Resident Profiles

Chiefs

Brittany Harper
Brittany Harper, M.D.

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Undergrad: Southern Methodist University

Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine

Favorite Thing About El Paso: Sense of community and low cost of living

Hobbies/Interests: Books, crochet, Netflix, puppies and ice cream

Surgical Interest: Vascular and Endovascular

Asif Hasan Siddiqui
Asif Hasan Siddiqui, M.D.

Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan

Medical School: Aga Khan University Medical College

Favorite Thing About El Paso: The people and mountain scenery

Hobbies/Interests: Music-playing the piano, sports-cricket and tennis, watching formula 1

Surgical Interest: Vascular and Endovascular

Simon Yaguare, M.D.
Simon Yaguare, M.D.

Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela

Undergrad: Central University of Venezuela

Medical School: Central University of Venezuela

Favorite Thing About El Paso: Restaurants

Hobbies/Interests: Play soccer and guitar

Surgical Interest: Cardiothoracic

PGY-4

Nicole Biediger, D.O.
Nicole Biediger, D.O.

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

Undergrad: Texas State University

Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine

Favorite thing about El Paso: There’s really a lot to do in the area and everyone here is very friendly.

Hobbies/Interests: Indoor cycling, plant mom, hiking, cooking and baking

Surgical Interest: General surgery and robotics.

Irving Alvarado Gonzalez, M.D.
Irving Alvarado Gonzalez, M.D.

Hometown: Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico

Medical School: Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez

Favorite thing about El Paso: Diversity, food.

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy playing the drums, baseball, live music and swimming.

Surgical Interest: General surgery.

Richard Garza, M.D.
Ricardo Garza, M.D.

Hometown: McAllen, Texas

Undergrad: Baylor University

Medical School: UT Southwestern

Favorite thing about El Paso: The view of the mountains and hills as I drive around town.

Hobbies/Interests: Videogames, the outdoors and rock climbing.

Surgical Interest: Plastics, MIS, bariatrics.

Jonathan Gevorkian
Jonathan Gevorkian, M.D.

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Undergrad: University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Medical School: The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

Favorite thing about El Paso: The kind and friendly people

Hobbies/Interests: Fixing things, crafting, basketball, and NASA

Surgical Interest: Trauma and MIS

PGY-3

Daisy Proksch, M.D.
Daisy Proksch, M.D.

Hometown: Grants Pass, Oregon

Undergrad: Southern Oregon University (the other Raiders)

Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School

Favorite Thing About El Paso: Exploring the mountains and the refreshing evening breezes

Hobbies/Interests: Rock climbing, rollerblading, hiking

Surgical Interest: Undecided, possibly vascular surgery

Edgar Serrato, M.D.
Edgar Serrato, M.D.

Hometown: Edinburg, Texas

Undergrad: The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley

Medical School: San Juan Bautista School of Medicine

Favorite Thing About El Paso: The mountain scenery

Hobbies/Interests: Soccer, hiking, staying active, weightlifting

Surgical Interest: MIS, acute care surgery

Alisan Turner, M.D.
Alisan Turner, M.D.

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Undergrad: The University of Texas at Dallas

Medical School: Texas Tech Health El Paso, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine

Favorite Thing About El Paso: The people, mountains, and sunsets

Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, cooking, reading, singing, and playing with my cat

Surgical Interest: Pediatric surgery, general surgery, colorectal, MIS

PGY-2

 Rachel Hassler, M.D.
Rachel Hassler, M.D.

Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Undergrad: University of New Mexico

Medical School: University of New Mexico

Favorite thing about El Paso: The sunsets and sunrises.

Hobbies/Interests: Mountain bikes, rock climbing, hiking.

Surgical Interest: Minimally invasive, colorectal, trauma

Jason Raymond Jorgensen, M.D.
Jason Raymond Jorgensen, M.D.

Hometown: Sierra Vista, Arizona

Undergrad: Thomas Edison State University
Medical School: University of Arizona COM – Phoenix

Favorite thing about El Paso: It is significantly cooler than Phoenix in the summer.

Hobbies/Interests: Working on cars, basking in the desert sun.

Surgical Interest: General and vascular surgery.

Josephine Tolan, M.D.
Josephine Tolan, M.D.

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Undergrad: Trinity University

Medical School: McGovern Medical School

Favorite thing about El Paso: I love living close to mountains for the first time in my life.

Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, running, and gardening.

Surgical Interest: Reconstructive plastic surgery.

Karina Torres Tristani, M.D.
Karina Torres Tristani, M.D.

Hometown: Bayamon, Puerto Rico

Undergrad: University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus

Medical School: University of Puerto Rico, SOM - Medical Sciences Campus

Favorite thing about El Paso: The people and the mountain views.

Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my dog, yoga, traveling, trying out new things.

Surgical Interest: MIS.

PGY-1

Julian De La Chapa, M.D.
Julian De La Chapa, M.D.

Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Undergrad: The University of Texas at Austin

Medical School: UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine

Favorite thing about El Paso: The mountain views

Hobbies/Interests: Weightlifting, guitar, and travel

Surgical Interest: Plastic Surgery

Max Liu, M.D.
Max Liu, M.D.

Hometown: Keller, Texas

Undergrad: Rice University

Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine

Favorite thing about El Paso: Great people, delicious food, and pretty mountains

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, eating new food, jogging, basketball

Surgical Interest: Cardiothoracic, general, trauma

Aaron Machen, D.O. 
Aaron Machen, D.O. 

Hometown: El Paso, Texas

Undergrad: Brigham Young University

Medical School: Rocky Vista University

Favorite Thing About El Paso: The mountains and Mexican food

Hobbies/Interests: Mountain biking, skiing, triathlon, and being a dad to my twin daughters

Surgical Interest: Undecided

Kohlson Moore, M.D.
Kohlson Moore, M.D.

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Undergrad: Oregon State University and University of Arizona

Medical School: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Favorite Thing About El Paso: There is a lot to do and good food

Hobbies/Interests: Hiking and staying active, traveling, the Minnesota Vikings, hanging out with family and friends

Surgical Interest: Colorectal, Trauma

PGY-1 Preliminary

Christian D. Davila, D.O.
Christian D. Davila, D.O.

Hometown: Laredo, Texas

Undergrad: University of Texas at San Antonio

Medical School: University of Incarnate Ward School of Osteopathic Medicine

Favorite Thing About El Paso: I love and appreciate the culture and community

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy a round of golf and camping at National State Parks

Surgical Interest: Cardiothoracic Surgery

Isaac Gandara, M.D.
Isaac Gandara, M.D.

Hometown: El Paso, Texas

Undergrad: The University of Texas at El Paso

Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston

Favorite Thing About El Paso: The weather and people

Hobbies/Interests: Basketball, volleyball, and board games

Surgical Interest: Trauma and Critical Care

Michele Wang, M.D.
Michele Wang, M.D.

Hometown: Mesa, Arizona

Undergrad: Duke University

Medical School: University of Arizona, College of Medicine – Phoenix

Favorite Thing About El Paso: Everyone is kind and helpful

Hobbies/Interests: Trap and skeet shooting, pottery, sewing, knitting/crochet, dungeons and dragons, and videogames

Surgical Interest: Undecided

Department of Surgery Residency Program

Department of Surgery
Residency Program

For more information about the General Surgery Residency Program at Texas Tech Health El Paso, visit our Residency Program Contact page to connect with our team.

If you have any further questions, contact elpasosurgeryresidency@ttuhsc.edu