WELLSPIRE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Amber Bermudez is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner providing Primary Care at Wellspire's Cypress location. She sees patients of all ages, from babies to seniors. Her nursing career has encompassed a wide array of experiences, including work in rural healthcare, women's health, nursing homes, orthopedic trauma, intensive care, emergency medicine, and post-anesthesia care. As a Nurse Practitioner, Mrs. Bermudez provides routine checkups, preventive care, health education, and disease management. She is qualified to treat minor injuries, manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and prescribe medications when appropriate.
Mrs. Bermudez believes in providing holistic care to each patient. She knows taking a personable and attentive approach to working with patients and their families produces better health outcomes. That's why she strives to build open and trusting relationships that offer a safe space for discussing medical issues. Mrs. Bermudez prioritizes preventive healthcare and enjoys educating patients about their conditions so they can play an active role in their own wellbeing. For example, she feels tremendous satisfaction in helping patients make lifestyle changes that have considerable positive impacts for conditions like Type 2 diabetes or hypertension. Her professional expertise and kind demeanor have been valuable assets to her wide range of patients.
Originally from Louisiana, Mrs. Bermudez spent over a decade in executive management roles outside of healthcare, even as she was completing the undergraduate requirements for medical school. Upon realizing where her true calling lay, she returned to school for an accelerated degree in Nursing at Louisiana College, followed by a Master of Science degree in Family Nurse Practitioner from Herzing University. Mrs. Bermudez and her family recently relocated to Texas. She lives in Katy and spends her free time enjoying travel, soccer, football, and cooking.
Job Titles:
- Certified Nurse Practitioner
Ashley Davis is a Certified Nurse Practitioner who specializes in Family Medicine and Endocrinology at Wellspire's Atascocita location. Mrs. Davis sees patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. She enjoys caring for others and strives to provide wellness, comfort, and guidance to her patients. Patients appreciate Mrs. Davis's keen ability to pay close attention, listen to their concerns, spend time with them without rushing, and address their medical needs.
As a Nurse Practitioner, Mrs. Davis provides routine checkups, preventative health services, health education, and disease management. She is qualified to perform a variety of medical tasks, such as treating minor acute injuries, providing health and wellness care to children and babies, managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, and prescribing medicine to patients. Mrs. Davis treats patients age 18 and older.
Mrs. Davis grew up in Kingwood. After moving to Kansas City, Missouri to obtain her nursing degree, she began her career in the Neonatal ICU at Children's Mercy Hospital. She returned home after a few years and served as a Legal Nurse Consultant while pursuing a master's degree in Family Nurse Practitioner at Texas Woman's University. Mrs. Davis resides in Huffman, Texas with her husband and children. In her free time, she enjoys photography and spending quality time with family and friends.
Board certified in internal medicine, Dr. Chou specializes in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at Wellspire's Atascocita location. Dr. Chou believes in listening to his patients and building trusting and open communication with them. He prioritizes educating his patients so they can play a more active role in their own health and wellbeing. Patients appreciate Dr. Chou's informed, honest, and concise advice. His approach to treatment includes recommendations for diet and exercise, as well as appropriate medication. Most of his patients are 18 years or older, and he sees younger patients on a case-by case-basis.
Dr. Chou graduated with highest honors from medical school and completed his residency training at Seton Hall, where he served as associate chief resident. Dr. Chou resides in Houston with his wife and two children. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- Family Practice Physician
Dr. Ismael Diaz is a Family Practice physician in Wellspire's Atascocita office. He enjoys working with patients of all ages, from infants to those in their elder years. Dr. Diaz is highly regarded as a compassionate and informative physician who is willing to spend as much time as necessary to help his patients. They appreciate that he follows up after office visits, going the extra mile to look out for their well-being. Patients also compliment his thoroughness, professionalism, and keen sense of humor.
Dr. Diaz graduated with honors from The University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine in Houston. He has over 24 years of clinical experience, first as owner of the Diaz Family Medicine Clinic in Atascocita and subsequently as part of Wellspire since 2013. Dr. Diaz is a well-known and respected member of the Northeast Houston community. In his free time, he enjoys exercising and spending time with his wife and three children.
