We Know Kids
For more than 50 years, the Children’s Clinic has had a rich tradition of being one of the premiere providers of healthcare for the children of South Texas. In 1952, Joseph Oshman, M.D. recognized the need for affordable and accessible pediatric healthcare in the Coastal Bend. Dr. Oshman decided to relocate his family to Corpus Christi from Galveston and began building his practice.
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Joseph Oshman, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. Joseph Oshman founded The Children's Clinic in 1952 and presided until his passing away in August 2009. He had a medical degree from UTMB-Galveston and finished his pediatric training at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He will always be remembered as a great pediatrician, friend and a leader. Click here to read an article about Dr. Joe by Edgar L. Cortes, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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Ali F Candas, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Dr. Candas joined the Children's Clinic in 1994 after completing his Pediatric residency training at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. He is a graduate of the University of Ankara Medical School and is Board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He has served as Chairman of Department of Pediatrics and Chief of Staff at Driscoll Children's Hospital. Dr. Candas continues serving in numerous quality improvement and assesment committees. He is also board member of Coastal Blood Center since 2004. He has been elected to be the President of the Clinic in August 2009. Dr. Candas is married to Sevil and father of two children. Dr. Candas is accepting new patients at the Alameda and Saratoga locations. Location: Alameda and Saratoga |
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Steve Oshman M.D.Dr. Steve Oshman has practiced at The Children's Clinic since 1983. Dr. Oshman received his bachelor's degree from Southwest Texas State University and his medical degree from Texas Tech University Medical School. He completed his residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He is married to Dixie Lee. Dr. Oshman is currently accepting new patients at the Alameda and 5 points locations. Locations: Calallen and Alameda |
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Edgar L. Cortes, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. Edgar Cortes has practiced with The Children's Clinic for 33 years. Dr. Cortes received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and his medical degree from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He completed his residency at the United States Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. Dr. Cortes is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and Sub-Board for Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Currently, Dr. Cortes is the Medical Director for Coastal Bend Emergency Services. He is married to Imelda Delgado and is the father of two children E. Richard Cortes and Lisa Cortes. Dr. Cortes is accepting new patients at the Alameda location. Location: Alameda |
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William Dirksen, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. William Dirksen has practiced with The Children's Clinic since 1980. Dr. Dirksen received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota and his medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Wilford Hall United States Air Force Medical Center at the Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Dr. Dirksen is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Currently, Dr. Dirksen is the Chairman of the Residency Advisory Committee, Vice President of Medical Education and Pediatric Residency Program Director at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. He is married to Carol and is the father of 4 children and the grandfather of 7. Dr. Dirksen is accepting new patients at the Alameda location. Location: Alameda |
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Tom McNeil, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. Tom McNeil has practiced with The Children's Clinic since 1985. Dr. McNeil received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas in Lawrence and his medical degree from the University of Kansas in Kansas City. He completed his residency at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center. Dr. McNeil is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He is married to Marie and the father of 3 children. Dr. McNeil is accepting new patients at the Alameda and Saratoga locations. Locations: Alameda and Saratoga |
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Teofilo Espiritu, M.D.Dr. Espiritu received his medical degree from Far Eastern University in Manilla, Phillippines. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dr. Espiritu is currently accepting new patients at the Children’s Clinic Alameda and Portland locations. Location: Alameda and Portland |
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Bruna Callegari-Puente, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. Callegari-Puente joined the Children's Clinic after completing her pediatric residency training at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. She is Board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She is accepting new patients at our Alameda and Bay Area Medical Center offices. Location: Alameda and Bay Area |
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Debra Purcell, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. Debra Purcell has practiced with The Children's Clinic since 1994. Dr. Purcell received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Irvine and her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She completed her residency at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Dr. Purcell is currently accepting new patients at the Alameda and 5 Points locations. Locations: Alameda and 5 Points |
