Houston Methodist Clear Lake’s new procedure cuts stroke risk

August 31st, 2020

Dr. Joseph Naoum

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital is among the first in Clear Lake area to treat carotid artery disease and prevent future strokes using a new procedure called TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR). TCAR (tee-kahr) is a clinically proven, minimally invasive and safe approach for patients who need carotid artery treatment.

Carotid artery disease is a form of atherosclerosis, or a buildup of plaque, in the main arteries in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If left untreated, carotid artery disease can often lead to stroke; it is estimated to be the source of stroke in up to a third of cases, with 427,000 new diagnoses of the disease made every year in the U.S. alone.

“TCAR is an important new option in the fight against stroke and is particularly suited for the large portion of patients we see who are at higher risk of complications from carotid surgery due to anatomy, or other medical conditions,” said Dr. Joseph Naoum, vascular and endovascular surgeon at Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. “Because of its low stroke risk and faster patient recovery, I believe TCAR represents the future of carotid repair for many patients.”

TCAR is unique in that blood flow is temporarily reversed during the procedure so that any small bits of plaque that may break off are diverted away from the brain, preventing a stroke from happening. A stent is then placed inside the artery to stabilize the plaque, treat the narrowing and minimize the risk of a future stroke.

The TCAR procedure was developed by Sunnyvale, California-based Silk Road Medical, Inc. and includes the ENROUTE® Transcarotid Neuroprotection (NPS) and Stent System – the first devices designed and FDA-approved specifically for TCAR. Over 10,000 TCAR procedures have been performed worldwide through clinical trial and commercial use. TCAR has been studied extensively and the clinical data has been excellent. Additional information about TCAR is available at silkroadmed.com/disease-and-treatment-options.

Dr. Naoum offices at Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Surgery Associates at Clear Lake located at 2060 Space Park Drive, Suite 112 on the hospital campus. To learn more about Dr. Naoum or to schedule an appointment, call 281.523.2363.

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FDA approves first plasma therapy for Houston Methodist COVID-19 patient 

March 31st, 2020

Eric Salazar, MD, PhD. with the department of pathology and genomic medicine at the Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist recruits recovered COVID-19 patients willing to donate plasma in hopes of saving the lives of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Credit: Houston Methodist

Houston Methodist received FDA approval March 28 to become the first academic medical center in the nation to transfuse donated plasma from a recovered COVID-19 patient into a critically ill patient. This treatment was fast-tracked to the bedside over the weekend as the death toll in the COVID-19 pandemic soared to more than 2,000 people across the United States, with more than 100,000 Americans sick from the virus.

Houston Methodist physician scientists began recruiting blood plasma donors on Friday from among the approximately 250 patients who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus at Houston Methodist hospitals. Willing donors were immediately identified, who each give a quart of blood plasma in a procedure much like donating whole blood. Plasma from someone who has recovered from COVID-19 contains antibodies made by the immune system and used to kill the virus. Transfusing this antibody-rich plasma into a COVID-19 patient –- a patient still fighting the virus — may transfer the power of the antibodies into a healing, possibly life-saving therapy.

The first recovered COVID-19 patient to donate plasma was an individual from the Houston metropolitan area who has been in good health for more than two weeks. The plasma was transfused into a COVID-19 patient on Saturday evening at Houston Methodist Hospital. Since then, several more have donated their plasma and Houston Methodist has now infused 10 critically ill COVID-19 patients with convalescent serum.

CONCEPT USED BEFORE

Known as convalescent serum therapy, the concept dates back more than a century, when similar treatments were used during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, a diphtheria outbreak in the 1920s, a flesh-eating bacteria epidemic in the 1930s, and during other outbreaks of infectious diseases.

While literature abounds on the theory that immunity can be transferred from a healthy individual to a sick individual using convalescent plasma, results have varied. A description of the treatment of five patients in China was published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggesting that the treatment was beneficial.

“Here at Houston Methodist, we have the capability, the expertise and the patient base from our health care system, and we feel obligated to try this therapy,” said Houston Methodist President and CEO Marc Boom.

MUCH TO LEARN

“There is so much to be learned about this disease while it’s occurring,” he said. “If an infusion of convalescent serum can help save the life of a critically ill patient, then applying the full resources of our blood bank, our expert faculty, and our academic medical center is incredibly worthwhile and important to do.”

