Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dr. Rezk is fellowship-trained in minimally-invasive as well as complex gynecologic surgery and has done hundreds of robotic procedures. He graduated from Cairo University School of Medicine with distinction in 1995 and subsequently trained in Internal Medicine at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, before pursuing a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Rezk completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency training at the Albany Medical College in Albany, New York, followed by a Pelvic Reconstruction Research Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York. He obtained his Masters in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Services Research from the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences in New York, New York. Dr. Rezk’s scientific research is presented at regional and national meetings and published in reputable journals, including the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr Herrera is an accomplished Robotic and Laparoscopic surgeon. He performed Live telesurgery on hysteroscopic myomectomy with Dr. Rizk for the AAGL attended by hundreds of laparoscopic surgeons.
Dr. Danilo Herrera completed earned his medical degree from the University of Costa Rica School of Medicine. He then went on to complete his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. Dr. Herrera followed his father's footsteps as he became a seasoned gynecologist.
Charles J. Aramburo, MD, FACS, practices general surgery in the Houston and Sugar Land, Texas, offices of Southwest Surgical Associates. He is skilled in the surgical treatment of a wide range of conditions and specializes in advanced laparoscopic surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, and hernia surgery.
A native of Louisiana, Dr. Aramburo graduated medical school from Meharry Medical College in Tennessee. He completed a residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston along with an additional fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine, focusing on minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.
Dr. Aramburo prides himself on excellence in patient care. He enjoys the field of general surgery but has devoted much of his practice to mastering advanced laparoscopic surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, and hernia surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
and board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Aramburo also maintains membership with multiple professional organizations, including the Texas Medical Association and the Harris County Medical Society.
Specialty
Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
Gastrointestinal Surgery
Hernia Surgery
Degrees
Doctor of Medicine Degree
Bachelor of Science Degree, Biology Major/Chemistry Minor
John Abdelsayed, MD, is an experienced general and colorectal surgeon at Southwest Surgical Associates. Specializing in robotic surgery and the treatment of cancer and gallbladder disease, he is proud to care for patients in Sugar Land, Texas, and throughout the greater Houston area.
Dr. Abdelsayed is a true Texas native. He was born and raised in Houston and started his medical education at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He then went on and completed his General Surgery training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. During this time, he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical honor society and also selected to receive the Gold Humanism Award, which recognizes physicians who serve as role models, mentors, and leaders in medicine.
After his General Surgery training, Dr. Abdelsayed spent a year specializing in colon and rectal surgery at UT Southwestern & Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Here he learned the latest techniques in robotic surgery, trans-anal cancer resection, and minimally invasive surgery. He is an expert in treating colon and rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and anorectal disorders.
Dr. Abdelsayed is described by his colleagues as the doctor they would want to take care of their own family. He relocated to Houston to be closer to home. He enjoys spending time with his wife and puppy, watching Houston professional sporting events, and traveling the world when able.
Arlene Ricardo, MD, FACS, is a general surgeon specializing in breast disease and breast cancer at the Southwest Surgical Associates Herman Memorial Southwest Clinic location in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Ricardo was born and raised in New York. The second of four daughters, her parents instilled the values of hard work and family. In 1977, her mother died of breast cancer. This event inspired her to help women with breast cancer and their families. She has seen great advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer over the past several decades.
Dr. Ricardo is knowledgeable in the most modern diagnostic tests and is trained in the most up-to-date treatment and breast surgery procedures available for breast cancer patients.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Ricardo is highly involved in providing outstanding cancer services at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. She has been chairperson of the Cancer Committee since 2008. She also serves on the Medical Executive Committee representing cancer services. She is an advocate for all patients with a cancer diagnosis.
Dr. Ricardo currently makes her home with her husband in Missouri City, Texas. She enjoys traveling, reading, and cooking.
Anne Le, MD, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon practicing at Southwest Surgical Associates. She sees patients at the practice’s Memorial Hermann Southwest location in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Le specializes in treating conditions involving the colon, rectum, and anus. These include cancers of the colon, rectum, and anus, as well as benign colon diseases such as Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, and diverticulitis. She also provides specialized care for anorectal conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, anal fistulas, and pelvic floor disorders such as fecal incontinence and constipation. Dr. Le has a special interest in minimally invasive surgery for both colon (laparoscopy) and anorectal diseases. She strives to incorporate the latest techniques into her practice. In addition, her practice offers many office-based procedures for hemorrhoids and other anorectal conditions. Dr. Le characterizes her colon and rectal surgery practice as collaborative and prides herself in providing her patients with a thorough understanding of their conditions and the treatment options available so that they can make well-informed decisions.
