Current Residents

Internal Medicine -- PGY3

Portrait picture of Lakshmi Kattamuri, M.D.

Lakshmi Kattamuri, M.D.

Chief Resident
PGY3

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: The program has a friendly environment and is focused on teaching their residents. It was evident from my interview day that the faculty and staff are very supportive and approachable. This kind of positive environment enables residents to learn and grow both professionally and personally. There is vast exposure to a variety of cases in internal medicine and ample research opportunities.
Favorite things about El Paso: I like Mexican food, scenic Franklin mountains, the sunset and the friendly folk. It a city with its own indigenous values and wide cultural diversity. 
Hobbies/interests: I am classical kuchipudi dancer since the age of 5 years. I like dancing and choreographing. Apart from that, I also like travelling. I like keeping up with the latest medical updates.
Plans after residency: I love internal medicine! I am yet to explore my options but leaning towards interventional subspecialties.
Something unique or interesting about yourself: I can speak four languages (English, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil), and I am a workaholic.  

Portrait picture of Hedaia Algheriani, M.D.

Hedaia Algheriani, M.D.

PGY3

Portrait picture of John Aparece, M.D.

John Aparece, M.D.

PGY3

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso because it is a university program that provides care to a diverse and multicultural population. I was also drawn by the program’s strong clinical training and support for research. I knew I would receive excellent and well-rounded training here.
Favorite things about El Paso: El Paso is a vibrant city, and the climate is similar to my home country, the Philippines. The people are very friendly, and there are a lot of opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, and other outdoor activities, which I love.
Hobbies/interests: I love the outdoors, and in my free time, I go hiking, camping, and freediving.
Plans after residency: After residency, I plan to pursue a cardiology fellowship or become a hospitalist.
Something unique or interesting about yourself: I just started training for my first 70.3 Ironman!

Portrait picture of Marco Cazares Parson, M.D.

Marco Cazares Parson, M.D.

PGY3

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: During my internship in Houston, I noticed that many Hispanic patients received less than adequate medical attention due to language barriers. So, I chose a place where I could make a difference for them; that is why Texas Tech Health El Paso was my No. 1 choice for residency.
Favorite things about El Paso: The low cost of living relative to other places, a well-connected airport, and the proximity to Mexico.
Hobbies/interests: I love watching movies and going to the movie theater.
Plans after residency: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Something unique or interesting about yourself: I’m an aviation geek and will get my private pilot license after residency.

 

Portrait picture of Jia Ee Chia, M.D.

Jia Ee Chia, M.D.

PGY3

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: I’m genuinely passionate about internal medicine and Texas Tech Health El Paso provides a comprehensive curriculum that aligns perfectly with my learning objectives and career goals. During my interview, I had the opportunity to interact with the senior residents. Their friendliness and positive attitude towards the program demonstrated a supportive environment that helps with the growth and well-being of its residents.
Favorite things about El Paso: Sunshine all year round that uplifts my energy, friendly people and the amazing food!
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy practicing yoga and drawing as these bring me immense joy and sense of fulfillment.
Plans after residency: Pursue a fellowship.
Something unique or interesting about yourself: I can do realistic sketches.

Portrait picture of Aditi Kothari, M.D.

Aditi Kothari, M.D.

PGY3

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: The main reason why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso was the people I met during the interview and the resident meet and greet. Even though it was a virtual meeting, I could sense an environment of support and camaraderie among the residents. It felt like the perfect place to train, achieve my goals, and make friends, knowing I would be supported in every aspect.
Favorite things about El Paso: I haven't had a chance to explore the city much, but based on what I have heard and seen, I am looking forward to trying out different Mexican restaurants and hiking trails. Even though we arrived during the hottest week of the year, the weather felt perfect to me!
Hobbies/interests: I love to watch and play tennis. Being a big board games enthusiast, I would be down for a game anytime, any day (Disclaimer- I will get super competitive). I also enjoy reading crime fiction.
Plans after residency: I am going to explore my options in residency but am inclined towards pursuing a Pulmonary/Critical Care fellowship.
Something unique or interesting about yourself: I have a collection of newspaper articles from my favorite column in the Times dating back to 2010

Portrait picture of Venkata “Abhilash” Muthineni, M.D.

Venkata “Abhilash” Muthineni, M.D.

