Dr. DeFiippis joined the psychiatry faculty at UTMB in 2011. She currently serves as the Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division at UTMB. She received her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and completed her general psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship training at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Dr. DeFilippis directs and supervises the Department of Psychiatry’s Developmental Disorders clinic, assessing and treating patients with various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder. She provides outpatient services to patients in the Galveston area, as well as providing services to children in underserved areas of Texas through UTMB’s telepsychiatry program. Dr. DeFilippis is active in the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Psychiatric Association. She currently serves as the Treasurer and Secretary for the Texas Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She has written several peer reviewed articles on pediatric mood disorders and on autism spectrum disorder in children and adolescents, and she has been invited to speak both nationally and internationally about treatment challenges in these patient populations. Dr. DeFilippis is dedicated to residency education and teaching, and she received the excellence in resident teaching award for the child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship program in 2018.

Dr. Cody G. Dodd is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Central Michigan University, after completing his clinical internship at Boys Town, one of the nation’s largest and longest-running residential treatment communities for troubled youth. He completed a two-year fellowship at Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he specialized in the assessment and treatment of children and families affected by trauma and grief.

Dr. Dodd conducts applied research related to traumatic stress and its impact on children and families. His research aims to expand established treatment approaches that predominantly target features of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but do not address other common youth reactions to trauma, such as disruptive behavior problems and substance misuse. He is currently a site principal investigator on a multi-site longitudinal study of trauma-exposed youth funded by the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium (TCMHCC), which is a statewide initiative supportive service development and research projects designed to advance the mental health care of youth in Texas. As part of this initiative, Dr. Dodd also provides remote psychotherapy services to youth and families through the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program.

Specialties and Interests

Integrated Mental Healthcare, Tele‐psychiatry, and mental health disorders in children including ADHD, Mood
Disorders, and Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

Certifications

Diplomate in Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Diplomate in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Education and Training

Undergraduate Education:
University of Texas at Austin, B.A., Biology, 1988

Medical School:
Meharry Medical College, M.D., 1994

Residency:
Ochsner Foundation Hospital, Adult Psychiatry, 1994-1997
Specialties/SubSpecialties:
University of Texas Medical Branch, Fellow, Child Psychiatry, 1997-1999

Clinic Locations

UTMB Psychiatry
Tele‐psychiatry with Alvin and Texas City Clinics
400 Texas Ave N, Suite A
Webster, TX 77598

Family Medicine, Galveston
400 Harborside Drive (3 month rotation)
Galveston, TX 77550

Family Medicine, Dickinson (3 month rotation)
2401 West FM 646, Suite C
Dickinson, TX 77539

Family Medicine, Island West (3 month rotation)
6710 Stewart Rd., Suite 100,
Galveston, TX 77555

Dr. E’leyna Garcia (she/her), PhD is a Licensed Psychologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Garcia received her doctorate in clinical child psychology from Howard University in Washington, DC. She completed her pre-doctoral internship, with a child trauma specialization, at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine Multicultural Clinical Training Program. Additionally, Dr. Garcia completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine, where she specialized in providing trauma and grief clinical services for youth and families in outpatient and foster care settings. She additionally conducted research on topics including posttraumatic stress, suicidal ideation, and sleep problems in children and adolescents.

Currently, Dr. Garcia provides evidence-based assessment and treatment for Texas schools through the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) initiative. Dr. Garcia aims to advance the field of clinical psychology through clinical services, research, training, and teaching. She has a specialized interest in trauma-related sleep problems among Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) youth and is dedicated to improving access to mental health care for underserved youth and families.

Dr. Gushanas is also the Chair of the Early Career Psychology Division at the Texas Psychological Association and an active member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Society of Pediatric Psychology, among others. In addition to patient services and volunteerism, Dr. Gushanas is committed to improving the quality of care for Texas youth through training and education, consultation, and public speaking. You’ll often find her talking to podcasters and media outlets about the important work she and her colleagues are doing to improve mental healthcare in Texas.

Dr. Hasan joined the UTMB psychiatry faculty as an Assistant Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2023. She has provided telemedicine services to both children and adults during her training and is passionate about improving access to mental health care for under-served children and adolescents. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Hasan also educates medical students, psychiatry residents and child and adolescent psychiatry fellows.

