Meet the Team

For Adults in Suite 110:

John Paul Cardin Jr.., MD, is a primary care physician who treats adult patients, young and old, at his self-titled practice in Long Beach, California. Dr. Cardin is board-certified and specializes in general practice, women's health and geriatric medicine. He stays up to date with the latest medical advancements to maintain his advanced credentials. Dr. Cardin has been actively practicing medicine in the Long Beach area for over 35 years, and remains passionate about caring for patients and helping them achieve optimal health. Dr. Cardin takes the time to really listen to patients, understand their needs, and gain trust to provide the best possible medical solutions. This is demonstrated in his detailed, first patient appointments, in which he addresses all medical issues and possible treatments. For over 20 years, Dr. Cardin has maintained active privileges in good standing at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. He provides the highest quality of care to patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, female health problems, asthma, allergies, migraines, and much more. Currently accepting new patients, Dr. Cardin can be reached by phone almost 24 hours a day, and also welcomes walk-in appointments. His staff is attentive, efficient, and provides reliable referrals to achieve maximum results for patients. Rather than focusing solely on treating an illness or disease, Dr. Cardin’s top priority is keeping his patients’ overall health in the best possible condition.

Dr. Roberto Contreras II, MD, is an Internal Medicine/Hospital Medicine specialist. He went to USC for his undergraduate education and then to George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington DC for Medical School. When he graduated medical school he came back home to Southern California to do his specialty training in Internal Medicine/Hospital Medicine at the USC Medical Center in Los Angeles. After finishing residency he has focused on community medicine helping those who seek care. He has also continued his education pursing a Fellowship in Physician Leadership from the University of California at San Francisco as well as Clinic Management courses at the Harvard School of Public Health. As Chief Medical Director of one of Southern California’s largest Independent Practice Associations, Dr. Contreras helped manage the care for over 400,000 patients. Dr. Contreras continues to teach and lecture other physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to make sure everyone stays up to date on the latest medical information available. Most recently he helped lead the Covid-19 task force for the second largest Federally Qualified Health Center in the United States. His goal is to help you control and manage any medical problems you have. He focuses on individual care remembering that every patient is an individual with unique backgrounds and health needs. He will do everything he can to help keep you healthy.

Kevin Zhang PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Associate practicing in primary care in Long Beach, California. He brings a compassionate, patient-centered approach to medicine, with over three years of experience treating diverse adult populations in the outpatient clinic setting. His clinical interests include preventive care, chronic disease management, and enhanced care coordination for underserved communities. Kevin holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Western University of Health Sciences and a B.S. in Psychobiology from UCLA. He is committed to promoting wellness through personalized care, teamwork, and education.

Neil Soriano, MSPAS, PA-C, is a Board-Certified Physician Associate dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State University, Long Beach in 2018, earning a degree in Molecular Cellular Biology and Physiology with a minor in Chemistry. He then obtained his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) from California Baptist University. With a focus in Pediatrics and Family Medicine, Neil joined Cardin Healthcare in 2022, where he is committed to delivering comprehensive and compassionate healthcare to patients of all ages. Outside of his clinical practice, Neil mostly enjoys spending quality time with his family. 

For Adults in Suite 210:

Dr. Joel Arter, MD is Board Certified in Family Medicine.  He graduated from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda Maryland which is associated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  He completed his Family Medicine Residency Program at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.  MAJ Arter spent the next decade serving the active duty community, wounded veterans and their families.  In addition to deployments to South Korea, and medical support missions to Nicaragua,  he was responsible for the management of medical operations while in Korea, and later in the largest military clinic in Hawaii at Scofield Barracks to a population of over 90,000.  Dr. Arter continues to contribute to advances in medicine with numerous publications in medical literature, and provides mentoring to the next generation of the physicians. Dr. Arter believes every patient deserves state of the art up-to-date care, and will strive to serve you top quality medical care that is both compassionate and accurate with a non-judgmental and collaborative health-care approach. He hopes to give you the tools to live your best life.

Dr. Nicolas Kang is a board-eligible internal medicine physician deeply committed to translating the most current medical research into personalized treatment plans. He is dedicated to helping his patients achieve the best possible outcomes in areas critical to well-being, including weight loss, effective cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar management, and protection of vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, and lungs.

Dr. Kang's commitment to medicine took root during a church mission trip to Honduras, where he witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of limited healthcare access on vulnerable communities. He received a chemistry degree from Pacific Union College and further dedicated himself through community engagement, volunteering at health-screening events, and spearheading Butte County’s first SAT-prep program. This journey culminated in completing his medical education and internal medicine residency at Loma Linda University, where he advanced medical knowledge and authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in cardiovascular health.

Dr. Kang leverages his extensive experience in education to ensure his patients gain a comprehensive understanding of their health conditions and feel confident in actively participating in their care. His overarching goal is to equip each patient with the essential knowledge, practical tools, and unwavering support needed not only to manage their health effectively but to truly thrive, stay out of the hospital, and fully engage in the activities they cherish above all. Dr. Kang also speaks medical Spanish conversationally and hopes to connect with and care for a broader range of patients.

Beyond the clinic, Dr. Kang actively embodies the principles of a healthy lifestyle he passionately advocates for, finding personal fulfillment in weightlifting and golfing. His active lifestyle is a commitment to his belief that preventive medicine begins with the physician's own example, fostering trust and inspiring his patients.

Ashley Hanson, MSPAS, MPHc, PA-C, is a dedicated Physician associate with a background in medicine and public health. She earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Public Health from Touro University California in 2022 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles (2017). She has been working in both adult and pediatric medicine, with hands-on experience managing acute and chronic conditions. She is also passionate about public health, having contributed to initiatives aimed at addressing health misinformation and improving community access to care. Ashley is deeply committed to advancing patient-centered care, medical education, and community outreach. Her career goals include integrating preventive medicine, patient advocacy, and healthcare accessibility to improve health outcomes.

For Pediatrics in Suite 170:

Derek McCrae MD, MA, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician in practice for the past 20 years.  He graduated from UCLA Medical School and also has a master's degree in biology from California State University Dominguez Hills.  Dr. McCrae was born and a raised in Los Angeles and went to UCLA as an undergraduate majoring in psychology.  His pediatrics training was at UCSF Oakland Children's Hospital, and he is a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics.  In his spare time, he enjoys running and traveling.  Dr. McCrae joined Cardin Healthcare in 2014 and is committed to serving the Los Angeles community. 

Dr. Tyra P. Reece-Smith, MD, FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for children of all ages. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from St. George’s University and also holds a Master of Science in Forensic Science from Drexel University. Dr. Reece-Smith completed her pediatric residency at UCSF-Fresno and has experience in both clinical practice and research, with a focus on preventive medicine, acute and chronic conditions, and newborn care. Beyond her work in the U.S., she has contributed to global health initiatives, including educating youth on HIV/AIDS and assisting with medical care in underserved communities in Ghana. She is passionate about community outreach, adolescent health, and fostering long-term wellness in her patients.

Christy Vuong, MSPAP, PA-C is a board-certified Physician Assistant who earned her Master’s degree from the University of La Verne in 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology with a minor in Chemistry from California State University Long Beach, where she was a University Honors student and completed neuroendocrine research. Christy has clinical experience in prehospital 911 care and in a pediatric emergency department as an EMT, thriving in fast-paced, high-acuity environments. She is passionate about expanding healthcare access, promoting patient education, and serving underserved communities. Christy joined Cardin Healthcare in May 2025. Outside of medicine, she enjoys baking, experimenting with cooking and coffee drinks, going on canyon drives, and spending time with her family and two cats.