Alumni Spotlight: Austen Watkins, D.O.
If you're looking for a kind, hard-working, professional physiatrist in Fort Worth, look for Austen Watkins, D.O. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Dr. Watkins played baseball at Texas Christian University and went to medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center – Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine before venturing over to Dallas for residency with us.
He graduated in 2015 after winning multiple awards, such as the Arete Award (citizenship) in 2014 and 2015, and Senior Resident of the Year in 2015. He also served as one of our Chief Residents.
Where He Is Now
He works at PMR Fort Worth, where he has been since graduation. His practice is predominantly electrodiagnostic studies and general physiatry with occasional hospital consults and IRF coverage.
Dr. Watkins has the privilege of intermittently training medical students and the Baylor Dallas PM&R residents in his practice. In addition to being named a “Top Doc” numerous times by Fort Worth Magazine, he won the Baylor Dallas PM&R Teaching Faculty Award in 2026.
He notes enjoying the autonomy of private practice but admits that running a business can be challenging at times. He states that work is a labor of love and that he enjoys sharing the business with his physician partners, who are like a second family.
Outside of medicine, he has two rapidly growing teenagers he is raising with his wife, who is an elementary school teacher.
Future Career Plans
His five-year plan is to sustain and perhaps grow and to continue contributing to the group's overall practice.
Favorite Memory of Residency
“I do not have a specific memory, but I certainly cherished the time that I spent with the co-residents in my class,” he says. “I am also forever grateful for all the time, knowledge, and wisdom that my attendings shared with me.”
He added, “Terri is the best! She ALWAYS treated me like family, advocated for the residents, and made our time in residency fun.”