Insurance Accepted: 6 Degrees - Transplant; 90 Degree Benefits - Third Party Administrator; Administrative Concepts - Third Party Administrator; Aetna (Coventry) - Work Comp/Auto; Aetna Better Health - CHIP/CHIP Perinate Newborn; Aetna Better Health - Medicaid STAR; Aetna Health - Commercial (Choice POS II, Elect Choice EPO, Exchange (Silver/Gold HMO)); Aetna Health - Commercial (HMO, Managed Choice POS, Meritain, Open Choice PPO); Aetna Health - Commercial (QPOS, SAISD, Select); Aetna Health - Medicaid Dual Preferred (HMO D-SNP); Aetna Health - Medicare Advantage (Eagle PPO, Freedom PPO, Premier HMO, Prime HMO, Value Plus PPO); Aetna Health - Transplant ONLY; Allegiance - Universal Benefits Consortium; Allied Benefit Systems - Third Party Administrator; Allwell (Superior HealthPlan) - Medicare Advantage; Ancira Enterprises - Direct Employer; Benefit Administrative Systems - Third Party Administrator; BlueCross BlueShield (Federal Programs) - Commercial (Federal - All Products); BlueCross BlueShield (Out-of-State) - Commercial (Out of State - Blue Card Program Only); BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Commercial (Blue Premier HMO, Blue Choice PPO); BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Commercial (CHIP, Blue Advantage HMO, Blue Essentials HMO); BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Commercial (ERS, TRS, State of TX Employees); BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - HPN/EPO (Narrow Network); BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS); BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO); BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans; BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Traditional/Par Network; BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Transplant Network; Care Improvement Plus - Medicare Advantage (Special Needs Plan); Century Healthcare - Third Party Administrator; CHAMPVA - Governmental; Cigna - Employer Specific Network (United Benefits Consortium); Cigna - Employer Specific Network (USAA Employees & Dependents Only); Cigna Health Spring - Medicare Advantage (WellMed); Community First Health Plans - CHIP/CHIP Perinate Newborn; Community First Health Plans - Commercial (HMO, Exchange); Community First Health Plans - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS); Community First Health Plans - Medicare Advantage (HMO); Community First Health Plans - University Family Care Plan; Curative - Commercial (All Products); Driscoll Health Plan - Medicaid (All products); EBSO Benefits - Third Party Administrator; El Paso Health - CHIP; El Paso Health - Medicaid STAR; Employers Health Network - Commercial (PPO); Entrust - Third Party Administrator; First Health - Commercial (All Products); FirstCare (Part of Baylor Scott & White) - Medicaid-STAR; Galaxy Health Network - Commercial (All products); Gilsbar - Third Party Administrator; Group and Pension Administrators - Third Party Administrator; HealthSmart (Accel) - Commercial (All products); HMA LLC - Third Party Administrator; Humana - Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO, WellMed); Humana - Transplant Network; Humana Military - TRICARE East Region; Imagine 360 - Third Party Administrator; Imperial Health - Commercial (Exchange); Imperial Health Plan - Medicare Advantage; Independent Medical Systems - Commercial (PPO); Independent Medical Systems - Workers Compensation; Injury Management Organization - Workers Compensation; Interlink - Transplant Network; International Benefits Administrators - Third Party Administrator; Kempton Group Administrators - Third Party Administrator; Key Benefits Administrators - Third Party Administrator; LifeTrac - Transplant Network; Lucent Health - Third Party Administrator; Medicaid (Traditional) - Medicaid/Medicare; Molina Healthcare - CHIP/CHIP Perinate; Molina Healthcare - Commercial (Exchange); Molina Healthcare - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS); Molina Healthcare - Medicare Advantage; Molina Healthcare - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans; MultiPlan - Commercial (All products); OptumHealth - Transplant Network; Oscar - Commercial Exchange; Point Comfort Underwriters - Refugee Medical Assistance (Adults, Children); Prime Health Services - Commercial (PPO); Prime Health Services - Medicare Advantage (All Products); Prime Health Services - Workers Compensation; Private Healthcare Systems - Commercial (All Products); ProCare Advantage - Medicare Advantage (Special Needs Plan); Provider Network of America - Commercial (All Products); Provider Partners Health Plan - Medicare Advantage (Special Needs Plan); SANA Benefits - Commercial (All Products); Scott & White Health Plan - Commercial (Exchange, HMO, PPO); Scott & White Health Plan - Medicaid/Medicare Advantage (All Products); Superior HealthPlan - CHIP/CHIP Perinate; Superior HealthPlan - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Health Foster Care, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS); Superior HealthPlan - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans; Surest (United Healthcare) - Commercial (All Products); Texas Independence Health Plan - Medicare Advantage (Special Needs Plan); Three Rivers Provider Network (Contigo) - Commercial (PPO); Tokio Marine - Transplant Network; TriWest - TRICARE West Region; TriWest - VA Community Care Network; Trustmark Benefits (f/k/a CoreSource) - Third Party Administrator; UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Charter EPO/HMO/POS); UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Choice Plus POS/PPO/Choice Plus-HAS); UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Compass EPO/HMO/POS); UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Core and Core Choice Plus EPO/HMO); UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Doctors Plan EPO/HMO/POS); UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Heritage EPO/HMO/POS); UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Indemnity); UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Navigate EPO/HMO/POS); UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Nexus ACO/EPO/HMO/POS); UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (PPO); UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Select EPO/HMO/POS); UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Select Plus EPO/HMO/POS); UnitedHealthcare - Medicare Advantage (AARP Plans, Complete Care Plans, Erickson Advantage Plans); UnitedHealthcare - Medicare Advantage (UnitedHealthcare Group Plans, WellMed); UnitedHealthcare Community Plan - CHIP/CHIP Perinate; UnitedHealthcare Community Plan - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS); UnitedHealthcare Community Plan - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans; Universal Benefits Consortium (Allegiance) - Direct Contract with TPA/Broker for select ISDs; University of Incarnate Word - Direct Contact with Employer; Velocity National Provider Network - Commercial (Multiple Payers); Velocity National Provider Network - Commercial (PPO); Veterans Administration - Governmental; WebTPA - Third Party Administrator; WellCare - Medicare Advantage; WellMed (Gonzaba Medical Group IPA) - Medicare Advantage (Transplant Only); WellMed - Medicare Advantage (Cigna HealthSpring, Humana, United Healthcare, WellPoint); WellPoint (Gonzaba) - Medicare Advantage (TRANSPLANTS ONLY); WellPoint - CHIP/CHIP Perinate; WellPoint - Commercial (Exchange); WellPoint - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS); WellPoint - Medicare Advantage (All Products); WellPoint - Medicare Advantage (Transplant Only); WellPoint - Medicare Advantage (WellMed); WellPoint - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans; Zelis - Third Party Administrator

