Dr. Matthew J. Hay joined UTMB Pediatric Associates in 1997. Board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Hay completed his residency in pediatrics and received his doctorate in medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Dr. Hay holds a bachelor's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. He is also the Medical Director of the UTMB Health Primary and Specialty Care Clinic in Texas City.

Dr. Hay has been named the Galveston Daily News Reader's Choice Best Pediatrician of Galveston County in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019. Dr. Hay is currently a member of the Galveston Independent School District Board of Trustees, currently serving in his third three-year term, as well as serving as the President for six of those years. He served on the Texas Youth Commission Advisory Board after being appointed by then Texas Governor Rick Perry. He has developed a special interest in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other behavioral or school-related problems.

When he isn't seeing patients, Dr. Hay coaches the Texas A&M Galveston Lady Aggies soccer team.

 Provider is LGBTQIA+ Responsive

I grew up in Clear Lake myself, so I was very excited to become a part of this UTMB Clear Lake family. I attended the University of Houston – Main Campus for my bachelor’s degree, and I completed my medical training (medical school and my pediatric residency) in the large Texas Medical Center in Houston. In 2023, I moved back to Clear Lake so that I could give back to this wonderful community.

I have a wonderful husband, and we are lucky to have both our families and fur-siblings in the area. My hobbies include playing tennis (when it’s not too hot outside), playing the piano, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Pediatrics has been my calling since high school. I am blessed to have the opportunity to be able to educate and comfort patients and their family members in some of their most stressful times. I love that I get to watch these children grow from newborns into wonderful young adults and help them along the way.

Being a growing child (or even raising one) isn’t easy! Every patient brings their own story, challenges, and personality, and each of them has something to teach me. I just strive to be a positive light during their journeys and work to keep my patients safe, healthy, and happy.

Dr. Elam was born and raised in Lake Jackson, and returned to the community after completion of her medical training.

She is passionate about vaccine advocacy and behavioral health. She currently lives in Lake Jackson with her husband and their very active toddler. She enjoys spending time outdoors, especially at the beach or river.

Dr. Maria P. Nguyen joined the UTMB Pediatric Community Based Clinics in 2001. She completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston after earning her doctor of medicine from Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of California at Irvine, one in biology and one in psychology.

Dr. Nguyen is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Nguyen's passion is to provide high quality and compassionate medical care.

She has special interests in asthma management and adolescent medicine.

Her dedication to educating medical students earned her the following honors: UTMB Community Preceptor Award in 2012 and Teacher of Distinction (TOP DOC) Award in 2019 and 2012.

Dr. Nguyen is fluent in both English and Vietnamese.

Dr. Adri P. Smith joined UTMB Pediatric Community Based Clinics in 2006.  She completed her residency in Pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 2005 and received her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio in 2002.  She completed her bachelor's degree in biomedical science at Texas A&M University in College Station in 1997.

Board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Smith has a special interest in adolescent preventative medicine, infant care, treating and preventing obesity in children and treating allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and asthma.  She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  She also enjoys teaching medical students and residents and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

When she is not seeing patients, she enjoys spending time with her three children, husband, family and friends.

Dr. Mohammad Fouad Azim is a Board-Certified Pediatrician (2010). He completed his Pediatrics Residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston where he was also a student during his 4th year of Medical School.

He adores children and considers himself both fortunate and blessed to take care of the youngest Texans. A parent himself, he understands the importance of addressing parental concerns about all aspects of their child's health.

Dr. Azim comes from a family of over thirty physicians and in his free time he enjoys photography and writing. He is a published author of a well-received coming of age novel for teens and young adults.

Alma Chavez began her career as a licensed vocational nurse and worked with the indigent at Harris County Hospital District for 5 years. Striving to advance her skills, she received her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 1999. It was then that she continued to work with the indigent spending eleven years as a specialty trained RN, providing well child exams to children of all ages. Her passion for patient care then drove her to earn her Master's of Science in Nursing from UTMB, specializing in family practice.

Alma is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and joined the family of caregivers at UTMB Health Pediatrics, Texas City in 2012.

Dr. Priscila Emmanuel Martinez was born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio in San Antonio, TX. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX and subsequently completed her residency in Pediatrics at UTMB.

Her major areas of interests consist of urgent care, adolescent medicine and patient advocacy. She is also interested in medical student and resident teaching.

When not working in the office, Dr. Martinez enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter. She has a passion for singing and is fond of swimming.

Dr. Michael Binder received his MD from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX and completed his pediatrics internship and residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Dr. Binder is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics. His clinical interests include all aspects of pediatrics and seeing his patients develop through the physical, emotional and social health through infancy through adolescence and young adulthood.

I am MBSR (Mindfulness Base Stress Reduction) certified, and a Board-certified pediatrician, with a passion for promoting well-being and mental health.

When not working with patients, I love to travel with my family and explore new cultures. I enjoy going to musical theater a passion I share with my kids. I also enjoy reading and attending book club with friends, where I can engage in lively discussion about literature and life.

My ultimate goal is to provide the best care possible to patients as they navigate through each developmental stage. I believe in being there for patients and their families during the process, offering support and guidance every step of the way.

 Provider is LGBTQIA+ Responsive