Current Residents

What I like about the program:

What I appreciate most about the program is its supportive culture. From the beginning of residency, PGY-1 residents are paired with mentors who provide guidance and support as they navigate the transition into residency. This supportive environment made my transition into residency smooth and comfortable. I also really like how approachable and friendly everyone is. The residents and faculty are always willing to help one another when needed.

What I like about El Paso:

What I enjoy most about El Paso is the calm and welcoming atmosphere of the city. I also appreciate the weather, which is similar to the climate in my home country, making it easier for me to feel comfortable here. I have found the people of El Paso to be very warm, friendly, and welcoming and I like the quality of life that El Paso offers.

Interests, passions, and career goals:

I am interested in child and adolescent psychiatry. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and their families, and I am interested in understanding how early intervention can positively influence mental health and development. My long-term goal is to pursue a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry and subsequently practice in this field, caring for children and adolescents.

What I like about the program:

Supportive co-residents and faculty! As a medical student at the Foster School of Medicine, I had a very positive experience rotating with them.

What I like about El Paso:

Beautiful views, friendly people, multi-cultural city.

Interests, passions, and career goals:

Psychotherapy, neuromodulation, addiction and community psychiatry!

What do you like about the program?

Supportive environment and people.

What do you like about El Paso? 

People and environment.

Interests/passions/career goals

Watchmaking. Open to explore.

What do you like about the program?

As an applicant, I was looking for a program that would give me exposure to child and adolescent psychiatry early and often, particularly in an area with a wide range of unique patient backgrounds and challenges. The child psychiatry track at Texas Tech El Paso provides exactly that and I look forward to gleaning valuable insights from my seniors and faculty.

What do you like about El Paso?

As I am originally from the Pacific Northwest, growing up in El Paso I struggled to keep up with longtime desert dwellers during the summer months. That said, I always enjoyed the mountains and have grown to love the native flora, whether during walks in the neighborhood or on hikes with friends. I also enjoy the surprising variety of cuisine available and am happy to think of my faith community here as a second family.

Interests/passions/career goals?

 A major motivation for my exploration of medicine has been the anti-human trafficking movement, particularly in the areas of early identification and rehabilitation. My professional goal as a psychiatrist is to strengthen families and children who are vulnerable to such exploitation and/or healing from related trauma. Outside of work and study, I like spending time with friends and family, and am always down to engage with good art and music.

What you like about the program:

What I like most about the program is the welcoming and supportive culture. The residents and faculty create an environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged to grow. I also appreciate the opportunity to train in a program that serves a diverse patient population and provides a wide range of clinical experiences.

What you like about El Paso:

El Paso’s welcoming community and beautiful desert scenery are what make the city so special to me. During my time here, I’ve appreciated the opportunity to serve the Borderland community and the good quality of life the city offers. The sunny weather and easy access to nature trails make it easy to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year.

Interests/Passions/Career Goals:

I’m interested in inpatient, outpatient, and interventional psychiatry, and am open to exploring different areas of the field as I continue my journey through residency. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors exploring hiking and mountain biking trails in El Paso and nearby Las Cruces and Cloudcroft.

What do you like about the program?

I love how helpful and supportive the residents are with each other.

What do you like about El Paso?

I love the mountains, the food, and the fact that I get to serve the community I grew up in!

Interests/passion/career goals?

My main clinical interest is in child and adolescent psychiatry. I am also passionate about research, with a particular interest in studying the connection between adverse childhood experiences and psychiatric pathology.  Outside of academics I spend most of my free time outside with my dog. I like listening to true crime and comedy podcasts. I also like reading, watching reality TV, and learning to play new songs on the ukulele.

What you like about the program:

I like that the program evaluates candidates as a whole rather than just focusing on scores. Everyone I’ve met has been welcoming and made me feel like I belong here, and I also like the clinical experience the program offers, especially the exposure to child and adolescent psychiatry.

What you like about El Paso:

I like the strong Latin community because it made the transition easier and helped me integrate as someone from Puerto Rico. It honestly felt like I never left the island, and I especially like the food because you can find not only really good authentic Mexican food, but also a lot of multicultural cuisine that I can’t find back home.

Interests/Passions/Career Goals:

Outside of medicine, I enjoy building Lego sets (I had to leave behind A LOT of sets back home) and playing video games. In terms of my career goals, I’m interested in child and adolescent psychiatry because I believe early intervention can really improve a child’s quality of life, and I’m also interested in focusing on mental health in the LGBTQIA+ community, especially LGBTQIA+ youth, but I’m still open to exploring other areas during residency.

What do you like about the program?

