Erika Schulze was born and raised in the Midwest in Illinois 30 minutes outside of St. Louis, MO. She completed her academic training at Goldfarb School of Nursing in St. Louis, MO. Her experience spans 16 years, which included working at Barnes Hospital as staff nurse on general medicine floor for 8 years; Pulmonary and Critical Care research at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. In 2003, Erika was accepted into graduate school at Goldfarb School of Nursing and completed Master of Science degree in Nursing with focus as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. This program was two and half years of additional medical assessment and decision training including diagnostic testing. Since completing Graduate School, she has worked in the primary care setting. She moved to Texas and started working at UTMB in January 2013.

During her time off, she enjoys her home, gardening, and time with her family and friends. She is passionate about animal welfare charities and animal fostering programs. Erika is also very passionate about the mental health of the community. She chairs a weekly support group, Nar Anon, for family and friends of those suffering from addiction.

Dr. Varghese is a physician at the Victory Lakes Town Center Clinic in League City. Dr. Varghese completed his medical residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Tyler, Texas, where he served as Chief Resident. While clinically trained in a broad scope of medicine, his expertise includes adult and children's health, minor procedures, and preventative care.

As a physician, my patient care practices are centered around three core beliefs. First, I believe that patient autonomy should be respected. Both patient's beliefs and evidence-based medicine should be incorporated into workup and treatment plans as every patient is different. Secondly, I believe that teamwork is essential to provide the best possible care. I aim to use the knowledge and expertise of other health professionals to do so. Lastly, I believe in the importance of preventative care, which we achieve through education, screening, and counseling.

Ultimately, Dr. Varghese's goal is to address the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of health. Dr. Varghese wants to partner with his patients to empower them to restore their wellness.

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Dr. Jackson has been with UTMB since 2011 when he started his medical education. After graduating from Medical School at UTMB, he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine with UTMB in Galveston. Dr. Jackson first joined the UTMB Community Based Clinics in 2018. In 2020, he transferred to UTMB/TDCJ in Galveston as the Associate Medical director and Transitional Care Unit director. Dr. Jackson is committed to taking care of the people in his community in Galveston and we are excited to have him rejoin the Community Based Clinic’s Family in 2023 as a Galveston Provider.

He is married to Maira Jackson, BSN, RN, BC, who also works for UTMB at the Galveston campus, they have 4 adorable children. Dr. Jackson enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering with the Luke Society, mentoring, traveling, cooking and gardening. He is a Veteran of the US Air Force.

Jillian was born and raised in the Houston area. She initially received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing in 2010. She graduated in 2017 with her Master's Degree in Nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington School of Nursing and Health Science Innovation, specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Jillian joined the UTMB Community Based Clinics (CBC) in Webster in August 2017. She moved to UTMB CBC Friendswood location in 2022. She was a Registered Nurse from 2010-2017 before starting her role as a Nurse Practitioner. Her experience as a bedside nurse primarily includes a women's health background.

Jillian is board certified in Family Medicine as a Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Jillian enjoys spending time hiking, traveling and fishing with her children and husband. She is an avid Texas Longhorn and Houston Astros fan.

Dr. Shakira Dhamotharan was born and raised in the state of New York. She completed all of her academic and medical training at St. Georges University in Grenada, West Indies. There she received a Master's degree in Public Health as well as her MD degree. She finished her residency in Family Medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital in Patterson, NJ. Dr. Dhamotharan held the positions of Assistant Program Director of Family Medicine Residency Program, and Instructor of Family and Community Medicine at New York Medical College where she practiced primary care as well as had an academic role. Additionally, in this position she assisted with research projects, trained residents as well as lectured fundamental family medicine practices to both medical students and residents.

Dr. Dhamotharan is actively involved in volunteering and serves on the Board of Directors for Team Triumphant, a children's charity organization that aspires to educate inner city youth with the necessary skills to graduate high school. Triumphant also assists them in attaining the resources needed to discover colleges and apply to them. She has traveled to Trinidad to volunteer her services with the Ministry of Health to assist with public health matters. She serves as international correspondent for the Sundar Charitable Trust whose primary goal is to bring math and reading supplies to poor villages in Tamil Nadu, India. Every two years, Dr. Dhamotharan and her husband visit this Trust and the local children to determine what steps need to be made to increase literacy rates.

