Mega Doctor News
EDINBURG, Texas – DHR Health, one of the largest physician-owned hospital systems in the United States and the largest healthcare provider in the Rio Grande Valley, is delighted to welcome Dr. Karen Pineda-Solis, transplant surgeon, to its team of dedicated physicians. Dr. Pineda-Solis will provide care at the DHR Health Transplant Institute, the only kidney transplant facility serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, Corpus Christi, and surrounding communities.
Dr. Pineda-Solis will lead the development and implementation of comprehensive liver services at DHR Health. Her arrival marks a significant step toward expanding access to advanced transplant care and addressing the growing needs of patients suffering from liver disease across South Texas.
“The addition of Dr. Pineda-Solis is a testament to the specialty care we are committed to providing to this region,” said Marissa Castaneda, Senior Executive Vice President for DHR Health. “She will be a valuable asset to our transplant team and will play a key role in expanding our transplant services for the communities we serve.”
Dr. Pineda-Solis attended medical school at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, graduating in 2005. She then completed her residency in General Surgery at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition “Salvador Zubirán” in Mexico City, where she also completed a Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Fellowship. Additionally, she completed a Hepatobiliary and Robotic Surgery Fellowship in Nancy, France, and a Multi-Organ Transplantation and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Fellowship in Ontario, Canada. Prior to joining DHR Health, she served as Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, where she trained future surgeons and contributed to the advancement of transplant surgery.
Dr. Pineda-Solis brings extensive experience in liver transplantation and complex hepatobiliary surgery, with a particular focus on innovative surgical techniques that improve patient outcomes. She is recognized for her specialized expertise in robotic transplantation and has experience utilizing robotic-assisted approaches for living donor surgery and kidney transplantation. Her unique background positions DHR Health to introduce some of the most advanced transplant surgical technologies available today.
“Our goal has always been to provide world-class transplant care that is close to home,” said Dr. Sridhar Allam, medical director and nephologist at the DHR Health Transplant Institute. “The addition of Dr. Pineda-Solis will help us continue advancing that mission for our patients and their families.”
The development of robotic transplant surgery at DHR Health represents a major milestone for the institution and the Rio Grande Valley. By integrating robotic technology into transplant care, DHR Health aims to enhance surgical precision, reduce recovery times, and expand access to cutting-edge treatment options. The program is expected to become one of the few centers in the nation offering advanced robotic transplant procedures, further establishing DHR Health as a regional leader in transplant innovation.
“I am honored to join DHR Health and help expand transplant services for the people of the Rio Grande Valley,” said Dr. Pineda-Solis. “My goal is to build a comprehensive liver transplant program while advancing innovative robotic transplant techniques that provide patients access to world-class care close to home.”
Dr. Pineda-Solis is now accepting new patients at her office in the DHR Health Medical Office Building, located at 1100 E. Dove Avenue, 2nd floor, in McAllen. Appointments can be made by calling (956) 362-5433
