Surgery Education
Welcome to our new 2009-2010 Interns, Residents & Fellows

General Surgery Residency Program:

Johanna Bayer, MD | Email
MD, Justus-Liebig Universität Gießen, Gießen, Germany, 2006
Dr. Bayer graduated from the Justus Liebig University, Giessen Germany in December 2006. She has been involved in research with the Laboratory for Experimental Cardiology at the Clinic for Internal Medicine since 2002 and is currently working on the completion of her German Medical Thesis.

Puneet Bhatia, MD |
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery), Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College (GSVM), Kanpur, India, 2000
Dr. Bhatia was born in India and graduated from GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, India (CSJM University, Kanpur, India) in 1998. After finishing his rotatory internship, he joined post graduation in orthopedic surgery at the same school and completed his training in 2003. He worked as senior resident in orthopedic surgery for about 5 years in India and Dubai. He also completed his MRCS from Glasgow, UK and a Fellowship at the Joint Replacement Centre of Excellence at American Hospital Dubai. He is interested in Indian music.

Christopher Boniquit, MD | Email
MD, Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, 2009
Dr. Boniquit attended Northwestern University and graduated with a BS in biomedical engineering in 2003. During this time, he worked for Baxter Healthcare and was awarded a patent for the development of an integrity test for a blood component processing system. He received his MD from Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL in June 2009. Dr. Boniquit will begin his urology training in July 2010 after completion of 1 year of general surgery. Aside from work, he enjoys golf, traveling and investing too much into the Chicago Cubs.

Heather Brandfellner, DO | Email
DO, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2009
Dr. Brandfellner was born and raised in Long Beach, California. She completed her undergraduate degree at Colorado State University where she earned a BS in Equine Science in May 2004. After graduation, she worked as a veterinary technician for one year before entering medical school. While in medical school, she was an active leader in the Texas Medical Association and American Medical Association. Heather graduated from the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in May 2009. She is passionate about surgery and also enjoys painting, photography and spending time outdoors.

Natalie Britt, MD | Email
MD, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 2009
Dr. Britt attended Tulane University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience (Cum Laude) and a Master of Science degree in Human Genetics. She then attended The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, earning her M.D. in May of 2009. During the course of these studies, Natalie spent significant time volunteering with organizations such as Christian Medical and Dental Association and Frontera de Salud participating in medical mission trips in the US and Mexico. Her interests outside of medicine include music, dance and water sports.

Agustin Cornejo, MD | Email
MD, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, 2006
Agustin graduated from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara in Mexico. In 2004, he founded, along with other distinguished peers and professors, the first Scientific Society of Medical Students at this University. During his senior year, he was granted the opportunity to assist in the development of research projects. This is considered a privilege since the National Health Department grants this opportunity to only one percent of medical seniors in Mexico. Besides surgery, Agustin also enjoys jogging and playing guitar.

Sebastian Ernesto Cuevas Pareja, MD | Email
MD, Universidad Privada del Valle, Cochabamba, Bolivia, 2006
Sebastian Cuevas was born in La Paz, Bolivia and graduated from Universidad Privada del Valle. After being Chief Intern at the Military Hospital in La Paz he moved to Houston Texas to work as a Post Doctoral Researcher at the Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation & Education (MITIE(tm)) where he participated in the development of educational programs by assisting in surgical labs set-up and acting as a facilitator for these programs. Before finishing his research program he assisted in the Learning Center for Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery at SAGES Meeting 2009. Sebastian Cuevas is also manager for MD United Football Club and loves to travel.

Emmanuel Gabriel, MD | Email
MD, University of Medicine and Dentistry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Piscataway, New Jersey, 2009
Dr. Emmanual Gabriel did his undergraduate work at Drew University in New Jersey with a double major in Biology and Economics. He then entered the MD/PhD Program at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Gabriel completed his PhD in Biomedical Sciences at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey with emphasis on cancer immunology and immunotherapy. He was awarded a predoctoral fellowship from the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research, and his thesis has formed the basis for several national presentations and publications. Dr. Gabriel hopes to become a physician scientist in surgical oncology.