Dr. Dhamotharan currently lives in Sugarland, TX with her husband and two sons. She and her husband are active members in Meenakashi Temple. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Physicians and she's been a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians since 2010.

Dr. Shakira Dhamotharan was born and raised in the state of New York. She completed all of her academic and medical training at St. Georges University in Grenada, West Indies. There she received a Master's degree in Public Health as well as her MD degree. She finished her residency in Family Medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital in Patterson, NJ. Dr. Dhamotharan held the positions of Assistant Program Director of Family Medicine Residency Program, and Instructor of Family and Community Medicine at New York Medical College where she practiced primary care as well as had an academic role. Additionally, in this position she assisted with research projects, trained residents as well as lectured fundamental family medicine practices to both medical students and residents.

Dr. Dhamotharan is actively involved in volunteering and serves on the Board of Directors for TeamTriumphant, a children's charity organization that aspires to educate inner city youth with the necessary skills to graduate high school. Triumphant also assists them in attaining the resources needed to discover colleges and apply to them. She has traveled to Trinidad to volunteer her services with the Ministry of Health to assist with public health matters. She serves as international correspondent for the Sundar Charitable Trust whose primary goal is to bring math and reading supplies to poor villages in Tamil Nadu, India. Every two years, Dr. Dhamotharan and her husband visit this Trust and the local children to determine what steps need to be made to increase literacy rates.

Dr. Dhamotharan currently lives in Sugarland, TX with her husband and two sons. She and her husband are active members in Meenakashi Temple. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Physicians and she's been a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians since 2010.

Beverly Pennington completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. A few years later, she came back to UTMB to join the Geriatric Division as the Geriatric Nurse Practitioner serving the Galveston community. Beverly is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau which recognize superior achievements and developing leadership qualities. She is also an active member of organizations such as American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Hospice and Palliative Care Association, Texas Nurse Practitioners, and Texas Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Jessica Miller grew up as a Coast Guard daughter and moved around a lot as a child. When her father retired while she was in high school, she set her roots in the community. Jessica attended Texas A&M University and obtained a bachelor's degree in biology in 2006, then attended nursing school at UTMB, graduating in 2009. Jessica first worked as a nurse in the hospital setting for two years and obtained her master's degree, graduating with honors in 2012.

Jessica works in urgent care and family practice as a Nurse Practitioner, as well as working in the ER for more experience. She enjoys providing care in the family practice setting and getting to know her patients and being able to see their continuity of care. Jessica has three children and enjoys spending time with her family when not working. As a child, Jessica did a lot of competitive horseback riding and continues to have a love for horses. She also enjoys exercising and spending time in the sun.

Providing care for adults of all ages, I enjoy educating my patients about their current health condition and recommending ways to improve it. My main focus is on prevention of chronic illness and disease. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling with my family, reading, and being active.

Dr. Mariam Khan’s journey into medicine began with a passion for primary care, driven by the desire to build enduring relationships with patients from childhood through their golden years. While completing her medical degree at UTMB, she was initially drawn to pediatrics, and ultimately found her calling in UTMB’s Family Medicine residency program, influenced in part by her husband’s great experience within UTMB.

Dr. Khan's commitment to UTMB didn't end with her training; she chose to stay on as a practicing physician after completing her residency in 2023 and lives in the area. This decision was influenced by the camaraderie among UTMB graduates who have chosen to remain at the institution. She appreciates the stability and strong connections that come from this tight-knit community of medical professionals.

In her clinical practice, Dr. Khan's special interests lie in preventative health and evidence-based medicine, and during residency, was recognized for her dedication to compassionate care with the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence Teaching Award. She thrives on the daily challenges of her role and takes an approach involving motivational interviewing to empower her patients in managing various health issues, whether related to mental health or chronic conditions like diabetes. Her persistence and ability to connect with her patients shine through as she helps them navigate their health journey. Outside of her medical career, she cherishes family time, enjoys traveling, and has a passion for cooking.