Third-Year Residents — Class of 2026
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and received a BA in Medical Humanities with a minor in Chemistry from Baylor University in Waco, TX in 2012. I graduated in 2022 from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, WV with my DO. I was drawn to Family Medicine because it is somewhat the jack-of-all-trades within medicine, and we can care for patients in a wide variety of health care settings. I love the positive impact I have on my community in Texarkana. My wife, Rosie, and I are proud dog-parents to Luci, a loveable Pitbull mix. When I am not in clinic, on rotation, or studying, I enjoy playing video games, working out, and traveling. Three words to describe me: Resilient, Ambitious, and Empathetic.
As a "military brat", my childhood was spent overseas; however, I was born in central Texas, and spent many formative years in San Antonio and consider it my hometown. I received my BA in Comparative Human Development at The University of Chicago, in 2008, and a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Health Informatics from Davenport University in 2017 and 2022, respectively. I completed my medical school training in 2023 with a MD from Windsor University School of Medicine, St. Kitts/Nevis. I am passionate about adolescent medicine and consider myself to be: Adventurous, Driven, and Adaptable. In my spare time I enjoy thrill-seeking adventures, Gastronomy, and globetrotting.
I was born and raised in Dallas, TX. For my undergraduate studies, I went to Austin College in Sherman, TX and received my BA in History in 2019. Afterwards, I attended medical school at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith, AR, where I graduated in 2023. After living in small(er) towns since undergrad, I discovered I preferred being away from big cities like the one I grew up in, so...I came here! Outside of medicine, I enjoy most things that do not require me to leave my house, including cooking and video games, but every once in while I do like to venture out and eat with friends. I would describe myself as: Genuine, Introverted, and Humble.
My family moved to the states from China in late 2000s. We have been to AZ, TX and later settled in Little Rock, AR where I attended University of Arkansas, Little Rock and received a BS in Biology in 2017. I attended ARCOM in Fort Smith and received my DO in 2023. The aspect of family medicine that I find most interesting is the diverse range of disease processes encountered. Every patient presents a unique set of challenges, allowing for continuous learning and problem-solving in providing comprehensive care. During my residency, I’ve come to love the sense of community and southern hospitality in Texarkana. People here genuinely care about each other and are always willing to lend a helping hand! My wife, Xinrui, and I welcomed our first child in April 2024 and are loving being parents. In my spare time, I enjoy maintaining my house, from gardening and DIY projects to organizing and creating a comfortable living environment for my family. Three words to describe me would be: Adaptable, Diligent, and Empathetic.
I am proud to be back in my hometown for my Residency. I began my collegiate experience at Henderson State University where I received a BS in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Music in 2012 and then graduated from UAMS with my MD in 2016. I am a veteran of the US Navy where I served as a General Medical Officer from 2017 - 2023, attached first to Marine Air Group 31 (taking care of and deploying with active-duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel of multiple fixed-wing combat and training squadrons and their support groups) and then to Naval Hospital Beaufort (providing medical care for Marine recruits on Parris Island). I completed a preliminary General Surgery internship at Tulane Medical Center prior to my active-duty service with the Navy but found myself drawn to Family Medicine for the opportunity it provides to make meaningful and lasting connections with patients and their families. I would describe myself as: Compassionate, Thoughtful, and Methodical. Aside from studying, I enjoy being with my family, wife Kayla and our two children Richard and Charlotte, and traveling when time allows, but I also love doing my own car and home maintenance/repairs.
I hail from Colleyville, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. I have earned: a BS in Psychology from Texas A&M University in 2014, a Master of Medical Science from UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth in 2017, and a DO from Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM), in Harrogate, TN in 2022. I love the opportunity to form lasting relationships with my patients that Family Medicine provides and have come to appreciate the diverse clinical experiences that are present here in Texarkana. Particularly the experience that is gained from a patient population that sometimes comes from lower socioeconomic backgrounds as the patient demographic often presents with a wide array of clinical problems, many of which are compounded by limited access to healthcare services. The opportunity to diagnose and manage these complex health issues enhances our clinical skills as well as deepens our understanding of the social determinants of health. This experience has been invaluable, fostering a well-rounded approach to medicine that prioritizes empathy, resourcefulness, and a commitment to addressing health disparities. I would consider myself to be a trustworthy, empathetic, and compassionate person. I enjoy playing tennis, piano, and hiking and plan to pursue Sports Medicine upon completion of this program.
