Class of 2027

Hometown: Cabot, Arkansas

Favorite things to do outside the hospital: fishing, gardening, baking, sewing, and reading

What led you to choose Family Medicine as a specialty? I love the variety, and no other specialty allows me to build long-term relationships with my patients while providing “cradle to grave” care like family medicine does!

Why did you choose El Paso to train for residency? El Paso first appeared on our radar when my husband got orders to Fort Bliss. We were both charmed by the desert, and the welcoming atmosphere made us determined to stay for residency!

Professional/Clinical Interests: Patient education & health literacy

Favorite quote/movie/TV show/book:
Quote: “Do not spoil the wonder with haste!” – JRR Tolkien
TV Show: Downton Abbey
It’s impossible to choose a favorite movie or book… 

Random fact about yourself: Despite my best efforts, I’ve never been able to learn to whistle!

Plans after Residency: I’m keeping an open mind, but I’d love to open up my own clinic one day.

Hometown: El Paso, Texas 

Favorite things to do outside the hospital: Hiking, spending time with family and three dogs– Waffles, Maple, and Pup Pups, traveling, working out. 

What led you to choose Family Medicine as a specialty? Family medicine 

Why did you choose El Paso to train for residency?  After completing my medical education in Galveston over four enriching years, my heart remained steadfastly set on returning to my roots in El Paso, the community that shaped me. As a proud native El Pasoan, I can attest to the unparalleled sense of belonging and diversity found here. This vibrant tapestry of cultures offers boundless opportunities for growth and collaboration. My desire to return home was not merely fueled by nostalgia, but by a deep-seated commitment to give back to the place that fostered my dreams. Armed with the insights gained from my experiences in a different locale, I eagerly anticipate the chance to enrich my residency with diverse perspectives and approaches. 

Professional/Clinical Interests:  Preventive medicine, sports medicine, bordertown health, Latinx/Hispanic health disparities. 

Favorite quote/movie/TV show/book:  “Learn your rules. You better learn your rules. If you don’t you’ll be eaten in your sleep. Rawhhhhhr.” ~Dwight Schrute, The Office

Random fact about yourself: I used to be a veterinarian technician, I love animals. It’s mandatory to show me pictures of your furry friends!

Plans after Residency:  I am committed to serving the vibrant community of El Paso with the utmost dedication as a family medicine physician. My passion lies in the integration of integrative health and sports medicine, and I aim to weave these disciplines seamlessly into my practice, offering comprehensive care to all those I have the privilege to treat.

Hometown: Springfield, MO 

Favorite things to do outside the hospital: Game Nights with Friends, Reading, Painting, Travel, and Playing with my THREE German Shepherd Dogs 

What led you to choose Family Medicine as a specialty? I wanted to be the type of physician who could confidently treat any patient that walked through my clinic doors. Family Medicine treats everything and everyone. It’s the perfect place for me! 

Why did you choose El Paso to train for residency? I have spent the last decade living and working in the Borderlands. This is home. These people are my friends, neighbors, and support system. When the opportunity arose to stay and do my residency here, I couldn’t let it pass me by! 

Professional/Clinical Interests: I have a special interest in the medical management of healthy aging and longevity, including the wide variety of interventions available to support patients in achieving their aesthetic goals throughout life. 

Favorite quote/movie/TV show/book:  “If there is no wind, row!” -Latin Proverb

Random fact about yourself: Prior to going back to medical school, I did physical therapy and first came to the American Southwest on a work contract for a travel physical therapy company. I fell in love with the place and have been here ever since.

Plans after Residency: I will spend a few years working for the VA as fulfillment of a scholarship program. After that, I’d like to open my own private practice and eventually create a therapeutic ranch using equine/canine therapy, the great outdoors, and group therapy to provide PT/OT and mental health support to those that need it.

Hometown: Phoenix

Favorite things to do outside the hospital: Exploring national parks, hiking, competitive badminton, volleyball

What led you to choose Family Medicine as a specialty? Variety, flexibility, being able to take care of the most people, most of the time 

Why did you choose El Paso to train for residency? The mountains and sunshine

Professional/Clinical Interests: Full spectrum primary care 

Favorite quote/movie/TV show/book: Knives Out  

Random fact about yourself: "I’ll find a way". 

