San Antonio Magazine January/February 2023

TOP DOCTORS

The 2023 Getaway Guide: Make plans for an escape with one of these 16 destinations

Weekend Adventures

Make plans to get away in 2023 with these 16 destinations, both near and far.

IN THE LOOP

Maker

A plant-based skincare line grows into its own brand and downtown shop, Dewy Skin Studio + Skin Care.

Development

From parks to hotels, a variety of upcoming projects look to transform the city.

POI

UTSA’s School of Data Science director says the new downtown campus will become a hub for future industry leaders.

Fitness

Walking groups from around the world will descend upon San Antonio this February.

Influencer

At Purple Couch Therapy, founder Jessica Reynolds is working to make mental health care accessible to everyone.

Sports

The Silver & Black plan to break the NBA attendance record. Find out how here.

Spotlight

Find the varietal you didn’t know you were missing at Vintage Wine Bar & Specialty Foods.

Eat Here Now

Mediterranean meets modern at Pearl’s Ladino.

Shop

An H-E-B dietitian shares six health-boosting items you can add to your basket.

Tastemaker

Jefferson Bodega’s success is just as much a credit to its owners’ hearts as it is the quirky snacks they stock.

Libations

Add variety to your cafe order with these coffee flights.

WORK OF ART

Ruiz-Healy Art

Behind the Lens Spurs team photographer Reginald Thomas looks to capture each player’s essence as much as his on-court talent.

Top Doctors

Find a new provider from this list of the city’s best 484 physicians in 64 specialties, as nominated by their peers.

At her galleries in San Antonio and New York, Patricia RuizHealy celebrates the textile work and impact of Consuelo Jimenez Underwood.

On the Cover

Raeann Alcorta shot Dr. Jason Morrow, Ph.D., an associate professor at UT Health San Antonio who specializes in ethics and hospice/palliative care.

Between the caffeine, the potential for from-scratch baked goods and the laidback atmosphere perfect for working or simply relaxing, I’m a sucker for a good coffee shop. So, before I drove east on I-10 to Comfort last fall, I made sure to do a search for the town’s best cafes. Though a city of just more than 3,000, I found three local coffee spots within walking distance of picturesque High Street. I landed on the Wander’n Calf Espresso Bar & Bakery, which was founded by a couple hoping to offer their adult daughter and others with unique needs a place to learn business and baking skills. Inside, I ordered a latte and was talked into a slice of fresh pumpkin bread (with its smell still wafting from the nearby kitchen, how could I say no?). A former house, the cafe has plenty of cozy nooks plus quiet outdoor seating—the perfect scene for me to catch up on emails before exploring the rest of the town. Its friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere also set the tone for my afternoon in Comfort, where antique dealers and shop owners were all affable and eager to tell me about the next place I needed to stop. It’s not as robust as Fredericksburg’s Main Street, but with a few wine tasting rooms, a plethora of antiques and historic buildings turned shops or hotels, Comfort provides the kind of break that can make a daytrip feel like a refreshing getaway.

In this month’s issue, we round up 16 places worthy of a 2023 adventure (page 30). I relied on writers who are experts in travel to delve into the other destinations and they more than delivered with ideas for a year’s worth of getaways, small and big, that each have the ability to fill the wanderlust that can creep in during that post-holiday lull.

In San Antonio, the coming year also brings plenty to explore—from a new hotel and park in the works at Hemisfair to a baseball park eventually coming downtown. At Pearl, food writer Edmund Tijerina details why the new-ish Mediterranean outpost Ladino is a must-try (page 22) and David Mongeau, the director of UTSA’s School of Data Science, shares why the new campus is poised to become a leader in the growing industry (page 12).

It’s also not a new year without consideration for health. To that end, we present our annual Top Doctors list, which includes more than 400 of the city’s best physicians, nominated by their peers as someone they would trust to care for themselves or their family members—just the stamp of approval I know I want when seeking a provider. Cheers to 2023 and thank you for making these stories a small part of your new year.

ON THE WEB

Let’s Rodeo

Make plans for the Feb. 9-26 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo with our guide to this year’s concerts, fairgrounds and more. sanantoniomag. com/sarodeo23

Twenty-Four Seven

NPR journalist Kitty Eisele chats about season three of her Texas Public Radio podcast, “Twenty-Four Seven,” which delves into the complex and often stressful role of becoming a caregiver. The show was inspired by Eisele’s own experience with her father. sanantoniomag. com/tpr-24-7

COMING UP

Meet the winners of this year’s Best of the City.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023

VOL. 18, NO. 2

EDITORIAL

Editor in Chief

Kathleen Petty

Contributing Writers

Becca Hensley, Sallie Lewis, Kiko Martinez, Bonny Osterhage, Jill Robbins, Kimberly A. Suta, Edmund Tijerina

Copy Editor Patsy Pelton

Editorial Intern Paulina Rodriguez ART Art Director David G. Loyola

Contributing Photographers

Raeann Alcorta, JoMando Cruz, Josh Huskin, Klare Perez, Michael Rodriguez, Zach St. Ward

Contributing Illustrator Chris Philpot

ADVERTISING

Publisher Kathie Anderson

Vice President of Sales James R. Smith

Account Director Dana Horner Sales Operations Manager Kiely Whelan

DIGITAL

Digital Managers

Rosie Ninesling, Abigail Stewart

Social Media

OPEN SKY MEDIA

CEO Todd P. Paul President Stewart Ramser

Vice President of Sales James R. Smith

Editorial Director Rebecca Fontenot Cord

Director of Operations Hollis Boice

CIRCULATION

Audience Development Director Kerri Nolan

Circulation Manager Julie Becker EVENTS Events Director Lauren Sposetta

ACCOUNTING

Accounting Manager Sabina Jukovic

CONTACT US 210-268-1100 sanantoniomag.com

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Coco

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IN THE LOOP

Facial Fungi

AS A 20-SOMETHING, CARMEN ROCIO TELLEZ remembers feeling like her acne was probably the only thing people noticed. Her brother had taken a prescription to deal with his skin, but it negatively impacted his kidneys. “I was appalled about that and really wanted to take a more holistic approach,” she says. Her obsession with finding the right skincare regimen followed her into college, where she studied biology. When she was looking to make some extra money without distracting from her studies, Tellez turned her passion into a side gig and began formulating and selling skincare products, focusing on plant-based ingredients. After graduation,

the Laredo native enrolled in Aveda’s esthetician program in San Antonio and continued working on her products, which she sold at local farmers and makers markets. Last fall, she and esthetician Aponi Balderas opened Dewy Skin Studio downtown, providing facials and other services to locals and tourists. Tellez continues to sell her own products under the Dewy Skin brand and she’s now working with a local lab to formulate a toner, reishi and rose generating gel cleanser and more using plant-based ingredients like prickly pear cactus and shiitake mushroom extracts. “It wouldn’t have happened in any other city,” says Tellez, who credits Geekdom and Centro San Antonio with helping their studio and storefront succeed. “The people of San Antonio have been incredibly supportive.”

507 E. Houston St., Ste. 110

dewyskinstudio.com

A Glimpse of the Future

These major development projects look to transform San Antonio

Hemisfair’s Civic Park

The second of three parks, Civic Park is set to open at Hemisfair around Labor Day, bringing connection from Hemisfair’s Yanaguana Garden into downtown and the neighboring convention center. Visitors will find five water-filled pools, known as The Springs, which are built out of specialty limestone quarried in Lueders and expertly cut with precise curves that allow water to seep from the top and flow down into shallow pools. The promenade, or main walkway that runs through the park, will feature more than 100 trees that were grown in Big Foot, Texas, so that they’ll be large enough to offer shade the day the space opens. The property is designed to use reclaimed water captured from the convention center. A great lawn with a capacity of up to 10,000 will host events big and small, including concerts for things like the NCAA Final Four. A 17-story hotel by Zachry Hospitality and an apartment building with ground-level retail and restaurants will overlook the park. “This is not designed to last 10 to 20 years,” says Tom Hull, senior project manager at Skanska, which is managing the development. “It’s designed to last for generations.”

Kimpton Hotel

Located just across Alamo Street from Yanaguana Garden, this hotel that broke ground last year will have 347 rooms and stand 10 stories tall. A rooftop pool and modern lobby will bookend the new structure and the property also will incorporate historic buildings on the grounds, including an original 1850s schoolhouse. In those spaces, look for a restaurant, bar and oneof-a-kind suites. It’s slated to open in 2024. “This area represents a new hub for the city where history, culture, art, entertainment, commerce and transformation—and the future of San Antonio—seamlessly come together,” says Jean-Luc Barone, CEO of White Lodging, which owns and operates Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.

The Link

This more than $61 million project in the planning stages is a linear park that would begin on Main Street and eventually connect the River Walk at Convent Park to San Pedro Creek. It will boast open walking paths, an amphitheater, areas for activities like outdoor yoga, water features and plenty of vegetation. Plans also call for the new Dream Hotel to anchor one end and eventually for additional skyscrapers to hold office, retail and residential. “It will be the most hip, attractive area downtown,” says County Commissioner Tommy Calvert. “It will help us turn the page on the city that young people said was not cool.”

THE FORMER RANCH MOTEL on Broadway is being transformed into a boutique hotel.

TEXAS A&M – SAN ANTONIO and the San Antonio River Authority are partnering on a nearly 380-acre nature park, recreation spot and outdoor living laboratory on Southeast Military Drive near Espada Park.

AMBASSADOR THEATER GROUP is revamping The Espee, the entertainment venue formerly known as Sunset Station. The group that also operates the Majestic & Empire Theatres is looking to boost entertainment bookings in the outdoor pavilion.

A GROUP OF INVESTORS THAT includes Rackspace founder Graham Weston and Spurs Sports & Entertainment chairman Peter J. Holt purchased the San Antonio Missions with plans to construct a baseball stadium for the minor league team somewhere downtown.

The Future of Data Science

UTSA School of Data Science Director David Mongeau sees the new school becoming a national leader and industry diversifier

avid Mongeau was not looking for a job when the University of Texas at San Antonio started recruiting a founding director for its School of Data Science, which welcomes hundreds of students into a new

FACT FILE

Hometown: Boston

Resume: UC Berkeley, The Ohio State University, Battelle Memorial Institute, Bell Labs

Education: Bachelor’s, Carnegie Mellon; master’s, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; MBA, Purdue University

$98.1 million downtown facility in January. But for a full year, the Roadrunners’ recruiter kept calling. Mongeau agreed to talk and soon found himself resigning as executive director of the Berkeley Institute for Data Science for the chance to be a part of something new in the Alamo City. “The thing that attracted me was just the ambition that UTSA and its leadership has,” Mongeau says, adding that it reminded him of his alma mater Carnegie Mellon, which started as a school for “steel mill workers’ children” but has become a top private research institution. Plus, he adds, data science as a field is glaringly lacking in diversity. UTSA is one of the few schools already in a strong position to change that. “It’s very exciting to be a part of this,” he says.

Why has there been a lack of diversity in data science and how can UTSA address that?

One is, I don’t think a high schooler necessarily identifies with data science. They say, ‘I want to be an engineer or a doctor,’ so a lot of it is just getting people to understand the opportunity that exists.

All you have to do is some quick Googling to find the workforce is not diverse at all. Less than 10 percent of those in the workforce are women or people of color. There are a lot of universities that are investing in data science, but their student bodies can’t change that outlook. This school’s can—56 percent of UTSA’s master’s level students are women and 64 percent are Hispanic, Latino or Black. Add them together and we’re close to 72 percent diverse. (Most of the students at the downtown school are master’s level.) It’s exciting to be at a school that can increase the diversity in the workforce.

What do you want potential students to know about data science?

People think data science is just tech firms like Google. It isn’t. Health and life sciences, which are two of the more established sectors in San Antonio, and finance are big industries. And then business to consumer, like grocery stores. H-E-B, for example, has very sophisticated data scientists. It’s also part of civil engineering and construction and other industries.

Do you care about water quality? Food insecurity? Improved housing? One of the ways to get there is through data science.

I fairly regularly get inquiries from students who saw an article on data science. They may say they’ve been studying biology or civil engineering, can they become a data scientist? And that’s great. If you get a degree in something else and then a master’s in data science, that’s a wonderful combination because then you’re prepared to apply data science to an industry.

Do you see graduates filling jobs locally or being recruited elsewhere?

We want to create opportunity in San Antonio. We are very committed to the city, so that’s why we work so much with local businesses and startups and make regular connections with the city and county. And it’s clear that companies want to know what we’re doing and connect with us, from CEOs all the way to data scientists.

