Presenting Faculty
Yissela Escobedo, MD, MS
Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio
Yissela Escobedo, M.D. specializes in cardiology, cardio-obstetrics, and women’s cardiovascular health. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Dr. Escobedo graduated summa cum laude from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and then earned a master’s degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She attended medical school at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, El Paso and completed residency training in internal medicine as well as a three-year cardiology fellowship at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, Texas A&M University School of Medicine. She is a member of the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Physicians, and the Texas Medical Association.
Dr. Escobedo’s medical journey began while growing up in the valley of South Texas, where, as a Spanish interpreter at county clinics, she saw the struggles many faced to obtain appropriate healthcare. Early in her training, her special focus in health disparities allowed her to develop a greater appreciation of the multifactorial issues affecting patients with cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, she witnessed the special bond that develops between a patient and physician, reinforced by shared language.
As a cardiologist, Dr. Escobedo is driven by “the opportunity to help make a difference in the health of my community by treating heart disease, which is the leading cause of mortality worldwide.” Because of the diversity of this field, she hopes to “provide individualized care with advanced medical technology, innovation, and cutting-edge treatments.”
Dr. Escobedo has a special interest in bringing frontline care to the field of women’s cardiovascular health. She believes individualized attention and cardiovascular care are particularly important during pregnancy. Dr. Escobedo has spent the latter part of her training cultivating the knowledge and clinical experience necessary to provide extraordinary care for women with cardiovascular disease, even during pregnancy.
CARE PHILOSOPHY
Dr. Escobedo believes in “providing a team-based, evidence-driven approach to patient-centered care, where the patient and families are treated with conscience, compassion, and competence,” she explains.
Jonathan Fanaroff, MD, JD
Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital
Dr. Fanaroff is a Professor of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine in Cleveland. He is a Neonatologist as well as Director of the Rainbow Center for Pediatric Ethics at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. Dr. Fanaroff earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and his medical degree from the CWRU School of Medicine, where he was elected to the AOA Medical Honor Society. During his second year of neonatology training at Rainbow, he commuted to Chicago and completed an ethics fellowship at the University of Chicago. Dr. Fanaroff’s research interests center on ethical and legal issues in neonatology and pediatrics. He is a past Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Medical Liability and Risk Management. He lives in Cleveland with his wife Kristy, a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and children Mason, Cole, and Brooke.
Jenny Johnson, DO
HCA
Pediatric Cardiologist Jennifer Johnson, DO comes from UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh as an associate professor of pediatrics in the division of cardiology and served as the director of perinatal cardiology. She has 10 years of practice in cardiac non-invasive imaging specializing in perinatal cardiology. Dr. Johnson joined the Pediatrix Cardiology of San Antonio in 2023 and then transitioned to Methodist Pediatric Cardiology Associates in 2025.
Dr. Jennifer Johnson earned her medical degree at Midwestern University-Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency at Loyola University Medical Center. Dr. Johnson then completed a general cardiology fellowship at the Mayo Clinic followed by a non-invasive imaging fellowship at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt as a clinical instructor.
Ashley Klatt, RN, BSN
Paragon/Methodist Hospital
Ashley Klatt, BSN, RN is High-Risk Perinatal Nurse Navigator. She has over 15 years of experience in women’s health and newborn care at Methodist Hospital. She is passionate in providing excellent care, education, emotional support, and necessary resources for pregnant patients who have been identified as high-risk. There are many uncertainties for these patients due to complex conditions with their baby, themselves, or sometimes both. Her knowledge in care coordination and the hospital processes helps to prepare patients for their delivery, recovery, and life transition once their little one arrives.
David Lam, MD
Pediatrix Medical Group
David Lam, MD, received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2003. He completed his pediatric residency training from Arkansas Children’s Hospital in 2006. Dr. Lam completed his Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship Program in 2009. Currently, he is Chief of Staff at Methodist Children’s Hospital and the current Medical Director for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Methodist Children’s Hospital.
Tania Roman, MD, MPH
Perinatal Associates of San Antonio
Dr. Tania Roman, originally from Houston, is a middle child in a family of four sisters. She completed undergraduate degree in Human Biology and minor in Spanish Literature at Stanford University. She attended medical school at the Long School of Medicine, and a Master’s in Public Health in UT-School of Public Health. Then she went back to her hometown to complete residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In 2020 she completed a fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine at San Antonio. Her thesis was on chronic hypertension using new ACC/AHA guideline and relationship to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This year, her husband and her, welcomed twins- Amelia and Aurelius. Her personal experience with pre-eclampsia and preterm infants have given her a deeper perspective into high risk pregnancies and neonatology intensive care.
Cristina Welch, MD, MEd
Pediatrix Medical Group
Dr. Cristina Welch completed medical school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in Lubbock, TX. She went on to complete her Pediatric Residency at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. Following her year as Pediatric Chief Resident, Dr. Welch went on to complete her Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, while simultaneously completing a Master’s degree in Medical Education. She now lives in San Antonio, Texas with her family where she is the Assistant Medical Director of the Methodist Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Elly Xenakis, MD
Methodist Healthcare System
Dr. Elly Marie-Jeanne Xenakis is Program Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio and a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physician at CommuniCare Health Centers. With an MD from Pavia Medical School in Italy, experience in clinical practice, academic leadership, resident education, extensive training in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and numerous teaching awards, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her roles. Dr. Xenakis is dedicated to providing excellent patient care and training the next generation of Ob/Gyn physicians.
Planning Committee
Patricia Burns
HCA Healthcare
Rachel Goldsmith, MPA
Methodist Children’s Hospital
David Lam, MD
Pediatrix Medical Services Inc.
Kelly Morales, MD, FACOG
Willow ObGyn
Cristina Welch, MD, MEd
Pediatrix Medical Services Inc.