Pediatric Residents
Sanjay Akangire, MD
PGY-2, 2010 Graduate
Doctor of Medicine, D.Y. Patil Education Society's Med College/Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India
M.S., Biomedical Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana
Clinical Research Assistant, Neonatology, Northwest Texas Hospital, Amarillo, TX
Research Assistant, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Research Assistant, Biomedical Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA
Resident, Jehangir Hospital, Pune, India
Medical Officer, Primary Health Center, Sai, India
Intern, CPR General Hospital, Kolhapur, India
Hobbies: Camping, watching movies, photography and music
What do you like best about the Pediatric Residency Program? "A rich learning environment, nurturing and caring faculty members who are gifted clinicians and interested in the professional growth of trainees, makes TTUHSC Pediatrics an outstanding program. This smaller program allows one to have more one-on-one interaction with faculty members, which I found quite valuable. Everyone in the department is willing to take the time necessary to make certain your residency experience is as rewarding as possible. The residents are very happy to be in the program and the camaraderie amongst the residents is excellent. The program takes pride in developing competent and empathic Pediatricians."
Kavita Bapat, MD
PGY-2, 2010 Graduate
M.B., B.S., Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College/University of Mumbai, India
Clinical Assistant, Family Practice Clinic, India
Clinical Observer, Seton Health Primary Care Clifton Park Pediatrics, Mantella, MD
Junior Resident, Medical Oncology & Research, Tata Memorial Hospital and Research Center, India
Certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Course
Hobbies: Music, Traveling to places of ethnicity and natural beauty, watching cricket, drawing, Fabric painting, and singing.
Johnnie W. Faircloth, MD
PGY-1, 2011 Graduate
Texas Tech University, School of Medicine (Clinical), Amarillo, Texas
West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas
Amarillo College, Amarillo, Texas
Research Assistant w/ Dr. Paul Nolan, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, Texas
Student Researcher w/ Cathy Palamara, PhD., West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas
Volunteer in the youth ministry, Amarillo South, Amarillo, Texas
Volunteer as coach for youth sports teams, Kids Inc., Amarillo, Texas
Volunteered for the Alzheimer's Association, Amarillo, Texas
Volunteered for the Cub Scouts of America, Amarillo, Texas
Hobbies: Reading, camping, hunting, fishing, and spending time with my son.
Hemlata Gajjela, MD
PGY-3, 2009 Graduate
Doctor of Medicine, Osmania Medical College, India
Resident Intern, Osmania General Hospital, Network, Hyderabad, India
Resident House Officer, Yashoda Multi-Specialty Hospital, Somajiguda, India
Resident House Officer, Care Hospital, Nampally, India
Best Intern Award 2007
Volunteer at VON Canada.
My Hobbies: Socializing, Indoor games, Cooking, and Music.
What do you like best about the Pediatric Residency Program? "If I were to start my residency all over again, I would still choose this program over others. It has a wonderful atmosphere with excellent teaching, dedicated attendings, and individual attention. Residency is a challenge, but this place makes it an enjoyable one."
Amanda (Mandy) D. Griffin, MD
PGY-1, 2011 Graduate
University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska
Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas
Life-a-Thon Volunteer, Nebraska Medical Center Organ Transplant Program, Omaha, Nebraska
Volunteered and Committee Member, Dave Babcock Memorial Stage Race, Omaha, Nebraska
Bike Rodeo Volunteer, Omaha Police Department, Omaha, Nebraska
Member and Leadership Coordinator, Campus Fellowship for Christ, Omaha, Nebraska
Hobbies: Running, bicycling, bible studying, and spending time with family.
Linh Ha, MD
PGY-2, 2010 Graduate
Doctor of Medicine, University of Medicine of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Medical Assistant, Travis Medical Center, Vietnam
Bilingual Patient Educator, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Observer, Baylor Medical College, Houston, TX
Volunteer for Charity Movement, Green Summer
Hobbies: Gardening and table tennis
Nusrath Habiba, MD
PGY-3, 2008 Graduate, Chief Resident
Stanley Medical College, University of Madras, India
Residency, Ob/Gyn, Government RSRM Hospital, Chennai, India
Residency, General Surgery-Preventative Medicine- Internal Medicine, Government Stanley Hospital, Chennai, India
Fellowship, Ob/Gyn, Government Kasturiba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children, Chennai, India
Post Doctoral Fellow, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX
TPS- Poster elected for honorable mention
Nephrology Scholar Award- winner at Southern Society of Clinical Investigation and Nephrology Young Investigators Forum 2004
Interests and hobbies: cooking, sewing, embroidery, gardening, and listening to music.
What do you like best about the Pediatric Residency Program? "It is like family. All the attending and staff are encouraging and uplift your morale."
Samer Zaid Kaylani, MD
PGY-2, 2010 Graduate
M.B.B.S., Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan
Awarded Basic Life Support/Advanced Life Support
Worked in Al Hussein Hospital in Al-Salt City (July 2006 �June 2007)
Awarded the Service excellence Award presented by North West Texas Hospital Administration in March 2008
Awarded Outstanding First Year Resident by the Pediatric Department 2007-2008
Awarded The Pediatric department Award for The department�s Outstanding Resident Teacher July 2007-June 2008
Participated in The 2nd Annual Student and resident Research Day with Dr. Kavita Bapat and got the 2nd place Resident Poster case Report category for� Neuroblastoma presenting with a �Pneumonia� in a Child � Poster. April 30,2008
Completed School of Music, British School of Music, Certified British Board Pianist
Hobbies: Playing piano, Taekwondo, Swimming, reading books, and meeting new people
What do you like best about the Pediatric Residency Program? "A great educational experience with the warmth of being surrounded by a great family of Attendings, Residents and Friends. One of the few programs I ever heard taking care of its residents in a very professional manner. This program is preparing us in a well balanced manner to become great pediatricians."
Syed Haris Kazmi, MD
PGY-1, 2011 Graduate
Sind Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan
D.J. Sindh Government Science College, Karachi, Pakistan
Research Assistant w/ Dr. Louis F. Salciccioli, several studies, Brooklyn, New York
Field Medical Officer Volunteer (earthquake relief), Karachi, Pakistan
1 Article/Abstract accepted and another submitted (details to follow)
Hobbies: Traveling and exploration, photography, guitar playing, telescope making, table tennis, cricket
Archana G. Kulkarni, MD
PGY-3, 2009 Graduate
Doctor of Medicine, D.Y. Patil Education Society Medical College, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India
M.S., Biomedical Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana
Research Associate, Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Research Assistant, Biomedical Engineering, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana
Resident Doctor, Coronary Care Unit, Ruby Hospital, Pune, India
Resident Doctor, Jehangir Hospital, Pune, India
Best Intern 2007
Interests and Hobbies: Drawing, visit historical places, movies, surfing the internet and music
What do you like best about Amarillo and/or this program? "At Texas Tech, I found the best combination of an excellent pediatric residency program in an environment that is friendly, safe, and full of rich cultural opportunities. At work, I spend my time with wonderful residents and attendings, and I am receiving a fantastic pediatric education."
Li Li, MD
PGY-3, 2010 Graduate
Bachelor Degree in Medicine, Beijing Medical University, China
Resident, Beijing Medical University, Third Hospital, China
Doctor of Medicine, Peking University, China
Research Volunteer, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Hobbies and Interests: music, reading and quality time with family.
What do you like best about the Pediatric Resident Program? "This is an IMG friendly program. The teaching environment is wonderful. Everyone is ready to teach you something. And we have tons of lectures giving you systemic knowledge and the morning reports giving you clinic insight. It is just amazing."
Ladan Modallel, MD
PGY-1, 2011 Graduate
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Williams College, London, England
Researcher's Assistant, Dr. N. Reisis, Watford General Hospital, London, England
Researcher's Assistant, Dr. D. Arzani, Bedford Hospital, London, England
Researcher w/ Dr. Najian, Imam Hospital, Tehran Medical University, Tehran, Iran
Volunteered as Basic and Immediate Life Support Instructor, Tehran, Iran
Hobbies: Walking, running, listening to music, horseback riding (show jumping), volunteering for charities, and spending time with family and friends
Preeti Palakurthi, MD
PGY-1, 2011 Graduate
Minsk State Medical Institute, Minsk, Balarus
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
San Jose State University, San Jose, California
Volunteer Extern, Veteran's Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Volunteer Extern/Observer, Warren Clinic, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Hobbies: Web-designing, painting, interior decorating, reading non-fiction, jogging, and playing tennis
Baoping Qian, MD
PGY-3, 2009 Graduate
Doctor of Medicine, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, China
General Surgery, Shanghai Medical College, Children's Hospital, Shanghai, China
Residency, Pediatrics, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
American Society of Cancer Research
Hobbies and Interests: Jogging, music, and reading
What do you like best about the Pediatric Residency Program? "After living and working in two metropolis Shanghai and Toronto for many years, I am experiencing different culture and lifestyle. People in Amarillo are soft-voiced, nice, communities are quiet and neat, less traffic headache and low living expense. The program is like a family, we know each other. I am really happy to have such an opportunity for my residency training here!"
Anish H. Trehun, MD
PGY-3, 2009 Graduate
Doctor of Medicine, N.D.M.V.P. Samaj's Medical College, India
Internship, T.N. Medical College & B.Y.L. Nair Chairitable Hospital
Hobbies and Interests: Movies, hiking and listening to music
What do you like best about the Pediatric Residency Program? "An excellent residency program that helps, nurtures and stimulates you to evolve in to the Pediatrician you have always wanted to be and should be in a very encouraging and supportive manner."
Comments from Residents past for what they like best about this Pediatric Residency Program
Looking back from my Harvard nephrology fellowship program to my residency I would have to say: it is a great program with very strong medical knowledge and great training background in pediatrics. The TTUHSC Amarillo Program has a very strong and educated leader. People at the program are very friendly and dedicated to pediatrics and have a wonderful group of great specialists. The TTUHSC, Amarillo Program is valuable for primary care physicians and those who want to continue further careers in pediatric sub-specialties."
Tetyana Vasylyeva, MD, former Pediatric resident.
Doing residency in a small town and in a small program did not fit well with many people, but this is the best decision I have taken so far. There are many advantages to this residency program. The office staff is excellent to work with. Even with visa issues these guys will give their support and try to sort things with you. You never feel alone. Ancillary staff is very supportive and let you have a free hand in procedures which builds your confidence. Academic Staff/Physicians are the best one on one support you can get anywhere in the whole USA. As long as you are willing to put your best foot forward in the effort. Teaching rounds, residents presentations and hands on experience will prepare you for the boards well. Overall this was a very rewarding experience for me and I wish very best for the future residents.
Ekta Khurana, MD, former Pediatric Resident.
"My wife and I really enjoyed our time at Texas Tech. We were new to the panhandle area when we started our last 2 years of medical school at Texas Tech in Amarillo. Several of the faculty seemed to take a personal interest in my career and, along with my wife, steered me into a life of working with children. When it came time to pick a residency my wife and I considered other programs, but the relationships and the family atmosphere of the relatively small program in Amarillo made our decision easy, and we certainly don't regret it now. The residents have a good balance of clinical experience and time to study as evidenced by our high board exam pass rate. Most of our residents have left our program to go on to do competitive fellowships. My wife and I liked the area so much that we have set up our practice an hour outside Amarillo where we continue to enjoy our interaction with TTU- Amarillo. Please come experience the quality education and people that Texas Tech has to offer.
Rob Hough, MD, former Pediatric Resident.
Tryst with Amarillo
I traveled across continents
India, Africa and America
Searching for higher education
To help the World's population
Fate brought me to Texas Tech
In the midst of little children
To diagnose, treat and care
With careful consideration
I lived in the plains
Faced all four lovely seasons
Learnt a lot of History
The Route 66, Oh what a mystery
The best part of all
Were the people of Amarillo
My lovely colleagues and Professors
My sweet patients and co-coordinators
Their thoughts fill me with nostalgia
Happiness, contentment and gratefulness
To be a part of Texas Tech
Was indeed a great achievement
Love,
Rishita Tiwari, MD, former Pediatric Resident