Dr. Sarah Samreen is the Surgery Clerkship Co-Director and the Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.

Dr. Samreen earned her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from the Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. She completed her internship in General Surgery at Berkshire Medical Center in Berkshire, Massachusetts and completed her residency in General Surgery at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania where she was an Administrative Chief Resident. She accomplished her fellowship in Advanced GI, Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Dr. Samreen is a member of the Association of Women Surgeons, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Samreen's clinical interests include complex esophageal motility disorders including achalasia, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), paraesophageal and hiatal hernias, bariatric surgery, gall bladder disease, inguinal hernias, and ventral hernias. She uses a minimally invasive approach through laparoscopy and robotic surgery.

Dr. Bracken is a Laryngologist, an ENT who specializes in disorders of the voice, swallow, and airway. He is the Director of UTMB Voice and Swallow Center and board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

He completed an advanced fellowship in Laryngology and Care of the Professional Voice at the University of California: San Francisco, under the training of three Laryngologists; Drs Clark Rosen (a US leader in the field of Laryngology), VyVyYoung, and Yue Ma. He completed his ENT residency at the University of California San Diego and a year of research with the National Institute of Health with a focus on neuro-laryngology and development of non- invasive skin surface electrode technologies for evaluation of voice and swallow activity. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Medicine in Houston.

Dr. Bracken's understanding of the voice has grown from both perspectives as a physician and as a performing artist himself. He previously performed with Houston Grand Opera and has undergraduate training in vocal performance and choral education (Sam Houston State University). These training and life experiences have led to expertise in developing treatment plans for singers/professional voice users of all types, musical genres, age groups, and professional levels.

His care and treatment extends beyond the voice to full spectrum airway and swallowing complaints as well. His surgical training includes specialization in advanced awake endoscopic procedures, laser microsurgery, delicate vocal fold microsurgery, throat and tracheal surgeries.

He is passionate about optimizing and restoring quality of life losses from impacts of voice, swallow, and breathing disorders. He practices with an integrated team-based and patient centered philosophy alongside UTMBs expert Speech- Language Pathologists (voice and swallowing rehabilitation specialists). Collaborative care is critical and he enjoys working with other disciplines in optimizing your care (Head and Neck Cancer Surgeons, Gastroenterology, Gerontology, Neurology, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, etc).

During his free time, Dr. Bracken enjoys music, traveling, and hiking with his lovely wife, an occupational therapist.

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. Ludwik K. Branski was born in Kraków, Poland. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Bonn (Germany) and Masters of Medical Sciences degree from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. In addition to completing a residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, integrated program, in Munich and Hannover, Dr. Branski completed a clinical fellowship in Acute Burn and Burn Reconstruction at the University of Texas Medical Branch and Shriners Hospitals for Children-Galveston. He also completed a postdoctoral training in translational burns research at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Galveston. In 2013, Dr. Branski returned to the University of Texas Medical Branch and currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, Plastic Surgery Division, and as a staff surgeon at Shriners Hospitals for Children. He also serves as the Medical Director of the Tissue Bank at Shriners Hospital.

Dr. Branski is an expert in surgical reconstruction of severe burns. He is currently funded by the Department of Defense to study the benefits of growth factor on muscle regeneration in severely burned patients and by the National Institute of Health on the effects of chronic Catecholamine exposure on post-burn scarring. His other research activities center on the use of fat grafting for alleviating hypertrophic scars after severe burns. He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and presented his work at numerous national and international meetings.

He is a member of the American Burn Association, International Society for Burn Injuries, Wound Healing Society, Shock Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the German Association of Surgery and the German Association of Plastic Surgery to name a few. He is the recipient of several awards, including a young investigator award from the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Branski's research interests are in burn metabolism, hypertrophic scarring and burn reconstruction, CO2 Laser treatment for the treatment of hypertrophic scarring, wound healing and burn wound infections.

Dr. Frank T. Winsett is dermatologist who focuses on general adult and pediatric dermatology with a particular interest in dermatologic surgery. Dr. Winsett both his medical degree and internal medicine internship from the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston and completed his residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston. His current research interests are in dermatologic surgery and cutaneous mycology. Dr. Winsett is a member of numerous scientific organizations, including the American Academy of Dermatology and the Texas Dermatology Society.

