Current Residents

Harideep Samanapally, MD

Dr. Harideep Samanapally was born and raised in Hyderabad, India, and earned his medical degree from Osmania Medical College. Following graduation, he practiced as a physician in diverse clinical settings across both urban and rural areas in India. He later moved to the United States, where he worked as a lead clinical research coordinator in the Gastroenterology Division of the Department of Medicine.

Dr. Samanapally is passionate not only about treating illnesses but also about addressing preventive care and the root causes of disease. With a strong background in clinical research, he is particularly interested in educating patients and the community about the significance of gut-brain health in overall well-being. He aims to gain proficiency and practice in inpatient procedures.

Outside of medicine, he enjoys running, swimming, traveling, and playing table tennis, badminton, and lawn tennis. He also values spending time outdoors with his wife and dog. He is excited to begin his residency training at Memorial Medical Center and looks forward to growing both personally and professionally within the community.

Naveed Asghar, MD

I  was born and raised in the small town of Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. Being the son of a ward boy gave me a connection and excitement toward the medical field.

I completed my basic education in Dera Ghazi Khan before we moved to the city. I attended medical school at Nishtar Medical University, Multan. After graduation, I served as a primary care provider at District Headquarter Hospital in Jhelum, where I realized family medicine is the path for me. That journey led me here to the United States.

I’m interested in sports medicine in the future, but I’m currently exploring my options. I look forward to learning from the amazing team at CHRISTUS Health in Alamogordo and becoming the best version of myself. In my spare time, I enjoy photography and exploring new gadgets.

Rana Usman Anwar, MD

I was born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, where I grew up in an agricultural family. I earned my medical degree from Nishtar Medical University, and afterward, I served my hometown as a primary care provider. During this time, I developed a strong passion for family medicine, recognizing its crucial role in providing comprehensive care.

I was drawn to the robust inpatient training that builds a foundation for quality outpatient care, along with the unique blend of academic and community clinical experiences. The program’s emphasis on fostering relationships among residents, faculty, and the broader community resonated with me.

My interests include full-spectrum family medicine, inpatient care, sports medicine, and expanding access to healthcare in underserved global communities. I am eager to develop my skills as a comprehensive family physician over the next three years and beyond. Additionally, I look forward to exploring the rich culture, diverse cuisine, and natural beauty that New Mexico and its surroundings have to offer.

Himal Panth, MD

I was born and raised in Nepal, a country renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, where I completed my medical education. My career has led me to work in both Nepal and Oman for some time, exposing me to a range of health care environments from resource-limited to resource-rich settings. These experiences have, in some way, helped my understanding of health care disparities and fueled my passion for the family medicine specialty as it is principled with the continuity of care, with a holistic focus on overall well-being, but not just treating individual illness.

I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my parents, beloved wife and my family, who have been my greatest cheerleaders. As I embark on this new chapter in the U.S., I am enthusiastic about learning, growing, and expanding my skills with the exceptional team in this program. I am also excited to dive into new cultural experiences here. My goal is to give back something to the community through the art of healing, with a special focus on improving healthcare access for marginalized populations in the future.

More about me, I enjoy spending time with my wife and my family, love to cook Nepali recipes, and listen to music. When I have some time off, I love to trek and travel to new places.

Luckna Sugerthananathaeseyon, MD

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, I have always had a deep passion for the sciences. I pursued my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, earning a degree in Life Sciences with a minor in Psychology. My journey in medicine took me to the Medical University of America in St. Kitts and Nevis, where I not only gained a solid medical education but also had the opportunity to engage with and contribute to the underserved community in Nevis. After graduating, I returned to Toronto and worked as a clinical assistant in family practices, where I developed a strong appreciation for continuity of care and the importance of building meaningful connections with patients and their families.

Outside of medicine, I love spending time with my family, exploring my creative side as a novice cake decorator, indulging in my love for reading, and discovering new culinary experiences as a dedicated foodie. I am always open to new challenges and experiences, and I am thrilled to be a part of the family medicine residency program. I look forward to growing both personally and professionally with the support and learning opportunities available in Las Cruces.

And the answer to the most commonly asked question in my life: How do I say your last name? I broke it down phonetically: Sugeer-than-aan-antha-say-yon.

Thakur Shrestha, MD - Chief Resident

I was born and raised in a remote area of the beautiful Himalayan country of Nepal. During my childhood, I experienced health care inequities that affected my community. Because of that, I understand the values of life and the importance of health care during times of scarcity, and I feel privileged by that. Those situations made me dream of being a physician so that I could provide health care in the health disparities community. That strong desire and determination took me all the way, and I got a full academic scholarship from the government of Nepal to go to one of the renowned medical schools, Tianjin Medical University. That was a huge transition in my life in terms of professional and personal growth. I got opportunities to learn in a multicultural environment and graduated with an excellent graduation award, which made me the first-generation doctor in my family and in my entire village.

After medical school, as I promised, I worked as a primary care provider in the health-disparity communities, took initiative, and conducted community outreach programs to increase health care access to vulnerable populations by collaborating with non-profit organizations for more than five years. By seeing my dedication to patient care, work ethics, and leadership skills, I was appointed head of the primary health care center, Chief Medical Officer, head of the COVID unit, and leader of the medical team in coordinating care for patients in the community. I chose to pursue a family medicine specialty because I realized the shortage of primary care providers in the rural community and wanted to provide healthcare access. In addition, I have enjoyed providing full-spectrum continuity of care to the patients, which further solidified my interest in this field.

During the interview and especially in my second look, I felt that I really connected with the community and had a sense of belonging to this community, and I feel blessed to continue my training at CHRISTUS Health, where the program focuses on making a better leader and a well-rounded community-minded family physician. I believe I can be a fully competent family physician who can help my patients achieve their personal goals, provide continuity of care, and advocate for health education in the community.

Apart from that, I enjoy playing soccer, playing the bamboo flute, watching Netflix, cooking South-Asian cuisine, and traveling to different places with my wife.

Grace Amoke, MD

Dr. Grace Amoke is from Enugu State, Nigeria. She secured her medical degree at the American International School of Medicine in Guyana.

She cares about being at the forefront of the healthcare system to better serve and navigate her patients through their health journeys.

“I believe caring for patients should be a holistic approach because sometimes a little act of humanity is as important as treating an illness.”

Her hobbies include hiking, cycling, and trying out new restaurants.

Dr. Amoke has great interests in the community and preventive medicine and thus is thrilled to serve the people of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Quang Phuc Vu, MD

Dr. Vu was born and raised in Sai Gon, the capital city of Vietnam. Dr. Vu earned his medical degree at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine in his home country and is the first generation in his family to become a physician.

During medical school, Dr. Vu participated in many charitable activities involving care for people in rural and underserved areas. Witnessing the shortage of healthcare access that led to many negative outcomes has driven Dr. Vu to continue working in underserved areas. After medical school, Dr. Vu worked as a primary care physician at a suburban hospital where he enjoyed interacting with his patients of all ages and learning about the diversity of the patients’ cultures, which consolidated his passion for family medicine.

Dr. Vu enjoys playing soccer, swimming, outdoor activities, and exploring off-the-beaten tracks in his leisure time. Alamogordo is an ideal place for him to do his hobbies.

Dr. Vu is thrilled and grateful to be a part of Alamogordo’s health care team and is dedicated to delivering holistic care and positively impacting the community.