Melissa Smith-Phillips is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics. She received her B.S. in Biology from Louisiana College, after which she completed a two-year research fellowship with the National Cancer Institute. She completed her M.D. and Ph.D. in 2011 through UTMB's Combined Degree Program and subsequently was accepted into UTMB's Pediatric Residency Program which she completed in 2014.

Dr. Syed K. Kazmi joined UTMB Pediatric Community Based Clinics in 1994. He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He received his doctorate from Universidad Technologica de Santiago Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and his masters of public health from Tulane School of Public Health in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dr. Kazmi has a special interest in community health education and the uses of homeopathic medicines, earning a diploma in Homeopathy from Galein College, United Kingdom.

In addition to serving as the Medical Director of UTMB Health Pediatrics in Alvin, Dr. Kazmi is the Medical Director of a Houston based charity clinic. He is an active member of the community, working with the Alvin Independent School District as a consultant and as the Alvin City Health Officer.

Dr. Kazmi sees general pediatric patients and is multi-lingual in English, Spanish, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi.

Dr. Pilgrim joined UTMB Health’s Department of Family Medicine in 2021 as a Resident in training. He currently holds the position of Clinical Assistant Professor as a board certified Family Medicine Physician. Dr. Pilgrim received a Bachelor of Science and graduated from The University of Houston Downtown in Houston, Texas. He then earned his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch. His areas of special clinical interest include Lifestyle Medicine, Weight Loss, Diabetes, Smoking Cessation, and Mental Health. Dr. Pilgrim chose family medicine because he enjoys the challenge of caring for people across the full spectrum of life-stages and because he believes in the importance of caring for not just individuals, but for families as a whole.

In his free time he enjoys spending quality time with family, getting outdoors, listening to audiobooks, and a variety of activities centered around physical fitness.

Howdy, my name is Farha Syed and I am practically Texas born bred and a proud Aggie! I had an amazing medical school journey that allowed me to travel and provide care in rural mountain and island areas. This eventually led me back home to Houston, where I’m glad to be giving back to my community. I served as co-chief at UTMB Family Medicine Residency Program and helped develop and deploy the COVID response team, providing support and leadership during a challenging time in our world. I have grown a special interest in guiding people through the challenges of COVID recovery, while maintaining a focus on the rest of their general health. I love helping my patients reach their healthcare and preventative medicine goals such as losing weight, dietary changes and lifestyle modifications. When I’m not participating in patient care and my passion for medicine, you can find me biking the trails of Bayou and Memorial park, finding new home improvement projects I have to start right away, and helping my husband work on our cars.

Dr. Michael Binder received his MD from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX and completed his pediatrics internship and residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Dr. Binder is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics. His clinical interests include all aspects of pediatrics and seeing his patients develop through the physical, emotional and social health through infancy through adolescence and young adulthood.

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. Jennifer Caffey joined UTMB Pediatric Associates in 2009 after being in private practice for 5 years.  She completed her pediatric residency at UTMB in Galveston where she was Chief Resident.  She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biomedical Science, and then earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.  She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Caffey's practice focuses on caring for children of all ages.  She enjoys preventative medicine including maintenance of childhood immunizations, promoting safe environments for children, encouraging healthy eating and lifestyle habits, and advising families how to help promote normal development of their children's bodies and minds.  Dr. Caffey understands that a child's health is greatly improved with the active involvement of his or her family and encourages this by offering support to the entire family.  Her scope of practice includes patients from birth to 18 years old.  In addition to treating common childhood illnesses, she has experience caring for children with asthma, allergies, eczema, and numerous other illnesses.

Dr. Elizabeth Gordon-Moussaoui has been practicing as a General Pediatrician for over 20 years and is most passionate about preventative health care initiatives and health education. She has a special interest in breast feeding support, developmental behavioral medicine and enjoy teaming with parents to support the physical and emotional health of children.

Dr. Gordon-Moussaoui also enjoys spending time to help physicians in training learn to care for pediatric patients. Her personal hobbies include reading, gardening and spending time with her family.

Dr. Kyralessa B. Ramirez joined the UTMB League City Pediatric and Adult Primary Care clinic in January 2012.  Prior to joining UTMB, she worked for 2 years in South Houston at a pediatric private practice.

Dr. Ramirez received her medical degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo.  She attended the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston where she completed her pediatric residency in 2009.

Dr. Ramirez's clinical interests include the prevention and treatment of common pediatrics illnesses, specifically ear infections. She is interested in the treatment of eczema as well as other common skin disorders, preventive pediatrics and anticipatory guidance.  She enjoys helping new parents with their newborn babies, counseling them about breastfeeding and infant safety. Dr. Ramirez is fluent in English and Spanish.  She is married to Dr. Rafael A. Fonseca, a faculty member in the Department of Neonatology at UTMB, Galveston.  She enjoys taking care of a diverse population of patients.

Dr. Rodriguez Lien is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She is a clinician who cares for patients directly as well as supervising residents. Dr. Rodriguez Lien received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Texas Pan American. She attended medical school at University of Texas Medical Branch. She subsequently completed her pediatric residency training in 2015 from UTMB and served as chief resident the following year. She is currently the Associate Program Director of the Pediatric Residency Program.

Dr. Rodriguez Lien is actively involved in medical student education as a clinic supervisor of students in the pediatric clinics. She is also directly involved in resident education, not only through her role of associate director, but also as a faculty mentor, rotation director, and head of the board review program.

Dr. Rodriguez Lien has a passion for preventative medicine, specifically the maternal-infant bond and health benefits from breastfeeding. She also has a specific interest in mental health in pediatric care. She heads the primary care behavioral and mental health clinic at the UTMB Pediatrics Bay Colony location.