But, to keep students here, we not only have to make known jobs that exist, we also have to attract more businesses to town. Because I can tell you what is already happening is because we have a diverse student body, we have large national companies coming here to hire our students out of San Antonio. And if we don’t have the jobs, they will go somewhere else.

UTSA is one of only five schools of data science in the U.S. Is that right?

Yes. There are a ton of online programs and lots of universities with programs, but only five universities

have said this is so important that we’re going to form a school: UTSA, UC Berkeley, the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Of those, UTSA is the only federally designated Hispanic-serving institution.

Part of my goal for the school is for it to become nationally known. We have the capability of being a leading school and the most diverse school of data science. I want us to not just be preparing people to go out, but to become a destination where people want to come.

Tell us about the new facility downtown, known as San Pedro 1.

It’s flexible and versatile. It has just over 80,000 square feet of classroom, lab and research space, but much of it is flexible and most of the furniture is not stationary.

There’s a café on the first floor with seating outside along San Pedro Creek and a space downstairs that could be opened up for performances and events. We could host a university music ensemble and if we did that, we would always fold in data science. How do you capture the audio and do some sort of research project based on the music?

We have four data science neighborhoods in the building. Each is unique, but in the middle, each has four lab spaces. We tried to put groups in those that naturally work together—bioinformatics and computational biology, for example—plus at least one that might not normally work with them, like robotics. Those people may not normally speak to one another, and we want to see what happens when they do. Each also has a lounge that’s not just for faculty but for everyone, as well as workstations throughout.

We have technical demo spaces for companies to demonstrate their products, whether explaining what a software product can do or showing off a new product. Plus, there are places for student competitions, including those grueling 48-hour datathons.

There’s an area where walls can come down, and it can seat 300 people. We’re hoping that the school becomes a destination that people want to use for conferences, events and competitions. We already have several events planned in 2023.

We have four industry suites and 17 industry offices and we’re in discussion with companies that want to locate there.

The National Security Collaboration Center will anchor the top three floors. One of those, the fifth floor, is for federal systems partners, or federal agencies that will have offices here. That will be a secure floor, but there will be classrooms up there so agencies can connect with students. We want people to interact here.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

“We have the capability of being a leading school and the most diverse school of data science. I want us to not just be preparing people to go out, but to become a destination where people want to come."

Walking for Life

3 ONE-STOP RECOVERY SHOPS

SUSAN MEDLIN MAY BE RETIRED, BUT THE ARMY veteran is still up and at the gym by 5:30 most mornings. She and her husband, an Air Force veteran, lift weights, run and do sit-ups—and most days that’s just the start of their activity.

The couple are also dedicated volksmarchers who participate regularly in America’s Walking Club (formerly the American Volksport Association) events in San Antonio, where the nonprofit is headquartered, as well as around the country during their travels.

“I’m 63 and if I didn’t exercise and walk regularly, I would weigh 1,000 pounds,” Medlin says, jokingly. “I was in track in high school, and I ran for 20 years as part of the Army, so I’m in the habit of being active. I don’t like being still for too long.”

An international Olympiad event planned for San Antonio in February is meant to help locals and visitors get moving IVV

Medlin is one of three co-chairs spearheading the AWC’s IVV Olympiad, Feb. 19-26, in San Antonio. It’s the first time the international walking festival has been hosted in North America, with past events taking place in Greece, Germany, France and elsewhere. “It’s an incredible opportunity for us to share our passion for walking and the hospitality of our beautiful city,” says Henry Rosales, AWC president and CEO, adding that there are also biking and swimming events planned.

Medlin says while fitness is key, walking is also about community. She and her husband began walking with the AWC when they were stationed in Germany in the 1980s and picked it

back up in the U.S. after their kids were grown. In San Antonio, where they moved in 2011, it’s given them a chance to see the city while also making friends in a community they hadn’t lived in since being stationed here briefly years before. They also make a point to find pre-mapped out AWC trails during road trips so that they can take a break on their drive and get in several miles even on travel days.

“We all talk as we walk and share stories,” she says. “I think friendship is the biggest thing.”

At the Olympiad event, Medlin says they expect visitors from at least 18 different countries and over 35 states. But, she adds, they’re also hoping to get locals involved, too.

There are events the community can join throughout the week, including a Parade of Flags and opening ceremony on Feb. 19, a Feb. 21 margarita and taco trail walk that will include tasting samples and a Feb. 25 walk to see the San Antonio Missions.

Whether you are an elite athlete, a casual walker or a fitness fanatic, rest and recovery days are key to perform at your best and avoid injury.—Bonny Osterhage

Evolve Human Optimization Labs

The newest project from the team behind Float Wellness Spa is one of the most comprehensive and cutting-edge concepts in town. Choose from compression sleeves, red light therapy, Norwegian saunas, cold plunge tanks, contrast therapy, electro-muscle stimulation and more. 502 Embassy Oaks, Ste. 103, evolvehumanlabs.com

Sweat Equity

Whether you like it hot or you prefer to chill, Sweat Equity delivers. Here, you’ll find infrared saunas, compression boots and contrast therapies as well as cryotherapy chambers and IV drips to help with things like immunity, hydration and energy. One of our favorite tools at this Southtown sanctuary is the Infrared Cocoon Pod. Its combination of heat, massage and aromatherapy is a blissful experience. 809 S. St. Mary’s St., sweatequitysa.com

Stretch Zone

It’s no secret that stretching is not a high priority for most people. However, it’s a necessity. With several locations throughout San Antonio, Stretch Zone offers practitioner-assisted stretching using patented equipment and specifically developed methods and protocols to gradually increase your active range of motion. multiple locations, stretchzone.com

Open Ears and Eyes

Purple Couch Therapy founder Jessica Reynolds works to break stigma and boundaries around mental health support in communities of color

The vibe at Purple Couch Therapy is intentionally chill.

When licensed EMDR-trained trauma therapist Jessica Reynolds opened her practice in the Medical Center in 2019, she invited clients who came in to sit on a couch she’d purchased in purple—the color of royalty—that was meant to serve as a reminder that there’s royalty in all of us. She and her team recently moved that couch to a purple house on the city’s East Side, whose residents, Reynolds says, have a disproportionate rate of mental health issues. Inside, her degree hangs in the bathroom while books by Black, brown, Asian, Indigenous and Latinx authors are prominently displayed on

her shelves and tables. It’s an atmosphere designed for “real talk” and a focus on culture.

“My goal was to take the clinical part out and put the healing back,” she says.

After all, it wasn’t that long ago that words like “therapy” and “counseling” were uttered in hushed tones by many who perceived a stigma around seeking support for mental health. That has changed, but there are still segments of the population who are skeptical or hesitant. In the purple house, Reynolds wants to offer a safe space to both those who are eager and unsure about therapy, especially Black and brown communities.

“I serve everyone, but my real niche is Black women,” says Reynolds, who specializes in race-traumatic-based stress, anxiety, PTSD, depression and grief. “They are so misunderstood in society as being angry and they hold so many levels of internal oppression and a deep level of feeling like they don’t belong or aren’t good enough. I want to hold space for them.”

A Killeen native, Reynolds holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver and began her career working at places like Planned Parenthood and Child Protective Services. It was through interacting and connecting with the families she served in those roles that Reynolds decided she wanted to go into therapy.

As a Black woman, Reynolds says she recognized the acute lack of representation for people of color in the mental health space. As someone who has been and continues to go to therapy, she understands how important it is to feel not only heard, but also seen. Although she deals with a wide range of traumas, her passion is for victims of domestic abuse, something she was surrounded by in her youth.

“I’m good at it because I saw it my whole life—the slamming doors, the hitting,” she says. “It leaves a mark on you, and then you end up in the same type of relationship.”

Her expertise and training speak volumes, but Reynolds is also successful, in part, because talking to her is like talking to a close friend, the one who hypes you up and reminds you that you are valued and worth it. It’s a message she imparts to her two young daughters, who lost their father in 2020. “It took a toll on our family, and I carry a lot of grief with the girls,” she says.

Absorbing other people’s grief, anger or pain is part of the territory for Reynolds. To cope, she retreats to nature, often hanging out in parks or at the Pearl. “You can usually find me at your nearest tree,” she says, with a laugh.

In the future, Reynolds hopes to expand her practice’s reach so she and the other three Purple Couch therapists can bring mental health services to even more people in underrepresented or marginalized cultures.

“I see Purple Couch growing into a collaboration with different cultural organizations and trying to decolonize mental health,” she says. “I want it to be a place where culture is the center of healing.”

“I see Purple Couch growing into a collaboration with different cultural organizations and trying to decolonize mental health.”

Making NBA History

The Spurs want to celebrate 50 years in the league by setting the regular season record for attendance when they face the 2022 Champion Golden State Warriors on Jan. 13. Here’s a look at how they hope to accomplish it

Jan. 13

Tickets at spurs.com

For the Record

The current NBA regular season attendance record is 62,046. It was set March 27, 1998, when Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks 89-74 in the Georgia Dome. The Bulls have reported among the highest average regular season attendance in recent years (close to 21,000 annually) while the Spurs saw an average of around 18,300 each home game before the pandemic—just less than the AT&T Center’s capacity, according to ESPN.

The Goal

The Spurs are hoping to attract 65,000 (or more) fans to the Alamodome on Jan. 13—though they’ll need just 62,047 to set the record. During football games, the venue can host 64,000 people. To up the capacity, the Alamodome is adding seats around the basketball court on the ground level. The configuration will be similar to

what locals saw when the facility hosted the 2018 Men’s NCAA Final Four, with the court in the middle of the space where the field often sits. During the height of the NCAA tournament, the venue saw more than 68,000 people in attendance.

Back to the Future

Any longtime Spurs fan knows this is not the team’s first foray at the Alamodome. The Spurs played there from 1993 to 2002, including during their 1999 NBA Finals appearance (which they won in New York). “It’s great for us to have them back,” says Patricia Muzquiz Cantor, director of convention and sports facilities. “The community equates the Spurs and the Alamodome together.” When the Spurs played at the Alamodome then, the court was closer to the north end of the field, some seats were blocked off by curtains and the arena was configured so that between 22,000 and

35,000 fans could attend, she says. The Spurs have returned twice since then, in 2003 and 2014, when they hosted fans for their NBA Championship rallies.

Making the Shift

Prior to the Jan. 13 Spurs game, the Alamodome hosts the Valero Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29) and the All-American Bowl (Jan. 7). Cantor says they will spend about four days working “around the clock” to convert the football stadium setup into a basketball arena layout. That will mean not only bringing in and laying out the physical court (plus adding all of the Spurs logos), but also setting up 3,000 floor seats that will put fans near the court. Those floor seats won’t be cheap, but Cantor says there are affordable options higher up to encourage attendance from as many people as possible. The game is also a “Fiesta Night,” so get ready for a San Antonio party.

A Sip for Every Occasion

Find the wine you didn’t know you needed at Vintage Wine Bar & Specialty Foods

EVEN IF YOU’RE A LIFELONG CABERNET DRINKER, Lindsey Edwards will encourage you to try at least one other variety. It may be a tempranillo, a full-bodied red from Spain that’s also made in Texas, or a bubbly you’d normally never consider. “Let’s find out what you didn’t even know you love,” says Edwards, the co-owner of Vintage Wine Bar & Specialty Foods.

She and her husband PJ opened the bar and retail space in the Alley on Bitters last spring,

EAT + DRINK

just a short walk from their restaurant, Meadow Neighborhood Eatery + Bar.

PJ says they had no intention of ever running a bar, but when the spot next to The Bread Box opened, it gave off exactly the kind of comfortable, cozy vibes they felt like a wine bar should have. And the more they thought about it, they realized there weren’t a lot of places for an afterwork glass of vino on the North Side.

In less than a year, they’ve become that spot for many in the neighborhood while acting as the go-to wine retailer for others. Lindsey handles the inventory, ordering a rotating cast of bottles ranging from $16 to $200 that guests can purchase to take home or to enjoy in the shop. They also have five bottles open on any given day that can be enjoyed by the glass. PJ built the menu, which features small bites, charcuterie and cheese boards that complement the spirits.

“Tables of joy” are exactly what you’ll find at San Antonio’s new Mediterranean standout, Ladino

San Antonio isn’t the kind of city that hops on the latest culinary fads. Chef Berty Richter describes it as a more conservative dining scene but still one he was confident would embrace his Mediterranean-Sephardic concept, Ladino, the newest restaurant from Austin’s Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. “San Antonio also being such a fast-growing city, we knew there was room for newer ideas,” Richter

says. “With the research we did, we realized there were not very many Middle Eastern/Mediterranean options. We were hoping it would be a success.”