I am a Texarkana, Arkansas native and am proud to have attained all my education in Arkansas. I received a Bachelor of Science from Southern Arkansas University in 2017 and a DO in 2023 from NYITCOM in Jonesboro. I love being back in Texarkana for my residency and having an opportunity to give back to the community that shaped me into the man I am today. Family Medicine provides an opportunity to provide care that bridges multiple body systems and specialties to people of all backgrounds and ages. Our residency program is special because there is always somebody willing to help and teach you in whatever you desire to know more about. Three words to describe me would be: Inquisitive, Funny, and Ambitious. I enjoy hunting, fishing, watching Razorback athletics, and spending time with my family, especially my wife Sydney and our daughter Hadley.
I grew up in Ardmore, OK and attained a BS in Psychology from OSU in 2016. I received my DO from NYITCOM-AR in Jonesboro in 2023. I'm passionate about connecting with others and learning more about people. You can learn so much from listening to others. This leads to the best friendships and the best patient-doctor relationships and is a large portion of why I decided to pursue Family Medicine. You will most likely find me out in my yard if I'm not in clinic or at the hospital. I enjoy obsessing over my grass and gardening. I like to change up my flowerbeds each season with annuals. Depending on the season they're full of pansies, violas, snapdragons, lantanas, begonias, and petunias. I love all the trees and the mild winters in Texarkana. There are way more trees here than where I'm from in Oklahoma! I used to be a server at a steakhouse, which, believe it or not, has helped me as a physician. You definitely learn how to work under pressure, work well with others, and multitask as a server. I also copy a lot of their recipes now! I would describe myself as: Kind, Silly, and Creative.
Second-Year Residents — Class of 2027
I am originally from New York, but for the last 5 years have made Houston, TX my home. I began my educational journey with a BS in Nursing from Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus in 2007 and continued on to achieve my Master of Science in Nursing- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner from SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Nursing in 2012 and my MD from Oceania University of Medicine, Samoa in 2024. The most interesting aspect of family medicine is how you can build a lifelong bond with an entire family by caring for one person. So not only do I get to care for a mother, but I can care for the father, children, grandparents, and extended relatives. They become like your family and that makes family medicine a rewarding specialty to be a part of. I am passionate about providing my patients with the knowledge and tools to empower them to be an active participant in their health care management and I am excited to learn how to care for patients across the life span in different settings while in residency. Outside of practicing medicine, I love to spend time with my family: Husband- Dionne, Son- Sebastien, Twin Daughters- Vivienne and Vanessa. A fun fact about me is that I taught myself how to play the piano at 14. I would describe myself as: Caring, Empathetic, and Fun-loving.
My hometown is Temple, TX and I received my BS in Biology from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2011. I received my MD from Ross University in 2024 and I'm eager to learn how to apply the knowledge I learned in school in a real world setting and getting to perform procedures while in residency. I love following the full story of helping people from initial symptoms to full recovery. The journey is wonderful, and it is one of my motivating factors for going into Family Medicine. Three words to describe me would be: Upbeat, Organized, and Dedicated. When I am not studying, I enjoy writing fiction, gaming, and journaling. I am looking forward to exploring the great gem finding opportunities available in Arkansas and I'm excited to find raw stones in the ground.
I hail from nearby Taylor, AR and achieved my BS in Nursing from Southern Arkansas State University in Magnolia in 2010, and both my Master of Nursing and Post Masters Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner from Northwestern State University in 2014 and 2016, respectively. I attained my MD from Oceania University of Medicine in 2024. I am passionate about providing quality care to the residents of South Arkansas and love that Family Medicine provides comprehensive healthcare for people of all ages. In my spare time I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, golf, and spending time with my wife, Jessica, and our son, Reid. I would describe myself as diligent, compassionate, and humorous.
I spent 1st-4th grade in Sand Diego, California for my mother's Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship, but I consider Coppell, TX, a small suburb of Dallas, to be my hometown. I received my BA in Philosophy from University of Texas in 2018 and my MD in 2024 from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The variety and ability to connect with patients throughout their lifespan drew me to Family Medicine and I'm most excited about actually managing my patients, whether it's depression, diabetes, or small bowel obstruction! It feels like the long hours of medical school are finally paying off. I am eager to explore the food scene in Texarkana. I've already found great restaurants for both sushi and pizza. I absolutely love playing board games with friends in my spare time. I am recently married and my wife, Carolina, and I have a dog named Cold Brew. I would describe myself as: Laid back, Diligent, and Curious. Curious isn't quite the right word but I am very prone to investigate things and poke around as to "why" things are.
