Randal D. Robinson, MD

Professor and Chair
Division Chief and Fellowship Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Dr. Robinson joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology Division in 2011. He currently serves as Chair of the Department and Division Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He received his A.B (Artium Baccalaureus) and M.D. degrees from the University of Missouri and completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA in 1992 and a Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA in 1996. He previously served on active duty in the US Army Medical Corps and retired at the rank of Colonel after more than 26 years of service. He served as both the Chairman and Residency Program Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the San Antonio Military Medical Center and the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium. He is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Robinson currently serves as Chair of the Education Committee of the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is a board examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology for both the specialty and reproductive endocrinology and infertility subspecialty certification examinations.

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Elly M-J. Xenakis, MD

Professor, Vice Chair for Education and Chief, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

xenakis@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5009

Dr. Xenakis was born in Bucharest, Romania and received her M.D. in 1983 from Pavia Medical School in Italy. She completed her residency in 1989 at Brooklyn-Caledonian Hospital in New York. Dr. Xenakis completed fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine in December 1991 and joined our faculty as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Xenakis became a tenured Professor in September 2007 and holds the Jane and Roland Blumberg Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Xenakis serves on the South Texas Regional Advisory Council Perinatal Committee. She is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Jessica Acosta, CNM

Specialist – Certified Nurse Midwife

acostaj1@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Jessica Acosta graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and in 2013 with a Master of Science in Nursing. She completed a Post-Master’s in Nurse Midwifery in 2019 through Texas Tech Health Science Center. She is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners since 2013 and a Certified Nurse Midwife through the American Midwifery Certification Board since 2019. Ms. Acosta is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. She joined the department in January 2019.

Michael D. Berkus, MD

Associate Professor

berkus@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5009

Dr. Berkus received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio in 1976. He completed Obstetrics and Gynecology residency in 1980 at the University of Florida, and his Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Berkus is an Associate Professor. Dr. Berkus has been awarded the Outstanding Teaching Award, presented by Obstetrics and Gynecology Senior Residents. He has been an active researcher for many years and is well published in many peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Berkus is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. He is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Angela R. Boyd, MD, PhD

Specialist – MFM Fellow

boyda3@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5035

Dr. Boyd received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio, graduating magna cum laude with Honors in Biology in 2005. She then attended the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and received her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology in 2011 and her M.D. in 2013. She completed her Residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UTHSCSA in 2017. Dr. Boyd joined the faculty as a Specialist and is currently completing her fellowship training in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Her clinical and research interests include gestational diabetes, obesity and infectious diseases.

Deborah L. Conway, MD

Professor

conway@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5035

Dr. Conway received her B.S. in Biology, cum laude, from Texas A&M University, and her M.D. from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston in 1991. In 1995, she completed her residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and joined our department as an Assistant Instructor on a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. She became an Assistant Professor following the completion of her fellowship in 1997 and was promoted 10 Associate Professor in September 2008. Dr. Conway is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Her interests include diabetes in pregnancy, and pre-pregnancy counseling.

Margot Ellard, MSN, CNM, WHNP

Specialist – Certified Nurse Midwife

ellardm@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5009

Ms. Ellard has 27 years’ experience in women’s health. A native of Texas, Ms. Ellard graduated cum laude from the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing where she also obtained her Master of Nursing as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She completed certification as a Nurse Midwife at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Currently, Ms. Ellard is on the faculty at UT Health San Antonio in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her interests are focused on teaching residents and medical students as well as providing quality care to pregnant women with a focus on high risk.

Kayla E. Ireland, MD

Assistant Professor

ireland@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5009

Dr. Ireland received her Bachelor of Science at Tulane University, graduating magna cum laude with Honors in Neuroscience in 2006. She earned her M.D. in 2010 at the University of Texas at San Antonio and was awarded membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and Marvin Forland, MD Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. She completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2014 at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Ireland joined the faculty as a Clinical Instructor and is currently completing her fellowship training in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Her clinical and research interests include placental mitochondrial function in obesity and placenta accreta.