Job Titles:
- Certified Internal Medicine Physician
Dr. Jeff C. Wang is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician in Wellspire's Humble location. He believes that providing quality healthcare requires getting to know each patient on a personal level. That's why he prioritizes spending time with patients to understand their needs and wishes, as well as working cooperatively with them to create individualized treatment plans that respond to their diverse health care needs. Because Dr. Wang understands that serious health issues are stressful, he strives to create a relaxed environment in which honest communication can flourish.
Dr. Wang's patients describe him as personable, approachable, and compassionate. They appreciate his willingness to take the time to answer all their questions, as well as his sense of humor. After more than 25 years in practice, he considers his longstanding relationships with many patients, including multi-generational families, to be the greatest achievement of his career.
Dr. Wang was born in Taiwan and moved to Houston when he was 12. An avid runner, he has completed over 44 marathons, including 22 consecutive marathons in Houston and 14 in San Francisco. Dr. Wang lives in Porter with his wife and son. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, wine events, and involvement in various charity organizations in the Houston area.
Board-certified foot and ankle specialist Lauren Reed, DPM, brings her expertise to Wellspire's Humble and Tomball locations. To Dr. Reed, healthy feet are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. She seeks to provide the best possible care so that each patient's feet feel, function, and look their best. Because Dr. Reed knows how painful and frustrating foot problems can be, her goal is to make every patient's recovery and treatment as pleasant as possible. Knowledgeable, professional, caring, easy to talk to-these are the qualities patients commend when they describe Dr. Reed as both an excellent physician and a wonderful person.
Dr. Reed stays up to date on the latest developments in podiatric medicine and is experienced in advanced techniques for diabetic wound care, limb salvage, foot and ankle trauma and reconstruction, and podiatric surgery. She was trained in a multidisciplinary approach to foot care at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Reed went on to complete her surgical training at Main Line Health in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, where she served as Chief Resident. With a certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot / Ankle Surgery, she can treat the most complex of foot problems.
Dr. Reed lives in Tomball with her husband and two daughters. She is a self-described "foodie" who enjoys cooking and sharing a great meal. She spends her free time fishing, golfing, and hanging out with her children.
Dr. Nilay N. Mehta is a board-certified cardiologist in Wellspire's Humble location. Dr. Mehta is known for showing genuine compassion for his patients and demonstrating passion for his area of expertise. Patients value his ability to explain medical conditions and treatment options thoroughly and to provide them his full attention and care. Dr. Mehta's exemplary qualifications include a Cardiology fellowship at UT Medical Branch in Galveston and residency in Internal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, where he was named Internal Medicine Ambulatory Resident of the Year. Dr. Mehta has conducted and published research on myocardial infarction and nuclear cardiology. He was recognized as a top cardiologist by Houstonia magazine in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Having grown up in the Lake Houston area, Dr. Mehta always wanted to return to his hometown to practice medicine. He is proud to be the third generation in his family to work for Wellspire, where he opened the practice's top-notch Heart Group.
Dr. Mehta resides in Houston with his wife, son, and two daughters. In his free time, he is an avid sports fan and car enthusiast.
Job Titles:
- Internal Medicine Physician
Dr. Praful Kaushik is an Internal Medicine physician in Wellspire's Humble office. He grew up in New Delhi, India and immigrated to the United States in 2004, settling in Atlanta. After completing his undergraduate at the University of Georgia and medical degree at Medical College of Georgia, Dr. Kraushik moved to Chicago for his residency in Internal Medicine. He relocated to Houston in 2016 to continue his career with the Wellspire team.
Dr. Kaushik's approach to practicing medicine has always been patient centric. He wants his patients to be actively involved in the decision-making process regarding their healthcare. He prioritizes educating them about their often-complex health conditions to empower them to make well-informed decisions towards a healthier lifestyle and better healthcare outcomes overall. Patients describe Dr. Kaushik as a wonderful physician with excellent bedside manner. He is highly recommended for being easy to talk to, not rushing clinic visits, and being patient with the people in his care. Patients also praise his staff for being friendly, capable, and attentive.
