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.

Bolanle Toriola FNP-C, APRN is a graduate of University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston. She has advanced training and is a certified family nurse practitioner. Her clinical interests include Pediatrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Elisha J. Jackson is an Assistant Professor fellowship trained in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (also known as Urogynecology). Dr. Jackson completed residency at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center (El Paso) and then completed fellowship at University of South Florida (Tampa). She is skilled in both conservative and surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse, urinary/fecal incontinence, overactive bladder, and painful bladder syndrome. Her research work includes studies that investigate patient satisfaction, perioperative care, quality improvement, and telemedicine.

As a subspecialist, Dr. Jackson aims to educate and to provide individualized care for women with pelvic floor disorders. She has a special interest in building awareness of pelvic floor dysfunction amongst women and their medical providers.

Dr. Jackson is a proud wife and mother of three children. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, theater, and being a “basketball mom.”

Otto W. Pantoja, MD is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Division of Gynecology. He is the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology director for Quality Initiative. Dr. Pantoja received his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico. Upon graduation from medical school, he became an active duty officer in the US Army. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tripler Army Medical Center. Upon completion of residency, he spent two years as a staff Obstetrician and Gynecologist in Yongsan US Army Garrison in Seoul, Republic of South Korea at Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital/121st Combat Support Hospital. He was then sent to Fort Polk, LA to Bayne Jones Army Community Hospital, where he served as Department Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology until honorably separating from the US Army in July 2018.

Dr. Pantoja is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is currently a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. His clinical interest includes abnormal uterine bleeding, minimally invasive gynecologic procedures, hysteroscopy, basic infertility evaluation and treatment, and management and delivery of obstetric patients.

Dr. Karren Lewis is an academic faculty at the UTMB Galveston campus. She has a passion for providing full spectrum women’s healthcare for women of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. She has special interests in minimally invasive surgery, family planning, medical education, and international health.

Dr. Lewis grew up in Wyoming and first found a passion for OB care assisting on the family sheep ranch. She graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a degree in Health Science and International Studies. She then participated in Teach for America, teaching high school science in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas before returning to medical school at the University of Washington. While in medical school she co-founded several service-learning projects and was awarded the US Public Health Service, Excellence in Public Health Award. She expanded her studies to get a Master of Public Health in Global Health as well as Global Health and Hispanic Health certificates. She completed residency at Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. She served two years as the Education Chief and helped co-found the Advocacy Committee. She received the Outstanding Resident in Gynecology Oncology Award and the Society for Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons Outstanding Minimally Invasive Surgery Resident.

Dr. Lewis has a strong passion for equitable care for all women. She is active with local and national advocacy and strives to provide the best care for each patient, while also fighting to improve the system for all patients. She strives to provide compassionate, personalized, and up-to-date care.

Dr. Lewis and her husband, Jose, are new to the Galveston area and excited to become a part of the community. In her free time, she enjoys travel, outdoor activities, gardening, and taking care of their dog.

 Provider is LGBTQIA+ Responsive

Dr. Fulcher is Chief of the Section of General Obstetrics and Gynecology at UTMB Galveston Main Campus. He holds a bachelor's degree from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, and received his medical degree and residency training at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He is board certified in obstetrics & gynecology. As a result of his interest and experience in contraception management, he has served on the Family Planning Advisory Committee for the State of Texas Board of Health, and as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Health Family Planning Services. He has provided the latest in contraception options to his patients. He has provided expert care in general obstetrics and gynecologic surgery for over 35 years. His special interest is in minimally invasive gynecologic surgical procedures.

Dr. Fulcher is married with three children and two grandchildren, and lives in Dickinson.

 Provider is LGBTQIA+ Responsive

Lucy Villarreal, M.D. is a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Division of Gynecology. Dr. Villarreal completed her medical degree and 3 years of residency training at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She completed her last year of residency training at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center where she then became an Instructor for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Villarreal returned to Texas to teach as Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty for the McLennan County Medical Education and Research Foundation Family Practice Residency Program. She subsequently founded Central Texas Women’s Care, PA, where she entered private practice for many years. Dr. Villarreal has participated as Department Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology for Providence Hospital and was on the Ethics and Infection Control committees.

Dr. Villarreal is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is currently a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Her clinical interests include uterine bleeding, gynecologic surgery and minimally invasive procedures, menopause, contraception, abnormal Pap tests, and care of the obstetric patient.

Dr. Villarreal is married with two children. She enjoys philanthropy and places community needs at the core of her personal mission. Dr. Villarreal has worked as chairman or president for major fundraisers and efforts with organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Education Foundations, and Junior League. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas, and as a Gynecologic Faculty for St. Vincent’s Student Run Free Clinic in Galveston.

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.

Russell R. Snyder, M.D., is the Vice Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Director of the Division of Gynecology at UTMB and is the holder of the endowed Faculty Distinguished Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology Honoring Drs. Al Leblanc, Harry Little, and Charlie Powell. Dr. Snyder received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in 1982. He subsequently completed a fellowship in Gynecologic and Breast Pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C., in 1984. He retired from the USAF in 1997 as the Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wilford Hall and Consultant to the Surgeon General for Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Snyder has made UTMB his home since then.

Dr. Snyder is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been an oral board examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 1996. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Exxcellence Foundation for Women's Health and is a past member of the Board of Directors for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Board of Family Medicine. He is currently on the Editorial Board for Clinical Updates in Women's Health Care and is one of the editors of the text book Step Up to Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is a reviewer and past member of the editorial board for the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is also a past member of the executive board of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and has been very active in other College activities and committees to include the Committee for Obstetric Practice. He is also a member of the FDA Medical Devices Advisory Panel for Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Snyder's clinical interests include gynecologic surgery, evaluation of abnormal pap-smears, vulvar disorders, abnormal bleeding, PMS, contraception, absence of periods, and the management of menopausal symptoms.

Dr. Tonya R. Callender is a nurse practitioner in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UTMB. She is also the Director of the Women‘s Comprehensive Care clinic. Dr. Callender, who grew up in northwest Oklahoma, received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, a master's degree and a doctorate of nursing practice from UTMB's School of Nursing. She has 24 years of service with the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Dr. Callender is a runner and enjoys biking and snowboarding. Her greatest joy is being a grandmother. As a UTMB alumna, Dr. Callender is a strong supporter of the institution's mission to improve health for the people of Texas and around the world. She has a passion for working on behalf of her patients and is strongly committed to their needs and well-being.