Most importantly, when I was searching for programs to apply to, I wanted to be at a place that had a positive culture. I wanted to be where the residents felt supported by their faculty and senior residents. To have the opportunity to work at a program with the resources of Texas Tech Health El Paso was also a deciding factor. Interacting with a diverse, Spanish-speaking population has already been enriching in just the short amount of time I’ve been here.

What do you like about El Paso?

I enjoy the beautiful vistas on display every morning and evening when I drive to and from work. The city is full of kind people, and the Mexican food has not disappointed. There are many beautiful places to live here.

Interests / Passion / Career Goals

I enjoy learning languages, particularly Spanish, Italian, and French. Along with languages, traveling is one of my favorite things to do when I get the chance. Exercise helps me keep a sound mind throughout the week. During the fall season, the NFL is on my TV regularly.

My career goals would mainly revolve around being self-sufficient and having the freedom to decide how to best treat my patients. That’s what makes psychiatry so exciting for me: the variety and the autonomy.

What do you like about the program?

One of the things I appreciate most about our program is its commitment to serving a diverse and often underserved patient population. Training in a border community that serves a large region provides exposure to a wide range of psychiatric conditions and social challenges, teaching me not only medicine but also cultural sensitivity. I also value the program's supportive culture and close-knit environment. Speaking with co-residents and program leadership comes naturally, and open communication is frequently encouraged!

What do you like about El Paso?

Having been born and raised in the region, I have a deep appreciation for the city's unique culture, bilingual community, and friendly people. Something I often tell others is that El Pasoans always surprise me with how kind and helpful they are—even if it means going out of their way to help someone else. In terms of city life, I enjoy that El Paso offers many of the amenities of a large city while still feeling like a smaller, more relaxed community. Life here is calmer and friendlier than in many larger cities, and a big personal plus is the lack of heavy traffic. The scenery is also beautiful, and the Franklin Mountains provide plenty of opportunities for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Interests / Passion / Career Goals

Within psychiatry, I'm passionate about community psychiatry, integrative psychiatry, and interventional psychiatry. During residency, I plan to participate in research in these areas to further explore my interests and refine my long-term career goals. Because I enjoy teaching, I hope to continue in academic medicine after residency, where I can help educate future psychiatrists while continuing to care for patients.

Outside of medicine, I love discovering new coffee shops and learning how to make great coffee at home. I have a few coffee gadgets already and am currently debating whether to splurge on an espresso machine. I also enjoy exercising, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with my co-residents!

What I like about the program:

The accommodating and supportive work environment and diverse clinical experiences.

What I like about El Paso:

The people, the lack of traffic, and the proximity to both Juárez and New Mexico, for both urban life and nature getaways.

Interests, passions, and career goals:

I plan on doing a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry and am interested in ultimately working in global mental health and cultural psychiatry.

What I like about the program:

My favorite part of the program is the people I work with. My coresidents, senior residents, and attendings have all been incredibly supportive and welcoming. Their guidance and camaraderie make this an exceptional learning environment.

What I like about El Paso:

I love the culture in El Paso. It’s a unique place where Mexican and American traditions blend. This cultural richness offers an incredible opportunity to explore the cultural nuances of psychiatric care and patient experiences.

Interests, passions, and career goals:

I am especially interested in addiction psychiatry, a field I believe has significant room for growth. I hope to contribute to its advancement through both clinical practice and research, working toward more effective and compassionate treatments for those struggling with addiction.

What do you like about the program?

I've really connected with my coresidents, which has made the transition to residency much easier. The faculty are also very approachable and great to work with.

What do you like about El Paso? 

Coming from Houston, the weather here is much better, as it's not humid. There are plenty of outdoor activities, especially hiking. And I enjoy being close to Juárez, so I can enjoy a different variety of food.

Interests/passions/career goals

I'm primarily interested in forensics and C/L, which are two strengths of this program. 

Outside of medicine, I enjoy backpacking, distance running, playing video games, cooking, and watching sports.

What do you like about the program?

My seniors and the faculty I’ve worked with are not only supportive, but also encouraging. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge they hold and how much I have learned from them from my time here. There's a good balance of didactics/guided and self-directed learning.

What do you like about El Paso?

El Paso and Juárez have some good places to eat. So far, my friends and I have enjoyed Pho House Best Noodle, Banh Mi Papa Hon, Riyoma Sushi, and Gussie's Bakery.

Interests/passions/career goals?

I enjoy cooking, baking, and board games. Psychiatry is so broad of a field that I'm still trying to experience as much as I can to find what I'm truly interested in.

What you like about the program:

Laughing with my coresidents. We work hard, but we have a great time together. I also like the exposure to the forensic population and the court process at El Paso Psychiatric Center.

What you like about El Paso:

I love the welcoming culture of El Paso and Juárez and the availability of fresh tortillas on demand. Also, I love the mountains around El Paso and the national parks in southern New Mexico.

