Myrna Katalina Serna, MD, MPH
Department of Hospital Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Proffesor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2022 | Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, US, Concentration: Clinical Effectiveness, MPH |
| 2016 | Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US, Diploma in Tropical Medicine, MD |
| 2012 | University of Houston, Houston, Texas, US, Major: Biology, Minors: History, Chemistry, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| null-2019 | Internship, Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Maimi, FL |
| null-2020 | Chief Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Maimi, FL |
| null-2022 | Research Fellowship, Harvard–Brigham Research Fellowship in Hospital Medicine, Boston, MA |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2020 | Texas Medical License |
| 2019 | American Board of Internal Medicine Certification |
Experience & Service
Other Professional Positions
Instructor, Nocturnist, Harvard Medical School, 2020 - 2022
Staff Physician, VITAS Hospice, 2019 - 2020
Instructor, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, 2019 - 2020
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) Hispanic Aging Council (HAC), University of Texas Medical Branch, 2023 - Present
Co-Chair, Palliative Medicine Interest Group, Society of General Internal Medicine, 2023 - Present
Affiliate Investigator, Center for Health System Improvement (CHI), University of Texas Medical Branch, 2023 - Present
Core Faculty (Journal Club), Internal Medicine Residency Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, 2023 - Present
Steering Committee Member, Research Basics Series, Internal Medicine Residency Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, 2022 - Present
Member, Graduate Medical Education Quality Improvement Subcommittee, University of Texas Medical Branch, 2022 - Present
Physician Champion, Speaking About Goals and Expectations (SAGE), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 2021 - 2022
Member, Internal Medicine Residency Program Admissions Committee, University of Miami/ Jackson Memorial Hospital, 2019 - 2022
Honors & Awards
| Terry Foundation Scholarship, University of Houston | |
| Vivian L. Smith Foundation Endowed Scholarship, Baylor College of Medicine | |
| Comb Class Endowed Scholarship, Baylor College of Medicine | |
| Libby Family Endowed Scholarship, Baylor College of Medicine | |
| Houston Premedical Academy (BS/MD scholarship), University of Houston and Baylor College of Medicine | |
| Semi-Finalist, Brigham Care Redesign Incubator Start-Up (BCRISP) | |
| Fellow, Sealy Center on Aging, University of Texas Medical Branch | |
| Associate Fellow, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health , University of Texas Medical Branch | |
| Funding recipient, awarded $2,500 to attend the 2023 AAMC Minority Faculty Leadership Development Seminar, Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development , University of Texas Medical Branch |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2025. Serious Illness Conversations: My Research Journey. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Serious Illness Conversations: Exploring Patient Priorities to Provide Patient Centered Care. Invited. Galveston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Journal Club. Invited. Galveston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Journal Club. Invited. Galveston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Serious Illness Conversations: Aligning Our Care with Patient Priorities. Invited. Galveston, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2024. Serious Illness Conversations: Aligning Our Care with Patient Priorities. Galveston, Texas, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. Prognostication in Serious Illness. Invited. Salt Lake City, Utah, US.
- 2025. Prognostication in Serious Illness Workshop. Poster. Prognostication in Serious Illness Workshop. Hollywood, Florida, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2023 - 2024 |
| Title: | Center for Health-System Improvement (CHI) – Pilot project, Epidemiology of Mental Illness and Cognitive Disorders in Correctional Healthcare |
| Funding Source: | University of Texas Medical Branch |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2023 - 2024 |
| Title: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas RP210130 – Pilot project, Sex Differences in Healthcare Utilization and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Texas Medicare Decedents with Colorectal and Lung Cancer |
| Funding Source: | University of Texas Medical Branch |
| Role: | Other |
| Date: | 2022 - 2025 |
| Title: | National Institute on Aging P30AG059301 – Pilot project, A Mixed Methods Study to Assess Sex Differences in Inpatient Care Among Hispanic Elders |
| Funding Source: | University of Texas Medical Branch |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | NIH/NIA P30-AG024832 – UTMB OAIC RL5 Scholar, Optimizing Serious Illness Communication with Hospitalized Hispanic Patients |
| Funding Source: | University of Texas Medical Branch |
| Role: | Other |
Selected Publications
Other Articles
- Serna MK, Leach B, Polychronopoulou E, O’Mahoney S, Raji M, Kuo YF Sex and Racial/Ethnic Differences in End-of-Life Care in Texan Medicare Colorectal Cancer Decedents. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. Published online May 23, 2025:10499091251344948. doi:10.1177/10499091251344948, 2025.
