Current Residents
Class of 2026
Gita Chandrasekhar, D.O.
Hometown: Plano, TX
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area! I grew up in Plano and attended the University of Texas at Dallas for undergrad. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, family, and friends, trying new recipes and restaurants, and playing the Indian classical flute. My favorite TV show is Friends. I have many Friends themed items and have completely lost count of how many times I've seen all the episodes!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I was first drawn to the UTSW Family medicine residency program when I did my primary care preceptorship here during my first year of medical school. I met several faculty and residents and everyone was so kind, welcoming, and passionate about family medicine. As a dual degree DO/MPH student, I valued training in a setting with a very diverse patient population with several social determinants of health needs. I loved UTSW Family Medicine for several reasons: it is a large academic center with expert faculty in different fields, promotes research, has unique inpatient and outpatient training experiences at Parkland and THD with distinct patient populations, and an integrative medicine track. I consider Dallas my home, and I wanted to train and serve my home community.
Sandra Chang, M.D.
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in Rochester, NY and attended Brown University for undergrad. I love traveling and eating all different kinds of foods. I'm also a proud plant mom! Interesting fact: I have a bartending license that I earned from a weekend class in college. I've never utilized it, but it was a fun experience learning about all the drinks mixologists can make!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I moved to Dallas right after college for an AmeriCorps VISTA position and a medical scribe position thereafter. It was my intro to Texas and I loved being able to help diverse communities navigate the complex healthcare system. I chose UTSW because I felt the faculty, residents, and institution expressed similar passions to mine in making this system more equitable. The residency program also felt like one supportive family. I'm excited to come back to the community that has so greatly influenced my career aspirations.
Atiya Chukwurah, M.D.
Hometown: New Jersey
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in New Jersey and attended Howard University for both med school and undergrad. My interests/hobbies include: workout classes, hair and skincare, going to the beach, amusement parks, and hanging with family and friends. Interesting fact: I was bitten by a lion cub during my trip to South Africa!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I choose UTSW because I want to train at an academic center while also practicing community medicine. The curriculum and different tracks offered here give me the opportunity to explore my many interests within Family Medicine. I'm really looking forward to exploring the city of Dallas!
Cameron Conner, D.O.
Hometown: Coppell, TX
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University- Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in Coppell, TX and attended Texas A & M University for undergrad. My interests include exercise, nutrition, sports, cooking, and video games. Interesting fact: I worked at Lululemon.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because it provides me the opportunity to train and learn with the best of the best while serving the community I grew up in. Having the support of my family and friends close by is a plus too. I feel blessed to be able to continue my education at UTSW.
Christopher Contreras, M.D.
Hometown: Naga City, Philippines
Medical School: Saint Louis University, School of Medicine, Baguio City, Philippines
About me: I was born and grew up in Naga City, Philippines, and attended Universidad de Sta. Isabel. I studied nursing for my pre-med, then went to medical school, graduated, and worked as a general physician in the Philippines catering to the needs of the underserved. My hobbies include playing airsoft, muay thai, & jiu jitsu. I also enjoy playing drums, acoustic & electric guitar, and piano. I love trying new things. Live-looping and making music is a new hobby I recently discovered. I also love spending time with my family.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: While working at Parkland hospital as a nurse, I was aware of the wide breadth of pathologies and cases that I can learn both from the hospital and the clinic. UTSW Family Medicine program offers the best of both academic and community medicine maximizing exposure and learning which aligns with my personal quest on becoming the best physician that I can be, elevating patient care. Furthermore, when I did my observership with the department, I had a delightful and positive experience. I saw that the faculty are extremely welcoming, are very supportive of their residents and their well-being, and the residents, themselves, are friendly and helpful. This inspires me to want to continue to be in this kind of environment during residency training.
Anima Gnawali, D.O.
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I was born in Nepal but I grew up in Dallas, TX. I attended the University of Texas at Dallas for undergrad. My interests include hiking, rock climbing, live music, and cooking. I am a foodie! Interesting fact: I used to work as a Behavioral Therapist.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I appreciate the combination of community and academic medicine.
Priscilla Kha, D.O.
