Robyn A. Beach, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Special Interests: Breast and Gastrointestinal Pathology
Dr. Beach joined Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories as an Associate in 2007, and became a Partner in August 2011. He received his Bachelors degree in Microbiology with highest honors in 1993 from the University of Texas, Austin. Dr. Beach studied medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, where he received his medical degree in 1999. His post graduate training in anatomic and clinical pathology was completed at Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia in 2003. After completion of his residency Dr. Beach sat for his Boards and received his certification in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology in July, 2004. He then completed a surgical pathology fellowship at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston in 2004, where he developed special interests in breast and gastrointestinal pathology.
Maria C. Bernier, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Fellowship Training: Surgical Pathology
Dr. Maria Bernier joined Brown & Associates in 2018. She is a native Houstonian and graduated with honors from the University of Texas, Austin with a degree in Psychology. Dr. Bernier studied Medicine at the University of Texas-Houston Medical School. After earning her M.D., she completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas-Houston medical school in 2002. Dr. Bernier completed her residency in Anatomical and Clinical Pathology at The University of Texas-Houston Medical School with board certification in 2006. She then completed a Surgical Pathology fellowship at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Houston in 2007, where she served as Chief Fellow. Following fellowship, Dr. Bernier practiced general pathology at a local hospital in Augusta, Georgia and later in Clarksville, Tennessee. In 2011, Dr. Bernier and her family relocated to Virginia Beach, where she worked as a staff pathologist for a practice of Gastroenterologists until 2018. Dr. Bernier is the mother of three beautiful children and is married to Joseph Bernier-Rodriguez, DDS, who is an endodontist with Endodontic Associates in Bellaire, Texas.
Robin Brunnemann, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
A native of Uvalde, Dr. Brunnemann joined Brown and Associates Medical Laboratories in March 2022 after a long career with Alliance Pathology Consultants. She received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and subsequently graduated with honors from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston (McGovern Medical School) in 1991. After graduation she completed an internship in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical School in 1992. She completed residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the same institution in 1996. While in training she was actively involved in the House Staff Association including serving two terms as Vice-President from 1994-1996. In 1997 she completed a fellowship in Anatomic Pathology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. She joined Alliance Pathology Consultants, Pasadena, TX as an associate and became a Partner in 2002. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Pathology and is certified and Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.
Vicky Chu, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Cytology
Dr. Vicki Chu joined Brown & Associates in 2023. Dr. Chu received her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), graduating Summa Cum Laude. Dr. Chu then received a Post-Baccalaureate Intramural Training Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to perform full time research at the NIH for one year before medical school. She attended Baylor College of Medicine, Houston where she received her medical degree and completed a Pathology residency. She then completed a Cytopathology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. She has practiced in several hospitals in Houston since then. She is an American Board of Pathology Diplomate, certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, and Cytopathology.
Amber Cockburn, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Fellowship Training: Gastrointestinal Pathology
Dr. Amber Cockburn joined Brown and Associates Medical Laboratories as a part time pathologist in 2023. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science from The University of South Florida in 2004. In 2008, she received her Medical Degree from Louisiana Health Sciences Center Shreveport. She completed her Anatomic and Clinical Pathology residency in 2012 at The University of Texas Southwestern, where she served as co-chief resident. She continued her education with a gastrointestinal fellowship at Miraca Life Sciences (2013), and joined Miraca Life Sciences/Inform Diagnostics as a gastrointestinal pathologist. Before joining Brown and Associates she worked as a gastrointestinal pathologist for a regional hospital in Southwest Louisiana. Dr. Cockburn is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha and is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology by the American Board of Pathology.