Dr. Le is a native Houstonian. She graduated magna cum laude from Rice University, having double majored in biochemistry and psychology. Following this, she graduated from medical school with Honors from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. She then completed a general surgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine and fellowship training in colon and rectal surgery at The University of Texas Affiliated Hospitals Program.
Dr. Le speaks Vietnamese and treats patients 14 years and older. She and her husband have twin children to whom they are devoted. Besides spending time with family and friends, she enjoys traveling abroad and is an avid reader.
Specialty
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Degrees
Doctor of Medicine
Bachelor of Science Degree, Biochemistry and Psychology
Guillermo Ponce de Leon, MD, FACS, is a skilled general and bariatric surgeon at Southwest Surgical Associates. He is proud to serve patients in Sugar Land, Texas, and throughout the greater Houston area.
Dr. Ponce de Leon, a native of Cuba, earned his Bachelor of Biochemistry at Houston Baptist University in Texas. He then moved on to medical school at the University of Texas at Houston, completing a transitional internship and earning his doctorate in medicine. For his residency, Dr. Ponce de Leon moved to Dallas, Texas, where he completed his general surgery training at Baylor University Medical Center.
Dr. Ponce de Leon is a pioneer in advanced laparoscopic general surgery, recently performing the first, single-incision adrenalectomy in Texas. He specializes in bariatric surgery, including lap band. Recently certified to perform a new robotic surgery called the da Vinci® procedure, Dr. Ponce de Leon continues to stay on the cutting-edge of medical advancements. Being a constant learner helps Dr. Ponce de Leon achieve his goal of providing the best possible care to each of his patients.
Dr. Ponce de Leon is a fluent Spanish speaker and stays active in the Hispanic community. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.
Specialty
General Surgery
Bariatric Surgery
Degrees
Doctor of Medicine
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry
Areas of Expertise
Breast Disease/Cancer
Appendicitis
Weight Loss Surgery
Gallbladder Disease
Colon Disease/Cancer
Hemorrhoids
Hernia Repair
Reflux Surgery
Thyroid/Parathyroid Disease/Cancer
Pancreatic Disease/Cancer
Skin Lesions/Masses/Cysts
Laparoscopic Surgery
Robotic Surgery
Spinal exposure for anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)
“Dr. Ponce de Leon is the only surgeon my and my family trust. He's operated on my siblings, mother, father, grandparents and talking with friends and family we've learned he's operated on their family members. Very well known surgeon as his father as well. ER wanted to send me to a far away hospital like almost in another city and my mother requested they call Dr. Ponce and he said for to take me in to hospital near by the emergency we went to and I had my surgery same day. He's a very caring surgeon. ”
Dr. Tarrell Coley serves as the dedicated Chief Medical Officer for Reimagine Our Community, Inc. With a remarkable background and a deep commitment to healthcare, Dr. Coley brings a wealth of experience and compassion to his role. His journey is marked by a determination to uplift underserved communities, driven by his own life experiences and a profound dedication to making a difference.
Education and Early Life:
Dr. Coley's academic journey began at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree. Prior to this, he laid the foundation for his medical aspirations by completing his undergraduate studies in Biology at National University and Biochemistry at San Diego State University. With a strong educational background, he was well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
Diverse Background and Service:
A former US Navy corpsman, Dr. Coley's commitment to service started early. Hailing originally from Baltimore, Maryland, he developed a unique perspective through his experiences. Following his medical studies, he pursued his residency at Allegheny General Hospital, solidifying his clinical expertise.
Present Endeavors:
Currently based in Houston, Texas, Dr. Coley excels as an Emergency Room physician, where his skills and dedication come to the forefront. His professional journey is intertwined with his personal experiences, particularly as a proud member of the LGBTQ community. This affiliation has ignited within him a fervent passion for HIV care and a profound commitment to serving the underserved LGBTQ population.
Motivation and Inspiration:
Dr. Coley's motivation is deeply rooted in his upbringing. Growing up in an underserved environment within a family grappling with drug addiction, he intimately understands the challenges that marginalized communities face. His mother, a hospice nurse, became a beacon of inspiration for him, nurturing his desire to provide exceptional care to those in need.
With his diverse background, strong educational foundation, and personal experiences, Dr. Tarrell Coley, is not just a medical professional, but a compassionate advocate for the health and well-being of all. As the Chief Medical Officer of Reimagine Our Community, Inc., he continues to reshape the landscape of healthcare, providing unwavering support to underserved individuals and communities while championing the cause of HIV care and comprehensive medical assistance for the LGBTQ community.
