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Tsegaw Egziti, MD, is a Consultant Nephrologist at Houston Kidney Specialists Center, which has four locations throughout Houston and Cypress, Texas. Dr. Egziti, was born in Ethiopia and graduated from Medical School at Gondar University, Ethiopia in 2005. He then moved to the United States and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Austin Regional Program. 

Once he achieved his Diplomate in Internal Medicine, Dr. Egziti knew nephrology deeply interested him and he has remained passionate about it throughout his career. Dr. Egziti subsequently sought and was selected for a nephrology fellowship position at the highly reputed University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas. After completing his fellowship, he practiced Nephrology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before relocating to the warm weather of Houston, Texas. He chose to join Houston Kidney Specialists Center (HKSC) in 2019 as he was looking for a group of hardworking, young, dynamic physicians, all of whom had trained in well-acclaimed universities. In addition, the group strongly shared his vision and belief of just not having the knowledge, but applying it, every day in their practice with tremendous care and compassion.

He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in both internal medicine and nephrology. He has been part of various committees, including the Critical Care Committee and Pharmacy and Therapeutics committees. Dr. Egziti’s patients have often expressed that they regard him as a very compassionate and caring physician who lays a strong emphasis on medical care to improve quality of life. He has established himself in the community as an endearing physician with his pleasant nature. Dr. Egziti’s expertise in nephrology is consistently sought after by physicians, nurse practitioners, patients, and their families alike, for his immense knowledge, communication skills, and the empathetic care that he renders. 

Outside of work, he enjoys reading, sports, playing guitar and piano, as well as spending time with his beautiful family.

Jonathan Pankow, MD, is one of the skilled nephrologists practicing at Houston Kidney Specialists Center (HKSC), which has four locations – two in Cypress and two in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Pankow was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, by two parent-physicians. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry with Summa Cum Laude honors at Baylor University in 2010. He then returned to Kansas, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine at Kansas University School of Medicine in 2014 and was elected into the AΩA honor society. He then completed a subsequent residency in internal medicine at KU Medicine-Wichita from 2014-2017, during which he earned outstanding PGY-1 and PGY-2 awards and served as PGY-3 Chief Resident. 

After working with sound hospitalists in his hometown, Dr. Pankow returned south to Houston, Texas, where he completed his nephrology fellowship at UT Houston from 2018-2020. In recognition of his leadership qualities, excellent communication skills among his colleagues, and compassionate care to his patients, Dr. Pankow was made the Chief Fellow. He strongly believes that having the most current knowledge and diligently coordinating with medical team members are paramount in providing the best possible care for his patients just as he would his own family and friends. He joined HKSC in July 2020, seeking a team of doctors with a similar philosophy of patient care.

Dr. Pankow enjoys spending time with his wife – an infectious disease specialist – and his daughter and son. He is an avid runner and enjoys fitness with a focus on calisthenics in his spare time. He qualified for the Boston Marathon and remains competitive in running and fitness.

Lakshmi Reddy, MD, is a board-certified internist at Houston Internal Medicine Associates PA in Katy, Houston, and Cypress, Texas. Dr. Reddy provides primary care services to adults, specializing in treating diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic fatigue.

Dr. Reddy earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Hyderabad, India, before going on to Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where she did her residency.

Dr. Reddy is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is licensed in California and Texas and holds professional memberships from the American College of Physicians, Texas Medical Association, and the American Society of Internal Medicine. In 2011, Dr. Reddy was listed in America’s Top Physicians, and in 2013, she received an award in CMS Stage 1, EHR (electronic health record).

Dr. Reddy places great emphasis on preventive medicine and takes a personal interest in each patient, listening to them carefully in order to provide them with the best possible care. Dr. Reddy holds an affiliation with several hospitals in the Houston area, including Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, North Cypress Medical Center, Methodist West Houston Hospital, and St. Luke's Hospital at The Vintage. 

About Unifying Health Center

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Unifying Health Center is a premier wellness and Internal Medicine center led by Yashash Pathak, MD, and his highly trained team serving Sugar Land, Texas, and the surrounding Houston area. At Unifying Health Center, we specialize in Internal Medicine, Primary Care, Wellness and Direct Access Care, LIPOcel treatment, and Membership Medicine.

The compassionate and experienced team cares for patients ages 14 and older and takes a holistic approach to medicine. They specialize in LIPOcel treatment to destroy fat cells and MLS infrared laser therapy to treat chronic pain and inflammation, as well as arthritis pain and sports injuries.

Dr. Pathak is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and a leader in his field. He and his staff have many years of experience taking a hybrid-direct, primary-care model approach, combining Western medicine with Eastern philosophies and treatments.

In addition to LIPOcel treatment and MLS laser therapy, some of the many services available at Unifying Health Center include electromagnetic rejuvenation, onsite yoga and meditation, and nutrition therapy. The team also offers COVID-19 antibody testing, electrocardiograms (EKGs), pre-surgical evaluations, STD testing.

Unifying Health Center offers cash-based memberships with Internal Medicine/primary care and wellness platforms. They see patients without insurance and accept Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, United Healthcare, CIGNA, HUMANA, and AETNA.

