Current Residents

Aimee Rodriguez, MD

Hi there! I was born and raised in a small East Texas town called White Oak. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. I met my husband in college, and we were both determined to become physicians, so we supported each other on this journey together. After college, I spent a few years working in oncology clinical research in Dallas. I then attended medical school with my husband at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. We both enjoyed studying right next to the beach! We have an orange tabby cat named Mars, who we love dearly. I love spending quality time with my family, going on outdoor walks, cooking new recipes, watching movies, and taking care of my houseplants. I chose Family Medicine because I enjoy working with people of all ages, the wide range of knowledge we gain in this field, and the opportunity to develop strong connections with my patients throughout their lives. In medical school, I had amazing mentors to show me the importance and strength of primary care. I believe Family Medicine is where I can make the most lasting impact in my community. I chose CHRISTUS Santa Rosa because of its full-scope, unopposed training paired with the supportive learning environment provided by amazing faculty, residents, and coordinators. I’m excited to live in San Antonio and serve this beautiful community!

Carson Shults, DO

Howdy! I grew up here in San Antonio, TX and am very excited to be back in the city I was raised in. I earned my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University while also being a member of the Corps of Cadets. I then attended medical school at Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Knoxville, Tennessee. My wife, who I have known since middle school, has been with me through the whole journey and we are so excited to welcome our baby girl soon. In our free time, we love going on hikes with our dog, watching almost any sport, working out, and traveling.

I have always been drawn to Family Medicine as I value building life-long relationships with my patients and want to help others become the best version of themselves. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa was my first choice in residency because of the full scope, unopposed training that also embodies a close family atmosphere. I am very passionate about preventative medicine, sports medicine, and holistic care, including osteopathic manipulative treatment techniques. I look forward to continuing my medical training here and am excited to serve the community of San Antonio.

Elvia Palomarez, MD

I was born and raised in the DFW area, much of my childhood was spent visiting family in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley, making Texas my home. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with minors in Biology, Mathematics, and Spanish from the University of North Texas. I then completed a Master of Science in Medical Science at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, followed by a second Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I attended medical school at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, where my passion for Family Medicine continued to grow.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy reading, crocheting, and other crafts as a way to unwind. I also love deep-sea fishing with my dad, family, and friends. My husband and I have three dogs who keep life fun and busy, and we enjoy spending time with them - whether playing fetch, going for walks, or relaxing with a new show.

While I have always been drawn to Family Medicine, medical school strengthened my passion for women’s health, equitable access to care, and bridging the gap between medicine and the communities we serve. My goal is to advocate for my patients and ensure they feel heard, supported, and empowered. I chose the CHRISTUS Family Medicine program because it felt like I was already part of the team during interviews. I know here I can build lasting relationships, care for patients across all stages of life, and serve as a consistent member of my community.

Elysse Reyes, MD

Hello! I am a proud San Antonio native. I attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas where I earned a B.S. in Psychology and minor in Biology. After graduating in 2018, I returned to San Antonio where I began working as a medical scribe for a private Family Medicine practice. It was during this time that I first discovered my passion for Family Medicine, particularly the continuity of care and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with patients over time. After scribing for 2 years, I left to pursue a one-year M.S. in Medical Science at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. I returned home again to apply to programs and soon began medical school at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

During my second year of medical school, I attended the AAFP National Conference (now called FUTURE) where I was first introduced to what would become my top-choice residency program: CHRISTUS Santa Rosa. The program stood out to me not only because of its strong reputation, but also because of its location in my hometown, where I hope to build my future practice. During my fourth year, I completed an acting internship at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa, where I experienced firsthand the program’s strengths, including its unopposed training environment, robust obstetrics experience, and genuinely kind and passionate residents, faculty, and staff. While San Antonio has always been home, CHRISTUS quickly felt like family.

Outside of medicine, I cherish spending time with family, my two chihuahua-mixes (Bruno and Violet), reading fantasy, creating mosaics, and enjoying nature! I am honored and excited to continue my training in this wonderful city as part of this outstanding program. I know CHRISTUS Santa Rosa will help mold me into a competent physician and, more importantly, a compassionate healer.

