Meet Our Doctors at Memorial Clinical Associates, PA
Memorial Clinical Associates, founded in 1989, is a full-service primary care health practice serving the Memorial and Spring Branch communities. The staff consists of three pulmonary specialists, three internists, a sleep specialist, two dermatologists, a family practice doctor, and two nurse practitioners and a physician assistant. The practice also includes an on-site research and clinical trials department, an infusion suite, and a wellness center.
Craig M. Jefferies, M.D. – Family Practice
Dr. Jefferies heads up the Family Practice at Memorial Clinical Associates. He specializes in preventative medicine, acute ambulatory medicine, and geriatrics – a branch of medicine that concentrates on prevention and treatment of disease and disability for older patients.
From 1993-1994, before joining MCA, Dr. Jefferies served as the chief resident at Memorial Hospital in southwest Houston, where he also performed his family practice residency.
Dr. Jefferies received his M.D. from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.
In addition to Dr. Jefferies’ involvement in the American Academy of Family Practice, he is a member of the Harris County Medical Association and the Texas Academy of Family Physicians. He also participates in annual medical missions in Mexico and Central America. He recently returned from a mission in Kenya.
He is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice.
Personal Philosophy: An excellent education ensures you and your family the quality care you deserve.
Bhakti Gidvani, M.D., F.C.C.P. – Pulmonologist/Sleep Medicine Specialist
Dr. Gidvani specializes in pulmonary and sleep medicine. She oversees the treatment and management of ICU patients and those experiencing pulmonary/lung disorders, including asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis, and lung cancer.
She also has experience helping patients deal with sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and insomnia.
After receiving her M.D. from the University of Bombay, India, Dr. Gidvani, performed her residency in internal medicine at Lincoln Medical Center, which is affiliated with Cornell University in New York. She completed a fellowship in both pulmonary/critical care medicine at Scott and White Memorial Hospital at Texas A&M and served as the chief fellow from 2000-2001. She also completed a fellowship in sleep medicine at the same hospital.
Dr. Gidvani is a member of several organizations, including the American Association of Sleep Medicine, Texas Medical Association, Harris County Medical Society, American College of Chest Physicians, and the American Thoracic Society. She is Board Certified as a Diplomate Internal Medicine, Diplomate of Pulmonary Diseases, Diplomate of Critical Care Medicine, and Diplomate American Board of Sleep Medicine.
She enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking, and activities in her church. She is married to a caring and thoughtful husband.
Personal Philosophy: In the care of patients, one needs technical skill, scientific knowledge, and human understanding, along with courage, humility, and wisdom. I see many patients with chronic long-term problems. I believe in helping both patients and their families understand their diagnosis and treatment. Understanding their health is the key to good health.
Marsha Hughart, M.D. – Internist Dr. Hughart specializes in internal medicine, including inpatient and outpatient services, preventative medicine and health maintenance issues.
Dr. Hughart earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Oklahoma and her M.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. She moved to Houston and did her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas in Houston. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Hughart is a member of the Harris County Medical Society and serves as a voluntary faculty member of the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.
Outside of her medical career, Dr. Hughart enjoys hiking, weight lifting, cycling, rafting, water and snow skiing. She is an active member of the Chapelwood United Methodist Church and volunteers for Spring Branch schools and the Boy Scouts. She is married and has one son and one daughter.
Personal Philosophy: I consider it my privilege to participate in my patients’ lives and help teach them how to live a healthy lifestyle. Having lived in this community for a number of years, I consider myself fortunate to be able to serve the health needs of the people who reside in this area. I strive to do the best job possible for my neighbors and friends, treating them as I would my own family.
Richard Pohil, M.D. – Pulmonologist/Internist Recipient of the “Doctor of the Year Award”- Memorial Health Care System
Dr. Pohil concentrates his practice on internal medicine and pulmonary disease. He, along with Dr. Franco, founded Memorial Clinical Associates in 1989.
Dr. Pohil believes in caring for the total health of his patients, using insights gleaned from both his significant educational and medical expertise.
After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola University and his Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University, Dr. Pohil performed his residency in primary care internal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center. There, he also served as chief resident, completed a fellowship, and performed medical research in lung disease.
Dr. Pohil is a member of the American Thoracic Society, Texas Medical Association, Harris County Medical Association, and is a past member of the Memorial Hospital Medical Board.
In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Pohil enjoys physical fitness and scuba diving.
Dr. Pohil’s wife is a nurse and provides him with valuable perspectives from that side of medical care that make him a better doctor.
Personal Philosophy: Community focused medicine – one patient at a time. Only through continuous focus on medical advancements can we remain at the forefront of the industry. By promoting wellness and personal achievement in care for one’s own health, significant change can be made.
Lisa Hitchins, M.D. - Dermatologist
Dr. Hitchins specializes in both medical and cosmetic dermatology. Approximately 65 percent of her practice is on the medical dermatology side, while the remaining 35 percent is cosmetic services and treatments.
Dr. Hitchins has several years of specific training in the various cosmetic dermatology specialties, including Botox, Restylane, Sclerotherapy, and much more.
She studied at the University of Texas Medical School before moving to New Orleans to be with her husband and transferring to Tulane University, where she finished her medical education. While in Louisiana, Dr. Hitchins practiced at three burgeoning dermatology clinics. Although marriage took her to New Orleans for more than a dozen years, an infamous hurricane brought this dermatologist back to Houston, where she was born and raised.
Dr. Hitchins frequently shares her insights about preventive skin protection measures, dermatological surgery , and cosmetic options through speeches and other outreach efforts, especially in advance of the summer season. She also lends her talents to free cancer screening events for people looking to get a medical professional’s opinion about any suspicious marks on their body.
