Dr. Elizabeth Cloninger was born and raised in Southeast Texas and has been practicing in the ClearLake-League City area since 2013, most recently coming to UTMB from Houston Methodist in Clear Lake, where she saw patients and acted as the medical director from 2017-2019. Her areas of interest include high-risk obstetrics, family planning, well woman care, and management of heavy menstrual cycles.

Dr. Cloninger attended UTMB in Galveston for both medical school and later residency. While in residency, she received awards such as resident of the quarter, physician of the month, and the Golden Apple award for medical student teaching.

Prior to medical school, Dr. Cloninger graduated Cum Laude from Texas A&M University in College Station with a degree in genetics.

Dr. Cloninger is happy to be rejoining the UTMB system that trained her. In her free time, Dr. Cloninger enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband.

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Karen Williams, PA-C is a graduate of University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston. She has advanced training and is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Her clinical interests include OB/GYN.

She has been married for 39 years and live with her husband in Beaumont, TX. She has adult 3 sons. She loves spending time with my family and listening to audio books.

Practicing medicine gives her the opportunity to demonstrate care for women in her community.

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Gokhan Kilic, M.D is the Director of the Minimally Invasive Gynecology and Research in the Department of Obstetrics in Gynecology and is the holder of the endowed Faculty Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology Honoring Alvin L. LeBlanc, MD, Harry M. Little, Jr, MD and L Charles Powell, MD. Dr. Kilic was trained in minimally invasive surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital under the supervision of the pioneers in this field. He has worked at prestigious hospitals including Georgetown University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Parkland Hospital; he transferred from MD Anderson Cancer Center to UTMB to join a vibrant team offering women minimally invasive gynecology and services related to pelvic health and urogynecology.

He is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and certified in Fundamental Laparoscopic Surgery by the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kilic is a well-respected member of the Fellows of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American College of Surgeons. He was one of the earliest recognized robotic gynecologic surgeons in the Houston area. Dr. Kilic is also pioneer of single-incision robotic hysterectomy.

As a subspecialist in urogynecology, Dr. Killic has a special interest in helping patients address urine incontinence (leakage) and pelvic prolapse. He is also active in student, resident, and physician training in all aspects of minimally invasive surgery. He has numerous publications and ongoing projects in the field featuring laboratory, non-human studies, and clinical research.

Ricshonda “Nickie” Milburn has been a registered nurse for 15 plus years. Her focus in the last 6 years has been as a Women's Healthcare Nurse Practitioner for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Texas Medical Branch. She has also worked as a part-time adjunct clinical instructor for the UTMB School of Nursing.

Nickie is passionate about nursing as a profession and a strong patient advocate, always working to improve patient care and outcomes. She is also supports a healthy work environment while promoting and supporting advanced education for her team.

Nickie was born and raised here on the island, she attended Galveston public schools and graduated from Ball High School in 1995. She went to college at SHSU for two years, then to Galveston College, where she received an Associate's Degree in Pre-Physician Studies in 2001 and an Associate's Degree in Nursing in 2003. She then began working as a Registered Nurse in Labor and Delivery. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing in 2011 from University of Texas at Arlington and her Master's Degree in Women's Healthcare from University of Cincinnati in 2014. She recently received a Doctor of Nursing of Practice degree from Grand Canyon University in February 2020. Nickie is currently pursuing a certification if Registered Nurse First Assist with NIFA with an expected completion of August 2020.

In addition to her professional work and educational endeavors, Nickie enjoys spending time with her family as a wife and mother of four children. She loves attending their sporting events and traveling as much as possible.

Dr. Gabriela Halder is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Halder obtained her bachelor’s degree and Master of Public Health from the University of Miami. She then completed residency at the University of South Florida and fellowship at the University of Texas Austin.

Dr. Halder specializes in female pelvic floor disorders including conservative and surgical approaches to pelvic organ prolapse, urinary/fecal incontinence, overactive bladder, urethral masses, voiding dysfunction/neurogenic bladder, mesh complications, and painful bladder syndrome. She is skilled in minimally invasive procedures and robotic-assisted surgery.

Dr. Halder’s primary research interests surround patient reported outcomes, perioperative education, and health economics. She has published several articles, book chapters, and presented her work at numerous national meetings. She is an active member of several national and international organizations including the American Urogynecologic Society and the International Urogynecological Association.

During her spare time, Dr. Halder enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the greater Houston area.

Dr. Crystal Alvarez is an Assistant Professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  She is committed to addressing all aspects of women's health with special interests in family planning, menstrual disorders, high-risk obstetrics, and minimally invasive surgery.

Dr. Alvarez graduated Cum Laude from Baylor University in 2006 with her Bachelor's degree in Biology. She went on to receive her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2011 and did her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Texas Medical Branch where she received multiple resident teaching awards and served as Administrative Chief Resident her final year.

Dr. Alvarez is married and has one young daughter. She is currently practicing at the Clear Lake location and is taking new patients.

Elana Lloyd is a graduate of University of Cincinnati. Her clinical interests include Women's Health, Obstetrics, Gynecology .

She and her husband with their two children reside in Pearland. In her free time, she likes to cook, garden, and hang out with her husband, children, and two dogs.

Dawn Short, DNP, MBA, CNM is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, where she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing. She achieved her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Dawn's doctoral candidacy endeavored in improving patient contraceptive education, especially around Long Acting Reversible Contraception. Dawn practices as an experienced Certified Nurse Midwife. Her clinical interests include Obstetrics, Women’s Health, Family Planning, and Breast and Cervical Cancer prevention.

Dawn also serves as one of the Regional Directors of UTMB Regional Women's Services and Pediatrics program (formerly RMCHP). She is married with 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and relaxing with family and friends.