Elise Freij, DO

About

Hometown: Cypress, CA

Medical School: Kansas City University

Undergraduate School: UCSB

Life Before Medical School: Having grown up in Southern California, I attended UCSB, where I was involved in Phi Delta Epsilon and volunteered at Cottage Hospital. During my gap year, I worked as a medical assistant and scribe at Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara, where I connected closely with patients and saw the impact of patient-centered care — an experience that confirmed my decision to pursue medicine. In the months before starting medical school, I traveled to six countries: Iceland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Thailand.

Why Community Memorial? The diverse patient population, close-knit community, and strong support from faculty and staff made Community Memorial my top choice for residency. It's clear that Community Memorial Healthcare is deeply committed to helping its residents grow into excellent physicians through hands-on teaching and mentorship. Having my family and friends close by is an added bonus!

Hobbies: Hot yoga, going on walks, trying new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.