Plans after Residency: live my best life 

Hometown: Glendale, AZ

Favorite things to do outside the hospital: Exploring the city and finding events to attend such as local sports, farmer markets, or festivals. With my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, working out, and playing videogames. 

What led you to choose Family Medicine as a specialty? There are quite a few reasons. I was always drawn to family medicine because of the emphasis and value on long-term relationships in patient care. Another reason was the flexibility of your practice including hours, scope, and your target population. Lastly, I hope to one day be able to work with my community to help address health equity issues by focusing on preventative medicine and community education. 

Why did you choose El Paso to train for residency? For me, it was 90% about the FM residency program itself. I felt that the residents and faculty genuinely were invested in one another here. Furthermore, being so close to the border would allow me to practice my medical Spanish and would expose me to more unique clinical scenarios.

Professional/Clinical Interests: Health equity, community medicine, addiction medicine.

Favorite quote/movie/TV show/book:

Favorite quote: "If you can't pay it back, pay it forward"

Favorite TV show; Fallout (series and games), GoT/House of Dragon

Favorite recent movie; Godzilla minus one

Favorite classic; Lord of the Rings trilogy 

Random fact about yourself: I hope to visit all 30 MLB stadiums and I'm currently at 8 out of 30. 

Plans after Residency: Not sure yet, I would eventually like to have my own practice but I am keeping my possibilities open at this time. 

Hometown: Houston, TX 

Favorite things to do outside the hospital: Cooking, going to the movie theater, reading  

What led you to choose Family Medicine as a specialty? I am very much a believer in building trust with patients over time. I appreciate the ability to form longstanding relationships with patients from all walks of life and take a comprehensive approach to patient health. 

Why did you choose El Paso to train for residency? El Paso is a wonderful city with a diverse community I am eager to live and practice in. All the sunshine is a major plus as well! 

Professional/Clinical Interests: Preventative medicine, geriatrics, palliative care, general practice

Favorite quote/movie/TV show/book:
“Every second counts.”
Movie- Badlands
TV show- The Wire
Book- Slaughterhouse V by Kurt Vonnegut

Random fact about yourself: I earned my undergraduate degree in mathematics before pursuing a career in medicine.

Plans after Residency: Practice in Texas in a predominantly outpatient setting.

Hometown: Houston, Texas 

Favorite things to do outside the hospital: Crochet, digital art, and gardening

What led you to choose Family Medicine as a specialty? The opportunity to work with patients throughout different stages of their life and establishing long term rapport was very appealing to me. I was also drawn to the variety found in the practice and scope of family medicine in terms of patient populations and procedures.

Why did you choose El Paso to train for residency? I was born and raised in Texas in a Spanish speaking family and felt that I could contribute to the needs of the community. I also found the local culture and scenery in El Paso to be appealing.

Professional/Clinical Interests: Behavioral/mental health, geriatric medicine

Favorite quote/movie/TV show/book:
Favorite movie – The Wizard of Oz
Favorite TV Show – The Good Place

Random fact about yourself: I enjoy collecting different kinds of yarn to try out for my crochet projects.

Plans after Residency: I am looking forward to pursuing fellowship opportunities after the completion of my residency. 

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Favorite things to do outside the hospital: I love spending time with my family and going to church. I also enjoy cooking and trying different recipes. And of course, video games and sports

What led you to choose Family Medicine as a specialty? I chose family medicine because throughout medical school I found myself liking each aspect of medicine and I felt as if family medicine was a specialty that would allow me to care for multiple different ages and provide comprehensive medicine. I also feel as if family medicine physicians form a unique relationship with their patients and community that goes beyond just medicine.

Why did you choose El Paso to train for residency?  My significant other is from Mexico and  throughout the years she has helped me grow an appreciation for the Mexican culture. The residency program here in El Paso was one of the first programs I researched due to high Hispanic population and its location near Mexico. My appreciation for the various Hispanic cultures has grown so much over the years that I’ve made it one of my goals to serve and give back to this community that has openly accepted me. I also fell in love with the beauty of the mountains of El Paso coupled with the bright night lights of the city.

Professional/Clinical Interests: Sports Medicine

Favorite quote/movie/TV show/book:
Favorite quote: “If God is for us, who can be against us” Romans 8:31

Random fact about yourself: I played clarinet in my high school band

Plans after Residency: Outpatient family medicine practice