Hometown: Murphy, TX
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I was born in Dallas, TX, grew up in Murphy, TX, and attended Baylor University for undergrad. Years ago, I was welcomed to this world by the healing hands at Parkland Memorial Hospital. After college, I was welcomed to medicine at Texas Health, and now, I am excited to return for this next chapter of my life where I will be learning at both institutions! When my orange tabby cat, Bartholomew is done giving me attention, I enjoy painting with gouache and playing with new art mediums! My active pastimes include hiking, yoga, baking, cooking, (and then eating)!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: The mission and values of the UTSW Family Medicine program matched my own personal and professional values while still offering balanced training in academic and community-based medicine, a diverse patient population, and ample opportunity for growth. The faculty and residents appeared supportive and positive, and I am looking forward to sharing these next few years with my new family.
Maryam Monga, M.D.
Hometown: Houston, TX
Medical School: UT Southwestern Medical School
About me: : I was born in Karachi, Pakistan, grew up in Houston, and attended the University of Houston for undergrad. I like staying active and pushing myself through various activities - yoga, dance, hiking, weightlifting, and jiu jitsu! At one point, I was able to squat 1.5X bodyweight. I have, unfortunately, atrophied quite a bit since. I'm also a huge foodie, and love exploring the DFW food scene.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: Going to medical school here, I had the great opportunity to work with and get to know some of the awesome faculty and residents here at UTSW. The family medicine program is wonderful, and I'm excited to be part of it!
Areeba Mubarik, M.D.
Hometown: Daska, Pakistan
Medical School: Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
About me: I was born in Daska, Pakistan and spent the first 16 years of my life there. I then moved to Lahore with my family and then to Karachi for medical school. I enjoy watching movies with my three beautiful younger sisters, playing and watching cricket, baking, reading mysteries and crime fiction, trying new restaurants with my friends and spending time with my huge and close-knit Punjabi family. I started baking when I was 7 years old.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I believe that it's the people that make the program and on my interview day I felt that I could really connect with the residents, and I enjoyed all the interactions that I had. The opportunity to train at UTSW in a mix of academic and community settings and to serve such a diverse population piqued my interest even more. The UTSW Family Medicine program aligns with all my interests and needs, and I see myself thriving and succeeding here.
Yvonne Ofodile, M.D.
Hometown: Kaduna, Nigeria
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in Kaduna, Nigeria and attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. My hobbies include watching T.V., sharing meals with loved ones, reading novels, listening to podcasts, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. I could probably give you a detailed review of any major Nollywood movie made in the last 10 years.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I was excited about the program values and curriculum. I also really enjoyed my interactions with the residents and faculty on interview day, as well as during the open-house. I look forward to caring for such a diverse patient population, and I am thrilled that I get to live and train in the vibrant city of Dallas!
Keren Seyum, M.D.
Hometown: McAllen, TX
Medical School: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
About me: I was born in Indianapolis, IN and grew up in McAllen, TX. I attended the University of Texas at Austin for undergrad. I love to travel, spend time with my 8-month-old son, and check out new restaurants. Interesting fact: I'm double-jointed in both of my shoulders!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: As the daughter of Eritrean immigrants, I wanted to serve an Eritrean community as a physician, and Dallas is the perfect place for that! Coupled with UTSW's emphasis on community medicine, this program was the right fit for me.
Hadia Tahir, M.D.
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
Medical School: King Edward Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
About me: I was born and raised in Lahore and attended Kinnaird College for Women. As a huge foodie, with a taste for particularly spicy food, you'll find me scavenging the latest restaurants in town. Moreover, my childhood love for anime inspired my hobbyist journey as a comic artist. I run a personal blog that pokes fun at the satire that medlife can be at times, whilst occasionally, promoting educational content on the platform as well. As they say, happiness walks on busy feet!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: UTSW is one of the most esteemed FM programs out there, also I visited Dallas during my rotations last year and fell in love with the city. In addition, to having family there-the weather, multicultural diversity, and overall vibe really reminded me of my beloved hometown Lahore, Pakistan. So it was a very natural choice!
Sundus Tameez, D.O.
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in Memphis, TN. I attended Emory University for undergrad and the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. I enjoy reading (especially now that I have Kindle), traveling, finding nature trails/hiking, watching murder mystery movies/shows, and trying to new restaurants. Since I completed my undergrad in Atlanta, there were quite a few movies that were filmed on my college campus. One time, while walking from one of my classes, I ran into a film crew shooting a scene for Chris Evan’s movie Gifted and got to watch Chris Evans filming the scene!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: Why UTSW Family Medicine? I chose UTSW because the program is the perfect blend for me in terms of being able to train in both an academic and community setting. I also believe the opportunities provided by the program in terms of research and overall training are unparalleled. I also wanted to train in a program focused on cultural competency and serving an underserved population.
