Today we’d like to introduce you to Philip Chen, MD.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Philip. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always been fascinated by the complexity, fragility, and resilience of the human body. My character has always been to try to know as much as possible about a topic, so it was no surprise that I sought specialty training in otolaryngology- head and neck surgery (ENT) and then sub-specialty fellowship training in rhinology – disease of the sinuses and anterior skull base. I am constantly in awe of how much anatomy there is in such a small part of the body!
For me personally, I decided that the best way I could contribute to my community was by entering academic medicine after training. The university setting gives me the opportunity to teach medical students and residents, ponder the difficult questions in my field with research, and do advanced surgeries on complex patients that were unable to find relief elsewhere. All these aspects of being a university professor are very rewarding.
As the only fellowship-trained sinus surgeon in South Texas treating the civilian community, I care for patients from all walks of life from all of South Texas. I have been fortunate and am honored to have patients who also drive from other parts of Texas for their care. I have built a team, including with neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, and other ENT specialists to best care for my patients.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The field of medicine is complex and there’s always something to learn – but that is something I love and keeps me engaged. As we all know, the medical system as a whole is changing a lot with electronic medical records, insurance plans, etc. While there is always the pressure to see more patients, I get great satisfaction from knowing my patients as more than just a disease process. I’m always touched when a patient wants to give me a hug or get a picture with me. It shows that I’m making a positive impact in people’s lives. As a result, I still try to limit the number of patients I see in a day so I have sufficient time with each. Combined with my teaching and research duties, this, unfortunately, can result in a few week wait to see me. So while these are struggles, no one has more than 24 hours in a day and I try to fill each day with meaning.
UT Health San Antonio, Otolaryngology – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
UT Health San Antonio and its Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery has been serving the South Texas community for over 40 years. We have a great group of doctors and medical staff that work as a team to provide the best care we can. Having multiple specialties under one roof can help coordinate patient care.
I came here six years ago to start up the rhinology division in the Department, and as the only fellowship-trained surgeon treating advanced sinus disease for the civilian community in South Texas, I was busy pretty quickly. I am proud of the trust I have built with the other ENT’s, primary care doctors, and providers not only in San Antonio but throughout Texas such as in Austin, Laredo, Brownsville, and Corpus Christi. The trust other doctors have in me resulted in my selection for multiple “best doctors” lists. There are lots of great doctors in Texas, but in addition to my fellowship training, I think the time I spend with patients getting to know them is unique. I also do not use any advanced practice providers like physician assistants, so my patients are always talking to the expert. Not only do patients trust me, but other ENTs trust me and I give lectures in Texas, the US, and internationally on anatomy and surgical techniques.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To me, success is making a positive impact. For my patients, that is helping them to understand their disease and make them feel better. And if I can’t, then I want to help them find the right person who can. For my students, it is being a role model of compassionate care and teaching the next generation of doctors. These people will be upstanding, contributing members of their communities and in fact, a few are in the DFW area now and doing great work. For the medical community, it is helping them to practice better, safer medicine through research and lectures. Finally, success is doing my best every day – even when it’s uncomfortable or difficult. Things don’t always work out perfectly in life, but I never want to regret not having given it my all.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8300 Floyd Curl Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78229 - Website: https://www.uthscsa.edu/patient-care/physicians/providers/1508069394/Philip-Chen
- Phone: 210-450-9950
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrPhil_ENT
Osama Ahmed, MD is a neurosurgeon at the Brain and Spine Institute of San Antonio
Christian Stallworth, MD is a facial plastic surgeon at UT Health San Antonio
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