Talk about an understatement. Richter heads the kitchen at Ladino and it shatters all expectations. The space that formerly held Il Sogno has transformed from a stark, industrial look into a modern Mediterranean outpost filled with handmade tiles, exposed brick and lots of sea-inspired colors that make it feel more like Tel Aviv than South Texas.

The dishes match the decor perfectly. Perhaps one of the most telling examples comes in a brilliant plate of meltingly tender yet vibrant leeks in olive oil, with a lemon essence, a bit of Swiss chard and a kiss of fresh dill. Truly, it was one of the best takes on leek that I have ever eaten.

When you go, take some friends and order a bunch of dishes. Start a meal with a couple of dips—maybe an impossibly creamy hummus, whipped spicy feta or fish roe taramasalata. Then make sure to get a couple of hot meze and cold meze. I’d recommend the kibbeh nayeh, a beef tartare spiced with aleppo peppers, or the deeply satisfying skewer of grilled veal sweetbreads. Richter suggests trying the agristada de pishkado, a tilefish carefully poached in a lemon-egg sauce. That dish is based on a treat his mother made for Rosh Hashanah and Passover.

Then romp on a main dish, such as the slightly earthy lamb belly ribs or the layered flavors of the grilled chicken with tomato, okra and amba jus. Finish with a memorable version of the classic knafeh, a layered tarte of spun pastry and springy white cheese or heavy cream in a sugar syrup.

Don’t worry if you have leftovers—they’ll make for a couple of happy lunches.

The restaurant name comes from the language of Sephardic Jews, the descendants of the families expelled from Spain and Portugal in 1492. Ladino is also the language that Richter’s family spoke, and it’s a mix of Castilian Spanish and Hebrew, with influences from Arabic, Greek, Turkish and French. So are the dishes.

“The entire menu is based on stuff I grew up on or places where Sephardic Jews have migrated,” Richter says.

You could create your own mixture from the menu or place yourself in Richter’s hands for his selection, called the mezas de alegría Meza is Ladino for the Spanish mesa, and the phrase translates to “tables of joy.” Truly, a description that fits the entire restaurant.

Looking for more ideas? Visit heb.com/collections/ wellness-picks.

Shop Smart

Resist the temptation of empty calories on your next grocery trip with these healthier H-E-B swaps

WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO KEEP THOSE NEW YEAR’S resolutions to eat healthier, the grocery store can be a seductive mistress, with aisle after aisle of tempting choices. She’s hard to resist, but with the help of H-E-B Nutrition Services, you can shop with confidence. The San Antonio–based grocer offers personal visits with their on-staff dietitians who can assess your health needs and shop with you, pointing out small, tangible choices that can impact your health in a big way. The best part? The service is covered by most insurance. Stocking up on fresh fruits and veggies is a given but when it comes to snacks and meals, finding the right items can be tougher. Here are a few recommendations from Stacy Bates, a registered dietitian and the director of Wellness Nutrition Services at H-E-B.

H-E-B Mootopia Lactose-Free Chocolate Milk

The perfect recovery beverage for athletes, and a big hit with kids, this rich, chocolaty beverage is lower in sugar than traditional chocolate milk and is an excellent source of protein and Omega 3s.

H-E-B Carb Sense Tortillas

South Texans love their tortillas and these pack all the amazing flavor and texture without all the carbs and only 45 calories per serving. Plus, they are a good source of fiber.

H-E-B Stride Hydration and Recovery Drink

Put down that sugary, caffeinated energy drink and pick up a Stride. With five key electrolytes and only 8 grams of sugar, it will keep you refreshed and rehydrated.

H-E-B Multi Fit Select Ingredients Nuts and Trail Mixes

Perfectly portable for whenever hunger strikes, these delicious blends come in a wide assortment to satisfy any craving. Sweetened with dried fruit and full of vitamins and potassium, they’re a smarter way to snack than chips or sugary granola bars when you are on the go.

H-E-B Meal Simple Lemon Pepper Chicken

When you need an easy meal fast, turn to H-E-B’s Meal Simple instead of a drive-thru. The grab-and-go entrees meet a variety of nutritional needs from plant-based to low-carb options, like this flavorful lemon pepper chicken. Ready in two minutes or less by microwave, it makes it easy to get a healthy dinner on the table after a busy day.

AN EDUCATED LIFE A GUIDE TO SAN

ANTONIO SCHOOLS

BodegaMa and Bodega Man

Jefferson Bodega’s Lisa and Luke Horgan built a community through tough-to-find snacks and quirky pop-up events

efferson Bodega isn’t your typical convenience store. The West Side outpost is a wacky, whimsical wonderland of imported snacks, craft beer and unique candy that would make even Willy Wonka drool with envy.

For founders Luke and Lisa Horgan (aka Bodega Man and BodegaMa), it’s all about providing an experience with your snack. Sometimes that comes from the funky music and local artwork inside while other times it’s through pop-up events, which have included classical music by Agarita, a petting zoo and a foam dance party.

“It’s the coolest convenience store that’s ever been,” says Luke. “The whole point of the bodega is to dance, be free and grab a snack. If we can raise your spirits and you leave a better person, you make this world a little better.”

The couple launched the bodega in the neighborhood where Luke grew up a month before COVID hit. The pandemic could have derailed their plans. Instead, they started sourcing overseas for toilet paper and working with locals to stock farm-fresh eggs and beans. The silver lining of their challenging start was that their overseas relationships spawned the special array of snack products they’re now known for, such as Japanese Kit-Kats and Snickers from India. The couple also recently launched an off-site “bodega snack bar” as a pop-up at special events.

Last year, the bodega had to temporarily shutter its doors while Luke recovered from unexpected heart surgery. The community he and Lisa have built rallied around them in force.

“We were both so scared and felt so alone, but the outpouring of support—the love, cards, gifts, comments and all of the things people said to us—really inspired us and lifted us out of that dark period,” Luke says.

The doctor noted to Luke that after a major life event like that people often start a new career, retire or end up moving to Florida. What, he wondered, was next for Luke? His bodega family came to mind first.

“I realized it took me 45 years to get to do what I was doing professionally, so I wanted to get back to the bodega and talk to our customers. It took a long time to get there, and I’m really happy to be here,” he says.

Taking Flight

Find

SAMPLING WINE AND CRAFT BEER AS FLIGHTS OF a few varieties is common, and San Antonio cafes are introducing the trend to coffee now, too. After all, it can be just as tough to choose a latte when the flavor combinations number in the dozens. At these four shops, you don’t have to decide. Sample standard lattes or cold brews alongside specialty drinks with caramel, honey, lavender and more.

Comfort Cafe

Made for “java junkies” who can’t decide where to start, the flight features the four most popular drinks: caramel macchiato, iced Vietnamese, iced mocha and the iced white mocha. Purchases are donation-based and support SerenityStar, an addiction recovery program. 2015 N.E. Loop 410, serenitystar.org

Medina River Coffee Roasters

The flights at this cafe are fully customizable. Select hot or iced, choose your favorite milk and then go wild with flavors that are often sweet enough to count as dessert. There’s a dirty chocolate chai, butterscotch, vanilla caramel, snicker doodle, honey almond and more. Or add a cold or hot brew. 11825 West Ave., Ste. 101, medinarivercoffee.com

Halcyon Southtown

The flavors rotate at this Blue Star coffee bar but always include something creative. Past flights have featured drinks like the hot honey latte, iced mocha, chocolate falls, raspberry cold brew and lavender iced chai. With a companion who’s not into coffee? Ask about hot chocolate or cocktail flights. 1414 S. Alamo St., halcyoncoffeebar.com

Olmos Perk

Owners Erin and Tres Eaton invite guests to build their own flights of four. Favorites include the almond joy, honey lavender, white chocolate raspberry and cinnamon dolce lattes but there is also standard vanilla, coconut matcha and others. Don’t forget to add a pastry baked by Erin on the side. 5223 McCullough Ave., instagram. com/olmosperksatx

The Guide Getaway

Whether a weekend escape in Texas or a trip to somewhere new, these 16 destinations deliver that mix of relaxation and adventure you crave

Take a Stroll in Comfort

THE SWEET SMELL OF BAKED GOODS WAFTS FROM THE kitchen in the house-turned-café that greets those who make a pitstop at the Wander’n Calf as they arrive in Comfort. Inspired by the owners’ daughter who lives with unique needs, the coffee shop is the perfect place to start a leisurely day or weekend away in this nearby Hill Country town.

Once you’ve savored a seasonal latte or pour over along with a fresh pastry (try the blueberry lemon bread or ham and cheese biscuits), head just a few blocks over to The 8th Street Market. A 1940s Ford dealership turned shopping center, the market is home to multiple dealers who sell everything from vintage and antique goods to repurposed and unique home and lifestyle items. Between the indoor nooks filled with furniture, chandeliers and gifts and the outdoor spaces that house garden items and more, it’s easy to spend hours wandering the property.

Don’t spend all of your shopping budget here, though. Walk just down the road and turn onto High Street, which is lined with antique and gift shops worthy of a weekend afternoon of browsing. The Comfort Antique Mall is so stocked it may just save you that next trip to Round Top while The Elephant Story, located in an 1891 saloon designed by San Antonio’s Alfred Giles, offers beautiful jewelry and gift items. Plus, it doubles as a nonprofit that raises funds for conservation in Asian elephant countries.

Take a break from shopping for a glass of wine at either Ursa at Branch on High or Newsom Vineyards’ tasting rooms. If the glass is enough to interest you in a more immersive tour, drive just 10 minutes outside of town to see Bending Branch’s Estate Winery and Tasting Room, where guests can sample five signature wines.

Before heading back to town, call in an order to Comfort Pizza. Its mesquite wood-fired pies are so good, the eatery is known to have a wait. The CTP (Comfort Texas Pizza) is a classic with Opa’s of Fredericksburg smoked sausage, housemade sauce and veggies. The outdoor seating at the eatery housed in a former filling station invites plenty of conversation to flow between locals and visitors.

At just 45 minutes from San Antonio, the town is the ideal escape when you have just a day or two to spare and don’t want to deal with the crowds that can come with a getaway to Fredericksburg.—KP

Go: Drive 45 minutes northwest on I-10

Eat: High’s Cafe and Store is the perfect stop for lunch. Its menu offers plenty of soups, salads and well-made sandwiches plus seasonal favorites, like a quinoa and butternut squash super salad. highscafeandstore.com

Stay: Hotel Giles, named for the San Antonio architect who built it in the 1880s, puts guests within walking distance of shops, wine and restaurants while offering that boutique experience complete with breakfast and wellappointed suites or cottages. If getting out of town is more your style, you’ll love Camp Comfort. hotelgiles.com, camp-comfort.com

Do: Whether it’s authentic antiques, vintage-style home decor or gift items you seek, Comfort delivers. Take your time and meander down High Street before venturing to 7th Street and more for stops at ReDefined, The Heart Cottage and elsewhere. visitcomfort.us/shopping

Enjoy the wine and shopping of Fredericksburg without the crowds

Charm

Abounds in Decatur

Whether as a stand-alone weekend or an add-on to your next DFW trip, this small North Texas town is full of appeal

IF YOU’VE BEEN TO DALLAS AND DONE FORT WORTH, consider a trip to Decatur, just 40 miles northwest of Fort Worth. While the Big D has those glitzy, big-city vibes, and Fort Worth is known for its cowboy culture, Decatur offers its own charm and personality, with an eclectic combination of historic buildings and quirky street art.

Before you go, book a class at the DIY Studio Decatur, which is part-create studio and part-home decor store. The projects offered through pre-set classes and private events take the popular paint and sip concept up a few levels. You’ll get guidance and structure as you build your project, but you’ll walk away with something unique to you versus a cookie-cutter piece that looks like everyone else’s in the class. Popular options include farmhouse-style wooden signs, cornhole boards, jewelry and candles. Decatur boasts a walkable town square that can check the boxes for history, shopping and unique, locally owned food and beverage spots. The pink granite Wise County Courthouse is the town’s most prominent feature. Inquire at the visitor’s center for an inside tour of the landmark known as “Pink Lady.” They can also provide you with info for a self-guided tour of other area history.

