Physicians & Staff

Ira L. Flax, M.D., P.A., MACG
Partner and Physician
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Dr. Flax believes that spending time with patients and maintaining a healthy involvement in the community have contributed significantly to the growth of this West Houston practice, one of the state’s finest. Aside from his role as managing partner of Digestive and Liver Specialists for more than 20 years, he has served on the board of trustees of the American College of Gastroenterology for six years, chairing a variety of committees along 
the way.

He’s been active on the state and local levels as well, including an extended chairmanship of the Texas Alliance for Digestive Diseases and a term as president of the Harris County Medical Society, western branch. He also served as chief of staff of Memorial Hospital in Memorial City, in addition to chairing numerous departments and committees there.

Yet with all he’s seen and done over the past three decades, Dr. Flax still says the best part of his day is sitting down and speaking with patients. This is why when patients learn about test results, they always speak to a person on the other end of the line. As he says, “We believe in nurturing and supporting our patients throughout the healing process.

EDUCATION

  • 1968–1971, B.S. Chemistry: University of Richmond, Richmond, VA
  • 1971–1974, M.D.: Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA
  • 1974–1975, Internship: Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
  • 1975–1977, Residency: Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
  • 1977–1979, Fellowship: Gastroenterology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA

HONORS

  • Phi Beta Kappa, University of Richmond
  • Gamma Sigma Epsilon Honorary
  • Chemistry Fraternity

LICENSURE

  • Texas – 1976

BOARD CERTIFICATION

  • Diplomat of National Board of Medical Examiners – 1975
  • American Board of Internal Medicine – 1977
  • American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology – 1979

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

  • Fellow, American College of Gastroenterology
  • American College of Physicians
  • American Gastroenterological Association
  • American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
  • American Medical Association
  • Harris County Medical Society
  • Texas Medical Society
  • Texas Society for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy

OFFICES/COMMITTEES

  • Board of Trustees, American College of Gastroenterology, 2001-2007
  • Chairman, Practice Management Committee, American College of Gastroenterology, 2002-2004
  • Chairman, Finance and Budget Committee, American College of Gastroenterology, 1996-2002
  • Managing Partner, Digestive & Liver Specialists, 1989 to present
  • Chairman, Texas Alliance for Digestive Diseases, 1995 to present
  • Chief of Staff, Memorial Hospital-Memorial City, 1997
  • Member, Memorial Hermann Hospital System Board, 1997
  • Joint Hospital Advisory Board, Memorial Systems, 1996-1997
  • Finance and Budget Committee, American College of Gastroenterology, 1994-1996
  • Chairman, Department of Medicine, Memorial Hospital-Memorial City, 1995
  • President, Harris County Medical Society, Western Branch, 1990
  • Executive Committee, Harris County Medical Society, 1990
  • Vice President, Harris County Medical Society, Western Branch, 1989