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Walter J. Santiago, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. Walter Santiago was born and raised in New York City, graduated from high school from Fort Allen Naval Base, Puerto Rico, graduated from college in PR as an ASCP Board Certified Medical Technologist, then graduated form medical school in Ponce, PR ( a US accredited medical school). He did his pediatric residency with the Air Force at Keesler Medical Center, Biloxi, MS and served 12 years active duty as an Air Force pediatrician in the US and Europe. Upon separating from the Air Force, he served 2 years as Chief of Pediatrics for the Kings Daughters Clinic in Temple, Texas before coming to Corpus Christi to join our group. He has been with us over 12 years. He has one son. He is fluent in Spanish and is accepting new patients at our Alameda and Bay Area Medical Center offices. Locations: Alameda and Bay Area Medical Center |
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Alejandro Berenguer, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. Berenguer has practiced withThe Children's Clinic since 2000. Dr. Berenguer received his medical degree from the University de Monterrey in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. He completed his residency at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi. He is fluent in English and Spanish. Dr. Berenguer is currently accepting new patients at Alameda and Five Points. Location: Alameda and Five Points |
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E. Richard Cortes, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. E. Richard Cortes has practiced with The Children's Clinic since 2001. Dr. Cortes received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville and his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He also completed his residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Dr. Cortes is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He is married to Suzanne and is the father of 3 children. Dr. Cortes is accepting new patients at the Alameda, Saratoga, and Portland locations. Locations: Alameda, Saratoga and Portland |
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Jennifer Davis, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. Jennifer Davis has practiced with The Children's Clinic since 2005. Dr. Davis received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center both in San Antonio. She also completed her residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Davis is currently accepting new patients at the Alameda locations. Locations: Alameda |
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David F. Dohi, D.O., F.A.A.P.Dr. David Dohi has practiced with The Children's Clinic since 2007. Dr. Dohi received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University in New Haven and his medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Forth Worth. He completed his residency at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dr. Dohi is currently accepting new patients at the Alameda and Portland locations. Locations: Alameda and Portland |
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Elena Baber, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. Baber comes to The Children’s Clinic with several years of experience in pediatrics medicine through Driscoll Children’s Hospital’s satellite clinic in Robstown as well as supervised pediatric residents as an emergency room physician at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. Dr. Baber received her medical degree from the University of Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico and completed her General Pediatrics Residency at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dr. Baber is Board Certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics.She is fluent in English and Spanish. Dr. Baber is currently accepting new patients at the Alameda and 5 Points locations. |
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Uduak Etuknwa, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. Etuknwa comes to The Children’s Clinic with 13 years of experience in pediatrics medicine. Dr. Etuknwa received her medical degree from the University of lle-Ife, Oyo State Nigeria and completed her General Pediatrics Residency at Howard University Teaching Hospital in Washington, DC and Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dr. Etuknwa is Board Certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Etuknwa is currently accepting new patients at the Alameda and Bay Area locations. |
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Triveni Kallur, M.D.Dr. Kallur received her medical degree from Sri Siddhartha Medical College, India. She worked in various clinical and academic settings for 6 years before moving to the United States. She completed her pediatric residency from Richmond University Medical Center, New York in 2009. Her philosophy of care emphasizes on preventive pediatrics and patient education. She is fluent in English, Hindi, Kannada and Telugu. Dr. Kallur is currently accepting new patients at the Alameda and Saratoga locations. |
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Katherine H. Hensley, M.D., F.A.A.P.Dr. Hensley received her bachelor's degree from Centre College in Danville, KY and her medical degree from East Tennessee State University. She completed her residency at East Carolina University in North Carolina and stayed an additional year to serve as Chief Resident. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Hensley is married to her medical school sweetheart, Justin. They have one son and two dogs. Dr. Hensley is accepting new patients at the Alameda location. |
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Jose Acebo, M.S.N., R.N., C.F.N.P.Jose Acebo has practiced with The Children's Clinic since 2000. Joe received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his master’s degree from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi. He is a certified family nurse practitioner. Joe is married to Eva and is the father of 3 children. Location: 5 Points |