The town is full of unexpected street art and colorful murals that make fun backdrops for snapping pictures. Hey Sugar, a retro candy store selling nostalgic sweets, sodas and more, is also a must-stop for treats and photo opps.—JR

Go: 300 miles north on I-35 or Hwy. 281

Stay: Enjoy the bed and breakfast experience at Courthouse Suites, or head 10 miles west to Bridgeport to sleep with the lions—sort of. The Center for Animal Research and Education animal sanctuary has luxury lodging at its Wild Animal Retreat that overlooks enclosures for the animals, including big cats, bobcats, a llama and other creatures. courthousesuites. com, wildanimalretreat. lodgify.com

Eat: Trinity Street Coffee Bar has a full brunch and lunch menu not to mention specialty coffees, including the self-proclaimed World’s Best Cup of Coffee, made with bourbon syrup, drip coffee and orange-infused cream. trinitystreetcoffee bar.com

Do: Take an art tour of outdoor murals. Stop at the dino mural behind Sweetie Pies Ribeyes, catch the DIY Studio’s mural wall painted on a fence by Macky Cross and snap a photo of the classic Coca-Cola mural on Walnut Street. visitdecaturtx.com

Calling Oaxaca’s

EVEN THE PRONUNCIATION OF OAXACA—WAHHa-Kah—sounds like a magical incantation. It’s no surprise then that Oaxaca, a mountainous state in southern Mexico that is located in a valley among evocative foothills, conjures a hopeful spirit of enchantment.

The city, with its colonial architecture, brightly painted buildings, cobbled streets and shops brimming with black pottery, whimsical wooden figurines and intricate embroidered textiles, borders on otherworldly. Add in its famously inviting restaurants that serve up soulful local dishes like mole and the alluringly gritty mezcalerias (artisanal mezcal bars) that pepper the streets, and the whole town is rife with a vivaciousness that might rub off on you.

Just ask entrepreneur Ginger Diaz and her husband/business partner Mario, who took their first trip six years ago before opening Felíz Modern. They’ve been returning regularly ever since.

“We were so inspired by the amount of artistry in and around Oaxaca,” she says. “We’ve been able to meet with the artists that make items for Felíz Modern and Rancho Diaz, and it’s very fulfilling to visit their homes, meet their families and watch how they have perfected their craft through generations.”

The chef and owner of La Gloria, Burgerteca and The Frutería, Johnny Hernandez, agrees. A veteran traveler to Oaxaca, Hernandez continues to be influenced and inspired by the city and region, whether its food or the folk art that fills his eateries and home.

“Of course, I first went to Oaxaca for the food and to discover the mezcal, but I soon became entranced by the artists and their artistry. I felt these expressions of the culture, whether rich mole or clever alebrijes (the wooden carvings), embroidery or black pottery, combined to define the place,” he says, adding that he always suggests also visiting nearby villages such as Etla, known for its galleries, and Teotitlán, famous for weaving.

For a truly authentic experience, consider Fluenz, a weeklong Spanish language immersion program. Guests stay in an artfully bedecked, villa-style home in Oaxaca’s historic district, taking one-on-one lessons during the day, then exploring the city in behind-the-scenes outings at night. “To be immersed in the culture of Oaxaca is to live the most dynamic version of Mexico,” says co-founder Carlos Lizarralde.—BH

Go: Aeromexico flies to Oaxaca from San Antonio International Airport with a stop in Mexico City and American Airlines provides service there with a stop in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Eat: Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante—Johnny Hernandez says,“(The) very innovative restaurant is street food-inspired and a favorite.” casaoaxacael restaurante.com

Stay: Meld with the creative spirit of the city at design-centric Pug Seal Zapoteco, a dreamscape for art and architecture buffs. Expect luxury and awe, without pretension. pugseal.com/ oaxaca-eng.html

Do: Take a food tour or cooking class with Seasons of My Heart (where Ocho at Hotel Havana chef Jesse Kuykendall trained). Peruse the Sunday market, Mercado Tlacolula, learn all about mezcal and taste it with Mezcal Educational Tours, or book a Get Your Guide Tour, which can include art lessons, bike rides or cultural hikes. seasonsofmyheart. com, mezcaleducational tours.com, getyourguide.com

A foodie and arts haven beckons in Southern Mexico

The Post House Inn, built in 1896, was renovated and reopened in 2020.

Go: Fly from San Antonio International Airport to Charleston, typically with a stop in Dallas or Houston.

Stay: Dive into small-town living at the Post House Inn. theposthouse inn.com

Eat: Order a post-beach day cocktail and woodfired pizza at The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island. theobstinate daughter.com

Do: Take the short drive into Charleston to check out the Charleston Artist Collective, a local art shop that has something for every taste and also supplied the Post House Inn with several of its pieces. charleston. artistcollec tives.org

Find MagicPleasant,MountS.C.in

Post up at Post House Inn for a small-town break

ALONG THE COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THE POST HOUSE INN IN the Old Village of Mount Pleasant sits just across the harbor from Charleston. Built in 1896, this landmark property has a long history as a popular neighborhood hub. Today, it’s a stylish inn and tavern thanks to the visionary eye of Ben and Kate Towill, who reopened it in August 2020 after a top-tobottom renovation. “Ben is from the UK and dreamed of one day having a tavern-style restaurant with rooms above—which you’ll find all over the countryside—and we thought it was the perfect place to make his dream a reality,” says Kate Towill, founder and creative director of Charleston-based hospitality and design firm Basic Projects.

Though only a 10-minute drive from downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant’s Old Village feels a world away. Each of the seven rooms at the Post House Inn is distinctly decorated, blending history with modern amenities, local art and playful details. In its bar and restaurant, chef Nick Wilber cooks with the bounty provided by local farmers and fishermen.

The Old Village’s wholesome and old-fashioned charms are on full display at Pitt Street Pharmacy, where many local children still keep tabs for their daily ice creams. Farther down Pitt Street, you can stroll past manicured houses with sprawling lawns and stop to read the historical markers that rise like mushrooms from the earth. The Pitt Street Bridge offers some of the best views in Mount Pleasant.

Back at the hotel, guests will find a rack of bicycles. Borrow one to ride 3 miles south to Sullivan’s Island, where the Towills’ newest restaurant project, Sullivan’s Fish Camp, feels like stepping back in time to the 1970s.

Though the lures of Charleston are tempting, staying outside the city offers a new perspective. The Post House Inn is a love letter to small-town living, a place where life goes by at a snail’s pace and nostalgia runs as deep as the stately live oaks.—SL

+3 Other Places to See Beyond the Lone Star State

Lake Charles for Mardi Gras

Celebrate Mardi Gras without the mayhem thanks to a lineup of family-friendly events in Lake Charles. Enjoy a lighted boat parade, an entire day and parade dedicated to children and a “Krewe of Krewes” parade that’s appropriate and fun for everyone. For fun year-round, Lake Charles has two luxury resorts (Golden Nugget and L’Auberge) with a golf course, lazy rivers and casinos plus the Creole Nature Trail.

Spring Break Cruise Out of Galveston

The newest ship to sail from Galveston is Royal Caribbean’s first Oasis Class ship to come to Texas, Allure of the Seas. It offers four- to sevennight Caribbean cruises that stop at ports such as Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, plus Roatan, Honduras. Royal Caribbean is a perennial hit with families, but teens and tweens especially enjoy the high-energy options, such as ziplining, rock climbing and outdoor movie nights. Carnival and Disney also offer a variety of cruises sailing from Galveston.

Minneapolis/St. Paul

If you’re looking for winter, head north in January or February to ski, snowshoe or ice skate. Ice fishing is also available on Lake Minnetonka. For a touristy experience, take the train from the airport to Mall of America, which has hotels, dining and entertainment, including an indoor amusement park. Tours are also available of Paisley Park, Prince’s estate.

Go: Drive 195 miles north on I-35.

Stay: Though plenty of properties seen on Fixer Upper are now available for rent, you can’t go wrong with The Carriage House, which was moved from Grapevine and renovated during season three of the show. Magnolia manages the property, which has three bedrooms and houses up to six comfortably. magnolia. com/visit/stay

Eat: Cupp’s Drive Inn has been a mainstay since the 1940s and still delivers when you’re craving a well-made classic cheeseburger with fries or onion rings. facebook.com/cupps burgers

Do: Waco Mammoth National Monument is an active dig site where a nursery herd of Chilean Mammoths died in what is presumed to be a flood. Fossils are still in the process of being uncovered there. nps. gov/waco

Magnolia in More than Waco

Fixer Upper fans flock to Waco for the Chip and Joanna Gaines experience, but that’s just the start of reasons to go

CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES, ARGUABLY TELEVISION’S best-loved design duo, are responsible for putting their hometown on the map as a vacation spot. Magnolia might have started as a small store and design service, but the enterprise is now anything but. The flagship Magnolia Market at the Silos has been joined by Magnolia Home, the Shops at the Silos, Magnolia Seed + Supply and the Little Shop on Bosque—all worth a visit.

If you’re craving a full meal, a sweet treat or a cup of coffee, Magnolia has you covered there, too, with Magnolia Table, Silos Baking Co., Magnolia Press and the Food Truck Park that’s adjacent to the Silos.

If you want to kick-start your immersion into all things Magnolia, book the Classic Waco Tour from Waco Tours. Geared toward Fixer Upper superfans, the experience takes you to

neighborhoods and homes seen on the show. Many are now vacation rentals, so look on Vrbo or Airbnb if you want to stay in one but expect to pay a pretty penny. The tour also includes a stop at Harp Design Co. (owner Clint Harp was a frequent flyer on the show).

Although the Magnolia enterprise takes credit for the spike in Waco’s tourism, there’s a respectable list of non-Magnolia things in town. Even if you’re a diehard San Antonio Zoo fan, you’ll enjoy visiting Cameron Park Zoo. It’s a smaller area of ground to cover, well-shaded, and offers some experiences SA doesn’t have, such as an orangutan habitat and a splash pad.

The Dr Pepper Museum is a fun, quirky place to learn everything you never knew you wanted to know about the history and processing of Dr Pepper and other beverages. Regular admission includes a free Dr Pepper. There are also some VIP and behind-the-scenes options, such as a “Make a Soda” experience.

Waco can get busy during holidays and on school breaks. Plan for crowds or make time for a mid-week visit if you want some solace. Magnolia’s two-day Silobration in October is also worth attending. It includes a vendor fair (often featuring a few San Antonio makers) plus ticketed concerts, behind-the-scenes experiences and castle tours—yes, there’s really a castle in Waco. It was, of course, a project of Chip and Jo’s.—JR

Peace Awaits in Utah

Take in the beauty of the Colorado Plateau during an exclusive Amangiri getaway

VISITING THE ICONIC AMANGIRI RESORT IN Southern Utah feels like traveling to another planet. The endless expanse of red-rock country could easily be mistaken for Mars, the Moon or a galaxy far, far away from South Texas.

Since 2009, this 34-room five-star hotel has been a sanctuary for the world’s most discerning travelers. The property sits amid a vast and untouched landscape of canyons, mesas, ridges and gorges in the Colorado Plateau, home to the largest concentration of national parks in the nation. With its concrete blocks and walls of glass, Amangiri’s sleek and minimal architecture all but disappears into the desertscape, giving guests the feeling of being at one with nature. Most pronounced is the haunting quiet that pervades this ancient land, inspiring all who visit to reflect and rediscover a peace within themselves.

While many of the resort’s repeat customers come from as far as Asia and Europe, a new wave of domestic clientele, including a surge of Texas travelers, sought refuge here during the pandemic.

In July 2020, the team at Amangiri unveiled a new tented retreat called Camp Sarika, located just five minutes from the main hotel. Here, visitors find a gorgeous glamping experience, with 10 canvas tents individually equipped with their own private plunge pools, indoor-outdoor showers and wood-burning fire pits for cooking s’mores under the stars.

Lodging aside, guests in this region come to the wild desert destination to stoke their appetite for adventure. From Amangiri, there are hikes and educational programs offered daily, along with opportunities for hiking, biking and canyoneering across the property’s more than 900 acres. The Via Ferrata experience is one of the most popular activities. Invented centuries ago in the Italian Alps, it’s aptly described as the “e-bike of rock-climbing, ” with a series of cables and ladder rungs that enable both amateur and experienced climbers to ascend steep mountain routes. Rewards await at the summit with panoramic views of the geology below.

Back at the resort, guests relax by a striking swimming pool or logging time in the 25,000-square-foot Aman Spa, with its candlelit corridors and healing treatments inspired by Navajo traditions. Some of the most magical moments occur at sunrise and sunset, when the changing light paints the landscape a rainbow of violet, rust, ochre and orange. To come here is to learn anew how to slow down and pay attention to the beauty of creation.—SL

A tented pavillion at Amangiri’s Camp Sarika.

Go: Book a direct flight to Phoenix or Las Vegas and then a connection to Page Municipal Airport, which is a 25-minute drive from Amangiri. Resort guests can also arrange a private flight directly into Page Municipal Airport, where a driver will be waiting.

