The Medical Opinion Marketplace

Pedro S Chavez-Holguin, MD, is a physician specializing in cosmetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgery. Board certified in Plastic Surgery, Dr. Chavez-Holguin provides patient-centered care with an emphasis on individualized treatment planning and safety. His clinical work spans aesthetic procedures as well as reconstructive techniques designed to restore form and function following injury, illness, or other complex conditions. Dr. Chavez-Holguin practices in El Paso, Texas, including care delivered through Chavez Plastic Surgery. He is affiliated with Del Sol Medical Center and Las Palmas Medical Center, supporting continuity of care across outpatient and hospital-based settings when needed. In addition to his surgical practice, he is connected with wound management services, reflecting an interest in comprehensive approaches to complex healing and reconstruction. Committed to clear communication and shared decision-making, Dr. Chavez-Holguin helps patients understand their options, expected outcomes, and recovery. He is fluent in English and Spanish, allowing him to better serve a diverse community and support patients and families throughout the surgical journey.

Kevin E. Cowens Sr., MD, is a neurologist who provides comprehensive, hospital-based neurologic care for adults. His clinical work is grounded in a strong foundation in internal medicine and neurology training, supporting a thoughtful approach to complex neurologic conditions that often intersect with other medical issues. Dr. Cowens earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and completed internship training in internal medicine followed by residency training in neurology at Tulane University. As a neurohospitalist, Dr. Cowens focuses on the evaluation and management of acute neurologic problems in the inpatient setting, collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams to guide diagnosis, treatment, and care transitions. He is committed to clear communication and practical education for patients and families, helping them understand neurologic diagnoses and the rationale behind treatment plans. Dr. Cowens serves patients in the El Paso community and is bilingual in English and Spanish, supporting more effective, patient-centered communication across a broad range of backgrounds and needs.

Loren S. Hart, AuD, is an audiologist and hearing aid fitter who provides comprehensive hearing healthcare for adults and older adults. He focuses on identifying the causes and impact of hearing difficulties through thorough evaluation and counseling, then tailoring evidence-based solutions to each individual’s communication needs and lifestyle. Dr. Hart is experienced in hearing aid selection, fitting, verification, fine-tuning, and ongoing support, with an emphasis on comfort, clarity, and long-term satisfaction. He also helps patients and families understand hearing loss and develops practical strategies to improve day-to-day listening in home, work, and social environments. Dr. Hart brings decades of clinical experience to his work and is affiliated with Southwest Ear Nose And Throat Consultants, P.A., collaborating closely with ENT specialists to coordinate care when medical or surgical evaluation is needed. He is able to provide care in Spanish, supporting clear communication and patient education. He participates in Medicare and accepts Medicare assignment. Known for a patient-centered approach, Dr. Hart prioritizes attentive listening, realistic expectations, and measurable outcomes to help patients reconnect with the sounds that matter most.

Zachary Lovato, DO, is an orthopaedic spine surgeon specializing in the evaluation and surgical treatment of complex disorders of the spine. He provides care for a wide range of spinal conditions, with a focus on restoring function, relieving pain, and helping patients return to daily activities safely. Dr. Lovato performs both minimally invasive and traditional spine procedures, tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s diagnosis, goals, and overall health. Dr. Lovato completed his medical education at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. He then completed an Orthopedic Surgery residency at Mercy St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio, followed by fellowship training in Adult Deformity and Spinal Reconstructive Surgery at Sonoran Spine Center in Tempe, Arizona. His advanced training supports comprehensive management of spinal deformity and complex reconstruction. Dr. Lovato has been caring for patients in the El Paso community for several years and is affiliated with Las Palmas Medical Center. He is licensed to practice in Texas.

Terren Klein, MD, is an orthopaedic surgery physician serving patients in El Paso, Texas. He brings decades of clinical experience to the evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and degenerative conditions, with a practice commonly focused on knee and shoulder problems. Patients often seek Dr. Klein’s care for issues such as meniscal and other knee injuries, as well as rotator cuff and other shoulder conditions. Dr. Klein earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed residency training at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is affiliated with The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus and The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus and is associated with El Paso Orthopedic Surgery Group. Dr. Klein is known for a practical, patient-centered approach that emphasizes clear diagnosis, individualized treatment planning, and evidence-based surgical and nonsurgical options. He speaks English, and Spanish is also listed among his languages on some directories.

