Faculty & Staff

Faculty

Miguel Alvarez-Silva, MD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Miguel.AlvarezSilva@utrgv.edu

Miguel Alvarez-Silva, MD

Miguel Alvarez-Silva, MD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Email: Miguel.AlvarezSilva@utrgv.edu

Alejandro Bocanegra, MD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Alejandro.Bocanegra@utrgv.edu

Alejandro Bocanegra, MD

Alejandro Bocanegra, MD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Alejandro.Bocanegra@utrgv.edu

Jose Cano, MD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Jose.Cano@utrgv.edu

Jose Cano, MD

Jose Cano, MD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Jose.Cano@utrgv.edu

Yuri Cuellar De la Cruz, MD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Yuri.CuellarDeLaCruz@utrgv.edu

Yuri Cuellar De la Cruz, MD

Yuri Cuellar De la Cruz, MD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Yuri.CuellarDeLaCruz@utrgv.edu

Kristan Diaz-Rios, MD: Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Kristan.DiazRios@utrgv.edu

Kristan Diaz-Rios, MD

Kristan Diaz-Rios, MD
Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Kristan.DiazRios@utrgv.edu

Kristan Diaz-Rios is a board-certified Family Physician and the Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the UTRGV School of Medicine. She received her medical degree from Brown University School of Medicine in 2007. She completed residency training in family medicine in 2010 followed by an Obstetrics and Women’s health fellowship at CHRISTUS Spohn in Corpus Christi, TX, in 2011.

Dr. Diaz-Rios has spent the past several years practicing rural Family Medicine with obstetrics and she is actively involved in GME as core faculty and APD at the HMS family medicine program in Silver City, New Mexico.

She has returned back to her hometown of Edinburg to serve the Rio Grande Valley community.

James Fahey, MD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; James.Fahey@utrgv.edu

James Fahey, MD

James Fahey, MD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: James.Fahey@utrgv.edu

Cynthia Garza, PsyD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Cynthia.Garza1@utrgv.edu

Cynthia Garza, PsyD

Cynthia Garza, PsyD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Cynthia.Garza1@utrgv.edu

Jesus Garza-Tamez, MD: Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine; (956) 687-6155; Jesus.GarzaTamez@utrgv.edu

Jesus Garza-Tamez, MD

Jesus Garza-Tamez, MD
Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Jesus.GarzaTamez@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 687-6155

Dr. Garza - Tamez was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico where he attended medical school at the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León. He completed a General Surgery residency program at the University Hospital in Monterrey, MX and practiced as a surgeon in Monterrey for 15 years.

In 1999 Dr. Garza - Tamez completed the Family Medicine Residency Program in McAllen, TX and subsequently became a faculty member for the program. Due to his background and experience in surgery, Dr. Garza -Tamez has had the opportunity to pursue his passion of training family medicine residents in surgical procedures.

Deepu George, PhD: Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine; (956) 362-3520; Deepu.George@utrgv.edu

Deepu George, PhD

Deepu George, PhD
Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Deepu.George@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 362-3520

Deepu George completed his doctoral work in Human Development and Family Science with a specialization in Family Therapy from the University of Georgia under the guidance of Dr. Jay A. Mancini. As part of his doctoral clinical requirement, he also completed a one year internship in Medical Family Therapy and Integrated Care from Duke/SR-AHEC Family Medicine Residency program in Fayetteville, NC. His work focuses on implementing integrated behavioral health models in primary care, specifically the evidence-based Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model and doing evaluation research on the effects on implementation. Along with his clinical duties as Behavioral Health Consultant in the PCBH model, he teaches residents in clinic and in didactics primary care behavioral health skills. His research focuses on social determinants of health, physician resilience and well-being, community capacity building, and health disparities in the Rio Grande Valley region.

Carolina Gomez de Zielger, MD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Carolina.GomezdeZiegler@utrgv.edu

Carolina Gomez de Zielger, MD

Carolina Gomez de Zielger, MD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Carolina.GomezdeZiegler@utrgv.edu

Jimmy G. Gonzales, MD, CAQSM: Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine; (956) 362-3520; Jimmy.Gonzales@utrgv.edu

Jimmy G. Gonzales, MD, CAQSM

Jimmy G. Gonzales, MD, CAQSM
Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Jimmy.Gonzales@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 362-3520

Dr. Jimmy Gonzales graduated cum laude and received a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University. He is a member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2006. Whoop! He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. After medical school he completed a preliminary year in general surgery at Parkland/UT Southwestern.  Dr. Gonzales then went on to complete his family medicine residency at Scott & White/Texas A&M HSC in Temple, Texas.  After residency he completed a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at Texas Tech University. During his fellowship, Dr. Gonzales presented a podium presentation for a case study at the national meeting for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.