Stay: Book an upscale canvas tent, complete with a private plunge pool, at Amangiri’s Camp Sarika. aman. com/resorts/amangiri/ camp-sarika

Eat: A dinner reservation at Camp Sarika is a must, thanks to the restaurant’s inventive, wilderness-inspired tasting menu that changes daily. Afterward, grab a nightcap and head outdoors for stellar stargazing. aman.com/resorts/ amangiri/dining

Do: Take advantage of all there is to see within a 30-minute drive, like Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend. If time allows, book a private tour of the nearby Navajo Slot Canyons, which have been shaped by wind and water for millions of years.

Go: Drive 559 miles north and northeast via I-35 and I-30. From San Antonio, you can also fly to Hot Springs with a stop in Dallas-Fort Worth or direct to nearby Little Rock.

Stay: The Hotel Hot Springs is in a great downtown location. Bathhouse Row and many options for bars and restaurants are within an easy walk. hotelhotsprings.org

Eat: A breakfast buffet is included at the Hotel Hot Springs but venture out to The Pancake Shop at least once. pancakeshop.com

Do: Plan a visit to Garvan Woodland Gardens, home to the Anthony Chapel. garvangardens.org

Make a Splash in Hot Springs

Nature and a quirky bathtub race await in nearby Arkansas

A VISIT TO HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK IS A GIVEN when in Hot Springs, Arkansas, but don’t sleep on Lake Catherine State Park, which is a short drive from downtown.

The park offers space to enjoy the beautiful Ouachita Mountains while swimming, hiking and camping (tent, cabin and lodge accommodations are available starting in March this year). There’s a network of well-marked trails toward the rear of the park so guests can explore. Visitors can also bypass the trails and walk directly to one of the park’s larger waterfalls, which is a popular splash spot in warmer months.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also plan for plenty of time at Hot Springs National Park, which is full of camping, trails and fun for outdoor enthusiasts.

The park is famous for its therapeutic mineral springs that drew in early tourists. Various hydrotherapy treatments were available in bathhouses along what became Bathhouse Row, which is now part of the park. The town grew up around the springs and the national park was officially designated in 1921, becoming the National Park Service’s 18th national park. The visitor’s center is housed in the Fordyce Bathhouse, built in 1915, and has a free museum offering a glimpse of what it was like to take a bathhouse vacation in the early to mid-20th century. Hot Springs, you’ll learn there, has an unexpected organized-crime history and was a vacation mecca for the likes of Al Capone and Charles “Lucky” Luciano.

Bathhouse Row is also the backdrop for the World Championship Running of the Tubs bathtub races that happen annually in early June. The race is exactly what it sounds like— teams of five people run a bathtub on wheels down the street—and is worth planning your trip around. Expect plenty of costumes and wacky-themed teams plus water gun antics from the spectators.

Aside from trips to parks and gardens, which will require a car, the city’s downtown is quite walkable. The Pancake Shop is a worthy place to start. Prepare for a bit of a line, but know the plate-size pancakes are worth the wait.—JR

+5 More Texas Destinations to Visit

Canyons State Park and Trailway

Caprock Canyon is often overshadowed by its more well-known neighbor Palo Duro Canyon, but the park’s under-the-radar status is all the more reason to put it on your list. Inside, find hiking and equestrian trails to explore, ranger-led programs, swimming, fishing and nowake boating on Lake Theo.

Texas’ “European” Cities

Get rid of any expectations that visiting one of these communities will resemble a trip to their European counterparts but make a stop next time you’re near Dallas to snap a photo for Instagram and support local businesses. Paris is located near the Texas-Oklahoma border. Stop at the small Eiffel Tower with a cowboy hat perched on top. Athens is 73 miles southeast of Dallas. While it bears little resemblance to Greece, you can zipline or visit a scuba park or the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, which is managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife. In Dublin, 120 miles southwest of Dallas, you’ll find the Veldhuizen Cheese store plus a Celtic gift shop and giant shamrock and “Welcome to Dublin” murals.

Beaumont

Established during the oil boom of 1901, Beaumont is a great hub to explore the Big Thicket National Preserve. There’s also Cattail Marsh, a 900-acre wetland with a boardwalk, walking trails and special events. Learn about the oil boom in an interactive way at the Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum.

Hoe Down in Houston

After attending the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, head to H-town to continue the fun

PUT SOME POLISH ON THOSE BOOTS AND KEEP that shiny silver belt buckle and vintage bolo tie out. It’s still rodeo time. Following the Feb. 9-26 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo opens Feb. 28 with a concert by country music singer-songwriter and Texas native Parker McCollum.

Founded in 1931, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo came about after seven men met for lunch at the Texas State Hotel with a goal to build up and preserve the dying cattle industry along the southeast Texas Coast. Since then, the show, fair and expo has not only grown larger, it has also continued to bring a 10-gallon hat and lasso twirling atmosphere to Houston’s otherwise urbane personality. Still a best in steer competition, the livestock show and rodeo at the massive NRG stadium is also much more. It draws around 3 million visitors to its contests, rodeo games, displays, parade, concerts and elite wine auction—among other activities.

Along with McCollum’s show, opening day this year will feature other local bands, special giveaways (think: 10,000 custom-made Howdy bobbleheads for early arrivers) and a brilliant parade on the grounds of NRG park. It continues through March 19 with family-friendly activities that run the gamut from bull riding and horse shows to amazing barbecue and an unexpected wine garden, awash in top notch international wines. Don’t miss the livestock contests, where myriad species (including alpacas and sheep dogs) compete for big money prizes.—BH

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo features a carnival, rodeo events and concerts.

Go: Drive 195 miles east on I-10.

Stay: Glam it up at The Post Oak, a luxury hotel in uptown Houston with a stellar spa (an ideal retreat after watching those chuckwagon races). Bring your dog as the hotel pampers them with loving amenities, such as a dedicated doggie menu. thepostoakhotel.com

Eat: You’ll be having plenty of barbecue at the rodeo, so in your time away, make it Hugo’s for award-winning interior Mexican cuisine and margaritas. hugosrestaurant.net

Do: Balance out your rodeo trip with an afternoon in the Museum District, which features 19 venues, from the Holocaust Museum Houston and Houston Museum of African American Culture to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and Houston Museum of Natural Science. houmuse.org

San Antonio Spurs team photographer Reginald Thomas takes a humanity-first approach to capturing NBA life

As the San Antonio Spurs official team photographer for the last three years, Reginald Thomas II has taken some incredible images on the court, including one last season where he captured forward Keldon Johnson throwing down a vicious dunk on the Boston Celtics’ Grant Williams.

“He banged on him, and I liked that,” says Thomas, 28. “I got lucky for that frame.”

While shooting great on-court moments is always something a sports photographer wants to do, Thomas’ photography philosophy is about more than just game-winning baskets and one-handed slams. Through his photos, he wants to build a meaningful narrative that reveals not only proof of a player’s athletic ability, but also their complete character.

“I try to focus on the humanity of the person as opposed to them just wearing a jersey,” he says. “It’s more about who they are as a person. Who they are can shape how they perform on the court. I try not to make it just about sports.”

His talent for tapping into the human nature of players is evident in his work— whether it’s during pre-game warmups or on the team bus to the AT&T Center. Even mundane moments can be special for Thomas.

In one photo from the Spurs locker room last year, he captured the team celebrating with head coach Gregg Popovich after Pop became the winningest coach in NBA history with a home victory against the Utah Jazz. Popovich is seen laughing seconds after some of his players drenched him in water to mark the incredible milestone.

For another photo, Thomas spent some time with then-Spurs forward

Rudy Gay at his home where he watched his two young sons coloring. In another, then-center LaMarcus Aldridge is seen buying shoes for a teen from the Boys & Girls Clubs during a back-to-school shopping spree.

“Sometimes people forget that these players are people first,” Thomas says. “I try to tell the story of the team through these players and their trials, tribulations and triumphs. There is a lot that is dynamic and nuanced in (sports photography).”

Originally from Baltimore, Thomas attended Norfolk State University where he earned a degree in sociology in 2016. During that time, his roommate, who was a photographer on campus, asked him to hold his camera for a quick moment. In that instant, Thomas felt a kind of connection with the camera that inspired him to pursue a job in a field he knew little about.

“As soon as I held onto that camera, my palms started sweating,” Thomas says. “It

time, but other factors weighed on him. “I didn’t want my career to be built on the suffering of my people,” he says. “So, I made a very deliberate shift in the work I was doing.”

The summer after he graduated from college, Thomas went back to his old high school, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, to work on a long-term photo essay of the school’s varsity basketball team. In 2018, he earned a photo internship with the Boston Red Sox, and in 2019 he was hired as the Spurs’ first-ever team photographer.

Since the pandemic has impacted travel over the last nearly three years, Thomas says this season is the first where he’ll hopefully be on the sidelines with his camera for all 82 games— home and away.

“I want to continue fostering relationships with the team to make sure the players are comfortable with me being around,” Thomas says. “It’s a big deal because I’m crafting the narratives of these players’ professional careers.”

And Coach Pop? Most NBA fans are aware of how much his wry sense of humor can sometimes derail an oncamera interview. Has Thomas found a way to bond with Pop when the NBA legend is on the other side of his lens?

let me know that I should explore this. For the rest of that semester, I begged my mother to buy me a camera.”

Soon after, Thomas found himself taking photos on campus of everything from sports games to Greek life. On the weekends and summers, he would focus on street photography and news coverage. In 2015, Thomas worked for the Baltimore City Paper covering protests taking place in the streets of Baltimore after fellow resident Freddie Gray was killed while in police custody. Thomas understood how critical his work as a photographer was during this

“There is a lot of trust there,” he says. “This is the winningest coach in NBA history, and here I am, this kid from Baltimore, who gets to be part of these moments. That’s a great responsibility to have as a photographer, a basketball fan and a representative of the organization.”

4 TOP GAMES TO SEE

Watch for Thomas on the sidelines here

Jan. 13 vs. Golden State Warriors

March 4 vs. Houston Rockets

March 15 vs. Dallas Mavericks

April 8 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

“I TRY TO FOCUS ON THE HUMANITY OF THE PERSON AS OPPOSED TO THEM JUST WEARING A JERSEY.”

Devin Vassell celebrates a three pointer made during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Coach Gregg Popovich laughs after being doused with water following the March 2022 win against the Jazz that made him the winningest coach in the NBA.

Keldon Johnson dunks on Grant Williams, of the Boston Celtics.

Keldon Johnson smiles for Thomas’ camera.

Guard Devin Vassell and forward Keita Bates-Diop put on shoes before a practice.

IN THE SHOT

Follow Thomas on Instagram @reginaldthoms to see more of his work.

SAN ANTONIO'S TOP DOCTORS

Whether you need a family doctor, pediatrician or specialist, these are the 484 best physicians in the Alamo City, as nominated by their peers

AN EQUITABLE FUTURE

UT Health/University Health’s Dr. Jason Morrow

BY THE TIME PATIENTS IN THE ICU SEE Dr. Jason Morrow, it’s too late to make lifestyle changes that will have a long-term impact on their health. An associate professor at UT Health San Antonio who is board certified in internal medicine and hospice/palliative medicine, Morrow is consulted when patients and their families at University Hospital are making tough decisions about end-of-life care. “I feel most useful when I’m in the ICU helping people with life and death decisions,” says Morrow, who is also the associate director for ethics education at the Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics.

Palliative care will always be necessary, Morrow says. But, he wants to also help create systemic change so fewer people are reaching that stage because of preventable conditions. That’s where a new health equity

track in UT Health’s Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics comes in.

Founded by Morrow and Dr. Elena  Jiménez Gutiérrez, the program pairs internal medicine residents with WellMed Supportive Care Team, Street Medicine San Antonio, the Refugee Health Clinic, Alpha Home and others to learn how to serve people outside the walls of a hospital or office. With WellMed, residents accompany doctors who are conducting home visits. While there, they work with patients to identify any barriers to their care or treatment plan, from the transportation and finances needed to pick up their prescriptions to an eating plan that will complement their condition.

Too often, Morrow says, a patient is prescribed blood pressure meds but then goes home to a cabinet with high-sodium foods or pre-existing prescriptions that interfere with their new drug. Through other partnerships, residents are learning to provide care where people are at, whether homeless individuals or women who have not had regular access to preventative care.

“I’m confident that this is going to inspire change locally,” he says.

