Steven Starks (‘01

With nationally recognized physicians versed in patient care, the UH Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine is positioned to prepare the next generation of 21st century physicians to champion primary care. UH alumnus, Steven Starks (’01) is among the expert faculty who will play a role in improving health outcomes in Texas and beyond.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Steven came to know the city of Houston through his uncle. “My uncle lived in the Third Ward, so I was exposed to the vibrancy and resiliency of the community early on,” said Steven. “The diversity and the vastness of Houston appealed to me so when it was time to apply to college, the University of Houston was at the top of my list.” With an interest in the sciences, Steven graduated from UH with a degree in psychology.

After graduating, Steven briefly worked for a grant management consulting firm, but his interest in medicine continued to take hold. “After I took the MCAT and

unsuccessfuly applied to medical school, I knew I needed to improve in some areas, so I began post-baccalaureate work at UH,’’ said Steven. During that time, Steven worked at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Volunteer Services and had the opportunity to volunteer as an intake assistant at Healthcare for the Homeless-Houston and retook

the MCAT. With this academic success and exposure to community health, he reapplied and was accepted into medical school, returning to his hometown to attend the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. “While I was

there, Hurricane Katrina hit three weeks into my first year, and I witnessed first-hand the mental health disparities that can exist within a community,” said Steven. “This shifted my perspective and deepened my commitment to address the cultural and social effects of mental health conditions on

patients and families.”

Upon receiving the Dean’s Award at commencement, Steven accepted a residency in psychiatry at the Baylor College of Medicine. From there, Steven’s professional journey took him to Washington D.C. where he served under a Congressional Fellowship in health policy. During his fellowship year in the 116th Congress, Steven contributed to the design, drafting and roll out of the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), the first comprehensive policy proposal to empower the Secretary of Health and Human Services to directly negotiate the price of prescription drugs, which passed the House in December 2019.

In November 2019, Steven accepted the position as Clinical Assistant Professor at the UH Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. In this role, he is involved in the education, curriculum development and community partnerships. “I also play a role in the Admissions process where I can help ensure we have a diverse representation of medical students,” said Steven.

To support and further his interest in psychiatry, Steven is a member of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) where he serves on the APA Assembly to report on health policy issues. “I hope to create impact in instilling a culture where quality mental health treatment is accessible and equitable,” said Steven. “While we have come a long way in minimizing the stigma associated with mental health, we still have much more to accomplish in this area.”