Megan Bowen, DO, FACS is a new general surgeon to Southwest Surgical Associates who will be serving the communities of Memorial City, Cypress, and Katy, Texas, as well as the surrounding areas. She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and board-certified by the American Board of Surgery.
Dr. Bowen graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in Spanish. She followed that with a Masters of Biomedical Science from Barry University in Florida. She then was commissioned in the United States Army after being awarded the Health Professions Scholarship to complete medical school at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Bowen completed her surgery internship and residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. She excelled in her training there and was selected to stay on for an additional year as a staff general surgeon and resident educator.
In 2015, Dr. Bowen was stationed at Brooke Army Medical Center to serve as general surgeon and resident educator. She also became an assistant professor of surgery for the Uniformed Services School of Medicine. She was deployed three times to Kuwait and Syria where she provided emergent and urgent surgical care to wounded soldiers, coalition forces and local nationals. She continues her service to our country through the U.S Army reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Dr. Bowen has a passion for finding and applying cutting-edge medical procedures that allow her patients to heal and to thrive. She specializes in the treatment of breast cancer, placement of ports for chemotherapy, laparoscopic and advanced laparoscopic, robotic and acute care surgery. Her approach is both holistic and individualized, providing continuity of care with compassion and competence to ensure outstanding clinical outcomes.
She is married to Dr. Donnell Bowen, a cardiovascular surgeon at Houston Methodist, who also serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. They have two children, a boy and a girl, as well as two dogs that keep her busy when she is not caring for her patients.
General surgeon William Clay Albrecht, MD, FACS, provides top-quality surgical care to patients throughout Katy, Texas, and the greater Houston area. He specializes in laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
Dr. Albrecht is a native Houstonian and grew up in Sugar Land. He attended medical school at the University of Texas at Houston and completed his General Surgery training in Phoenix, Arizona, before returning to Texas to provide care to the community where he grew up.
At Southwest Surgical Associates, Dr. Albrecht places emphasis on the comfort of his patients, both emotionally and physically, throughout the course of their care. His interests include general, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery, with an emphasis on gallbladder surgery and complex hernia repairs. He also performs surgery for a variety of cancers, including colon, small bowel, all skin lesions, and also performs port placement for chemotherapy.
In his spare time, Dr. Albrecht enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his wife, two boys, and his dogs.
“Staff was great. I arrived early for my appointment and was seen immediately. Doctor patiently listened to my ailments. He gave me my options and his recommendation. Then, he addressed all my concerns and fears so I could confidently make my decision.”
Buckminster Farrow, MD, FACS, is a compassionate, experienced general surgeon at Southwest Surgical Associates. Dr. Farrow is happy to serve patients in Katy and Houston, Texas.
Dr. Farrow earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He later graduated magna cum laude from MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine – now Drexel University College of Medicine – in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and completed his residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He remained at UTMB to complete a postdoctoral research fellowship.
Early in his career, Dr. Farrow performed research as an assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, before joining Southwest Surgical Associates in 2009. He now enjoys focusing on providing the best care to his patients, specializing in hernia repair and gastrointestinal surgery, and performs laparoscopic procedures to reduce pain and recovery time.
He has also published numerous scientific articles and book chapters on various topics. Dr. Farrow is a fellow, diplomat, and member of multiple medical associations, including the American Board of Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, the Texas Medical Association, and the American Hernia Society.
In addition to his impressive training and research positions, Dr. Farrow serves as Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserves. Dr. Farrow provides expert, compassionate, and individually tailored care to all his patients. He believes that healing is both a physical and spiritual process.
When Dr. Farrow isn’t taking great care of his patients, he enjoys reading, smoking meat, hiking, and spending time with his family. He volunteers with Christ clinic, Open Door Mission, and Faith in Practice taking annual mission trips to Guatemala where he performs surgery on patients without other access to care.
Specialty
Gastrointestinal Surgery and Laparoscopic
Degrees
Doctor of Medicine
Bachelor of Science, Dual Degree- Biology and Philosophy, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Masters of Medical Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
“I was so pleased with Dr. Farrow. He listened to me, answered my questions and didn't appear to be in a hurry at all. He seemed to be a caring, compassionate person which is what I want in a surgeon. Luckily, I didn't need to have surgery for my problem after all, but I will not hesitate to go back to him if I need to.”