Katelyn Landreth, MD

Hi! My name is Katelyn Landreth and I am so excited to be joining the Christus Santa Rosa team. I was born in Arizona, but Texas quickly became my home– arriving for the start of elementary school here in San Antonio. I graduated from Ronald Reagan High School and then went east to Longview, Texas. There, I attended LeTourneau University, earning a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and Biology and meeting my husband, Jacob. We returned home to San Antonio, where I attended the UT Health Long School of Medicine. During medical school, I enjoyed being a part of the Family Medicine Interest Group leadership and working on community engagement projects. At the end of my third year, Jacob and I welcomed our baby girl into the world. We are grateful to be raising her around our family and community here in San Antonio. I hope to give back to that same community as a family medicine physician. I chose Christus because they offer rigorous full-scope, unopposed training in a family-friendly atmosphere. I look forward to developing my clinical skills while nurturing my interests outside of medicine– arts & crafts, exercise, cooking, reading, and loving on my family and friends.

Jay Wang, DO

Hi! My name is Jay, and I’m originally from Texas. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, followed by a Master of Science in Medical Science and a Master of Public Health focused on Community Health Practice. I then attended medical school at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. My interest in Family Medicine stems from my experiences growing up in an immigrant family, where I often served as a language broker and saw firsthand the barriers many communities face in accessing care. These experiences shaped my passion for addressing social determinants of health, improving healthcare access, and building long-term relationships with patients and their families. I am particularly interested in full-spectrum family medicine, including obstetrics, LGBTQ+ health, mental health, and lifestyle medicine. I was drawn to CHRISTUS Santa Rosa for its full-spectrum, unopposed training and the opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility early in residency. I also appreciated the program’s strong emphasis on mentorship, teaching, and its commitment to caring for patients from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Outside of medicine, I enjoy hiking, gardening, and trying new recipes in the kitchen. I also love exploring new coffee shops and trying different foods around the city.

Kristi McCoy, MD

Hi y’all! I’m Kristi McCoy-Thompson and I grew up in Round Rock, TX. I then went up I-35 for my undergraduate education at Baylor University where I majored in Health Science Studies and Biochemistry. I then made my way back down I-35 to San Antonio for medical school at the Long School of Medicine! I am thrilled to stay in San Antonio and serve the community that has given so many opportunities to me during my last 4 years of training. My interests within Family Medicine include women’s health, geriatrics, and health care advocacy. I chose CHRISTUS because I wanted an unopposed program where I could become a well-rounded family physician. I am so excited to work alongside the excellent faculty and other residents at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa! Having the opportunity to learn and grow here is truly a dream come true. Outside of medicine, I spend my free time with my husband, who is also making his way through medical school, and our cat Phoebe. We are huge foodies, so let us know the next time you need a good dinner spot!

Neriah Sosa, DO

Hola! My name is Neriah Sosa, and I grew up in Kyle, Texas. I attended The University of Texas at Austin, where I earned my B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science. I later earned my MBS, MPH, and DO degrees from the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine.

I chose Family Medicine because of the opportunity it provides to build meaningful relationships with families and the broader community. I love San Antonio and am thrilled to remain here as I continue my training at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa. I was drawn to CHRISTUS Santa Rosa because of its full-spectrum training and the atmosphere of kindness and compassion that defines the program. Professionally, I am passionate about rural healthcare, public health, and improving healthcare education within underserved communities.

I enjoy the outdoors, and I love Texas, so you can find me in my free time hiking through Texas State Parks with my husband. I stay connected to my culture through Ballet Folklórico, traditional Mexican dance. In quieter moments, I love reading and working on embroidery pieces. I am so excited to serve the people of San Antonio and continue growing as a physician with CHRISTUS Santa Rosa.

Quang To, MD

Howdy y’all! My name is Quang To, and I am from Houston, TX. I’ve lived all over Texas and I love our culture and residents! I attended UT Dallas for undergrad, where I received my BS in Chemistry. After working a few years, I decided to get back on track to medicine and got my master’s at UNT before going to Texas Tech El Paso PLFSOM for medical school. I was already interested in family medicine prior to starting and my experiences during clerkship years further solidified these desires, especially when I worked in rural locations such as Alpine, TX. I chose CHRISTUS Santa Rosa because I believe the program will make me a well-rounded physician with a full-scope of skills that will prepare me for any environment, including rural Texas. Although I’ve only lived in Texas, I love traveling around the US and the world. One of my most memorable experiences was visiting the UK during the 2012 summer Olympics and meeting various athletes from around the world. My other favorite places include Vietnam, Japan, and Italy. In my free time, I enjoy watching anime and playing video games.

