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David A. Horst, M.D.
1110 Milford Street, Houston, TX 77006, 303-995-0884. [email protected]
I am a highly experienced neonatologist with over twenty years of experience in Level Four Neonatal Intensive Care Units, including ten years as a NICU Medical Director in two of the largest NICUs in HCA. I have successfully developed support for more complex neonatal care by leading subspecialty recruitment and building programs including ECMO, hypothermia, and pediatric and cardiovascular surgery. I have a record of successfully generating new business through outreach and partnerships with regional hospital systems in Colorado and Texas. My practice leadership focuses on achieving clinical excellence while fostering positive team dynamics and culture. In the last five years, I have expanded Pediatrix Neonatology of Houston by consolidating three neonatology practices in Houston to better align with HCA’s operations in the Gulf Coast Division. I am an engaged medical staff member who partners with hospitals and leads physicians.
Education
Bachelor of science | 1985-1989 | Texas Christian university
- Major: Biology
- Minor: Chemistry
Medical education | 1993-2003 | Baylor college of medicine
- MD: 1993-1997
- Pediatrics Residency: 1997-2000
- Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship: 2000-2003
Honors and Awards
- National Merit Finalist, July 1985
- Graduate of Texas Christian University cum laude with honors, 1989
- Adeline P. Landa Post-doctoral Fellowship Award, 2001
- Arnold J. Rudolph Award for outstanding teaching, patient care, scientific inquiry and professional integrity, Baylor College of Medicine Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program, 2003
- “5280 Top Doc” for Denver, 5280 Magazine, 2016, 2017, 2018
Board Eligibility/Certification
- American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, October 2001-2008
- American Board of Pediatrics, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, November 2005 - present
- Neonatal Advanced Life Support, 1997-present
Work Experience
GULF COAST DIVISION AND THE WOMAN’S HOSPITAL OF TEXAS, 2019-2024
- Stabilized and grew Pediatrix Neonatology of Houston
- Completely revamped daily NICU operations, including teams' structure and culture, patient assignment, and workflow to improve continuity and communication for patients, families, and nursing staff at Woman’s
- Successfully recruited ten neonatologists in competition with Texas Children's Hospital. There are currently no openings, and there is a waiting list.
- Stabilized the NNP program. Recruited 16 NNPs (from 4 to 21) at Woman’s Hospital
- Added three transport NNPs to staff the Air Life transport team
- Grew newborn service from 100-200 patient days a month to 1600-2000 a month
- Recruited 8 Pediatric NPs to staff the newborn service efficiently
- Recruited a director to start a neonatal clinical research program, the only one in the HCA enterprise working with the HCA Research Institute
- Collaborated with Practice Directors to consolidate three separate neonatology services for Pediatrix in Houston, aligning with the HCA Gulf Coast Division and growing to 56 Neonatologists and 90 Advanced Practitioners
- Clinical Programs at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas
- Partnered in the startup of patient navigation, including multidisciplinary meetings at TWHT, now navigating 60-80 patients a month with four navigators
- Started an ECMO program
- Recruited a fetal cardiologist partner to start a fetal cardiology program, which created 1500-2000 NICU patient days a year, provided 30% of the navigated mothers, and created the pipeline for the future cardiovascular surgery program
- Recruited pediatric surgeons and facilitated the transition from a university program to an aligned private practice, resulting in a significant increase in surgical cases, NICU days, and decreased outmigration
- Recruited Pediatric Hematology, which added 1500-2000 NICU patient days a year
- Started Genetic Counseling and organized all testing, decreasing cost and turnaround time, and closing the loop on follow-up for families
- Recruited Pediatric Nephrology, allowing us to support ECMO and decrease outmigration
- Used targeted outreach to increase neonatal transfers from 100 to 250 a year
Patient care
- Attending Neonatologist in Level I, II, III, and IV NICUs at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, HCA Houston Clearlake, HCA Houston Southeast, HCA Houston Conroe, HCA Houston Kingwood, HCA Houston Northwest, HCA Houston Tomball. 2019-present
- Attending Neonatologist in Level I, II, III, and IV NICUs at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s, Aurora South Hospital, Avista Adventist Hospital, Saint Anthony’s North Medical Center and Swedish Medical Center in Denver, CO. 2006-2019
- Attending Neonatologist in Level III NICU at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, CO. 2018-2019
- Attending Neonatologist in Level I, II, III, and IV NICUs at Texas Children’s Hospital, Ben Taub General Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Methodist Hospital in Houston, TX, 2003-2006
- ECMO experience
- Texas Children’s Hospital Neonatology Fellow 2000-2003, Neonatology Attending 2003-2006.