Julie M. Horsting, MR, MS, LCGC

Specialist – Genetic Counselor

horsting@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5009

Ms. Horsting received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and History from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA in 2009. She went on to earn a Master of Genetics from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC in 2011, and a Master of Science in Medical Genetics and Genetic Counseling from Indiana University in Indianapolis, IN in 2013. A board-certified genetic counselor, Ms. Horsting has provided genetic counseling across many areas of medicine, but is particularly passionate about prenatal and preconception genetic counseling. Ms. Horsting is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, and the Texas Network of Genetic Counselors. Ms. Horsting joined the faculty at UT Health San Antonio in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as a Specialist.

Belinda R. Lopez, CNM

Specialist – Certified Nurse Midwife

lopezb3@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5009

Belinda Lopez, a native San Antonian, received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baylor University in 1993. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin in 1993 and Post Master’s in Nurse Midwifery at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston in 2002. Mrs. Lopez worked as a Certified Nurse Midwife in private practice and has worked in maternal fetal medicine and high-risk obstetrical women, specializing in diabetes pump management. She is also very active in the San Antonio Nurses in Advanced Practice group, serving as Treasurer from 2013-2017. Mrs. Lopez joined our department as Specialist-Certified Nurse Midwife in August of 2017.

Jessian L. Muñoz, MD, PhD

Specialist – MFM Fellow

munozj6@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5035

Dr. Muñoz received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Puerto Rico graduating magna cum laude with Honors in Neuroscience in 2009. He then attended Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School and Rutgers School of Graduate Studies, graduating in 2013 with a dual major Ph.D. in Stem Cell Biology and Neuroscience followed by completion of his M.D. in 2015. He was awarded the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) research award in 2014 for his work in genetic engineering of mesenchymal stem cells. He went on to complete residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in 2019. He was awarded the Cleveland Clinic Education Foundation excellence in medical student teaching award in 2016 and 2019. He is currently an active member of the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM), the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). Dr. Muñoz was awarded the ACOG Congressional Leadership Conference scholarship in 2019. Dr. Muñoz joined the faculty as a Specialist and is currently completing his fellowship training in Maternal Fetal Medicine. He has published extensively on RNA therapeutics, stem cell therapy and fetal surgery/intervention. His current clinical and research interests include fetal surgery/intervention, operative obstetrics, placenta accreta, maternal critical care and L&D QI/QA.

Denise Pichot, FNP

Specialist – Nurse Practitioner

pichotd@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5009

Patrick S. Ramsey, MD, MSPH

Professor, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Director

ramseyp@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5009

Dr. Ramsey joined our department at the rank of Professor in 2014 and serves as the Director of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship training program, Director for Maternal Transport and Outreach, and Maternal Medical Director for the University Hospital Level IV Maternal Center. Dr. Ramsey completed his medical school training at the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine in 1994 and residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, MN in 1998. He completed a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2001. He also received a Master of Science in Public Health with emphasis in Epidemiology/International Health in 2003. He is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine and serves as an oral board examiner for the ABOG. He is an active member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), Infectious Disease Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology (IDSOG), among others. He is a graduate of the ACOG Leadership Institute, SMFM Leadership Academy, Dr. Ramsey is the founder and director for the annual ACOG Medical Student John Gibbons Memorial Lecture and co-director of for the ACOG Medical Student Workshops. He currently serves in several regional, state, and national leadership roles as member of the Obstetrics & Gynecology “Green Journal” Editorial Board, member of the IDSOG Council, Vice Chair for the Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies (TCHMB), member of the Texas Perinatal Advisory Council, member of the Texas Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Task Force, ACOG District XI/Section 5 Chair, and Secretary/Program Chair elect for ACOG District XI. As an active researcher and educator, he has received numerous awards and accolades including the ACOG Mentor of the Year Award, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Excellence in Teaching Award, and the ACOG Medical Student Recruitment Award. He has published over 90 peer-reviewed papers in major journals. His research interests are clinical trials, prevention of preterm birth, labor management, infectious diseases, and management of medical complications of pregnancy.

Tania Roman, MD, MPH

Specialist – MFM Fellow

romant3@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5035

Dr. Roman received her Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology and Spanish Literature from Stanford University in 2008. She then attended the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) School of Medicine and received her Masters of Public Health (MPH) and MD in 2013. She completed her Residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Texas Health Science Center Houston in 2017. Dr. Roman joined the faculty as a Specialist and is currently completing her fellowship training in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Her clinical and research interests include gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and obstetric simulation.

