Ana Abril Arias, MD

Family Medicine & Obstetrics | Primary Care 

Dr. Arias received her medical degree from Autonomous University of Baja California School of Medicine in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. After medical school, Dr. Arias became part of the University of California, Los Angeles International Medical Graduate Program. She completed a Family Medicine Residency at University of California, San Diego, serving as Chief Resident of the program in 2012. During her residency, Dr. Arias was named Outstanding Intern in Labor and Delivery by the Obstetrics Department. She was also a member of the UCSD Perinatal Practices Committee that sets policy for patient care in the labor, delivery and post-partum departments. Dr. Arias was initially attracted to Salinas for the Obstetrical Fellowship. She completed her year in training here at Natividad and loved the community and the patients so much that she decided to stay. Her special interests include: Obstetrics, Underserved Medicine and Teaching. Dr. Arias is fluent in English and Spanish.

Peter Chandler, MD

Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)

Dr. Chandler leads Natividad’s expert Obstetrics and Gynecology team as Chief OB/GYN Surgeon. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, then completed his residency at The Ohio State University Medical Center. Dr. Chandler is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and specializes in high-risk pregnancies and deliveries.

Dr. Chandler was instrumental in creating Monterey County’s first Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) program at Natividad in 2009. Under his leadership, the hospital has received multiple maternal health outcomes and safety recognitions including the prestigious Gage Award.

Soraya Esteva, MD

Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)

Dr. Esteva earned her medical degree from the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center. Dr. Esteva is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and specializes in high-risk pregnancies and deliveries. She is a faculty member and program director for our Family Medicine Fellowship in Obstetrics. Dr. Esteva speaks English and Spanish.

Michelle Liamidi, MD

Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) 

Dr. Liamidi earned her medical degree at the Russian State Medical University in Moscow. Dr. Liamidi completed her OB/GYN residency at Synergy Medical Education Alliance in Michigan. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and specializes in high-risk pregnancies and deliveries. Dr. Liamidi speaks English and Russian.

James Lilja, MD

Gynecologic Oncology 

Dr. Lilja provides an integrated approach to the diagnosis and treatment of cancerous and noncancerous (benign) conditions of the female reproductive system, such as endometriosis, fibroids, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and pelvic masses, among others. He earned his medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Lilja completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and a fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Michigan. He is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology in addition to gynecologic oncology. Dr. Lilja speaks English and Spanish.

Minerva Perez-Lopez, MD

Family Medicine & Obstetrics | Primary Care 

Dr. Perez-Lopez, a Salinas native who graduated from Alisal High School, is distinguished with honors, scholarships, and academic recognitions. She received her medical degree from Brown University School of Medicine in Providence, Rhode Island. She completed her residency at the Family Medicine Residency Program at Natividad, where she was named Chief Resident in 2005 and was awarded the department’s Hannon-Lauderdale Memorial Award for Outstanding Performance in Residency. She then completed an Obstetrical Fellowship at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California. Dr. Perez-Lopez says her educational background offered outstanding opportunities, but her goal was always to return to the community she knows and loves to be a family physician. Dr. Perez-Lopez is also the vice chair of the board of directors of the Natividad Medical Foundation, which is dedicated to philanthropically supporting Natividad in its mission to provide health care access to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. She speaks English and Spanish.

Katherine Volpe, MD

Urogynecology
Dr. Volpe specializes in urogynecology, pelvic organic prolapse, and bladder and bowel movements in women. Dr. Volpe earned her medical degree from Oregon Health & Science University (Portland, Oregon) then completed her residency at University of New Mexico Health Science Center Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Albuquerque, New Mexico). She went on to complete a fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, California). She is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Volpe has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications, presentations and posters. Her main research interests are health equity and painful bladder syndrome. She was an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center in Albuquerque. She is a skilled surgeon who provides a wide array of in-office and operative treatments. Dr. Volpe speaks English and Spanish.