Mubashir Wani, M.D.
Hometown: Sopore, J&K, India
Medical School: Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, India
About me: I was born and raised in Sopore, India and attanded St Joseph's School. I am a wandering soul. Visiting new places, traveling new roads and learning about new cultures excites me. I have always had a good taste for trekking and camping. Walking through woods while observing colorful birds and foliage, smelling the aroma of spruce and pine trees, and listening to a soothing running stream simply clears my mind and makes me feel good. I equally enjoy good food, watching movies, board games and sports.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: UTSW provides the perfect environment for intellectual engagement, academic skills and cultural engagement. The programs rich diversity, equity and inclusion greatly aligns with my goals! I am very excited to be starting my journey at such a wonderful institution.
Class of 2027
Bassel Abdulkarim, M.D.
Hometown: Aleppo, Syria
Medical School: University of Aleppo
About me: : I was born and raised in Aleppo, Syria, where I completed my medical school. After graduation, I moved to Montreal, Canada, where I completed a diploma in clinical research. One interesting aspect of my life is my lifelong dedication to athletics. Since childhood, I have immersed myself in the world of sports, particularly swimming. Through years of training and competition, I've had the privilege of achieving numerous championship titles in swimming. This journey has not only shaped my character but also instilled in me valuable lessons in discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. My other hobbies include basketball, football, and chess.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because of its unique blend of academic and community medicine, which aligns closely with my professional interests. The opportunity to work with a diverse patient population is particularly appealing to me as it will allow me to develop into a well-rounded physician capable of addressing the varied healthcare needs within our communities. Moreover, during the interview process, I felt a sense of relief and resonance with the institution's values and mission. Additionally, having family members residing in Dallas further solidifies my decision, as it provides me with a supportive network and a sense of belonging in the community.
Annam Ahmed, D.O.
Hometown: Greenwood, AK
Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith, AR
About me: I was born and raised in Greenwood, AR but moved around quite a bit. I spent five years in Karachi, Pakistan and a couple of years in Ann Arbor, MI before coming back to Arkansas. I attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR for undergrad. I also earned my MPH at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. In my free time, I love to experiment in the kitchen, read, and go for long walks. I also love spending time with my family, friends, and two kitties, Luna and Leo! I love to do crossword puzzles. The fastest time in which I've solved a full puzzle is 6 minutes!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: UTSW stood out for many reasons. Alongside their encompassing curriculum, I appreciated their commitment to serving underserved communities. Their emphasis on academic research and holistic training showed me that I would be able to grow into the physician I have always hoped to become. Above all, the faculty and residents were so welcoming and I knew that I found a great learning environment that would help me thrive during residency!
Hanana AlTfaili, M.D.
Hometown: Douris, Lebanon
Medical School: American University of Beirut
About me: I was born in Douris, Lebanon and attended the American University of Beirut for undergrad and medical school. My hobbies include hiking, reading, spending time with my family and friends. Interesting fact: I am an artist who can form 3D objects with dough.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: UT Southwestern's comprehensive training program stood out to me as the ideal environment to develop my skills and knowledge in Family Medicine. I am particularly drawn to UT Southwestern's collaborative and supportive learning culture, friendly environment, and diversity that was vivid during my interview and visit. The combination of these factors made this program a great fit for me.
Esha Banwatt, M.D.
Hometown: Weeki Wachi, FL
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
About me: I grew up in Weeki Wachee, FL and attended the University of Florida for undergrad and Emory University School of Medicine for medical school. I enjoy spending my free time with loved ones, exploring nature, dancing, and practicing aerial arts (eg. aerial hoop and pole). I have two black cats named Aloo and Gobi! (potato and cauliflower)
Why UTSW Family Medicine: During my interview with UT Southwestern, the residents and faculty were welcoming. I appreciated the thoughtful and engaging conversations we had. I felt that UT Southwestern would provide robust training to prepare me for whatever my future practice may look like. Dallas is a diverse city in a warm climate and these factors were important to me in my decision to rank this program highly.
Yunsha Ehtesham, M.D.
