Dr. Carmen Elena Cervantes is a dedicated nephrologist and faculty member in the Division of Nephrology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She plays a vital role at the Johns Hopkins Amyloid Center, contributing her expertise to the field of renal health.
 
With a passion for medical education, Dr. Cervantes co-directs the Genes to Society Renal Physiology Course for medical students, fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. Additionally, she serves as the Assistant Program Director for the Nephrology Fellowship, where she focuses on career pathway development for aspiring nephrologists.
 
Dr. Cervantes’s clinical and research interests encompass quality improvement, amyloidosis, paraproteinemias, hypertension, and diabetic kidney disease. Her commitment to enhancing patient care is evident through her participation in initiatives to improve quality and safety in healthcare.
 
In recognition of her dedication to advocacy and global health, Dr. Cervantes was accepted into the Armstrong Institute Patient Safety and Quality Leadership Academy’s 14th cohort in 2024, as well as the 3rd cohort of the International Society of Nephrology Emerging Leaders Program in 2024.

Dr. Gonzalez is a board-certified psychiatrist with a special interest in mood disorders and women’s mental health. He has extensive experience in the treatment of mental health conditions in emergency, inpatient, and outpatient settings.

Dr. Gonzalez was born and raised in the Coachella Valley and attended the University of San Diego after graduating from CVHS. He attended the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and completed his medical education at New York Medical College. During his residency at the University of Arizona, he was awarded Junior Resident of the Year, served as Chief Resident, and participated in the very first Psychiatry Integrative Medicine in Residency Program. He has additional training in women’s mental health and is a member of Postpartum Support International, Marcé of North America, and the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists. 

Prior to starting private practice, he was a member of the teaching faculty at Kaiser Permanente’s first psychiatry residency program. During his time at Kaiser Permanente, he received his favorite awards, “PGY2 Lecturer of the Year, PGY3 Lecturer of the Year, and Outpatient Teaching Faculty of the Year.”. Most recently, he has trained medical students and psychiatry residents from Loma Linda University, Western University, and Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Gonzalez is married with three children and welcomed his latest child in 2019. He spends most of his free time with his 3 daughters, wife, and family.  After the kids finally go to bed, he works on a series of children’s books where wellness concepts are introduced to both children and parents.
 

David B Brecher, MD had the honor of completing his medical education at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (UAG) School of Medicine in 1978. Following graduation, he completed a Family Practice Residency and was Chief Resident at Kings County Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York.

Following residency, he started a Family Practice career in solo practice in Bay Shore, New York, joined a medical group in Clearwater, Florida, started a 17-member Florida medical group, and spent time in concierge medicine before transitioning to Hospice and Palliative Medicine 11 years ago.   For the last six years Dr. Brecher has worked as a Hospice and Palliative Medicine physician for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tacoma, Washington.

Dr. Brecher is honored to be board certified in both Family Medicine as well as Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and to have been elected as a Fellow of both the American Academy of Family Medicine and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.   He has had multiple clinical articles and case studies published, mostly related to end-of-life care.  Much of his teaching relates to providing physicians, ARNPs, PAs, and nurses education regarding goals-of care conversations, Advance Care planning, and symptom management for Hospice patients.

When not working, much time is spent with his wonderful wife of 37 years, three adult children, son-in-law, and granddaughter.  Spending down time doing lawn and gardening, as well as having two great rescue dogs, makes his day!  After being a physician for over 40 years, the great joy in helping patients, serving our Veterans, and educating colleagues about palliative and end-of-life care is a true reward.  Dr. Brecher has the deepest gratitude to the UAG medical school professors, his residency attendings, and physician colleagues for all their valuable teaching.  Having the opportunity to speak on the phone with his best friend, a UAG classmate, is something that he also looks forward to each week.
 

It was an absolute pleasure to visit the UAG campus nine years after my graduation. The UAG main campus, ICB, and Hospital Angel Leano all brought back fond memories. The new organ-based curriculum is an impressive step forward in the development of clinical and critical thinking skills, the electronic journal access puts the UAG digital library on par with any US institution, and the 4-year ECMG certification option is a much-improved pathway to obtain residency in the United States. It is clear that UAG cares about the success of their graduates and the faculty have made large strides to become a solid option for international students looking to practice medicine in the US.