Sheela L. Lahoti, MD

Biography

Sheela L. Lahoti, MD, is Vice Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs and professor of pediatrics at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. She is a nationally recognized leader in medical education, student affairs, and child abuse pediatrics, with more than two decades of experience advancing learner support, admissions strategy, and professional development across the continuum of medical education.

Dr. Lahoti earned her medical degree through the BS/MD Honors Program at the University of Miami and completed her pediatric residency at the University of Chicago. She is a professor of pediatrics and having held holding appointments in the Division of Community and General Pediatrics (now called General Academic Pediatrics) and is now in the Division of Child Safety and Integrated Care.

Throughout her career, Dr. Lahoti has served in progressively senior leadership roles within student affairs and admissions, culminating in her appointment as Vice Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs in 2025. In these roles, she has led institutional efforts in admissions policy, student support services, curriculum oversight, wellness initiatives, professionalism, and accreditation activities.

Clinically, Dr. Lahoti is an attending physician at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital. She is board certified in general pediatrics and child abuse pediatrics and has extensive expertise in the medical evaluation of child maltreatment. Her scholarship includes peer reviewed publications, book chapters, and national educational resources focused on pediatric sexual abuse, forensic evaluation, and child protection.

Dr. Lahoti is deeply engaged in national service through organizations such as the American Association of Medical Colleges, and the National Board of Medical Examiners. She has contributed to the National Board of Medical Examiners by her work in development of test questions used in national licensing examinations and to the American Board of Pediatrics in pediatric certification initiatives and currently serves on the Texas Medical Board District Review Committee. Her commitment to education and humanism has been recognized with multiple teaching awards, including Gold Humanism Honor Society induction, Alpha Omega Alpha induction, and repeated Best Teacher honors.