I spent most of my youth in Northern New Jersey. After high school I lived abroad for about 10 years in Hungary. I spent a lot of time in my young adult years visiting my dad in Russellville, Arkansas and it has become my second home. I received all my secondary education from University of Debrecen Medical Health and Science Center Debrecen, Hungary and attained my MD in 2019. I love the impact Family Medicine physicians have in shaping the future of a patient's overall health through a lifetime of getting to know the person. I am excited to learn as wide an array of medicine as I possibly can, but I have a keen interest in both Geriatrics and Obesity Medicine. I am eager to meet the people of Texarkana during my residency, as well as, hiking and fishing in the surrounding area. I also enjoy reading, cooking, tennis, playing board games and I love to learn new words from different languages. My wife, Reka, and kids, Laura and Ronan, would probably agree that three words to describe me would be: Resourceful, Hardworking, and Patient.
I am from Anambra State in the south-eastern part of Nigeria. Most of my childhood and education were in a neighboring state, Enugu, where I attained a Master of Public Health and MD from University of Nigeria College of Medicine but immediately prior to residency I lived with my wife, Emmanuela, and kids, KC and Zara, in the small town of Harvey, Louisiana. I earnestly love every aspect of family medicine. I'm particularly fascinated with Family Medicine’s facilitation of preventive health as that is one of my motivations to acquiring my Master of Public Health degree. I'm passionate about Health Literacy and always want to share my knowledge on how to improve one's health profile. I'm also always curious to listen and learn what works for others and I look forward at the opportunity to learn both Hospital and clinic-based patient care while in residency. I would describe myself as down to earth, unassuming, and easy going. My hobbies include going on road trips, biking, playing in the park with the kids, going to the movies, and touring (visiting new places and trying new delicacies).
I call both Quezon City, Philippines and Walnut Creek, California my hometowns. I received a BS in Health Science in 2012 and a Master of Business Administration from Ateneo de Manila University in 2017, and my MD in 2017 from Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Philippines. I love the versatility of Family Medicine, where you can help people of all ages and address a diverse range of health needs and conditions. I am especially passionate about Quality primary care and inclusive public health and am eager to learn about Community health and geriatrics while in residency. I enjoy long drives and hiking, competing in table tennis tournaments, playing video games, reading graphic novels, and catching up with family and friends. I would describe myself as: Loyal, Determined, and Hearty.
First-Year Residents — Class of 2028
I was born and raised in Quezon City, Philippines, and later moved to Glendale, California—though I returned to the Philippines to complete my medical education. I earned my undergraduate degree in Computer Science from the University of the Philippines – Diliman in 2014 and my medical degree from Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation in 2018. What draws me most to Family Medicine is the chance to build lasting relationships with patients and their families. I enjoy the continuity of care and the impact it allows across generations. Texarkana has been a refreshing change of pace, and I’ve grown to appreciate the kindness of the people and the unique vibe between its Texas and Arkansas sides. Outside of medicine, I love gaming and I’m all about good food and great company. My wife, Joy, and I love discovering local eats wherever we travel and watching food vlogs. Three words that describe me: Chill, Patient, and Uplifting.
I was born, raised, and attended medical school in Lagos, Nigeria, but moved to Dallas three years ago to join my husband. Since then, life has been a whirlwind! I became a mom of two, completed all three USMLE Steps, and matched into residency. It’s been intense, but it’s taught me resilience, balance, and how to show up fully in both medicine and life. My husband, Kunle, has been my biggest support, holding everything down without complaint. Our kids, Nadia and Zayn, have reshaped how I see the world. Motherhood has deepened my empathy and strengthened the way I connect with patients. I chose Family Medicine for its versatility and the opportunity to build long-term relationships. I’m especially passionate about advocating for fairness and making sure every patient feels safe, seen, and truly cared for. Texarkana has been a pleasant surprise—no traffic (sorry, Dallas!) and genuinely kind people. That warmth extends into our residency program, which is supportive and inclusive. In my spare time, I’m usually in mom or wife mode, catching up on sleep when I can. I take pride in juggling it all while staying grounded—and maybe just a little nosey, in the best way.
