UT Health Austin Physicians Among Austin’s 2024 Top Doctors
43 UT Health Austin doctors recognized as Top Doctors in the January 2024 issue of Austin Monthly magazine
Sourced from: Austin Monthly
43 UT Health Austin physicians were recognized as Top Doctors in the January 2024 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 seventh 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 2024 Top Doctors
Joel T. Adler, MD, MPH, is a board-certified abdominal transplant surgeon in the Abdominal Transplant Center, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. He specializes in kidney and pancreas transplantation. Additionally, Dr. Adler is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Deepak Agrawal, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and the Medical Director of Digestive Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. He specializes in pancreas and biliary diseases, advanced endoscopy, and prevention and treatment of gastroenterology cancers. Additionally, Dr. Agrawal is an associate professor and serves as the inaugural Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology for the Dell Medical School Department of Internal Medicine.
George J. Arnaoutakis, MD, is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon and the Director of Thoracic Aortic Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery Quality and Outcomes, and the Transcatheter Valve Program for the Institute for Cardiovascular Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. He specializes in adult cardiothoracic surgery. Additionally, Dr. Arnaoutakis is an associate professor and serves as the Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery & Perioperative Care.
Moe “Harry” Hein Aung, MD, PhD, is a board-certified neuro-ophthalmologist in UT Health Austin’s Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of visual disorders caused by neurologic disease, which include optic nerve abnormalities (e.g., optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy), visual field deficits, pupillary asymmetry, double vision, and eye movement disorders. Additionally, Dr. Aung is an assistant professor and serves as the Assistant Director of Research for the Dell Medical School Department of Ophthalmology.
Glendaliz Bosques, MD, is a board-certified physiatrist and the Chief of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine in UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. She specializes in treating children with congenital or acquired physical disabilities. Additionally, Dr. Bosques is an associate professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Neurology.
Eileen C. Bowden, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist in UT Health Austin’s Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute. She specializes in adult and pediatric glaucoma as well as cataract and anterior segment disorders of the eye. Additionally, Dr. Bowden is an assistant professor and serves as both the Director of Medical Student Education and the Associate Residency Program Director for the Dell Medical School Department of Ophthalmology.
Kevin Bozic, MD, MBA, FAOA, FAAOS, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in 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.
Kimberly Brown, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained surgical oncologist in UT Health Austin’s Surgical Oncology Clinic. She is also a part of UT Health Austin’s CaLM Care Team. She specializes in tumors of the breast, liver, and pancreas. 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.
Ryan Brown, MD, is a board-certified pediatric psychiatrist in UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. He specializes in developmental disorders, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and acute psychiatry needs. Additionally, Dr. Brown is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
F. P. “Tripp” Buckley III, MD, is a board-certified surgeon and the Surgical Director of Digestive Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. He specializes in anti-reflux and esophageal surgery, assisting patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Additionally, Dr. Buckley is an associate professor and serves as the Chief of the Division of Elective Surgery for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Dave Clarke, MD, is a board-certified pediatric epileptologist and the Chief of the Dell Children’s Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Center within UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. He specializes in the medical, dietary, and surgical management of pharmacoresistant epilepsy in children from birth through adulthood. Additionally, Dr. Clarke is a professor in both the Dell Medical School Department of Neurology and the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics.
Eric Crowell, MD, MPH, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and the Clinical Director of UT Health Austin’s Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute. He specializes in uveitis (inflammation of the eye) and ocular immunology. Additionally, Dr. Crowell is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Ophthalmology.
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.
Joseph “Joe” DuBose, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon in the Institute for Cardiovascular Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. He specializes in the management of traumatic injury, vascular injury, and vascular disease. Additionally, Dr. DuBose is a professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Jane C. Edmond, MD, is a board-certified pediatric ophthalmologist and pediatric neuro-ophthalmologist in UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. She specializes in adult and pediatric strabismus and the medical and surgical management of pediatric neuro-ophthalmic conditions. Additionally, Dr. Edmond is a professor and serves as the Chair of the Dell Medical School Department of Ophthalmology. She also serves as the Director of the Dell Medical School’s Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute and holds the Wong Family Distinguished University Chair at The University of Texas at Austin.