Houston Methodist recruitment began as soon as the FDA issued regulatory guidelines for the study earlier last week. Physician scientists at Houston Methodist already had designed and validated a COVID-19 molecular test two months ago and were prepared to begin collecting data when COVID-19 patients started arriving. The Houston Methodist IRB and regulatory affairs experts reviewed the treatment protocol rapidly and secured the FDA approval this weekend.

In New York City earlier this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that patient recruitment for plasma donations would begin in a matter of days and initially would focus on the heavily hit New York City suburb of New Rochelle, NY.

Eric Salazar, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator and a physician scientist in the Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine at the Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute, said a review of COVID-19 patients’ charts indicates that nearly two-thirds of the patients may meet the criteria to donate plasma. Patients with critical underlying conditions and advanced age will not be eligible to donate.

FDA APPROVAL NEEDED

Under FDA guidelines, Houston Methodist’s convalescent serum therapy treatment is classified as an emergency investigational new drug protocol (eIND) that requires FDA approval for each patient infused with donated convalescent serum. Houston Methodist physician scientists will seek additional FDA approval for follow-up studies, possibly a multicenter national trial on the effectiveness of convalescent serum therapy against the COVID-19 virus.

The process for donating plasma is similar to donating blood and takes about an hour. Plasma donors are hooked up to a small device that removes plasma while simultaneously returning red blood cells to their bodies. Unlike regular blood donation in which donors have to wait for red blood cells to replenish between donations, plasma can be donated more frequently, as often as twice a week.

“Convalescent serum therapy could be a vital treatment route, because unfortunately there is relatively little to offer many patients except supportive care, and the ongoing clinical trials are going to take a while. We don’t have that much time,” Salazar said. 

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Houston Methodist offers tips on how to make healthy holiday choices

December 16th, 2019

The holiday season is here, which means you’re probably already making plans to eat, drink and be merry. But, in a season that lasts for more than a month, it’s easy to go overboard.

Try these tips to make healthy choices this holiday season — without feeling like you’re missing out on the festivities.

Avoid the urge to overeat

The holidays tend to disrupt our routines, which can set us up for unhealthy eating habits. Dr. Donald D. Brown Jr., DO, primary care physician at Houston Methodist Primary Care Group in League City, recommends using these tips to keep your diet on track during the holidays.

  • Indulge, but don’t overindulge. Keep portions in check by limiting starches to a quarter of your plate and eating your protein and vegetables first since they can help you feel full longer. And, don’t forget to eat at a relaxed pace — so you have a better chance of stopping when you’re full.
  • Prioritize fellowship over food. Remember, conversation doesn’t have calories! Try to make the holidays a time to focus on family and friends, rather than just eating and drinking.
  • Get some rest. Getting enough sleep helps improve your impulse control with food choices and decreases cravings. Even though you may be busier, try to get at least seven hours of sleep a night.

The holiday season spans two months, so there’s plenty of time to slide off the exercise bandwagon — especially as your schedule fills up with holiday shopping and parties.

“Working out during the holidays can be challenging. However, it might not seem as daunting if you break it down to just 30 minutes a day and focus on making sure it’s effective,” says Kristin Salinas, athletic trainer at Houston Methodist.

Salinas says an effective workout is one where you spend time in your target heart rate zone, which is 50 to 85% of your maximum heart rate. Calculate your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. For instance, a 40-year-old’s target heart rate zone is 90 to 153 beats per minute.

“There are plenty of ways to fit in the types of moderate or vigorous activity that can elevate your heart rate,” explains Salinas. “Moderate activity can be anything from walking, swimming or cycling, while vigorous activity includes running or strength training.”

Don’t let your mental health shift to the back burner

Staying merry during throughout the holiday season isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

“There are many aspects of the holiday season that can add to people’s stress levels” says Brown. “Extra tasks and responsibilities, family conflict and comparison to past holidays are a few reasons people will feel overloaded or burdened.”

Keep your holidays as stress-free as possible by following this advice:

  • Be flexible. Expecting perfection during the holiday season is unrealistic — and can lead to unnecessary stress and disappointment. Make sure you give yourself some flexibility to deal with issues that might arise.
  • Don’t be afraid to say ‘no.’ If holiday festivities start to feel like obligations, don’t be afraid to decline invitations or requests for help. Also, it’s okay to change your ‘yes’ to a ‘no.’
  • Take care of yourself, too. It’s easy to put others’ needs above your own during the holidays. But be sure you’re also practicing self-care. Check in with yourself frequently and consider asking: Am I too stressed? If the answer is yes, make time to take a break and rest

 

About Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital

Houston Methodist Clear Lake brings the expertise and compassionate care of Houston Methodist Hospital in The Texas Medical Center to Clear Lake communities. The hospital provides a broad spectrum of adult medical and surgical care, is an accredited chest pain center, and is also a Primary Stroke Center designated through DNV. Houston Methodist Clear Lake offers many inpatient and outpatient services including a Breast Care Center with 3-D mammography, state-of-the-art imaging, labor and delivery with a level II neonatal ICU, Cancer Center, weight loss surgery and advanced laparoscopic surgery, comprehensive orthopedics and sports medicine, cardiovascular services, neurology, urology and otolaryngology. Visit houstonmethodist.org/clearlake to learn more and to find a doctor near you.

Clean your hands after application, unless your hands are the area being dealt uromexil forte gyógyszertár with.

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Houston Methodist Clear Lake Joins Centennial Celebration

August 1st, 2019

By Mary Alys Cherry

Houston Methodist is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, so its CEO, Dr. Marc Boom, brought the celebration down to its Clear Lake hospital June 25 so its employees could join the party.

Houston Methodist Clear Lake CEO Dan Newman welcomed the crowd with the news that they expect to break ground for the hospital’s new $40 million medical office building later this year. It will provide space for the hospital to add 30 to 40 new physicians to its staff of some 650 physicians and 850 employees, he explained.

He also introduced the crowd to Houston Methodist’s mobile Centennial Wall depicting a history of the hospital system and those who made it the success it is today. It will be on display in the lobby of the main entrance for a month before moving on to another Houston Methodist hospital.

Dr. Boom then took the crowd back in history to 1900 when a certain Dr. Oscar Norsworthy moved to Houston and established his medical practice, which on Christman Eve 1905 included the delivery of a baby who became known as Howard Hughes. Yes, the Howard Hughes.

HOSPITAL BORN
A couple of years later, Dr. Norsworthy built an extension onto his home that contained 33 beds, so he could better care for his patients.

“If I’m going to take care of my patients, I need space to do that,” Dr. Norsworthy said.

Then in 1909, Dr. Norsworthy, wanting to explore the field of radium, sold his little hospital to the Methodist Church for about $35,000 on Dec. 31, 1909 on the condition that they modernize it. They did, Dr. Boom said, and “today Houston Methodist is worth $5 billion.”

In 1924, Dr. Boom continued his happy story, “the Methodists opened a 100-bed hospital and Methodist ministers served as CEOs.”

DeBAKEY JOINS STAFF
Medical giant and a pioneer in heart surgery Dr. Michael DeBakey joined the staff in 1948, and over the next 60 years helped put Houston Methodist “on the map” and be continually rated among America’s Best Hospitals. DeBakey called Houston Methodist “a hospital with a soul,” Dr. Boom said.

Today, despite “almost going belly up during the depression,” and suffering greatly from Hurricane Allison’s 2001 flooding and the flu epidemic of 1918 when 50 million people around the world lost their lives, Houston Methodist has eight hospitals, 2,000 beds, 24,000 employees and thousands of affiliated physicians and is looking forward to an even brighter future, Dr. Boom said as he concluded his remarks and went about shaking hands.

Afterwards, employees and members of the hospital’s Women’s Advisory Board lined up for punch and hors d’oeuvres as they shared historical stories with one another.

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Houston Methodist Clear Lake plans new medical office building

June 1st, 2019

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital will begin construction soon on a six-story, 150,000-square-foot medical office building on land adjacent to its campus on NASA Pkwy. – the first phase in a multi-year expansion plan.

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital will begin construction soon on a six-story, 150,000-square-foot medical office building on land adjacent to its campus – the first phase in a multi-year expansion plan.

The $40 million medical office building will be home to Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Clear Lake as well as the hospital’s physical therapy facilities. The building’s upper floors will contain office and clinic space for physicians from a broad range of specialties.

“This is a significant milestone in our long-range expansion plans as we continue to grow to serve the Bay Area and surrounding communities,” said Houston Methodist Clear Lake CEO Dan Newman. “Over the next five years, we plan to add 30 to 40 new physicians to our hospital campus – across multiple specialties – and the new medical office building gives us the physical footprint we need to accommodate that growth.”

The building will be constructed on land that previously was part of the Nassau Bay Shopping Village in the 1800 block of Upper Bay Road. The hospital purchased that center in 2015. Construction is expected to begin in August and the building will open in 2021.