- Serna MK, Yoon C, Fiskio J, Lakin JR, Dalal AK, Schnipper JL Using implementation science to encourage Serious Illness Conversations on general medicine inpatient services: An interrupted time series. Journal of Hospital Medicine. 2025;20(5):437–445. doi:10.1002/jhm.13537, 2025.
- Serna MK, Yoon C, Fiskio J, Lakin JR, Schnipper JL, Dalal AK A Mixed Methods Analysis of Standardized Documentation of Serious Illness Conversations Within an Electronic Health Record Module During Hospitalization. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2025;42(1):14–19. doi:10.1177/10499091241228269, 2025.
- Dalal AK, Plombon S, Konieczny K, et al Adverse diagnostic events in hospitalized patients: a single-centre, retrospective cohort study. BMJ Qual Saf. 2025;34(6):377–388. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2024-017183, 2025.
- Serna MK, Rajagopal S, Sahai SK, Raji M Addressing the Need for Universal Cognitive Assessment Among Older Adults With Congestive Heart Failure. Cureus. Published online June 21, 2024. doi:10.7759/cureus.62838, 2024.
- Serna MK, Sadang KG, Vollbrecht HB, et al Identification of Hospitalized Patients Who May Benefit From a Serious Illness Conversation Using the Readmission Risk Score Combined With the Surprise Question. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety. 2024;50(7):842–848. doi:10.1016/j.jcjq.2024.08.003, 2024.
- Serna MK, Yoon C, Fiskio J, Lakin JR, Schnipper J, Dalal AK The Association of Standardized Documentation of Serious Illness Conversations With Healthcare Utilization in Hospitalized Patients: A Propensity Score Matched Cohort Analysis. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2024;41(5):479–485. doi:10.1177/10499091231186188, 2024.
- Rajagopal S, Alirwaii F, Mavratas V, Serna MK, Murthy VJ, Raji M Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in the Treatment of Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy: From Mechanisms of Action to Clinical Applications. Cureus. Published online December 30, 2023. doi:10.7759/cureus.51532, 2023.
- Serna MK, Risio K, Yoon C, et al Who Gets (and Who Should Get) a Serious Illness Conversation in the Hospital? An Analysis of Readmission Risk Score in an Electronic Health Record. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2023;40(6):652–657. doi:10.1177/10499091221129602, 2023.
- Stewart MD, Deng JM, Stewart CA, et al Mice Harboring Gnrhr E90K, a Mutation that Causes Protein Misfolding and Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism in Humans, Exhibit Testis Size Reduction and Ovulation Failure. Molecular Endocrinology. 2012;26(11):1847–1856. doi:10.1210/me.2012-1072, 2012.
- Zhong R, Serna MK, Farroni J, Digbeu B, Baillargeon G, Pulinvo J, Penn J, Murray O, Baillargeon J Psychotropic Polypharmacy in The Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
- Serna MK, Polychronopoulou E, Goodrich M, O’Mahoney S, Raji M, Kuo YF Sex and Racial/Ethnic Differences and Trends in Cancer Patient Experience and Communication in the Last Year of Life: A National Analysis of SEER-CAHPS Data.
- Zhong R, Serna MK, Farroni J, Digbeu B, Baillargeon G, Pulinvo J, Penn J, Murray O, Baillargeon J. Psychotropic Polypharmacy in The Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
- Serna MK, Belalcazar M Improving Medical Student Comfort with Serious Illness Communication.
- Serna MK, Polychronopoulou E, Ramachandran A, Rodriguez A, Goodrich M, O’Mahoney S, Raji M, Kuo YF Sex and Ethnic and Racial Differences in End-of-Life Care in Texan Lung Cancer Decedents. Journal of Palliative Medicine. (pending full publication).