Declan Fleming, MD, FACS, is a board-certified surgical oncologist in UT Health Austin’s Surgical Oncology Clinic. He is also a part of UT Health Austin’s CaLM Care Team. 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 serves as 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 in the Dell Medical School Livestrong Cancer Institutes.
Charles Fraser, Jr., MD, is a board-certified congenital heart surgeon who serves as both the Executive Director of the Institute for Cardiovascular Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin, and the Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery for the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. 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 both the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics and the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Daniel Freedman, DO, is a board-certified pediatric neurologist in UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. He specializes in child neurology and epilepsy. Additionally, Dr. Freedman is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Neurology.
Elisa Furay, MD, is a board-certified surgeon and the Medical Director of the Heartburn and Esophageal Disorders Center within Digestive Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. She specializes in the most state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgical techniques, which include endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic interventions, and she cares for patients with gallbladder disorders, abdominal wall hernias, and benign and malignant foregut diseases. Additionally, Dr. Furay is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Joshua Grimm, MD, is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon and both the Director of Cardiothoracic Education and the Associate Director of Thoracic Aortic Surgery for the Institute for Cardiovascular Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. He specializes in adult cardiothoracic surgery. Additionally, Dr. Grimm is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
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 is also a part of UT Health Austin’s CaLM Care Team. 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.
D. Byron Holt, MD, FSCAI, is a board-certified interventional cardiologist and the Chief of Pediatric Cardiology for the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. He specializes in the interventional catheterization of children and adults with congenital heart disease. Additionally, Dr. Holt is an associate professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics.
S. Joga Ivatury, MD, MHA, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon in both Digestive Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin, and UT Health Austin’s Surgical Oncology Clinic. He is also a part of UT Health Austin’s CaLM Care Team. He specializes in colon and rectal surgery. Additionally, Dr. Ivatury is an associate professor and serves as the inaugural Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Anthony “AJ” Johnson, MD, FAOA, FACS, FAAOS, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the Sports Medicine Clinical Director of the Sports and Injury Clinic within UT Health Austin’s Musculoskeletal Institute. He specializes in sports medicine and orthopedics. Additionally, Dr. Johnson is an associate professor and serves as the Program Director for Orthopaedic Residency in the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Louisa Keith, MD, is a board-certified pediatric neurologist in UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. She specializes in general child neurology. Additionally, Dr. Keith is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Neurology.
William F. Kessler, MD, FACS, is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon in the Institute for Cardiovascular Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. He specializes in cardiac transplantation, implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), complex mechanical circulatory support and transport strategies, surgery for congestive heart failure, adult congenital heart surgery, aortic root surgery, complex valve replacement and repair, coronary revascularization procedures, arrhythmia surgery, and surgical electrophysiologic procedures, including minimally invasive lead placement. Additionally, Dr. Kessler is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Gene Kim, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist in UT Health Austin’s Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute. He specializes in corneal transplantation and anterior segment reconstructive surgery and has expertise in both cataract surgery and LASIK laser eye surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kim is an associate professor and serves as the Residency Program Director for the Dell Medical School Department of Ophthalmology.
Karl Koenig, MD, FAOA, FAAOS, FAAHKS, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the Executive 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 both Division Chief of Orthopedics and the Director of the the Joseph Miles Abell Jr., M.D., Clinical Fellowship in Orthopaedic Surgery for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Aaron Laviana, MD, MBA, is a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained urologic oncologist in Urology, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. He specializes in utilizing robotic, minimally invasive, and open techniques to treat prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular, and penile cancer. Additionally, Dr. Laviana is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care and a courtesy faculty member in the Dell Medical School Department of Oncology.