PGY3

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: Texas Tech Health El Paso offers residents a comprehensive residency experience that goes beyond clinical practice. Residents actively engage in research, quality improvement initiatives, and administrative tasks, ensuring a well-rounded and rewarding training program.
Favorite things about El Paso: My favorite things about El Paso are its friendly people and the stunning Franklin Mountains.
Hobbies/interests: I have a passion for driving cars and enjoy playing cricket and table tennis in my free time
Plans after residency: After completing my residency, I see myself pursuing a gastroenterology fellowship
Something unique or interesting about yourself: I like taking unplanned trips. There are instances when I booked flight tickets just a couple of hours before departure.

Portrait picture of Sidhartha Senapati, M.D.

Sidhartha Senapati, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: The Texas Tech Health El Paso Internal Medicine Residency Program offers a diverse patient population, including a large Hispanic population, which provides a unique opportunity for residents to gain experience in cultural competency. The program is affiliated with the University Medical Center of El Paso, which is a Level 1 trauma center and the only academic medical center in the region providing residents with exposure to a wide range of medical conditions. It has a strong didactic curriculum, including weekly grand rounds, journal clubs, and board review sessions providing residents with the best possible education.

Favorite things about El Paso: Warm weather, the delicious and authentic Mexican food, the friendly people, and the stunning natural landscapes.

Hobbies/interests: Traveling, reading books.

Plans after residency: I would like to pursue fellowship in Cardiology (if possible, Interventional Cardiology).

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I get myself out of a funk by working towards a new goal, investing in hobbies, and getting a good workout.

 

Internal Medicine – PGY2

Portrait picture of Bhaswanth Bollu, M.D.

Bhaswanth Bollu, M.D.

PGY2

Portrait picture of Yagnapriya Chirrareddy, M.D.

Yagnapriya Chirrareddy, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: Texas Tech Health El Paso offers an exceptional residency program with a comprehensive curriculum, hands-on training, and a supportive community. The warm and welcoming environment, along with excellent mentorship and diverse patient exposure, aligns perfectly with my career goals and passion for internal medicine. The program's commitment to serving underserved populations and the enthusiastic, friendly residents and faculty solidified my decision to choose Texas Tech Health El Paso for my residency training.

Favorite things about El Paso: The sunsets, Mexican food, sense of safety and the people.

Hobbies/Interests: I love trying different crafts. I also enjoy watching movies, reading books and cooking.

Plans after residency: I am deeply passionate about all aspects of medicine, making it tough to decide on my future path. However, I am especially fascinated by hematology-oncology.

Something unique or interesting about myself: My skill with the abacus helps me solve math problems quickly and accurately.

Portrait picture of Ritwik Dey, M.D.

Ritwik Dey, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: I had never been to Texas, let alone El Paso, before matching into Texas Tech Health El Paso. However, it was an easy decision for me to choose this program as I have always wanted to train in a large academic center with excellent clinical exposure and robust research opportunities. It was my first interview, and though I was a little nervous, I had an amazing interview experience due to a very supportive staff, be it the program coordinators, attendings or chief residents. I also loved the camaraderie among the residents during the meet-and-greet session. Hence, I think I am very lucky to have been matched into this program and do my training here.

Favorite things about El Paso: I have yet to explore the city fully, but I think I can spend hours watching the night lights of the twin cities of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, from the Scenic Drive atop the mountain.

Hobbies/interests: I am a travel addict and can set off at the drop of a hat. I also love to experiment with photography and indulge in anything related to crime/thriller/horror/adventure genre, whether movies or books. I also love to hoard books.

Plans after residency: Pursue fellowship, probably Cards/HemOnc/GI, but I wish to explore more before deciding.

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I know four languages - Bengali, English, Hindi- and I learned to speak Tamil during medical school. I hope to learn Spanish, too, in the next three years of residency here! Also, I probably suck at cooking, but I can make good chai!

Portrait picture of Esraa Elsayed, M.D.

Esraa Elsayed, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: Before my interview, I knew Texas Tech Health El Paso provided an excellent training ground. The diverse patient population, being consistently pushed to think outside the box to provide the best care in situations where patients have limited resources and the complexity of patients is both a challenge and a privilege. My experience on interview day opened my eyes to the spirit of collegiality and mutual support at Texas Tech Health El Paso; that is why it was my No. 1 choice for residency.