Unifying Health Center also offers telemedicine visits, so you can receive medical evaluations and treatment from the comfort of your home. The medical staff provides Ayurveda consultations at a discounted price. Health insurance covers some wellness treatments, while others are cash-based.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Yashash Pathak, MD, and the Unifying Health Center team, call the office or book an appointment online today.

Dr. Shebey Thomas, MD, is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician with over a decade of experience across diverse healthcare settings. He earned his MD from the University of Debrecen Medical School in Hungary and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Robert Packer Hospital/Guthrie Clinic, Pennsylvania, where he received multiple awards, including Resident of the Year. Dr. Thomas is the owner and Medical Director of Riverstone Medical Associates in Missouri City, Texas, where he specializes in providing primary and ambulatory care. With expertise in internal medicine, he is also actively involved in clinical research, teaching, and quality improvement projects. His contributions to medicine are complemented by published abstracts and recognition for professionalism and excellence.

Specializing in gastrointestinal (digestive) disorders at Katy Digestive Center in Katy, Texas, board-certified gastroenterologist Murtaza Arif, MD, offers a variety of solutions to treat acute and chronic digestive health conditions. Dr. Arif is an active member of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). Dr. Arif is a staff member of Katy-area hospitals, including Memorial Hermann Katy and Houston Methodist West.

Graduating with his residency training in Internal Medicine from the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Arif completed his fellowship training in Gastroenterology at the University of Missouri. He then pursued advanced training in therapeutic endoscopy at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania.

In addition to his extensive clinical experience, Dr. Arif is the author and coauthor of several peer-reviewed journal articles, case studies, and book chapters that address gastroenterology conditions and treatments. He is especially passionate about his work in colon cancer screening and prevention.

At Katy Digestive Center, Dr. Arif provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services to address digestive disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, and peptic ulcer disease, using the latest medical technologies. He offers a complete range of endoscopic procedures including upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and ERCP to ensure patients have answers quickly.

Dr. Arif is dedicated to providing the highest quality care and is known for his compassionate, comprehensive approach and his empathy for patient health care struggles. At Katy Digestive Center, Dr. Arif and his staff provide an opportunity for patients to ask questions, address their queries, and help them develop a better understanding of their symptoms.

Mohamed Sheta, MD, FASN, FASDIN, is an award-winning nephrologist at Houston Kidney Specialists Center (HKSC), which has multiple locations in Houston and Cypress, Texas.He strives to reach more of the community as one of the few nephrologists nationwide specializing in minimally invasive surgical procedures. Dr. Sheta can perform percutaneous peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion, percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation, and many other minimally invasive dialysis access surgeries.

Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, Dr. Sheta received his medical degree from the University of Cairo, Egypt, and moved to the United States in 2009 for his nephrology fellowship at the University of Minnesota. He eventually became a research fellow with Houston Methodist at Texas Medical Center. He has also trained with the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology (ASDIN) Training Program at the Dialysis Access Institute in Orangeburg, South Carolina, which is touted as one of the most prestigious dialysis access training programs worldwide. He eventually became the director of their interventional training program and has taught many interventional nephrologists from around the world special techniques.

Multi-faceted and passionate, Dr. Sheta has earned several awards, including the Ellen Cosgrove, MD, Award for Excellence in Internal Medicine. He has publications in several medical journals, including the Journal of Vascular Access, the New England Journal of Medicine, and the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology. He is board-certified by the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology, the American Board of Nephrology, the American Society of Hypertension, and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He serves on the board of ASDIN and is a regular speaker for other national and international leading organizations that care for dialysis patients.

Kiran Farheen, MD, is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, rheumatology, and obesity medicine, proudly serving the Katy, Texas community. With over a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Farheen is dedicated to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care.

Dr. Farheen earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She completed her residency in internal medicine and fellowship in rheumatology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, where she trained under leading experts and conducted advanced research in ankylosing spondylitis. Before establishing her own practice, Dr. Farheen served as an Assistant Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunogenetics for five years.

Committed to lifelong learning, Dr. Farheen views each patient encounter as an opportunity to grow and refine her approach. She believes in guiding and empowering patients to achieve their best possible health outcomes. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, wife, and sister, Dr. Farheen strives to connect with each patient on a personal level, treating them as individuals rather than just their diagnoses.

Recognizing the profound impact that chronic diseases can have on every aspect of life, Dr. Farheen is dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. 

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Ali El-Halwagi, MD, MPH, is double board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. He is dedicated to delivering compassionate, personalized care to every patient he serves. Dr. El-Halwagi graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He then relocated to Houston to attend Baylor College of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree with honors. In addition, he holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Texas, reflecting his commitment to understanding and addressing the diverse needs of the community.

Dr. El-Halwagi completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, where he also served as chief resident. During this time, he gained valuable experience as a hospitalist at Ben Taub General Hospital and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. He went on to complete his fellowship in Rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine.

