Providers

Nabeel K. Ahmed, MD.

NABEEL K. AHMED, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Ahmed was born in Pakistan and moved to the United States of America as a young boy. Raised in Houston, Texas, he returned to Pakistan after graduating high school to attend Allama Iqbal Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan, where he earned his medical degree. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at the University of Nevada – Reno and his Nephrology fellowship at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Ahmed is Board Certified in Nephrology and joined the practice in 1999.

Dr. Ahmed is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center and Palestine Regional Medical Center.  He currently serves on the CMFH Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.  In addition, he is certified as a Dialysis Access Interventionalist. He is a member of the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology, the Smith County Medical Society, Renal Physicians Association, and the Texas Medical Association.

Special interests in his field of practice include acute kidney injury and dialysis access intervention.

Armando Aponte, MD.

ARMANDO APONTE, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN INTERNAL MEDICINE

Bio

Dr. Aponte was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He earned his medical degree from Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency programs with Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine at the Hospital Universitario Ramon Ruiz Arnau in Bayamon, Puerto Rico and his Nephrology Fellowship at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.  Dr. Aponte is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and  joined our practice in 2019.

Dr. Aponte is a Nephrologist in Paris, on active staff at Paris Regional Medical Center and has privileges at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. He is a member of the American Society of Nephrology, National Kidney Foundation, American College of Physicians, Lamar-Delta County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association.  Dr. Aponte sees patients in Paris and Sulphur Springs, Texas and Idabel, Oklahoma.

Special interests in his field of practice include chronic kidney disease and dialysis.
Dr. Aponte is fully bilingual in Spanish and English.

Corey D. Ball, MD.

COREY D. BALL, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Ball was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas. He attended Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock, where he earned his medical degree and completed his Internal Medicine internship, residency, and Nephrology fellowship. Dr. Ball is Board Certified in Nephrology and joined our practice in 2008.

Dr. Ball is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler, and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center. He is the Section Chair of Nephrology at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, where he also serves on the Joint Dialysis Oversight Committee. He is the Chief of Medicine and Section Chair of Nephrology at UT Health Tyler and serves on the Patient Care Committee and the UT Medical Executive Committee. He is a member of the Smith County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association. Dr. Ball serves as the Supervising Physician for The Centers for Kidney Care Advanced Practitioner Team.

Stefanie M. Diaz, MD

STEFANIE M. DIAZ, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Diaz is a native of Brazil and earned her medical degree from Fundacao Tecnico Educacional Souza Marques in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  She completed her Internal Medicine internship and residency at Finch University Health Sciences, Chicago Medical School, and her Nephrology fellowship at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Diaz is Board Certified in Nephrology and joined our practice in 1999.

Dr. Diaz is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler, and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center. She is a member of the Smith County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association.

Mingiziem A. Emiru, MD.

MINGIZIEM EMIRU, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Emiru was born and raised in Ethiopia, where he completed medical school at the Jimma Health Science Institute. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, and Nephrology fellowship at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Emiru is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology and joined our practice in 2004.

Dr. Emiru is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler, and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center. He is certified as a Dialysis Access Interventionalist and is a member of the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology. He is a member of the Smith County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association.

Roy D. Gerard Jr., MD.

ROY D. GERARD, JR., MD, FACP
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Gerard grew up in Houston, Texas and earned his medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at the University of Virginia School of Medicine at Roanoke, and Nephrology fellowship at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Gerard is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology and joined our practice in 1991.

Dr. Gerard is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler, has active continuity of care privileges at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler, and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center. He serves on the Peer Review and By-Law Committees at UT Health Tyler. He is a member of Renal Physicians Association, American Society of Nephrology, American College of Physicians, Smith County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association.

Dr. Gerard has special medical interest in post-transplant care, dialysis, and hypertension.

Mark W. Greenwell, MD.

MARK W. GREENWELL, MD, FACP, FNKF
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Greenwell was born in Chicago, Illinois. He completed his medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and his Internal Medicine and Pediatrics internship, residency and Nephrology fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center – Memphis. Dr. Greenwell is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology and joined our practice in 2012.

Dr. Greenwell is a Nephrologist in Paris, on active staff at Paris Regional Medical Center and has privileges at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.  He is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Society of Nephrology, National Kidney Foundation, Lamar-Delta County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association.  Dr. Greenwell see patients in Paris and Sulphur Springs, Texas and Idabel, Oklahoma.

Alpesh R. Jethva, MD.

ALPESH R. JETHVA, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Jethva was born in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Texas as a young boy. He attended The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, where he earned his medical degree and completed his Internal Medicine internship, residency, and Nephrology fellowship. Dr. Jethva is Board Certified in Nephrology and joined our practice in 2001.

Dr. Jethva is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center. He currently serves on the UT Health Tyler Utilization Review Committee. He is certified as a Dialysis Access Interventionalist and is a member of the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology. He is a member of the American Society of Nephrology, Renal Physicians Association, Smith County Medical Society, and Texas Medical Association.

Alpesh R. Jethva, MD.