Favorite things about El Paso: The breathtaking sunsets and the beautiful weather all year round especially when it rains.
Hobbies/interests: I enjoy cooking, practicing yoga and reading. I also love watching TV series and movies and could binge watch an entire season in less than a week!

Plans after residency: I like to approach things with an open mind so I’m still undecided.

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I’m good at learning new languages. I speak English, Arabic and French. I’m currently learning Spanish.

Portrait picture of Mostafa Eysha, M.D.

Mostafa Eysha, M.D.

PGY2

Portrait picture of Marco Fimbres, M.D.

Marco Fimbres, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: I chose Texas Tech Health El Paso because it aligned with the traits I was looking for in a program: an academic institution with in-house fellowship opportunities that is close to my hometown. Additionally, from interview day and by speaking with the residents, I could tell that this program provides an environment that promotes our thriving and growth, both as humans and as physicians. I am confident that by the end of my residency training, I’ll be a well-rounded internist and ready to take the next step in my career.

Favorite things about El Paso: The kindness and warmth of its people, the Star on the Franklin Mountain, the view from Scenic Drive, and being close to home (Juarez, Mexico).

Hobbies/Interests: I am a dog enthusiast, a live sports fan (mainly futbol “soccer”), and passionate about geography and cartography.

Plans after residency: I aspire to pursue fellowship training and am interested in academic medicine.  

Something unique or interesting about myself: I listen to “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd almost every day. Shout out to my sister for sharing this masterpiece with me.

Portrait picture of Virali Gulla, M.D.

Virali Gulla, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: Texas Tech Health El Paso provided everything I was looking for in a residency program: a supportive culture, high-quality education and strong mentorship. During my interview, the positive interactions with senior residents and the welcoming environment gave me a strong sense of belonging. I am confident that this program aligns perfectly with my goals and will help me become the doctor I aspire to be.

Favorite things about El Paso: Warm people, delicious food, and sunshine year-round.

Hobbies/interests: I enjoy reading thriller novels, watching TV shows, and practicing yoga. Recently, I’ve taken up crochet and am excited to create some cute items.

Plans after residency: To pursue a fellowship

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I once binge-watched a Korean TV show on Netflix for 18 hours straight.

Portrait picture of Alan Jurado Orozco, M.D.

Alan Jurado Orozco, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: Patient diversity, weather, friendly environment, and excellent training opportunities are the reasons why I chose Texas Tech Health El Paso. Being close to the border in a Level 1 Trauma Center is a great learning opportunity.

Favorite things about El Paso: Closeness to my family in Mexico, sunsets, and unique culture.

Hobbies/Interests: I love going to the gym, dancing, and playing sports like fútbol or padel. I am a huge Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo fan SIUUUU, adopting his mentality got me here.

Plans after residency: I am very interested in pursuing a fellowship.

Something unique or interesting about myself: I am a former FIFA and Halo champion on xbox (global and national bracket)

Portrait picture of Mutaz Kalas, M.D.

Mutaz Kalas, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: After my interview, my first visit to the campus sealed my decision to choose Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency. One of the main reasons was the unique and diverse patient population which each day brings new challenges and learning opportunities. Also, the program's commitment to rigorous clinical training and robust research support has strongly influenced my decision.

Favorite things about El Paso: The stunning mountain views, authentic Mexican food, and the sunny weather that makes outdoor activities enjoyable year-round.

Hobbies/interests: I enjoy watching and playing football. I am also a huge Manchester United fan. GGMU!

Plans after residency: To pursue a fellowship.

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I was part of a professional Dabke dance group.

Portrait picture of Edwin Mendoza, M.D.

Edwin Mendoza, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: I chose Texas Tech Health El Paso because of its unique border population, learning how to manage and treat complex disease pathophysiology is critical to learn and develop as a physician. Many of the people in El Paso are Spanish-only speakers, so giving back to the community as a Latino resident was a priority.  Additionally, the warm and friendly residents at the meet and greet pushed them as my No. 1 choice.

Favorite things about El Paso: The diverse selection of restaurants, so many fun activities to do from Top Golf, bowling, or taking a spontaneous trip to Ruidoso, the possibilities are endless! It is an amazing city!

Hobbies/Interests: Absolutely love going to the gym to get a workout, looking up new recipes to try out, or giving a new restaurant a try!

