Chief’s Welcome
Ariana Najera, DO - Administrative Chief
Ariana Najera, DO
Hello and welcome!
I'm Ariana — originally from Florida, but I was raised in Sweden, which is where I
spent most of my life. I later moved back to the US to attend college, and eventually
joined the Army, which led me to be stationed here at Ft. Bliss in El Paso. That was
11 years ago, and I’m still here. El Paso has truly become my home!
I absolutely love this city. The people here are incredible, and we’re fortunate to
work with such a gracious and kind patient population. The local culture is rich and
vibrant, and the food is amazing! (As you can probably tell from my picture, I am
a huge foodie). Being located on the border, our program offers a unique opportunity
to immerse ourselves in global medicine, which enhances our ability to grow into more
compassionate and well-rounded physicians. If you have any questions about our program,
don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d be happy to help!
Alex Toppo, MD- Education Chief
Hey everyone,
I am Alex Toppo, the east coast representative of the residency. Having grown up in
New Jersey, I could not have been luckier to come west and train in the TTUHSC El
Paso Emergency Medicine Program. You will be hard pressed to find the same combination
of comprehensive medical training, diverse cultural experience, and ease of living
anywhere else.
University Medical Center (our main training site) is the only level 1 trauma center in West Texas with a 270-mile catchment area. That means we routinely see and learn to treat critical polytrauma patients both from the border and surrounding hospitals. For those interested in global medicine, TTUHSC El Paso is one of only residencies located on the US-Mexico border. Patients you serve will often come from and have received care in Mexico. Not infrequently, you will see individuals without adequate access to health care presenting with all kinds of pathology. Patients are also incredibly grateful for the care they receive.
El Paso is arguably one of the easiest places to live during residency. There is no shortage of affordable housing, and residents have been able to purchase homes on their salaries. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to live within walking distance of the hospital or within safe neighborhoods less than 20 minutes away. In El Paso you’ll find the relaxed pace of a small town with the convenience of a large city. You can reach grocery stores, climbing gyms, restaurants, and bars within 15 minutes from both ends of the city. On average, El Paso has 300 days of sunshine each year, making it the perfect place for those who enjoy outdoor activities or want a break from the cold.
If you guys have any more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out (atoppo@ttuhsc.edu).
Gabrielle Menendez, DO - Communications Chief
Hi there! My name is Gabby Menendez. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and completed medical school at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri.
As a midwesterner, I was nervous about moving to a brand new region of the country, but I was blown away by all El Paso has to offer. The gorgeous Franklin Mountains have transformed me into an avid hiker. El Paso also averages about 300 days of pure sunshine per year which makes pretty much every day a pool day! The unique Mexican-American culture is sure to have you falling in love with the history, people, and (most importantly) the food! Moreover, every day at our hospital is an opportunity to practice global medicine.
Our patient population is second to none as they are not only kind and appreciative, but supportive of our ever-growing learning environment. And of course, we have amazing attending physicians and residents who have become more-or-less like family.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, and I hope to see you soon in the Sun City! gmenende@ttuhsc.edu