Pamela Anne Coleman, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Special Interests: Surgical Pathology & Cytopathology
Dr. Coleman joined Brown and Associates Medical Laboratories as an Associate Pathologist in 2022. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in biology with honors in 1997 from Oakland University, Rochester Michigan. Dr. Coleman studied medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit Michigan, where she received her medical degree in 2003. Her post graduate training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology was completed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Massachusetts in 2007. After completion of her residency, Dr. Coleman sat for her Board and received her certification in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology in November 2012. She then completed a Surgical Pathology Fellowship at the University of California San Diego, San Diego California 2011. Following that, Dr. Coleman completed a Cytopathology Fellowship at Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit Michigan. Her special interests include Breast Pathology, and Genitourinary Pathology. Dr. Coleman’s husband is a music teacher in Houston. Dr. Coleman is also an Ultra Athlete, and has completed marathon swims and multiple IronMan races.
Kyle L. Eskue, MD, FCAP
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Cytopathology
Special Interests: Gynecologic Pathology and Cytopathology
Dr. Eskue is a native Texan who joined Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories in 2012 as an Associate and became a Partner in 2016. He received his Bachelors degree in Science (Biology), graduating Cum Laude, from Texas A&M University in 2002. He went on to receive his medical degree in 2006 from The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Medicine, which is where he also completed his AP/CP Post-Graduate Residency Training in 2010. Dr. Eskue completed a Surgical Pathology Fellowship at The Methodist Hospital in 2010, and a Cytopathology Fellowship at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in June of 2012. He is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, and Cytopathology, and currently serves as the Medical Director of Laboratory Corporation of America Houston Regional Laboratory. Dr. Eskue’s wife, Shannon Hardy, is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist practicing in Houston.
Heidi L. Evans, PhD, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Cytopathology
Dr. Heidi Evans joined Brown & Associates in 2019. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University in 1999 and then her Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering from Rice University in 2005. After working as a research scientist at the NASA Johnson Space Center for several years and also teaching math and science, she went on to earn her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Iowa in 2014. Returning to Houston, she completed her anatomical and clinical pathology residency (2018) and cytopathology fellowship (2019) at Houston Methodist Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident from 2016-2017. Dr. Evans is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pathology, Certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and Cytopathology.
Sarah K. Galfione, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Dermatopathology, Cytopathology
Dr. Galfione joined Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories as an Associate in late 2012 and became a partner in April 2018. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2001, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Dr. Galfione attended the University of Texas-Health Science Center (HSC) in Houston, where she received her medical degree in 2006. She served as Pathology Chief Resident (2008-2009) at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, and completed her Pathology Residency there in 2010, as well as her Cytopathology fellowship in 2012. She completed an additional fellowship in Dermatopathology at the University of Texas-HSC in 2012. Dr. Galfione is an American Board of Pathology Diplomate, Certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Dermatopathology and Cytopathology.
Polly K. Gauthier, M.D.
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Cytopathology
Dr. Polly Gauthier joined Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories in 2021. She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. She obtained her Pathology Residency and Cytopathology Fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She then completed a General Surgical Pathology Fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Gauthier is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and Cytopathology with 21 years of experience. She has previously served as the Medical Director of Anatomic Pathology at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas and as the Head of Cytopathology at St. Luke’s Hospital. In her spare time, Dr. Gauthier enjoys gardening, tennis, and sailing.
Yan Gu, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Special Interests: Surgical Pathology
Dr. Gu joined Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories as an Associate in 2005. She received her medical degree at Medical College of Southeast University in Nanjing, China, where she also joined the residency program in the Department of Otolaryngology. Dr. Gu received a Master of Science at the Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. She completed her Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta, Georgia; and completed her pathology and laboratory residencies at Texas Tech University Health Science Center and University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT-HSC). She was the Chief Resident at UT-HSC in 2003-2004. She completed a Surgical Pathology Fellowship at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pathology certified in Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.
