Faculty

Thomas Andrews, MD

Associate Professor of Surgery

Meet Tom Andrews: Cardiologist
Dr. Tom Andrews explores the interplay between cancer and the heart.
Dr. Andrews received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiovascular diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Cardiovascular Diseases, and he specializes in research and study of cardiovascular complications related to cancer therapies.

Amit Khera, MD, MSc

Associate Professor of Internal Medicine

Meet Dr. Amit Khera: Preventive Cardiologist
Dr. Amit Khera is a preventive cardiologist at UT Southwestern and hopes to educate the audience of HeartTalks on how to prevent or deal with heart disease.
An expert in cardiac risk assessment and risk factor modification, Dr. Khera earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed a residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, followed by a cardiology fellowship at UT Southwestern. He also holds a Master’s degree in epidemiology from Harvard. Dr. Khera is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and clinical lipidology.

James Wagner, MD

Associate Professor of Internal Medicine

Meet Dr. Jim Wagner: Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Dr. Jim Wagner discusses his plans for MedTalks and what he hopes students can learn from his column.
James Wagner, MD, is an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern and is an Associate Dean in the Office of Student Affairs, where he offers academic and career guidance to current students, recruits new students, and helps organize many of the major activities medical students experience during their career at UT Southwestern, such as new student orientation, the White Coat Ceremony, and Match Day. A dedicated teacher, Dr. Wagner has won several teaching awards. He is a UT System Distinguished Teaching Professor and a member of the Southwestern Academy of Teachers, as well as the University of Texas Academy of Health Science Educators. Dr. Wagner earned his medical degree from UT Southwestern, where he also completed a residency in internal medicine. He has been a UT Southwestern faculty member since 1989.

Lesley Childs, MD

Assistant Professor of Laryngology

Meet Lesley Childs, MD: Assistant Professor of Laryngology
As a recently appointed Assistant Professor of Laryngology in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, it is thrilling for me to combine my musical interests with my passion for medicine at the Clinical Center for Voice Care.

Lesley Childs, MD, joins the faculty at UT Southwestern after completing a fellowship in Laryngology and Neurolaryngology at Columbia and Cornell Universities in New York City. Dr. Childs specializes in the full spectrum of laryngology services and has particular expertise in endoscopic vocal fold surgery, thyroplasty and vocal fold augmentation, office-based treatment of voice disorders, laser surgery of the vocal fold, care of the professional voice, and management of airway disease and swallowing dysfunction. Dr. Childs, who cares for both adults and children, has authored several scientific articles and book chapters in the field of laryngology and neurolaryngology. She is also a vocalist herself, with professional recording experience.

Lona Sandon, MEd, RD, LD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Nutrition

Lona Sandon, MEd, RD, LD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center. As an American Dietetic Association Spokesperson, she puts scientifically based nutrition information into consumer friendly language for the public. Ms. Sandon was named the 2005 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year by the Texas Dietetic Association and received the 2006 Dallas Dietetic Association Excellence in Media Award and the 2007 Excellence in Media Award from the Texas Dietetic Association. Ms. Sandon holds a Masters of Education in Education Technology from the University of Texas, Brownsville and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Minnesota. She completed a one-year dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics (now Fairview University Hospital). Ms. Sandon has a personal interest in wellness and sports nutrition and exercise. She is a certified fitness instructor by the American Council on Exercise and a Level III YogaFit instructor. Daily exercise of cycling, aerobics, yoga, or weight training is just her way of life. She has ten years experience in leading fitness and wellness classes for multiple health and fitness centers. She is frequently contacted to speak for community events and employee health and wellness programs.

Munro Cullum, PhD

Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology and Neurotherapeutics

Dr. Munro Cullum is a clinical neuropsychologist and professor of psychiatry and neurology and neurotherapeutics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He has helped design concussion testing programs for teams in the NFL and NHL for more than a decade. 

Jeffrey Kahn, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor

Jeffrey S. Kahn, M.D., Ph.D., is a pediatrician board ceritfied in both general pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases. His major areas of interests are viral infections, respiratory infections, and newly emerging viral pathogens.