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Medical School: UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
About me: I was born in Karachi, Pakistan but moved to Texas when I was two years old! My childhood was spent equally between Richardson, TX and McKinney, TX before heading to Austin, TX for college. I attended UT Austin for undergrad and UT Health San Antonio for medical school. I love reading! I used to be an avid reader when I was younger and have since been trying to pick it back up to what it once was before. I also enjoy working out and spending time with family and friends. An interesting fact about myself is that I like to carry around a small bag of cat food in my car to feed any strays I see during car rides!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because my interview and second look here made me feel at home. Everyone was so warm and inviting. I could tell that the family medicine program here fosters a collaborative and supportive environment which is an important aspect I was looking for. Overall UTSW aligned with all my goals of being in an academic center, receive amazing training, be surrounded by great people, and most importantly, be close to family.
Manuel Garcia-Cartagena, M.D.
Hometown: San German, Puerto Rico
Medical School: Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
About me:I was born and raised in San German, PR and attended Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico for undergrad, and Ponce Health Sciences University for medical school. My hobbies include guitar playing, video gaming, fishing and hunting. I’m an avid amateur chef.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: It gives me the chance to serve a variety of underserved populations, especially Spanish-speaking patients.
Rachel Hughes, D.O.
Hometown: Lewisville, TX
Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in Lewisville, TX. I attended Baylor University for undergrad and the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. I enjoy exercising, arts and crafts, cooking, baking and spending time with my family. My husband and I have the most energetic and loving 7-year-old lab named Jayton.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW for the unique combination of academic and community medicine as well as the opportunity to serve a diverse and medically complex patient population. I feel as though training at such a renowned institution will robustly equip me for my future career while maintaining an emphasis on compassionate care. I am also overjoyed to return to the DFW area where I can be near my family and establish professional relationships to aid in my long-term aspiration of practicing in the place I grew up in and call home.
William Johnston, M.D.
Hometown: San Angelo, TX
Medical School: UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
About me: I was born in Austin, TX and grew up almost exclusively in San Angelo, TX. I attended Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX, and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for medical school. I am very interested in learning new things about people and the world! I enjoy gardening, making tasty dishes, and the outdoors. Interesting fact: I can lick my elbows (separately) AND I’m willing to prove it.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because I feel like it is a place of hope and progress. The people I have met here have qualities I would like to learn from and foster for myself. I enjoyed my interview day and the time I have spent at UTSW in the past! I was especially drawn to the HEART track, which would help me serve my community more broadly!
Rasha Kakati, M.D.
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Medical School: American University of Beirut
About me: I was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and grew up in Beirut, Lebanon. I attended the American University of Beirut for undergrad and medical school. I love exploring my artistic side and seek to implement creativity into my life whenever possible. I enjoy playing guitar and singing, baking cookies and cakes and designs sweets with home-made icing. I also love to draw and paint and solve Sudoku puzzles. In medical school, I was a singer/guitarist in a band in medical school that regularly entertained inpatients after hours and provided the occasional campus entertainment!
Why UTSW Family Medicine:I appreciated the dedication to academia and rigorous training as well as a focus on personalized training tracks tailored to each trainee's interests. The vibrant culture of the program was evident during my interview. The residents were friendly and supportive, and the faculty was very welcoming and clearly dedicated to resident education and well-rounded training. It was natural to connect with various interviewers and I knew the training environment was healthy and supportive. I felt seen as a holistic individual and I knew that I would have various opportunities to receive the best training and education as well as the ability to grow personally and professionally.
Eesha Kelkar, M.D.
Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA
Medical School: University of Missouri School of Medicine
About me: I was born in Zurich, Switzerland but grew up in Santa Barbara, CA. I moved to St. Louis, MO during high school. I love to dance! I was on a competitive Bollywood dance team when I was in college and taught Bollywood dance lessons while in medical school at University of Missouri campus gym. Im looking forward to connecting with other dancers in the dallas area. I also love doing nail art. It started out as a way to save money but has spiraled into an obsession. I have over 200 nail colors and just about every accessory there is. Now I love doing my friends and family's nails because it gives me a chance to catch up with them while also doing something creative and relaxing for me. Interesting fact: I went to the same high school as Kety Perry!
Why UTSW Family Medicine:UT Southwestern is exciting to me for many reasons: a diverse learning cohort and faculty, supportive infrastructure for its residents, and the chance to have my family nearby. My mom is in the Dallas area and it's wonderful to have her support. This is also the perfect place to acquire the knowledge base for my career as a family medicine physician while working with a more diverse faculty and patient population. With my experience working in free clinics, I'm very familiar with maximizing a limited amount of resources. I'm looking forward to honing these skills so I can be an effective family medicine physician in my future practice.