He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and also board certified in sports medicine. In addition, he is a member of several professional societies including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association, and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.

He is currently the director of sports medicine for the UTRGV Family Medicine Residency Program. He also serves as the team physician for UTRGV Athletics. Dr. Gonzales looks forward to educating new and future family medicine physicians.

Curriculum Vitae

Baldemar Gonzalez-Alanis, MD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Baldemar.GonzalezAlanis@utrgv.edu

Baldemar Gonzalez-Alanis, MD

Baldemar Gonzalez-Alanis, MD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Baldemar.GonzalezAlanis@utrgv.edu

Sunand Kallumadanda, MD: Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine; (956) 687-9155; Sunand.Kallumadanda@utrgv.edu

Sunand Kallumadanda, MD

Sunand Kallumadanda, MD
Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Sunand.Kallumadanda@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 687-9155

Dr. Sunand Kallumadanda, a first-generation immigrant from India, entering to the U.S. in 1980, grew up in Victoria, Texas where he completed junior high and high school. Dr. Kallumadanda received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, and his medical degree from Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences – Bangalore University, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

After completing his clinical training in medicine in 2000, Dr. Kallumadanda returned to the U.S. from India. He then gained admission to the McAllen Medical Center - Family Medicine Residency Program and graduated in 2006. In 2007 he accepted a faculty position with the program he trained in and has since not regretted his purpose and direction in life. In 2015 he was appointed Associate Program Director and promoted to Program Director in 2016. Dr. Kallumadanda’s mantra for success is to listen, appreciate, and assimilate all experiences which in turn help one to be a better leader and educator.

Curriculum Vitae

Laura Manzanilla-Luberti, MD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; (956) 973-3531; Laura.ManzanillaLuberti@utrgv.edu

Laura Manzanilla-Luberti, MD

Laura Manzanilla-Luberti, MD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Laura.ManzanillaLuberti@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 973-3531

Hector Munoz, MD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Hector.Munoz@utrgv.edu

Hector Munoz, MD

Hector Munoz, MD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Hector.Munoz@utrgv.edu

Gerardo Munoz-Monaco, MD: Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine; (956) 973-3531; G.MunozMonaco@utrgv.edu

Gerardo Munoz-Monaco, MD

Gerardo Munoz-Monaco, MD
Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: G.MunozMonaco@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 973-3531

Gerardo Munoz-Monaco, MD, serves as Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the UTRGV School of Medicine.

Dr. Munoz-Monaco obtained his Medical Degree from the Universidad de Carabobo in Venezuela, and completed his training at Indiana University.

He has practiced as a family medicine physician for more than five years, with a focus on Preventative Care and Quality/Coding.

In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Munoz-Monaco is a member of the American Academy of Family Medicine, is board certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians, a member of the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA), and member of the NHMA Board Development Committee. He resides in McAllen, TX with his wife and two children.

Maria de Jesus Munoz, MD: Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine; MariadeJesus.Munoz@utrgv.edu

Maria de Jesus Munoz, MD

Maria de Jesus Munoz, MD
Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Email: MariadeJesus.Munoz@utrgv.edu

Maria de Jesus Munoz, M.D, is an Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine and the Assistant Dean of Clerkships at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine.

She previously served as the Assistant Program Director at the UTRGV/DHR Family Medicine Residency and was the Family Medicine Clerkship Director. Dr. Munoz completed her medical training at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She completed a Family Medicine Residency Training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. In addition, she has practiced in many community settings and served underserved populations.

Before joining the UTRGV Department of Family and Community Medicine in 2019, she was employed by the State of Texas and provided primary care services in the outpatient setting. Prior to this, Dr. Munoz was a private practice physician in San Benito, TX. She was also an active participant in the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dept. of Family & Community Medicine Regional Academic Health Center as the Regional Site Clerkship Director for Family Medicine Clerkship in Harlingen, TX.