“This is the first major facility expansion we are undertaking since the hospital became part of the Houston Methodist system in 2014,” Newman said. “The strategic acquisition of the shopping center land in 2015 makes it possible for us to add facilities, bring in new physicians and expand our service offerings – today and in the future.”

As part of its phase one effort, the hospital also plans to demolish the existing Fuddruckers restaurant on NASA Parkway in Nassau Bay to make way for construction of a new, more visible entrance that will improve access. That project will also include enhanced signage to make it easier for patients and visitors to navigate the growing campus.

“We are already making plans for a second phase of construction that will include an expansion of the hospital itself,” said Newman. “It’s an exciting time for Houston Methodist Clear Lake.”

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Houston Methodist Clear Lake plans new medical office building

May 2nd, 2019

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital will begin construction soon on a six-story,
150,000-square-foot medical office building on land adjacent to its campus on NASA
Pkwy. – the first phase in a multi-year expansion plan.

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital will begin construction soon on a six- story, 150,000-square-foot medical office building on land adjacent to its campus – the first phase in a multi-year expansion plan.

The $40 million medical office building will be home to Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Clear Lake as well as the hospital’s physical therapy facilities. The building’s upper floors will contain office and clinic space for physicians from a broad range of specialties.

“This is a significant milestone in our long-range expansion plans as we continue to grow to serve the Bay Area and surrounding communities,” said Houston Methodist Clear Lake CEO Dan Newman. “Over the next five years, we plan to add 30 to 40 new physicians to our hospital campus – across multiple specialties – and the new medical office building gives us the physical footprint we need to accommodate that growth.”

The building will be constructed on land that previously was part of the Nassau Bay Shopping Village in the 1800 block of Upper Bay Road. The hospital purchased that center in 2015. Construction is expected to begin in August and the building will open in 2021.

“This is the first major facility expansion we are undertaking since the hospital became part of the Houston Methodist system in 2014,” Newman said. “The strategic acquisition of the shopping center land in 2015 makes it possible for us to add facilities, bring in new physicians and expand our service offerings – today and in the future.”

As part of its phase one effort, the hospital also plans to demolish the existing Fuddruckers restaurant on NASA Parkway in Nassau Bay to make way for construction of a new, more visible entrance that will improve access. That project will also include enhanced signage to make it easier for patients and visitors to navigate the growing campus.

“We are already making plans for a second phase of construction that will include an expansion of the hospital itself,” said Newman. “It’s an exciting time for Houston Methodist Clear Lake.”

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Houston Methodist Clear Lake Pledges $500,000 to expand Leader in Me program

November 1st, 2018

Joining in to celebrate the CCISD Leader In Me Houston Methodist announcement at the Clear Creek Education Foundation Kick Off Breakfast were Armand Bayou Elementary students, from left to right, 5th grader Miller Skowron, 4th grader Sophia Tamayo, 5th grader Carmen Evans, and 1st grader Violet Van Haaren; along with Port Commissioner John Kennedy, who serves on the Houston Methodist Board of Directors; CCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith and attorney Levi Benton with Mahomes Bolden PC and on the hospital Board of Directors and CCEF Board of Directors.

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital has committed half a million dollars to the Clear Creek Education Foundation in support of the Clear Creek School District’s planned expansion of The Leader In Me program in 14 schools over the next five years.

The announcement was made at the Clear Creek Education Foundation’s Community Kickoff Breakfast held at the CCISD Challenger Columbia Stadium Fieldhouse.

Clear Creek ISD is in its third year of progressively implementing The Leader In Me program at its schools. The Leader In Me program is a whole school transformation process that teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader. This mindset leads to tangible improvements in the academic, behavioral and social wellbeing of participating students.

With funding made possible by the Clear Creek Education Foundation, Falcon Pass Elementary and Armand Bayou Elementary schools were the first two CCISD campuses to introduce The Leader In Me program into their school culture. Both campuses have seen the trajectory of their school’s academic performance rise along with student achievement and positive behaviors.

Over the next five years, the Houston Methodist Clear Lake contribution will have the power to substantially increase the footprint of The Leader In Me in CCISD and positively impact an additional 13,000 students in grades pre-k through 12 throughout the District.

“The impact of Houston Methodist’s generous commitment will be both measurable and immeasurable for years to come,” said Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith. “Our students will be even better equipped to achieve their full potential, build the skill-set necessary for success in the 21st century and access more opportunities for a better life.”

The announcement comes on the heels of a similar commitment of $60,000 over three years by Space Center Rotary Club to begin the program at Space Center Intermediate.

