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.
Grant Harrell, MD
Dr. Harrell is a San Antonio native, born and raised on the Northeast side of San Antonio where he attended Reagan High School. He made the decision to follow in his sister’s footsteps and attend school at Texas Tech University, where he became a part of the Honors College as well as part of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland as a snare drummer. While at Texas Tech, he became engrossed in serving the community through the service organization Alpha Phi Omega and through playing piano at his local church, St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church. He graduated from Texas Tech Magna Cum Laude with Honors with a degree in Microbiology.
After graduation, he worked in a microbiology lab performing research on microbial motility at Texas A&M University before deciding he wanted to pursue a career in medicine. From there, he obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center prior to heading back to Lubbock to attend the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. During these years in Lubbock, he was able to reconnect with his church choir where he became the pianist once again. He also found his love for golf which gave him a way to relax after the rigors of a difficult exam.
After graduating from medical school, Dr. Harrell returned home to San Antonio to complete his Pediatric Residency at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio. He was ecstatic to be back in his hometown where he would be able to practice in the community that he grew up in. He is excited to be able to grow along with his patients, and to give them a medical home where they can feel secure in the care they receive.
Grant loves to be back in San Antonio, where he spends most of his free time hiking in the hill country, playing a round of golf, or practicing his many musical instruments. He also enjoys having Sunday evening barbeques with his family, who still live on the Northeast side of town. He is excited to be joining Dr. Almendarez in her practice and growing under her leadership to become the best pediatrician he can be for his patients.
After graduation, he worked in a microbiology lab performing research on microbial motility at Texas A&M University before deciding he wanted to pursue a career in medicine. From there, he obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center prior to heading back to Lubbock to attend the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. During these years in Lubbock, he was able to reconnect with his church choir where he became the pianist once again. He also found his love for golf which gave him a way to relax after the rigors of a difficult exam.
After graduating from medical school, Dr. Harrell returned home to San Antonio to complete his Pediatric Residency at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio. He was ecstatic to be back in his hometown where he would be able to practice in the community that he grew up in. He is excited to be able to grow along with his patients, and to give them a medical home where they can feel secure in the care they receive.
Grant loves to be back in San Antonio, where he spends most of his free time hiking in the hill country, playing a round of golf, or practicing his many musical instruments. He also enjoys having Sunday evening barbeques with his family, who still live on the Northeast side of town. He is excited to be joining Dr. Almendarez in her practice and growing under her leadership to become the best pediatrician he can be for his patients.
Alexis Wilson, DO
Dr. Alexis Wilson, a Southern California native, has always had a passion for pediatric medicine. Growing up as the older sister of three siblings, she had the joy of watching them grow and assisting in their care. This early exposure inspired her commitment to making a positive impact on children’s lives.
Dr. Wilson received a degree in Biology with Departmental Honors from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her academic journey continued as she pursued a master’s degree in medical sciences and a medical degree at WesternU College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, CA.
In 2018, she and her husband made the exciting move to San Antonio, Texas for his Internal Medicine residency with the US Army. Dr. Wilson completed her Pediatric residency through Baylor College of Medicine at CHRISTUS Children’s (formerly The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio). During her residency, she underwent additional training in breastfeeding medicine. As an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Dr. Wilson supports and guides breastfeeding mothers and their infants, empowering families on their breastfeeding journey.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Wilson serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM), sharing her expertise and passion for osteopathic clinical medicine skills with aspiring medical professionals.
Dr. Wilson is an active member of professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, Texas Pediatric Society, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, and Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA). By staying involved in these esteemed organizations, she remains at the forefront of the latest advancements and best practices in pediatric medicine.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Wilson and her husband find joy in serving their church community in the Children’s Ministry. They also enjoy exploring new eateries, attending shows at the Majestic Theatre, and actively participating in CMDA Bible studies and community mission outreach events.
Dr. Wilson’s warm and compassionate approach to pediatric care creates a nurturing environment where patients and their families feel valued and supported. At Aquarius Pediatrics, she is eager to provide comprehensive medical care to children of all ages, forging lasting relationships that contribute to their well-being.
Dr. Wilson received a degree in Biology with Departmental Honors from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her academic journey continued as she pursued a master’s degree in medical sciences and a medical degree at WesternU College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, CA.
In 2018, she and her husband made the exciting move to San Antonio, Texas for his Internal Medicine residency with the US Army. Dr. Wilson completed her Pediatric residency through Baylor College of Medicine at CHRISTUS Children’s (formerly The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio). During her residency, she underwent additional training in breastfeeding medicine. As an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Dr. Wilson supports and guides breastfeeding mothers and their infants, empowering families on their breastfeeding journey.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Wilson serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM), sharing her expertise and passion for osteopathic clinical medicine skills with aspiring medical professionals.
Dr. Wilson is an active member of professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, Texas Pediatric Society, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, and Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA). By staying involved in these esteemed organizations, she remains at the forefront of the latest advancements and best practices in pediatric medicine.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Wilson and her husband find joy in serving their church community in the Children’s Ministry. They also enjoy exploring new eateries, attending shows at the Majestic Theatre, and actively participating in CMDA Bible studies and community mission outreach events.
Dr. Wilson’s warm and compassionate approach to pediatric care creates a nurturing environment where patients and their families feel valued and supported. At Aquarius Pediatrics, she is eager to provide comprehensive medical care to children of all ages, forging lasting relationships that contribute to their well-being.
Nafisa Ahmed, MD
Dr. Ahmed is a board certified pediatrician who was born and raised in West Texas. She attended Texas Tech University where she was in the Honors College and awarded a research fellowship with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Ahmed graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Cell & Molecular Biology and a double minor in Chemistry and Philosophy. Thereafter, as an awardee of the Texas Tech University School of Medicine Early Acceptance Program, she started medical school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Upon graduating from medical school, Dr. Ahmed spent a year working on a Masters of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Pediatric residency took Dr. Ahmed to Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Upon completion of residency, Dr. Ahmed joined a medical practice in Shreveport in a medically underserved community, a population that holds a special place in Dr. Ahmed’s heart. During this time, she continued to serve on faculty at LSUHSC, sharing her love for and knowledge in Pediatrics with medical students and residents.
Dr. Ahmed moved to San Antonio in 2016 and has been a part of Aquarius Pediatrics since 2021. She cherishes her role in providing comprehensive and preventative medical care for the children of San Antonio as a part of the knowledgeable, compassionate group of pediatricians at Aquarius Pediatrics.
Pediatric residency took Dr. Ahmed to Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Upon completion of residency, Dr. Ahmed joined a medical practice in Shreveport in a medically underserved community, a population that holds a special place in Dr. Ahmed’s heart. During this time, she continued to serve on faculty at LSUHSC, sharing her love for and knowledge in Pediatrics with medical students and residents.
Dr. Ahmed moved to San Antonio in 2016 and has been a part of Aquarius Pediatrics since 2021. She cherishes her role in providing comprehensive and preventative medical care for the children of San Antonio as a part of the knowledgeable, compassionate group of pediatricians at Aquarius Pediatrics.