Stephen Sinatra, DO

Hi there! I’m Stephen Sinatra, and I’m excited to be here! I grew up in Texas as a military brat, with most of my time spent here in San Antonio. I am a father of two boys and have been married to my wife for 16 years. I tend to tell great dad jokes, so if you need a laugh, let me know!

I am also an Air Force veteran of almost 6 years, where I performed funeral honors in Arlington National Cemetery and then went on to become a medic and X-ray technologist. I left the service in 2017 to complete my bachelor’s degree in Medical Humanities at UTSA. I went on to complete both a master’s degree in biomedical science, and medical school at the University of the Incarnate Word School Osteopathic Medicine in San Antonio. My time as a medic, and X-Ray tech in San Antonio opened my eyes to the vast need for family medicine physicians in my hometown. The long-term relationships with patients and the glaring need for primary care are the main reasons I chose Family Medicine as a profession. I care deeply for the people of south and central Texas and wish to give back by caring for patients not only in the city, but by caring for the rural populations surrounding San Antonio as well.

I am interested in rural health, obstetrics, emergency medicine, and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. As a DO, I prefer to treat patients with a holistic approach, and Christus Santa Rosa allows me the opportunity to pursue these interests in support of our diverse patient population. Aside from medicine I enjoy tabletop gaming, riding dirtbikes with my kids, running, and drumming.

Outside the unopposed and full-spectrum experience, it is the family-friendly atmosphere of the program that drew me to plant roots and grow as a physician with CHRISTUS! I’m looking forward to caring for you and your family!

Amber Campo, DO

Hi! I was born and raised in Houston, TX, but completed my undergraduate at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, MI, where I played collegiate lacrosse! After receiving my BS in biology, I attended medical school at Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Medicine in Knoxville, TN. I briefly lived in Huntsville, AL, with my husband, and we loved hiking in nearby areas and in the Great Smoky Mountains!

In my free time, I enjoy staying active, whether it be running half/full marathons, lifting weights, and playing all sorts of sports (basketball, volleyball, pickleball, etc.). To be honest, I also work out because I love eating – whether it be trying new restaurants or cooking food at home. I also love spending time with my husband, whether it be taking road trips in nearby states or traveling internationally! Being closer to Houston, we get to see our families more, including my brother, who will also be at UT Health San Antonio.

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa really stood out to me due to its supportive environment and how the program trains its residents to be well-rounded physicians while being unopposed. While my interest lies in sports medicine, this program exposes and prepares me to provide the highest quality of care with a full scope of medicine to any of my patients!

Romeo Deleon, MD

Hello everyone! My name is Romeo, and I was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley. Growing up on the border helped me recognize the importance of full-spectrum medical care to people from all walks of life. My undergraduate studies at Trinity University allowed me to build a strong relationship with the people of San Antonio, and I am very much looking forward to serving the community. I graduated from medical school at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, where I was first exposed to the field of family medicine and the global impact of health care.

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from the outstanding faculty at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa. I chose this program because of the welcoming nature of the residents and staff, as well as the numerous opportunities that will prepare me for any challenge my career presents. I chose family medicine because I value long-term patient relationships and enjoy the variety in both patient cases and career paths. During my free time, I enjoy sports, movies, and family time!

Alyssa Foltz, DO

Hey y’all! My name is Alyssa Foltz, and I’m from New Braunfels, TX. I completed my undergraduate studies at Texas Lutheran University before heading to Fort Worth for medical school at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.

I chose Family Medicine because I love cultivating long-term relationships with patients and having the privilege to treat multiple generations within a family. I have strong interests in maternal-child health and fertility awareness-based methods. I chose CHRISTUS because of the broad, unopposed training and family-friendly environment!

I married my high school sweetheart, and we welcomed our first baby into the world during my fourth year of medical school! We love the simple things in life – like a good cup of coffee with friends or hosting brunch on Sundays after mass. Some of my favorite things to do are working out and listening to a good podcast!