—Kathleen Petty

* Pediatric specialist

ALLERGY/IMMUNOLOGY

Edward Brooks*

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-743-2300

Dennis Dilley Dilley Allergy & Asthma Specialists 7835 W I-10 210-614-4405

Anthony Infante*

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9000

Michael Patrick Vaughn Alamo Asthma & Allergy Associates

115 Gallery Circle, Ste. 200 210-499-0033

ANESTHESIOLOGY

Stacey Allen

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Robin Church-Hajduk

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Veronica F. Lao

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Michael Little

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Francis Rosinia

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Steven Venticinque

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Ben Wallisch

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

BARIATRIC SURGERY

Jason W. Kempenich

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-8900

Richard Matthew Peterson

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-5730

BREAST IMAGING

Pamela Otto

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-6000

Martha Uhler STRIC 134 Menger Springs, Ste. 1110 210-617-9000

BREAST SURGERY

Carissia Calvo-Strube

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-5990

Brittany DeBerry

START Center for Cancer Care 4383 Medical Drive 210-593-5700

Maryam Elmi

START Center for Cancer Care 4383 Medical Drive 210-593-5700

Morton S. Kahlenberg

Surgical Oncology Associates of South Texas

8715 Village Drive, Ste. 620 210-946-1400

CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY

Kiran N. Jayaram

Methodist Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio

4411 Medical Drive, Ste. 300 210-614-5400

wants to reach patients before their condition is critical

David N. Pederson

Methodist Physician Practices

4411 Medical Drive, Ste. 300 210-614-5400

Jayasree Pillarisetti

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-4888

CARDIOLOGY

Ginnie Abarbanell*

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-7334

Ildiko Agoston

UT Health San Antonio 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-4888

Jorge A. Alvarez

Methodist Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio 4411 Medical Drive, Ste. 120 210-614-5400

Allen Anderson

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-4888

John F. Canales

Methodist Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio 12709 Toepperwein Road, Ste. 306 210-967-0096

Ashley S. Cooley*

UT Health San Antonio, Children’s Heart Network 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-341-7722

Eduardo Enriquez*

UT Health San Antonio, Children’s Heart Network 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-7334

Jorge C. Magallon

Methodist Physicians RiverCity CardioVascular Westover Hills Medical Plaza 1, Ste. 360 210-520-4100

Elaine Maldonado*

UT Health San Antonio, Children’s Heart Network 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-7334

James J. Mancuso

Methodist Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio 12709 Toepperwein Road, Ste. 306 210-967-0096

Rene Quiroz

Methodist Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio - Transitional Clinic 4458 Medical Drive, Ste. 640 210-614-5400

Harinder Singh*

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-8829

Anatole D. Trakhtenbroit

UT Health San Antonio 25723 Old Fredericksburg Road 210-450-6800

J. Fernando Triana

Methodist Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio 4411 Medical Drive, Ste. 120 210-614-5400

Steve C. Tsai

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-4600

CARDIOLOGY: HEART FAILURE

Chandrasekhar R. Kunavarapu

Methodist Heart and Lung Institute 4499 Medical Drive, Ste. 166 210-575-8485

Michael D. Kwan

Methodist Heart and Lung Institute 4499 Medical Drive, Ste. 166 210-575-8485

Jason Scott Phillips

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-644-3278

CARDIOLOGY: INVASIVE INTERVENTIONAL

Robert Chilton

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-644-3278

Marlene Garcia

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-4888

Juan Diego Martinez

Peripheral Vascular Associates 9153 Huebner Road 210-237-4444

Anand Prasad

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-4888

CARDIOLOGY: NONINVASIVE

John Erikson

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-4888

Anjlee Mahesh Mehta

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 903 W. Martin St. 210-358-3400

CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY

Aaron Abarbanell*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-567-6147

John Calhoon* UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-0999

Andrea Carpenter

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-0999

William M. Davis Methodist Physicians South Texas Cardiothoracic Surgeons 4330 Medical Drive, Ste. 325 210-615-7700

Daniel Nento* Children’s Hospital of San Antonio 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-8829

Edward Sako

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-0999

Dawn Szu-Fei Hui Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-0999

CLINICAL GENETICS

Scott McLean

Children’s Hospital of San Antonio’s David Christopher Goldsbury Center for Children and Families 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-4708

Elizabeth Roeder

Children’s Hospital of San Antonio’s David Christopher Goldsbury Center for Children and Families 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-0407

COLON AND RECTAL SURGERY

Haisar Dao Campi Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-9200

Brano Djenic

Texas Oncology 2130 N.E. Loop 410, Ste. 100 210-656-7177

Seema Izfar

South Texas Colorectal Center 7940 Floyd Curl Drive 210-212-6202

Alicia Logue

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-9200

CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE

Veronica Armijo-Garcia* UT Health San Antonio, University Children’s Health 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-358-1583

Niveditha Balakumar* Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 888-803-0302

Charles J. Burch

Texas IPS 4458 Medical Drive, Ste. 505 210-690-7400

Sabrina Carrillo*

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-743-2100

Omar Enriquez

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3555

Daniel Gebhard*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-743-2100

Caroline Jones* UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-358-1583

Stephanie Levine

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-5792

Ashley C. McGinity

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-0265

Jairo A. Melo

Texas IPS

4458 Medical Drive, Ste. 505 210-690-7400

Matei Stefan Petrescu* Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 888-992-2811

Clinton A. Pietz*

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-562-5816

Kevin Proud

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3555

Mohammed Salameh*

Children’s Hospital of San Antonio 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 877-465-1856

Elizabeth Padgett Scherer

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-0265

Theodore Wu*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-1583

DERMATOLOGY

Emily Becker

UT Health San Antonio, 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-9840

John C. Browning*

Texas Dermatology 3327 Research Plaza, Ste. 204 210-829-5180

Thushan DeSilva

DeSilva Dermatology 120 Old San Antonio Road 830-331-4150

Lindsey Finklea

RFSA Dermatology 10603 West Ave. 210-901-9353

Malini Fowler

Westlake Dermatology 5500 Broadway, Ste. R-100 210-802-0085

Michelle Fricke

Alamo Heights Dermatology 131 W. Sunset Road, Ste. 101 210-255-8447

Emily Fridlington

Alamo Heights Dermatology 131 W. Sunset Road, Ste. 101 210-255-8447

Robert Gilson

UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-9840

William Miller

Texas Dermatology 21727 W. I-10, Ste. 202, 3320 Oakwell Court 210-829-5180

Karla N. Munoz

Vista Dermatology 27511 I-10 W., Bldg. 2 210-698-0500

Mobolaji M. Opeola

Westover Hills Dermatology 11212 Hwy. 151, Ste. 320 830-261-3212

Sandra Osswald

UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-9840

Ana Sauceda

Alamo City Dermatology 2829 Babcock Road, Ste. 636 210-672-2829

Timothy M. Straight

Texas Skin & Vein 2241 N.W. Military Hwy., Ste. 200 210-907-8346

Holly Volz

UT Health San Antonio, 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-9840

DERMATOLOGY SURGERY

Ryan P. O’Quinn

South Texas Skin Cancer Center 9238 Floyd Curl Drive, Ste. 101 210-558-6234

Michael A. Sorace

14530 N.W. Military Hwy. Ste. 100; 745 W. San Antonio Ave., Ste. 100, Boerne 210-236-9372

DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY

Robert O. Cone III

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-6000

Jennifer Estelle Swart STRIC

9150 Huebner Road, Ste. 195 210-617-9000

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

Marissa Cantu*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-2078

Christina Cirillo Bird

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-567-4292

Robert A. De Lorenzo

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-567-4292

Leanna Dolson

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-2078

Romeo Fairley

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-2078

Mark Foster

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Christopher Gelabert

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-2078

Jendi Haug*

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-2011

Nurani Kester

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-4420

Steven Moore

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Andrew Muck

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-7000

Sebrina Perkins*

Children’s Hospital of San Antonio 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-2011

Ralph Riviello

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-567-4353

Craig A. Sisson

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-567-7000

Jessica Solis-McCarthy

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

ENDOCRINOLOGY/ DIABETES AND METABOLISM

Laura Akright

North East Endocrinology Associates 7323 N. Loop 1604 E., Ste. 601 210-650-3360

Elia Nila Escaname*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

Luis C. Anaya Hoyos

Gonzaba Medical Group 720 Pleasanton Road 210-921-3800

Joseph Richard Becker

Endocrinology Nuclear Medicine Associates 1303 McCullough Ave., Ste. 374 210-223-5483

Jan Bruder

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital, South Texas Veterans Health Care System 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Jane Lynch*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-7551

Maria S. Rayas*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-7551

Carolina Solis-Herrera

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-7500

Ann Marie Straight* DGD Clinic PA 5107 Medical Drive 210-614-8612

Michelle D. Welch

Diabetes and Metabolism Specialists

4118 Pond Hill Road, Ste. 300 210-494-3739

FAMILY MEDICINE

Fozia Akhtar Ali

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-358-3985

Richel Zayas Avery

UT Health San Antonio

7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9100

Jessica Ashley Blower

UT Health San Antonio

11212 Hwy. 151, Ste. 100 210-450-9900

Brandon L. Bolfing

UT Health San Antonio 14530 N.W. Military Hwy. 210-450-6620

Christine Camacho

UT Health San Antonio 903 W. Martin St. 210-358-3985

Ramon Cancino

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-6800

Tatiana Cordova

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-644-8000

Nida J. Emko

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-358-3985

Cristian Pablo

Fernandez Falcon

UT Health San Antonio 903 W. Martin St. 210-358-3985

Charles McCurley

Sports & Family Medicine of Boerne 905 N. Main St., Ste. 105, Boerne 830-816-5800

Maria Del Pilar

Montanez Villacampa

UT Health San Antonio 903 W. Martin St. 210-358-3985

Mark Nadeau

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-435-9771

Miguel Palacios

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-644-8000

Ramin Poursani

UT Health San Antonio 903 W. Martin St. 210-358-3985

Tharani Ravi

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-644-8000

Saima Siddiqui

UT Health San Antonio 903 W. Martin St. 210-358-3985

Danielle Stramandi

BHS Sports and Family Medicine 143 W. Sunset Road, Ste. 100 210-579-3624

Marcy R. Wiemers

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 2121 S.W. 36th St. 210-358-5100

Joyce Yuen

UT Health San Antonio 14530 N.W. Military Hwy. 210-450-6620

FEMALE PELVIC MEDICINE RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Alexandriah Alas

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

Sylvia Botros-Brey

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9600

Ash Dabbous

Urogynecology of San Antonio 335 E. Sonterra Blvd., Ste. 170 210-614-7744

Elizabeth Evans

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Hays L. Arnold Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio 12850 Toepperwein Road 210-614-1234

Myriam Barragan*

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-5437

Chad Best* Baptist Health System 540 Madison Oak Drive, Ste. 620 210-640-1630

Catherine Louise Brigman*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Juan F. Echavarria

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Mario A. Garza Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio 855 Proton Road 210-614-1234

Glenn Gross

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Russell Dean Havranek

Gastroenterology Clinics of San Antonio

8550 Datapoint Drive, Ste. 200 210-615-8308

Hopethe Hubbard

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-9887

James F. Jackson

Gastroenterology

Consultants of San Antonio 855 Proton Road 210-614-1234

Lucille McLoughlin*

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-2011

Naveen Mittal*

UT Health San Antonio 903 W. Martin St. 210-358-3400

Sandeep N. Patel

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-5777

Laura Rosenkranz

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9880

Habeeb Salameh

Gastroenterology

Consultants of San Antonio 855 Proton Road 210-614-1234

Jay N. Shah*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-5437

John Vizuete 8550 Datapoint Drive, Ste. 200 210-201-0578

Randy Peter Wright

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-9887

GENERAL SURGERY

Barry R. Cofer*

Methodist Healthcare 4499 Medical Drive, Ste. 347 210-615-8757

Christopher Crane University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-0265

Daniel Dent

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-0265

John J. Doski*

Methodist Healthcare 4499 Medical Drive, Ste. 347 210-615-8757

Travis Laws Holloway

General Surgical Associates 8122 Datapoint Drive, Ste. 320 210-614-5113

Joseph Richard Karam

START Center for Cancer Care 4383 Medical Drive, Ste. 126 210-593-5890

Damon A. Mimari

START Center for Cancer Care 4383 Medical Drive, Ste. 126 210-593-5700

Ian Mitchell*

San Antonio Pediatric Surgery Associates 4499 Medical Drive, Ste. 347 210-615-8757

Patrick Nguyen

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-5730

Frank M. Robertson* Methodist Healthcare 4499 Medical Drive, Ste. 347 210-615-8757

Kenneth Sirinek

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9200

Ronald Stewart

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-0265

Kent Van Sickle

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-438-8446

COMPASSIONATE CARE

Children’s Hospital of San Antonio’s Dr. Sebrina Perkins

DR. SEBRINA PERKINS VIVIDLY REMEMbers hearing her mom talk about the stress of her sister being diagnosed with craniosynostosis. Her father was between jobs so the family was without insurance, but the neurosurgeon they were referred to told them that the care was the most important thing. They would worry about finances later.

