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Dr. Namita Bhardwaj is a native Houstonian. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin where she completed her undergraduate coursework in biology and earned her Bachelors of Science and Bachelors of Arts. She went on to attend Ross University to complete her medical education and to earn her MD.

Dr. Bhardwaj completed her family medicine residency at UT Health in Houston, TX. She served as chief resident in her final year of training and was recognized as an outstanding PGY 3 resident and awarded the Scholarly Achievement Award. Dr. Bhardwaj then went on to pursue her fellowship training in Primary Care Sports Medicine at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in El Paso. There she served as team physician for several of the local teams including the El Paso Rhinos, University of Texas at El Paso Division I Sports teams, as well as area high schools covering a wide array of sports.

In her role at UTMB, Dr. Bhardwaj serves as the medical director for Galveston ISD. You can always find her and her team of residents and students on the sidelines at Ball High School football games. Dr. Bhardwaj's scholarly interests include opioids and sports related injuries. She has also served as Physician of the Day for the Texas Legislature. Dr. Bhardwaj enjoys attending sporting events, spending time with family and friends, reading and traveling in her spare time.

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

Dr. Natalie Royer is an Assistant Professor in the division of Pediatric Urgent Care at the University of Texas Medical Branch. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Texas Lutheran University. She obtained her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of North Texas, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her pediatric residency training at The University of Texas Medical Branch.

Dr. Royer joined the University of Texas Medical Branch as faculty in 2018 and is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.

Angela Attaway was born in Dallas, TX. She traveled a lot from an early age, because her father was in the military. She initially received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Alvin Community College in 1998. She received her Bachelor's degree from UTMB in 2003. She graduated in 2007 from UTMB with her Master's Degree in Nursing specializing as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Angela joined the Community Based Clinics in Alvin in September 2014. She has been an RN for the past 18 years. Her nursing experience includes Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU and Pediatric Oncology. Prior to joining the Community Based Clinics in Alvin, Angela was the Child Abuse Nurse Practitioner for Galveston County, and practiced as a primary care provider at Island Pediatrics.

Angela has been Certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board since 2007. In 2011, Angela won a Good Samaritan Excellence in Nursing silver medal.

Angela enjoys spending time with her family. She also loves animals and regularly volunteers at the League City animal shelter. She has two rescue dogs of her own.

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.

Dr. Cynthia Binder joined UTMB Health Pediatric Community Based Clinics in 2002. She completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston where she also earned her medical degree. Dr. Binder holds a bachelor's degree from Baylor University.

Board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Binder enjoys providing healthcare and education to her patients and their families. Additionally, she enjoys teaching medical students and residents.

Dr. Binder enjoys all aspects of Pediatrics, but has a special interest in preventive medicine, infectious disease, and the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Dr. Binder is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Dr. Wolffarth is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics who enjoys clinical work and is actively involved in medical student education.

Dr. Wolffarth grew up in the Dallas and graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Chemistry. He attended medical school at UTMB and subsequently completed his residency in pediatrics at UTMB in 2011. He has been board certified in pediatrics since 2011.

A decorated veteran that served in the Medical Corps in Iraq, Dr. Neely-Shelmire is a board-certified pediatrician with a passion for partnering with parents to raise healthy children through wellness goals, good nutrition, physical activity, healthy sleep habits, and an approach that balances the physical, emotional and developmental aspects of being a child. A parent herself with two adult sons and a host of nieces and nephews, she enjoys spending her free time running, kayaking and with family. She holds professional memberships with the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Pediatric Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Catholic Medical Association. Awards and honors she’s received during her career include:

• Combat Medic Badge
• National Defense Service Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal
• (2nd)Army Commendation Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Army Service Ribbon
• Pediatrics Resident/Intern Award
• Service Leadership Award
• Dean’s Honor Roll
• Honor Scholar

Dr. Ann Jimerson is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics. She received her BA from The University of Texas at Austin. She then completed MD at Texas Tech Health Science Center in Lubbock, TX and her Pediatric residency at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dr. Jimerson specializes in General Pediatrics, with a special interest in adolescent medicine and asthma.

Before joining UTMB in 2014, Dr. Jimerson was an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University Medical Group in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dr. Jimerson is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.

Dr. O'Donohoe grew up in Galveston, TX and graduated from Rice University with a degree in Civil Engineering. She subsequently attended medical school at UTMB and continued on at UTMB for her Pediatric Residency which she completed in 2017.

She specializes in general outpatient pediatrics, mostly seeing patients at the Island Pediatric West clinic location. She also works with patients that have recently been placed in foster care, transitioning them into the UTMB system and getting their specialized needs met.