5 Houston Medical Providers Offering Top Quality Care

As one of the largest cities in the country, Houston is home to numerous top medical institutions. From noted orthopedic specialists to renowned hospitals, its doctors and providers are dedicated to offering premier health care. Here, in no particular order, are groups in the Bayou City that are helping to heal patients.

At #1 is St. Hope Foundation, a non-profit community organization focused on reducing health disparities within Houston and rural counties. Among the services it provides to patients are diabetes management, behavioral health, and a vision program. Its Well-woman exams encompass vaccinations and screenings, including routine PAP smears and mammography, as well as treatment of menstrual disorders and gynecological issues.

St. Hope Foundation actively engages in clinical trials for treatment procedures, prevention of diseases, and screening of health conditions. Participants receive access to medications and medical devices as well as free or subsidized health care for the duration of the trial. The Houston Chronicle has named the organization to its list of top workplaces in the region.

Entering the list at #2 is UT Physicians, which provides multi-specialty care for the entire family. Affiliated with the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, its health care providers are internationally recognized, with many listed among the Woodward-White Best Doctors in America. Media coverage of the organization includes The Texas Tribune, the Victoria Advocate, and the Dallas Morning News.

Among the health and wellness services UT Physicians provides are a postpartum depression and anxiety support group for new mothers, and online screening for varicose and spider veins. Its exercise programs include Hatha yoga classes, which incorporate techniques for breathing and flexibility, and tai chi, which promotes balance. The group also offers no-cost vascular screenings in community-based clinics throughout Houston.

Coming in at #3 is U.S. Dermatology Partners. At its various locations across the country, it provides medical and cosmetic dermatological care, along with up-to-date technology and treatment methods for diseases of the skin. Among the conditions the group treats are acne, skin cysts, and dandruff.

A signature service of U.S. Dermatology Partners is its annual skin examinations for cancer. During the exam, physicians study moles or spots and if necessary, will perform a biopsy, in which a sliver of tissue is removed for evaluation by a pathologist to determine if cancer is present. Through its blog, the group spotlights a variety of issues such as managing psoriasis, the benefits of exercise, and how to treat excessive sweating.

In the #4 spot is Houston Methodist, comprised of an academic medical center and multiple community hospitals serving the region. U.S. News & World Report consistently lists Houston Methodist Hospital, the system's flagship, as among the best in the country. Its nationally ranked specialties include gynecology, nephrology, orthopedics, and pulmonology and lung surgery.

Through the Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Disorders, Houston Methodist treats conditions of the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and colon. Staff encompasses a variety of specialists, including gastroenterologists and neurologists as well as dietitians and psychologists. The organization is affiliated with the Texas A&M University Health Science Center and Weill Cornell Medicine.

Wrapping up the list at #5 is Dr. Korsh Jafarnia, a leading orthopedic specialist. He has worked with Houston's top hand, wrist, and elbow specialists at Baylor College of Medicine, where he received the Teaching Excellence, the Bronze Hammer, and the Leonard Marmor Surgical Arthritis Foundation awards. His professional training includes attending the Institut de la Main in Paris and a fellowship at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Dr. Jafarnia has presented at a number of conferences, including the annual meetings of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Texas Society of Sports Medicine, and the National Student Research Forum. He is a delegate of the Texas Medical Association, has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, and was recognized as a U.S. News & World Report Top Physician.