Jana L. Sullivan, CNM

Specialist – Certified Nurse Midwife

sullivanj2@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5009

Ms. Sullivan completed her Master in Nursing – Midwifery at State University of New York at Stonybrook in 2002. She has worked as certified nurse midwife in private practice settings and has also served as instructor at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. Ms. Sullivan joined our Department as Faculty Associate/Certified Nurse Midwife in June 2006.

Caitlan C. Talamas, MS, CNM

Specialist – Certified Nurse Midwife

talamas@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5009

Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology

Luke A. Newton, MD

Associate Professor and Chief, Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology

newtonla@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8230

Dr. Newton received his B.A. in Biology at Texas A&M University in 1999. He then attended medical school at UT Southwestern in Dallas between the years of 1999-2003. He continued his training at UNC Chapel Hill where he completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency in 2007. He joined our Department in 2007 and promoted to Associate Professor in 2014. Dr. Newton served as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Junior Fellow Section Chair from 2008-2009. He is the current Co-Director for the Long School of Medicine Endocrine/Female Reproduction course for 4th year medical students. In 2016, he was appointed Chief of the Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology.

J. Edgar Bost, MD

Associate Professor

bost@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8230

Dr. Bost attended Austin College in Sherman, Texas, where he majored in English and Biology. He left Austin College in 1978 at the end of his junior year to attend Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He graduated from BCM in 1981 but stayed on at Baylor to complete an Obstetrics and Gynecology residency. At the completion of his residency in 1986, he returned to Sherman to open and run a private Obstetrics and Gynecology practice. He continued in private practice in Sherman until October 2007, when he joined the faculty at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. In August 2007 he received his MBA from UT Dallas. Dr. Bost’s major interests are minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, urogynecologic surgery, and the economics of medicine.

Clarisa (Chavez) Miller, FNP

Specialist – Nurse Practitioner

chavescg@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Ms. Chavez received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from UT Health Science Center in San Antonio in 2012. She has provided care for a variety of women’s health patients including antepartum, postpartum, gynecology, and gynecologic oncology since 2012. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing in Family Practice in August 2016 at the Health Science Center in San Antonio and is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Ms. Chavez joined our faculty in December 2016.

Rochelle M. David, MD

Associate Professor

davidr@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8230

Dr. David received her Bachelor of Science Degree with honors in 1997 and her MD in 2000 from the University of Florida. She completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2004 at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. David is certified by The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She was in private practice in Pensacola, Florida from 2004-2010. Dr. David joined our faculty in February 2011. Her interests include general obstetrics and gynecology, adolescent gynecology, and benign vulvar disease.

J. Chris Franka, MD

Associate Professor

franka@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8230

Dr. Franka received his B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and then attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, receiving his M.D. in 1998. Dr. Franka remained at this institution for residency training, and following completion of residency training, Dr. Franka joined our faculty in August 2002. Dr. Franka is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Khim K. Lam, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

lamk2@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8230

Dr. Lam received her Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Arkansas in 1995. She received her MD from the University of Arkansas for Medic.al Sciences in 1999. She completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2003. She joined the staff here at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio from 2004-2006, then took a leave of absence to focus on her family. She rejoined the faculty at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in August of 2011.

Ilanna Loeffel, MD

Instructor/Clinical

loeffel@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Dr. Loeffel graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then received a Master of Science in Medical Sciences from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in May 2010. She attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio and received her MD in 2015. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio in June of 2019 and joined the faculty.

Alejandro Lozano Zaldivar, MD

Assistant Professor

lozanoa3@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8230

Dr. Lozano was born in Monterrey, Mexico. He received his M.D. from the Universidad de Monterrey in 2007. He continued his training at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, completing his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2011. He remained in Tulsa working at a community center and as clinical faculty with the university. Dr. Lozano joined our faculty in 2016. Dr. Lozano is certified by the American Board or Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Erin B. Mankus, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

mankus@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5035

Dr. Mankus graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master in Professional Accounting. She then earned her M.D. in 2013 and completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2017 at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. During residency, she received the Arnold P. Gold Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Dr. Mankus joined the faculty at UT Health San Antonio in August 2017. Her clinical interests include abnormal uterine bleeding and minimally invasive surgery.

