Interns

Luke Bailey, MDLuke Bailey, MD
Hometown: Santa Clara, CA

Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin

What do you like to do in Houston? I'm new to the city so I'm still exploring my way through town! So far, I've been thoroughly enjoying the food scene, which Houston is definitely known for. It's been a ritual to hit up Bellaire after work for boba and yummy food. There are also fun pop-ups and flea markets every weekend that are fun to check out. For example, I went to a Don Toliver pilates workshop just last weekend! Houston also has a lot of cool museums that I love to browse through.

What do you like about our program? I wanted to train in a diverse environment that would push me to grow as a physician but would also allow me to learn and train alongside people whom I could laugh and cry with. UT checks those boxes. I loved how welcoming and friendly everyone was when I joined the program.

Hobbies: Writing food reviews, spin/pilates, going to art museums, exploring new restaurants and cafes, thrifting.

Fun Fact: I'm directionally-challenged but somehow solo-traveled through Tokyo and Paris alone!
Betancourt Escoba, Simon webSimon Betancourt-Escobar, MD
Hometown: San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Medical School: Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosi

What do you like to do in Houston? My favorite thing to do in Houston is explore the food scene, which is just crazy, and meet all the amazing, diverse people here! And when I need a break from work, I love going to some of the many great green spaces around town to loop a trail, go for a walk, and just relax.

What do you like about our program? The culture here is amazing, everyone is so close. Our chiefs are constantly in contact with us, even now during intern year, just to check in and make sure we're doing great. That level of support makes the whole program feel less like work and more like a family.

Hobbies: I’m a big fan of movies and TV shows across all genres, so I'm always looking for a good recommendation. To balance out all that screen time, I love getting outside to play volleyball and basketball.

Fun Fact: I take my Letterbox ratings way more seriously than I probably should.
Armaan ChokshiArmaan Chokshi, MD
Hometown: Pearland, TX

Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch

What do you like to do in Houston? I enjoy exploring the amazing food scene in Houston. The city is one of the most culturally diverse in the country and this really shows in the variety of great cuisine options here. I also like spending time with my family and our friends.

What do you like about our program? I like that the residents and faculty in our program are very welcoming and approachable. Despite being such a large residency program, there is a truly strong camaraderie within the department. This is a testament to the dedication that the program leadership and residents alike have toward making the educational environment here safe and enjoyable.

Hobbies: Board Games, Pickleball, Volleyball, Football, and Eating

Fun Fact: I collect board games! My collection consists of over 60 games and is ever-expanding.
Bani DhotherBani Dhother, DO
Hometown: Houston, TX

Medical School: UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

What do you like to do in Houston? I love exploring Houston's incredible food scene, checking out live music (especially house and EDM), and discovering new neighborhoods around the city. There's always something new to try, and I'm excited to keep exploring everything Houston has to offer!

What do you like about our program? The culture is my favorite part of this program. The anesthesia department is filled with people who are genuinely supportive, approachable, and excited to see each other succeed. Even with a large residency class, there is a strong sense of community! Residents and faculty make an effort to connect, spend time together, and make everyone feel included. I love that this program allows you to find your own path while still having a group of people who are always in your corner!

Hobbies: I love traveling and exploring new countries (I've been to over 15 so far)! I also enjoy skiing, cooking, binge watching a good show, going to house/EDM concerts, and visiting theme parks like Disney and Universal!

Fun Fact: I have an extra bone in my foot!
Anna Maria JohnsonAnna Maria Johnson, MD
Hometown: Houston, TX

Medical School: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - McGovern Medical School

What do you like to do in Houston? Play pickleball, go to Astros games, and explore new restaurants!

What do you like about our program? I love the people and welcoming environment! Every resident and faculty member I have interacted with have been so supportive and great teachers! My co-residents are the best!!

Hobbies: Traveling, suba diving, and reading

Fun Fact: I have visited all 7 continents!
Mohammad KhudiratMohammad Khudirat, MD
Hometown: Amman, Jordan

Medical School: The University of Jordan

What do you like to do in Houston? Love checking out new food spots and activities. Houston’s huge and there’s never a shortage of things to do!

What do you like about our program? The program’s supportive culture. It’s nice to feel like there’s always someone there to help you if you need it.

Hobbies: Car meets, Jiu-Jitsu and messing with my cats.