Interests/Passions/Career Goals:

My interests are community and public psychiatry.

What do you like about the program?

The program is very welcoming and cultivates a supportive environment. The residents are willing to help in any way they can, and the faculty are very intentional at gathering resident feedback and working to implement resident-driven changes.

What do you like about El Paso?

El Paso has the most beautiful sunsets, plenty of sunny days, and is nearby to multiple national parks which make for great weekend trips.

Interests/passion/career goals?

I am interested in a few different avenues, including interventional psychiatry, addiction, inpatient, or consult liaison, but we will see! In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies, spending time outside hiking, playing sports, walking my dog Luna, and doing anything creative like crochet, painting, and drawing.

What you like about the program:

Definitely the people! I’ve loved getting to know my co-residents and our faculty. I think our program is special in how supportive and close the residents are.

What you like about El Paso:

Again, the people!! I feel really fortunate to be able to serve this population. The people in El Paso are so warm, friendly, and appreciative. The diversity you see being on the border is so unique and creates so much opportunity to learn. Also, the sunsets are second to none!

Interests/Passions/Career Goals:

I’m still figuring it out! I love inpatient psychiatry, and I am interested in exploring neuromodulation and child and adolescent psychiatry.

What do you like about the program?

When applying to residency, I sought out a program that would enable me to utilize my Spanish-speaking skills daily and provide a range of exposure to diverse patient populations while training in an academic setting. Texas Tech Health El Paso was a perfect fit for all of the above. Since arriving, I have been most impressed by the warm and welcoming environment cultivated by seniors, faculty and leadership, the work - life balance, and my awesome coresidents.

What do you like about El Paso?

Growing up in the area, I am well acquainted with the beautiful weather, mountain scenery and welcoming, family-friendly borderland community. My favorite things about living in El Paso recently have been the great local coffee spot near my house, and taking weekend trips at the nearbyLincoln National Forest.

Interests / Passion / Career Goals

I'm interested in perinatal psychiatry and am excited to start the pathway next year! Additionally, I am interested in neuropsychiatry, and sleep medicine, with a focus on biological evidence-based psychiatry and interventional modalities of treatment. My eventual goals include a balance of research, teaching, and private practice. On the weekends, I enjoy quality time with my family and chilling with my coresidents.

What do you like about the program?

What I really like about the program is the strong sense of community—both in the people we serve and among the residents and attendings. Everyone is so supportive and genuinely cares about each other. I also really appreciate the good balance between work and life that the program encourages.

What do you like about El Paso?

The people in El Paso are an incredibly welcoming and warm community. I love the beautiful sunsets and mountain views, and how everything is just a short drive away. The sunny weather almost every day definitely helps keep your spirits up.

Interests / Passion / Career Goals
I’m open to exploring different areas within psychiatry, but right now I’m especially drawn to child and adolescent psychiatry and hope to pursue a fellowship in that field.

What do you like about the program?

The program provides much-needed care to an international community, and there's a supportive atmosphere among residents, faculty and staff. There are also tons of neat opportunities including testifying in court and addressing issues unique to border healthcare.

What do you like about El Paso?

The scenery and people of El Paso are incredible. The days are bright and sunny while the natural landscapes and mountains provide a calming presence. The people of El Paso and Cd. Juárez are warm and welcoming. Also, lots of parks and places to see within a short road trip.

Interests/passions/career goals?

I'm interested in many aspects of psychiatry, including addiction, community psychiatry and psychotherapy. My career goals include eventually working for an underserved community right here in the state of Texas. On the weekends you can catch me doing anything that's outdoors, trying food and drink recipes, and cheering on my San Antonio Spurs, Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys.

What do you like about the program?

The psychiatry program at Texas Tech Health El Paso cares deeply about the needs of its unique border population while also caring deeply about the well-being of its physicians-in-training. It recognizes that caring for the mental well-being of a community is predicated on the need to care for oneself and thus values a kinder and more holistic approach to medicine and teaching.

What do you like about El Paso?

As an El Paso native, my heart belongs to this city and its unique Hispanic population of kind and generous people. With its stunning desert vistas and mountain views, hiking, trail running, and mountain biking adventures never grow old and abound in this city.

Interests/passions/career goals?

With my past in neuroscience research and my future in psychiatry, I am passionate about demystifying the brain and understanding all aspects of psychiatric illnesses and corresponding treatment modalities. Outside of academia and medicine, I enjoy the outdoors, reading a good book, and planning trips to faraway places with foods I can't pronounce and languages I don't speak.

What do you like about the program?

I like the diversity within the program, as it allows us to interact closely with the border population. The attendings and residents are friendly and approachable; this creates an environment to grow.

