Geetinder Goyal, MD

Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine

Dr. Geetinder Goyal is the Founder and CEO of First Primary Care.  He studied medicine for over a decade, and then realized—our healthcare system really only takes care of the sick and no one is looking out for a patient’s overall health and well being. And that was kind of a bummer. So, he started First Primary Care to turn the system upside down and provide patients with genuine healthcare and not just “sick care”.

Dr. Goyal attended medical school at the Government Medical College in Chandigarh, India. Following that, he completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston. Dr. Goyal then went on to Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT where his fellowship was in Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine.

In addition to his work at First Primary Care, Dr. Goyal serves as the President of the Houston Chapter of the Free Market Medical Association.

When he is not caring for his patients, Dr. Goyal is an avid runner, loves watching sports, and spending time with his wife, Dr. Le Vo, and their two young daughters.

Meet Your Provider

Peter Del Buono, FNP-C

Family Nurse Practioner

Peter Del Buono has been a part of the First Primary Care team since day one.  His path into medicine began with a passion for physical activity and an interest in human physiology. He began with an undergraduate degree in exercise physiology and worked as a Division I collegiate strength and conditioning coach while pursuing a masters degree in sports psychology. After seeing friends and loved ones struggle with maintaining their health, his interest shifted from elite athletes to helping everyday people live their healthiest lives.

Peter then began a fifteen-year transition from a peak performance specialist to a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). He obtained his BSC in Fitness and Human Performance from the University of Houston Clear Lake. He then went to the University of Texas Medical Branch for his Bachelor of Science, Nursing as well as his Masters of Science, Nursing.

As Peter puts it, becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner was the best choice that he’s ever made; it’s rewarding and enjoyable to be a key part of people’s efforts to achieve and maintain better health.

In his free time, Peter enjoys trying new restaurants around the Houston area and traveling.

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Thi Vo, DO, MBA

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

– Family Medicine

Dr. Thi Vo believes in caring for her patients and families as if they were her own. She strives to provide value through easier access and providing comprehensive care at each and every encounter.

Her training began at the University of Houston where she got her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Chemistry minor.  For medical school, she went to the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and obtained her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine.  She completed her residency in family medicine at Texas A&M College of Medicine. While in medical school, Dr. Vo also obtained an MBA in Healthcare Leadership from Rockhurst University in Kansas City.

When Dr. Thi Vo isn’t practicing medicine, she is enjoying unique cuisines, playing billiards, participating in outdoor activities such as fishing and camping, and spending time with her close-knit family and her two small dogs, Sasha (Pek-a-Poo mix) and Rex (Maltese mix).

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Tehemeena Dhukka, FNP-C

Tehemeena is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) who is passionate about high quality, holistic care. She is keen on building strong patient-provider relationships that allow her to understand the backgrounds, needs, interests and healthcare goals of her patients, which help her in customizing the care. As a provider she also aims to empower people with the knowledge and resources to proactively make better decisions regarding their health so they can have happy and healthy lives.

In addition to her work as a FNP, she serves as a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Whenever she’s not busy providing care (and loving it), she enjoys traveling, skiing, exercising, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering with various local organizations.

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Rachel Cano, DNP

Rachel is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) who is keen on making a positive impact on her patient’s health and helping them lead healthier lives. She is a native of Houston, TX, a mother of 2, and speaks fluent Spanish. 

Before entering the medical field, she worked in finance with US Space and Naval Warfare while living in Yokosuka, Japan during her husband’s military duty station. But she knew from an early age that her passion was healthcare. After returning home, she completed her undergraduate studies at Houston Baptist University, graduate studies from Chamberlain University, and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Baylor University. Rachel is certified by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics in TMJ/Headache & Orofacial Pain Therapy as well as by the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners to perform DOT Examinations.

Rachel finds all aspects of medicine fascinating and loves the variety that family medicine provides. She currently serves as a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. And when she is not providing care, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and photography.

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Cassandra Wertz, MD

Dr. Wertz’s patients know her to be empathetic, happy, and dependable. While she enjoys the variation that primary care allows, she is passionate about treating anxiety, depression, weight management, and preventative care.

Since her earliest memories in kindergarten, Dr. Wertz has always known her calling to be a physician. She went on to become a graduate of UT Austin, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Medicine and trained at Baylor College of Medicine.

Outside the clinic, you can find her alongside her high school sweetheart husband and spunky daughter, Sophia, probably walking their two dogs. They keep busy riding bikes, playing games, attending plays, musicals, and Astros games. After all that, Dr. Wertz makes time for watercolor painting (although allegedly not very good at it), cheering on the San Antonio Spurs, and preparing her favorite snack—a bagel loaded with lots (and lots!) of cream cheese.