Please contact your health insurance company to confirm provider participation. For billing and insurance questions, please call our Billing Department at 210-358-3260.

"Transplant is the medicine of second chances - where surgical precision and meticulous medical care meet human determination to create the opportunity for renewed life."; I am a transplant surgeon specializing in living kidney donations, kidney transplantation and liver transplantation. My inspiration to study medicine came from an unexpected place - the ballet studio. As a young dancer, I was encouraged to take courses in anatomy and exercise physiology to better understand movement and performance. This opened me up to a deep fascination with the human body.; My curiosity soon evolved into a calling, nurtured by the compassionate example of my mother, a nurse who showed me the profound impact of caring for people at their most vulnerable moments.; My first day in the operating room confirmed what I instinctively knew: surgery was where science, precision, purposeful work and human connection came together.
Philosophy of Care: My philosophy of care is grounded in the belief that transplantation is a transformative event, not just a procedure.; Behind every diagnosis is a person whose life has been placed on pause by disease. My responsibility is to restore health while honoring the profound trust that patients and families place in me during one of the most significant moments of their lives.; Transplantation, at its core, represents second chances, which is why I approach it as a partnership. Together - with patients, families and our multidisciplinary team - we strive for more than survival. We work toward renewed lives, restored purpose and the chance to write the next chapter.
Favorite Parts of Medicine
Hobbies: Outside the operating room, I enjoy spending time with my family and pets, running, hiking, yoga, reading and traveling.

Book Chapters

Hartjes T, Thomas E. AACN Core Curriculum for High Acuity, Progressive, and Critical Care Nursing, 7th Edition. [Book]. AACN. (Published) Oct. 2017. ISBN Number: 97814557710652.
Thomas E, Fair J. Portal Hypertension: Critical Care Considerations. In: Textbook of Critical Care Considerations, Seventh Edition. Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2017.
Thomas E, Butler W, Rippee L, Spoonhaltz K.Gastrointestinal Chapter. Concepts in Surgical Critical Care. First Edition. Jones and Bartlett Learning. Available on-line and in print. https://www.jblearning.com/catalog/productdetails/9781284175073.

