Meet the Team

Dr. Boudreaux is Board Certified in Family Medicine. He received his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 1986. Hook’em! In 1996, he received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University Of North Texas Health Science Center/Texas College Of Osteopathic Medicine. After twenty years in private practice with a successful, primary care group in The Woodlands, Texas, he joined Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine striving to make an impact on the future of medicine in Texas and the region.

Dr. Boudreaux has a passion for family medicine and considers it an honor and a privilege to care for his patients. He believes in compassionate care for all of his patients that takes into account their individual circumstances, desires and needs in order to help them optimize their physical, mental and spiritual health. Dr. Boudreaux and his wife of 30 plus years have 3 wonderful sons. He enjoys time with family, playing the guitar, singing, the performing arts, travel, exercise and outdoor activity.

“It is good to love many things, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” - Vincent van Gogh

Dr. Ouida Collins research interest is focused on generational care. This includes care of the patient and the family caregiver. Currently, she serves as Co-Chair for a collaboration between the Alzheimer’s Association and the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Through this partnership plus community engagement, their goal is to increase awareness and early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. They will accomplish this goal through research involvement and advocacy. In addition, she is passionate about food, cooking, and ways to improve one’s diet as a means to prevent and control disease. Dr. Collins is grateful to be able to combine her interest in the Culinary Medicine Course.

Dr. Townes “Tucker” Leigh, Jr serves as an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and a team physician for SHSU athletics. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2006 and his medical degree from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in 2010. Dr. Leigh completed a three-year residency at the University of Alabama Family Medicine Residency in Tuscaloosa in 2013 and a fellowship in Primary Care Sports Medicine at Lemak Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Birmingham in 2014. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine, Family Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians, and holds a certificate of added qualification in Sports Medicine. Prior to coming to SHSU, Dr. Leigh served as a team physician for the University of Southern Indiana and Alabama State University as well as providing medical coverage for many local, regional, and national events.

Megan Woolford is originally from Stafford, Texas, just southeast of Houston. Dr. Woolford completed her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Texas A&M University. She then went to medical school at Baylor College of Medicine located in the Texas Medical Center. After experiencing medical practice in the big city, Dr. Woolford was interested in community-based medicine. She completed residency in Family Medicine at Lonestar Family Health Center, where she served a largely unfunded, underserved population. She developed a passion for teaching both her patients and medical students on her team.

Dr. Kemi Olaiya joined Sam Houston State University in September 2020 and is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the College of Osteopathic Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Texas A&M University and her medical degree from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC-TCOM). She completed a 4-year combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency training at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria (UICOMP) and served as one of the IM/Peds chiefs. During this time, Dr Olaiya was recognized for her teaching and scholarly activity with a Resident Teaching Award as well as a Scholar Recognition Award. She subsequently completed a 3-year fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO.

Dr. Candace Walkley is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine (IM) and Pediatrics in the Department of Primary Care at the College of Osteopathic Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from University of Texas at Arlington and her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

She completed a 4-year combined IM/Pediatrics residency training program, followed by a 2-year fellowship in adult Infectious Diseases (ID), at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC). Dr. Walkley was then appointed Assistant Professor of IM and ID at LSUHSC, where she served as the IM Junior and Senior Clerkship Director, ID Fellowship Curriculum Coordinator, and ACGME Subspecialty Education Coordinator, as well as maintained an active clinical practice in ID and IM. Later, Dr. Walkley served as Associate Director of Education for the MedStudy Corporation, where she created evolving study materials for residents and practitioners of IM/Pediatrics, with specific emphasis on review for success on national board exams. Dr. Walkley also has worked clinically as a primary care internist at the VA’s large community-based outpatient clinic in Colorado Springs, and then as an IM/Peds physician in private practice in Huntsville, Texas. Initially board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and adult Infectious Diseases, Dr. Walkley maintains certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics. In addition to academic and clinical work at SHSU-COM, she continues to teach IM continuing medical education activities and dedicated board-review courses.

Dr. Walkley believes that medical competency comes after a student acquires medical knowledge (mostly learned “one case at a time”) and adopts the professional behavior of caring and dedicated educators, who make it their mission to provide as many individualized learning opportunities as possible. Dr. Walkley chose to join the SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine because of an overarching desire to help build a college of medicine that is strongly-oriented to the mission of wellness and primary care.

Awards and Honors: Dr. Walkley was granted several awards for outstanding teaching as a house officer and ID fellow, the Joseph E. Loewenstein Outstanding Teaching Award in 1999, and the Distinguished Faculty Award for Humanism in Medicine in 2006. She is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society.

Lesley Gardiner, MD, PhD, FAAP is an assistant professor of Pediatrics in the department of Primary Care at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Gardiner was awarded the Presidential scholarship for Texas A&M Corpus Christi, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She then attended Texas A&M College of Medicine in College Station where she obtained her Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Dr. Gardiner received her PhD in systems biology and translational medicine for her work with Chronic Kidney Disease and metal toxicities.

Dr. Gardiner pursued her Pediatric Residency training at McLane Children’s Hospital Baylor Scott & White in Temple, Texas, where she served as Chief Pediatric Resident. She is a recipient of the “Gene Lawyer Award” given to the resident who “Best demonstrates the qualities of excellent patient management, clinical care, and advocacy for children”.