Fun fact: I enjoy taking road trips. My longest drive was 3700 miles over 8 days.
Kolli-Shreya-web.jpgShreya Kolli, MD
Hometown: Austin, TX

Medical School: Texas Tech El Paso- Paul Foster SOM

What do you like to do in Houston? Checking out new restaurants and coffee shops!

What do you like about our program? The welcoming culture and how friendly everyone is!

Hobbies: Exploring new restaurants, tennis, working out, watching tv shows/movies

Fun fact: I'm a dual citizen of New Zealand and the US!
Lee-Dana-web.jpgDana Lee, MD
Hometown: Houston, TX

Medical School: University of Texas at San Antonio LSOM

What do you like to do in Houston? Explore Houston’s food scene and local coffee shops. East River 9 is also a favorite for drinks/live music, driving range/pickleball and great views of the Houston skyline.

What do you like about our program? I love the people! Everyone is incredibly welcoming, and the culture is so supportive.

Hobbies: Travel, online shop, watch TV, escape rooms, pickleball

Fun Fact: I love water bottles and have an aggressively large collection.
Li-Justin-web.jpgJustin Li, MD
Hometown: Boulder, CO

Medical School: The Ohio State University College of Medicine

What do you like to do in Houston? Houston has an incredible coffee and food scene! I've loved getting to explore all the different restaurants this city has to offer.

What do you like about our program? There's an incredible sense of community among the people in the program, along with genuine support from leadership and the senior residents.

Hobbies: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, espresso, gaming, snowboarding.

Fun Fact: My favorite breakfast food is blueberry pancakes.
Lopes-Mitchell-web.jpgMitchell Lopes, DO
Hometown: Puyallup, WA

Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

What do you like to do in Houston? My wife and I have loved exploring the city and trying all of the great food in the area.

What do you like about our program? Everybody within the program is so welcoming and supportive, which really creates a great learning environment! I was also drawn to the program because of the diversity of patient populations and unique cases that TMC has to offer.

Hobbies: Golf, keeping up with Seattle sports (Seahawks/Mariners/UW football), spending time with family and traveling.

Fun fact: I grew up speed skating and even competed in Nationals once!
Lorenz-Brooke-web.jpgBrooke Lorenz, MD
Hometown: Spokane, WA

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine

What do you like to do in Houston? Running @ Memorial Park, golfing with friends and family, pickleball, and country concerts!

What do you like about our program? Leadership is super supportive, the training is absolutely top-tier, and everyone is incredibly hardworking! Also, what makes it special is the vibe; it's filled with genuine, friendly people who make residency fun!

Hobbies: Golf, pickleball, tennis and running!

Fun Fact: Had my first Chick-fil-A sandwich at age 21 and now I’m hooked.
Martinez-Diego-web.jpgDiego Martinez, MD
Hometown: Houston, TX

Medical School: University of Houston - Fertitta Family College of Medicine

What do you like to do in Houston? I enjoy walking the different parks and trails around Houston (Memorial park is our go to). I also enjoy attending sporting events and trying new restaurants and spots for food and drinks around the city.

What do you like about our program? What drew me to this program most was the people. Everyone I met was very approachable, easygoing, and genuinely supportive.

Hobbies: I enjoy exercising and playing sports like sand volleyball and basketball. I also enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and taking my dog to the dog parks.

Fun Fact: I once road tripped from Houston to Guatemala and back.
Maykut-Nicholas-web.jpgNicholas Maykut, MD
Hometown: Weston, FL

Medical School: University of Central Florida

What do you like to do in Houston? Explore the city's diverse food scene, find great Friday happy hours, and try new coffee shops.

What do you like about our program? I love how the program blends some of the country's best exposure and acuity while also cultivating an environment that is welcoming, supportive, and genuine. From top to bottom, the culture within the program makes it feel like everyone is a part of one giant family.

Hobbies: Cooking, traveling, sports.

Fun Fact: I bake sourdough.
Enaya Mohiuddin, DOEnaya Mohiuddin, DO
Hometown: Houston, TX

Medical School: UNT HSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

What do you like to do in Houston? I love trying new restaurants (the food here is amazing), exploring different workout classes and spending time with my friends and family.

What do you like about our program? I love the culture! It was clear to me that every person in this program, trainee and faculty, are kind, empathetic individuals who love patient care and truly enjoy coming to work!