Journal Articles

Enoch J. Wong, Connor M. McDonald, Elizabeth Thomas, Ali Zarrinpar, Lawrence Lee, Karen M. Kim, Thomas M. Beaver, Raja Al-Bahou, Jonathan Gelfond AL, John H. Calhoon, Dawn S. Hui. "Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Asymptomatic Patients Referred for Renal Transplant." Clinical Transplantation Volume 39, Issue 3 March 2025 e70128.
Ciaraglia A, Convertino V, Wang H, Cigarroa F, Thomas E, Fritze D, Nicholson S, Eastbridge B. "Intraoperative Use of Compensatory Reserve Measurement in Orthotopic Liver Transplant: Improved Sensitivity for the Prediction of Hypovolemic Events." MILITARY MEDICINE, Vol. 188, November/December Supplement 2023.
Brubaker AL, Taj R, Jackson B, Lee A, Tsai C, Berumen J, Parekh JR, Mekeel KL, Gupta AR, Gardner JM, Chaly T, Mathur AK, Jadlowiec C, Reddy S, Nunez R, Bellingham J, Thomas EM, Wellen JR, Pan JH, Kearns M, Pretorius V, Schnickel GT. "Early patient and liver allograft outcomes from donation after circulatory death donors using thoracoabdominal normothermic regional: a multi-center observational experience." Front Transplant. 2023 Sep 11;2:1184620.
Brubaker A, Lee A, Jackson B, Berumen J, Parekh J, Mekeel K.L, Gupta A.R, Gardner J.M, Chaly T, Mathur A.K, Jadlowiec C, Reddy K.S, Bellingham J, Thomas E, Wellen J.R, Kearns M, Pretorius V, Schnickel G.T. "Early outcomes for liver transplant with thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion for donation after circulatory death": a multi-center experience. Submitted to Frontiers in Transplantation 6/2023.
Klair T, Yamaguchi S, Halff G, Speeg K, Thomas E, Abrahamian G, Fritze D, Cigarroa F. “Liver Paired Exchange U.S. single center experience – pairs, chains, and use of compatible pairs Corresponding” AMJT-D-23-00680. 6/2023.
Ciaraglia A, MD1, Convertino V, PhD2, Wang H, PhD3, Cigarroa F, MD4, Thomas E, DO4, Fritze D, MD4, Nicholson S, MD1, Eastridge B, MD. "Intraoperative Use of Compensatory Reserve Measurement (CRM) in Orthotopic Liver Transplant: Improved Sensitivity for Prediction of Hypovolemic Event. Submitted to Military Medicine. 4/2023.
Kanegi S.L, Crane G.D, Scott K.L, Thomas E. "A unique case of tacrolimus-induced dysphagia and dysarthria in the absence of diagnostic findings." Dove Press. 5 September 2022 Volume 2022:14. 47-51.
Patnaik R, Rabbani M U, Thomas E, et al. (February 28, 2021). Urine Leak From the Necrotic Lower Pole of a Transplant Recipient. Cureus 13(2): e13613. DOI 10.7759/cureus.13613.
Petrochko J, Cigarroa F, Abrahamian G, Thomas E. "Colonic mucormycosis in solid organ transplantation: Case report and review of the literature (colonic mucormycosis after DDLT). Transpl Infect Dis. 2020 Dec; 22(6):e13362.
Klair T, Halff G, Fritze D, Thomas E, Abrahamian G, Speeg V.K, Cigarroa F. "Liver Paired Exchange Using Compatible Pais - US Single Center Experience." Ann Surg. 2020 Dec;272(6):e282-e283.
Thomas E, Milton J, Cigarroa F. "The Advancing American Kidney Health Executive Order: An Opportunity to Enhance Organ Donation." JAMA. 2019;322(17)1645-1646.
Hawkins R, Raymond S, Hartjes T, Efron P, Larson S, Andreoni K, Thomas E. "Review: The perioperative use of the thromboelastography for liver transplant patients." Transplant Prc. 2018 Dec; 50(10);3552-3558.
Hawkins R, Raymond S, Hartjes T, Efron P, Larson S, Andreoni K, Thomas E. "Review: The perioperative use of thromboelastography for liver transplant patients." Transplant Prc. 2018 Dec; 50 (10); 3552-3558.
Jiang M, Hernandez D, Thomas E. "A Case of Extensive Hepatic Adenomatosis in a Renal Transplant Patient." J Surge Case rep. 2018 Aug 6. 2018 (8);rjy 195.
