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Clinician Spotlights Jan 5, 2021

UT Health Austin Physicians Among Austin’s 2021 Top Doctors

31 UT Health Austin doctors recognized as Top Doctors in the January 2021 issue of Austin Monthly magazine

Sourced from: Austin Monthly

A close-up of a physician's coat left shoulder and chest showing the UT Health Austin logo.

31 UT Health Austin physicians were recognized as Top Doctors in the January 2021 issue of Austin Monthly magazine. These physicians were nominated by other licensed physicians as the best in their medical specialty or among the best in the nation in their medical specialty. Each physician nominee is carefully screened based on their educational and professional experience by a physician-led team of Castle Connolly researchers who select top doctors on a national and regional level. This is the fourth year that UT Health Austin physicians have been recognized for this honor.

How are doctors selected for Austin’s Top Doctors?

Austin Monthly’s Top Doctors are selected by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a healthcare research and information company that helps guide consumers to America’s top doctors and top hospitals. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected and profiled as Castle Connolly Top Doctors.

Physicians selected for inclusion in Austin Monthly’s Top Doctors may also appear online at castleconnolly.com or in conjunction with other Castle Connolly Top Doctors databases online or in print.

Meet UT Health Austin’s 2021 Top Doctors

A headshot portrait of John A. Bertelson, MD, FAAN Neurologist, Comprehensive Memory Center, Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences.

John A. Bertelson, MD, FAAN*, is a behavioral neurologist in UT Health Austin’s Comprehensive Memory Center within the Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences. He has extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and other neurological disorders of cognition. Additionally, Dr. Bertelson is an assistant professor in both the Dell Medical School Department of Neurology and the Dell Medical School Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

A round portrait of orthopedic surgeon Kevin Bozic, MD.

Kevin Bozic, MD, MBA, FAOA, FAAOS, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the Executive Director of UT Health Austin’s Musculoskeletal Institute. He specializes in pain and inflammation of the hip and knee and has over 15 years of experience as an adult reconstructive surgeon, focusing on simple and complex primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty. Additionally, Dr. Bozic is a professor and serves as the Chair of the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.

A portrait of Michael Breen, MD, Ob-gyn in a round frame.

Michael Breen, MD, FACOG*, is a board-certified gynecologist and the Medical Director of Women’s Health, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Ascension Seton. He specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of chronic pelvic pain and has expertise in robotics and minimally invasive surgeries. Additionally, Dr. Breen is an associate professor and the Associate Chair of Clinical Integration and Operations for the Dell Medical School Department of Women’s Health. He also serves as the Associate Program Director for the Dell Medical School Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency program.

A round portrait of surgical oncologist Kim Brown, MD.

Kimberly Brown, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained surgical oncologist in UT Health Austin’s Surgical Oncology Clinic. She specializes in tumors of the liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Additionally, Dr. Brown is an associate professor and serves as the Associate Chair of Education for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.

A round portrait of digestive health surgeon Tripp Buckley, MD.

F. Paul “Tripp” Buckley III, MD, is a board-certified surgeon in the Heartburn and Esophageal Disorders clinical practice within Digestive Health, the clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Ascension Seton. He also serves as the Surgical Director for Digestive Health. He specializes in anti-reflux and esophageal surgery, assisting patients suffering from gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). He has established a unique multidisciplinary center that has grown to be one the busiest centers in the country, serving patients from all over Texas, throughout the country, and even internationally. Additionally, Dr. Buckley is an associate professor and serves as the Director of the Heartburn and Esophageal Disorders Center in the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.

A round portrait of infectious disease specialist Elizabeth Douglass, MD.

Elizabeth Douglass, MD, is a board-certified infectious disease specialist in UT Health Austin’s Infectious Disease Clinic. She specializes in HIV and outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy for patients with complex infections. Additionally, Dr. Douglass is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Internal Medicine.

A round portrait of gastroenterologist oncologist Gail Eckhardt, MD.

S. Gail Eckhardt, MD, FASCO, is a medical oncologist and the Director of UT Health Austin’s Livestrong Cancer Institutes. She specializes in gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies and clinical trials. Additionally, Dr. Eckhardt is a courtesy professor for the Dell Medical School Department of Internal Medicine. She also serves as both the Chair of the Department of Oncology and the Associate Dean of Cancer Programs for the Dell Medical School.

A round portrait of surgical oncologist Declan Fleming, MD.

Declan Fleming, MD, FACS, is a board-certified surgical oncologist in UT Health Austin’s Surgical Oncology Clinic. He specializes in the surgical treatment of patients with cancer and has expertise in the treatment of cancers of the pancreas, liver, and stomach as well as neuroendocrine tumors. Additionally, Dr. Fleming is an assistant professor and the Division Chief of Surgical Oncology for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care. He also serves as the Associate Director for Surgical Services for the Dell Medical School Livestrong Cancer Institutes.

