Jose A. Cortes, M.D., FAACP
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatrics
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Pediatrics - Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Pediatrics - Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1990 | Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Facultad de Ciencias Medicas, Guatemala City, Guatemala, GT, Medical Sciences, MD (Physician & Surgeon) |
| 1983 | Colegio Liceo Javier, Guatemala City, Guatemala, GT, Arts & Sciences, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2013-2014 | Clinical Training in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas |
| 2001-2004 | Postdoctoral Clinical Fellowship in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas |
| 1999-2001 | Residency in Pediatrics, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of South Alabama, Children's and Woman's Hospital, Mobile, Alabama |
| 1998-1999 | Postgraduate Year 1 in Pediatrics, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of South Alabama, Children's and Woman's Hospital, Mobile, Alabama |
| 1997-1997 | Post Graduate Medical Studies USMLE III, Applicable Clinical Science, Stanley H. Kaplan Educational Center, LTD, Houston, Texas |
| 1995-1996 | Intensive English and Toefl Course, English Language, Lindsey Hopkins Technical Education Center and The English Center, Miami, Florida |
| 1995-1995 | USMLE II Course, Clinical Sciences for USMLE II, Rush Medical College, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Miami, Florida |
| 1995-1995 | USMLE I Course, Basic Sciences for USMLE I, Rush Medical College, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Miami, Florida |
| 1994-1995 | Post Graduate Medical Studies, Basic and Clinical Sciences, Stanley H. Kaplan Educational Center, LTD, Coral Gables, Florida |
| 1991-1994 | Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2023 | Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) |
| 2023 | Advance Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) |
| 2020 | Board Certification in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine by the American Board of Pediatrics |
| 2020 | Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care by the European board of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care of the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care |
| 2006 | National Provider Identification Registry |
| 2006 | Fellow of The American Academy of Pediatrics |
| 2005 | Board Certification in General Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics |
| 2004 | Louisiana Medical License |
| 2002 | Texas Medical License |
| 2001 | Alabama Medical License |
| 1997 | ECFMG Certification |
| 1994 | Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| 1990 | Guatemala, Central America |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics - Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2022
Instructor, Pediatrics - Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2006
On-Site Physician Team Leader, Pediatrics - Patient Care, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2004 - 2005
Instructor, Pediatrics - Patient Care, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2002 - 2005
Research Coordinator, Pediatrics - Research, American Academy of Pediatrics and Woman's and Children's Hospital, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, 2000 - 2001
Research Coordinator, Pediatrics - Research, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1998 - 1998
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Pediatrics - Research, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1997 - 1998
Research Scholar, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ben Taub Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1996 - 1997
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Medical Director of Pediatric MERIT, Pediatrics - Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2025 - Present
Rotation Site Director for Medical Students of The University of Houston, Pediatrics - Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - Present
Committee Chair, Medical Records Committee, Medical Records, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2022 - 2024
Committee Vice Chair, Medical Records Committee, Medical Records, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2021 - 2022
Resident Site Director, Pediatric Oncology Rotation for the Pediatric Residency Program of the University of Texas, McGovern Medical School, Children’s Cancer Hospital Outpatient Clinic Pediatric Residency Elective, Pediatrics - Patient Care, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2018 - Present
Interim Clinical Director Pediatric Intensive Care (During scheduled absences of the Medical Director, Rodrigo Mejia MD), Pediatrics - Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2018
Resident Site Director, Pediatric Oncology Rotation for the Pediatric Residency Program of the University of Texas, McGovern Medical School, Pediatrics - Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2007 - Present
Rotation Site Director for Medical Students of The University of Texas, McGovern Medical School, Pediatrics - Patient Care, The University of Texas, McGovern Medical School, Department of Pediatrics, Houston, Texas, 2007 - Present
Other Professional Positions
Medical Staff, Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2017
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Committee Chair, Medical Records Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - 2024
Committee Vice Chair and Department of Pediatrics Representative, Medical Records Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - 2022
Pediatric Department Representative, Sedations and Procedures Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2012 - Present
Pediatric Department Representative, Infection Control Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2008 - 2009
Pediatric Department Representative, Medical Records Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2022
Pediatric Department Replacement Representative, Critical Care Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2019
Pediatric Department Representative, Transfusion & Patient Blood Management Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2005 - Present
Member, Transport Committee, Texas Children's Hospital, 2004 - 2005
Member, Infection Control Committee, Texas Children's Hospital, 2002 - 2005
Honors & Awards
| 2026 | Faculty Educator of the Quarter, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2006 | Presidential Diploma of recognition for the invaluable help and dedication in medicine to improve the health of the people from El Salvador, Ministerio de Salud Publica y Asistencia Social, Republica de El Salvador |
| 1994 | Diploma of Best Research Project for Residents of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guatemalan Social Security Institute, Guatemala City, Guatemala |
| 1991 | Diploma of Best Research Project for all First-Year Residents of the Guatemalan Social Security Institute, Guatemalan Social Security Institute, Guatemala City, Guatemala |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Regional Presentations
- 2004. Impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Asthmatic Children 3-10 years of age and the Role of G and F Glycoproteins. Poster. American Thoracic Society (ATS). Orlando, FL, US.