Hobbies: I love reading, spin classes, trying new foods, traveling, and spending time with my loved ones.

Fun fact: I was born just down the street at the Texas Women’s Hospital on Fannin Street!
Nam-Xena-web.jpgXena Nam, MD
Hometown: Houston, TX

Medical School: The University of Texas at Austin - Dell Medical School

What do you like to do in Houston? Happy hour and brunch, taking long walks, scouting out new coffee shops.

What do you like about our program? The camaraderie and esprit de corps extend beyond our own class to the faculty, senior residents, and especially our PD and APDs. Everyone genuinely looks out for one another, and the friendship and sense of community here are incomparable to any other program. We truly have the best vibes!

Fun fact: Binging true crime documentaries, rewatching Harry Potter/LOTR every year, shopping in Rice Village, heated pilates, and sleeping :)

Hobbies: I am looking to adopt a cat :)
Orlando-Dana-web.jpgDana Orlando, MD
Hometown: Scarsdale, NY

Medical School: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - McGovern Medical School

What do you like to do in Houston? I love trying new food spots in Houston, especially the Tex Mex spots and various food trucks. I also love going to farmers markets and Hermann Park and trying to spend time outdoors.

What do you like about our program? The people are what make this program! The attendings and residents are so friendly and really make you feel supported and included. Everyone loves teaching and it is clear that they are extremely passionate about their profession.

Hobbies: I really like thrift shopping, building Legos and decorating my apartment with them, and going to exercise classes like spinning.

Fun Fact: I have a black cat named Ebi who I adopted in college and have traveled to over 5 states with!
Parks-Jung-Woo-web.jpgJung Woo Park, MD
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea/ Houston, TX

Medical School: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - McGovern Medical School

What do you like to do in Houston? Trying new restaurants and coffee shops, going to sporting events (Rockets and Dynamo!), and walking around and enjoying Hermann Park with my wife.

What do you like about our program? This program has amazing people who genuinely care about our success in and out of the hospital. It truly is a loving community with faculty and residents who are so supportive and enjoy spending time with one another!

Hobbies: Trying new coffee shops/ coffee beans and making coffee at home, staying active - working out, playing basketball and golf, any sports really, and watching shows with my wife!

Fun Fact: I go by Peter! Everyone assumes Peter Parker, but I'm actually named after Peter Pan.
Ribeiro, Andre web.jpgAndré Ribeiro, DO
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

Medical School: UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

What do you like to do in Houston? I like trying new restaurants, finding hidden gems around Houston, and going to concerts and sporting events. I also enjoy spending time with my family and taking my kids to the Houston Zoo, museums, and other fun activities around the city.

What do you like about our program? Apart from the exceptional training residents receive here, I was most impressed by how welcoming everyone is. The culture is supportive and close-knit, and it's easy to feel like part of the team from day one.

Hobbies: Golfing, spending time with my family, watching Texas Longhorn football and the Spurs, and bingeing good movies and TV series.

Fun fact: I was born in Brazil and somehow ended up growing up on a horse ranch in Montana. I’ve been to Yellowstone National Park over 15 times!
Rosa-Addyson-web.jpgAddyson Rosa, MD
Hometown: Grimes, IA

Medical School: University of Iowa

What do you like to do in Houston? Run, try new restaurants, explore new parks

What do you like about our program? I love how supportive everyone is and how much everyone cares about your education.

Hobbies: Running, reading, reality TV, playing with my daughter

Fun Fact: I have a really cool rock and fossil collection!
Rosckes-Landon-web.jpgLandon Rosckes, MD
Hometown: Argyle, TX

Medical School: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - McGovern Medical School

What do you like to do in Houston? I love trying out new coffee shops! There are so many amazing local spots that are perfect to study or just catch up with friends. Houston has such a diverse food scene as well so trying new restaurants has definitely become a favorite hobby of mine!

What do you like about our program? I love the camaraderie and family-like feel that the program has! All the faculty are wonderful, supportive, and many have become amazing mentors of mine. I consider myself very lucky to not only train in the world's largest medical center but be a part of a program where I've found my own family here in Houston!

Hobbies: Astros games, baking, art, volleyball, park trips, photography, and trying new places/experiences around the city!