Charles Fraser, MD

Charles Fraser, Jr., MD, is a board-certified congenital heart surgeon and serves as the Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery for the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center. He specializes in the surgical treatment of infants, children, and adults with congenital cardiac disease, with emphasis on complex neonatal repairs of serious cardiac malformations. Additionally, Dr. Fraser is a professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics as well as a professor and the Division Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery for the Dell Medical Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.

A round portrait of Jeny Ghartey, MD

Jeny Ghartey, DO*, is a fellowship-trained maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Women’s Health, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Ascension Seton. She performs prenatal diagnosis, Level II ultrasound examinations, and high-risk obstetric consultation in an outpatient and inpatient setting. Additionally, Dr. Ghartey is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Women’s Health.

A round portrait of pediatric cardiologist Keren Hasbani, MD.

Keren Hasbani, MD*, is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist and the Director of Cardiac MRI for the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center. She specializes in general pediatric cardiology, echocardiography, and advanced imaging, including cardiac MRI and CT. Additionally, Dr. Hasbani is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics.

A round portrait of surgical oncologist Alex Haynes, MD.

Alex B. Haynes, MD, MPH, FACS, is a board-certified surgical oncologist and the Medical Director for Oncology at UT Health Austin, overseeing operations for UT Health Austin’s Livestrong Cancer Institutes and UT Health Austin’s Surgical Oncology Clinic. He specializes in caring for patients with soft tissue sarcoma, melanoma, and other cancers of the skin and connective tissue. Additionally, Dr. Haynes is an associate professor and serves as the Associate Chair for Investigation and Discovery for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.

A round portrait of pediatric cardiologist Byron Holt, MD.

D. Byron Holt, MD*, is a board-certified pediatric interventional cardiologist and the Chief of Pediatric Cardiology for the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center. He specializes in the interventional catheterization of children and adults with congenital heart disease. Additionally, Dr. Holt is an affiliate faculty member in both the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care and the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics.

A round portrait of infectious disease specialist Hudson Parker, MD.

F. Parker Hudson, MD, MPH*, is a board-certified internal medicine specialist and infectious disease specialist in UT Health Austin’s Infectious Disease Clinic. He specializes in adult infectious disease, HIV, and public health epidemiology. Additionally, Dr. Hudson is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Internal Medicine and a courtesy assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Population Health. He also serves as the Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency program at the Dell Medical School.

A round portrait of pediatric cardiologist Gregory Johnson, MD.

Gregory Johnson, MD*, is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist in the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center. He specializes in treating children and adults with congenital heart disease. Additionally, Dr. Johnson is an affiliate faculty member in both the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care and the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics.

Karl Koenig, MD, FAOA, FAAOS, FAAHKS, Medical Director  of UT Health Austin's Musculoskeletal Institute.

Karl Koenig, MD, FAOA, FAAOS, FAAHKS, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the Medical Director of UT Health Austin’s Musculoskeletal Institute. He specializes in the treatment of hip and knee arthritis, both primary and revision surgery, and the treatment of periprosthetic fractures and prosthetic joint infections. Additionally, Dr. Koenig is an associate professor and serves as the Division Chief of Orthopedics as well as the Joseph M. Abell Arthroplasty and Value-Based Health Care Fellowship Director for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.

John Kuo, MD, PhD, FAANS, FACS, is a board-certified neurosurgeon and the Surgical Director for UT Health Austin’s Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences. He specializes in treating patients with pituitary tumors, brain tumors, and brain metastases using advanced neurosurgery and stereotactic radiosurgery. Additionally, Dr. Kuo is a professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Neurosurgery and a courtesy professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Oncology. He also serves as the Inaugural Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and the Director of Neuro-Oncology for the Dell Medical School.

A round portrait of reproductive endocrinologist Winifred Mak, MD.

Winifred Mak, MD, PhD, is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist and a part of UT Health Austin’s Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility care team. She specializes in understanding oocyte and early embryo biology to help patients facing infertility issues and recurrent pregnancy loss. Additionally, Dr. Mak is an associate professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Women’s Health.

Portrait of neurologist David Paydarfar, MD, in a round frame

David Paydarfar, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and the Director for UT Health Austin’s Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences. In his role, he is responsible for establishing the initial infrastructure to support premier subspecialty programs in clinical neuroscience, working closely with the chairs of psychiatry, neurosurgery, and others committed to these important ventures. Additionally, Dr. Paydarfar is a professor and serves as the Chair for the Dell Medical School Department of Neurology.

A round portrait of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Mark Queralt, MD.

Mark Queralt, MD, is a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and the Clinical Director of UT Health Austin’s Back and Neck Pain Center within both UT Health Austin’s Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences and UT Health Austin’s Musculoskeletal Institute. With more than twenty years of experience, he specializes in the treatment of spinal pain and injuries. Additionally, Dr. Queralt is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Neurology.

A round portrait of pediatric cardiologist Stuart Rowe, MD.

