Department of Emergency Medicine

Emergency Medicine Class of 2028

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David Leavitt, M.D.

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Hometown: Chico, CA
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Favorite Houston Restaurant: Clark's Oyster House
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: Memorial Park
Favorite Part of EM Residency: The patients at Ben Taub
Interesting Previous Career: Oil & Gas Process Engineer

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Cesar Corona Gutierrez, M.D., M.S.

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Hometown: Fishersville, VA
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
Favorite Houston Restaurant: Cochi's Taqueria
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: The diversity and how each culture is celebrated 
Favorite Part of EM Residency: Trauma bonding with my co-residents
Interesting Previous Career: Worked for the USPS delivering packages all through grad school, got bitten by 2 dogs and chased by 6 others 

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Joey C.W. Jackson, M.D.

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Hometown: Houston, TX
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine 
Favorite Houston Restaurant: The Breakfast Klub
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: Houston is home, specifically, I was born and raised in Southwest Alief. What I love most is the rich culture, incredible food, and unmatched diversity. I've lived in several cities over the years, but nowhere else feels quite like Houston. The energy, the community, and the deep cultural roots make it a place I’m proud to be from.
Favorite Part of EM Residency: My co-residents felt like family from day one. That sense of community and support is something truly special. There’s honestly a long list of what makes this residency great—from the protection, guidance, and mentorship from upper-level residents, attendings, and leadership, to the incredible access to some of the best educators and physicians in the country. All of that is wrapped into an environment that’s both fun and relentlessly challenging, pushing you to your limits while never letting you feel alone.
Interesting Previous Career: Before medical school, I had a unique path that included renovating condos, everything from wood flooring and plumbing to electrical work and painting. I also worked as a lab coordinator for a trauma and emergency medicine simulation lab, and later in physician recruiting.

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Reynaldo Olivo, M.D., MSc

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Hometown: Del Rio, TX
Medical School: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Favorite Houston Restaurant: Loro and Aga's are favorites so far
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: The food scene—hands down. You can eat your way around the world without leaving the city. Plus, the diversity and sense of community here make it feel like home. 
Favorite Part of EM Residency: The fast pace, the unpredictability, and the team dynamic. There’s nothing like managing a critical patient with your crew and seeing things click in real time. Every shift is a new puzzle.
Interesting Previous Career: Before medical school, I worked as a traveling medical scribe, which gave me the opportunity to work in emergency departments across Texas and gain early exposure to diverse patient populations and clinical environments.

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Tamer Elashyi, D.O.

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Hometown: Richardson, TX
Medical School: Richardson, TX
Favorite Houston Restaurant: Levant BBQ or Killen's BBQ
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: The diversity and food scene
Favorite Part of EM Residency: Getting to meet new people/patients constantly and hearing their story while also being one of the first to provide essential care to their health.
Interesting Previous Career: I was a front line worker for a start up covid testing company, which was partnered with multiple state governments. Got to fly all over and provide testing to people in need

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Suha Godil, D.O.

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Hometown: San Diego, CA
Medical School: Western University of Health Sciences
Favorite Houston Restaurant: Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: The food!
Favorite Part of EM Residency: My co-residents
Interesting Previous Career: Self-proclaimed middle school YouTube star

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Yazmin Rodriguez, M.D.

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Hometown: Wellington, FL
Medical School: Florida Atlantic University
Favorite Houston Restaurant: Still exploring
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: The HEAT!
Favorite Part of EM Residency: Meeting and getting to help a variety of people. I also love interacting with my co-residents who are super cool, kind, and eager to learn with me. 
Interesting Previous Career: No previous career but I considered making art for a living. 

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Marianne Zoghbi, M.D.

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Hometown: Beirut, Lebanon
Medical School: Saint Joseph University of Beirut
Favorite Houston Restaurant: Mary'z
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: The people
Favorite Part of EM Residency: The diversity of the cases

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Divya Kurian, M.D.

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Hometown: Sugar Land, TX
Medical School: Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
Favorite Houston Restaurant: A few of my favorites are Aga's, Traveler's Table, and Rim Tanon.
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: I’m from Houston, so I might be a little biased but I swear we have it all- good people, great food, and Beyoncé!!!
Favorite Part of EM Residency: The people!! The faculty, residents, and literally everyone in the ED truly have your back and want to help you grow. My co-residents are so talented, goofy, and fun, which makes the experience that much better. No two shifts ever feel the same, and I feel so lucky to be training here!
Interesting Previous Career: ER scribe, Door Dasher (5-star rating, no big deal)

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Kevin Englar, M.D.

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Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine
Favorite Houston Restaurant: To be determined! Too many to choose from and have so many left to try!
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: A uniquely diverse city full of amazing food and friendly folks!
Favorite Part of EM Residency: The people! I'm surrounded by fantastic attendings who want to teach and a cohort of residents who look out for and support each other. 
Interesting Previous Career: Surgery resident

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Maya Jackson, M.D.

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Hometown: Chicago, IL
Medical School: The Illustrious Howard University College of Medicine
Favorite Houston Restaurant: I'm still making my way through Houston but so far ChopNBlok and The Breakfast Klub have my heart! 
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: Houston is a very diverse city and has so many things to immerse yourself in. Also, there is beautiful, rich culture here.
Favorite Part of EM Residency: The people are hands down my favorite part. I feel welcomed to ask questions and give it my best shot. People are willing to take time out of their days to be there for me and community is a huge priority here. 
Interesting Previous Career: I loved my time as a bartender! I also spent sometime in investment banking. 

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Zoe Macfoy, M.D.

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Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine
Favorite Houston Restaurant: It's a tie between the Breakfast Klub and Lost and Found. I'm still eating my way through Houston though!
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: There is always something to do! I haven't had a dull moment in this city yet. Very excited for my first Rodeo. 
Favorite Part of EM Residency: I love all the diversity we have in the program. I have really enjoyed getting to know everyone, especially my amazing co-interns.
Interesting Previous Career: During college, I got my CDL and worked as a bus driver! 

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Diana Marquez, M.D.

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Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina
Medical School: University of North Carolina School of Medicine 
Favorite Houston Restaurant: Tacos De Trompo Don Tin
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: Whatever food you are craving you will find it
Favorite Part of EM Residency: The patient population we care for and the people we work with. 
Interesting Previous Career: Cashier at a grocery store

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Mohamed Omar, M.D.

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Hometown: Born in Yemen but been living in Houston for about a decade. 
Medical School: UTHSCSA Long School of Medicine
Favorite Houston Restaurant: Hadramout Restaurant
Favorite Part of Living in Houston: Houston is a large city with many food options, diverse mix of people and plenty of fun activities. There's truly something for everyone. Most importantly, my family is here, and I'm excited to be living close to them again.
Favorite Part of EM Residency: The continued support from the program leadership, the faculty, the residents and the rest of the staff. The patient population that we serve. The varied pathologies that we encounter.