DeTar Family Medicine Residency Program Celebrates Graduation of Class of 2026
6/30/2026
The DeTar Family Medicine Residency Program celebrated its 2026 commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 26, at the Victoria Country Club, marking a decade of excellence in graduate medical education. Nine accomplished residents graduated from the rigorous three-year family medicine residency program, bringing the total number of DeTar alumni to 59 since the program’s founding.
The event was a milestone for the Class of 2026, who spent the past three years serving patients at DeTar Family Medicine Center and rotating through various medical specialties in preparation for full-spectrum family medicine practice.
Program Director Dr. Julia Shae Krause-Castaneda, a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, emphasized the program’s mission in her remarks: “Our goal has always been to train compassionate, capable family physicians who will serve their communities with integrity and heart. This class exemplifies that goal—not only through their clinical excellence, but through their dedication to service and connection with their patients. We are especially proud that one of our graduates, Dr. Karim Heras, will continue serving right here in Victoria, providing primary care in the newly expanded DeTar Medical Group Clinic opening October 2026.”
Program Coordinator Marissa Rubio took a moment to honor Dr. Castaneda’s leadership, stating: “Dr. Castaneda is the kind of leader every residency program hopes for—dedicated, visionary, and deeply invested in the growth of her residents. Her guidance and mentorship have shaped the lives and careers of every physician we celebrate today.”
The ceremony was attended by DeTar hospital leadership, faculty, current residents, and the graduates’ family members. Brett Maxfield, CEO of DeTar Healthcare System, highlighted the broader significance of the program: “Our DeTar Family Medicine Residency Program is shaping the next generation of family medicine physicians through our collaboration with Texas A&M College of Medicine. These graduates are not only well-trained clinicians, but also compassionate leaders prepared to meet the evolving needs of our communities.”
Maxfield continued, “We are especially proud that one of our graduates, Dr. Karim Heras, has chosen to remain in Victoria. His decision to stay and serve is a powerful affirmation of our mission—and a meaningful investment in the health and well-being of our region for years to come.”
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. William Joseph Crowley, D.O., FAAFP. A family physician with more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Crowley has dedicated his career to providing care and mentoring the next generation of physicians. Since 2004, he has served the Port Lavaca community as medical director of Memorial Medical Clinic. Dr. Crowley noted in his speech that he did rotations with the residents and found that they are some of the best family medicine physicians he has ever seen.
2026 Graduating Class – DeTar Family Medicine Residency Program
Dr. Mark Apopot
Will join San Marcos Family Medicine Clinic in San Marcos, Texas
Dr. Lyne Etchouekang
Will join the Methodist Medical Group as an outpatient physician
Dr. Karim Heras
Will join the DeTar Medical Group Primary Care Clinic North, located next to DeTar on Demand, starting October 2026
Dr. Steven Huffman
Will join a private practice in Eugene, Oregon
Dr. Sergio Mejia
Will work as a locum hospitalist
Dr. Victoria Oneill
Will return to Houston to start a hybrid practice at St. Joseph’s Hospital
Dr. Kenneth Roca
Will practice in Port Lavaca, Texas, as an outpatient physician alongside his wife, Dr. Amanda Arauz Tobar
Dr. Pauline Roxas
Will begin her fellowship training in spinal cord injury medicine at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia
Dr. Amanda Arauz Tobar
Will practice in Port Lavaca, Texas, as an outpatient physician alongside her husband, Dr. Kenneth Roca
Each graduate was celebrated not only for their accomplishments, but also for the unique strengths and values they brought to the program—from community advocacy to clinical leadership. Special awards were presented by Senior Chief Resident Dr. Shariq Sidanderali and Junior Chief Resident Dr. Stella Fedele.
- Academic Excellence Award: Dr. Pauline Roxas
- Resident Teaching Excellence Award: Dr. Pauline Roxas
- Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Resident Teacher Award: Dr. Victoria Oneill
- Teaching Excellence Award (Faculty): Dr. Frank Goodman, Texas A&M College of Medicine DeTar Family Medicine Residency Program
- Chief Resident Award: Dr. Pauline Roxas
- Clinical Staff Excellence: Amanda Flores, LVN, DeTar Family Medicine Center
- Designated Osteopathic Resident Recognition, presented by Drs. Frank Goodman and Austin Caballero: Dr. Pauline Roxas, Dr. Victoria Oneill and Dr. Lyne Etchouekang
The family medicine residency program faculty team of Texas A&M College of Medicine—including Drs. Kalpesh Bhesaniya, Austin Caballero, Julia Shae Krause-Castaneda, Bain Cate, Frank Goodman, Daniel Dugi, Jonathan Klarich, and Mark Stevens—were recognized for their instrumental role in mentoring the graduating class.
Closing the ceremony, outgoing Chief Resident Dr. Pauline Roxas offered heartfelt remarks, thanking the residency program leadership, hospital leadership, faculty, as well as friends and family that supported their journey. “To all of you, thank you for loving us from the day we first chose this path to this moment of celebration and grace,” said Dr. Roxas.
The DeTar Family Medicine Residency Program, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), continues to serve as a vital training ground for future physicians who are dedicated to compassionate, comprehensive care across South Texas and beyond.
To learn more, visit https://detarresidency.com.
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