Faculty Group Practice Newsletter

The human body is like a puzzle, with all of its parts fitting together to complete a picture of health. When a piece goes missing or does not fit, the body’s systems may not work as they should. This is where a physician comes in, applying their expertise to solve the puzzle and help the patient feel healthy – and whole – again. This perspective inspired Israa Ali, MD, to pursue endocrinology and continues to drive her passion for patient care.

The Division of Rheumatology at UTMB is experiencing significant growth—bringing expanded access, more treatment options, and, most importantly, much-needed relief to patients suffering from a wide range of often painful and chronic conditions. Rheumatic diseases primarily affect the joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues. These disorders are frequently driven by autoimmune and inflammatory processes, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.

With a mission to provide area patients with high-quality, comprehensive orthopedic care, UTMB’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation continues to enrich its faculty roster with new talent. Burak Altintas, MD, joined the department last year, increasing access to critical orthopedic services on the mainland.

The feeling of being constantly unable to breathe can be agonizing, with significant implications for one’s quality of life. While medications may provide relief to many, some patients experience persistent sinus issues that require an expert approach and more advanced interventions. The field of Rhinology is dedicated to solutions for nasal and sinus conditions.

With a goal to enhance Nephrology programs at UTMB, the institution welcomed a new chief last September. Ajay Israni, MD, MS, arrived with extensive experience, a vision for growth, and excitement for the tremendous potential he saw at UTMB. Now, UTMB is on track to emerge as a leader in kidney care.

UTMB’s capacity to provide the full breadth of vision care continues to grow, as the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences builds upon its team with talented new additions. Ashley Nickens, MD, brings experience with common ophthalmologic conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

Navigating a movement disorder can feel overwhelming. Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremor, and Huntington’s disease can deeply affect a person’s mobility, independence, and quality of life. At UTMB Health, patients benefit from expert care delivered with compassion—and conveniently close to home.

There is no shortage of reasons for individuals who smoke to consider quitting. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, death, and disability in the United States, affecting nearly every organ of the body. In the four years since UTMB’s Department of Otolaryngology launched its tobacco cessation program, patients have entered with a wide variety of motivations, but one thing in common: the desire to quit.

Osteoarthritis-related chronic knee pain can significantly impact daily life—limiting mobility, disrupting sleep, and reducing overall quality of life. UTMB’s Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology now offers Geniculate Artery Embolization (GAE)—a state-of-the-art, image-guided procedure that directly targets knee inflammation, providing long-lasting pain relief for osteoarthritis patients.

The Department of Anesthesiology at UTMB welcomed a new leader in January, as Marcos F. Vidal Melo, MD, PhD, began his tenure as Chair. With a strong background in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiology, academic medicine, and a broad understanding of challenges and opportunities within the specialty, he is eager to elevate the department across all of UTMB’s mission areas.

When it comes to opening and operating health care clinics, UTMB’s Ambulatory Operations leadership draws from a strong history of bringing expert care into the communities they serve. This experience and success have served the team well in opening the UTMB Health Friendswood Primary and Specialty Care Clinic.

Like many surgical subspecialties, thoracic surgery demands precision, attention to detail, tenacity, and adaptability for its practitioners to excel. Kavita Parikh, DO, brings all of these strengths to build upon UTMB's expertise and expand its capacity to care for more patients with conditions affecting the lungs, esophagus, and chest cavity.

The construction of a new healthcare clinic is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s providing the physical framework for a critical component of the health system. For its new Friendswood clinic, UTMB was tasked to tailor a brand-new space for patient needs – a tremendous opportunity as well as a major undertaking.

For patients experiencing vision loss due to cornea damage, a corneal transplant is a life-changing procedure. It can restore vision, reduce pain, and improve the appearance of the eye. The ability to have such a profound impact on patients was compelling for Ardalan Sharifi, MD, UTMB’s newest Cornea and Refractive Surgery specialist in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

For many patients experiencing the heartbreaking struggle of infertility, a new sense of hope is found in a cutting-edge procedure now offered by UTMB’s Department of Radiology. The Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology recently introduced Fallopian Tube Recanalization (FTR) to help patients overcome this struggle and achieve their dreams of starting or expanding their families.

UTMB has had a long-standing presence in Friendswood, allowing for strong knowledge of the community’s health care needs over many years of service. When the decision was made to relocate from the existing Friendswood clinic, UTMB leadership embraced the possibilities that a brand-new space presented.

With conditions like diabetes and hypertension prevalent among UTMB’s patient population, the expansion of vascular surgery services over the past few years is meeting an important need in the region. The newest addition to the vascular faculty, Channa Blakely, DO, is proud to be a part of this growth.

With a wealth of experience delivering lifesaving cancer therapies, and with expertise in all types of radiation modalities, UTMB’s new Chair of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Upendra Parvathaneni, has not forgotten the reason he chose his specialty.

One look at Dr. Sanjeev Tuli’s resume reveals an impressive history of clinical and educational leadership and advocacy for children’s health care. From one conversation with him, what becomes equally clear is his strong passion for this important work. Dr. Tuli joined UTMB on Oct. 1 as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. He previously served the University of Florida Health in Gainesville, FL for more than two decades