Dr. Ikram joined UTMB Health's Department of Family Medicine in 2023. He currently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor and will serve as faculty on the Family Medicine Inpatient Service as well as see patients at all three of our Family Medicine Clinics - Dickinson, Island East and Island West.

Dr. Ikram earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from The University of Texas at Arlington and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of North Texas Health Science Center Medical School in Fort Worth, Texas. and completed his family medicine residency training at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Rosana Draper, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC is a graduate of University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston, where she obtained her MSN as well as her PhD. Rosana specializes as an experienced board certified nurse practitioner. Her clinical interests include family medicine, healthy lifestyles and diabetes care.

Leslie Nabors was born in Mississippi and moved to Texas early in her childhood. She stayed in this great state and pursued a Bachelor's of Science in Health at Texas A&M University. After graduating from Texas A&M, she worked for a year in the Texas Medical Center where she prepared for enrollment into the physician assistant program at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. She finished her training and graduated with a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies in August 2015. She is currently treating patients at the UTMB Health Family Medicine clinic in Angleton, Texas.

Dr. Karl Crudo is board certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine. He completed his residency at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital - Forbes Campus in Pittsburgh, Pa., and received his medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Family Medicine for Dr. Banga are the bonds that she builds with her patients over the course of their lives and the enjoyment in keeping them healthy and well.

Her clinical areas of special interest are Lifestyle and Preventive Medicine as well as Nutrition.

In her free time, she enjoy music, traveling and gardening.

 Provider is LGBTQIA+ Responsive

Maria Escamilla is a certified nurse practitioner. She graduated with her Masters of Science in Nursing from UTMB and her clinical interests include occupational medicine and family practice medicine.

Benjamin found his passion for healthcare while serving in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. Shortly after moving back to Texas, he attended The University of Texas Medical Branch to obtain his Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Benjamin went on to earn his Master’s of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner from The University of Texas Medical Branch as well.

Benjamin is board certified through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the international nursing honor society. Benjamin also enjoys spending time as a Clinical Instructor for the School of Nursing at UTMB Galveston, where he is able to share his knowledge and experiences as a healthcare professional with future nurses.

Benjamin enjoys fishing, running, spending time with his wife and two rescue dogs, and staying active in church. He focuses on a holistic approach to patient care with an emphasis on disease prevention.

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.

Katie Cotta is a Family Nurse Practitioner who has been in the medical field for 12 years. She was born and raised in Texas where she obtained her degree in nursing. Katie began her career in 2010 as an RN where she first worked on Tele units for 2 years. Then in 2012 she continued her educated and obtained her bachelors in nursing. From 2012 to 2018, she worked as an RN for UTMB in Galveston. While working, in 2016 she obtained her Master's degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner through UTMB. Since starting her career as an FNP she has had 2 years in GI and 1 year in Family Practice where she was seeing women, children, and adult patients. Katie is passionate about helping others and making a difference.

Ms. Guzman joined the Department of Family Medicine in 2020.

Ms. Guzman earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Community Health from the Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and a Master in Physician Assistant Studies from UTMB Health in Galveston.

She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is licensed by the Texas Medical Board.