Dr. Kirk is a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UTMB. She joined the psychiatry faculty at UTMB in 2021. Dr. Kirk received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Mississippi State University, and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Auburn University. She completed her predoctoral internship in Child Clinical Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Department of Psychiatry, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in Trauma and Grief at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics.

Dr. Kirk’s primary role at UTMB is providing evidence-based assessment and treatment for the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) program, which delivers telemedicine services to Texas youth in the school setting. She engages in clinical work, research, teaching, and training, with the aim of advancing the field of clinical psychology, particularly as it relates to childhood trauma. She is also dedicated to improving access to mental health care for vulnerable and underserved youth.

Veronica is a member of the Latino Social Workers of Greater Houston, where she has served as President, Founding Board Member, and Advisory Council Member. Her community involvement underscores her passion for supporting and empowering individuals and communities.

Dr. Myesha Morgan (she/her), PhD is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Texas Medical Branch in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Morgan received her doctorate in school psychology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. She completed her pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, TX. She has led and contributed to research on topics including the treatment of depression and related mental health problems in youth, as well as positive psychology interventions to promote subjective wellbeing in children and adolescents.

Currently, Dr. Morgan provides evidence-based assessment and treatment for Texas schools through the Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT) initiative. Dr. Morgan plans to advance the field of psychology through clinical services, research, training, and teaching. She is passionate about reducing mental health disparities for underserved youth and families.

Dr. Mosavi graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Biomedical Sciences in 2015. He received his medical doctorate from UTMB in 2019 and went on to complete his Psychiatry residency training at UTMB.  He then joined the UTMB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences as Assistant Professor in 2023. 

 Dr. Mosavi provides outpatient psychiatric services with a dedication to patient-centered, evidence-based care. He received an award for clinical excellence during his residency training. In addition to clinical duties, he is actively involved with medical student and resident education

Derek Neal is a board certified psychiatrist and member of the faculty in the department of psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) since 2014. He has also served as associate training director for the psychiatry general adult residency training program since 2017. He is a clinical provider for patients with mental illness and is also involved in residency training and education, medical student education, and other administrative duties. He has research interests in the collaborative care model for mental health care delivery and in physician burnout and wellness initiatives.

Dr. Neal completed his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at Texas A&M University in 2005. He then attended medical school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) and graduated in 2010. He then completed his psychiatry internship and psychiatry residency at UTMB with graduation in 2014. He was born in Houston, TX and raised in Clear Lake City, TX.

Dr. Okwara graduated from Emory University with her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology. She received her Doctor of Medicine from Texas A&M College of Medicine and developed an interest in providing care with those struggling with their mental health.  She completed her residency in General Psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). In an interest to provide care to youth as well, she pursued and completed her fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UTMB.

Dr. Okwara was appointed faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of UTMB Psychiatry, within the division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2024. Clinically, she provides primarily outpatient services, as well as care to youth in underserved communities in the State of Texas via telepsychiatry.  

Mr. Sheffield obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas State University in 2010 and went on to achieve a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2013. He acquired certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2014. Mr. Sheffield has experience delivering an eclectic application of Cognitive Behavioral and Solution-Focused Therapies. He has served populations including children, adolescents, transitional age youth and young adults. He has practiced in a multitude of settings ranging from community clinics, college campuses, and Local Mental Health Authorities.

Dr. Shotwell is active in the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry as well as the Texas Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He is involved in researching the effects of trauma on youth through the Texas Childhood Trauma Research Network.

Ms. Teschendorf obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wichita State University in 2012 and went on to achieve a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 2022. Through UHCL, she gained experience in career and crisis counseling through graduate internships. She is a member of the Texas Counselors Association and American Counseling Association. She acquired certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in 2022. Ms. Teschendorf is supervised by Mr. Steven Sheffield, LPC-S.

Dr. Trinh joined the psychiatry faculty at the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2019. She received her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed her general psychiatry training at Louisiana State University Health Science Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. She completed her Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship training at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Dr. Trinh provides outpatient services to patients in Webster. She is involved in medical student education, advising, and clinical supervision. Dr. Trinh also serves as a clinical supervisor to psychiatry fellows completing their training at UTMB. Additionally, she provides care to children in the underserved areas of Texas via telepsychiatry.