2026-2027 Internal Medicine Chief Residents
Message from the Rising Chief Residents
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. We are so excited to share our program with you, and we hope you will find a home here in the residency program.
Based at the largest medical center in the world, we are a diverse and eclectic residency program with more than 60 residents in our PGY1 year, including categorical, preliminary, and off-service trainees from across the United States and around the world. Despite our size, you will find that the interns, residents, faculty, and staff are all bonded together in our pursuit of delivering high-quality, effective healthcare and advancing scientific endeavors. We share a passion for excellence in patient care, regardless of social circumstances, and a dedication to the wellness of our communities in Greater Houston and our residents.
We look forward to welcoming you to Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and our family!
J. Wesley Hill, MD MS MPH
Where are you from? Abbeville, South Carolina
Medical School: Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo
Why UTHealth Houston? I was drawn to the incredible breadth of clinical experiences here. Rotating through LBJ and the DeBakey VA gave me the chance to work with truly diverse patient populations, while Memorial Hermann’s complex, high acuity cases alongside subspecialists and MD Anderson’s world renowned specialists let me learn from the best at the top of their fields. Beyond the training itself, the culture of the program is what made it feel like home: a genuinely supportive environment where residents and faculty are invested in each other’s growth, set against the backdrop of one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the country.
What are your interests outside of work? I love to travel and chase cultural experiences wherever I can find them, and Houston has turned out to be an unexpectedly perfect place for that. Between the symphony, ballet, opera, and a thriving theatre scene, there is always something to see without ever leaving the city. And then there is the food. Houston’s culinary scene is a true hidden gem, with an incredible range of cuisines that rivals cities twice its size, so exploring a new restaurant has become one of my favorite ways to unwind. I’m also a Clemson grad, so college football Saturdays are a big part of my fall no matter where I’m watching from. I also picked up being a Bills fan during medical school in Buffalo, sticking with them through the lean years just in time to enjoy the fun ones.
Future plans? After chief year, I plan to pursue fellowship training in Hematology and Oncology.
Pets? No Houston pets, but my parents have a very energetic dog I get to visit in South Carolina.
Richard G. Johnson III, MD
Where are you from? Glendora, CA
Medical School: University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
Why UTHealth Houston? The opportunity to work at a Safety Net Hospital in Lyndon B Johnson, a tertiary care center in Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center, a comprehensive cancer center in MD Anderson, and the largest VA in the country in Michael E. DeBakey was what drew me to the program. The diversity of clinical sites is almost as diverse as the city itself and creates a great environment for a robust clinical training that will prepare you to work in almost any clinical setting.
What are your interests outside of work? I enjoy running and run so I can eat! Houston is a great city for both with plenty of parks and green spaces and unmatched culinary diversity. Houston restaurant weeks in the summer is a great intro to the food scene at an affordable price, and the Houston marathon in the January is always an event to see even if you are not running.
Future plans? Hopefully, a pulmonary critical care fellowship
Pets? I recently welcomed a new addition to the household in the form of a new puppy!
Cristina Natha, MD
Where are you from? Sweetwater, TX
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
Why UTHealth Houston? I chose UTHealth Houston because of the people and the variety of training experiences. I loved the camaraderie among the residents and how supportive the faculty were. Training at a large academic center, MD Anderson, LBJ, and the VA has given me the opportunity to work with such a diverse patient population in very different clinical settings. I’ve also really enjoyed living in Houston, especially having so much to do and so many great places to eat!
What are your interests outside of work? I love traveling, and Japan and Germany have been two of my favorite trips so far! I also love music and going to concerts, and I’ve been able to attend quite a few during residency. I enjoy being outdoors, especially riding bikes at Buffalo Bayou Park and taking the pedal boats out at Hermann Park. I’m also a big foodie and love trying new restaurants and checking out different boba and matcha shops around Houston.
Future plans? I plan to pursue a fellowship in Gastroenterology!
Pets? No pets yet, but I would love to have one someday!
Brandon Sarver, MD
Where are you from? Allen, TX
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
Why UTHealth Houston? Having gone to medical school at McGovern, I was lucky enough to see the residency program from the student side before deciding to stay for Internal Medicine. The breadth of training here is hard to beat- between Memorial Hermann TMC, LBJ, the Houston VA, and MD Anderson, you take care of incredibly diverse patient populations in very different clinical environments. You see everything from bread-and-butter medicine to some of the most complex pathology imaginable, and you graduate feeling comfortable taking care of very sick patients. What has kept me here, though, is the people. This is a big program, but it has never felt impersonal. My co-residents have become some of my closest friends, and I’ve been fortunate to learn from faculty who genuinely care about our growth both as physicians and as people. One of the things I enjoy most about being chief is getting to contribute to that same culture for the residents coming behind us.
What are your interests outside of work? Music has always been a huge part of my life. I play guitar and piano, sing, and write music whenever I can. I also enjoy cooking and baking, exploring Houston’s seemingly endless food scene, going to concerts, and finding any excuse to spend time with friends. I’m also perpetually rotating through DIY projects (currently restoring and painting an old, rusted light fixture).
Future plans? After chief year, I plan to pursue fellowship training in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Long term, I hope to combine clinical work in pulmonary/critical care with medical education and opportunities in global health.
Pets? I have a tortoise named Touché, who at this point is less a pet and more of a 100+ year old family heirloom.
Drew Sullivan, MD
Where are you from? Cypress, TX
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
Why UTHealth Houston? I did medical school here, so I had a bit of insight on what I was signing up for. I wanted training that would push me and ultimately let me stand on my own two feet as a clinician, and this program delivered. Bouncing between Memorial Hermann, LBJ, the VA, and MD Anderson means you see everything, and you learn fast how to adapt when the resources and patient populations shift under you. But the real answer is the people. My co-residents turned into some of my closest friends, and that’s not something you can tell from a rank list. I’m genuinely grateful for how much I’ve grown here, as a physician and as a person!
What are your interests outside of work? I’m a Texas football fan, which is either a personality or a medical condition depending on the season. I spend an unreasonable amount of time hunting down good light roast coffee around Houston. I also collect vinyl, still fully committed to sitting down and listening to a record start to finish. I dabble in amateur golf and love playing my guitar. Most of my time outside the hospital goes to my wife, Alexa, and our family and friends.
Future plans? After my chief year, I’m hopefully heading to GI fellowship!
Pets? An Australian Shepherd named Archie, who is fully convinced he should be included in everything we do, including rounds.