- Participated in program startup and attended Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children 2009-2014
- The Woman’s Hospital of Texas program startup and attending ECMO physician 2020-present
health organization participation
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Fellow, 1997-present
- Member, Committee on Maternal and Perinatal Health, Texas Medical Association, Dec 2004-2006
- Alternate Delegate, Texas Medical Association House of Delegates, Harris County Medical Society, 2005-2006
Administrative
- Practice Medical Director, Pediatrix Neonatology of Houston, 2019-present
- HCA Neonatal Physician Advisor, 2025-present
- NICU Medical Director, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2019-present
- Neonatology Medical Director, HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division, 2019-Present
- Chief of Staff, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2025-present
- Member, Medical Executive Committee, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2019-present
- Board Member, Board of Trustees, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2021-present
- Board Member, Houston March of Dimes, 2021-present
- Vice Chief of Staff, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2023-2024
- Member, Credentialing Committee, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2019-2021
- Medical Director, NICU, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian Saint-Luke’s Hospital, 2014-2019
- Practice Medical Director, Rocky Mountain Neonatology, 2015-2019
- Neonatal Services Chair, Presbyterian Saint-Luke's Hospital, 2016-2018
- Member, Medical Executive Committee, Presbyterian Saint-Luke's Hospital, 2016-2019
- Quality Management Committee Chair, Presbyterian Saint-Luke's Hospital, 2018-2019
- Medical Director, NICU, Avista Adventist Hospital, 2008-2014
- Perinatal Division Chief, Avista Adventist Hospital, 2010-2014
- Member, Medical Executive Committee, Avista Adventist Hospital, 2010-2014
- Medical Director, NICU, Saint Anthony North Hospital, 2011-2013
- Medical Director, NICU, Saint Anthony Summit Medical Center, 2011-2014
- Member, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Committee, Newborn Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 2002-2006
- Member, Cardiopulmonary Care, Hematology, and Environment Clinical Review Committee, Newborn Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 2002-2006
- Member, Perinatal Advisory Committee, Texas Children's Hospital, 2004-2006
TEACHING
- English Teacher, Japanese Ministry of Education, Ichikawa, Japan, 1990-1991
- Special Education Teacher, Hope Alternative School, Houston, TX, 1991-1993
academic appointments
- Clinical Professor, University of Houston College of Medicine, 2020-present
- Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, 2003-2006
- Clinical Instructor, Baylor College of Medicine, 2001-2003
Clinical laboratory
- Independent research in gastrointestinal development. June 2003-2006
- Clinical Post-doctoral Fellow in Saul Karpen, M.D., PhD. Laboratory July 2000-June 2003
Publications
- Full papers:
- P. F. Terranova, J. Th. J. Uilenbroek, L. Saville, D. Horst and Y.Nakamura, “Serotonin enhances oestradiol production by hamster preovulatory follicles in vitro: effects of experimentally induced atresia,” Journal of Endocrinology. °125(3):433-8, Jun 1990.
- Fernandes CJ, Horst DA, O'donovan DJ “Nasopharyngeal surfactant administration to prevent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.” J Perinatol. 2005 May;25(5):361-2.
- Stoll B, Horst DA, Cui L, Chang X, Ellis KJ, Hadsell DL, Suryawan A, Kurundakar A, Maheshwari A, Davis TA, Burrin DG, “Chronic parenteral nutrition induces hepatic inflammation, steatosis and insulin resistance in neonatal pigs,” Journal of Nutrition. 2010 Dec; 140(12);2193-200.
- Abstracts:
- “Nuclear Receptor Regulation of mrp2” 60th Perinatal & Developmental Medicine Symposium: GI Development: Health and Disease. May 30, 2002.
- “Regulation of mrp2 by Constitutive Androstane Receptor” South Central Conference on Perinatal Research. October 8, 2002.
- “Glucagon-Like Peptide 2 Decreases a Marker of Bone Resorption in TPN-Fed Neonatal Piglets” PAS; 57:3219. May 2005.
- “Total Parenteral Nutrition: Effects on Body Composition and Insulin Resistance in Neonatal Piglets” 22nd Interdisciplinary Neonatal Nutrition and Gastroenterology Symposium. December 8-11, 2005.
- Books:
- Horst, D., Karpen, S. “Bile Formation and Cholestasis” in Fetal and Neonatal Physiology 3rd Edition, Polin, Fox, and Abman ed.
