Houston Methodist Division of Acute Care & General Surgery 

The Division of Acute Care & General Surgery is composed of a highly skilled and collaborative team of surgeons and advanced practice providers who bring deep expertise across acute care, emergency surgery and advanced general surgery. The team includes board-certified general surgeons, several of whom are fellowship-trained in surgical critical care and trauma. Their diverse backgrounds — ranging from military surgery to robotic surgery — enable the division to manage high-complexity cases with precision and compassion.  

In collaboration with surgeons and specialists from other divisions, nurses, anesthesiologists and specialized staff who thrive in the surgical care of patients with acute care conditions, we deliver clinical excellence and multidisciplinary care. We are particularly proud of the superior metrics we consistently achieve, coupled with the high complexity of patient conditions we treat. Our state-of-the-art facilities and team’s commitment to training and mentorship allow us to lead the future of general and emergency surgical care, ensuring that every patient benefits from the latest techniques and a culture of continuous learning. 

As leaders in the field, our experts serve on national executive committees, such as the Association of Program Directors in Surgery, frequently present at national meetings and maintain active membership in professional societies. Our residents also regularly present at national surgical meetings, including the Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons and various subspeciality conferences. 

Furthermore, our surgeons are sought-after experts and educators in complex acute and general surgical care procedures, maintaining informal collaborations and case-sharing with other national academic medical centers. Faculty in our division receive recognition for their educational efforts, such as our Chief, Sylvia Martinez, MD, who received the Houston Methodist Academic Institute Presidential Award – Excellence in Education in 2024.

Our Faculty ➝   Our Physicians ➝ 

We are actively engaged in research focused on improving surgical protocols, particularly advancing minimally invasive techniques that lead to enhanced outcomes, shorter recoveries and enhanced opportunities in surgical education. These initiatives not only contribute to the academic mission but also directly inform clinical practice, ensuring patients benefit from the latest evidence-based approaches.  

The division leads an Acute Care Surgery Outcomes Research Group, which conducts a variety of studies based on acute care surgery patient outcomes and surgical simulation projects for our residents. Through close analysis of surgical outcomes, we routinely analyze our methods and simulate ways to ensure safer and more effective treatment outcomes for general and complex procedures. Process improvements we have developed have resulted in reduced need for narcotics and surgical drains, and significant progress in discharge processes have maintained our high level of patient satisfaction. 

Faculty members also collaborate with The Bookout Center on a robotic surgery curriculum, supported by a multiyear grant, that has brought in national experts to  conduct surgical simulation exercises and educational grand rounds to further advance robotic surgery in residency training. This work has enabled rapid incorporation of new tools, platforms and processes that enhance surgical precision, improve training and advance patient outcomes. 

Education is a cornerstone of the Houston Methodist Department of Surgery with a stated mission to train and educate the next generation of leading acute and general surgeons. Our division plays a central role in this academic mission by offering a high-volume, high-complexity training environment for medical students, residents and fellows.  

Our General Surgery Residency program, directed by our Division Chief, Sylvia Martinez, MD, is comprised of 32 residents with 6 categorical and 2 preliminary surgery positions. Residents hail from across the U.S. and world and are from diverse backgrounds. Many of our residents go on to secure competitive fellowships at other leading national institutions and in subspecialities such as cardiothoracic, transplant and colorectal surgery. Residents in this program are fully integrated into all aspects of care — from diagnosis and operative management to postoperative follow-up — ensuring comprehensive exposure to both routine and advanced surgical procedures. 

As a result, our residents leave the program highly trained, prepared and proficient. Thanks to caseload volume of our service, by the completion of our program, residents are exposed to nearly all types of general surgical procedures from the standard to the most novel or complex, and nearly all general surgery problems or issues that can arise. 

The division also supports fellowship programs in surgical critical care, and hosts rotators from other surgical disciplines including vascular, urology, ENT and orthopedics. Medical students also rotate with us and Houston Methodist Hospital serves as the primary training site for students from the EnMed program.  

In addition to hands-on training, the division offers structured educational programming, including weekly grand rounds and joint conferences with transplant surgery through the Department of Surgery. A multi-year robotic surgery curriculum, supported by a grant from the MITIE Institute, one of the cornerstones of The Bookout Center, enhances technical training through simulation and expert-led sessions. Participation in these initiatives reflect the division’s commitment to preparing the next generation of surgical leaders through rigorous, real-world experience and academic excellence.