“I wanted to pursue a career where I could make a difference in people’s lives like that,” says Perkins, who spent nearly 20 years in the emergency room at Methodist Children’s Hospital before joining Children’s Hospital of San Antonio just more than a year ago.

She now splits her time between ER care and pediatric sedation. “It’s giving me a chance to really grow and to serve children in a slightly different way,” she says.

A Corpus Christi native, Perkins attended Texas A&M University and

UT Southwestern Medical School, starting her post-fellowship career in San Antonio to be closer to home.

During a 10-hour shift in the ER, no two days are the same. Perkins sees a lot of respiratory issues in the winter but also treats everything from traumatic injuries and wounds to flu and dehydration or fever in infants.

As a mom of two and stepmother of two, Perkins understands that it can be tough to know when to seek emergency care. She advises families to always have a good relationship with a pediatrician but to not hesitate to visit an ER or urgent care if it’s the middle of the night and their parental intuition says something’s not right.

“That’s why emergency rooms exist,” she says. “In the ER, you need the right diagnosis, but it’s also about being compassionate and caring and reassuring children and parents.”

In sedation needed for procedures, Perkins works to create just the right medication plan for patients with varying ages and conditions.

“I feel like I’m giving back to my community the way I’d always envisioned it,” she says. “Pediatric providers truly care about your children.”—KP

GERIATRIC MEDICINE

Maria Angelica

Cantu-Cooper

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-0265

Michael Lichtenstein

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9020

Neela Patel

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9890

GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY

Jason Schillerstrom

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-6450

GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY

Joseph De La Garza

Texas Oncology 5206 Research Drive 210-595-5300

Kevin Hall

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9500

Edward Kost

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9500

Georgia McCann

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9500

Antonio Santillan-Gomez

Texas Oncology 5206 Research Drive 210-595-5300

J. Brian Szender

START Center for Cancer Care 4383 Medical Drive 210-593-5700

James L. Wilder

South Texas

Gynecologic Oncology

540 Madison Oak Drive, Ste. 570 210-402-3700

HAND SURGERY

Mark Bagg

The Hand Center of San Antonio

21 Spurs Lane, Ste. 310 210-558-7025

Christina I. Brady

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-0265

Woodward Coleman 8715 Village Drive, Ste. 504 210-251-4362

Kunj K. Desai

The Hand Center of San Antonio 21 Spurs Lane, Ste. 310 210-558-7025

David Wesley Person

The Hand Center of San Antonio

21 Spurs Lane, Ste. 310 210-558-7025

Ryan Rose

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9300

HEMATOLOGY

Chatchawin Assanasen* UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9020

Sridhar Beeram

Texas Oncology 5206 Research Drive 210-595-5300

Elizabeth Bowhay-Carnes

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-595-5300

provides reassurance along with emergency medical care

Maria G. Falcon-Cantrill*

Methodist Physicians Pediatric Specialists of Texas – San Antonio 4410 Medical Drive, Ste. 540 210-575-6240

Nadia Lauren Cheek* Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-2160

Adolfo Enrique Diaz

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

Melissa Frei-Jones*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-743-2300

Timothy Griffin*

Children’s Hospital of San Antonio 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-2160

Allison Caren Grimes*

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-5437

Anand Karnad

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

Manuel A. Santiago Texas Oncology 5206 Research Drive 210-595-5300

Shafqat Shah*

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-7477

Aaron Sugalski*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-5437

Adam D. Wolfe*

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-2160

HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE

Melida A. Juarez

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9000

Jennifer LaCoss

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9000

Jason Morrow

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-7000

Marysa Mumphrey

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9000

INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Theresa Barton*

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-4420

Ruth Berggren

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9800

Jason Bowling

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9800

Jose A. Cadena-Zuluaga

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3710

Joseph Cantey*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Norys Alexandra Castro Pena Gonzaba Medical Group – Woodlawn Medical Center 902 Bandera Road 210-921-3800

Luis Cisneros

Christus Health 1200 Brooklyn Ave., Ste. 365 210-224-9616

Summer Donovan*

Children’s Hospital of San Antonio 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-0102

Richard Fetchick

San Antonio Infectious Diseases Consultants 8042 Wurzbach Road, Ste. 280 210-614-8100

Heta Atul Javeri

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3710

Jan Patterson

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9800

Thomas F. Patterson

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3710

Phillip O. Ponce

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9800

Ruth Carolina

Serrano Pinilla

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-4420

Barbara Taylor

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3710

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Gregory Bowling

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Anthony Hartzler

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Douglas Hilbert

Pasteur Medical Associates 4410 Medical Drive, Ste. 100 210-614-4000

John Galan

Pasteur Medical Associates 4410 Medical Drive, Ste. 100 210-614-4000

Amita Kumar

HealthTexas Medical Group 615 N.W. Loop 410, Ste. 210 210-384-8282

Bradley B. Kayser

UT Health San Antonio 4410 Medical Drive 210-614-4000

Michael E. Lozano

Impact Physicians of Texas 6800 I-10 W., Ste. 200 210-690-0230

Angela Malarcher

HealthTexas Medical Group 10307 Hwy. 151 210-237-4983

Lenibet Montemayor

HealthTexas Medical Group 1802 S.W. Military Drive 210-924-2337

Jane O’Rorke

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-6705

Wiley Perkins

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3400

Hoan Q. Pho 13150 N.W. Military Hwy. 210-541-4164

Ambili Ramachandran

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3555

Claudia Santos

HealthTexas Medical Group 530 San Pedro Ave. 210-225-4511

Michelle Scanlan

Pasteur Medical Associates 4410 Medical Drive, Ste. 100 210-614-4000

Mysti Dorothy Schott

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-257-1400

Chandana Tripathy

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9020

MATERNAL

AND FETAL MEDICINE

Angela Boyd

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

John Byrne

UT Health San Antonio 25723 Old Fredericksburg Road 210-450-6800

James Hill

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio/Baylor College of Medicine 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 888-803-0302

Kayla Ireland

Baptist Health System 502 Madison Oak Drive, Ste. 210 210-481-3000

Melinda Baldwin McFarland

Perinatal Associates of San Antonio

502 Madison Oak Drive, Ste. 210 210-481-3000

Ashley Parker

Perinatal Associates of San Antonio

502 Madison Oak Drive, Ste. 210 210-481-3000

Patrick Ramsey

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-6800

Emma Rodriguez

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 888-803-0302

Theresa Lynn Stewart

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9500

NEONATAL/PERINATAL MEDICINE

Cynthia Blanco

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Alice Kim Gong

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Maria Pierce

Christus Health 5430 Fredericksburg Road, Ste. 508 877-465-1856

Amy Riann Quinn

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

NEPHROLOGY

Mazen Arar*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Shweta Bansal

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-7578

Oluwadamilola Ejike*

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-4708

Tareq Issa Michael Nassar

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-7578

Daniel Ranch*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3400

Kumar Sharma

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9650

Jose A. Velez

Renal Associates 4458 Medical Drive, Ste. 205 210-614-1515

NEUROCRITICAL

Firas Kaddouh

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9060

Ali Seifi

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-8555

NEUROLOGY

Samiya Ahmad*

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-4708

Sidney Atkinson*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-5437

Kelly Averill*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-249-5020

Ratna Kiran Bhavaraju-Sanka

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9700

Lee Birnbaum

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9060

Robin Brey

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9700

Brian Michael Faux*

San Antonio Military Medical Center 2200 Bergquist Drive 210-916-8605

Sheldon Gross*

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-249-5020

Carlayne E. Jackson

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9700

Linda Leary*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-249-5020

Octavian Lie

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9700

Rebecca Romero

UT Health San Antonio

7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9700

Melissa Dziuk Svoboda*

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio/Baylor College of Medicine 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-4708

NEURORADIOLOGY

Achint Singh

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Bundhit Tantiwongkosi

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-3448

NEUROSURGERY

Osama Iqbal Ahmed

Brain & Spine Institute of San Antonio 12709 Toepperwein Road, Ste. 101 210-625-4733

Viktor Bartanusz

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-8555

Christopher Bogaev

Neurosurgical Associates of San Antonio 1139 E. Sonterra Blvd., Ste. 301 210-477-1956

Frank Fichtel

Christus Health 5282 Medical Drive, Ste. 600 210-375-3399

George M. Galvan

Texas Neuro Spine 2829 Babcock Road 210-951-9055

John Floyd

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9060

Donald Hilton

Neurosurgical Associates of San Antonio

4410 Medical Drive, Ste. 610 210-614-2453

Justin Mascitelli

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Michael James McGinity

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9060

Alexander Papanastassiou

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9060

Izabela Tarasiewicz*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital, North Central Baptist 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9060

Kimberly D. Terry*

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-4841

Micam W. Tullous*

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-4841

NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Umber Salman UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-6000

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Rochelle David UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

Christine M. De La Garza

Seven Oaks Women’s Center 7711 Louis Pasteur Drive, Ste. 200 210-692-9500

Elizabeth Marie

De La Garza

Seven Oaks Women’s Center

7711 Louis Pasteur Drive, Ste. 200 210-692-9500

Michelle Harden

Stone Oak Women’s Center OBGYN 540 Oak Centre Drive, Ste. 280 210-614-2229

Erin Mankus

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

Gabriel Medrano Valle

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

Erin Nelson

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

Luke Newton

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-567-4924

Sarah Page-Ramsey

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

Kristen Plastino

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

Ann Porter

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

Tiffany Satterfield

Seven Oaks Women’s Center

7711 Louis Pasteur Drive, Ste. 200 210-692-9500

Ora Schwope

Lone Star OB/GYN 7950 Floyd Curl Drive, Stes. 300 & 400 210-615-6505

Kristin Brozena Shah

Women Partners in OB/GYN 502 Madison Oak Drive, Ste. 440 210-946-1300

ONCOLOGY

Sukeshi Arora

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

Ronald L. Drengler

START Center for Cancer Care 4383 Medical Drive 210-593-5700

Virginia Kaklamani Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

Amy Lang

START Center for Cancer Care 4383 Medical Drive 210-593-5700

Kate Lathrop

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

Marcela Mazo-Canola

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

Chethan Ramamurthy

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

Lon Smith

START Center for Cancer Care 4383 Medical Drive 210-593-5700

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Kent Anderson

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9400

Constance Louise Fry

Eye Care Ophthalmology & Optometry 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9400

Kristin Held Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center 325 E. Sonterra Blvd. 210-890-2831

Jane Lindell Hughes San Antonio Ophthalmology & Ophthalmic Surgery 10007 Huebner Road, Bldg. 3, Ste. 302 210-614-5566

Nader Iskander

San Antonio Eye Specialists 2810 N. Loop 1604 W., Ste. 200 210-822-9800

Daniel Johnson

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9400

Lilian Nguyen Lion’s Low Vision Rehabilitation Center 8403 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9400

Ashvini Reddy

Athena Eye Institute 3512 Paesano’s, Ste. 203 210-780-7595

Teresa Treviño Whitney

Shavano Eye Center 4114 Pond Hill Road, Ste. 202 210-200-8805

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Edward Ellis III

UT Health San Antonio 8210 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-3100

Mark Miller

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9000

ORTHOPEDICS/ ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

Travis C. Burns 2833 Babcock Road, Ste. 435 210-949-6063

Frank Buttacavoli

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9300

Ralph John Curtis Jr. Sports Medicine Associates 21 Spurs Lane, Stes. 210 & 300 210-699-8326

Anil Kumar Dutta

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9300

Shawn Funk*

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-4199

Steven Gibbons*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9300

Robert Girling V

Sports Medicine Associates 21 Spurs Lane, Stes. 210 & 300 210-699-8326

Geoffrey Glebus Sports Medicine Associates 21 Spurs Lane, Stes. 210 & 300 210-699-8326

Gerald Q. Greenfield Jr.