Mary Martinelli, FNP

Specialist – Nurse Practitioner

martinellim@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Mary Martinelli received her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN – FNP) from The University of Texas at Arlington in May 2016 and is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Prior to earning her FNP, she provided care for a variety of women’s health patients including antepartum, postpartum, and gynecology for 17 years as a registered nurse. She worked Primary Care until joining the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in December of 2017.

Gabriel A. Medrano Valle, MD

Assistant Professor, Associate Clerkship Director

medranovalle@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8230

Dr. Medrano earned a baccalaureate in Biology from the University or Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus in 2000. He then attended medical school at Ponce School of Medicine in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He joined the department as Assistant Professor in July, 2008 after successfully completing his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency here. Dr. Medrano’s interests are PCOS, Pre-Eclampsia and working with residents and medical students.

Amanda M. Murray, DO

Clinical Assistant Professor

murraya1@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Dr. Murray graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She attended medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth and graduated in 2013. She completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2017 and subsequently joined the faculty. Her special interests include resident surgical education and minimally invasive surgery.

Erin L. Nelson, MD

Professor, Clerkship Director

nelsone3@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5035

Dr. Nelson received her Bachelor for Science degree in Physiology and Neuroscience in 1992. She received her M.D. from New York Medical College and was elected a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society in 1998. Dr. Nelson completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at the University of Texas Houston in 2002. After three years in private practice and as adjunct clinical faculty at Duke University, Dr. Nelson joined UT Health Science Center-San Antonio faculty in July 2005. In 2007, Dr. Nelson relocated with her spouse to El Paso, Texas and then rejoined the faculty at the UT Health Science Center in the summer 2009. Dr. Nelson is certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, serves as a board examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is the MS3 clerkship director. Her special interests are medical education, curriculum development and cervical dysplasia. Since 2012, she has been the UT School or Medicine San Antonio’s AOA councilor.

Sarah M. Page-Ramsey, MD

Professor, Residency Program Director

pageramsey@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5035

Dr. Page-Ramsey serves as the Program Director for the OB/GYN Residency Training Program. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry, magna cum laude, at Clemson University in 1995, and her medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland in 1999. She completed her OB/GYN residency training at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, where she adopted Texas as a second home. She is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) and is a retired U.S Air Force Lt Colonel. Dr. Page-Ramsey’s career has focused on medical education; she is the founder of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Medical Student Workshops, serves on the ACOG Committee on Scientific Program, as an oral board examiner for the ABOG, and is also the Junior Fellow Advisor for ACOG District XI (Texas). She is a graduate of the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Academic Scholars and Leaders Program, and the ACOG Leadership Institute, and is the recipient of the ACOG Mentor of the Year Award, CREOG National Faculty Award, APGO Excellence in Teaching Award, and the ACOG Medical Student Recruitment Award. She enjoys all areas of women’s healthcare, but has particular interest in abnormal menstrual bleeding, contraception, vulvar dermatoses, and gynecologic surgery.

Kristen A. Plastino, MD

Professor, Vice Chair for Clinical Operations and Director of UT Teen Health

plastino@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-7036

Dr. Plastino earned a B.S. and Pharm.D. from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. She then attended the University of South Florida Medical School, where she was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. She received her M.D. in 1999. Dr. Plastino joined the department July 2003 after successfully completing her residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Plastino is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is the director of UT Teen Health. Her special interests are adolescent gynecology, adolescent reproductive health, and contraception.

J. Mark Paine, MD

Associate Professor

painej@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8230

Dr. Paine joined our faculty in October 2005. He received his baccalaureate in Biology from Austin College in 1967. He graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston in 1971 and completed his residency in Houston. He was in private practice in San Antonio since 1979 and was appointed Assistant Clinical Professor in our Department from 1979-1994. Dr. Paine is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Ashley M. Gonzales, PA-C

Specialist – Physician Assistant

gonzalesa14@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8230

Ashley Gonzales joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2019. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences from Texas A&M University in 2012. She received her Master of Science degree in Biology Medical Sciences from Mississippi College in 2013. Prior to attending PA school, she worked in the OBGYN field as a medical assistant, followed by a chief medical scribe. She then received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from UT Health San Antonio in 2018.

Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Urogynecology

Kevin L. Hall, MD

Professor and Chief, Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Urogynecology

hallk3@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Dr. Hall attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he was awarded a B.S. in Chemistry/Engineering. He received his M.D. in 1983 from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Hall completed his residency training in 1987 and fellowship training in Gynecologic Oncology in 1993 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. Before joining the department, Dr. Hall completed a military career, achieving the rank of Colonel before his retirement in May 2003. His last assignment was at Brooke Army Medical Center where he held a number of posts, including Chief of Gynecologic Oncology and Vice Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Hall is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Gynecologic Oncology. He has one multiple teaching awards while and has been a Board Examiner for the The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology for over 15 years. Dr Hall was recently selected to be the first recipient of the John W. Boldt Endowed Chair for Gynecologic Surgery.

Alexandriah N. Alas, MD

Assistant Professor

alas@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Dr. Alas earned her Bachelor of Science in molecular and cellular biology at Sonoma Slate University in 2003 and worked in the Biotech field before attended the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Medicine and receiving her M.D. in 2009. After her residency in Los Angeles at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, she completed a fellowship in urogynecology at Cleveland Clinic Florida. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and specializes in both non-surgical and minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of pelvic floor disorders including vaginal and pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence and voiding dysfunction, bowel incontinence, bladder and rectal fistulas, urethral diverticulums and mesh complications. Following her medical training, Dr. Alas returned to her home state of Texas to join UT Physicians and the teaching faculty at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. In addition to her clinical practice, she is actively involved in research, published in the field of urogynecology, and has been the recipient of several research awards. Currently, Dr. Alas is interested in quality improvement measures for patient-centered outcomes following surgical treatment organ prolapse.

Keeley J. Bell, MPAS, PA-C

Specialist – Physician Assistant

bellkj@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Keeley Bell received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Texas, graduating with honors in Biology and Chemistry in 2010. She then earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at UT Health San Antonio in 2018. Prior to attending PA school, her clinical experience included working as an emergency medical technician, a psychiatric technician, and an operating room technician. PA Bell joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology Division as a Specialist in March 2019. She is also cross-appointed as adjunct clinical faculty for the UT Health San Antonio Department of Physician Assistant Studies, and serves as a preceptor for PA students. Her special interests include the diagnosis and treatment of GYN malignancies, LGBT research, and working with residents and medical/PA students.

Elizabeth (Casiano) Evans, MD

Associate Professor

casianoe@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Dr. Evans is originally from San Antonio. She completed an 8-year combined Program in Liberal Medical Education at Brown University receiving her BA in Political Science in 2000 and MD in 2004. In 2008 she completed her residency at I.IT Southwestern in Dallas. She then completed a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She returned home to San Antonio 10 join the faculty here at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Evans is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She enjoys caring for women with uterine and vaginal prolapse and urinary incontinence. Her research interests include epidemiology and patient-centered outcomes following treatment.

Karen C. Diaz, MD

Clinical Associate Professor

diazk@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Dr. Diaz was born in San Antonio, Texas. She received her M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. After completing her residency here at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, she joined the faculty at Duke University Medical Center. She returned to our department in 1989 as Assistant Professor. Her interests include colposcopy and urinary incontinence. She is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Edward R. Kost, MD

Professor, Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Director

kost@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Dr. Kost received his baccalaureate in Biochemistry and Cell biology from the University of California in San Diego in 1983, and his M.D. from the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine in Bethesda, MD in 1989. Following residency training at Wilford Hall Medical Center, he completed both a research and a clinical fellowship in Gynecology-Oncology at the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. Prior to joining The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dr. Kost was the Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Brooke Army Medical Center. Dr. Kost is currently the Program Director of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship.

Georgia A. McCann, MD

Associate Professor

mccanng@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-5051

Dr. McCann joined the faculty of the Health Science Center in July 2013. She received her B.S. in Biology at Boston University, graduating magna cum laude with distinction. She then earned her M.D. at Jefferson Medical College and was awarded membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. In 2010, she finished a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, then completed her fellowship training in Gynecologic Oncology at The Ohio State University Medical Center. Her interests include the diagnosis and treatment of cervical, endometrial, ovarian, and vulvar cancers. Dr. McCann also has advanced training in robotic surgery and radical pelvic and reconstructive surgery for the treatment of gynecologic malignancies.

