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.

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. Crystal Alvarez is an Assistant Professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  She is committed to addressing all aspects of women's health with special interests in family planning, menstrual disorders, high-risk obstetrics, and minimally invasive surgery.

Dr. Alvarez graduated Cum Laude from Baylor University in 2006 with her Bachelor's degree in Biology. She went on to receive her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2011 and did her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Texas Medical Branch where she received multiple resident teaching awards and served as Administrative Chief Resident her final year.

Dr. Alvarez is married and has one young daughter. She is currently practicing at the Clear Lake location and is taking new patients.

Kim Okewunmi, DNP, MSN, WHNP-BC, is a Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She received a Doctorate in Nurse Practitioner Degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2011. Kim’s clinical interests include low-risk prenatal care, postpartum care, gynecology management for women & adolescents ages 12 and up, well-women exams & preventive care, management of abnormal uterine bleeding, menopause management, and management of cervical dysplasia.

In her spare time, Kim enjoys traveling, gardening, and watching movies.

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.

Dr. Yvette Gordon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Gynecology. Dr. Gordon completed her residency at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Dr. Gordon has a passion for women’s health and caring for the underserved. Her clinical interests include abnormal pap smears, abnormal menstrual bleeding, contraception counseling and management, teen health, prevention of teen pregnancy and low and high-risk pregnancy.

In her spare time, Dr. Gordon participates in various volunteer activities.

Dr. Fulcher is Chief of the Section of General Obstetrics and Gynecology at UTMB Galveston Main Campus. He holds a bachelor's degree from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, and received his medical degree and residency training at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He is board certified in obstetrics & gynecology. As a result of his interest and experience in contraception management, he has served on the Family Planning Advisory Committee for the State of Texas Board of Health, and as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Health Family Planning Services. He has provided the latest in contraception options to his patients. He has provided expert care in general obstetrics and gynecologic surgery for over 35 years. His special interest is in minimally invasive gynecologic surgical procedures.

Dr. Fulcher is married with three children and two grandchildren, and lives in Dickinson.

 Provider is LGBTQIA+ Responsive

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. Rachel Stepanek is a physician specializing in Obstetrics & Gynecology. She is passionate about caring for women of all ages, with special interests in general and high-risk obstetrics, family planning, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, and global health.

Dr. Stepanek spent her early years living on four different continents and calls Texas home. She graduated summa cum laude from the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University with majors in biochemistry and anthropology. She then completed both her medical degree and OBGYN residency training at the University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston.

As a medical student, her commitment to equanimity, wisdom, and compassion became cornerstones of her clinical practice through completion of the Physician Healer Scholarly Track. She was awarded the William H. Nash, MD, endowed award in OBGYN at the completion of her studies. In residency, she received multiple awards, including the John Sealy School of Medicine Teaching Excellence Award, OBGYN Golden Apple Award, Willard R. Cooke Outstanding Resident Teacher Award, and SASGOG 2024 Resident Award.

In her spare time, she enjoys adventuring, gardening, culinary exploits, reading, running on the beach with her dog, and exploring Galveston and the greater Houston area.

Ricshonda “Nickie” Milburn has been a registered nurse for 21 years. Her focus has been Women’s Health. She currently works as a Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Texas Medical Branch. She has also worked as a part-time adjunct clinical instructor for the UTMB School of Nursing.

Nickie is passionate about nursing as a profession and a strong patient advocate, always working to improve patient care and outcomes. She also supports a healthy work environment while promoting and supporting advanced education for her team.

Nickie was born and raised on the island (BOI), she attended Galveston public schools and graduated from Ball High School in 1995. She went to college at SHSU for two years, then to Galveston College, where she received an associate’s degree in Pre-Physician Studies in 2001 and an associate’s degree in nursing in 2003. Ricshonda began her nursing career in 2003 after earning an associate’s degree in nursing from Galveston College, initially working in Labor and Delivery. She furthered her education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2011 and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Cincinnati in 2014, specializing as a Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner. She began her role as a Nurse Practitioner at UTMB's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where she honed her skills in providing compassionate care.

Driven by her commitment to excellence, Ricshonda became a Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) and completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice in 2020. Recently, she earned a Master of Business Administration, underscoring her dedication to integrating healthcare with effective leadership.

Outside of her professional life, she cherishes time spent with family and friends, finds joy in crafting and DIY projects, and believes that dancing is food for the soul. With a heart for service and a mission to care for women, Ricshonda continues to make a significant impact in her community and beyond.