The Medical Opinion Marketplace

Troy A. Turner, PT, is a licensed physical therapist in Texas who provides comprehensive rehabilitation services for patients with a wide range of musculoskeletal and functional needs. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. His clinical expertise includes certified Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) and vestibular rehabilitation, supporting both return-to-work decision-making and care for patients with balance-related concerns. In addition to these focused competencies, Mr. Turner has advanced training in aquatic therapy, strength training, ergonomics, cardiac rehabilitation, and pre-employment screening. His broad skill set allows him to tailor treatment plans that emphasize safe progression, measurable functional improvement, and long-term injury prevention. Mr. Turner is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Texas Physical Therapy Association, and he has served in professional leadership as a past Coastal Bend District Chair for TPTA. He also provides practice leadership as Owner/President of Laredo Back In Action LLC, supporting high-quality, patient-centered physical therapy services within the community.

Adaobi Nwaneshiudu, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who provides comprehensive medical, surgical, and diagnostic skin care at Cutis Wellness Dermatology & Dermatopathology, PLLC in Laredo, Texas. She earned her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and also completed a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, reflecting a strong foundation in the science of skin disease and immune-mediated conditions. Dr. Nwaneshiudu completed her internship at Crozer Chester Medical Center, followed by dermatology residency training at the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she also completed fellowship training in dermatopathology. Her background includes recognition through membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Clinically, she has particular interests in cosmetic dermatology and ethnic skin dermatology, including the evaluation and management of pigmentary disorders. As a dermatopathologist, she brings expertise in correlating clinical findings with microscopic diagnosis to guide precise, individualized treatment. She has also contributed to scholarly work as a co-author of a chapter on distinguishing dysplastic nevi from melanoma in a dermatopathology reference text.

Omar Palomin, PT, is a licensed physical therapist in Texas who provides patient-centered rehabilitation care focused on restoring function, improving mobility, and supporting long-term wellness. He earned a Master of Physical Therapy from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and later completed a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at The College of St. Scholastica, reflecting a commitment to advanced clinical training and evidence-based practice. In addition to his clinical work, Mr. Palomin contributes to the profession through service and leadership. He is a member of the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, representing the McAllen area, and participates in board committee work, including the Education committee and serving as an alternate for Rules and Practice. He is also Chief Executive Officer of Performance Therapeutics and is associated with multiple clinic locations across South Texas. Mr. Palomin is actively engaged in professional and community organizations, including the American Physical Therapy Association, the APTA Private Practice Section, and the Texas Physical Therapy Association. He also supports local health initiatives as a member of the McAllen ISD School Health Advisory Council.

Erick Manuel Santos, MD, PhD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon providing comprehensive evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. He earned his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and completed internship training with the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, followed by orthopaedic surgery residency training at the University of Alabama. Dr. Santos’ background also includes service as a U.S. Air Force flight surgeon, bringing a broad perspective on injury prevention, performance, and recovery. In clinical practice, Dr. Santos focuses on helping patients regain mobility and function through individualized care plans that may include both non-surgical and surgical options. He is affiliated with Mission Regional Medical Center and has also been associated with Corpus Christi Medical Center Doctors Regional. Committed to education and continuous improvement, he has held academic appointments including Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and an adjunct faculty role in family medicine at Texas A&M Health Sciences. Dr. Santos is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is fluent in English and Spanish.

Dr. Alfonso Mercado, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in Texas and a Full Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He also serves as Director of UTRGV’s Multicultural Clinical Lab and is a National Register Health Service Psychologist. Dr. Mercado earned his PhD in Clinical Psychology from APA-accredited Fielding Graduate University and completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees at California Lutheran University, with study in clinical psychology and criminal justice. Dr. Mercado provides evidence-based care and is fluent in English and Spanish. His clinical interests include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety and depression, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, multicultural psychology, and forensic psychology. Working in the Texas–Mexico border region, he is committed to improving access to high-quality psychological services in underserved communities. His scholarship focuses on multicultural interventions and mental health in culturally diverse groups, including trauma and resiliency among immigrant communities and research with Latino/Latinx populations. In addition to his academic and clinical work, Dr. Mercado has held national and state leadership roles in professional psychology, including service as President of the Texas Psychological Association and President of the National Latinx Psychological Association, and as Chair-Elect of the American Psychological Association’s Advocacy Coordinating Committee. He has been recognized with honors including Psychologist of the Year from the Texas Psychological Association and the APA Early Career Psychologist Achievement Award.