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Randal D. Robinson, MD

Professor and Chair
Division Chief and Fellowship Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

robinsonr3@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-4950

Tiencheng Arthur Chang, PhD, HCLD/ELD/CC

Professor and Director, ART Labs

changt3@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-4924

Dr. Chang received his bachelor’s degree from National Taiwan University, Taiwan, and MS and PhD degrees in Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before joining our department in 2007. Dr. Chang is board certified as High-complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD), Embryology Laboratory Director (ELD), and Clinical Consultant (CC) by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB). He serves as Director of Clinical Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Laboratories at the UT Health Reproductive Health & Fertility Center, and Embryology & Stem Cell Research Laboratory in the Department. His clinical and research interests include in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete and embryo development, cryopreservation, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), embryo implantation, andrology, ART laboratory quality management, as well as nonhuman primate embryology and stem cell biology for modeling reproductive and regenerative medicine. He has served on numerous leadership and committee positions in the profession, including President of Society of Reproductive Biologists & Technologists (SRBT, 2017-2018) and incoming President of College of Reproductive Biology (CRB, 2020-2021).

Kathryn Goldrick, MD

Specialist – REI Fellow

goldrick@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8795

Dr. Goldrick received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Premedical Studies from the University of Notre Dame in 2010. She attended medical school at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC which she completed in 2019. Dr. Goldrick joined the faculty as a Specialist and is currently completing her fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Jennifer F. Knudtson, MD

Associate Professor/Clinical

knudtson@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8795

Dr. Knudtson earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004. She then attended the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Medicine, receiving her M.D. in 2008 and joined our faculty in July 2012. She is a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

Sheena M. Rippentrop, MD

Specialist – REI Fellow

rippentrop@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8795

Dr. Rippentrop received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Texas A&M University in 2008. She then attended medical school at University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and remained at this institution for residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology which she completed in 2017. Dr. Rippentrop subsequently joined the faculty as a Specialist and is currently completing her fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Robert S. Schenken, MD

Professor

schenken@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-4924

Dr. Schenken joined the faculty in 1980. He holds the rank of Professor and the Humana Foundation Distinguished Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Schenken completed medical school at Baylor College on Medicine in 1977 and concluded his residency training at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology at the National Institutes of Health, Pregnancy Research Branch, in 1982. Dr. Schenken was the Chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility from 1986 until 2002. He was Chair of the department from 2002-2016. He is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He was President of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in 2005 and served as a director of The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Division of Reproductive Research

Rajeshwar Rao Tekmal, PhD

Professor, Carl J. Pauerstein Professor, Director, Division of Reproductive Research

tekmal@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-4930

Dr. Tekmal received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the N.D.R.I./Kurukshetra University, India, in 1982. He went on to complete postdoctoral training at Michigan State University and University of Mississippi Medical Center. Before he joined this department in 1989 as Assistant Professor/Research, Dr. Tekmal served as an Assistant Research Scientist at Oakland University MI. In June 1995, Dr. Tekmal moved to the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory University, where he rose to the rank of Professor. Dr. Tekmal rejoined our department in June 2003 as Professor and Director of the Division of Reproductive Research. As a director, Dr. Tekmal oversees departmental research activities. Dr. Tekmal is a member of a number of professional organizations and serves on the editorial boards of several journals. His research is focused on the etiological role of local estrogen in the initiation and progression of breast and gynecological malignancies to also include benign gynecological diseases such as endometriosis. His current research interests include characterizing the role of estrogen receptor beta in overcoming resistance to hormone-mediated therapies to treat breast and other cancers; and the therapeutic role of novel coactivators in breast and gynecological cancers.

Hareesh Babu Bhaskaran Nair, PhD

Adjunct Associate Professor-Research

nairh@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-4930

Dr. Nair received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University (Amala Cancer Research Center) India in 2003. After completing pre-doctoral training at University of Pittsburgh, he joined as a postdoctoral research fellow in our Department in 2003 in Dr. Tekmal’s group. He became an Instructor in 2006 and Assistant Professor in 2008 in the same Department. His major research goal includes developing targeted therapeutics that could make a meaningful impact on the lives of cancer patients. His projects involve cancer chemoprevention, molecular epigenetic prognostic markers and modulation of targeted-drug activity in gynecological malignancies.

Mark Nijland, PhD

Associate Professor

nijland@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-4930

Dr. Nijland obtained his BA and PhD from Witwatersrand University in South Africa. He undertook post-doctoral research at the University of California Riverside between 1989-1992. He was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA from 1995-2002 before joining the research group at Cornell. He moved with the group 10 New York University in 2002 as an Associate Professor. He joined our full-time faculty in the fall of 2004. His interests include the development of the fetal cardiovascular system and regulation of blood pressure and salt and water balance between mother and child.

Egle Bytautiene Prewit, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor/Research

prewite@uthscsa.edu | 210-450-8565

A native of Lithuania, Dr. Prewit received her MD at the Vilnius University, followed by a PhD in Clinical Sciences from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas. From 1997-2018 she was a faculty member in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UTMB. In May 2018, Dr. Prewit joined UT Health San Antonio in the Division of Reproductive Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The overarching goal of her research is to determine the mechanisms by which pregnancy and the postpartum period act as a window to the future maternal and child health. Her research concentrates on how pregnancy and its complications such as obesity and preeclampsia affect short and long-term maternal and fetal cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. Dr. Prewit is also studying the long-term maternal health benefits resulting from breastfeeding. Areas of particular interest are maternal and fetal adipose tissue, oxytocin-oxytoxin receptor and renin-angiotensin systems, effects of anti-diabetic medications on placenta and pregnancy outcomes.

Gangadhara Reddy Sareddy, PhD

Assistant Professor/Research

sareddy@uthscsa.edu l 210-567-4930

Dr. Sareddy received his Ph.D. in Cancer Biology in 2010 from the University of Hyderabad (India) and completed his postdoctoral training in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2015. His studies are focused on hormonal signaling and epigenetics in cancer and neuroprotection. Dr. Sareddy’s postdoctoral training was funded by fellowships from the American Association for Cancer Research, the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas and the American Brain Tumor Association. He joined our faculty as an Assistant Professor/Research in 2016. Dr. Sareddy’s research involves understanding the significance of hormonal and epigenetic signaling in the progression of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, glioblastoma and also in neuroprotection. His area of expertise includes hormonal signaling, epigenetic regulation in cancer, estrogen receptor beta signaling, ovarian cancer, hormonal therapy resistance, breast cancer, glioblastoma, cerebral ischemia, and pre-clinical drug testing using in vivo mouse models.

Ratna K. Vadlamudi, PhD

Professor

vadlamudi@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-4930

Dr. Vadlamudi joined our faculty in January 2006. He received his doctorate in Molecular Biology from the University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY in 1994. He completed his post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical School/Dana Farber Cancer Institute in 1997. His Academic appointments have included Assistant and Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Associate Professor, in the Department of Genetics, Stanley S. Cancer Center, LSUHSC New Orleans. Dr. Vadlamudi’s research has focused on understanding the molecular mechanism of Nuclear Receptor Signal transduction using Estrogen Receptor as a model system. His current research interests include characterizing the role of novel coactivators in estrogen mediated cell cycle progression, chromatin remodeling and non-nuclear signaling, developing transgenic and knock-out mouse models for coregulators; characterizing the role of coactivators in tumorigenesis/hormonal resistance; and identifying small inhibitors/peptides targeting ER coregulators for therapeutic intervention.

Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli, PhD

Assistant Professor/Research

viswanadhapalli@uthscsa.edu | 210-567-4930

Dr. Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli received her Doctorate in Reproductive Toxicology from the University of Rajasthan, India in 2007. She completed her first postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia focusing on the genetic causes of infertility and endocrine disorders. In addition to this, she completed a second postdoctoral fellowship at UT Health specializing in hormonal carcinogenesis; therapy resistance; and drug development using endometrial, breast, and ovarian cancer models. In 2018, she was appointed as a Research Instructor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Health San Antonio. Currently, Dr. Viswanadhapalli’s research is focused on the development, characterization, and validation of new therapies for women’s cancers. Her current research interests include developing small molecules targeting novel oncogenes, establishing the mechanism of action of new drugs, using CRISPR/Cas9 screens, studying mechanisms of therapy resistance, and developing preclinical models of cancer progression including xenografts (patient derived explant [PDeX] and patient derived Xenograft [PDX]).