Unnati H Doshi , MD

In Murali’s practice, the team is willing to partner with each patient to manage weight and meet health goals using science and compassion. Most people, including many physicians, believe losing weight and keeping it off is up to the individual, saying: eat less, move more. The truth is that a person’s weight can be treated just like diabetes, heart disease, or depression. By combining your efforts with ours, we believe we can help you succeed! Obesity medicine is a unique specialty that Dr. Murali has been practicing since 2011. He feels it is his calling both professionally and personally because he has have struggled with his weight since childhood. Dr. Murali has felt the sting of stigma, isolation, and anguish that comes with this condition. He has several members of my immediate and extended family who struggle with weight as well as related conditions like diabetes. Bottom line: Dr. Murali loves his work because by helping his patients, ultimately, he helps himself too! Outside of work, Dr. Murali enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. His favorite activities include playing music (Indian flute and drums), listening to music, dancing with his two children, attending his children’s basketball games, hiking in beautiful natural settings, waking up early to walk my dog, and making my patients laugh!

Dr. Akter sees patients from newborn to age 18. He treats patients for sick visits as well as preventive medicine, such as immunizations and wellness checkups. His clinical interests include providing long-term care for illnesses like asthma and helping to guide new parents into parenthood.

Melissa M. Felinski, DO, is a board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeon dedicated to helping patients improve their quality of life through their surgical journey. She’s experienced in advanced, minimally invasive techniques utilizing robotic, laparoscopic, and endoscopic (incision-less) approaches. She primarily treats teens and adults and specializes in bariatric and foregut surgery. Her areas of specialty care include surgery of the esophagus and stomach (reflux/heartburn, ulcer disease, hiatal hernias, achalasia, and weight loss procedures for obesity). Her practice also includes surgery of solid organs (spleen, adrenal glands, thyroid, parathyroid, and pancreas), surgery of the abdominal wall and hernia surgery (umbilical/ventral/inguinal hernia and abdominal wall reconstruction), and surgery for gallbladder, small intestine, appendix, and colon. She performs upper endoscopies and colonoscopies. Felinski is an associate professor of surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. She is also the assistant program director of the advanced gastrointestinal/minimally invasive, bariatric and robotic surgery fellowship program. Her experience includes a residency in general surgery, and a fellowship in minimally invasive, advanced gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery where she received formal training in robotic surgery and surgical endoscopy. Felinski is actively involved in national organizations, including the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgery and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. She has authored several publications and has presented at regional and national conferences.