Speaking partial review of lectures given
- National:
- Neonatal Nutrition Conference, March 7-10, 2004. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Nutrition Management of the Infant with Short Gut Syndrome.”
- Neonatal Nutrition Update Practicum, October 14 and 28, 2004. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Necrotizing Enterocolitis.”
- Neonatal Nutrition Conference, March 6-9, 2005. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Necrotizing Enterocolitis.”
- 33rd Annual National Association of Neonatal Nurses Conference, October 13th, 2017. Providence, RI. "Hot Topics: Fantastic Failures in Neonatology"
- Regional:
- Contemporary Issues in Neonatal Nursing, April 14-15, 2008. Keystone, CO. “Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Probiotics.”
- Contemporary Issues in Neonatal Nursing, April 20-21, 2009. Keystone, CO. “Neonatal Body Cooling: What, Who, When, Where and How?”
- Timely Topics in Obstetrics and Neonatology, November 13, 2009. Greenwood Village, CO. “Whole Body Hypothermia for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy.”
- Scottsbluff Regional Conference, April 7-8, 2010. “Whole Body Hypothermia.”
- Timely Topics in Obstetrics and Neonatology, November 12, 2010. Denver, CO. “The Use of Probiotics in Newborn Infants-Is it Time?”
- Local:
- Neonatology Research Conference, December 9, 2003. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Ontogeny of Glucagon-like Peptide 2 Receptor Function.”
- Baylor Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Grand Rounds Lecture Series, March 24, 2004. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Bilirubin Metabolism and Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia.”
- Neonatology Research Conference, December 2, 2004. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Glucagon-like Peptide 2 and Bone Metabolism.”
- Neonatal Grand Rounds. October 3rd, 2008. Avista Adventist Hospital. Louisville, CO. “Hyperbilirubinemia.”
- Neonatal Grand Rounds. September 16, 2009. Avista Adventist Hospital. Louisville, CO. “Nasal CPAP and High-Flow Nasal Cannulas.”
- Perinatal Grand Rounds. January 19th, 2011. Avista Adventist Hospital, Louisville, CO. “Probiotics in Preterm Infants: Are We There Yet?”
David A. Horst, M.D.
1110 Milford Street, Houston, TX 77006, 303-995-0884. [email protected]
I am a highly experienced neonatologist with over twenty years of experience in Level Four Neonatal Intensive Care Units, including ten years as a NICU Medical Director in two of the largest NICUs in HCA. I have successfully developed support for more complex neonatal care by leading subspecialty recruitment and building programs including ECMO, hypothermia, and pediatric and cardiovascular surgery. I have a record of successfully generating new business through outreach and partnerships with regional hospital systems in Colorado and Texas. My practice leadership focuses on achieving clinical excellence while fostering positive team dynamics and culture. In the last five years, I have expanded Pediatrix Neonatology of Houston by consolidating three neonatology practices in Houston to better align with HCA’s operations in the Gulf Coast Division. I am an engaged medical staff member who partners with hospitals and leads physicians.
Education
Bachelor of science | 1985-1989 | Texas Christian university
- Major: Biology
- Minor: Chemistry
Medical education | 1993-2003 | Baylor college of medicine
- MD: 1993-1997
- Pediatrics Residency: 1997-2000
- Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship: 2000-2003
Honors and Awards
- National Merit Finalist, July 1985
- Graduate of Texas Christian University cum laude with honors, 1989
- Adeline P. Landa Post-doctoral Fellowship Award, 2001
- Arnold J. Rudolph Award for outstanding teaching, patient care, scientific inquiry and professional integrity, Baylor College of Medicine Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program, 2003
- “5280 Top Doc” for Denver, 5280 Magazine, 2016, 2017, 2018
Board Eligibility/Certification
- American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, October 2001-2008
- American Board of Pediatrics, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, November 2005 - present
- Neonatal Advanced Life Support, 1997-present
Work ExperienceGULF COAST DIVISION AND THE WOMAN’S HOSPITAL OF TEXAS, 2019-2024
- Stabilized and grew Pediatrix Neonatology of Houston
- Completely revamped daily NICU operations, including teams' structure and culture, patient assignment, and workflow to improve continuity and communication for patients, families, and nursing staff at Woman’s
- Successfully recruited ten neonatologists in competition with Texas Children's Hospital. There are currently no openings, and there is a waiting list.
