Dr. Rafla-Yuan earned his bachelor’s degree from Chapman University where he studied biology and chemistry and then went on to medical school at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he also completed a Certificate in Biomedical Ethics at the Vanderbilt Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society. He then completed residency at the University of California San Diego and served as chief resident physician of the Community Psychiatry Program, where he was responsible for clinical care, curriculum development, and the education of resident physicians, medical students, and advanced practice nursing students. He has worked with patients of all ages and a wide range of backgrounds. Dr. Rafla-Yuan is an award-winning researcher in medical psychiatry, health policy, and the social determinants of health. He has given numerous talks on a national scale and was recently awarded a large grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for his work tracking the impact of immigration policy on health outcomes in border communities. He has held leadership positions in the San Diego Psychiatric Society, California Psychiatric Association, and the American Psychiatric Association. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and the application of food as medicine. He is also a sommelier.