UTMB Galveston — PAS Program

Program Overview

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) PAS Program in Galveston, Texas, is a newly established program led by Dr. Karin Fox, one of the most recognized PAS researchers in the world. Dr. Fox relocated to UTMB from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, where she was a core member of a high-volume PAS surgical team alongside Drs. Michael Belfort and Alireza Shamshirsaz.

At UTMB, Dr. Fox is building a dedicated PAS program that draws on her extensive clinical and research experience. While the program is still in its early stages of institutional development, it benefits from Dr. Fox's deep expertise in multidisciplinary PAS management and her internationally recognized research on uterus-preserving surgical approaches.

UTMB is a major academic medical center with a Level IV NICU, trauma surgery capabilities, and a robust research infrastructure — providing a strong foundation for a comprehensive PAS program.

Fertility Preservation Status

Active Collaborative Research with BIDMC (2024–2026)

UTMB is engaged in an active collaborative research project with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / NECPD (Dr. Scott Shainker), running from 2024 to 2026. This collaboration pairs Dr. Fox's surgical expertise and international research network with BIDMC's evidence synthesis and advocacy leadership to advance conservative PAS management in the United States.

Given Dr. Fox's research focus and advocacy for uterine preservation, it is expected that the UTMB PAS program will offer fertility-preserving options as it matures. Patients should contact the program directly to discuss current capabilities and candidacy for conservative or uterus-preserving approaches.

Key Physicians

Research

Dr. Fox's research portfolio is centered on understanding and advancing uterus-preserving surgical techniques for PAS. Her work addresses a critical gap in the field: while cesarean hysterectomy remains the standard of care at most centers, a growing body of evidence suggests that carefully selected patients may benefit from approaches that preserve the uterus and future fertility.

Opportunities and Barriers to Uterine Preservation

In a 2024 publication in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, Fox and colleagues systematically evaluated the opportunities for, and barriers to, uterus-preserving surgical techniques for PAS. This work highlighted the variability in international practice, the importance of surgeon experience and multidisciplinary team support, and the need for standardized outcome reporting to advance the field.1

Advances in Uterine-Preserving Techniques

Building on the barriers paper, Fox and colleagues authored a follow-up publication detailing advances in uterine-preserving surgical techniques for PAS. This work reviewed emerging surgical strategies, case selection criteria, and the evolving evidence base for fertility preservation in PAS patients.2

Collaborative Research

Dr. Fox's positions on the IS-PAS and PAS² boards place her at the center of international collaborative research efforts. These societies coordinate multicenter studies, develop consensus guidelines, and promote knowledge exchange among PAS specialists worldwide.

Practical Information

Location

• Institution: University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)
• City: Galveston, Texas

Travel Considerations

Galveston is located on the Texas Gulf Coast, approximately 50 miles southeast of Houston. The nearest major airport is William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston, with George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) also serving the area. UTMB is approximately 45–60 minutes from either airport, depending on traffic.

Insurance

As a major academic medical center within the University of Texas system, UTMB accepts most major insurance plans. Contact the program directly to verify coverage before scheduling an appointment.

References