Faculty Group Practice Newsletter

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

Each November, COPD Awareness Month spotlights chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a condition affecting millions of people and requiring specialized, ongoing care. COPD is a progressive lung disease often linked to smoking, though it may also be tied to genetics or environmental exposure to smoke or other pollutants.

With heart disease ranking as the leading cause of death for men, women, and most racial and ethnic groups, having a full complement of services to support heart health is essential. UTMB’s Department of Surgery aims to more comprehensively meet patient needs through increased access and enhanced expertise.

October is Physical Therapy Month. It is a time for celebrating physical therapy as a profession as well as the physical therapists that change the lives of many individuals for the better. Learn about the ways that UTMB's physical therapists improve lives through better health and movement.

The connection between the brain and the eyes is strong, with humans using about half of their brains for functions related to vision. Therefore, when problems occur within the brain or nervous system, it is not unusual for vision to be affected. Neuro-ophthalmology involves the treatment of conditions affecting the nerve pathway between the eyes and the brain.

In the realm of healthcare, palliative medicine represents a vital and compassionate approach to patient care, improving quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses. By addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, palliative care teams work collaboratively with patients, families, and other healthcare providers to alleviate suffering and promote comfort.

Age-related eye diseases can significantly impact older adults’ quality of life, making early detection, prevention, and management essential as individuals age. UTMB ophthalmologist Renuka Mopuru, MD, shares that a proactive approach is essential in maintaining eye health and preserving vision.

At UTMB, the Division of Urology is dedicated to enhancing patient care through a blend of regional expertise and pioneering techniques. A prime example of this commitment is the recent introduction of the Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Increasingly, clinicians are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to work smarter, recovering time and energy previously spent on administrative tasks to focus on the most important function of their work – caring for patients. UTMB providers who have adopted these tools have largely positive feedback.

Infusion therapy, the administration of medication through a needle or catheter, offers vital treatment for patients with a wide variety of medical conditions, including chronic and rare disorders. Citing the clinical expertise and resources at hand, UTMB's infusion team fulfills this important, beneficial service for patients across multiple specialties.

UTMB colorectal surgeon Pamela Daher Tobia, MD, understands the challenges that keep patients from having colon cancer screenings at the recommended ages and intervals. As she has expanded her practice to include the southern Brazoria County region of UTMB’s service area, there is one less barrier for local patients.

In the 10 days since Hurricane Beryl brought debilitating winds and rain into our region, UTMB employees have once again proven “UTMB stops for no storm.” Thank you for all the amazing work done.