Dr. Kaushik resides in Houston with his wife and two children. In his free time, he enjoys rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs football team and traveling.
Board-certified in Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Dr. Ruchir Patel sees patients in Wellspire's Atascocita and Humble locations. Dr. Patel treats every patient like a member of his own family. He provides the highest quality care with a caring approach. It is important to him that patients leave his office understanding their diagnosis and their treatment plan and options. With extensive training through fellowships in Cardiovascular Medicine, Structural and Congenital Heart, and Interventional Cardiology, Dr. Patel's areas of specialization include cardiovascular disease, structural interventional cardiology, and echocardiography. Dr. Patel trained in Interventional Cardiology at Mount Sinai Hospital, one of the busiest catheterization labs in the country. He also did an additional fellowship in Structural Heart at Hackensack University under the direction of world-renowned cardiologist Dr. Carlos Ruiz. Dr. Patel's expertise in Structural Interventional Cardiology further strengthens Wellspire's experienced Heart Group.
Dr. Patel was born in India and lived in Zambia. He spent many years in Sugar Land before moving to Canada. Dr. Patel is happy to be back in Houston, where he lives with his wife and two children. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with his family.
Dr. Sanjay Lulla is a board-certified cardiologist in Wellspire's Atascocita location. Whether a patient is seeking diagnostic testing, management of cholesterol or blood pressure levels, or treatment for congestive heart failure, Dr. Lulla is committed to providing expert cardiovascular care to every patient. He approaches each relationship as a partnership, individualizing patient care and encouraging patients to take an active role in their health care. He emphasizes risk factor modification to prevent or reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Patients value Dr. Lulla's professionalism, kindness, and ability to address problems quickly. His office staff also earns high praise from patients for being caring and helpful.
Dr. Lulla grew up in Rochester, New York, moving to Texas when he was in high school. His interest in becoming a doctor began because of personal injuries as an active child and family members who worked in health care. He realized at a young age that good health and quality of life are intertwined, and he wanted to help others live long and healthy lives. In his free time, Dr. Lulla enjoys spending time with his wife and family, traveling, working out, trying new restaurants and cuisines, cooking, and photography.
Dr. Shawn Mathur is a board-certified urologist who practices in Wellspire's Humble office. He treats patients with all urologic conditions. He has extensive training and experience using minimally invasive treatment techniques including laparoscopy and the da Vinci robotic system. Dr. Mathur strives to provide compassionate care to all his patients, educating them about their treatment options and working collaboratively with them to identify the best course of treatment for each individual. He places special emphasis on disease prevention to help keep his patients healthy. Dr. Mathur enjoys staying up to date with the newest scientific research and cutting-edge treatments for urologic conditions.
Patients describe Dr. Mathur as professional, knowledgeable, and informative, with an excellent bedside manner. They appreciate his human side, the time he takes to listen, and his sincere care for their overall health. People remarked on how Dr. Mathur and his staff calmed them during stressful situations; another called Dr. Mathur his hero.
Dr. Mathur graduated with highest honors from The University of Texas at Austin and earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine, where he was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Dr. Mathur served as the Chief Resident in Urology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. In his free time, he enjoys playing electric guitar, tennis, golf, and traveling the world with his wife.
Internal medicine specialist Dr. Tejas N. Mehta has a passion for delivering exceptional care to his patients. Dr. Mehta enjoys using his knowledge and experience to treat complex chronic conditions and to encourage patients to be active participants in their healthcare decisions and care. He says he truly earned his medical degree not by graduating from medical school, but by garnering the trust of his patients over the years. Dr. Mehta approaches each person with compassion and empathy, taking the time to ask questions, listen attentively, and explain diagnoses and treatments thoroughly. He favors conservative treatment options such as the judicious prescribing of medication. Patients often express appreciation for Dr. Mehta's accessibility and responsiveness. They also value the friendliness and efficiency of his office staff, who are integral to positive patient experiences.
Dr. Mehta is proud of his local roots. Having grown up in Humble, he returned home to practice medicine after attending college and medical school out of state. Dr. Mehta now manages the Wellspire Medical Group, which was started by his father in 1985. He uses his keen interest in medical informatics-the synthesis of health care, information science, and computer science-to continuously improve both his clinical practice and Wellspire's operations.