Samuel E. “Rhett” Long, III, MD, FACS, is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon in UT Health Austin’s Surgical Oncology Clinic. He specializes in thyroid disease and cancer, hyperparathyroidism (primary, secondary, and tertiary), and conditions of the adrenal gland, including primary aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, and benign and malignant tumors. Additionally, Dr. Long is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Carlos M. Mery, MD, MPH, is a board-certified pediatric congenital heart surgeon and the Associate Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery for the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. He also serves as the Surgical Director of the Coronary Anomalies Program, Heart Failure, VAD, and Transplant Program, and Single Ventricle Program within the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease. He specializes in the management of children and adults with congenital heart disease, including simple and complex congenital heart defects. Additionally, Dr. Mery is an associate professor in both the Dell Medical School Department of Pediatrics and the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care. He also serves as the Director of Health Transformation and Design in Congenital Heart Disease for the Dell Medical School.
Veena Patel, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist in UT Health Austin’s Rheumatology Clinic. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal and systemic autoimmune conditions. Additionally, Dr. Patel is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Internal Medicine.
Sara Pavitt, MD, is a board-certified pediatric neurologist and headache specialist and serves as both the Chief of the Dell Children’s Pediatric Headache Center within UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin, and the Associate Chief of the Pediatric Neurology. She specializes in pediatric headaches. Additionally, Dr. Pavitt is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Neurology.
David Paydarfar, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and the Director of UT Health Austin’s Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences. He is also a part of the Pharyngeal High-Resolution Manometry care team. 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.
Mark Queralt, MD, is a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and the Clinical Director of the Back and Neck Pain Center within 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.
David Ring, MD, PhD, FAOA, FAAOS, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the Upper Extremity Clinical Director of UT Health Austin’s Musculoskeletal Institute. He specializes in hand to shoulder surgery, of which common problems include pain, numbness, injury, infection, or a bump. Additionally, Dr. Ring is a professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care and a courtesy professor in both the Dell Medical School Department of Health Social Work and the Dell Medical School Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He also serves as the Associate Dean for Comprehensive Care for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Steve Roach, MD, is a board-certified pediatric neurologist and the Chief of UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. He leads the development of pediatric neurology and serves as the Section Chief for UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s. He specializes in autism, epilepsy, and neuromuscular conditions as well as other neurological diseases. Additionally, Dr. Roach is a professor and serves as the Associate Chair for Clinical Integration and Operations for the Dell Medical School Department of Neurology.
Nicole Turgeon, MD, FACS, is a board-certified abdominal transplant surgeon and serves as the Transplant Director for the Abdominal Transplant Center, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin. She specializes in kidney and pancreas transplantation. Additionally, Dr. Turgeon is a professor and serves as the Chief of the Division of Transplant Surgery for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
Elizabeth C. Tyler-Kabara, MD, PhD, is a board-certified pediatric neurosurgeon and serves as both the Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery and the Co-Chief of UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. She specializes in functional neurosurgery and minimally invasive skull base surgery and pioneered the use of expanded endonasal surgery of the skull base in extremely young children, providing them with a minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of a variety of conditions. Additionally, Dr. Tyler-Kabara is an associate professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Neurosurgery.
Vettaikorumakankav “Veda” Vedanarayanan, MD, FRCPC, is a board-certified pediatric neurologist in UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. He specializes in autonomic disorders, neuromuscular conditions, and other neurological diseases. Additionally, Dr. Veda is a professor for the Dell Medical School Department of Neurology.
M. Yvette Williams-Brown, MD, MMS, FACOG, is a fellowship-trained gynecologic oncologist in both Women’s Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin, and UT Health Austin’s Livestrong Cancer Institutes. She is also a part of UT Health Austin’s CaLM Care Team. Additionally, Dr. Williams-Brown is an associate professor in both the Dell Medical School Department of Women’s Health and the Dell Medical School Department of Oncology.
J. Stuart Wolf, Jr., MD, FACS, is a board-certified urologist in Urology, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin, and the Medical Director of UT Health Austin’s Ambulatory Surgery Center. With more than 20 years of experience, he specializes in endourology, which is the management of urologic disease through minimally invasive surgery using endoscopes and laparoscopes. 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.
Harras Zaid, MD, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained urologic oncologist in Urology, a clinical partnership between Ascension and UT Health Austin. He specializes in performing robotic and complex open surgeries to treat cancers of the kidney, ureter, bladder, prostate, penis, testicle, and adrenal. Additionally, Dr. Zaid is an assistant professor in the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.
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