Luke M. Galindo, MD | Email
MD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, 2009
Dr. Galindo graduated from Vanderbilt University in May of 2005 during which time he was involved in multiple sporting activities as well as completed training to become a licensed hunting guide. Throughout his time at Vanderbilt Luke was always involved in medicine, working with the plastic surgery department as well as performing research on Alzheimer's Disease. After college, Luke attended Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center to obtain his M.D. and continues to maintain a healthy interest and passion in surgery.

Genaro Gutierrez, MD | Email
MD, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 2009
Dr. Gutierrez graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2005 with a bachelors of science in human biology. He then attended The University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, and graduated in 2009. During his senior year he was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He is a preliminary surgery resident and will continue his training in anesthesiology at The George Washington University Hospital in Washington DC.

Travis Holloway, MD | Email
MD, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 2009
Dr. Holloway graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in 2009. He was nominated by his classmates and elected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society for the constant compassion he showed to patients and peers alike. He was married over the summer to Kathryn Swann, who will be starting her OB/GYN residency this year, also at UTHSCSA. During his free time Travis enjoys watching and playing sports, crossword puzzles, and live music.

Pashtoon Kasi, MD | Email
MD, Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan, 2009
Dr. Kasi is a graduate of Aga Khan University (AKU), a prestigious international university spread over 8 countries, where he completed his five year program leading to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Degree in 2006. During his medical school, he has been an active voice in research and was the student leader in various projects including the study on the health effects of the sixth biggest oil spill of the world. Based on these research experiences, he was nominated to represent Pakistan at the esteemed 57th Meeting of Young Scientists with all the living Nobel Laureates in Lindau, Germany. Over the past two years he has been voluntarily running a forum PromotingResearch.com to promote research, open access and education amongst young investigators; with almost 150 members from 17 countries. Recently, to serve the same cause, he has also written a book titled, "RESEARCH: What, Why and How? A Treatise from Researchers to Researchers." Besides surgery, he likes running, squash and enjoys playing his traditional musical instrument, Rabab.

Ashwini Kumar, MD | Email
MD, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Bhagalpur, India, 2008
Dr. Kumar graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, India. He was actively involved in social service as a member of Rotaract Club during his graduation. Before coming to San Antonio he worked in National Health Service, UK. His other interests are motor biking, cricket and cooking.

Anjana Lal, MD | Email
MD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas, 2009
Dr. Lal graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. In her free time, she enjoys learning and practicing yoga as well as trying out food from different cultures.

Grigorios Alexios Lamaris, MD | Email
MD, University of Crete Faculty of Medicine, Crete, Greece, 2008
Dr. Lamaris graduated the University of Crete Medical School in Heraklion, Greece in 2005. Following graduation he completed a two year post doc research fellowship at The University of Texas M.D Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, Department of infectious diseases, infection control and employee health, conducting research in the field of fungal infections. Among others, his projects included the establishment of "mini-host" animal models for the study of invasive fungal infections, as well as the study of the immuno-pharmacologic properties of the echinocandins, a new class of antifungals. After completing his residency, he will pursue a fellowship in trauma and surgical critical care.

Gregory Larsen, MD | Email
MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 2009
A native of Tennessee, Dr. Larsen studied history at Tennessee Tech University, then did non-profit work for several years before crossing the mountains for medical school at UNC. While in North Carolina, he took up distance running and proudly watched the Tarheels win the national championship. Greg enjoys woodworking, baseball, and hanging out with his wife, Hillary Eklund, and their family, Samson the dog and Daly the cat.

John R. Miller, MD | Email
MD, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 2009
Dr. Miller graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. After undergrad, he attended Boston University Med School and received a masters degree while being involved in psychopharmacology research at Harvard University. He was a co-author of one publication while doing his research studies. He then attended the University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, is currently training as a surgery prelim resident in San Antonio. Dr. Miller will attend the University of Arizona next year for anesthesia training. He enjoys working out and being outdoors.