Now accepting new patients, Dr. Wertz loves the process of getting to know people on a deeper level and helping them navigate the problems that arise through life.

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Chi Stasio, DO

Dr. Stasio is a board-certified family medicine physician who graduated from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. She loves taking the time to connect and care for her patients and enjoys the freedom of providing quality care on her own terms.

On her time off, she’ll be hard to find, but you can look somewhere between airports where she’s bound to be photographing the world. But being family-oriented, she always finds her way back home to Houston to snuggle up with her husband and beloved corgi, Ollie, in their home theater. Ask her what’s next on the to-do list, she’s always got one, and coffee with oat milk is definitely at the top of it. 

Meet Your Provider

Esther Ngare, MD, MBA

Esther Ngare is a Board-Certified Family Medicine physician who completed her residency at the University of Pittsburgh McKeesport Family Medicine Program. During that time, she was recognized for her outstanding teamwork and patient advocacy and served as Chief Resident in her final year. Post-residency, she worked at federally qualified healthcare facilities in Pittsburgh, providing care to underserved communities, as well as in Urgent Care and Occupational Health facilities in both Pittsburgh and Houston. Before joining First Primary Care, Esther worked at Brazos Springs DPC.

Her passion lies in developing close partnerships with her patients to create individualized plans that address their unique health challenges. “When I was a child, I experienced a major illness that required a prolonged stay in the hospital,” said Esther. “Watching the doctors do their work made me want to be like them.”

Esther is committed to advocating for healthy lifestyles and empowering her patients to actively participate in their healthcare. She encourages her patients to cultivate an interest in the science of the human body, which she developed by observing her parents and grandparents use what is now known as homeopathic methods to heal.

In her spare time, Esther enjoys gardening and growing vegetables for her family, traveling with her husband and kids, and dancing as a way to unwind and find joy.

Zhaleh Amini Vaughan, MD

As a Family Medicine Physician with a family of her own, Zhaleh believes in the power of preventive and personalized care. With patient relationships at the core of her practice, she listens, counsels, and gives her undivided attention to each person she treats. Before joining First Primary Care, Zhaleh held the position of Physician with Memorial Hermann Medical Group, where she gained extensive experience treating adults and children with acute and chronic illnesses. Her areas of special interest included Women’s Health, Preventative Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. Before that, she was Resident Physician with Lone Star Family Health Center where she treated patients through pregnancy, chronic and acute illnesses, and the entire lifespan.

Zhaleh enjoys both teaching and learning from her patients, helping them to take interest and ownership of their own health. “While I have a background in scientific research, my interests switched to preventative care which caused me to pursue a specialty in Family Medicine. I am passionate about working with each of my patients to identify their main health concerns and helping them prevent others.”

Dr. Zhaleh received her MS/MD from Texas A&M and has certifications in COM, ABFM, and ABOM for residency clinic caring, including both traditional hospital-based systems and communities with limited resources.

When she’s not busy taking care of her patients, Dr. Zhaleh enjoys spending time with her three kids, traveling, baking at home, and enjoying Houston’s theatre and music scene.

Derek He, DO

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

– Family Medicine

As a Doctor of Osteopathy at First Primary Care, Derek offers patients the best of both worlds: innovative treatments and old-fashioned compassion. He believes in taking the time to understand each patient’s unique journey and advocating for them on their road to wellness. Before joining First Primary Care, Derek gained valuable experience working with major hospital organizations in Houston.

Derek’s interest in teaching and education began early on in his academic journey during high school and college, but changes in the education field led him to pursue medicine instead. He found the physician-patient dynamic intriguing and saw it as an opportunity to educate patients on basic health literacy. As Derek states, “I have often seen myself as an educator first and a clinician second because for me the core of primary care is sharing knowledge to empower people to make informed decisions about their health.”

When not working, Derek enjoys exploring new culinary experiences with his wife, as well as traveling and immersing himself in different cultures. He also has a passion for tinkering with electronics and has been an avid video gamer since childhood, although less so in adulthood.

Rob Morton, AGACNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

A former United States Navy serviceman, Rob pursued a career in healthcare after his active duty. Rob brings his diverse background to First Primary Care, serving as an ally with his patients to help them thrive. Initially, he trained as a paramedic while pursuing a nursing degree at the same time. After graduation, he gained critical experience in the medical ICU and level 1 trauma ICU, as well as cross-training in the emergency department before moving to the pediatric ICU.