Dr. Munoz is currently completing her Masters in Academic Medicine and is interested in
curriculum development.

Evan D. Perez, MD, CAQSM: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; (956) 296-1534; Evan.D.Perez@utrgv.edu

Evan D. Perez, MD, CAQSM

Evan D. Perez, MD, CAQSM
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Evan.D.Perez@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1534

Dr. Evan Perez is a product of the Rio Grande Valley. He attended school in Edinburg from Kindergarten through College. He graduated from Edinburg High School and then graduated magna cum laude from the University of Texas-Pan America (UTPA) with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Dr. Perez completed his Family Medicine residency at Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program in Houston, Texas. He then completed a Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship at Texas Tech University El Paso.

Dr. Perez was the UTPA Student of the Week for the week of November 15th, 2009. When asked “Do you plan to return to the Valley?” He responded at the time “I plan on returning to the Valley to practice medicine and give back to the community in whatever ways I can.” Dr. Perez is excited to return to the Valley and fulfill his dreams.

Dr. Perez is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) and through the ABFM also certified in Sports Medicine.

He is currently an Assistant Professor for UTRGV Family Medicine Residency Program. He also serves as a team physician for UTRGV Athletics.

Sonya Saenz, MD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Sonya.Saenz01@utrgv.edu

Sonya Saenz, MD

Sonya Saenz, MD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Sonya.Saenz01@utrgv.edu

Veronica Salazar, MD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; (956) 362-3520; Veronica.Salazar@utrgv.edu

Veronica Salazar, MD

Veronica Salazar, MD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Veronica.Salazar@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 362-3520

Veronica Salazar was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and is a recent Board Certified graduate from the UTRGV DHR Family Medicine Residency Program. While attending the formerly known University of Texas Pan American, Dr. Salazar graduated cum laude with a major in Biology, a minor in Chemistry and English Literature. In 2018, Dr. Salazar served as Chief Resident during her final year of residency and was a part of the first ever graduating class of the UTRGV DHR Family Medicine Program.

Dr. Salazar currently serves as an Assistant Professor for the UTRGV DHR FMR Program and Clinical Director of the DHR Family Medicine Center. She was also awarded the Kleberg Fellowship for Cultural and Ethical Awareness in the RGV and is excited to contribute to her development as a practicing Family Physician.

She hopes to help future medical students and resident’s develop into compassionate physicians and is honored to have the opportunity to return to her home town and give back to the community.

Adrian Sandoval, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP: Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine; (956) 362-3520; Adrian.Sandoval@utrgv.edu

Adrian Sandoval, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP

Adrian Sandoval, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP
Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Adrian.Sandoval@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 362-3520

Dr. Adrian Sandoval received his pre-pharmacy education from The University of Texas at Austin, and graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University HSC College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Dr. Sandoval then completed an Ambulatory-Care/Community Pharmacy Residency at Scott & White Healthcare in Temple, TX specializing in primary care. He is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) and Board Certified in Ambulatory-Care (BCACP). After completion of his residency, he joined the faculty at the UT Austin College of Pharmacy/University of Texas-Pan American Cooperative Pharmacy Program. Currently, Dr. Sandoval serves as Clinical Assistant Professor within the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and as Discipline Coordinator (Pharmacology) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. His interests include inter-professional practice/education, medication adherence, substance abuse, and primary care topics such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia.

Outside of work, Dr. Sandoval loves to spend time with his wife Ashley Sandoval, Pharm.D. and his energized son, William. He likes to travel to historical sites, spend time outdoors, and enjoys sharing laughs with his friends and family.

Michelle Varon, PhD: Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Michelle.Varon01@utrgv.edu

Michelle Varon, PhD

Michelle Varon, PhD
Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Michelle.Varon01@utrgv.edu

Leonel Vela, MD, MPH: Professor of Family and Community Medicine; (956) 296-1411; Leonel.Vela@utrgv.edu

Leonel Vela, MD, MPH

Leonel Vela, MD, MPH
Professor of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Leonel.Vela@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1411

Dr. Leonel Vela is the Associate Vice President for Education-Division of Health Affairs, Senior Associate Dean for Educational Resources and holds a faculty appointment of Professor with Tenure in the Department of Family Medicine at the UT Rio Grande Valley-School of Medicine. He was Founding Dean of the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC), a campus of the University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio (UTHSCSA), where he also held the appointment of Professor with Tenure in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. In this capacity, Dr. Vela directed the medical education and biomedical research components of the RAHC. As its first Regional Dean, he provided leadership in the development and establishment of the RAHC campuses during their formative years.

