Yvette Almendarez, MD, FAAP
Dr. Almendarez was born in Austin and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas along with her twin brother. She knew she wanted to become a doctor from the age of five. As a senior in high school, Dr. Almendarez was accepted into the Premedical Honors College – a combined eight-year undergraduate and medical school scholarship through the University of Texas Pan American and Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Almendarez graduated Summa Cum Laude with a major in biology and minor in chemistry.
While enrolled at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Almendarez completed additional course work in the International Health Track and engaged in various endeavors to care for the medically underserved and uninsured population of Houston. She would frequently volunteer to serve the homeless population in Houston. In addition, Dr. Almendarez developed a special interest in alternative medicine.
After medical school, Dr. Almendarez completed her residency in Pediatrics at Texas Children’s Hospital, the country’s largest children’s hospital. While at Texas Children’s Hospital she had the opportunity to evaluate and manage many rare diseases while caring for patients from all over the world. After completing her residency she was invited to join her colleagues and mentors at Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates – Hillcroft. She thoroughly enjoyed working with such wonderful mentors. While at TCPA she had the opportunity to teach residents and medical students as a clinical preceptor and volunteer faculty.
After one year, her husband was accepted into his Gastroenterology Fellowship at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. Upon moving to Dallas, Dr. Almendarez accepted a job at the Plano location of MyChildren’s Clinic, a subsidiary of Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. Shortly thereafter, she was appointed Lead Physician and Lab Director of the clinic. Additionally, she served on both the Physician Leadership Committee and Risk Management Committee. At the end of her husband’s fellowship, they collectively decided to move closer to family and made the move to San Antonio, Texas.
Upon arrival in San Antonio, she worked at Live Oak Pediatrics for five years. While working in San Antonio, she became very active in the American Academy of Pediatrics. She completed a three-year leadership program through the Young Physician Leadership Alliance and was accepted to complete a 15-month leadership fellowship with the Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine. She has also become more active with the Texas Pediatric Society and sits on the Pediatric Council. She is excited to be opening Aquarius Pediatrics, where she will deliver state-of-the-art, evidence-based medicine in a compassionate and caring environment.
Barakah Day, MD, FAAP
Dr. Day was born in Boston, MA and was raised in San Antonio, TX. As a senior in high school, she was thrilled to be accepted into the University of Notre Dame. While there, she played tennis for the Division I top 10 ranked Fighting Irish and also obtained leadership recognition in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of America. She participated in a Neonatal ICU HUGS program and sang in a summer choir. She was awarded Athletic Academic Excellence recognition and graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Theology.
She then returned home to Texas to work towards her dream of becoming a pediatrician, and she obtained her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Following medical school, Dr. Day moved to Austin to complete her pediatric residency at Dell Children’s Hospital with the University of Texas Southwestern. She enjoyed the unique vibe of Austin; she was introduced to roller skating during a residency retreat, and ultimately joined a competitive roller derby team during her final year of residency.
She then gained invaluable experience in underserved areas across Central Texas as a pediatrician with Dell Children’s Circle of Care/ Lonestar Circle of Care as she treated children with a variety of medical concerns. In 2016, she accepted a position at the Austin Diagnostic Clinic in South Austin. It was during this time, she met her husband, and they started their family.
Dr. Day is excited to be home, and her family is excited to be settling down in San Antonio. Her hobbies include CrossFit, and her adventures now consist of quality time with her husband and two sons swimming or exploring various places such as the Pearl, Botanical Gardens, the Zoo, and multiple parks and playgrounds. The family also enjoys quality grandparent time, and are thrilled to be welcoming a daughter into the family soon!
