Resident Profiles

Bryant Flores, MD
2019 – University of New Mexico SOM, Albuquerque, NM
2012 - Biology/Spanish, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
What is it that you enjoy about Texas Tech Ortho? I enjoy the higher level of independence gained each year. I also enjoy the broad spectrum of cases, especially trauma, we get on call.
Career interest: Spine or trauma
Favorite thing to do in Lubbock: outdoor activities and traveling to surrounding areas to snowboard and hike
OR playlist of choice: 2000s alt rock or rap
Favorite post-call snack: ramen with an egg or Chick-fil-A breakfast

Chris “Gerz” Gerzina, MD
2019 – TTUHSC Paul L. Foster SOM, El Paso, TX
2015 – Biochemistry, Baylor University, Waco, TX

Where are you from/hometown: Van Alstyne, Texas
What is it you enjoy about Texas Tech Ortho?
I love the comradery of the residents here. My co-residents are truly some of my closest friends. I also enjoy the graduated autotomy and patient ownership that is bestowed upon us at a very early time in our Residency, both in and out of the operating room.
Career Interest: Trauma
Favorite thing to do in Lubbock: Golf
OR Playlist of choice: 90’s/2000’s rap, Audioslave, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favorite post-call snack: Montelongo’s Mexican Restaurant

Alexis Rounds, MD
2019 - Keck SOM University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
2012 - Kinesiology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Where are you from/hometown: Phoenix, AZ
What is it you enjoy about Texas Tech Ortho?
I chose Texas Tech for the weather, family culture, early operative experience, strong trauma foundation, and proximity to family. My favorite thing about this program is the residents.
Career Interest: Sports, Pediatrics, Trauma
Favorite thing to do in Lubbock: Little Woodrow's and Golf
OR Playlist of choice: Feelin' Myself Radio
Favorite post-call snack: Flamin Hot Cheetos Limon

 

John Chappa, MD
2019 – TTUHSC, Lubbock, TX 
2015 - Medical Science, University of North Texas HSC, Ft Worth, TX
2014 – Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX

Kaitlin Rush, DO
2020 - Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI
2015 - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

John Fisher, MD
2020 – TTUHSC, Lubbock, TX 
2018 – Texas Tech University Rawls College of Business, Lubbock, TX 

Jacqueline Van Gheem, MD
2020 - Louisiana State University School of Medicine, Shreveport, LA
2015 - Mississippi College, Clinton, MS

Where are you from/hometown: Wrightstown, WI
What is it you enjoy about Texas Tech Ortho?
During my visiting rotation I felt comfortable with the residents and faculty. The program is like a large family and everyone looks out for each other. The faculty take the time in the OR to make sure the residents are ready to operate independently. All other staff members are also very helpful and made me feel comfortable and like I was at home during my rotation.
Career Interest: undecided
Favorite thing to do in Lubbock: Check out the local breweries and restaurants. I also enjoy going to the multiple small lakes in and around Lubbock.
OR Playlist of choice: Beast Mode
Favorite post-call snack: String Cheese

Caleb Gottlich, MD
2020 – Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College Station, TX
2015 – Texas A&M, College Station, TX

Where are you from/hometown: Coppell, TX
What is it you enjoy about Texas Tech Ortho?
Of all of the places I went I felt that I got along with the residents here better than other places. Everyone seemed genuine, down to earth, and relatable. I also was told from multiple other places that the residents coming out of here were operatively some of the best. I wanted to gain the operative confidence while also working with people who I enjoy being around.
Career Interest: Oncology and pediatrics
Favorite thing to do in Lubbock: Find new restaurants with my wife
OR Playlist of choice: Texas Country, Frank Sinatra, or the Beatles
Favorite post-call snack: Gummy bears

Austin Cross, MD
2022 - CMU College of Medicine, Mount Pleasant, MI
2017 - Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX


Clint Hydrick, MD
2022 - Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN
2017 - University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Shelby Buckner, MD
2022 - TTUHSC, Amarillo, TX
2016 - Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, TX

Paul Gaschen, MD
2022 - TTUHSC, Lubbock, TX
2018 - Baylor University, Waco, TX

Where are you from/hometown: Lubbock, TX
What is it you enjoy about Texas Tech Ortho?
I wanted to go to a program where the residents work hard and graduate being able to operate confidently. Many of my mentors completed their training here so I knew this is the place I was looking for. I also grew up in Lubbock and knew it was the perfect size for a residency program – there is plenty to do when you are not working. Finally, I felt like the attendings and residents treated each other like a family, and I wanted a program that was collegial like this.
Career interest (i.e. subspecialty): Sports
Favorite thing to do in Lubbock: First Friday Art Trail, Fishing, Hunting, Live Music
OR Playlist of choice: Koe Wetzel or HARDY radio
Favorite post-call snack: Capital Pizza

Alexander Abraham, MD
2022 - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
2017 - Ball State University


Camas Curran, MD
2023 - University of Washington School of Medicine
2017 - The College of Idaho Caldwell, ID

Where are you from/hometown: Boise, ID 
What is it you enjoy about Texas Tech Ortho?: Blue collar program with lots of operative time and progressive autonomy. Strong trauma experience. Awesome culture and comradery. Smaller town with reasonable living expenses.  
Favorite thing to do in Lubbock: Pick up heavy weights and put them back down, play with my dogs, spend time with my husband Harley 
OR Playlist of choice: Shinedown, Papa roach, AC/DC, One Last Night, Electric Call Boy 
Favorite post-call snack: Indian food, donuts 

Ruthvik Allala, MD
2023 - Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU
2018 - University of Texas at Austin


Kyle Messer, DO
2021 - Marion College of Osteopathic Medicine
2017 - Indiana University Bloomington, IN

• Dominic Campano, MD - MSK Oncology, University of Miami

• Andrew Mikeska, DO - Spine, Harborview University, Washington

• Stephen Sierra, MD - Sports, Steadman Hawkins, Colorado