Fun Fact: I wrote an anesthesia children's book called "Sleeping Through Surgery" that walks kids through the surgical experience in a creative/imaginative way! My hope was to empower them as they face their own health journeys and alleviate some fear they likely have!
Sanders-Taylor-web.jpgTaylor Sanders, MD
Hometown: Dallas, TX

Medical School: Texas Tech HSC Lubbock

What do you like to do in Houston? Outside of work, I love exploring new restaurants and bars, checking out local events like seasonal farmers markets, and catching professional sports games whenever I can.

What do you like about our program? Definitely the people! Working with such kind, supportive, and inspiring people has been the highlight of this program for sure. Knowing I can count on the friendships I’ve built here to help me through even the busiest or most stressful days makes it all worth it. And getting to train in the largest medical center in the world is pretty awesome too.

Hobbies: Working out, cooking, traveling, pickling with friends, binge-watching a good TV show, tanning, and spending time with my kitties.

Fun Fact: My mom and I share the same birthday (Nov 5th)
Shams-Nawal-web.jpgNawal Shams, MD
Hometown: Columbia, MD

Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine

What do you like to do in Houston? I just moved here, but exploring all the coffee shops and FIFA fan fest!

What do you like about our program? How I immediately felt welcomed into a lil family :')

Hobbies: traveling, homemade lattes, sitting by the pool

Fun Fact: I didn't grow any teeth until age 2!
Nicholas TchekryguinNicholas Tchekryguin, MD
Hometown: Houston, TX

Medical School: Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine

What do you like to do in Houston? EoS for the gym gains and exploring new restaurants with my wife (best food scene in the country)

What do you like about our program? The sense of camaraderie and family. Everyone is supportive, kind, and loving. It really feels like it’s impossible to fail because everyone has your back. I couldn’t have picked a better place for residency.

Hobbies: Sports (football/basketball), weightlifting, anime, and exploring the Houston food scene.

Fun Fact: My wife and I got married at the Renaissance fair. And yes, it was the coolest wedding ever. We had a hawk fly in the rings!
Toulan-Brendan-web.jpgBrendan Toulan, MD
Hometown: Wichita Falls, TX

Medical School: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - McGovern Medical School

What do you like to do in Houston? I love going for long walks and exploring the different neighborhoods around town. Houston is such a great food and drink city, so I try to get to as many new bars and restaurants as I can!

What do you like about our program? In our program, it feels like everyone is here to support one another. I enjoy how much of an effort both faculty and fellow residents put into maintaining good relationships with one another.

Hobbies: Anything sports related. I love weightlifting/running as well as watching football. I also enjoy reading and watching crazy reality TV shows with my wife.

Fun Fact: I love animals! I have an orange tabby cat named Mikey.
Upshaw-William-web.jpgWilliam Upshaw, MD
Hometown: Lake Charles, LA

Medical School: LSU Health Shreveport

What do you like to do in Houston? I love walking around and exploring the city since there's always so much new stuff to see! There's also a ton of great restaurants everywhere to go and get a meal.

What do you like about our program? Everybody in the program from the attendings to other residents are all super nice and helpful and want everyone to succeed. It really is a great atmosphere to learn anesthesiology. There is also an incredible depth and variety of cases offered allowing us to be involved in just about any case we could possibly want.

Hobbies: working out, being outside, playing with my dogs, watching sports

Fun Fact: I've been lifting weights a long time as one of my hobbies, and I recently was able to deadlift 500 lbs.
Veli-Barna-web.jpgBarna Veli, MD
Hometown: Houston, TX

Medical School: Texas A&M College of Medicine

What do you like to do in Houston? I love hanging out with friends at all the amazing restaurants around town - there are an unlimited number of places to go.

What do you like about our program? I really like that both my co-interns and the program leadership have been super supportive since we started residency. I can't imagine doing residency without my co-interns - they're the best!

Hobbies: volleyball, workout classes, hosting friends (:

Fun Fact: I can speak three languages!
Wheeler-Megan-web.jpgMegan Wheeler, MD
Hometown: Sugar Land, TX

Medical School: Texas A&M School of Medicine

What do you like to do in Houston? I love to try all of the new restaurants in town, go to the zoo, and golf around town

What do you like about our program? I love the encouraging environment and inclusive attitude taken on by the whole program! Everyone including co-residents, attendings, and faculty are super welcoming and take an active role in helping you learn!

Hobbies: I love to go running, play tennis, and read in my free time.

Fun Fact: My family was almost picked to be on a Christmas lights TLC show!