South Texas Spinal Clinic PA 9150 Huebner Road, Ste. 290 210-664-2042

Thomas Hand

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9300

Philip M. Jacobs

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9300

Ravi Karia

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

William Karl Koeck*

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-4199

Matthew Landrum*

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9300

Rhianna Little* Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-4199

Elizabeth Magnabosco*

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-4199

Sekinat K. McCormick*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9300

Geoffrey M. Millican Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine 6800 W. I-10, Ste. 250 210-692-7400

Matthew C. Murray

Ortho San Antonio

2833 Babcock Road, Tower 2, Ste. 435 210-705-5060

Timothy Palomera

Sports Medicine Associates 21 Spurs Lane, Stes. 210 & 300 210-699-8326

Robert Quinn

Mays Cancer Center at UT

Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

Paul Stephen Saenz

Sports Medicine Associates

21 Spurs Lane, Stes. 210 & 300 210-699-8326

David Schmidt

Sports Medicine Associates

21 Spurs Lane, Stes. 210 & 300 210-699-8326

Raymond E. Skunda

Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine 6800 W. I-10, Ste. 250 210-692-7400

Richard Steffen

Sports Medicine Associates

21 Spurs Lane, Stes. 210 & 300 210-699-8326

Boris A. Zelle

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-358-7000

OTOLARYNGOLOGY/ EAR NOSE THROAT

Charles P. Biediger

Alamo ENT Associates 19026 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 110 210-545-0404

Juan Bonilla*

Methodist Healthcare 16723 Huebner Road 210-733-4368

Mark Boston*

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-3707

Philip Chen

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9950

Morgan Taylor Fordham Jr.*

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-3707

Marisa Earley*

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-358-4000

Frank Miller

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9950

Erica Sher*

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-0700

Christian L. Stallworth Stallworth Facial Plastic Surgery

21 Spurs Lane, Ste. 120A 210-997-3223

OTOLARYNGOLOGY/ FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

Randal Otto Mays Cancer Center at

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-9950

Christine Burke Taylor

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9950

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Brian Boies

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

Maxim Eckmann

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9850

Ellen Lin

Advanced Spine & Pain Center

21 Spurs Lane, Ste. 240 210-690-0777

Shaun Chadrick Jackson

423 Treeline Park, Ste. 325 210-546-1460

Manuel Ybarra

Advanced Spine & Pain Center 255 E. Sonterra Blvd., Ste. 240 210-690-0777

PATHOLOGY

Josefine Heim-Hall

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-4085

PEDIATRICS

Kelly Marie Basaldua Here We Grow Pediatrics 9150 Huebner Road, Ste. 155 201-465-1800

Marshall J. Benbow

Southwest Children’s Center 5282 Medical Drive, Ste. 310 210-614-8687

Tina H. Boylston

Southwest Children’s Center 5282 Medical Drive, Ste. 310 210-614-8687

Roland Dominguez

UT Health San Antonio 2829 Babcock Road, Ste. 407 210-450-6570

Maria F. Fernandez Falcon

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-6120

L. Patrick Finklea Jr.

Southwest Children’s Center 5282 Medical Drive, Ste. 310 210-614-8687

Nandini A. Mandlik

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 903 W. Martin St. 210-358-3400

Shelly M. McNair

Southwest Children’s Center 5282 Medical Drive, Ste. 310 210-614-8687

Samiya Razzaq

Christus Health

333 N. Santa Rosa St. 888-803-0302

Krista M. Vizuete

Southwest Children’s Center 5282 Medical Drive, Ste. 310 210-614-8687

PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL MEDICINE

Elizabeth Byrne

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-2011

Heather Gardner

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-567-5374

Rachel Pearson

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-5437

Leticia Shanley

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 888-803-0302

Kelsey K. Sherburne

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-5437

Mandie Svatek

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-5437

Dina McLain Tom

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-5437

PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION

Brian Fricke

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-6470

Jeannie K. Harden*

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9000

Maureen Nelson* Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St.

Heather A. McKenzie

Peripheral Vascular Associates 610 N. Main Ave. 210-237-4444

PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

William Albright

Alamo Plastic Surgery 19016 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste 240 210-670-5302

Michael Baumholtz

Baumholtz Plastic Surgery 4083 De Zavala Road 210-880-3708

Rodney Chan

Stars Plastic Surgery 8042 Wurzbach Road, Ste. 130 210-201-2806

Regina Fearmonti

Alon Aesthetics 11503 N.W. Military Hwy., Ste. 114 210-343-1089

Earl E. Ferguson III

Dermatology Associates of San Antonio 15900 La Cantera Pkwy., Ste. 20270 210-641-9500

Suresh Koneru

Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery 423 Treeline Park, Ste. 300 210-499-5900

Peter Ledoux

PRMA Plastic Surgery 9635 Huebner Road 210-692-1181

Manuel A. Lopez

Advanced Aesthetics Lopez

Plastic Surgery

18322 Sonterra Place, Ste. 107 210-495-5771

Amita Shah

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-0265

Howard Wang

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-0265

PSYCHIATRY

Abby Ornelas Lozano

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3730

Thomas Matthews*

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-616-0300

John Pichot

4940 Broadway, Ste. 211 210-826-4466

Mark Pichot

4940 Broadway, Ste. 211 210-826-4466

Steven Pliszka

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-6450

Abigail Talley*

UT Health San Antonio 7526 Louis Pasteur 210-450-6450

PULMONOLGY

Antonio Anzueto

UT Health San Antonio

8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9800

Rodolfo A.

Estrada Anzueto

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9000

Trang Bui*

UT Health San Antonio, University Children’s Health 903 W. Martin St. 210-358-3400

Holly Keyt

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-743-8600

Diego Maselli Caceres

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3555

Anoop Manayil Nambiar

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3038

Tarak J. Patel*

Texas Pediatric Specialties and Family Sleep Center 4114 Pond Hill Road, Ste. 102 210-249-5020

Felix Shardonofsky*

Christus Health 333 N. Santa Rosa St. 210-704-4504

Kelly Smith*

Texas Pediatric Specialties and Family Sleep Center 4114 Pond Hill Road, Ste. 102 210-249-5020

Maria Ines Velez

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3555

Donna Willey-Courand*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Keith E. Eyre

START Center for Cancer Care 4383 Medical Drive 210-593-5700

Mohamad Hassan Fakhreddine

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

Timothy Wagner

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

RADIOLOGY

Jeffrey L. Foster*

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-4420

Angel Gomez

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3555

Venkata S. Katabathina

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3555

Michael D. Orsi STRIC 9150 Huebner Road, Ste. 195 210-617-9000

REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY/ INFERTILITY

Courtney Minnick Failor Aspire Fertility

150 E. Sonterra Blvd., Ste. 220 210-941-2866

Jennifer Knudtson

Aspire Fertility 150 E. Sonterra Blvd., Ste. 220 210-981-3572

Erika Munch

Texas Fertility Center 18707 Hardy Oak Blvd., Ste. 505 210-370-3800

Gregory S. Neal

Fertility Center of San Antonio 4499 Medical Drive, Ste. 200 210-692-0577

Randal Robinson

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

Robert Schenken

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9500

Belinda Jean Yauger

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9500

RHEUMATOLOGY

Jane Barbosa Ayala

Rheumatology Associates of South Texas – Westover Hills 3903 Wiseman, Ste. 221 210-265-8851

Joe L. Cole*

Children’s Hospital of San Antonio 8001 Broadway 210-704-2160

Inmaculada Del Rincon

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9800

Maya El Kour

UT Health San Antonio 903 W. Martin St. 210-358-3400

Agustin Escalante

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9800

Kevin J. Kempf

Rheumatology Associates of South Texas 19272 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 101 210-265-8851

Carlos Lorenzo

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3555

Emily

Triana Marx

Rheumatology Associates of South Texas

19272 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 101 210-265-8851

Luc Nguyen

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3555

Emily R. Pineda

South Texas Arthritis Care Center 5414 Fredericksburg Road, Ste. 150 210-615-9800

Gerald Rosenberg

Arthritis Associates 4511 Horizon Hill Blvd., Ste. 150 210-477-2626

Pendleton Wickersham Arthritis Associates 4511 Horizon Hill Blvd., Ste. 150 210-477-2626

SPINE SURGERY

Christopher Chaput

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9300

Joel W. Jenne

South Texas Spinal Clinic 18626 Hardy Oak Blvd., Ste. 300 210-495-9047

Anton Y. Jorgensen

Ortho San Antonio Sports 423 Treeline Park, Ste. 350 210-225-0156

Ajeya P. Joshi

South Texas Spinal Clinic 18626 Hardy Oak Blvd., Ste. 300 210-664-5047

Matthew Charles Swann

The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group 601 Creekside Crossing, Ste. 106 210-804-5400

Antonio Webb

9150 Huebner Road, Ste. 290 210-614-6432

SPORTS MEDICINE

Thomas M. Deberardino

UT Health San Antonio

8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9300

Hector U. Lopez

Sports Medicine Associates

21 Spurs Lane, Stes. 210 & 300 210-699-8326

Ken O. Kenneth-Nwosa

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9300

Caitlyn C. Mooney

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9300

Lindsay Page Stephens

Sports Medicine Associates

21 Spurs Lane, Stes. 210 & 300 210-699-8326

Aditya Raghunandan

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-6470

Eliot James Young

Sports Medicine Associates

21 Spurs Lane, Stes. 210 & 300 210-699-8326

SURGICAL ONCOLOGY

Mio Kitano

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-5990

Alexander R. Miller

START Center for Cancer Care 4383 Medical Drive 210-593-5700

Alfredo Alejandro Santillan-Gomez

Texas Oncology

5206 Research Drifve 210-595-5300

Federico Tozzi

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-1000

UROLOGY

Joseph W. Basler

UT Health San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Drive 210-567-5643

Jessica Goetz*

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3400

William Harmon

Urology San Antonio 7909 Fredericksburg Road, Ste. 135 210-614-4544

Javier Hernandez

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital, South Texas VA 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9600

Timothy C. Hlavinka

The Urology Place 9618 Huebner Road, Ste. 120 210-617-3670

Dharam Kaushik

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-6800

Stephen Kraus

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9600

Jeffrey Leslie*

Pediatric Urology of SA 4499 Medical Drive, Ste. 360 210-615-1600

Michael Andre Liss

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9600

Ahmed Mansour Elkenany

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9600

Kurt G. Meissner

Urology San Antonio 7909 Fredericksburg Road, Ste. 135 210-614-4544

Thomas Novak*

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-3900

Deepak Kumar Pruthi

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-9600

Alexander Rozanski

UT Health San Antonio 8300 Floyd Curl Drive 210-450-9600

Robert Svatek

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio 7979 Wurzbach Road 210-450-9600

VASCULAR AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY

Jorge Lopera

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital, South Texas VA 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-6000

Rajeev Suri

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-567-5558

John Allen Walker Jr.

UT Health San Antonio, University Health 4502 Medical Drive 210-358-4000

VASCULAR SURGERY

Mark Davies

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-4888

William O. Kirk

Peripheral Vascular Associates 610 N. Main Ave. 210-237-4444

Lyssa Ochoa

The San Antonio Vascular and Endovascular Clinic 4025 E. Southcross Blvd., Ste. 15 210-610-7283

Lori Pounds

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-450-9888

Matthew Sideman

UT Health San Antonio, University Hospital 4502 Medical Drive 210-644-3278

Ian M. Thompson Jr. Texas Urology 2833 Babcock Road, Ste. 212 210-267-1709

Boulos Toursarkissian

Peripheral Vascular Associates 9153 Huebner Road 210-237-4444

physicians whose work they’ve personally witnessed. San Antonio Magazine then tallied the results, selecting the top percent of vote recipients in each practice area before submitting the final list for fact-checking, which includes a review of good standing among medical boards.

Doctors do not and cannot pay to be a part of the list. We recognize that many good doctors are not included on the list; this is only a sampling of a huge array of talented professionals within the region. We encourage all consumers to do their own research before selecting a doctor.

How the List is Made

Using an online survey, San Antonio Magazine solicited peer nominations from physicians in the San Antonio area, asking them to nominate up to three doctors per practice area who they would trust with the medical care of themselves or their family. To ensure the nomination process is peer-based, full contact information was requested before nominating and doctors were asked to limit their nominations to

San Antonio Magazine uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. It does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. San Antonio Magazine does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from San Antonio Magazine. If you see an error in the information listed, please contact editor@ sanantoniomag.com.

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Gallery:

TEXTILE PIECES BY CONSUELO JIMENEZ UNDERWOOD MAY INCLUDE TRADITIONAL FABRIC, but the artist also incorporates barbed wire, recycled plastic bags, safety pins and other objects. The compilation of textures in works like “One Nation Underground,” on display through Jan. 28 at Ruiz-Healy Art in Olmos Park, serves to mix the Euro-American art practices we know with Indigenous and Chicana understandings of the medium. The large-scale “One Nation Underground” combines the Mexico and U.S. flags and is embellished with barbed wire and various other fibers and fabric. It’s an homage to the mingling of cultures that occurs along the U.S.-Mexico border and of the communities that Underwood was exposed to while growing up in California, where her parents picked fruit in orchards and fields. Awarded the Latinx Artist Fellowship in 2022, Underwood has been recognized nationally for her impact on feminist textile work and has served for two decades as a professor and the director of textile arts at San Jose University, where she also earned a master of fine arts. The San Antonio exhibition is being held in conjunction with one in Ruiz-Healy’s New York City gallery (that one is open through Feb. 18). Underwood also has pieces in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York and elsewhere.—Kathleen Petty