- Stabilized the NNP program. Recruited 16 NNPs (from 4 to 21) at Woman’s Hospital
- Added three transport NNPs to staff the Air Life transport team
- Grew newborn service from 100-200 patient days a month to 1600-2000 a month
- Recruited 8 Pediatric NPs to staff the newborn service efficiently
- Recruited a director to start a neonatal clinical research program, the only one in the HCA enterprise working with the HCA Research Institute
- Collaborated with Practice Directors to consolidate three separate neonatology services for Pediatrix in Houston, aligning with the HCA Gulf Coast Division and growing to 56 Neonatologists and 90 Advanced Practitioners
- Clinical Programs at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas
- Partnered in the startup of patient navigation, including multidisciplinary meetings at TWHT, now navigating 60-80 patients a month with four navigators
- Started an ECMO program
- Recruited a fetal cardiologist partner to start a fetal cardiology program, which created 1500-2000 NICU patient days a year, provided 30% of the navigated mothers, and created the pipeline for the future cardiovascular surgery program
- Recruited pediatric surgeons and facilitated the transition from a university program to an aligned private practice, resulting in a significant increase in surgical cases, NICU days, and decreased outmigration
- Recruited Pediatric Hematology, which added 1500-2000 NICU patient days a year
- Started Genetic Counseling and organized all testing, decreasing cost and turnaround time, and closing the loop on follow-up for families
- Recruited Pediatric Nephrology, allowing us to support ECMO and decrease outmigration
- Used targeted outreach to increase neonatal transfers from 100 to 250 a year
Patient care
- Attending Neonatologist in Level I, II, III, and IV NICUs at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, HCA Houston Clearlake, HCA Houston Southeast, HCA Houston Conroe, HCA Houston Kingwood, HCA Houston Northwest, HCA Houston Tomball. 2019-present
- Attending Neonatologist in Level I, II, III, and IV NICUs at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s, Aurora South Hospital, Avista Adventist Hospital, Saint Anthony’s North Medical Center and Swedish Medical Center in Denver, CO. 2006-2019
- Attending Neonatologist in Level III NICU at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, CO. 2018-2019
- Attending Neonatologist in Level I, II, III, and IV NICUs at Texas Children’s Hospital, Ben Taub General Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Methodist Hospital in Houston, TX, 2003-2006
- ECMO experience
- Texas Children’s Hospital Neonatology Fellow 2000-2003, Neonatology Attending 2003-2006.
- Participated in program startup and attended Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children 2009-2014
- The Woman’s Hospital of Texas program startup and attending ECMO physician 2020-present
health organization participation
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Fellow, 1997-present
- Member, Committee on Maternal and Perinatal Health, Texas Medical Association, Dec 2004-2006
- Alternate Delegate, Texas Medical Association House of Delegates, Harris County Medical Society, 2005-2006
Administrative
- Practice Medical Director, Pediatrix Neonatology of Houston, 2019-present
- HCA Neonatal Physician Advisor, 2025-present
- NICU Medical Director, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2019-present
- Neonatology Medical Director, HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division, 2019-Present
- Chief of Staff, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2025-present
- Member, Medical Executive Committee, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2019-present
- Board Member, Board of Trustees, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2021-present
- Board Member, Houston March of Dimes, 2021-present
- Vice Chief of Staff, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2023-2024
- Member, Credentialing Committee, The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, 2019-2021
- Medical Director, NICU, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian Saint-Luke’s Hospital, 2014-2019
- Practice Medical Director, Rocky Mountain Neonatology, 2015-2019
- Neonatal Services Chair, Presbyterian Saint-Luke's Hospital, 2016-2018
- Member, Medical Executive Committee, Presbyterian Saint-Luke's Hospital, 2016-2019
- Quality Management Committee Chair, Presbyterian Saint-Luke's Hospital, 2018-2019
- Medical Director, NICU, Avista Adventist Hospital, 2008-2014
- Perinatal Division Chief, Avista Adventist Hospital, 2010-2014
- Member, Medical Executive Committee, Avista Adventist Hospital, 2010-2014
- Medical Director, NICU, Saint Anthony North Hospital, 2011-2013
- Medical Director, NICU, Saint Anthony Summit Medical Center, 2011-2014
- Member, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Committee, Newborn Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 2002-2006
- Member, Cardiopulmonary Care, Hematology, and Environment Clinical Review Committee, Newborn Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 2002-2006
- Member, Perinatal Advisory Committee, Texas Children's Hospital, 2004-2006
TEACHING
- English Teacher, Japanese Ministry of Education, Ichikawa, Japan, 1990-1991
- Special Education Teacher, Hope Alternative School, Houston, TX, 1991-1993
academic appointments
- Clinical Professor, University of Houston College of Medicine, 2020-present
- Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, 2003-2006
- Clinical Instructor, Baylor College of Medicine, 2001-2003
Clinical laboratory
- Independent research in gastrointestinal development. June 2003-2006
- Clinical Post-doctoral Fellow in Saul Karpen, M.D., PhD. Laboratory July 2000-June 2003
Publications
- Full papers:
- P. F. Terranova, J. Th. J. Uilenbroek, L. Saville, D. Horst and Y.Nakamura, “Serotonin enhances oestradiol production by hamster preovulatory follicles in vitro: effects of experimentally induced atresia,” Journal of Endocrinology. °125(3):433-8, Jun 1990.