Chun SK, Lee S, Flores-Toro J, U RY, Yang MJ, Go KL, Biel TG, Miney CE, Pierre Louis S, Law BK, Law ME, Thomas E, Behrns K.E, Leeuwenburgh C, Kim J.S. "Loss of Sirtuin 1 and Mitofusin 2 Contributes to Enhanced Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Aged Livers." Aging Cell. 2018 Aug; 17 (4): e12761.
Giordano C, Johnson C, Lawson J, Rajasekhar A, Thomas E. "Administering RiaSTAP for Congenital Afibrinogemia During Liver Transplant." Exp Clin Transplant May 2018. PMID: 29766777.
Johnson M.W, Zarrinpar A, Thomas E, Andreoni K. "Liver Transplantation for Hepatoma: Raising the Bar." Springer Nature. March 2018.
Johnson M, Zarrinpar A, Thomas E, Andreoni K. "Is the Updated Kidney Allocation System Working?" Current Transplantation Reports 5, 139-144 (2018).
Johnson M.W, Zarrinpar A, Thomas E, et al. "Liver Transplantation for Hepatoma: Raising the Bare Curr Transpl Rep 5, 139-144 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-018-0191-z.
Andreoni K, Thomas E, et al. "Refractory Ascites After Liver Transplantation: A Stepwise Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment." Advanced Research in Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2016. ARGH-MRW-16-586.
Thomas E, Matsouk L, Alexopoulos S, Parekh D. "Laparoscopic Hand-Assisted Parenchymal-Sparing Resections for Presumed Side-Branch Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms." Journal of Laparoendoscopic and Advanced Surgical Techniques. July 2016.
Alexopoulos S, Thomas E, Berry E, Whang G, Matsuoka L. "The Portal Vein-Variceal Anastomosis: An Important Technique for Establishing Portal Vein Inflow." Clinical Transportation. Volume 28, Issue 1, pages 52-57, January 2014.
Alexopoulos S, Thomas E, Berry E, Whang G, Matsuoka L. "The portal vein-variceal anastomosis: An important technique for establishing portal vein inflow" Clinical Transportation, November 2013.
Alexopoulos S, Matsuoka L, Cho Y, Thomas E, Sheikh M, Stapfer M, Dhanireddy K, Sher L, Selby R, Genyk Y. "Outcomes After Liver Transplantation in Patients Achieving a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Score of 40 or Higher." Transplantation, February 2013.
Alexopoulos S, Matsuoka L, Barmparas G, Sheikh M.R, Thomas E, Stapfer M, Dhanireddy K.K, Sher L, Genyk Y. "Outcomes Following Liver Transplantation In Patients achieving a MELD ≥ 40." Liver Transplantation 2013; 95(3): 507-512. Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic and Abdominal Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
Woelfel, I. (Co-Author), Vaughn Whittaker, MD; Ahmed E Elsabbagh, MD, MS, MRCS, PhD; Vanesssa Humphreville, MD; David Leeser, MD; Heather O'Dell, PA; Ana Maria Torres, ACNP; Chintalapati Varma, MD; Robert Montgomery, MD, PhD; Sameh Fayek, MD; Andre Dick, MD; Vanessa Cowan, MD; Jennifer Berumen, MD; Sander Florman, MD; Navpreet Kaur, MD; Clark Kensinger, MD; Trevor Nydam, MD; Oren Shaked, MD; Vighnesh Venkatasamy, MD; Michael Rees, MD, PhD; Ning Duan; Elizabeth Thomas, DO; Jennifer Carpenter, MD; Stephanie Yi, MD; Amit Mathur, MD, MS. "Taking Action to Increase Living Donation Now: American Society of Transplant Surgeons' Living Donor Committee Recommendations for Transplant Programs." American Journal of Transplantation, Manuscript Number: AMJT-D-25-00659.
Casey, K. (Corresponding Author), Thomas, E. (Co-Author). "Variability in Clinical triggers for organ donation referrals." American Journal of Transplantation, Manuscript Number: AMJT-D-25-00705.

