Dr. Abel R. Longoria, MD

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Get to know Emergency Physician Dr. Abel R. Longoria, who serves patients throughout the State of Texas.

A seasoned emergency physician, Dr. Longoria leads the team that designs, builds, and operates Elite Care, a freestanding emergency department (FSED) with offices in Houston and League City, Texas.

Raised in a small south Texas town that had no type of health care facility within 15 miles away, he understands the importance of access to health care and believes that FSEDs will serve this purpose regardless of the economic world that currently exists.

Academically, Dr. Longoria graduated with his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine in 1995, and completed his residency in emergency medicine at Henry Ford Hospital in 1998.

An authority in his field, the doctor is board-certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). The ABEM is one of 24 medical specialty certification boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

An active member of Greater Houston Emergency Physicians (GHEP) since 1998, he was an integral part in GHEP opening Elite Care, their first FSED. It was during this time that he realized what it entailed to build, license, and manage an FSED. He now serves as the Vice President of FSEDs at GHEP.

In addition to his Elite Care & GHEP duties, Dr. Longoria is a charter member of the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC), and has served on the board since its inception. He has played an integral part in growing TAFEC from a group that represented only 3 companies, to an organization that represents 150 FSEDs throughout Texas. In this role, his goals are to continue to educate legislators, physicians, and the community about the FSED industry.

The doctor also continues to be active in the prehospital arena, serving as the “Medical Director of Ground Zero” for the 14 days immediately after 9-11. His numerous years of pre-hospital care were recognized in 2008, when he was awarded the EMS Medical Director of the Year Award for the Greater Houston Area.

Throughout his career, Dr. Longoria has not been limited to medicine, serving as an officer in the US Army, during Desert Storm. In this capacity, his duties included being the 2nd in command of a Scout Company. His efforts in the war were recognized by the Division Commander who awarded him the Bronze Star for meritorious service while rescuing 4 soldiers and their equipment that had been trapped 20 miles behind enemy lines. Later, he was reactivated during Iraqi Freedom, serving as a physician.

Emergency medicine, also known as accident and emergency medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with the care of illnesses or injuries requiring immediate medical attention. An emergency physician works in an emergency department to care for acutely ill or injured patients on an unscheduled basis.

Happily married in 1986, Dr. Longoria and his wife, Mary, have four children, Alexandria, and triplets, Maria Alicia, Daniel, and Julian.

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