Dr. Abe DeAnda was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and completed his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at Stanford University. He stayed on at Stanford for his medical degree as well as postgraduate training in General Surgery, post-doctoral training in cardiovascular physiology, and a fellowship in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. After completion of his training at Stanford, he was recruited to help rebuild the cardiothoracic surgery program at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Within 3 years, he had advanced to a position of tenured Associate Professor and led research initiatives in bloodless cardiac surgery and coagulopathies as well as developing a robust aortic surgery practice. He was then recruited to Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York City as the Director of Aortic Surgery, and subsequently recruited to NYU as the Director of Aortic Surgery and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the NYU affiliate Bellevue Hospital Center. During his time in New York, he was routinely recognized as a “Top Doctor” in NYC as well as being honored by the Marfan Foundation with their annual “Hero with a Heart” award for his work with the Marfan community.

He returned to Texas after accepting the position of Professor and Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Sharing the vision of the Department of Surgery and the Academic Enterprise, and with collaboration with colleagues within the division, Department of Surgery, as well as throughout the hospital system, his goal is to create a Division that is clinically active, actively engaged in teaching, and performing innovative research. His own NIH funded research involves studies in the initiation, development, and progression of aortic dissections.

Dr. DeAnda is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Heart Association. He is actively involved in a number of national societies, including the American Heart Association, where he serves on the Surgical Council Leadership committee; the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. He also has committee responsibilities with the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and serves as Chairman of a Drug Safety Monitoring Board for a current FDA trial. He also currently sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

Dr. DeAnda has welcomed the opportunity to return to his home state, and enjoys living on the island of Galveston.

Dr. Jeffrey Garcia was born in Morgantown, West Virginia. He attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania studying biology. After three years of undergraduate studies, he was accepted into the West Virginia University School of Dentistry and he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2012. Dr. Garcia would then complete his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in 2016.

After completing his residency, Dr. Garcia entered private practice in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He founded and operated Keystone Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, P.C.. Dr. Garcia decided to return to Galveston in early 2020 to join UTMB as an Assistant Professor within the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Garcia is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Garcia's clinical interest includes dentoalveolar surgery, odontogenic infections, maxillofacial trauma, and dental implants. In his free time, Dr. Garcia enjoys fitness training, hunting, and spending time with his wife Ashley and their three children Jake, Luke, and Lily.

Dr. Lick is currently a Professor in the Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery in the Department of Surgery. He received his medical degree at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He completed his residency programs in General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Lick has memberships in several scientific societies and professional organizations that include the American College of Surgeons, American College of Chest Physicians, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association. He has held honors in Best Doctors in America and Texas Super Doctors. Dr. Lick is on the editorial board and is a journal reviewer of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs (ASAIO), is a journal reviewer as well for other journals such as Chest, JAMA, and Clinical Science. He also received a patent at the University of Arizona entitled “Expansible Cardiovascular Graft System”.

Dr. Camilo Mosquera was born in Cali, Colombia. He obtained his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Universidad del Valle in 2013 and completed his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Universidad Nacional de Colombia at Bogota in 2019.

After completing his residency, Dr. Mosquera joined as a Faculty at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery program and also worked as Chief of the Maxillofacial Surgery Department at Clinica Santa Maria del Lago-Colsanitas in Bogota. To further enrich his knowledge and expertise, Dr. Mosquera pursued a Fellowship in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery and Microvascular Reconstruction at the University of Florida – Jacksonville in 2021. Followed by a second fellowship at Ascension Macomb Oakland Hospital in Detroit in 2022. This opportunity allowed him to refine his techniques and broaden his experience in complex surgical cases.

After completing his fellowships, Dr. Mosquera joined UTMB in 2023 as an Assistant Professor within the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Mosquera’s clinical interest includes Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery and Microvascular Reconstruction. In his free time, Dr. Mosquera enjoys wildlife and nature photography, hiking, and spending time with his wife.

Dr. Petrov, section Chief of Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery, is a cardiothoracic surgeon with special expertise in Thoracic Oncology. His practice is focused on treating patients with lung and esophageal cancer as well as all aspects of benign pathology in the chest and foregut. Dr. Petrov’s clinical interests lie in the field of minimally invasive and robotic surgery and advanced surgical endoscopy. He performs complex oncologic resection with the application of VATS (video-assisted thorascopic surgery) or DaVinci robots. Also, Dr Petrov focuses on benign foregut conditions such as GERD, diverticula, and achalasia. He widely applies new and emerging technologies, particularly in the case of POEM (Peroral endoscopic myotomy) procedures.

Dr. Petrov’s special interests include chest wall resection and reconstruction, thoracic outlet syndrome and gastroparesis.