Kendell J. Sowards, MD, FACS, FASMBS, DABOM

Biography

Dr. Kendell Sowards, MD, FACS, FASMBS, DABOM, is a board-certified general surgeon with expertise in acute care surgery, minimally invasive surgery, bariatric surgery, and robotic surgery. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from The University of Texas at Austin and her medical degree from McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. During her surgery residency training at McGovern Medical School, she completed a trauma and critical care surgery research fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. After completing general surgery residency training, she completed a fellowship in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at UTHealth Houston under the direction of Dr. Erik Wilson. She became a member of the Department of Surgery in 2025.

Throughout her career, Dr. Sowards has remained actively engaged in clinical education, research, and leadership. She has served in faculty and leadership roles at Houston Methodist, HCA Healthcare, and the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, where she served as Surgery Clerkship Director. Her academic interests include obesity treatment, bariatric surgery, robotic surgery, surgical outcomes, and surgical education. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations and has received recognition for both her research contributions and dedication to teaching, including the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award and fellowship status in both the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. She is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.