Ragini Kondetimmanahalli, M.D.
Hometown: Sugar Land, TX
Medical School: UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
About me: I was born in Houston and raised in Sugar Land. I attended The University of Texas at Austin for undergrad and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for medical school. In my free time, I love to dance! I was trained in a classical Indian dance form called Bharatanatyam since the age of 5. From that came my passion for all forms of dance, whether hip hop or Bollywood, and I'm always itching to learn new choreography. When I'm not dancing, you can find me trying new recipes, finding the best coffee shops and restaurants in town or bouldering! Fun fact: I received certification in wilderness life support for medical professionals.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because of the diversity of the patient population, incredible training at Parkland, and the wonderful people I spoke to during my interview day. Everyone was so warm and welcoming and shared similar passions for advocacy and improving health equity. Additionally, UTSW has the perfect balance of both academic and community medicine with endless opportunities for research!
Nicholas Leonard, D.O.
Hometown: Longview, TX
Medical School: The University of North Texas Health Science Center – Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I was born in Rocklin, CA which is just north of Sacramento. We lived in a lot of places in northern California but one of the prettiest areas we lived in was Lake Tahoe. We eventually moved to Longview, TX when I was 13 and we have been in Texas ever since. I attended LeTourneau University in Longview, TX for undergrad and UNTHSC-TCOM for medical school. I enjoy lifting weights and playing basketball. I love being outdoors and recently took up playing pickleball. Aside from that, I like playing video games and I recently started reading a lot more. My preferred genre is fantasy books. I was a competitive BMX racer from the age of 7-9.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because of how I felt after my interview. Everyone I talked to during the interview process seemed so passionate about the quality atmosphere and education that this program provides. UTSW has all of the resources of an academic institution while maintaining a community medicine focus which is what really stood out to me. In addition, I really value how much this program prioritized the wellness of their residents.
Hamza Uddin, M.D.
Hometown: New Jersey
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston
About me: I was born in New Jersey and raised in Texas. I attended Sam Houston State University for undergrad and University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for medical school. My hobbies include music, hiking and running. All-in-all, across my family, we care for 3 cats, 1 dog and a parrot!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because of the impressive curriculum and elective options, the resource-rich environment, and the supportive faculty members and residents.
Bobin “Andrew” Xu, D.O.
Hometown: Houston, TX
Medical School: The University of North Texas Health Science Center – Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in Houston, TX. I attended the University of Houston for undergrad and UNTHSC-TCOM for medical school. I enjoy lifting weights, cooking, trying new restaurants, and music. I recently started playing pickleball last November, and I am now hooked! I competed in my first tournament earlier this month.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because the culture of the program emphasizes "family." I wanted to train at a program where people support each other to succeed and can lean on each other during difficult times. The program is also supportive of my clinical interests including sports medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine. I believe the resources and opportunities here are unparalleled!
Class of 2028
Kristie Chau, D.O.
Hometown: Austin, TX
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I was born in Austin, Texas but grew up in Portland, Oregon. I enjoy exploring restaurants, binge watching TV shows, and the occasional nap. I like learning about skincare and customizing mechanical keyboards. I wanted to be a professional dancer when I was younger.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I was drawn to UTSW being a community-focused academic program. The support of an academic institution like UTSW provides great opportunities to explore multiple areas of interest within family medicine. I also desired to be surrounded by like-minded residents and faculty who are kind and supportive, but will also push me to be the best physician I can be.
Grace Ehikhuemen, M.D.
Hometown: Abuja, Nigeria
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
About me: I was born in Abuja, Nigeria. Grew up in Abuja, Nigeria and here in the DFW. I love reading. My favorite genres are romance, mystery and African feminist literature. I love karaoke, going to brunch with friends and artsy activities. I am super good at scrabble.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because I am interested in research, I loved my interview day, loved the diversity in the training sites and I truly believe I can become the best well-rounded physician by training here.
Marco Flores, M.D.
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Medical School: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
About me: I was born and raised in Dallas, TX. My hobbies include watching science-fiction movies, reading, and drawing. I have a black and white cat named Enchi (short for Enchilada)!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because of the culture, diverse patient population, and its emphasis on community medicine. During my interview day, the faculty and residents were so welcoming and it really felt like they took the time to get know me! I was drawn to the special interest tracks, especially the HIV track. I am excited to return home back to Dallas!