- Fernandes CJ, Horst DA, O'donovan DJ “Nasopharyngeal surfactant administration to prevent neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.” J Perinatol. 2005 May;25(5):361-2.
- Stoll B, Horst DA, Cui L, Chang X, Ellis KJ, Hadsell DL, Suryawan A, Kurundakar A, Maheshwari A, Davis TA, Burrin DG, “Chronic parenteral nutrition induces hepatic inflammation, steatosis and insulin resistance in neonatal pigs,” Journal of Nutrition. 2010 Dec; 140(12);2193-200.
- Abstracts:
- “Nuclear Receptor Regulation of mrp2” 60th Perinatal & Developmental Medicine Symposium: GI Development: Health and Disease. May 30, 2002.
- “Regulation of mrp2 by Constitutive Androstane Receptor” South Central Conference on Perinatal Research. October 8, 2002.
- “Glucagon-Like Peptide 2 Decreases a Marker of Bone Resorption in TPN-Fed Neonatal Piglets” PAS; 57:3219. May 2005.
- “Total Parenteral Nutrition: Effects on Body Composition and Insulin Resistance in Neonatal Piglets” 22nd Interdisciplinary Neonatal Nutrition and Gastroenterology Symposium. December 8-11, 2005.
- Books:
- Horst, D., Karpen, S. “Bile Formation and Cholestasis” in Fetal and Neonatal Physiology 3rd Edition, Polin, Fox, and Abman ed.
Speaking partial review of lectures given- National:
- Neonatal Nutrition Conference, March 7-10, 2004. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Nutrition Management of the Infant with Short Gut Syndrome.”
- Neonatal Nutrition Update Practicum, October 14 and 28, 2004. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Necrotizing Enterocolitis.”
- Neonatal Nutrition Conference, March 6-9, 2005. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Necrotizing Enterocolitis.”
- 33rd Annual National Association of Neonatal Nurses Conference, October 13th, 2017. Providence, RI. "Hot Topics: Fantastic Failures in Neonatology"
- Regional:
- Contemporary Issues in Neonatal Nursing, April 14-15, 2008. Keystone, CO. “Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Probiotics.”
- Contemporary Issues in Neonatal Nursing, April 20-21, 2009. Keystone, CO. “Neonatal Body Cooling: What, Who, When, Where and How?”
- Timely Topics in Obstetrics and Neonatology, November 13, 2009. Greenwood Village, CO. “Whole Body Hypothermia for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy.”
- Scottsbluff Regional Conference, April 7-8, 2010. “Whole Body Hypothermia.”
- Timely Topics in Obstetrics and Neonatology, November 12, 2010. Denver, CO. “The Use of Probiotics in Newborn Infants-Is it Time?”
- Local:
- Neonatology Research Conference, December 9, 2003. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Ontogeny of Glucagon-like Peptide 2 Receptor Function.”
- Baylor Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Grand Rounds Lecture Series, March 24, 2004. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Bilirubin Metabolism and Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia.”
- Neonatology Research Conference, December 2, 2004. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Glucagon-like Peptide 2 and Bone Metabolism.”
- Neonatal Grand Rounds. October 3rd, 2008. Avista Adventist Hospital. Louisville, CO. “Hyperbilirubinemia.”
- Neonatal Grand Rounds. September 16, 2009. Avista Adventist Hospital. Louisville, CO. “Nasal CPAP and High-Flow Nasal Cannulas.”
- Perinatal Grand Rounds. January 19th, 2011. Avista Adventist Hospital, Louisville, CO. “Probiotics in Preterm Infants: Are We There Yet?”
Financial relationships
-
Nature of financial relationship:There are no financial relationships to disclose.Date added:06/25/2025Date updated:06/25/2025