Core Faculty & Staff

Dr. Catinella has over 25 years of experience in several renowned academic institutions, including the University of Arizona College of Medicine, the University of Utah Health, and Indiana University. Dr. Catinella has also held a number of major executive leadership roles, including positions as vice chair of primary care programs at the University of Utah and chief medical information officer at the University of Arizona’s University Physicians Healthcare.

Dr. Catinella received his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine and his Master of Public Health from the University of South Florida. He completed his residency in family medicine at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

M'melo Banda, M.D., is a board-certified family medicine physician specializing in full-scope family medicine and general inpatient care. She received her Doctor of Medicine from St. George University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies.  Following medical school, she completed her residency in family medicine at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma.  Dr. Banda provides patient-centered, outcome-driven and cost-effective care.

Dr. Esparza was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Baylor University in 2009. Afterward, she completed a Master of Science in medical sciences degree at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. She then earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at UNTHSC-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2015. 

She trained at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Family Medicine Program in San Antonio, Texas, and is a board-certified family physician. Dr. Esparza has now relocated back to El Paso, Texas, as a faculty member of TTUHSC El Paso's Department of Family Medicine - Transmountain.

Dr. Ibiye Owei Nwanze is a graduate of the University of Ibadan College of Medicine, Nigeria, and has a master’s in public health from Emory University Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta, Georgia. She completed her residency training in family medicine at the TTUHSC El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in June 2020, where she had the privilege of serving as chief resident. She is board certified in family medicine. Her research interests include prediabetes, diabetes and obesity, and she has numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals. She enjoys the broad spectrum of family medicine practice, medical education and community outreach programs.