Abstracts
- Maldonado C, Mushtaq M, Malik H, Serna MK. Severe hypocalcemia in the setting of acute pancreatitis, a case report. American College of Physicians Texas Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting 2025.
- Diller E, Schffner D, Serna MK. Vaping Associated Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: An Unusual Presentation of Electronic-Vaping Associated Lung Injury. American College of Chest Physicians Meeting 2025.
- Serna MK,, Ramachandran A, Rodriguez A, Polychronopoulou E, Raji M, Kuo YF. Sex, Ethnic and Racial Differences in End-of-Life Care in Texan Lung Cancer Decedents. Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) Annual Conference 2025.
- Rodriguez A, Ramachandran A., Polychronopoulou E, Raji M, Kuo YF, Serna MK. Sex Differences in End-of-Life Care in Texan Lung Cancer Decedents. American College of Physicians Texas Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting 2025.
- Serna MK, Polychronopoulou E, Raji M, Kuo YF. Racial Disparities and Trends in Patient Experience and Communication Among Cancer Patients in the Last Year of Life: A National Analysis of SEER-CAHPS Data. Society of Hospital Medicine Converge 2025.
- Serna MK, Ramachandran A, Rodriguez A, Polychronopoulou E, Raji M, Kuo YF. Sex, Ethnic and Racial Differences in End-of-Life Care in Texan Lung Cancer Decedents. Society of Hospital Medicine Conference 2025.
- Tao A, Alsharif T, Kim E, Chatterjee A, Serna MK. A Heartache with a Hidden Cause: A Manifestation of Cardiac Sarcoidosis. American College of Physicians Texas Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting 2025.
- Serna MK, Deng J, Stewart A, Gonzalez G, Huang CC, Steward MD, Beringer Richard. Mouse Models of Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism for Testing Pharmacological Chaperones. Houston Premedical Academy Research Symposium 2011 Annual Meeting ; Baylor College of Medicine.
- Raju GS, Lum P, Serna MK, Rosa WA, Davila MR, Lynch PM, Rithnarmvish S, Lee J, Miller F, Bhutani MS, Rashid A, Shafi MA, Weston BR, Breslauer MS, Mihas I, Sbrocchi M. Outcome for Referral to an Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Center as an Alternative to Surgery in Patients with Large and Flat Colon Tumors. National Student Research Forum 2016 Annual Meeting; University of Texas Medical Branch.
- Cai CY, Ling-Chen C, Serna MK, Rios C, Arney J, Niravath PA. Assessing the Breast Cancer Survivorship Needs Among the Uninsured and Underinsured. Baylor College of Medicine Research Symposium 2016 Annual Meeting.
- Panara A, Carver A, Crawford M, Serna MK, Daver R, Debose-Scarlett A, Debs L, Feldman PA, Barkin JS. Polyethylene Glycol + Bisacodyl Bowel Preparation is an Efficacious and Tolerable Bowel Preparation Regimen for Screening and Surveillance Colonoscopies in a VA Population. Eugène J. Saylé Research Day 2018; University of Miami.
- Serna MK, Martin EF, Pisan I, Kwon D, Madrazo B. Clinical Features and Imaging Findings in Early HCC: An Interdisciplinary, Retrospective Study. Eugene J. Saylé Research Day 2019, University of Miami.
- Serna MK, Lakin J, Plombon S, Fiskio J, Schnipper JL, Dalal AK. A mixed methods analysis of documented serious illness conversations on general medicine inpatient services. Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) Annual Conference 2021. Abstract. JGM 2021;36(Suppl 1):S28–S29. PMID: N/A.
- Serna MK, Lakin J, Plombon S, Fiskio J, Schnipper JL, Dalal AK. Addressing Hopes, Priorities and Concerns: Could Readmission Risk Identify Patients Who Benefit from Serious Illness Conversations During Hospitalization?. Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) Converge 2021.