She and her husband have three daughters who are now ages four, seven, and eleven.,
Personal Philosophy: Dermatologists have extensive training in facial anatomy and other areas that are important to ensuring the safety and complete satisfaction of our clients. Many people do not think to ask what professional training their medical service providers have achieved – and that is extremely important.
Miguel Franco, M.D. – Pulmonologist/Internist
Dr. Franco, who has been in private practice since 1985, specializes in Internal Medicine and the treatment and management of pulmonary diseases. He, along with Dr. Pohil, founded Memorial Clinical Associates in 1989.
Born in New York City, Dr. Franco received his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine.
After performing his residency in Internal Medicine, Dr. Franco completed a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care, both at Baylor College of Medicine. Between fellowship and residency, he was a full time emergency physician with the Memorial Hospital System. He is a member of the Harris County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association and a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. Dr. Franco is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pulmonary Disease. He is fluent in English and Spanish.
Dr. Franco believes that our healthcare system serves patients best when doctors and other healthcare providers work closely together as a team to serve patients’ needs. He has served in several administrative leadership capacities, including as a medical director with several hospitals and on physician advisory committees for various healthcare organizations.
Dr. Franco and his wife, Jan, a registered nurse, have been married since 1982 and their son, Eric, is an economics major and a talented musician. The Francos are members of Grace Presbyterian Church and have traveled together on several youth mission trips. Dr. Franco enjoys exercise, basketball, music, cooking and reading.
Personal Philosophy: Motivation is what gets you started – habit is what keeps you going.
Roger Schultz, M.D. - Internist
Dr. Schultz specializes in internal medicine and pursues opportunities to learn new skills and obtain additional education in his field to benefit patients. He joined Memorial Clinical Associates in 1992, just four years after the practice opened its doors.
Born and raised in the small town of Council Grove, Kansas, Dr. Schultz received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and his Doctor of Medicine from Northwestern Medical School.He performed his residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center.
He is a member of several organizations, including the Texas Medical Association, Harris County Medical Association, Houston Society of Internal Medicine, and serves as a voluntary faculty member at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.
Dr. Schultz is married and has three daughters. He is an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church and participates on the Medical Missions Committee. He is an avid golfer and tennis player.
Personal Philosophy: Being trusted to provide care to a patient is my greatest privilege as a doctor.
John Levins, M.D. - Internist
Dr. Levins focuses his practice in internal medicine. He initially went into private practice with William Sutton in 1988 before joining Memorial Clinical Associates in 1992. Before joining MCA, he also served as chief resident of internal medicine at Hermann Hospital in Houston.
Dr. Levins received his Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University in Waco, twice receiving Distinguished Acheivement honors during his undergraduate years.
He received a Post-Baccalaureate degree in biochemistry and electron microscopy from the University of Houston. He then achieved his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. and performed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Texas Medical School. Dr. Levins was elected Outstanding Intern in 1985 and Oustanding Resident in 1986.
He is Board Certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Texas Board of Medical Examiners and currently services as a clinical instructor at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and the University of Monterrey, Mexico.
Personal Philosophy: Quality medical care means personal attention.
Leslie Tenaro, M.D. - Dermatologist
Dr. Tenaro is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist and a 12-year resident of the Houston-area. Growing up, she witnessed first-hand the profound effects that a skin condition can have on someone’s social and professional life – that is what inspired Dr. Tenaro to become a dermatologist.
Before joining Memorial Clinical Associates, Dr. Tenaro worked at a cosmetic dermatology office and also spent several years at Kelsey Seybold.
Prior to going into private practice Dr. Tenaro served as a general medical officer and dermatologist in the United States Navy Reserve as a Captain before retiring in 2004. During that time, she worked at a submarine base in Connecticut, at a clinic in Hawaii, at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, and on a Naval ship.
Dr. Tenaro received her Bachelor of Science degree, her Master of Science in Pharmacology, and her Doctor of Medicine, all from Emory University in Atlanta. She and her husband, who live in close proximity to the Memorial Clinical Associates office, are proficient ballroom and country dancers. They also love to travel.
Tim Thomas Managing Director
Tim Thomas has served as the managing director for Memorial Clinical Associates since 1995. He oversees the administrative side of the business and is responsible for helping develop business and new revenue channels through targeted offerings that benefit patients.
From a core group of four doctors, Tim has helped grow MCA into a full-service primary care practice of eight doctors, plus supporting staff, that is more profitable and patient-centered than many medical practices. He has introduced several ancillary service lines to the practice including a Wellness Center that caters to the physical and social interests of seniors and rehabilitation patients, an Infusion Suite, which is available seven days a week and patients can receive intravenous antibiotics, help rehydrate them, and address arthritis pain, and a pharmaceutical study program funded by drug companies.
Since most insurance plans are designed to handle only reactive medical scenarios, Tim implemented the SelectCare provider-sponsored health plan at MCA. The result is more preventive care for patients, geared toward keeping them healthy over the long term and providing services that patients would otherwise have to seek elsewhere.
Tim attended the University of Toledo on a tennis scholarship and received his Bachelor’s degree in education. He taught as a tennis professional for several years before achieving his Masters in Business Administration from Houston Baptist University. He got his Series 7 and Series 63 stockbroker licenses and in the mid-80s was recruited to a financial services company, where he handled financial and estate planning for clients.
Tim moved to Seattle a couple years later to help run a recreational facility that less than a year later was sold to the national parent company of a chain of health clubs. He returned to Houston and, prior to joining MCA, he served as a management, financial, and practice development consultant for wellness centers, health clubs, hospitals, and primary care facilities. He is married and has one daughter.