UTMB’s hyperbaric medicine program is undergoing an exciting renewal, bringing reinvigorated focus, advanced care, and expanded access to a vital area of patient treatment.
UTMB recently welcomed Joseph Nevarez, MD, a highly experienced physician in wound care and hyperbaric therapy, to lead the program. With more than two decades in practice and a deep commitment to education and innovation, Dr. Nevarez ushers in a new chapter in UTMB’s mission to deliver cutting-edge care to the community.
Originally from Southern California, Dr. Nevarez completed his medical degree at UCLA and his residency in Family and Community Medicine at UC Davis. He began his career in family practice, including prenatal and pediatric care, before transitioning to wound care and hyperbaric medicine, a field he describes as both underrepresented and deeply needed.
“There are very few board-certified wound specialists, and even fewer in hyperbarics,” he says. “I saw a need and found a calling.”
Dr. Nevarez joined the team at UT Houston in 2016, serving as Director of the Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care Programs, a role that granted him the opportunity to provide inpatient and outpatient care in an academic setting.
His appreciation for the training and research aspects of academic health made his move to UTMB a natural choice. Since joining this summer, his goal has been to reestablish and expand the hyperbaric program, not only to serve patients but also to educate providers and the broader community.
“In general, hyperbarics and wound care are not very well taught in medical school or residency,” he says. “Many clinicians are unaware of the indications and potential – so a lot of what I do is teach people and expose them to the capabilities of wound centers for wound healing and indications for hyperbarics.”
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the administration of 100 percent oxygen inhaled at pressure greater than sea level atmospheric pressure. Administered in a hard-hull vessel known as a hyperbaric chamber, it is a powerful tool for treating a range of conditions, particularly those that are resistant to conventional care.
Diabetic foot ulcers, the leading cause of non-traumatic limb loss in the U.S., often respond well to hyperbarics, potentially preventing amputations. Hyperbarics are also effective in treating chronic infections; radiation cystitis, a common complication in cancer survivors; and central retinal artery occlusion, a rare but urgent condition.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), in which a patient experiences significantly diminished hearing very suddenly, is another condition that may benefit from hyperbarics. When SSHNL is linked to reduced blood flow in the inner ear, HBOT helps by supplying extra oxygen to those affected tissues. Dr. Nevarez collaborates with UTMB’s ENT physicians to treat these patients.
Dr. Nevarez also holds a dive medical examiner certification and maintains relationships with organizations like NASA, SpaceX, and Moody Gardens, supporting commercial divers and others in need of specialized care.
One of Dr. Nevarez’s priorities is to clarify what hyperbaric medicine is and what it isn’t. He notes the rise of “light hyperbarics” in wellness centers, which often promote unproven treatments for conditions like autism, mold exposure, or even hangovers.
“True hyperbaric programs are focused on evidence-based, CMS-approved indications,” he says. “It’s important to communicate that clearly.”
Dr. Nevarez is committed to raising awareness among both providers and patients. Practicing in League City, he is excited to be part of the community and looks forward to making a lasting impact. He welcomes opportunities to provide community education and collaborate with UTMB’s diabetes education program.
“I’m here to help patients heal, preserve limbs, and improve quality of life,” he says. “And I’m here to help our providers understand how and when to use this powerful tool.”
 | Joseph Nevarez, MD, sees patients at the UTMB Health Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Clinic in League City at the Bay Colony Shopping Center. Learn more about hyperbaric medicine and wound care at UTMB Health. |