Residents
PGY1
- Diana Acosta Pozo, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Diana Acosta Pozo is originally from the Dominican Republic, where she also attended medical school. She graduated with honors and served as the Research Interest Group Coordinator. Beyond her medical career, Dr. Acosta Pozo is an entrepreneur interested in aquaponics and the sustainable production of food. Dr. Acosta Pozo’s interest in this residency program stems from the population it serves, offering a unique opportunity to learn from a wide range of cases. Additionally, she is eager to work with medical students, improving her teaching skills while continuing to learn throughout the process. Professionally, Dr. Acosta Pozo aspires to specialize in cardiology, pulmonary and critical care, or become a hospitalist. However, she remains open and enthusiastic about exploring the full spectrum of medical specialties during her training. In her personal time, Dr. Acosta Pozo enjoys participating in sports, reading mystery or crime novels, exploring philosophical ideas, trying new recipes in the kitchen, and dancing to Latin rhythms.
- Nida Asif, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Nida Asif was born and raised in a culturally rich and beautiful landscape country, Pakistan. Inspired by her family traditions she pursued medical education and got her degree from Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar Pakistan. She later aspired to pursue medical training in the USA. She with her family migrated to the USA and got the opportunity to have clinical rotations in New York, Indiana, Missouri and Louisiana. Dr. Asif intends to seek future specialization in Gastroenterology but is also open to explore other options as well. In free time she likes to travel and visit new places with her family. She also likes to explore and relish the taste of different cuisines especially continental and Mediterranean . She is thrilled to be a part of the internal medicine residency program at the UTRGV Knapp Medical Center and is looking forward to see how this journey unfolds.
- Tatiana Dacak, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Tatiana Dacak was born and raised in Belize, where she first learned the importance of community as a member of a tight-knit family. She went on to earn her medical degree from UCIMED in Costa Rica. There, she developed a keen interest in primary care after being part of the robust universal healthcare system, which places emphasis on health promotion and prevention. Her experience working at the Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation in Belize has also driven her toward a patient-centered and holistic approach to providing healthcare. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two dogs, watching movies and staying active.
- Corey Haines, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Corey Haines is a lifelong Texan who was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He completed his undergraduate studies in neuroscience and statistics as well as a Master of Science in business analytics at The University of Texas at Austin. He subsequently worked at USAA insurance company as a data scientist, where he developed machine learning models for their banking division. However, Corey was ultimately drawn back to his childhood dream of becoming a physician and pivoted to pursuing a career in healthcare. He completed his medical education at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and is now excited to continue his training at the UTRGV internal medicine residency program. Corey is passionate about the field of internal medicine and his professional interests include academic medical education, addressing health disparities and social determinants of health within underserved patient populations, and leveraging statistical analysis to identify inefficiencies within healthcare systems. He looks forward to providing compassionate and high-quality care to the residents of the RGV. Outside of medicine Corey enjoys playing with his cat Twill, cycling and bikepacking, as well as reading fiction novels.
- Ridwan Lawal, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Ridwan was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and was awarded a full scholarship. He practiced medicine in Lagos, where he provided care to the underserved, especially sickle cell patients. In his free time, he loves watching and playing soccer and won soccer tournaments for his class in school. He also enjoys spending time with his family. He is excited to be a part of UTRG KMC and would love to pursue a fellowship in gastroenterology.
- Nestor Malaga, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Nestor Malaga was born and raised in Arequipa, Peru. He obtained his medical degree from Universidad Católica de Santa María. He went on to specialize in surgical oncology at Hospital Goyeneche, where he worked with patients from underserved areas in southern Peru. Motivated by a commitment to deepen his knowledge and provide a more holistic approach to patient care, Dr. Malaga is excited to begin his residency in internal medicine at UTRGV. He is honored to join the Knapp Medical Center team and is eager to make a positive impact in the Rio Grande Valley, which he considers his second home. His professional interests include hematology-oncology, preventive medicine, integrative medicine, and palliative care. Outside of his medical career, he enjoys reading science fiction and history, writing and reading poetry, watching films, exploring new cultures, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.
