Dr. Richard A Ehlers II, MD, FACS

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Get to know Surgical Oncologist Dr. Richard A. Ehlers II, who serves patients in Houston, Texas.

A board-certified and fellowship-trained surgical oncologist, Dr. Ehlers II is the Executive Medical Director and Associate Vice President of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, overseeing all of MD Anderson’s Houston area locations outside of the Texas Medical Center. He has a special interest in the treatment of patients with breast cancer and melanoma.

Born and raised in Vernon, Texas, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rice University in 1991 and went on to receive his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1995, with a Master of Science degree following in 1999.

Following his medical education, Dr. Ehlers II completed his residency training in the Department of Surgery at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 2002. He then became a Fellow and Clinical Specialist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he honed his skills in surgical oncology and critical care.

In pursuit of clinical excellence, the doctor attained board certification in surgical oncology and general surgery through the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The ABS is an independent, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.

Achieving fellowship status, he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Fellow of the American Society of Breast Surgeons (FASBS), and Fellow of the Society of Surgical Oncology (FSSO). In addition, he is an active member of the American Association for Physician Leadership, the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Society for American Baseball Research, and the Harris County Medical Society.

In his professional experience, Dr. Ehlers II maintains hospital appointments at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center, St Luke’s Woodlands Hospital, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, Memorial Hermann Pearland, Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital, and Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital.

Passionate about teaching, he serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Breast Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, as well as Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Surgical oncology is the branch of surgery applied to oncology. It focuses on the surgical management of tumors, especially cancerous tumors. A surgical oncologist removes the tumor and nearby tissue during surgery. He or she also performs certain types of biopsies to help diagnose cancer.

With his impressive background and commitment to patient care, Dr. Ehlers II is a highly respected member of the medical community and has received several honors and awards, including the Smoke Free Spokesman award from the American Cancer Society (2006), the Singleton Surgical Society Scientific Award (1999), the Jeanne B. Kempner Scholar Award (1998), the Outstanding Surgical PG-1 House Officer award (1996), and the Herman A. Barnett Memorial Award for Outstanding Performance in Anesthesiology and General Surgery (1995).

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