At Patients ER & Hospital, we understand that you want the best possible treatment from the area’s most qualified physicians, especially in the event of emergency injuries or illnesses. That’s why we are 100% dedicated to only hiring board-certified emergency physicians, as opposed to simply hiring licensed physicians as one would find at most other emergency care facilities.
Christopher R. Grieves, M.D.
Dr. Grieves has been practicing emergency medicine for 16 years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1991. He attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Louisville in 1998. He brings to the group the experience of having worked at urban, suburban, and rural emergency departments while practicing in Louisville, Indianapolis, Boston, and Houston. He enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors with his wife Andrea and son Owen.
Amy Buford, M.D.
Dr. Buford is a native of Louisiana. She received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans. She graduated from LSU Medical School in New Orleans and completed her training in emergency medicine at UT Houston at Hermann Memorial Hospital in the Medical Center. She is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. She lives in Houston and is active in the local community.
Shannon Bagwell, M.D.
Dr. Bagwell received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Prior to joining Patients ER & Hospital, she was the medical director at Conroe Regional Medical Center and multiple free standing emergency rooms.
Rene Garza, D.O.
Dr. Garza was born and raised in Fresno, California. He worked for United Parcel Service while attending California State University Fresno, where he earned a degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Spanish. He attended medical school at Ohio University and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. He moved to Texas in 2004 and has worked at a variety of emergency centers in the Central and East Texas areas. Dr. Garza has been married 24 years and has a 21-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. He enjoys running, tennis, fishing, dates with his wife, and traveling with his family.
Eric McLaughlin, M.D.
Dr. McLaughlin graduated from Brigham Young University in Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He attended medical school at the New York Medical College and completed his Emergency Medicine residency in Toledo, Ohio, at the St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, where he was awarded the Humanitarian Award for his leadership and compassion in medical care.
He joined Greater Houston Emergency Physicians in 2004 and has been a partner ever since.
James Frybarger, M.D.
Dr. Frybarger grew up in Michigan and studied at Oakland University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in Mathematics. He then received his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. He completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He moved to the Houston area in 2011 and has not missed the snow and cold weather since.
What is the difference between a board-certified physician and a licensed physician?
When a student graduates from medical school, they can become licensed by the state in which they practice once they have completed their residency training. However, licensed physicians cannot legally refer to themselves as “board-certified” until they have taken and passed the rigorous board certification exam, which ultimately tests the physician in terms of his/her medical knowledge, clinical judgment and other similar aspects that indicate whether a candidate is worthy of achieving the highly sought-after accolade of board certification.
Board certification isn’t just more difficult to achieve than licensure, in order to maintain this certification it also requires the physician to undergo and meet all continuing education and re-certification requirements. At Patients ER & Hospital, you can look forward to always being seen by a physician who is truly up-to-date on all of the most current and advanced medical treatments, clinical trials and more.
Our patients can breathe easy knowing that each and every one of our physicians are board-certified in emergency medicine, and that they are steadfast in their commitment to adhering to the highest standards of patient care and Southern hospitality.