He later became a flight nurse/paramedic while pursuing his graduate degree and fellowship. Following that, he held the position of Trauma Service Nurse Practitioner at a level II trauma center. Rob then transferred to work for an orthopedic traumatologist during which time he began pursuing his Family Nurse Practitioner certification to transition to more of a primary care setting.

Throughout his career, he has been committed to serving his local community, with his trauma center Medical Director being a major influence who once told him, “Rob, we’re in the business of giving people more birthdays and holidays to celebrate with their family members, so you better know what you’re doing.”

An avid sportsman, when not with one of the Morton boys at their baseball tournament or football game, Rob can be found fishing offshore or sitting in a tree stand with his bow.

He received his nursing degree from Texas A&M Health Science Center College Station and his master’s degree in nursing: AGACNP-BC with an Emergency/Trauma fellowship from UT Houston. Rob also holds several other credentials, including RNFA, CCRN, CFRN, CEN, and National Registry Paramedic.

Justin Wolfe, DNP

Family Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Justin Wolfe, DNP is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and has been a nurse for over 20 years serving in many different roles before becoming a nurse practitioner including Emergency Room Nurse, Long-Term Care Nurse, Acute Rehabilitation Nurse Supervisor, Urgent Care Registered Nurse Team Lead, Director of Nursing, Director of Case Management, and System Director of Revenue Cycle – clinical audits and clinical reimbursement compliance.

Dr. Wolfe, DNP started his nursing career in the year 2000 as a Licensed Practical Nurse before continuing his nursing education by attending the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith earning an Associate Degree in Nursing Technology in 2005, Western Governors University earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2017 and The George Washington University earning a Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner in 2021. He completed his Doctoral Program in Nursing Practice at Frontier Nursing University in 2023 where he was awarded the Doctor of Nursing Practice Exemplary Project Award for his doctoral-level work in improving the management of hypertension at his clinical site while exhibiting leadership, academic excellence, and outstanding scholarship.

Dr. Wolfe, DNP is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. Finally, he serves as an Officer in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps as a reservist in the role of clinical nurse and nurse practitioner.

Maryse Bakouetila

Family Medicine

Dr. Maryse Bakouetila is a board-certified family doctor with special interests in preventive health, wellness, and women’s health. She completed her family medicine residency at UT Health Science Center San Antonio and served as Wellness Chief Resident during her final
year. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish.

She gets excited by the opportunity to empower her patients to live the life they have as fully as they can. She strives to work as a team on health prevention, with the patient as the main driver of their health outcomes, to both stay well but also to avoid dramatic health situations. She establishes a partnership with care seekers to walk alongside them and guide them to make decisions that will maximize their health on their wellness journey.

When she is not practicing medicine, Dr. Bakouetila enjoys spending time with her family, painting, watching movies, and trying new blends of tea.

Laura Granger, FNP-C

Family Medicine

Laura is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with her Master’s of Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Originally, she is from South Louisiana and implements her Cajun hospitality into her care mindset. Her goal is to establish a personal rapport with her patients, while encouraging an atmosphere of active, educated collaboration for patient centered-care. 

Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, Laura was a registered nurse for 7.5 years in a variety of settings including Emergency Medicine, Telemedicine, and Case Management. With this background as a foundation, she strives to better understand and recognize evolving changes in the needs of her patients. Laura believes education is pivotal for affording patients the optimal setting to be proactive in their healthcare journey.  She enjoys learning more about the evolution of healthcare and recognizes the importance of encompassing a dynamic approach that may look different for each patient encounter. Working as a Family Nurse Practitioner allows her to establish better working relationships with her patients to promote health and wellness as a keystone.

When Laura is not working, she is an active participant in her faith, enjoys cooking and baking, spending time with her family, and traveling. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and The American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 

Jessica Glick, DO

Family Medicine

Dr. Jessica Glick is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who enjoys treating the whole patient – body, mind, and spirit. Through this approach, she’s able to establish a strong patient – physician relationship that focuses on treating the root cause of her patients’ underlying conditions. She takes the time to listen to patients and treats them with respect, care, and compassion. She sees patients of all ages and is particularly passionate about preventative medicine and using her certification with the American Board of Obesity Medicine to treat the chronic condition of obesity.

Dr. Glick was born and raised in Plano, TX.  She completed her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Studies at Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) and returned home to complete her medical degree at the University of North Texas Health Science Center’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (Fort Worth, TX).  She was thrilled to match at Conroe Family Medicine Residency’s program because it provided broad spectrum medical education.  Prior to joining First Primary Care, Dr. Glick has practiced in both private practice and hospital system-based settings where she has gained a depth of experience in patient care.