Dr. Vela was previously at Texas Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) where he was Vice President for Rural and Community Health, first holder of the Marie Hall Endowed Chair in Rural Health, Medical Director of Telemedicine/Telehealth and Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Vela received undergraduate degrees from Stanford University and medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed post-graduate studies at Harvard where he received a Master of Public Health Degree and was a Kellogg Fellow in Health Policy and Management. He completed post-graduate training in Preventive Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

His publications, professional presentations and committees have included medical education, tuberculosis, diabetes, migrant health, border health and telemedicine. He previously chaired the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health for the U.S. Secretary of Health and received the Plate of Bounty Award by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Migrant Head Start Branch. Dr. Vela was honored by Texas Tech University Health Science Center as recipient of the Rural Health Visionary Award and was a UTRGV School of Medicine inaugural member of the UT System Kenneth I. Shine M.D. Academy of Health Science Education

Staff

Salvador Arellano: Research Associate of Family and Community Medicine; salvador.arellano01@utrgv.edu

Salvador Arellano

Salvador Arellano
Research Associate of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: salvador.arellano01@utrgv.edu

Christy Caric, MA, LPC: Behavioral Therapist of Family and Community Medicine; christy.caric01@utrgv.edu

Christy Caric, MA, LPC

Christy Caric, MA, LPC
Behavioral Therapist of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: christy.caric01@utrgv.edu

Evan Garcia: Program Manager of Family and Community Medicine; evan.garcia01@utrgv.edu

Evan Garcia

Evan Garcia
Program Manager of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: evan.garcia01@utrgv.edu

JoAnna Garza: Counseling Specialist of Family and Community Medicine; joanna.garza@utrgv.edu

JoAnna Garza

JoAnna Garza
Counseling Specialist of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: joanna.garza@utrgv.edu

Maria Guadalupe Hernandez, MPA: Director of Special Programs of Family and Community Medicine; maria.hernandez@utrgv.edu

Maria Guadalupe Hernandez, MPA

Maria Guadalupe Hernandez, MPA
Director of Special Programs of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: maria.hernandez@utrgv.edu

Christina Mendoza, MBA: Department Administrator of Family and Community Medicine; Christina.Mendoza@utrgv.edu

Christina Mendoza, MBA

Christina Mendoza, MBA
Department Administrator of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Christina.Mendoza@utrgv.edu

Magaly Morales: GME Residency Coordinator of Family and Community Medicine; Magaly.Morales01@utrgv.edu

Magaly Morales

Magaly Morales
GME Residency Coordinator of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Magaly.Morales01@utrgv.edu

Alexis Normendez, MSHS: GME Residency Program Coordinator of Family and Community Medicine; Alexis.Normendez@utrgv.edu

Alexis Normendez, MSHS

Alexis Normendez, MSHS
GME Residency Program Coordinator of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Alexis.Normendez@utrgv.edu

Myrna Ruiz: Program Coordinator of Family and Community Medicine; myrna.ruiz@utrgv.edu

Myrna Ruiz

Myrna Ruiz
Program Coordinator of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: myrna.ruiz@utrgv.edu

Vicente Reyna: Assistant to the Clinical Chair of Family and Community Medicine; Vicente.Reyna@utrgv.edu

Vicente Reyna

Vicente Reyna
Assistant to the Clinical Chair of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Vicente.Reyna@utrgv.edu

Alexandra Smith MSHS, C-TAGME: GME Residency Program Coordinator of Family and Community Medicine; Alexandra.Smith@utrgv.edu

Alexandra Smith MSHS, C-TAGME

Alexandra Smith MSHS, C-TAGME
GME Residency Program Coordinator of Family and Community Medicine
Family and Community Medicine
Email: Alexandra.Smith@utrgv.edu

Faculty & Staff Education and Training Residency Programs

Interim Department Chair

Jimmy G. Gonzales, MD, CAQSM
Interim Chair & Associate Professor
Department of Family and Community Medicine

Contact

Department of Family and Community Medicine
Administrative Offices
2102 Treasure Hills
Harlingen, TX 78550
Email: deptoffamilymedicine@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1534

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