Dr. John D. Fisher, MD, FACS, practices general surgery in the Houston and Sugar Land, Texas, offices of Southwest Surgical Associates.
He is one of the founding partners of the practice. Dr. Fisher has been practicing in the region as a general surgeon for over 15 years.
He specializes in general surgery and performs advanced laparoscopic procedures to reduce pain and recovery time. He is highly skilled in the areas of breast disease and cancer, appendicitis, gallbladder disease, colon disease and cancer, hemorrhoids, hernia repair, thyroid and parathyroid disease and cancer, skin lesions, masses, and cysts.
A native of Houston, Dr. Fisher completed a residency at the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in Houston. He achieved a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston (UT Health) after completing his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and graduating Cum Laude from Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Dr. Fisher enjoys teaching and mentoring others in the field. He serves as a Clinical Instructor at the Department of Surgery.
He is a fellow at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and a member of the American Society of General Surgeons (ASGS), American Society of Abdominal Surgeons (ASAS), Texas Medical Association (TMA), Houston Surgical Society, and SAGES- Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.
When not fulfilling a lifelong goal of caring for patients, Dr. Fisher enjoys art and traveling.
Lucrecia Trabanino Sta.Ana, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is a board-certified Colon and Rectal Surgeon. Dr. Sta.Ana cares for patients throughout Cypress, Katy, and Houston, Texas, at Southwest Surgical Associates.
She began her medical training in Texas, where she was born and raised. She spent five years in Boston for General Surgery Residency and then completed her fellowship training at the Colon and Rectal Clinic in Orlando. Like most native Texans, it was just a matter of time before she came home.
Dr. Sta.Ana enjoys treating all aspects of colon and rectal disease. She believes in offering the most advanced minimally invasive procedures to treat patients suffering from diseases ranging from colorectal cancers to hemorrhoids to fecal incontinence. She strives to stay on top of cutting-edge technology such as robotic surgery for bowel resection and sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence.
Dr. Sta.Ana is of Salvadoran heritage and speaks Spanish fluently. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new restaurants and traveling with her husband and children, Rafael and Ariana.
“Dr Sta Ana is a wonderful doctor. She is patient and really listens to your concerns and fully explains everything. I have recommended her to many others ”
Thu Ha Liz Lee, MD, FACS, is a general surgeon specializing in treating conditions of the breast at Southwest Surgical Associates. She sees patients at the practice’s locations in Katy and Houston, Texas.
Dr. Lee graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. She completed her medical school and residency training at Baylor College of Medicine. After finishing her training, Dr. Lee was an assistant professor of surgery at both the Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Cincinnati.
Since joining Southwest Surgical Associates, Dr. Lee has specialized in general surgery and diseases of the breast. She continues to keep abreast of the changing practices in surgery to offer her patients the most advanced care. She believes in performing minimally invasive procedures to improve recovery time and also incorporates the latest techniques, including single incision laparoscopic surgery for select patients. Additionally, she provides a complete array of breast services which range from state-of-art ultrasound (US) office-based procedures consisting of US-guided biopsies, aspirations, minimally invasive office-based removal of benign breast lesions, and partial breast irradiation. She also provides high-risk genetic counseling/screening and incorporates oncoplastic techniques to allow for the best oncologic and cosmetic outcomes for breast cancer patients.
Dr. Lee believes that every patient is unique and individualizes each patient’s overall treatment plan based on their disease process, concurrent medical issues, lifestyle, and personal preference.
Dr. Lee speaks fluent Vietnamese and enjoys sharing her faith, meeting new people, golfing, and reading. In her spare time, she enjoys spending it with her husband and four children, including a set of twin boys.
Amanda Garza, MD, is a board-certified general and breast surgeon at Southwest Surgical Associates, serving the community in Sugar Land, Cypress, Pearland, and Katy, Texas, and throughout the greater Houston area.
A Texas native, Dr. Garza was born in the city of Mission in the Rio Grande Valley area. After her grandmother passed away from breast cancer, she dedicated herself to her studies to become a doctor to help families in similar circumstances.
Dr. Garza holds a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine. She specializes in general laparoscopic procedures and diseases of the breast.
Dr. Garza is an expert in treating gallbladder disease, appendicitis, hemorrhoids, skin lesions, masses, and cysts. She truly enjoys performing laparoscopic Nissen procedures for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and spleen and thyroid procedures.
When not working, Dr. Garza enjoys reading mystery and crime novels, playing with her dogs, and spending time with friends and family.
Specialty
General Laparoscopic Procedures and Diseases of the Breast