I enjoy practicing all aspects of Family Medicine. I am board certified in Family Medicine, and have been in practice for over 40 years. I recently joined the primary care clinic in Angleton and enjoy it very much. It reminds of the small town I grew up in, in Oklahoma. I especially enjoy the drive over along the Bluewater highway.

My wife and I moved to Galveston in 2003. We love living on the beach and visiting our grandchildren.

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.

Roxanna Sanchez began her nursing career with her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) graduating in 2008. Upon graduation, Roxanna went to work at the Texas Medical Center as an operating room and perioperative nurse working with children and adults. Roxanna's dedication towards her patients and passion for aiding in the healthcare of others lead her to pursue her Master's degree of Nursing. She wanted to be more closely involved in her patients' care and began her degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and graduated from UTMB in 2012. She currently helps prepare future nurse practitioner students by being their mentor during clinical rotations.

Roxanna is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, is bilingual and also a member of the International Nursing Honors Society, Sigma Theta Tau. She is a member of the Galveston Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses.

Dr. Mohammad Fouad Azim is a Board-Certified Pediatrician (2010). He completed his Pediatrics Residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston where he was also a student during his 4th year of Medical School.

He adores children and considers himself both fortunate and blessed to take care of the youngest Texans. A parent himself, he understands the importance of addressing parental concerns about all aspects of their child's health.

Dr. Azim comes from a family of over thirty physicians and in his free time he enjoys photography and writing. He is a published author of a well-received coming of age novel for teens and young adults.

I grew up in Clear Lake myself, so I was very excited to become a part of this UTMB Clear Lake family. I attended the University of Houston – Main Campus for my bachelor’s degree, and I completed my medical training (medical school and my pediatric residency) in the large Texas Medical Center in Houston. In 2023, I moved back to Clear Lake so that I could give back to this wonderful community.

I have a wonderful husband, and we are lucky to have both our families and fur-siblings in the area. My hobbies include playing tennis (when it’s not too hot outside), playing the piano, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Pediatrics has been my calling since high school. I am blessed to have the opportunity to be able to educate and comfort patients and their family members in some of their most stressful times. I love that I get to watch these children grow from newborns into wonderful young adults and help them along the way.

Being a growing child (or even raising one) isn’t easy! Every patient brings their own story, challenges, and personality, and each of them has something to teach me. I just strive to be a positive light during their journeys and work to keep my patients safe, healthy, and happy.

Beverly Pennington completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. A few years later, she came back to UTMB to join the Geriatric Division as the Geriatric Nurse Practitioner serving the Galveston community. Beverly is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau which recognize superior achievements and developing leadership qualities. She is also an active member of organizations such as American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Hospice and Palliative Care Association, Texas Nurse Practitioners, and Texas Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Amy Laird- Payne was born and raised in the Brazosport Area. She is a 1996 graduate of Brazoswood High school. She received her Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies with an emphasis in Medical Education from The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth in 2003.

Amy joined the UTMB Lake Jackson Pediatric Clinic in March 2018. She has worked in Pediatric Medicine as a Certified Physician Assistant in the Brazosport Area for the past 15 years and has been certified by the NCCPA since 2003.

Amy is passionate about empowering people to pursue their dreams and obtain great health. She enjoys spending time with her family and performing volunteer work in the community. She lives in the Brazosport Area with her husband and 3 children.

Dr. Crystal Sierra joined UTMB Health in November 2010.  After completing her undergraduate studies at The University of Texas - Pan American in Edinburg, Texas, Dr. Sierra earned her medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 2006. In 2009, she completed her Residency in Pediatrics at UTMB. Prior to working for UTMB, Dr. Sierra worked as a pediatrician in Clear Lake.

Dr. Sierra is board certified by The American Board of Pediatrics. She is also certified in Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. She has her Texas medical license, and is a member of The American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Sierra is married to Dr. James T. Sierra, a dentist in Friendswood, and they have two beautiful daughters, Gabriella and Francesca.  Dr. Sierra is fluent in Spanish and also enjoys reading and traveling with her family in her spare time.  She has enjoyed living in the area, and is excited to be giving back to the community!

Amber Khan grew up and lived in three different countries and moved a lot in pursuit of improving quality of life and chasing her aspirations. From getting her bachelor's in North Carolina, going to PA school in Virginia, she fell in love with Texas and moved here.

She continuously enjoys family practice and has been practicing since 2012. She likes getting to know her patients and their loved ones, and building long lasting relationships. She has a lot of exposure to preventative care and emphasizes that to her patients the most.

Dr. Jackson has been with UTMB since 2011 when he started his medical education. After graduating from Medical School at UTMB, he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine with UTMB in Galveston. Dr. Jackson first joined the UTMB Community Based Clinics in 2018. In 2020, he transferred to UTMB/TDCJ in Galveston as the Associate Medical director and Transitional Care Unit director. Dr. Jackson is committed to taking care of the people in his community in Galveston and we are excited to have him rejoin the Community Based Clinic’s Family in 2023 as a Galveston Provider.

He is married to Maira Jackson, BSN, RN, BC, who also works for UTMB at the Galveston campus, they have 4 adorable children. Dr. Jackson enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering with the Luke Society, mentoring, traveling, cooking and gardening. He is a Veteran of the US Air Force.