About Me

Hello! ¡Hola! My name is Josephine Mee Devaraj. My patients call me Dr. D or Dr. Josephine or (by my Spanish-speaking patients) Dra. Josefina. I have been a Kaiser Permanente physician since 2016. Before that, I worked in community clinics in Fresno and East Los Angeles. I see members age 5 to adults. I speak English, Spanish, and Hmong. My life motto is, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” per the wise words of the Indian independence activist, Mahatma Gandhi. If I have the privilege of being your primary care doctor, I hope to get to know the person you are and your goals for your health. Together, we will work as a team to keep you healthy. Thank you for choosing Kaiser Permanente and taking the time to learn more about me.

Biography

I am Hmong (small Asian ethnic group), born in the mountains of Laos (next to Thailand). When I was 6, my family immigrated to the United States as refugees due to the Vietnam War. I was raised by a single mother and later with a stepfather, with 4 brothers and 2 sisters. I attended UC Davis for my bachelor’s in microbiology and a minor in communications. After college, I was a Peace Corps Volunteer—a teacher in Jamaica. I also worked in the biotechnology industry and in the corporate world. I attended medical school at A. T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri. I completed my family medicine internship and residency training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California. I am married to my wonderful husband. We do not have any children, but I have lots of nieces and nephews (almost 20 total!). I grew up around lots of family: grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I love children and family and making new friends. I enjoy working with people of all ages because everyone is special and unique. I became a family physician so I can “take care of the whole family.” I’m doing what I love, and I love what I’m doing!

About my practice

I live by the “Golden Rule” in work and life: “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” I will treat you in the same way I would like to be treated as a person and a patient. I will be honest with you, and I will treat you to the best of my ability with dignity, compassion, and confidentiality. I strive to practice medicine based on current evidence and research, not only for traditional therapies but also for lifestyle and complementary/alternative care (such as acupuncture, nutrition, chiropractic), with a focus on prevention and health education. When you become my patient, you become a part of my medical family. We will work together as a team to take care of your health. I provide treatment options for your health but will respect your decisions in how to manage your health. I work at our Montebello Medical Office Building with an excellent group of physicians, nurses, and staff to care for you. We work hard not only to address the reason for your visit but also to identify other needed preventive care that you may not know you need, such as whether you’re due for a colonoscopy, a Pap test, or a mammogram, or you need life-defending vaccines or basic blood tests for your general health.

How I thrive

I make time for the important people in my life. I like performing little random acts of kindness for strangers as well as for people I know. My husband and I enjoy spending our free time watching movies, traveling, hiking, dancing, and attending and serving at my church. I also enjoy doing some community service when time permits. After all, we only have one life to live, so live it well and to the fullest! Carpe diem!