Ruben Gomez is a Northern California native and attended the University of California Berkeley. He graduated from the City College of San Francisco Radiation Therapy program and worked for 7 years at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. He moved to Southern California and worked for 5 years at Glendale Memorial Hospital as a staff therapist for two years and then was promoted to Chief Therapist for the remainder of his time. He started working at UCLA in 1992 as a Radiation Therapist and in 2002 took over as Chief Radiation Therapist.
Hussen Abdelhayi has been a staff member of UCLA since April 2007. Before becoming a Radiation Therapist, he graduated from Long Beach City College with an Associate Degree of Sciences in Radiological Technologist. He then continued his educations at Loma Linda University where he earned his certificate in Radiation Therapy. He is a member of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Kelly Clark is a Southern California native and a graduate of CSU Long Beach. She completed a BA in Liberal Studies and continued her education at CSULB where she earned a BS in Radiation Therapy. In 1998, Kelly joined UCLA Radiation Oncology, became a certified member of ARRT and ASRT. She is currently Associate Chief Therapist.
Kendra Pedersen is a relatively new addition to the UCLA team, having arrived just this February 2008. Growing up in Colorado, she moved to Southern California to attend Long Beach State University and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Radiation Therapy. When she doesn't have her nose buried in a book during the lunch hour, she enjoys the interactions with her patients and becoming part of the UCLA family.
Carol Sutton was trained in Radiography and Radiation Therapy in Johannesburg, South Africa. There she accepted her first job as a radiation therapist. A spirit of adventure lured her to work in England and then Chicago. Thus began a very interesting and rewarding career, with a wide experience in all of the modalities, including clinical applications at Fermi Lab in Illinois. However, having grown up in Sunny South Africa, Sunny California became too much of an attraction, and in 1980 Carol joined this Department at UCLA. And here, with the exception of a five year break at UCI, Carol has grown with the Department. She has taken part in the many transitions, both as a supervisor and a treating therapist. Having earned a BS degree in Business and Management, Carol still derives her greatest satisfaction from interacting with, and providing treatment to her patients. And until such time as retirement comes around, she plans to continue filling her free time with her favorite people and pursuing some of her many interests - continue the adventure!
James Takakura graduated from Loma Linda University with honors in 1997, James received his certification as a Radiation Therapist. Prior to joining the team at UCLA Medical Center, James served as a Radiation Therapist at Cedar Sinai Medical Center. His extensive experience in the medical field includes a respected position at Arcadia Methodist Hospital. James has had the privilege of working with many fine therapists over his many years of service in the field; something he feels has given him more opportunities to diversify his training which allows him the ability to share his experience here at UCLA. Introduced to the medical field by his Sister, with whom he works with today at UCLA Medical Center, enhances the experience of working with patients. Previous to the medical field he received a degree in Electronics as well as Photography, something he enjoys very much. He is also certified as a Massage Therapist.
