Dr. Uzoma Obi-Nwankwo is a Board-certified Family Physician with specialized training in Geriatric Medicine. She received her medical degree from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. She completed her Family medicine Residency training at DeTar Healthcare system-Texas A&M university program and her Geriatric Medicine Fellowship training at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Dr. Obi as she is fondly known by her patients and staff is passionate about tailoring individualized quality and compassionate care to her patients and their family’s unique needs through timely value-based care and shared decision making. She loves that she can provide medical care for all age groups and relate and serve them in a one stop, shop all manner. She funnily describes her role as PCP as that of the postal services such that she helps her patients address and bring together all information in their various aspects of health care to clarity and perspective with the goal of a healthier and functional status.

When she is not doctoring, she loves to spend time creating good memories with family and friends. She enjoys volunteering both locally and internationally, traveling, watching wrestling or action and adventure movies, learning American football and crafts and trying out new cultures and food.

Ms. John joined the Department of Family Medicine in 2017.

Ms. John earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Leelabai Thackersey College of Nursing at SNDT Women's University in Churchgate, Mumbai, India. She also earned earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, as well as a Master of Science in Nursing, from the Prairie View A&M College of Nursing in Houston, Texas.

She is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and is licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing.

Stephen Granger, DO is originally from Lafayette, Louisiana. He received his bachelor’s degree at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in biology with a minor in chemistry. Following this, he attended medical school at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, MS. He completed residency at Oklahoma State University Medical Center in Tulsa, OK, and was appointed as Chief Resident for the 2020-2021 residency year.

Dr. Granger strives to provide patient-centered healthcare tailored to his patients’ needs. He pursued family medicine because he wanted to care for patients from all walks of life, ranging from birth to late adulthood. He believes that disease prevention is the most important aspect of medicine.

Dr. Granger’s hobbies include exercising, cooking, spending time with family, playing with his dog, and traveling. He is excited to join UTMB and would be happy to see you for all your healthcare needs.

Dr. Edemekong is proud to serve in a broad scope of Family and Preventive Medicine. He has been practicing in the urgent care, preventive and family medicine settings and enjoys being able to provide holistic care to his patients.

He has numerous publications and has provided multiple presentations in his career at both a macro level with the CDC and micro level with small workshops and lectures. Dr. Edemekong has a passion for being involved in community education and has dedicated himself to medical missions on an annual basis. Dr. Edemekong offers an ability to serve his patients with a truly integrative approach.

Dr. Edemekong offers Primary Health Care, HIV Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine. With a background in Family Medicine and completed training in Preventive Medicine, Dr. Edemekong has experience working with at-risk patient populations. His passion continues in areas of Clinical Preventive Medicine, Global Healthcare, Acute Disease Epidemiology (HIV, TB, Hepatitis, STIs) and Health Disparities as well as Maternal-Fetal Healthcare.

He offers basic and routine health care needs with a sensitive and unbiased approach for preventive care, physical exams, and Infectious disease treatment. He promotes the highest level of health for all people by striving to eliminate preventable diseases and educating my patients regarding healthy behaviors across all life stages.

 Provider is LGBTQIA+ Responsive

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Vinod Kaushik is a graduate of Mahatama Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Devi Ahilya University in India. He completed his residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and his fellowship at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine, with a special interest in dementia and disabilities in the elderly.

Dr. Kaushik currently serves as the Medical Director of Gulf Health Care Center in Texas City and the Geriatric Track Program Director at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He is Program Director of the UTMB Geriatric Medicine Fellowship. He is an assistant professor of Geriatric Medicine and serves as attending faculty on the ACE Unit, Geriatric Consults, and Geriatric Clinic Service.

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. Nguyen earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Houston. Dr. Nguyen then attended Louisiana State University and earned his Masters in Health Administration then earned his Doctorate of Medicine from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. Graduated from UTMB Family Medicine Residency.