Grayson Moore, MD | Email
MD, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 2009
Dr. Grayson Moore was born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Austin, Texas. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in Biology in 2005 before completing his medical degree at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2009. During his pursuit of a career in medicine, he was involved in conducting studies on total joint orthopaedic prosthetics for FDA approval. He is currently a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Bexar County Medical Society, and American College of Surgeons. Dr. Moore is very active in his community serving as a little league baseball coach, elementary school mentor, and Rodeo Austin medical volunteer with the Justin Sports Medicine Team. He also enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including bow hunting, skeet shooting, spear fishing, ranching, and SCUBA diving. In his spare time, he is passionate about writing music and playing guitar with his wife.

Hanuma Reddy Nanda Kumar, MD | Email
MD, Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore, India, 2008
Dr. Nanda Kumar graduated from Bangalore Medical College, India and subsequently did his postgraduate surgical training in India. He also trained in the United Kingdom before starting his residency in the Unites States. He likes cooking, enjoys cricket and soccer and loves watching movies.

Guillermo Portillo, MD | Email
MD, Universidad de La Salle, Mexico City, 1998
Born in Mexico City in 1976. Earned his medical degree, Suma Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude from La Salle University. Completed his General Surgery training in 2006 from Universidad Nacional Auntonoma de Mexico, in the top, 2% of his class. Fellowship at the Texas Endosurgery Institute in advance laparoscopic surger, where he was Chief of Research since 2008. Dr Portillo is a frequent speaker in congresses arround the world, as well as author of numerous journal articles and book chapters in the field of advanced laparosocpic surgery.

Jaqueline Marie Richa De Arco, MD | Email
MD, Universidad de Panama, Panama City, Panama, 2008
Dr. Richa graduated with honors from the University of Panama in Central America. As a medical student, she volunteered in community service programs, providing primary health care to low income families in rural areas. She had the privilege of being invited to participate, for three consecutive years, in 'Operation Walk', a charitable program sponsored by the Office of the First Lady of the Republic of Panama and carried out by U.S. health professionals in developing countries where they perform orthopedic surgeries to underprivileged patients. She was awarded a special recognition for her outstanding participation on this program. She embraces challenges and sees them as opportunities to grow. She enjoys outdoors activities and has participated in sport competitions like volleyball tournaments and in the Ocean to Ocean Panama Canal Cayuco Race.

Colin Son, MD | Email
MD, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 2009
Dr. Son is a native Texan who initially went away to film school at the University of Southern California. On realizing his love of medicine he returned to Texas to attend the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio's School of Medicine. During his time in medical school he was the recipient of an Alumni Association scholarship, the Department of Neurosurgery student award, and was elected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society. In his free time Colin writes a weekly column for Medscape and his interests include international travel, film, sports and health care policy.

Salvador Sordo, MD | Email
MD, Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, 2008
Dr. Sordo graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Mexico in 2006. During a year of rural service in the desert of Baja California, He was able to obtain Local, State and Federal funding as well as private investors to turn a one-room clinic in to an integral care facility serving well over 6000 people. Salvador enjoys running, sailing and spending time with family and friends.

Carole M. Villamaria, MD | Email
MD, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, 2008
Dr. Villamaria was born in a small province in the Philippines. At the age of ten, she along with her mother and younger brother emigrated to the United States, where her father, who was a Navy Petty Officer, awaited them. Dr. Villamaria learned the English language within 3 months of moving to the United States and is now fluent in three languages. She has lived in St. Petersburg, Florida with her mother and father, a nursing assistant and retired Naval Corpsman respectively, a younger brother who is a senior at the University of South Florida, and a younger sister who is in 7th grade. Dr. Villamaria did her undergraduate work at the University of Miami, earning a BS degree in Biology, graduating with Cum Laude honors in 2004. During her undergraduate years, Dr. Villamaria was very active in extracurricular activities (Air Force ROTC, Filipino Student's Association (President), Mag Ka Isa Dance Troupe, etc.) that supplemented her formal education. During her undergraduate career, her academic achievements included the Dean's List and President's List, academic scholarships, and election to National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Golden Key Honor Society. Dr. Villamaria entered the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 2004 with an Air Force Health Professions Scholarship and remains active in the community and within the school. In May of 2008 she received her Doctorate of Medicine Degree. She then went on to complete a preliminary year in general surgery which piqued her interest in pediatric surgery. Consequently, she is now in pursuit of a career as a pediatric surgeon. She has been awarded the coveted Air Force Civilian Sponsored residency for General Surgery. And the journey continues ...

