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.

Dr. Yvette Gordon is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Gynecology. Dr. Gordon completed her residency at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Dr. Gordon has a passion for women’s health and caring for the underserved. Her clinical interests include abnormal pap smears, abnormal menstrual bleeding, contraception counseling and management, teen health, prevention of teen pregnancy and low and high-risk pregnancy.

In her spare time, Dr. Gordon participates in various volunteer activities.

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.”

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

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.

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.

Dr. Jerome L Yaklic is Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UTMB. Dr. Yaklic is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. He received his medical degree from the Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and remained in Detroit completing his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency in the Wayne State/Detroit Medical Center/Hutzel Hospital program.

Since completing his residency, Dr. Yaklic has practiced in a variety of environments. He has practiced in small rural hospitals, large urban, academic medical centers, and military facilities. Before coming to UTMB he served as Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine and as its Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs.

Dr. Yaklic has been active in medical education for the majority of his career and is published on a variety of Ob/Gyn subjects. He has served as principal site investigator on several FDA drug and device trials. He has broad clinical interests with an emphasis on urinary urge and stress incontinence, fecal incontinence, vulvar and bladder pain, pelvic organ prolapse, endometriosis, minimally invasive and vaginal surgery.

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.

Edith Cervantes graduated from The University of Texas Medical Branch with both her Bachelors and Masters of Science in Nursing. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner in the Department of Pediatric and is bilingual in English and Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with family.