Plans after residency: I plan to pursue a fellowship in gastroenterology.

Something unique or interesting about myself: I can do 70 lbs weighted pullups!

Portrait picture of Durga "Mounika" Muvva, M.D.

Durga "Mounika" Muvva, M.D.

PGY2

Portrait picture of Shamali Nehete, M.D.

Shamali Nehete, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: This is a university program with ample resources available for all aspects of Internal Medicine education and training. During the interview, albeit virtual, I could sense a congenial atmosphere and great camaraderie among the residents. I was looking for a supportive environment to thrive and grow into a well-rounded independent physician.

Favorite things about El Paso: The low cost of living and the daylight! After having lived in the warmer regions of India, United Arab Emirates, and the Sultanate of Oman, I am very used to the warmth and sunlight to get my day started.

Hobbies/interests: Outside of work, I enjoy watching TV series which mainly revolve around crime and mystery. I recently got into watching documentaries and psychological thrillers.
I also like arts and I have tried my hand at different art forms like shadow art, water marbling, linoleum carving and block printing, just to name a few. Acrylic/resin pour art and pottery are next on my list.

Plans after residency: To pursue a fellowship.

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I am left-handed.

Portrait picture of Suyog Patel, M.D.

Suyog Patel, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: During my interview, I found faculties to be highly supportive. The research and academic opportunities at the program are robust to achieve my future goals. Additionally, the hospital serves a broad and diverse patient population, which would offer an excellent training experience during residency.

Favorite things about El Paso: The low cost of living, beautiful mountain landscapes, and welcoming people at El Paso make it a perfect place to live.

Hobbies/Interests: In my free time, I enjoy playing chess and cricket, reading Indian mythology, watching movies, and traveling.

Plans after residency: I want to pursue a fellowship after my residency.

Something unique or interesting about myself: I had won several chess championship awards. I have a wristwatch collection with more than 25 watches. My name is a fine blend of my mom's and dad's names: SUnita + YOGesh = SUYOG.

Portrait picture of Alec "Jacob" Pinon, D.O.

Alec "Jacob" Pinon, D.O.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: I was born in El Paso, so coming back for residency was an easy choice so I could serve the community

Favorite things about El Paso: Definitely all of the outdoor activities and the food.

Hobbies/interests: Sports, working out, video games

Plans after residency: Thinking of pursuing a fellowship

Something unique or interesting about yourself: I'm color blind

Portrait picture of Manas Pustake, M.D.

Manas Pustake, M.D.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: I chose Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency because it offers exposure to unique pathologies from both Mexico and the United States. The program's geographical location on the border of the two countries provides a diverse and rich clinical experience. During my interview, I sensed the faculty's dedication and the supportive learning environment, which reinforced my decision.

Favorite things about El Paso: My favorite things about El Paso are the vibrant cultural diversity, the friendly and welcoming community, the beautiful sunrises, and the stunning desert landscapes. I also appreciate the rich history of the area and the delicious local cuisine.

Hobbies/Interests: In my free time, I enjoy watching cricket, trying different cuisines, and spending quality time with friends.

Plans after residency: After residency, I plan to pursue a fellowship in hematology and oncology.

Something unique or interesting about myself: One thing about me is that I grew up living on the top floor of a hospital in a remote Indian village. My parents are pediatricians and seeing them rush off to help patients at all hours is what inspired me to become a physician.

Portrait picture of Prerana Ramadurgum, D.O.

Prerana Ramadurgum, D.O.

PGY2

Why I chose to come to Texas Tech Health El Paso for residency: Texas Tech Health El Paso's internal medicine program is a well-structured and strong academic program catering to a very diverse patient population. I knew I would have excellent training and gain experience in many fundamental aspects of medicine here.

Favorite things about El Paso: I love the unique culture here on the border, the people are very warm and welcoming, and the food is amazing!

Hobbies/Interests: I am an outdoor person and love trying new things and exploring new places with my dog. However, I am always ready for a good movie, show, or just spending time with family and friends.  

Plans after residency: I am interested in fellowship and am exploring everything internal medicine has to offer.  

Something unique or interesting about myself: I love dinosaurs and have watched basically every documentary that exists. I even took a dinosaur course in college and went on a dig in Big Bend National Park!

Portrait picture of Kunal Sharma, M.D.

Kunal Sharma, M.D.

PGY2