Monica A. Bray, MD, FAAP, FACR, RhMSUS

Biography

Dr. Monica Bray grew up in nearby Katy, TX and graduated from James E. Taylor High School in 2004. She then attended the University of Texas in Austin, TX where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering in 2008. After graduation from 2008 to 2011 she worked as a systems engineer on the production of a biologic medication. She was inspired to switch from industry to clinical medicine to ensure that her work directly benefited patients.

She attended UT Southwestern Medical School from 2011 – 2015 and stayed for pediatric residency training from 2015 – 2018. She returned to Houston for pediatric rheumatology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital from 2018 – 2021. She became interested in improving the diagnosis and monitoring of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis with ultrasound assessment during her pediatric residency. She went on to complete the Ultrasound School of North American Rheumatologists (USSONAR) training program in musculoskeletal ultrasound during her fellowship training. She also became interested in improving pediatric rheumatology patient care through research. She also was appointed onto the Thrombosis and Inflammation T32 training grant through the Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID) and completed a certificate of added qualification through the Clinical Scientist Training Program.

She is interested in understanding how platelets contribute to immune dysregulation in Systemic Lupus Erythematous and Kawasaki Disease. She is board certified in general pediatrics and pediatric rheumatology by the American Board of Pediatrics. She is certified in musculoskeletal ultrasound by the American College of Rheumatology. She has worked to develop the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Clinic here at UT Houston to provide diagnostic ultrasound and ultrasound guided joint injections for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Dr. Bray enjoys going on walks with her husband and daughter. She enjoys spending time outdoors at local parks with her family and swimming laps for exercise.