Find a Doctor

Otto W. Pantoja, MD is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Division of Gynecology. He is the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology director for Quality Initiative. Dr. Pantoja received his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico. Upon graduation from medical school, he became an active duty officer in the US Army. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tripler Army Medical Center. Upon completion of residency, he spent two years as a staff Obstetrician and Gynecologist in Yongsan US Army Garrison in Seoul, Republic of South Korea at Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital/121st Combat Support Hospital. He was then sent to Fort Polk, LA to Bayne Jones Army Community Hospital, where he served as Department Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology until honorably separating from the US Army in July 2018.

Dr. Pantoja is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is currently a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. His clinical interest includes abnormal uterine bleeding, minimally invasive gynecologic procedures, hysteroscopy, basic infertility evaluation and treatment, and management and delivery of obstetric patients.

Dr. Carpio-Solis was born and raised in New York. Her parents immigrated to the US as children from Puerto Rico and Peru. She was raised bilingual. After completing college and medical school in New York she attended residency in Baltimore Maryland. She has been a practicing OB/GYN since 2005 and is board certified. In 2007 she moved to Texas and has been in love with the state ever since. She is married and has 3 lovely children, Ryan, Sophya and Benji. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, movies, reading books and is a gym enthusiast.

Dr. Karing is a native Texan, growing up in the Dallas/Fort Worth area before moving to Arkansas to obtain her undergraduate degree. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in biology in 2015. She went on to receive her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2019 and completed her residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2023.

She is very excited to be re-joining the University of Texas Medical Branch community and currently practicing at the Clear Lake location. She is committed to addressing all aspects of women's health with special interests in adolescent health, family planning, gynecologic surgery and high risk obstetrics.

Outside of work, Dr. Karing enjoys trying new restaurants, running, hiking, traveling, going to concerts, or reading a good book. She is the proud parent of one fur baby.

Dr. Calasanz is a native Texan and grew up in the Clear Lake area. She lived in Singapore for 5 years during her junior high and early high school years before returning to Texas. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of St. Thomas with a degree in Biology and was named the Outstanding Biology Graduate. While at TTUHSC School of Medicine, she received the Research and Scholarship in Surgery Award. Then she completed her residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center, with the majority of her training spent at Parkland Hospital, which is one of the busiest maternity centers in the country. Dr. Calasanz’ professional interests include all aspects of obstetrics and gynecology, especially adolescent gynecology and the first well-woman exam. She is fluent in English and conversational Spanish. She has volunteered at the Health Museum and San Jose Clinic in Houston and has also participated in medical missions to Mexico and El Salvador. Dr. Calasanz is an active member of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Harris County Medical Society, Houston Gynecological & Obstetrical Society, and Texas Medical Association. She enjoys mentoring aspiring medical students and participating in mock interviews. She is a Houston Texans football fan and also enjoys cooking, attending musicals, and traveling.

Dr. Vien Lam is and Assistant Professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Lam specializes in Women's Health. She completed her medical degree from the University of Texas School of Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Lam completed her residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX.

Cheryal Tritschler is a certified nurse-midwife who specializes in comprehensive obstetrical and gynecological care of adolescent females and women throughout the lifespan. Compassionate care is extended with emphasis on communication, education, and collaboration to ensure that an individual’s needs are met. As each woman is viewed as unique, care is offered to encompass the individualism of each patient.

Cheryal earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a subsequent Master of Science in Nursing degree with a specialization in nurse-midwifery from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas. Certification as a nurse-midwife is held from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Aspen University. Experience in women’s health spans from 1994 through the present. With a goal of increasing access of primary care in the region, state, and nation, she has the honor of participating in health policy committees on the state, national, and international levels.

In her free time, she spends time with husband and children playing golf, gardening (especially replenishing the monarch butterfly population), traveling, and cooking.

Dr. Elizabeth Cloninger was born and raised in Southeast Texas and has been practicing in the ClearLake-League City area since 2013, most recently coming to UTMB from Houston Methodist in Clear Lake, where she saw patients and acted as the medical director from 2017-2019. Her areas of interest include high-risk obstetrics, family planning, well woman care, and management of heavy menstrual cycles.

Dr. Cloninger attended UTMB in Galveston for both medical school and later residency. While in residency, she received awards such as resident of the quarter, physician of the month, and the Golden Apple award for medical student teaching.

Prior to medical school, Dr. Cloninger graduated Cum Laude from Texas A&M University in College Station with a degree in genetics.

Dr. Cloninger is happy to be rejoining the UTMB system that trained her. In her free time, Dr. Cloninger enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband.

Dr. Truong Nguyen is an Assistant Professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and specializes in Gynecologic Ultrasound, Gynecology, Obstetrics and Women's Health Care.    Dr. Truong received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and completed his residency at St. Joseph Hospital in 2003.   Dr. Truong is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Sarah Bruce is a physician specializing in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Clear Lake Campus. She has a passion for women’s health with interests in general and high-risk obstetrics, contraception management, and minimally invasive and robotic surgery.

She was born and raised in the northeast, spending her childhood in New York before moving to Philadelphia with her family. She attended Pennsylvania State University for her undergraduate degree in Biology. She returned to Philadelphia where she was awarded a scholarship to attend Temple University School of Medicine, graduating with distinction in the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

She completed her Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency at the Houston Methodist Hospital. During residency, she was recognized not only for her dedication to teaching but also for her academic and surgical success. She achieved multiple awards including the Exemplary Resident Teacher Award, the Outstanding Minimally Invasive Surgeon Award, and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopy Award.

Dora Pedraza has been a nurse practitioner in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UTMB since 2009. Dora was previously a nurse in Labor and Deliver at UTMB Galveston Campus for 9 years.

She obtained her Associates degree in Nursing in 2000. She received her Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2006. Later, in 2009, she graduated as a Nurse Practitioner and began practicing with the Women's Healthcare Faculty Group.

She is an active member with ACOG, NPWH and NAMS. Her clinical interest include preventive wellness, diabetic teaching in pregnancy and contraception counseling and management.

Her hobbies include repurposing/refurbishing furniture pieces and décor. She also enjoys crafting.