Based on Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The Leader in Me allows administrators, faculty, staff and students the opportunity to practice and celebrate the 7 Habits daily, learning how to be proactive, set goals and collaborate with others.

The Leader In Me is aligned with many national and state academic standards and the process teaches students the skills needed for academic success in any setting. These skills include critical thinking, goal setting, listening and speaking, self-directed learning, presentation making and the ability to work in groups.

“The Leader In Me cultivates the qualities and attitudes employers look for in today’s highly competitive environment,” said Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital CEO Dan Newman. “Self-management, independent thinking, problem-solving and other important skills like these empower our students with the tools they need to achieve success. I applaud CCISD’s innovation and its commitment to adopt The Leader In Me. Houston Methodist Clear Lake is proud to play a role in providing this unique opportunity to potential future leaders.”

The District plans to continue to expand the program into even more schools until every CCISD campus and student has the opportunity to experience The Leader In Me and unleash their full potential. Business, government and community organizations interested in becoming a Leader In Me underwriter and partner may contact Deborah Laine, executive director of the Clear Creek Education Foundation (a 501c3 organization) at 281.284.0031 or at [email protected].

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Houston Methodist celebrates opening of Physician Clinics in League City

September 28th, 2018

Local residents, physicians and staff help celebrate the grand opening and League City Chamber ribbon cutting at Houston Methodist Physician Clinics located in Tuscan Lakes.

A large turnout of local residents, physicians and staff helped celebrate the recent opening of Houston Methodist Physician Clinics – a new primary and specialty care facility in League City.

“In spite of the rain, we were glad to see so many members of the community come out to celebrate this event,” said Dan Newman, Houston Methodist St. John Hospital CEO. “We’re excited to be bringing leading medicine to their neighborhoods.”

Houston Methodist Physician Clinics – located at 2220 E. League City Pkwy. – brings orthopedics, sports medicine, physical and occupational therapy, X-ray services and primary care to families living in Tuscan Lakes and surrounding areas.

The new clinic also includes a sports performance turf lane for throwing, running and agility rehabilitation and training, as well as a vertical jump training machine.

In honor of the grand opening, League City Mayor Pat Hallisey issued an official proclamation, declaring Tuesday, Sept. 11 as “Houston Methodist Physician Clinics Day,” and the League City Chamber of Commerce conducted a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

The multi-disciplinary team of primary care and specialty care physicians at the new facility include Dr. Anika Bell-Gray, a family medicine specialist with Houston Methodist Primary Care Group, as well as Dr. Javier Rios and Dr. Gillian Wooldridge, primary care sports medicine specialists; Dr. Jamie Alexander, an orthopedic hand surgeon; and Dr. Juan Serrato, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, all with Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Outpatient physical therapy is also located at the Physician Clinics.

Visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 281.523.3110 to learn more or to schedule an appointment with a physician at Houston Methodist Physician Clinics in League City.

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Growing Our Family to Take Care of Yours

August 1st, 2016

Local residents, community leaders and patients joined HMPCG physicians and executives at a special grand opening of the El Camino Real location on May 24. League City Chamber of Commerce members performed a ribbon-cutting for the event, and more than 125 guests attended to meet the physicians, tour the beautiful facility including the on-site lab, and enjoy light bites and prize drawings.

Local residents, community leaders and patients joined HMPCG physicians and executives at a special grand opening of the El Camino Real location on May 24. League City Chamber of Commerce members performed a ribbon-cutting for the event, and more than 125 guests attended to meet the physicians, tour the beautiful facility including the on-site lab, and enjoy light bites and prize drawings.

Houston Methodist is committing to the health and wellness of families in an impactful way, with a major expansion of services benefiting households living in the Bay Area and surrounding communities.

Treating everyone from newborns to the elderly, residents can now experience compassionate health care in a way that has more commonly been associated with the Texas Medical Center, right in their own neighborhood. Two new convenient Houston Methodist Primary Care Group (HMPCG) locations, several new physicians and additional amenities, are all a part of how we’re making leading medical care more accessible for you and your loved ones.

“With the Bay Area growing at a tremendous rate, it’s important for us to expand our footprint to continue making the health of this community our top priority,” said Stephen Spielman, MBA, MHA, president of HMPCG.  “We are proud to invest in the health of this region, and to lead the charge in bringing family-oriented, primary care that is synonymous with Houston Methodist to the residents of the Bay Area.”