Throughout his training, Dr. El-Halwagi has been recognized with multiple honors for his humanistic approach to medicine, dedication to teaching, and excellence in patient care. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He remains actively engaged with the American College of Rheumatology, participating in networking, conference planning, and ongoing professional development.

Dr. El-Halwagi is passionate about improving patient outcomes and building lasting relationships with his patients. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.

Meet Abida Hasan, DO
Board-Certified Rheumatologist

We are honored to have Dr. Abida Hasan, DO as a valued member of our rheumatology team. Dr. Hasan is a board-certified rheumatologist known for her clinical excellence, leadership in academic medicine, and unwavering commitment to patient-centered care.

Dr. Hasan completed both her Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the prestigious State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. During her fellowship, she was selected to serve as Chief Rheumatology Fellow in her final year—an acknowledgment of her leadership, clinical acumen, and dedication to the field. Notably, she made history at SUNY Downstate as the first woman to be awarded the distinguished Dr. Douglas Mund Award, an honor given to a fellow demonstrating outstanding aptitude, professionalism, and excellence in rheumatologic care.

Following her fellowship, Dr. Hasan joined the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) – Fresno as a Clinical Instructor of Medicine in the Department of Rheumatology. There, she played an active role in both patient care and the academic development of medical residents and fellows, while continuing her commitment to advancing the field through research. Her scholarly work has been featured in multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals, reflecting her passion for evidence-based practice and clinical innovation.

Dr. Hasan specializes in the diagnosis and management of a broad spectrum of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, scleroderma, vasculitis, and other connective tissue diseases. She combines the most current clinical guidelines with a deeply compassionate approach to care—ensuring her patients feel heard, understood, and empowered in their treatment journey.

Known for her exceptional bedside manner, clinical precision, and integrity, Dr. Hasan is widely respected by colleagues and deeply trusted by patients. She takes pride in forming long-term therapeutic relationships and delivering personalized treatment plans that enhance quality of life.

When she’s not in the clinic, Dr. Hasan enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Dr. Syed Farhat A. Zaidi, MD, is a board-certified internist at Integrative Primary Care who specializes in diabetes, hypertension, emphysema, asthma, heart disease, and geriatric care. With a special emphasis on preventive medicine, Dr. Zaidi helps his patients in the Houston and Katy, Texas, area stay one step ahead of their health.

Dr. Zaidi completed his residency at the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1999. Before coming to Texas, he was on the faculty at the University of Connecticut, Hartford, for three years. Dr. Zaidi is affiliated with many local Katy/West Houston area hospitals, as well as nursing homes in the region.

To stay abreast of the latest medical advances, Dr. Zaidi is a member of the New Mexico Medical Society.

Currently, Dr. Zaidi resides in Katy with his wife and two girls. His hobbies include photography, hunting, fishing, flying, and biking.

Preeti Singh Desai, MD, is a board-certified cardiologist at Healing Hearts Clinic in The Woodlands and Conroe, TX. With a special interest in preventive cardiology and women’s health, Dr. Desai has performed extensive research in the field of cardiology and continues to stay on top of the latest developments in the field. Dr. Desai is one of the few physicians in the area performing 3D/4D echocardiography and guiding left atrial closure device placements.

Dr. Desai earned her medical degree from Rajiv Gandhi University in Bangalore, India, and completed her residency training in Internal Medicine at the North Shore University-LIJ Hospital in New York. She completed fellowship training in cardiovascular medicine from Texas Tech University. Dr. Desai has also done additional training to specialize in all aspects of Cardiac Imaging at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She currently serves as a medical adviser for Lone Star College in Houston, in addition to practicing cardiology.  Dr. Desai is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in the areas of internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. She is extensively published in peer-reviewed journals and earned various awards and accolades for her work in cardiology.

Dr. Desai’s clinical interests focus on coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, A fib, valvular and structural heart disease, vein disease, with a particular emphasis on women’s health, and preventive cardiology. She performs procedures such as nuclear stress testing, 3D/4D echocardiograms, vascular ultrasounds, cardiac CT & MRI, vein ablations, and transesophageal echocardiograms and cardioversions. Dr. Desai believes in preventing heart attacks by diagnosing early plaque build up, using state of the art technology. She strives to provide her patients with education and understanding of their heart conditions to help them achieve their goals; thus, empowering them to take control of their health.

In her free time, Dr. Desai enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and volunteering in the community.

Adnan Afzal, MD, FACC, is a board-certified interventional cardiologist practicing at Healing Hearts Clinic in Conroe and The Woodlands, Texas. Dr. Afzal studied for his medical degree at Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. After moving to the United States, he completed his internal medicine and cardiology training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Having discovered a passion for cardiology, Dr. Afzal completed a fellowship in interventional cardiology at St. John Hospital in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, after which he worked as an assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston for two years. Dr. Afzal started in private practice in Conroe, Texas, in 2006, and has considerable experience in the field of cardiology. He specializes in treating coronary artery disease and is an advocate of comprehensive and compassionate cardiac care that treats patients as individuals and involves them in their treatment program.

Dr. Afzal is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in the subspecialty of cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, and he is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology.