Resident Profiles

PGY-4

Michael Boes , D.O.
Michael Boes , D.O.

Why I chose to come to TTUHSC El Paso for residency: I decided to come to TTUHSC El Paso because this program truly stood out to me during interview season. At TTUHSC El Paso, I know that I will be pushed hard to learn the underlying principles of neurology that will lead to my success, and I look forward to learning from this incredible staff.
Favorite things about El Paso: I am new to the El Paso region, but I am so excited to explore the desert and try the city’s world-famous Mexican cuisine!
Hobbies/Interests: I love golfing, hiking, reading and just about anything else that can take me outside.
Plans after residency: Though I am currently undecided as to fellowship, I have long had plans to practice as a general neurologist in a smaller community practice.
Something unique or interesting about myself: Before going to medical school, I umpired baseball for about 10 years up to the collegiate level and seriously considered trying out to be an MLB umpire.

Jessica Garcia-Chan, M.D.
Jessica Garcia-Chan, M.D.

Why I chose to come to TTUHSC El Paso for residency: I chose El Paso to do my residency because it is my home town,  I grew up in this area of two cities together and I am familiar with the cultural diversity in this border town community,  I feel I can understand our patient population on a very familiar level. 
Favorite things about El Paso: I really enjoy the mountains, it is a desert landscape that has its particular beauty. I like that there are no natural disasters and I like its proximity to Mexico, which gives you the opportunity to go into another country within five minutes.  
Hobbies/Interests: Rock climbing, hiking, traveling (time and pandemic permitting).  
Plans after residency: Plan to apply for a fellowship.
Something unique or interesting about myself: I used to be very shy as a kid. Now I feel I am the complete opposite, I enjoy social outings and this helps me in building rapport with our patients. 

Jithendhar Kandimalla, M.D.
Jithendhar Kandimalla, M.D.

Why I chose to come to TTUHSC El Paso for residency: Came to El Paso for more sunny days.
Favorite things about El Paso: Beautiful sunsets. Magnificent white sands
Hobbies/Interests: Travel, gardening, and cooking
Plans after residency: Fellowship
Something unique or interesting about myself: I have lived and studied in three different continents

PGY3

Israel Fernandez, M.D.
Israel Fernandez, M.D.

Why I chose to come to TTUHSC El Paso for residency: I chose TTUHSC El Paso because it's next to my hometown Juarez, Mex. This program felt like a perfect fit since the first day I started working here and I wanted to continue serving an area with a high Hispanic population.
Favorite things about El Paso: The mountains, the weather, Mexican culture.
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy watching and playing any sport, but my favorite ones are golf, basketball and tennis.
Plans after residency: Right now, I am planning to work as a neuro-hospitalist as I am still undecided about my fellowship.
Something unique or interesting about myself: I used to be a black belt in karate and won several national tournaments.
I have also travelled to more than 15 countries. 

Zhuo "Nicholas" Luan
Zhuo "Nicholas" Luan, M.D.

Why I chose to come to TTUHSC El Paso for residency: During the interview, the faculty and residents were so friendly. Thus, I was very impressed with TTUHSC El Paso's warm and supportive working environment. Besides that, I chose it because of its very diverse patient population.
Favorite things about El Paso: I like the magnificent mountains. And I don't need to do lawn mowing, leaf collecting or snow plowing.
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, cooking and traveling.
Plans after residency: I want to apply for a fellowship and finally become an academic neurologist.
Something unique or interesting about myself: I have rich research experience in neuroscience.

Victoria Rahaman
Victoria Rahaman, M.D.

Why I chose to come to TTUHSC El Paso for residency: TTUHSC El Paso offered me the opportunity to train at a comprehensive stroke center with a professional and welcoming staff that also emphasized didactics.
Favorite things about El Paso: My absolute favorite thing about El Paso is the view from the Franklin Mountains of both El Paso and Juárez at night.
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy playing videogames, cooking/baking, reading and gardening.
Plans after residency: After residency, I hope to pursue a fellowship in either neurocritical care, vascular neurology, or epilepsy.
Something unique or interesting about myself: I accidentally taught my cat to play fetch and open doors.