- 2004. Impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Asthmatic Children 3-10 Years of age and the Role of G and F glycoproteins. Poster. Fellow’s Day. Houston, TX, US.
- 2002. Pulmonary Artery Catheter Review. Conference. Critical Care Section. Houston, TX, US.
- 2001. Life Around Newborn Discharge. Conference. Children's & Woman's Hospital Chapter Update. Grand Rounds. Mobile, AL, US.
National Presentations
- 2019. Oncologic Emergencies in Pediatric Patients. Invited. Second International Symposium of Critical Care in Cancer Patients, Onstead Auditorium, Mitchel Building. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Becoming the Proceduralist. Invited. 2013 Society for Pediatric Sedation Conference, The Omni, Galleria. Houston, TX, US.
International Presentations
- 2019. Sindrome Histiofagocitico en la UCIP. Invited. 1er Congreso Centro Americano y del Caribe de Cuidados Intensivos Pediatricos, Centro de Convenciones, Crown Plaza. San Salvador, SV.
- 2019. El Paciente Oncologico de la ICIP y Sindrome de Liberacion de Citoquinas (Panel/Forum). Invited. 1er Congreso Centro Americano y del Caribe de Cuidados Intensivos Pediatricos. San Salvador, SV.
- 1991. Advances in the treatment of Menopause and Climacterium. Invited. XIX National Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Guatemala City, GT.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- He, J, Munir, F, Ayerbe, C, Dickson, S, Catueno, S, Cuglievan, B, Gibson, A, McCall, DC, Nunez, CA, Roth, M, Tewari, P, Garcia, MB, Rodriguez, NI, Cortes, JA. Managing and Preventing Hypofibrinogenemia in Pediatric and AYA Leukemia Patients. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology 47(5):235-241, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40306291.
- Gardner, MK, Amado, PJ, Baig, M, Mohiuddin, S, Harden, A, Ewing, LJ, Razvi, S, Cortes, JA, Mejia, R, Petropoulos, D, Tewari, P, Ahmad, AH. Implementing Rounding Checklists in a Pediatric Oncologic Intensive Care Unit. Children 9(4), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35455624.
- Ahmad AH, Brown BD, Andersen CR, Mahadeo KM, Petropolous D, Cortes JA, Razvi S, Gardner MK, Ewing LJ, Mejia RE. Retrospective Review of Flexible Bronchoscopy in Pediatric Cancer Patients. Front Oncol 11:770523, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34970488.
- Hayes-Jordan A, Green H, Lin H, Owusu-Agyemang P, Mejia R, Okhuysen-Cawley R, Cortes J, Fitzgerald NE, McAleer MF, Herzog C, Huh WW, Anderson P. Cytoreductive surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) for children, adolescents, and young adults: the first 50 cases. Ann Surg Oncol 22(5):1726-32, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25564159.
Invited Articles
- Stein F, Trevino R, Cortes J. Nosocomial infections in the pediatric intensive care unit. Alpe Adria Microbiology Journal 7(2):111-122, 1998. e-Pub 1998.
- Cortés J, Stein F, Trevino R. Infecciones nosocomiales en la unidad de cuidados intensivos de pediatría. Acta Pediátrica de México 18(6), 1997. e-Pub 1997.
Review Articles
- Ragoonanan D, Khazal SJ, Mejia R, Ewing L, Durand JB, Bashoura L, Tayar J, Dailey Garnes N, Petropoulos D, Tewari P, Bhatti M, Ahmad AH, Cortes J, Razvi S, McBeth K, Swinford R, Shoberu B, Waseemuddin W, Chi L, Gill JB, Zaky W, Daw N, Gutierrez C, Tereffe W, Kebriaei P, Rezvani K, Shpall EJ, Champlin RE, Mahadeo KM. Case Discussion and Literature Review: Cancer Immunotherapy, Severe Immune-Related Adverse Events, Multi-Inflammatory Syndrome, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. Front Oncol 11:625707, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33614514.
Professional Educational Materials
- Okhuysen-Cawley R, Cortés J, Bartke S, Jefferies JL. Pulmonary Artery Catheterization. SCCM, 2002.
Other Articles
- Cortes J Critical appraisal of: Chastre J. Wolff M, Fagon J-Y, et al. Comparison of 8 vs 15 days of antibiotic therapy for ventilator-associated pneumonia in adults: a randomized trial. In The PedsCCM Evidence-based Journal Club, October 28, 2004. JAMA 290:2588-98, 2004.
- Cortes J Critical appraisal of: Goh A, Abdel-Latif M, Lum L, et al. Outcome of children with different accessibility to tertiary intensive care in a developing country - a prospective cohort study. In The PedsCCM Evidence-based Journal Club, June 19, 2004. Intensive Care Med 29:97-102, 2004.
- Thammasitboon S, Cortes J Critical appraisal of: Richard C, Warszawski J, Angurl, et al. Early use of the pulmonary artery catheter and outcomes in patients with shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome. A randomized controlled study. In The PedsCCM Evidence-based Journal Club; March 5, 2004. JAMA 290:2713-20, 2004.