Andrew Palafox, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in the evaluation and surgical treatment of joint and musculoskeletal conditions. His clinical interests include total joint arthroplasty, sports injury treatment, orthopaedic trauma care, and revision joint surgery. He has expertise in both anterior and posterior approaches to total hip replacement and offers advanced options for patients seeking durable pain relief and improved function. Dr. Palafox is also listed as a surgeon who utilizes robotic-arm assisted technology for select knee and hip replacement procedures. Dr. Palafox earned his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. He completed orthopaedic surgery residency training at Tulane University/Tulane Medical Center and also completed general surgery training at Rhode Island Hospital affiliated with Brown University. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. A third-generation Hispanic physician and second-generation orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Palafox provides care with an emphasis on clear communication and shared decision-making. He is affiliated with The Hospitals of Providence Sierra Campus, Memorial Campus, and East Campus. He speaks English and Spanish.

William Leff, DC, is a chiropractor providing patient-centered care in El Paso, Texas. He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon, and has been in practice since completing his chiropractic education. Before establishing his long-term practice in El Paso, Dr. Leff also gained professional experience in Colorado Springs, where he worked with Dr. Michael Leahy. Dr. Leff’s approach emphasizes thorough evaluation and individualized treatment plans designed to support mobility, comfort, and overall function. He reports specialized training in cranial techniques, which he incorporates into care for certain concerns, including nasal issues, migraines, and severe headaches. His professional background includes service in the U.S. Army, during which he was stationed at Fort Bliss and first became connected to the El Paso community. Dr. Leff later purchased an established local chiropractic practice, continuing a tradition of chiropractic care at the same long-standing clinic location. He is licensed to practice in Texas and Colorado. The clinic also reports participation with Medicare and Medicaid and acceptance of multiple commercial insurance plans.

Eugenio M. Armendariz, MD, is an internal medicine physician with a clinical focus in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He earned his medical degree from Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua in Chihuahua, Mexico, and completed subspecialty training in critical care at Presbyterian University Hospital/University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Armendariz is an American Board of Internal Medicine diplomate in Internal Medicine and is also board-certified in Critical Care through the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Armendariz cares for patients with a broad range of complex respiratory and critical illnesses. His clinical interests include interstitial lung disease, asthma, chronic cough, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, sarcoidosis, pulmonary hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, pneumonia, sepsis and critical care, lung cancer, and lung transplantation. In addition to comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and medical management, Dr. Armendariz provides advanced procedures and services such as thoracentesis, central venous catheter placement, intubation, navigational bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound, lung biopsy, and lung cancer screening. He holds clinical appointments at Hospitals of Providence (Memorial, East, and Sierra campuses) and Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces.

Carlo Hatem, MD, is a pulmonary disease physician with advanced training in critical care and sleep medicine. He provides comprehensive evaluation and management of complex respiratory conditions, with an emphasis on evidence-based, patient-centered care for both acute and chronic pulmonary concerns. Dr. Hatem earned his medical degree from the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, followed by fellowship training in Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. He is board certified in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine. As a member of the physician team at El Paso Pulmonary Association, Dr. Hatem collaborates with patients and referring clinicians to develop individualized treatment plans, coordinate diagnostic testing, and support long-term respiratory health. He is known for clear communication and a thoughtful approach to complex medical decision-making. Dr. Hatem is fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic, helping him connect effectively with a diverse patient community.

Juan F. Fernandez, MD, is a physician specializing in Pulmonary Disease with additional expertise in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine. He provides comprehensive evaluation and management of a wide range of lung and breathing conditions and brings critical care training to the treatment of seriously ill patients, including those with complex respiratory problems. Dr. Fernandez completed his medical education at Universidad CES (CES University School of Medicine). He pursued graduate medical training at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he completed residency training in Internal Medicine followed by fellowship training in Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine. In clinical practice, Dr. Fernandez is affiliated with River Valley Pulmonary and cares for patients in both outpatient and hospital settings. His hospital affiliations include The Hospitals of Providence system, including Memorial Campus, East Campus, Sierra Campus, and Transmountain Campus, and he is also affiliated with Las Palmas Medical Center. Dr. Fernandez is bilingual in English and Spanish, supporting clear communication and patient-centered care for a diverse community.