UT Health Austin

03/09/2026

When a rare, aggressive heart infection threatened Ray Bailey’s life, he turned to Dr. Joshua Grimm and the team at the Institute for Cardiovascular Health for lifesaving care.

A cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Grimm performed an incredibly complex “commando” procedure to remove infected tissue, replace multiple valves and reconstruct the structures that hold the heart together — backed by nursing, intensive care and rehabilitation specialists every step of the way.

Today, Ray is back to walking daily, rebuilding strength in cardiac rehab and looking ahead to his next bluegrass concert with his wife, Mickie. Ray’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when exceptional care is delivered by an integrated team.

Read Ray’s full story: https://bit.ly/3Nnd5VN

02/26/2026

When CJ’s parents learned in pregnancy that their baby would be born with a rare, complex heart condition, they feared they’d have to leave Central Texas to get the care he needed. Instead, they found a highly specialized team just an hour away.

At the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, care is coordinated across specialties, and families are included in daily bedside decisions, with questions welcomed and concerns addressed along the way.

Today, CJ is home, and his parents get to hear the sound they once worried they might never hear: his laughter.

Read CJ’s story: https://bit.ly/3N7iFLT

02/24/2026

The newest key to your health 🎹

Pianos are now available on the first floors of the Health Discovery Building and the Health Transformation Building! We hope they’ll be a calming, creative outlet for visitors. Patients, families, providers and learners are all welcome to tickle the ivories.

Music helps ease stress, lift our mood and create moments of connection, even in the middle of a busy day. We hope these pianos help you along your health journey, one note at a time.

02/23/2026

50 transplants. Countless futures changed.

Led by Dr. Charles Fraser Jr., this work reflects UT Health Austin’s commitment to expanding access to highly specialized pediatric care close to home improving patient outcomes and bringing world class pediatric heart care to Central Texas. We’re proud of the clinicians and care teams whose expertise and collaboration are changing the lives children and families across Central Texas.

02/10/2026

UT Health Austin’s Ambulatory Surgery Center has been ranked by Newsweek as one of the Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers in America for 2026!

From general surgery to specialty care, our team is dedicated to providing an unmatched level of care right here in the heart of downtown Austin.

What is an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC)?
An ASC is a modern health care facility that allows patients to have surgeries performed safely outside of a traditional hospital setting. This means you can return to the comfort of your own home the same day as your procedure.

Learn more about our ASC: https://bit.ly/4qhuhcD

02/05/2026

“Many of our patients have tried everything else. That’s when you really have to start thinking differently.”

For Chelsey Ortman, M.D., every case of pediatric epilepsy is an opportunity to rethink what’s possible, as well as a reminder of how much is still unknown.

That mindset guides both her patient care and her research. A board-certified pediatric neurologist at UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children's Medical Center and faculty member at Dell Medical School - UT Austin, Dr. Ortman is part of a collaborative team working to expand options for children with treatment-resistant epilepsy, especially those who may not qualify for surgery.

Dr. Ortman is helping shape a new generation of epilepsy care, one rooted in innovation. And while her work is deeply technical, its goal is profoundly human —to give every child the best chance at a healthier future.

https://bit.ly/4tahXOc

01/30/2026

We’re excited to welcome three physicians who matched into Dell Medical School - UT Austin's ophthalmology residency program and will practice within UT Health Austin!

• Akash Maheshwari, M.D., from Texas Tech University
• Axel Rivas, M.D., from the UNLV
• Jonathan Thomas, M.D., from Texas A&M University

Academic medicine plays a vital role in attracting rising physicians to Austin and expanding access to high-quality, specialty care for our community. We’re proud to support these trainees as they learn, teach and care for patients across Central Texas.

01/28/2026

Meet Joaquin Q. Camara, M.D., one of our newest neurosurgeons!

Dr. Camara will be seeing patients in the Spine and Nerve Center, and his clinical interests include improving outcomes for patients undergoing minimally invasive spine surgery.

He is a board-certified physician specializing in robotic spine surgery, augmented reality spine surgery and other complex spinal surgeries.

Learn more about Dr. Camara: https://bit.ly/45pXWch

01/20/2026

Weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are making headlines. But are they right for you?

These treatments can support real results, but they’re not quick fixes. UT Health Austin primary care physician Felipe De Jesus Flores, M.D., explains how they work, who qualifies and why medical guidance is key to safe, sustainable weight loss.

Curious about weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro? Felipe De Jesus Flores, M.D., a UT Health Austin primary care physician, explains…

01/07/2026

We’re proud to share that 50 UT Health Austin physicians have been recognized in the January 2026 issue of Austin Monthly as Top Doctors — an accolade determined through peer nominations and a vetting process led by Castle Connolly.

This recognition reflects the excellence, expertise and patient-centered care our clinicians bring to Central Texas and beyond.

Nominees are chosen by licensed physicians and evaluated by a physician-led research team based on education, training, hospital appointments and more.

Meet our 2026 honorees and learn more: https://bit.ly/4jwWKd0

12/29/2025

Best of 2025: Serving the smallest Texans 🤘

The Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between UT Health Austin and Dell Children's Medical Center, achieved a landmark success earlier this year with the implantation of a Berlin Heart device in the world’s youngest patient.

This complex, life-saving procedure serves as a powerful illustration of the benefits of academic medicine within our community. The integration of advanced research, specialized training and innovative technology will be a hallmark of The University of Texas at Austin’s emerging medical center, ensuring the delivery of truly world-class care to Central Texas.

Baby William’s story underscores our commitment to establishing the region as a leader in excellence and innovation. https://bit.ly/4j3YOJ9

12/26/2025

Best of 2025: “Our mom has always been so active. She seemed too young to be dealing with this.”

When Kelli found out her mom, Julie, needed a kidney transplant, she immediately offered hers. After finding out she wasn't a match, Kelli became a living donor for a stranger through UT Health Austin and Ascension Seton's Abdominal Transplant Center, kickstarting a kidney donation chain that saved multiple lives, including her mom’s. https://bit.ly/3KZEZGe