Kristine A. O’Connor, MD

Biography

Kristine O’Connor, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. With decades of clinical and academic experience, she is known for her commitment to integrative medicine, pediatric education, and resident wellness.

Dr. O’Connor earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico and her Doctor of Medicine, cum laude, from Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at Louisiana State University Health Science Center in New Orleans and later pursued a fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. Her academic appointments have included roles where she has been instrumental in teaching medical students and residents in ambulatory pediatrics and newborn care. She also serves as a faculty leader for the pediatric integrative medicine curriculum and has directed wellness initiatives for pediatric residents.

Dr. O’Connor’s clinical affiliations include Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital. She also has experience working with Texas Children’s Pediatrics and various hospitalist groups across the Houston area.

A passionate advocate for holistic care and physician wellbeing, Dr. O’Connor has received multiple Dean’s Teaching Excellence Awards and is a recipient of the Weil Foundation Grant for her work in integrative medicine education. She was involved in research on pediatric residency burnout and resilience and has contributed to quality improvement projects such as the Reach Out and Read Early Math initiative. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of its sections on  integrative medicine as well as nature and health.

Dr. O’Connor continues to inspire future pediatricians through her mentorship, teaching, and dedication to compassionate, comprehensive care.