Huimin "Amy" Sim
Huimin "Amy" Sim, M.D.

Why I chose to come to TTUHSC El Paso for residency: It is a well-structured program with varieties of pathology and vast clinical exposure. The faculty members are approachable, friendly and supportive. I’m really excited about the residency training at TTUHSC El Paso and becoming a full-fledged neurologist.
Favorite things about El Paso: Mexican food and sunny weather.
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, running, working out, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends.
Plans after residency: I plan to do a fellowship in movement disorders. Something unique or interesting about yourself: One of my crazy hiking adventures is the 10 miles of Bright Angel Trail down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon on a winter day with snow.

PGY2

Srinidhi Bhat, M.D.
Srinidhi Bhat, M.D.

Board certified former TTUHSC El Paso internal medicine resident

Why did I choose to come to TTUHSC El Paso for residency: I have been living here for about six years now and one thing I can vouch for are the wonderful welcoming people in this city and TTUHSC El Paso. The program is geared towards teaching at the same time is very laid back. Another advantage is diverse pathology we see in UMC of El Paso – I truly believe that the best teacher in order to become a good doctor is to learn from your patient pathologies. 
Favorite things about El Paso: Sunny days in El Paso!
Hobbies /interest: Cooking, meditating.
Plans after residency: Neurology hospitalist.
Something unique or interesting about myself: I am board certified Internal Medicine physician from TTUHSC El Paso IM program.

David Carrillo, M.D.
David Carrillo, M.D.

Why I chose to come to TTUHSC El Paso for residency: I chose El Paso because I was genuinely impressed by my interviewers and the program director. El Paso is also my original home and it’s an absolute dream come true to be able to come back and serve my community.
Favorite things about El Paso: The close-knit community, fantastic Mexican food on both sides of the border, safe city, plenty of outdoor activities, close to a couple lakes and the Lincoln national forest.
Hobbies/interests: Hiking, Mountain biking, Camping, Off-roading, boating.
Plans after residency: Open a local clinic serving the Borderland community.
Something unique or interesting about yourself: I hiked Angels landing in Zion Utah at night.

Gabriela Colina, M.D.
Gabriela Colina, M.D.

Why I chose to come to TTUHSC El Paso for residency: I attended medical school at the Foster School of Medicine, and I was impressed by the unique patient diversity and the professionalism and educational expertise of the neurology department.
Favorite things about El Paso: The people in this city are so welcoming and kind, lack of humidity, and many great travel destinations are close by!
Hobbies/interests: Creative writing, playing piano
Plans after residency: Undecided.
Something unique or interesting about yourself: Played soccer for 15 years and used to officiate games. 

Renan Orellana, D.O.
Renan Orellana, D.O.

Why I chose to come to TTUHSC El Paso for residency: The Southwest and U.S.-Mexico border region became my new home since attending medical school in nearby Las Cruces, New Mexico. It is a privilege to continue my residency training as a physician serving familiar communities at the border and helping meet the healthcare needs of the Paso del Norte region.
Favorite things about El Paso: To me, El Paso is a hidden gem with its diverse mix of U.S. and Mexican culture, food, art, and history. Whenever I travel to other parts of the U.S., I share my love for this is bicultural city with its year-round sunshine and scenic desert landscapes and mountains.
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy outdoors and physical activities that keep both my mind and body active and healthy, particularly going on hikes and training for mud runs and obstacle races (i.e., the Spartan Race). I also enjoy learning new languages, including being fully bilingual with Spanish as my first language and having basic competency in French, Haitian Kreyol, Portuguese, and Malawian Chichewa.
Plans after residency: After my Neurology residency, I plan on completing a fellowship in either neurorehabilitation or neuroimmunology sub-specialties and continue practicing medicine in service of border populations of the Paso del Norte region.
Something unique or interesting about yourself: I have lived in San Salvador, New York City, Houston, Southern New Mexico (Las Cruces, Lovington and Roswell), and now, El Paso. I had temporary professional opportunities for public health, social medicine and clinical work in Malawi and Haiti.