As a foregut surgeon, she blends advanced research, team-based expertise and accessible education to guide patients through conditions that are often chronic and confusing.
Dr. Furay practices at the Texas Center for Esophageal and Foregut Surgery, part of the clinical practice of Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. The medical school anchors a broader effort underway at the university: the creation of a next-generation academic medical center designed to expand local access to advanced care, powered by data, research and technology. As a professor in Dell Med’s Department of Surgery & Perioperative Care, Dr. Furay is at the forefront of that effort.
What led Dr. Furay into foregut surgery?
Surgery has always been personal for Dr. Furay. Growing up with a father who was a general surgeon, she saw early on how hands-on medical care could transform a community.
That early exposure eventually led her back to Austin, where she completed her residency and discovered a pathway she hadn’t anticipated.
She was drawn to foregut surgery because of its combination of complexity, continuity and emerging need.
“I realized that this was ... a neglected part of the GI tract in surgery, and there was not a whole lot of expertise in it,” Dr. Furay said.
That mix of complexity, long-term relationships and unmet need is what drew her to foregut surgery—and what continues to motivate her today.
She treats conditions ranging from reflux disease and motility disorders to esophageal and stomach cancers, often using minimally invasive or robotic techniques that can shorten recovery times and improve outcomes.
Because foregut surgery is still considered a young subspecialty, Dr. Furay and her colleagues are helping to shape the field itself. In addition to research, that includes efforts to standardize care, improve outcomes and expand the options available to patients.
“Right now, ... we’re unifying as foregut surgeons to try to gather data to answer the questions of, ‘How should we provide patients care? Who should we operate on? Who should we not?’” Dr. Furay said.
She also contributes to research focused on next-generation tools—including new devices, implantables and mesh technologies—to give patients more options beyond long-term medication.
That spirit of discovery is shared across Dell Med and the emerging medical center, where clinicians and researchers collaborate across disciplines to drive health innovations with real-world impact. It's part of a larger effort to create a new model for care, where research, education and clinical excellence converge—right here in Austin.
What has changed for patients in recent years?
Today’s surgical experience looks vastly different from even a few years ago. Laparoscopic and robotic options now allow many patients to return home the same day, instead of spending several days in the hospital.
But innovation isn’t just happening in the operating room. One of the most significant shifts is in how care is delivered. At the Texas Center for Esophageal and Foregut Surgery, patients are supported by a coordinated team that includes:
- Gastroenterologists
- A dietitian
- A social worker trained in cognitive behavioral therapy
- Nurse practitioners
- Advanced practice providers
Dr. Furay encourages anyone experiencing persistent upper GI symptoms to reach out, especially if medications have stopped working, or if they feel unclear about their options.
“Our goal in life is to be like the ‘easy button.’ ... You just call one number, you talk to our team and we’ll figure out where you need to go,” Dr. Furay said.
Foregut conditions can affect people at any age. Increasingly, younger patients are learning that there are more options than medication alone—and that expert, coordinated care is now available in Austin, not just in other cities.
What keeps Dr. Furay motivated?
For her, the answer is simple: the patients.
The most meaningful part of her work is seeing someone move from daily discomfort to restored quality of life. Helping people navigate lifelong conditions—and stay connected to care over time—is what continues to inspire her work as both a surgeon and a teacher.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Furay and her team or to schedule an appointment.
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
