I am excited to be back in the Galveston County area! I am originally from Dickinson, Texas, and my family still resides there. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry with a minor in German Lingual Studies from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and my Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from The Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. I completed my rural family medicine training at Waco Family Medicine where I worked at a Federally Qualified Health Center for the medically underserved. I am currently board certified in Family Medicine.

My interests within medicine include taking care of infants through older adults. I also really enjoy preventative medicine and making sure that my patients have a well balanced life physically and spiritually. My interests outside of medicine include singing, cooking, and enjoying time with my family.

 Provider is LGBTQIA+ Responsive

Alma Chavez began her career as a licensed vocational nurse and worked with the indigent at Harris County Hospital District for 5 years. Striving to advance her skills, she received her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 1999. It was then that she continued to work with the indigent spending eleven years as a specialty trained RN, providing well child exams to children of all ages. Her passion for patient care then drove her to earn her Master's of Science in Nursing from UTMB, specializing in family practice.

Alma is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and joined the family of caregivers at UTMB Health Pediatrics, Texas City in 2012.

After being a Labor and Delivery / Nursery / Postpartum nurse for over 9 years, I decided to further my education and pursue a career in pediatrics. I have been practicing pediatrics in the Brazosport area for the last 3 years. I am passionate about providing quality, compassionate care to children as well as their families. I am married with two children and live in the Brazosport area, where I was born and raised. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, anything outdoors, and watching my son and daughter grow and excel in the extracurricular activities they are involved in.

Dr. Ogamdi believes that patient education through an open way of communication will lead to a vital, long-lasting relationship with her patients. Dr. Ogamdi promotes patient empowerment and security in the understanding of their health, health maintenance and disease prevention, and integrative approaches to patient care. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, learning new languages, traveling, and making bold new recipes.

Dr. Maria P. Nguyen joined the UTMB Pediatric Community Based Clinics in 2001. She completed her residency in pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston after earning her doctor of medicine from Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of California at Irvine, one in biology and one in psychology.

Dr. Nguyen is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Nguyen's passion is to provide high quality and compassionate medical care.

She has special interests in asthma management and adolescent medicine.

Her dedication to educating medical students earned her the following honors: UTMB Community Preceptor Award in 2012 and Teacher of Distinction (TOP DOC) Award in 2019 and 2012.

Dr. Nguyen is fluent in both English and Vietnamese.

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. Azhar joined UTMB's Department of Family Medicine in 1993. He attended medical school at Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, India. Dr. Azhar completed his residency training in Ophthalmology at the Royal College of Surgeons in England then completed a fellowship in Neuro-Ophthalmogy at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

Dr. Azhar advanced his career by receiving additional residency training at UTMB in the Department of Family Medicine.  In addition to his doctorate degree, he earned an MBA from the University of Houston, Clear Lake.

Dr. Azhar is board certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Azhar's interests are in family medicine, ophthalmology and residency training.

A decorated veteran that served in the Medical Corps in Iraq, Dr. Neely-Shelmire is a board-certified pediatrician with a passion for partnering with parents to raise healthy children through wellness goals, good nutrition, physical activity, healthy sleep habits, and an approach that balances the physical, emotional and developmental aspects of being a child. A parent herself with two adult sons and a host of nieces and nephews, she enjoys spending her free time running, kayaking and with family. She holds professional memberships with the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Pediatric Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Catholic Medical Association. Awards and honors she’s received during her career include:

• Combat Medic Badge
• National Defense Service Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal
• (2nd)Army Commendation Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Army Service Ribbon
• Pediatrics Resident/Intern Award
• Service Leadership Award
• Dean’s Honor Roll
• Honor Scholar

Dr. Ann Jimerson is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics. She received her BA from The University of Texas at Austin. She then completed MD at Texas Tech Health Science Center in Lubbock, TX and her Pediatric residency at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dr. Jimerson specializes in General Pediatrics, with a special interest in adolescent medicine and asthma.

Before joining UTMB in 2014, Dr. Jimerson was an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University Medical Group in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dr. Jimerson is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.

Barbara Herrington graduated from Texas Women's University in 2013 and is board certified by The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Barbara is originally from New York and moved to the area in 2004. She has been in the healthcare profession since 1998.

Barbara enjoys theatre, traveling, and spending time with her three children and husband. She is bilingual in English and Serbian.