With Houston‘s ever emerging healthcare landscape and living in the midst of a pandemic we are lucky enough to be living what is considered to be the medical capital of the world. Houston’s not only known for its medical center but we are just as famous for our renowned teams, physicians and specialists. In our special section we have reached out to Katy/Fulshear‘s medical community and collected some advice from medical experts on everything wellness.
Dr. Christi Pramudji
ChristiMD Medical Group
18300 Katy Freeway, Suite 565 • Houston, TX 77094
ChristiMD.com • Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn #ChristiMD
Tell us a little about your practice? What makes it unique or different from any other urology group? ChristiMD Medical Group is a boutique medical practice where I and everyone who works in my group is dedicated to providing excellent and personalized care. I founded the practice six years ago and have dedicated my expertise to the urological care of women, which includes surgical and non-surgical treatments for urinary leakage, bladder lifts, and sexual dysfunction, among other things. I am double board-certified in Urology and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. The main surgeries I do every week are robotic bladder lifts and slings, which I LOVE to do.
Last year Dr. Lauren Underwood joined me, and she sees men as well as women and offers the latest treatments available, including Urolift for prostate enlargement and Gainswave for erectile dysfunction. Her practice has grown exponentially, and she has added a great service to the group.
In addition, ChristiMD Medical Group offers a full-service medical spa overseen by me with the best treatments available for NATURAL RESULTS in body-sculpting, facials, and skin tightening AND we offer complimentary consultations!
Why did you decide to go into urology? What caught your interest?
I decided to go into urology because first of all I love surgery and consider it an incredible privilege and honor to be able to operate on someone. Urology is a fascinating field that covers the lifespan from infancy to old age, and we have the most incredible technology to be able to treat our patients. I studied Chemical Engineering at Georgia Tech and have always been fascinated with how things work and high-tech gadgets. Urology really ticks the boxes for being able to develop relationships with patients and have great medical technology to apply to patient care.
What made you decide only to treat females?
There are not very many urologists who are women. When I went into private practice in the Memorial/Katy areas in 2002, I intended to be a general urologist and see men and women, as I was comprehensively trained to treat all urological patients in my six year residency training program at Baylor in Houston. However, being the only woman urologist on the westside of Houston, my practice became 90% female immediately! I could see a huge need there and the female patients had a comfort level with me, so I decided to focus all my energy on treating women.
Tell us a little about yourself, what are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not working.
I am a proud mother of two teens who are amazing people! I love hanging out with them and traveling with them on active vacations, most recently to Oregon where we biked over 100 miles and hiked over 30 miles. I spend time walking with girlfriends and love to play party games. Other than that, it’s Orange Theory, reading, hydroponic gardening, and volunteering with my church prayer team.
Jonathan Aliota, M.D., F.A.C.C
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic
Tanglewood Clinic
1111 Augusta Drive • Houston, Texas 77057 • 713-442-2400
Katy Clinic
22121 FM 1093 • Richmond, Texas 77407 • 713-442-4100
West Grand Parkway Clinic
2510 W. Grand Parkway N. • Katy, Texas 77449 • 713-442-4222
www.kelsey-seybold.com/find-a-houston-doctor/jonathan-aliota-cardiologist
Tell us a little about your practice? What makes it unique or different from any other cardiologist? I work as an interventional cardiologist for Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, a multispecialty physician owned health system serving greater Houston. An interventional cardiologist is trained to fix the body’s arteries with balloons and stents. What I love about my practice is that I also do a significant amount of general cardiology, allowing me to follow patients over the course of their lives. What really makes my practice unique is the ability to coordinate my patient’s care with other specialists and primary care doctors at Kelsey-Seybold.
Why did you decide to go into cardiology? What captured your interest? I have always been fascinated with biology and grew up in a household rich with enthusiasm for motorsport. As the engine of the body, I am fascinated by the way the heart functions. Interventional cardiology is unique because it combines long-term doctor-patient relationships, with the ability to perform procedures.
Has your practice slowed down since COVID-19? Despite the challenges, our practice has been able to adapt to the changing needs of our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our practice has worked to help ensure that patients who need to be seen in clinic can, while encouraging the use of Virtual Health. Virtual Health expanded our opportunity to treat patients who are high risk for COVID-19 complications.
What are the biggest challenges as a cardiologist with patients? Cardiology patients can become catastrophically ill at any time. I try my best to relay recent data regarding the benefits of an active lifestyle. I spend a good deal of time with patients developing strategies to help them remain compliant with their care plan.
What are the safety precautions you have taken to ensure your patients/staff safety since COVID-19? The health and safety of our patients, and our staff, is of greatest importance. We work diligently to follow and implement all health and safety guidance and regulations from the CDC and local health authorities. Patients and staff are required to wear masks at all Kelsey-Seybold locations, all entering the building are screened, scheduling was reduced lowering the number of patients in waiting areas, and exam rooms are thoroughly cleaned between visits.
Tell us a little about yourself, what are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not working? I have lived in Houston since 2010 when I came to the Texas Heart Institute to train in cardiology. I am a husband to a wonderful wife who also works in cardiology and we are parents to 4 vivacious children. In what free time I do have, I try to focus my energy on being healthy and fit, getting in as many workouts as possible and often road cycling around Houston in the often sweltering temperatures!