- Abdel Martinez Borrego, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Abdel Martinez Borrego was born and raised in Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico. He graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon School of Medicine in Monterrey, Mexico, in 2019, where he was honored with the Distinguished Undergraduate Award, ranking 4th in his class during his final year. Before matching in the Rio Grande Valley, he worked as a General Practitioner in Cancun on a biweekly basis. During his off weeks, he also served as a senior student in Internal Medicine at LaSante Health Center in Brooklyn, New York, for over a year. Dr. Martinez Borrego is enthusiastic about continuing his education in the RGV, close to his family in Mexico, and hopes to remain in Texas. His medical interests include Hospital Medicine, Cardiology, Telemedicine, Rheumatology, Hematology-Oncology, Infectious Diseases, and Critical Care. Outside of medicine, he is passionate about chess, streams his games online, and aspires to achieve a professional chess title one day. He also enjoys playing the guitar, singing, and holds a black belt in Karate. Most importantly, he values spending time with his family and his two dogs, Brunito and Lazzy.
- Elizabeth Mills, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Mills-Reyes grew up in small-town Alabama and worked intially as a critical care registered nurse for many years. Thereafter, she earned a Master's Degree from Samford University as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She practiced as a Nurse Practitioner for nearly 15yrs in primary care including urgent care and internal medicine. Despite getting to care and serve many patients as a NP, she had an overwhelming desire to go back to medical school in order to help improve her skill and ability to treat her patients. During her medical education at Oceania University of Medicine, she came to the Rio Grande Valley and completed numerous rotations within the South Texas Health System. She is grateful to have the opportunity to learn and work with the UTRGV Internal Medicine residency. She seeks ardently to improve the health and wellness of her local community here. In her time away from work, she loves to travel and cook with her family and friends.
- Cesar Ortega, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Cesar Ortega was born and raised in Mexicali, a small town in Mexico located across the border of the Valley of California. He earned his medical degree from Universidad Xochicalco in Mexicali. After completing medical school, he undertook a one-year internship in Houston, where he rotated through various hospitals and specialties. Following his internship, Dr. Ortega spent a year conducting research in Infectious Diseases, during which time he also taught Cardiovascular and Renal Pathophysiology at his alma mater and worked as an assistant surgeon in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Subsequently, he applied for Residency in the United States. Before beginning his Residency, he continued to pursue hands-on clinical rotations in the U.S., including places like San Diego, CA and Phoenix, AZ. Outside of his medical career, Dr. Ortega enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking and scuba diving as a certified diver, and he has a passion for cooking at home.
- Bharat Peddinani, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Bharat Kumar Peddinani was born in San Diego, California, and grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico. His early exposure to medicine, through his father's rheumatology clinic, sparked a deep interest in patient care. Dr. Peddinani graduated from Tecnológico de Monterrey and chose to pursue his residency training in the United States. He is particularly interested in further specializing in Hematology and Oncology, with a goal of practicing within an academic setting. Dr. Peddinani is passionate about delivering high-quality healthcare and is dedicated to serving underserved communities. He is excited to join the UTRGV program. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife, traveling, and skiing.
- Abelardo Rodriguez, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Abelardo Rodriguez was born and raised in Mission, Texas. He graduated from Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in 2024. After his first two years of preclinical studies in Guadalajara, he moved to Arizona where he completed his clinical rotations and developed a profound interest in Internal Medicine. He is dedicated to patient education, and a collaborative approach to healthcare. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Rodriguez enjoys playing video games, watching baseball, and spending time with family, friends and weenie dogs. His current interests are hospital medicine, critical care, and cardiology. He is happy to be back home in the Valley practicing medicine and being close to family.
- Ripudaman Singh, MD
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PGY1
Dr. Ripudaman Singh was born and raised in Ludhiana, Punjab, in northern India. Growing up in a Sikh community with a strong commitment to serving humanity, he was inspired by his mother, a registered nurse, to pursue a career in medicine. He earned his medical degree from Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, and has gained over eight years of experience working in ER, ICU, and community health centers serving rural areas in India. During this time, he also published research on insulin use, Hemophilia, and fatty liver disease. He later earned a postgraduate diploma in Family Medicine from CMC Vellore, which led him to focus on internal medicine with a special interest in cardiology and critical care. He also had the opportunity to rotate in the U.S. and work with a family physician in Toronto. Dr. Singh is now continuing his medical training in the U.S. and looks forward to contributing to the Rio Grande Valley. Outside work, he enjoys exercising, playing soccer, traveling, exploring restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