M. Elaine Kling, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Cytopathology
Dr. Elaine Kling, a native Oklahoman, has called Texas her home since 2006 and has been part of Brown and Associates since 2008. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and her medical degree from De La Salle University College of Medicine (Philippines) in 2000. She completed internal medicine internship at Union Memorial Hospital (Baltimore) in 2001, pathology residency at the University of Maryland in 2006 and fellowships in surgical pathology/cytopathology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in 2007-08. Dr. Kling is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology and cytopathology. She is the Medical Lab Director of Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital (since 2012). Any extra time she spends with her husband, Brian, and their three teenagers.
Edward T. Kott, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Cytopathology
A native of San Antonio, Dr. Kott began working with Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories in 1980 and became a partner July 1983. He attended San Antonio College and Saint Mary’s University, and graduated from the University of Texas Medical School, Houston, in 1975. His post-graduate studies included a combined anatomic and clinical pathology residency at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston (Hermann Hospital) and a fellowship in anatomic pathology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, American Cancer Society Fellow. He is board-certified in anatomic and clinical pathology (1980) and cytopathology (1990). Dr. Kott served as the Medical Director at Columbia HCA North Houston Medical Center for 17 years and worked as a staff pathologist at Park Plaza Hospital. He served as Medical Director of the Laboratory Corporation of America Houston Regional Laboratory in March 2003 until September 2005.
LI Liang, MD, PhD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Fellowship Training: Surgical Pathology, head and neck pathology
Dr. Liang joined Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories as an Associate in February 2022. She received her Bachelor of Medicine degree from China Medical University and Doctor of Medicine degree from Peking Union Medical College. She completed her pathology residency at North Shore-LIJ hospital in New York (PGY1-2) and University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (PGY3-4). She completed a Surgical Pathology Fellowship and a Head and Neck Pathology Fellowship at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Liang practiced general pathology at Goshen Health in Indiana before joining Brown & Associates. She is currently board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology by the American Board of Pathology.
Nisrin H. Motiwala, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Fellowship Training: Surgical Pathology
Dr. Motiwala joined Brown & Associates in January 2021. She earned her medical degree from Sind Medical College, Karachi prior to relocating to Houston. While working as a Research Assistant at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Motiwala completed a master’s degree in Public Health at University of Texas Health Science Center. Subsequently, she completed her pathology residency at Nassau University Medical Center in New York and surgical pathology fellowship at Medical College of Georgia in 2009. Before joining Brown & Associates Dr. Motiwala worked at Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center as staff pathologist and at Baylor College of Medicine as an Associate Professor. Dr. Motiwala is a Diplomate of the American Board of pathology, certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. She enjoys spending her free time with family and loves to travel with her husband and three children.
Ha Le Nguyen, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Hematopathology and Molecular Genetic Pathology
Dr. Ha Nguyen joined Brown & Associated Medical Laboratories in 2021. She received her medical degree at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She was a former ENT surgeon in Vietnam and eventually found a great joy in Pathology. She completed her pathology residency at Orlando Regional Medical Center in the city of Orlando, Florida in 2014-2018. Subsequently, her Molecular-Genetic Pathology fellowship was performed at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia in 2018-2019, and was followed by a Hematopathology fellowship at City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California in 2019-2020. Dr. Nguyen is an American Board of Pathology Diplomate, certified in Anatomic Pathology/Clinical Pathology (2018), Molecular-Genetic Pathology (2019) and Hematopathology (2020). She worked in a private pathology practice in Atlanta, Georgia as a staff pathologist prior to joining BAML.
Huy Quang Nguyen, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Fellowship training: Surgical Pathology
Dr. Huy Nguyen joined Brown & Associated Medical Laboratories in August 2022. He earned his medical degree at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. After working one year as an adjunct faculty at the Department of Anatomy of Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, he followed his family to America. He completed his pathology residency at Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University in 2017-2021, where he served as Chief Resident from 2019-2020. He subsequently completed his Surgical Pathology fellowship at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in 2021-2022. Dr. Nguyen is an American Board of Pathology Diplomate, certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology.