Johanna Torres Santiago, MD, is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who provides outpatient psychiatric care with options for in-person and telehealth appointments. She earned her medical degree from Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus. Dr. Torres Santiago has advanced training in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), including a visiting fellowship at Duke University, and she incorporates evidence-based, brain-based treatment options when appropriate as part of a comprehensive care plan. Dr. Torres Santiago’s approach emphasizes thoughtful diagnostic evaluation, individualized treatment planning, and medication management when indicated, while coordinating care within a broader behavioral health framework. She is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. Fluent in English and Spanish, she works to support clear communication and collaborative decision-making across diverse patient backgrounds. She is licensed to practice medicine in Texas, Puerto Rico, and Virginia.

Inad B. Atassi, MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon with over 35 years of clinical experience caring for patients with disorders of the brain, spine, and nervous system. He is part of the DHR Health Neurosurgery Institute, where he provides comprehensive neurosurgical evaluation and treatment for both adult and pediatric patients, integrating advanced technology and contemporary surgical techniques to support safe, effective care. Dr. Atassi earned his medical degree from Damascus University in Damascus, Syria. He completed postgraduate training in general surgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, followed by neurosurgery residency training at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. Earlier in his career, he practiced neurosurgery at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and Highsmith-Rainey Memorial Hospital. Known for a thorough and patient-centered approach, Dr. Atassi focuses on clear communication and individualized treatment planning, helping patients and families understand their options across both surgical and non-surgical pathways when appropriate.

Raymond (Trey) R. Fulp, III, DO, is an orthopaedic surgeon with a clinical focus on spine-focused orthopaedics and spinal surgery. Board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Fulp is committed to evidence-based, patient-centered care for adults with back and neck pain, degenerative conditions, and other musculoskeletal disorders affecting the spine. He emphasizes thoughtful evaluation, clear communication, and individualized treatment plans that may include nonoperative therapies as well as surgical options when appropriate. Dr. Fulp’s training has included education and clinical experiences at institutions listed by health system directories, including the Texas Back Institute, Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, Community Hospital, Jackson Memorial Hospital, and the University of Oklahoma Tulsa Medical College. He is affiliated with Valley Baptist – Brownsville. Dr. Fulp communicates in English and strives to help patients understand their diagnosis and treatment choices, supporting informed decision-making and functional recovery.

Hamzah M. Saei, MD, is a neurologist with a clinical focus in vascular neurology, caring for patients with conditions affecting the brain and nervous system, including stroke and related cerebrovascular disorders. He is board certified in Neurology and brings more than a decade of clinical experience to his practice. Dr. Saei earned his medical degree from Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara Facultad de Medicina and has continued to build expertise in the evaluation and management of complex neurologic disease. He is affiliated with Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen, Texas, where he contributes to neurologic care in the region. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Saei has participated in peer-reviewed neurology research, including work reflected in PubMed-indexed literature within neuroendovascular and vascular neurology. He has also shared clinical knowledge through professional education, presenting on the management of acute ischemic stroke. Dr. Saei is fluent in Arabic, English, and Spanish, supporting clear communication with a diverse patient population and emphasizing patient-centered, evidence-based neurologic care.

Cynthia Cavazos-Gonzalez, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and clinical neuropsychologist based in McAllen, Texas. She specializes in clinical neuropsychology, with professional interests that include understanding cognitive functioning and applying evidence-based approaches to psychological and neuropsychological evaluation. Dr. Cavazos-Gonzalez has contributed to the neuropsychology literature, including peer-reviewed work examining how the language used during testing may relate to neuropsychological test performance in neurologically intact Hispanic American bilingual adults. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Cavazos-Gonzalez has held academic and clinical leadership roles, including serving as director of the UTRGV Psychology Clinic and as an associate professor of practice. Her background reflects a commitment to advancing psychological services through clinical practice, education, and scholarship. Patients and colleagues value her thoughtful, culturally informed perspective and her focus on careful assessment to support clear, individualized recommendations.