Abstracts
- Taylor JS, Beno J, Cortes JA. Implementation of a hospital-wide massive transfusion protocol at a tertiary cancer center. 2023 ASCO Quality Care Symposium, 2023.
- He J, Munir F, Cortes JA. Management of acquired hypofibrinogenemia in pediatric leukemia. The American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, 2023.
- Hayes-Jordan A, Green H, Lin H, Owusu-Agyemang P, Mejia R, Okhuysen R, Cortes J, et al. Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Interperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in Children and Adolescents: The first 50 cases. At Regional Cancer Therapies Meeting. Steam Boat Springs, CO, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Rizalina M, Okhuysen-Cawley R, Hayes-Jordan A, Green H, Xiao L, Cortes J, Mejia R. Mechanical Ventilation for Pediatric and Young Adult patients undergoing Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy 38(12 Suppl):370, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Cortés J, Jewell A, Schoonover S, Piedra P. Antibody Response in Asthmatic Children to Conserved Regions of G and F Glycoproteins during RSV Season. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 169(7):A896, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Cortés J, Jewell A, Schoonover S, Piedra P. Antibody Response in Asthmatic Children to Conserved Regions of G and F Glycoproteins during RSV Season. Fellows' Day, Baylor College of Medicine 23, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
Book Chapters
- Gardner, MK, Cortes JA. Anemia in the Hematology and Oncology Disorders. In: Pediatric Acute Care: A Guide for Interprofessional Practice 3rd Edition. Elsevier, 2027.
- Cortes JA, Fan K, Mejia R. Oncologic Emergencies in Pediatric Critical Care. In: Oncologic Critical Care, 2nd Edition. 2nd Edition. Springer Nature Switzerland, 1-22, 2026.
- Mohiuddin S, Zaky W, Cortes JA. Overview of Pediatric Cancers, 491-497, 2023.
- Mohiuddin S, Zaky W, Cortes J. Overview of Pediatric Cancers, Perioperative/Peri-Procedural Care of the Pediatric Patients with Cancer. In: Perioperative care of the cancer patient: a comprehensive review textbook. First Edition. Elsevier Health, 2022.
- Cortes J, Mejia R. Oncologic Emergencies in Pediatric Critical Care. In: Oncologic Critical Care. Springer, 1985-2004, 2019.
- Mejia R, Cortes J, G Oncologic DA, Emergencies H, Complications. Oncologic and Hematologic Emergencies and Complications. In: Pediatric Fundamentals of Critical Care Support. Third Edition. Society of Critical Care Medicine, 2018.
- Cortes JA, Mejia RE, Oncologicas E. PROTIPED Programa de Actualización en terapia intensiva Pediátrica. In: Cuarto Ciclo, Modulo 4. Médica Panamericana, 2018.
- Mejia R, Cortes J, De Angulo G. Emergencias y Complicaciones Oncológicas y Hematológicas. In: Fundamentos de Cuidados Críticos en Pediatría, Primera Edición. Society of Critical Care Medicine, 2016.
- Mejia R, Rodriguez N, Cortes J, et al. Oncologic Emergencies and Complications. In: Roger's Textbook of Pediatric Intensive Care. Fifth Edition. Lippincott-Williams & Wilkins Publishers, 1872-93, 2016.
- Mejia R, Cortes J, Angulo D, G. Oncologic and Hematologic Emergencies and Complications. In: Pediatric Fundamentals of Critical Care Support. Second Edition. Society of Critical Care Medicine, (17)1-28, 2013.
- Cortes J, Stein F. Diagnosis and Management of the Child with Acute Lower Airway Disease. In: Pediatric Fundamental Critical Care Support. Society of Critical Care Medicine, 1-14, 2008.
- Mejia R, Cortes J, Brown D, et al. Oncologic Emergencies and Complications. In: Roger's Textbook of Pediatric Intensive Care. Fourth Edition. Lippincott-Williams & Wilkins Publishers, 1710-24, 2008.
- Cortés J, Stein F. Acute Head Injuries in Children. In: Advances in Medicine. ABI Professional Publications, 255-263, 2000.
- Stein F, Cortés J. Pediatric Head Injury. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2000. W.B. Saunders Company, 936-940, 2000.
- Stein F, Cortes J. Pediatric Head Injury. In: Conn's Current Therapy 1999. W.B. Saunders Company, 971-975, 1999.
- Stein F, Cortés J. Life Threatening Airway Obstructions. In: Oski's Pediatrics, Principles and Practice. Lippincot-Williams & Wilkins Publishers, 2181, 1999.
- Stein F, Cortés J. Infusion Devices. In: Oski's Pediatrics, Principles and Practice,. 3 ed. Lippincott-Williams & Wilkins Publishers, 1999.
- Stein F, Cortés J. Temperature Controlling and Sensing Devices. In: Oski's Pediatrics, Principles and Practice. Third. Lippincot-Williams & Wilkins Publishers, 2181-82, 1999.
Books (edited and written)
- Cortés J. Pediatric Hospital: A Need or a Fantasy. Thesis. University of San Carlos of Guatemala, School of Medicine, 1990.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026