2025-2026 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 Texas Medical Center. We are so excited to share our program with you, and we hope you will find a home in the residency program here.
Based in 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 all corners of the United States and the world. Despite the size, you will find that the interns, residents, faculty, and staff are all bonded together in our pursuit to deliver high-quality, effective healthcare and advance scientific endeavors. We share a passion for excellence of patient care regardless of social circumstances and dedication to the wellness of our communities in Greater Houston and that of our residents.
We look forward to welcoming you to Houston, the Texas Medical Center, and our family!
Victoria Chu
Where are you from? Austin, TX
Medical School: Texas Tech Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX
Why UTHealth Houston? I had heard great things about the training and warm, welcoming culture of UTHealth Houston. I am very thankful to have a supportive community here to learn and grow with. Houston TMC provides great training with a high volume of patients and diversity. There is also an abundance of research and leadership opportunities available.
What are your interests outside of work? I am a Huge fountain pen fanatic and overall stationery nerd. I enjoy baking and cooking up new recipes and having my co-residents be taste testers. Houston’s big food scene provides plenty of new restaurants for me to try on my days off. On good weather days, you can find me walking around Herman Park and playing PokemonGo.
Future plans? After chief year, I plan on pursuing a fellowship in Hematology-Oncology.
Pets? I have two sweet tabbies (Jax and Joanna) that I originally fostered but officially adopted them my MS4 year.
Tanvi Gupta
Where are you from? McAllen, TX
Medical School: The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB)
Why UTHealth Houston? Even from a computer screen during interview season, I felt an immediate sense of community and camaraderie among the residents. The program leadership and faculty prioritize resident education and wellness while maintaining a rigorous learning environment. Despite being in a large residency class, I’ve always felt supported and heard. I’ve been fortunate enough to find some of my best friends through this program. After living in McAllen and Galveston, I knew I wanted to live in a big city. From finding new restaurants or coffee shops to attending many concerts just minutes away, Houston has been a wonderful experience. I’m so grateful to be training here!
What are your interests outside of work? Love traveling and the thrill of planning a packed itinerary (my favorite vacations so far have been Switzerland and Thailand). I also enjoy anything artsy! I’ve been painting on canvas since I was younger and have continued this hobby during residency. Grew up playing tennis, but I’ve now switched over to pickleball like the rest of the world. Lastly, my favorite ways to unwind are making a mean charcuterie board, dancing salsa and bachata, and watching reality TV.
Future plans? After my chief year, I plan to apply for a fellowship in Gastroenterology.
Pets? No pets yet!
Taylor Hopper
Where are you from? Spring Hill, Florida
Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine
Why UTHealth Houston? Firstly, my co-residents are some of the most charming people I know! I am also thankful that I can train in such broad clinical settings with diverse patient populations in one of the most underrated cities in the US!
What are your interests outside of work? I have dabbled in pottery and bowling, group fitness classes (shout-out to Spenga Montrose), and exploring all of Houston’s cultural events (free comedy nights at Axelrad, many plays/musicals, and concerts!).
Future Plans? After a chief year, I am still undecided but leaning toward Nephrology!
Pets? I have a sweet 4-year-old Chiweenie named Louie, who is the light of my life (and sometimes my greatest tormentor). He does appreciate how dog-friendly Houston is, though!
Jennifer Ma
Where are you from? Born and raised in Houston, TX!
Medical School: Texas Tech El Paso School of Medicine!
Why UTHealth Houston? The training, people, and city! Training at Memorial Hermann, VA, LBJ, and MDACC offers a huge variation from patient presentation all the way to management/follow-up. Next, my co-residents, fellows, and faculty ☺ They are amazing, brilliant, diverse, experienced, and so kind – they MAKE the workday/place for me! Finally, the city of Houston – I love being able to see my family/friends, go to sports games, the rodeo, concerts, many free events (plays/movies/symphonies at Miller Outdoor Theatre/Discovery Green and more TBD), and experience all the niches and cultures Houston has to offer, especially the food!
What are your interests outside of work? I enjoy being active – tennis, swimming/floating, walking around Memorial Park/Hermann Park, working out at the gym/home, hiking (Angel’s Landing/ Koko Crater tramway, and more), and skiing! Book club with childhood and new girlfriends! Traveling – I recently came back from a Canada camper van trip with my sisters and Switzerland/Italy! 🙂
Future Plans? Gastroenterology – interested in advanced or general!
Pets? No furry friends, currently! Mom was chased by dogs growing up and never wanted pets afterward; what can I say?
Stephen Patin
Where are you from? Mandeville, LA (near New Orleans!)
Medical School: LSU Health Shreveport
Why UTHealth Houston? The better question is, why NOT UTHealth Houston? It’s a major internal medicine program in one of the biggest cities in the country, and it offers one of the widest array of healthcare experiences you can get as a doctor. At Memorial Hermann, you’re a part of the Texas Medical Center (the largest medical center in the world!), seeing common medicine cases and rare pathologies. At MD Anderson, you’re a part of the best cancer center in the world. At LBJ, you’re caring for some of our most vulnerable, under-insured Houstonians who rely on us for their wellness. At the Houston VA (the largest in the country!), you’re caring for our veterans, who are always grateful for us. Additionally, we work with experts in every area and specialty in medicine. The facilities are incredible and improving daily (a new LBJ Hospital is coming soon!). The faculty are supportive and make real-time changes based on resident experiences. Lastly, you can’t find a better group of co-residents to spend time with. I’m convinced the AAMC passed every one of my co-residents through the “chill vibes” filter and put them all here at UTHealth Houston. If I had to do it all over again, I’d pick UT Houston every time.
What are your interests outside of work? First, exploring Houston. Everyone will tell you we have an incredible food scene – and they’re right! But our music scene is also incredible. Whether it’s Taylor Swift or Taylor Sheesh, every musician stops in Houston. Outside of exploring my city, I love to play music, longboard on the roof of UT’s parking garage and around Rice University, backpacking/hiking when I have time, baking, and trying new coffee shops with my friends!
Future Plans? After chief year, I plan to pursue fellowship training in Cardiology! Later in life, I plan to be involved in healthcare policy.
Pets? I have a white Labrador named Finn! He lives in Louisiana at my parents’ house because he enjoys sprinting around with haste, which is difficult in my apartment.