What do you like about El Paso?

I love that most of my family lives in the Borderplex, so I get to see them often. The views of the Franklin Mountains are perfect, and the sunsets in El Paso are just beautiful.

Interests/passions/career goals?

I am excited about one day being able to combine my training in psychiatry with my background in psychology to provide my patients with more effective tools to achieve better outcomes, especially in child and adolescent psychiatry. Beyond my professional pursuits, I have a deep passion for clay sculpting and ceramics. Once settled in El Paso, I look forward to getting my own throwing wheel and creating some ceramic pieces. I also cherish spending quality time with my wife and our beloved dog, Nina.

What do you like about the program?

I was attracted to the supportive culture of the program; everyone has been very welcoming and friendly! Additionally, the program serves a unique population which provides several learning opportunities.

What do you like about El Paso?

The landscape has mountains, and there are plenty of sunny days. It’s wonderful to have several nature destinations to visit within a close distance. The cost of living and proximity to another country is also pretty great!

Interests/passions/career goals?

I’m currently interested in outpatient psychiatry and interventional psychiatry (likely working with adults), however, I’m open to exploring other interests. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, exercising, going for walks/hikes, UTV riding, and listening to music, among other things!

What do you like about the program?

When I first moved here, the thing that stood out most to me was the program culture. We've got a really diverse group of residents from all kinds of backgrounds, each bringing their own perspectives to psychiatry. In the future, if someone comes here like I did, they'll find their place just like I have. It's a welcoming environment where everyone appreciates differences.

What do you like about El Paso?

The people.

Interests/passions/career goals?

Traumatic brain injury, medicine.

What do you like about the program?

I appreciate how welcoming and kind the faculty and staff at both Texas Tech Health El Paso and EPPC have been. The program fosters both personal and professional growth, promoting camaraderie and mental well-being.

What do you like about El Paso?

El Paso is a place with a warm and gentle community. As someone from Puerto Rico, I have felt at home since moving here. It offers everything you need to stay entertained and live comfortably.

Interests/passions/career goals?

My professional interest lies in expanding my knowledge in psychiatry, with future plans to practice neuropsychiatry and behavioral neurology. On a personal level, I enjoy hiking frequently, which allows me to explore and connect with nature.

What do you like about the program?

What I like about the program is that it offers a wide range of clinical exposure in a culturally diverse population, providing invaluable experience in treating patients from different backgrounds. Most importantly, the healthy work environment and the support from each member create a family-like atmosphere, which is essential for personal and professional growth.

What do you like about El Paso?

What I like about El Paso is the view of the Franklin Mountains while driving, the safeness of the city, and how friendly and welcoming El Pasoans are. Coming from a diverse community, El Paso makes me feel at home.

Interests/passions/career goals?

Besides general psychiatry, I also like child and adolescent psychiatry. I see myself working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I enjoy building rapport with my patients and seeing how they progress. Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends. I adore dogs and enjoy spending time with my dog daughter, Mia.

What do you like about the program?

What do you like about El Paso?

Interests/passions/career goals?

What do you like about the program?

My favorite thing about the program is the strong academic foundation, the friendly and supportive culture of the program, and getting to work with underserved communities.

What do you like about El Paso?

I love how sunny, calm, and warm it is. Also, people are super friendly and I get to treat patients in English and Spanish.

Interests/Passions/Career Goals:

My goal is to work as an inpatient psychiatrist, but I am also interested in interventional psychiatry and education. I like spending quality time with the people I love and I am interested in fashion, dancing, and art in general.

What do you like about the program?

My favorite thing about the program is how supportive the attendings and fellow residents are. We are encouraged to follow our specific interests and assisted when needed. In addition, there is a strong focus on residents' wellness and overall well-being.

What do you like about El Paso? 

The best part is the beautiful daily sunsets combined with the view of the mountains. The Mexican food is incredible, and the El Paso community is exceptionally warm and friendly. I also value being within driving distance to five national parks, which I have been able to visit during my residency.

Interests/passions/career goals:

I am interested in outpatient psychiatry and interventional psychiatry such as esketamine and TMS. In my free time, I enjoy travelling, hiking, eating sweet treats, reading fantasy books, watching Formula 1, and creative pursuits such as crafting, DIY, and interior decorating.

What do you like about the program?

The best thing about our program is how close our residency and class is to each other. We are a family and support each other with anything one may be needing help with.

What do you like about El Paso?

El Paso is home to me. I’ve been living here since 7th grade. I love the mountains, the weather, the people, the food.

Interests/passions/career goals?

I have found I really enjoyed inpatient psych this year. I am hoping to eventually do a mix of inpatient and outpatient and eventually have my own clinic. Right now, I’m also interested in men's mental health, CL, and addiction psych.