Convenient, Comprehensive Care
In addition to the existing practice conveniently located on the campus of Houston Methodist St. John Hospital in Nassau Bay, HMPCG has opened two new close-to-home options in the Bay Area in 2016. The Webster location, where family medicine physician Phillip Mark Aguilar, MD, practices, opened its doors in January. A larger facility at the corner of El Camino Real and Pineloch Drive welcomed new patients beginning in April. The El Camino Real location is home to four primary care physicians with two physicians starting in September — collaborating to provide a full range of care from routine wellness to more complex treatment.

“At HMPCG, we work hard to place your family at the center of everything we do,” said Spielman.  “Our physicians are among the best in their respective fields, and they each provide a unique brand of expertise met with both commitment and compassion.  We’ve made significant investments in our infrastructure to make the entire experience as convenient as possible for those we treat, and to provide state-of-the-art facilities that are both comfortable and accessible – always with our patients in mind.”

The newly constructed facility located at 14903 El Camino Real brings expanded clinic and exam room space to meet both existing and future needs of the Bay Area community, as well as an on-site laboratory for advanced diagnostics and patient convenience.

Among the many valuable conveniences that patients enjoy with HMPCG include same-day appointments for when care is needed right away, online appointment scheduling to accommodate preferential dates and times, and a fast, secure portal for communication with your primary care team.  All of our HMPCG Bay Area physicians are proudly affiliated with Houston Methodist St. John Hospital, meaning patients have greater access to the leading network of specialists for unparalleled continuity of care in the event of hospitalization.

Additionally, having exceptional care around the corner is not only convenient for residents, it’s beneficial for their overall health and pocketbooks too.  According to a study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), people who live in communities with easier accessibility to premier primary care, tend to experience lower healthcare costs overall, fewer hospitalizations and better long-term health outcomes due to earlier medical diagnosis and better disease management.

“We are pleased to provide personalized care for our patients in such a well-designed environment so close to home,” said Sasikala Chittimireddy, MD, one of four physicians currently providing care at the newest HMPCG location on El Camino Real.  “Whether your child needs a physical for the upcoming sports season or you need help in managing diabetes, our expansion accommodates for whatever medical need may arise. Easier access is key to optimal health and wellness of our entire community, and that benefits us all.”

Meet The Doctors

Houston Methodist Primary Care Group has three convenient locations in the Bay Area, providing a highly skilled team of primary care physicians to treat patients of all ages.

Houston Methodist Primary Care Group
14903 El Camino Real
Houston, TX 77062
713.363.7640

  • Sasikala Chittimireddy, MD – Internal Medicine
    Dr. Chittimireddy’s clinical interests are arthritis, chronic pain, chronic lung disease and diabetes.  She attended medical school at Gandhi Medical College in India, and completed her residency at Trinitas Hospital – Seton Hall University in New Jersey.  She is fluent in English, Hindi and Telugu.
  • Niloufar Ghadiri, MD – Internal Medicine
    Dr. Ghadiri received her medical degree from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran, and completed her residency at State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.  She specializes in allergic rhinitis, hypertension, diabetes, asthma and weight management.
  • Zenithe Pierre Ware, MD – Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
    Dr. Ware received her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and completed her residency at Baylor College of Medicine.  She is board certified in both pediatrics and internal medicine, and specializes in a broad range of conditions, including the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension.
  • R. Sam Lingamfelter, DO – Family Medicine
    Dr. Lingamfelter provides physicals and specializes in preventive medicine, treating a number of conditions for patients ranging from adolescents to geriatrics.  He attended medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed his residency at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital in Baytown.

Houston Methodist Primary Care Group
2060 Space Park Drive, Suite 302
Nassau Bay, TX 77058
281.333.9747

  • Sonya Khan, MD – Internal Medicine and Endocrinology
    Dr. Khan specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, conditions of the thyroid, pituitary and endocrine system, and general women’s and men’s health.  She earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
  • M. Carmen Visus, MD – Internal Medicine
    Dr. Visus received her medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School – Minneapolis.  She specializes in the management of a variety of chronic diseases and conditions, including hypertension, asthma and diabetes.

Houston Methodist Primary Care Group
13920 Osprey Court, Suite A
Webster, TX 77598
281.480.8884

  • Philip Mark Aguilar, MD – Family Medicine
    Dr. Aguilar has clinical expertise in the treatment of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and thyroid disease.  He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and completed both his residency and internship at Houston Methodist San Jacinto Hospital.

To schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/appointments or call 713.394.6638.

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