Joshua Samuels, MD, MPH

Biography

Joshua A. Samuels, MD, MPH, FAAP, FASN, FAHA is a tenured professor of pediatrics at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, where he serves as division chief of pediatric nephrology and hypertension, fellowship director, and vice chair for faculty affairs in the Department of Pediatrics. He also directs the Houston Pediatric and Adolescent Hypertension Program and is a core faculty member in the Institute for Clinical Research and Learning Health Care.

Trained to treat both children and adults with kidney disorders, Dr. Samuels is board certified in pediatrics, pediatric nephrology, nephrology, and clinical hypertension, and is widely recognized for his expertise in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of childhood hypertension and chronic kidney disease. His clinical work spans multiple sites, including Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and UT Physicians clinics across the Houston area, where he provides care for children with complex kidney and hypertensive disorders. He also leads nephrology services at the UTHealth Houston Tuberous Sclerosis Center of Excellence.

With more than 20 years of continuous NIH and foundation-funded research, Dr. Samuels has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and numerous abstracts, with a research focus on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, hypertensive target organ damage, and health disparities in pediatric kidney care. He is the local principal investigator for the national Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) study and has led or collaborated on multiple clinical trials involving antihypertensive therapies in children.

A passionate educator, Dr. Samuels has received repeated honors for teaching excellence, including the McGovern Medical School Master Teacher Award and election to Alpha Omega Alpha. As Fellowship Director since 2011, he has trained a generation of pediatric nephrologists and remains deeply committed to mentorship through his roles in faculty development and the McGovern Medical School Mentoring and Promotion Program (MAPP).

Beyond his academic contributions, Dr. Samuels has demonstrated sustained leadership in professional and community organizations. He served as president of the International Pediatric Hypertension Association (2018-2023), chairs national grant review committees, and contributes to clinical guidelines for pediatric hypertension. He is a founding board member and current president of The Kidney Kamp Foundation, which supports children with kidney disease, and he has been actively involved with Camp For All, a barrier-free camp for children and adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities.