Obstetrics and Gynecology

Veronica T. Mallett, M.D., is Professor and Founding Chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso.  She received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College, Columbia University in New York and her medical degree from Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan.  Following medical school, she did her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wayne State University in Detroit where she also completed a Fellowship in Urological Gynecology. She then completed a Research and Surgical Fellowship in Electrophysiology of the Pelvic Floor/Reconstructive Surgery at St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, England in September 1993.  She obtained her Masters degree in Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh in March 2011.  Dr. Mallett has received several leadership and teaching awards. She has also received a number of research grant awards from the NIH and other funding resources.  Her special areas of interest are incontinence, reconstructive pelvic surgery and urogynecology.

Michael S. Cardwell, M.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso. Dr. Cardwell is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine and Preventive Medicine. He received his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Illinois-Peoria and his Maternal Fetal Medicine fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Cardwell also has earned an M.P.H. from St. Louis University, an M.B.A. from Bowling Green State University and a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Cardwell's interests are gestational diabetes, preterm birth prevention, and medicolegal aspects of obstetrical practice.

Dr. Follen comes to the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine after serving as the Director for the Center for Women’s Health Research (IWHL), Associate Dean for Research, and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drexel University College of Medicine and Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Follen attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for her Bachelor’s degree, Medical Doctorate, Masters in Clinical Research Design, and Doctorate in Epidemiology. She stayed in Ann Arbor for an internship in General Surgery. Dr. Follen subsequently served her government and worked for the Public Health Service as a medical director and general practitioner at a neighborhood health center affiliated with Jacobi-Einstein in the Bronx, New York, for 2 years and received 2 meritorious service awards for her work. This was followed by her training in obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, part of Columbia, University in New York City, New York, the home of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Follen was selected for a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the No. 1 ranked cancer center nationally, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She stayed at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for 23 years before spending 2.5 years at the Drexel University College of Medicine...read more

Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso. Dr. Greenberg received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University in New York and his medical degree from State University of New York School of Medicine. He is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology. Dr. Greenberg received the "Friends of Women's Health" Award, the TTUHSC "Dedication to Resident Education and Patient Care" Award, Armed Forces District Chairman's Award for Best Clinical Research paper, American Cancer Society Clinical Fellow and the New York State Regents Scholarship and Scholar Incentive Award. Dr. Greenberg is involved in the management of gynecology malignancies, complicated pelvic surgeries, teaching and research.

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Radiology in the Department of Medical Education at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.  Dr. Kupesic obtained her medical degree in 1987, Master of Science in 1990 and Ph.D. degree in 1992 from the University of Zagreb in Croatia. She completed her subspecialty training in Endocrine-Infertility from the same institution. Dr. Kupesic has published extensively on 3D Ultrasound & Colored Doppler. She is acting secretary of The Fetus as a Patient Society, and has received numerous awards to include the Sir William Liley Medal in 2005.  

Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso. Dr. Lyn received her Residency training at the University Of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio and her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Tx. She is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and was previously an Assistant Professor and Associate Clerkship Director in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Lyn will be involved in research, teaching and patient care. Her special areas of interest are adolescent gynecology and abnormal bleeding.

Associate Professor and Director of Simulation in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso. Dr. Manting sees simulation and her other role as the Director of Interprofessional Education at the Health Sciences Center as the logical extension of her strong interest in patient safety. Dr. Manting earned her medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami FL and completed her Residency training at the North Carolina Baptist Hospital/Bowman-Gray School of Medicine in Winston-Salem NC. Upon completion of her residency, she served in the US Air Force in support of Operation Desert Storm while stationed in Tokyo Japan. Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, she also has extensive experience in OBGYN education at all levels including patient, medical student, resident and faculty development. During her career, women have sought her out for her skill in empowering women through the use of evidence based medicine to attain family-centered obstetric care and to prevent undesired procedures. Special clinical services Dr. Manting enjoys providing include: 1) Formal or informal second opinions for many issues in general obstetrics and gynecology; including preoperative surgical evaluations as well as management of other conditions; 2) A collaborative approach to the management of menopause and perimenopause symptoms including abnormal uterine bleeding; 3) A holistic approach to the evaluation of pelvic pain for women motivated to avoid habit-forming medication while learning ways to overcome its impact on daily living. This approach strives to account for interactions among multiple systems of the body and can employ alternatives such as trigger point injections to assess and treat; 4) Facilitating Vaginal Birth After Cesarean; 5) Evidence Based Clinical Breast Examinations using the “5 P” method.

Melissa D. Mendez, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso. Dr. Mendez obtained her medical degree from the University of California College of Medicine in Irvine, California. She completed her Residency training at the Phoenix Integrated Residency in Ob/Gyn (PIROG) in Phoenix, Arizona. She is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and was previously a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for Creighton University at the St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Mendez is involved in research, teaching and patient care. Her areas of interest are adolescent gynecology and minimally invasive surgery.