Dr. Gardiner is board-certified in Pediatrics and has served as a pediatrician in the Conroe area over the past 4 years, first at Texas Children’s Pediatrics and now at SHSU Physicians. Dr. Gardiner is passionate about serving children and their families. She believes that all children and families should be treated with respect, compassion, and kindness. She enjoys educating children and their families about their child’s health and encourages joint decision making as she sees her role with families as a partnership.

As a mother of 3, Dr. Gardiner understands firsthand the challenges and joys of being a parent and wants to support both children and their families as they navigate childhood and adolescence while promoting health and wellbeing.

Dr. Gardiner enjoys traveling, hiking, dance, and hosting events for family and friends.

Dr. Kemi Olaiya joined Sam Houston State University in September 2020 and is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the College of Osteopathic Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Texas A&M University and her medical degree from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC-TCOM). She completed a 4-year combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency training at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria (UICOMP) and served as one of the IM/Peds chiefs. During this time, Dr Olaiya was recognized for her teaching and scholarly activity with a Resident Teaching Award as well as a Scholar Recognition Award. She subsequently completed a 3-year fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO.

Natasha Shah M.D. FAAP is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the department of Primary Care at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. A Native Texan, Dr. Shah attended the University of Texas at Austin and then received her Doctor of Medicine from Texas A&M College of Medicine. Dr. Shah always knew she wanted to be a Pediatrician and stay in Texas to serve the children of this great state. She then completed a three year Pediatric Residency at The University of Texas at Austin – Dell Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Shah is Board Certified in Pediatrics. After residency, she worked in a Primary Care setting as a general pediatrician in the Katy, Texas area. She has a special interest in Global and Rural health and has been on many medical mission trips from the Texas-Mexico border to Uganda, Africa, and other places all over the world. She also has an interest in childhood preventative care, allergies, and childhood obesity prevention and care.

Dr. Shah has a passion for pediatric primary care and truly cares for the patient as a whole. She enjoys being a teacher and healer to all the little patients and just as importantly their families.

“In pediatrics we get to see children grow up and my goal as your children's pediatrician is to instill in them a sense of belonging and hope for their future and guide them in their healing during times of illness.” – Dr. Shah

Dr. Shah enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being involved in church activities, and watching sports – she is a huge Houston sports fan- from the Texans, Rockets and Astros, and likes to travel all over the world both for leisure and mission work.

Dr. Townes “Tucker” Leigh, Jr serves as an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and a team physician for SHSU athletics. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2006 and his medical degree from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in 2010. Dr. Leigh completed a three-year residency at the University of Alabama Family Medicine Residency in Tuscaloosa in 2013 and a fellowship in Primary Care Sports Medicine at Lemak Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Birmingham in 2014. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine, Family Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians, and holds a certificate of added qualification in Sports Medicine. Prior to coming to SHSU, Dr. Leigh served as a team physician for the University of Southern Indiana and Alabama State University as well as providing medical coverage for many local, regional, and national events.

Dr. Barker joined SHSU COM in May, 2019. A native of Kansas, Dr. Barker has worked primarily in academic medical institutions as a Specialist in Pulmonary and Sleep Disorders Internal Medicine. He is also a certified hypnotist. At SHSU, he serves as Clinical Professor of Medicine and directs the Clinical Skills, Standardized Patient, and Simulation programs. Dr. Barker has a passion for teaching and learning and is thrilled to a part of the Sam Houston team.

He is happy to see patients who have problems with Respiratory disorders such as abnormal chest x-rays, asthma, shortness of breath or with problems sleeping such as obstructive sleep apnea or insomnia. In addition, Dr. Barker is happy to apply advanced techniques such as hypnosis or mindfulness to common problems such as test anxiety, insomnia, or smoking cessation.

Dr. Barker and his wife, Karen, live in the Lake Conroe area west of Willis, TX. They have pet parrots and dogs. He spends free time bicycling and reading novels as well as playing Words with Friends!

Ryan Marek, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM). Dr. Marek joined the faculty in 2021 and teaches medical students, engages in an active program of research, serves as consulting editor for both medical and psychological peer-reviewed journals, and see patients at SHSU Physicians. Dr. Marek is a licensed psychologist in the state of Texas.

Dr. Marek received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Quantitative Methodology from Kent State University in 2017. He completed numerous practicum placements during his training, including at the Cleveland Clinic and at a rural outpatient mental health facility. He completed his APA-accredited internship at the Medical University of South Carolina in 2017 where he completed numerous rotations under supervision including weight management, behavioral medicine (including pre-surgical psychological evaluations of bariatric, spinal cord stimulator, and solid organ transplant patients, treatment of chronic pain, and generally helping patients adjust to/manage their medical diagnoses), and conducted neuropsychological evaluations. Dr. Marek also trained numerous master and doctoral level therapists through supervision, teaching, research, and mentorship at his former university, University of Houston-Clear Lake.

I am a graduate from Angelina College with an A.A.S. in radiologic technology. While I am new to the healthcare field, I do have experience in urgent care, as well as many years of experience in customer service and human resources. I chose to go into healthcare because of the opportunities that are available and my passion for helping people I am excited to be a part of something new and so grateful to be a part of SHSU Physicians.

I have been in the medical field for over 25 years, mainly in family medicine. I also have experience in Urology, Allergy, and Gastroenterology and briefly in Cardiology. I find the field of medicine extremely interesting and I love helping patients with their healthcare. I chose to take my position with SHSU Physicians to being part of this exciting new adventure SHSU has developed. Osteopathic Medicine and the new SHSU Physicians clinic are working together to establish an amazing learning model that also serves the community…THAT is exciting!