Outside of work, Dr. Mehta's interests range from economics to sailing. He resides near the Houston Medical Center with his wife and two children.
Dr. Tyler Ferguson is an ophthalmologist practicing in Wellspire's Humble location. Because diminished vision hinders people's ability to work, drive, and enjoy leisure activities, Dr. Ferguson focuses on enhancing each patient's quality of life by improving their vision and increasing their functionality. Getting to know every patient on a personal level allows Dr. Ferguson to customize a treatment plan that best suits each patient's visual needs. Patients appreciate Dr. Ferguson's informal, relatable style. He engages in friendly conversation and uses plain language and simple analogies rather than technical medical jargon. He is particularly understanding and empathic when patients need eye surgery, taking the time to guide them with care and compassion both before and after surgery. Dr. Ferguson says, "Restoring people's ability to continue their life pursuits is what motivates me every single day."
Dr. Ferguson obtained his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, followed by an internship and residency at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. In the final year of his residency, Dr. Ferguson was chosen to serve as Chief Resident by his fellow residents and faculty. He was the first resident in the United States to be certified to implant stents for the surgical treatment of glaucoma.
Dr. Ferguson is a native of Spring, Texas and graduated from Klein High School. He was eager to return to his roots to serve the community in which he was raised. Dr. Ferguson lives in Houston with his wife, who is finishing her medical fellowship, and his two daughters. Away from work, he is an avid Astros fan and enjoys spending time with his children.
Job Titles:
- Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Elizabeth Wright is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner who specializes in Family Medicine at Wellspire's Atascocita location. Mrs. Wright sees patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. With a background in hospital and acute care settings, she is experienced at facilitating complex patient care, demonstrating outstanding clinical judgment skills, and maintaining strong relationships with patients.
As a Nurse Practitioner, Mrs. Wright provides routine checkups, preventative health services, health education, and disease management. She is qualified to perform a variety of medical tasks, such as treating minor injuries, providing health and wellness care to children and adults, managing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, and prescribing medicine to patients. She takes the time to listen to her patients' medical goals and needs and to treat them holistically as people, rather than simply managing their diagnosis. Patients value Mrs. Wright for being accessible, straightforward, and real.
Mrs. Wright was born in New York and raised in Savannah, Georgia. After graduating from nursing school in Las Vegas, Nevada, she practiced as a nurse in Las Vegas, Baltimore, and Savannah, with an emphasis on cardiology as well as primary care. Her professional experience includes serving as a hospice nurse practitioner and a school nurse. Mrs. Wright moved to Texas in 2021 and joined Wellspire in September 2022. She lives in Humble with her husband and two children.
Job Titles:
- Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Laura Overton is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner providing Primary Care at the Atascocita location. Her healthcare career has included experience in emergency medicine, intensive care units, post-anesthesia care, medical-surgical nursing including cardiac telemetry, hospitalist work, and home health care. Mrs. Overton's dedication to her profession led her back to school for further training and certification in Nursing Education and as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Prior to joining Wellspire, she worked at both Memorial Hermann and Houston Methodist.
At Wellspire, Mrs. Overton provides routine checkups, preventive care, health education, and disease management. She is qualified to treat minor injuries, manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and prescribe medications when appropriate. She sees patients of all ages. Treating the whole person is Mrs. Overton's top priority. She knows even seemingly small details can be relevant to someone's health, so she makes an extra effort to build trusting relationships and foster open communication with her patients. Using her background in nursing education, she takes pride in teaching her patients and their families about their medical conditions and treatment options.
Mrs. Overton is a Louisiana native from the small town of Moss Bluff. Inspired by her grandmother, her journey to become a nurse began in fifth grade. Today, she lives in Humble with her husband and daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Meghan Breaux is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner who specializes in Family Medicine at Wellspire's Humble location. Mrs. Breaux sees patients ages 14 and up. As a Nurse Practitioner, she provides routine checkups, preventative health services, health education, and disease management. Mrs. Breaux is qualified to perform a variety of medical tasks, such as treating minor injuries, providing health and wellness care to children and adults, managing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, and prescribing medicine to patients. She takes the time to listen to her patients' concerns and to address their medical needs with compassion, thoroughness, and attention to detail.
