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Providers

Madhavi Rudraraju, MD

Principal Investigator
San Antonio, TX

Specialties: Gastroenterology and Transplant Hepatology
Education: Andhra Medical College, 2001
Residency: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 2006
Fellowship:
Transplant Hepatology at Mayo Clinic – Arizona, 2007
Gastroenterology and Hepatology at University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, 2010

Practicing Since: 2010
Certifications/Publications: Over 6 original publications in peer-reviewed journals and 4 publications worldwide. 3 board certifications, and over 2 years of research support in the areas of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Provider Background: Dr. Rudraraju is a board certified hepatologist with over 12 years of practice. Throughout her career she has had tremendous positions, including:

Medical Director of Methodist Liver Disease and Transplant Program VNOS Director
Medical Executive Committee as Chief of Transplant service line
Clinical Review Committee
Physician Advisory Committee
Active member of American Medical Association, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterology Association, and the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease, and European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL).

Dr. Rudraraju has been with Pinnacle since 2020 and has formed a multitude of relationships with San Antonio’s physicians and experts to raise awareness of liver disease and find a treatment for the patients that need it most.

Jacques Benun, MD

Principal Investigator
Austin & Georgetown, TX

Specialty: Pediatrics, Research
Education: Central University of Venezuela, 1992
Residency: Boston University School of Medicine, 1995
Chief Residency: Boston University School of Medicine, 1996

Practicing Since: 1992
Certifications/Publications: 9 original publications in peer-reviewed journals, 10 licensed certifications, and over 16 years of research support in the areas of pediatric research.
 
Provider Quote: Striving to provide cutting-edge clinical research to our patients in the Austin and surrounding communities.
 
Provider Background: Dr. Benun first moved to Texas in 2017, bringing with him over 20 years of medical experience. Throughout his physician years, he has been:
 
  • A professor in Pediatrics at Alpert Medical School of Brown University
  • Clinical Associate Professor of Dell Medical School at the University of Texas in Austin
  • Research supporter in the Pfizer COVID vaccine study in children 5-11 years’ old
Heather Delaney, MD

Heather Delaney, MD

Principal Investigator

Specialty: Pediatrics, Neonatology, Research
 
Provider Background: Dr. Heather Delaney is a double Board-Certified Pediatrician and Neonatologist with over 20 years of broad experiences in the medical field. She is a 17-year Veteran of the US Air Force and Army. Her areas of expertise include healthcare quality and education, infectious disease monitoring and prevention, medication management and healthcare leadership. She is a Certified Simulation Healthcare Educator and an active contributor to online education platforms for medical students and residents. She has her Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma methodology and is fiercely committed to Zero Harm in healthcare. She has over 15 years of experience in Clinical Research and has over 75 publications, platform and poster presentations within her areas of expertise. She is married to an Active Duty service member of the US Army and has two girls both of whom were born in Hawaii. 
Dimple Patel Desai Principal Investigator

Dimple Patel Desai, MD

Principal Investigator
Brownsville, TX

Specialty: Board Certified in Family Medicine
Medical Education: University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
Residency: University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals, 2014
Chief Residency: University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals, 2017
 
Practicing Since: 2017
Certifications/publications: Dr. Desai is board certified in family medicine and board eligible in Obesity Medicine. She has also done a fellowship in Primary Care Psychiatry (PCP) with UC Irvine/UC Davis. Dr. Desai has published in Integrative Geriatric Medicine by Oxford University Press highlighting integrative remedies for a healthier gut in older adults.
 
Provider Background: As a native of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas Dr. Desai moved back home in 2017, to care for patients in her home community.
  • Expertise in obesity medicine, integrative medicine, and behavioral health
  • Award-winning author of “The Lambda Factor”
Dr. Desai’s interest in obesity and NAFLD/NASH research brings a dedication to the Pinnacle mission of connecting with like-minded physicians within the Rio Grande Valley.
 
Hobbies: In her free time, Dr. Desai enjoys traveling around the work to new destinations, reading, writing a sequel to her awarding winning novel, and spending time with her three young boys and family. 

David Ramirez Jr., DO

Principal Investigator
Edinburg, TX

Specialty: Board Certified in Family Medicine
Medical Education: University North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University Texas Rio Grande Valley at DHR
 
Practicing Since: 2017
Certifications/publications: Board Certified in Family Medicine by the ABFM
 
Provider Background:  Dr. Ramirez is native to South Texas and has been blessed to have done his undergraduate and graduate school studies in the Rio Grande Valley (UT-PA), medical school in Fort Worth, and then eventually returning for residency training in Edinburg, Tx. He is passionate about disease prevention, chronic disease management, as well as wound and obesity medicine.
Dr. Ramirez has an interest in the areas of NAFLD and NASH research. He joins Pinnacle on their mission and dedication to connect with like-minded local and global physicians on the importance of taking early measures for patients who have been diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver or NASH. 
 
Hobbies: On his spare time Dr. Ramirez loves playing guitar and piano, learning about data science and programming, and spending time with my wife Samantha and our 3 children

Lauren Jones, MPAS, PA-C

Sub-Investigator
San Antonio, TX

Education: Bachelor of Science in Human Biology at The University of Texas at Austin
Master of Physician Assistant Studies at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
 
Background: Raised in Houston, Texas, Lauren brings outstanding skills and knowledge in clinical research to Pinnacle. Lauren is NCCPA certified and has been working in clinical research since 2015.
 