Madeline Hansen, D.O.
Hometown: Chandler, AZ
Medical School: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM
About me: I was born in Chandler, AZ and grew up in various cities in the East Valley in Arizona. The last 10 years have been in Queen Creek/ Gilbert, AZ. I love trying/experiencing new places with family and friends, reading, binge watching shows, finding the perfect gift for people, and hanging with my family dogs.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because to their emphasis on supporting each other and the residents. I fell in love with the different track options and the program's ability to shape my residency to prepare me for the type of patients and practice I want to have in the future. Lastly, I loved that the program's support and advocacy for underrepresented populations.
Matthew Harmon, M.D.
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
About me: I was born in Los Angeles, CA and grew up in Arlington, TX. I love working out, hiking, and writing poetry in my spare time. Interesting fact: I threw a burning couch out of my apartment to save my complex from burning down.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because of the diverse staff, diverse patient population, opportunities to pursue lifestyle and sports medicine, and the location.
Abdul Haseeb, M.D.
Hometown: Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
Medical School: King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
About me: I was born in the Northern most part of Pakistan called Gilgit Baltistan where I spent most of my life. I moved to Islamabad when I was 16 and two years later I moved to Lahore where I went to medical school and spent almost 7 years there. I am very passionate about both watching and playing soccer. To relax I like watching sitcoms. I am a pretty decent cook and I enjoy cooking for my family. I can speak more than 4 languages and I want to learn as many as possible.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: UTSW is not only a very strong academic program but also community-oriented, and this aligns perfectly with my goals. The people who make this program so remarkable are its greatest asset, and I had experienced an extremely warm environment during my interview and meet-and-greet activities. Dallas being a culturally diverse and fun place to live in is always an added bonus.
Adaku Ikoh, D.O.
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Medical School: University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I was born in Lagos Nigeria and split my time between Nigeria and Dallas. I love traveling, cooking and hosting game night for my awesome friends. I lived in the same estate as most my cousins so we were definitely up to no good as kids!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I loved the vast abundance and diversity of resources made available to the residents. I am excited to get because I know I will get a will get well rounded training working with diverse populations. My family in Dallas truly is the icing on the cake!
Caroline Keefer, M.D.
Hometown: Round Rock, TX
Medical School: Texas A & M Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
About me: I was born in Waukegan, IL and grew up in Round Rock, TX. My hobbies include reading, running and working out, playing games (board games and video games), cooking and baking, doing puzzles and everything cozy (like crochet, cross-stitch, etc)! I learned how to solve a Rubik's cube during my 4th year of medical school.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: UTSW drew me in because it serves an important role in care for the Dallas community and I knew it would provide valuable training in family medicine. Dallas is also a fantastic city that I look forward to living in!
Ardalan Naghian, M.D.
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
About me: I was born and raised in Dallas, TX. My hobbies include Building legos, playing and watching sports, video gaming with friends. I have two bonded sister cats named Lily and Pashmak!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: The program at UTSW provides comprehensive training that is vital in my ability to treat communities of diverse backgrounds. I see the opportunity to build lasting relationships with patients, understand their life contexts, and help them achieve optimal health. UTSW Family Medicine delivers the ideal platform for me to drive meaningful change in both individual lives and the broader health of society.
Acile Nahlawi, M.D.
Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Medical School: American University of Beirut
About me: I was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. I enjoy singing and have performed as a soloist with the Lebanese National Orchestra, the AUB Choir, and the AUB Oriental Choral Ensemble. During medical school, I was also part of a band that performed for dialysis patients and at campus events. Beyond music, I love staying active and spending time outdoors-whether it's hiking, biking, or simply going for a walk. I also enjoy playing team sports like volleyball and basketball. I was a member of both the Volleyball and Basketball Women's Varsity Teams at the American University of Beirut.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: UTSW offers all the resources of a top-tier academic institution while maintaining a strong focus on community medicine, which is exactly the balance I was looking for in a training program. The supportive learning environment and broad clinical experiences align with my goal of becoming a well-rounded, compassionate physician dedicated to serving diverse communities. I'm particularly excited to relocate to and serve the Dallas community!
Gilmar Ortega, M.D.
