Team

Dr. Ray Chihara: Professional Profile

Clinical Role & Partnership
Dr. Ray Chihara, MD, PhD, is a thoracic surgeon at Houston Methodist Hospital. Serving as a key partner to Dr. Kim, Dr. Chihara provides integrated, collaborative care to ensure their patients receive seamless surgical management.

Academic & Research Excellence
Dr. Chihara brings a deep scientific perspective to his clinical practice. After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, he earned both his Medical Degree and a PhD in Cellular and Integrated Physiology from the Indiana University School of Medicine. This dual-doctorate background positions him at the intersection of advanced physiological research and modern surgery.

Surgical Training
Residency: General Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine.

Fellowship: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Emory University—one of the nation’s premier programs for heart and lung specialization.

Dr. Naselsky: Professional Profile

Academic Foundation
Dr. Naselsky began his career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he demonstrated a unique breadth of expertise by earning his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Chinese Language with Highest Honors. He remained at UNC for his medical education, earning his Doctor of Medicine and graduating with distinction.

Advanced Research & Specialization
To complement his clinical practice with a deep understanding of data and outcomes, Dr. Naselsky earned a Master of Science in Epidemiology and Clinical Research from the University of Maryland.

Surgical Expertise
He completed his advanced clinical training with a fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Maryland, specializing in complex surgical interventions for the heart and lungs.

Dr. Deven Patel: Professional Profile

Clinical Role & Partnership
Dr. Deven Patel, MD, MS, is a thoracic surgeon at Houston Methodist Hospital. As a trusted partner to Dr. Kim, he provides expert surgical support and collaborative care, ensuring a comprehensive approach for their shared patients.

Engineering & Innovation
Dr. Patel’s surgical practice is informed by a deep technical expertise in Biomedical Engineering. He earned both his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego and his Master of Science from California Polytechnic State University in this field. This engineering background provides him with a unique perspective on the mechanics of thoracic surgery and medical technology.

Medical Training & Specialization
Medical Degree: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

General Surgery Residency: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles.

Cardiothoracic Fellowship: The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore—consistently ranked among the top medical institutions in the world.

Jane Doan, MPA is a board-certified physician assistant at Houston Methodist Hospital.  Jane practices in the Division of Thoracic Surgery taking care of patients in the hospital after the surgery.

She received a Bachelor of Arts at University of Texas and Bachelor of Science in Respiratory care at University of Texas Medical Branch.  She completed her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at MCPHS University in Manchester, NH

Leonora Meisenbach, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC is a board certified acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP-BC) at Houston Methodist Hospital. Leonora practices in the Division of Thoracic Surgery clinic evaluating and managing patients. She facilitates multidisciplinary care of our patients. She participates in the Multidisciplinary Thoracic Tumor Board and HMH Suspicious Lung Nodule Conference.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 1994, a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1997. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 2001 and her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 2018.

Amber Breindel, DNP, AG-ACNP, is a board-certified nurse practitioner who practices in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, managing patients during hospitalization and throughout post-discharge care.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh in 2011 and her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2016. She obtained her Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in 2016.

Amy Henderson, MSN-FNP, RN, is a registered nurse for the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital. She provides patient education, care coordination, case management, and clinical support for the division.

Ms. Henderson earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2005 and her Master of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M University in 2021

Elaine Jordan is the administrative assistant to Dr. Min P. Kim in the Department of Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital. She is a native of Houston, TX and plays a very important role in supporting Dr. Kim’s academic and clinical interests.

She maintains both clinical and professional appointments for Dr. Kim as well as handles departmental correspondence including dictations, letters, memos, and various external communications. She organizes and gathers data for the thoracic tumor board. In addition, she organizes the discharge packets for all patients released from the hospital after undergoing surgery. She assists Sarah the medical assistant, with clinical duties and updates patients with matters including FMLA paperwork, pharmacy refill requests, return to work releases, and medical records.