Provider Quote: I strive to provide quality medical care that instills positive mindsets, lifestyles, and health in patients.

Shalene Thomas, MPAS, PA-C

Sub-Investigator
San Antonio, TX

Education: BS Biology at the University of Texas Health at San Antonio
MPAS at the University of Texas Health at San Antonio.
 
Background: Calling San Antonio her hometown, Shalene comes from a previous background in internal medicine and family practice. Shalene is NCCPA certified, a member of Bexar County Physician Assistant Society, and a bilingual Spanish speaker.
 
Provider Quote: I am passionate about providing quality and compassionate care, research, and patient education.

Ana Diaz, MPAS, PA-C

Sub-Investigator
San Antonio, TX

Education: BBA Finance at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
MPAS at the University of Texas Health San Antonio

Background: Ana comes from a family medicine and research background. She has previously worked for the Alliance for Health Policy in Washington, DC, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, and UT Health San Antonio Community Pediatrics. She is NCCPA certified and a bilingual spanish speaker.

Provider Quote: Striving to empower patients to live a healthier life and acquire knowledge to better manage their health conditions.

Travis Kenney, FNP-C

Sub-Investigator
Austin, TX

Education: Texas Woman’s University, Dallas, Texas

Background: From the hometown of Arlington, Texas, Travis previously worked as an ED RN and as a NP in outpatient neurology.

Provider Quote: To educate patients and to help patients achieve their health goals.

Nirupama Esther Jerome,
DNP, FNP-C

Sub-Investigator
Austin, TX

Education: Doctor of Nursing Practice, Purdue university, West Lafayette, Indiana

Background: From her hometown in India, Esther is multi-lingual to include: english, telugu and tamil. She comes from a previous background in internal medicine, hospitalist, orthopedic surgery, cardiology, and cardio thoracic surgery.

Memberships/Certifications:

  • Certificate in post-graduate cardiothoracic nursing and operation theatre technique and management
  • Member of American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association, The Association of Clinical Research Professionals, Austin Advanced Practice Nurses, and Texas DNP

Provider Quote: To provide patient-centered care with excellence so patients are empowered and motivated to achieve their health care goals.

Jennie Posey, APRN, AGCNS-BC, Sub-Investigator

Jennie Posey,
APRN, AGCNS-BC

Sub-Investigator
Georgetown, TX

Education: BS Family Studies and Human Development at University of Arizona

MSN at University of Texas at Austin

Provider Quote: I strive to build collaborative relationships with patients by using shared decision-making to help them achieve their health goals.

Background: Jennie comes with a previous background in endocrinology, clinical and academic research, and primary care. Jennie is a member of the American Nurses Association, the Texas Nurses Association, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, Texas Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Austin APNs. Outside of the office, she enjoys reading, baking, knitting, and tending to her plants. She also loves to spend time with her husband and their pets, a Vizsla and an orange tabby cat.

Anna Rocha, FNP-C

Sub-Investigator
San Antonio, TX

Education:  Bachelor’s in Science of Nursing from the University of the Incarnate Word

Master’s in Science of Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing

Provider Quote: Privledged to be able to assist our patient’s reach their individualized health goals. 

Background: Born and raised in San Antonio. Anna joins Pinnacle with her experience as a Registered Nurse for thirteen years most of which was serving our Military Veterans at Brooke Army Medical Center. Family Nurse Practitioner experience in Internal Medicine, Family Practice, and excited to join the research aspect of medicine. AANP Certified and bilingual Spanish Speaker. 
Graciela Marje, MSN, FNP-BC Sub-Investigator

Graciela Marje,
MSN, FNP-BC

Sub-Investigator
Edinburg, TX

Education:  Bachelor’s in Science of Nursing from Chamberlain University

Master’s in Science in Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing

Provider Quote: I strive to educate and motivate patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyles.

Background: Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Gracie joins Pinnacle with 25 years of medical experience as a Registered Nurse with 17 years as a previous American Board Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse. She is an AANP Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She has been serving the Rio Grande community with experience in Endoscopy and Family Medicine and is bilingual in Spanish. Gracie joined the research field in 2021 as a Sub-Investigator with South Texas Research Institute and is excited to continue and join the new venture with Pinnacle.
Francisco Piña, MSN, FNP-BC

Francisco Piña,
MSN, FNP-BC

Sub-Investigator
Brownsville, TX

Education:  Bachelor’s in Science of Nursing from The University of Texas-Pan American

Masters in Science in Nursing from The University of Texas-Pan American

Provider Quote: I am committed to providing compassionate care to NAFLD/NASH patients within the RGV.

Background: With over 22 years of experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Francisco joins Pinnacle as Sub-Investigator at our Brownsville location. Francisco is an ANCC Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. He has been serving the Rio Grande community previously in the fields of Family Medicine, Infectious Disease, and Pediatrics. Francisco joined the research industry in 2022 with South Texas Research Institute and is excited to continue and join Pinnacle in serving the growing needs of South Texas’s community.
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