Melanie McCoy, MD

I was born in Kealakekua, HI, and spent my childhood split between the Big Island and Seoul, Korea, where I experienced rich cultural and social diversity. In my later teen years, I moved to Texas, where I pursued higher education at the University of Texas at San Antonio, earning both my undergraduate degree in Biology and a master’s in Biotechnology. My academic journey continued at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where I received my Medical Doctorate and a master’s in Public Health.

During my third year of medical school, I became a mother–a life-changing moment at this time in my studies that deepened my commitment to both medicine and public health. Parenthood has only contributed to my ever-growing motivation to strengthen my community as both a physician and public health advocate. I am dedicated to addressing health disparities, mobilizing preventive care measures, and creating a healthier environment for all families and people of all abilities. I continue to carry the mosaic of influences from childhood to serve with compassion, purpose, and a hope for lasting systemic change.

I am grateful to be able to train at my first-choice program, CHRISTUS Health Santa Rosa, where I’ll learn to practice full-scope, whole health care.

Adrian Mihalcea, DO

I was born in Corpus Christi, TX, and had a developmental stutter growing up. I am a casual gamer, a Judo fan, and enjoy a good book. Learning about my open-heart surgery at 3 months to correct my VSD drove me initially to pursue medicine, specifically pediatric cardiovascular/thoracic surgery. I did my undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin, where I fell in love with neuroscience and had the opportunity to further develop my communication skills through the Lang Stuttering Institute. I obtained my Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the UTHealth School of Public Health in Houston during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During my preclinical years at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, I became a true believer in the power of osteopathic manipulative medicine after successfully treating community members. I decided afterwards that I wanted to pursue a more DO-friendly specialty, such as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. However, as I finished each rotation block during clinicals, I began to realize that I enjoyed treating the full spectrum of human life. This broader mindset and love for helping people through volunteering led me to choose Family Medicine as my specialty.

Getting matched with the CHRISTUS Family Medicine program was very exciting for me because of their dedication to treating the whole person and family, and their support structure for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. I knew after getting to know the family camaraderie among the team at Santa Rosa that this program would push me to new heights and allow me to become the best family medicine doctor I can be. I hope to provide holistic care to my future patients, of all ages, allowing for a variety of treatment options, with a strong emphasis on OMT.

Jessica Moreno, MD

Hi! My name is Jessica Moreno, and I was born and raised in West Covina, CA, surrounded by my big Mexican American family. I attended Azusa Pacific University in Southern California, where I studied Biology, Humanities, and Spanish. I later moved to Chicago to obtain my medical degree at Chicago Medical School at RFUMS. I am very excited to be moving to San Antonio to pursue Family Medicine while training at my first-choice for residency!

It was not until my third year of medical school that I came to realize I wanted to pursue Family Medicine. I enjoyed all of my rotations, but especially Family Medicine, and realized I wanted to pursue a specialty that challenged me to apply my knowledge broadly. I was drawn to CHRISTUS Santa Rosa because of their full-scope unopposed training, great culture, and sense of community. I value forming relationships with my patients and enjoy seeing tangible changes in their health over time. I am also very passionate about patient advocacy and preventive medicine. I am excited to continue learning and help my patients the best I can! Outside of medicine, I enjoy dancing, cooking, and spending time with my loved ones. I grew up competitively dancing and still really enjoy taking dance classes. I also enjoy weight lifting and practicing yoga. I love cooking old family recipes and trying new recipes. My husband and I are big foodies and love trying new restaurants, especially in San Antonio!

Cecilia Nguyen, DO

Hey y’all! I was born and raised in Houston, TX, and completed my undergraduate studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. During my time there, I was lucky enough to join the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP), which ultimately helped me match into the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. I’m proud to say I’m working my way through Texas’s biggest cities — Houston, DFW, and now San Antonio! What can I say — once a Texas girl, always a Texas girl.

During my third-year clerkships, I found myself genuinely enjoying almost every rotation (which made choosing a specialty very stressful). But when it came down to it, family medicine just felt like home. I love the wide variety of patient cases, the broad scope of practice, and the continuity of care that lets you really walk alongside your patients through life’s ups and downs. I’m especially passionate about preventive medicine, lifestyle medicine, OMT, sports medicine, and dermatology.

I chose CHRISTUS Santa Rosa for its unopposed, full-spectrum curriculum that offers strong training in reproductive health, clinical procedures, and inpatient care. But what really sealed the deal for me was the genuine family atmosphere. Everyone was so welcoming and supportive to where it felt like I had found my people. I’m confident that the program’s location, training, and culture will prepare me for any path in family medicine and help me become the kind of physician patients trust, laugh with, and rely on.

