Faculty Group Practice Newsletter

After 20 years as chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at UTMB, Ronald W. Lindsey, MD, FACS, is retiring – proudly passing down a department transformed by growth, specialization, and a commitment to meeting patients where they are.

At UTMB Health, the Division of Colorectal Surgery provides comprehensive care for conditions affecting the intestinal tract, including inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, anorectal disorders, pelvic floor conditions and complex quality-of-life concerns.

Emily Sendukas, MD, is bringing specialized expertise to a condition that remains one of the most underrecognized areas of women’s health: endometriosis, a chronic, painful condition that can affect patients from adolescence through menopause.

With a global perspective and highly specialized expertise, Alsadiq Al-Hillan, M.B.Ch.B, is making his mark on gastroenterology and digestive health care at UTMB. He works with patients facing complex pancreatic, biliary, and gastrointestinal conditions, combining proven techniques with the latest innovations in endoscopic care.

Christopher Leung, MD, brings a distinctly patient-centered approach to his practice: one that extends beyond treating heart disease to helping patients prevent it altogether. His practice blends traditional cardiology with a strong emphasis on lifestyle, education, and early intervention.

In a time of rapid transformation across healthcare, Harsh Thaker, MD, PhD, is positioning his department at the forefront of innovation. Powered by digital tools, AI, and a renewed focus on clinical collaboration, Pathology is becoming a significant driver of clinical decision-making.

Since its start in 1967, the kidney transplant program at UTMB Health’s Texas Transplant Center has built a broad footprint serving patients across the Texas Gulf Coast. That footprint continues to expand, most recently with the addition of a kidney transplant clinic in Katy designed to improve access for patients west of Houston.

Max Wintermark, MD, MS, MBA, joined UTMB as Chair of the Department of Radiology last month. He views radiology not as simply a supporting service, but a cornerstone of modern medicine. At UTMB, this perspective presents both an opportunity and a responsibility across its hospitals, clinics, and community settings.

Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease,” progressing without symptoms until a fracture occurs. During Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, UTMB clinicians are emphasizing the importance of early screening, prevention, and coordinated care to protect patients’ bone health.

Patient-centered, multidisciplinary care is essential to achieve the best outcomes for individuals with spinal conditions. At UTMB Health, neurosurgeon Nathan L. Pratt, MD, applies this philosophy across a broad spectrum of cases, from degenerative disease to trauma, tumors, infection, and complex revision surgery.

UTMB Health has launched a new multidisciplinary clinic designed to streamline care for patients with some of the most complex autoimmune diseases affecting the kidneys. Led jointly by Tina Kochar, MD, and Raai Mahmood, MD, the new Vasculitis and Glomerulonephritis Clinic improves care coordination, treatment decisions, and outcomes.

For Andrea Allen, MD, MA, BA, a broad and rigorous academic path laid the foundation for her multidisciplinary interests.

When Brian Oliver, MD, came on board as UTMB Neurosurgery faculty last fall, he brought specialized expertise and a determination to expand UTMB’s capabilities in peripheral nerve surgery, an area of care that had historically been underserved.

When Jessica Wu, MD, talks about surgery, she doesn’t describe procedures so much as problem solving. Every patient, every hernia, every repair is different; that challenge is what drew her to a career in minimally invasive surgery. She is now part of UTMB’s faculty in the Department of Surgery,

Urologic cancers require a careful balance of technical expertise and personalized care. Jamaal C. Jackson, MD, brings both to his urologic oncology practice at UTMB, combining advanced surgical training, active research involvement, and a patient-centered approach shaped by personal experience.

Extensive training and a wide breadth of experience have given Laurence Ducker, MD, a unique perspective on patient care. A recent addition to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, he is passionate about many aspects of vision care and eager to build upon what the department offers.

As the Department of Family Medicine continues to evolve with a greater focus on community engagement, population health, and improving health outcomes that matter to communities across Texas, it recently adopted a new name: the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health.

Extensive training and a wide breadth of experience have given Laurence Ducker, MD, a unique perspective on patient care. A recent addition to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, he is passionate about many aspects of vision care and eager to build upon what the department offers.

Families across Texas face significant challenges when seeking care for children with developmental and behavioral health needs, like autism, ADHD, anxiety, and intellectual disabilities. At UTMB, those challenges have lessened thanks to recent growth in the Division of Development, Behavior, and Mental Health Services.

Vizient’s Bernard A. Birnbaum Quality and Accountability Award for Pediatric Hospital Services reflects on the efforts of many teams providing pediatric hospital services. Dr. Leticia Castillo’s team in critical care is one key component, taking care of patients at the PICU in Galveston, as well as the Intermediate Care Units in Galveston and Clear Lake.