Physicians and Caregivers Descriptions

Anesthesiologist: A doctor who specializes in pain management during surgical procedures.

Audiologist: A specially trained person who tests hearing ability.

Cardiologist: A doctor who specializes in heart problems.

Dietician: A specially trained person who teaches people about healthy eating and orders special diets to improve health.

Medical Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in treating cancer with appropriate chemotherapy and overseeing the administration of chemotherapy.

Medical Student: A student who has passed college and is learning to be a doctor. He must always be supervised by residents or doctors while learning.

Nurse Anesthetist: A registered nurse who has completed extra education and passed certification for pain management during surgery.

Nurse Practitioner: A registered nurse (RN) who has completed extra education and passed certification to take care of people in all areas of medicine. Nurse practitioners can manage healthcare, prescribe medicines and perform procedures similar to those that doctors perform.

Nutritionist: A specially trained person who teaches people about healthy eating and orders special diets to improve health—especially while on chemotherapy and/or radiation.

Occupational Therapist: An occupational therapist focuses on improving the patient’s quality of life, function and activities of daily living.

Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in cancer treatment.

Pharmacist: A specially trained person who fills medication prescriptions and teaches patients about medications.

Physical Therapist: A physical therapist assists the patient first by treating the injury/condition and then teaching the patient how to care for the injury and prevent a recurrence.

Physician’s Assistant: A specially trained and certified person who works with doctors to provide care to patients. Similar to a nurse practitioner, they can identify problems, manage care and write prescriptions.

Pulmonologist: A pulmonologist is a physician who possesses specialized knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases.

Radiologist: A doctor who specializes in X-ray procedures and treatment using radioactive materials.

Resident: A doctor who is learning about a specialty area of medicine. These doctors are at different levels of school and have an experienced doctor that supervises their care until they graduate.

Respiratory Therapist: A respiratory therapist works to evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing disorders.

Speech-Language Pathologist: A speech-language pathologist assists individuals in achieving optimal communication and swallowing through evaluation and treatment of speech, language, cognitive, voice and swallowing disorders.

Stroke Coordinator: Registered nurse who works with all involved disciplines to ensure that patients experiencing stroke receive seamless, comprehensive, compassionate care from the Emergency Department through discharge.

Thoracic Surgeon: A doctor who specializes in cancer surgeries of the chest (lung and esophagus).

To make an appointment with a physician at UT Medical Center, call a healthcare coordinator toll-free at 1.877.UT.CARES (1.865.882.2737).