Outside of medicine, you’ll usually find me lifting weights, doing Pilates, binge-watching Korean dramas, trying new sports, playing pool, and capturing memories. I firmly believe in treating yourself, whether that’s with desserts, spa days, or the occasional retail therapy session. I’m always up for trying something new, especially if it involves an adrenaline rush, like rollercoasters or skydiving!

Anika Sharma, DO

Hi everyone! I’m a proud Houston native. I went to UT Austin for undergrad (Hook ’em!) and completed medical school at Sam Houston State College of Osteopathic Medicine. Becoming a physician has been a lifelong dream, and I truly feel grateful and excited to be living that dream. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa was my top choice for residency because of its strong clinical training and, most importantly, the incredibly supportive and welcoming environment that stood out to me from day one.

I was drawn to Family Medicine because I value building long-term relationships with my patients and caring for them through every stage of life. I’m especially passionate about holistic, patient-centered care and believe in empowering patients to take charge of their health through active listening and education. My specific interests include preventive and lifestyle medicine.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, listening to music (especially Bollywood), going on outdoor walks, and traveling whenever I get the chance. I’m thrilled to be part of the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa family and excited for everything this journey has in store!

Jenessa Short, MD

Hi everyone! Although I wasn’t born in San Antonio, I’ve called it home for most of my life and feel deeply connected to this community. I studied Biomedical Science at Texas A&M University before returning to San Antonio to complete both my master’s degree and medical school at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. Since 2018 and throughout medical school, I’ve been actively involved with The Patient Institute, a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering patients through education and advocacy. This experience has strengthened my commitment to compassionate, community-centered care. I chose the CHRISTUS Family Medicine program because it’s unopposed, offers outstanding training, and from the very beginning, the team truly felt like family.

I’m married and have a daughter who keeps life joyful and full of adventure. Outside of medicine, I love spending time with my family, hiking, traveling, biking, and finding any excuse to be in the snow.

Davante Wilson, DO

Hello! I was born and raised here in San Antonio. I completed a B.S. in biochemistry at the University of Texas at San Antonio and attended the University of Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter, who constantly keep me on my toes. Some of my hobbies include watching sports (Go Spurs Go), working out, trying new foods, and playing video games.

I chose CHRISTUS Santa Rosa because of the family-first atmosphere and the supportive nature of everyone. There's a passion within the program to help everyone become the best version of themselves, which resonated with me. Being able to practice in an environment that is full scope will provide me tons of experience to serve a community in SA, which I'm proud to be a part of. I am honored to be part of a program that positively impacts the city I love.

Karen Barcenas-Villarreal, DO

Hey y’all! I was born and raised in Brownsville - the southernmost city in Texas! I completed my undergraduate education at Milligan College in Johnson City, TN, where I earned my B.S. in Biology and Psychology. I then moved to San Antonio and earned my MBS and DO/MPH degrees at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. While on rotations in medical school, I quickly found that I naturally gravitated toward family medicine because I loved helping educate patients about their health and ways to prevent disease.

I chose the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Family Residency Program for my training because I enjoyed the encouraging family-feel between residents, faculty, and staff that I was able to experience during rotations. Additionally, the program offers unopposed, full-spectrum training that I’m confident will equip me to be the best physician possible for my future patients!

Outside of medicine, my hobbies include spending time with my wonderful husband, Josiah, and my son, Caleb! I also enjoy baking, watching movies, and visiting family and friends as often as possible.

Jonathan Bradshaw, DO

Hey! I’m Jonathan, but I usually go by Jonny. I grew up in Orem, Utah, as the 4th of 5 kids. I spent a lot of time in the mountains hiking, camping, and backpacking. In the winter, I love to ski. My love for the outdoors has never died, and I still try to get out whenever I can. I’m also an avid sports fan. I like to play and watch any and all of them. I’ve been known to have several games going on at once so as to not miss any action.

I met my wife in high school. I’ll tell you that we were high school sweethearts, but she may give you another story. We have two young and very energetic boys. I love being able to play and wrestle with them.

I went to Brigham Young University for Exercise Science and then over a state for medical school at Touro University Nevada.