Steven J. O’Connor, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Special Interests: Surgical Pathology
Dr. O’Connor joined Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories on July 1, 1994. He is certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic & Clinical Pathology (since 1994). Dr. O’Connor is the Laboratory Medical Director at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital. He previously served as Medical Director of the Pathology Departments at River Oaks Hospital (formerly Twelve Oaks Medical Center), Bayou City Medical Center – South Campus (formerly Sharpstown General Hospital) and Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, and as a staff pathologist at Laboratory Corporation of America. He also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where he instructed cytopathology fellows. He is a member of several professional organizations. Dr. O’Connor received his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska in 1985 and at the University of Nebraska, School of Medicine he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1989. He began his pathology training in Nebraska, but moved to Baylor College of Medicine for 2-years, followed by a Surgical Pathology Fellowship at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Betty K. Oetama, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Hematopathology
Dr. Oetama joined Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories as an Associate in 2006. She received her medical degree at Medical College University of Indonesia, Jakarta. She performed her post-graduate training at the University of Indonesia, Jakarta, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Oetama was the Chief Resident in the Pathology Residency Program at TTUHSC in 2002-2003. She completed her Hematopathology Fellowship Program at the University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham. Dr. Oetama is board certified in Clinical and Anatomic Pathology (2004) and Hematopathology (2006). In January 2017 she began working part-time exclusively at Laboratory Corporation of America.
Jacqueline T.N. O’Hare, DO
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Hematopathology
Dr. Jacqueline O’Hare joined Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories as an Associate at the end of 2018. Born in Vietnam but raised in Sugar Land, Texas, she considers herself a native Houstonian. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry at the University of Dallas. She obtained her medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (University of North Texas Health Science Center) in Fort Worth, Texas in 2004 where she went on to complete her Anatomic and Clinical Pathology residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston in 2008. Her Surgical Pathology Fellowship was completed in 2009 at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and was followed by a two-year Hematopathology fellowship at The Methodist Hospital in Houston at the Medical Center. Dr. O’Hare had the opportunity to work as an Associate Professor at the University of Houston Health Science Center in Houston, a Hematopathologist at Applied Diagnostics in Houston, and a General Surgical Pathologist at Alliance Pathology Consultants in Pasadena, Texas before joining Brown & Associates. She is an American Board of Pathology Diplomate, certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and Hematopathology.
Joel D. Thibodeaux, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Cytopathology
Dr. Joel Thibodeaux joined Brown & Associates Laboratories in 2021. He earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport in 2000. After initially training to be an otolaryngologist, in 2004 he changed career paths and began training in pathology, completing his pathology residency and cytopathology fellowship at LSU Shreveport in 2008 and 2009, respectively. After spending a year as an assistant instructor at LSU Shreveport, Dr. Thibodeaux joined the faculty at UT Southwestern in Dallas as an assistant professor in 2010, where he practiced general surgical pathology, with emphasis in cytology, head and neck pathology and GYN tract pathology. From 2011 through 2019 he served as medical director of cytology and as director of the cytopathology fellowship, earning promotion to associate professor in 2017. He left UTSW in 2019 to begin a career in private practice, serving as a general surgical pathologist and laboratory medical director for a regional hospital in southwest Louisiana. Dr. Thibodeaux is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pathology, board certified in Anatomic & Clinical Pathology and Cytopathology.
Latonia E. Tyler, MD
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Dr. Tyler joined Brown & Associates Medical Laboratories in San Antonio as an Associate Pathologist in 2011. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in 1996 from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, Cum Laude, Lynchburg, Virginia, and her Medical Degree in 2001 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She performed her Internship at Transitional, Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Tyler performed a Residency in Pathology at San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, San Antonio, Texas from 2002 to 2006. She also served as Chief Resident in Pathology at San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium in 2005, where she was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. She then held the position of Chief of Clinical Pathology and Transfusion Services at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital for four years (2006-2010) where she was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Dr. Tyler is double-boarded in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology (2006) with the American Board of Pathology.