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Laura Gonzales, M.S.N., R.N., C.F.N.P.Laura Gonzales has practiced with The Children's Clinic since 2002. Laura received her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas. She is a certified family nurse practitioner. Laura has 2 children. Location: Bay Area |
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Cecil Rousseau, Jr. M.S.N., R.N., C.F.N.P.Cecil Rousseau has practiced with The Children's Clinic since 2003. Cecil received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is a certified family nurse practitioner. Cecil is married to Pat. Location: Portland |
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Kimberley French, M.S.N., R.N., C.P.N.P.Kimberley French has practiced with The Children's Clinic since 2004. Kimberley received her bachelor’s degree from Lamar University and her master’s degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She is certified as a pediatric nurse practitioner by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). Kimberley is married to Darren and has 3 children. Location: 5 Points |
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Evelyn Okunoghae, M.S.N., R.N., C.F.N.P.Evelyn Okunoghae is board certified family nurse practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (RN, MSN, FNP-BC). She graduated from the University of Benin, Nigeria with a BSc in Health education in 1996. She attended Delmar college in 2001 where she received her LVN and continued until she became an RN in 2003. Evelyn received her bachelor's degree while attending Texas A & M University Corpus Christi's Nursing Program where she continued to earn her Master's degree in Nursing in 2008. She is a current member of Texas Nurse Practitioners and The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. In addition, she is also a member of the Golden Key Honour Society and the Honor Society and the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Evelyn is married and has three children. Locations: Saratoga |
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Leilany Ramos, M.A.N., C.P.N.P.Leilany Ramos is a Nurse Practitioner certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. She received her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Post – Master’s Certificate from Kent State University in Ohio. She has her Master of Arts in Nursing from Concordia College, Manila and earned credit hours in Master in Management from the University of the Philippines. In the Philippines she was a military nurse with specialty in pediatric nursing, then worked in Ohio as a Registered Nurse before moving to Texas.Prior to joining The Children’s Clinic, she was with Driscoll Children’s Hospital as a Professional Practice Specialist. Locations: Alameda |
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Katie Zander, MSN, RN, PNP-BCKatie is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner. She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She recieved her bachelors degree from Clarkson College, and her master's degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. She is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). She moved to Portland, Texas in October from Kansas City where she practiced as an inpatient PNP at a children's hospital. She is married to T.J. and has 2 daughters. Locations: Portland |
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Ophelia A. Abbey, M.S.N., BSN, C.P.N.P- P.C.Ophelia Abbey is a board certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner- Primary Care. She received her bachelors of science in nursing from University of Central Arkansas, UCA, and her master’s of science in child health from Stony Brook University, New York. She worked nine years in Neonatology as a Clinical RN/BSN in one of the leading health care systems in Dallas/Fort Worth, prior to joining The Children's Clinic. She promotes and advocates for holistic approach to total patient care. She values in teaching parents and caregivers, and foremost being a patient advocate for the pediatric client. She is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and Nursing and Midwife Council (NMC) – United Kingdom, England. Locations: Alameda |
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Micah A. Smith, M.S.N., R.N., C.P.N.P- P.C.Micah Smith is certified as a pediatric nurse practitioner through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). She received her bachelor's degree from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. She earned her master’s degree in nursing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee where she was nominated as best patient advocate in her class. She is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society of Nursing. Micah values both care and cure of her patients, focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and counseling. She is dedicated to her patients, passionate about helping others, and always wearing a smile. Locations: Portland |
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Connie Trice, R.N., M.S.N., C.P.N.P.Connie Trice brings over 20 years of experience in the pediatric health care profession to The Children’s Clinic. She has taught at the University of Arizona, School of Nursing. She is certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). She received her Bachelor’s, Master’s and PNP Certification from the University of California San Francisco, California. She is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioner (NAPNAP). Connie treasures invaluable experiences from volunteering for humanitarian purposes and has had the opportunity to travel to foreign countries such as Mexico, Vietnam and Africa to provide healthcare to the under-privileged as well as study their culture and health care systems. Her years of experience as a pediatric health care provider has deepened her appreciation of children’s developmental milestones regardless of their different ethnic backgrounds. Locations: Alameda |