I’m originally from Acton, Maine, and my academic journey began with a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Maine, which I completed in 2016. Over time, my passion for science and healthcare grew stronger, leading me to pursue a second degree in Human Biology from the University of Southern Maine in 2019. I went on to earn my Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from NYITCOM in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in 2025. What draws me most to family medicine is its preventive focus—being able to help patients avoid illness before it starts is incredibly rewarding. I also value the chance to build long-term relationships and support wellness throughout every stage of life. Since moving to Texarkana, I’ve been touched by the warmth and kindness of the community. I’m excited about the learning opportunities ahead and the chance to grow both personally and professionally. I’d describe myself as empathetic, curious, and resilient. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Teaka, and our pets. I also love hiking, gaming with friends, and staying active at the gym. Nature and science continue to inspire me in both my personal life and medical career.
I grew up in Southern California, spending my early years in the San Fernando Valley before moving to Simi Valley. I earned my BSN in 2016 and my MD in 2020 from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center in the Philippines. I chose Family Medicine for its broad scope and the opportunity to care for patients across all ages. I enjoy the unpredictability of each day and the privilege of being on the front lines of patient care. Since moving to Texarkana, I’ve been grateful for the genuine kindness and hospitality of the community. The UAMS Southwest residency program has patient and helpful faculty that are willing to help with questions and guidance. All the staff have been supportive in integrating us into the program and the area. Outside of medicine and spending time with my partner, Ellen, I enjoy staying active at the gym, watching Netflix, improving my pickleball game and trying new activities like indoor rock climbing and surfing. I would describe myself as quiet, patient, and caring.
I’m originally from Katy, Texas, and earned my medical degree from China Medical University in 2011. I chose Family Medicine because I love the continuity of care and the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients of all ages. The variety keeps me learning every day, and I enjoy blending preventive care, disease management, and emotional support in my practice. I’m passionate about compassionate, patient-centered care and promoting mindfulness in health and well-being. I’m also fascinated by how medicine applies to extreme environments like space, and how that research can help us better understand human resilience. Climate change and sustainability are causes close to my heart—I believe in doing my part to leave behind a healthier world. Since moving to Texarkana, I’ve come to love the friendly, welcoming community and the peaceful pace of life (especially the lack of traffic!). The residency program here is supportive and full of opportunities to grow. Outside of medicine, I enjoy hiking, dancing Garba, traveling, and experimenting in the kitchen—my friends and family are always up for taste-testing my latest creations, whether they’re hits or hilarious flops. Three words to describe me: Funny, Positive, and Dedicated.
I’m originally from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and completed my undergraduate studies in Cellular Molecular Biology at the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras Campus in 2013. I earned my medical degree in 2021 from San Juan Bautista School of Medicine in Caguas. What drew me to Family Medicine is the continuity of care and the opportunity to develop meaningful, lifelong relationships with patients. I’m especially passionate about empowering others through education, creativity, and authentic connection. Since starting my residency, I’ve come to love the warmth and strong sense of community in Texarkana. The supportive environment and collaborative spirit have made learning incredibly rewarding. Outside of medicine, I recharge myself by painting, gaming, and exploring nature—and my husband, Onix, and I co-host a bilingual anime podcast that bridges different cultures and celebrates diversity in media. Three words that describe me best: Creative, Versatile, and Innovative.
I grew up in Austin, Texas, and earned my BS in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University in 2009. I later attended VCOM in Auburn, Alabama, where I received my DO in 2021. What drew me to family medicine is the opportunity to care for patients across all age groups—from playful toddlers to wise elders—making every day dynamic and rewarding. Since moving to Texarkana for residency, I’ve come to appreciate how easy it is to get around town—no traffic jams, just smooth drives and friendly faces.
Outside of medicine, I’m passionate about cooking, traveling, and producing electronic music. I also enjoy making abstract art, watching MMA and futebol, and once even ran a marathon back in 2014. Three words that describe me best are: Compassionate, Creative, and Adventurous.
I am a triplet who hails from Dumas, Arkansas! I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southern Arkansas University in 2017 and completed my medical degree at NYITCOM in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in 2025. I chose Family Medicine because I love variety, it gives me the chance to learn a little bit of everything. That broad knowledge helps me better serve rural communities like the one I grew up in. I’m especially passionate about providing compassionate, patient-centered care in areas where access can be limited. I would describe myself as compassionate, kind, and caring. One of the things I’ve come to love about Texarkana is the opportunity to serve in a rural clinic setting, it is great practice for my future. In my spare time, I enjoy going home to spend time with family or traveling. I also love spending time with my animals and visiting zoos and aquariums whenever I can. My fiancé, Josh Allen, and I are planning to get married this year.