I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. I want to be able to treat all members of a family, and have the knowledge to help my own family and communities, which is one of the reasons I’m so excited about family medicine. I know that CHRISTUS Santa Rosa is going to give me outstanding training and opportunities of a lifetime!

Emily Danielson, MD

Hey y’all! I was born and raised in San Antonio, TX, so I am so excited to return home to continue my training. I attended medical school at the Texas A&M College of Medicine after completing my undergraduate education at UT Tyler where I played tennis. I still really enjoy playing and look forward to joining some tennis leagues in San Antonio with my husband, mom, and brother, who also play. I will also occasionally settle for pickleball...

My husband and I have two dogs, two cats, two chameleons, one 75-pound tortoise, and most importantly, one baby girl on the way! CHRISTUS Santa Rosa was my first choice because of its exceptional full-scope training. During my 4th-year audition rotation, I saw that I would be provided with a solid foundation to pursue any type of family medicine career I want. I am passionate about women’s health, preventive medicine, and the people of San Antonio. I am looking forward to training in a program that will allow me to care for the population I plan to serve for the rest of my career.

Keaton Duty, DO

Hello! I was born in Arlington, Texas, but spent most of my grade school years in Georgia before moving out to Utah to complete my undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Russian there and met my wonderful wife, Laura. We have two energetic daughters, Caroline and Jolene, as well as a dog, Roxie. We completed medical school at Pacific Northwest University in Washington, and now it’s our joy to come back home to Texas. I enjoy tennis, going to the theater, Texas Rangers baseball, reading, smoking meats, and spending time with my wife and daughters.

I love connecting with people from various backgrounds and using that connection to improve health care. Family Medicine allows me to do that every day! I chose CHRISTUS because not only do they have quality broad-spectrum family medicine training in a beautiful city with rich culture, but also a passionate faculty and incredibly bright residents. My particular interests include sports medicine, addiction medicine, and preventive medicine, and I look forward to learning all that I can from my training at CHRISTUS Health.

Briana Ortiz, MD

Hi! My name is Briana Ortiz, and I was born and raised in the small border city of Laredo, TX. I completed my Bachelor of Science and Arts at the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ’em!). Then I graduated from medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. I love experiencing new things, traveling, and going to concerts. I am a movie buff and enjoy watching films in my free time, especially at the Alamo Drafthouse. I also have an orange tabby cat named Sol that loves binge-watching reality TV shows with me.

I fell in love with Family Medicine because this profession goes beyond knowledge of the human body and instead requires a compassionate and holistic approach to patient care. I believe Family Medicine is an avenue to empower individuals and, overall, the communities we serve to lead healthier lives. I have always been passionate about preventive medicine and am excited to shape patients’ lives as a family physician. I feel fortunate to have been accepted into my first-choice residency at the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa program, as it provides unopposed full-scope care while maintaining a close family atmosphere. I am proud to join a program that not only excels professionally but also cultivates strong personal connections. The amazing faculty, residents, and coordinators made me feel so welcomed and clearly demonstrated their love for the program. I am excited about the endless opportunities to learn and grow into a well-rounded physician here!

Ambeka Rajvanshi, MD

Howdy! My name is Ambeka Rajvanshi and I was born in Utah but grew up in southern Louisiana. My journey in medicine began at Texas A&M University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. As a proud Aggie, I stayed on at Texas A&M School of Medicine, where I graduated in 2024. Having grown up in Louisiana, I took French classes from the 3rd grade to my senior year of high school. Since then, I've always loved learning new languages and exploring new cultures! I also enjoy reading, taking care of my plants, and watching Korean and Turkish dramas.

Throughout medical school, I found myself drawn to a number of different disciplines. I enjoyed all of my core rotations and quickly realized that family medicine was the best fit for me. Building long-lasting relationships and rapport with my patients and having the opportunity to treat a diverse patient population with a wide variety of health concerns is why I've chosen to pursue a career in family medicine.

I'm very passionate about health care advocacy, lifestyle medicine and preventive care as well reproductive health. Through CHRISTUS Santa Rosa's program, I know I'll be well-equipped to practice medicine in a variety of clinical settings and be able to pursue my specific career interests. The full-scope curriculum here offers robust training in surgical obstetrics as well as outpatient and inpatient procedures. Moreover, the warm and supportive learning environment certainly creates a space conducive to collaboration.