- Sadang KG, Serna MK, Vollbrecht H, Fiskio J, Dalal A, Schnipper JL. Can the Epic readmission risk score aid in identifying patients who may benefit from a serious illness conversation?. University of California San Francisco (UCSF) R01kick Colloquium 2022.
- Serna MK, Yoon C, Fiskio J, Plombon S, Schnipper JL, Dalal AK. Who gets (and who should get) a serious illness conversation in the hospital? An analysis of electronic health record factors. Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) Converge 2022. PMCID: N/A.
- Serna MK, Joon C, Fiskio J, Plombon S, Schnipper JL, Dalal AK. Who gets (and who should get) a serious illness conversation in the hospital? An analysis of electronic health record factors. University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Forum on Aging 2022. PMCID: N/A.
- Rajagopal S, Serna MK, Pujari SH, Khan F, Koushik V, Raji M. Addressing the Need for Universal Cognitive Assessment Among Older Adults with Congestive Heart Failure. UTMB Forum on Aging 2023.
- Serna MK, Sadang KG, Vollbrecht HB, Joon C, Fiskio J, Plombon S, Lakin J, Dalal AK, Schnipper JL. Identifying Hospitalized Patients Who May Benefit from Serious Illness Conversations. Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) Annual Conference 2023.
- Serna MK, Joon C, Fiskio J, Plombon S, Lakin J, Dalal AK, Schnipper JL. Encouraging Serious Illness Conversation in the General Medicine Inpatient Setting. Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) Annual Conference 2023.
- Serna MK, Sadang KG, Vollbrecht HB, Joon C, Fiskio J, Plombon S, Lakin J, Dalal AK, Schnipper JL. Identifying Hospitalized Patients Who May Benefit from Serious Illness Conversations. Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) Converge 2023.
- Serna MK, Joon C, Fiskio J, Plombon S, Lakin J, Dalal AK, Schnipper JL. Encouraging Serious Illness Conversation in the General Medicine Inpatient Setting. Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) Converge 2023.
- Serna MK, Polychronopoulou E, Kuo Y, Sahai S, Raji M, Wong B, Berenson A. Sex Differences in Advance Care Planning Outcomes: A local study. UTMB Forum on Aging 2023.
- Serna MK, Polychronopoulou E, Kuo Y, Sahai S, Raji M, Wong B, Berenson A. Sex Differences in Advance Care Planning Outcomes: A local study. UTMB Forum on Aging 2023.
- Leach B., Polychronopoulou E, Kuo YF, Raji M, Serna MK. Ethnic and Racial Differences in End-of-Life Care in Texan Colorectal Cancer Decedents. UTMB Annual Forum on Aging 2024.
- Leach B., Polychronopoulou E, Kuo YF, Raji M, Serna MK. Ethnic and Racial Differences in End-of-Life Care in Texan Colorectal Cancer Decedents. Gerontological Society of America (GSA) 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting.
- Leach B, Polychronopoulou E, Kuo YF, Raji M, Serna MK. Ethnic and Racial Differences in End-of-Life Care in Texan Colorectal Cancer Decedents. 2024 Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Poster Session.
- Diller E, Schffner D, Serna MK. Vaping Associated Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: An Unusual Presentation of Electronic-Vaping Associated Lung Injury. Texas Chapter Regional American College of Physicians (ACP) Scientific Meeting 2024.
- Serna MK, Polychronopoulou E, Kuo Y, Sahai S, Raji M, Risomna F, Berenson A. Sex, Ethnic and Racial Differences in Healthcare Utilization and Advance Care Planning Outcomes in Older, Hospitalized Patients. Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) Annual Conference 2024.
- Ramachandran A, Rodriguez A, Polychronopoulou E, Raji M, Kuo YF, Serna MK. Racial and Ethnic Differences in End-of-Life Care in Texan Lung Cancer Decedents. UTMB Annual Forum on Aging 2024.
- Alsharif T, Chatterjee A, Kim E, Mayugba Y, Anasak S, Jimale M, Sood R, Serna MK. Multisystemic AL Amyloidosis Presenting as Adrenal Insufficiency, Nephrotic Syndrome and Neuropathy. American College of Physicians Texas Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting 2025.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026