Spring Branch | Sugar Land | Pasadena

Geetinder Goyal, MD

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.

Spring Branch | Sugar Land

Peter Del Buono, FNP-C

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.

The Woodlands

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).

Sugar Land

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.

Pasadena

Rachel Cano, DNP, FNP-C

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 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.

Spring Branch

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.

Sugar Land | Spring Branch

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. 

Sugar Land

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.

The Woodlands

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.

Spring Branch

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.

Lake Jackson

Rob Morton

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.

Pasadena

Raza Zia, DO

Family Medicine

Dr. Raza Zia is a board-certified family medicine physician. Born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey, he joined First Primary Care straight out of residency in order to address the lack of true healthcare that he saw in the conventional system. He received his bachelors in Biology and Middle Eastern Studies from Rutgers University and his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Rowan University. He finished his training at Christ Hospital in Jersey City.

Dr. Zia is deeply passionate about the holistic nature of medicine, combining his understanding of spiritual meditation, osteopathic medicine, the four biological temperaments (BioTypes), and the science of traditional building arts into his practice.

He speaks English, Spanish and Urdu and is always learning more languages.

In his free time, Dr. Zia enjoys spending time with his family, practicing Brazilian Jiujitsu, cooling down with a swim at the local pool, taking long walks in nature, reading books on architecture, sketching buildings, drinking chai, and making music with his friends.

Spring Branch

Yurley Angarita-Triana, FNP-C

Family Medicine

Yurley Angarita is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).  She was born and raised in Bucaramanga, Colombia. She recently joined First Primary Care after working at a traditional family practice clinic. She realized that she wanted to work in an environment that shared her passion and commitment to promoting patients’ rights for better access to quality healthcare and providing personalized and professional medical care.

Before coming to the states, Yurley volunteered in Colombia providing assistance and education to underserved and underrepresented communities, schools, orphanages, public hospitals, and nursing homes. This inspired her to start a career in the medical field. She moved to the US in 2003 to live with her sister and to begin her education at Texas State University.

Yurley earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Texas in Austin and completed her Family Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. She worked throughout her education and has worked in the healthcare system for over 10 years. She is passionate when it comes to serving and advocating for her patients’ needs. 

Yurley speaks Spanish and English fluently. She embraces multiculturalism and is excited to learn about other cultures and backgrounds. She enjoys relationships with close friends who live in different places around the world.

In her free time, Yurley enjoys attending church and spending quality time with her family and friends. She loves cooking, baking, salsa dancing, watching movies, traveling, and exercising. She is excited to be part of this amazing team that is making positive changes in the American healthcare system and providing excellent medical care.