MADELINE JIMENEZ, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Jimenez was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and earned her medical degree from the Iberoamerican University in the Dominican Republic.   She completed her Internal Medicine residency at the Ponce School of Medicine in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and her Nephrology fellowship at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Louisiana.   Dr. Jimenez is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology and joined our practice in 2018.

Dr. Jimenez is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff with UT Health Tyler and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler, and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center.   She is a member of the American Society of Nephrology, the National Kidney Foundation, Smith County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association.   Special interest in her field of practice includes hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

Dr. Jimenez is fully bi-lingual in both English and Spanish.

Rudrick V. Ledesma, MD.

RUDRICK V. LEDESMA, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Ledesma was born and raised in the Philippines.  He earned his medical degree from Cebu Doctor’s University of Medicine in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines. He completed his Internal Medicine internship, residency and Nephrology fellowship at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York. Dr. Ledesma is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology and joined our practice in 2016.

Dr. Ledesma is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital -Tyler and Palestine Regional Medical Center, and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center. He is a member of the Smith County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association. Special interest in his field of practice includes Acute Kidney Injury, Hypertension and Hemodialysis.

Agnes E. Obita, MD

AGNES E. OBITA, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Obita was born and raised in Kenya. She earned her medical degree from University of Nairobi School of Medicine in Nairobi, Kenya. She completed her Internal Medicine residency program at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey and her Nephrology fellowship with The University of Iowa at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Obita is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology.

Dr. Obita is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center. She is a member of the American Medical Association, American Society of Nephrology, Smith County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association.

Special interests in her field of practice include hypertension, glomerular disease and home dialysis therapies.

Aideloje A. Onime, MD.

AIDELOJE A. ONIME, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Onime was born and raised in Nigeria. He completed medical school at the University of Lagos College of Medicine in Nigeria. His completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at Harlem Hospital Center – Columbia University in New York City, and his Nephrology fellowship at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dr. Onime is Board Certified in Nephrology and joined our practice in 2013.

Dr. Onime is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler, and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center. He currently serves on the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Medicine Peer Review Committee. He is a member of the Renal Physicians Association, Smith County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association.

Charles O. Orji, MD.

CHARLES O. ORJI, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Orji was born in Nigeria and raised in Houston, Texas. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and then completed his Internal Medicine internship, residency, and Nephrology fellowship at the University of Texas Medical School – Houston. Dr. Orji is also a Registered Pharmacist and served in the Texas Army National Guard Reserves for eight years.  Dr. Orji is Board Certified in Nephrology and joined our practice in 2003.

Dr. Orji is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler, and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center. In addition, he serves on the Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, the FMC Pharmacy Advisory Committee, UT Health East Texas Specialty Hospital Medical Executive Committee, UT Health Tyler Medication Use Team and Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committees. He also serves on the CHRISTUS Mother Frances – Tyler Hospital Peer Review Committee, is on the Board of Directors for Alliant Health Solutions, and is the Board Chairman for the End Stage Renal Disease Network 14.

Dr. Orji is certified as a Dialysis Access Interventionalist and is a member of the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology. He is also a member of the American Society of Nephrology, American College of Physicians, Smith County Medical Society, and Texas Medical Association.

Ifeatu U. Oti, MD.

IFEATU U. OTI, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Oti was born and raised in Nigeria, and earned her medical degree from the University of Nigeria. She completed her Internal Medicine internship and residency at the Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, and her Nephrology fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Oti is Board Certified in Nephrology and joined our practice in 2010.

Dr. Oti is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler and Palestine Regional Medical Center. She is a member of the Smith County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association.

Dr. Oti has special medical interest in CKD, hypertension, and hyponatremia.

Stephen D. Pamatmat, MD.

STEPHEN D. PAMATMAT, MD
BOARD CERTIFIED IN NEPHROLOGY

Bio

Dr. Pamatmat was born and raised in the Philippines, and earned his medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. He completed his Internal Medicine internship, residency, and Nephrology fellowship at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Pamatmat is Board Certified in Nephrology and joined our practice in 2002.

Dr. Pamatmat is a Nephrologist in Tyler, on active staff at UT Health Tyler, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler and Palestine Regional Medical Center, and has courtesy privileges at Paris Regional Medical Center. Dr. Pamatmat is on the CHRISTUS Mother Frances – Tyler Critical Care Committee and serves as the Lab Director for The Centers for Kidney Care. He is a member of the American Society of Nephrology, the Renal Physicians Association, Smith County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association. He is certified as a Dialysis Access Interventionalist.

Advanced Practice Providers

Diana LaBumbard, Nurse Practitioner

CHRISTEN L. CARTER, PA-C
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT 

Ms. Carter was born in Tyler and raised in Longview, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in English at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. After working several years in different areas of business, Ms. Carter decided to pursue a career that would allow her to impact others in a meaningful way. Therefore, she returned to school and obtained a Master of Physician Assistant Studies Degree from The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth in Fort Worth, Texas. Ms. Carter is board certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Ms. Carter is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants. She has previous clinical training experience providing care for patients across multiple medical specialties. She works directly with the physicians at The Centers for Kidney Care in the Tyler office, caring for our patients in the clinic setting and hemodialysis units. Ms. Carter is passionate about helping patients understand how to invest in their health, which helps prevent further disease, thus bringing a positive outlook to their wellness journey.