Stuart Rowe, MD*, is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist in the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center. He specializes in general pediatric cardiology. Additionally, Dr. Rowe is an affiliate faculty member in both the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care and the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics.

A round portrait of pediatric cardiologist Kenneth Schaffer, MD.

Kenneth Shaffer, MD*, is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist in the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center. He specializes in general pediatric cardiology with a special focus on pediatric and adult congenital heart disease. Additionally, Dr. Shaffer is an affiliate faculty member in both the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care and the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics.

A round portrait of pediatric cardiologist Ron Shapiro, MD.

Ron Shapiro, MD*, is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist in the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center. He specializes in general pediatric cardiology and echocardiography. Additionally, Dr. Shapiro is an affiliate faculty member in both the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care and the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics.

Samantha Shapiro, MD

Samantha Shapiro, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist in UT Health Austin’s Musculoskeletal Institute. She specializes in caring for patients with a wide array of rheumatologic conditions. Additionally, Dr. Shapiro is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Internal Medicine.

Celeste Sheppard, MD, FACOG, is a fellowship-trained maternal-fetal medicine specialist in both Women’s Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin, and the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. Additionally, Dr. Sheppard is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Women’s Health.

A round portrait of pediatric cardiologist Dan Shmorhun, MD.

Daniel Shmorhun, MD*, is a board-certified pediatric electrophysiologist in the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center. He specializes in pediatric electrophysiology, in which he evaluates and treats heartbeat abnormalities (arrhythmias) and performs heart catheterization procedures, such as catheter ablation, pacemaker implantation, and defibrillator implantation. Additionally, Dr. Shmorhun is an affiliate faculty member in both the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care and the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics.

A headshot portrait of Amanda White.

Amanda White, MD, is a board-certified urogynecologist and fellowship-trained female pelvic and reconstructive surgeon in Women’s Health, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Ascension Seton. She specializes in the treatment and management of pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary and fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Additionally, Dr. White is an associate professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Women’s Health and serves as the Program Director for the Dell Medical School Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship.

A round portrait of gynecologist oncologist Yvette Williams-Brown, MD.

M. Yvette Williams-Brown, MD, MMS, FACOG, is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist in Women’s Health, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Ascension Seton, and UT Health Austin’s Livestrong Cancer Institutes. She specializes in gynecologic-oncology. Additionally, Dr. Williams-Brown is an associate professor in both the Dell Medial School Department of Women’s Health and the Dell Medical Department of Oncology.

A round portrait of pediatric cardiologist Karen Wright, MD.

Karen Wright, MD*, is a board-certified pediatric interventional cardiologist in the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center. She specializes in pediatric cardiology. Additionally, Dr. Wright is an affiliate faculty member in both the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care and the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics.

A round portrait of urologist Stuart Wolf, MD.

J. Stuart Wolf, Jr., MD, FACS, is a board-certified urologist and the Medical Director of UT Health Austin’s Ambulatory Surgery Center. He has over 20 years of experience. Additionally, Dr. Wolf is a professor and serves as both the Associate Chair of Clinical Integration and Operations and the Chief of the Division of Surgical Subspecialties for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.

*Consulting Clinician: A medical specialist who, though not a member of the UT Health Austin professional staff, works as part of a care team to help ensure our patients are provided with comprehensive access to the clinical expertise and services they need to address their unique condition, situation, or circumstance.

Interested in seeing a UT Health Austin clinician?

UT Health Austin welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans. For more information or to request an appointment, call our Access Center at 1-833-UT-CARES (1-833-882-2737) or visit here.

About the Partnership Between UT Health Austin and Ascension Seton

The collaboration between UT Health Austin and Ascension brings together medical professionals, medical school learners, and researchers who are all part of the integrated mission of transforming healthcare delivery and redesigning the academic health environment to better serve society. This collaboration allows highly specialized providers who are at the forefront of the latest research, diagnostic, and technological developments to build an integrated system of care that is a collaborative resource for clinicians and their patients.

About the Partnership Between UT Health Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center

The collaboration between UT Health Austin and Dell Children’s Medical Center brings together medical professionals, medical school learners, and researchers who are all part of the integrated mission of transforming healthcare delivery and redesigning the academic health environment to better serve society. This collaboration allows highly specialized providers who are at the forefront of the latest research, diagnostic, and technological developments to build an integrated system of care that is a collaborative resource for clinicians and their patients.

About UT Health Austin

UT Health Austin is the clinical practice of the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. We collaborate with our colleagues at the Dell Medical School and The University of Texas at Austin to utilize the latest research, diagnostic, and treatment techniques, allowing us to provide patients with an unparalleled quality of care. Our experienced healthcare professionals deliver personalized, whole-person care of uncompromising quality and treat each patient as an individual with unique circumstances, priorities, and beliefs. Working directly with you, your care team creates an individualized care plan to help you reach the goals that matter most to you — in the care room and beyond. For more information, call us at 1-833-UT-CARES or request an appointment here.