities. Becoming the highest performing physician group, achieving exceptional customer service and delivering innovative programs are guiding principles that will improve the health and wellness of our patient communities and provide primary care physicians with a positive, meaningful and sustainable platform. We aim to be the voice of independent physicians and to ensure the patient’s good health will always be our first concern.
Board of Directors
Dat Nguyen MD
President and Chairman of the board
Dr. Dat Nguyen, is an Internal Medicine Specialist in San Diego, CA and has over 20 years of experience in the medical field He graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2000. Afterwards, he completed a residency in Internal Medicine at New York University Downtown Hospital and he completed a second residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Southern California - LAC+USC Medical Center. Currently, Dr. Nguyen is a hospitalist at Alvarado Hospital Medical Center in San Diego.
Valerie altavas, MD
Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Valerie Altavas, is board-certified in Internal Medicine and has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. She graduated from the University Of Santo Tomas, Faculty Of Medicine And Surgery Medical School and completed her residency at Maimonides Medical Center in New York. Dr. Altavas is a member of the American College of Physicians and she is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine. Currently, Dr. Altavas runs a private outpatient practice in National City as a primary care physician and she is fluent in English, Tagalog, and Spanish.
IRINEO TIANGCO, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Irineo Tiangco, has been practicing in National City for over 25 years now. He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and did his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-RWJUH (member of the winning team in the medical jeopardy contest.) He has won some awards including being the first 2 time winner of the Doctor of the Year award at Paradise Valley Hospital. He has been president, and loyal member, of the Philippine Medical Association (often moonlighting there as an emcee.) He is a board member of the San Diego County Medical Association. This year he was blessed with his first grandchild, Vincent. He is a strong believer/practitioner of " an ounce of prevention is way better than a pound of cure! "
Abel Toledo, MD
Secretary
Dr. Abel Toledo, graduated from Peru University Federico Villareal in Lima. After graduation, he worked several years in rural Peru and Lima's low-income suburban communities. Dr. Toledo then completed a Radiology residence in Peru and a Neuroradiology fellowship in Toronto, Canada during which time he studied and wrote a JCAT paper on optic nerves chiasma and tracts measurements in optic atrophy and normal subjects. After completing his Neuroradiology fellowship, Dr. Toledo completed his Family Practice residence in Peoria, Illinois in America. Since 1986, Dr. Toledo has served in many rural communities including Newfoundland and Nova-Scotia in Canada and rural Kansas in America. Since 2001, Dr. Toledo has been in private practice serving the communities of South Bay San Diego and he is affiliated with Scripps Chula Vista hospital. Dr. Toledo is married to Susana Toledo with three grown children and he enjoys surfing, swimming, and sailing. Lastly, Dr. Toledo is a history buff, and he loves good cinematography, classical music, and football.
Jimi Benson, MD
Committe Chair, Hospitalist Team
Dr. Jimi Benson, is board-certified in Internal Medicine. He received his medical degree from Howard University College Medicine and completed his internship and residency training at Howard University Hospital in Washington DC. He’s the current president of the National Medical Association San Diego Chapter. He is currently in private practice at Broadway Medical Clinic in El Cajon,CA. He is affiliated with several hospitals in the local San Diego Area including Sharp Grossmont and Chula Vista Hospitals, Scripps Chula Hospital, Paradise Valley Hospital, and Alvarado Parkway institute.
Jose R. Lopez, MD
Committee co-chair, utilization
management committee (UMC)
Dr. Jose R. Lopez, is a Internal Medicine Primary Care Physician and has over 40 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Lopez received his medical degree from The Military Medical School of Mexico. Later he earned his internship and residency from Cornell University and catholic medical center. He continued his medical training and completed a fellowship at St. Francis Hospital The Heart Center in Flower Hill, New York. Dr. Lopez is board certified in Internal Medicine and has been serving the diverse communities of South Bay San Diego since 1988.