Holly Bottoms, MSN, AGNP-C

MAYRA ELIZONDO, APRN, FNP-C
NURSE PRACTITIONER

Ms. Elizondo was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and raised in Brownsboro, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree at The University of Texas at Tyler. Ms. Elizondo worked for several years as a Registered Nurse in Tyler before returning to The University of Texas at Tyler to obtain her Master of Science in Nursing Degree. Ms. Elizondo is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Ms. Elizondo is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and American Nephrology Nurses Association. She works directly with the physicians at The Centers for Kidney Care in the Tyler office, providing care for patients in the clinical setting as well as in hemodialysis units.

Ms. Elizondo is passionate about providing patients with the education and tools they need to manage their chronic illnesses successfully.

Ms. Elizondo is fully bilingual in Spanish and English.

ANGIE BARAJAZ, APRN, AGACNP-BC
NURSE PRACTITIONER

Ms. Barajaz was born and raised in Tyler, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree at The University of Texas at Tyler. Ms. Barajaz worked for several years as a Registered Nurse in Tyler before returning to school to obtain her Master of Science in Nursing Degree at The University of Texas at Arlington. Ms. Barajaz is board-certified as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Ms. Barajaz is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and The National Kidney Foundation. She works directly with the physicians at The Centers for Kidney Care in the Tyler office, providing care for patients in the clinical setting as well as in hemodialysis units.

Ms. Barajaz is passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care to patients while pursuing opportunities to improve their health and well-being.

Ms. Barajaz is fully bilingual in Spanish and English.

Alice Thomas, Nurse Practitioner

ALICE THOMAS, APRN, FNP-C
NURSE PRACTITIONER

Ms. Thomas was born and raised in Nigeria and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts. She worked in the renal field as an RN and Facility Manager at Fresenius Medical Care while obtaining her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. Ms. Thomas is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and joined our practice in 2017.

Ms. Thomas is a member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She proudly served in the United States Army Reserve for eight years. Ms. Thomas works directly with the physicians at The Centers for Kidney Care, in the Tyler office, providing care for our patients in the clinic setting as well as in hemodialysis units.

Holly Bottoms, MSN, AGNP-C

TANGANYIKA DUDLEY APRN, AGACNP-BC
NURSE PRACTITIONER

Ms. Dudley was born and raised in Paris, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing degree from The University of Texas in Arlington. After working several years as a registered nurse, she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN becoming a nurse practitioner. Ms. Dudley is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Ms. Dudley is a member of the American Nurses Association and American Association of Nurse Practitioners.  She works directly with the physicians at The Centers for Kidney Care, in the Paris and Sulphur Springs, Texas and Idabel, Oklahoma offices, providing care for our patients in the clinic setting as well as in hemodialysis units.

Holly Bottoms, MSN, AGNP-C

SHANNON JOHNSTON APRN, FNP-BC
NURSE PRACTITIONER

Ms. Johnston was born in Mt Vernon, Texas, and raised in Arlington and Paris, Texas.  She earned her nursing degree from Paris Junior College. After working several years as an RN, she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN becoming a nurse practitioner.  Ms. Johnston is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and originally joined our practice in 2017.

Ms. Johnston is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.  She works directly with the physicians at The Centers for Kidney Care in the Paris and Sulphur Springs, Texas and Idabel, Oklahoma offices, providing care for our patients in the clinic setting and hemodialysis units.

ADAM JUSTICE, APRN, ACNPC-AG
NURSE PRACTITIONER

Mr. Justice was born and raised in Washington State. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree as well as his Master of Science in Nursing Degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas.

Mr. Justice is board-certified as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Mr. Justice is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. He works directly with the physicians at The Centers for Kidney Care in Tyler, providing care for patients in the hospital setting and inpatient hemodialysis units.

Mr. Justice is passionate about helping patients develop, execute, and achieve their personal healthcare goals. He is always eager to learn new aspects of the healthcare landscape and applies this knowledge to helping patients positively invest in their own health.

DIANNA KIDWELL, APRN, AGACNP-BC
NURSE PRACTITIONER

Ms. Kidwell was born in Longview, Texas, and raised in White Oak, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree at The University of Texas at Tyler.                 Ms. Kidwell worked for 20 years as a Cardiac Intensive Care Registered Nurse in Tyler before returning to school to obtain her Master of Science in Nursing Degree at The University of Texas at Arlington. She is board certified as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

She works directly with the physicians at The Centers for Kidney Care in Tyler, providing care for patients in the hospital setting as well as inpatient hemodialysis units.

Ms. Kidwell enjoyed her time in the medical field as a Registered Nurse, and her desire to increase patient education and satisfaction motivated her to return to school to be a Nurse Practitioner. Through this role, she is excited to assist her patients at a higher level of care in the inpatient hospital setting.