Step by Step

Ulises BaltazarMichael Shea spent the better part of the past year dealing with some challenging health issues. The one constant in his heroic struggle was local vascular surgeon, Ulises Baltazar MD, RVT, FACS. Michael says, “Dr. Baltazar is a Doctor’s Doctor. A title he has earned without effort…because it’s really him.”

At the end of 2014 and at the urging of his wife and daughter, Michael saw Dr. Baltazar for help with his varicose veins. Dr. Baltazar examined him, and identified stasis ulcers on the back of both of Michael’s legs. Michael had been managing his “weepy” legs that he thought might have originated from a scrape. Slow to heal, treating those stasis ulcers began a long process of multiple surgeries and various consultations to get to the root of the problem. Along the way there were other medical issues, including a bout of pneumonia. Michael says, “Dr. Baltazar made the situation more personal than most doctors would. He frequently visited me in the hospital—well beyond the standard and expected visits.”

“Dr. Baltazar knows the value of really getting to know his patients and being there for them,” continues Michael. “It was a great comfort to me to have someone taking charge and seeing this through.” From the beginning, Dr. Baltazar assured him, “I’ll be with you all the way.” And that commitment never wavered. Michael says, “Dr. Baltazar always knew when we needed to consult a different discipline, and he knew who he wanted to work with. He prayed before one of my surgeries, and one time he broke out in song. There really wasn’t anything Dr. Baltazar wouldn’t do to help me get better.” Excruciating pain was a major roadblock to Michael’s healing, and Dr. Baltazar was able to create a protocol that allowed Michael to receive treatment and have his bandages changed regularly with a minimum amount of pain. Dr. Baltazar gave Michael his cell number, and there were several Saturdays that Dr. Baltazar met Michael after regular office hours. When Michael required help with his bandages at home, Dr. Baltazar trained Michael’s wife Lidia.

Professionally, Dr. Baltazar enjoys the recognition of his peers as a physician who stays on top of current developments and innovative procedures…but his personal pleasure comes from getting to know his patients and treating them with the timeliness and care they deserve. It’s easy to see why Dr. Baltazar has been named “Most Supporting Physician” and awarded the “Patient’s Choice” award. Michael says, “Dr. Baltazar made me feel more like a friend than a patient. True to his word, he stayed with me every step of the way.”.

Ulises Baltazar MD, RVT, FACS
now affiliated with the renowned Methodist Cardiovascular Surgery Associates
281-240-8400
16605 Southwest Freeway, Ste. 505
(in the Methodist Professional Building 3)
www.slveins.com

 

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