UTHealth Houston Fetal Center

12/16/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Ramesha Papanna and our Fetal Center team on securing a $2.8 million NIH R01 grant to advance long-term outcomes research in fetoscopic spina bifida repair.

This five-year award will support continued follow-up of patients enrolled in the clinical trial through 30 months of age.

We are proud of our team’s leadership in fetal surgery research and grateful for the multidisciplinary collaboration that continues to elevate UTHealth Houston on a national and international stage. We are honored to be part of the journey of every patient entrusted to our care, and grateful for this grant supporting our continued commitment and dedication to advancing research that will benefit generations of patients to come.

Full press release via link in profile
To speak with our physicians and clinical specialists please call 📱 832-325-7288

11/17/2025

It has been a busy and inspiring fall season for our fetal team. In addition to caring for patients here in Houston, our faculty and research leaders have represented us on the international stage — sharing our work, innovation, and advancements in fetal surgery.

In September, we were honored to attend the 35th World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG 2025), where our team’s research and leadership continued to reflect our unwavering commitment to advancing and leading care in fetal medicine.

A special congratulations to our faculty member, Dr. Sami Backley, recipient of the Young Investigator Award at ISUOG 2025 in Cancún, recognizing his outstanding contributions to advancing fetal imaging and diagnosis. Every stride we take, and every bit of work we do, is driven by one purpose: to improve outcomes for patients and families facing complex fetal diagnoses.

10/15/2025

Today, we pause to honor the babies gone too soon and the families who carry their love forever.

At UTHealth Houston Fetal Center, we walk alongside patients and families during some of life’s most delicate and difficult moments. Our physicians, nurses, and team are deeply committed to providing compassionate support, specialized care, and resources for healing through every stage of loss and recovery.

To the families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, we see you, we grieve with you, and we hold space for your stories and your strength.

09/29/2025

At The Fetal Center, we have the privilege of caring for every family who walks through our doors. It is rare and truly unique when that includes caring for our very own colleagues, who dedicate their careers to supporting our patients every day. We are honored to share the story of the Clarete family, our dear friends and colleagues. Thank you for letting us be part of your journey.

Karl and Tania Clarete never thought they’d have a child of their own after years of trying and two miscarriages. When Tania discovered she was pregnant at 37, joy quickly turned to concern as her doctors found her cervix was dangerously shortening, putting her pregnancy at risk.

As nurses at Fetal Center, they suddenly found themselves as patients of the center, depending on colleagues they trusted most.

At just 31 weeks, Tania’s water broke and a life-threatening infection sent her care team into a race against time. Against the odds, their miracle baby arrived tiny yet strong, while Tania fought for her own life in the ICU. 🩺

“If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know if my son or I would be here today,” Tania said. “All the physicians continue to check up on little Karl and me.”

Click the to read how this family’s resilience and our lifesaving team turned fear into hope. 🧡

07/01/2025

We are proud to share that Tom Cunningham, our Director of Clinical Operations at The Fetal Center, was recently invited to present at Hospital Regional Materno-Fetal (Monterrey, Mexico) in partnership with the Instituto de Salud Fetal.

A special thank you to Dr. Gerardo Sepulveda (Hospital and Fetal Center Director) and Dr. Eduardo Noé Nava Guerrero (Chief of Education and Research) for facilitating this incredible opportunity.

Tom’s presentation, titled “Care and Management of the Fetal Surgery Patient,” focused on intraoperative care—highlighting nursing responsibilities and patient-centered care across the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. The visit also included on-site OR training covering scopes, lasers, and integration setup.

We are incredibly grateful to have Tom on our team. He brings deep expertise in the operative space—particularly in fetal surgery—and is a true champion of nursing care, continuously elevating the vital role our nurse coordinators play in every patient’s journey.

05/08/2025

Repost from our incredible partners . We are immensely grateful to have played a part in Zanelle’s journey. Thank you to every patient, family, and referring physician who looks to our multidisciplinary team to partner and walk alongside them through the journey, no matter how complex.

Meet Zanelle Chambers, a joyful 3-year-old with a big personality and an even bigger story that started before she was born.

While pregnant, her mom, Katie Stephens, learned from a routine ultrasound that her unborn daughter had a severe form of spina bifida, a congenital disorder where the spine doesn’t close all the way. With expert guidance from the UTHealth Houston Fetal Center and the UT Physicians Spina Bifida Comprehensive Program, Zanelle underwent two major surgeries within 48 hours of her birth.

After 12 days in the neonatal intensive care unit, Zanelle began life-changing treatment at 3 weeks old. From leg casting to braces and mobility training, her care team has been by her side every step of the way. Today, Zanelle is finding her independence with confidence. 🌟

Click the link in our bio to read Zanelle’s full story to see how far she’s come! 🧡

The Fetal Center at UTHealth Houston has highly proficient specialists who help expecting mothers with fetal defects before and after birth.

05/05/2025

What an inspiring way to start the week!

We were thrilled to welcome back our former colleague, Christoph Wohlmuth, MD, PhD, MBA, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Ottakring, Vienna Health Association. Dr. Wohlmuth trained with us as a fetal cardiology fellow just under ten years ago, and we’re proud to have played a part in his journey.

This morning, he joined us back in the “Fetal Center Reading Room” to present his incredible work on “Cardiovascular Function in TTTS”. We’re honored to reconnect and learn from his groundbreaking research!

04/04/2025

With broken hearts and deep sorrow, we grieve the loss of Diana A. Racusin, MD, our beloved friend and colleague, who passed away after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Dr. Racusin held the Berel Held, MD, Professorship in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at McGovern Medical School. She served as the Division Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the Associate Residency Program Director in the Department.

Dr. Racusin earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. Following graduation, she completed her residency at Baylor College of Medicine. She then completed her fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, where she served as the Administrative Chief Fellow.

She was passionate about caring for high-risk pregnancies and training the next generation of physicians.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Racusin was a devoted mother to her two boys and a loving wife to her husband, Michael. She cherished her family deeply and balanced her demanding career with a strong commitment to her loved ones. Her family was a constant source of support and inspiration throughout her life and work.

We will miss Diana immensely and honor her memory by continuing the work to which she dedicated her life. Her contributions to women’s healthcare have left a lasting impact, improving countless lives and paving the way for future advancements. Her passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.

12/12/2024

Happiest holidays from our Fetal Center family. We are grateful to play a part in the journey of each patient and family entrusted to our program. It is an honor and a privilege to do what we do. Thank you to the countless individuals not in this photo who play an integral part in helping us provide the highest level of fetal care and to those who have helped us build this program over the years.

We look forward to continuing to bring hope in 2025!

12/09/2024

Dr. Anthony Johnson, fetal surgeon, co-director of UTHealth Houston Fetal Center, and international leader in our field. Dr. Johnson believes in working and collaborating as a team is what makes the fetal care team a success

We are beyond grateful for Dr. Johnson and the wonderful care and treatment he provides to our patients.🧡

10/31/2024

Congratulations to The Fetal Center on being named UT Physicians Clinic of the Quarter🎉

10/28/2024

Today and every day we are thankful for our wonderful Medical Assistants💙

"I love creating a bond with our patient and the close relationship I have with my coworkers. "- Dina Velasquez-Moreno

"My favorite part about being an MA is helping our patients. Knowing I play a vital role in their care."- Angelica Giron

"My favorite part of being a medical assistant is interacting with patients and making a positive impact in their lives."- Everlyn Miranda