Inside the Health Professions from UT Alumni: Career Growth, Leadership & Impact

Quynh Pham Kawakami, MD is currently a pediatric hospitalist at Dell Children's and assistant professor at Dell Medical School. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015 with a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. She earned her medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2019. She went on to complete her pediatric residency, served as chief resident, and pediatric hospital medicine fellowship at Dell Medical School at UT Austin. Her academic and clinical interests center around quality improvement, with a focus on enhancing transitions from hospital to home, promoting high-value care, and advancing resident medical education. She is particularly drawn to qualitative research methodologies to better understand and address the nuanced challenges in these areas. 

Tasha Seidenberger is a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant in Austin, TX and the Director of Didactic Education for the Case Western Reserve University MSA Program in Austin. Tasha grew up in the suburbs of Austin and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2011. She attended the MSA Program at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale and practiced in Houston for about 4 years before moving back to central Texas. She was one of the first 5 CAAs to work in Austin and have been involved with the program here since its inception. 

 Brenda Chao, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist (OB-GYN) at Ascension Medical Group Seton Women's Health - 34th Street in Austin, Texas. She attended The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a major in marketing and minor in biology. She later moved to New Orleans, where she received her medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine. She then completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.  

She believes healthcare is a basic human right and everyone deserves access to high quality care without judgment. She focuses heavily on patient education so that healthcare decisions can be made together with her guidance. She hopes that all her patients feel that their concerns are heard and appropriately addressed. Dr. Chao offers comprehensive care from prenatal and postpartum support to the management of complex gynecologic conditions. Her clinical interests include both routine and high-risk obstetrics, encompassing prenatal and postpartum care. Additionally, her focus in general gynecology covers well-woman exams, contraception, family planning and management of irregular bleeding or pelvic pain. She is especially passionate about hormone replacement and menopause care. 

Dr. Chao is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health and the Menopause Society. Dr. Chao is fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese. 

Dr. Krystal DeLeon grew up in Richmond, Texas, and began her journey in medicine at The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her undergraduate degree and was involved in Women in Medicine—a student organization that solidified her passion for healthcare. Surrounded by inspiring mentors and like-minded women committed to helping others, Dr. DeLeon felt called to pursue a career that combined science, service, and connection. 

She went on to earn her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston and completed her residency training at Conroe Family Medicine Residency Program. Drawn to the depth and continuity of care, Dr. DeLeon chose family medicine because of her love for building lasting relationships with patients of all ages. Inspired by the impact her own family doctor had on her growing up, she strives to bring that same sense of care and trust to every person she sees. 

Outside of medicine, Dr. DeLeon enjoys life with her husband and their many beloved pets. She finds joy in painting with watercolor and acrylics, staying active through running, and experimenting with new plant-focused recipes.