About Us
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Sarcoidosis Program
Located at:
The UT Professional Building
6410 Fannin Street, Suite 600
Houston, TX 77030
The UTHealth Sarcoidosis Program is a multidisciplinary team of 18 physicians dedicated to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care for patients with sarcoidosis affecting multiple organs. Our mission extends beyond symptom management—we strive to improve patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and extend longevity through a personalized, patient-centered approach.
Our expertise includes:
- Accurate diagnosis and confirmation of sarcoidosis.
- Identifying patients at higher risk of future complications, including mortality or permanent disability.
- Initiating appropriate immunosuppressive therapy while carefully weighing the risks and benefits of treatment.
- Collaborative decision-making to ensure individualized treatment plans.
We prioritize efficient and expedited referrals through prompt communication with referring providers. Additionally, our team convenes monthly multidisciplinary conferences to discuss complex cases, ensuring that our patients receive the highest standard of care, aligned with the latest clinical guidelines and research advancements.
Message from Division Director Dr. Bela Patel
Welcome to the UTHealth Houston Sarcoidosis Program. As the Division Director, I’m proud to support a team deeply committed to caring for patients living with this complex disease. Our vision is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and curiosity. We combine cutting-edge science with a personal touch—because every patient’s story matters. Through research, education, and a truly multidisciplinary approach, we aim to improve lives and offer real hope. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or colleague, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way. Thank you for trusting us—we’re honored to be part of your journey.
Message from UT sarcoidosis Clinic Medical Director Dr. Gautam Sikka
It has been my privilege over the past seven years to care for patients living with this complex and often misunderstood disease. While sarcoidosis is considered rare, its ability to affect any organ system—often in unpredictable ways—makes it incredibly difficult to diagnose and treat. Too often, patients are left to navigate a fragmented system, bouncing between specialists without ever receiving a unifying diagnosis or the care they truly need. That’s why we’ve worked tirelessly to build a home for our sarcoidosis patients—a place where care is not fragmented, but whole. Under one roof, our multidisciplinary team works together to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients promptly and thoroughly. We believe it should never be the patient’s burden to find the right specialist or piece together their care. Sarcoidosis doesn’t look the same in any two people, and every patient’s story matters.
We’ve seen patients referred for heart failure who were actually battling active cardiac sarcoidosis, patients misdiagnosed with chronic pain syndromes while living with sarcoidosis-related small fiber neuropathy, and others with kidney stones and kidney disease due to untreated hypercalcemia caused by sarcoidosis. These stories drive us every day. Our goal is not just to manage the consequences of sarcoidosis, but to treat its root cause—systemic inflammation—before it leads to more damage.
This mission cannot be accomplished without partnership. We are committed to empowering patients through education and advocacy, and to spreading awareness throughout the medical community. On behalf of our entire Sarcoidosis Multidisciplinary Team, we open our hearts to you—patients, families, and providers alike. You are not alone, and we are honored to walk this journey with you.