John Wiersch, MD | Email
MD, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 2009
Dr. Wiersch graduated from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in 2009. Prior to graduation, he gained additional medical experience by providing emergency medical services to several eastern Pennsylvania communities as a paramedic. In his fourth year of medical school, he was a member of a medical mission to Guayaquil, Ecuador, where he assisted with the evaluation, operative treatment, and post-operative care of children with congenital heart disease. When not working, he enjoys photography, running, and hiking.

Ammar Yamani, MD | Email
MD, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, 2009
Dr. Yamani received his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin. There he majored in Plan II, with a minor in philosophy, as well as completed an undergraduate thesis on Islamic medicine. He received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch, and pursued research studies in neurosciences, particularly mechanisms for pain perception. In addition to pursuing a career in anesthesiology, Ammar enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and playing racquetball.

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Residency Program:

Fawn Hogan, MD | Email
2002-2009, General Surgery residency program, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio
2005-2007, Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI), UT Health Science Center San Antonio Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, San Antonio, TX
1998-2002, MD, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
1994-1998, BS, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
Dr. Hogan is with the US Air Force through Wilford Hall and did her Surgery Residency at UTHSCSA. She has chosen a plastic surgery residency for the opportunity to blend and eye for the aesthetic with the patient's needs. Following her graduation in Plastic Surgery, she will continue her commitment to the Air Force. Dr. Hogan has assisted with health screenings at the Brantley Center for the homeless in New Orleans, and served as a Red Cross volunteer at the Air Force Academy hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Curtis N. Crane, MD | Email
2008-2009, Urology Fellowship, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI
2004-2008, Urology residency program, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
2002-2004, Surgery residency program, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH
1998-2002, MD, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
1993-1998, Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Dr. Crane is seeking additional training in plastic surgery with the goal of being board certified in both urology and plastic surgery, which would enable him to maximize both the cosmetic and functional outcomes for his patients. Dr. Crane has also developed an interest in international medicine having assisted in surgeries in both Mbane Government Hospital in Mbane, Swaziland, and at Children's Hospital of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. He has also accompanied Dr. Richard Santucci to South Africa and Mozambique to treat urological diseases.

Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Program:

Lucas M. Duvall, MD | Email
MD, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport, LA, 2004
Dr. Duvall is a native of Louisiana. While growing up in Shreveport, he was an avid student and competitive swimmer. He is the second of four siblings, with an older sister, twin sister, and younger brother. During high school he was able to excel to the national level, qualifying for the Senior National and the Olympic Trials. He then completed his undergraduate education at the Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA, receiving an Bachelor's degree in Microbiology prior to completing medical school at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, LA. A general surgery residency was also completed at the LSUHSC-Shreveport campus. He will be entering a residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery with long term plans to practice adult cardiac, thoracic and peripheral vascular surgery.

Critical Care (Trauma) Fellowship:

Helen A. Skaggs, MD | Email
MD, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 2004
Dr. Skaggs earned her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina in 2004. She will complete her internship and surgical residency at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama in June, 2009. Dr. Skaggs will begin her fellowship in the Surgical Critical Care Program in the Division of Trauma on July 1, 2009.

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS):

Amit Parikh, DO | Email
DO, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 2004
Amit Parikh, DO, is a native of India, but grew up in Chicago. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He then went on to receive his medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences in California, and completed his general surgery residency at Midwestern University in Chicago. Dr. Parikh is currently a fellow in the Department of Surgery minimally invasive fellowship program.

TRAINING PROGRAM FOR TRAUMA RESEARCH POSTDOCTORAL SCIENTISTS

Surgery Quick Links

Surgery Education
Welcome to our new 2009-2010 Interns, Residents & Fellows

TRAINING PROGRAM FOR TRAUMA RESEARCH POSTDOCTORAL SCIENTISTS

Surgery Quick Links

Surgery Education Welcome to our new 2009-2010 Interns, Residents & Fellows

Surgery Education
Welcome to our new 2009-2010 Interns, Residents & Fellows