Other Publications

Harrell K, Puente S, Woodworth J, Thomas E. Living Donor Champion Program: “Innovation Leads to Lives Saved”. Presenter: Harrell K. Power point presentation. American Transplant Congress, San Diego, CA. 06/2023.
Yi S, Whittaker V, Dunn T, Goldaracena N, Humphreville V, Kubal C, Kuhr C, Leeser D, Pomposelli J, Thomas E, Turgeon N, Varma N, Rees M, Mathur A. “The cost and logistical challenges to kidney paired donation”. Presenter: Yi, S. Poster presentation. American Transplant Congress. Boston, MA. 06/2022.
Patnaik R, Rabbani U, Abrahamian G, Thomas E. “Urine leak from necrotic lower pole of a transplanted kidney: a rare complication in deceased donor kidney transplant recipients Texas Transplant Society Scientific Meeting". Trinkle-Banowsky Abstract & Case Presentation Winner. Virtual presentation. Dallas, TX. 11/2020.
John M, Maguigan K, Schain D, Thomas E, Efron P, Nelson J. "Impact of short and narrow course of perioperative antibiotic prophyaxis on multi‐drug-resistant surgical site infections in adult orthotopic liver transplant". Presenter: John M. Poster presentation. American Transplant Congress. Boston, MA. 06/2019.
Thomas E, Nelson J, Andreoni K, Johnson M, Delitto D, Diaz E. "Multimodal Pain Control Regimen in Living Donor Laparoscopic Nephrectomies." Presenter: Thomas E. Power point presentation. American Transplant Congress, Seattle, WA. 06/2018.
Rosenthal M, Szpila B, Croft C, Dantes G, Thomas E, Mohr A, Moore F, Smith R. “Emergent Liver Transplantation Following Blunt Liver Injury.” Presenter: Rosenthal M. Poster presentation. Southwestern Surgical Congress. Napa, CA. 06/2018.
Thomas E, Anderoni K, Johnson W, Diaz E, Nelson J. "Improving Care of Laparoscopic Patients Through Implementation of a Multimodal Pain Control Regimen." Presenter: Thomas, E. Poster Presentation. Presented at the Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL. 04/2018.
Socias S, Nelson J, Andreoni K, Battula N, Johnson M, Thomas E, Zarrinpar A. "Evaluating the Efficacy of Provider-Guided Post-Transplant Tacrolimus Drug Dosing" Presenter: Socias S. Poster Presentation. Presented at the Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainsville, FL. 03/2018.
Thomas E, Andreoni K. "Impact of Early Acute Rejection on Outcomes of Liver Transplant Recipients." Presenter: Thomas E. Presented at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington DC. 10/2017.
Chun S.K, Lee S.S, Lee J, Flores-Toro C, Miney S, Thomas E, Kim J-S. "Irinotecan Impairs Hepatic Autophagy Through FIP2000 Inhibition. Presenter: Chun, S.K. Presentation. Presented at the Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainsville, FL. 03/2017.
Flores-Toro C, Miney S, Lee S, Chun S, Louis P, Thomas E, Kim J-S. "Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in the Fatty Liver." Presenter: Flores-Toro. Poster Presentation. Presented at the Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL. 03/2017.
Thomas E, Andreoni K, Johnson M, Crippen C, Tripp C, Coleman S, Moore S, Kelly R. "Judicious Use of Central Lines for Blood Sampling Access Does Not Increase Rates of Line Related Complications in Renal Transplant Recipients." Presenter: Andreoni K. Poster Presentation. Presented at University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL. 03/2017.
Hartjes T, Patel R, Thomas E, Poekert P. "Creating a DNP focused Designated Educational Unit in Critical Care: Innovative Strategies to Promote Research and Practice." Presenter: Rohit p, Elizabeth M. T, Phillip E. Abstract Presentation. AACN Doctoral Education Conference in Coronado, CA. 01/2017.
Thomas E, Matsuoka L, Alexopoulos S, Weaver F, Selby R, Parekh D. "Pancreatic Enucleation for Side-Branch Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms." Presenter: Thomas E. Power point presentation. Pacific Coast Surgical Association. Dana Point, CA. 02/2012.
Liao L, Sideman M, Thomas E, Goodwiller G, Eastridge B, Dent D, Mueller D, Myers J, Stewart R. "Endovascular repair of secondary aortoenteric fistula after abdominal gunshot wound." Presenter: Liao L. Poster Presentation. Annual Fall Meeting of the Texas Society for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery in San Antonio, TX. 01/2010.

Understanding Kidney Transplants

July 7, 2025

Living Kidney Donors Are Important for Those in Kidney Failure

June 19, 2024

The Benefits of Robotic Surgery for Living Kidney Donation

March 21, 2024

How Transplant Patients Are Getting Organs Sooner and Living Longer

April 16, 2019

Call 210-743-4306 to request an appointment with this doctor.

Back to Search

Patient reviews

Download Our Mobile App

Access health information, get turn-by-turn navigation in University Hospital, find a doctor or location, and more.

Learn more