In her free time, Dr. Glick enjoys spending time with her daughter, son, husband, extended family, and friends. Her hobbies include photography, baking, enjoying live music, and camping/hiking. She is also passionate about advocating for the field of family medicine and is an active member of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, and Texas Medical Association.

Karthik Mulkanoor, MD

Internal Medicine

Karthik Mulkanoor received his medical degree from Windsor University School of Medicine and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Mount Carmel Health Systems in Columbus, Ohio. Over the past decade, he has served thousands of central Ohio patients as a hospitalist in the Mount Carmel Health System.

Dr. Mulkanoor is highly regarded as an esteemed leader and colleague within the central Ohio medical community. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, from caring for critically-ill patients to teaching resident physicians over many years. He has a distinct passion for disease prevention and places special focus on the root-cause of illness to help patients avoid unnecessary health challenges.

In the direct primary care model, Dr. Mulkanoor can take the time to holistically evaluate a patient’s concerns and goals to support their journey toward optimal health and wellness. His attention to detail and seasoned expertise allows Dr. Mulkanoor to not only focus on prevention, but also reduce the risk of undetected or unaddressed health concerns. Under the guidance of Dr. Mulkanoor, this model provides patients with a next-generation solution to primary preventative care when and where they need it.
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Dr. Mulkanoor enjoys golf and cheering on the Chicago Bulls and Bears in his spare time.

Emily Schmitter, FNP-C

Family Medicine

Emily is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She has a passion for educating patients on disease prevention and encouraging autonomy. She was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She moved south to receive a Bachelors of Science in Human Food and Nutrition from the University of Alabama. Then, she moved back to the midwest to obtain her nursing degree at Loyola University Chicago. After completing her BSN, she returned to Columbus and worked in pediatrics for 5 years before completing her Nurse Practitioner program at Otterbein University. She worked in geriatrics as a primary care provider for 2 years before joining First Primary Care. Emily’s experiences in treating individuals of all ages helps her collaborate with patients to develop healthcare goals throughout various phases of life. 

In her free time, Emily enjoys the outdoors, watching sports, and spending time with her family. She is a devoted Alabama football fan, for better or for worse. When she’s not watching football you will find her taking long walks with her husband, daughter, and sheepadoodle, Archie.

Thomas Wright, DO

Family Medicine

Dr. Thomas Wright is a board-certified family medicine physician who is passionate about evidence-based care and empowering patients to take control of their health. With a background as a high school chemistry and physics teacher, Dr. Wright places a strong emphasis on education and believes in guiding patients to make informed, personalized medical decisions for themselves and their families.He is also an advocate of holistic care, recognizing that patients are a balance of mind, body, and spirit, all of which deserve to be treated with compassion and understanding.

Born and raised in south Texas, Dr. Wright attended the University of the Incarnate Word for medical school before completing his residency at the Memorial Hermann Family Medicine Residency program in Houston.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Wright enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He is an avid reader, enjoys playing board games, exploring Houston’s vibrant food scene, and watching basketball.

Albert Mo, MD

Family Medicine

Dr. Albert Mo dedicates himself to providing the highest quality evidence-based medical care while building long-lasting and empathetic relationships with his patients. Dr. Mo believes in the importance of mental health and its relationship with physical health. He loves learning from his patients and focuses on each patient’s individual health goals and needs. 

Born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas, he knew he wanted to pursue medicine from an early age. Dr. Mo graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and completed his medical training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.  

In his spare time, Dr. Mo enjoys playing golf, watching sports, traveling the world,  dialing in the perfect espresso shot, cuddling with his cat, Bubbie, and eating his way through Houston. 

Linh Hoang, DO

Family Medicine

Dr. Linh Hoang is a board-certified Family Medicine Physician dedicated to providing compassionate and quality care for patients of all ages. Prior to joining First Primary Care, she worked at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) which served as a safety net for the largely uninsured and underinsured population in Houston. Disheartened by a healthcare system that prioritized numbers over patients, she was motivated to join First Primary Care to refocus her practice on patient-centered care.

Dr. Hoang earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston and her medical degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She completed her residency in Family & Community Medicine with an emphasis in underserved care at Baylor College of Medicine. As the youngest of seven siblings, she has deep roots in Houston, where she lives with her husband and two fur babies. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, snowboarding, rock climbing, and hiking.