After graduating from high school in Kingwood, Mrs. Breaux attended nursing school in Lafayette, Louisiana. Afterwards, she returned to Houston to work as an ER nurse at Methodist Hospital's Medical Center campus. After six years of fast-paced, adrenaline-filled work, Mrs. Breaux decided to expand her clinical knowledge. She returned to school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, earning a master's degree in nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2012.
Mrs. Breaux resides in Eagle Springs with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys fishing, attending her boys' baseball games, traveling, cooking, and entertaining family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Certified Physician Assistant
Patrick Evans is a Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) specializing in Dermatology in Wellspire's Atascocita location. His medical philosophy is to provide empathetic, high quality, evidence-based care, treating patients like he would one of his family members or close friends. Patients describe Mr. Evans as knowledgeable and attentive, and they appreciate his friendly office staff. Physician Assistants (PAs) are generalists who treat the entire patient. They have extensive training in general medicine and are licensed to provide primary medical care under the supervision of a physician. PAs undertake a broad range of duties including conducting physical exams and procedures, administering and interpreting diagnostic tests, diagnosing illnesses and injuries, determining treatment plans, prescribing medications, and counseling patients on preventive care.
While conducting neuroscience research at the University of Texas at Dallas, Mr. Evans decided to pursue the practice of medicine by becoming a PA. He received a master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies and practiced internal medicine in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before transitioning to the field of dermatology. Mr. Evans is a member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. He is licensed by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners and is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Mr. Evans grew up in Houston. He studied religion at Baylor University, from which he also received a master's degree in divinity. After graduation, he pursued his love of music in Nashville, where he worked in artist management. In his free time, he enjoys reading, karaoke, live music, Baylor sports, exercise, and spending time with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Paula LaHaye rejoins Wellspire as a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner providing Primary Care at the Humble location. She is excited to return to Wellspire's family environment, where professionals across many disciplines come together to provide the best in patient care. With over 21 years as a nurse practitioner including women's healthcare, primary care, and urgent and emergency medicine, she sees patients of all ages. As a Nurse Practitioner, Paula provides routine checkups, preventive care, health education, and disease management. She is qualified to treat minor injuries, manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and prescribe medications when appropriate.
Ms. LaHaye prioritizes establishing open and collaborative relationships with her patients. They say her calm bedside manner, attentive listening skills, and straightforward guidance create a relaxing environment in which they feel heard, understood, and included in their health care decisions. Working cooperatively with each patient allows her to provide an optimum treatment plan. She says one of the most satisfying aspects of her practice is when patients bring family members-children, siblings, and aging parents-to see her for medical care.
Paula is originally from central Louisiana and now resides in Kingwood with her family. She enjoys spending her free time cooking and all things Disney.
Job Titles:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Sybil Byrd is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner providing Primary Care to patients at Wellspire's Kingwood location. With varied experience including pediatrics and hospice care, she sees patients of all ages and life stages. As a Nurse Practitioner, Sybil provides routine checkups, preventive care, health education, and disease management. She is qualified to treat minor injuries, manage chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, and prescribe medications when necessary.
Ms. Byrd takes a holistic approach to her clinical practice, treating each patient as a whole person rather than just a medical concern. She looks for the root cause of each patient's issues and stresses preventive care through education. Patients describe her as a good listener who is thorough, attentive, and down-to-earth. Sybil understands that a proactive approach to patient care produces the most positive outcomes. She recalls, for example, the Covid patient who avoided hospitalization thanks to frequent pulmonary treatments, the patient with prediabetes who controlled her blood sugar through diet and weight loss rather than insulin, and the person whose hoarse voice was diagnosed as early-stage cancer that could be cured before it had spread. In recognition of her professional expertise, Ms. Byrd has received both state and national nursing awards.
Sybil lives with her daughter in Kingwood, where she is a member of St. Martha's Catholic Church and enjoys working out, traveling, gardening, and being active in her child's club volleyball team.