Zuber D. Mulla, MSPH, PhD, is Associate Professor and Director of Epidemiologic Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He received his master's degree and doctorate in epidemiology from the University of South Florida Health Sciences Center, College of Public Health, in Tampa. Dr. Mulla's research interests include group A streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis and clinical epidemiology/patient outcomes research. He has approximately 50 publications in peer-reviewed clinical and public health journals. In 2002 he was a co-recipient of a productivity award from the State of Florida for assisting in the public health investigation of the Florida anthrax outbreak during the fall of 2001. Dr. Mulla also received the Outstanding Teacher Award from the El Paso Regional Campus of The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston in May of 2004.

Ghulam Murtaza, M.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso. Dr. Murtaza received his medical degree from King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan and completed his internship and residency training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso. Dr. Murtaza is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is also certified in Acupuncture by the Academy of Pain Research. He was in private practice prior to joining Texas Tech. Dr. Murtaza is involved in resident and medical student education as well as patient care. His areas of interest include minimally invasive surgery as well as complementary and alternative medicine with a special interest in acupuncture.

Sireesha Y. Reddy, M.D., is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, with a secondary appointment in Pediatrics, at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso. She trained at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons and at the University of Rochester. Dr. Reddy is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist who joined the faculty as Division Chief for the General Obstetrics and Gynecology Division and Medical Director of the Women’s Health Practice. Her clinical focus is in the care of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology patients understanding that this special young population has unique requirements for physicians who are skilled in the medical evaluation, surgical management, and correction of gynecologic disorders of this age group. Dr. Reddy has lectured and given workshops at national meetings including the North American Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Annual Clinical Meeting. She is a member of the North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Society for Adolescent Medicine and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. During the past years, Dr. Reddy has authored and co-authored peer reviewed publications. She has also been awarded several foundation and NIH grants to support her research.

Assistant Professor
Gynecologic Oncology

Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso.  Dr. Saldivar, native El Pasoan, is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.  He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine and completed his residency training in OB/GYN at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso.  He received a Masters of Public Health from the University of Texas School of Public Health and research training in gynecologic oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.  He finished his Clinical Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at the University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Cancer Agency in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  Dr. Saldivar has authored numerous research articles involving genetic susceptibility, cancer prevention and biomarkers in gynecological malignancies.  His areas of interests include minimally invasive surgery, management of complicated gynecologic cancers and fertility-sparing surgery in women with gynecologic malignancies.

Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso. He is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Scragg has been with Texas Tech University HSC since 1976. He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University, his graduate degree from New York Medical College and a Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology from UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Scragg is a retired Colonel of the USA Medical Corp and a Fellow of the American Fertility Society and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Associate Professor and Chief of Gynecologic Surgery at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, Texas. Dr. Vera is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas and he finished his residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 1985. He practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology for the National Health Service Corp from 1985-1989 and was Medical Director of the Brownsville Community Health Center from 1988-1989. He returned to El Paso to teach and practice in 1989 and has been Chief of Gynecology since 1991. Dr. Vera's main areas of interest are vaginal surgery, pelvic support, pelvic prolapse surgery (to include stress urinary incontinence), laparoscopic surgery, and breast disease.

Richard W. Farnam, M.D. is a Board Certified Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – El Paso. He received his medical degree in 2001 from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Farnam completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency training in 2005 at Case Western Reserve University, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Metrohealth Medical Center. He completed an AAGL Gynecologic Endoscopy Fellowship in 2006 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica, New York. Dr. Farnam is one of the nation’s leading experts in Robotic Gynecologic surgery. He is one of only 28 da Vinci Epicenter program directors in the entire country. He is the director and chairman of the robotic Surgery program at Las Palmas Medical Center. In 2002, he participated in the original trials of robotic surgery in gynecology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and is one of the first gynecologists in the country to use the technology. He has performed over 1500 minimally invasive surgeries, over 250 Robotic hysterectomies, and currently performs over 200 da Vinci surgeries per year. Dr. Farnam is the nation’s leading expert in reduced port robotic surgery. Specifically, he is the first physician in the entire country to perform a single incision Robotic hysterectomy. In 2011 he presented his three port technique at the World Robotic Conference and at the 40th annual AAGL global congress. His Robotic experience also includes tubal reanastamosis, myomectomy, adnexal surgery, Pelvic lymphadenectomy, excision of Stage IV endometriosis, appendectomy, sacral colpopexy, ureterolysis, and adhesiolysis. Since 2007 Dr. Farnam has been an active proctor for robotic surgery across the entire country. He is a member of the AAGL Special interest group on Robotic surgery. In 2009 he won an award for best robotics manuscript at the 38th annual global congress on minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Farnam is a reviewer for the Journal of minimally invasive gynecology, and has also published on robotics in a peer reviewed journal.

Luis S. Noble, M. D. is a Board Certified Associate Clinical Professor in Reproductive Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Texas Tech University HSC-El Paso. He graduated with honors from Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Medical School, Monterrey, Mexico and did his residency at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX. Dr. Noble did a Research Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX and a Clinical Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. He is the recipient of numerous national research awards from the Society for Gynecologic Investigation and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine for research in endometriosis. Dr. Noble's areas of interest are Endometriosis, Reproductive Surgery and Assisted Reproductive Technology.