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Family Practice Residency Clinic

Knapp / UTRGV Family Practice Residency Clinic

A spacious new Knapp Medical Center / UT Health RGV Family Practice Residency Clinic between Mercedes and Weslaco is serving Valley patients with a wide variety of health care services for all ages, offering preventive medicine; management of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other conditions; assistance with weight loss; physicals; wellness exams; and behavioral health counseling.

This “mega-doctors’ office” treats adult patients of all ages, including seniors — as well as children, teens, and newborn babies.

Family Practice Residency Clinic

The clinic is conveniently located right off Expressway 83 at the N. Mile 2 West Rd. exit in Mercedes (across the street from Med High and Science Academy, at 2810 W. Expressway 83, Mercedes TX 78570).

The clinic is staffed by more than 15 family practice doctors who see patients in 18 exam rooms. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For an appointment or further information, contact us at 956-296-1831.

The clinic accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans.

The clinic is under the direction of Dr. Miguel Tello, Program Director for the Knapp Medical Center / UT Health RGV Family Practice Residency Program. The ultra-large, 13,800-square-foot clinic is part of a historic new program for the Mid-Valley — as it represents an expansion of medical education into the Mid-Valley.

“The Knapp / UTRGV Family Practice Residency Program will help create more opportunities in the Mid-Valley for those who would like to receive training as family medicine physicians,” said Rene J. Lopez, Chief Executive Officer for Knapp Medical Center.

“In addition, the educational and clinical components of this exciting project will be great assets for the entire Mid-Valley, thanks to our partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, the City of Mercedes, and the Knapp Community Care Foundation,” Mr. Lopez added.

First Group of 6 Family Practice Residents

Six family practice residents formed the inaugural class for the program, beginning in 2017 and graduating in June 2020: Dr. Miguel A. Sanchez Rivas, Dr. Marita del Pilar Sanchez Sierra Marino, Dr. Diego Moreno, Dr. Eliana Costantino Burgazzi, Dr. Eddy Berges, and Dr. Carolina Gomez de Ziegler. Pictured with the residents above (in the center) is Dr. Miguel Tello, Program Director (photo by Paul Chouy / UTRGV).

Family Practice Residency Clinic

Dr. Tello noted that this first group of residents is an experienced group of physicians, who have served patients in various settings – ranging from colonies in the Valley to remote jungles and other challenging environments in South America and elsewhere.

One of the residents, Dr. Eddy Berges, who practiced medicine in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico before coming to the Valley, noted that family medicine physicians provide a wide range of services, including preventive health, to people of all ages, ranging from children to senior adults.

“I think it’s a very complete specialty where you can take care of everything for a person, for her environment and her family,” added Dr. Carolina Gomez de Ziegler, who practiced medicine in Venezuela before coming to the Rio Grande Valley.

In addition to helping patients with physical conditions, the clinic also provides mental health services. Jennifer Ortega, DPC, LPC, CPC, CCATP, a doctoral-level licensed professional counselor, behavioral scientist, and assistant professor with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, is available for appointments with those dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, and other mental health conditions. To make an appointment, please call (956) 296-1831.

Services

  • Preventive Medicine
  • Diabetes Management
  • Management of High Blood Pressure
  • Weight Loss
  • Sports Physicals
  • College Physicals
  • Pre-Conception Care
  • Pap smears
  • Wellness Exams
  • Pregnancy Tests
  • Worker’s Comp
  • Commercial Driver License (CDL) Physicals
  • COPD Treatment
  • Immunizations
  • RSV / Flu / Strep Tests
  • Glucose Checks
  • Coumadin Checks
  • Surgical Clearance
  • EKGs
  • Inter-professional care
  • Sports Medicine
  • Hospital Care
  • Procedures

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Contact Information

Phone: (956) 296-1831 (with 24-hour answering service)

Email: Alexandra.Smith@utrgv.edu

Alexandra Smith, GME Program Coordinator for the Knapp / UTRGV Family Practice Residency Program

Additional Web Page:
https://uthealthrgv.org/locations/uthealthrgv-knapp-family-health-center/