UT Health Austin

09/02/2026

Getting back on the golf course after an injury takes more than being pain-free.

Unlike traditional physical therapy, the Return to Golf Program at our Musculoskeletal Institute evaluates the full-body movements golfers use during on-course play — from shifting their weight through a downswing to navigating uneven course terrain. This golf-specific approach helps patients safely return to the game they love, one swing at a time.

For many golfers, getting back on the course is about more than healing an injury. It's about returning to a favorite pastime, reconnecting with friends and regaining the confidence to swing without hesitation.  The Return to Golf Program at the Musculoskeletal Institute helps ...

08/31/2026

For years, walking was one of Hans Boas' favorite parts of the day, but as chronic hip pain worsened, those walks became shorter and more difficult.

Boas wasn't eager to undergo surgery, but after discussing his options with Karl Koenig, M.D., board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the executive director of the Musculoskeletal Institute, he decided on a hip replacement.

His recovery exceeded even his own expectations. Just two days after surgery, Boas was walking around his home with a walker. Within two weeks, he was taking 20-minute walks in the park. Six weeks later, he was walking for more than two hours without pain.

Read Boas' full story: https://bit.ly/4qS7x5e

08/19/2026

We’re pleased to welcome Gurjeet Shokar, M.D., to our Primary Care Clinic!

Dr. Shokar is a board-certified family medicine specialist. As a member of the primary care team, he helps patients manage chronic disease, provides preventive care and supports whole-person wellness. He is a nationally recognized medical educator and the recipient of teaching and curriculum development awards at the local, regional and national level.

Learn more about Dr. Shokar: https://bit.ly/4qrLjXl

08/13/2026

Texas heat can be dangerous. And some medications may make it even harder for your body to stay cool.

According to primary care doctor Felipe Flores, M.D., some common medications, including those prescribed for high blood pressure, ADHD and other chronic conditions, can increase your risk of dehydration and heat-related illness.

"Many people don't realize their medications can affect how their body responds to extreme heat," says Dr. Flores.

If you're spending time outdoors this summer, be sure to drink plenty of water, limit outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day and seek shade whenever possible. If you take prescription medications and have questions about staying safe in the heat, talk with your healthcare provider.

Central Texas is in its hottest stretch of the year, and doctors are warning that common medications may heighten dehydration risks.

08/05/2026

We’re pleased to welcome Shikha Singla, M.D., to our Rheumatology Clinic!

Dr. Singla is a board-certified rheumatologist who specializes in psoriatic disease. She also oversees all rheumatology clinical trials at Dell Medical School - UT Austin and directs our Psoriatic Arthritis Program. Dr. Singla’s dedication to both clinical care and research helps more Central Texans access the care they need.

Learn more about Singla: https://bit.ly/4fO10mO

07/24/2026

Waking up several times a night to use the bathroom may seem like a normal part of aging, but it can be a sign of an enlarged prostate.

Other signs include a weak urine stream or feeling like the bladder has not fully emptied — symptoms that can develop slowly.

Urologist David Dalton, M.D., explains that an enlarged prostate typically does not improve on its own, and ongoing blockage can affect how effectively the bladder works. Seeking care sooner helps prevent complications and allows for more treatment options.

Recognizing the signs in yourself or someone you love can be the first step toward better sleep and a better quality of life. Learn more:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, commonly known as BPH, affects millions of men as they age. Dr. David Dalton explains why early detection and treatment matter.

07/16/2026

Patrick Birdsong knew his path to growing his family had changed.

After having a vasectomy years earlier, he began looking into whether reversal was possible. That search led him to Sarah Vij, M.D., a urologist at UT Health Austin who specializes in a precise procedure that reconnects tubes smaller than a strand of spaghetti using sutures thinner than a human hair.

Vasectomy reversal requires advanced microsurgical skill, steady hands and careful planning, especially when past procedures or scar tissue make the surgery more complex. For Birdsong, Dr. Vij’s expertise and honest guidance helped him feel confident moving forward.

The result was exactly what he hoped for: another chance to grow his family.

Read more:

For those hoping to have children after a vasectomy, vasectomy reversal can restore fertility and the possibility of natural conception.

07/13/2026

The sooner patients get answers, the sooner they can get the care they need.

Urologist Sarah Vij, M.D., is working with engineering faculty and student researchers at Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin to explore a better way to perform cystoscopy, a procedure that allows doctors to examine the bladder and urethra to help identify the cause of symptoms such as blood in the urine.

The team is developing technology that could one day make the procedure easier for clinicians to perform and help patients get more timely answers. For people facing a possible bladder condition, that could mean less waiting, less uncertainty and a clearer path to the care they need.

Read more about how collaboration across medicine and engineering is helping shape the future of urological care:

Clinicians, engineers and students are developing robotic and AI-enabled tools to make diagnostic cystoscopy more accessible, efficient and patient-centered.

07/09/2026

“If you don’t see it, you can’t dream it.”

That’s why minimally invasive robotic surgeon Dr. Alisa Coker, helped introduce Austin-area students to robotic-assisted surgery as part of the Women in da Vinci Surgery Symposium.

Students got hands-on experience with the same type of technology used in operating rooms, opening their minds to careers they may not have imagined before. For Coker, that kind of early exposure matters. It helps young people see a future for themselves in healthcare, science and innovation.

Her work also reflects something bigger: when surgeons share knowledge, mentor the next generation and bring people into the room, everyone benefits from a stronger, more prepared healthcare workforce.

Learn more about Coker and the event: https://bit.ly/4vHTiRM

07/07/2026

A step forward for neurosurgery access in Austin:

Dr. Joaquin Camara recently performed the first anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in our ambulatory surgery center.

The surgery is used to address neck pain and symptoms from pinched nerves in the spine, which can happen when discs, arthritis or bone spurs put pressure on nearby nerves. During the procedure, the damaged disc is removed from the front of the neck, pressure is relieved from the nerves and an implant is placed to support healing.

For many patients, having this procedure in an ambulatory surgery center can create a more streamlined experience with personalized, one-on-one care in an outpatient setting. It can also help reduce the stress and cost that may come with a hospital stay. Expanding access to specialized neurosurgical care helps more patients get the right care in the right setting.

This is academic medicine in action: faculty physicians bringing specialized training, leading expertise and advanced procedures to improve the way Austin gets and stays healthy.