Zakaria Abdi, MD

I was born and raised in Houston, Tx. I went to the University of Houston and obtained my bachelor’s degree in biology. Afterwards, I went to St. George’s University for my medical degree. My clerkship experiences in the U.S and the U.K gave me insight into the different healthcare models. I chose family medicine because it is best suited for forming longitudinal relationships and serving a broad community of patients of all ages. I aspire to one day serve patients in a rural community and I believe that Detar Family Medicine Residency is providing the best educational opportunities to fulfill that goal. During my spare time I like to spend time with family and friends, cooking and exploring new hobbies.

Taha Ahmed, MD

Dr. Ahmed was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and earned his medical degree from Sri Siddhartha Medical College in Tumkur, India. He is driven by a deep curiosity about people and a commitment to providing care that is both compassionate and practical. He was drawn to family medicine for its versatility and the chance to care for patients across all stages of life, building trust and continuity over time. With special interests in preventive health, hospital medicine, and sports medicine, Dr. Ahmed finds meaning in balancing long-term wellness with the dynamic challenges of acute care. He chose the DeTar Family Medicine Program for its unopposed structure and robust hands-on training—an environment that has helped him strengthen his clinical skills and grow with confidence.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Ahmed is an artist and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, kayaking, and staying active through basketball and pickleball. He views both medicine and art as tools for connection, using empathy, dedication, and lifestyle-based prevention to empower others in their journey to heal and thrive.

Marianne Felice Bantog, MD

Dr. Bantog was born and raised in the Philippines. She completed her undergraduate and medical degree at the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. During medical school, she has been actively involved in medical mission trips, providing care and support to underserved communities.After graduation, she has worked in several clinics involving primary health care and Endocrinology. These experiences have sparked her interest in Family Medicine and Community Medicine. She chose Family Medicine for its emphasis on continuity of care and its holistic approach to treating patients. She is particularly drawn to the specialty’s diverse scope, which allows her to manage a wide variety of conditions across different healthcare settings.

Outside the healthcare setting, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading books, and traveling.

Sebastian Luna, MD

Dr. Sebastian Luna is a South Texas native. He grew up in the Rio grande Valley, where he taught high school science before attending medical school. He graduated from Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados. Sebastian’s experience as a high school science teacher in a low socioeconomic area exposed him to the immense healthcare disparities faced by his students, fueling his determination to make a lasting impact as a doctor and advocate for equitable healthcare access. He hopes to return home to the RGV and practice primary care medicine in his community.

In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, cross-stitching, and growing his streak on Duolingo.

Princess Raphael, MD

I was born and raised in Nigeria, where I first discovered my passion for medicine and caring for others. My medical journey took me to Grodno Medical University in Belarus, where I completed my medical education and gained a strong foundation in clinical medicine. After moving to the United States with my family, I knew I wanted to pursue a specialty that would allow me to build lasting relationships and care for patients across all stages of life. I’m excited and grateful to be part of a residency program that genuinely feels like family, where I can continue growing both personally and professionally.

Outside of work, I love to cook, sing and spend time with my family and friends.

Kapil Sapkota, MD

My name is Kapil Sapkota, and I’m originally from Houston, Texas. I attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). I chose Family Medicine because I enjoy treating patients of all ages and value the opportunity to build long-term relationships with them. I was drawn to the DeTar Family Medicine Residency Program because it’s an unopposed program that offers broad clinical exposure and truly values residents’ work-life balance. So far, my experience at DeTar has been even better than I expected—and the free food is definitely a plus!

Outside of medicine, I love watching football and spending Sundays on the couch cheering on the Texans. I’ve also recently started playing pickleball with my co-residents which I enjoy very much!  A fun fact about me is that I’ve been skydiving, and one of my life goals is to visit every national park in the United States.

Mary Shenouda, DO

Dr. Shenouda earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston and worked as a mathematics teacher before pursuing her medical education at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM). During medical school, she was actively involved in organizations such as the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), the Christian Medical Association, and the Rural Medicine Club, where she also served as an officer. Her experiences in rural medicine exposed her to the challenges faced by underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, deepening her commitment to providing compassionate, comprehensive care in rural communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Shenouda helped create and co-lead free vaccine clinics to ensure uninsured patients had access to vaccines. These formative experiences solidified her passion for family medicine and her dedication to health equity. In her free time, Dr. Shenouda enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, trying new foods, hiking, and kayaking.

Shariq Sikanderali, MD

I was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, and spent the first 24 years of my life there before immigrating to Houston at the end of 2022 after graduating from Dow Medical College. I chose family medicine because I love the idea of building long-term relationships with patients and being able to manage a wide range of conditions. This program stood out to me for its strong inpatient training and unopposed structure, which I know will help me become confident in full-scope care.

Outside of medicine, I’m into motorcycles and was actually a national-level roller skater back home.