Hometown: Plano, TX
Medical School: University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
About me: I have spent my entire life in Texas and feel strong ties to the community. My hobbies include being a dog dad, rock climbing, basketball, hiking, yoga, and wrestling. I enjoy creating electronic music and woodcarving. I also have a strong interest in technology, innovation, and understanding the business of medicine. I am family oriented with many siblings, nieces, and nephews.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I am drawn to family medicine because it offers the opportunity to form lasting relationships with patients, care for individuals across all stages of life, and address health disparities at both the individual and community level. I look forward to joining a program that values comprehensive care, community engagement, and advocacy, where I can continue to grow as a compassionate, well-rounded physician.
Michelle Philip, D.O.
Hometown: Flower Mound, TX
Medical School: Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
About me: I was born and raised in Flower Mound, TX. I spend most of my free time playing piano, which I picked up at a young age. I also enjoy playing volleyball with friends, drawing/painting, finding new TV shows, and spending time with my fiancée. I once met Magic Johnson in high school. Me and my family were taking a trip, and we were stuck boarded for over an hour on the plane. Magic was flying out on his private jet at the same airport and the crew bought him on board to appease the passengers!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: In addition to its reputation for providing outstanding training to residents, I was drawn to UTSW for their diversity and commitment to quality patient care. During my interview I felt so welcomed by the faculty and residents. With the program also being close to my family, I immediately knew this is where I wanted to be!
Christian Rodriguez, M.D.
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Medical School: Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
About me: I was born in Brooklyn and grew up in parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island before moving to Greenlawn, NY. I'm interested in Sports Medicine and I enjoy going to the gym and playing basketball, football, soccer, and baseball. I also enjoy being an occasional couch potato. I sup'd hoodie Melo when he was doing a shooting workout. He and I are now friends #GoKnicks!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because of the family culture of the program, the variety of inpatient and outpatient clinical experiences, and the opportunities to develop my procedural skills that lay a strong foundation for inpatient and outpatient medical practice.
Saim Siddiqui, M.D.
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Medical School: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine
About me: I was born in Karachi, Pakistan, but was raised in Queens, NY, went to high school/college in Manhattan, and med school in Brooklyn. I really enjoy traveling and hiking, I'm a big fan of National Parks, and have a goal of visiting all 64 in the US. I also love playing board games, hanging out with my friends, having lazy days at home with my wife, and trying new foods (which is great, because Dallas has a terrific Halal food scene!). I learned how to be a barista a couple of years ago, and occasionally volunteer at a local coffee shop. Interestingly, though, I don't really like coffee, but I can make a mean latte!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UT Southwestern for its unparalleled learning opportunities and strong commitment to serving a diverse patient population. I have also spent the past few years in Dallas pursuing religious studies at Qalam Institute, and even met my wonderful wife here :). Despite still being a die-hard NY fan, I'm excited to complete my training here and to continue calling Dallas my home for the foreseeable future.
Anthony Upchurch, M.D.
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Medical School: University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
About me: I was born and raised in Memphis, TN. I love exercising, especially weightlifting/powerlifting, and spending time outdoors-camping, hiking, and fishing. I'm passionate about football, both as a fan and former player. I also enjoy outdoor cooking-grilling, smoking, and barbecuing. I have blonde eyelashes on my right eye, which people often mistake for lint or fuzz caught in my eyelashes.
Why UTSW Family Medicine: I chose UTSW because I wanted to train in a program that fosters diversity-both in its people and the patient population it serves. During my interview, I was comforted by the welcoming atmosphere and how genuinely happy the residents seemed, which reinforced my confidence in the program's supportive environment. UTSW offers numerous opportunities for specialized training through its various tracks and distinctions, ensuring I can tailor my education to my interests. Additionally, Dallas is a dynamic, exciting city with a rich cultural landscape, allowing me to train in Texas while remaining relatively close to family.
Yesenia Valera, D.O.
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word Osteopathic School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX
About me: I was born in Dallas and was raised in Garland, TX. recently have gotten into running, yoga, and puzzling. I love to play board games with friends and catch up with friends over jigsaw puzzles. I love to go hiking and salsa dancing for a little adventure! I was raised speaking fluent Spanish and learned English playing hide and seek with my neighbors and from my teachers at school!
Why UTSW Family Medicine: UTSW stood out to me for its commitment to diversity, community-building, and advocacy for patients, which aligns with my passion for improving healthcare access. UTSW offers comprehensive, holistic training that will help build my clinical skills and personal growth along with my fellow co-residents. I was impressed by the strong support system among the residents during my interview, which was reassuring and made me excited to be a part of this great community.