Elijah Romero, MD

Hey y’all! Super excited to be part of the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa family and would love to share a little about my life. I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and went to college at St. Mary’s University. After receiving my major in biology, I attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. When I’m not cracking mediocre jokes, some of my hobbies include going to concerts (mostly classic rock), working out, playing Super Smash Bros, and going on hikes. I’m also a huge foodie and after traveling to most of Texas, I can safely say San Antonio has the best breakfast tacos and it’s not close.

A few fun facts about me is that I am a cat dad to a beautiful cat named Nezuko who also happens to be the world’s biggest diva. I can solve a Rubik’s cube in a record time of 10 minutes 42 seconds and dabble in magic in case you ever want to see a salt shaker disappear. Music is a huge part of my life so I enjoy playing drums, singing acapella, playing a little guitar, and dancing cumbias until my hips give out.

I knew I wanted to become a doctor since I was a kid after binge watching medical shows with my mom with a little bit of jeopardy in between. I was motivated to pursue family medicine specifically after seeing the challenges that people in low-income districts experience every day. Having the ability to grow with my patients through continuity of care was also a huge factor in me pursuing family medicine. Working with people of all ages was perfect for me since I’m a firm believer that everyone has a story to tell and I can learn from them to help with future patients in similar situations.

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa was my number one choice for residency because of the people of course! There is truly no community like San Antonio and hearing countless stories of people overcoming adversity inspired me to give back to my community. My family has also gone to CHRISTUS hospitals countless times and were met with the best quality of care. Witnessing the high standards this program has to ensure that the patients receive the best quality of care regardless of their background, made it a no brainer to return back home. I look forward to making a positive change in San Antonio and lastly, GO SPURS GO!

Case Samford, DO

Hello everyone! I was born and raised in a small Texas town called Smiley, just an hour southeast of San Antonio. San Antonio has always been a second home to me, and I have made many years of memories throughout my life with my family and friends in such a friendly and vibrant city! After completing my undergraduate education in biology at Texas A&M University (Gig ’em Aggies!), I went on to complete my medical education back in San Antonio at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine while also completing my master’s in public health. I was drawn to family medicine because it is a specialty where I can build strong relationships with my patients, providing long-term, personalized care based on their health, well-being, and personal preferences.

I chose the program at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa because it offers vigorous yet rewarding training in all aspects of my future patients’ care in an unopposed and supportive learning environment. It is with this training that I know I will give my patients the best care possible. Additionally, these values fuel my passions for full-scope patient care, community health, and lifestyle medicine. Outside of my training, I enjoy a good game of pickleball, trying out new foods from diverse cultures, and keeping a diverse collection of house plants happy!

Laura Solis, MD

My hometown is San Antonio, where I have lived for about 11 years. I went to college at UTSA and was fortunate to stay at the Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio for medical school. There are so many things I like to do. My favorite hobbies include walking in the parks, hiking trails and visiting the small towns around San Antonio, like Boerne and Fredericksburg. My husband and I enjoy cooking at home and caring for our growing garden. We have also found a great community at our church, where we like to teach catechism to the children and volunteer in ministry.

I love having opportunities for holistic care, education, and creativity in family medicine. This field allows me to nurture long-term relationships with my patients while building a strong community. CHRISTUS Family Medicine promotes unity and support among residents. They share joy and love for each other and their patients. I have also loved to see the bond between residents, faculty, and staff that makes the program feel like a family.

Lauren Wood, DO

Hello! I was born and raised in Carrollton, Texas, and went to Texas A&M University (Gig ‘em!) for both my undergrad degree in Biology and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. I moved to Arkansas for medical school (NYITCOM @ A-State), and I am so excited to be moving back to Texas for residency with my husband, whom I met during the first year of medical school. We have two dogs, Hank and Hazel, who love to go on adventures with us.

I worked as a scribe prior to medical school in a family medicine clinic, where I initially fell in love with family medicine. My third year rotations fully solidified my choice of becoming a Family Medicine Physician due to the patient population, broad scope and endless opportunities that are available. I had the opportunity to do a fourth year rotation with CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency. I immediately saw how well everyone got along and supported each other. I saw the full scope and unopposed training that the program offered and knew this was the program I wanted to train at. I can’t wait to get started!